I figured he would need the second surgery based on how he was carrying his left leg as of late November/early December last year. This was confirmed by my vet when we went in for a mid December check up. I held off until I saw Monty "carrying" his leg up regularly (or fairly regularly) and realized that it was "time".
That said, here's a pic of the boy convalescing at home.. check the "smile" on his face (you can kind of see the scar on his leg there..)
nex