Poppy in her prime...

...and then there is everything else. 

 

Last Sunday Poppy and I competed in another agility trial. The timing was perfect; because of the time change (and being scheduled to run at the end of the first, very large class), there was no early morning alarm or leaving in the dark. Instead, "fingers of God" (a much more beautiful term than crepuscular rays) beamed as we left our lane and headed down the hill:

Poppy was a rock star. After the first class in which she took a jump out of order which disqualified us in that particular class (CPE Agility features 'Standard' runs, plus classes that are categorized as 'Handler,' 'Strategy,' and 'Fun'), she was foot-perfect in her next three classes with three first place qualifying runs – and she nailed the weaves in all four classes (weaves are our shakiest skill). At almost five years old, she is beautiful, fit, mature, and responsive. After two years of agility trials and watching a LOT of other dogs and handlers run, I believe she is truly the best dog for me – and I try to be the best person for her.

While she is in her prime, I am not. My left (acute) knee has been getting worse again, so I upped my Aleve to twice a day and took my knee brace along to the trial, wearing it for my last two classes (without as much benefit as I hoped for).

Phooey on this; I will not go quietly to a rocking chair even if I do turn 63 next week! This week has been a flurry of seeking help. I was able to get a next-day appointment with my PCP, Rick ultrasounded both my knees (he thinks my left meniscus is messed up), I got a standing x-ray of both my knees (mild arthritis in my left, moderate in my right), and I contacted a clinic in Portland. Rick told me about the clinic, where he attended a seminar for both physicians and veterinarians, when I bemoaned to him that I needed a human medicine equivalent to him, trained as he is in equine locomotor pathology, advanced imaging techniques and non-surgical treatment options such as shockwave therapy, PRP, and stem cell therapy. Unfortunately such treatments, though offered by that clinic, are not covered by insurance, but we'll cross that bridge if I come to it. Rick sent them my ultrasound images; I'm waiting to hear back from them.

For whatever reason, Rick hasn't had much veterinary work lately. That's worrisome, but does give him time to work on the shop. He got the ridgecap on (just in time for the rainy week ahead) and has been putting metal on the sides.

Is he getting this done just in time for something else? This afternoon Rick learned that he loses his clinic lease in February. Oh joy; a total upheaval of his business on TOP of dealing with physical, family, and other issues....

To keep from drowning in a sea of stress, I make a conscious effort to focus on the beauty of nature and the God who created it. If my photos soothe you, too, all the better. No need to emphasize all the ‘awful’ in this world!

That's it for now from . . .