May 24th

Happy 6th Birthday Veronica!!! Have fun at your party....

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Emma Rose!!! Have a really fun day......

Happy Memorial Day

Hope you have a great weekend with your families and remember those who serve and can't be with their loved ones.

We're heading to an agility trial in NH and will have fun camping and running dogs. Monday we'll probably be workin' on the wood pile.

Best Puppy

Ike won Best of Breed Puppy at the ASCA show in CT last Sunday!!! Wooo-hooo!!

Tucker

Well, I never would have guessed that we would have to do this so soon, but Tucker has retired from agility. He has had a puzzling right hind leg and back issue for months now. No limping or anything like that... he just won't put much weight on his leg when he stands. We had all the tick tests and blood tests done and even put him on the antibiotic for two weeks... but nothing changed. My vet finally recommended that he see the orthopedic vet for a consult. We ended up doing extensive x-rays of his legs, back and hips. At least that identified the problem. He has spondylosis in his lower spine (a narrowing of the channel in the spine with some bone spurs possibly resting on a nerve) and fluid on both knees. Right now he is on rest for three weeks... and don't think THAT's not difficult with five dogs... one of them being a puppy. He can't do many stairs either... just once upstairs to bed and downstairs in the morning. I have to leash walk him outside, too. He wasn't so thrilled with this new routing to start, but is getting used to it.
After three weeks, we can start doing some light trotting. I can still show him, but Lee has lost his agility buddy. We're going to try to see how Denver will run for him at the next trial. We still have 1 1/2 to 2 years before Ike can compete so hopefully Denver will be able to fill Tucker's shoes until then.

Catching Up

Sorry that I haven't been blogging a lot lately. With the surgery, new puppy and lots of PT appointments, I feel really behind. Just getting to the laundry and cleaning have been my big accomplishments lately. The shoulder is still sore, but I'm working hard on my exercises and stretches sometimes thru lots of pain. The new puppy is growing by leaps and bounds and is just lots of fun.
I'll try to post more updates as the week goes on (if my laundry gets caught up :) I better get to work....

Today

Well, on Monday I was slapping the Doctor high fives for his work on my shoulder and was virtually pain free with lots of "range of motion" and I breezed through physical therapy. Tuesday morning I woke up stiff and really sore and it has remained the same all week. I've continued physical therapy every day and they have put me through my paces and I've done more work and exercised at home... and lots of ice. So, in the long run, the scenario is the same as my right shoulder that I had done 4 years ago. Lots of hard work and pain, but hopefully I'll be able to swim in the lake with the kids this summer.
We're off to our first outdoor agility trial this afternoon. We've got the camper all packed and hooked up. I don't know how many runs I'll do, but Lee will be there to take over if I don't feel like running much. It should be a relaxing weekend, just hanging out with the dogs at the fairgrounds and being in the camper. Haven't really figured out what the weather will be like 'cause I've heard so many different reports. Guess we'll see when we get there.
I was up half the night last night with Ike who was vomiting and had a bit of diarrhea. It's a worry to have sickness in such a small puppy, but this morning he is eating some and drinking and not running a temp. So I think he'll be just fine. I was up early making some hamburger and rice mixture. Guess he must have just gotten into something... he's so quick and close to the ground :)
Have a great relaxing weekend!!