Life Is Good

Everyday I make sure I find something to be happy about. Today was the day to remind myself that I am a lucky person...I have a wonderful husband, great dogs, beautiful cats, great sister and brother-in-law and at thirty something I truly know who my friends are.

Yesterday, I was given a present by someone special it was the most thoughtful gift I had received in a long time. What was more special than the gift was the person who gave it to me - I don't think I know anyone more thoughtful. She is the real gift and doesn't even know it!

Today I was reminded that when you let people in sometimes an unexpected wonderful friendship can happen.

I danced and sang with Stella in the kitchen...it was so much fun...simple pleasure!! She loves it when you sing to her and she doesn't care if you sound bad - ha ha!!

Some Kind of Fluke

So yesterday I got Fluke's show numbers for next weekend. We have been trying to get his 3rd leg - the last leg - for his utility title since June of 2007. He has 4 shows in November and I keep saying if he doesn't get it in these 4 shows we are done trying. He is almost 9.5yrs old and honestly most of utility stresses him way too much. I think I need to do right by him and have his senior years filled with what he loves to do. I hate to leave something unfinished...almost feel like we failed, but I try to look at the fact that we did get 2 legs.

When Fluke was less than a year old I was told by a few self called "experts" that Fluke would never be able to get anything! How discouraging! So I guess we've done ok...cgc, cd, cdx, rn and those 2 ud legs...a couple of those people now just shake their heads and wonder! I have always believed in this dog. He loves to work with me but he worries about floors and stuff hanging from walls and noises. Some of his fears we were able to train through but it is just who he is. He was from a backyard breeder, who never brought the pups inside and did not interact with them like he should have...maybe he just didn't know any better. When I brought him home and put him on the kitchen floor he froze (afraid of the floor) and then urinated blood...I wanted to bring him back even called the breeder and he said too bad it is a done deal. The blood in his pee was from a bruise on his you know what - one of the other pups bit him there..ouch!!

Then it was all about what to call him...I remember my sister trying to help me and then with her help it just came out "Some Kind of Fluke" and it made sense. So many people criticized my choice for his name. I always defend it by saving a fluke is a good thing and in my opinion a special thing. Here's the definition:
A lucky or improbable occurrence, with the implication that the occurrence could not be repeated.

here's another:
an accidental stroke of luck

Fluke has taught me so much - not just loads about training dogs, but about just letting go and enjoying what you are doing when you are doing it. He's taught me that is ok to love so deeply even though you know one day you will lose that love. He has taught me that somethings you can not change and you just have to accept them. He has made me laugh out loud more than anything in my life.

So I still have hope that we will qualify at one of these 4 shows, but even if we don't I still get to take my best friend home with me and what prize is better than that! I am so thankful that his breeder said it was a "done deal" and would not take him back. I would have missed out on the love of my life - a fluke indeed!

Music and a Great Gift

The people who know me really well know that I always have a song playing in my head. Well there hasn’t been any music playing in a long time, but today I hear the music again!! Some of the best gifts you receive are not in boxes and all wrapped up. I heard from the x-ray specialist and she said that Luna’s vertebrae is a transitional vertebrae not hemi-vertebrae. She said the transitional vertebrae is not usually a problem just that she should see a dog chiropractor to keep her aligned. She told me that Luna can absolutely have her life back…she can run, jump, train and even compete!!! What a gift…we are so thankful!

Hopeville

I know there is a lot of important stuff going on in the world, but right now the most important thing to me is the opinion of the board certified radiologist. I am trying to be patient....I called this afternoon and left a message with one of the vet techs. It is 7:45pm so I don't think I will be hearing anything today. So I will spend some more time in what I call Hopeville. The last two days I have been letting myself entertain the idea of training Luna again. It is kind of like a little movie playing in my head and I can see her flying over the jumps! I can see her running in the field - so fast! Then I have to stop myself...don't get too hopeful be prepared to have your heart broken all over again. Maybe Hopeville is the best place to be for now.

Hope

Today was all about x-rays; Luna’s x-rays of her spine. One doctor believes she has a life changing congenital deformity and another believes her vertebrae are considered normal. I delivered the x-rays to the board certified radiologist. Now I wait with hope. Hope that the first doctor is wrong and this has all been a horrible mistake. My baby girl needs her life back. I need her life back. I have trained her too well…she loves to work …it is all she knows. Luna possesses an intensity that you don’t usually see in Labrador. She needs to work or she goes insane in a bad way.

Does everything really happen for a reason?

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

In The Moment

In the moment - that's how dogs live. I tried that today and it was wonderful. I let everything else go - no sadness, no worries, no stress - just stayed in a beautiful moment.

Peer Pressure

Ok - I've done it...gave into the pressure and started a blog. I think I might like this - cheap therapy! Today was a pretty good day with the bratadors. Luna and I went for a nice walk at Burgess Field - one of her favorites places. She enjoyed the smells and I enjoyed the beautiful fall colors. It was good to see her happy and looking like herself. She has had a tough year so far with a lot of changes and more changes to come for her and me.