| Posted on August 27, 2010 at 1:00 AM |  comments (0) |
As summer winds down and cooler days begin, our fosters and Shelby have been hitting the trail for some much needed directional training. However, I'm pretty sure they don't see it as training so much as desired change of scenery, having been bored and inactive since the Spring and Summer heat set in. Hopefully we can escape the heat soon with a camping trip to Michigan...while we may be training and backpacking most of the time during our stay, there will definitely be some R&R next to Lake Huron for all of us.
My family are continuing the search for the perfect addition to the fur family, but are being cautious. Unfortunately we are still limited on space and both fosters continue to reside with us while waiting on their forever homes. Poor Jasmine has been waiting since last year and every family that is willing to drive this far out seems to have overlooked her. 
Lexie has completed her basic rehab and is ready for her forever home too. I'm sure that if they could just meet her, they would fall in love. Honestly, if I've ever been tempted to become a foster failure, Lexie would have to be it- I love her so much that I'm definitely going to be bawling when her time comes to send her to her forever home.
Sarge has yet to compete due to my poor health during the main portion of the competition season. I am aiming to have him up and ready again for the CPE trial in September, but he is pretty rusty at this point, having only been back in class for the last month or so.
Shelby is doing well too. Her temperament seems to have changed as she has aged this year and she has slow down a bit on her energy level. She still plays with gusto when the mood strikes, but she prefers to cuddle to me and take a nap with Lexie on my other side. As the season has cooled, she is slowly getting back her form with our longer daily hikes. I really think with the right dog next to her she will enjoy sledding even more.
Clea has really been having more and more problems with her back hips I am sad to report. She is struggling to get up the stairs or to do anything that involves moving. I believe the only reason she is moving as much as she does is because she has the sheer determination to not be left behind by anyone. Also, her mind is slowly going and she doesn't seem to remember her routine as well. In addition, I think her glaucoma in her eye is worsening as she jumps anytime I touch her without letting her hear me first and catch my smell. Although I am avoiding thinking too hard on the subject, her time is coming to a close as her quality of life deteriorates. At best, she may have another year or two with me before that inevitable time comes. I think the cruelest thing is that human's best fur friends live such short lives compared to ours and letting go will be hard since she has been with me since my childhood. For me, euthanasia is like the ultimate act of compassion and betrayal wrapped all into one heart-wrenching lump.
On a less serious note, my husband and I have been exploring the possibility of moving to Colorado in the next year or so to take advantage of the tech boom there. I am both excited and sad at the thought. For the most part, I am excited because I will finally be able to see the mountains everyday and have the climate to work my dogs longer. However, the move will come as a touch of sadness with my folks moving to PA later this year, as that will put us even farther away from them. However, we will follow God in the matter and not reject any opportunity to further my husband's career or increase my chance of being able to teach high school again.
Best wishes to everyone and I hope the coming of fall finds all of you well!
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