. . . in the distant, early morning . . .

Oh beautiful day

The last few days here in Hillsboro have been stunning. Crisp, sunny days, beautiful clear evenings.  Elka and I went on a long walk today and enjoyed the great outdoors.  For the first time ever I let her off leash in an unfenced, but large grassy area.

She gave me at least 3 heart attacks, happily running far away and going way out of sight.

But it was a simple matter to call her name and drop to the ground.  The first time I did this she came charging back to me.  I grabbed her and we walked a bit.  Then I let her go again.

The second time I dropped she looked at me and got ready to charge, so I stood up - and she ran in the other direction!  Lesson learned.

I let her explore a bit more, watching her go out of site with my heart in my throat.  Then I called her name and dropped to the ground again, pretending I’d found gold.

She nearly ran me over. =)  She was going so fast that she hurdled me and had to come back.  We tumbled around and played a bit and I came back with her.

I knew that dropping her leash (I didn’t take it off entirely) was a huge risk.  We were far from the road but not impossibly far.  There was a fence on 2 sides, a house on the third, and New Season on the far end of the grassy area (we walked all the way in).  But… I didn’t think she’d want to leave me.  In fact I was betting on her fear of being left behind.  She went both further than I expected, and less far than I feared.  Her recall stank until I dropped out of sight, and there’s probably a limited number of times that “trick” will work.

So we need to work on recall, and badly!  I am still very heartened by her responses today, and there were several moments of pure, uninhibited joy watching her run flat out in this new area, exploring and just living.  I enjoyed it, even if I was scared I’d made a terrible mistake.  It was a calculated risk and it worked out, but I won’t repeat it unless….

... we go to Thousand Acres Dog Park, where she’ll be fitted with a GPS device just in case; and she won’t be off-leash there until she has something resembling a reliable recall, even if I have to use a remote training device (with great care), but this is a skill she needs to learn.

Mali is doing well, she’s eating boiled turkey and chicken, kibble, and baby food.  She’s not supposed to be on a high protein diet, but it’s that or starve.  So we’re working with what we’ve got.  Her phosphorous levels are fine, her kidneys are working a bit harder so she’ll be going on Azodyl to help break her food down so her kidneys work less hard.  We’re managing.

Elka’s doing great, and being very supportive.  She’s getting less attention than I’d like to give her because a lot of my energy is going into the act of keeping Mali alive.  But I make sure that Elka gets attention each day, and exercise (daycare or a walk) and some training.  I hope to add a second dog, if I think Mali can get through the first few days of stress that brings, as I had planned when I initially got Elka.  We’re both ready now.  Elka’s a complete angel, though, being very patient, mellow, and loving, both with me and Mali.

I leave next Friday for Austin, Texas, to attend SXSW.  I’m nervous about having to board Mali at the vet for 5 days, but she’ll have her carrier and lots of supportive care.  She’ll be getting ultrasounded to rule out cancer, as well.  So she needs this trip; but still… I wish I didn’t have to board her, that she could stay in her own territory.

Elka on the other hand I’m not worried about at all since she’ll be at Many Paws Kennels.  They’re fantastic and Elka loves it there.

This week I am also doing my first home visit; evaluating a potential new foster home.  I’m incredibly excited to get even more involved in the rescue community.  And of course, on the 20th, Elka and I start our Therapy Team training.  I am very much looking forward to that!

I’m really looking forward to SXSW.  It will be good to travel for a short time, see some of my team, and see some of the community. 

All in all… things are doing ok here.  it’s hard for me constantly worrying about Mali, but I think we’re close to finding out a management routine that keeps her stable and happy.

And of course, the beautiful days are helping all of our outlooks.  Elka sunbathes outside, Mali sunbathes in my bay window, and I just watch and enjoy them being so happy.  Good times.

-Lisa, on March 6, 2010 at 12:34 am .::. Comment (1)

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By whazzup969 on March 6, 2010 at 9:32 pm .::.

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