Post op report (IOW, we made it without going bonkers)

Yep, 9 days later and the Swingster is back to her old self.  Hey, she was back to her old self by day 2 albeit a tad stiff in the mornings.  When I finally released her from the restraint of the flexi lead she immediately did two laps around the pond, kicking up her heels (and I'm not joking, she literally looked like a young horse whose been turned out in a huge field for the first time) and enjoying the fact that she was finally able to stretch those legs.  I checked the incision site before making the decision to let her loose and it looks fabulous and after she came in I did another check and there wasn't any swelling or redness or obvious discomfort.  I'm proud of the fact that I was able to keep her in check for a week let along 9 days!

Looking to the pond, the 2nd morning after her surgery

 Intently watching Dodge

 Straining to get as close as she can

Since the pond is the center of my guys attention when we are outside there will be lots of pictures of it throughout the summer.  I plan on putting a couple of chairs out there so that I can sit and lifeguard/supervise and hopefully avoid getting bit up by the myriad of bugs in the area.

Everyone is adjusting to the new place.  I have a number of outdoor projects to do, finish putting staples in the fence, trim back some branches that are blocking my view of the lane (as well as hanging so low that it is getting hard to duck under them when I'm mowing), mulching and I'm going to rototill a couple of areas with the intent of planting some flowers for color, etc.  This fall PSU will send some guys out to paint the barn, tar the roof and do some repairs on the cinder block shed and cut down some dead trees at the far end of the pond.  Since I literally chased the porcupine off of the side porch I have not had any late night visitors but I did have to relocate a snapping turtle.  Oh, and the black snake has not made an appearance since the weekend that I moved (and trust me, I scan the lower yard when I go through there on my way to the garage).  I'm sure there are more surprises to come and hopefully we will take them in stride.

I hope the M&M clan has a nice fourth of July and are not bothered by the fireworks.  Living out in the country like we are I expect to hear gunshots and a lot of hoopla on Friday night.  I wonder if I can see the State College fireworks if I drive to the top of the mountain.  I'm sure it will be a popular place.  Training will begin in earnest this week since Swing, Dodge and I will be traveling to the WCA/GSPCA agility trial in late August.  Don't ask me why I entered her, she's far from ready to be really good and depending on we progress on weave work I will just be happy keeping her focused enough to take direction from me.  We'll spend a good deal of time on focus and attention work by concentrating on obedience.  Next post will probably be a report on how we are progressing.

Changes

For Swing's third birthday I decided it was time for a change for all of us.  So I moved.  Yep, packed the crew up and moved to another county.  It was time and the opportunity was one that I could not pass up.  I think it's been a good move too.  I'm not totally settled in, but we are on a schedule of sorts and other than adjusting to the porcupine that likes to stop and visit every few days, and dealing with other creatures (black snake, snapping turtle, turkeys and deer), I feel like we are adjusting.  And the timing could not have been more perfect for our young lady, she has discovered that the pond is a great place to hang out and as you can see, it is hard to keep her out of it!

 working the boundary

 Looking for toads

 Around the corner

Going in face first

It will be a nice place to play at the height of the summer.

Tomorrow the goofy girl goes to the vet to be spayed.  That will end her conformation career and while not being able to finish her Championship is somewhat of a disappointment, not having to deal with a heat cycle makes up for it.  Performance events are more important to me anyway and now we can really move forward in those arenas.

Speaking of performance, brother Milo should be close to finishing his CD (companion dog) title in obedience, and sister Ella has been gearing up for her debut in agility.  And I heard in a round about way that our brother Hank (Beau) will also be ready to debut in agility very soon (I may have heard August).  I'm looking forward to hearing from all three of them.

Not to be forgotten, Gracie Dot continues on the path of being one spoiled girl.  Good for you G-D!

I'll do my best to post a bit more often.  We'll send out a post-op report, if we survive it.  As active as she is I think I'm going to have to take Amy's recommendation and request some tranquilizers for her while she heals.  It's going to be an adventure!