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.