Jack Russell Bill of Rights

I am a Jack Russell Terrier. You, my owner, are required to provide me with food, water and shelter.

It’s really not too much to ask, is it? And legally you have agreed to this contract by getting me in the first place. 

The fine print

1. where “food” entails top-of-the-line balanced dog food as well as table food to be shared while you are making or devouring food yourself, a steady diet of organics on the beach as well as in the woods, and the opportunity to try to ‘take down’ my own dinner. Occasional supply of garbage beside the road and cat poo from the yard. Deer poo is acceptable when seasonally available. A walk through the MacDonald’s parking lot and the park bleachers should be provided at least weekly with snacking opportunities. 
2. where “water” means a steady supply of crystal clear water in a clean bowl in the house.  Daily opportunity to drink from at least 6 different puddles or swamps but lakes may be acceptable.  Also, “water” implies access to warmer water (>15 degrees C) for swimming weekly in the summer, with easy in- and out- access from a beach and provided during or after at least 2 hours of rigourous free roaming exercise. Does not refer to rain, we don’t like it and you don’t need to make it rain for us. Please stop it. Sufficient “water” also requires you to provide a nice warm tubby after a long run in the mud, then a dry-off with a soft but firm towel prior to “food” and “shelter”. 
3. where “shelter” means a house with a couch that affords a clear view of the nearby road or other area with significantly interesting activity. The couch should have at least one soft blanket that can be dug into the appropriate shape and the house should be warm, preferably with a fireplace near said couch. Appropriate nighttime shelter implies access to your bed where I may sleep under the covers if it is colder and in the middle of the bed, not at the edge.  

Should the above conditions not be met to my satisfaction the following will be substituted:

1. “food” means your couch. With remote control and the fancy underwear accidentally lodged under the cushions. You may need to contact a veterinarian regarding the non-digestible fancy underwear. 
2. “water” implies my right to urinate on your favourite new shoes. 
3. and “shelter” means I get to hide under the bed after performing acts 1. and 2. 

Today - is a good day

My left leg is now sponsored by Dr Rocky Moise and Dr Van Sittert as well as the nursing and physio staff of St Joes....

First day that I believe the infection is actually under control since no new area hurts and my leg is no longer red and huge, now to try to get the knee to bend

one cut 9 days ago, 3 emerg visits then rescued by Dr Moise who snuck me in to Dr Van Sittert's office,  13 "visits" for 23 different antibiotic infusions over 27 cumulative hours, one surgery, one night in hospital, 2 physio appointments and counting... - probably 30 Tylenol 3's, some naproxen and ibuprofen, about 6 million ice packs, crutches, an immobilization splint, 4 wound cultures (one of which went awol thanks to emerg) and one nasty swamp monster bacteria in my knee

6 shifts off work (assuming I'm not suddenly walking tomorrow :o) but can walk next week  )
one bike course taught by Marc and Genevieve while I was in surgery instead of teaching
One missed course by Marc that he was supposed to be at instead of teaching biking and visiting me in the hospital
and I doubt I can race this fall....  despite the best of physio I can't see that being a reasonable outcome

but I have two legs, and right now that makes me very happy!
Today is definitely a good day.

momar.... and more

This blog was supposed to be about the MOMAR, and the cyclocross race the next day, but sometimes life takes you in unexpected directions.

The MOMAR was a blast. Marc, Dave, Joan and I were a team of four, and we rocked the course! Of course there was pain, and mishaps, some slow sections and some faster ones. It had rained buckets, and the downhill mountain bike sections involved "surfing" techniques as your bike slid through the thick mud trying not to hit the trees around the tight and windy trail. The running went "fine" - which means I wish I could run better but I lived through it.  I wore my brand champion bike shorts with pride, and tried to do the endorsement justice! And of course I had a sugoi merino layer on, since it's become like my second skin.

We thought we'd managed second in our category, so were pretty excited to find out we snagged FIRST! Very very cool moment.

The next day we switched bikes to race cyclocross in Cumberland, and I realized I really need more time on my cyclocross bike. The course was very fun, quite technical and generally built to suit me well with minimal uphills but lots of corners. My legs were very tired, and I was definitely lagging due to Momar pain, but was settling in nicely and starting to pick up the pace in the second lap when I double bounced myself in the BMX track - a fall, and a flat - which took me forever to change with everyone watching me fumble! Back on the bike, not that there's a chance I can catch anyone now!

After the race I tried to clean my leg which I had injured in the fall, but there wasn't really anywhere to do that properly so I left it until I came home. Rinsing off the mud I realized it needed proper cleaning and some antibiotics. Off to the hospital I went, for the first of what has now been many visits.

Unfortunately the doctor had a different opinion of treating mud filled wounds than I do, and talked me into stitching it, and no antibiotics because he felt he'd cleaned it well enough. The next morning I couldn't walk or bend my knee without extreme pain, so back I went. I was told it was all fine, it hurt because I banged it. "No" I said, "there's something wrong!" "No" the doctor said, "Of course it hurts, you fell on it".

This is Friday. I still can't bend my knee. The infection has spread around my knee and to my ankle. I'm worried my patellar tendon is getting munched by the bacteria, because that's the most painful spot. I have two trips daily to the hospital for IV antibiotics. Tomorrow is decision day whether to surgically clean it or continue antibiotics. Tomorrow is also the day we have a fully booked mountain bike instruction course to teach through our fledgling company.

What a week it's been! Far from worrying about getting a cold and not being able to race cyclocross through the fall, now I just want to keep my leg.

And we have a pact. You can't tell my mom. She thinks I'm at work and all is well.