Queen of the Prom!

She's quite the girl, I thought, as I looked at her the other night - still Queen of the Prom! At 14 and still 'standing', her incredible journey continues. 

My son and 'daughter' visited the other night. It hadn't been planned. Worrying about Sally's recent two days, I cautioned them that her schedule was being modified. Sally needed to slow down. Too much running could cause a stumble. A fall might signal the end. In the last few years a paralytic tumble out of nowhere resulted in cause for concern. But a gentle massage of her head helped to reassure her. Love was always near. I'd help her stand to restore her ambulatory status. Off she'd go. 'Business' awaited. 

I looked at this Labrador Retriever of ours, in amazement, as she whirled around the outdoor 'dance' floor. Who is this miracle canine, anyway? Most dogs her age and size are simply not available. What had we done? Our 4 year old grandson started to run vigorously around the outdoor cage, installed for  emergency protection. Living in the country has its own danger, we thought 30 years ago.

My runner grandson is addicted to speed. So, it would seem is our retriever, even at 14, whose history of torn hind leg ligament surgeries, front leg tumor removal, and necrotic lymph node surgery, some years ago, have made our Sally a make work project. Ears are cleaned regularly, however, using gauze squares, making the job easier and more effective. Infection is no longer a threat. She chases our boy. He loves the race.  Speed was his addiction. Sally keeps up. I couldn't believe it. 

Sally is a running marvel to behold. But wait. Overdoing it at her age could cause irreparable damage to  ligaments, muscles and skeletal systems. She stops. I said so! It was time to rest. Her idol was in a hold position! She is a true athlete. Her diet regimen is king because it must be. Diet is medicine, after all. Their intermittent 'raw' diet (frozen berries for pain and inflammation) coupled with daily exercise gives them more than we expected. Healthy and athletic. That is my 14-year-old, Queen of the Prom!