Thurs. Sept. 2, 2010 - Lake Castaic and water practice

Since I haven't noticed any signs of mouth ulcers, I took Hardee and drove to So. Calif. today for water practice for Portuguese Water Dogs at Lake Castaic.  We haven't been to practice for a month and a half, and it really showed.  HH wasn't his usual self, but that's a given.  I was hoping that because Hardee has continued to do well with agility, the same might hold true for water.  Not so.  All the exercises we had been training for, he seemed to have forgotten, and he was very confused.  He was really off today.  I have to keep reminding myself that he has cancer and has just been through quite a lot, including being so sick that he required a stay in ICU, and radiation less than a week ago. 

Because I don't know how much longer HH will be with us and we might not have a next summer (my heartbeat goes chaotic and I tear up just writing that), I really wanted to try and have Hardee ready to compete at our club's water trial next weekend.  Today, I realized that my goal is probably not going to be achieved.  Before all this cancer crap invaded and stole our oh so normal lives, H was doing very well with his water work.

One of the biggest side effects of this cancer and radiation that I noticed today is how quickly Hardee gets tired.  His stamina is gone.  His drive and love of water is still there, but his endurance is gone.  He had a hard time breathing while trying to complete some of his tasks.  Since he really cannot breathe through his nose very well, if at all, he had a hard time trying to breathe through his mouth around his big bumpers that he has to retrieve.  It would be easier if he carried the bumpers by the rope attached to the bumper end, but he doesn't and has to have the whole thing in his mouth.  Silly boy!

Jim drove down after work tonight and met us for the holiday weekend here in So. Cal.  Jim and Hardee have a 3 day agility trial that starts on Saturday.  I go watch them because I am their ASS (agility support staff or agility support spouse).  Truly, I love agility trials, and there is just nothing better than watching Hardee and others run.  Tomorrow we rest, set up at agility, and go up the mountain to help my Mom with a couple things.  One of us will stay with Hardee in the hotel room because he cannot go up in the elevation of the mountains right now.

Today's water practice did not go as I had planned, but Hardee had fun and got to swim and retrieve.  He was happy which made me happy even through my disappointment.  And you know, it is all about joy and all about Hardee!!