What Happens When Your Running Buddy is Injured? (The Dog Edition)

 And I feel terrible about it because I am partly to blame. 

My main running buddy (for short training runs) is my dog, Sookie. We used to head out on the local river path or dog-friendly trails for 3-4 mile runs together. And boy does she love to run! 

The best running buddy. 

On the top of Mt. Wrightson.

It's perhaps one of her favorite things to do...well, that and sleep all day. She is pretty darn lazy sometimes. 

Waaaay too comfortable on the couch. 

But when she is not lazy, she is definitely an outdoor adventure dog!

At the Mt. Lemmon
fire lookout. 

But recently (around Thanksgiving), she had an accident. Unfortunately, she ended up tearing a ligament in her wrist. We were playing in the Sapillo Creek in New Mexico and found a small foot bridge (about 4 feet high). I went on the bridge and then thought it would be a good idea to call Sookie to follow me. I know, what the hell was I thinking?? 

Anyways, of course, she did. She is too good of a listener. The bridge swayed a little and freaked her out. So instead of going back the way she came, she jumped. And she jumped right into some loose rocks. Perhaps if it had been flat ground, she would still be okay. But it wasn't and she's not. :(

This is the creek and the dogs playing and running around just before the incident.
You can't see it but the bridge is farther down the creek, to the left.  

After carrying her back to the cabin. She is in a lot of pain here. 

She ended up damaging her ligament in her wrist. It's called carpal hyper-extension and it means that she needs surgery. I could care less about the cost (even though it's been pretty expensive so far and continues to get more expensive each vet visit) because I love her so much and that would never stop me from getting her the treatment that she needs. But I am upset that it was my fault. I was the one who invited her on that bridge and I wish more than anything that I could go back and change that. 

It has been so difficult seeing her injured. She is SO DEPRESSED. She needs daily walks and runs to stay happy. It's what she loves. So being stuck inside has been killing her soul.

 I hate it I hate it I hate it. 

Sad dog Sookie. She wants to go for a run. 

Her surgery appointment is this Tuesday and I am so so so nervous. I hope everything goes well. Thankfully, I don't work that day. Good thing because I wouldn't be able to focus knowing that she is in surgery because of me.

But there is hope, I think.

She has been trying to be active even with the splint on. She has chased bunnies in the back like before. She is a little slower, yes, but she still has the same enthusiasm when she is outside doing that stuff. Because of her want/need to be active, she has broken a few splints, and we had to get them re-wrapped. Costly stuff. But it has shown me that she still has a desire to run and play and hike and be outside. She hasn't given up. And I don't think she will, which definitely gives me hope that she will have a speedy recovery! 

After getting another splint change at the vet. 

I love my Sookie so much. She is my child, in a sense. And she is a big part of my family. Having to go on my short runs without her is hard. Especially when she sees me walk out the door and she knows exactly where I am going. It's been tough. 

So what I can I do? Not much, except to keep going. And hope that her surgery and recovery goes well. I will be sure to post updates about it. 

Please send good wishes our way!