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Last week I, as Miss Manners, preached on training, kindness and the importance of “Sit and Stay.”
Little did I know that an encounter with the new pup Chili would leave me feeling like I’d been beaten with a bag of river rocks! I said I’m too old to exert much energy into a fruitless fight, but I overdid it in teaching the pup respect and good manners.
This thing happens when we get old, where there is a tiny splinter of the brain that stubbornly believes we’re still scrappy young pups. Invinceable. Unbeatable. In charge. Strong as we once were.
Friday was chaos, when Sprout’s mom, brother and that infernal puppy came to camp out overnight. I couldn’t resist getting into the middle of the fray, while everyone was in the kitchen, and I was called upon again to teach that dog some manners.
Or at least that s what I thought.
I need to give you a layout of my house to explain why this adventure spun out. Since I’m older, mom has added rugs and this sticky spray to the hardwood floors, to keep me from slipping and sliding. This stuff really helps, but isn’t on the floor in this story! https://amzn.to/3BmhoXF
Now I generally walk cooperatively on the carpeted surfaces and with deliberation to maintain traction. I no longer run through the house or take corners like I’m sliding in to first base. 
However, that evening I raced to the one rug-less floor in the kitchen, herding and snarling, but mostly slipping and wrenching hip, paw and tail. I still say I was a vision of grace and Heeler Joy de vive. No Olympic figure skater has ever twirled, leapt and spun any better!
I left the event absolutely sure I’d sure taught that pup some manners.
Before morning, though, I found out I’d taught a hard-headed old dog she can’t do those moves anymore. Taught her the hard way, too.
Everyone was very worried when I couldn’t get up or walk. My legs wouldn’t go where I directed, my paws curled under, my hindquarters acted like they belonged to some other critter altogether. Besides being in a great deal of pain and feeling much older, I was sad, angry and a bit embarrassed by this turn of events.
Of course mom and dad were worried and there to help. Right away I got a big dose of my pain meds, and at least could sleep a little. I wasn’t hungry, but mom made sure I got good venison steak bits, I think with a little of her special additives in there too. She lifted me and helped me walk with a towel around my middle. I did hear her say, while she lifted me up, that I’d become quite rotund and told dad he better lay off the treats – not something I wanted to hear!
Mom sat up with me at night, woke up and helped me every time I wanted to move. She was ready to phone the on-call vet – holiday weekend of course – but I was already a lot better and walking a little on my own by Sunday. She brought me water and a little food so I didn’t have to go to my dishes. I got better pretty fast. Even though I’m old, I am healthy and strong. And I’m a Heeler. 
Still, I think it will take a while to mend my sore hips.
Apparently I cannot do leaps and splits like a college gymnast, nor recover from such moves by walking it off anymore. 
And apparently though, like any good Heeler I charge forth without acknowledging pain, it is there right quick to remind me of my age.
So this has been a week of rest and recovery. 
It has been unnaturally hot and smoky from forest fires, so not a good time to lay on the porch and reflect.
But inside, under the fan and mom’s watchful eye, I am resting, getting good help and service, and remembering how I used to chase cows through the roughest country around.
I resent this old dog syndrome, where a little skirmish on slippery floors does more damage than long days of ranch work used to do. I’m working on forgetting that feeling of being beaten with a bag of river rocks.
Even the cats are understanding. They are staying off my beds [most of the time]
and tell me I’m still their favorite Dog of Dogs.
Geronimo said, ” Once I moved about like the wind”.
I did, too.
I’m going to go lay down now.
See you next week, when I expect to be back up and in charge again.
