Sophie Stories

The Turn

Yesterday my yellow lab Sophie and I went for a walk. I call these walks field trips. Mostly the term “field trip” comes into our conversation when I am just toileting her. She thinks she is on a field trip and I have to remind that we aren’t and I just want her to do her business!!

Sophie is just a little over 8 months old. She weighs almost 70 pounds. She is small in frame for a lab but she is muscular like I am!! So we weigh more than we look!! I love muscle. It is defining. Not just a physical definition but a mental one. I know that I love the work that muscle can afford. To be physical is to be strong.

Anyway we were on a field trip. Hiking…swimming…running…..sniffing…..taking it all in…and we wre almost home. I have noticed my Sophie’s strength. My boys long board her. She flies. Then when I go to WALK her she thinks I am a long board!! I have to reel her in!! It’s all good though! Sometimes she is on a leash with my son on a long board and I am on my mountain bike…she runs …the chase is on.

Our adventure was coming to a close. It was our second field trip of the day. I am so blessed to live A Dog’s Life. I have time to spend with my dog…more than most. It is my duty to expose her to as much life and love that I can. The love of life that she shares with me…her curiosities brighten my days in ways no words can describe. But I am going to try. I have wondered if I bit off more than I could chew. After all I am almost 52 years old. I wonder if I can keep up. I chose her for her energy and strength. A running companion. Labs are truly outdoorsmen. And they are also lap dogs. Faithful. Soft. Solid. So smart. Playful. Beautiful.

So we were almost home. I like the road less traveled. We do sidewalks..yes. But I look for fields and streams. Nature. I am very comfortable in it. So we are making our way down an embankment…down to the sidewalk..the home stretch….My ankle turns out from under me and I fall down hard. A familiar feeling of pain. All my life I have played court sports..tennis and basketball. Racquetball… In fact 2 years ago I had turned my ankle playing tennis with the kids. Anyway I am laying in the bushes close to the sidewalk right on Cary Parkway. I was focused on keeping my dog under control!! It was hard. I tried to stand. For an hour I hobbled, hopped, sat, cried, held my dog tight, tried to stand, grimaced in pain…took a step. One step at a time. A sprain is painful. Having to walk UPHILL on it and control an 8 moth old yellow lab was a struggle. So MANY cars passed me by. I really wanted to raise a thumb. I had a wet dog….my pride and salty tears…and kept on trudging up the hill. I had to cross Cary Parkway to get to my street. I wondered if I could hop across with Sophie without getting hit!! I did and then I collapsed down unto the grassy entrance into my neighborhood. I had a few more tears.

I was wondering how I appeared to others? Like I was having a picnic? I wasn’t going to call my boyfriend and have him come home. I thought about calling a cab. It was a thought. I knew my bf’s daughter was home. Three times I called the wrong number when trying to call her. Finally my call for help went thru. She came running down the cul-de-sac to rescue me. Sophie was so happy to see her. I was so happy to see her.

After a few mins…I stood up and tried to walk. She held on to Sophie and gave me her other arm…but it was to much..I sent her forward and figured I would take it one step at a time. Finally our neighbor was driving past me to her house which is next to ours…saw me..put it in reverse…and took a load off. I was so thankful. Then came the Vodka and Aleve……:) Lucky for me I recover quickly. Lucky for me….Sophie has my son to longboard with. A little sprained ankle never kept me down for long. I am going to wear ankle supports from now on …field trips with Sophie call for proper attire!! I know my Scout Motto…”Be Prepared!!”

Sexy Carolina