Still Alive...

It's well past midnight and before going to sleep I just wanted to do something completely trivial and finally post something on this blog.

I have spent the last 11 days or so writing over 30.000 words on top of my fulltime job. My wrist and fingers are incredibly sore but it is finished now and I am going to try and never write with such a steep deadline again.

Tomorrow, Bella and family time. Ah, I am going to enjoy that. A bottle of sparkling wine as well.

A Quiet Moment

After Eight Years

I've been feeling heartsick lately, especially after returning from my holiday since a big decision awaited me. It has taken me over two months to bring myself to make this decision, hoping I might find other options. Most recently things have happened that render other options impossible.

That's why today I finalized the arrangements and my horse will be put down next Tuesday.

The final straw was that he collapsed from under his own weight on Easter Sunday. My friend was there and she said she has never seen anything like it. He was running in a paddock when he crashed really badly, so badly that he lay flat on his side after the fall. Whatever has been causing him to stumble in perfect condition is just getting worse, he stumbles some every time I exercise him. Stumbles in good conditions with only his own weight to carry.

My horse, whose name is Nökkvi, is the first and only horse I have had the pleasure to own. I have gone through so much of my life with him. It has, in fact, been my entire adult life. He has taught me so much about responsibility, persistence, training, companionship and not to mention my own personality.

However, I think he hasn't been well for a long time. The stumbling has been persistent for a few years now with no solution despite my attempts to find a cause. Now he seems to be detoriorating something awful. He's not safe to ride anymore and if he gets any worse I fear he may be a danger to himself. He already seems to be.

I don't really know how or what I'm feeling exactly beneath the numbness. I think this is the best I can do for now:

:(

Return From Frisbee Heaven

Me and Bella are baaaaack to civilization and high speed internet! We spent a week in the country where there was no tv and what was even worse, in the area we were staying dogs were strictly forbidden. Woops! Not the best thing to discover the day we arrive.

So we smuggled our good selves in and out of the house and to areas that allowed dogs. Yet another example of strange dog prejudice in Iceland, where the mentaility is that it's best to ban things just in case.

Anyway, we found a fabulous spot near a lake where we could frisbee lots and lots. Bella loves frisbeeing and she's getting really good at it. Her one eye doesn't seem to bother her frisbeeing.

She's getting very accurate in predicting the direction and taking a direct route even if the disc is going in a curved manner.

BEWARE: BRAKE TEST!!!

Bella always takes the frisbee back to me no matter who has treats.

Sometimes it's a bit hard running full speed with a terrier sized frisbee.

That's why a clever little dog improvises.

Much easier this way!

She's even so clever that she found a way to get a treat and still keep the frisbee claimed as hers!

A clever little terrier like Bella doesn't take long to figure out that she can steal frisbees from others to hoard and then run off like the wind!

I think this has to be one of the most awesome holidays I've been on. It did snow for one day out of seven but it didn't matter, we all had so much fun as a family. Frisbeeing was just one of the many great things we did. Bella was a really happy dog, even if she was an illegal immigrant in the area! She did a great job of being there without being there! I don't believe I've ever cleaned any place I've stayed at as well as this house. Maybe me and Bella should move to a more dog friendly country someday. I believe Iceland must rank lowest of the western countries when it comes to a friendly dog culture.

Until then, we will enjoy being able to frisbee in areas outside the city we call home.

Freedom

Today brought more action, we went fishing, did some tracking (proving to my fiancé she can do it) and played frisbee. We also met a Vizsla that Bella thought appropriate to bark at. Bella also ran into water a little deeper than she expected.

Unfortunately I need to be picky with photos as I'm on expensive 3G internet during my holidays and can't upload much.

I'm really enjoying the photo opportunities I've had so far. Bella still seems a little sore in one leg since one week ago, I am pretty sure she's limping a little after we go out but it's barely enough to notice. However if it persists I am going to have a vet look at it.
One thing I wonder if I should have some shoes for her in case she does get sore. I have no experience with such things though so if any of our doggy friends know something me and Bella would appreciate any advise or recommendations. Same with what's best to do if she does get sore.