Spike - a tail of inspiration

Relaxing and dreaming at BSA Ringwood...

It is now two months since Spike had his TPLO Surgery for the ruptured cruciate ligament in his hind leg.  He has been on restricted exercise since then and his mind has struggled to cope with this.  We have tried to manage the situation as best we can and numerous toys and special permissions have been given to him.  Not every dog gets the living room to themselves with their choice of movie playing on the DVD on the rare occasions when both Ian and I need to leave the house together!

The good news is that the operation has been a success and a recent x-ray has confirmed that the bone is healing well.

The face of apprehension - at the Vets

The bad news is that Spike has a very inflamed patellar tendon, which is clearly causing him pain and discomfort.  

He is also acutely lame in his front left leg, a combination of soft tissue damage and his elbow dysplasia worsening, something we have been prepared for ever since we learned of the extent of the damage in his elbow joints.

The really good news is that Spike has already exceeded the life expectancy that was predicted in January and it is clear that his spirit and determination remain strong.  

Spike's devout attitude to wanting to run is one that I can relate to very well. 

However, while I understood why I was not allowed to run for 4 months, Spike is confused and does not understand why he cannot run and have fun with the other doggy members of the team.  It is heart-breaking to see his little face when the others go running.  He has been incredibly accepting of the restrictions imposed on him and not once has he rebelled or become destructive, not even his toys….

Spike has a little den in our living room where (through choice) he spends most of his time.  He has special bes and lots and lots of toys which he neatly piles up in one corner of his den.  Every now and again he rearranges them into the diagonally opposite corner, in just as neat a pile.  He is very protective of his den and his toys and gets quite upset if one of the other dogs wanders into the den and removes a toy.  Being bottom of our pack he cannot stop them and we have to be discrete when “rescuing” his toys from a fatal ending.  

Thankfully the toy destroying husky of the house is very respectful of Spike’s little den and only ventures into Spike’s den when he is trying to get my attention…..

Spike has been receiving excellent help during his recovery.  As well as the amazing support from the North Pole Marathon Spike has had special laser treatment from one of his most special friends.  Without her help and support Spike would never have received the medical help essential to his survival.

Icing Spike's leg - he is very helpful :-)

Spike’s biggest supporter and helper is most definitely Ian.

Ian carries Spike when he needs to be carried; helps him eat when he refuses to eat; ices his leg when it needs to be iced; cuddles him when he needs a cuddle; rescues his toys when they need to be rescued; makes him do his special exercises; basically Ian is there for Spike 24/7.  They have a very special relationship and it is heart-warming to witness.

Spike has many people to thank for giving him the gift of life and hopefully they are reading this and know just how grateful we are for their help.  Without their help Spike would never have made it this far.   There are some wonderful people in this world, people that choose to help save a life no matter what it takes.   

Humanity in its purest form crosses the divide between species and there can be no other greater inspiration than knowing that whatever happens, everybody has a guardian angel for them somewhere.

Ghostly adventures

Huskies Running's Hallowe'en Jack-o'-lantern

Friday 31^st October, the night of terror that comes but once a year….. Hallowe’en night means tricks for some and treats for others.  We prefer the treat option.

For the last three years Believe and Achieve have organised the fabulous Ghost Race, which takes place on the Friday closest to the night of Hallowe’en.  It is a 5 mile race starting at Alexandra Park in Portsmouth and runs across varied terrain around the Hilsea Lido and Foxes Forest.  It is run in complete darkness and there are many ghouls and beasts that leap out from the trees as you negotiate the course which includes wooden bridges, narrow paths and exposed tree roots.  Not for the faint hearted this is a course that requires a very good torch, focused mind and courage to enter the woods…..

Krofti the Moth

Or if you just fancy having some fun on a Friday evening then this is the perfect event for you.  Fancy dress is not compulsory, but is recommended for extra fun.

We first learned of this event in 2012 when our good friend Amanda ran it with Krofti our eldest Siberian Husky (dressed as a moth).    We would have loved to run it with them but had been invited to run New York Marathon as official pace team members.  Amanda and Krofti had such a fabulous time that we decided that we would definitely run it in 2013, and we did.  I ran as a Fairy Princess with my two pumpkin Siberian Huskies providing the “ride” and Ian ran as a Ghostbuster.  I don’t think anyone had ever seen two pumpkins move as quickly as those two did off the start line!  We slowed as soon as we encountered the first ghoul as one of the husky pumpkins decided that it was better to trot and “woo woo” at any nasty ghouls that dared cross his path.

Ghost Race 2013

This year the plan was to just potter round the course as I was wearing a fracture boot and am currently recovering from injury. 

This year I was dressed a ghost and Ian was a werewolf.  Ian ran with Kez while Kroi helped guide me round the course. 

The werewolf and the Ghost....

We had fun.  I tripped over my sheet and landed in a heap on the floor, had my head torch yanked off my head by a low overhanging branch and went a little bit quicker than just a potter.  Ian the werewolf zoomed of in the distance at supersonic speed with Kez the Husky by his side ready to protect him from any Zombie threat…..

Kroi remembered the course and his experience from last year and instead of “wooing” at ghouls he laughed at them and trotted past, cursing me for slowing him down.  He also let me know when I managed to wander off course due to a lapse in my concentration.

The medals: 2012, 2013 & 2014

Awaiting us at the finish was a fabulous bespoke medal and goody bag with lots of sweet treats.  Even the dogs got medals.  The Huskies Running team are all now the proud owners of a full set of these fabulous medals.

If you fancy some fun next Hallowe’en Friday, check out this race, you will not be disappointed.

(Images thanks to Ian J Berry, Ian Burnett, Amanda Tattersall & me)