Week # 1 for Shelby Angel

Doggy Life:  Week #1 with Shelby Angel has been good.  She is putting on a pound or two, and some cuts and infections on her are starting to heal.  We are starting to really focus on getting her feet healthy so she can walk without severe pain and one day play!  

Here is my sister, Bekah, meeting Shelby Angel for the first time.  Shelby came out of her kennel wagging her tail and gave Bekah some big kisses.  It is amazing how big her heart is, despite everything she has been through.  Bekah agreed that she is cute beyond belief- the pictures do not do her justice!

She got her first bath (probably ever) this week.  She was so calm- I wish she could teach my dogs how to act!

Here she is!  So fresh and so clean, clean!  

Shelby Angel patiently allowed us to soak her front paws for 15 minutes, and then her back paws for 15 minutes!  We are really trying to get them clean and healthy- they are infected all the way to the bone.  But, they really are starting to look better.  I would love to see her be able to walk without pain.  

I hope to give you some more good updates later this week.  She has really appreciated your prayers and caregiving.  I even put a teddy bear in her kennel on Saturday (a gift in the mail from a kind donor) so she would have her very own toy and snuggle buddy.  

Training Life:  I continue to battle my knee injury and compounding frustrations as the summer moves on.  Today I planned a run in Hot Springs.  Here are all of the reasons why the run was going to be perfect:

1.  I hadn't run since Thursday (3 miles) and before that, only one other time this week (which was 2 miles).  Rested legs.  (I mean honestly, they have really been rested since March, huh?)

2.  I did Bikram on Friday- legs are nice and loose.  

3.  The weather was gorgeous, and the scenery was even more beautiful in Hot Springs on the lake.  

It was so far from perfect- so far from that run I am craving.  I want to run WITHOUT PAIN.  I want to run without having to stop after 1, 2, or 3 miles.  I want to have a healthy knee.  I don't want to walk home, dejected and crying like I did (AGAIN) today.  I cannot understand why this injury is lingering.  It doesn't seem to matter how much time I take off from running, how much I stay off of the bike, how much I cross train/strengthen/stretch.  Everyone keeps reminding me to hold on, be patient, and don't give up.  So, I will try to start the week with patience and hope.  This has to pass- I don't know how or why, but I have to believe it will eventually get better at some point so I can get part of my life back.     

Congratulations to my Ironman Kentucky friends.  I wish I could have been there with you.  I am always so proud of your grit, determination, and accomplishment.