This is Keytone. She's seven years old. She's the best gee-haw leader I have. She has more race experience than I do. She's the most honest dog money can buy. And, I regret to inform you, Keytone is retired.
Such is the life. It has really put a damper on the season so far. Remember last winter when I wrote that she was going to sit out the last two races because she had an odd limp? Her gate was off and her back end was tender? Well, she DID sit out those races. She sat out the whole summer. We started training in early October. She made it up to late November and 3 solid miles. Now, The Limp of Unknown Origins is back. So she's out.
At seven, with the career she has had, we're all pretty sure she'll never make it back. I'm about to sound hugely dramatic, but I've never heard worse news. This dog is a big deal to me. She's the epitome of the perfect sled dog.....until she starts limping. The worst part is that she would gladly run on three legs, but of course I'm not willing to allow that.
Right now my idea is to lend her and another older dog to a jr on weekends. That way, she can still run, but it'll only be a mile or two. A mile and a half run will seem like one big joke to her, but it'll have to work.
Oooooh Keytone, when dogs like you get hurt, this life becomes a hard one.
BUT, okay, I can't end on that note....in other news, Fred, Heini and Bren are ready to kick ass this season regardless. Joppy has a pretty solid grasp on commands thanks to Petunia. Fox and Brew are going to make the sport class look like a cake walk. Star and May are both leading very well. You see? Not all the news is bad.......
No comments:
Post a Comment