Just when things start going well and your ex-injury boyfriend (my heel spur Wolverine) appears to be gone for almost good, what happens? My best friend and adventure buddy gets injured. Yup, Kobi is injured.

Kobi enjoying an off-leash moment
This started back in January, but I did what I do with my personal injuries, I deny them and try to “run” them off. That worked about as well for Kobi as it has for me. I gave her two weeks rest, but rest meant no long runs. She was still running off-leash on our morning, afternoon and evening walks which added up to almost 5km a day. That isn’t really rest is it?

Me explaining to Kobi she can’t run yet
The limp went away and I tested her out by taking her for a short fat bike ride. The thing with Kobi is that when she sees the bike or me in running gear, she has to run like she stole something regardless of how slow I’m going. Of course the limp came back.

Fat biking with Kobi.
I took her south to see her doctor 4 hours away and spent on x-rays what could have bought me a lot of new gear, like an awful lot of new gear (don’t get me wrong, I’d spend ten times that on her if I had to).
The good news is there was no evidence of arthritis or joint issues. The bad news is they don’t have a CT scan so we have to assume it’s some sort of soft tissue injury. The vet said I had to get serious about resting Kobi. She went so far as saying kennel her, limit the stairs, and no walking off-leash – even to poop! If Kobi could talk or had a middle finger she would’ve expressed what she thought of that plan. So we compromised, we go for short walks on a leash down the driveway, she gets to poop off leash, and we try to limit the number of trips up and down the stairs.

Kobi doesn’t get the leash thing
We’re at day 22 now and I haven’t seen a limp for a while. This is good. The plan is to limit her walks for another week and a half and then re-introduce short running stints with a few days off in between. I’m optimistic this will work and she’ll be right as rain again.

Kobi hugging her sloth. The sloth is a metaphor.
I feel so much guilt that I haven’t skied or biked or snowshoed since the visit to Kobi’s doctor. I run at lunch from work so she doesn’t see me leave without her. On my weekend long runs she does see me and shoots hot, sad daggers of “how could you cheat on me like this” into my heart. The rest of the time I run on the treadmill or ride my bike trainer while she rests on her princess bed. I don’t feel as much guilt on those days.

Play time before I hit the treadmill
I need to name Kobi’s injury. Any suggestions? Ever had to deal with a running buddy who gets injured? Coping suggestions?
March 16, 2017 at 2:39 pm
Double doggie middle fingers to being told what to do. But two thumbs up to Kobi feeling better. Love n hugs from down south.
March 16, 2017 at 4:57 pm
Thanks so much! I could totally see Kobi’s look of disbelief when the word ‘kennel’ came out. She’s a free range dog!
March 16, 2017 at 2:56 pm
I think you should call Kobi’s injury Cruella. She was evil but the dogs win in the end. 🙂
March 16, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Love it! Perfect name! That’s actually the name I gave my backpack too!
March 16, 2017 at 3:44 pm
I am sure she will also enjoy just going for walks on a leash, as long as she gets some exercise. I have noticed with Tina that she sometimes hurts her legs when she runs too fast for too long time. Lara
March 16, 2017 at 4:59 pm
So true. It’s even just the fact that we are at least following our routine of getting out, just not going very far. I suspect I’ll find that perfect distance for Kobi down the road. I guess like us, they have their preferred distances!
March 16, 2017 at 6:24 pm
Oh Kobi. I so hope you are feeling better soon. This must be so hard for you too to see her injured and unable to do what she loves the most. You can certainly empathize. Hugs to you both. I hope you are up and running together soon!
March 16, 2017 at 6:28 pm
Awe! Thanks. Kobi wishes she could talk right now! It’s so hard to see how excited she gets when we do our little walk and then how confused she is when we turn around so soon and come back! I hope the time off has worked and she’s back running soon too!
March 19, 2017 at 3:42 pm
Oh no, Kobi! Good luck with the healing!
March 19, 2017 at 5:05 pm
She takes after me when it comes to recovery. She wants to make sure she’s good and injured before she takes a break!
April 7, 2017 at 5:59 pm
Don’t we all…. 🙂
April 22, 2017 at 5:06 am
This must have been so difficult for both of you. Kobi is such an active dog, and not understanding that rest was needed for the healing process, it would have been really hard to be on that leash.
In following Kobi on Facebook, it is great to see she is doing the things she loves. 🙂
April 22, 2017 at 10:10 am
It was so hard Carl! I felt so guilty doing anything without her too so I didn’t even go skiing. She’s better now and we’re back adventuring together which is great! I know how she feels now when I’m injured.
April 22, 2017 at 6:54 pm
You have such a tender heart Angie. How wonderful that the 2 of you are back adventuring together! 🙂
April 22, 2017 at 8:54 pm
I became very aware of how important she is to me and how there are just things I won’t do without her!!