Playing in the Yard at 5 Months

Finding safe ways for Chimi to play hard has been difficult. Because Chimi is a Big dog and I can out throw the length of even the Giant Flexi leash. (We broke the smaller leashes playing outside!) Throwing a ball with Chimi on a Giant flexi lead of 26 ft is like yard sleading. Being yanked from your motorized wheelchair scooter and flying through the air is fun until you hit the ground face first. I did not know Chimi and I had an audience until I heard this group of Middle school boys who were playing football say, "Do you think she will ever get up again!" That was the day the Dr. said I could take the sling off my arm! Chimi helped me up and I introduced the boys to Chimi. Chimi just wanted to play football!
Today one of the guys from church and his son drove a stake in the ground that I can slide the flexi lead on. Now I can throw balls and Chimi can retrieve without the high flying danger. I need a stronger longer leash. But the gaint flexi lead will work for now. It is not as fun as the MCH playground where Chimi can run free but at least he can play harder outside than he can in the house!
Chimi and I have our first school presentation for the fall this Friday!

Working Together Again!

I chipped a bone in my right shoulder shaft on August 6th. I was chasing the mailman to retrieve a package without Chimi and fell into the slats of a glider rocker. This wacky fall end my 3o year falling streak of no broken bones! Chimi and I spent 4 weeks in a rotator cuff sling and wheelchair. Chimi still worked for me but not in harness.

I have physical therapy twice a week. My range of motion is good if I go slow but my strength is poor. My arm and shoulder are to weak to walk with Chimi in harness much. He has been to church and to school and to seminary class with me several times but I am not up to all day every day yet.

Chimi is helping with therapy at home though. One of the elders at my church offered to get in the dunking booth and let me throw at him at the Fall Fling the last Sunday of October as motivation for physical therapy. I have been practicing with Chimi. The practice is also helping with Chimi's obedience and my voice control. Chimi can not retrieve the ball until I give the okay and he has to stay in a sit position at my right until I say okay. The hard part is getting him to bring and give the ball once he has it. This target practice has become a mind game for him and he seems to prefer playing it. Right now my arm is so weak even the cats will not move when I throw.

The cats seem to have accepted Chimi more in the past month or so. They give him noes to noes greeting and they no longer run and hide when he is bark talking because he is holding something.

I am back in the swing of fall volunteering at MCH and CCC but I have to rest more often than I like and I miss having Chimi at my side most of the day. Next week will be five months! My life is a whole new animal with Chimi!