Monday, December 14, 2009

In The Blink of an Eye


My husband and I were in the SPIRT of the Holidays late Saturday afternoon as we set out to hang lights on our fence line. 

We had sorted through all the good and bad lights, committing to sorting through them before we put them away this year instead of waiting until the following year and finding strings that no longer work. 

We had pulled out all the ugly orange extension power cords that stand out like a sore thumb during the daylight hours but disappear in the darkness.  

Wanting to share our holiday spirit, I ran into the house to get our dog, Hank, while my husband headed out with the decorations.  I had no idea my husband was taking a detour to the barn to get the 4-Wheeler to carry all our stuff. 

Hank loves to run with the 4-Wheeler.  The faster one drives, the happier Hank is to run along side.  But the slower one goes puts Hank into a tizzy and he barks and nips at the tires.  So usually when the 4-Wheeler comes out, Hank goes in.

When I saw my husband with the 4-Wheeler I almost took Hank back in the house.  But what the heck, I told myself, he's been cooped up in the house all day while we were gone and he should to be out here with his family while they decorate for the holidays.

With the recent cold weather, the 4-Wheeler was having issues, so my husband headed down our drive to warm it up with Hank running alongside.  I recall laughing at the dog smile on Hank's face as my husband accelerated and they both flew back up our road. 

So as the saying goes, in the blink of an eye our afternoon priorities changed when Hank slipped and his left leg went under the tires.  The holiday spirit and lights were forgotten as we headed to the emergency vet clinic.

We returned home Hank-less and depressed while Hank spent the night at the vets.  I can't tell you how many times we have beat ourselves up for what occurred.  We both feel terrible and share the blame for what happened in the blink of an eye.

Hank returned home yesterday morning with stitches and a cone necklace but thankfully, no broken bones.  Negotiating with the cone has been a challenge for us all. His cone has already been re-styled after bumping into my leg last night was we came back in from the cold barn. 



We got our Christmas gift early this year and we surely learned a lesson in the blink of an eye.


5 comments:

  1. Try not to beat yourself up too much. Blaming yourself and feeling guilty are completely wasted emotions and effort (ones I fall prey to constantly - easier said than done). Just be thankful nothing was broken and he'll be fine in no time. Lesson learned. :) I'm glad he's okay. Stuff happens. You can't prevent every bad thing from happening. Cheer up! He sure doesn't blame you, that I'm sure of. :)

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  2. I'm glad Hank is back home with you and not seriously injured.

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  3. Poor Hank and Poor You's! You know, stuff happens. We don't wish it to, but it does. AND I bet even though Hank got hurt, he would not have missed the dance (thanks Garth Brooks). I will never forget reading about someone with a really expensive, really good camera. He went (rock) caving and spelunking....and everyone was amazed that he'd take this really valuable piece of equipment into the wet, drippy caves. But he said....I might have banged it up, but if I had not taken it...I wouldn't have the pictures. This is how I feel about a lot of things we do...it's a calculated risk and in order to have some enjoyment...you take the risk. Hank will be fine and your hearts will heal (but I'm sure you won't forget)!

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  4. I know how things can happen. I am glad Hank is ok though. Yes, in the blink of an eye...Our neighbors run cows with a four wheeler...One day, the dad was chasing a cow to get it back with the herd, (they were moving them from one pasture to the next, just across the lane), and one stray cow decided to go in the a different direction. So he is hauling on this four wheeler to get in front of her and head her off. In the blink of an eye she turned broad side to him to cross over to the other side. Yes, in the blink of an eye, he was on the ground and the four wheeler was on its side! everyone came away uninjured physically, but I think someone's pride was a bit out of shape.

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