One Year Ago Today- Hallelujah!!

 It's hard to believe we were buried in snow last year at this time, but one year ago today, this is what we were looking at.  Equally hard to believe is that one year ago today, Stella was a vibrant, energetic, social dog enjoying a walk in the massive amounts of snow we had. Her current existence pales in comparison and is equally, as drastically different, as our weather.  Polar opposites in both cases. 

I can still remember our walk that day.  We were out for about an hour and a half.  The snow was so deep we were navigating undisturbed snow and it was both exhausting and exhilarating at the same time.  The scene was breathtaking and serene.  It was our escape and that escape has now become our goal.  Stella's recovery is very slow.  The longest she has walked is perhaps a quarter of a mile, maybe fifteen minutes long.  She has visited her neighboring friends, but it has been a humbling experience for her.  They want to play and she can't.  As a result her shackles stand up on end and she resembles a Rhodesian Ridgeback.  She is uneasy with their sudden movements and feels very vulnerable.  The result is, Stella prefers to walk at night when her friends can't see her slowed pace and compromised mobility.  The only exception to this is her friend Sophie who seems to understand her.  She is perfectly content to just walk with Stella, side by side, with me as their chaperon.  Stella feels at ease with Sophie who respectfully gives her the space and time she needs.  It's a sad state for a dog who was once an agility dog weaving, jumping, and snaking through tunnels.
If we could go back to this day one year ago, and give Stella a taste of who she used to be, I'm convinced she'd get the adrenalin boost she needs to get herself moving toward recovery.  The snow was magical that day and that magic is just what we need to get Stella moving toward the dog she used to be and when she does, I'll be singing my own Hallelujah Chorus.