My car needs several repairs, like “new brake pads” and a “battery” because they’re “worn” and “maybe leaking” and naturally, the timing could be a little better. I have four weddings in four months, and three of them involve at least one queer person. This is NOT GIVING ALLY, SUBARU!

“Oh you have a sled dog, she must be so athletic!” …no.

Today was the last shot in my rabies series, so I celebrated Shot Day. We began with the medicine, followed by espresso shots and juice shots, before finishing the day with alcohol shots. These last few weeks have been really tough and this was a good way to cap it off.

Update to this: halfway through the rabies series, had a checkup with my PCP today and wouldn’t you know, it did get infected. The antibiotics are doing their job and it’s improving, but now I have to be on them for longer to make sure it’s gone. I need a vacation after this.

PSA: if your dog is reactive and you’re on a walk, KEEP GODDAMN CONTROL OF YOUR DOG’S LEASH. Brought to you by the dog who attacked Pickle and I on our lunch walk today (Pickle is fine, I got bitten and will be taking appropriate steps). This wouldn’t have happened if the other owner held her leash.

Surgery was successful, Tiga has one less tooth, and the obligatory post-vet inspection has been performed.

Because it never ends, Tiga needs a tooth extracted (happening tomorrow), Pickle has her follow up Wednesday, and she and I had a disagreement over a stray chicken bone this afternoon. I’m so freaking exhausted by the constant onslaught of nonsense.

One good sleep later and Pickle is out here ✨strutting her stuff✨

Loopy after eye surgery

Easter traditions: hike with Pickle (4th annual), Jesus Christ Superstar viewing with friends (6th annual)

Well, we got in today thanks to a last minute cancellation. Pickle got some weird spontaneous ulcer on her cornea, and it’s a kind that doesn’t heal on its own. So, she gets to have a nice debridement and stem cell introduction in two weeks. 🥲

The unbothered rest of a dog who doesn’t realize she gets to go to another vet specialist (ophthalmology)

This is so beautiful. These tuupi (the ceremonial dog blankets) are such a wonderful way to honor the Native tradition of mushing.

Two vet visits for two separate issues this morning with the same result for both: cone. Pickle also needs eyedrops, Tiga is getting medicated wipes, and I’m going to try to not go completely insane.

Pickle’s mom, @otterrunkennel.bsky.social legend Blanca: ran six races this season as a badass leader. Her daughter: did…this

Hi friends! This weekend was (and still is) Copper Dog, and our beloved @flightriskmushing.bsky.social ran the 30 mile race. I went up to north Michigan, land of 200+ inches of snow this winter, to handle, and you know what that means: it’s time for a team intro video!

Every time I come back from handling, my own sled dog is extra loving. Gotta make sure I smell most like her and don’t get taken in by those fancy racing dogs.

All righty friends, I’ve made it home after a somewhat unplanned weekend handling for Melissa and you know what that means…dog intros from my perspective! First, a video of the whole team. Content warning: meatorade. Also sorry for how I sound lol

Today’s misadventure is the old man cat, on whom I discovered a wound this morning. One urgent care vet visit later, it’s not new apparently (which is weird bc I touch his chin and face daily and never felt anything) and it’s infected. And he’s diabetic which complicates healing. 🙃🙃🙃

Can’t recommend highly enough

Happy National Sled Dog Day to my best friend, a sled dog who chose to chart her own path to be an occasional sled dog but a permanent good girl.

Bunch of sleepies. Wish I could join, as I am also sleepy.

It’s going to be a fun race! I’ll post as able to share all the adventures Melissa and the crew are having!

“Get an Alaskan husky” they said. “It’ll be fun”. It is 10, feels like -6 (-12/-21) and in fact we did have fun on our walk.

About a week and a half ago, I tripped while walking Pickle and landed on my newly repaired knee. After getting a fancy knee photo yesterday, my new ACL remains intact but badly sprained. I simply do not have the patience. 2025, you have certainly been a test.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays, friends! I’m so thankful for all of you. Have the cutest reindeer (no cats bc I value my life).

Please consider helping! Pickle is related to both Watty and Snoots so she’s going to send her DNA for science. Developing a test means this breed that I love so much will remain genetically healthy for a long time and can continue being some of the coolest pups out there.

On nights that I have orchestra, Pickle has maybe an hour between getting home from school and me leaving. So, on these nights, I make up for leaving her alone after being gone all day (even though she’s having fun) by having the cutest bed companion.

Scenes from the weekend. First time back on the (very easy side) river trail. Walked more in the last two days than I have in the past…threeish months. My knee is sore but it felt so good to get back out, and it was cool all weekend as a bonus.

Happy Halloween from the Pickle pickle! She had the time of her life seeing all the children out and about.

One of the best things about fall is being able to just sit in the sun with my girl.

Smallest man, biggest bed.

Buy a house, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.

WHYYYYYY. I have approximately twenty three things that are a better use of my money.

Pickle’s foot is currently vet wrapped and to cope she is sitting on my lap in the recliner.

Four years ago (yesterday), this goof officially went from sled dog to best friend. She remains the best friend and adventure bud I could ask for, and I’m so ready to see what year five brings us. As always, big big thanks to @otterrunkennel.bsky.social for trusting me with this girl. 🖤🖤

Very brave girl at the vet. Hopefully the bravery continues for getting her icky foot wiped twice a day with medicine and being bootied.

Tiga made it back up to SEVEN WHOLE POUNDS. We are very proud of him. Fisher, meanwhile, is mad about being examined and is going to be even madder since he needs a dental. Sorry Fish.

The peaceful sleep of a dog who is finally home, saw both her grandma AND her grandpa, and sat through ceiling demolishing. 🤞🏻🤞🏻 I have similar sleeps

Someday I’m going to get a decent nights sleep again. Someday.

So a small update re my surgery. TW body. When the surgeon got in, he found that the damage was worse than we initially thought. While *technically* still a partial tear, my ACL was only holding on by a couple of fibers. Very thankful I opted to fix this now. Also I got post-surgery cupcakes.

New ACL loaded.

Lol more ceiling fell between Friday and the insurance guy coming today. Add to the list of Things I Don’t Want To Deal With!

And if everything else wasn’t enough, now this. Somehow this has to get paid for too, because naturally this is in my bedroom. Where I will need to sleep. After surgery. I might just cry. This is a little too much and too many demands and I am only one person.

Well, after my appointment today, I’m officially scheduled for surgery next week. While it is not going to be fun, it’ll be the best option for being able to safely continue adventuring with Pickle for many years.

Pickle has been SO good with my walking limitations (I can walk her but it’s slower for sure) and she got a trip to the bar today as a reward.

After imaging and a follow up with the regular ortho, my knee and I get to go to the surgeon next week to discuss how we want to treat the injury. This is very tiring. Pickle, however, is delighted to be spending so much time at her grandparents’.

This creature has decided this week that eating his diabetes pill is optional. He also gets so offended when I have the audacity to pill him. If only there was a way he could prevent that.

My body has no sense of timing and waited until the new insurance year for what seems to be a fairly serious injury. This is the work setup for ✨elevation✨ purposes for the next week or so, until I have my fancy knee picture. I think I’m going to hit my deductible and out of pocket early this year.

It’s so hot in my house that the cat has taken over the crate bc there’s a standing AC pointed at it. The ACs are just not keeping up—we’re staying right around 85 degrees indoors. 🙃