Disaster

Well today started off well. Had a massive sleep in. Was shocked to discover it was 9.50 when I woke up.

Threw a wash in and took the boys a walk in the most beautiful sunshine which is lovely to have after weeks if torrential rain. I have lots of chores to do today clean and tidy ready for house sitter tomorrow as husband and I are going for our rearranged Christmas break to Clifton.

Ten minutes from home and pongo got upset that monkey was playing in the flood pools and jerked forwards in temper. Pulling me face down at the waters edge. This is something that would normally make me chuckle even if it is appalling behaviour by pongo. But not today. No today he has spectacularly ruined my back again.

It took me 20 minutes to get into a standing position. It's amazing how deserted places become when you need help.

All this time pongo was merrily swimming in his head collar, lead and best winter waterproof coat.

I screamed and screamed at him to come back but he was having none of it. Whereas poor monkey was nearly tripping over me pressing himself closer into my leg with each scream. To anyone who has a springer they will know what it's like when theirs is in water refusing to come out.

I could see a bench half way up the field and I managed to get there and do some of the exercises I remembered from the hospital.

I tried so hard not to panic and make my muscles spasm more. I just kept repeating to myself to keep moving.

I managed to stand back up and start walking up the hill. I kept shouting for pongo. He now had quite an audience around him at the flood pool. He was loving it. My rage was indescribable and I think it was for the best and his own safety that he was so far away.

I managed to use the fencing and holding on to trees to get to the top of the hill. The obvious thing to do would be to phone husband but I was so scared he wax going to be so angry. Yet another thing wrong with me. I got to another bench and sat in it and watched pongo having the time of his life a full field away.

He climbed out of the pond, head collar and lead trailing. He must have been in there 30 minutes. He ran past his audience up the hill to me. Half way up he hit the deck. I haven't even spoken but he knew alright. He crawled the rest of the hill to me on his belly.

I managed to reach down and touched his lead. Not quick enough. He was back down the hill into the pool.

I got up, and for the first time ever I left my dog.

He caught up with me. His legs wobbling with muscle wastage and exhaustion. He walked all the way home perfectly at heel with his lead dragging. Not a word was spoken. I really didn't think I would make it home.

So... Here I am. In exactly the same position as I was this time last year. In bed with a bad back.

this is the first time it had gone like this since I did it last year.

I have done all the exercises the hospital taught me. I have kept moving continuously. I have done 15 mins on exercise bike and on treadmill and I am now exhausted. I can't sit on the settee so I have come to bed.

Husband is very angry I did not phone him immediately to come and get me and had told me to cancel the hotel for tomorrow as the me in priority is to be well for Paris and husbands special birthday next week.

I am quite inconsolable. Only time will tell if my back completely goes in the night. If it does... That will be another 3 months ruined.

I am actually going to pray.