And stood up. And walked. Four days after running head on into traffic while chasing a jackrabbit the full length of a strawberry field, Noche can do things we used to take for granted. The last few days have been a nightmare of worry. I would have paid millions for lights and sirens as we drove him to the animal hospital Friday night. And until yesterday, his fate was uncertain. The broken leg will heal (and he will undergo surgery tomorrow afternoon to insure it heals optimally) but the back injury left an unspeakable question in our minds. Yesterday, he stood up on his own. Today he walked and pooped. Life is truly good again.

Noche is still on heavy pain meds and steroids and his expected recovery time remains a mystery to us. We’ll do whatever it takes though (Steve says Noche is trying to upstage Grayson, whose broken foot surgery cost us ~$7,000 just a few months ago) and tonight finds me hopeful.

Perhaps we really will get on the road one of these days!

This holiday weekend was a teaser of good things to come. High winds kept us stationary the first day but on Friday we headed to the Delta where, almost a year ago, plans crystallized to sell and go. Last year we enjoyed the company of strangers; this time the trip was rich with long-time good friends. Judi came from Sacramento on Saturday … Rodger from Marin on Sunday. We biked, walked, bird-watched, paddled, visited, and ate Steve’s good cooking. It was perfect.

We head “home” to Watsonville this afternoon. It’s back to work tomorrow for me but only for three more weeks. Oh my, we are really going to do this!