[written 3/12/12]

Salka endures a chiropractic session for his injury.

I’m sitting on my patio working outside because I am attending to Salka, our Alaskan Malamute, who suffered a fractured scapula on Sunday. One minute he was in a game of chase with Oliver, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever next door, and the next he was howling like a hurt puppy. It was clear something had happened, and I could see he was favoring one of his right feet.

I had just come from my soccer game and was still dressed in my uniform, so I quickly changed shoes, and then we had to get him into the SUV. It was hard not only because he weighs in at a solid 90 pounds but also because he was in pain from being lifted.

The whole emergency vet service experience seemed like going to a hospital ER, but the people were friendlier. He received X-rays, and we had to wait for them to be interpreted. Then after many hours the verdict, a broken scapula, that would not require surgery but does require six to eight weeks of rest. Ha! They don’t know this Malamute, who likes to go for as many walks as possible.

Well, we have had to rearrange our house to accommodate a dog who can no longer get up off slippery tile. We’ve had to pull out old rugs to cover those bare areas. Most of all we have to shift our schedules and enlist Beth’s mother to be sure, at least for the first two weeks, that someone will be home with Salka to help him up and out to eliminate. Poor boy, he is still clearly hurting and uncomfortable.

When emergencies strike, how do you respond? I found myself stepping forward but then being scared and sad and taking out my frustration briefly with the vet clerk when I discovered what X-rays cost.

I could do a whole post on the cost of all medical care, including animal care, but I won’t.  What I can tell you is that I was happy to pay what it cost in order to relieve Salka of suffering. I suppose that I really don’t have a theme for this post other than to get my feelings out, because ultimately what most of my work has been about is helping people respond to the challenges in their lives. So I will keep readers apprised of his progress because after he recovers I want him to go back to his job of helping me promote my work. Salka asked that you keep him in your thoughts, and (LOL) send some positive thoughts and prayers my way also.

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About Terry: Terry Hickey, M.S., is a Certified NLP Professional Coach, Business Trainer and Consultant, a Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and the co-owner of NLP Advantage Group. Originator of the Belief Breakthrough Method™, Terry specializes in teaching coaches and entrepreneurs how to rapidly resolve limiting beliefs about wealth and success. His tips and strategies can help you launch yourself into the future you want… NOW. http://terryhickey.com/