Back in the saddle

I had to jump in sooner or later. 

After a rough spring and early summer. Many times I thought Craig was ready to work and in the end would come up lame again after a few days in a row of training. Finally in the end of July after a consult with Craig's Physiotherapist and vet he was given the OK to go back to work (I was the only thing holding us back). So I went back to working him and training. Craig has always hit the ground running even when he broke his leg, there was blood and bone sticking out of his leg and he was still holding the sheep in the corner. He has no quit in him. So I jumped in and entered him in the Pro Novice class in Shaunavon. The first run was total madness. A lot of forward and not a lot of control. We got to the pen and the nice square flanks went out the window and turned into slashing flanks. The pen is not the best place on the course the have those flanks. One ewe broke off and headed straight for the fence with Craig in hot pursuit. I immediately had an anxiety attack and called him off. I walked off to catch my breath and shake it off. Since Craig doesn't remember the past I am here to remind him now and then. 

The second day's run started off better he stopped and the top briefly and listened slightly better around the course. I was still out of breath when we were done and had penned the sheep. Ended up with a 78 to win the class that day. I was surprised because it didn't feel like a winning run in my head. 

More good news from the trial Stormy has nick named Craig the racing greyhound. Never a good idea to get stormy's attention. But I may give Craig a nice stiff drink in the pug before we run at the next trial. maybe slow things down a bit.