when wonder dog hurts a paw

Let me start with some background: My dog Stella could be described as many things, some of which are complimentary, some of which are not. For example my dad often describes her as being crazy but I of course wouldn't go that far. For me, the best description for her is tough. It would appear that not matter what happens to her she always springs back with her tail wagging and a smile on her face. Such as when she gets kicked in the head by a cow, or runs into the side of a pick-up truck or so I've been told, a concrete wall. No matter what happens, she gets right back up and continues on with whatever she has been doing. Whether it be chasing the cows into the milking parlour or getting the stick that was thrown. It is as if she cannot sense pain, or that she is so eager to please you that a little pain doesn't stop her. That is until recently.

One of Stella's favourite pastimes is riding along in the combine with Jesse. The majority of this activity involves her sitting upright looking out the window and scanning the field for any sign of movement within the wheat. When she sees something, she perks up, Jesse opens the door, Stella jumps to the ground running and more often than not, catches the culprit. Unfortunately, she doesn't stop and whatever was running around, usually a rabbit, ends up dead. She then returns to the combine to be greeted with many compliments and pats by Jesse, because in his eyes, he has taught her well.

The other day Stella was enjoying a relaxing ride when she saw a rabbit and did what she usually does. However this time upon her return she had a bloody paw. It turns out the combine got the better of her and when she jumped out she ripped out a nail. She barely noticed this and continued on as nothing happened. When she got home that night, she had stopped bleeding and everything was fine. She then decided to go for a run through the bean field which opened up the wound again. Still she didn't notice, and therefore when she returned to the house she tracked blood everywhere. Given that there are very few opportunities when I can baby my baby, I jumped at the chance. Much to her dismay, I wrapped Stella's paw in a bandage to help stop the bleeding. Now that her paw was getting so much attention, she took notice. Whereas before, when it was bleeding all over, she continued to run around, now she wouldn't even walk on it. She just hopped around with a sad look on her face. For the entire next day she laid in the grass, moaning on occassion when someone was near. If her paw was touched, she whined. When she came in the house she went straight for the couch and stayed there all night. She milked every bit of sympathy that she got, and she loved it.

So I guess no matter how many ways there are to describe Stella, clever will always be number one.

genetic counselling at its best

here Ed, now you know what I will be doing all day.