Bear is injured

Saturday began as a good day. We, my wife, step-son, our dog Bear and I, headed to Fort Worth to attend a wedding. The drive was the typical are we there yet, I need to use the bathroom, etc… Once we arrived in FW we said our hellos and then sat outside to enjoy the day. My wife’s brother has two dogs, a Golden Retriever and a Sheppard mix. Our dog Bear is a Shi Tzu Poodle mix. Long story shortened the GR was playing with a stick and Bear eventually wanted to play with it. When the stick was put down he picked it up. Then the GR decided he wanted it back… Bear being the BIG little dog didn’t take kindly to that. When the GR started to get it Bear started to growl… Then everything went into hyper speed… We think the GR stepped on Bear because the next thing we heard was Bear crying out terribly. His left eye had been knocked out of socket. I quickly grabbed him up and headed to the car while my wife, brother and sister-in-law started to search for the closest Emergency Vet. After about 45 minutes one was found about 30 minutes away; we rushed Bear to the Vet.

Once there we got him checked in… The vet came to talk with us giving us all the bad things that could happen; simply put Bear may lose sight in his left eye and worse case the right eye could be impacted also. In my usual short fashion simply asked when she was going to get started putting the eye back in place. We were told that initial blood work etc…had to be done and that she would be right back with an estimated cost. When she returned a few minutes later to go over the costs I again asked when will they get started… she looked at me and I informed her that I wasn’t concerned with the costs, I have the money and just want him treated as fast as possible.

It took almost two and a half hours from the time this all started to the time Bear was out of surgery. We still don’t know if he will lose his eye sight. Friday April 23 the stitches will be removed and we will start to know the impact of the injury. Our local vet said that most cases like this she has seen the dog will lose sight in the injured eye. I am trying very hard to remain positive, trying to put on a strong attitude for my wife, the kids don’t seem to be too affected by this other than a few “poor Bear” and other little comments. My wife and I are taking it the hardest. Like I said I am trying to show the strong positive side. I stayed home to tend to Bear on Monday, alone, I was able to let out my feelings… I cried like a baby holding Bear to me. I know it sounds silly but I am really attached to the little guy. We jokingly call him my shadow sometimes since he follows me around so much, I am his person. I can seldom leave a room without him following behind me, now he is hurt and I feel guilt over him getting hurt, I am supposed to be his protector.

Time will tell what the outcome will be. We will make sure the eye drops and pills are taken as needed to give Bear the best possible opportunity to heal and not lose his eye sight. Regardless the outcome he will always be my Bear, a part of our family.

Old Friend

I spoke to my former Tae Kwon Do instructor Master Park. He was shocked to hear from me since we haven’t spoken in nearly 7 years. He asked when I was coming back to practice…. I had to tell him I was too far away to work out in his school but that I was starting Hap Ki Do. He was pleased to here I was taking on new skills. He said it would complement my TKD training.

I really miss the days of working out with him. Being a 7 time Korean National Champion her never let anyone slack off. We would workout for 2 – 3 hours a day 5 days a week then 3 – 4 hours on Saturdays. For a long time I was always in pain either from the grueling workouts or the sparring. Even on the days I would call to say I was sick he would push me to come in. He always told us “if you don’t feel good, workout harder”. The sad part is if you called then came in he seemed to work you harder than usual. Eventually I figured out not to call and just workout, it was better than the alternative.

He reminded me of some of the self defense practices we had. He said that was all Hap Ki Do but he didn’t tell us. I can’t wait to get into the things he mentioned.

He asked if I had been staying in shape at all, I had to tell him I have not, boy did that set him off. His tone really hit me hard. It’s amazing what a former teacher can do to you just by the tone used. I know I need to really hit the workouts hard, both at home and in class. I have to take it easy at first but need to push to become better fit.

Let’s see what shape I am in after 3 months. I hope I will be able to show improvement.