strength training;

[{{helena}}]

I hold the lead and encourage Mo to enter to warm water. He is hesitant, and sniffs and paws the water. I rub him on the neck and again, encourage him to walk down the ramp and into the water. He will be the first horse to try out the new therapy pool. How exciting. I chose to start with Mo because he is the most docile and willing to learn.

He is now up to his knees in the water when the door behind me flies open and my stable hand, Jessica, rushes in. Mo leaps out off the ramp and onto the concrete where he then stands, horrified and frazzled. I'm so sorry, Helena, it's just that... Jessica trails of and begins to sob. I quickly settle Mo and quick-tie him up to the holding bar. I walk over to Jessica and put my arm around her. The poor sixteen year old was devastated. It's okay, Jess. Now tell me, what happened? She inhales deeply, but with a shattered feel. It's Brutus! He's terribly hurt, Helena. You must come help! My heart stops. That dog is seventeen years old. I hope he is okay. Here: you stay here with Mo, I'll go check him out. Where is he? She looked at me with sadness swelled in her eyes. He's by your truck, howling. She began crying again, as walked over to Mo, who she cuddled with.

I jog out of the pool room and through the barn. I soon see a black, yowling lump on the gravel in front of my truck. Brutus. I run to his side and inspect him all over. It's his hind leg, it's broken. I look around for the probable cause. I see a drag line starting at the pasture and ending where he is now. He must have been stepped on by one of the horses. I pick the Black Lab up and place him in my truck and run back to Jess. I find her still sobbing into Mo's accepting shoulder. Jess. I walk over to her and hand her my keys. You just got your license, right? She nods solemnly. Good. Take him to Janzen's Vet Clinic. They'll fix him up. It'll be okay. I put him in the truck for you. Don't worry. Everything'll be alright. She leans into me and hugs me tight. That dog is her best friend. She pushes herself away, looks up at me, nods, and walks out of the room. A tear of mine falls, and I look back to Mo, ho is standing there patiently, ready to work when he is asked.

I untie him and lead him back to the ramp. He walks right in this time, but is not sure what to do when he gets all the way in. I urge him on, telling him it's okay in a low, calming voice. He continues moving, and finally, he's swimming! I praise him in an uppity voice and lead him around multiple times. He paddles powerfully, building strength and stamina.

After about a half hour of work, I lead him out and take him outside to dry off. I let him graze happily as I sit on the fence post and think about Brutus. We've had that dog for seventeen years: his whole life. He can't leave us now. I pray for him and Jessica. I hope they're alright. I think Mo is picking up on my worries because he walks over to me and almost nuzzles me off the fence. I jerk his lead for balance and he backs up. The whole thing is just absurd. I hop off the fence and pet him on the nose. It's okay, boy. I've got you.