George Is Back!

February 18

Our [hiking] family is whole again!

Today was a big day for our family—all four of us hiked!

It had been since Mile 520 that we last hiked all together, a happy day at Mogollon Box in the Gila National Forest. Just weeks later, Paul deployed, and our hiking crew became just the dogs and me. Then, during an exciting hike on Fort Bliss, George took a mighty run after a jack rabbit, tearing ligaments and fracturing his wrist. He was put on crate rest, wearing a heavy splint to protect his injury.

The girls, Emma and I, had made a good hiking team, but we missed our other half, the boys. Just in time for the holidays, one member returned to the trails with us. Paul redeployed. His homecoming came months before I expected him, a blessing. Our family was complete at home, but still not on trail.

Soon after our return from our winter excursion, George stopped wearing the splint. It was a bittersweet day. Wetness from snow caused a skin infection on his leg under the splint. But although he didn’t move like himself, his demeanor changed into the George I’ve always known and loved.

In the last few weeks, the changes in George have been obvious. He seems stronger and happier every day. His wrist will probably never be the same, but he uses it and has learned to amble on it. I still don’t know if George will ever be able to go the distance he once hiked, but I pray and hope he can go for little outings. Today would be his test, and if it wouldn’t be a step toward recuperating his injury, it would be for his spirit.

When I invited George to get in the car to go with us, he looked at me as if to ask, “Really? Do you mean it?” His heart was broken every time I left him home and hiked. He jumped in the car before I could tell him it was a joke.

Paul and I chose a short, flat stretch on the hike we did the previous day. Despite hiking only three-quarters of a mile, we wore our backpacks, including Emma, to show George we were on a real outing. Preparing backpacks to hike was when the dogs became especially anticipated our jaunts. Our destination was just a mile from our campsite, and George whined the whole drive. Usually, his anticipation in the car was distracting and frustrating. Today, it was hard not to get excited with him.

We walked slowly, cautious not to cause George any excitement that would reinjure his wrist. Even Emma seemed to understand for she walked slowly and calmly beside me as Paul and George walked slightly ahead. George was very humbled, a manner we rarely saw him, even in the splint. It didn’t seem that he was feeling extra pain. Was this hard for him to believe?

Halfway out, George came back. His comfort and thrill came suddenly. He wagged his tail, tempted us to throw him a stick, and marked every rock and tree trunk he could reach. It was a happy day for us, and no one was happier than George.