Carry A Walking Stick
When we’re walking through life, anything that gives us a sense of stability is a good thing.
Joyful Springers carry a walking stick. They find something that gives them comfort, and they keep it with them to help them feel secure in a sometimes crazy world.
A “walking stick” can be anything that gives you sense of peace–a cross, a memento from a precious time in your life, a photograph, a special token,or maybe even something more literal like a can of mace 
. Walking through life goes easier when you carry something that helps you feel safe.
[Not only is Ducky carrying a nice walking stick in this photo, she's also sporting what we call her "Commando Ducky outfit." 
It's actually a brace for her injured leg, but calling it a commando outfit is more fun.
Ducky has been on quite a journey this year. In February, she injured her back left leg, and after a few periods of rest following a return of lameness, we finally determined that she had a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). We gave up on short periods of rest, and in May, we made the decision to rest her for several weeks in the hope that she could heal without the need for painful surgery. Can you imagine keeping a two-year old Springer still for 2 months? Ducky was on a leash all the time, even in the house. We created ramps to all our furniture, and we did our best to amuse her with games she could play while lying down. Finally, we started taking her on short leash walks to build up her strength, but we were limited to twenty minute or shorter walks. After extensive research, I found a wonderful canine ACL brace at WoundWear. It cost $350 we didn't have, so we had to borrow the money, but it was well worth it! (If you'd like to make a donation to the site to help us pay off the Commando Ducky brace , Ducky says she'll wag her tail profusely in your honor!!! Click here to make a donation.) NOTE: If the donation links don't work, look to the right of this site, at the picture of Ducky that says, "I pose for treats. Donate to my treat fund?" Click on that picture and it should take you to the Paypal donation page. Thanks!!
Because of the brace, Ducky is now up to two hours of on-leash walking a day, and she's walking with a normal gait. We take the first walk on the beach, and then two more walks around our neighborhood. When we walk in the neighborhood, Ducky carries a stick--the same stick on every walk. She found the stick in our driveway a couple months ago. She carries it for the whole walk, brings it back and puts it on the garage floor, and then picks it up again when we head back out for another walk.
Ducky is looking forward to when she's healed enough to run again, but in the meantime, she's prancing happily with her walking stick. ]
