I have had a few queries about how Blade is doing and what her actual diagnosis was. She broke the P3 bone in her foot, so she had the entire toe removed. When it is an outside toe (non-weight-bearing) and is badly broken, it is easier for her to recover from an amputation than to try and repair the break.

She is fine, the bandage came off last week, and I will remove her stitches today.

She hardly notices the toe is missing! Blade's not the type of dog to let something like that get in the way.

Now that I have been home for a couple of days, I have been thinking about the trip and how it was traveling with 4 greyhounds. What I come away with is the incredible bond that developed between all of us, and I include myself in the equation. I remember thinking, before I left, will I want to give my dogs away by the end of this? am I crazy? will I hate my dogs? But no, instead I have an even deeper feeling towards them. By the end of the trip, they really understood the routine, we were bonded together as a traveling unit, and stopping for photo ops or just breaks and water, they understood what was expected.

Now that we are home, it is back to that routine, for dogs are all about the moment.

I am planning on continuing to post some thoughts and reflections of my 6000 mile plus journey. Stay tuned.

Home again!

NYC-as seen from NJ

Last gas stop-Carlisle, PA

Rest area. Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Blade's bandage.

Relaxing at the motel.

Well, Blade had her appointment with Dr. Radcliffe today and the x-ray showed a break. Well, looked to me more like a "shatter" as the bone was in 3 pieces. So she had surgery this evening and will join the long list of notable greyhounds missing a toe!! (Including "Chig", one of the greeters at the Greyhound Hall of Fame).

So my adventure is at it's end here, as I lie on the bed in the Red Roof Inn, with only 3 of my pups. I will pick up Blade in the morning and drive the final leg of my summer adventure, the last 400 miles home.

It seems a shock, sitting in the air conditioned motel room with a tv. (Watching some guy with a 4 foot tree branch stuck through his neck - what will they think of next?) I much prefer the solitude of the campsite, but the nagging worry of Blade's impending surgery this evening made me think that a nice shower, and a long nap, would be better for my mood, and for my drive back to Brooklyn tomorrow with Blade as patient.

Dr. Radcliffe assures me her recovery will be complete, and I hope the best for Maggie, Wesley, Shatter, and all the other dogs who messed up toes at the Nats. "Fast Dogs Fall Hard".

Camped at Lake Clinton, very remote and dogs were free all evening to explore and have a dip in the lake.

It was a horse camp, and so there were a few horses and their people camping out also.

Off to points east today, Kansas City is a few miles away. then St. Louis MO then Indianapolis. We have an appointment with Dr. Radcliffe tomorrow at 2pm for Blade. About 800 miles to Wheeling from where I am.

Kansas is nice, Pogo didn't want to leave the cool grassy spot she was laying in this morning. But the vagabond traveling greyhound circus needs to push on.

Thanks to those who are leaving comments on the blog, it is a lot of fun to read the blog when I make my pit stops and although traveling with 4 greyhounds isn't lonely in the least, I feel as if I have human friends along with me also!

Home of the greyhound, very cool to see the landscape dotted with greyhounds.

Took a tour around the outskirts of town. Saw the Wayne Ward Farm, home of Apple Jax (although I don't know if he lives there now, he is at stud somewhere)

Got out and walked around the 2 training tracks, wish my backyard looked like that.

Took the dogs inside so they could feel the energy of the hall of famers and greyhounds that have been before.

All they wanted to do was pull me over to the fluffy pillows and throne that the 2 dogs that live there (official greeters) have piled high in a corner. Pogo was really interested in job applications! I think the air conditioning was a big factor.

The we drove around and looked at greyhound farms from the road, and the NGA headquarters and the training track.

Just 25 miles from the Greyhound Hall of Fame - can't wait.

And guess what happenned????

Spent the night at Fort Bridger, Wyoming at a little campsite, slept in and then did laundry. Very relaxing. Heading east on I-80 now....