Alto

Seems like our reality changed a bit this weekend—Alto’s spondylosis has taken a turn, and his hind legs have been pretty wobbly. He’s had a few rough days where he was really struggling to get around. 🥺

Thanks to our amazing vet he's on a new pain management regime and we're waiting for a more in depth CT scan and neurologist consultation to figure out best next steps. 🧐

On the bright side he's gotten some new gear that he actually does not hate as it helps him to move around and he was so docile at the vet for RTG that it felt like a totally different dog. 😅

Springtime looks good on this little stinker 🥰🌸

Happy holidays from this always slightly concerned boi! 😇

Alto had been a very good boi this year and he's been gifted by Santa a beautiful stick handpicked by his spare human's niblings 😭😭😭

3 weeks post operation and Alto is back to his (and my Dad's) favourite orienteering. Yesterday we participated in 34 km (1300 altitude) orienteering race and found all the check points 🙌 Alto struggled a bit with heat but local streams kept him cool but his age is slowing showing - I can see him a little bit more stiff in the hips, favouring one leg. Not easy for me to accept but also proud of him to be covering such distance in the mountains being over 9 years old and technically a senior👴🏻

We saw the longest rail tunnel in Poland, climbed a few peaks and solved a few riddles (picture of me kneeling and frantically trying to do some math lol) 🔢

Muddy paws and long tongues forever!

I guess I just wanted to check-in with this spaghetti armed fella. We've had two larger trips to the vet - one after Alto had gotten bit (through the fence!) and now he's recuperating after removal of two lumps (still waiting for results....) 🤞

Not like he cares though, he's still as maniac as always and just wants to hang out with us and all his toy stash (which is getting bigger and we are spoiling him to the max). 🤗

?

I've planned a "quick" 10 km hike to get us warmed up but I failed to account for 700m ascent and hot weather....

Alto needed way more breaks than usual and to his credit he was great at notifying me when he was done by plopping to the ground in a shade which was a perfect excuse to get some cuddles!

But while hot weather was always his worst enemy, today's was a reminder that he is getting older (turning 9 in May) and I think I need to recalibrate other hikes I had planned... Which is something I have to come to terms with because he always felt like such a terminator not stopping for none or anything during hikes! 👣🐾

Just us shamelessly soliciting for sponsorship (Alto's spare human bday is coming up, I need help!)

Besides, absolutely in love with the view, can't wait to explore it!