Surprise, surprise...

Well guess what?

I talked to Mom a little more than a week ago only to find out that the mucus discharge is back in Fancy's nose. Good news, however. The vet said this is completely normal since the hole in Fancy's head probably hasn't closed up and healed quite yet. The bad news from this is that Fancy will have to be on antibiotics for six weeks to clear it.

I've lost a little faith, but big woof. It should actually go away this time around.

I did finally get to see my girl again this past weekend, though. A lot of the hair on her face is really short (from being shaved off for surgery), and she has a scar, but neither annoyances are noticeable unless you're looking for them.

I'd bought a lunge line for this occasion, figuring Fancy would be really hyper from all that lazy time. Bill and Nia were with me, as were Lauren F. and Liz, who were working their own horses.

I attempted the whole lunging thing, raising my arm and expecting Fancy to move along (like she should've), but she was rusty with her manners and needed a little extra guidance to refigure the lopsided circle concept.

I didn't even have her lunge 10 minutes before I was ancy to get on. I pulled a stupid kidhood move, putting Fancy's bridle on and leaping on her bareback. (She has new reins, by the way. They're really long nylon split reins.)

I thought Fancy would be good for a bareback walk, but she wanted to run. I compromised her request and instead let her nearly bounce me to death with that horrible trot of hers. Lauren and Liz looked rather worried. They thought I was crazy! Who could blame them? They ended up convincing me to go upstairs and get her saddle. Bill and Nia left by this point, probably due to not wanting to witness my death. I was actually expecting to fall off, but I didn't care...

So I put the saddle on and walked around for a while, attempting a trot later only to find how awful an idea that was, then I cooled her fiestiness with more walking.

The next day, I met Lauren down at the barn and, after brushing Fancy, put her saddle on immediately. I didn't exactly feel my Cherokee heritage that day.

I had a good round of walking, and at Ms. Wilson's request (she was there that day), helped Lauren a little with Bentley's training. All I did, though, was stand still while Bentley cantered around, apparently for distraction testing.

I felt much better after seeing my girl; I was out there for three hours! And I've realized something; without her, I'm just a sad, depressed, stereotypical teenager. She's my therapy, and I need her. But basketball's still not over; I hope it will be soon...