Krog Street Tunnel in Atlanta

Walking in Atlanta

The last few days have been the perfect end to this crazy year. 

If you read my blog often, you know I like walking around Atlanta and that I take my dog, Bauer, out walking a lot. We both need the exercise.

When we're on our exercise walks, I usually don't take my camera. It's too hard getting photos when I've got Bauer on the leash.

He's crazy.

Let me show you what I mean:

That's Bauer after the doorbell rings. And, yep - that's my messy house. 

Since my youngest came home for a few months, we've had a lot of extra stuff in my little place, plus moving things around so we could fit a tree. 

Organizing - one small thing in a long list of things I have to do...

Anyway...

When we're out walking and Bauer sees another dog, he has a similar reaction to the one in the video, sometimes worse! 

I get some looks, y'all. Sometimes I get the stink eye, sometimes it's a look of profound pity, others burst out laughing. 

I've talked to a trainer and follow his recommendations (carry treats, make him sit and stay a lot, etc). 

Bauer IS doing much better when we're out around other dogs, but he's almost 11 years old. I don't think he's ever going to be completely comfortable when he's on a leash and we come across another dog.

Lately, he's barking at people too. Ugh.  

Twisted Around and Falling Down

I was out on Sunday afternoon with Bauer. It was a beautiful day! The weather was nice, and the sky was blue. 

We walked by several other dogs and humans, and Bauer was out of sorts. 

I don't think the masks are helping. 

As we approached Irwin Street from Auburn Ave near the Beltline (not on the Beltline - I never take Bauer on the Beltline!), there was a chainlink fence fallen across the sidewalk.

I walked back over to the scene of the crime yesterday and got a couple of photos. 

Fence fallen across the sidewalk

There was no room to navigate around it on the sidewalk. There were cars coming down the street going a little too fast, as usual. 

I turned to look over my left shoulder to check traffic as I stepped down into the street. Bauer saw something and pulled in the opposite direction. 

My foot went down...half-in and half-out of a nasty little pothole. 

AAAARRRGH!

As I flailed my arms in an attempt to stay standing, I heard a pop in my ankle, and I fell forward onto my right hand and knee.

Yikes. 

Bauer yelped, and I swore. 

Oh. my. gosh.

It hurt so bad. 

I was trying not to cry while reining Bauer in on his leash so he didn't get hit by a car as he jumped around me to see if I was okay. I was afraid to stand up. 

I've finally got health insurance, but it's a catastrophic plan only. My deductible is about $12,000.

The LAST thing I need is a broken ankle. The LAST thing anyone needs right now is a broken ankle!

I sat for a minute nursing my right hand, contemplating standing up, and calming Bauer. 

Finally, I stood up and gingerly put my left foot down. 

Relief!

I had a huge sense of relief and gratitude flood over me as I realized my ankle was NOT broken! YAY!

I could feel every tense muscle in my back, neck, arm, and right quad. My ankle was throbbing. 

Thankfully, we were less than a half-mile away from home. I hobbled home and took a look at my ankle. 

It was swelling but there wasn't any bruising. I sat down and put the leg up and put a bag of ice on it. 

Wednesday

It's Wednesday now and the ankle is better. 

I walked about two miles yesterday at a slower-than-normal pace. It's sore and swollen, but okay. 

I'll take it easy for a few days. 

So...that's my last few days. Seems like a fitting end to 2020.

My constant refrain this year has been, "Well, at least I'm still standing!" 

I meant it quite literally this time!

I hope you're having a good week!

See you between the raindrops!

xoxo,
Susan 

Want your own photo of Krog Street tunnel? You can find one here.