Mid March Update

I haven't done anything special since the last entry. I'm going to the gym and working my butt off and it's having the desired effect. I just need to control the calorie intake. I tried a 5 mile hike yesterday with some commercial inserts I got from EMS. I didn't have any foot pain last night or this morning. The next test is with a pack. Speaking of packs, EMS told me they'd help me trim my pack weight down. I need to load it up, take it there and weigh it total, then unload and weigh each thing individually. I have to get the pack weight down to 40lbs, at least.

I have lost my faithful hiking partner, Spot. Her back legs are bad and yesterday, we hardly got started on the hike when I had to turn around and take her home. She was lagging way behind and we'd only come less than 1/4 mile. I feel bad cause she enjoys going for a walk and now it's just too much for her. She'll be 11 this year and I think too young yet for this kind of problem but when I talked to the vet last year, he didn't seem to think there was much we could do for her other than what we're already doing. I guess it's just short walks now and making it easier for her to get up stairs and supplying a dog bed or two on the floor (instead of her jumping up on the sofas!).