5-10: I used my car today

Our wonder dog, Hobie, has not been eating well since Thursday and started vomiting this morning. In February she had a malignant tumor removed from her spleen after having similar symptoms of not eating and occasional vomiting. Since her eating habits became progressively worse throughout the weekend and she started vomiting today we decided to not delay a visit to the vet any longer. The vet prescribed some medication to relieve her upset stomach and she seems well otherwise. Time will tell if this medication will cure her lack of appetite and vomiting or if the cancer is back.

Deciding to use the car this morning was a very difficult choice for me, but not for the reasons I expected. I didn't care so much about "breaking the rules" of my challenge or the fact that people would see me dropping off L at school in the car (the appointment was just before school on the way to school) and wonder if I'm a quitter. At first I thought we would walk to the vet and then to school on this lovely spring day. Hobie trained with me for two Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Days and we would frequently walk 18 miles per day and up to 60 miles per week. She has been my walking buddy since I got her as a puppy my senior year at Michigan State. Looking at her sleeping on the rug today with her tired brown eyes I knew she couldn't make the 10-mile round trip walk with me and I just felt so incredibly sad. . .

So today's drive was for Hobie. The hundreds of miles she's walked and her faithful companionship earned her a free ride today with the hope that she might be able to walk a few more miles with me.

The drive today also offered a glimpse of what my future transportation plans may hold. I know I cannot do without a car in all circumstances. But to use it occasionally rather than constantly is a realistic goal for me.

Now off to get the bike ready for pick-up. . .