Drink More Water
MARCH 16, 2023
This past weekend was the South Central Regional Breeding Evaluation and Breed Survey and Friday was the United Fido Schutzhund Trial.
Friday: Friday morning was an early one- I got up and drove through Dallas traffic to make it to tracking, and was able to watch my friends from the region compete with their dogs. Tracking was a muddy one being on a dirt field, but that seems to be normal in Texas. Once all tracks were completed, we made our way to the trial field. At the trial field we had 4 BH dogs, 1 IGP1, 1IGP2 and 5 IGP3 dogs. Obedience flew by as dogs were doing well so during their routines. It started out a bit cold, and I wore two layers as it was pretty cold when I left my house- only for it to heat up and needing to lose a layer. Protection came, and I sat on the sideline to see all of blind 2, 4, and 6 in my camera. Well the IGP1 dog wasn't so sure on my presence and came to say hello before making her way to the blind, which meant I needed to change my position on the field. I spent almost all day running up the sidelines to catch the perfect angles. Lora of course continued to check on me, and remind me to drink water, to which I continuously always forget. Come the end of the trial, I was feeling pretty drained and exhausted. Then Katelynn, and I met Josh a few towns over to work dogs, to which I continued to work out the kinks on my camera attempting to learn the video function. That night we finally walked into the house around 11p.
Saturday: Saturday was an early morning to which the Regional Conformation Show was set to begin. The show had 82 dogs entered, and was a very beautiful morning with the green grass on the field, and the fog illuminating the background. The first few puppy classes went off great, with all the little ones running the ring, and gaiting their hearts out. For conformation shows I wear Knee Savers, that Josh rigged up for me to be able to sit on my calves as the position I need to be in can be very uncomfortable after 8 hours, and especially considering my knee surgeries in the past. Lunch occurred around 12p which I then realized I had not drank any water, and was beginning to feel a bit light headed when I was moving up and down. I downed a bottle of water and made my way back to the ring. A few more classes went by and I found myself asking Katelynn to run me another bottle of water down from the car. During the working class, I was extremely proud of Josh who handled dogs all day. For the Working Class LSH Male he handled Vasco for our dear friend who was unable to make it down from Kansas. During the off leash portion it was realized that he did not have a handler to do that with. Josh wasn't sure what to do, so I yelled at him to "Fuss & go" to which he did, and he ran the entire portion completely off leash with Vasco & looked excellent doing it. The day finished off and I was absolutely exhausted. Once we got home that night I realized I was pretty dehydrated and I was having some cold chills to which I then downed a few bottles of water before bed.
Sunday: We headed back up to Forney for the Breed Survey to which Josh was handling a dog. He handled the dog he had only met that morning and looked like a pro. I was very proud of him watching him do that. Once the dogs finished protection I was able to put my camera away, and I took Legion out for a walk around the park. Josh & then headed a few towns over, and continued to work dogs, and train. I finished up some photos for a friend and then working some Obedience on Legion. While doing obedience with Legion I found that I was beginning to feel a bit more lightheaded. We went to dinner shortly after and headed home.
Monday: Monday was a morning from hell. I was dehydrated from the weekend and found myself to be sick from it. Over the summer I had been sick from the sun & had second degree sunburn, sun poisoning, and an allergic reaction to the sun. My doctor had warned me that I was going to be sensitive to the sun for a while, but I had not had much trouble throughout the Fall and Winter and wasn't thinking much of it. Monday was miserable, I had cold chills all day, I was naeuseus, vomitting and even running a small fever. I was attempting to keep water down, but was not really able to which made my dehydration worse. I made an appointment for my doctor and was able to be seen on Tuesday.
Tuesday: I woke up continuing to be naeuseus and vomitting here and there. I was having cold chills and muscle weakness and really struggling. I saw my doctor who recommended electrolytes and possible hospitalization for an IV. To which I don't do well with needles. So she sent me home and recommended that I rest and work on hydrating with pedialyte and gatorade.
Wednesday: I was feeling a bit better but would get weak as I made my around the house, but the nausea had subsided which was making the day easier. I still was having cold chills but was able to actually keep water down at this point.
Thursday: I am feeling much better today, but really struggling to exert energy. I have downed so much water the last 48 hours it is almost insane how many bottles I have gone through. I completed an outdoor boudior session and felt myself really weak attempting to make it back to the car, and having cold chills on the way home.
However, moral of the story- Make it a priority to drink your water and keep yourself hydrated. Otherwise, the fun events you get to attend end up taking a huge toll on your body for days to come.
Enjoy some of the photos from the event.