Story Time - One Year Since That Disaster

One year ago…

Daniel, me, Lucky, Lima, five other friends, a kid, and another dog, rented a cottage together. It was the perfect getaway for me and Lucky—cozy, remote, spacious—and everything was going great. Then we all decided, very spontaneously, to go on a mountain hike near one of the friends’ homes.

I already knew we’d run into cars and people, and I considered staying at the cabin with Lucky. But I still went.

We ended up starting the hike in a crowded ski area, in a parking lot full of cars coming and going. I was already regretting it, but it was too late to back out. First, we walked to the friend’s house—just a 5-minute walk, but it felt like 30 dreadful minutes with Lucky losing her mind. I told everyone I’d rather stay there with her while they hiked, but I was convinced again to join them because the empty hiking path was just 5 minutes away.

The ground was snowy and slippery, there was no pedestrian path—just cars after cars. And as many of you know: cars + new place = crazy Lucky.

She was completely uncontrollable. The only way through was forward, but I couldn’t. Every time she lunged and pulled in all directions, I had to stop, stand my ground, and reset. And she did this every few seconds. What should’ve taken minutes ended up taking forever.

For 20 minutes, I held back tears. By the time we got past all the triggers, I was drained. The next two hours of hiking meant nothing: I couldn’t enjoy any of it because all I could think about was going through it again on the way back.

When we finally returned and I got back to the car, I broke down. I cried like a baby, full-on ugly crying, and I couldn’t stop.

It wasn’t worth it. Not for either of us. Sometimes we have to push through hard moments to get somewhere better. But that? That wasn’t it. I felt awful for putting Lucky through it, and guilty for crossing my own boundaries multiple times.

That was exactly a year ago. I’m glad that nothing close to that level of reactivity has happened since. Yes, I’ve shed tears this year due to Lucky’s reactivity, but nothing like that day. I hope next year I continue respecting both our limits and keep building on how far we’ve come.