Protecting the babies inspires me to move like a ninja

Do you ever have moments when you forget you have Parkinson’s disease?

Sometimes, in those first few sleepy moments when I wake up, I feel good. Then, of course, I start to tremor, or my muscles clench, or I get out of bed and can hardly stand. It’s a painful reminder that Parkinson’s isn’t going to take the back seat. Those moments when I feel good linger in my memory, however, giving me hope and keeping me going.

As regular readers of this column know, I live on a farm, and we have two big, white Great Pyrenees dogs named Flora and Daisy. Most of the time, these dogs are gentle giants. Usually, they ignore the wildlife around us – the Canada geese, wild turkeys, deer, groundhogs, rabbits, squirrels, skunks, and chipmunks usually live free of the fear of being eaten. Springtime is the exception to this rule, when all the vulnerable babies are around. It turns our dogs into killing machines.

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Of the gosling and the fawn

Years ago, before my Parkinson’s diagnosis was in the picture, I came home late from work one night, and when I got out of the car I heard a “peep peep.” I looked down and saw a brand new baby goose at my feet. At that moment, one of the dogs raced around the car, ready to gulp down this baby. I quickly scooped it up and ran into the house.

So I stood in our living room with a gosling going “peep peep.” What should I do?

I called for my husband, John, who had gone to bed already, and he took the little guy over to its nest, where the mother was waiting. Saved! The next morning, we saw them both paddling around the pond, so it all ended on a high note.

More recently, I told John that I’d close the gate at the end of our laneway. It was about 8 p.m., and the farm felt very peaceful. It’s a 10-minute walk uphill to the gate, and the dogs decided to come with me. It took me a bit longer to walk because of bradykinesia, but that was OK because it was one of those nights — quiet, serene, beautiful. I counted my blessings as I strolled along, in tune with nature and feeling lucky to be alive.

Suddenly, our dogs sprinted into the nearest hayfield, where the hay was about 3 feet high. Then two deer jumped up out of the hay and started running around in circles, and the dogs went wild. I could hear a fawn crying out with sad, babylike weeping. That’s when my body forgot it had Parkinson’s disease, and I sprinted into the field like a ninja, yelling like a warrior at the top of my lungs, and tackled our dogs. I lay on top of Flora and held Daisy by the collar.

The does had taken off without the baby, but fortunately it could walk. For half an hour, I lay in that field with our dogs, and that sweet little fawn slowly crept away, with one eye on the dogs, and then disappeared into the grass.

In the meantime, John came looking for me — twice! The first time, he came on foot, but didn’t see us because I was lying down on top of the dogs in the field and wondering about ticks. The second time, he brought the car, and by then, I was dragging Flora (who was refusing to move) and coaxing Daisy out of the field.

It was a wonder that I could sprint that fast or yell that loud, but I did! It was as if, at that moment, my body prioritized its behavior. Even though the situation was grim, I’m happy for the short but sweet memory of being able to move like a ninja!

Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.