It's a boy

For those not on my Facebook list...

We had not planned on getting another dog. In fact, we had made a conscious decision to continue our uncomplicated two dog life (which, with all the fosters is often not all that uncomplicated).  Bedsides that, Legend has set the bar in our house so high, the thought of trying to find "the one" was too overwhelming. 

But sometimes God, or the universe, or fate, or whatever you believe in has a different plan. We waited until we had the legal green light to make this announcement. So for those of you who don't know, or haven't guessed... we are excited to officially welcome "Epic" to our family. 

 

Yes, he has a country music name like his sisters. 

 

It's an album title and also lyrics to a song from the album. 

And his leg has healed! Thursday he gets neutered and hopefully the pin pulled. We have been gradually allowing him to return to normal activity. He may need some physical therapy and rehab. 

As for his future, I hope he likes running and nosework. As for other sports, we will just wait and see how we feel and what he likes. 

Colorado Nosework

It's a bit of a drive but we decided to spend the weekend in Golden, CO for a nosework trial. Legend got into both element specialties plus the NW3 plus it's a pretty place for a long weekend so we decided it was worth it. 

Friday we drive the whole way there, settled in and had a dinner at Chili's near the hotel. Not too exciting. 

Saturday were the two element trials. First was level two containers. This was a great training experience for us since we've been having so much container trouble. My plan was to not call anything the first time she "alerts" since that has caused me so much grief. I hate to pull her off odor and make her show me again but that's a necessary evil right now. Hopefully will improve! 

The first search i totally abandoned this plan and got a no. Back to the plan. Technically it worked on the second search but she was one box off. We did get the other one just fine. The last two searches were perfect. Our plan worked just fine, also she didn't even try to alert on an incorrect box. So no title or leg but good experience. 

Next, level two interiors in the afternoon. What can I say? She rocked this. Interiors are her forte. And it was so refreshing knowing the number of hides. 

 

This is title number sixty for her. 

We were optimistic going into Sunday. But alas, not meant to be. Again. I think the altitude affected her in some way. I know other people have mentioned also having more trouble in Colorado. Our outside searches were uncharacteristically difficult for her. Inside were better, but not perfect. We didn't get any false alerts in containers though. She missed one, but I can live with that for now. 

View from trial site 

 

I think we will do some "easier" UKC or element trials for a while and maybe try to enter some NW3s in the winter. I think we can benefit from some confidence building and some training. 

On the flipside, we enjoyed our afternoons and evenings in Golden. Saturday we checked out the shops, walked along the creek and had some good food. 

 

    

Sunday we went from the trial to downtown and took Legend with us. We all had ice cream. 

 

Then we had a few drinks while Legend relaxed. 

 

Until she got bored. 

 

Then we took a little walk. If you don't get a ribbon pic, get a dragon pic!

 

CMA fest 2017

Don't we look excited?!

Here we are all packed up and heading to Nashville last Wednesday morning.  The after picture was not quite so pretty!  It was a long, hot week.  But fun.

Our first night we picked up our swag for the Miranda Lambert MuttNation march.

Then we headed over to check into the hotel.  After getting settled in and cleaned up we headed downtown for some live music, drinks, and a Jason Aldean concert.

The next morning we got up bright and early for the mutt march.  But thanks to traffic and slow shuttle service we didn't make it in time to march.  But we did meet them in time to hear Miranda speak at the end and see some adoptable dogs.  We did not take any home.

Then, after waiting in a ridiculous line for the river front stage, it filled up and we bailed for some lunch.  After noon we finally got inot the river front for some of the afternoon concerts.

In the evening we headed out for the first night of stadium concerts.

 The lineup included Kenny Rogers, Brett Eldredge (yay), Cole Swindell, Dierks Bentley (pretty good), Miranda Lambert (yay), Luke Bryan (yay), and SUPRISE-Garth Brooks! No one knew he was coming so it was pretty cool when he came out.

We didn't get back to hotel until after 1:00 AM so slept in the next day.

Friday we enjoyed some of the Fan Fair events and shopping and some live music in the down town bars.  Then we got into the riverfront for a few shows including Josh Turner.  Friday night stadium lineup included Trace Adkins, Rascal Flatts (pretty good), Dustin Lynch, Sam Hunt, Kelsea Ballerini (good performer), Eric Church (didn't pick my favorite songs), and Blake Shelton (also didn't pick my favorite songs).  The show this night was good but my least favorite of all the stadium shows.

Saturday we got in a few Photo ops, more time at the Fan Fair, and some Riverfront concerts-Cam (yay).

 We got these at the food trucks!

Saturday night the stadium line up was John Anderson, Maren Morris, Chris Young (yay), Old Dominion, Lady Antebellum, Thomas Rhett (yay-this was my favorite performance all week), and Florida Georgia Line.  This was my favorite night at the stadium. 

Finally, sunday.  We skipped the downtown crowds and visited the Grand Ole Opry and the mall.  It was nice to relax a bit.

 On the bridge on the way over to the stadium.

 Yes, our seats were up high.  I didn't climb up here every night just for the photos.

 The final line up included Tracy Lawrence, Brothers Osborne, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Keith Urban (yay) and Brad Paisley (yay).  Keith and Brad were my next favorite performances after Thomas Rhett.

Monday, we hit the road home.  We had a good time but on the downside there are a lot of lines, it was hot, Lindsay was sick the whole time and it's very crowded.  I would go again, but it's not something I would make a point to do every year.

When we hot home Legend modeled the MuttNation gear.

She also wanted this song added to her playlist. 

Quick check in and then checking out

Here is a quick pic of Lollipop looking cute, acting like she is helping with the chores

And here is pup, getting cuter all the time.  His leg is actually starting to heal, and he has gained almost 5 lbs.  We hope to hear something official about all the hoarding animals soon.

Lyric had her pet therapy visit cancelled yesterday, but she still wanted to show off her cuteness.

And today I head off with three friends for the CMA music festival in Nashville.  We are super excited and have been waiting almost a year for this!

Veterinary excitement

Here are just some random cases I have seen lately that were interesting.

This is a cat in respiratory distress.  Her lungs are full of fluid.  Lungs should be more black but hers are mostly white.  This is bad.  Owners declined referral or aggressive therapy and she did not make it.  She may not have anyway, it's been a few weeks but I remember thinking it was pretty guarded.

There are "papers" from a puppy mill.  Both breeds in this high dollar mutt are spelled wrong.

This was a large breed dog having a birthing difficulty.  She has a uterine torsion-where the uterus twists on itself.  This is very rare as far as I know.  I have never seen it in a dog but I don't really do much repro work.  We spayed her and she did well.  The puppies did not survive.

The last one is a dog that got his paw shut in a window accidentally.  This was two weeks after the incident. I am waiting on the follow up to see how he does.