Sweets Updates

 Sweets went back to the cardiologist a few weeks ago and got great news. His condition has remained stable and there was no progression. No medication was recommended at this time and will go back in 6 months to see if there is any change at that time.  

In the mean time, we decided he had already found a permanent home here with us!  We also did his DNA test and well, I guess that's what you get from a junkyard!

Passing the Torch

 We went to an AKC scent work trial last weekend and I told Epic it was his turn to carry the torch in our house.  He stepped up quite well.  He didn't hav a perfect weekend, but he was 5/8 and all five of those are really great searches. He finished his novice buried elite which also finished this overall novice elite.  He went on to get a buried advanced leg-first time working water hides in months and did a great job.  Apparently it's easier for him than sand.  He also picked up two advanced container to finish that title and an advanced exterior.  Good job little buddy. 

Until we meet again

Legend 11/25/05/-12/3/20

You know the day will eventually come, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I promised I’d never let her suffer, and today I had to make good on that promise. 

Today we had to free Legend of her earthly struggles. While my heart is more than shattered, I know I will eventually find peace and joy in the lifetime of memories we made together. 

Thanks to Nebraska Border Collie Rescue, Inc. for the dog of a lifetime, foster dad Scott for being able to give her up and all the friends who have loved her along with us. Special thanks to Jerry for all these final months he has spent cooking everything under the sun and hand feeding her, and taking care of her on the days I wasn’t home. It did not go unnoticed and I love you. 

See you on the other side baby girl. I loved you with all my heart and always will. #wewerelegends

I could have missed the pain,

But I’d have had to miss the dance...

Last weekend's trial

We headed to Oklahoma last weekend for some NADAC.  Epic got 8 Qs but finished 5 titles, including 2 in elite!  He's still got some things go work on but also making good progress.  Here are some videos of his Touch N Go and a Jumpers.

 

And of course the ribbon pic.

Sweets got to come too and had a good time meeting new friends.

A special day

I’m a few days late to celebrate Legend’s big birthday. But here’s the post I made for Facebook that I posted on time. As a side note, she and I ate cake for breakfast today. So it’s like a second celebration I guess. On her birthdays she got McDonald’s and a pig ear. 

Once upon a time I stumbled across a big eared, bright eyed puppy on a rescue website. Today that puppy is 15 years old. It’s a day I often thought we’d never get to and although the time we have left may be limited, the memories we’ve made over the last 14 plus years are endless. She’s traveled all over the country with me, run many miles and races, been my hiking, swimming, fetching, and leash tugging companion. She has earned over 100 titles and awards in 3 sports across 4 venues, including a NATCH, MACH, and NW3.  She’s been to AKC agility nationals once and NADAC 3 times with one trip to finals. She accomplished every goal I had and then a lot more. She’s brought more joy to my life than I could have imagined and I hope I’ve done the same for her. Happy Birthday Legend, love you to the moon and back. 

It’s not the journey, or the destination, but who you travel with that matters most. #livinglegend

Staycation, sort of.

This last week was supposed to be family vacation in Gatlinburg, but covid. So we spent some time as a family at my parents during the middle of the week and I did a trial each weekend. First up was nosework at the local AKC club. After a slow start we got back in the groove and Epic got four first places and one third place in his five Qs. He also finished his novice exterior elite title. As a bonus Lindsay and her “puppy” came to hang out with us!

The next weekend was agility in Lawrence. We got six Qs, all at elite and open levels. He also got more points towards champs! We still have some things to work on obviously but I’m really pleased with how he’s stepped up his game to handle  these harder courses. It’s also an adjustment for me as he’s much faster than my other dogs. He’s quite frequently the only dog running at the 12 inch skilled level so I compare our YPS to other dogs in other divisions and he’s definitely got some good speed. Not always the fastest but as we get smoother and more confident together I think he could be a real speed demon. 

In other news Legend continues to have days that range from good to good enough. It hard to see age really hitting her but we try to make the most of every day. 

Jadeed has returned home from training. We still have work to do and will be taking more lessons but are starting to make some progress in our relationship. 

Sweets is growing up fast and turning into a lovely boy. 

He goes back to the cardiologist in about a month. 

Riesling's fancy photos

 We had the chance to do a mini session with an amazing local equine photographer.  I could not really love these more.  She did a great job.  He looks like such a fancy boy!

River swim

 I took Epic and Sweets on an outing the other day to the "river" which actually is a small river but right now is so low I can walk across.  There were placed deep enough the dogs had to swim a bit.  Epic likes the water but is not a big swimmer, he mostly likes to chase the other dogs while they play fetch.  Sweets does not really fetch but does love the water and was a very natural swimmer.  So it was hard to really keep them entertained but they did play some and sweets got a lot of swimming practice. Epic swam a little which was good practice for him as well. 

The old the young and Seamus

 Legend had been a slow decline the last few weeks and was feeling pretty down late last week.  And so was I.  But I put her on some fluids and started her on some steroids (among other things) and I'm not fully convinced renal disease is her only issue but cannot find anything else definitive.  Anway, she's doing quite a bit better now.  We have no idea how  much time we have bought but we will take whatever we get as long as she seems happy.  

Here's come cute pics of the old girl and her trusty ball. 

And here are some cute pics of sweets, because he's so cute!  And also Seamus, who is also cute.