It was hot yesterday, but apart from that Rafe had a wonderful time at the elementary school carnival. He did a couple of his Utility exercises (signals and scent article), got lots of applause, and then we had the “hands-on” experience: guess how many kids volunteered to meet the dogs? We did move into the shade before it was all over–poor Rafik was starting to drip. But before that he kissed a lot of kids, and somehow many of them came back for seconds.
Share on Facebook
Happy birthday to Ann K.’s beautiful boy, Rafe. Nine years old today. I hope Mum and Dad are doing something special for you today?!?!
Share on Facebook
Hi! It was Visit-Driver afternoon, so I now have two shepherds attached to my clothing with very busy noses. Driver had his afternoon nap on my lap, and we were joined by the rest of the crew. Brio gets up on the back of the couch, like a cat, so I had him behind my head, Milo on my lap with the puppy, and Stoney right beside us with his duck. We were all reading the little newspaper account about hunt tests and advice on starting field dogs, so I hope they absorbed the lessons. Hope (in her orange fleece, since it is deer season and we could hear the efforts from her yard) is having a wonderful time with the puppy, and her older dogs are taking turns as caretakers, so it is all working out very well.
I was so sorry to hear about Dastra. The only upside is that it gives me hope I will have Mac for another nine or ten years. She was incredible–haven’t seen that much liveliness in most GSDs in this area, much less in older dogs, and she clearly enjoyed every minute she spent with you. Thank you for giving her such a great life! Ann
Share on Facebook
Hi!
Rafe had his surgery today and is home, minus the lump. For those of you who hadn’t heard, he suddenly had a growth under his collar, so I took him in–Dane (my vet) did the needle aspiration and found no evil cells but a few “not quite normal” skin cells, so we decided to remove the thing now. Apparently it is the same kind of mass Mac had on his tail a couple of years ago.
Rafe is in great shape–he came out in his bandanna, stood on his back feet, and announced that he was ready to go home. All the clinic people have been raving about what a NICE dog he is–of course, we knew that. Now I am supposed to keep him quiet for 14 days, which means separation from the Mac. I can see Mac taking over inspection of the stitches, etc., and probably removal of the stitches. They will have to take turns for a few days, until the novelty wears off.
Julie, Dane was totally amazed at what a great blood panel they found. I have been given a copy of the results to forward to you–you turned out an amazingly healthy “veteran.”
The only negative part so far is that Rafe took apart his harness last night. I had to drop him off then because I could not get to campus for my 8 a.m. class in time if I waited until this morning, and they left the harness on. Somehow he got it off and amused himself overnight. Just ordered a replacement, and for now he is marching around in the tracking harness. He is busy telling me that he is hungry, despite the snack the vet tech gave him early this afternoon.
It is good to have him back.
Share on Facebook
Want to trade your snow for our freezing rain? The boys are not impressed. I can’t wait to see Mac forget, zoom out the door, and learn to ski in ten seconds. But we have groceries, I just checked a heap of books out of the library, and probably don’t have to go out for a couple of days (except for standing on the patio while the monsters hunt for rabbits).
If it warms up, you may have great tracking weather.
Hug those puppies for me!
Ann
Share on Facebook
Recent Comments