Live Every Day Like Its Your Last!

Chance getting some hydrotherapy

Live Each Day Like It's Your Last.  That's the new motto for both Sammy and Chance.  They are both quite old---Chance will be 16 in May and Sammy 14.  And they both have some pretty serious health issues that neither will recover from.  I am so incredibly blessed that they have lived for so long, but no one prepares you for the emotional toll that having geriatric dogs takes on you.  I find myself worrying all the time, though rationally I am fully aware that it does no one any good to worry.  But I can't help it, that's who I am.

I got some bad news on Chance this week, his bloodwork shows that his organs are all failing.  I guess I shouldn't have been surprised as he is old.  He had been feeling quite good for about six weeks then his appetite went off again which is why I had blood drawn on him.  Unfortunately, Chance isn't the best patient, he hates taking pills and will find them in just about anything.  So he's making it very hard for me to help him. But I have to respect that and make some attempt to accept it too.  My goal now is for him to be comfortable, eat something each day and hope he makes it to May 8th to celebrate.  I told him I'd get him an entire pizza if he did!!!!  

Sammy is struggling as well.  She likely has a meningioma on her spinal cord or in her brain.  It's a slow growing brain tumor and explains all the symptoms she's been displaying since last May.  But it's progressing now to the point where she gets lost, confused and doesn't seem to understand simple cues anymore.  And she's losing control of her muscles and body.  I hate saying this, but I barely recognize her as the dog I have loved for 13 years.  She's so different now.  Gone is the ever happy, bouncy, smiling crazy girl.  

 Sammy enjoying a hike in 2012

Then there's Scooter.  The little dog that could!  Scooter got hit by a car in 2003 and both of his front legs were shattered.  He shouldn't still be alive, never mind be able to walk.  Yet he's still here!  But he's really struggling with his legs, and feet since they splay out at a bizarre angle to compensate for his legs.  I know he's in pain, and I have him on as much medication as I safely can.  But his tail is still wagging, despite the pain.  He's truly been a dog that we can all learn a lesson from---despite his physical issues, he's been the happiest, sweetest dog I have ever known.  He takes every day as it comes and enjoys it.  But I know his legs don't have many steps left in them.

Every day I get up and make sure that Chance is still breathing, then see if he'll eat anything.  Then I evaluate Scooter to see how he is moving when he comes for his morning biscuit.  Then I wait for Sammy to get up to see how she is doing.  And I worry.  But I think if I didn't love them so much, I wouldn't worry so much either.

So I'll continue to worry and make sure that all of them have big adventure days and enjoy whatever time left they have with us.  How lucky am I to have such incredible dogs who just don't want to leave their lives here on earth???

Anniversaries....

Jive at 8 weeks

Sunday will be the six year anniversary of Jive's death.  The time between her birthday (2/26) and her death (3/9) is always hard for me.  Losing her was the most painful time in my life and this time of year, the pain often comes rushing back.  I grieve the loss of her physical presence, all the memories we missed out on together and how much fun we would have had.  It's still hard for me to understand why such an incredible being had to leave this earth so soon, but she sure has left a legacy.

Jive was the first dog I purchased as a performance puppy from a breeder who really knew what they were doing.  And Jive set the bar WAY high!  While she wasn't for everybody---she was very high drive and very high energy---she was as close to perfect as a pup can get.  She loved every dog and person that she met, but she loved me more.  She was brilliant, keen and always up for anything.  She loved to tug, retrieve and life was a big party for her.  She was just incredible.

Losing her sent me into a tailspin of sorts, trying to fill the void she left.  I will forever be grateful to the people who insisted that I open my heart to Rival, her half brother.  He's been such a gift, and even though it took time, he helped me heal.  But had Jive not left, I would never have known him and the absolutely incredible dog that he is.  And I never would have gotten Rumba or Dazzle, who are soulmates to their people now.  And I never would have gotten Rave....so there would have been no pups.  Which also means I wouldn't have the incredible people in my life that all these dogs and puppies have opened my world to!

This year my heart feels a bit fuller, and I am trying to focus on all the good that came out of her death.  This year my heart feels a bit fuller, and I am trying to focus on all the good that came out of her death.  I also have Gypsy, who is so much like Jive, it’s almost eerie.  They share that same joie de vivre and so many personality traits.  I’ve been saying since Gypsy was young that it feels like she’s been here before.  I was just thinking about the weekend I brought Jive home.  Tonya and I drove to Massachusetts to pick her up and Chance came with us.  Well, from the moment we put Jive in the car, Chance did not like her and wanted to return her!   I thought it was odd because he’s always like other dogs.  Well, guess who he also does not like?  Yup, Gypsy.  Pretty interesting.

It’s also very hard to be in a sad mood around Gypsy.  She makes me laugh and smile all the time.  She defines “live life to the fullest” and I adore her free spirit.  So on Sunday, I will remember Jive for who she was, and raise a toast to her.  But I also celebrate all that she has given in her death.  And I will be hugging my dogs extra hard and reminding myself how blessed I am to share my life with such incredible beings.

Both water junkies!

The best boy ever!

Time to write again!

Gypsy showing off her paw catching moves

I've been remiss in my writing.  I just didn't feel like I had much to say for a while.  But it's time to get back at it, especially so I can have a good record of Gypsy's training to look back on.

The pups just turned nine months old which is hard to believe!!  They are all just awesome and from all accounts, doing fabulously.  The one thing that seems very consistent among all the pups is how strongly they have bonded themselves to their people.  They all really seem to be very much "momma's dogs".  And that tells me a few things.  First, because they were all raised differently, there was likely a genetic predisposition for them to bond hard to their humans.  But also, that every owner has taken the time to really build a relationship with their pup and make themselves highly valuable to their pup.  And that just makes me happy!!!

All of the pups have been busy with different activities and foundation work, though I think it's been a challenging winter for the two Wisconsin pups.  They can't wait to see grass again!  The one thing I hoped to accomplish from this breeding was to add a bit more natural drive, and I can see that all six of the pups have a tremendous amount of natural drive and desire to work with their person.  They are all very intelligent and learn quite quickly.  Oh, and they are have GREAT tug and food drive, which is fabulous!!!

I, of course, adore my little girlie.  She's just such a happy pup, always ready to do anything with me and a total blast to train.  Now, she's still a bit naughty, and she's not keen on sharing me with the other dogs, but she just brings so much joy to my life.  Gypsy lives life to the fullest!

And Rave still absolutely adores her daughter.  It just thrills me that Rave was such a good mother and has such a great relationship with Gypsy.  Rave never really played with other dogs (with the exception of Dazzle) but she and Gypsy just love to play and wrestle.  I love just watching the two of them together, and I love how happy Rave is.

Here are all the pups at 9 months!  Aren't they all just beautiful????

 Jayce

 Latte and Java

 Ripp

 Envy

Moon