Petwriter

Catching up and jumping into controversy

2012-02-14T07:49:00.000-08:00

I am WAY behind in oh, so many things and will strive to catch up, but figured better to jump in with controversy than be left totally behind.

Westminster dropped Pedigree and signed up Purina for their TV coverage ads. Why? They have been quite open about their reasons - Pedigree insisted on concentrating on mixed breeds and stressing shelter adoptions. Westminster's entire reason for existing is to promote wellbred purebred dogs - from reputable breeders and with excellent breed standard representation. When you see a Chihuahua on Westminster, you KNOW it is a Chihuahua.

Westminster does not hate mixed breeds or hate shelter adoptions. Simply, their "product" if you will, is purebred dogs. So why have advertising that represents someone else's ideal? Would you expect Ford to run ads featuring Toyotas?

Westminster has done a great deal to promote dogs, all dogs. The "Angel on a Leash" therapy dog group that David Frei works with encourages any and all dogs. Many of the fund raisers support causes that will help all dogs. Education is worked into the broadcasts and mixed breed owners would benefit from learning about the "dogs behind their dog".

Many shelters have discovered themselves that showing photos of dirty, crowded, starving dogs does not help adoptions. When people see clean, obviously happy dogs, they think what a great addition a dog would be for their family.

Yes, there are those who are attracted to the idea of rescuing an injured or abused dog, but motives are sometimes suspect in those cases. Shelters have to carefully screen adopters who are only interested in the dog who made headlines for his sad situation. While some are truly good hearted people, some simply want to be able to say that they "rescued" the dog in the paper. Fifteen minutes or less of fame and a dog who isn't truly loved or wanted.

Before I am jumped on with both feet, note that *I* have worked at a shelter, have adopted a dog from a shelter, have helped with rescues and yes, heaven forbid, I choose for the most part to own purebred dogs - from reputable breeders.

Graduations

2011-06-17T06:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight my son Tom will graduate as co-valedictorian from Westmoreland. A high school graduation is similar to the graduation our dogs get from their basic obedience class. Whether the class is from our local Pet SMART, Mohawk Valley Dog Training Club, Syracuse Obedience Training Club or one of the other local training classes, graduation marks both a beginning and an end.

The end of class means that you and your dog have worked together to learn certain basic obedience commands and exercises. Hopefully you have developed a good working relationship and strengthened the bond between you. Training will need reinforcement however. You need to keep up with your commands, provide rewards and practice - even if you only mix the obedience into your daily life. In fact, mixing obedience into daily life is the ideal way to use your training.

My son will use math, English and science in his engineering courses at Cornell. Your dog will use sit, down and come in his daily interactions with the family - sit to have his leash put on, a down stay at dinner time, etc.

Graduation can also be a beginning. For the high school students it is a move to college, a job or perhaps the military. For your dog, it may be a decision to move on to a dog sport. Agility might be appealing or perhaps your dog loves to heel so upper levels of obedience call to you as a team. The basics you learned in your early training classes provide the foundation for almost every dog sport you might choose to try. If you and your dog dont' enjoy a certain dog sport, try another one. There are many options available to you in central NY.

May your dog class graduations lead to wonderful opportunities!

OK, enough with the snow!

2011-02-03T16:41:00.001-08:00

Some light fluffy snow, even a foot or so, would have been fine. Instead we got heavy, wet snow and then a crust of ice and sleet. This has made for treacherous walking for humans and dogs. Flash the Corgi tries to simply follow the rest of us, but we have steps, not a path which makes it hard for her at 13. I just carry her to the snow blown areas.

The ducks simply stay in - no complaints from them!
The sheep, goat, mini horse and donkeys use the paths broken by the horses. And Tom and I shove our way through drifts to the manure pile.

I do love snow and hope to cross country ski tomorrow but I think I could manage with quite a bit less :).

Hunkering down in snow and cold

2011-01-16T11:37:00.000-08:00

We have had at least some new snow daily for days now - none of the big storms that hit the East Coast made it as far inland as us, but we probably have a foot or so accumulated by now. This has made for rough times for some of our animals, especially when coupled with wind and/or cold temperatures.

The ducks are basically staying inside. I am not sure they could walk at all in snow up to their chins! They get warm water in their bucket plus plenty of food and hay to eat and nest in. The ducks seem happy.

The sheep, along with Zoom the goat aren't so thrilled with everything. While they also get warm water, they end up outside for about 8 hours every day. There is hay outside and more hay when they come in, but particularly the older sheep "ladies" - Klara and her younger sister Mrs. Tommel - would probably be happy simply staying inside. I need to start cutting up apple for all of them at night.

The donkeys, Sugar and daughter Spice have mixed feelings. They like going out but figure an hour might be plenty of time. All of the equines have been getting apple or carrots every day along with their hay plus warm water so they are happy about that. Sugar, Spice and Frodo the mini horse do not get any grain. They stay round just on hay.

The horses are all "seniors" and they get grain plus hay inside and out as well as their apples or carrots plus an arthritis supplement. They are the main group that truly wants to go outside very day.

Fire (short for Firecracker - he was born on the 4th of July) pretty much lives in his bed on top of the heated water pump area in the winter. He hops down to eat or eliminate, then back up. He is almost round enough to dribble now and truly looks like a big basketball!

Well, off to the barn - I suspect everyone wants in early today with the cold and the blowing snow!
Deb E

I LOVE to help with barn chores! I like it best in warm weather when I get to move my ducks around. Sometimes I move the sheep around for Deb too - not always when or where she wants, but they need work too. Plus I love going in the haymow - I am so cool because I can hop right up on the hay mow floor (probably about 4 feet straight up). Plus I run through the fields looking for bunnies, mice, wild strawberries, all kinds of neat things! I can hear mice and voles under the snow in the winter and sometimes I pounce to catch them. Not too successful, but I keep trying.
Hokey

Obedience on the fly

2011-01-11T13:04:00.000-08:00

I had Hokey entered in Wild Card Utility obedience both days at the Syracuse trials. We had a lot of fun and for a dog who has not had much formal utility training he did quite well. I do see some things we will have to work on :)

On the Directed Retrieve for the gloves, Hokey ran right out to the correct glove, then turned, smiled at me and downed with the glove between his front legs. A perfect tracking article indication! So we need to add the retrieve to that!

Then on scent articles, I chose to only have him do leather. He ran right out and indicated the correct article - interesting since he had never worked a pile but on his own decided to choose the article that smelled the most like me. Again, he wasn't sure about the retrieving.

Still, we are on our way and will now actually start training for utility!

Hokey's sister, Tiara, did a stunning job in Excellent B Rally both days - earning a 1st and a 2nd in very big and tough classes.

Tia, Kate's little Aussie, held it together and managed to squeak out her first CDX leg. Six dogs qualified that day, so no placement but she is "on the scoreboard" now!We decided that Kate has finally earned a CDX herself - she put one CDX leg each on her Corgi Flash, on Hokey and now on Tia!
Deb E

From Hokey:
Man, they have some really stupid rules. Why doesn't the person come pick up the glove or the article after the brilliant dog locates it? Why should the canine half of the team have to do ALL the work?

Tia was a bit insufferable on the way home. A lousy little green flat ribbon - big deal! *I* got better scores for my CDX legs AND I got placements!! At least Deb had the good sense to realize the Queezle and I at least deserved to split a cheeseburger on the way home - no double though.

I am going to train like crazy and show that stupid Aussie how a REAL dog does REAL obedience like Utility!

Where's the snow?

2011-01-07T03:54:00.000-08:00

Remember the old Wendy's commercials with the old lady crying, "Where's the beef?" Well, here I am asking, "Where's the snow?" We were supposed to get a big storm and I admit, I was hoping Tom would get a snow day. We were probably two of the few people hoping for the storm. Actually, lots of local students were doing snow dances I bet!

It looks like the snow may show up later so there might be early dismissal.

Of course, I then want it over and cleaned up by tomorrow so we can go to the SOTC obedience trials. Here in upstate NY, 8 to 10 inches could and would be dealt with easily.

I love a blizzard as long as the power stays on. We don't have a fireplace or woodstove so if the power goes out we get chilly fast. And the loss of running water is a hardship caring for the animals. Still, if the house stays warm, it is nice to snuggle on the loveseat with one or two dogs, a good book and hot chocolate.

Housework should never be done on big storm days. After all, you would hate to have the power go out when you were halfway through vacuuming a room :).
Deb E

Habits and patterns

2011-01-04T14:53:00.000-08:00

I think of all of our animals, the sheep and ducks may be the most set in their ways. We are shifting the sheep to a new stall to make it easier to clean in the winter - actually shifting half the sheep. The group generally separates out into two groups - one group of 3 sheep plus Zoom the goat and the other group with 5 sheep - when they come into the barn.

So the goal tonight was to move the group of 5 to the new stall. Easier said than done!

At first, we had Queezle down with us, though she was in the milk house most of the time. Queezle is not an ideal stock dog, as opposed to Hokey. The sheep don't trust her and the fact that she was in the barn, made them hesitant to split into their usual groups. It was not pretty.

Then Kate suggested we simply put them all back out, shut the door and go up to the house to feed all the dogs. We then came back down dogless and were able to separate them fairly well - though Abbie slipped into the 5 sheep group so we ended up with 3 and 6. Still not bad and now there is a group in the new big stall.

Sheep are characterized as being stupid, but when it comes to things that affect their survival, they are quite smart. They are excellent at reading the intentions of dogs and humans. Tomorrow I will use Hokey to help me - they trust him and work well with him.

Note, the lovely photo was taken in warm weather - we currently have snow and ice :)

Hokey starts the New Year off right!

2011-01-02T11:15:00.001-08:00

I convinced Deb to let me do the first post of this year. *I* have always known I was destined for great things but now everyone seems to agree with me!

I also know that some dogs don't get along with their siblings/littermates but I like mine - maybe partly because I don't see them all that much so they don't get a chance to bug me. I do see my sister T quite often and she is golden because she has given me some really cute toys over the years - my fox wubba and my Wally whale for example.

However Sister Poppin, way down in North Carolina, is my favorite sibling right at this minute. Deb was going through mail and there was a really nice card from Nancy and Poppin congratulating me on my CT. But the best part of all is that in the card was MY VERY OWN ARCH CARD for McDonald's!!!!! So I can buy my own double cheeseburgers!!!

Of course, I am limited by not driving (at least the car type of driving - I have started driving sheep and ducks) and Deb says a steady diet of double cheesburgers is not real healthy, but still. WOW!!! I bet I am the only Terv, maybe even the only dog!!, with an ARCH card :))
Hokey, never shy, never modest
PS I am not sharing with the other dogs of my family (the ones I live with) though I might share with Deb! Unless Dani threatens me in which case I will share with her.

Still smiling!

2010-12-19T15:11:00.000-08:00

Both Hokey and I are still smiling! I am still so in awe of his ability. What a dog! Of course, he doesn't get to brag too much here or Flash and Dani flatten him.

We have been lucky to share congratulations from so many wonderful friends. That makes our accomplishment even better. Best of all, we have heard from others with cancer challenged dogs who are heartened by our success. Of course, there are no guarantees and we have no idea how long Hokey's remission will last but I continue to do his supplements, special diet, etc and we will keep working.
We have quite a bit of snow so we are mostly working in the barn aisle, doing some utility obedience. I need to figure out a good way to work the ducks despite the snow. Haven't come up with that yet.

And we just ordered some custom bumper stickers - Canine Cancer Survivors Can Do! in bright green. Definitely one will go on my minivan :)
Deb E

Oh yeah, steak for THREE nights in a row!! Whoohee!! And other dogs got a piece each but *I* got lots of pieces.

I am back to work - learning utility which should be a snap for me since I am so brilliant but it may take a while to get Deb proofed. She seems to think I should hand her these white gloves when we both know the correct article indication is to lie down or sit by the glove. I love to run out and grab it, then shake it and bring it back to her and drop it. I mean, what more could you want?

And I keep warning those ducks that I plan to work their fluffy little butts off this winter. Deb and I will figure out a way to keep them in shape!
Yeah, life is good - just like those t shirts!
Hokey

My version of our track - by Hokey

2010-12-15T04:35:00.000-08:00

Whoa, yah! Deb didn't give ME a chance to post yesterday. I think you all need the real version of our track.

I was pysched - so psyched I was whining when Deb was putting the harness on me - bright neon green I might add and I look quite dashing in it! Plus festive for the season you know.

Forget the stupid sugar plums - I had visions of double cheeseburgers dancing through MY head! Deb had been stuffing green Xmas tree Peeps into her - guess she felt she might need a sugar high. She did tell me that I would get chicken RIGHT after the track but might have to wait until the drive home for my cheeseburger.

I was very glad to have that nice woman for my tracklayer. She has great scent :). Off we went, flying down the field, then up the hill. I am not at all sure why they felt the track should go under this creepy tree and right next to a big telephone pole on its side. That looked like the kind of place where my brother wolves might be hiding. Never fear though - Hokey's great nose could handle taking the turn a touch early.

I admit I had a lapse then - I saw a bright white thing and figured it might be an article, so we went off to check that off. No dice, nothing that easy! I put the old snoz back to work and lo and behold, we found a dark sock! Cool - one article out of the way. Of course Deb had no idea we, I mean I, had already handled one set of cross tracks. Ha, they couldn't fool me!

Now we trucked down a hill through some brush with nasty prickers - I really hate prickers! Blew through the other cross tracks too - do they think we are stupid? If they couldn't fool me the first time, why even try again?

What is this?! My track now went through this huge river! I am guessing a mile wide and probably about that deep. I don't mind baths or working in the rain (and it was raining) but putting my feet into water? UGH!

Still, double cheeseburger on my mind, so through the creek we went. Then I took us down this path in the woods. I find paths in woods to be hard to work, so I am glad we had practiced at the Westmo Town Park. Those cinder paths are tough!

And what should my competent nose find but a purple tie! Hmmm, guess we know why it became a tracking article - a bit bright for average the suit and tie crowd. By now I swear I could almost smell my cheeseburgers!

We went a looong way in the woods, then hit a field and I KNEW to turn left! Yes, back to the creek. This is where Deb almost blew it big time. All that work and now she hesitates to follow me down to the creek again?!!! This is the dog who HATES water, so if I say it goes there and *I* am willing to cross it again - what is HER problem?!!! She is even wearing our good luck shirt - the bright green one from Beauty of the Beasts that says Trust me.... I am the One with the Nose.

So I humor her - checking out the edge of the field thoroughly. Kind of interesting - different big mushrooms, including a bright orange one, some neat trash. Finally I am running out of options, so I insist we really need to cross the creek, finish this thing and let the judges move on to the next dog.

Deb follows me!!! Hallelujah!!! Across the creek we go and then there is ice. I really don't like walking across pure ice, so I kind of hop up onto the jump there. Got stuck with my line for a second but Deb's good old opposable thumbs helped us out there. I hopped back down to the path where it was mud now and WOW - WHAT IS THIS???!!! I snuffle, verify twice, turn to smile at Deb and sit - right there, even in the cold mud!

My glove - a sort of ratty small brown one but still, the glove of my tracklayer. Deb checks, she screams, everybody screams, I leap up and get mud on Deb, they all cry a bit and then, finally we head to the car for my chicken (cheeseburgers yet to come!)

Back at the car, Deb dried me thoroughly and stuffed me with rotisserie chicken. Good stuff - you can get it at most grocery stores cheaper than buying and cooking your own chicken - strip off the meat and save it for your dog. I could write a cookbook!

Anyway, I LOVE to be dried and rubbed with towels. Just feels good, you know? We had to wait a bit for my beautiful green and blue rosette but then we were on the road, heading for McD's for my double cheeseburger!!! And steak the last two nights too!

I am really rubbing this into Queezle's face. She thinks she is so hot being a top breed dog - well, that is nothing but looks. If I hadn't had a problem with a bit of equipment I could have been a breed CH too. But a CT is even better because *I* had to earn it!

Deb says no way we retire - she has promised me we will keep working. Doing some duck stuff - I am an awesome duck dog if I say so myself! - , maybe some utility obedience, more ASCA tracking and herding, yeah, lots to do, more cheeseburgers to earn!

New Champion Tracker!

2010-12-14T09:59:00.000-08:00

I am always humbled and honored to be the "dope on a rope" following my dogs on a tracking test. Hokey and I entered 13 TDX tests this fall. We got drawn in two and got in run in two others as an alternate. Oh, so close on a couple - including about a month ago in Virginia when two gun shots blew our almost perfect track.

I thought long and hard about not entering this last test in Virginia. After all, #13, the weather likely to be bad (on my end in upstate NY if not in Virginia) and admittedly, I was a bit discouraged. When we got in, I still waffled a bit. I would have to take my old car (yellow mini van with over 200,000 miles on it), had a bad cold, my good boots had a hole, etc. But off we went driving 400 miles down Route 81.

Sunday am was cold (temps in the mid 30s) and wet. It started off misty/drizzly for the TDs, but then started to actually rain when we went. Oatlands Plantation is a cool site with sweeping grass areas and plenty of three day event jumps (for horses) scattered about. The grass was manicured lawn though - literally cut closer than my lawn at home ever is! There were woods, a stream, some brushy areas.

Our draw items to determine our tracks were cute angel ornaments. We drew Track 2. Track one went off well but the BC got drawn down the cross tracks.

It was our turn. The wind and rain picked up but Hokey started right down the first leg. Then we turned left up a long, rolling hill. At the top, he indicated a turn to the right. The track actually went a touch further but he was hesitant to go between the low branches of an evergreen and a solid telephone pole log jump.

We almost blew it right then. Hokey spotted a white article (a piece of trash as it turns out) and did classic VST dog article search mode. Luckily when he realized it was not one of our articles, he worked his way back and came across one of our real articles! Yay - just two articles & hundreds of yards to go!

We went straight a bit and then turned right to go back down the hill. Hokey had now crossed over both sets of cross tracks with barely a nod. We went through a brushy/swampy/pricker area, then some more field and down a banking, over a creek into the woods. The creek was 6 to 8 feet wide in places and about a foot deep at its deepest.

On the far side of the creek, Hokey turned left onto a path through the woods. It was dirt and cinder, with a few old leaves around. The second article was partway down this leg. Good boy Hokey!!

We finally left the woods and came out into a nice field. Hokey immediately turned left to go back down to the creek. At the end of the line, he hesitated a touch. I honestly could not believe we would actually go over the creek again so I held steady. Poor Hokey then checked every possible permutation of the field edge and finally insisted we head down to the creek. Thankfully I did trust him - the words of Ed echoing around my head, "90% of the time, the first way the dog checks is the correct way".

I might add, this is a dog who hates water! On a 90 degree day at an agility trial he will not even go in the kiddie wading pools.

Hokey went right through the creek again and then onto a sheet of ice (which was over land, not water). We got the line caught on another jump right there but then he went straight to snuffle at a blob of mud. He snuffled, turned, smiled at me and sat! That is his stellar article indication and I ran up to see that the "blob" was a brown, wet, muddy glove, stuck in the mud!!

I screamed, he bounced around, the judges screamed, my track layer screamed and Hokey had (despite me almost blowing it!) earned his TDX which also gave him his CT or Champion Tracker title!

The title is a huge high of course, but best of all, is that Hokey is still alive and well, still loves doing things, training, traveling and competing. 14 months ago I was in terrible despair with a dog with a very guarded prognosis from an aggressive lymphoma. And from our despair came hope as he handled the chemo so well and now an amazing success!

The judges (Susan Ammerman and Judith Edwards) hustled off to the next track while my track layer (Sharon Kilrane) and I walked back up towards the start area where our cars were. I dried Hokey thoroughly and gave him a bunch of chicken.

Sadly, no other TDX dogs passed.

We had along drive home - made longer by stops for caffeine for me and double cheeseburgers for Hokey.

I am still in awe at my dog's ability. And our motto is "Canine Cancer Survivors Can Do"!!!

Catching up!

2010-11-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

Boy, things have been busy! Between Tom's soccer and marching band I have barely had time to catch my breath.
My Belgian Breeds examiner column has just finished a really fun treat recipe contest. Check it out at www.examiner.com/belgianbreeds . The recipes were fairly simple and our dogs loved all of them. The peanut butter and tuna treats were enjoyed by the humans too! I hate liver and hate even having it in the house but I have to say the dogs were thrilled with the winning treats.

Kate found a tick on Queezle the other day and I pulled one off Hokey a week ago. So don't figure that tick season is over. Boy, I really hate them!

Hokey continues to do well - now one year and one month post diagnosis. I have added organic, raw apple cider to his regimen - just 1 tbsp a day. The glutamine and arginine were dropped as he is well post chemo at this point. I just keep crossing my fingers that he stays in remission. He feels great, looks great!
Deb E

Oh yeah, I am doing just fine! I race and bark at the other dogs, I leap, I dance, I am!
Hokey

Disasters - but minor!

2010-10-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

I had hoped to have good news, but despite lovely conditions, Hokey and I muffed up a turn and failed our TDX test in Cleveland. I was crushed since it is so hard to get into a test, we started well and he was working just great. Still these things happen. No passes at all.
We were late alternates the previous weekend and are again this coming weekend, so no more tries for a while. With every entry I send I add a prayer that Hokey will still be feeling fine IF we get in.

This trip was not that fun except for the actual test. The Cleveland folks are wonderful and the site was great. The drive out and most of the drive home were in pouring rain. On the way home I ended up in the post football game Buffalo traffic. This slows things way down - as in 10 miles in 30 minutes plus you have to beware plenty of drunk drivers. Not fun!

Halfway home I also started itching and quickly realized I had bed bug bites from my motel stay! ARRGH!!! This meant doing laundry literally as I walked in the door at 9 pm and spraying my bag, car, etc. Kate keeps telling me I will find this funny at some point. I am not sure I will live long enough!
Deb E

From Hokey:
Yeah, we blew it. I had visions of my double cheeseburger dancing through my head and then suddenly there was fabulous deer poop - like everywhere! Kind of lost it a bit. But I am sure we will pass soon!

Hokey's "official photo" & a great present

2010-09-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

We got the digital file for Hokey's official CDX title photo today - Kurtis Photography. I figure he looks great and the judge and I at least look decent!

Hokey is also lucky to be part of a very supportive family - the Sensation Terv family. We got accolades from all his relatives. Then, today, from his favorite sister, T, Hokey got a GREAT toy! He loves the "wubbas". This one is a cute fox and has a great squeak. The one problem will be keeping it away from the other dogs.

Deb E

OH yeah, LOVE my sister T! Her humans are pretty darn nice too :). And their taste in dog toys is fabulous! I consider this to be all mine so I may have to hide it from the other dogs - especially those sneaky Aussies. I feel like the song from the Lion King - "It is good to be king!"

Hokey

Hokey continues on his road to excellence!

2010-09-15T03:50:00.000-07:00

On Saturday morning, up in Amherst NY (near Buffalo) the Western Lakes Training Club was holding obedience trials. I drove up the night before and stayed at a Motel 6 with Hokey and Kate's Aussie, Tia. Both dogs were entered in Open A.

In the morning, our judge was Diana McKienzie - lovely woman from Canada. Hokey ended up going first to separate Tian and Hokey. It was not pretty but he was qualifying going into the stays. The dog next to him got up and looked around during the Long Down but then laid back down. He stayed and qualified - finishing his CDX and taking second place!

Tia did her best work ever and was qualifying going into stays as well but laid down with 20 seconds left, so she nq'd. I had told Hokey he never had to do Open again (except next Sunday at Interclub) so he was done! Tia went back in the afternoon and was terrible so she was "removed".

It was great to see a bunch of freinds that I only run into at obedience trials and many, many local friends had great successes. A special tip of the hat to Barb Handelsman who took 4th with her St. Poodle in a very tough Novice B class. This was Barb's first time back in the obedience ring after a 16 year hiatus! And to Pam Cox and Schuyler who pulled off two qualifying runs in Utility A back to back!

Hokey got a double cheeseburger on the way home to celebrate and we had steak yesterday so he got a bunch of that too :). Coming on what is very close to his one year anniversary of his diagnosis of lymphoma, this is even more special. And best of all, he is still feeling fine and in remission.

Deb E

Oh yeah, who, who, who was THE dog?!! Hokey, Hokey, Hokey! Tia fell flat on her face (lying down with 20 seconds to go - how lame!) and *I* was the star! Deb was trying to be cool but she definitely had trouble. Mt double cheeseburger was excellent and the steak yesterday was a nice touch too. Oh, and I got to choose a toy for a prize so I picked out a tiger stripe fuzzy squeaky. It is mine, all mine! Ooooh, and a stunning dark blue and gold title rosette to go along with my red rosette for 2nd place! Yep, I AM the dog!

When my official photo comes in I plan to share it with all of you.

Hokey, now known as Sensation Coyote Heart Dance CDX VST HSAsd RAE AX AXJ XF plus obedience, rally, herding and tracking titles in other venues

Duckling sort of a day

2010-09-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Whew! The ducklings are growing like weeds - or maybe even faster! Today I moved them down to the barn - with an ex-pen in a stall and a cover just in case Firecracker, our barn cat, thought duckling might taste good. He has never bothered the ducks but since these guys don't have a mama duck with them I want to be safe.

I then put them out for about an hour in the smaller pen inside the big duck pen. That way they can become acquainted with the older ducks and vice versa. Since everyone was safely confined, I went off to hang laundry.

When I came back down to move Pip and Squeak back into the barn, I realized that Pip, the tan duckling, had squeezed under the fence in one area and was in with the big ducks! Luckily, no one had gone after him.

The main duck stall inside is smaller than the outside pen so I don't want to mingle them until the ducklings have some more size. Just in case anyone gets territorial!

Never a dull moment!

Deb E

From Hokey - I don't know why she was worried. I LOVE ducks and I would have guarded the babies. (Editorial comment here - he would have, he does love herding the ducks and he is great with them.)

I am working at my obedience. I really like the retrieving and the jumping but the heeling is kind of boring. Deb has promised if I just hold it together one more time at a trial and pass I can stop ever doing this. She says we will work on Utility which is all fun. I hope she is right. I also get a double cheeseburger when I get that last Open A leg!

I track too. We are working on TDX out in the fields and woods which is also fun. I sometimes get distracted in the woods but I am working on it. Deb says when I get my TDX I will get a double cheeseburger AND a steak since that would be my CT (Champion Tracker). Good thing *I* don't feel any pressure!

Busy summer!!!

2010-09-04T13:11:00.001-07:00

Boy this has been a busy summer! Making Tom's concerts at Eastern US Music Camp at Colgate University, doing agility and obedience, training in tracking and moving Kate back to Cornell, this time to an apartment with Queezle!
Hokey has continued to do well - even adding his second CDX leg with a first place! Best of all, he feels good and has stayed in remission so far. The end of September will mark one year since his diagnosis.
We have two new family members - Pip and Squeak - ducklings who hatched here. Unknown sex, but they "seem" like boys to me! Pip is the tan one and Squeak is the multi colored one. They are growing daily but at two weeks of age are still too small to join the adult ducks. No female claimed them so they are living in the back room at this time :)

I am now writing three examiner.com columns - Utica Dog, Utica Pet Health and a national Belgian Breeds. Subscriptions are free - just hit the subscribe button on the top of the columns if you want to.

Some days are golden

2010-06-24T16:27:00.001-07:00

I am behind - I know! But I am still smiling as I go back to June 12. I was in Burlington, Vermont, heading for the campus of the University of Vermont. It was about 6 pm & I had Hokey with me. We were going to the draw for the VST (Variable Surface Tracker) test - the toughest competition within AKC.

What happened is here below:
I will try to go over the track to give you all as much info as possible. I have
one copy of the map (from Mike) & the writing is atrocious plus my mind blanked
out a bit but I will try :)))

Draw was at 7:45 pm & we had gorgeous huge clematis blossoms with the numbers
taped to the bottom. Must be a hybrid as my clematis doesn't look like that! OH,
and they had food from 6 pm on - chips, cookies, pizza, fruit, drinks. We got
track 3.

Dog 3 - us! Right off the bat there is an error as this says 667 yds & I KNOW it
had to be at least 6000 :)). We started at 9 pm, still a little natural light. I
did not use my headlamp.
The first leg was about 30 yds on grass, then a small dirt path, then grass,
then some sort of nonveg (either cement or brickwork, these were interchanged
frequently on campus).
As we started on our track, a large group of people who had been at some sort of
award thing started coming out of the bldg we were headed towards. All walking
more or less across our path. Hokey did accost one or two over their bouquets
:)))
First turn went right on the nonveg area & was fairly short. Then a turn down a
double set of stairs (all of this nonveg - cement or brickwork). That may have
been my MOT turn.

Hokey started out gangbusters & did this first third of the track in about 5
min. NOT ideal. As I was flying down the stairs I kept thinking that if we were
wrong we would quickly be beyond the chance of fixing things. At the bottom of
the stairs was article number 1 - a crushed tin can. Major relief!!! This was on
nonveg. I could hear the judges & gallery running (literally) after us!

Shortly after the article, a left turn (done on nonveg). We now had a leg with
multiple changes of cover - grass, cement, brickwork, paved area, dirt, mulch.
Hokey had checked out to the right thoroughly & at one point acted like article
search but went back to work.

We were working along a bldg & headed towards a cement patio & another bldg. He
was back to trucking all through here. Turned right before the patio - a short
leg on grass. Then turned left at the end of the bldg into another multi cover
change leg which had the next article midway (on grass). This was a leather
glove which worried me as that meant the last article would be plastic. It was
now dark & cooler so spotting it might be difficult & less scent due to the temp
change.

That leg ended with grass to a road which we crossed & then onto sidewalk up to
a bldg & a right turn. He had trouble there, but worked it out. The track then
went around the bldg, so now a left turn. This put me in a dark area on all
grass.

Now I am VERY worried about the stupid article as I know neither of us will spot
it. Still Hokey trucks on, working quite fast (which also worries me)down the
hill on grass, crosses a road & onto a sidewalk. I thought I could spot
something shiny under a lamp post off to the side on the grass but Hokey was
cruising down the middle of the sidewalk. And suddenly there was a plastic cover
(like for a dog food can). Hokey sniffed it & before he could even sit the
judges & gallery came running up! 30 min total.

Everyone was so excited :))). Two dogs later, my friend with a Bullmastiff also
passed. So two out of six. She also does not have a TDX yet, so no CTs.

The night ended at 1:30 am. We got a large rosette, a photo frame, a cute
notepad made up by the club - "things to keep track of" & a big toy. Plus a
basil plant.

Hokey got roast beef back at the car after his track. Then there was an all
night McDonald's right by the Motel 6 so at 1:30 am he got a double
cheeseburger. We are having steak tonight :)))

For those who may not know – Hokey was diagnosed with a very aggressive lymphoma last September. He is currently about 9 weeks post chemo so this victory was even sweeter! Hokey is now officially Sensation Coyote Heart Dance CD VST HSAsd RAE AX AXJXF & lots of other rally & agility titles.
Deb E, still grinning :)))
PS Both Lisa (with Bullmastiff who passed) & I were entered at SOTC in obed - we decided we
were very glad we went tracking instead!
PPS The photo was taken on June 19th at a tracking clinic that both judge Mike Clemens & I were at. it wasn't ideal for photography at 1:30 am!

Working that nose!

2010-06-07T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hokey and I have been working hard at tracking. Actually HE works hard - I try not to get in the way!

For tracking, the dog follows a path walked by another person anywhere from 12 to 5 hrs earlier. Along the way, they leave a couple of items which your dog must find. Dogs love the sport as they are in control - after all, they have the great noses! They work on a long line (up to 40 ft) and we humans simply follow behind.

All of our dogs love tracking. Dani, my older Terv, has her Champion Tracker title as does my daughter Kate's older Corgi. while they did their top tracking as older dogs, puppies and young dogs love to track too as it is a natural behavior.

Hokey is working towards passing his VST or Variable Surface Tracking title. He has to work on nonvegetated surfaces (so blacktop, pavement, cement, etc) as well as grass and often in and around buildings. This is difficult and so far only about 220 dogs ever have passed this test in AKC.

Last weekend we were at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass but had no luck. Hokey started strong but got muddled up partway through. I do have to wonder if his snuffling at the broken vodka bottle along the way was a factor :).

This coming weekend we will be at the University of Vermont in Burlington, VT. This was a fun test last year even though it rained and I had no passes. Lovely campus.

The photo, taken by Ed Presnall, shows Hokey working at a training camp on the SUNY Geneseo campus in upstate, NY.

From Hokey:
Man, I LOVE to track! Sniffing is fun & when you find articles, Deb gives me great treats in training! I love to eat too! I don't understand why I have not passed yet - I guess I get distracted or something. I hope I am a BIG star this weekend & then I can get steak treats for a WHOLE Week!!!

Summertime!

2010-05-25T16:36:00.000-07:00

Boy, summer temps have hit us hard already! When it gets into the upper 80s in May, we are in trouble.

People in upstate NY are generally set for dealing with cold weather. We hunker down, add blankets, stay warm. But hot weather knocks us for a loop as most families do not have any air conditioning. I plan to lug some fans out of the attic tonight!

Hokey is working on his tracking with a little obedience thrown in. He has gotten better about his dumbbell again - at least a bit. I wish he would at least wade in a kiddie pool on these hot days but he rarely will even do that. The ducks love their pool & I put fresh, cold water in a couple of times a day.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Phew, it is warm! Which is why I think dogs need extra treats. That gives us more energy so we can pant harder. Makes perfect sense doesn't it?

As for water, if dogs were designed to get wet, we would have fins or flippers. I just plan to hog the space right in front of the fan!

To Texas and back!

2010-05-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

Whew! We had a whirlwind week last week. I left on Thursday, April 22 for Pottsboro, TX, taking my two Tervs Dani and Hokey plus picking up Kate and her Terv Queezle on the way. It was the Terv Club's 50th anniversary & quite a lot going on. We had entries in tracking, obedience, agility and conformation. I had to bag my duck herding entries due to conflicts but we did have plenty to keep us busy.
Not many successes in the the way of ring awards or titles but we had lots of fun! Tracking was the best - and I love my little armadillo draw article :)Conditions were challenging but Hokey worked well. High winds hurt us with the tracks we drew. I was so proud though that he tracked through water - in some areas over 8 inches of water!
In agility we both had mistakes and in obedience we were 2nd by one point to Kate and Queezle in Wildcard Novice. Queezle made the first cut for BOB as did her daughter, Demi.
At the banquet I got my award for 25 years of membership and Dani got a gorgeous plaque for her Champion Tracker title.
Lots of fun, but I am still recovering from the marathon drive home - arriving at 4 am on Monday!
Deb E

From Hokey:
Oh man, my tracks were TOUGH!! I had high winds and one of my articles literally blew from Texas to Oklahoma (we were close to the border, but still). I also hate water - I don't even like the kiddie wading pools they have on hot days at agility trials. And my TDX track was about 1/3 under water!! I was SO brave - I went right through it. And everyone said I had the best and the cutest article indications of all the dogs :)
Great photo of me and Elma the Longhorn, huh?
Hokey

Officially spring - sheep are nude!!

2010-04-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

Now it REALLY is spring - the wool sheep were shorn this am & look quite funny in their "nudity". We also have 3 "hair" sheep - Kathadins, who do not have real wool. They do not get shorn but shed blobs of hair/wool. I like the wool sheep a tad better but it is getting harder and harder to find anyone willing to shear sheep. And I admit freely, *I* don't want to!

It is supposed to get quite cold tonight so we will make sure the sheep come in. It may require work by Hokey as I suspect they won't want to come into the barn again for a while after the shearing. We worked out today that Klara, currently our oldest sheep has to be at least 14 years old.

I put the shedding blade to the horses this am as well so we had hair everywhere! The donkeys won't shed for at least another month and then, they do best with a rubber curry grooming.
Deb E, figuring she inhaled her daily dose of fiber today with all the hair in the air!

From Hokey:
Oh yeah, I bet they will need the Hokester to get those sheep into the barn. Nothing like freshly shorn sheep to be a bit spooky. Good thing Deb has a GREAT herding dog to help her. Man, I am just indispensable!
And, do I need to point out - it is Monday and NO CHEMO!!!!

Good week!

2010-04-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

This has been a good week! The weather was decent most days so all the dogs got mile long walks while Hokey and I also got in some tracking. A friend laid a nice half TDX track for him on Thursday and he did quite well. It is great when you can swap tracking laying with people and get your dog to new sites.

The grass is growing like crazy - EXCEPT in the duck pen where I really want it to grow!That would figure of course :). Oh well, rain today so hopefully that will stimulate some growth or I can throw some more seed out there.

I felt badly that a lovely snake I had come to know got run over yesterday. I think it was a red factor garter snake though I should look it up. Very attractive, good sized snake and with a stub tail from some previous accident. It tended to be a bit snotty when I would move it while mowing, etc but it was so attractive I didn't mind. Cars and snakes don't mix well.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Yeah, I got to track in a really neat new area - even got to work through some woods. I am hoping to be totally fit and ready for next Sunday when I get to track in Texas.

All three of us Tervs, me, Dani & Queezle, are going to the Terv Natl. It is the 50th anniversary so it should be fun. I want to be a big star but it will be tricky. Deb is getting 25 yr member recognition & Dani is in the Top Ten Tracking Dogs Invitational. So, I really need to shine at something. I am still not totally comfortable with my dumbbell but I think I am ready to blow everyone away in tracking & agility.

I couldn't do duck herding unfortunately as there was a conflict with tracking. Hopefully my sister Flame will be a big star there.

Ok, gotta go practice my mental preparations (that means take a nap!).
Hokey

Spring colds

2010-04-12T07:42:00.001-07:00

I am guessing it may be partly allergy associated but I always seem to get a bad cold in the spring. Usually the week of the Syracuse shows but it is later this week. I hate having a "fuzzy head"!

We are working away diligently on Hokey's tracking & also an exercise program to make sure he is in top shape. He loves getting the extra long walks & tracking is one of his favorite things to do. Yesterday we did some mini VST tracks at out local schools. Kate was home for the weekend so I had her lay Hokey's track while I laid one for our friend Maura & her Terv, Malibu.

We aged the tracks 3 to 4 hours & during that time the wind came up. Both dogs did very well, even in the tricky & difficult spots. You can start crossing your fingers (and any household paws) now for Hokey at the tracking tests at our National in 2 weeks. It would be great if he could do well - it is already fantastic that he simply gets to go to Texas!
Deb E, off to heat up a corn bag for my head!

From Hokey:
Yes! I was SO good on my track! My only problem was the playground where Kate took my track onto & over a wooden platform. I was not at all sure that was right & I wanted to simply duck under or around. I never lost the scent though & Deb helped me by encouraging me onto the wooden thing. I think that was cheating myself! Luckily Kate is one of my favorite people so I won't hold it against her.

We had Dani's birthday on Saturday - she is now 11!!! We all got some steak & roast beef so that was cool. Dani likes to point out that she is the best AND the top dog in our house. I tell her obviously her age is showing with her senility since *I* am the best! I only do that when I can run & hide somewhere.

Deb is feeling sick so I have to go take care of her. Actually Dani & Tia are the best nurses so I just supervise them!
Hokey

New Goals

2010-04-07T10:19:00.001-07:00

I had hoped Hokey would get a CDX leg or maybe even two at the Syracuse shows but no such luck. On Friday when he ran out to get his dumbbell,grabbed it, turned & took about 2 steps back to me when suddenly he leapt into the air, throwing the dumbbell. He was definitely NOT playing with it - it looked like he got an electric shock! We never figured out what happened & he did the retrieve over the high jump (different area of the ring) just fine. He did not want to go near that area of the ring so I pulled him for the weekend.
It seems he has connected the dumbbell to the problem but we are working through it. (His teeth, mouth, etc are fine). I am putting peanut butter on the bar and letting him lick it. That was going fine. Then Queezle came over and, hoorah for sibling rivalry!, he grabbed the dumbbell and ran off! So maybe he will get over this quickly.
We are planning to head to our Natl in a couple of weeks - the 50th one for Belgian Tervurens. So today we were out tracking and he did a wonderful job.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Man, that was awful with my dumbbell! I love that thing but whatever happened was downright spooky!I wish I could blame another dog somehow or maybe the cat - yeah, I bet the cat was behind this! I will bet he booby trapped my dumbbell at home on Thursday night. Probably jealous of how great I am doing!

Oh well, I LOVE the peanut butter therapy. I may need it for a long, long time :))

And today I got to work my ducks AND go tracking! Doesn't get much better than that. I went by the clinic but just to pick up tick stuff for our trip and to get weighed. NO chemo!!!!
Hokey

EXCELLENT!!!!

2010-04-02T17:46:00.001-07:00

From Hokey:
WOOHEE!!! Can you say EXCELLENT?!!! Cause that is what I truly am!Today I jumped, ran, hit my contacts, earned 66 points (I only needed 60), did the send, was STILL 5 seconds under time when I finished AND got the last leg for my Excellent FAST title!!! I am now excellent in all three of my agility classes!!! OH and I got FIRST place!!! My cousin Ticket won her FAST class too!

Deb says no more FAST for me though. She figures 2 classes a day will be plenty for me & she knows I don't like having to go away from her like you have to in FAST. Still, this was cool as this was my only agility class she entered me in this weekend.

I gotta tell you, there were tons of hot Terv chicks (OK, so a couple of them are my cousins but still)watching & I think I blew them all away. This was my title so I got a big blue rosette for first place plus a pretty baby blue rosette for my title AND I got a cute sun squeaky toy. I had a hard time between the star & the sun but since I am the light of Deb's life, the sun seemed appropriate.
Oh, oh - I also got my very own hamburger on the way home!!!!
Yeah, Hokey is The Man!!!

Onwards!

2010-03-30T08:37:00.000-07:00

With Hokey in remission and off chemo we have plans for the coming weekend. There is a big 4 day show cluster at the Fairgrounds in Syracuse. I just entered him in Excellent FAST in agility and Open A in obedience. Neither of those have great pass or qualifying rates but he has 2 legs in FAST and one in Open so I am hoping we can pull off a couple of qualifying runs in both areas. That may be greedy but we can hope.

The best thing of course is that we will actually BE at something as I wasn't sure last September if we could get to compete together ever again. the last agility trials were a HUGE boost to me and hopefully we will have fun this weekend no matter what.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Yeah, cool. I am still negotiating. I figure since I am at upper levels in every area of competition and since I am a cancer patient in remission, I should get my own personal hamburger for every achievement. I mean,maybe even just for showing up!

Deb keeps saying we both need to lose some weight and get in better shape but really, I think that *I* at least look pretty good. It will be fun to get out and hopefully be a BIG star though. Kate is showing her girls in agility over the weekend, but to be honest, they aren't nearly as good as I am.
Hokey, figuring false humility never did anybody any good :))

The nose still works!

2010-03-27T13:11:00.001-07:00

One of my worries about after effects of chemo with Hokey was that his sense of smell might be messed up. He loves to track & is a superb tracker so if we had to stop doing that it would have been quite sad.
Today I laid a track for him at our middle school. This was a mini VST track - about half the regulation length with a moment of truth turn in the parking lot & a fair amount of nonvegetated surface. I laid the track, then went on errands, coming back to run it with him about 1 1/2 hrs later.
He was GREAT!!! Nailed it quite well, indicated all the articles plus the 2 plastic clothes pins I had for markers in the grass. Since it is quite cold out (about 35 degrees)I wasn't sure how he would do with the metal & plastic articles. Not a problem at all!
So we are quite happy. The photo attached is from a VST camp we did with Ed Presnall. Hopefully we can go on to TDX & VST work now.
Deb E

From Hokey:
HA! *I* knew my nose was just fine. After all, I could find my dinner every night! I LOVE to track! Tracking & working my ducks are my two favorite things in life - besides Deb of course, & my food & my wubba toy. I guess I am just lucky & I have lots of favorite things.
It was a tad embarassing that Deb had to let out my harness a hole but better a bit chubby than wasting away I say.
Hokey, having a very good day

Paw It Forward

2010-03-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

Many of you may be familiar with the movie and the concept of "Pay It Forward". The idea being that if a kindness is done to you, you then do something kind for three people. If they then follow through, you can see how the acts of kindness will multiply.

Well, I heard about a similar idea, only it is "Paw It Forward". http://www.examiner.com/x-37369-Utica-Dogs-Examiner~y2010m3d22-Paw-Pay-It-Forward-Day-April-29th
Ricochet is an amazing Golden Retriever out in San Diego who believes in helping others. She does plenty of good works for charities and has been asked to be a spokesperson for the April 29th "Pay or Paw It Forward Day". I think this is something we can all work on in our individual communities.

If you have some neat ideas about how to "paw it forward' let us know!
Deb E

From Hokey:
Just so everybody knows, that is MY paw in the photo on examiner.com. Sort of like the women who do hand modeling for hand creme ads!
I personally like the idea of "paw it forward". I have always done my part. I am a certified therapy dog though we had to stop visits during my chemo due to worries about me picking up infections. I have done walkathons for Rome Humane Society. I am great at working with kids and ducks - I am REALLY good with ducks!
OK, I admit I am perhaps not the best about sharing treats or toys but nobody else wants to share with me either.

Spring is sprung!!

2010-03-19T12:22:00.001-07:00

Beautiful spring days here - teasing us actually as 60s and sunny is NOT typical upstate NY March weather. I was hiking the dogs in pairs this morning along the railroad right of way by our house (no longer any trains but a lovely path to bike, ride or walk on). The red tail hawks are in breeding seeason so their screams kept splitting the air as the smaller male kept following the female from tree to tree. Then they would fly off, dramatic swoops across a bright blue sky.

Closer to the ground, the crocuses are doing their best to smile. I think we totally missed the snowdrops who must have bloomed under the snow. I have crocuses of light and dark purple as well as white ones though, so the colors are striking against the brown grass. The horses continue to shed everywhere though the donkeys won't shed for a month or two. And the ducks are thrileld to be outside with their pool!

This weather also leads to the numerous "dead horse" phone calls I get from the area shelters. People phone in, reporting dead horses in fields all over the county. The shelters call me asking me to take a look. I have learned to simply tell them to call the people back in an hour or so. So far, all of the horses have miraculously recovered :). They simply lie on their sides, out enjoying the sun just like people sunbathing on a beach!
Rain and cold temps coming in on Sunday so we have to enjoy this while we can.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Man, oh man! Life is good! I have gotten to put my ducks out and bring them back in every day this week except Monday!I won't talk about Monday except to say it was my last chemo and it was tough. But now I am free, free, free! Still getting all the great food and supplements though.

Deb is even talking about taking me to the Terv Natl out in Texas. This is a BIG hoopla with all the best Tervs (especially the girls!) there. And yeah, I am neutered but a guy can still look.
Plus if all the BEST tervs are going to be there, I should certainly go. Dani will go to get her CT (Champion Tracker) award and Deb is getting a 25 year award. I will have to earn anything I get out there but hopefully I can work ducks and maybe track, as well as run agility. Without Tom I am not sure I can win the Terv 2 Miler again but I could try to drag Deb very fast.
Hokey

A Special Day

2010-03-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

Before I forget, Kate's Aussie Tia, would like me to mention that today is her 7th birthday. So she feels the day is special just for that.
But for Hokey and for me, this day is special in other ways. Today was the last day of his chemotherapy regimen. It was a rough day as the drug today was adriamycin (also called doxorubicin) which has to be administered slowly over 20 to 30 minutes IV. His veins are a bit beat up from all of the chemo so we had to use a rear leg. This meant I then had to hold his leg still and extended for the whole time so the catheter wouldn't kink or get displaced. But we made it!
The fact that he got through the original schedule without going out of remission is very good news. I am extremely grateful to all my fellow vets and dog lovers who shared tips and treatment ideas. Our success is a tribute to all of you.

I will keep him on his supplements and once we are a week or so out from this treatment, I can assume his immunity is good and we are "back to normal". Of course, it won't be true normal as I will be checking him frequently for any signs of a relapse but we can get on with many of the things we love to do together. And tomorrow it is supposed to get up to 50 degrees with sun so I think we will put our ducks out - his favorite chore!
Deb E

Spring is here!!!

2010-03-12T02:47:00.000-08:00

Spring is officially here!

The tough purple crocuses are poking their heads up between the snow drifts. The horses are starting to shed so hair is blowing everywhere - and I need to arrange to get the wool sheep shorn.

Plus the male blackbirds have finally returned. they come back first to stake out the top sites for breeding and raising all their young. They can also empty out a feeder in 5 minutes flat.

Those are the good signs of spring - sadly the mud is now here too.
Deb E

Beautiful days!

2010-03-10T13:49:00.000-08:00

We have had stunning days here in upstate NY. It has gotten down into the 20s at night so the snow has crusted over. The crust is hard enough that the big dogs and I can walk on it. So in the Early morning, right after barn chores, we hike around the cornfield/hayfield. The dogs love it! I do too - the bright blue sky, white snow glittering like diamonds, crisp, clean air.

Unfortunately though, while racing around, three of the dogs skinned their footpads. Probably the sharp ice/snow crystals scraped the pad off. Interesting though, that it was the right front foot on all three of them. The other three dogs are fine. Liquid bandage works great on the scraped pads.

The forecast is for 50s and rain this weekend which means we will be moving to mud season. I really hate mud! It is impossible to keep things clean with mud season. I wish I could go straight from snow to green grass.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Woohee!!! Another chemo free Monday and only one more treatment to go! I am SO psyched! I love the early morning runs on the crusty snow. And MY feet are just fine so I must be a superior dog. Dani and Flash have fine feet too.

Deb thinks maybe the white pads on the Aussies are less tough but Queezle has black pads. She does run very fast but I think I am faster. In fact, I am a lot faster right now because her foot hurts a bit. Ha! Superior dog - that is all I have to say.

There was no Open Training today which was too bad as I wanted to go but Deb says I get to go to obedience class tomorrow. I am sure I will once again be the star. But I have to keep a close eye on those Newfs. I do think they are bears in disguise.
Hokey

What a weekend!!!

2010-03-01T09:47:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a weekend! Since this was a nonchemo week, I had entered Hokey in our local agility trials. He is in Excellent B so all of his runs are at the toughest level - trickiest courses, fastest times, no errors allowed. I am not the world's greatest handler and of course, we haven't had much chance to practice. So on Saturday he had two really nice runs but we had errors in both. Then Sunday morning, we had a fabulous run - even ended up 5th out of a large class in Jumpers With Weaves! I was thrilled. I hadn't been sure we would ever get to run and compete together again, so getting to be there was wonderful to begin with and having Hokey do so well was icing on the cake. It was truly "sweet".

Today was his next to last chemo so now we keep hoping for remission to hold and deal with one more chemo in two weeks.
Kate had a nice run with a first place with Queezle in Excellent A Jumpers with Weaves and Flash had her usual spectacular but slightly messy runs. Tia was so slow that someone thought she must be our dog with cancer - not Hokey who was fast and active!
Deb E

From Hokey:
Yeah, I was smokin'. I was SO good, that all the girl dogs were blown away. Well, maybe not ALL the girl dogs. Our girl dogs never give me respect and a few of the others were faster - like the 4 who beat me. But still, I was cool and if Deb was better we would have qualified in one or two other classes. I did earn my very own hamburger though! Queezle got her own hamburger but Flash and Tia had to share. I love getting my own!

Today was a bummer. Back at the clinic for chemo. Deb says it is the next to last one though if I stay in remission. So I plan to stay in remission. I like the people at the clinic a lot but not the injections. I can visit to say hi without having to get treated.
Hokey, a star again!

Great quote

2010-02-23T10:16:00.000-08:00

From The Postmistress by Sarah Blake:

"Long ago, I believed that, given a choice, people would turn to good as they would to the light. I believed that reporting - honest, unflinching pictures of the truth - could be a beacon to lead us to demand that wrongs be righted, injustices punished, and the weak and the innocent cared for. I must have believed, when I started out, that the shoulder of public opinion could be put up against the door of public indifference and would, when given the proper direction, shove it wide with the power of wanting to stand on the side of angels."

This conveys to me how much power words can have and how much responsibility is put on those of us who write to do the "right" thing. Sadly, that is not always the case. Perhaps that is why I like animals so much - they tend to be very upfront and forthright about how they feel and what is fair or not.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Oooh, I have been watching Olympics AND catching the latest weather. It says we may have a big snow storm tonight! Deb is concerned as it could be very wet snow which increases the odds of no power here but I still think snow storms are fun. Especially now that my hair is actually growing back! I still wear my cool blue coat out if I am going to be out for more than a few minutes but I am almost fuzzy now.
If we have a "snow day", Tom can stay home and that means one more human to pass out extra attention. Tom likes to build snow forts which I think is fun though I am not very brave about "storming the fort".
My one concern is that I was hoping to make Open Training tomorrow since this is a nonchemo week but I can train a bit in the barn aisle. The donkeys hate snow and storms so they are hoping it misses us again.
Hokey, who agrees with Deb that animals are more honest!

Agility fun

2010-02-20T13:55:00.000-08:00

Our local obedience club, Syracuse Obedience Training Club, offers a really fun agility option in the winter months. We have an 'agility league' - 6 weeks of agility competition run on a team basis. Each week we do two runs each - one game run and one regular run. Kate and I are on the Bar Hoppers Team (all but one nondrinkers, so you know the bars we hop are agility jumps :)

On Hokey's nonchemo weeks I have run him and he has done very well. Since this was a chemo week, I was running Tia, Kate's little Aussie. http://coyote-run.net. Tia is generally very precise and does lovely weave entries. BUT, Tia is NOT fast. Now, *I* am not fast either, but even I tend to outrun her, especially since the human partner gets to cut some corners, etc. She is fun to run but I miss going flat out with Hokey or Dani.

Kate ran Queezle today and their weaving is improving by leaps and bounds. Queezle is fast, though none of our dogs can touch Kate's Corgi for pure, sheer speed, even at 12 years of age. Flash is an energizer bunny Corgi! Our team came in third but all the teams did quite well. Lots of fun on a cold, snowy winter day!
Deb E

From Hokey:
Well, this stinks. I did NOT get to go to agility league! I have been a top dog for our team.

At least Kate is home to visit for a couple of days. She is one of my favorite humans. And Tom comes home from his school trip tonight so that will be nice. I like having all my humans together! Plus when Kate is home, she does some of the care for her dogs and gives me some attention so I get LOTS more attention. Which I deserve and need of course.

I have been enjoying watching the Olympics at night. Our family basically doesn't watch TV so it is kind of a treat. I really don't understand why I can't have my own bowl of popcorn though. It is funny when Baloo whines and howls along with the ad that sings Happy Birthday. I think I could have been a snowboarder if I was a human. They seem cool and I could easily be a chick magnet.
Hokey

Good things and missing the big show

2010-02-16T02:55:00.000-08:00

On the good things note, this is a chemo week for Hokey but we were able to adjust the protocol so he got oral meds this time instead of injections. This gave Hokey's veins some more rest and healing time. Best of all for Hokey, this meant I could draw a small amount of blood for his white blood cell count at home and then go to the clinic by myself. Since this treatment was cyclophosphamide he did need some extra fluids but I did that SQ (under the skin) at home, using the coat rack for an IV pole!

On Sunday, Hokey got to attend a half day agility seminar with Tracey Sklenar as the presenter. I highly recommend her to any of you if you get the chance. She is fun, a bit irreverent and an incredibly observant instructor. She got the tiniest of mistakes we made and had us all "Running like Europeans" by the end of the morning. That means driving hard, looking at all handling options, etc. I don't think she was quite convinced that Hokey has lymphoma and is on chemo - he was running hard!

On a slightly sad note, Chuck is off this week and he loves to watch the Olympics. That means for the first time in many years, I have not watched the nightly broadcasts of Westminster or actually been at the show myself. I am SO grateful they put the videos up on the site - westminsterkennelclub.org. I heard the Belgian sheepdog, Uri, took a Group 2. This is a very nice dog - we have seen him at many shows.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Man, we should have figured all this stuff out earlier! Chuck isn't the world's best vet tech type but drawing my blood at home was a ZILLION times better than going to the clinic. Though I did miss seeing my many friends at the clinic. Now, only TWO treatments left! I do hope I continue to get most of my supplements though as I like getting extra stuff.

And, once again, I was an agility star! I had to bark at Deb a few times to try to correct her handling but she wasn't too bad. And I was by far the fastest - except maybe Jessie Jane or Lexi or .... Well, I was one of the fastest, maybe the fastest boy (which is all that really counts) and by far the most handsome and clever.

Kate had Queezle but they didn't even come close to our league. Kate tried to point out that the Q is a year younger and had to take time off for a litter last year but I am NOT swallowing it. After all, Queezle has Kate for a handler and while Deb is more clever by far I think, Kate is definitely faster. So I reign supreme! I even have my own cheer: Hokey, Hokey, he's our guy - He can jump and he can fly!
Hokey

Trying new things

2010-02-10T02:43:00.001-08:00

This is a chemo free week for Hokey so I am boldly adding a new supplement. If he stays in remission he only has 3 more chemo treatments. Then we go forth, hoping things stay that way.
The canine cancer community is a wonderful group for sharing advice, support and sympathy. Everyone is willing to share what they have learned, both good and bad, in their personal fights with their dogs against these diseases.
Hokey just started his new supplement on Monday. Once he has been on it a few more days, so I see if we are going to have any side effects - good or bad, I will let you know about it. So far, so good!

My sympathies to those in areas that don't normally get much snow who have been hit with multiple blizzards this year. It appears that once again, we will miss out on the snow. In fact, we haven't had a real blizzard at all this year here in my area of upstate NY. One blizzard, without loss of power of course, would be nice. And then we can go directly from white snow to green grass, skipping the mud stage if possible.
Deb E
PS Check out my Examiner site for news and training tips! http://www.examiner.com/x-37369-Utica-Dogs-Examiner

From Hokey:
OK, another chemo free Monday!! No agility league for me to star in this weekend but since Tom will be off on a school trip, I get to go to the agility seminar. I expect to blow everyone away if Deb doesn't hold me back.
And hair, glorious hair! My coat is growing back in. Deb said something about a slightly funny texture but I think I am looking more handsome every day - not that I was ever really not handsome, mind you. It will be sad to give up my great blue coat though. I love it when Deb throws it at me and I duck to get my head into the opening. I am so clever! Oh, and Queezle is losing hair at a great rate so soon she will be the ugly duckling.
One of my new supplements is liver flavored. I don't see why ALL my supplements can't taste that good. Deb puts some down my throat and some get hidden in cheese but I really like the flavored ones.
Hokey, off to do barn chores - ta da da da!!

Queen is gone

2010-02-04T11:13:00.000-08:00

This morning Queen, our 13 + yr old Cheviot ewe died. It was not unexpected; she has been fading a bit for the last 6 months or so. Yesterday was a good day -she had asked to go out with the other sheep, she bugged me for her cut up apple and she seemed to be doing reasonably well. I had begun to think she might make it through the winter & get to enjoy spring.

This am when I went down for barn chores, she was down & she died almost immediately. Funny, but I was glad to be there for her departure.

We have sheep to train & work the dogs (as opposed to a "real" sheep farm where they have dogs for their sheep). My heart dog Beep was a wonderful working dog -never injured anybody but tons of presence & power. More than once I had to miss a herding trial run because even lying quietly at my feet he was too intimidating for sheep not accustomed to an upright herding dog.

And then along came a little lady Cheviot. Somehow Queen & Beep connected. She would work, quietly & steadily for him but she would also come up to him & lick his muzzle while he licked hers. NOT normal behavior for a Terv or a Cheviot! She acted as a steadying influence on new sheep that were learning about herding. She also got along with the horses & would sometimes scoot under the fence to graze with them.

Queen continued this relationship with Beep's son Hokey. Not quite as intense,but she obviously liked Hokey too.So her loss is a double loss - I miss her & I miss one of the few links I still had to Beep.

May you have green pastures, warm sun & lots of cut up apples, Queen!
Deb E

Busy times

2010-02-02T16:03:00.000-08:00

Busy times! I spent the weekend with Kate & her Terv Queezle at the Saratoga dog shows. We had fun, met some new friends, touched base with some "old" friends & Kate did quite well.
That however, left Hokey at home under the care of "the guys". Tom did an excellent job getting his medications & supplements into him but didn't notice all the small details I would have.
I came home to find Hokey with some diarrhea but that seems to be clearing (despite chemo yesterday) so all is going well.
It has been a funky winter - lots of ice, some rain, really cold at times and lousy cross country skiing snow. The dogs & I all feel the need for more exercise. So today I rotated the girls out for some frisbee using the Kong type disc. They were thrilled.
I told the boys tomorrow is their turn!
I have a new supplement to add to Hokey's list but I want to wait until the diarrhea is cleared so I can be sure he handles the new stuff fine. I am reading the book on the dog's ancestral diet which is quite good. I guess I may need to stock up on sardines! I personally hate them but I bet the dogs will like them.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Man, once again, a Chemo Monday! I am truly sick of this but I am trying to be brave. Deb says just 3 more treatments & we figured out a way to do one orally so only 2 more needle sticks for the chemo (plus 3 for the bloodwork but I don't mind those!)
My hair is growing back & I truly believe I will be even more handsome than before. It is still a bit chilly to go out without my neat blue coat though, so I wear that.
Deb said we all (as in all of us dogs) will get to try some sardines. Sounds good to me! I don't think the human kids will eat them which means more for me. Maybe the other dogs won't like them either & then I can eat lots of sardines!
Off to practice my obedience-
Hokey

Dog Expo

2010-01-25T08:59:00.001-08:00

On Saturday our obedience held their second Dog Expo. What a wonderful event for a Saturday in January! There were mini seminars and demos scheduled throughout the day along with breed booths and two parades of breeds. Spectators were admitted for a donation of food for the local shelter, no fee. Vendors had toys, artwork, treats and dog food for sale. Kate and I did a book signing which went well. The club held an extensive raffle to help cover costs.

This gave people a chance to check out obedience, rally, agility, tracking, freestyle and carting/weight pulling. Presenters gave demos and then were available for questions. Most had handouts as well. Seminars covered nutrition, health topics, grooming and massage. One family had driven almost 2 hours to attend and stayed all day. Just a wonderful way to give back to our community!

Flash (Corgi) and Baloo (Aussie) did carting, plus Flash represented Pembroke Welsh Corgis in the breed parade. She and Dani (Terv) did tracking, plus Dani helped with my health talk and represented Belgian Tervurens. Lots of fun!
Deb E

From Hokey:
Man, I do NOT care that it is raining and very grey outside - it is still Chemo Free Monday!!! Deb is not sure what classes we will make this week but I am happy just to get to skip the clinic this morning. She found out about a new supplement from other dog owners who have dogs with the Big C and that should come today. I understand it is liver flavored so that would be great. I will let you know how it tastes. Deb will let you know the medical stuff on it I am sure. It all goes over my head but into my belly!
I am putting in a plug here for the Orbee Company (and no, I don't get a commission). We ALL, as in all the Eldredge dogs, LOVE the Orbee Mint toy. And so far, it has survived all 6 of us chomping on it at various times. Now, that's a real toy!
Hokey

Surviving Mondays

2010-01-21T07:54:00.000-08:00

I guess our current goal is to simply survive Chemo Mondays. Hokey is calmer when I bring his breakfast (at least the kibble part) for him to work for after his blood is drawn. So we go into the clinic, he has his blood drawn & then while we wait for the blood count, we do obedience & tricks for his "treats". That does help. Unfortunately his veins are hurting after so many weeks of chemo & it took 3 tries to find a good one this time. Plus the doxorubicin has to be given slowly (over 10 to 20 minutes) to minimise cardiac side effects. He hates being still that long, especially with the catheter in a rear leg. We made it though & just 4 more treatments to go as long as he stays in remission! His full blood panel was perfectly normal once again!

There is a wonderful community sense among dog owners who have dogs with cancer. We all share tips, treatment things that worked, the small successes & the hopefully infrequent losses. It does bring out the best in the human halves!

This did mean Hokey couldn't do classes this week so I took Tia to agility. We have fun together - she is good & not too fast.
Deb E

From Hokey:
This STINKS!!! *I* have to get the needles & then I miss out on class & fun too! At least I could come home & run around in the snow with Queezle while wearing my stunning blue coat. Deb thinks my hair may be growing in a bit - doesn't really make sense with the chemo continuing but I know I am handsome no matter what!
My sister T has a camp up in the Adirondacks & she got to play in LOTS of snow this weekend. Some of our snow melted but I still had enough to chase Queezle through & dig into.
Ooops. Deb said I can do my obedience training here at home - yay!!!
Hokey

Smashing Saturday!

2010-01-17T03:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a 5 gold star day. Hokey, Dani and I went to Agility League. We had a GREAT time - both dogs did quite well and our team ended up tied for FIRST place! Due to time faults, our final placement was second but a huge leap from our dismal (and distant) last place the last time!

Then Kate called from Hamburg, NY where she is showing Queezle in conformation and they went Best of Breed AND took a Herding Group ONE!!! No Best in Show yet but they are close.

Hokey has had such a great week that it will be hard to take him in for chemo tomorrow - but only 5 more treatments if he stays in remission. Tomorrow is doxirubicin which is hard - a catheter, slow injection over 20 minutes or more with fluids. He will probably have the catheter in a rear leg as his front leg veins are a bit scarred from his earlier treatments. He hates this but we need to stay a course a bit longer.

I also heard from another person facing lymphoma in their dog - this time an 11 yr old Golden. Hopefully she will respond as well as Hokey.

Well, off to put the snazzy blue coat on my buddy and head down for barn chores!

Deb E

From Hokey:

Who, who, who is THE dog?!! Hokey, Hokey!!! I was flying at agility - one little error - Deb was late with her rear cross but I was smoking AND hit all my contacts! And yeah, Queezle got a Group One but that is just for looking good. She probably even got a cheeseburger but I say, let's lay it down and see who does better agility runs.

I heard Deb mentioning chemo on Monday. Darn! She says just 5 more. I can do it - I know I can - but I want it to be over. I want to just go to the clinic to say hi to everyone, get petted and admired and then go home. Oh well. But, right now I am off to see my ducks and sheep!

Hokey

Time flies or humiliation on the run

2010-01-13T04:28:00.001-08:00

I think I put off putting up a new blog because I would have to mention the obedience trial last weekend. With distance, the humor is more evident. Kate's Aussie was less than stellar (check out The PawPrint Chronicles). My Terv Dani is a wonderful dog, very talented, very clever. I actually thought that, despite minimal training, we could pull off a respectable showing in the Utility Wildcard class. This is a nonregular class at the highest level of obedience. I figured she would do at least one article & do her go outs as well as glove retrieve & the moving stand. Instead, she decided to be really funny. I will leave it at that. It is amazing that an almost 11 yr old BelgianTervuren can still leap & dance! :)

One of the best parts of the trial was working as a ring steward in the morning for Novice B. I was assigned to cover for someone who was absent with a very nice woman - hi Deb! - who had never done obedience herself or watched it very much. She was enthused & learned very quickly so that was fun, plus it was nice to watch so many friends & get to cheer for them. Too often at obedience trials we are off in our own mental "competition zone" & miss some of the camaraderie.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Well, all *I* can say is, they left the best dog home. I am somewhat selfishly glad there were no cheeseburgers for Dani or Tia. I did get a little popcorn & got to watch a Terminator movie. It is a guy thing :). And, ta da - this is a chemo free week, so *I* get to go to agility class today, plus obedience class tomorrow AND agility league on Saturday as long as all stays well!
I had thrown up my supper once or twice so Deb cut my Essaic Tea for this week in case that was upsetting my stomach. Seems to be the case as I have been fine since.
Whew, gotta go get "in the zone" so I can outshine Queezle at agility class. I just hope Deb is at her best - she does tend to hold me back in my exploits.
Hokey

Dealing with life

2010-01-08T10:31:00.000-08:00

OK, time to just suck it up as my kids would say. I had miscalculated and thought this week was a "chemo free" week for Hokey. This fit brilliantly with my hopes to do the local obed trials this weekend, especially when I saw Wild Card Open first thing with Open A afterwards (sort of like a true practice chance!) BUT, it was a chemo week, so I have to go, be supportive of friends and my daughter while wishing desperately that Hokey and I were competing.

In the midst of my internal whining (so, maybe a few external whines but not many), I have to admit that given the choice of having Hokey's company for 3 more years, even 3 more months, or finishing his CDX, the extra company would win hands down. So I laugh at my semi nude dude who smiles, pokes his head into his blue coat himself and bounces on the way down to the barn for chores. Lesson One from your dog - live in the moment - totally, completely :))
Deb E

From Hokey:
Yeah, well, the big problem as *I* see it, is that if you finish a title you get a cheeseburger - at least I think you deserve a cheeseburger for a CDX which is SO much harder than a mere CD like Queezle got. So there goes my chance for a cheeseburger. I can't even go watch as the whole point is to keep me home, warm and safe. I am not really into watching anyway, I prefer to be the big star.
So, my backup plan for the weekend is to get Tom, who is also home, to watch some cool movies with Baloo and I. Maybe Narnia or a Star Wars or Harry Potter marathon. We could have popcorn, maybe some fresh bones, a turkey sandwich or two. Healthy party food of course. And when Baloo leaps off the couch to attack the TV like he always does during Narnia and exciting moments in the other movies, *I* can steal his treats! Sounds like a plan!
Hokey

Agile Hokey

2010-01-04T03:51:00.000-08:00

Saturday was a wonderful day for Hokey and I. Our obedience club holds an "agility league" in the winter. Six weeks of agility - two runs each with one run a game and the other a regular run. Since it had been a chemo free week Hokey got to go. We had a blast! Our team, the "Bar Hoppers" (quite ironic since only 1 of the 5 members drinks at all) came in last but Hokey was the star of our team. Lots of fun!

While we were at agility, Tom's Aussie Baloo managed to get the dog food and dog treats closet open. He had a little feast and apparently was hiding food for "hard times" as he put a couple of bags in the back of his crate! This led to a couple of bouts of diarrhea Saturday night and Sunday but he seems fine now.

Then snow, snow, snow all weekend. Unfortunately with really cold temps and lots of wind. The drift is getting near the top of the fenced yard so dogs won't be able to go out to play alone at all for a while.

Sadly, it is back to the clinic for Hokey today. Vincristine is on the protocol today which is one of the easier treatments in his mind I think.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Man, I was THE DOG on Saturday!!! I flew over jumps, zipped through weaves, dashed through tunnels and hit ALL my contacts!!! Just amazing and quite fast if I do say so myself. Deb needs work on her handling - especially figuring out times as we finished our game in 38 seconds and could have used 12 more seconds to add even more points.
Oh, and all the cute chicks thought I was hot, hot, hot in my blue coat! I don't wear it to run of course though - strip down to my aerodynamic best.
However, no breakfast this am which is not a good sign. I am really starting to hate this chemo stuff but Deb tells me not too many more as long as I stay in remission.

Good days/bad days

2009-12-31T12:14:00.001-08:00

There are days that are just plain "good days". In our case, it means everyone is healthy and reasonably happy. Bad days may mean physical or mental hurt.
Yesterday was a good day in that Kate, Tom and I had a great agility lesson and Hokey got to go since it was a non chemo week. We all had a blast - competing to see who could run each difficult sequence the best. I think we each had at least one "best". Baloo and Tom had incredible tight wraps on the jumps!
I then came home to find another personal insult/slam related to the writing organization I have been involved with. Nasty, denigrating and in this case demonstrating the lack of knowledge of the poster (who should have known better). This is basically a good person, a talented person, probably stressed. And I, sad to say, responded in kind. Some days though, you need to do that.
While I was in a funk, my son said a Fed Ex had arrived. I briefly wondered if you can get a subpoena in a Fed Ex envelope! Instead, it was a wonderful book that I had planned to order and it was signed with a wonderful inscription from the author who I respect very, very much! So my day turned around again.

Today has been a good day despite some bumps in the road. Kate and I had an obedience class and again Hokey was thrilled to attend.

I was then driving on to deliver my son's baritone saxophone for some repair work. Well, my husband's carefully written out directions and map happened to have the wrong main road! After getting about 15 miles out of our way, I had Kate call the store. They then gave us the wrong directions, so we went another 10 miles out of our way before I realized what had happened! We back tracked and finally found the store. Kate lugged in this huge instrument - literally the case could be a casket for a good sized child. Next surprise - while the store had complete records on the other instruments my kids have (alto sax, tenor sax, clarinet) there is NO record of us ever owning a bari sax. Luckily the store has a sense of good customer service and took the instrument for service while my husband digs out the paperwork at home tonight and faxes it to them. Kate and I had a good laugh or two along the way and our bad directions did lead us by an Arby's which she loves.
Hokey and Tia in the back of the car probably thought we were on one of our long road trips - heading out to a national specialty somewhere. Never a dull moment!
Deb E

from Hokey:
Yup, things are looking up!! I got to go to agility class AND obedience class this week. I was by far the star of the obedience class and I did quite well in the agility class too. I am a bit handicapped by having Deb as a handler but I try to make the best of things.

I don't really like Newfoundlands. I have never met one who was mean to me but they really might be bears and not dogs so I don't trust them. In obedience class we have one named Zoe. Deb says she is a very nice dog with a quirky sense of humor but I think that is all a ploy to get innocent victims close. Still, despite my misgivings I was good and did my out of sight stays next to her perfectly even when she got up and decided to stroll around. I must say, her owner is a very nice human so maybe Zoe is really a tame bear.

I need to go work on my New Year's Resolutions. Actually I think it would be more fun for me to write New Year's Resolutions for Deb. Like, Feed Hokey more, Buy Hokey a new toy each week, etc.
Hokey

Monday again!

2009-12-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

I think I need to talk to the dogs about Mondays. The rest of the family is off downhill skiing in Vermont so I have all animals & all chores. Kate's Aussie Tia gets me up at 3:18 am (gotta love those digital clocks!) Yes, I am glad she got me up as that is less hassle than a mess but on the other hand.... finally got everyone to lie down again and then up at 6 am. Oh, and the nutty ducks (almost said quacky :)) are back to laying eggs. Got two this morning - not a great season to hatch ducklings!

I admit it, I was resisting heading down to the barn as it was cold and windy. Then the fax machine goes off and spits out the results of Tia's tracheal wash culture from 10 days ago. Positive results so I need to head in to pick up antibiotics. I thought I could skip the clinic today as it is Hokey's "off week" for chemo. No such luck! And suddenly it is blizzarding, so I need to head in soon before we get 8 inches of lake effect snow. I was often the only car on the road but we made it safely there and back plus got all the chores done.

We are lucky in the Northeast in that we learn to drive in snow early on. The many areas that got unexpected snow this Xmas had tons of cars off the road, accidents, etc simply due to lack of experience.

Tia's culture showed both Pasteurella and Staph. This may be secondary to the possible lungworms or a primary infection. With the large number of eosinophils, I have to stick with a primary parasite though and the weather was certainly prime for lungworms this year (an intermediate host can be slugs or snails and we had plenty of beautiful golden ones around). Still, we will treat the bacteria too and now she is getting febendazole and antibiotics. Not single complaint from her though as it means some extra treats!

Hokey continues to do well so far. Periodically I panic thinking his submandibular lymph nodes are up a bit but later checks show them to be fine. All 6 dogs are now used to me checking so I have comparisons :))

It is a sad time for a writing organization I am involved with. There is tremendous upheaval centered around one or two people who have shown less than stellar ethics. Right now the organization is in a free fall. Until/unless those people are removed or leave I am not sure the organization can recover. Very sad.

Off to the barn with Hokey in his striking blue coat!
Deb E

Boy, I got nervous when I heard Deb talking about the clinic this am. I was quite sure this was a "Chemo Free Monday". I am very glad it was just to pick up meds for Tia. I did NOT offer to go with her, though perhaps I should have since it was whiteout conditions. Deb has a decent nose for a human but she would not be able to scent her way home.

More glorious snow! I don't have to shovel - manure or snow - so I LOVE snow! We still don't have big drifts but that may happen overnight. I do have enough snow so I can run with my mouth open scooping up lots of the white stuff. Do NOT do that with yellow snow!
Enjoy the day - NO injections!!!
Hokey

A happy holiday to all!

2009-12-25T09:43:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been a couple of interesting last few days. Hokey threw up after his breakfast on Wednesday. It wasn't the nausea type vomit where the dog walks around, head down, drooling but rather the sort of casual vomit many dogs do routinely. Plus he immediately wanted to eat it all back down. I wondered why the bile was being so stubborn to clean up when I realized it was the turmeric. So far the stain has defeated most cleaning solutions, though I have a few more to try. The color has been reduced from literally a glowing neon to a simple yellow sun of happiness on the grey rug :).

With the arrival of his coat, Hokey has enjoyed being outside even more. I feel less guilty having him come to the barn for chores with the coat. He looks quite handsome in his metallic blue coat with the warm fake sheep fleece lining.

The holiday has been fun here - all dogs got bones and toys, people got fun things and useful things. I hope the holiday was good to all of you.

Deb E

From Hokey:

Whoa - I mean, am I "hot" or maybe "really cool" in my new coat or what?!!! And it stays on even if I run fast as the wind, or chase and bump Tia or roll in the snow. I am psyched. I have already learned to put my head in the opening & can almost fasten the buckle myself - well, maybe not quite yet but I am close to getting it. And I got another new bone PLUS a Kong Wubba! Yeah, Santa knew who was nice here :))

I hope every dog has good food, a soft bed, a warm, dry place to sleep and a human to adore him!

Hokey

Truly a Monday!

2009-12-21T12:15:00.001-08:00

It is definitely Monday! The day started with a major flood from the bathroom sink. Shutting all water off worked to stop the flood and it looks like the drain itself will need to be replaced. It could have been much worse.
Then it was a day for Hokey's chemo. This week it is cyclophosphamide. On Hokey's protocol this is given IV, along with a diuretic and then some IV fluids. Again, not his favorite as a catheter is used and remaining still for a while are required. It was also a week for the extra blood drawing as he needed his complete blood panel today. Hokey was very stressed heading into the clinic and REALLY wanted to leave. He loves to come in, greet everyone with a big smile and his patented "helicopter tail", run over and hop on the scale and then, ideally, leave. He has lost a lb which is good as we try to remove some of the 12 lbs he gained between prednisone and extra meals for supplements.
We did get through the chemo but the veins in his front legs are a bit scarred from the 9 weeks of treatment he has had so far. This meant using a vein from a hind leg. This is awkward for everyone, including Hokey and meant he had to stay in a less than comfortable position for about 15 minutes. A small price to pay for more good quality life, but it is hard to explain that to your dog. Luckily we got through it without incident. On the way home I stopped by a small market with an in store butcher and we got some marrow bones for Xmas with an extra for him for today.
Deb E

From Hokey:
I REALLY hate Mondays - at least "chemo Mondays"!!! When I hopped on the scale I had lost a lb, so I thought I deserved to skip the injection stuff. No such luck! And my veins aren't great anymore so now my hind leg had to be abused. People were walking around talking about what great veins Greyhounds have as their legs are so straight and clean without much hair, etc. Big deal! They run around a stupid track chasing a stupid fake bunny. Who cares what kind of veins they have? Actually, I guess vets and vet techs do :)))

Deb says we may have to take a photo of how hairless I am right now so that when I am all better and look handsome again we can laugh about this. I am a bit embarrassed about my tail - I have always had a lovely, fluffy, luxuriant tail and now it looks kind of wimpy. Tia and Flash thought about making fun of me but I pointed out that they don't even have tails! So nyah, nyah to them.

OK, gotta go make sure I get extra food for supper to make up for skipping breakfast. It was nice of Deb to sneak me a private bone - gotta love her!
Hokey

Rough day for Tia

2009-12-19T03:49:00.001-08:00

Tia is my daughter Kate's 6 yr old Australian Shepherd. Very cute, very clever. She has had a dry cough/gag on and off for a few weeks. We blamed the onset of indoor heating (forced hot air in an old farmhouse), eating pine needles while scavenging, etc. She looks fine and acts fine otherwise but we felt the coughing was increasing so in she went to the clinic yesterday for a workup.
For Tia, this meant blood drawing for a CBC, complete blood panel and heartworm test (she is on Interceptor but nothing is 100%). We also did a fecal, check x-rays and a tracheal wash. For the tracheal wash, sterile fluid is passed into the trachea, then drawn back to see what cells, etc are found. Cytology and a culture were sent out on the fluid. Cardiac problems can also cause a cough but Tia's heart seems fine.
Right now we are awaiting results on the blood work, cultures, etc but a group consensus was that Tia could have lungworms. She had many eosinophils (cells associated with parasites and allergies) in the fluid. This has been a wet year with plenty of slugs, snails, etc and she likes to snuffle and hunt around. We started her on febendazole as a preliminary treatment as it is quite safe. She is actually thrilled since this means extra canned food mixed in with her kibble.

Meanwhile it has gone too cold even for me - a -7 Fahrenheit is a bit daunting when you head out for barn chores. The dogs run a short way, then stop and hold their paws up looking pitiful. The barn animals have short days out and get warm water to drink.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Well, I am not so sure why Tia suddenly deserves extra treats! At least they didn't give her any of my special food. Maybe I should cough a bit since Deb has cut back on my meals.

I am excited because a cute girl Terv in California is loaning me one of her winter coats. Now why would a Terv in southern California even need one is beyond me, but you know how the girls are. While Kate says I am "pretty in pink" I sincerely hope it is a manly color. Camouflage would be nice.

Maybe I should get my friends Phyllis or Beth to knit me a scarf too. Deb knits but she is WAY too slow.
Ooops, heading out for chores!
Hokey
PS No offense to Tia, but I am glad someone else had to go to the vet clinic for treatment!

Perfect start to the day!

2009-12-16T06:58:00.000-08:00

Today started out wonderfully! Tom had helped at the barn but then I put everyone (except ducks) out and cleaned stalls, put in fresh bedding and added hay for tonight. Working in the barn is always good for me - especially mentally though physically as well I am sure. Somehow, cleaning in the house isn't as good for my mental state.

Then, I took Hokey and Dani for a long walk down the railroad right of way. We have missed our walks for the last few weeks as it was rifle deer season here. Most of our hunters are local people who know the woods and we probably could still walk then but I try not to. And no, I am not against hunting - knowledgeable people hunt responsibly and in my economically depressed area people literally hunt to put food on the table. Back to our walk - about 22 degrees but no wind so it didn't feel very cold. Soft snow flakes drifting down steadily but straight due to the lack of wind. Pristine snow about an inch deep when we started so our tracks were the first ones with the exception of one set of bunny tracks. Just beautiful. Good for the body, good for the soul. The dogs both ran with abandon, sniffing, marking, chasing each other, playing with me and just plain enjoying the time together.
Deb E
PS You can check out Dani at our website (which I need to work on!!) at coyote-run.net.

From Hokey:
Deb is right on this time! GREAT start to our day! I had a wonderful time running but we are ordering a coat for me as I am starting to look a bit bare. Good thing I have extra insulation to keep me warm (Deb calls that my blubber but I don't mind). We had so much fun running. Dani is fast but I think I may be faster or if I am not faster I am certainly more clever. Or maybe I am just cuter.
Hokey

2009-12-15T15:34:00.000-08:00

Our snow joy was short lived. Rain followed & we are back to brown, as in mud. However, the forecast suggests snow in the next few days so there is hope. If anyone has excellent suggestions on how to keep floors clean with 6 dogs (other than shutting them out), send them on.

Hokey is clearly feeling great and was happy to once again get to skip a chemo treatment on Monday. He will get to attend an obedience class on Thursday am as long as all continues to go well. A small class, all dogs we know and a safe place so he should be fine. And only on the weeks he does not get chemo.

Another supplement he is getting is turmeric. This spice actually has been shown to have anticancer activity in both humans and animals. This comes as a pill, very pretty yellow/orange color, and he gets one a day. I am starting to think maybe I should be taking all these supplements too!

On the writing front, I have long been a member and supporter of the DWAA (Dog Writers Association of America). The organization is currently undergoing multiple crises at once and I am not sure it will survive. A very courageous Board member has pointed out some major problems. I am sure she feels like a whisper in the wind, but the echos down the canyons should be significant. It will be sad if it dissolves but currently it has way too many problems to be effective at all for the members.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Cool man, another chemo free Monday! I thought we should go out for a burger or ice cream or something but Deb said I am too round as it is. We may have to take measurements for a coat though. I am looking a tad naked but hey, "bald is beautiful" right? Feel free to pass on any suggestions on great coats!
So we now have mud. Not nearly as much fun as snow but I can still deal with it. Today I chased a bunny until it snuck into the pasture. I can't get through the stock fence so it was safe. I am sure I would have caught it otherwise as I am very fast and clever. Deb says we used to have house bunnies. I guess that was before my time but she claims the dogs and bunnies always got along just fine.
Hokey

2009-12-11T02:51:00.000-08:00

We got our snow!! We only have about 3 or 4 inches still here but at least it looks like Christmas to us. I know those of you in warmer climates will send me photos of you on the beach, lying out in the sun on Christmas, but to me the holiday is definitely only Christmas if it is white!
Unfortunately, along with the snow we have deep biting cold and very high winds. So far our power has stayed on and I hope it stays. The wild birds are going through a packet of suet daily and lots of seeds.
Down at the barn, the ducks have settled in for the winter. They burrow in their fresh hay every night and look very domestic. The donkeys reluctantly go out for a while each day but they and the older sheep would prefer to simply stay in - though their own TV along with a nonstop hay dispenser would be nice. I suspect they all want to watch "Babe" or "The Muppet Christmas Carol".
Hokey is back to his usual energetic self. The hair loss continues however and he has very little undercoat. I may actually have to get him a warm coat for the winter!
On the writing front, I absolutely LOVE sources who get back to you quickly. Even if it is to say that they can't help you, at least you aren't left waiting and hoping.
For Lymphoma treatment, one of Hokey's other supplements is glutamine. This is also from Managing the Canine Cancer Patient. He gets one capsule once a day. Finding a definite dose is difficult and with capsules it can be hard to break things down at all. Since the adult human dose is at least one capsule three times daily with meals I figure as a 50lb dog Hokey can handle one per day. So far so good!
Deb E

From Hokey:
Whew - gotta love that snow! Fun to roll in, run through with your mouth open and eat it, jump at snow balls, leap down on unsuspecting other dogs from the top of drifts (OK, we don't really have any big drifts yet but we will!) and you can make doggy snow angels! I myself would never do it but a couple of the girl dogs even eat frozen poop - "poopsicles". Gross!!!
I do get cold faster lately so I may have to breakdown and have Deb get me a coat. A really cool one maybe that looks like armor or perhaps a superman type outfit. I figure I will look great in it no matter what.
Kate comes home soon and she is one of my favorite people so that will be a Christmas gift in itself. Plus I am working diligently on my list. Deb says one page maximum but I am going to try the "poor dog with cancer" bit. Hard to get much sympathy when I look and feel so good!
Off to barn chores - hope I don't get blown away in the wind!
Hokey

2009-12-07T15:52:00.000-08:00

We had a good weekend. Since Hokey was off his chemo for almost 2 weeks I let him go to the shows with me and we showed in Open obedience. He needed a second command once in each class but you have to be perfect so we failed to earn a leg towards his titles but we had fun! He was enthusiastic, happy and very up. My kids both did well - Kate putting a CD on her Terv Queezle and Tom getting a junior showmanship placement and almost going Reserve Winners Dog with his Aussie Baloo.

We now have a light coat of snow so the dogs are very happy running and rolling in it. The horses enjoy the snow as well. The ducks, well, not so much - they prefer to stay in :).

Hokey had chemo today and was quite whipped - I think the weekend competing plus the chemo today really wiped him out. He has been crashed upside down next to the couch much of the day.

DWAA nominations for awards just came out. Kate has a couple and I have one I think. The contest categories can be extremely competitive so it is nice to even be a finalist. Contest Chair Terry Albert did a great job with this huge task.

OK, off to catch up on household chores and maybe, just maybe, think about holiday stuff.
Deb E

From Hokey:
Wow, I finally got to go to a show again. It was great, though I can't believe I wasn't a big star - what is a mere second command, just one lousy word, when the amazing dog manages to jump, retrieve, drop, stay, etc? And of course, Queezle, the little angel, doing baby stuff like Novice, passes all three trials and gets a hamburger on the way home!! Talk about unfair!

It was depressing to have chemo again today. I thought I was done. Deb says if I stay in remission I just have 7 more doses - each of them 2 weeks apart. I guess I can handle that.
Hokey, off to see if can sneak some food from Tom

2009-12-03T05:47:00.000-08:00

Aaargh! December 3rd and we have temps in the 50s and RAIN! Rain of course means mud and when you live with lots of animals, mud is not a good thing. Plus we are all eager for some snow right now (by March we will be sick of snow but right now the white stuff would be very attractive). The only one who stays clean is Fire (short for Firecracker as he was born on the 4th of July), our barn cat, who is always immaculate.

I am working on research for an article and a book. Research can be fun or it can be totally dry, slogging through vet journals especially. My breaks tend to be mystery reading or working the dogs in obedience. Not fun doing that in the rain though Queezle and Hokey did lovely down stays on the driveway while I walked to the road to get the newspapers.

Hokey continues to do well. He feels great - running, circling, barking some and harassing the other dogs off and on as only a young male dog would do :). One of his supplements we started is arginine. Arginine has been shown to be beneficial to human and animal cancer patients so Hokey gets one capsule daily. Arginine has multiple immune modulating effects and anti tumor actions. (See managing the Canine Cancer Patient by Ogilvie and Moore).
Deb E

From Hokey:
Deb had a bit of a nightmare last night and woke up thinking I was out of remission. Luckily she seems to be wrong as my lymph nodes are still down. I told her to have happy dreams like I do with duck herding, agility, tracking and lots of great food! Plus a dumbbell - I love my dumbbell!

Personally I am glad the hoopla over Flash's birthday is winding down. I think that *I* should be the center of attention. After all, she is just older, right? Plus Christmas is coming and I have lots of things on my list that I would like. I suppose the stocking full of fresh horse manure isn't likely.

Ooops, here comes Deb. We alternate - 3 of us get teeth brushed one day while 3 of us get groomed and then vice versa the next day. My day for grooming, which I also love! My favorite parts are being blow dried after a bath and getting toweled when I come in wet. Gotta love rain, mud, snow, sun, all of it!
Hokey

2009-11-30T17:12:00.000-08:00

Today was a day of celebration! First, our Pem Corgi Flash just turned 12 yrs old. Flash is an amazing dog - an incredible athlete and my daughter Kate's chosen puppy when Kate was 7 yrs old. They have successfully competed in obedience, jr showmanship, rally, agility, herding, freestyle and tracking plus trained in carting, water rescue and flyball. This past summer they became one of just 200 or so teams that have earned the coveted title of Champion Tracker (check out website coyote-run.net for more info). Since Kate is off at college, Tom and I took Flash out for a cheeseburger. She got to pick out her own special toy on Friday night. Happy birthday Flash!

It was also a special day for Hokey. For the past 8 weeks he has had to go in for chemo every Monday am. First a blood draw to check his white blood cell count, especially his neutrophils. Then whatever chemo was scheduled that day as part of his protocol. But the 8 weeks of induction are over - he is still in remission ( his lymph nodes went down after the first chemo) and he is now on a maintenance schedule. That means he goes to chemo every other week for the next 8 weeks. So he was happy today too. His supplements will all continue and his body will have more of a chance to recover between treatments.
Deb E

From Hokey -
WOW!!! Wonderful day even if it was cold and rainy. I didn't get to work my ducks since it was a bit cold to put them out but I got to run in the field with Queezle and that was fun. And, I didn't have to go in for chemo! I love visiting the vet clinic and I really like all the other vets and techs but I don't like having to have blood drawn and getting injections. After all, I am a busy dog with things to do and these chemo appointments have really been messing up my weekly schedules.

Deb let me do some obedience work yesterday and I was amazing if I say so myself. Guess I haven't lost anything with this chemo business! And we may get snow tonight which is very fun to run in and roll in. Yup, good day all round.
Hokey

2009-11-28T05:21:00.000-08:00

We all survived Thanksgiving in good form - temporarily a little rounder but back to normal now! The chant at my house is currently for snow. We have downhill and cross country skiers in our house so snow can be a positive thing for us. I just want rifle deer season to end so I can go back to my normal hiking sites.

It was great having my daughter home but she is already back at school, then heading to NYC to play with the Cornell Pep Band on the USS Intrepid and then at a Cornell hockey game. Her dogs miss her but I keep them busy.

Today it is blowing hard but rain, not snow. Frodo the mini horse is galloping like crazy - racing the wind, bucking and leaping. He is a brown and white fuzzball right now and if his coat is any indication we will have a long cold winter. The donkeys on the other hand are discussing plans to head south. This is Frodo in his summer outfit. We will try to get a picture of his winter fuzz.

I have decided I deserve the weekend mostly "off" from writing but may do some research work. Working at home has both good and bad points. The bad points include that everyone feels free to ask you to do errands for them since you have flexible hours and that there are plenty of other options such as training the dogs if you get bored writing. The good points of course include the fact that I am home with all my animals and that when the kids have school events I can rearrange things to attend.

Stay warm, stay dry!

Deb E

From Hokey:

Man, all that turkey and I hardly got any! Plus with the cold rain, the ducks stayed in so I didn't even get to work. A human would have said "didn't have to work" but we dogs like having chores.

I just finished my 8 week chemo induction and now go on every other week for 8 more weeks of maintenance. The best part is that I don't have to go to the clinic on Monday morning!!!

Deb said we need to try and help other dogs with lymphoma so I will tell you all about ginger. Ginger is known for helping with nausea - even carsickness. Eating a couple of ginger snaps can help or you can take your ginger "straight". A friend of ours who has had a couple of bouts of chemo recommended this to Deb. At first, Deb just sprinkled ginger on my meals. Maybe the ginger got mixed with the pumpkin and I snorted some of the powder - who knows? I was sort of turned off on the pumpkin and Deb was afraid I didn't want to eat the ginger either. So now I get ginger root capsules for 3 days - the day of chemo, the day after and one day after that. Perfect - no nausea at all!

Well, I need to go and steal the new toy that Flash got for her birthday (she is the Pem Corgi who turns 12 on Monday and got her present early since Kate was home). Steal toys, steal treats and enjoy your day!

Hokey

2009-11-25T03:24:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow will be a rush of cooking, driving to my mother in law's house, eating and cleaning up. But today is a good time to reflect and be thankful.
I am SO thankful for the wonderful animals who share and have shared my life - patients, trainees from classes and of course, my own wonderful family animals, from donkeys to ducks to dogs and cats plus sheep, goats and horses at this time.
I am thankful for the wonderful people of my life - my family, my many close friends from animal associations and from writing.
I am thankful that I live in America especially after hearing first hand how people in some other countries, especially women, need to hide talents and be secretive about reading, writing and even caring for animals.
Those are MY top three.
What about you?
Deb E, off to do barn chores with Hokey, Dani (10 1/2 yr old Belgian Tervuren) & Flash (12 yr old Pembroke Welsh Corgi)

From Hokey:
Well, I am VERY thankful I am being treated for my lymphoma and very thankful it is working. I am NOT so thankful about the pumpkin in my breakfast again!!!! I don't mind the ginger root capsule for nausea but this pumpkin for diarrhea prevention is getting old. Some real pumpkin pie might be nice though - hint, hint.
I am thankful that I get to do real herding work as I love my ducks!
Hokey who is NOT overweight - it is all muscle, just pure muscle

2009-11-24T03:52:00.000-08:00

So far, luckily, our biggest problem with Hokey's treatment has been weight - in his case weight GAIN! He has been off the pred for 5 weeks now but with his extra meal to help spread his supplements out he has gained 12 lbs. Clearly the third meal a day is being cut out - much to his dismay :) I now refer to him as "His Roundness".

One of Hokey's daily chores is to put the ducks out in their pen in the am & bring them in at night. Livestock that know their own farm dog & learn their routine can be easy to manage though any changes will upset them, sometimes dramatically. With ducks that could be as simple as a car parked in the new spot, a person opening the door to the house, etc. Luckily Hokey is superb at handling his ducks & always gets them in & out with minimal fuss.

I decided to let him do a bit of blogging but told him that he has to follow certain guidelines & remember that *I* control the computer time.

Hi folks! This is Hokey, also known as Hokemon, Hokey Dokey, Hokey Pokey - well, you get the idea. I am actually named after a cartoon character, Hokey Wolf who was with Yogi Bear one year. Deb wanted a cartoon name for my call name but also a dance name if possible. I will explain all that in the future. We need to get down & do barn chores but I am glad to finally have a chance to get at the computer myself.

Hokey

New beginnings

2009-11-22T04:17:00.000-08:00

I realize fall tends to be the time for endings - harvest, preparing to hunker down for winter (at least here in the Northeast!), etc. But for me, this fall will hopefully be a time of beginnings as well. I have decided to drag my 20th century mind into the 21st century & diligently keep up my blog. I am working on more writing work & tackling the issues of dealing with a multi animal household. I am a veterinarian & feel that animals are my life so I am MUCH better with things that breathe than things that plug in or need batteries :).

I hope you will join me on this journey & feel free to comment & offer advice when I am stuck :). I hope this blog will share with you the wonderful lives of my many animal family members & the trials & tribulations of being a writer.

One of my biggest challenges however, is not technology. My 5 yr old Belgian Tervuren, Hokey, has lymphoma. While this is a cancer that is considered treatable (note I didn't say curable but we can hope), it is still a challenge managing his medications, his spirits & my own spirits. Hokey is a silly dog & makes me smile every day. I want to keep that smile.

As a veterinarian it is especially difficult when your own dog has a disease that you can only do so much for. Somehow it seems totally unfair that I may not be able to save my own dog. It will not be for lack of trying but I go into this knowing that the cure rate is currently about 10%. Hokey is young but has a very aggressive form of the lymphoma.

I hope to share with you what has worked for us as we fight this problem in the hopes that it may someday help other dogs with lymphoma.

Deb E , off for the morning barn chores