Long time no post - but glad 2020 is over with!!!
While shows have been limited - we have still been doing agility. CC is doing well, and is 2 double qs from her PACH2! Even more exciting is that we finished the year with her being the number 2 cardigan - her highest ranking ever!!! River is doing amazing in her agility lessons too - we hopefully will trial sometimes this year. Westminster has been moved to June due to Covid and it will be outside!!! Looking forward to that. Here is to a hopefully much better year!
The post I dreaded to make.
Ryka went downhill and passed away 27 October 2020. My promise to her was I would not let her suffer, as she gave me everything. This dog touched so many lives, I cannot even begin. Her story is amazing, and she lived much longer than her original expectancy after diagnoses. She got to do all the things she wanted to do, and then some. This a tribute to her...words can never say how much I loved her and want her back July was a blur! We did some things, CC got her Open Tunnelers title, Geddy got 2 legs towards his novice tunnelers title.
I also sent River to her first and so far only Conformation shows this year. Big entries and she won her class every day and went Reserve to a 4 point major one of the 4 days! I hope some more shows come back to give her more experience. In the meantime she is coming along nicely in her service dog training and starting puppy agility foundations. Geddy finished both excellent titles in agility! He also got his first PACH points! CC is about halfway to PACH2 she ended mid year as number 6 preferred cardigan. Ryka is still doing well and Iggy Pop is his naughty self. Lzzy will be a bridesmaid in my friends upcoming wedding too. A lot of nice things to look forward to. Since my area in the Northeast has been "in the green" for the pandemic - slowly dog sports are coming back. I cannot trial too often in agility (and I haven't been able to since ever) so doing one trial day or 2 spread out is comfortable for me. Trials are very far away for now as well.
And the dogs are doing great! CC actually went 3 for 3 our second trial back - and she has qualified in one class or another since. Geddy has some training skills to work on with trialing outside (lots of good smells) but he has 2 legs each toward his excellent titles. Plus, virtual trialing has been an option in NADAC, UKI, and AKC. NADAC and UKI I lack the yard space but I was able to book a private facility to compete in a NADAC virtual tunnelers run and Geddy finished his intro tunnelers title! AKC has been offering virtual Rally and Geddy also finished his Rally Novice title! I hope the "virtual option" expands more in the future. Tomorrow begins the first AKC agility trials in the area since the shutdown.
There are a lot of new rules to follow and hopefully if all goes well and we all comply we should be able to carry on with trials again! I myself have gotten used to running in a mask as are the new rules and have some really fun patterns thanks to my friends who are making them. I know CC will be jazzed - it might go something like running a velociraptor. wish us luck! So, how's everyone holding up?
I have been splitting my time with working from home and working the dogs - and walking. Lots of walking. The dogs love the walks! We also have been doing private agility lessons to keep our brains working. To say we miss agility is an understatement, but we gotta do what we gotta do. River is growing up so fast and turning into a great dog! We are a work in progress as far as being a show dog goes, but we are enjoying hiking with Cam and Elsa and Radke! I mailed out River's DNA tests and she is clear for everything! Great news on that front! Now just to find an OFA vet to do her and Geddy's eyes (Geddy for his annual) to pass the time. Wish there was more to report but that is all for now! All this time home is making me reorganize and catch up on any loose ends the dogs might have.
Geddy got two trick titles! His Intermediate and Advanced (pending AKC Confirmation). I realized this also gives him his CWCCA Versatility certificate. My first home bred versatility award winner! ALSO, Iggy Pop had enough points and titles for HIS versatility award. I am so proud of my old man! So in the 2 months we were home, 3 dogs got or are eligible for their versatility, and 3 dogs got trick titles! I also entered Geddy in a virtual dog show - let's see how we do! :) The hardest thing to do is to keep a smart puppy's mind sharp during mandatory stay at home orders. Luckily, my trainer offered to do video evaluations for AKC trick dog titles. After a couple days work, River passed her TKN title in short order! We also have been walking (keeping a distance from anyone who might be in the area), and we went into an empty pet store that was still open because we needed essentials.
I have been working from home and still maintaining the dogs' routines best I can so when I do eventually return to work, they are used to me not being there 24/7. River is blossoming into a beautiful young dog! I can't wait to have her take over the world! Well, the world has been a wild ride. Because of the recent world events, we have been under limited activity.
Shows have been cancelled and or postponed. Work has been limited too as has training. Well, good news is - Ryka passed her novice trick test which gave her the requirements for her Versatility certificate from the CWCCA. It is bittersweet as it is the last title she will earn. She is enjoying every day. To keep our minds and bodies active, we have been hiking in the woods with Cam and their cardigans! So far, 2020 is not shaping up to be the best - Ryka was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in her jaw, forcing a sudden retirement. We do not know how many weeks/months we will have left together, so we are just keeping her comfortable and happy.
I am devastated - she is only 8 years old, and came back from so many challenges...only to have cancer. She is a once in a lifetime dog, my perpetually happy Roo, my rock, my steady eddie...and to think about her not here is unimaginable. She is my second dog to be robbed of growing old. She finished her career at Westminster of this year. She didn't make time, not even close. But she did all the things with me. Everyone cheered. The public loved her. Sadly, like in all sports and in life - there are people who think a lot less than they speak. Cruel words were said on social media about handlers "dragging decrepit dogs around the ring", and "slow dogs that do not showcase the sport well." To them I say - I forgive you. For whoever or whatever made you so miserable in your life you grew up to be a bully and pick on a sick dog- I forgive your lack of empathy and I hope one day; when your dogs get old and sick, someone shows you more kindness than you showed others. And maybe one day you will not be so full of yourselves you look back and realize your thoughts on social media do have consequences. |
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January 2021
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