Dylan and Taz are our November 24, 2013 Pups of the Week

When I was on the mortal side of the River of Life I was a rather sedentary pup.  A chair, a couch, a warm lap, that’s where I spent most of my day.  A hearty walk, a dash after an irksome squirrel, the leap from the floor on to said warm lap, was all the exercise this little dog required.

I was a couch potato (now I am a cloud potato, equally as sedentary, but more likely to be confused with an appetizer at the Outback Steak House) where, like human couch potatoes, I would watch the exploits of those dogs who lived the more daring life of running and leaping.  Through the magic of the World Wide Bark I even became friends with them.  Today I would like to give a tip of the tail to two champions:  Taz and Dylan.

Dylan’s exploits are a few weeks old, and I have been remiss in not recognizing him earlier. He competed in an ASCA trial and Dylan took home first place in the Companion Dog category with a score of 197 which is quite excellent.  He then topped that by winning the High in Trial, which is like being named Heavyweight Champion of the World

His sister Graycee also competed in her first trial ever.  She did not qualify but we do have highlights.  

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202092710500223&set=vb.1261263864&type=2&theater

Our second champion is our long time friend from the ‘Burgh, Taz.  He earned his first agility championship this week.  I stole the above picture from his page.  It’s of Taz, his Dad, and the judge holding the ribbon.  (As a Rainbow Bridge judge I pay someone to hold a ribbon.  Dogs complained when I took the ribbon out of my mouth and it was all wet.)

Taz was a late bloomer in agility, struggling early in his career, then suffering a broken leg.  After fighting all the way back to the top, and collecting his first place ribbon, Taz is thinking about retiring.  He is going to take over as chief coach and trainer for his brothers.

And speaking of brothers let us say a quick prayers for Taz’s brother Einstein who will be returning to the trials if his leg heals properly.  He has a doctor’s appointment this week and if we can get enough prayers going the doctor will find the leg has healed and Einstein can win a championship of his own.

While all us dogs are champs, today we celebrate two true winners, Dylan and Taz.  A water bowl toast to them both.

Einstein is Our October 6, 2013 Pup of the Week

As far back as I can  remember, when Doggyspace was nothing but a bunch of styrofoam cups connected by string running from doghouse to doghouse, there was Einstein.  

I envied Einstein all my days on Earth, and, when I went to the Eternal Side of the River of Life I continued to watch and admire him.  While I was a stagnant pup Einstein was flying during agility drills.   I was fascinated with his stories about being an agility dog, how he could vault over gates, dart through tunnels, dodge pylons.  He was like knowing a famous athlete.  An athlete who was sweet and did not stick needles in himself to strengthen his chances.

Einstein, along with Moses and Teddie Bond, were the first dogs who made me realize my mortality.  While Teddie and Moses crossed the Bridge Einstein, despite what seemed very dire circumstances, managed to stay on the living side.

Einstein, back in those early days of cups and string, informed us that he had a flipped stomach.   This scared the bejeebers out of me.  I didn’t think anyone could have their stomach unflipped.  Not only did the good doctors successfully flip his stomach back to the normal position but he also returned to agility drills letting me live vicariously through him as he won ribbons  and I sat on my Mom’s lap.

Recently I was looking in the River of Life, excited to see Einstein zigging, zagging, leaping and darting when suddenly he looked like he stepped on something and, even though he finished the course, I, and his Mom, knew something was wrong.  His Mom ran out to him, and picked him up.  She was afraid that he had torn his ACL, and she was right.

You would think that after having his stomach flipped and reflipped that Einstein would not have anymore surgeries in his life, but he is scheduled for another one.  

So please say a prayer for our handsome boy because he does love to do his agility, has already had to fight back from one very serious surgery to get back in the ring, and now has to do it again. We know Einstein very well, his strength, his determination, and we are sure he will be back to doing what he loves to do soon, but a few prayers never hurt any dog.

And Einstein when you get back in the ring know you have an Angel on your shoulder cheering you on.

And, if you want PEA’s, Performance Enhancing Angels, just let me know and I will be the wind beneath your paws.