Tuesday, December 30, 2014

MARLEY AND MOLLY UPDATES

Marley was seen back at Mizzou last week for follow up X-rays 9 weeks post op for her right total hip replacement. The implant remains stable and there is new bone growth around it. She is completely weight bearing on her right hip. She is happy and playful and has been the best patient. She is still on short leash walks with no house privileges yet. The surgeon was pleased with her progress. She will get repeat X-rays in February and will probably get a little freedom at that time. I, however, have scheduled her left total hip replacement for March 10. I want her to know life pain free. She is now just on Rimadyl for her left hip.

Molly has been the unfortunate victim of being attacked by a neighbor's GSD (German Shepherd Dog) 3 times. The first time was significant bites to her back and thigh that required stitches. The second incident she was bitten on her shoulder and thankfully that did not require stitches. This last incident was quite severe. She was bitten on the neck and it caused significant damage. She required surgery and had 3 drains placed. It has taken almost a month, but she is finally better and all of the wounds have healed. The worst part of it all is, that she is being attacked in her own front yard. The GSD is getting into my yard and attacking my dogs. I cannot allow my own dogs out in their own yard due to this GSD. The owner of the GSD told me the dog doesn't bite people...... I haven't caught the dog attacking Molly but I have seen the dog in my yard. It is beyond frustrating!! I hate disrespectful, ignorant pet owners, especially owners who fail to see that they own an aggressive dog and choose the do nothing about it.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

BACK TO TRIALING

KK and I ventured back into the agility ring for the local AKC club the first weekend of November. It was her first time back in the ring since July. My goal for her was to just get through the weekend, stamina wise. She took to the ring like she had never been sick. She ended up with 2 Q's in T2B and Master JWW. Her speed was back but not up to top speed yet.

We then went to McKinney a few weeks later where she managed a 50% Q rate and even placed amongst dogs that compete basically every weekend. I was pleased with her progress seeing as we have done very limited training.

Over Thanksgiving we went back to McKinney for a 3 day trial. She had many high points but I got very sick and we had to leave the trial early. She managed several Q's despite me.

The next weekend we went to Shreveport where she had a stellar weekend, going 6/7 Q's and earning her very first Double Q with a Double Blue! I was very happy with her. She's coming right along for a little dog that was so sick this summer.



We are now on an agility hiatus until late January when we will start back doing some USDAA!!

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

MARLEY HAS A NEW RIGHT HIP!!

After many years of dreading the surgery, I signed the paperwork for Marley to have a Right Total Hip Replacement at the University of Missouri on Oct. 9. It was hard for me to do, but I know that Marley needed the surgery and she has been in pain for so long. She needed the surgery. And it was finally time in my mind and heart.

While Marley was getting preop labs and Xrays done, my friend and I went to a local diner that was recommended to us by the girls at the front desk. As we were eating, the waitress stopped by and dropped off a business card and said a local artist had paid for our breakfast. Columbia has been so friendly to us. We have gotten a free meal twice at local restaurants when we have been at UM.

We stayed in the waiting room until the surgeon, Dr. Fox, came out and said Marley had come through surgery well. She was waking up nicely and once she was settled in the ICU, the student would let us see pre/post op Xrays.

Marley's hip pre/post hip replacement
 
New right hip!


 Our vet student was so knowledgeable and friendly. She even took my phone back to the ICU and got some pictures of Marley for me.

Marley in ICU
 
Marley did very well and she was discharged home the next day. I was beyond nervous but I am so grateful my best friend was with me and did all of the recovery stuff. Marley was even putting weight on her right leg the very first day.
 
We drove all night and even stopped at the cemetery to visit my mom's grave on the way home. I haven't been to my mom's grave in about 6 months. We took new flowers and an angel for her grave.
 
My friend and I got tattoos last week. I went with a verse: 'You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it'. I added a butterfly to remind me of my mom. Those close to me know how much I've struggled with life since my mom died. We found this verse and it was so fitting to me and my struggles. I just need to keep being strong at whatever life throws at me.
 
 
 
Marley is crated during the day and night when I'm not here and she has a condo in my living room so she can be with me during the evenings.
 

Marley is getting better everyday.
 
 
 
Her sutures came out today and we meet with a physical therapist tomorrow to start some light rehab with her. I'm glad I finally made the decision to do the surgery but I know that she will have to have the left hip replaced, probably within the next 6 months or so. But for now, we will focus on getting Marley stronger and healthier and when the time comes, she will get a new left hip.
 
Marley hugging her Mommy. See her little paw on my shoulder?
 
 
I'm so grateful that my best friend has been by my side through it all. I would not have been able to get through this without her. I'm grateful that my trainer/friend kept KK for almost 2 weeks for me and grateful to my dad who was able to stay with Molly and Missy while I was in Columbia. I'm grateful to my new job and friends who let me take off work to take Marley to Columbia and who checked on us while we were gone.
 
I'm blessed to have the right people in my life at the right time. I would be lost without them.



Wednesday, October 1, 2014

MARLEY'S SURGERY DATE

Marley's hip replacement surgery had been scheduled for Tuesday, October 14. I received word last Wednesday that they needed to move her surgery up due to the surgeon going out of town on the 14th. After some juggling with work, I was able to get off work and she is now scheduled for Thursday, October 9 at 8AM.

The next week is going to be rough. I have an agility seminar with KK this weekend that I am really looking forward to. I come back from the weekend and immediately have finals for my pediatric students. Wednesday is going to be a long day at work and then we have to leave for Columbia.
My dad is going to babysit my older girls and KK is staying with my friend/trainer for a week. Hoping she gets a little attitude adjustment while we are separated. I babied her all summer while she was so sick and she has gotten an attitude from all the pampering. I think the separation will be good for both of us.

So grateful that my best friend is able to go with me to Columbia. I know I am going to fall apart when they take Marley away from me and I need someone with me. I'm going to be a basket case the whole time she's in surgery and hospitalized.  I know she needs the surgery badly, but I'm still not ready. I don't think I will ever be ready. But I know it's in her best interest.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

SEPTEMBER TEARS

September. A month I dread. Especially the last part of the month. It's been almost 3 years and the pain is still as fresh as it was in 2011. I literally sit and think about the last time I talked to my mom. I can tell you the last time I talked to her and what we talked about. It was September 22 and Grey's Anatomy was coming on TV. That was our last conversation. I would give anything to talk to her one more time.

 I still feel overwhelming guilt about taking her off the vent, even though I knew she was already gone. My good friend asked me how she could be there for me this month. I don't have an answer. I never know when the pain and tears are going to strike. They struck tonight.

People say time heals. They lie. At least for me, time hasn't healed me.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

PROGRESS REPORT

Miss KK continues to improve. She has now been cleared to begin some light activity. I've started putting her on the treadmill everyday. She's up to about 5 minutes a day at a slightly brisk pace. She's gained about 4.5lbs while being sick. So we have a lot of conditioning to do. I've started working with her on lefts/rights on the ground. No jumping. She hasn't been on a piece of agility equipment since July 6. My plan is to have her start on some agility equipment around mid month.

This picture was taken one week before KK fell so ill.

We are going to a working seminar the first weekend in October. I hope she will have the stamina to get through the weekend. Hopefully she will be able to jump by then. She's entered in 2 days of the Memphis AKC trial the next weekend. We leave immediately after that trial and go straight to Columbia for Marley's hip replacement.

It's been a very exhausting 10 weeks. It seems like I'll be getting KK all better and then Marley will be down for weeks. I just can't seem to catch a break.

On a positive note, just 7 weeks into my new collegiate job, I was given the course leader job for pediatrics! I'm a little overwhelmed, but am excited at the same time. So glad the timing was right and the perfect job opened up for me at the perfect time.

Saturday, August 9, 2014

MY ADVENTURES IN COLUMBIA

I know this is Marley and Mommy's blog, but I stole the laptop because I wanted to let everyone know what has been going on with me. This is KK!!
 
 
 
I know Mommy has let people know I have been sick. But no one really knew how sick I was. So this is my story.
 
I started feeling bad a few days before I hurt my toe. They gave me some medicine for my hurt toe and the medicine just overwhelmed me. I felt so bad. I tried really hard at the Monroe AKC agility trial but I was so tired. I knew Mommy was worried about me but I just couldn't tell her how bad I felt. Every night after the agility trial, Mommy's friend would clean my sore toe. See everyone thought it was my toe that was bothering me. But it wasn't.
 
 
After we got home from the Monroe trial, Mommy took me to the vet and said I had a GI infection. They gave me some more medicine and it made my tummy better but I still felt so tired. Mommy was so worried about me and I wanted to tell her how bad I felt, but I couldn't. All I wanted to do was sleep. I didn't play with Marley or my toys anymore. I just slept on the sofa all day and night.
 
 
 
Mommy started a new job and couldn't take me to the vet but my favorite Aunt could. So I spent a lot of time with my Aunt going to the vet and she would take me to Sonic after every appointment. I love their corn dogs!! They took a lot of blood from me and poked my belly with a needle and then they shaved my belly and I don't know what they did because I got so sleepy in the comfy bed they had me in, that I went to sleep.
 
 
 
The picture they took of my belly showed that my adrenal glands were small and they thought I had Addison's Disease. So I got put on some medicine for that. It didn't make me feel any better. I wish I could have told Mommy how bad I felt. They did find out that I had ehrlichia and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever and I got put on some medicine for it. I didn't really respond to the medicine like my vets thought I would. So they suggested since Marley was going to Missouri for her hip surgery, that Mommy get me an appointment and see if they could figure out why I wasn't getting better.
 
Since I had ehrlichia, Mommy had Marley got tested for ehrlichia and she was positive too. So Mommy had to talk to the doctor in Missouri about it. Her orthopedic surgeon wouldn't do her hip replacement surgery because Marley was sick too...not sick like me. But Mommy decided to take me to the University of Missouri Veterinary College anyway so I could be seen by their Internal Medical Specialists.
 
It was a long drive but I slept most of the way. I was a little scared in the waiting room. Marley got to go too because she's my favorite sister.
 


I love my Mommy but she's not good in a crisis. Lucky for me, my favorite Aunt went with us and did all the talking and asking questions. My Mommy was a 'hot mess'. She needed a friend to take care of her!

I had a real nice student named Kyle and he asked lots of questions about me. Then a real nice vet named Tracie took over my care along with Kyle. I had to stay with them all day on Monday.

While I was at the hospital, Mommy and my Aunt went to eat at Harpo's. The restaurant was closed but the manager, Anthony, let them come in and eat for free!! They had the restaurant all to themselves. Marley told me she got to eat the leftover burgers. She was so lucky!!


Meanwhile back at the hospital, they gave me some medicine and I slept. Mommy said they did lots of tests on me while I slept. They drew blood, stuck a needle in my bladder and in my joints!! They also took all kinds of pictures of me.They really couldn't find anything other than confirming that I had ehrlichia and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. But they did say that I didn't have Addison's Disease. I got to go back to the motel that night with Mommy. I looked a little funny because they shaved me.



 
The next day I had to go back to the hospital. Kyle took care of me. They gave me that medicine again and I slept. This time Neurology looked at me. They did a spinal tap on me and thankfully it was normal. They shaved the back of my head and now I look really funny.
 
 






Dr. Tracie and her team decided that I was in pain from the tick diseases. So they put me on some pain meds for a few weeks.  They let me go home with Mommy!! I was so happy. Everyone was so nice and friendly to me at the hospital. The vet techs liked me and would get me out of my crate and love on me. I gave them lots of kisses. I even played with Marley the next morning before we left the motel. I actually felt a little better.

 
 
On the way home, Mommy took me back to the Animal Shelter where MOKAN rescued me from. Mommy made we wear a sign. I was so happy I didn't have to stay there very long as a puppy and I am so grateful I was rescued and ended up with Mommy.
 
       

 
We also passed this sign on the way home!
 
 
 
I am taking lots of medicine and I am starting to feel a little better. I don't sleep as much and I have played a little. It's going to be a long road to recovery for me, but I am so thankful I have Mommy to take care of me. So that's my story for now.









Monday, July 28, 2014

SUMMER BLUES

My older girls, Molly and Missy are doing well. They enjoy going out everyday and exploring. Molly wants to stay out for hours but her age is catching up with her and she has to come in the house frequently to cool off. Missy will go out for just a few minutes and then she wants back in. Missy has never been an outside dog, however she has decided that at age 14, she loves to get on the agility equipment.




Marley is having a left hip replacement on August 5 so I have been letting her play outside everyday. Just letting her run and play and be Marley because she will be on crate rest for at least 8 weeks and I want her to have freedom now.


Kalea-Kate has been sick for over a month now. She was diagnosed with Campylobacter infection shortly after the Monroe AKC agility trial. She was still puny and had additional labs drawn and then got a tentative diagnosis of Addison's Disease and then she tested positive for ehrlichiosis. After a week on steroids and 4 days of doxycycline, she still isn't better. She is going back in for more lab work. I'm so worried about her and just want her to get better. I am so thankful that my good friend has been able to take her to her vet appointments since I just started my new job and can't get time off.

 
 
I'm very happy in my new job but drama from the old job seems to follow me. Trying my best to keep my head up and let the drama roll off my back, but it's hard. I just want to be left alone to live my life, the way I want to live it.
 
 
On a happy note, a friend and I went and got tattoos a few weeks ago. It's my first tattoo and I love it!!
 



 


Sunday, July 27, 2014

LIFE CHANGES

The last month has been full of changes for me. On the professional level, an opportunity to teach at a college presented itself. It was the perfect timing for me. I was ready for a professional change and I took the job. Only my closest friends knew how unhappy I was where I was working. And only they knew what were the precipitating factors in my decision to leave. When going to work causes you to cry, it's time for a change. I'm so thankful the right job came along when it did and I absolutely love being in the collegiate world. I have already learned so much in my first 2 weeks and am very excited to be where I am. Who knows, maybe I'll pursue my PhD??



 

I also learned the hard way these last few weeks who you can trust and who your real friends are. I have been hurt so bad by people who were 'friends'. Once I left my job, people came out of the woodworks claiming to be 'concerned' for me. These same people never had the time of day for me before. One girl (who claims to be a devoted Christian) had the audacity to start a nasty, vicious rumor about me that I quickly addressed with that person. It was completely made up and why a grown woman would sink to that level is beyond me. I have had to resort to blocking former colleagues from my Facebook to just end the drama. Even with blocking people on Facebook, the rumors still seem to get back to me. I don't know why people can't leave me alone. I have been gone over a month from my previous job, so why I still seem to be the topic of conversation I just don't understand. It's time to move on folks!!




The only person who can change your life, is you! And I chose to change mine!


 

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

A BABY DOG IN A SEA OF MACHS

We went to West Monroe, LA over July 4th weekend for a 4 day AKC agility trial. We noticed on the way down that KK wasn't her usual wild self. I chalked it up to her toe and the antibiotics she was on. She had a great trial. She did the table everyday! She jumped off once but I got too close to her while she was on the table and she doesn't like that.

She ended up with 4 Q's: 2 T2B, 1 Master FAST and 1 Master JWW. The rest of her runs were just 1 thing from Q-ing. Mostly errors on my part. KK did have one run where she had a 2 y/o moment and she just randomly took obstacles. I had to scratch her from one run because she just wasn't herself. All weekend she was a little slow and her weaving was very slow for her. She even popped out once which she has never done in a trial before.


After we got home, I took her to the vet and she has a GI infection. So she's back on antibiotics and I hope she bounces back soon. She's still sleeping a lot and not playing. She has a NADAC trial next weekend, so I hope she feels better soon.


My friend and I were watching all the 20in dogs run and got to wondering how many of those dogs had MACH's and how many years they had been competing. There were 30 20in dogs entered in Masters. 13 of those dogs had at least 1 MACH (43% of the dogs). 17 or 59% of the dogs had been competing for 5 or more years. One dog had been competing for 9 years. 10 or 34% of the dogs had been competing at least 3 years but less than 5 years. 2 dogs or 7% had been competing 2-3 years.

My sweet baby KK, who is just 2 1/2, has been competing for 16 months off and on and she's holding her own in all Masters. She's just a baby dog in a sea of MACHS!!

Saturday, June 28, 2014

MARLEY'S SURGERY IS SCHEDULED

I have finally officially scheduled Marley's Total Hip Replacement. Originally scheduled for last week, we had to reschedule her surgery due to the fact that the surgeon we wanted would be out of town right after her surgery. So after many emails trying to get the surgeon I wanted, she is on the books to be evaluated on August 4th with surgery first thing the morning of August 5th. She should be hospitalized 2-3 nights and then be discharged home for 6-8 weeks of recovery before being seen back at Columbia. After her recheck, she will begin rehab.

 
 
So my late summer and fall will be pretty busy with Marley so KK's agility career will be on hold until Marley is able to travel again. But if it means Marley will feel better, it will be all worth it.
 
 



Wednesday, June 25, 2014

JUNE IN SPRINGFIELD

After a 2 month break, KK and I ventured to Springfield, MO for an AKC trial on soccer turf. We have only been to 1 class during the break and I have worked her some daily on the table that has become our nemesis. She needed a break to be KK and I just needed a break. Our goals for this trial were simple. Most importantly to have a good time and for her to get on the table without bitch barking me.

Her first run of the weekend was Master FAST. She was a little excited to be back in the ring. She skipped a jump in the gamble but got the Aframe and tunnel. So I reverted to training and got her on the teeter because she has never been a confident teeter dog. Excellent JWW was going great until I slightly turned my shoulders and she came with me and got a refusal. Totally my fault. Excellent Standard she decided she must go take the Aframe again, but she got on the table on the first command. She didn't do her down on the table but she got on the table!!


Day 2 I was totally exhausted as my friend and I stayed up until 0330 talking and laughing. We started with Excellent JWW and it was a beautiful run. KK and I were totally in sync and we Q'd and finally got that Excellent JWW Title at 5.32 yps.
 
 
Excellent Standard was going well until a slightly difficult jump series at the very end. I sent her off course and then KK decided to take a few extra jumps. I looked at the stats for that run. In the 8in category, the Q rate was 80% while in the 20in category, the Q rate was 25%. Clearly the faster dogs had more trouble with the crunchy jump series.

Day 3 in Master Jumpers, KK dropped a bar early so I went into training mode and we worked on her distance work. We finished up the weekend in Excellent Standard where she finally got her Excellent Standard Title. Her table was a little iffy but I never receive a gift from the agility gods but today I did. She did give me a few bitch barks but she finished with a great 'go on' and completed the run at 3.4 yps.


It was a great trial for us! Hands down it was the most fun I've had at an agility trial ever. A good non agility friend came with us and we laughed so much everyday that our stomachs hurt. She kept the trial light for me and kept my stress level down. I tend to let my mind wander and get stressed at trials and she kept me very grounded.

 
Next week we are going to a 4 day AKC trial in Monroe. Our goals will be simple. For Miss KK to get on the table and for us to work on our distance. And to be laid back and have FUN!!
 

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

BACK TO COLUMBIA

Marley has been having some hip popping and stiff walking. I put her back on daily Rimadyl a few weeks back. I took her in for hip X-rays 2 weeks ago. Her left hip has deteriorated some and my vet thinks we are at the point of surgical intervention. He doesn't want her on the treadmill anymore and added a mild narcotic as needed.

I had her X-rays sent to Columbia for a second opinion. They reviewed them and want to see her. We have an appointment set up for an evaluation with surgery scheduled for the next morning. I can't lie. When I saw the words 'surgery' in print, my stomach turned over. I've always known this day would come and I know it's in her best interest but it's still hard. But it's harder to see her playing and then just crawl under the table and sleep all evening and then hear her hips popping when she gets up. It's hard to medicate her everyday and to restrict her activity when she just wants to be Marley. I just want my best blue eyed girl to be happy and pain free.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

NOT IN THE CARDS

KK and I have been on an agility hiatus since we came back from Shreveport in April. I was honestly a little tired of agility and I had been pushing KK so hard, that I decided to let her just be a puppy for awhile. Plus it gave me time to regroup and decide on some training goals for her.

I started her on the treadmill at a brisk pace everyday for 10 minutes. Marley does a leisurely walk for about 10 minutes. I'm trying to keep Marley active and thin for her hips. KK is carrying a little bit of weight and I'm trying to trim her down some.

We ventured out to the agility field last night and I actually got out the weaves and the chute. We did some short sequences and she was happy to be working again...the tuna brownies helped too! I let Marley do some short sequences too minus the weave poles. She was so happy.

Tonight I worked on layering with KK and trying to speed up her contacts. Once again she was a little worker. I need to write out a daily training plan for her and implement it. I know I need to be consistent with her training and her criteria. I did enter her in an AKC trial at the end of June, so we will see how that goes.

Marley wanted to play again tonight. She was so happy and wanting to work. I let her do the chute and lowered AFrame and DW. Some low jumps. No weaves. She will never weave again. I couldn't help but wonder what if. What if she didn't have hip dysplasia? What if I could have kept her healthy? What if I could have done something different when she was a puppy. What if?? But it just wasn't in the cards for us.

Marley is back on daily Rimadyl. She's having some hip popping and taking short steps. She's also slow to get up. I don't want to have to make medical decisions about her. I'm not ready to make those decisions. I don't want her to have to take daily pain meds. I don't want her to be in pain. I want her to be healthy. But is just wasn't meant to be.

Monday, May 19, 2014

FIRST BITE OF THE YEAR

Last Sunday night Molly came in after her evening out on patrol with obvious swelling to her neck and face. Great. A snake bite on a Sunday night at 9:30. I got some Benadryl in her but I was worried about the swelling and her age. She then became unsteady on her feet so I loaded her up and drove her 30 min to the local dog ER. That was a waste of time. The vet refused to give her a steroid shot b/c Molly takes a low dose NSAID for her arthritis. I tried explaining that if she didn't get the steroid shot, then we would have to go to our vet in the morning. She did give her a pain shot and some more Benadryl. That vet visit was a complete waste of my time and I wasted $158.

I checked on her all night long and she was very sleepy. In the morning I found her sleeping by the water bowl and she was difficult to wake up. So I had to take her into the vet where she received a steroid shot and some Carafate for her stomach. It took her until Thursday to start feeling like Molly.

I'm so frustrated that the ER vet wouldn't listen to me. This isn't our first snake bite and I'm sure it won't be our last....she should have listened to me and Molly could have been saved from days of pain.

Monday, May 12, 2014

ROUGH WEEK

Ever since my mom died, I dread all the holidays. They just aren't the same. May in particular is extremely hard for me. First I have to get through Mother's Day and I'm sorry that's hell for those of us that have lost our mother. I couldn't even stand to look at Facebook yesterday and see everyone with their mothers smiling knowing I will never have that opportunity again. It hurts, I can't lie. I cried off and on all day.

Tomorrow is my mom's birthday. I dread it. I know I will go to her Facebook page and post something sappy but it will make me feel better. If I could just stay in bed all day under the covers, I would. But I have work requirements. It is also the day we dedicate my friend Jeanette's Chapel Chair and I have to speak. I'm just praying I can get through it.

I try to put on a brave face and try so hard to hide my emotions, but I know I may not be able to keep it all together tomorrow. My soul dog Marley must feel my anxiety because she just came over and laid down under my feet.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

DAM SHREVEPORT

KK and I went to Shreveport USDAA the weekend of April 18-20. We were asked to join a DAM (Dog Agility Masters) Team by a friend who has a well seasoned dog. I think I'm the only person in Central Arkansas competing in USDAA agility in the Championship division. So I knew KK and I might have trouble finding a DAM team for her ADCH requirements. I was very flattered to be asked and I of course had to think it over and with some encouragement from my friends, I decided to do it.

We ran with a Siberian Husky, Kamikazee and a Miniature Schnauzer, Dyson. I believe we were the only team without a Border Collie on it.

We started Friday with Gamblers and I was so nervous and KK fed off it. She was wild and doing her own thing. She even missed a weave pole, and we all know weaving is her favorite obstacle. But we held on and got points for the team. In individual Master Gamblers I sent her over an extra obstacle in the gamble but she got the gamble but was a NQ. Advanced Snooker. Advanced Snooker. It is going to be the death of me along with Advanced Standard. KK blew the teeter twice in the opening. Totally not like her. She is a very cautious teeter performer, so I was beyond stunned when I heard 'zero' yelled out. She finished but not with enough points. In Team Snooker we held our own and got through all four reds (2 of those were 7's) and made it to #5 in the close before time ran out. Our team was above the line at the end of day 1.

Day 2 started with Team Jumpers. KK got a refusal or 2 but no 'E' so I was pleased. In individual Master Jumpers she got a Q/3 even after I stepped on her foot and she screamed like a banshee. She also got a Q in Steeplechase and a Q/3 in Grand Prix. We ended with Team Standard and I think we got another refusal but got through it. At the end of day 2, our team was above the line and in 2nd place!

Sunday, Day 3 we started with Team Relay.  KK ran first and dropped a bar but everyone else got a fault too. We managed to hold it together as a team and we got Q/2nd!! That gave KK 3 Tournament Q's in 1 weekend!.


It was a good experience for us but I don't think I want to run DAM anytime soon again. :)

Monday, April 28, 2014

THE BABY!!

Miss Kalea-Kate is thriving. She is such a happy, sweet little dog. She wakes up every morning in a happy mood, ready to give out kisses. She is still very much a puppy and loves to spend time playing with big sis, Marley.

She has had a pretty big winter agility season. Lots of new titles and lots of runs to be proud of. We are getting more in sync as a team, but have a lot more work to do.

We are taking a break from agility for about 2 months. I'm just worn out from all of the traveling and I think KK needs a break. I've been pushing her pretty hard this winter and she deserves time to just be KK. I sometimes forget that she's only 2. We will continue to work on our skills but no trialing for awhile. KK needs to be KK.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

HOLDING STEADY

Marley is in a steady holding pattern. She is retired from agility and for a short time after her retirement she was on daily pain meds. She has since been taken off of them and seems to be doing well.

We have finally found a food (Wellness Holistic Select) that seems to agree with her and she likes it and is doing well on it. Of course it is a food that only one store in Little Rock carries and of course its expensive. She is still having times where she doesn't want to eat and I have been giving her unpasteurized goats milk and she likes it and will eat her food.

We have noticed even though she's not competing in agility anymore, she always seems to get a bad stomach when we travel. Vomiting and diarrhea. Guess its just the stress of the travel. She is regularly wearing her Thundershirt at agility trials whether or not its bad weather. I think it comforts her and makes her feel more secure.

This past weekend she met several of my friends at an agility trial and did well with them. Marley has about 5 people she trusts but I think she may be up to 6 after this weekend. :)

Very pleased her overall health right now.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

PRINCESS DIVA

Miss Missy is my 14 y/o Princess Diva. She chose me to be her mom. I was fostering her for CARE and she decided my home was her home and I became a foster failure.

Missy is the sweetest dog ever. She is a gentle, sweet soul. She asks for nothing but love. She is known to come give me kisses after she eats her dinner.


I have always said she's part cat. She loves to lay in window sills and watch nature and loves to sleep on the back of furniture. She loves to swing in the swing with me in the evening.

 
 
This year she has really started hunting mice this year. I think her mouse count is up to close to 20. She also got a squirrel last week! She loves to bring her mice to the front door and lay them all out for me to see.
 

Princess Diva, Missy!

Sunday, April 13, 2014

MISS INDEPENDENT

Molly is my independent girl. She loves to be outside, preferably by herself. If I let all the girls out together, she will hang back and then go the opposite direction. I often catch her just siting in the front yard watching her kingdom.


Even now as a 12 y/o, she can still spend hours outside. She doesn't explore near as much as she used to but she wants to be outside. How she managed to be a city dog for 7 years, I don't know.

She has been by my side for 11 1/2 years and I have loved every second of it. Every Sunday we go to Petco. Somehow she knows when its Sunday. She gets so excited bouncing and barking just waiting for me to snap on her leash. She just loves walking around Petco. Some days we just walk and walk. She's a totally different dog when it's just the two of us. She just loves going with me. She likes going to Lowes too. But sometimes doesn't understand why it doesn't have the great smells like Petco.

 
 



Monday, March 31, 2014

WHERE YOU BELONG, MARLEY

I passed a truck on my way to work the other day advertising the garage where Marley was picked up as an 8 week old puppy. I couldn't help but wonder if that was the idiot that abused her and left her with permanent psychological damage. A defenseless puppy left in a ditch with a wound to her head. What kind of sicko abuses a puppy or any animal?

I came across this lyrics from the ABC Family show 'The Fosters'. I think it suits Marley.

It’s not where you come from,
 its where you belong,
nothing I would trade,
 I wouldn’t have it any other way,
you’re surrounded by love and you are wanted,
so never feel alone,
you are home with me right where you belong
(Kari Kimmel)

Marley needs me like none of my other dogs do. And I need her. My mom loved her Marley and I think about my mom a lot when it's just me and Marley. Makes me feel close to my mom. I remember things my mom used to say about Marley and it brings a smile to my face even as tears roll down my cheeks. Marley is where she belongs.

Monday, March 24, 2014

FUN IN SHREVEPORT

We went to Shreveport the weekend of March 14-16 for AKC Agility. Miss Kalea-Kate had a good weekend. She earned her Excellent FAST Title and Excellent JWW and T2B legs. I cost us 2 Q's by sending her to the wrong end of the tunnel. Have no idea why I did it but it is very clear on video that it was my fault. One of her JWW runs, she apparently read the course map ahead of me but she read it incorrectly and went off course.   :)


The table continues to be a pain in my butt. KK has it in her head that she doesn't have to do it in a trial and it is slowly killing me. She comes to a complete stop at the table and either runs around it or stands there and barks at me. I can get her on the table, but by then we have incurred so many refusals that we NQ. Sunday she actually got on it right away and then......hopped off. OMG! The TABLE is going to kill me!!


Saturday we had some beautiful runs that earned us much needed Q's. She was absolutely precious at the start line of JWW when she couldn't get off the start line because she was watching a cowboy on the side. Once I got her attention, she ran a beautiful run.




It was a great trial for us. It was in a new venue with shredded rubber over sand. It was a difficult surface to run on as a handler, but KK handled it well and 'burned rubber' all weekend!!

We have 2 more trials coming up, one each in AKC and USDAA and then we are on a break until summer.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

MONROE IN MARCH

We went to Monroe, LA last weekend for some AKC agility. It was our first trial that we went to that Marley was retired. She went as KK's best buddy and my older girls, Molly and Missy went too.

KK ran 3 days in Excellent. She earned a T2B Q and an Excellent FAST leg. She had some almosts in JWW. 2 days she dropped a bar but her distance work was outstanding. I'm enjoying not having to run the entire course! She is just getting faster. Her average JWW time was a little over 5.4 yps. Not bad for a young team still finding their way together. Standard was... proof that she's young. For some reason she is balking the table in every standard run and costing us Q's....a lot. Only happens in trials. Does great at practice and at home. Hopefully just a kink that we will get worked out soon. If you measure success in ribbons, then we weren't successful. But I measure our success in how well we run and what positives there were in each run. And there were a lot of positives. So we were very successful!!!

I received tons of compliments on KK and her potential. Made me very proud. :) Makes me want to keep working hard and see how far we can go!!

Monday, February 24, 2014

RETIRED

I made the heartbreaking decision to retire Marley from competitive agility on Saturday. She ran a Standard run in USDAA Saturday and made it through but was slow and when I re-watched her video, it is apparent her body is failing. She is not the same Marley from last year when she was QQ'ing and having stellar trials. After many tears on Saturday, I made that fateful decision.

I decided to let her run on Sunday and I let her do the obstacles she loves and let her leave the ring happy. She was her usual happy Marley self!

I have known since she was 14 months old, that I would have to make this decision. It didn't make it any easier. As sad as it makes me to know that we won't run together again, I have to smile when I think of what we have achieved together. Some people wrote Marley off a long time ago but they actually did me a favor. Their opinions of Marley and her ability actually drove me to prove them wrong. And prove them wrong we did. She earned 3 obedience titles (CD, RN and RA) and 17 agility titles in 3 venues. She also has the distinct honor of being the #1 All American Dog in Arkansas. No other All American dog in Arkansas will ever top her. She's in the AKC history books forever!

She will retire just a few Q's short of 6 more titles. But it's not fair to her to try to keep pushing her when her body is saying 'no'. I could probably pull her along in AKC to finish some titles but I can't push her body to the high standards of USDAA. I don't want to pull her along, I want her to be healthy to run and enjoy herself. So my pretty blue eyed girl is retired. I will let her play some backyard agility and when we go to a NADAC trial, I will let her run Tunnelers.

Marley will continue to travel with us to trials as a buddy to both KK and me. She will be watched carefully and she will receive whatever veterinary care she needs. She needs me in a way none of my other dogs do and I need her.

A judge at her second ever agility trial once told me, "When she grows up, she's going to be a great agility dog". And a great agility dog she was.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

2 USDAA WEEKENDS, 6 TITLES!!

We started our trialing season in McKinney for USDAA. I like the McKinney venue and we usually have good luck there. They have a nice picnic area out back and we take the girls out there on Saturday to let them blow off some steam before going back to the motel.

I entered Marley in 2 Advanced Standard runs. The first day she was awesome and clean until coming down the DW and I saw that little gleam in her eye. You know the little gleam that says 'I'm jumping over the contact zone'. And she did. She leapt right over that yellow with a big grin on her face. But there was so many positive things about her run that far overshadow one error. And she was under time!! We have struggled before in USDAA with not making time and both days she was under time. Sunday she had some Marley moments and had to take an off course tunnel, jump off the Aframe and she cheated on her weaves. One thing I've learned with Marley is regardless of whether she makes an error or not, we keep running. If I stop and try to correct her it frustrates her and we are just better off to just keep running.

Kalea-Kate continued to show she is a consistent little agility dog. She Q'd 5/8 runs. Her NQ's were both Standard runs where she was refusing to down on the table and she was taken off the course and put in her crate. The judge was super nice about it and even offered me some advice. She also NQ'd an Advanced Gamblers run. Got the gamble, but we were totally out of position when the buzzer went off and she ran out of time but she completed the gamble correctly. She finally got her Starters Relay Title, and her Starters Snooker Title. We went for the Q and not the win in Snooker because I wanted that title!!. She also earned her Advanced Jumpers Title (3 out of 4). Very proud of her!!

The next weekend we went to Holly Springs, MS. Marley didn't compete as the dirt there in previous years hasn't been the greatest and I didn't want to risk it with her. But this year the dirt was good.

KK started off with a Q/1 in Starters Standard with me doing a happy dance at the table. She immediately jumped on the table and went down. She was a little leery of the teeter and was crawling up it. Painfully slow. My teeter wasn't weighted down on Thursday and she got on it and was dumped off and then when I got her back on it, Marley barreled up behind her and threw her off. I did put her back on after that and thought she was ok but apparently she had that in the back of her head and was scared of it. The teeter cost us Q's in Snooker and Gamblers. She ran Steeplechase clean but didn't make the time cut off...perhaps when she stopped at the top of the Aframe and admired her kingdom, she lost too much time. In Masters Jumpers I forgot the course. OOPS!

I let someone get under my skin on Saturday and it really interfered with my mindset and game. After a pep talk by a great friend, I decided that I wasn't going to let another person ruin my game. I've let this person upset me for awhile and it's just not going to happen anymore. She's not worth it.

On Sunday, KK and I were unstoppable! She started off with a Q/1 and Title in Advanced Gamblers with a DW in the gamble. Over to Advanced Relay where we ran clean and got a Q/1. Starters Standard required a happy dance at the table and she did the teeter slowly but was upright and not crawling. Q/2 and Title and along with that she earned her Agility Dog Title. The judge was super nice and cheered for us and congratulated us on the table and teeter performance.


KK wanted to give the judge a kiss!!
 

Our last event was Master Jumpers. It was a serpentine all the way across the ring. I was a little worried that it might be over our head. But, KK ran it flawless and won the C22 division running it a little over 5.2 yps. So proud of my baby girl! We are getting it together and our confidence is growing every trial.

Monday, February 10, 2014

ANNUALS

I've gotten a little behind blogging so I've got a little catching up to do.


Because I'm nuts and it's easier for me, I take all 4 girls into the vet for their annuals on the same day. We take a late appointment and they are usually shutting down by the time we leave. They staff are always amazed at how under control all 4 of my dogs are. We get in the door calmly and everyone is usually chilled in the waiting room except for Marley who looks for a corner to hide.


Everyone is healthy and doing well. My two senior girls, Molly and Missy are doing well at almost 14 and 12 1/2 years old. They are getting some old girls bumps and Molly has some arthritis in her knee for which she is on daily meds for.


Kalea-Kate is in excellent health, just a little chubby. She doesn't have a waist, looks like a little sausage. This was her first vet appointment where she didn't do a blood curling scream during the blood draw and fecal. The vet 'noted' she's growing up. :)


Marley on the other had a mixed appointment. Her weight is good (getting ribby) and we discussed getting a few pounds off her for her hip health. Her hemangioma has not healed and we had to have it re-frozen. If it doesn't come off this time, she will have to have it surgically removed. Her wounds from the car accident have healed. The vet noted her hips are stiffer and he doesn't think it will be long before she's on daily pain meds. He looked at Molly and Missy and said ' Marley won't be like them at their age.' I really had to fight back the tears. I feel like we've been living under a dark cloud since her HD diagnosis and now that cloud is getting darker and closer.

I'm coming to terms that we aren't going to achieve her agility goals but I would give back every Q and every Title if it meant she wouldn't be in pain. I want so bad for her to know life without daily pain, but that's not going to happen. I can only love her and give her the best care possible.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

BACK TO CLASS

We got back to agility class last week. It was our first class in probably 2 months. I have been working with KK on distance, independent obstacles, layering, lateral distance at weaves, and rights & lefts over the holidays.  So it was good to get back to class to see where we stand and where our weak spots are and what we need to work on. KK as usual is a little rockstar! Miss Marley came to class too and she was awesome. Good work attitude and very much wanted to please me. That girl loves the cool weather! It was a great class and I learned a lot and left in a very positive mood!!

Next weekend we head to McKinney for some USDAA agility!!! The next weekend more USDAA in Holly Springs.

Monday, January 13, 2014

A YEAR OF TITLES

2013 was a roller coaster year for us. As I think back on it, it seemed like we trialed all year long. But we didn't. This was the first year that Marley was on rest more than she competed. She basically competed in March, June and July. She earned 2 titles but I am more proud that I got to run with my girl. I love all my dogs and have special bonds with all of them, but Marley is my soul. I can never undo what was done to her in her first few weeks of life. I think that is why we are so connected. She needs me in a way none of my other girls do. I have had people tell me to retire her because she doesn't have a high Q rate or because she has her moments when she doesn't seem interested. But what people don't know is that I love to run with Marley. I never know what to expect with her, but whatever she does makes me happy. So I will run with Marley as long as she wants to run with me. And when her hips won't let her run anymore, she will still be my best buddy. Agility has just brought us closer, it doesn't define her.



Kalea-Kate competed almost 9 months and earned 8 titles in 2 different venues. She is improving each and every run. We are learning how to run together and she's teaching me to be a better handler.  I have big goals for KK. She's young and pretty inexperienced, and I don't think she will achieve our big goals this year. But I think 2015 as a 3 year old, she will have some big titles in front of her name! Regardless of when we get those big titles, we will continue running and learning together!

Sunday, January 12, 2014

MARLEY UPDATE

Marley was hit and went up underneath a car on Jan. 2. She knows where she can get out of the fence and she got out. She came in bleeding profusely from a wound to her ear, was limping on the left rear leg and had motor oil all over her face. She spend the next day at the vet. She was lucky. The wound to her ear didn't require stitches and she was placed on pain meds for a few days. She also was having a bad time with her tummy and got put on Flagyl for 10 days to combat the severe diarrhea.

She is driving me nuts wanting to go back out in the front yard to explore. Marley is a smart dog and can open doors. Yesterday she managed to hit the gate latch at the exact time a gust of wind came up and she got out and took Missy and KK with her. Thankfully she didn't stay out long and came back unscathed. Marley is a Marley! :)