Eau de Lin Saves The Day

When a bitch comes into season, the boys brains move errr... southward... as is evident in my household right now with the boys whining and pleading. Lin came in, followed quickly by Remy (both are Andrea's aussies). The boys are telling us Lin is *verrry* beautiful right now - excellent timing as coincidentally Andrea is receiving a shipment of swimmers for her tomorrow!

Lin is a very caring and giving dog. When I received an email plea from a rescue person (eleanor) who has been trying to capture a stray dog who has for weeks eluded capture and was hoping that eau de bitch-in-season would do the trick, Lin was more than happy to donate to the cause. This dog has defied capture for quite a long time, and has been living in midtown crossing the most busy parkways of our city at turtle speed for months and has not yet been hit (a miracle). The first try (on Saturday) didn't work but today we got the call that it worked, and he's in rescue custody now.

Good job Eleanor! Good job Lin!!!

Happy Chickens!

Chickens are creatures of habit, I've learned. I've never had chickens to care for before, so I had no idea, but they're very.... persnickity... critters.

They get upset if you change their routine. They get upset if you say.... move the crate they've been laying their eggs in. (see post a few days ago). Yep, I confess... I did it. I cleaned out their crate and set it outside to dry. They quit laying eggs for almost a week to punish me. Andrea was kind enough to move their other laying boxes up off the floor of their stall so they'd have somewhere to lay but they didn't care.

I was convinced they'd just decided to lay them somewhere else, but I looked *everywhere*.... Both barns, all the stalls, up high, down low... nooks, crannies, in the arena. Nothing. Zilch. Nada.

I couln't imagine they would lay outside in the trees, but I looked around their haunts over there, too. Zero.

Then two days ago I went out there and voila... the chickens are happy again, there was an egg in the crate in the feed room That night, there were two. One there, one in the box that Andrea made for them. They've since started using their boxes for their eggs, and are happy chickens once again, which means that I, too, am a happy camper. I've missed my eggs! It's always a little bit like christmas every day to go out and find one, or two, or today there were three, eggs waiting for me!

Thanks girls!

Mica Mica Parvae Stella

When the darkness begins to settle like a blanket over the land is when i often find myself out at the barn doing chores, tending the animals, enjoying the cooler than boiling heat of the day to spend a few minutes looking over the lambs, or walking the dogs. Last night was a night much the same as that and as I looked out towards the field, there, on the left, is a dense line of trees between the property and the next and it happened to glow.

With twinkles all over the place it looked like the night sky had fallen to earth and landed right here in the back pasture - against the trees. In the open air field there was nothing. Against the trees were thousands of little irridescent green lights blipping on. Blipping off. I sat and watched it for at least 20 minutes, mesmerized by the show. The painting shown came from here:http://www.streetmorrisart.com - the artist is Robin Street-Morris and it's titled Firefly watching II. Enjoy!

I'll Take Her

Every scrap I know today about dogs, training, animal behavior and dogsports
I've learned because I said "I'll take her."

Every friend I have across the States, Canada, England, Finland, Sweden, Australia, Germany, Hungary and all points in between, I have because I said "I'll take her."

Every rescue I've saved, every stray reunited with their owners, every dog of my own, they all have their good fortune today because I said "I'll take her."

They're just three little words, but 10 years ago they altered the course of my life, and hers, and countless others as well. Whoda thunk?

The dog, of course, is Willow the Perfect. She didn't start out that way that's for sure! I had already decided I wanted a siberian to show, and was on a list, but couldn't let a 5-month old baby go to the pound because her owner was irresponsible and let her roam. The first few months were a battle - food bowl aggressive, alpha, and all attitude. I won, thank goodness! :) Those of you who know me today laugh at that thought, but back then...

She was the most beautiful dog I'd ever seen. I didn't know much in the way of conformation to be sure. My eyes and hands quickly learned, though my heart did not. My undershot, easty-westy, cow-hocked girl (with the nice topline, huh Patty - smiles) is still one of the most beautiful dogs I've ever been blessed to cross my threshold.
In her middle years Willow earned her CGC and could have easily earned obedience titles, but we never pursued it, I was always so busy. Known as Air Willow for her ability to flat-footed jump up and look me in the eye (I'm 5'8"), she was my "go to" dog for siberian specific and canine education events, or when neighborhood kids just wanted to love on a dog.

She was my first therapy dog - not certified - but she didn't need to be to visit grandma and mama during their battles. She showed me the profound specialness of pet therapy and of giving back. She helped an amazing number of rescues with no dog skills learn how to properly interact with other dogs. She is the *best* with kennel barkers. Just crate her next to one and when they start up, she just goes off one time, and poof... instant silence from the offender. I've often wondered what exactly she said, and how I could say the same thing as clearly and effectively. She was never a show dog, never a great contributor to performance or other such things, but I proudly named my kennel after Woo, who in her little way, gave so much. She will forever be the heart of WooPak.

I had at first decided to keep this close to home while we dealt with things but after my most recent news I decided that we, Willow and I, will celebrate and share this final chapter of our journey as we celebrated every other part of it - with our friends. I realize there's nothing worse than someone prattling on and on about how perfect their fur-kids are (smiles), so forgive me this once. She is, after all, the perfect dog. Yes, indeed. "I'll take her."

I've always said she'd live to be 17. No one ever guessed her to be anywhere near her age, she's always been so youthful. Sadly that is not in our cards. After her fall down the stairs in late December, she was doing well for a short while and then she quit using the injured leg completely. Just days after her 10th birthday a trip to the vet confirmed what my heart told me. She has Osteosarcoma (bone cancer). After that unwelcome news and discussions of possible methods of dealing with it, I told my vet I wanted to take a few days and absorb this and to think about how best to proceed with her limited options. Within a few short days the relatively small mass at the break site more than tripled in size, and worked its way well up the thigh and onward, thus making the decision for us. Its extremely aggressive growth has astounded both myself and my vet, and it means our time left together very limited indeed.

Her greatest pleasure these days is a jaunt outside the fenced yard and so we go for sniff-abouts on her good days. She has always been queen of the house, and still is, ruling from her ex-pen in the den, she shows her pearly whites with a grumble for any of the fur-kids foolish enough to race by or show interest in her dinner. Gandalf, an old-fart, gimpy aussie and another very special dog for me, has decided Willow is his special lady, and he can most often be found laying outside her expen door keeping her company whether she wants it or not - most often not - which gets HIM a grumble and a show of pearly whites for his efforts. Like an old married couple he ignores her bad moods and like a lovesick fool, he stays put. He, too, is the best of dogs.

All those years ago, I said "I'll take her" I had no idea that it was she, my Woo, who would really lead this journey. How lucky am I to have been blessed with her.

The Sanskrit word Namaste means 'I honor the spirit in you, which is also in me."

I refuse to regret what we will not have. I choose to celebrate what we've been given and what we have left. I encourage everyone to join me and celebrate this remaining time with us in your own way. Special time with your furkids on a sniff-about, extra scritches, candles and warm thoughts, a trip to the ice cream parlor, or perhaps mackerel for the furkids (though not everyone should do that, Willow says most of it should go to her!).

Namaste, friends.

**More photos and this post can be found at www.tishbrockmire.com/willow.html

'Sarge' Ch Keesbrook Magic Royal Mountie RN, AX, OAP, AXJ, OJP, CGC, TT 11-08-1996 to 06-19-2008

It is with a heavy heart that I must report that today my great friends lost their very special boy, Sarge. He was a first for Becky in many ways - her first AKC titles, her first agiltiy dog, but most of all, an excellent teammoate and steadfast companion. He will be sorely missed by many, myself included. Godspeed to Sarge.

This is particularly difficult for me as Sarge and my Willow were diagnosed with similar cancers within a couple weeks of each other. Unfortunately for Sarge, the location of his was more difficult to enable a longer stay here with us, and I am reminded today to count each day as a blessing as Willow and I go through her final journey.

Every day

Something happens.

This week I've been working desparately to get a 3 month old puppy with a broken leg to a safe harbor. I believe he's found one. Amen! His leg was broken 3 weeks ago when he was hit by a car and it was never set (can you imagine?) He's actually healing very well and the Ortho specialist that we sent the x-rays to thinks that we should leave it alone for now and reevaluate it in 3 more weeks to make sure no nerves were pinched, but otherwise, we're gonna leave it alone.

Other than that, we're doing inventory at work. I've never detail-zoned so much in my life and i'm just plain worn out! Andrea is out of town (LR, AR) working and I'm home by myself all week. Lin is in season, leaving me another group to xrcize. Luckily sh'es not standing just yet.

The biggest bummer is that I hacked off the chickens (took out the crate they were laying in to clean it) and can NOT figure out where the heck they're laying the eggs now. I'm very sad about that!!! I love getting the eggs in the morning and at night. sigh. I'll keep looking. I know they're *some*where!

The Times They Are A'Changing

SO much has happened since ... holy cow... December of 2006.... the last time I posted here... 18 months ago.

My life it revolves around my dogs. Willow fell down a flight of stairs in late December and broke her leg. After a trip to the Orthpaedic specialist, it was repaired... she was bionic. She blessedly turned 10 in February of 2008, just about a week before a vet visit to examine swelling at her break site. The break released the cancer... She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Today she is on prednisone and doing marginally well. She's sore a lot, but is still happy and reasonably healthy. Median survival after diagnosis is 4-6 months so we are at the 4 month mark, and I am hoping she'll be here for my birthday in late September. I hope.

Everyone else is well. Wren was sent to a wonderful family in California after she didn't pass a hip exam for the second time. My vet recommended that she be retired from agility. I am very proud of my girl. Besides being 100% devoted and a wonderful dog, she is *still* the only Finnish Lapphund bitch in the country to have an AKC agility title. We now have several males with them.

After placing Wren, I got Yeti (Sugarok Best Yet)... He is the *sweetest* dog ever... I adore him. He'll do well in the show ring when he matures in a couple years (he will be 2 in November 08). I also have Oona (Jakalakummun Oona)... I hadn't planned on getting her, but she was a bit much of a dog for Linda, and she offered her to me after 24 hours in a hotel with her... LOL. Oona is a great dog, very high drive and lots of energy. (I call her my crack head)... she's the smartest lappie I've seen, and does very well in conformation and obedience already. I look forward to lots from our time together.

Stan, my aussie, my wonderful Stan-the-boy, is also doing well. He's got an advanced leg in ducks, has earned a HIT Aussie, and has been the best dog to learn herding with. I am his and he is mine.

I'll try to keep this updated now that I remembered it's here!