January,2010

Thank you...

Class was very generous during this holiday season.

The Christmas bonuses I received brought a big smile from me as it helped the 2009 class budget.  I was able to keep the price increase for 2010 almost non existent.

Well, the turnout set the record for Christmas 4 Dogs. We had 42 dogs turn out for this event that lasted 6 hours and thanks to the hard work of Matt, Jody and myself everyone that wanted it received two runs with their dogs. Jody was kept pretty busy for awhile doing sign ups and explaining to people what to expect during their runs. Mary step in and acted as our hospitality person.

All five arenas where used and needless to say we had to move the running order around to give the sheep a rest.Jerry even gave a few runs to a couple of children (who did not have a dog themselves) with  Pic.

Curley Ortiz outdid his best effort with the BBQ. The meat I was able to sample between runs was delicious! Many brought items for the pot luck!

Thank you Curley the BBQ was great! 

There is a lesson here, I think.

So it looks like we are out of action for 6 to 12 weeks. Saturday morning while we were out walking with Annie on a gentle leader, we were attacked by a neighbors dog who had escaped her yard (the neighbors had left her for the 4 day holiday weekend by herself!).

She came out of nowhere and came straight for me. Annie tried to intercede but I had her on the leash and she wriggled on the end and managed to free herself and went after the dog. the other dog was much smaller and no match for Annie except in wriggling free from the gentle leader she injured her neck.

Two days of testing later and we found that she has calicification around C5, fairly typical for GSDs but when she violently shook her head she pinched the nerve root around C5.

The vet described it as a knife like pain. the area became inflamed and now it will take at least 6 weeks and probably 12 for it to calm down. Having seen her in pain for 3 days, I know it is time well spent.

So the first thing I learned is that when my German Shepherd wants to protect me, I let her. the second thing is I throw away the gentle leader

As for coming back to class, if she is okay I am thinking about splitting the difference and coming back in the beginning of February to just heavy sheep; I know Annie hates them since they are boring but she can't afford to go on one of her search and grip missions with her neck not fully healed. anyway....it could have been a helluva lot worse.

She is home tonight....and asleep. glad to be in her own bed See you in 2010.

Steve

January,2010