This & That

Spinner’s 18th Birthday

Photo courtesy of Erika Maurer

February 19th marks Spinner’s 18th Birthday. When I announced his 17th Birthday I never thought I would be celebrating his 18th but here we are. He is just as active as he was a year ago and continues to go for walks around the property twice a day. The only obvious change is some deterioration with his eyesight, but he can still see.

January this year he had his first “Dental” and we put him under and cleaned up his teeth. My thanks go to his vet Dr. Suzanne Hennessey and the staff at Pismo Beach Vet Hospital (especially Julie). We did extensive tests and x-rays of heart etc. before venturing down this path and anesthetizing him. His mouth was in need as he was no longer getting the bones, etc. to clean his teeth naturally. It would be completely irresponsible of me if he became sick from a bacterial infection that I could prevent. He came through just fine. I am supposed to brush his teeth and for those of you who know his propensity to play with ANYTHING (including stethoscopes, Mary Ellen’s feet, etc.) using a toothbrush requires the element of surprise before he grabs it and tugs with those vice like jaws he has:)

I attribute his longevity in part to his unwillingness to give up his throne. He continues to boss Gifted around and chases him down the driveway every chance he gets. Gifted is content to stay out of his way and thankfully doesn’t rise to the bait. There was one incident when I did have to intervene, but Gifted backed down when I told him to and there has been peace since. I see no point in Spinner and Gifted getting into it as I believe Spinner will not go down gracefully and as Gifted is content to be in a subordinate position I will help maintain the status quo between them.

With the passing of so many of his generation recently I feel really lucky and honored to still have him with us.

Happy Birthday to a really special dog!

USDAA Cynosport Games 2009

4th place for Fable’s Team with Bill Pinder and Cajun and Mary Ellen Barry and EZ

10th place for Stuie’s team with Jen Pinder and Taser and Neta Jones and Toast

I was especially thrilled with the continued progress Stuie has been making since August this year. Our summer expedition seemed to help her confidence. Working in different locations, inside and out, different equipment and coping with being a demo dog some of the time. I am really looking forward to seeing how much more she can improve in 2010. It was just wonderful to step to the line knowing that she can run the same Gamble and Snooker course as Fable and has put up faster times than Fable.

Fable had some great runs too and but for an uncharacteristic slip after the long jump where she was unable to recover for the next jump she put up the 5th fastest time in Steeplechase semis. That may have rattled her as she crashed the first bar in GP semis – an even more unusual error (maybe twice in her career) but not unlike her to be affected by the slip – so no individual finals for her this year but maybe next year for both of them…..

Spinner and Whist turned 17 & 15

Despite a 2 1/2 week long episode of vestibular disease at Christmas, Spinner is back fighting fit chasing his son around the property—trying in vain to control him… failing that when he is too tired to get up and organize him, he barks his loudest at him (funny coming from a dog who never made a sound)…

Spinner and Whist continue to exercise around the property going for two walks a day. Although both can still make it around the whole trail, we now only take them for 3 laps of the lower path as the steep hill at the back of the house is a little dangerous when they come down.

Whist is not quite as steady on her back legs (but considering she has mild Hip Dysplasia—she’s not doing too bad). She still has some hearing and good sight. This evening she was playing with Gifted.