Wednesday just after we lost Sage I saw an URGENT plea for help from my friend Shauna in Idaho. She knew of an Aussie girl in a high kill shelter about to whelp. She posted her story and picture on Facebook. The sad look in the soon to be momma's eyes broke my already broken heart. Sage's importance in my was life laid open and raw...I met Sage's mom when she had been at the shelter heavy with pups...I could not turn my back on this girl in the same predicament. I responded I would take her if I could get help getting her here. I called Darrin at work and causally asked "Hey you don't mind if I bring home a pregnant Aussie bitch do you?" He responded "No no no no no no!!!" Without missing a beat I said "Oh you are breaking up but it sounds like you are OK with it." As he resigned to this new development he said "You are not bringing them into the house!" We will cross that bridge when we come to it, I have been blessed with a nice big kennel...finding a place for her really presented little problem. Christy (rescue volunteer) started figuring out how to move that momma dog to Montana! There were a couple of bobbles in getting her here or so it seemed at first. A ride was available but not for over two weeks and she could not be released until Saturday at closing. We decided that she couldn't wait for the ride and began to formulate a plan to meet half way on Sunday. When I came in Thursday morning (June 17) from chores there was a call from Christy to call her right away. The first words out of her mouth were "You were serious that you would take her immediately, right?" I assured her I was willing and she said "Oh good she left an hour ago!! She will be in Missoula this evening." Barb from Libby happened to be traveling home from Boise area that day. The animal control officer gave momma dog an "emergency pardon" since they wanted her out of there and she had a ride. I made it home with her about midnight that night. My friend Pam insisted I stop by even at that late hour so she could see her.
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The next day was busy getting her cleaned up and assessed by a vet. Pam and I named her Bliss on the way to the vet. An x-ray showed at least 9 pups. It was clear all of her energy was going into those pups her body weight was not ideal. We were worried that she may not have the energy for a long labor. Her new auntie Pam bought her the best food we could find. Pat bought her the calcium tablets the vet wanted her to have. She had a large worm load so I checked on what I could give her. I object to feeding worms. During that first day she was here I made a quick call to friend CJ who has been looking for the right dog for herself. She has been a dedicated Malamute person but has decided to try something a little smaller. I told her "I have someone I want you to meet". It was love at first sight I am happy to say she has a home with CJ, when she is done with motherhood...pending current Malamute's approval. Bliss responded immediately and positively to having found a secure place to have her family. Her eyes started to beam and she happily greeted all of her new friends.

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Thursday (June-24) I got up early and checked her. Other than not wanting to go out she seemed fine. 3 hours later I checked her again and SURPRISE she had 9 wiggling pups. Those pups must have come fast and furious. Bliss was covered in gunk and the pups were wet and gunky too. I helped her clean her babies and then cleaned her up a little too. Once she was nestled in a fresh bed I called Pat. Pat raised several litters years ago she could offer me guidance as to what and when to feed Bliss to help her recover. Other than a little diarrhea Bliss is doing great. She is a young mother but seems to be tending all of her pups. With the help of some friends Bliss's journey has taken a turn for the better.

I lost my Aussie Sage Monday June, 13. Since she was diagnosed with bone cancer two weeks prior I watched her like a hawk for any changes. Saturday I saw her dip but then she rallied. Sunday she was trotting and wagging her bob tail. Even though she was acting better my heart sunk with the knowledge that the sun was setting on my friend. As Monday wore on her face told me she was tired of the fight. She wouldn't eat even the best foods, her trot and tail wag were gone but she felt good enough to wade in her pool. Over all she enjoyed her time that day in the paddock sleeping on a big bed in the shade with frequent visits from me and some of her favorite pack-mates. Darrin came home early from work and we took her to the vet together. From the moment I carried her into the vet until the moment I carried her out was less than 5 minutes. She was gone from us so quickly. Often I think dogs leave this world in the way they lived in it. Sage always was quick to do everything.
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Sage came into my life before she was born. Her mother was at the shelter ready to whelp. I knew if those pups had any chance at all they needed to be born somewhere else. I brought her home and soon Lucy Blue had 5 little ones. I called them "The Greens" the girls were Sage, Olive and Kelly, the boys Hunter And Forrest. I used to hold Sage on my chest when she was just a little handful of a pup. I could feel her heart beating against mine and I knew she was my girl. From a very young age Sage had that look of intelligence. She is pictured here at a little over 3 weeks and already seemed to know who she was. The name Sage fit her perfectly as she had that old soul wisdom. Life with Sage was wonderful and easy. Sage liked everyone and she was smart, willing and easy to train. Sage always wanted to be the best girl. She liked to hug, her crate was on the second level and when I opened the door she would wait until I came up to the crate then she would softly put her paws on my shoulders and press herself into me. I would snuggle my nose into her soft ears and breathe in her essence. This may be what I miss the most. Although Sage learned everything easily she hated going to shows. She earned some titles but she never climbed the ladder to the upper levels. This was fine by me, Sage had other important duties here at home. I could always count on Sage to help me teach obedience classes. She not only was the perfect demo dog but she would work for other people. Being a lesson dog was invaluable. Many of my students over the years have spent time learning some finer points of handling with Sage. Although not typical Aussie, I was in love with Sage's angular face and hard body. I loved running my hands over her well muscled form. If you saw her run, her gait smooth, low, ground covering and easy, you knew you were seeing perfect form. Sage's lo0k was a balance of wild exotic and complete no frills utility. Sage's heart was a balance of intense loyalty and sweetness.

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As many times as I have lost dogs each experience is as different as the dogs I have let go. When Sage died the vet started to tell me he was "sorry" I said "Don't be sorry...she had a great life. She knew every moment she was wanted and loved. She never was afraid or hungry." I am so thankful for the lessons I learned with Sage. In Sage's passing there was a strange peace...peace in knowing I had given Sage happiness and she had given the same...peace in knowing I let her go when she asked...peace in knowing she will be waiting for me and once again will offer me that soul fulfilling hug. Until that day, rest well sweet Sage you are deeply missed.

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I love you little Sagey

The sun peeks into my room and before long Tilly bounces on the bed and snuggles with all her might into my neck. Ahhh a perfect start to a perfect....what the hell is that smell? Tilly who is just in from a potty break has stepped in dog crap!! Thankfully it is only on her back feet so not on my neck and face but it is all over the bed (sheets and blankets) and the floor. After accusing me of having no limits with said puppy, my friends will be happy to know I just found my boundary. Tilly is ejected from the bed.

The sheets are washed for about the third time in a week. Muddy paws the cause before but this tops that. Tonight I was racing the rain to get the sheets off the line. Since I washed blankets too it was easier to leave some of the bedding out there while I made the bed. So the process of making the bed with the puppy under foot began. Walking out to the line Tilly is between my feet. I yank the corner of the blowing sheet out of her mouth. Back in the house first I get the puppy off the bed. Then I move the pillows and move the puppy off the bed again. I get my first two corners of the fitted sheet on and move the puppy again. I get the first two corners back on the bed and cast a evil look at poor Tilly and manage to get corners three and four snugged on before I have to get the puppy off the bed. Out to get the top sheet and first blanket. Tilly sits so sweetly while I make the top sheet sail out across the bed. When I look at her to praise her for sitting so politely she is missing. I get the puppy out from under the top sheet. I shake out the top sheet again and get it perfect, it is followed by the blanket. Tilly lands in the middle of the bed while I tuck them in. Her big blue eyes blink at me. Giggling I land in the middle of the bed next to her. Mid-snuggle I notice it has started to rain. Dang it the pillow cases and top blanket are now wet. They can dry on the towel rack in the bathroom before bed time. It may have taken twice as long to make the bed but it only took a few seconds to make a memory.

My aussie girl, Sage, is in a battle with bone cancer a reminder that it is over too soon. I pray for wisdom to help her with this journey. Yesterday she needed a small dose of pain meds for the first time. Cancer is burning up her calories and her smell has changed. I know we are nearing the end. With a broken heart I watch for a sign from her....Above all I will do what is right for Sage. I can not bare for her to be in pain. Let go when you need to but snuggle them while you can...you don't get this time back.

Most Greyhound people know what cat testing is generally but often they don't know what really happens. I recently cat tested Velocity and thought you might find it interesting to describe to you what I do when I cat test.

Step one is to secure the cats in their chain link kennel. They have a crate to hide in if a dog makes them particularly nervous.

Step two is bring in the leashed and muzzled greyhound. The greyhound sees the cats through a fence.

We then watch to see how the hound reacts, in Velocity's case he was curious. Ears up and eyes bright. His interest was moderate. When he showed increasing interest I corrected him with a collar pop and a firm "NO!" He lost interest and began to avoid looking at the cat. I then brought the cat out from the kennel and again corrected him for increased interest. Again he lost interest. Part one of his test was done.

A couple of days later I retest a dog who I corrected. After thinking about it for a couple of days some dogs decided they really ARE interested in the cats. They respond by being turned on as we come into the cat zone. If this is the reaction they are failed and labeled not cat safe. In Velocity's case he glanced at the cats but showed no reaction to them. When the cat was brought out of the kennel he again looked at it but lost interest. After about 5 minutes of not responding in a negative way to the cat he was then labeled "cat correctable" which means he may be able to live with a cat with proper introductions and supervision.

When I cat tested Run she went into hunt mode almost immediately and the cat knew it. He immediately hid in his crate and would not come out. Cats seem to have a sense for if a dog is dangerous to them or not. Run earned the title of not cat safe in a matter of seconds, the whole test was less than 15 seconds. For the next two weeks she ran to the door we went through to visit the cats and checked to see if she could get to them. Run is gamey, meaning she goes into hunt mode easily. Some dogs don't seem to have any reaction to the cat at all. In fact I have seen my cat go from hiding to actually coming out to rub against the fence by the dog who isn't reacting.

When cat testing greyhounds the safety of the cat and hound are paramount. The greyhound is never off lead and is always muzzled. Even IF the cat comes out of the kennel the dog is carefully restrained and the cat has a place to hide. I personally never use the term "cat safe" I believe greyhounds have been bred to hunt for so many generations we are just not going to override that completely. In addition our testing is not limited. It does not test the greyhound loose with the cat or outdoors. A cat streaking across the yard is very different than the same cat curled up on the couch. There are lots of cats living happily with greyhounds...but that may have something to do with the cats having nine lives thing.

It is hard to tell if Spring is springing or mostly wallowing around with her friend "Winter". We seem to go from almost summer temps to snow in the course of a day. Although spring may be fickle spring things are happening. I can dry towels and sheets out on the line every few days. I never have been convinced that sheets dried outside in the wind are worth the effort. This spring I read some one's blog about how to her that was a true sign of spring...fresh spring wind blown sheets. Inspired by her words I decided to buy some pins and give it a whirl. It has been so wonderful I am getting my PJs out on the line too. The sheets are crisp and smell fantastic. The only draw back is I can not hang sheets on the line that I don't think of that scene in Deloris Clayborne where her employer is yelling from the window "Six pins Delores! Six pins, not five!" Poor Deloris is out there in the cold wind wrestling the sheets onto the line with her cracked and sore hands. Kathy Bates plays Delores and is completely believable. Just once I would like to put sheets on the line and not think of that....forever changed by Stephen King Movie.
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I also have been driving and have been taking Tilly with me in the cart. Which we both have enjoyed...except that one day when the neighbor dog was charging us and she decided to jump out between the pony and the cart. She quickly learned that was not in her best interest. The stupid neighbor's Lab was running the fence and barking like a maniac. Which caused the neighbor to come barreling out of his house screaming at his dog and trying to catch her so he could beat her. With one hand I controlled the pony who was bouncing around trying to keep an eye on craziness of barking dogs and people. With the other hand I was dragging Tilly back into the cart and knocking my whip out of the cart. Once I got the puppy back in the cart and the pony away from the chaos I dropped a rein which required some yoga like contortions to regain. Just as I was saying "whew crisis averted" the wind came screaming down the down the canyon smacking both me and my pony in the face. Then it started to rain. Having had my fill of "fun" for the day we wheeled around and headed back to the safety of home!

I read in dog books that dogs were supposed to wait politely for us to go through doors first. Before I met Izzy I thought that was some kind of law. But Izzy didn't read that book and didn't give a damn what it said she always rushed ahead of me. At first I corrected her but after a couple of years I gave up, honestly breaking that rule never hurt us. Looking back at my time with Izzy I realize that there was precious time lost trying to do everything right. She was a wild puppy but I spent too much time trying to control her. Don't get me wrong it isn't like I have a lot of regret. Sharing my life with Izzy was amazing. She could make me laugh and bring light even on my darkest days. I loved her quick and funny little way of thinking. But with Tilly I see myself not worrying about what the books other people wrote say. I spend more time loving her puppy antics and almost no time worrying about what rules other people live by. Having traveled both roads I highly recommend throwing the rule book away. Embrace the fullness of the quirks, the laughter and even the tears.
As I began to realize Izzy's time with me was coming to a close my heart begged her to stay. "Please, please don't leave me" was a mantra I rarely uttered but that rang inside of me with every breath. After she died I looked and looked for signs of her spirit lingering but found nothing. Still my heart kept up the plea that she stay with me. Tonight after dark I headed out to pull the the dog towels off the line. Dusk was with me he was clowning around and even got into the ditch and laid down. I kept a close eye on him in case he got chilled and had trouble. As he stood in the ditch he kept locking eyes with me and I would ask him "What's up Big Guy?" When he was done with the ditch and safely back on land I went for the towels. As I stepped into the shadows heading to the clothes line I saw movement dash by my right side nearly cutting me off. I lurched to avoid stepping on the dog. I looked one way and then the other and there was no dog under foot or anywhere near. Dusk was standing in the light 30 feet away ears up, eyes bright and grinning at me. We locked eyes again and he seemed to be saying "did you see her?" I knew it was Izzy who once again rushed in front of me. Call it a ghost, a memory or a fluke...no dog training book covers this. I realized Izzy had been with me all along and now she has entrusted my care to Tilly. She rushed in front of me her whole life and now finally she rushed on to the rainbow bridge. Another step of letting go...and yes I am embracing it.

I love watching the relationship between a dog and their owner. Tonight I taught a tracking class. In the class is a 12 year old Great Pyrenees. I met this dog almost two years ago when her owner started her in a basic obedience class. I suppose most people wouldn't bother training a dog during the tenth year. But the spouse of this gal had been training a Tervuren puppy and the Pyr and her owner felt left out. Suz, shyly asked me about starting Kenzie (the great Pyr) and I encouraged her. We would let Kenzie tell us how much she wanted to do. As it turned out Kenzie loved it and within a few months Suz and Kenz were hitting the ring in Rally obedience. They earned a rally title with a few nice class placements and have been dabbling in the regular obedience ring. Tonight she tried tracking for the first time. I have a mental snap shot of the two of them jogging up my green hill grinning at each other after a nice second track. I was standing with a couple other students and I marveled at how much Kenzie had changed and how proud I was that Suz keeps working her even at 12 years. "WHAT?! She is 12?" said one of the students. "I thought she was 5 or 6" I looked again and you know she really does look 5 or 6 years. Learning and being useful has helped melt the years. Better to blossom late than not at all!

I am working with another student whose dog is blossoming right before my eyes. She just adopted a 6 year old Rottweiler girl from Missoula Animal Control. She said the moment she saw that rott she knew she they belonged together. Despite the Rott carrying 150 pounds on her frame built for about 90 and despite the immediate need for dual eye surgery to correct a double dose of cherry eye AND hypo thyroidism...it was love at first sight. The way I see it with all that baggage that big black dog didn't have a snowball's chance to make it out of that shelter...but she did! This week I can see big changes in her. She has lost weight and her face looks completely different, there is light in those eyes. I laughed as the owner told me when she takes her girl out for a drive people look at her corvette with their eyes and NOT their hands. But the biggest laugh was when the big rott girl flopped on the floor and the owner started rubbing her and telling me how much she loved this dog. The rott was blissed out legs akimbo, lips flopped back almost to the floor and ears open like a pups. It was then I spotted the real charm of the scene. Her toenails are as big as my little finger and every one of them is painted a dark shade of red.

I love dog people!!