Yasashiikuma

Today’s post is all news about red dogs.

Rachel and Draco

Over in Holland, Draco has started his show career with a bang! On March 3, at the International Dog Show in Groningen he earned his first full CC. On March 18 he won Best of Breed at the International show in Hazerswoude Dorp, and on the 26th, at the French Corgi club show he was best male and best Junior under UK judge Fran Fricker.   A very nice start for Rachel and Draco!  I love his expression, he looks so much like his mama Dolly, in the face.

As hard as it was to place her anywhere, the perfect home came along for Jaime.   She has gone to live with Rolf and Karen in Gravenhurst.   She is somewhere where she can be loved and spoiled and have 24/7/365 attention, as she is home with Karen during the day, and will travel with them on vacations.   Her new companion is a cat that she has already bonded with, and she will have grandchildren to play with.   A perfect situation for her, even if he absence leaves a hole here.  Hopefully, there will be lots of visits since she isn’t too far away!

Chai – the Hebrew symbol for “Life”

I love the fall colours, the crispness in the air, and the beautiful Indian Summer days. In fact for many reasons fall should be my favourite season, except that the period from August 14 – October 17 the calendar is spotted with far too many sad anniversaries – the loss of my mother, father, Bill & Chris. That, combined with the declining daylight hours, make it a hard period to get through.

Yesterday was one of those sad days. Eight years ago someone I loved very much made the choice to end, what he felt, was unbearable suffering. I’ve never talked much about this with anyone, because its always been a “taboo” subject, as well as a controversy. Did he die of natural causes as the pulmonary embolism indicated, or did he die as a result of the massive doses of drugs he took? We’ll never really know. I just know that he chose death, when there could have been so much more life available to him.

In another 30 days, it will be the one year anniversary of Chris’ death. Again Chris made choices through his life, some of which contributed to his untimely death. The choice to not refuse the morphine that he became addicted to at the end, and which eventually killed him, was again a sad choice ending a special life far too soon.

Right now I should be packing for a trip to Europe. I had planned on going on a cruise on which James Van Praagh would be holding seminars for people who booked with his group. Unfortunately I had to make a choice also, and my choice was to save a little red dog who had a great joy for life, and a deadly condition. Perhaps I’m crazy, but I just couldn’t handle any more death.

Someone else in my life has made a choice – and I’m proud of her. My sister has been diagnosed with breast cancer – and she’s chosen to fight it in every possible way available to her. Talk about not taking any bull!! She doesn’t take “we don’t know” for an answer, and she is just amazing as she battles this. I can’t say that I would have her courage. Love you Phyllise!

As I brought the dogs in tonight, Jaime took one wild frap around the yard at full tilt, barking and weaving around Rocky, who I think and hope is also perpetuating the Circle of Life. As she barked and ran with such joy all the questions in my mind fell away.

There was no “choice”. To choose life is the only answer.

Sometimes I feel like faster I go, the behinder I get!! There just never seems to be any time

Here are a bunch of quick updates

Day 2 of the Western Reserve Specialty – Dragoon was Reserve Winners Dog under Nancy Cunliffe. Out of the six times Dragoon showed over the weekend he won his class all six times.

He is now back home – and will be having his Canadian debut at the Markham Kennel Club shows.

Despite Murphy’s attempts to throw me off track and prevent any litters from being born here this year, Rocky has been bred, thanks to the assistance of Rob Paterson and Kelly Shane. Of course I won’t know if it is successful for another few weeks, but at least the swimmers arrived without issue this time!

Jaime continues to improve, although she still wears her “track suit” when she’s outside, to prevent sunburn and insect bites on her naked side. Last week Robbie stayed at my house with her while I went to work, and to the Specialty. She was left alone for the first time today, and seems just fine, although I am paranoid of every unusual breath she takes. She is going everywhere with me – including to the CKC for an audit committee meeting. This photo was taken by Joe Mauro to introduce the latest committee member … Jaime! I plan to write an article for the next Bulletin on Chylothorax – if one more dog can be saved it will be worth the effort.

I think that is all the news. I’ll catch up on the weekend if anything more comes to mind.

I was on the way to drop off Dolly for the Barrie show today when I got a call from the vet at OVC with the good news that he had removed Jaime’s chest tube and she was ready to come home because there was no more fluid around her lungs!

So thank you to everyone who was praying for her recovery….once again proof of the power of the power of prayer. Only 72 hours ago she was given less than an 50/50 chance….and her she is at home in her track suit enjoying the chest skritches she feels she has earned.