Bear's Agility Journey Commences in earnest :)

Since Christmas I have started to let Bear learn more agility equipment and the main focus has been poles (weaves) see-saw and the RC concept.  As he is so tiny I was a little daunted, but we thought we needed to start and see where this takes us.  The video shows some snippets of the sessions we have had with the dog-walk.

The 'good decision' approach I use has enabled Bear to have a good attitude and interest in his learning as well as enjoy doing stuff with me. He is getting stronger with his game play as I endeavor to balance the food and toy rewards so that they strengthened his 'up for it' attitude and motivation for agility. Ultimately I think dogs have their own preferences and it is up to us to tap in to what that is rather than dictate what we perceive to be rewarding.  Learning is so hooked up with preferences, styles, relevance, motivation and connection. It has been a great and rewarding experience for me teaching a youngster of my own again, after-all there is a 5 year gap between Zev and Bear.

As Bear starts to grow up it will be interesting to see how his character grows and develops, as he now is truly into his growing up in terms of his character and working out what makes his world work for him, as any mammal would do that lives in a group. Experience tells me you don't really know what your partnership may be until you get passed as I call it the 'terrible oneis!', but really it not terrible just highly amusing and interesting watching him work out how his world works :)

Kinda happy....kinda bummed...



Christine & Nuts

Nuts has made it to 14, and the wonderment that we had got to that milestone is tempered by the Vets confirmation that he has lymphoma.

There is no more fight left for us to overcome, there is no tablet, diet or physio that can fix it. My ambivalence to birthdays grows as to me they are a marker of time that is lost, that death is coming sooner. The pleasure that others seem to gain from this annual date event is at times quite lost on me. Or as a friend said to me 'everyday is your dog's birthday', which is a compliment indeed.

Nuts

There is no treatment, that will give Nuts additional time. As always I will continue to ensure on daily basis that we do some of his favourite things.

I cannot believe as I look at him, that at some point this year our journey together will be at an end. We have defied so many odds, perhaps we will manage it again. ..

As I type this posting he lays at my side, as always so close. I reviewed all the blog postings that mention Nuts and they show that he has so brought so much to my life and what adventures we have had together.

The relationships and opportunities we have in life are remarkable and so often taken for granted...sometimes we know straight away when its extra special...I knew with Nuts and I have never lost the marvel of how special our relationship is.

 

So I kinda happy and kinda bummed.........but just so thankful that Nuts is still by my side.

The Grunt Work....

Nuts

It crazy and it hard, when your dog grows old and with Nuts it has been a huge learning curve because he is the first dog, that I have been bless to have a bit longer time with. It is a blessing but it is also a lot of grunt work and sometimes. I worry am I being kind or am I being unfair? But as with most things in life you have to rely on 'your gut' feeling or intuition. I can watch for any physical tell tale signs, to see how he is feeling. I know him that well, from the tiniest crinkle in his ear to a tightening of the lips, to just how 'he seems'. Is his quality of life good enough? I like to think so and certainly hope so.

One of the best inventions I have some across and in many ways its simplicity itself (as brilliant ideas so often are) to help Nuts and me in our quest to maintain his strength in his muscles so that he can enjoy his 'bimbles' around, join in the fun and remain included.  It is the Active Balance Ultimate Wobble Board designed by Maria Johnston of Active Balance-Vetphysio.co.uk

The video shows a little session at the weekend, everyday we to a different exercise programme, the sessions are very short and sweet.

 

In the video you can see his him give his paw it has taken 6 months of physio to get him to be able to do this. I can confess my eyes were 'moist' when that happened. When we first started the cavalletti Nuts could not do it and now he is now stepping though and able to complete the exercise.  Another benefit is being able to take Nuts for short walk, when for many months this could not happen.

Nuts

It is all vital part of rebuilding and hopefully maintaining some co-ordination and awareness of his body. It has improved the messages going from his cerebrum to his muscles as the neurotransmitters learnt a new pathway or make reconnections. Having tuition with Maria really gave me the confidence to carry out the programme.

 

All these little improvements mean so much. In reality sure there is somethings Nuts cannot do, like the stairs. But we have learnt to lift his body so that it is safe for us and him. So I guess that it is why it is the grunt work, but really I guess it is more a labour of love....

Christmas is a coming.....



Play in the Snow - Zev and Bear

How I love Christmas and the lights and celebrations that the shortest day has been and gone. It's been a remarkable year and so many highs from Zev winning his second championship certificate, winning the medium pro-plan finals and several qualifying classes plus being a reserve for Team GB and England. Marc with Dixie winning her first championship certificate and qualifying for the semis. Marc with Mister Bigs having 2 wins and 2 seconds at the WAOs in Spain and coming second at a Olympia.  A fantastic achievement and with are so fortunate to have our journey with them.

Marc & Bigs fly the England flag - WAO 2013

Raz and Wings enjoy their retirement. Wings is happy with the telly and other pleasures whilst the grace of Raz as he continues to cope with his lack of sight is humbling.  

And with Nuts I feel very much like the fable of  'King Canute' who tried to hold back the tide.   I fight a constant battle against the ravages of time for Nuts with physio and food and anything else that means he has the best quality of time and life. With his ups and downs over the past two years I really do believe you know when it's time for them even if that time would never be right for me as it would always be far too soon.

Christine & with Rivi, Nuts and Zev 2013

Beautiful Bear is now over a year old, he is as cheeky as he irrepressible, terrific with all the guys and leads me a dance so merry that he constantly makes me smile. Then Beautyoli after such a brilliant start at Easter developed only what I can liken to as stage fright.  I had to pull her out of agility for 2013, which was incredibly disappointing.  As Marc said 'the genius of Rivi is destined to be unknown'.

So Christmas, we can celebrate and look forward to 2014 with excitement already as Big, Dixie and Zev have all been selected for the Team GB squad. (We did not try out for the WAOs for 2014.) Plus Zev and Dixie at in the Agility championship Classes at Crufts 2014. And as Bear watches fascinated by the ritual of us putting up the Christmas decorations and we think of the joy as he spends his first Christmas with us and Nuts magically spends his 13th.......

Happy holidays :):)

Distractions with Bear :)

Well BB or Beautiful Bear, is now 11 months of age. How his puppyhood is a source of entertainment and fun. He has the cutest cheeky personality, yesterday we enjoyed the beautiful autumnal weather and played around in the garden and bear was having fun with distraction training.  I was really pleased with watching this video back, as Bear has found the Rivioli a big distraction at times. But I have managed to turn it around by using a runaround with Rivi as a reward and worked at strenghtening our playing whether it with food or toys or both.

I am also amazed at Bear doing all the jump wings....the seeds of agility are sown. Lets hope ;) In Janary I plan to start his weaves and contact training, depending on the weather,  I know until the shortest day happens in December, the lack of daylight during the week will be an issue. But there is no rush and it means I can remain focussed on his fitness, co-ordination, general life skills and as all ways having a good time.

Then no escaping on video is there, I cued the recall and go past with the wrong leg!! Doh...

It is also just nice to have Nuts on video still enjoying himself and joining in :)