Helen's Home World

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Birthday Tucker

Tucker would have been twelve years old today. Since he was born on Halloween, I always dressed him in costume and I told the little trick or treaters that came to my door that it was his birthday. The reaction from the littlest ones was priceless, they would tell him "Happy Birthday" and usually run and tell Mom or Dad, "It's the doggie's birthday." I'll miss that this year.

Devil Prince

Tucker's passing still brings me some worries; should I have taken him to the vet, could they have saved him, was he in real discomfort? I think I kind of knew in my heart though that it was his time and wanted to have a few more hours with him; I thought that if I took him the vet's office I might have had to make that last decision and would left the office without him and not had the chance to spend those last few hours with him.

Tucker and big brother Gryffon

I found this poem on line shortly after his passing to the Bridge. I had never seen this one before even though I looked for poems such as this when Ceilidh passed away. Perhaps my heart did hear the whispers of Tucker's voice. Tucker seemed to have a peaceful passing and even though I was with him, he went without a sound while I was asleep so I didn't actually see him leave on the journey.

While you could not speak the words,

I could hear the whispers of your voice.

Telling me it was time to go,

to celebrate your life and rejoice.

You decided it was time to go and

find your resting ground.

You lay down your tired head and

went without a sound.

In my heart I know you loved me,

as much as I loved you.

I pray you've found the peace,

that's helped to see me through.

I thank you for all the joy in my life

and the smiles you've brought to me.

May God guide you on your journey and

may your spirit always run free.

Anonymous

Tucker Remembered

Thank you, Tucker, for all the wonderful memories!!

Happy 12th Birthday, Tucker!!

Tucker and Ceilidh

Fly free, Tucker Boo! See you on the other side.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

More Pumpkins

So the pumpkin I carved tonight is the Grim Reaper. He was a little more difficult than the Creepy Tree, I did last night. I had carved the bottom piece out first and then the next one up from that. I thought the pumpkin was going to come apart as I sawed out the teeth but it turned out alright.

Sandy was a bit of blow here; so far we've only had wind and very little rain. It's supposed to rain tomorrow but I guess the worst is over. I hope everyone who is without power or flooded out of their homes has somewhere warm and dry to stay and that they'll be back home soon.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Stormy Evening

I carved a pumpkin tonight, scroll down to see which one. I'll do a second one tomorrow night.

Mish Mash Monday

Beckett and Keltic weren't very happy to try on their Halloween costumes but they don't seem to mind the Halloween scarves at all. I guess that's not so embarrassing.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Beckett gets MAD

Beckett got MAD this weekend, MADC that is. With his third Masters Standard Qualifying score, he got his Masters Agility Dog of Canada title. Now we only need five more Q's for his Agility Trial Champion of Canada title, three Gamblers and two Snookers. I checked the AAC statistics for Tucker and Beckett last night and it took took over 2.8 years for Tucker to go from his first Q to MADC, it took Beckett about 1.7 years to achieve his MADC. I know there are dogs who have done this quite a bit faster but given our level of effort, I'm very proud of my Beckett. If he had a more focused, dedicated and fitter handler, I'm sure he would be a world class agility dog.

The weekend started with two Gamblers. The first one, required a send out past a jump to the dog walk. I tried using the jump to flip Beckett out to the dog walk but it didn't work. There were very few dogs that actually got this Gamble; in fact Beckett with 37 opening points placed second in his jump height. The second Gamble, I thought he had a chance of doing. It was a tunnel, weaves (both nearly on the line), out to another tunnel then finishing with another jump. I thought Beckett would do the tunnel weaves and probably have difficulty getting out to the second tunnel. We ran into our difficulty earlier than expected when he popped out of the weaves.

Masters Standard 1

Masters Standard 2

Next up was the two Standard runs of the day. He got his Q in the first run. Right at the beginning of the run, he nearly got hung up in the tire; I heard the tire rattle rather than really seeing it. The next obstacle after the tire was the chute; I was a bit behind him so he turned towards me and did a little spin but I got him straightened out and the rest of the run was really nice. The run was good enough for second place, he was beaten by a very fast Jack Russell who is, in fact, the number 3 dog in the AAC for Q's this year. Beckett's second Standard was just beautiful. It ran like a Steeplechase, fast and flowing; only one problem, I released him from the dog walk a moment too soon and he missed his contact. He was the only dog in his height class not to Q but when I looked at the course times, he was not only the second fastest in his height but his time was the fourth fastest of all the Regular dogs.

Next up was our Snooker run, we decided to do only three reds and then do the close rather than trying for the fourth red. The run was going beautifully and we were doing the close when Beckett crashed the double jump. It was the second part of obstacle 5 and we needed obstacle 6 to Q. This is not the first time Beckett has crashed down onto the second bar of the double; I don't think he sees the width of the jump. I'm going to be making myself a double jump and will retrain this over the winter with a different command.

Our last run of the day was Team; it was only Beckett's second time in Team. Right away, I had to wrap a jump and Beckett, who had been wrapping jumps beautifully all day decided now to back jump, then on the A-frame tunnel discrimination, he took the tunnel instead of the frame. So no chance for our partners to Q but I felt a little better when our partner missed the weave entry. So we still do not have a Team Q to our name but then we've only done two.

So it was quite a good day, although by the number of Q's, you wouldn't know it. We have two more trials this year, I'm hoping another Gamblers Q will be in the cards for us but if not I'm sure we'll have fun.

Now that he can say he's a Master Agility dog, I think Beckett's new nickname for Keltic is "Grasshopper".

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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother