Chapter 1: New beginnings new adventures.

This past weekend was a big memorable weekend of firsts, I've opened the book for a new Chapter in my life to begin ... and so it starts. It was the first time back in the ring with Gyp since losing Kaleb. It was Fitz's first time tagging along at the busy Agility environment. It was my best friends first time in the ring with her boy, her 6 year old daughter ran Gyp for the first time at an outdoor trial - they have been training for the last month and are really making great strides - they earned their first Jumpers Q. It was the first time traveling with this "New Crew" ... it's OK, I'm OK with it. It's different, and it's just the beginning.

BFFs Acey and Gyp - they earned their first Jumpers Q!

So you know how people say "they are always with you in spirit" apparently that is true ... and seriously Gyp ... you weaved a numbered cone a full 360? And then you circled me twice herding me over a jump? I am pretty sure that is the first time a crowd of spectators ever laughed at US on course and twice in one day. It was totally fantastic. People commented "that was a K-man move", and it sure was. He was there to remind me to let go, and have some fun. We got our poop in a group on day 2 and we ran 3/3 and were back to clicking as we always do. The first day was hard for me to really focus. I cried a couple times for K over the weekend, and it was nice that people had nice memories about the boy. I know Gyp misses her sidekick too. I walked a course thinking about how I would handle for him. And seeing the end gamble, I knew it was one he would get. I'm sure that will happen for a while. It makes me smile and gives me a gut ache at the same time. My challenge is to remained focus on Gyp, and love every minute of it as I always have with her.

Fitz enjoying his first agility trial

But having Mr Fitz at the trial kept me just as busy as Kaleb would ... he was always my most high maintenance dog! It's funny, people that met Fitz asked if he reminded me of Jane - and really besides that he is white and recognized as a JRT by breed, that's pretty much where it ends. Jane was so driven by fear, she only had eyes for me, I always had my guard up around her, she couldn't be trusted, and she was fiercely loyal to me. With all of that she was my greatest teacher. Then there is Fitz. He is the picture of confidence, friendly with everyone, funny, silly, full of himself and then some, driven to go, and he does not take NO for answer. So yes, it's true, he is more like Kaleb :) This puppy is perfect for us.We had no idea when we name him Fitz - just how much that would really mean!!

He is 15 weeks old now, and wow we have learned so much together already!  We are registered for 2 puppy seminars this summer. One a one day seminar, and another a 3 day Puppy Camp in BC. I'm also working with Loretta Mueller via cyberspace, and she's helping me stay on track with a program to help me build the best working relationship with this guy.  I respect her training style and the results she gets in her own, and students dogs. I'm venturing into some new training territory with him - running contacts among other things, and having her one-on-one guidance is awesome. It is not only helping my relationship with him, but will benefit my training and teaching overall. 

I was going to list the things we are working on, but honestly, there is just so much ... for instance, I lost count at over 100 people and 70 dogs met. And apparently, none of them are strangers - they are all his best friends. It is a challenge having a dog so friendly, but it has always been important for me to have an outgoing dog (atleast socialized to the point of being able to handle almost any situation in public etc) - so we are working on the balance and so far, so good. He is recalling off of playing with other dogs and learning focusing on me as the giver of all things great and glorious. I love his drive, and we are working on creating a sold work ethic. This puppy is a shining light, a total joy, and he also has very sharp teeth ... and he knows how to use them.

Mr. Fitz 14.5 weeks old

Generation Gap

14.5 year old Pleat, and 14.5 week old Fitz. They are good pals.

I got an email from Jenny telling me that Pleat has an 11 year old who is retiring after running the bluegrass this weekend ... That sure puts it into perspective how old he really is!

Happy weekend everyone!!

All we are saying is give Peace a chance.

In acceptance there is Peace.

Honor the past.
Live in the present.
Create the future.

If there is something I've learned about death (and in the last year I've lost the only 2 beings ever to leave my life) it's that some things that maybe seemed important, really aren't in the whole scheme of things. And some things that didn't seem all that important in the past, really are ... If that makes any sense at all. I feel an inner peace that I've never really felt before, or atleast in a long time. My life has changed so much, I have no choice but to embrace it, move on and enjoy the ride. So as a reminder, the dogs will help me remember that with their new collars.

12 weeks of fits and tantrums, I mean Fitz.

He's very opinionated, feisty, relentless, cuddly, cute, silly, brave, fearless, confident, sassy, endlessly happy, never-tiring, smart-smart-smart, need-teethed little monster. That is Mr. Fitz. Did I mention cute?


I'm learning to know when his best training times are with him: mid afternoon and evening (sometimes 11pm when he decides to go feral). He is not a morning dog! If we train in the morning it is very fast and very short. I'm learning so much every day, and every day is changes. I'm loving the adventure.


Many life lessons .... he has met 60 ish people, 30 ish dogs - none of which he considers to be strangers. He is a friendly, outgoing guy. He has been to many places, many surfaces, on elevators, ridden trollies, walked in hugely busy areas with people and traffic, and he travels well. Nothing phases him. We live in a new area and there is so much construction: loud trucks, nail guns, banging ... he's OK with it all. Hopefully it stays that way.

Body awareness: he loves shaping games on the wobble boards, discs and pods - we are working on building excitement and he seems to be coming right along.

He has worked through many "don't wanna, don't hafta" moments in the presence of treats and toys - and I'm always switcihng things up to seem what really works and doesn't, making lists of his hierarchy of motivators is a HUGE help. I can see already where I've gone wrong with my other dogs, things I'm trying to do better with this new little sharp-toothed sponge.

He is an absolute joy in our house, not sure how we would be getting by without him. Him an Gyp LOVE eachother, play like crazy, and it just warms my heart that they have eachother. Gyp isn't much of a sister figure to him - she is more of a mother hen :)

Here is a video of a bit of what Fitz has been up to ...

Crying until I laugh. Lauging until I cry.

That sums up my week. I think about Kaleb - and I cry until I laugh. I play with Fitz, and I laugh until I cry. Gyp and I mope together when nobody is looking. I'm dealing with a transition I wasn't expecting.


I'm trying.
I'm trying to drag my butt out of bed to workout at 6am, and not just stay curled up in ball. I had one breakdown this morning at the Gym, took a 5 minute break in the bathroom, came back hammered out the last 30 minutes of my workout thinking of how proud I was of Kaleb. I smiled, I persevered. It sounds cheezy, but Kaleb NEVER gave up his will to keep going, never pouted, always wanted more. I'm trying to live up to that. I cried again on the way home. It comes in waves when I least expect it. Then I thought about him grabbing at the giant snooker balls while taking jumps, and going over the teeter, that were on stakes at his first Agility trial, and I laughed again.

I'm trying to change.
When Jane passed, I was truly depressed, I went to bad place. I didn't get out of bed, I curled up in ball, I comforted myself with food and too much wine, it was bad, I even had to see my doctor and a councillor. She was the first "being" I ever lost - I have bad coping skills apparently. We were literally attached at the hip. Caring for her with her illness for 18 months consumed us. 3x day for meds, once a week to the vet for her stomach draining, cooking meals, keeping her happy and spoiled. She outlived every expectation and it was exhausting. And when she was gone, I was lost. And she left the world on her own terms, when she was ready. She kept the light in her eyes, love and will to live until her last breath at home with us.

Kaleb was just diagnosed 3 weeks ago yesterday, and now he is gone. Really gone. Really? I barely had time to digest the fact that he had cancer. But I've been mourning since that day the Vet called. I knew what it meant. I cried everyday, hugged him tight and spoiled the shit out of him for 3 weeks. He was surrounded by his family and friends in the last month of his life. He didn't know he was sick, I didn't tell him. He hadn't even retired, I was planning on running him at Regionals. I couldn't cry in front of him as it would make him so worried - traumatized from the days of me crying over Jane, just a year ago. So I stayed strong for him. He taught me to stay strong, be strong. Be confident. Be my best, so he could be his best. That is my life lesson from him, that's what made us a great team. I fucking miss him. He went from OK - carrying toys, eating, being happy, to not walking, not eating, his neck and face started swelling, his breathing got harder, and not controlling his bladder in one day. His spark in his eyes was fading, he looked at me in a way I'd never seen, he knew it was time, he told us that. He went peacefully - his sweet head resting on my leg. That gives me comfort, we had no choice. He was the toughest fucking god damn dog I've ever met, and to see him weak just was not fair and not how he'd want to be remembered. He was our Iron Dog.

Poor Gyp, she has had to endure me losing my shit twice in a year, but I'm trying to change. She is depressed, but today and a bit yesterday, she is getting better - not sleeping so much and playing with Fitz and me. She looked for K the first 2 nights, slept on his dog bed in our room. It broke my heart. She was VERY jumpy and neurotic about the silliest things, it's getting better. I've been spending time just with her, and telling her how much I love her - she is my therapy dog, my zen dog.

I'm trying to change. I'm trying to laugh.
I'm pretty sure that in 2 weeks Kaleb and Fitz knew eachother, cuddled together - they talked. Fitz is a comedian - well he is JRT, what do you expect. He has a lot to learn, but he was a good apprentice, but thank doG we have this little shit. We had no idea this would happen: 2 days before we get our pup, K is diagnosed. 2 weeks after he joins our family K is gone. The universe did it again. Took something away, and gave me something back I was not expecting. We fought against the idea of a JRT for so long, until the stars aligned and it was meant to be, this pup was absolutely meant to be here, now. We got him as we missed the "terrier-tude", something in our home was missing. We didn't know he was put with us to help us even more than that - dare I say he was heaven sent, if there is such a place.  I don't know what I would do if we didn't have this pup. He is amazing. Gyp certainly wouldn't be dragging my butt out of bed and demanding enormous amounts of attention, making me try, making me make an effort. Making me laugh until I cry (because of puncture marks on my ankles and hands).  She'd be happy to mope around with me, and I'd happily let her. We save those moments for when nobody is looking :)

I have to thank everyone for the messages, emails, cards, flowers, all kind words with fond memories of him making them laugh ... that's who he was.

I keep singing this song to myself ... I'm pretty sure Kaleb sang this to himself everyday. I'm surprised he didn't have a t-shirt. Thanks for teaching me to smile and laugh buddy.
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. I'm going to try to live by this.

You are free, Bird.

It still doesn't seem real that he's gone. We hoped we'd have more time, but Lymphoma has a mind of it's own. We miss him so much it hurts and our house is so damn quiet. We love you K-man, you were our Iron-dog. 

March 12, 2002 - April 22, 2013

Brown eyes of wisdom

A friend sent me this today ... Words I wish I knew how to say so well ...


By Brian McGrory, Boston Globe Columnist
mcgrory@globe.com
August 31, 2004

They should come with a warning label, these creatures. They should come with a label that says you're going to fall hopelessly in love, only to have your heart shattered before you could ever possibly prepare. And then you face one of life's truly wrenching decisions.

Which is where I am now. Specifically, as I type these words I am on the back deck of a rented house in Maine surrounded by fields and forest, watching a sleeping golden retriever named Harry drift another day closer to death.

He is gorgeous, this dog, with a gray face that shows the wisdom gained from his 10 years on Earth and brown eyes that are the most thoughtful I've ever seen. He is sprawled out on the wood, his blond fur damp from his morning swim and his breathing labored from his disease. And I ponder the question that has dominated my thoughts for weeks: How will I know when the time is right?

He arrived in my life early a decade ago on one of those storybook Christmas season nights that is too good to ever forget. He was a gift to my wife, and when she opened the box the tears that spilled down her face were those of joy. Women, of course, come and go, but dogs are forever, so when the marriage ended, Harry stayed with me. Since then, we've moved from Boston to Washington D.C., and back again, fetched maybe a quarter of a million throws, walked, I would wager, over 10,000 miles together. He carried a tennis ball in his mouth for most of them, convinced that anyone who saw him would be duly impressed. And judging by their reactions, he's right.

Throughout, he has shown me sunrises and sunsets that I wouldn't otherwise have seen. He has taught me that snow is a gift, that the ocean is there for swimming, that the coldest winter mornings and the hottest summer days are never as bad as people say.

He has introduced me to people, kind people, whom I otherwise wouldn't have met. He has forced me to take time every morning to contemplate the day ahead. With his tail-swishing swagger, he has taught me to slow down, to pause in an Esplanade field or on a Public Garden bench, the journey being as good as the destination. The big ruse, which I think he figured out years ago, was that all these walks were meant for him.

He has been an anchor in bad times, a ballast amid occasional uncertainty, a dose of humility when things might be going a little too well. He has been a sanctuary, a confidant, and an occasional excuse. He regards it as his personal mission to make me laugh, whether by a ritualistic dance over a pig's ear or a gushing lick to my face. He's never once said the wrong thing, and it's impossible to be in a bad mood around him.

All along, he lives by one simple mantra: Count me in. Anything I'm doing, he wants to do as well, no leash or nagging required. At home, he prefers to lie on the stoop of our condominium building, presiding over the world around him.

His time, though, is fleeting, a fact that he's starting to understand. In April, his lifelong veterinarian, Pam Bendock, blinked back tears as she informed me that his stomach pains were caused by lymphoma. Several rounds of chemotherapy failed to do what was hoped. Two weeks ago I stopped his treatments.

These days he has lost 10 pounds or more and can't keep food inside. He often wakes in the dark before dawn moaning softly in pain. But by daybreak he is urging me toward the beach or guiding me on another walk, ball in mouth, ready to fetch, albeit slowly.

Maybe I should be embarrassed to admit that a dog can change a man, but I'm not. So as the clock winds out on a life well lived, I look back at the lessons learned from this calm and dignified creature, lessons of temperance, patience, and compassion that will guide us to the end. And I look into those handsome brown eyes for the sign that the time has come. He'll give it to me, when he's ready. And hard as it will be, we'll both know the journey was better than we could have ever possibly hoped.

Recharging

Where there is Kaleb, there is Fitz ... More blogging coming soon ... Just need to recharge

I have no catchy title for this post. But please read it.

I can finally talk about this now that things in our house have settled a bit. Last week Kaleb was diagnosed with Lymphoma. It doesn't seem real to even write it. He's still bright and happy, but has starting showing some symptoms. We suspected something was not right with him slowly over the past month (little changes that accumulated) and it was more than just getting old, and feared it would come back as this - and it did. He went in early last week for bloodwork, chest and abdomen X-rays as well as 2 biopsies of his lymphnodes, it entire case was sent to a specialist in Calgary immediately and we got the news last Thursday. Currently all 5 lymph sites are inflamed and I've been monitoring this for the past month, and with each week's massage I could feel the changes. It's a very confusing set of emotions in our lives right now - being so incredibly sad, and happy (with our new pup) at the same time. It's hard on our hearts. Mr. Fitz has a some very big paws to fill and Kaleb is a great big brother - he's so patient. We will cherish every moment with the K-man - more than we already do. We love our big goofy boy so much. We are still figuring out treatment options - and we've received so many wonderful emails from people sharing their experiences and giving some ideas as far as diet changes and homeopathic help.

So as of now he is being treated with Prednisone, which has taken down his neck swelling by 80% I would say, he's still playing, tugging, and his energy is good - though he tires fast (which was one of the symptoms we noticed). We are also adjusting his diet to one with a low glycemic index so as not to feed the cancer cells - Raw and Cooked mostly, no grains or other carbs (ones starchy or sugary) I struggled this year wondering when he will retire, when will I know? He's still running great! I guess the decision has been made. Hard to believe her was running Agility 2 weeks ago and still going on 5km runs. He is slower moving on his runs, but still trucks along and is happy - which is the main thing, he doesn't cover ground like he used too, but boy, he is happy. He's always been my true "performance dog" a good portion of our memories are "doing stuff", he has nearly 60 titles in 9 venues - looking back, he's truly amazing. And he's happiest when working, and that's what we truly enjoy doing together. He's never taken a lame step in his life, he's always ready to go, never been pouty, never not wanted to work. We've had so many great adventures together he's swam in each coasts' ocean, travelled more KMs than most people - he's the dog that always surprises me, surprises other people, and really has made people know what a Flat-coat is. He is my buddy. He is Pete's buddy.

He survived torsion at 8, a few benign tumor scares since then, I thought he would live forever. I can tell you this, we appreciate him more than we ever have. And if you think our new pup is being spoiled ... that's nothing! Hug your dogs and tell them you love them, 'cause you just never know.

He Fitz right in

We picked up Fitz yesterday, and he's awesome. I'm not however, who forgets their camera? It's been a helluva week and we have a lot on our minds, and more on that tomorrow. Here are some photos of his first 12 hours. He slept through the night in his crate and didn't fuss at all, he is feisty and tugs and plays like a crazy man, cuddles like a lovebug, has only peed outside and is so respectful with Gyp and his big Bro Kaleb.

Slow down

And remember to take time to enjoy life's simple pleasures.

You can't always get what you want.

But if you try sometimes,
you just might find you get what you need. 
(oh that Mick Jagger is a smart guy)

To say our home as been empty for the last year is an understatement. As the saying goes "Life is merrier, with a Jack Russell Terrier". I was hoping for a Border Collie and after 2.5 litters didn't take (yes there is a half, because I was only half committed) the Universe was telling me something, so I listened. Don't fuck with what the universe says. I had "liked" his photo on Facebook when he was born - not thinking in a million years, he would actually be ours. Like I said ... the universe works in strange ways. A great friend of mine who is my go to for some big life decisions and reality checks asked me what I REALLY wanted in a dog, what was my CRITERIA. What was it that I TRULY wanted in my next dog. And by me I mean WE. Pete is part of the equation too. 
Here is my list:
• Outgoing Temperament and a spunky dog who loves people and loves to play with me.
• Structurally sound to put up with the demands of dog sports
• Healthy
• A dog I can excel with in Agility -  being my #1 sport above all others
• A dog from working lines - and what I mean by that, is a pup from lineage where they are required to use their brains, and their doG given talents and instincts. Proven in whatever field it is they were bred for. I can use those instincts to form training a way that will work for the dog. doG willing :)
• A jogging, running partner that has great endurance and can handle all weather conditions
• A dog that will like to swim - or can be taught to learn to love it!
• A dog that can be trained to hunt with Pete, and go fishing with him
• A bed warmer


















 

I would like to introduce you too ...
Mr. Fitz.
AKA F-Bomb
AKA Phife Dog
AKA Fitzgerlad Bojangles III (his formal given name when he is wearing a bowtie)
And I have have to give the credit of naming him to Pete. As soon as he spurted it out. I knew it was it. My long list of dog names is being saved for another time.

Seriously. Could he be cuter?? And Already at 7 weeks sporting his first Nearly Naked Neckwear collar. I outfitted the litter in matching Collars and Leashes. Only the best you know for these classy pups.

Handsome lad. He should be around 13 - 14". This is him at 7 weeks.

Did I mention he was cute?

He looks like a little old man. I love the wise look in his eyes. He is a great outgoing pup.

His first time outside. I'm glad the snow is melted here, or we might lose him in the field.

When you are this cute, they call you Mister  .... Red Trail Mr. Fitz.

We are looking forward to this new chapter in our lives. I feel like we already know him through the nearly daily videos and photos we have seen of him since birth - and esp. over the last 3.5 weeks. His breeder is awesome and if I am going to get a JRT this is the place, this is the litter. Every health check you can imagine, great temperaments & builds, great hunters, a lineage of proven dogs, they are all raw fed and have been introduced to many proteins already. And she puts up with my questions - of which there are many. She wanted to make sure we were getting the best pup of the litter. He is 7.5 weeks and will be joining the fam in 9 days.  We can't wait!!! Let's get this party started!!!

Here are his parents Ursa and Ike and his Grandpa's ... can you see the resemblance to his family ...

Mom - Sow's Ear Ursa

Dad - Sandbur's Icon (Ike)

Grandpa - Sow's Ear Julien

Grandpa - Sow's Ear Spago