| Welcome to The Outside Course! You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features! |
| My Weekend.... | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: May 23 2011, 04:51 AM (299 Views) | |
| Casey1 | May 23 2011, 04:51 AM Post #1 |
![]()
Magical Leopluridon
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Well it is official, my big black girl Belle is officially retired from agility. Not really what "I" wanted but she started struggling with the warmer temperatures. Since her embolism, she works so much harder to do her job than the next dog, add in heat, and she just can't do it. So I made the decision it was not fair to her to continue. My heart is broken for a couple reasons. One I really think she deserves to have that PAX title. She would have had it and then some if she never had her embolism. She only needed 3 QQ's. But how far was I willing to go to get that.... not that far. Also, I am really going to miss running her. She was my first agility dog, I knew the day would come it would be over, and no matter how you slice it, it is a sad occasion. I told her she officially responsible to make sure the couch does not move, and to do that she is to lay on it. We actually didn't have a bad weekend, she just could not make time. On Sat in her standard run, she lost focus and missed a jump, quite un-Belle like but she had not trialed in over a month, she didn't drop a bar and was considerably over time. In jumpers she was good, no bars I mean but SLOW she was over 55 seconds. The course time was 45. Sunday she did Q in standard, it was right on the course time of 66 seconds, but Q and I will take it. She finished 2nd behind my friend. Her dog and Belle were the only ones in their class to Q at all. In jumpers on Sunday she missed the weave entry, but we finished great despite the fact the tears were streaming down my face by end of our run. Then we went for ice cream. My friends say I am making the right decision. I know that too, it will just be hard no longer running with her. She was bought out of the newspaper to be a pet. She went WAY above and beyond the call of duty. I LOVE MY BIG BLACK DOG!!! Ann |
![]() |
|
| Trialbyfire | May 23 2011, 05:04 AM Post #2 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
![]() She's telling you she's ready. And it will be ok....just not easy to admit right now but it will feel better in a week or two. It wouldn't be any fun to compete her if she can't do it. I mean, you *could* enter her just for fun, but if you don't think she's dealing with the heat well, she probably doesn't find it very fun. Maybe a mini course in the back yard. ![]() Make sure you both enjoy her retirement. Perhaps teach some new tricks each week and make it her "special time". (With lots of treat, of course).
|
![]() |
|
| Witchy | May 23 2011, 06:26 AM Post #3 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
|
![]() |
|
| Mamy | May 23 2011, 06:34 AM Post #4 |
![]()
Missing my Jakie Dog.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Your post made me cry. I can hear how much you love her and loved running with her. That is such an amazing feeling to have with a dog. It sounds like you are making the best choice for Belle. HUGS to you. |
![]() |
|
| gunnar | May 23 2011, 06:46 AM Post #5 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
You are so kind to listen to her! Sad day but a celebration for sure! Hugs and tears for you and Belle! |
![]() |
|
| Indy | May 23 2011, 06:50 AM Post #6 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
You're doing right by your girl, you're a very good dog momma. |
![]() |
|
| Onelanerode | May 23 2011, 07:15 AM Post #7 |
![]()
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Awwwww. I'm so sorry to hear this. Have you checked out the Ruff Wear Swamp Jackets? I have no idea if you can wear things like that in agility competitions, but it may help her manage hot weather in general if she's struggling now. I just got one for my little black dog, who is my running partner. It's in the 90s here and he starts struggling when it gets hot. We went for a 2.25 mile walk yesterday in 90-degree sunshine and he only panted for about 5 minutes after we got home. Usually it's more like 20-30 minutes before he's completely cooled back down again. Just an idea, in case Belle's dark coat makes summer hard to handle ... Edited by Onelanerode, May 23 2011, 07:15 AM.
|
![]() |
|
| Casey1 | May 23 2011, 08:29 AM Post #8 |
![]()
Magical Leopluridon
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thanks for the suggestion. There is a 'cooling' coat we are looking at for our young two. They are not cheap, used by Armed Forces dogs in Iraq, and police dogs. It holds the coolness nearest to their organs (underside) won't go below 55 degrees either so not 'too' cold to shock the system. Not sure who makes them. I have the link at home. For field work you often work out of your car, where it is harder for them to cool. I want to get cooling beds, and we have fans. That should do it. Yes black (or darker) dogs are much more affected by heat. Normally she would play right through, however her back end is not 100% and the work to make that work is what makes the heat too hard for her. The cooling coat would help after, but during she is still struggling. It is not fun for her. She never "loved" agility but she loved running with me. I know that. Also she is HUGE.... I always wanted to be sure we stopped before she got hurt. I would have felt horrible if she got hurt. It will be hard not playing for a while BUT.... Gabby should start classes in June (puppy agility) and hubby had me enter his dog Quinn in an AKC trial in July it will be her first AKC. We are doing the UKC Premier with her as a 'fun match' to see how she does. Could be interesting..... Ann |
![]() |
|
| tarragon | May 24 2011, 08:09 PM Post #9 |
|
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Big hugs Ann, and huge congratulations for all you and Belle have accomplished together. I think you're definitely making the right choice, although I know it's a tough one. I'm so glad you have your husband's dog and Gabby coming up to help keep you occupied. I know I'm really new to all this dogshowing stuff, but when I was thinking Logan's career was over I realized how much I would really miss it. |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · The Hay Loft · Next Topic » |






![]](http://z1.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)
Not really what "I" wanted but she started struggling with the warmer temperatures. Since her embolism, she works so much harder to do her job than the next dog, add in heat, and she just can't do it. So I made the decision it was not fair to her to continue.






12:26 PM Jul 11