Goodbye 2013, hello 2014!

I haven't kept up with this blog, and looking back at my last entry, the last sentence read, " I am confident a new ACD will join the family in 2013. I don't know when, where, or how, but I cannot wait to meet him/her and start again!" 

Well, March 23, 2013, it started again and Trek entered my life.  He was a 9 month old moose of a cattle dog!  Trek was born June 10, 2012. I remember watching pictures of his litter as they grew up on Facebook, but I was not ready for another dog at that time.  They were such lovely puppies, but the time was not right.  Fast forward 9 months, and Trek's owners in Connecticut were expecting their 2nd child.  Although Trek (previously known as Hank) was crate trained, house trained, and got along wonderfully with their 2 year old child, they decided they could no longer take care of him with the baby on the way.  He was returned to his breeder in Pennsylvania, and the rest, as they say, is history.  Several weeks later he was on the road to Indiana and what a joy he has been!  He immediately started agility, obedience, and herding classes and learned the rules of the house.  He feels there are too many rules in this house, but has come to the conclusion that this is a pretty fun place to live, so he'll abide by them. He is thriving in class and passed his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test in October.  He is a wonderful dog.

Tully is still going strong, just a month shy of 12 years old!  He earned his RAE2 and RAE3 rally titles in 2013 and ended the year as one of the top rally ACDs nationally.  He qualified to attend the 2014 AKC Rally National Championships in Harrisburg, PA, in March and we are hopefully going to make the trip.  Tully and I also started volunteering weekly at the Indiana School for the Deaf.  Tully earned his re-certification as a Delta Society/Pet Partner therapy dog in June and is enjoying his work with kids.  He also was able to participate in the Welcome Home Dogs program at Camp Atterbury last winter, working with service men and women returning and being deployed overseas.    Health wise, his lymphoma has still not returned (Yay!) and his back issue is stable. It will never go away and may worsen, but he is pain free and happy.  He does have laryngeal paralysis now and last summer it was very difficult for him to breathe some days.  We will have to make a decision this summer regarding surgery.  Thankfully that decision is several months away.  I am grateful that he is still healthy and enjoying life and thankful for friends who help me keep him that way! 

Our goals for 2014 are pretty simple. I hope to start competing with Trek later in the year in obedience and rally.  We will continue our herding and agility lessons as well.  The ACDCA nationals are in Tennessee this year and yours truly is the agility chair (sad, but true!) so we will be heading there next fall and hope to compete as well. I also hope that Trek can pass his therapy dog certification this year. He is a kind dog with good manners who loves people, especially small children.  Tully will continue his therapy dog work at the Indiana School for the Deaf and hopefully will stay healthy and happy.  If he feels up to it, we may make the trip the national rally championships in March.  It's a rare opportunity and one I will never have again with him.  We are honored to be one of the few cattle dog teams that qualified to go.

Here's to hoping for a healthy, safe, and fun 2014 with the red dogs!

                                          Tully (11 years) and Trek (1 year) - summer 2013

Where does the time go?

I can't believe I haven't updated this in over 3 months!  Where to start?

Tully was due to come off of rest for his disc on October 3rd, so what better way to celebrate than to head out on October 6th to the Australian Cattle Dog Club of America's national specialty in Missouri.  We did not risk running agility, but did sign up for obedience and rally.  As always, my boy  gave me all he could and brought home 4th place in Beginner Novice B, 1st place Veterans Obedience, 3rd place Rally Advanced B, and 3rd place Rally Excellent B.  Not bad considered he hadn't been worked with in months.  To end the week, Tully was awarded High Scoring Rally Dog of 2011 by the ACDCA at the annual awards banquet. It was a lovely week, but bittersweet as he will not be competing in any more national specialties.  What a way to go out with 4 out of 4 qualifying runs, all with placements, plus picking up the 2011 high scoring rally award.

We came home and spent the weekend of November 3rd and 4th at Central Indiana Siberian Husky Club's obedience and rally trial in Lafayette.  Tully doubled Q'd in Rally Advanced and Excellent both days, earning placements in all 4 runs, and even earned high combined on Sunday!  These two RAE2 legs gave him a total of  five RAE2 legs.

On December 1st and 2nd we headed to Queen City for their winter obedience/rally trial.  He double Q'd on Sunday for RAE2 leg #6, Q'd in Beginner Novice both days to finish his title, and took 1st in Veterans obedience both days as well.

On December 8th and 9th we headed to the K9 Athletes agility trial in Indy for one last round of CPE agility.  At this point he had not run agility in over 6 months and I was quite concerned.  My old guy went 8 for 8 for the weekend - 8 qualifying scores, 8 first place finishes, 8 clean runs.  This finished all his level 2 titles - CSL2-H, CSL2-R, CSL2-F, and CSL2-S.  I plan to retire him completely from agility at this point.  Although he scored well, he has started to "bunny hop" in the hind end when running and I don't want to risk injury.

So what did 2012 bring us?  As far as titles, he racked up 11 new titles:   RAE, AJP, BN, CSL1 (all 4 titles - CSL1-H, CSL1-S. CSL1-F, and CSL1-R), and CSL2 (all 4 titles - CSL2-H, CSL2-S. CSL2-F, and CSL2-R ).  He brought home the 2011 award for top ranked rally dog from the ACDCA.  As far as his health, he had ultrasounds every 3 months to monitor for the return of his lymphoma - they have all been cancer free.  He has undergone treatment for a slipped disc in his back and is happy and comfortable.

Plans for 2013?  I think the best option is to retire him from agility completely - all venues, all levels.  He'll do a few rally trials this spring and finish the RAE2.  After that, we are done.  He's done more than I ever expected he would do and it's been a fun run. He'll enjoy his retirement getting back to doing therapy work through Delta Society, primarily with the Welcome Home Dogs program at a locally at Camp Atterbury, welcoming home soldiers from oversees.  Welcoming home soldiers seems like the perfect therapy dog job for a dog I've always called my rough and tumble rogue.

So that's all from the Hoosier State.  Best wishes in 2013 to all we've met traveling and competing through the years.  It's been fun and we will miss seeing everyone!  Not to worry, I will be back competing in a few years, although not with Tully.  I am confident a new ACD will join the family in 2013. I don't know when, where, or how, but I cannot wait to meet him/her and start again!

Tully (Firefly Rockin Red Rogue CDX BN GO VER RAE AXP AJP NFP CSL2 CGC HIC, Delta Society Therapy Dog)

A message from Tully

Dear friends,

It's Tully here.  It is imperative that I get the word out and I know of no other way but to hijack this blog.  My owner has lost her mind.  She has kept me imprisoned now for 10 long weeks and there is talk that it will last another 2 weeks.  I do not understand.  I am an athlete.  I am amazing.  I run like the wind.  I am Super Dog.  Super Dog should not be treated in such a fashion.  I'm quite embarrassed.

It all started quite innocently the week after the 4th of July.  My lovely human took me to this place where there were nice people and other dogs.  It kind of reminded me of where she goes during the day to what she calls "work".  She talked with this nice guy.  He looked  very familiar and I like him, but I had never been there before so I don't know how I could know him. I think I remember seeing him in another place almost a year ago when my person was ranting about "damn spleens".  I'm  not sure. I slept through most of that visit, but I think it was the same guy.  I have my suspicions.  Anyhow, she chatted with him and left me. I didn't mind, they seem like nice people and if my person trusts them, it's fine by me. Well, this is where things got a little strange.  She continued to take me to see this guy for a total of 5 times over the next 2 months.  Four of those times I took a short nap and woke up to find someone shaved the hair off my lower back!  What?  Who does that?  Some kinda crazy party I guess.  Oh, and the last time I woke up to find my eyelid bump missing!  I must have really partied hard that day!

I always felt better after my visits and had a good time.  For some reason my back always felt good afterward - that's what  good party will do for ya!  The people were nice and my Auntie Natalie got a job there as a tech!  I had never met her before but I'm pretty sure she only works there because she wants to see me!  She is my uncle Ben's sister. I was so excited, she is so nice, but she sticks needles in my leg which is no way to treat Super Dog.  It's ok, my person does the same thing.  I guess that's normal.  I supposedly have an Aunt Michelle there too, but I don't see her much.  I hear she is very nice, yet I also hear it is good I don't have to see her.  I don't understand that, but that's ok.  I hear she used to have cattle dogs so obviously she is very wise.

Back to the real issue.  Will someone please tell my human this imprisonment is crazy and that I would really like to go back to playing all those fun games we used to play?  I liked chasing sheep. I liked running obstacle courses.  I liked road trips and hotels.  I should not be treated like a convict!  I keep hearing stories that we are going on a trip in a few weeks, but I refuse to get my hopes up.  The weird guy at that place keeps saying "ease him in slowly, slow return to activity", but I think he's full of crap.  He's obviously not seen me run and jump off the deck!  Will someone tell my human that the advice he is giving her is crap?  I would like that a lot. 

Thanks,
Tully Jones

Lessons learned and a rogue disc

There are a few things as a dog owner I have learned recently:

1.  If you have dogs with chronic health conditions that require significant care, never, ever decide one day to figure out how much money you've spend on them in the past year.  If you can answer the questions "Would I do anything different?" or "Am I unable to pay my mortgage and other bills?" with a  a "no", then stop right there and don't count up the receipts.  It may cause unnecessary pain and make you realize you could have bought a nice used car or taken that trip to Europe you've always wanted and taken a friend along for free.  Nope. Stop right where you are and do not get out the calculator.  Go hug your dog instead and be grateful you still have him.  Understand that ramen noodles and PBJ may be an integral part of your diet and you may make a tank of gas last 13 days at one point.  You may even sell concert tickets that you really wanted.  Just never, ever sit back and add up the costs.

2.  Never say "I would never pay to have _____________ done to my dog".  That will come back and bite you hard one day.  There was a time in my life I would have said I would never do radiation treatment on my dog or do CT/MRI on my dogs.  Time changes things as does the bond with a 14 year old and a 10 year old dog. It's a personal decision for everyone.  Some friends and family think I'm crazy, that's fine.  There are worse things I could be doing.

That said, here's the latest on the Tullster.  The back pain we were battling back in February/March worsened and culminated with him screaming out in pain one night in the back yard and walking in hunched up and panting in July.  Last spring we had tried prednisone and other medications by mouth, without any result.  With the episode in July, it was time to do something more drastic.  A visit to our favorites specialty center and a CT later, it was found that Tully had a disc herniation at L7-S1causing compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots which was causing his pain and also the reluctance to jump we had been seeing for months.  He also had disc herniations at T11-T12 and L2-L3, but they were insignificant at this time.  Because he did not have any outward neurological signs (just pain) and the lesion was at L7-S1, it made him a candidate for epidural injections of methylprednisolone instead of invasive back surgery.  The epidurals consist of 3 injections over 6 weeks while he is rested, plus an additional 6 weeks of rest after the last injection.  The success rate is 80%.  Tully has had 2 injections and is doing well and less painful.  I am hopeful this will work. If not, he may have to have back surgery.  The cost and invasive nature of back surgery concerns me, however the other part of me believes any rogue body part (spleen, disc, etc) should be immediately and swiftly dealt with with a knife.  Let it be a lesson to any other body part that refuses to behave!   As always we are thankful for all the specialists at VCA Advanced Veterinary Care on the north side of Indy.  I think they are tired of seeing me with a red dog in tow, but there is no other place I'd take my dogs.  Thanks especially to Drs. Edwards, Cross, and Wehrenberg for all the care they have given my dogs and their patience in dealing with me!  I don't know what I would do without them.

On a positive note, Tully's 9 month lymphoma recheck came up clear - no sign of metastasis on ultrasound.  Woo hoo! 

The plan for Tully?  All competitions for the 12 weeks of treatment have been cancelled.  His last day of rest is October 3rd and ACD nationals start October 7th.  He is suppose to work up slowly to a normal level of activity over several months, but should be fine to do veterans obedience and some rally at nationals.  The specialist thinks he will return to full function...I am doubtful at his age and assume his days of agility and herding are permanently over.  Right now, he feels great, the epidurals are working, and he's ready to go.  I keep my fingers crossed for a pain free dog that is happy and has a good quality of life.  Anything else is just icing on the cake.

Summertime

Everyone keeps asking me with sad faces "How is Tully handling Terra being gone?".  I think it can be summed up in one word....fantastic.  For the first time in his life he is an only dog and he thinks it's fantastic. It's fantastic to not share toys, food, blankets, space in the SUV, and most of all, the attention of the favorite human.  No, he did not properly mourn the loss of his sister.  I'm pretty sure I've heard him humming "Ding Dong, the witch is dead".  She did torment him for 10 years, but still, a little respect should be given!   Little does he know at some point he will gain a little brother or little sister.  For now he lives in bliss knowing everything in the house is his, his, his.

I'm getting worse and worse about updating this thing.  Since our last post we've not been quite as busy.  Tully and I went to a CPE agility trial in Carmel, Indiana on June 2 and 3rd and entered level 2 for the first time.  He was a perfect 8 for 8, with 1st place in each class, for the weekend to put him halfway to his Level 2 titles.   I was worried about not knowing anyone in CPE after years of competing with friends in AKC, but I have to say most of the CPE people  have been lovely and we continue to meet great people from around the country.  He's really having a good time running in CPE and reliving the "glory days" of his youth ;-)  The following weekend we went to Urbana, Illinois for a Rally trial and picked up another RAE2 leg with a 1st place in Advanced and 2nd place in Excellent.  Next on the agenda is another CPE agility trial in Carmel in 3 weeks and rally in Cincy in August.

I originally started this blog last year as we prepared for the 2011 ACDCA nationals.  With the 2012 nationals just over 3 months away in St. Louis, we will start to think about entering.  This year's nationals will be much different than last year's nationals. We will not run 12 classes in 2 days.  We will not come home with a stack of ribbons and trophies. We will go to have fun at one last national speciality.  He'll probably compete just in two rally classes and veterans obedience - 3 classes total.  The rest of the time we'll go cheer on our friends and enjoy all the great dogs!

CPE agility and a plan for summer

Last weekend we headed up to Carmel, Indiana, on the north side of Indianapolis for our fist try at CPE agility.  CPE is an organization that is better known in some parts of the country than in others, but has really become more popular in the Midwest.  They offer a variety of different courses/games and a variety of different jump heights/titling programs to fit the needs of their competitors.  At the age of 10, Tully was starting to struggle making both the jump heights and course times in AKC, yet he's not ready to be a couch potato quite yet.  CPE seemed to be a nice bridge for us between the highly competitive AKC circuit and complete retirement.

Tully had 8 runs in 2 days, not an easy task for an old guy.  CPE classes include standard, jumpers, full house, jackpot, colors, wildcard, and snooker.  The number of qualifying scores for titling depends on the level.  Although Tully could have started as high as level 3 due to his AKC titles, we opted for level 1 since I had no idea how their trials and classes worked.  It turned out that apparently Tully must have read the rule book and he knew exactly what to do.  He earned qualifying runs and first place with no faults in all 8 runs over two days to earn all of his level 1 titles (CSL1-S, CSL1-H, CSL1 -F, CSL1-R).  I ran him at the lowest jump height allowable for him - 12 inches - and he did great.  He ran faster than ever and seemed to know  he was a rock star.  He routinely ran 20-30 seconds under course time...amazing for an old guy!

Next up on the agenda is another try at CPE in 3 weeks in Carmel - this time level 2.  The weekend after that we are heading to Illinois for rally and obedience, just for fun.  Other plans include CPE agility in July again in Carmel, followed in August with obedience/rally at Queen City and Louisville.  In the meantime, it's off to herding lessons.  Semi-retirement may mean low jump heights and less strain on an aging back and body, but it does not mean we stop living.  We still have our fingers crossed that we will make it to a few classes at nationals in 5 months! 



Taken at Queen City Dog Training Club in March 2012, one of my favorite photos of the Tullster.  Competing is fun, but in the end, it's about the bond between a dog and their person.  I love my boy and I think the feeling is mutual.



Spring is here!

Spring has sprung and Tully's period of rest from back aches and pains is over.  He's not the dog he was last fall, but he's happy and content and still wants to play and have fun.  We have returned to herding lessons and he is having a blast.  He thinks he would like to be a farm dog who can roll in mud, wade in cattle troughs, but then sleep on the bed at night. He does not understand that he has to have a bath between the mud rolling/trough wading and sleeping on the bed. He feels it is unjust.  He's having a great time and unless another injury or illness comes up,we hope to try for an HT or PT this fall.  We will either compete at the ACDCA nationals or at a trial in Kentucky that is hosted by ACD people.

In the meantime, we are going to try our hand at CPE agility next weekend. He's entered in Level 1 and at the lowly jump height of 12 inches.  It will be interesting to see how he does.  The trial is only 30 minutes away on the north side of Indy, so if it doesn't work out, we have not wasted too much time and money.  CPE is a little different than AKC in that they have a lot more types of games/courses and different rules.  It looks like there are less penalties, he can jump at a lower height,and he will have more time - all nice things for an aging rock star. On the other hand, I have to hurry up and read the rules and figure out how to run their courses!

Although this blog was primarily aimed at Tully's adventures in competition, I would be remiss if I didn't mention why we have not posted in almost two months.  My dear, sweet dog Terra passed away on April 25th at the age of 14 years after a long, hard fight against pituitary macroadenoma and renal failure.  She was my first cattle dog and the reason that I love the breed. She is the one that started it all.  Without her, there never would have been a Tully and I wouldn't have met half the people I know today!  There will always be a cattle dog in my house as long as I am able, however I don't know if I'll ever have the heart to have another plain faced red girl.