Waiting sucks, but the not knowing. . .

A week later, and still no closer to knowing what killed my girl. . all we know is it was not the same thing as her buddy, the two of them dying like that was just a horrid, awful coincidence. . .

I keep looking for her, keep calling for her. . this morning as i gathered my bag up to head downstairs, I said "Goosie, let's go" and promptly broke down into tears. My relationship with her was close, strong, and she was part of my every day routine as my bed buddy. . .Ziva's trying her hardest to step into her cousin's huge footprints, but she's no Gossip.

I loved Obie, but I think Gossip managed to do what I didn't think would happen, and ease herself even further into my heart. . it may be circumstances are different. . no ex to b*tch about the dog being in the house, living closer to town so we could do more together.

Her and Obie were a lot a like, both thought I was the center of their universe, unless the bunny was around. . . both had their own special hugs they gave to those they cared for. And both were the smartest dogs I've had the joy of owning, and yeah, that includes the English Cocker and the Collie growing up.

I keep going over that last night. . .trying to find something that was 'odd', but I can come up with nothing. She acted completely normal, visiting with the puppies, snuggling with Uncle Jim, doing her OB work when she got riled up and jumped on visitors, cleaned my plate for me, and raced up the stairs to bed. . bright eyed, normal behaviour. . .

A friend asked if she could've gotten into anything, but we are so careful, there's nothing in my room, with the three Muskateers(Treasure, Herbie & Pippens) I am extra careful, and none of them have shown a sign. She wasn't a nosey dog, Surya was the one more likely to find something he shouldn't and eat it. I can't count the number of times I found pill bottles in his toy bottle(thankfully not chewed on, he just collected them). She was such a good dog, I rarely caught her eating cat food, even if the bowl was right under her nose, she didn't raid the cat box, nothing. Another mentioned maybe a rat/gopher had been poisoned and gotten into the yard. .the one time she caught a mouse, she played with it, throwing it up in the air, I could see her Uncle Eros eating somethign like that, but not her. . .and we may never know what killed her. . .

And nobody else(knock on wood) is acting ill or abnormal, but we are of course, watching them all like hawks. ..

The only thing I wonder is if there was a collision in the yard and she threw a clot. . .I'm so afraid we'll never know what killed her. . .

I'm so thankful for Bonnie. . she and Jim have been my rock. I don't think I could handle this without them. .. they know the questions to ask, knew what to do. . .I was a useless puddle. . .

I'm also so very thankful to my long time friend Margaret, who is giving me back Gossip's lovely sister Secret. . I sold Secret when my life went to hell, afraid I'd have to place everything. . .margaret's not in a position to breed a litter, so Ms Secret will be heading home as soon as we can arrange it. . she can't replace Gossip(Nobody can), but maybe with her help, we can 'recreate' as much as you can, my special girl. . .

Miss you Loosie Goose. .and seeing the tears that were shed last weekend, I'm not the only one.

Who wants to live forever, when love must die?

Little over 6 years ago, my beautiful girl TOuchet came into season. I took her down to Bonnie Dalzell's, in hope of getting a breeding with her lovely boy Blaze, sire of my Queen litter. Touchet would have nothing to do with that, she did NOT like Blaze. Bonnie suggested my Blaze son, Races, who looked a lot like his daddy, only in white & brindle, instead of brindle & white. . THAT Touchet approved of.

Two months of anticipation, and finally the pups were coming.. .I remember the last one being a huge white pup, and thinking that's a big boy. .upon examination, I found it to be a white & brindle girl, who was given the tag line "amazon bitch". At over a lb, she was the heaviest puppy I'd ever had born.. .

As time progressed, I found it really hard to pick between the three girls..(The fourth had missing pigment), but finally chose to keep two of them: Amazon bitch then known as Gossip and her pretty sister Secret.

Shortly after I decided which two were staying, I lost their handsome father to the dog flu, and the first real memory I have of Gossip is sitting on the futon, bawling, and her coming up to drape her head over my shoulder.

Those two girls were inseparable but the sweetest things in the world. As they grew up, I was happy to see that the promise i'd seen in both was coming true. Ms Gossip placed at her 1st show (GNY specialty) at barely 7 months, handled by a stranger, with sister Secret winning her sweeps class two days later at BCDV's specialty handled by me. I remember the handler just raving over the muscles GOssip had at that age. .

Shortly after that, I took them racing, it was a handslip meet, and I remember Charlie coming up to me at the finish line, after handslipping my brindle girl "she left scorch marks". . .and the rest became history.

Bonnie warned me that breeding to OFC lined Touchet, that the resulting pups might not chase plastic, and her warning proved true. After getting her JC, she interfered with her Uncle Obie on a cert run, then tried to play with a SD after the bunny broke and got chased screaming off the field. At that point I gave up. . and we hit local racing events.

Her first season of racing, racing very little, she picked up 9 points without a problem, finishing barely out of the top 10 for the year. . unfortunately, that was also the year my life went to hell with the Ex, so we didn't hit that many, but what we hit, she won. . .

Following year, due to a good friend, we went to the BCOA nationals. . it was my last vacation with her Uncle Obie, who died a month later to bone cancer. . she won the LGRA event, shocking me to no end, and thus began the ride of a lifetime.

Up until last year, Gossip ran undefeated meet winner. . unfortunately, the first LGRA nationals we went to, she was attacked and dislocated a toe. . that toe gave her a reoccuring problem until we amputated it completely. . and then there was no looking back.

Introducing her to the box was a breeze, by the third race, she was already figuring it out,a nd even tho she was behind, she caught up and flew by everyone.

Her racing style was rather interesting, leading to Dr Saklad giving her the nickname "G-Biscuit". . she often would stay behind until 1/2 way up the course, and then she'd just fly by the others with no effort.

I'm not sure how many meets she ran in. . but she made records. . only borzoi to become an SGRCII undefeated, only Borzoi to've been #1 two years, only Borzoi to've achived to date, the SGRCIV, and SGRCV titles. And just recently moved into the top 5 all breed.

Unfortunately, our luck in the show ring wasn't as good, and I ended up handing her off to Kari, who put three poitns on her in limited showing this summer, including a specialty placement. A rock solid bitch, judges didn't know what to do with her. She wasn't 'show ring' pretty, she was performance gorgeous. .and built to run.

Inbetween racing, we played with obedience/rally. She proved to not only be fast, but SMART, learning things quickly, and then sometimes decidine she didn't know how to do it. Teaching her the different between the two downs in rally(from a sit, and from a stand) took all of 5 minutes, and she ended up getting her RN the first three times we walked in the ring. . one leg of her RA, and were just ramping up to work hard on those other two legs this fall.

But best of all about Gossip was her personality. . she loved everyone, from kitties, to small dogs on up to people, but she thought I walked on water, wanted to be with me all the time. if I went thru a baby gate and shut it, she'd lay there patiently, waiting for me to come back. Because of her wonderful temperament, I met so many new friends.. and those friends mourn with me now.

Gossip died this morning, taking on her wings and leaving me. .way too early. .we lost my roommate's dog earlier this week under same circumstances. .. and I'd told her last night she had to live forever. .the one and only time she ever truly defied me. . I'm hoping the tox screen and pathology report will give me closure, cuz right nwo, I'm sitting here going WTF???? Trying to remember the good times. . .trying not to cry myself sick, think I've failed this last one. . .

Unfortunately, someone took it upon themsleves to play the 'did you hear' game. . .and I've found this news spread across the internet before I was really ready. . .but here it is. . .

Run swift, run fast Gossip. . kill that bunny
RIP
Mielikki-Windhaven's Petty Gossip JC, CGC, RN, SGRCV
9/24/04-9/17/10

Dei is Done

As I stated, fall is here, the weather has been GORGEOUS!!!!! So gorgeous last weekend, that when Ms Dei, who hasn't really been interesting in going since she finished her GRC, asked to go, following me around, sticking to me like white on rice, jumping on top of dog houses begging to go. She didn't need to go, but I had room in the car and so I told her she could go, she could have her retirement party. She waggled so hard when I put the leash and collar on her, dragged me to the car, and snuggled in with her buddies

When we pulled up, she got out, quivering with joy, eyes constantly turned towards the track, tracking the bunny, but being oh such a lady like she is. She was just so happy to be there

Dei waiting patiently for her turn at the bunny, watching it go

When it was her turn, she stood so politely to be dressed, still watching the track, eyes lit with glee, looking towards me occasionally, but watching that track was her job that day. I handed her off to a friend, who she gladly greeted like they were a long lost buddy, and she walked down the track.

Dei heading to the box, look at that look on her face

Running first with Grins, then with Tipperary, she ran soo hard on that bunny, coming across the line with such happiness upon her little gray face, she isn't a grinner, but I swore she was smiling with happiness. The wonderful weather lead to a wonderful day for Ms Dei, who ran hard all three races, finishing as the turtle, and boy did she get a great turtle!

When the day was over, ribbons were awarded, it was announced this was her retirement race and people asked me why. I said because she'll be 10 in a few months, and nobody believed me. . ."She doesn't look it", "I thought she was Gossip's sister" were some of the comments, at which I smiled and todl them, no, she was Gossip's Aunt.

A celebratory burger was Dei's finish to the day, which she gladly wolfed down with glee. . .

Dei didn't start running until she was 6.5, but when it did click, she ran and ran hard, enjoying it. No, she wasn't the fastest dog on the field, but she finished by beating dogs younger than her by anywhere from 2-5 yrs just before she was 8.

I wanted her career to end on a high note. Dei ran hard, her body can still take it, but I'm beginning to worry about bone cancer. . I lost her brother to it, and her half brother had an accident on the field that revealed bone cancer, and I'd rather she be at home if something were to happen, then hours away and no idea where to go. She has nothign to prove, she's done her stint. . .but I let her have one last great day, and she ate up ALL the attention she got.

I could keep running her, but she ran in racing style. .nothing saddens me than to see veterans on the field who have the desire, but their body just cant' do it anymore. She finished in racing style, meaning galloping hard, no not fast anymore, but not anything that embarassed me. . .

So, Dei is done, she is now the grand old lady of the yard, beating up her puppies, harassing her nieces & nephews, and jsut being too damn cute. . .I hope that her youngness means I'll have her for many many more years. . .those dog houses she was jumping on top of? 3+ ft tall!

It's hard to retire them, but retiring them on a great day, IMHO, is the best way to go about it, and so, happy retirement to Mielikki Prophet's Song GRC. . .keep on trucking!

Fall has sprung

Fall season has commenced. Just about every weekend between now and middle of December you can find some sort of doggy event to attend, whatever you want, you can probably find something to do.

The last two weekends have been LGRA and it's been so much fun watchign Ziva & Tip 'grow' on the field.

Ziva continues to improve with each meet, she is now more like her mom than a wilting wall flower. . willing to solicite attention, sometimes bossingly LOL And boy does she WANT TO RUN. Soon as the blanket and muzzle are on, she's dragging her handler to the box, tho she does have this annoying habit of flipping over and trying to get her blanket off, for whatever reason. Last weekend, she threw a tantrum on me for not putting her in the box that was open, a bit improvement from back in June where she refused to box unless I picked her up and threw her in!

Ms Tipperary is also improving. When I'd started the cookie reward, she started slowing down coming over the finish line. . but something clicked in her little needle head this weekend, and she finished the last four races of the weekend in great running form. She's not as fast as some of her kennel mates, but she's becoming a lot of fun to run, happy go lucky, very silly, other than for the desire to think her fuzzy butt belongs in the front seat.

One of my favorte memories of two weekends ago was running the lure for the two Chart polski pups that are now entering the racing venue. .they're not much younger than Ziva and crew, but watching the two sibs and the way they are learnign to use their bodies was very interesting. . Maisie is already running like a little adult, while her big brother has no idea where his rear end is, and was very ungainly, but there were shadows of the powerhouse runner he's goign to be once he grows into his long legs.

Last weekend Ms Ziva became Mielikki's LIason Officer Ziva David GRC, the first puppy to be titled in her litter, and Gossip continued making history by becoming the first Borzoi and only the 7th all breed SGRC5. Unfortunately, I screwed my knee up badly at the dog show yesterday and not sure how much more i'll be doing this fall, the MRI will tell

Degenerative Myleopathy in Borzoi(A beginner's course)

Note: Blogger doesn't like my tables, sorry about the formatting!

If you're looking for a new puppy, you may've seen terms you're not sure of "DM clear", "DM Carrier".DM is Degenerative Myelopathy (http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/DM/basicDM.htm) a newly diagnosed problem in Borzoi. This is a disease of the spine, a neurological disease, kind of like Lou Gehrig's Disease. The age of onset is 5-14 yrs, with most dogs I've heard who might've been affected by this disease, being 'veteran's(over 7). I say might've, because we now thankfully have a gene test that will tell us who is Clear of this gene, who is a carrier, and who is 'at risk', but up until recently, we had just a vet's 'educated guess'

Before you panic, there is no reason not to purchase a dog who has one parent who is a 'carrier', if the other parent is a clear. Your dog/puppy will be a carrier, which means they will not be affected by the disease at all, they just carry the gene. Each dog passes on just one of the genes

According to this website http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/DM/testDM.htm the genes are A(affected)/G, but I'm trying to simplify it completely, trying to mystify a bit, genetics for people.

To simplify it:
N=Copy of the Normal gene, n=copy of the unnormal/at risk gene

Normal, does not carry the gene, will not be affected by this disease : N/N (two normal genes)

Carrier, carries one copy of this gene, will not be affected by this disease: N/n (one normal (N), one non normal gene(n)

At Risk, carries two copies of this gene, MAY be affected by this disease: n/n (two non normal genes)

Sire: N/N Dam N/N

	Sire
Dam		N	N
	N	NN	NN
	N	NN	NN

Puppies will all be normal (NN)

One parent a carrier, one normal:

Sire : N/n Dam N/N

or

Dam N/n Sire N/N

	SireDam
Dam/ Sire		N	n
	N	NN	Nn
	N	NN	Nn

Statistically, half the puppies should be normal, half
carriers, basically, each pup has a 50% chance of being a carrier.

One parent "at risk" one parent Normal.
Sire : n/n Dam N/N
or
Dam n/n Sire N/N

	Sire/Dam
Dam/ Sire		n	n
	N	Nn	Nn
	N	Nn	Nn

All puppies would be carriers

The below two are breedings that in a perfect world, NOBODY would do.

Both parents at risk:
Sire: n/n Dam n/n

	Sire
Dam		n	n
	n	nn	nn
	n	nn	nn

All the puppies will be 'at risk'

Both Parents carriers

	Sire
Dam		N	n
	N	NN	Nn
	n	Nn	nn

Each pup will have a 25% of being normal, 25% of being 'at risk' and 50% being a
carrier

Hopefully, nobody will purposefully do the last two breedings, but if they do, hopefully they will be honest about it.

IMPORTANT: At risk does NOT MEAN they will come down with the disease (http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/DM/ancmntDM.htm). It means they are at higher risk of developing it, but it is not a definitive test!

"Cleared by parentage"

What this means is both parents were tested clear of the disease. Unfortunately, with mutations, further generations may become affected, but that first generation is clear.

How do you check the status of a dog? Unfortunately, not everyone is using the OFA database for various (IMHO) silly reasons, but it is a good place to start (http://www.offa.org/). Others have been using the University of Missouri, but regardless, they should be able to provide you a copy of the tests done on their dog(s). If they refuse to do so, run the opposite direction.

http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/DM/testDM.htm

Now, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with using a carrier or affected, as long as they are bred to a clear. Our gene pool is too small in Borzoi to cull these out at this point in time, but with careful breeding, they can benefit the gene pool.

For example, I have a bitch that I'm waiting for the DM test on. I don't expect her to have a problem, her mother is still bopping around with puppies and she's almost 12, both of her parents lived to be 12.5. . .her father I lost young to dog flu, but both of his parents lived to be 10.5+ with teens in their pedigree to. . .

BUT, if she came back a carrier or an affected, I would NOT throw her out with the bathwater, I would just make sure that whomever she is bred to has been tested and is clear. . .with this test, there's absolutely no
reason to throw away carriers or affected. Unfortunately, there are people who don't understand the
simplicity of this. . and a carrier has them screaming the sky is falling. . .::SIGH:: a little biology would go a long way in the dog world.

What does this mean to you as a pet buyer?

If the breeder tests, it means they care enough about the breed to test.. if they publish their results no matter what, it means they really are. This is someone you should feel good about getting a puppy from.

If one of the parents are a carrier? If you want to breed said puppy, just means you need to make sure its intended has been also tested and is clear. Doesn't really mean anything to you as a pet buyer. . if one parent is a carrier, the worse that happens is your puppy is a carrier, it carries this gene, but it is 'masked' by the good gene and will never develop the issue.

The DNA test is a tool, that's all. . and hopefully people's hysteria will soon settle down and they will realize it's a tool that allows you to continue with your lines without dumping them to the wayside like it used to be if you found out you carried a problem. Now you have a way of telling who has the gene, and ultimately, can remove that gene by spay & neutering carriers in the future, but for right now, let's do it the right way, and use the carriers/at risk smartly!

dealing with puppy buyers

Dealing with puppy buyers can be rewarding, but it can also be a big PITA. . .some puppy buyers are real accomodating, listen to what you have to say, some think they know it all, and have no problem telling you that. .

Over 15 yrs in Borzoi, I've come to terms that many show people/puppy buyers are nuts. . .and much prefer selling my pups to pet homes where they'll be loved and adored, no matter if they end up missing 5 teeth, have a gay tail or a bad bite. . .all they care about is that the puppy fits their household and has a wonderful temperament. Soo unlike the revolving door of the show dog world.

Some of the asinine reasons I've heard for returning dogs from show homes just make me want to scream. . there was the beautiful white & red bitch that I would've stole in a haertbeat, that was returned because she 'looked too much like Kennel X", another self black & tan bitch who was returned a year later because the show person didn't like black. . hunh?

A recent interaction with a 'show' person reiterated to me how much I hate dealing with show homes. . .not that I will turn away a good show home that'll keep a puppy forever. . but you have no idea if that show home will be such at first. . not unless they've proven themselves to you. And in 8 litters, I've had 2 puppies returned to me, and I think part of it is because of my hatred of placing in show homes.

This person contacted me earlier this year, in like Feb, asking about Chrissy, a few emails back and forth, then she disappeared. . I'm used to that, so I just blew it off, and went on with life. You can't take it personally when homes looking at puppies do that, it happens. They flake out, go elsewhere, change their mind, whatever. I can deal with that.

Suddenly she reappeared, asking if she was still available, a few emails, then wham, disappeared. I saw her at the Nationals, she didn't inquire on Chrissy, so once again, I blew it off. . .

Few weeks later, I get an email, can I stop by and see them? I really like Chrissy, blah blah blah. . sure, set up a time, came home and met with her, introduced her to the pups, spent quite a bit of time that evening with her, she fell in love with Aurora, really liked her, blah blah blah, granted I thought and still think Chrissy is the better bitch, but hey. . and as we headed back to the house, she dropped a bomb shell in my lap.

"I like her, but I kind of am in line for a pup out of Breeder Y's litter, not sure if I want one, I don't like the colour, but. . "

Wait a minute here. . .this should've been stated first thing. . IMHO. . There's just no way I'd go to a breeder's house, waste their time and then go oh well, your litter is my back up plan. . it's rude.

Whatever. . she left, swearing she'd make a decision in a few weeks.

Again, heard nothing from her, tho she talked to the cobreeder and a friend of mine. Figured she'd made her decision. . .whatever. . .that doesn't bother me. .

And then, again, she pops out of nowhere, "I'd like to stop by next week and see her again". Ok, fine, whatever. .but again all I heard of was how much she loved Breeder Y's puppies parents, balh blah blah. I dropped her an email and told her it seemed she'd already made up her mind, there was no need to stop by and see Aurora. . I'd rather she be in a home who loved her for her. .first love, not by whimsy,and I don't hear the same things coming out of her mouth about Aurora and her family. That's ok, there's plenty of types of Borzoi. She never responded to that email

Except she ends up calling and cancelling, didn't get out of her summer home when she'd plan, blah blah blah "let's make it tomorrow". Ok. . .at this point, I've about had enough, I feel like I've been ran thru a ringer by this person. . .the next day, she calls. . .now, she has to deal with Friday rush hour traffic to come see me, IMHO, wouldn't you leave early AM if you plan on meeting someone, to insure you get there in time? Already realised she wasn't serious, have no clue why she kept stringing me along. . .my two friends kept saying 'she's a wonderful home', yeah, but not sure I want to deal with this type of crap for the life of a dog.

She calls again, says she's not going to make it (Well duh, I'd already figured that out), but that she'd think seriously about which pup she wanted on the way home. . .later that night, I get a call "i've decided to go with the boy'.

I wasn't angry, I was frustrated, and just sick of dealing with this person. . .sick of being screwed around with and sick of being lied to. . maybe she didn't lie to me, but lying by ommission is still lying to me. . .maybe she didn't mean to run me thru the ringer and screw around with me, but that's sure how she left me feeling.

Hope her baby boy turns out, despite what breeders tell you, there's little you can tell about if the dog is truly going to be show quality until all teeth come in and the bite settles. . .so much can happen, ask the lady who spent $1500 to import a puppy from sweden only to be missing SEVEN teeth. Her replacement puppy ended up having mismatched rear angles(one side straighter than the other) I had a puppy who was beautiful as a puppy, angles to die for, who grew up missing those angles. .

Buying babies as a show dog is a huge crap shoot.

If you want a show pup, buy an older pup. . .unless you have no problem putting a bunch of money and time into growing out a puppy to adulthood, training it, working with it, vetting it only to find out it's not show quality, at which point you either return the puppy to the breeder(if you have a limit law in your area) and get a replacement, neuter it and get another dog(if your'e not at your limit), or just neuter it and be done with showing (if you are at your limit), that's assuming your contract covers any of this.

Yes, it means more work if you get an older pup and have smaller dogs/cats in the household. . .but it's doable. My current setup the puppies don't interact with the cats, but the pups I kept have been introduced to the cats and ignore them. . . but it's really no more work than what you have to do bringing a young puppy in. You cant' just throw them and your other pets together at any time, it takes work.

Buying older doesn't make things written in stone either, you can still ruin a puppy you get as an older pup. . lack of exercise or improper exercise are just two ways you can do that. But at least you have a BETTER IDEA

And remember, 'show quality' at 8-12 wks just mean it has a good bite and both balls(if it's a boy). Our breed doesn't have breed DQ's beyond both testicles, so as long as they have both, there are breeders who call everything in the litter as 'show quality'. You can't tell anything about that age, IMHO. . I've seen dogs grow up and totally fall apart, and those who looked horrid at that age who grew up to be gorgeous specimens.

And most important: BE HONEST with the breeder from day 1. .don't dick them around, don't string them along. . .this incident was ridiculous.

This entire instance left a bad taste in my mouth about dealing with show homes. I now understand why breeders are termed as short/rude if they've had multiple instances with these type of buyers it could make someone jaded and not willing to talk with someone unless they are serious. .

Between this and the local nitwit who despite numerous breeders trying to help her, keeps buying from puppymills, then complaining about the dogs and then getting upset if you agreed with the fautls of the dog. . . Plenty of breeders (not me, I have enough headaches) in the area have offered her a show quality puppy, but she nitpicks them(not white enough, doesn't have a blaze, doesn't talk to her, etc, etc, etc). . .it all makes me want to scream

Not to say all puppy buyers are bad or wishy washy. . .every one of my puppies has gone into a great home, with great owners, even if the puppies had their 'issues', they worked with and dealt with them. . and love them. .but 99% of the ones I've sold have gone to pet homes, some are pet homes who dabble in showing or running, but these are homes that lvoe the dog, no matter what. .. and that's what I love about them.

So to all those wonderful homes my pups are living in: THANK YOU!!!

Not to say I don't have a few show homes lined up for Gossip's litter. . .but these are long time people who've got a track record of keeping dogs who don't turn out. . .if they're as nice as I expect them to be, Bonnie & I have no problem growing them out until the right home comes along.