Living with a golden oldie

http://www.mielikkishunt.com/touchet2.html
I am currently living a first. . I've never had a dog reach the age my Touchet has in all my years of owning dogs: a wonderous 13.5 yrs old. . she's a legend in her own mind, and my sweet 'golden schnausage'. She's not as spry as she used to be, creaky and grumpy, but she still gets up and gets going in the morning. . .still makes me laugh with her antics

She sleeps so soundly, she gives me scares a couple of times a week. Not sure if she's just that deep asleep or getting deaf, or a combo of both, as one day, I even patted her on her not quite as plump butt, and she didn't move, nudged her again, harder, and she came scrambling out of her sleep, looking to snark at a young whippersnapper that had bothered her, only to look sheepishly at me, wagging her pompom of a tail(I cut her coat back a few weeks ago)

It is rather scary to see your oldie laying out in the yard, and not see her sides raise with a breath, even when you toss a rock over the fence near her, or in the case of one day that really gave me a heartattack, the ditzy Trio(Gibbs, Jenny, & Ziva) raced over her, and she didn't move, just soaking in the sun. Since we've had a few oldies just pass away in their sleep, it's a worry every time she doesn't move.

She is a silly, sweet dog, always looks at me with eyes twinkling. Last few mornings she's been rattling the gate to the dog kitchen that keeps the old ladies from rampaging the house, woofing at me to get my attention, and not stopping until I slip her something out of the fridge. She's never been pushy for food, so not sure what's up with her, but I cater to her each morning if she asks for it. She takes the scritches, takes the snack, then walks away and leaves me alone while I fix the rest of my own personal meal LOL

She's always been a bit of a hussy with the boys, spayed or not, and it hasn't stopped. . I'm not sure if cougar is the right word for a gal her age, but she still will come up to a boy of her choosing, flick those ears up, wag that tail, stomp her feet, and woof at him like "SEe,I still got it!" And yep, she still has it, with her golden ringlets, gorgeous dark brown eyes. The boys have no clue what to do with her antics, but they make me laugh everytime I see them.

She still demands to go out in the big yards so she can snuffle around, lift her leg to pee on things, and then find a spot to sunbath in. . . she cant' get into a gallop anymore, but tries, gallumping around the backyard, and heaven forbid  if you forget her, she will inform you that you left her royal Brattiness out, and that she's had enough with the young mob, it is time for her to come in and lord over the old dog kitchen yet again.

Every day is a blessing with my Touchet. . . I know each morning could be her last. Maybe that's what the morning routine is about. "See Mom, I'm still here!"

the joy of great homes & health testing

I love all my homes, but some are shining stars of responsibility

Shortly after I sold Gibbs, I got a call from a nice lady in the Midwest, who had fallen in love with him on the web, and was interested in using him on one of her girls. I let her know that although he'd been sold, he was available to the right girl, and we talked some more. She inquired upon his health testing, and I had to admit that I don't bother with health tests unless a) i'm getting ready to breed said dog, b) there's a concern. Since all the health tests done in Borzoi are only good for a year or so except for DM, it's not worth it unless there's a local, convenient clinic.  I told her that if hse was serious, the health tests wuld be done before hand.

So, yesterday I sent a clinic notice to Gibbs' new mom, and instead of complaining about the prices, she asks "Which ones do you want done?" So, including doing DM(Even tho he's DM by parentage, I'm DM testing each breeding generation of my dogs), she's going to get his hairy tush CERF, OFA THyroid & Heart, and thus his Chic # :) So proud and pleased with her.

I've tried offering bonuses for testing, but even with those, the homes don't follow thru. . .someone I know was complaining about the cost of the DM test in the same breath they were wanting someone to breed to their dog. . that test alone is a must have, and worth the cost. I just don't understand

Weather here has been horrid, but this weekend is forecast to be nice and light for summer, so Gibbs will be joining Bounce & I at the coursing field for his QC, crossing fingers he'll get it!