White Shepherd Stories

The Entertainer

 

Quest is a natural entertainer.  He has always been a show-off and apparently he has no intention of giving that up just because he is growing older.   When he began doing agility, he could be amazing.  He could also turn in performances that defied reason. If he saw a dog, or a person he wished to visit, he would leave the ring (in the middle of a performance), and go visit.  He normally came back, although it was after he was disqualified. People enjoyed him because he was very friendly and never meant any harm to anyone.  He was a happy boy who just wanted to have fun.   There were way too many incidents to list.  He once left the ring to visit but then, just as I was leaving the ring he came flying back through the gate and ran the entire course on his own.  Maybe it was the applause he received. Anyway, that was one of the first things he did to delight his appreciative audience.  He actually began listening to me and qualifying regularly when he was about four years old.  That did not stop his humorous performances though.  He just fit them in between his runs.  Often, when we were in position to go into the ring, I would notice that spectators were laughing and pointing toward us.  When I looked at my partner he would be laying on his back, with all four feet in the air.  Once he knew he had some attention he would add some yodeling to his silly performance.   He would sometimes stop and look around to be sure everyone saw him. He loved to get dirty and that is not hard to do in an equestrian barn, when you are a big white dog.   The minute his name was called, he would jump up and bounce into his position at the starting line.  He would hold his "stay" until I had walked the entire length of the barn, if I chose to do so.  When I released him he was all business and his speed was amazing.  

Quest loves agility and we have long since run out of wall space for all his ribbons.  He never cared which venue we competed in: AKC, NADAC, USDAA, and CPE.  He is titled in all of them.  His most amazing skill was his ability to work at a distance.  He was always good at it, but it became a necessity as I slowed down.  One of our instructors laughingly remarked that it would not surprise her if I just stood in the center of the ring and verbally directed him through the entire course.  I used to practice him by layering his route with extra obstacles in between us.  He was fine with that.

Several years ago Quest had a partial tear in his cruiciate ligament.  His wonderful orthopedic surgeon did a great job of repairing it. He does not have the slightest sign of having had any problem.  The surgeon told us he was fine with Quest going back to doing agility.   I was working up my nerve to get him back in training when I began experiencing back pain.  My problem prevented me from running and I was pretty concerned that I would never be able to do agility again.  It has now been two years since my back problem began.  With a lot of work and water aerobic therapy I am doing pretty well and I decided to enroll Journey in agility class.   I thought of putting Quest back in training, but the idea is just too scary to me now that he is ten years old.  I do let him play on the equipment of his choice, around home, but I would just never forgive myself if he got hurt doing something I told him to do.  Quest has taken nose work classes and he has done some herding.  He is good at everything he does, but now that I have both Pirate and Journey in weekly classes I have noticed that Quest seems kind of sad sometimes.  Since I do not want to put him in agility, I decided to let him try Rally. I had no idea if he would enjoy it.  Rally involves obedience and that was never one of Quest's favorite things to do.   But I figured it could not hurt to try.

Last night we all piled in the car and we headed to the training barn.  This is the same barn where Journey takes agility and Pirate takes advanced rally.  As I stepped out of the car and unloaded our training equipment bag, Journey and Pirate waited anxiously to see whose name was called.  When I said "Quest", he about went through the roof. As we went into the barn he headed for the "A-frame".  I had to tell him no, but he was open to other suggestions.  He checked out the other dogs; about seven or eight, I think. This was the first night of Beginning Rally.  Quest behaved very well and listened to all the information that Karin gave us.  We began doing various exercises and Quest just amazed me.  He was doing things I do not recall ever teaching him.  When I told him to heel he would jump up in the air and come down in position at my side.  (Where did that come from?)  The only similar training I have used with my dogs is "with me", which means for them to stay within about ten feet of me as we all walked together.  I use this command when we are hiking or walking together and there is no particular position, just that they stay close.  I don't know where he learned "heel" unless it was just from listening and watching other dogs.  

Quest has never shown aggression toward other dogs.  One of the dogs in our class is a cute little pug named Moo shu.  He is not friendly and he is not afraid of anyone.  He also does not like other dogs.  He lunges and he sounds as if he is ready to kill.  He did not like Quest and immediately went for him.  Quest looked at him, but dismissed him as no threat.  He ignored Moo shu from then on.  Moo shu ignored the dismissal and continued the lunging and verbal attacks every few minutes. Finally, Quest had enough and when Moo shu snarled and lunged at him, he just did his four legged bounce right back with a loud "woof".   It was funny because he immediately did a couple more bounces, demonstrating his sense of humor.  About the worst Quest would do is probably sit on him.  I don't know if it frightened Moo shu, but it sure looked funny with 90 lb. Quest and little tough Moo shu.  Moo shu is in Journey's agility class and Journey does not have the confidence that Quest does, so it is not as funny when he goes after Journey.  It might be good for Journey to see how Quest handled it.  The rest of the classmates are Golden Retrievers, Border Collies and a couple small dogs. The other dogs all seem to be pretty nice.  

I can honestly say that Quest enjoyed the entire class.  He tried to hurry me along sometimes by taking charge of his own leash.   He did a lot of bouncing - I guess just exibiting his joy.  He began verbalizing and I assume the yodeling will soon follow.  I will try to keep it down.  I could not be more pleased than to see him having such a good time.  I don't know if he will ever compete or be a super rally dog, but he is having fun and that is the most wonderful thing of all for me.  He is so smart, it actually would not surprise me if he does learn to do it well.  He really needed something to do and rally will apparently fit the bill.     

We will get some rally pictures as we get on with our classes.  In the meantime I thought these pictures of Quest doing agility would be a nice addition to  this post.  

Guess What - Today is Play Day!

Journey, Pirate & Quest

The Longview dog show is over and we will be staying home together, today.  We really missed each other.   It was quite a weekend for Journey and me and though it was fun, it is good to be finished with it.   Journey did well, although conformation shows are not his favorite thing to do.  I was not much better at it than usual, but we gave it a good try.

It was difficult keeping Journey clean for three days.  He especially delights in deer poop and every time he finds some, he feels a need to roll in it.  By Sunday morning we were all tired of the mission to "keep Journey clean".  Shortly before we were to leave for the show, I looked out the front window and saw Journey on his back, with Pirate dragging him all over the wet lawn.  I started to yell and then decided I was as tired of it as they were.  There are some things more important than a clean show dog.  Two brothers having the time of their lives playing is one of those things that rate higher with me and with them.  When Journey came inside, he was very wet, but thank goodness, not decorated with any deer poop.  We headed out for the last day of showing - our last day leaving two breautiful, but sad faces at home alone. 

When we got home Journey was so excited and he wanted to get out  of the car, at the gate.  I let him run to the house on his own and when I opened the garage door, his brothers came running out of the doggy door to greet us.  They sniffed every inch of Journey to see where he had been and who he had seen.  He just stood with a big grin on his face, so happy to be home with his big brothers.  I don't plan to do any more three day separations - life is too short. Separations happen and some cannot be avoided, but our family just does not do well with them.    

Two years old seems young to retire, but there are many other things in Journey's future.  He is doing especially well in agility and he loves it.  He is a different dog at agility class.  He is so much happier and his confidence is growing stronger every day.   Pirate is doing equally well in his rally class and starting this Wednesday, Quest will be going to a Beginners Rally class. Now if only I can keep up with them!   Fido Beta Kappa is a wonderful training school and we all enjoy Karin Haderly's lessons.  

Last weekend I took Journey to an agility trial in Ridgefield, WA.  I thought he might be nervous about all the noise and excitement.  It did not phase him.  As soon as he saw that they were doing all the obstacles he loves, he was very content to watch the show. I enjoyed seeing old friends I have not seen in a couple years, since I began having back problems.  I am so glad I have managed to correct those problems and I am able to run again.  At my age, I don't know how long I will be able to compete, but I will enjoy it while I can.   

Quest has decided that the noises my ipod makes when I play Words With Friends, disturbs his sleep.  Everytime the ipod makes a noise he growls at it.  I found out how to turn off the volume but he still seemed to know when I was playing it - so I pulled the covers over my head.  That worked!  

It is so cold here.  It does not feel like it got much over the 30's all day.  It is sunny and bright though and the sunset is beautiful.  

Overlooking the river at sunset.  

 

Small Bird - Huge Attitude & Personality

We all miss you little Bogey.

Twenty-nine years ago a small parrot joined our family.  We named him "Bogey".  He was actually my son's middle school graduation gift.  Species name: Nanday Conure - about ten inches in length.  He lived in a combination cage with stand.  The top of the cage was about 48" high and the bottom of the cage was about German Shepherd nose height.  

A Nanday Conure is definitely not a good choice for every family - he was loud, and ornery.  He seemed to have been born with a persecution complex.  He came across as fearless, but he wasn't.  He had quite a few fears, but he subscribed to the theory that attack was the best defense.  He also had his wonderful White Shepherds to protect him.  He loved them and the feeling was mutual. He began their training the same.   Standing on the floor of his cage, nose to nose with each new pup, he threatened with open beak.  The minute they stepped back, he knew he had 'the power' and the friendship was on.  Bogey barked and he growled.  He never spoke a human word that was really understandable.  I believe he never felt anyone ever said anything to him that deserved an answer.  "Polly want a cracker?"  ... what the heck!  He did not like a lot of people, but he never met a German Shepherd he did not like.  They also liked him and they respected him.  

Bogey was aware of various things the dogs barked at and when the dogs missed them, or were in another room, Bogey called out to them to tell them to get on the job.  They always came running.   Bogey would listen to them bark and stand with a self-satisfied expression, having sent his dogs to defend.  

Bogey was a good traveler and he enjoyed traveling in the motor home.  He was an excellent guard bird.  When anyone came near the motor home, he announced them.  The tresspassers invariably looked up, which always tickled me.  I invisioned their expectation of seeing something resembling "Rodan".  Bogey was a gourmet and he ate whatever he could mouch from anyone.   When we sat at the dining table I always gave him his own little dish with a sampling of everything I was serving.  I did this, not so much because he needed it as to keep him from screaming.  As he checked plates, if he saw one item that he was missing on his plate, he threw a fit.  He often shared his food with the dogs.  He even seemed to enjoy tossing out bites of things that were in his dish, that he did not want.  They waited gratefully and that seemed to please him.   I cannot imagine why they enjoyed bird seed, but they seemed like it if he gave it to them.

Lately, Bogey seemed to have mellowed a little.  I took him to the vet on a more regular basis. Every vet told me he would probably not last a lot longer, but they had been telling me that for at least five or six years.  Bogey ate well and he ate everything he could talk anyone into giving him.  He loved vegetables, fruits, meat, all dairy products and well, actually I cannot think of anything he would not try and usually he liked it.  He loved to take baths and most of all he loved interacting with the dogs.  I believe he liked me, but he did not hesitate to bite me if I did something he did not like.  I never saw him bite a dog.  If he wanted to find me he would slide down the legs of his cage stand, fireman style.  He then walked all over the house until he located me.  If a dog looked at him, as he passed it, he would threaten with his beak.  They never called him on it though.  Sometimes they followed him at a safe distance to see where he was going.  When he found me he would climb up my pant leg so I could put him on my shoulder.  He liked to snuggle on my shoulder, under my hair if I was wearing it down.  

When we moved to the Northwest, Bogey had the most wonderful view he had ever had.  He was at the end of the kitchen, by the breakfast bar window.  He could see the main part of our property down to the road.  He could see the Columbia River and the mountains beyond, on the Oregon side of the river.  He enjoyed watching the dogs run the hill side and practice agility.  He alerted the dogs whenever he saw anyone walking on the road.

I believe this was his favorite home.  In warm weather he often got to go out on the deck to watch the humming birds.  He was most awed by the barn swallows and their flying skills as they caught their own food.   He was afraid of the huge Red Tailed Hawks and occasionally a nesting pair of Bald Eagles.  He sent the dogs after them and though the dogs did not always seem to understand Bogey's fear, they accepted their role in defending him and they did a good job of it.  I know Bogey was grateful, and though he was not a humble bird, he really did appreciate the care and concern that the dogs afforded him.  

As he slowed down, Bogey and Journey seemed to have a super close relationship.  Journey is a talker and he talked to Bogey a lot.  He would stand at the cage and whimper softly. Bogie would slide down the bars and stand happily, visiting with Journey for long periods of time.  All the dogs responded to Bogey and visited with him, but Journey was more in awe of him. Bogey liked that.

As I felt our time with Bogey slipping away, I lavished him with all the goodies he liked best. even more than usual.   He enjoyed fresh raspberries, brown rice, snap peas in the pod, scrambled egg and a little yogurt on his last morning.  He cuddled up in his fuzzy tent and took a nap.... and soon his gentle breathing had stopped.  It was peaceful and everyone was aware and quiet.  He will be missed so much, by all of us.   Twenty-nine years ... hard to grasp that he is not here with us, where he belonged.