Updates...

Where to start?
 
I've been sick, and haven't been able to get on the computer to update, sorry about that.  I will be catching up on everyone's blogs over the next few days.
 
And no sooner did I start to feel better then Holly collie became ill.  We took her to the vet, and they sent us to the veterinary hospital for x-rays.  Fortunately, it isn't bloat or an obstruction, but they didn't give us a definitive dx either.  They think it is either gastroenteritis or pancreatitis.  So she is on a bland diet, and we will be watching her closely.  She seems a little better today, and her appetite is returning, so I am hoping that’s a good sign.

Holly is our happy, bouncy girl.  She lives for dog shows, and just shines when she is in the ring.  She has competed at Westminster twice with my daughter. 

 

At Westminster

 

 

She had to have an emergency spay two years ago, and then my daughter aged out of junior handling two years ago, so Holly has been unable to compete in the classes at dog shows since that time.  I know she misses it, and I know she has been sad when my daughter goes to dog shows without her.  She watches my daughter pack up the grooming bag, and gather together her show clothes and bait, and she knows that means my daughter is going to a dog show.  But because only intact dogs can compete at dog shows, Holly was forced to retire from shows just before her 5^th birthday.

 

 

 But Holly turned 7 years old on Christmas Day.  And many of the collie specialty shows allow 7 year old collies to compete in the veteran’s classes.  And they can be spayed or neutered in the veteran’s class!  So this weekend we have entered Holly at a two day show, it was supposed to be her return to the show ring.  And now with her sick, we aren’t sure she is going to be able to go.  We are hoping she will feel back to her old self by Saturday, because it will break her heart if she has to be left home again.  It reminds me of this story:

 

THE OLD SHOW DOG

by Cindy L. Williams

 

 

He was a real nice show dog, but his glory days are through,

And he gazes out the kennel gate, with nothing much to do.

They're loading up the van now, 'cause they're going to a show,

But his showing days are over, and he doesn't get to go.

 

He watches, tail a waggin', his eyes as bright as they can get,

As his crate goes in he wonders why they haven't bathed him yet.

Then your eyes meet through the kennel fence, and you have to look away,

How are you going to tell him that he's staying home today?

 

Retirement, they call it, now he's in his 'golden years.'

He doesn't look as old, though, when your eyes are full of tears.

And you think of all the rosettes, and the Best in Show he won,

The more he showed, the better he got, and then he had a son...

 

And so now for the first time, you are leaving him behind,

And trying to convince yourself he doesn't really mind.

He sees the younger dog get in, and he's looking pretty low,

But there isn't time to cheer him up, you really have to go.

 

'Be a good boy, old dog, this time you have to stay!'

He doesn't bark or climb the fence, he simply looks away

Just like a nice old show dog, whose glory days are through,

He gazes out the kennel gate, with nothing much to do.

 

Yes, he used to be a show dog, but the glory doesn't last

And he's gazing out the kennel gate, remembering the past.

 

I don’t want any of my dogs feeling sad, or replaced.  If they are able to show, and want to go, I want to make sure they are given the chance.  So please keep Holly in your thoughts and prayers…