Status Update Written 2018 and never published.

I realized I hadn't posted since June and I decided it was time for a little update.

In July I took in a orphaned wild rabbit that a  kind hearted teen had removed from a snakes mouth. Considering what it had been through it was only mildly dehydrated with a few small punctures. I have had some experience rehabilitating wildlife through school and I successfully released squirrels and raptors in the past. We called him Nibbles due to the fact that he had been nibbled on. I removed his ticks and got him a bit bigger and old enough and released him on a friends property that she knew she had some wild rabbits living successfully and had a good amount of land. Fingers crossed he is doing well it is wonderful to be able to get to let wild animals be wild.

In July I finished my program and graduated from college with an associates of applied science in Veterinary Technology. It was a wonderful two years and I really miss all the friends I made and the things I was able to do. Also in July I accepted a new job as a Veterinary Technician at an emergency clinic. It has brought me a lot of experience that I likely would not get at a regular practice. I am lucky to also work with some pretty fantastic people and I am looking forward to improving my skills and knowledge base. In August I pasted my National exam for Veterinary Technology which qualifies me to become certified. I was very stressed out about it and I am glad to have that behind me.

Now the Dogs.

Sadie
As Sadie gets older she has grown a few benign lumps that have either been skin tabs, fatty tumors or warts. Every time she has been into the vet we have them check to see if any need to be removed. In January we noticed one on the lumbar area of her back and it seemed cyst like. It was often a little crusty or oozy. As she was almost due for her yearly shots we took her in to have it looked at. The vet told us it was likely a cyst and it looked benign but he would suggest having it removed at some point. The last time Sadie had surgery in 2011 or so she had a bit of a reaction to the anesthesia and was a little sick for a few days. With that in mind we scheduled her lumpectomy for March while I would be home on spring break so I could take care of her. In total she ended up having 8 small lumps removed because the vet thought it would be a good time while she was already out and he also mentioned that it would be easier to keep track of any new ones. Thankfully she came out of surgery fantastically with no negative reaction to the drugs. She did look a bit like undead monster dog with all her shaved spots and the couple stitches. She was did excellent about leaving them alone to the point that we did not have to put a cone on her at all. And within a few weeks most of her hair had grown back and it was hard to tell anything had happened. Other than that things have been pretty uneventful although it was clear when I moved back home that she had gotten a little bit naughty while I was gone. She has been more likely to counter surf or get into the garbage. Looks like she is going to keep me on my toes for a while.

Skipper.
Skipper is a monster. Or that is one of his most common nicknames. He has a bit of a duel nature to him in

Slipping into the future.

It has been years since I looked at this. Not that I haven't spent that time doing things with my dogs and other animals but at some point I no longer could find the time to write a blog that no one reads. 

Not that it matters. At the end of the day I am doing this for myself to help capture memories and have something to look back on. I don't have the best memory and time with my animals is too precocious to forget. 

So I might try to start this up again. I am actively training both Simon and Skipper to compete in Rally. I am still learning more about sharing my life with dogs.  A lot has changed. My Mother has always told me I am not someone that handles change well. And I wont say it has been easy but I am trying to move forward and not fight it. 

Good Point Simon.

Life goes on.

Good Bye Badger. (4 leaf)

He came to live with me in October of 2012 as an adult so I was never sure of his actual age but I assumed he was at least one to two years old.

He passed away last night or this morning June 27th 2018. 

At the youngest he was at least seven at most he could have been pushing 9 years old. That is really a long life for most pet ferrets.


Unfortunately the grumpy old guy couldn't fight off death forever. He out lived the predictions of three different vets. He was diagnosed with cushings and likely cancerous tumors 4 years ago and still kept up with his honey badger personality. While we were in Twin he would often attack my feet and socks while he was running around as I was cleaning his cage. 

Sadie loved him. 
Simon was terrified of him. 
I will miss him.

Simon's First Agility Trial

Who says Siberians can't be performance dogs?

Basically everyone who has ever met or owned a Siberian or done any performance work with a dog.

Did we prove them wrong at our first agility trial?... Sort of.

First of all I want to say I still consider both of us novices, novice dog, novice handler, novice team. That being said I feel like the weekend was a success. Granted no legs were earned towards an agility trial but we both learned, got some positive ring experience and had a wonderful time with friends.

We drove into town (4/13) Friday afternoon and we got to spend time with Nik, Sadie and Skipper. Simon and Skipper still don't particularly like eachother but that is mostly shown is minor posturing and urination competitions. Skipper is still looking for a home and also still working on learning how to be a good pet.

Anyway we got in relaxed with family and rested for Saturday.

Saturday we went to the trial.

Simon and I haven't been to a trial since we went to the one back in 2016. Its been about two years and I was a little concerned that my noisy dramatic princess might be a little difficult. Over all he totally surprised me and was way better at the trial than I would have thought was possible. Minimal whining in the crate, only minor reactions to other dogs around us and realized I didn't want him to pee in the barn so he was good about that too. And I also kept and eye on him if we were in a tempting area.

I was able to step up next to a friend who has a lot of experience with agility so I got wonderful tips and conversation from her.

It was a great place for our first agility trial I had a bunch of friends and people I knew there so I could be supportive of them and they in turn were supportive of me. Also the trainer I have been working with was there too so she was able to see us work together and get a good idea of the many things we could improve on.

I will write more later.

Foster dog skipper.

Introducing Skipper the foster dog. 

I don't know a ton about his history he is somewhere between 3-6 years old and he is a small mix breed dog. My guess is there might be some chihuahua in the mix but it's anyone's guess.

He does have a little bald spot on the outside of his right thigh. Vets have looked at it and it appears to be scar tissue from something in the past so most likely the hair will not grow back. It doesn't seem to bother him at all just adds a little character. 

He has been with us since May of last year looking for the perfect home for such an awesome little dog. There are also some behavioral issues that we are working on so that when we find him home he will be the perfect fit.

Over all he gets along well with Sadie, Simon and Napoleon. Simon and Skipper will occasionally posture a little but they have relaxed a lot around each other.

Skipper is an awesome little dog and I am excited to help him. 

Comic 1.

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Goals for the New Year

A lot of these are not new goals. They are things I have been working on or towards for awhile. Some of them are a little new. Some are dog related some are just for me.

1. Rock the second semester of my program.
2. Complete my summer externship.
3. Take more pictures.
4. Be more active (with Simon)
5. Train with my dogs more.
6. Teach Simon some new tricks.
7. Work towards our next AKC Trial
8. Keep working hard to be the person I want to be.
9. Keep us all healthy and happy.
:)

Anyone else have fun goals  for the next year?