Updates...

It has been quite awhile since I have written anything here and so I thought it time to update everyone on what we've been doing.

We have had an eventful year with the arrival of Aplgrth Magus, call name Merlin, a tri color Border Collie boy bred by Anna Smyth in CT. From excellent working lines, he joined us on Memorial Day and is a wonderful addition to the pack and family. He is now 9.5 months old, all legs and teenage attitude, but an absolute joy. We can't wait to see where our journey goes with this sweet boy. He is starting his agility training and has had some fun in barn hunt already with a novice leg at 8 months of age.

Merlin

Seeker had an amazing year, finishing his ASCA ATCH2, his USDAA Silver ADCH, a bunch of other agility titles as well as competing at his 3rd USDAA Cynosport World Competition. He made it into PGP Semi-finals and although we didn't make it to the big dance, I was so proud of his performance. He also ventured into Barn Hunt where he achieved his RATI and RATN.

Gem continues to fight her demons and we are making progress. She is a wonderful girl who marches to her own drummer and that's okay. We didn't get to do any coursing last year, but we hope to this year.

Ceilidh is still Ceilidh. She loves to be sassy and bossy. She enjoys barn hunt, but it no longer able to compete, so I take her to matches instead. The spondylosis in her spine will not allow her to make the 90 degree turns in the tunnels so I play with her in Novice where she can take a straight tunnel. I wish the powers that be in barn hunt make some consideration for the old dogs or dogs with physical issues. Many people with older dogs have found a great retirement sport in this. Some of us, with dogs like Ceilidh, have to stop playing because it just isn't safe for them to climb 3 or 4 bales high. Fingers crossed...

As for us, we continue to plug along. 2015 was a fair sight kinder to us than 2014. We are just happy to put our feet on the floor each morning. So happy 2016 to all!!

Introducing... Merlin!!

On Memorial Day 2015, we welcomed a new soul into our lives... Merlin is formally known as Aplgrth Magus. He was bred by Anna Smyth of CT and is out of her awesome Lily and Beverly Lambert's fantastic Open trial dog Joe.

We have big plans for this young man. He is funny, independent, outgoing, silly and crazy smart. The journey begins...

Seeker...

Seeker has been awesome in the agility ring as of late. He finished his USDAA Lifetime Achievement Award in September. He is completely qualified for Cynosport 2015 with the Qs he earned last weekend. He was dropped to Performance in September, so he's qualified at P20" for Cynosport. He earned both PVP team Qs with a 3rd and a 1st. He has 2 Performance Speed Jumping and 2 Performance Grand Prix Qs. All of those with placements as well. I have the room to breathe. We still have the extras of  Performance Biathlon to get if we so choose, but we'll see. I'm not doing much training of him now. I keep him conditioned with other activities and he hasn't been in an agility class for several years. What we know, we know. I'm not WT material, not at my age. I'm just happy playing with my dogs. I still have some goals for Seeker and I to achieve, like his Silver ADCH and his PDCH. I couldn't ask for a more rock solid partner than this boy. I am blessed...

The list... 2015

With 2014 being such a tough year, many of my goals went unaccomplished, but some were completed. I never thought a year later Piper would be gone. Never... Many of the goals from 2014 involved him and were left not completed after he got sick and we lost him so quickly. Seeker did great when I was able to trial him completing most of my goals for him. Ceilidh delved into a whole new endeavor and Gem got to run fast and chase the bunnies. So here we go with 2015's list, in no particular order...

1. Get Seeker out on sheep more often. It is good for both of us.

2. Finish Seeker's ATCH 2. We are very close to doing so.

3. Do more Barn Hunt with Ceilidh and do some fun Nose Work training with her too.

4. Continue training Gem in agility and other activities on her terms.

5. Keep working on Gem's CAT levels because she loves it.

6. Get a new puppy.

7. Go to Cynosport 2015 and do our best, but most of all have FUN!

8. Finish Seeker's Silver ADCH.

9. Get that last 20 lbs. off by actually going to Yoga and Zumba classes.

10. Reduce my stress and achieve my goals of moving forward from where I am now.

11. Spend more quality time with Bob and the dogs and look forward to our beach trip!

Every year is full of challenges... but how you overcome those challenges is what makes the difference. Peace, love and prosperity to all in 2015!

Ceilidh, Seeker and Gem - Christmas 2014

Reflections 2014...

To say that this year has been challenging, would be the understatement of the century. To say that it was all bad, would be untrue. Despite the really bad things that happened, the dogs were stellar, completing goals that I set for us. The dogs are always amazing and competing with them is an honor and a privilege.

The year began with polar vortexes, snow, cold, a case of frost nipped fingertips for me and a flood which resulted in Bob's first of 3 hospitalizations this year. We also suffered through a wrecking crew of waterproofers which just did about as much damage as the flood did. However, we survived and with the help of my brother-in-law Joe, got things set to rights.

February brought a bright spot with Piper completing his CPE C-ATCH with the last 2 Colors Qs he needed. This was his 5th agility championship and he completed it on my nephew Jason's birthday. I'm sure we had a few angels guiding us that day.

In April, Ceilidh got her first taste of Barn Hunt and loved it! Not a surprise really. 

Also in April, Piper did a very special therapy dog visit right after his 11th birthday. We were part of the teams that went to Franklin Regional High School after the stabbings. He was amazing as always and I was SO proud of him.

In May, Seeker gave me a Mother's Day present by finishing his USDAA Bronze ADCH. He also completed his Jumpers Silver and Bronze Relay titles that weekend too. Gem got to run in her first Coursing Ability Tests and came away with 2 Qs towards her first level title.

June came with Piper having nasal discharge and sneezing, but he was otherwise feeling great as he ran in a CPE trial. It was to be his last trial weekend ever. Seeker continued to garner Qs for his CPE C-ATCH and work on his USDAA LAA Bronze.

July was the worst... Piper suffered a severe bout of pancreatitis and had to be taken to the emergency vet on July 4th. On July 10th, my awesome brother-in-law Joe, was killed in a motorcycle accident when someone in an SUV pulled out in front of him from a side road. He never had a chance. He was doing everything right, helmet, headlight, within the speed limit, but the driver's moment of stupidity, inattentiveness, or whatever, cost Joe his life. Ours will never be the same. My sister dealt with her wedding anniversary the day after we buried Joe. A week after that, she had to cope with the 4 year anniversary of the loss of her son and my oldest nephew Jason. My sister is the strongest person I know.

 Fifteen days later, on July 25th... Piper was diagnosed with an aggressive nasal tumor. I hoped for months, but it was not to be. We lost him 2 days later on July 27th. The cancer had advanced quickly and has destroyed the crib form plate and part of his right eye socket. His pain was probably off the charts, but he gave me the gift of one more day which was filled with frozen yogurt with whipped cream and sprinkles, a trip to see Daddy at work, ball playing and snuggles. He died in my arms the next day with the help of our wonderful vet. My heart is still in pieces...

In August, Seeker finished his CPE C-ATCH with the last 2 Standard Qs we needed. I was so emotional and was barely able to complete his runs. This was Seeker's 5th agility title also. We also did some USDAA, still working on his LAA Bronze. My awesome friends pulled together and helped me raise enough money to pay off Piper's medical bills and make a donation to a BC rescue. I can never thank them enough.

September came with the Highland Games. This was the first year I had gone alone with the dogs and it was difficult. I retired Piper there in 2013 from his freestyle demos, but I had to carry on. Seeker stunned me with 2 very nice routines off the cuff and Gem held it together to show off some of her skills as well. Seeker was back in the agility ring at the end of the month earning some of his Qs towards his qualification for Cynosport 2015. Ceilidh earned her RATI and one leg towards her RATN with a 2nd place in Barn Hunt too.

Gem finished her CA and earned a leg towards her next level in November. She really loves this game! Chasing the bunny is her thing for sure. She continues to train in agility with no real aspirations for competition. I'm glad she enjoys the training and maybe some day, she'll decide that the ring isn't a scary place any longer. Seeker qualified for Cynosport 2015 in Performance and earned his P3 Jumpers title.

December was Ceilidh's turn again with Barn Hunt. We had hoped to go in November, but her lameness kept us from making a trip to the competition. With some acupuncture on board and a change in herbs, she made it through this weekend and earned her RATN (novice) title with 2 first place ribbons. I moved her up to Open, but she wasn't quite ready for the challenges the extra tubes and rats presented. 

This year has been one of if it didn't kill me, it made me stronger. After this year, I know who my friends are and who were just pretending. I know that time lost is gone forever. I know that I will tell those that I love that I love them every day because life can change in an instant. Onward to 2015...

And life goes on...

Piper's passing has left a very large hole in our hearts and lives. He was still fairly active and as of the beginning of June, he was still running agility with joy and abandon. Moving forward has been difficult for all of us. Participating in the activities that he so enjoyed has been painful at times. Piper would want us to go on without him.

Finishing Seeker's CPE C-ATCH was much more emotional than I ever anticipated. We went into the weekend needing 2 Level 5 Standard Qs. We got one on Saturday, which wasn't pretty and I could feel my heart break with every step. On Sunday, Seeker was running well and I knew we could do this. What I didn't anticipate was how hard it would really be. The further into the course we got, the heavier my heart became and the more I just wanted to stop running. Seeker isn't Piper. We are on our own journey. He deserved for me to finish the course and this championship. So I did... That was Seeker's 5th agility championship as was Piper's when he completed his earlier in the year. Despite this milestone, I didn't feel like celebrating.

On September 20th, we did something else without Piper. We went to the Ligonier Highland Games. We have been part of the Scottish breed exhibit almost from the beginning. I brought freestyle there with Duncan, many, many years ago. Piper took over after Duncan retired and ultimately passed from cancer. I retired Piper from the Games in 2013. His enjoyment of doing his demos had waned and we had planned to leave both he and Ceilidh home in 2014. Things change... Gem has very little freestyle training. Seeker has virtually none. They both made me so proud when they stepped up and danced with me. My heart wasn't in it. I wanted to cry, but watching how they both laid it on the line for me, pushed me through. They kept the legacy of Duncan and Piper beautifully alive. I couldn't have asked for more.

Two weekends ago, Seeker finished his USDAA Lifetime Achievement Award - Bronze (150 Qs). Piper finished his in June 2013 and was retired from USDAA in November 2013. Seeker still has a stellar career left to run in Performance. I am halfway to qualifying him for Cynosport 2015 in TN. He is healthy, fit and loving being the only dog I am running in agility now. We are back to having fun and focusing on the future again.

So yes, even though Piper is no longer with us, life goes on. We take each day as they come. He would want it that way...

Piper and his LAA Bronze plaque

For the love of Piper...

Piper is gone. Those three words are very difficult for me to write or say. He was helped to the Bridge by my wonderful vet on Sunday, July 27, 2014. My concession is that he is no longer in pain and that he went peacefully and gently while held in my arms. Cancer... oh how I hate that word and disease, took him from us much too soon.

He had a nasal tumor that took his life quickly. He was a "fire" in the Chinese elements. In true fire fashion, there was no lingering illness. Fires spark forth, burn brightly and are extinguished quickly. Piper burned brightly. He was my rock star and enjoyed every minute of every day of his too short life.

My heart has been ripped from my chest. This dog took me places that I never dreamed possible. It is because of him that I do agility and enjoy it. He didn't just like the game, he LOVED it. Agility was his passion... run fast, take chances, rock on! It will never, ever be the same for me again.

Piper and I earned over 100 performance titles in agility, rally, obedience, canine freestyle and herding. We were partners and teammates. He gave me 100% every single time we stepped in a ring or on a field. His zest for life was irrepressible. His smile, body and tail wag and his singing "woo woo" were his trade marks. Life was GOOD every single day of his life. What he will be remembered for are these things and how he touched everyone's lives that he met.

As a therapy dog, Piper was THE best. He loved everyone and greeted them with his trademark singing and kisses. Like Kastle, people who didn't even like dogs were drawn to him. He especially loved the ladies, both old and young and strollers with babies were also favorites. The therapy work done at Franklin Regional High School earned him recognition, bringing the importance of therapy dogs to the forefront. He loved to dance to big band music at local nursing homes and at Christmastime, we danced to carols as the residents sang along. A dog that had so much drive and focus on an agility course COULD be quiet and calm enough to do therapy work. He loved to be the center of attention, to make people smile and laugh and to get petted and give kisses.

I was blessed to be able to share him with others. He wouldn't have had it any other way. This sentient being was meant to be shared. His love for life, his golden heart and his infectious grin were not meant for us to keep to ourselves. He was a show off and loved applause. Piper was such a character. We are all so much better for having known him.

Piper earned 5 agility championships in his career. He was my first real agility dog. I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew that he loved this crazy sport. We learned, had fun, failed and succeeded together as a team. He was fast, wild and reckless. I had no idea how to handle him. I am blessed that he loved me enough to not advertise on Craig's list for a new handler.

I miss him more than words can say. I miss his cuddling with me every day of his life. I miss his kisses. I miss his "woo woo" when I come home from work. I miss him sitting in his chair at agility trials. I miss him hoarding toys and chewies under the end table. I miss running him in agility. I miss dancing with him. I miss doing therapy work with him. I miss him following me around the house. I miss playing ball with him. I just miss HIM and always will.

Each day brings a little more comfort and less pain. I'm trying to remember and focus on the millions of wonderful memories he gave to me. I also remember his last Saturday, when he gave me that elusive "one more day" that many never get to experience. He loved going to Sweet Frog for frozen yogurt and this time he got whipped cream and sprinkles too. We got to visit his Daddy at work and play with his lambie with all of Daddy's co-workers and steal a ball of yarn from the supervisor and carry it around the room like a prize. Then he came home and played with my cousin's 2 children, who had known Piper all of their lives. Even with all the fantastic journeys we've had over the years, THIS was his best day EVER...

I know he wouldn't want us to cry and be sad. He would want us to celebrate his life and remember all the fun times. I'm trying to do that, but it would be easier if he were still here with us. RIP sweet man... I will always love you.

Our grateful thank yous go to the loving care of Piper provided by Dr. Alexandra Konegger, Dr. Craig Hill and Dr. Daniel Halden and staff from KVet Animal Care, Dr. Fiona Tam and Dr. Amanda Crabtree and staff from Avets - Allegheny Veterinary Emergency Trauma & Specialty, Nancy Craig - Pawsitive Energy and Kim Bennett - Stablemate Massage LLC.

We also want to thank Piper's breeder, Cheryl Jagger Williams for allowing us the opportunity to have Piper in our lives. He was a gift from heaven and our lives are the richer for having him in it.

We also want to thank everyone that donated and bid at the auction and contributed to Piper's medical bills with their donations. It truly showed us just how loved he really was by everyone. We are so grateful for everyone's generosity.

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went..." Will Rogers