Vixen was diagnosed with end stage liver disease of unknown cause on November 21, 2006. She was active and appearing healthy until days before we had to put her down. Over 70% of her liver had failed perhaps triggered by an auto-immune response but there are many answers we will never have. An incredibly strong and healthy girl, gone so quickly.
A life too short
Our memory of you,
vibrant and strong
You came into our lives unexpectedly
Boundless energy, needing a job
A true Labrador character,
Holding our pack together
In Agility you flew like the wind
As a mother, patient and loving,
My partner, my friend,
My Vixey Valentine
Your love of life lives on
As we hold you dear to our hearts
Fly, my sweet girl, Fly.
Loved by Cheryl and Brad Mousseau
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buzz
CH Willobees Quickening AKC/ASCA CD, CGC, TDI, AX, OAJ
May 9, 1996 – August 16, 2006
Buzz passed away on the evening of August 16, 2006 from “unknown causes.” He was what I call my “first” dog. He was the first dog from my first Aussie litter and my first breed champion.
Buzz had a big heart and if he liked you, the first thing he would do was throw him self down at your feet “belly up” for a tummy rub.
Buzz was two legs short of his Masters Standard title when he left us. My heart is “one beat” shorter without him.
Buzz was loved by Laurey Weiner
What is a Title really?
Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher Title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores.
A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor the dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard. And though the dog himself doesn’t know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.
A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed.
And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him another chance when he failed, and in the end your faith was justified.
A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few; that in a world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title as greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.
A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received permanently.
By Sandy Mowery
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nick
Nicholas Palius RA AX AXP OAJ AJP CGC TDI, a bunch of nadac titles,
lots of legs and so much more we ran out of time for “Nick”
March 18, 1998 to April 13, 2006
I could write for days about Nick…..my personal therapy dog….my novice A dog in the excellent ring……my never lost a track dog….my co-pilot and turkey sandwich sharer…..my novice A and hopefully DWA obedience dog…..my partner…...my darling blond boy. Each of these “titles” has a good story behind it. But the sad story is that, after honoring Nick as a cancer survivor at the last two Agility For A Cause trials, I am now memorializing him.
Nick survived a small cancerous tumor on his tongue that was removed with a clean margin in October, 2004. I thought we were out of the woods. Then, in May of 2005 his littermate Michael died of hemangiosarcoma and later that summer a half brother Rudi died, also of hemangio. And I started to learn how many other related dogs had died of hemangio. That’s when I realized that unless we were extremely lucky our time together would probably be limited.
From that point forward, Nick and I did every fun thing we could think of…..we had a blast at the 2005 National, we played a lot of agility, we started tracking, began competing in rally and got serious about our obedience training. He helped me test-drive trucks so we could do more traveling and then we hit the road, competing in lots of trials and staying in hotels, where Nick loved to jump from bed to bed as well as share my room service dinners and breakfasts.
One weekend last April we competed brilliantly in masters agility on Friday and Sunday, and we earned his first rally excellent leg on Saturday with a class win in cold pouring rain. We worked on our weave poles and our gambling in the backyard Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and had a blast in our open obedience class Tuesday night. I left work on Wednesday afternoon with “make appointment to certify for tracking’ on my To Do list. But Wednesday night Nick was weak and not himself. We took him to our vet the next morning and an ultrasound provided the horrible diagnosis…..Nick had a hemangiosarcoma tumor growing on his heart. Until it burst Wednesday night it had not caused any symptoms, now it was killing him as it was non-removable and wouldn’t respond to chemo.
We brought Nick home and he spent one last night and day with his family and his pack. He died on Friday, in my arms, in his car, which we had bought together to go to fun things in. He had just turned eight.
Nick was owned by my mom, Elizabeth Palius, who was his first agility partner.
Nick was handled to his excellent agility, preferred agility and rally titles by me.
Nick was loved by everyone who met him.
Susan Palius
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mike
Michael Edward Palius CGC
also "Bo" (short for Bubula) and "Moose" (short for Momula)
March 18, 1998 – June 9, 2005
As his nicknames suggest, Mike was a love. He was a dear, sweet, kind, gentle, loving soul whose only desire was to love and be loved, to play with squeaky toys and to eat lots of cookies. And ice cream. And hamburgers. And lettuce -- Mike was particularly found of veggies and would poke you if you forgot to share with him while you were making salad.
Mike was our omega dog, who followed his brothers’ lead. He was devoted to pack leader Peter, and Pete gave him the confidence to mix it up with the others. Mike loved to start up the wild game and then dive under the bushes for cover while the others wrestled. He seemed a bit lost after Pete died in March and my only comfort is that, once again, Mike is with his Pete.
We tried training Mike in agility, but he could never see the point of jumping over something when, if you only took a step to the side, you could just walk around it, and he certainly wasn’t about to get his feet dirty running through a tunnel. Mike did weave poles exactly once in his life – by following a hot dog I held in my hand as I backed through them. He was very pleased with himself and ran right over to mom to show off: “look mom, I did weave poles!” But once was plenty. We also tried to take him to obedience school, but he didn’t like it and refused to go. So in a house of agility dogs, Mike happily stayed home with whoever wasn't competing that day and helped dad to read the paper on the sofa, or joined us and gleefully paraded around the trial with a squeaky toy in his mouth, squealing with delight and showing it off to the dogs in crates (who couldn’t take it from him).
Believing that dogs are happiest when they have job to do, I kept looking for something and last winter finally found obedience lessons that Mike loved – with two wonderful, kind women who made all that heeling, staying and coming a fun game. Mike was so proud to go to school with the other guys -- his wagging tail sweeping the dirt on the barn floor during his sits and downs was evidence of how much he liked it. Mike and I had great fun doing his CGC test, even though it took a couple try's to walk past the toy on the floor! Mike was so pleased with himself for earning a big rosette and a medal to wear on his collar.
It is cruelly ironic that Mike was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma on the day he was scheduled to be certified as a therapy dog. We had always known Mike would bring great love to whoever he met but needed to wait until, with maturity, he no longer greeted strangers with quite so much overwhelming joy and enthusiasm. As a younger dog, he was so delighted to greet people that he literally jumped up and roared. And then did the "jello shake." Which was hysterically funny if you knew Mike but could otherwise be a bit intimidating.
I refuse to let Mike become just one more golden lost too young to cancer. I am going to honor Mike by raising money for canine cancer research and by doing everything I can to promote responsible, thoughtful breeding by breeders who seek, through pedigree study, genetic testing and follow up with every dog they've bred, to produce the healthiest dogs possible. I want every dog born into this world to have the best possible chance to live a long, healthy and happy life.
Goodbye darling little Bo. The world is very bitter without you.
Susan Palius
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Delta
Tawny's Delta Dawn
December 3, 1997-July 1,2006
"Delta joins Tawny"
We held Delta as she took her first breath and we held her in our arms as
she took her last leaving our world much to soon diagnosed with a tumor at
the base of her heart. Delta was one of four of Tawny's puppies and we
still have her sisters Skyler, Beamer and Cricket who turned 9 this past
December. She was a silly fun dog that loved holidays, and car rides and out
of all our dogs she was the only one that always opened the door for us
when our hands were full and there were 5 dogs crowding the door to get in.
I still sometimes stand at that door waiting for her to push it open......On
her way out the door she always grabbed a stuffie to take with her so the
yard was littered with stuffed animal bodies until we would gather them all
up to take back inside.She would always be waiting when I would come home
from an agility trial to see if anyone won a new stuffie for her.... She
loved her crazy brother Blitz who joined us 4 years ago and they loved to
play.Blitz runs in your memory this weekend Delta...How much joy they bring
us. How quickly they leave us with those sweet memories. Enjoy every
moment...
Our funny silly Delta is missed by Dale & Eric Christianson and The
TawnyHill Shepherds
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mohawk
Mischief’s Tomohawk UD TD OA OAJ VCD2
September 22, 1990 ~ October 3, 2002
On Wings of Gold
On paws of gold
You brought laughter and love.
You warmed the cold,
Made the sun shine above.
Your smile brightened my day
Your patience showed me the way.
With a heart of gold
You charmed all in your sight.
Bringing into your fold
Even those who would fight.
You accepted my faults and knew
Good or bad, to me you’d be true.
With your grace of gold
You obtained titled fame.
You performed as told
As a team we won our game.
Such joy you brought to me
Love and loyalty you gave for free.
With your love so gold
You took care of my heart.
With my fear so bold
I prayed to never part.
Our days together went by too fast
Now I am left with memories past.
On wings of gold
Flying high above
On wings of gold
Among others we’ve loved
My tears flow steady, my heart still cries
I long for you always, to stare into your eyes
But on wings of gold I have seen you fly.
By Christie-Lee McNamara
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Duncan
Ser Duncan of Riverkrest CD, MX, MXJ, AJP, OAP, EAC. O-EAC-V, EJC, EJC-V, NGC, EGC-V, TN-N, PJ, PS, PD-II, RS-E, RV-E-OP, JS-E, JV-E,
GS-N, GV-E, CGC, TC, HIC
May 18, 1994 – November 20, 2006
Forever in my heart
I held him in the palms of my hands when he was just two days old. At that moment, a bond was formed that would last forever. From the day he came home, we were rarely apart. Duncan was the love of my life, my very best friend, my closest companion. He is, and will always be, my heart.
Duncan was the most beautiful long-haired German Shepherd Dog in the world. Spectacularly handsome, with the most gorgeous head, and dark eyes that would look deep into yours. We shared a lot, looking into each other’s eyes. I always knew he was an old soul, one who knew secrets I had yet to learn. He certainly knew me better than anyone. Together we found our place in the world.
All of us believe that our dogs are special. But Duncan was truly that and more. He was a dog who could draw a crowd no matter where we were – out on the street, at a dog show, anywhere. People from all walks of life wanted to meet Duncan. Because of Duncan, I made friends. I learned about dog training. And we learned about dog sports.
Duncan could be pretty silly. He certainly always had a smile on his face – and he knew how to make me laugh. (Ask anyone about that high-pitched bark coming from the great big dog!) Considering the obstacles thrown in our path, his spirit was inspiring. Early on, we found that Duncan had hip dysplasia as well as spondylosis (excessive bone production between the spinal vertebrae; it can immobilize the spine in some areas and cause arthritis in the spine). Some so-called experts declared that the end for us, but my Duncan was never a quitter. He wouldn’t give up, so I couldn’t either. I found alternative ways for us to cope. Chiropractic, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, the greatest vet in the world… all helped to keep Duncan healthy and in great shape.
Maybe in the beginning, we didn’t inspire a lot of confidence in our abilities in the performance sports. But we always had fun. Duncan could have the crowd roaring with laughter when he’d make up his own agility course or plow into me on the obedience recall. As time went on, though, those same spectators were watching in awe as this amazingly talented dog just soared through courses. Duncan loved to work, loved to perform. He loved the audience response. But mostly, I think, he loved being with me. We were a super team. No, not superstars of the sport. Just a girl and her dog, beautifully in synch. Oh sure, folks will remind you of all the times Duncan decided he’d really rather not do the table. But there were the other times… like the day we finished his MX. It had been nearly two years of chasing that last leg and I’d already decided it would be our last shot. Friends tried to encourage me, but I was afraid to get my hopes up. We got to the line, and Duncan gave me a look – that special, wonderful, “don’t you worry, Mom, I’ve got this” look. And he ran the most perfect run I could imagine. When we got to the table (practically the end of the course), I swear he winked at me. From the roar that went up when we crossed the finish line, you would have thought we’d gotten a MACH. Duncan just took it all in stride.
We retired from agility when Duncan was 10. We missed it, but honestly, going for walks or tossing a ball around made both of us quite happy. Just being together was enough. But it was getting harder for him to move around. We started physical therapy, including swimming, which Duncan just loved. It was keeping him in shape, but then I noticed him stumbling more. Our wonderful therapist realized he had degenerative myelopathy (a neurologic disease causing a slowly progressive rear-limb weakness, lack of coordination, muscle atrophy, and ultimately near complete paralysis). He’d probably had it for a while, but we’d been lucky. Still, my boy never gave up. So as Duncan turned 12, we got fitted for his wheels! That was so cool! He had his mobility back and was zipping around like a star. And once again, he was drawing crowds!
I never thought I would lose Duncan, certainly not to bloat. It all happened so fast… it was devastating. But I believe that our angels up in heaven felt neither of us would be able to make choices about the future, neither of us could give up or let go. So they took the matter out of our hands and brought my beautiful boy up to heaven, where his spirit can run free.
I have never loved a being as much as I love Duncan. He is my heart and soul, and I carry him here in my heart. I see his face, I can feel his kisses… every time I say his name I feel a warm glow. The tears still come. Life isn’t quite the same. But Duncan touched a lot of lives while he was here, most of all mine. I am a better person for having Duncan in my life. More than mere words can possibly express, I love you, big guy!
Lori Eliot
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNI
July 3, 1995 - January 25, 2007NAC 2003, NAC 2005, MACH 5 Slydrock's Solar Power, ADCH
After being diagnosed with a heart-based case of Hemangiosarcoma in October 2006, she chose to fight, in typical 'Suni Style', for an amazing 3 months beyond what the vets told her she could live. Although her list of accomplishments is long, she is probably best remembered as the little Aussie who beat the border collies :-) and represented the US for 5 consecutive years at the FCI World Championships.
She helped to secure the USA a Team Gold in Portugal in 2001, Team Bronze in France in 2003, and still continues to hold the best US maxi individual placement of 5th place before her international career retirement at 8 1/2 in 2003. Yes, she was seen in every AKC National Championship Finals since 1998, winning the 2003 and 2005 16" National Championship Titles and showing such spirit in competing when she didn't win. She is also a 2003 16" USDAA Perf. Grand Prix National Champion, and a many time finalist as well. And is certainly known for being my ever-ready teaching partner for the 10 years she and I taught seminars together around the world!
She leaves behind many friends (both dog and human) whose lives she touched in so many ways. I was blessed to have been a part of the process and will always treasure that journey.
I believe that what she was most proud of was the impact she made in agility - for people to believe that nothing was out of reach and that other breeds can win even if you have the odds stacked against you. She certainly taught me to be brave and to put it all on the line, to reach for the stars, and to pick myself up when I fell along the way :-)
She will be missed terribly and leaves behind a legacy second to none! Her spirit will shine in everyone who was lucky enough to meet her, both in and out of the ring!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Memory of
CH. Tondras Tally It Up
The "Beauty Queen" that only liked agility for the cookies. Lost much too soon at 7 years.
Loved by Scott & Donna Pendleton
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~