Apparently, 2018 is the Chinese Year of the Dog, which is supposed to mean that it will be a good year in all respects, albeit an exhausting one. Reportedly we will be happy, frustrated, rested, yet tired, cheerful, yet dull. Well, most years here at Telos are years of the dog, since my three dogs keep me happy, exhuasted, very frustrated at times and usually cheerful, although there were some terrible times during last year.
After the death of my terrier, Willie, I decided I wanted another Wire Fox Terrier and acquired a new puppy. His name is Jester, and by now he is thirteen months old. He has been a delight, everything I could want in a new puppy, with a happy personality, loving, affectionate, and very smart. I had expected many years of care free happiness with my new puppy, but in October he was suddenly taken very ill and was diagnosed with hemolytic anemia, where his red blood cells were being destroyed. I was given only a 25% chance that he would survive, so I took him to a wonderful specialist in the San Francisco Bay Area, who put him on some rather nasty drugs, but felt he had a good chance of survival. He is going strong, two months later, still on the drugs, but behaving totally normally, and now she feels he has a better than 80% chance of total recovery. He gets his daily training session, which he loves, and I hope one day he too will be an agility champion. Here he is, above, with his best pal, Arlo.
My little mini Aussie, Arlo, competed in the CPE Nationals in May and had eight perfect runs out of nine and completed his second Championship title. I was so very proud of him, especially since the temperatures were in the mid-90's, but he took it all in his stride. It was such a wonderful experience, and probably the only time I will compete in a National event, since this past year it was in California, and I am not going to fly my dogs across the country.
My older dog, Hannah, is very frail at 13 years old. I almost lost her in August, but she is toddling along and is comfortable and happy, doing a few agility obstacles here at home and able to go for short hikes. I know I will lose her soon, and I think back on all the wonderful times we had together. Here she is in better days.
So, let's hope the Year of the Dog will bring all the dog lovers joy and happiness.