Adelaide Animal Expo DWD Demo

Broken dog update

Broken dog is still broken. Her shoulder seems to be doing ok - there is still a small amount of instability at the end but so long as I keep the muscles loose around it and continue to stretch her that part of her should remain ok.

Her LH - well the pressure is still for surgery. Apparently its slipping out of its groove quite readily on flexion.

Now to the intermittent RH issue - a diagnosis of a torn gracilis muscle which should settle down with time and if it hasn't in a few weeks its another trip back to Matthew.

She is tight and sore all through her lower back from compensation and there is a question mark as to the impact it might have on her spine and discs down the track in the longer term.

About the only part of her that isn't broken is her LF and lets hope it stays that way.

Lots of thinking to do as to what to do with her - its very sad.

Herding Training - 13 April 2012

Friday the 13th saw us head out to Rosedale for Double K herding clinic. John had given permission to test Kenz's shoulder out so we thought we would see how she went. I was somewhat reluctant but Karron got the better of me and we decided to take a chance. I am so pleased we did as Kenz was a little star in the making.

She showed so much potential and aside from having a handler who had totally no idea about anything she did really well.

The first turn we had was in the larger area. Kenz apparently did some nice stuff and was happy fetching the sheep to me. She remained engaged and worked pretty well and apparently shows a heap of promise.

I have included some photos below of her first turn.







We then headed into the smaller area for our second turn. Kenz wasn't so happy with the increased pressure however to her credit she didn't opt out at any point.



A good afternoon was had and the best news from my point of view was Kenz pulled up none the worse for it today.

Happy 4th Birthday Kenz

Where have 4 years gone - it seems like such a short time ago that you arrived from way over West. This last 12 months has obviously been filled with many more lows then I might have anticipated. However what I can say is yep you certainly made it as a performance dog of my dreams - at least mentally. I can safely say you have overcome what seemed like a mountain to get to where you are today.

Your my little black and white midget munchkin who was put on this planet to teach me many lessons. More then I might have otherwise anticipated. Still hoping you get the chance someday to live up to your huge potential. Your a bundle of black and white energy and enthusiasm who just lives to be doing ANYTHING.

A CMT appointment tonight actually confirmed your doing better physically then I might have otherwise thought. Your two "broken" limbs were otherwise not to bad and the other two limbs which were "broken" as a consequence of the jumping experiment the other week are hopefully all sorted.

So we continue to take it a day at a time and hopefully the next 12 months are better then the last 12 months.

We have a busy few weeks ahead with a herding clinic and a DWD demo at the expo - fingers crossed you remain sound and on 4 legs and can continue doing what you love.

Stuff it

We are here for a good time - might as well enjoy life while we can so with that Kenz went out tonight and did a nice job on an Open obedience round. It was neat and accurate and boy did we both enjoy every second of it.

Surgery might be inevitable but she is going to enjoy each day of "freedom" while she can.

A happy Kenz is a Kenz working her little black and white socks off inside the performance ring.

Enjoy it mate. Who knows what is in store around the corner lets just treasure every second of it.