Deaf Dogs Unite
The joys of a quiet life
Family Updates
On this page I will cover the highs and the lows of ALL of the family, show successes and failures, and what we're getting up to on the training front.
A major low for this year was when Ricky was diagnosed with Lymphoma, cancer of the lymph glands. This was in April. He has since been undergoing chemotherapy on a weekly basis, this is by injection and tablets. The first couple of weeks seemed very positive but then he had problems breathing and his temperature shot up to 45 the vet also carried out an xray on his chest which showed nothing. He was then put onto antibiotics because the concern was that he had an infection. This then means he's on antibiotics daily, steroids daily to maintain his appetite and chemo drugs every third day.
Ricky has never for the 12 years we've had him been a problem or cost us anything on vet fees. Although he has bad days and we think this may be it he also has some good ones when he looks rather bright and gives us hope.
Up to date Ricky has had 11 sessions of chemo and as of yet he hasn't gone into remition but whilst he keeps fighting who are we to give up.
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In July the Spalding and District Dog Training Club, where we go training, held a barbeque for their members and we presented a cheque for £700 in aid of the Donna Louise Trust. This was to be Rickys final photo shoot and the last time he attended the club.
From left - Murphy, Stella, Josie, Ricky, Izzie, Pippa and Jake.
RIP our loyal friend
After his fight against cancer Ricky unfortunately lost the battle on Friday 21st July. He had been loosing weight and was a shadow of his former self. We did however get a weeks holiday with him and he played football and chased someones remote control car, which was quite funny.
Ricky will never be forgotten and will remain with us forever. Jess and Misty are handling the situation well, the only problem Jess is having is that she is getting startled more because without Ricky she has lost her hearing totally. I'm sure though, that Ricky is watching over her to help her addapt.
REVESBY COUNTRY SHOW
What an investment. This can stand alone as a tent, attach to the back of you car and also fixes into the awning rail of your caravan giving you a porch awning. This way the dogs have privacy and plenty of fresh air.
With the added bonus of the battery and 12volt powered fans, Jess and Misty can remain cool at all times.
OBEDIENCE WEEKEND
What a fantastic weekend we've just had. The dog training club that I attend, organised an obedience training weekend with Dot and Ian Watts. They have competed at Crufts many times and have achieved masses with their dogs.
Jess and I enjoyed the whole weekend and learnt so much. She is following my left hand so she has a focal point when doing heal work, recalls and retrieves. They have also advised us how to begin to learn scent, as we had begun to train it, only we were having a few problems discriminating between scent and send away. I'll keep you posted on how we get on. Overall we have come away with lots of ideas and enough information to keep us busy until they come again next December.
Christmas Party
On Wednesday 13th the Spalding and District Dog training Club held there Christmas party. I took Jess with me and there were games and best in show classes. I was told to put Jess into the Best Trick class, and we decided to show off her doing her prayers. She did it and as always looked lovely. After much thought the judges decided that Jess was the winner so she came away with her own little stocking. Up the deaf dogs.
A WHOLE NEW YEAR
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Here we go well on our way into 2007. January saw us go into our first agility competition of the year which was held at Barnwell. We got into the que waiting to run the jumping course, keeping Jesses attention on me doing her usual tricks then it was our turn, so we entered the ring and as we did the judge was called out to administer first aid. After about what seemed like an age, he came back and we were on the start line, but for some strange reason I put Jess into a sit and wait, what a fool, I should never do this because she looses her concentration and starts to look around elsewhere. I walked passed the first jump and so did she only she continued to walk out of the ring to have a look at the hedge. What a shame because she was then obviously eliminated, but when she started again she went like a little dream. February show was a greater success. The jumping course at Barnwell was quite tricky because of all the changes from one side to the other, but although Misty got eliminated because he to busy talking to me and not listening, Jess on the other hand was nice and steady and went clear, and we have a rosette to show off to.
Misty however shone in the agility round. I haven't entered him in agility for a while because he wants to rush and contacts just slow him down, and that wouldn't do, so jumping from the top of the A frame is no problem, not even when your eleven years old. So we entered agility and he was really good and came away with a 9th place. What a great start to the year. Long may it continue.
23rd June 07 Today Spalding Dog Training Club went to Morton Steam & Vintage weekend to do a demonstration. After several weeks of practising we were all ready for the big day. This was the first demo of the year. Jess took part in the agility section and also demonstrated the retrieve with 2 other members. I was really proud of her and she was very happy doing her jumping, and she gave it her all. The retrieve was good and she just made more people aware that deaf dogs can do things much the same as a hearing dog. The whole day was a great success.
This is a small video of Jess out for a walk with Misty. Although we do have to be very carefull I do llike to let her off lead to have a good run and a nose about. I must admit though when I do, I make sure I've got a good supply of treats in my pocket. Just look at her flag flying as she trots along. |
Jess and Misty had their photographs taken by Tony Bates who is a local wildlife photographer. You can see some of the pictures of Jess on the training page but here are a couple of Misty. Not bad for eleven years.
AGILITY TRAINING DAY
In January we went for a training day with four other club members to Barkingmad training. Both Jess and Misty went and had a bit of quality time.
Jess went first and I'm sure Den must have thought I had drugged her, she just sat on the start line looking everywhere but where I wanted her. After she had seen the other dogs doing their bit she then realised what she was supposed to be doing.
The remainder of the morning was great and we learnt loads and he gave us lots of things to work on.
In the afternoon I worked Misty and he is such a little poppet. It has made me realise that I have got to work harder with him than I thought because he was knocking the jumps down when I decided to cut things short and turn corners before he took the jump. Doing that it was making Misty cut the jump short and take the pole off.
It was a great day and we all enjoyed it and can't wait to be able to go again.
Thanks Den.
My Big Buddy
Mum has eventually got herself sorted and put a picture on my site of my big buddy Digby, he is a Real Old English Sheepdog. 
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We went training today, 13th April, and for the first time in ages Jess was able to take part in the class as Sandy took over the instructing and it allowed me time to spend with Jess. She was quite good and we both enjoyed it. She was even getting a nice rythmn in the weave poles. She concentrated really hard and it just goes to show, because when we arrived back home she slept for 2 hours.
May Bank Holiday
We all went away to Cleethorpes Transport Extravaganza for the weekend and it gave us a chance to have some more pictures taken and eventually I took one of Jess with Digby. The dogs were really good with people passing the caravan all day and they enjoyed walking around the lake .
Jess with Digby watching the world go by. 
Misty at the Lake.
Jess just back from a walk.