Thanks for Nothing, Monarch Dental

My husband made an appointment at Monarch Dental for a tooth extraction. I made an appointment with my doctor about 25 minutes later figuring we could save time by my being at the doctor for a needed checkup while he was being worked on.

Oh,no.... we can't have that. That would be too efficient. Absolutely not.

So while I was at the doctor consulting on my meds for chronic pain and depression, the drones at Monarch Dental were informing my
husband that they could not take him because he did not have a ride. But he DID have a ride. I was not abandoning him - I was trying to take care of my business while I thought they were taking care of his. But they require the presence of a hostage sitting in the waiting room twiddling their thumbs. They don't believe people can be adult enough to run an errand and come back. Oh no. We must hold them captive and completely unproductive.

So they moved people ahead of him and now here we sit, 2 and a half hours after his original appointment...waiting....because he took the day off work for this abuse (I mean, it's bad enough getting teeth pulled). And of course I have to sit here too, typing on my tablet instead of working trying to earn what little scratch I can. I am so pissed right now I can hardly breathe - all this wasted time because of some infantile policy that doesn't trust me to pick up my husband after oral surgery and forces me to sit twiddling and waiting, unproductive. So now I will have to work late, in addition to trying to bathe dogs and getting the van packed for my trip, presumably leaving tomorrow but now likely delayed so I can get a proper amount of sleep after having to work late. Everything is now delayed for hours.

Thanks for nothing Monarch Dental - you clueless f*cks.

You Might be an Animal Rights Radical...

This afternoon while cruising Facebook I came across the following post from a very wise man named Jay Kitchener. I asked him if I may share it here, because it describes what we breeders have witnessed for years. A laughable (if the situation were not so tragic) double standard between puppies and dogs from dedicated dog fanciers and dogs available at shelters.

Just as you have in breeders, there are good and bad rescues and/or shelters. Google "retail rescue" for some eye openers. Read reports of raids and seizures where the acting party was insistent that the dogs needed to be removed (read, stolen) from their owner(s) because surely the animals were at death's door...yet they are available for adoption (SALE) within a week's time, before the owner has their day in court. Evidence anyone??

So Mr. Kitchener's post really struck a nerve with me - he sums it up so well.

You might be an animal rights radical if you believe that:

• It's wrong to sell a dog for profit, but you should never give one away for free.

• It's all how a dog is raised. The dog's breed doesn't matter.

• It's all how they are raised, but getting an adult dog from the street will make a great pet for your family.

• All dogs are the same, no matter the breed, so if you want a lap dog a 50-pound stray will be perfect.

• Intentionally breeding is bad, but accidental litters are great, and those are the puppies you should desire.

• Christmas puppies are bad unless you get them from a shelter.*

• Pet store animals from licensed and inspected sources are bad, but shelter and rescue dogs from completely unknown sources are good.

• Tail docking and ear cropping are "mutilation" of dogs, but ripping out a dog's testicles or uterus is an act of "kindness."

• Ear cropping is "cruel" if done on a dog, but perfectly acceptable if done on a feral cat. (Feral cats are ear notched after spay/neuter).

• Kennel crates are bad unless they are being used by a shelter or rescue.

• Keeping a dog penned or tethered outside is "cruel," but keeping a dog crated 23 hours a day is not.

What's the phrase I'm thinking of? Oh yeah - NAILED IT!!

Relevant items brought up in the comments area at the time of this writing include:

• Mixed breeds, with unknown history of health issues for parents and themselves, are healthier than purebreds with parents that have clear genetic and other health tests.
• Selling well bred animals for profit is a no-no, but stealing someone else's well bred animals and selling them for profit is ok!

A link making the rounds (also on Facebook) is to an article from NAIA about the ultimate hypocrisy being suggested as a solution to a shortage of dogs in some shelters (is that not the goal??). Having the shelters...breed their own by having volunteer breeders hand over their litters to them!!!

Unbelievable!

Recent cases (such as the Waukegan Bulldog breeder) are having a more positive outcome (his dogs were returned to him through the actions of those in power who showed some intelligence at interpreting the law) - and hopefully that trend will continue.

Thanks to Mr. Kitchener for his permission to share his thoughts as posted on Facebook!

* For Christmas 2014, there was a shelter offering Christmas morning delivery for those animals adopted (sold!) there. Didn't shelters use to preach against getting animals as presents during the holiday season??

Made in the Shade

Wow. Lately I have been sharing articles regarding the horrendous actions taken against a dog breeder in IL. It can be so disheartening to hear all the awful tales about the travesties perpetrated upon hobbyists by animal rights terrorists. One has to sit back and wonder...why?

Why do we do it?

Why not just lie down and give up? I was reminded of that answer again today. There are the obvious selfish reasons, that I love my dogs (and other critters), and enjoy raising puppies and watching them grow and develop, and then working with them in the ring or other activities. But how much can one take from adversaries, whether closely personal...or just the perception of the general public who are being brainwashed.

I received an email tonight which has me tearing up with happiness. Not only does it bring back memories of a friend lost to us, but it reminds me of another reason that I do what I do!!

Six years ago last month we welcomed a litter from our Remy/Nikki daughter Duri. One of those puppies was a precocious (read, very happy and very busy) little girl named Shayde. Our friend Tim was smitten with her and took her home. She was always a hoot to see when he brought her to shows or performance events -jumping into the air, then into a play bow, over and over again until she would belly crawl to us with her wagging tail high in the air. She was such a silly and expressive girl. Poor Jill Bell had to try and harness that energy in the ring and she did pick up some points, including a major.

Tim and Shayde - on course

Then Tim became ill and after a while was diagnosed with brain cancer. Friends that knew him and the breeders of the dogs he had came forward and took their charges to help him while he dealt with the worst of the treatment. And we thought he had it beat. He came by one day in his fancy new "EOL (End of Life) Car" - a bright red Challenger with racing stripes and push button start and roaring engine. He was enjoying it because he figured he would never see it paid off, and he relished the ride. He took his "kids" home that were at our home - Radar (Silken Windhound), Munch and Shayde (the Borzoi) and a black whippet named Chester that had hung out at our place. We thought we had a while. But we didn't.

So Shayde, Munch, Radar and Chester returned to us. We got Chester back to his breeder in LA without much trouble. Handed him off to his transport at a Dallas show. Sadly, about a month later, Munch became ill. At first we thought it was vestibular disease - but it became worse, and he began to seize. We slipped Munch back to his master, with many tears shed in the process for that big goofy, loving dog. Oddly enough - the suspected culprit? Brain cancer.

So Shayde and Radar both remained her for years. Both looking for a good re-homing situation, yet never finding that match. We were beginning to give up. Thought about bringing Shayde back out into the ring. And then the application came in for a prospective owner. Communications back and forth were great, and full of detail. A young vet student, some sighthound experience with a retired racer and a young ridgeback rescue (LOTS of playing available for the Borzoi with boundless energy). She lived about an hour from a friend of ours, and I was getting ready to go on a trip with her. Perfect. We could meet, at my friend's, and she could see how Shayde did while we were in NJ, and then I could pick her back up on my way home if it didn't work out.

I have received updates from her since then, accompanied with pictures of the silly brindle beast in her new digs and with her new friends. They had bonded - it was so good to hear. And then tonight I received further correspondence from her which just filled me to the brim with joy, and thanks, and some tears.

Here is a portion of her email, that lifted me from the desolate place I had gone to in my head after hearing so much bad news:

"I opted for Willow as her new call name - she's adapted to it beautifully, but I still have Shayde on her tag, as a 'middle name' - I couldn't let it just get dropped when it's been with her her whole life. I chose Willow because like a willow tree, she has only bent and not broken - I know her life has changed multiple times, none of which can have been easy on her, so seeing her so happy and lovey now is a testament to how wonderful her life has been and how much she's been loved all along. And also because I'm a Buffy the vampire slayer fan, and 'Waiting for Darkness' reminded me a little of my favorite character, Willow, since she has a dark side.

So Willow has been amazing, I can't thank you enough for letting me bring her home with me - she's such a special dog, and I really can't imagine life without her now that she's here. I've always had a love affair with borzoi from afar, but I don't think I'll be without one again. Thank you again, so so much, for my baby girl."

No Amanda, thank YOU.

Shayde and some of her new friends, Christmas 2014

First Quarter 2014 – UKC Rankings

The UKC Rankings for Events through March 30, 2014 have Deuce ranked as the Top Silken Windhound as of the end of the first quarter of 2014. He had gone with Victor to shows in Hutto, taking Best of Breed all 4 shows that weekend, and then he won a couple more at the Denton shows in early March. Needless to say, I am quite proud of the “White Tornado”!

Of course he is likely to move down from there for a while as we likely will not make it to any more UKC shows until after showing at the Premier in June (where Pasha will be competing in the Top Ten Invitational, defending his #1 spot from 2013). Hopefully Deuce the Doof will pick up steam again in the late summer!
Deuce is pictured showing at SilkenFest 2012 in the 12-18 Month class.

New Arrival – Talisman Gryffyn’s Dulcimer, “Dulci” (Silken Windhound)

Meet our newest Silken Windhound!

 

This past Saturday we had a “special delivery” via American Airlines from Walnut Creek, CA courtesy of Joyce Chin (Talisman Hounds). A cute little gold brindle spotted girlie-pup named Dulcimer (or “Dulci”). She is a daughter of our Pryss (Gryffyn’s Aeyrie Centerfold) who was Best Puppy in Sweepstakes at the 2009 SilkenFest (the Silken Windhound national specialty show). Pryss had been leased for a breeding a couple years ago in the PNW area and had come to be at Joyce’s as we worked to get her back to Texas. After she had been at Joyce’s for a bit, I got an email asking if I would be interested in letting her become a California girl. It took a bit of persuading, but we eventually agreed on doing a co-breeding with a puppy to come to us. We really liked what Pryss had given us in her first litter (the Q-pups, including Deuce and Velvet) and had wanted to do another breeding with her.

Dulci is the culmination of that agreement – and we are thrilled with her.

She has settled in well to life at the Aeyrie and has lived up to Joyce’s description of her on the Talisman Hounds web site:

“Dulcimer is the first to do everything in her litter. First to open her eyes, first to wag her tail, first to make it out of the whelping pool, first to figure out stairs, first to lead the litter into adventure. Interested, active, fearless, sassy, and proud, she’s a tiny force to be reckoned with!”

Yes she is!! But being a tiny force takes a lot of energy and then time to refuel. She really excels at refueling too – she is an expert-level napper!

Dulci naps as Pasha and Victor look on

After her long day of travel filled with an overload of sights, sounds and smells then meeting and playing with her new family, we had one pooped pup. So then we got to rest for a bit ourselves!

G’nite everyone!

Pasha is 2013′s Top Silken Windhound

Happy dance happy dance! It’s official – Pasha (ISWS CH UKC Grand CH Gryffyn’s Aeyrie Stop and Stare) is 2013′s #1 Silken Windhound in the UKC (United Kennel Club)!! I believe he is also within the Top Ten All-Breeds!! So proud of our beautiful, deserving boy!

One of Pasha’s BOB wins at the 2013 Gateway shows

It took some traveling for this accomplishment – in addition to the “local” shows in Texas, we had traveled to Kalamazoo, Michigan (UKC Premiere and SilkenFest), Grey Summit, Missouri, and Longmont, Colorado. Along the way had good company to visit, as well as getting to see some nice dogs from around the country. He also was awarded Best of Breed at the 2013 Top Ten Invitational competition at the UKC Premiere shows in June of this year.
Pasha was also breeder/owner handled all the way!

See Pasha’s page on the Gryffyn’s Aeyrie Silken Windhounds site.

It's Party Time!!

Our first show of the year in Texas is the Nolan River Kennel Club cluster held in the little town of Glen Rose, known for its dinosaur tracks. We have had some nice success here in the past, and it is a show site that we enjoy. There used to be lure coursing trials held in conjunction with the shows, which made for some long days – but those times are now gone. I fondly remember when we had Solo out as a special and he went from winning Best of Breed, over to the field to run prelims, then back to the building for Hound Group where he received a Group 4 and we had to rush to get his picture and then drive him back over to the field. The judge was astonished that the dog had shown in the group just after a gallop in the field instead of a stint on the grooming table, like some of these specials being treated more like Poodles than proper hounds. Of course, it helps that Solo possesses ring-ready coat at all times and only required a brush-out before strutting into the ring!

We had a great start to the year, with Beast winning his 3rd major from the Bred-by Exhibitor class, going Best of Winners on Saturday under judge Dana Cline.



On Sunday our judge was Charles “Chuck” Trotter. Beast again took Winners Dog/Best of Winners for his fourth major and completed his conformation championship!! His sister Me!Me! and housemate Nox fared better under Mr. Trotter than the previous day, taking 4th and 3rd in BBE respectively. Sadly, Boo was still invisible in the specials line-up.

UKC Shows (Hutto) and Siren's Big Debut

Well this had to be the most exciting UKC weekend ever for us!

First, let me introduce one of the players. Some of you who attended the 2009 SilkenFest in MO may remember a little extreme white with tan sable spotted bitch that Victor was showing who absolutely refused to come off the cement area where the judge had examined her, and on to the grass so she could be put through her paces in the lovely grassed ring. The judge had finally excused her for her stubbornness. That little minx is named Siren – who inherited some of that classic bitch behavior from her mother Ginger. Siren was shown a bit more successfully – in that she actually at least got around the ring this time – at the 2010 SF. We also had our share of personality clashes with her at home – and for a while she was living up north. Upon her return, we just kept her around the house and didn’t bother trying to get her to “work for a living.” With Jules‘ and Velvet‘s fairly quick championship completions, I was trying to figure out who to bring out next. Siren had become much more affectionate of late, so in a moment of weakness, I entered her in this weekend’s shows, along with Bekka (a Space/Ember daughter) and then Deuce (looking for his last 2 Grand Ch legs) and Pasha.

So Saturday morning, Siren made her UKC debut. I fully expected some sort of Mexican standoff or ring tantrum, and although she was obviously a bit uncomfortable, she went on to take Winners Bitch from the 5 entered, and then on to Best of Winners. Well heck – I thought – we just might survive piloting her to a UKC championship if she keeps this up!

On to show Deuce in the Champion class, where his fine example of what an over-caffeinated Silken could look like (he was very, VERY “up”!) took Reserve, and then Ajax (ISWS Ch. UKC Grand Ch. Gryffyn’s Walkin’ in Memphis) taking the Grand class win over Pasha. Within that line-up imagine my very great surprise to have Siren handed the Best of Breed nod – but then a bit later came my incredulous response at her being awarded a GROUP 1!!!

Finally the call came for the BIS competition to get ready, so off we went to play in the ring. I had absolutely no aspirations other than trying to get through it without incidence, despite Siren’s earlier good behavior – she is a bitch after all – plus we had some local heavy hitters in the ring, including the Doberman, one of the top Australian Shepherds, and the German Shorthaired Pointer. I was completely overwhelmed to be handed the ribbon for BEST IN SHOW!! It felt completely unbelievable!

Siren managed to continue her good behavior, again earning WB/BOW and BOB at the afternoon show (and then a group 2). Deuce won the Champion class.

On Sunday, at the morning show Siren was again WB/BOW and finished her UKC championship. Deuce won the Champion class and finished his Grand Championship and then went on to BOB/Group 3. He was moved up for the afternoon show and went on to win the Grand Champion class.

All in all – an unbelievably successful weekend at the shows! I floated home!

Pasha is Grand

Pasha showing off in the yard

Today I opted to spend the morning taking Pasha, Shadow and Jules to the morning UKC show in Denton instead of to the LGRA racing "around the corner" in McKinney - Victor took care of that duty.

Pasha had been taking time off for an extended period following a ligament injury sustained in June. At first believed to be a possibly career-ending cruciate injury, after further testing and consultation with a vet not so eager to start cutting on him, it was discovered to involve the medial collateral ligament in his left hind leg, and not so much the cruciate. But it still required plenty of rest to heal, which we did along with performing prolotherapy treatments to his leg.

This would be Pasha's second weekend to come out since he was cleared to be able to return to "ring duty" the previous month. I had opted to enter him at this particular show and miss out on some racing because earlier in the year, the assigned judge had done well for him - so I had to try for that last required Grand Championship leg!

HE GOT IT!!

Jules gave him a run for his money, but Pasha did win his last Grand leg! Now I can concentrate on deciding on which silken windhound to bring out next year to compete for rankings in the UKC.

Farewell Golden Boy

on the field

A great heart was stilled on one of the kindest Borzoi I've had the privilege of knowing and sharing my life with. I cannot thank Nadine enough for sharing him with me and Victor for all these years. He was a wonderful boy, who even while working through the results of a grave injury several years ago (ran into the cross-fencing and temporarily paralyzed from a spinal shock) and dealing with decreased mobility, maintained such a happy attitude and acted like he had never had a bad day in his life.

on the runway for a Christmas modeling show

Kalipso was a remarkable dog in so many ways - beautiful and talented and such a love. I believe he is still the youngest Borzoi to complete an AKC Dual Championship. He finished his conformation championship by taking Winners Dog from the 12-18 Month Dog class at the Rocky Mountain Borzoi Club specialty show under breeder/judge Gwen Post. He had also won Best Opposite in Sweeps under Rebecca Peters-Campbell there. We were pleasantly surprised by his enthusiasm for running sports considering he was such a large boy, and from lines that generally did not come to mind when thinking of lure coursing. He was remarkably agile for such a big boy, with that agility at speed garnering him a Best in Field win. One of his final wins was an Award of Merit at the Borzoi Club of America's centennial national specialty show.

Sadly, it came to a point where the meds could no longer help him, and he lost that sparkle in his eye and it came time to say goodbye. My heart hurts with emptiness.

BIF DC Rising Star Kalipso, SC FCh

May 20, 2002 - October 10, 2012

Farewell my golden boy.

http://www.gryffynsaeyrieborzoi.com/borzoi/kalipso.html

"Dear Mr. Obama"

The following was written by Amanda Kelly of Fwaggle Manchester Terriers. Amanda edits "Black and Tan" which is a breed specific magazine, and she was the editor of Canine Review, the Canadian version of Dogs in Review, for several years.

The potential impact and intent of the proposed USDA/APHIS regulation change are crystal clear, even to someone outside the US. The collapse of dog-breeding in the US thanks to this ill-thought regulation change will impact purebreds around the world. The loss of genetic material as US lines are lost will be devastating to all breeds. Not to mention the extinction of the well-bred family pet, raised lovingly in breeder homes.

Permission to cross-post with attribution.

------------------------------------------

Dear Mr. Obama,

By Amanda Kelly

What a fantastic photo of you and Bo playing in the yard. It is obvious that you enjoy each other very much -- how lucky you are to have such a wonderful family dog. But I wonder... would Bo even have existed if your changes to the Animal Welfare Act had already been made? After all, his breeder did have a website (if you haven't been there, you really should visit www.http://amigopwd.com/). Oh my God, you don't think they might have sold dogs to people in other parts of the country, do you? People who
didn't visit their homes in person to pick up their puppies? Oh wait...wouldn't that be people like you?

Under your new rules, after all, those breeders would automatically be subject to the licensing, inspections, and standards of the AWA. Sounds good, until you realize that means no more "home-raised" puppies. Uh-uh, no way -- USDA rules don't allow breeders to keep their dogs or puppies in the house, only in the kennel. And thank heavens, I mean, who would want a puppy raised in a home environment anyway... I'm sure you would agree that kennel dogs "always" make better pets. Right?

I'm sure Portuguese Water Dog breeders are also happy you chose their breed, if only to give their market a bit of a boost. After all, if they want to be allowed to have their dogs in the house, they will have to sell every one of their puppies locally so owners can pick them up in person. Whew, that's a tall order. Just imagine what a problem that would be for someone who breeds Manchester Terriers, say, or Sealyham Terriers, or Norwegian Buhunds. You mightn't have ever heard of these breeds, but they are really great dogs and their owners really love them. The trouble is, their breeders have worked really hard to protect them from popularity, over-breeding and the problems that come with it. I bet they're really kicking themselves now.

Most of these breeders have one or two litters a year as a hobby, their dogs live in their homes and they sell their puppies to people all over the United States and around the world. They have to, you see, because the market is relatively small and spread out. Guess they will have to move the dogs out to the kennel, breed them more often and get to work selling them to anyone with the money. Or maybe those breeds will just go extinct altogether. Well, that would be a shame, but why waste time worrying about that -- they have only existed for a few hundred years. and their owners are mostly just snooty people who love their dogs and like to go to dog
shows and agility trials and things like that. I mean, it's not like those leisure activities generate any income for their local economies.

And finally, whew, you won't have to worry about waiting around to find the perfect dog in the shelter, that's for sure, when the only people able to meet the USDA requirements are those with giant breeding operations, there will surely be lots to choose from. Won't it be perfect when all of the breeders of these rarer breeds are gone? If we're really lucky, the changes will take down all of the small breeders and when dog shows and trials collapse and some of the bigger breeds follow, we'll be set! Everyone can get shelter dogs -- it will be perfect. Well, maybe a little difficult for people who live in apartments and had their heart set on a small,
smooth-coated breed (they don't tend to be very popular among large volume breeders). Or families who have to think about allergies, I mean, it may be a little tough to find a reliably hypoallergenic breed down the road. Oh wait... isn't that you again?

Anyway, as I was saying, I'm so glad you are enjoying Bo. Be sure the press gallery takes lots of photos -- he may be one of the last of his kind.

Sign the AKC's petition to Protect Responsible Small Breeders here .

(The) Magik is Gone

Today the world is a less "magickal" place.

DC Chataqua Gryffyn's LaMagieContinue, SC SOR GRC FCh ORC
aka "Magik"
Nov 22, 2001 - June 6, 2012
she has joined her sister Sassi in the fields of heaven - Godspeed ladies

Sadness...

Today we had it in spades - all because of one little soul.

We have been fighting the battle for the last year when the original diagnosis was made after Trouble was exhibiting a slight limp in her left front. We thought she had badly bruised or perhaps cracked her shoulder. Our vet didn't like the x-ray where there was some shadowing, so they suggested a specialist. After the fiasco we had been through with the orthopedist previously recommended with Arthur, we opted to find another and received a recommendation from a friend.

After new x-rays, he diagnosed the possibility of osteosarcoma in her left scapula - a biopsy confirmed it. He suggested trying a scapulectomy and that she would be able to once again utilize her front leg after the muscles and connective tissue adjusted and strengthened. Unfortunately not long after she had healed from  the surgery, I noticed that the top of the forearm, where it met with the scapula, was slightly enlarged. A lump also appeared where the top of the scapula once was - and it was very painful. Another appointment and another surgery scheduled - the rest of the limb was removed, as was the offending lump.

A couple days post-surgery, the stitches began to split and then it opened up completely. There just wasn't enough good skin to keep it closed - so it was cleaning and wrapping with wet/dry bandages. Trouble took to the routine easily - as soon as we put a towel on the bed, she would jump up and stand on it while we worked on her. She would wag her tail the entire time - and then she would get a treat of some special food.  She healed much quicker than I expected and we thought we could relax for a while. That was in July.

About a month after she healed...the lump reappeared. It was not as aggressive nor was it very painful. We could touch it without her making a sound where previously she would fuss and cry. So we kept an eye on her and she went about her normal business as if nothing had changed and being on three legs didn't hinder her in the slightest. She could always make us smile, but it was touched with sadness, because we knew that the cancer was not going to let her stay as long as we wanted (as if it's ever long enough).

Her remaining front leg began to thicken ever so slightly - hardly noticeable at first. Then the growth appeared on her muzzle - it was spreading. Then her back legs began to thicken as well and we knew it was getting closer and closer. Except for Trouble's outlook - she still was happy go lucky, constantly wagging her  tail - and keeping Victor to the schedule of giving her her special food just before bedtime. She was downright insistent on it. And the lump where her scapula used to be continued to grow.

It became obvious that no matter how much she ate, it was no longer feeding her body - it was feeding the cancer - and she began to lose weight. The last week she dropped down to nothing. We had always used the measure of marking the time of a "decision" to be when a dog quit eating or lost the shine in its eyes where you could see they could try no longer. I looked at her and just knew there was no way that the rimadyl or tramadol was helping her any longer - yet she kept on, her behavior never changing, and still eating regularly.

I went ahead and called the clinic for a Saturday appointment so Victor could be there too. This was a different clinic than we usually use for the dogs, although they come out for the horses. The clinic was  crowded so we left her sleeping in the van for a bit while the clinic cleared out of its appointments. When it was calmer we brought her in and they put us in a room immediately.

What happened will be with me forever as an example of what a pure soul little Trouble (who was anything BUT trouble in her lifetime) truly was. Her front leg was so hardened that we thought being able to administer the shot would not be possible, so they were going to try a vein in her neck. The vet was so gentle with her and talked to her, and they began to give her the injection, but it ended up that the vein collapsed in the process. We watched her but it was obvious that she had not received near enough. She lifted her head and was looking up at the vet, and wagged her tail while he held her head in both hands and stroked her face. The assistant meanwhile had gotten some more of the solution and they quickly found an outside vein in her rear leg. And she was gone. Loving and friendly to the very end. And fearless.

We are heartbroken - she fought so long and never complained. It was almost like she did not want us to worry more.

In her remembrance, here is a link to a poem I found years ago:

http://gryffynsaeyrieborzoi.com/library/living.htm

Rest in peace, free of pain, in our hearts forever.

Rarities BIS Gryffyn's Aeyrie Gypsy Road

3/16/2005 - 2/12/2011

Ending 2010 on a High Note

December 2011 saw two Gryffyns complete the requirements for their AKC conformation championships!

First was Deckard, who took Winners Dog (and 1 Best of Winners) both days of the Conroe Kennel Club's show cluster. His finishing win was bestowed by breeder/judge Pat Murphy, Oaklara Borzoi. What a greay way to wrap up his show career (he hates showing, so this is it for him)!

Ch. Gryffyn's Aeyrie Blade Runner
"Deckard"

Our second champion of the month is miss Pumpkin. This Solo/Duri daughter has blossomed into a lovely little lady and she loves to show off (must get that from Dad)! She completed her championship at the Dallas shows, and some of her friends from the local performance club saw her - not used to seeing her all dolled-up and overgroomed! They usually see her in her normal "tomboy state."

Ch. Gryffyn's Aeyrie Incendio, SC
"Pumpkin"

Koontz on Sharing One's Life With Dogs

Dogs' lives are short, too short, but you know that going in. You know the pain is coming, you're going to lose a dog, and there's going to be great anguish, so you live fully in the moment with her, never fail to share her joy or delight in her innocence, because you can't support the illusion that a dog can be your lifelong companion. There's such beauty in the hard honesty of that, in accepting and giving love while always aware it comes with an unbearable price. Maybe loving dogs is a way we do penance for all the other illusions we allow ourselves and for the mistakes we make because of those illusions.

-Dean Koontz
The Darkest Evening of the Year

So true, so true.

Ain't That Grand

I am thrilled to report that our Borzoi boy Solo has added another title to his repertoire. He is now an AKC GRAND CHAMPION!

He is also the FIRST AKC Dual Champion Borzoi  to achieve the Grand title.

BIF Grand Ch. DC Gryffyn's It's All About Me, SC SOR GRC ORC FCh

Hard Times - Burni-Man and Ivan-da-Ho

Victor and I figured that 2010 would be a hard year to get through - since we have several elderly dogs residing here, it is inevitable that there would be times of sorrow and tears. Unfortunately we had two boys that we did not foresee losing anytime soon, which make the tears flow even harder. One of the greatest burdens of a dog-lover is that of having to say goodbye.

Ivanhoe was an expert leaner

Ivanhoe had been diagnosed with a spinal injury earlier in the year. He was put on a steroid regimen and limited activity in the hopes that it would remedy the situation and he could regain full use of his left rear leg. After several months, the treatment proved ineffective, although at first it looked as though we may have some success, especially when the hyperaesthesia ceased and he seemed otherwise comfortable.

But then his condition deteriorated and Ivan was euthanized on the morning of July 17. His spinal injury had become too great to bear and he completely lost use of both hind legs. The steroid regimen therapy just could not do enough for him. He would have been 10 years old this month.

I regret that I was not brave enough to accompany him. I made the appointment for when I would not be there and was out of town and Victor took him in and stayed with him. I could not bear to say goodbye to another special boy this year.

BIS RBIS Rarities IABCA Ch. Kristull Ivanhoe
August 10, 2000 - July 17, 2010

We have some lovely descendants here carrying on his beauty, both inside
and out - some of whom assisted him in winning the inaugural Stud Dog
class at Silkenfest in 2009.

Ivan's page on the Gryffyn's Aeyrie web site

Farewell Ivan-da-ho - I wish we could have done more.


Burni showing at the May 2009 Midwest Borzoi Club Specialty

Burni had been diagnosed the other week with possible cancer that had spread to the lungs. He had developed fluid in the chest cavity - although not a pyo- or chylothorax. The specialist thought there were metastatic cells in the fluid as well. A sonogram showed the heart in good condition, although some small dark areas in the lungs. That was when the $$ ran out - and that was with the doctor not charging me to draw and analyze the fluid.

Burni came home and seemed to rally briefly, but then his condition deteriorated. Victor took him in the morning - once again, I was too much of a weenie to go in.

Burni was the last Nikki son we had here. All that is now left is her daughter Duri. I had planned a breeding with Burni that never got consummated - so it's back to square one for Bugg. The only dog down from Burni (or Flareon) that we have here is Lars. I wanted more (and prettier). :(

Burni had some nice highlights in his time in the ring: Best in Sweeps at a BCOA TSE, judge Kanne Bowers - he got his first major that next day at the tender age of 9 months; WD/BOW at the RMBC specialty years ago under Karen Dumke; finished both his Canadian and Mexican championships with group placements; Award of Merit at the BCOA Specialty (July 2003); Best in Vet Sweeps at LSBC's first and second specialty shows; Best Opp in Vet Sweeps at the May 2009 MBC Specialty.

But most of all - he won my heart.

Am. Can. Mex. Ch. Gryffyn's Aeyrie Caliburn, JC
December 22, 2000 - August 28, 2010

Burni's page on the Gryffyn's Aeyrie web site

Could It Be....?

Recently there was media coverage regarding a grizzly bear attack in Yellowstone National Park. The bear was captured and killed the next day and a posthumous exam performed to help give insight into its behavior. Of note was its extremely poor body condition - it was very thin. The investigative team determined that the bear's vegetarian diet (of approximately two years) combined with a parasite load contributed not only to its poor physical condition, but to the predatory behavior which culminated in the attack.

A bear specialist is quoted as saying:

“She obviously was hurting for higher value foods. What caused her mentally to do that, we don’t know. There are a lot of bears that are nutritionally challenged at times that don’t exhibit that type of behavior.”

Which brings to mind the following question...is this what is wrong with animal rights fanatics? Are their vegetarian or vegan diets resulting in aggression towards those of us who enjoy our animals, their raising, breeding and training as well as the daily interaction? Is it the lack of "higher value foods" that causes their almost savage attempts to rend apart the animal-owner bond that we enjoy and the endless pursuit of eliminating pets or any animal usage from the earth?

Thankfully, grizzly attacks are rare.

Unfortunately, the attacks of the animal rights fanatics are not, and well on the increase.

In the Garden of Remembrance

I decided to play along and participate in an online photo contest that is being put on by a published of various web design and programming books (SitePoint). They recently released a book on digital photography (geared towards web usage) that I would like to get, and it is offered as a daily prize. So what the heck - may as well try the contest! The first assignment was to photograph either a grouping of office supplies or a fast food restaurant. I opted for the latter since I don't really have any office supplies lying about, except some dusty rubberbands and some hair-entwined paperclips. So I had to make myself leave the comfy confines of the house and ventured down to the generic part of town where all the fast food joints are.

On the way back, I decided to swing by the old cemetary since for ages I have told myself that I wanted to go and take some photos there since there are some interesting old monuments and statuary there. I barely scratched the surface and will return in the future - here are some of the photos from today's visit...





BTW, this is the Pecan Grove cemetary in McKinney, TX - one of the oldest cemetaries in North Texas, located on property granted by the Republic of Texas in 1845.

Pupdate: Tyler-Myla Pups Nearing 3 Months of Age

3 of the pups say HI to Bekka and Boo through the fence

Got some snaps of these kids yesterday at just short of their 3 month "birthday" - stacks and candids of them out in the yard.

http://www.gryffynsaeyrieborzoi.com/gallery/tyler-myla?page=6

They were quite bold about being introduced to the yard - usually we have to carry pups to the back door and these wee beasties followed us out, ready for new adventure. Of course, being greeted by triple digit temps was not the preferred plan - but they still hit the ground running!

Myla's owner Rick will be here later this week to pick up Myla and choose pups!