Comments on: That Once in a Lifetime Dog

By: Nat

Nat — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:53:14 +0000

Great post Susan…our bonds with our agility dogs are often so strong and unexplainable that most “non-dog people” just can’t understand.

~Nat

By: Imbi

Imbi — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:40:46 +0000

“Losing a dog is difficult, losing a dog that has grown to be part of the way you eat, sleep and breathe is heartbreaking, but losing such a dog years before their time just is not fair. ”

Oh my goodness, yes….

My gratefulness for every moment we shared together became my inspiration for the heart I give to every dog that follows, and thus we grow together – in lingering tribute and in new adventure.

Thank you, Indi. Thank you to all our dogs. Thank you, Susan, for your heart-felt thoughts.

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:45:27 +0000

So well said Susan. Having just attained my first MACH, I’m getting a taste of that bond you speak of. And also having lost my first agility dog at the age of seven just halfway to his MACH, I have also tasted the bitter, not fair, part of our partnerships. Both the bond and the partnership is to be treasured each and every time I step to the line with my current partner. I love my boys and treasure each minute we have together. Thanks for the tribute to the two fine dogs I never had the pleasure of knowing.

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:38:42 +0000

So perfect an explanation of the bond and connection between us and our dogs. Lots of people don’t “get” that special connectedness that grows over time in work and play, until you are two halves of the same mind in the ring or on the field. Thanks for this and for the tributes to two very special teams. My condolences to them both.

By: Lone

Lone — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:24:30 +0000

I loved this: “Over time what we learn is that each of our dogs becomes a “once in a lifetime dog” . . . and we wouldn’t want it any other way.”

By: Trudie

Trudie — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 07:28:08 +0000

Thanks, Anne, for the great video link !
I really appreciate the slow motion and the “overlay” of the two teams.

By: Susan

Susan — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:57:08 +0000

“since to watch this team was to love them for both their skill and their dedication to one other.”

I couldn’t agree more, well said.

By: Devora Locke

Devora Locke — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:17:23 +0000

Thank you for this touching tribute,.. Its hard to accept that Mike and Bailey will no longer be regular exhibitors (and occasionally regular entertainment) at our local shows. We all grieve with him, since to watch this team was to love them for both their skill and their dedication to one other.

By: Tina Eldred

Tina Eldred — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:39:16 +0000

Susan,

That was beautiful and couldnt have come at a better time in my own personal life. Today I faced the toughest decision I have had with my own dog. My Viszla of just 6 yrs young has cancer and with surgery now has a serious infection. She is one of those dogs, her character, he joy, her love of life. She accomplished so much as a dog with many fears, she faced those fears and did well in her short agility career. Tonight, we sit on the porch together reminacing and enjoying these special hours we have together.

By: Sherry in MT

Sherry in MT — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:17:09 +0000

You did not sound haughty at all, it is a great tribute to those we’ve trained and lost (whether early or not). Even though I don’t aspire to World Team or National Championships, I simply replace those terms with whatever level, in whatever venue, with whatever event (agility, obedience, herding, etc.) I have done with each special dog I’ve done them with. Thank you for reminding me to remember them as the special individuals they are and appreciate their accomplishments as well as those accomplishments of others around us that have exceeded and lost.