Hooray!

Apache did it!! His 'registered' name is now Annette's Apache CD, CGC, TDI, and now RN! Apache & Chippewa were entered in Youngstown OH's Rally Trial on Friday, and both qualified - giving Apache his 3rd leg and his title. I never understood why dogs need 3 legs for a performance title - they have 4 legs after all.... Anyway, I digress - Apache's score on Friday was 94 out of 100, due to me calling for a 'do over' for a front that his by-passed to go straight to heel position. (a Do Over lets you 'do over' whatever exercise you had issue with, but costs you 3 points).

Chip got 98 out of 100 - impressive little guy when he wants to be! I have it on tape, and, honestly, he is really cute (but I am a bit biased)!

Anyway, it was a good weekend for the most part. Apache has been eating raw rabbit (literally, a quarter of a rabbit 2x a day) for the past 5 days and his lips are no longer red/raw or irritated. Cheyenne has a small skin irritation on her back, but that's not as unusual as I would like to say it is. Apache's allergic to anything that goes 'in' him and Cheyenne has always had allergies for anything that goes 'on' her. They both went to the vet early Friday morning to just verify there was nothing else up with Apache's lip, and get Chey some antibiotics. My vet is always so surprised at how easy it is to work with/on my dogs. I guess that's why he refers people to me for training, which is a compliment in itself.

The Good & the Bad

Well a few weeks ago the 'boys' were entered in a Rally Trial. Apache got a steady 98 out of 100 both Friday and Saturday (that's my BOY). Chip got an amazing 100 out of 100 on Friday - I couldn't believe it either! He then got a little car sick on the road up Saturday, promptly threw up some water in the ring and got disqualified. The little stinker! Chip actually got 4th place on Friday - after they do the scores (since there were 5 dogs with 100s), they go by times in getting completed. They are great, and are entered at the end of this month, to, hopefully, get Apache his RN (Rally Novice) title and Chip will hopefully get one more leg. To get any performance title, the dog has to compete under 3 different judges, at 3 different trials, and get a qualifying score each time..

The bad, however, is Apache seems to be having a reaction to something... I have no idea what, the only change I made was some treats someone told me were wonderful & natural, etc... Apparently that was not the case. He has some lesions on his lips right under his nose. There are red bumps, and while they don't appear all that attractive, but they don't appear to be bothering him (thank goodness for small favors). Time to switch to an exclusively raw diet for a while and pray...a lot. I know his time with me will be short, but I hope it's not that short... I've made yet another tea type wash, and wiped his little mouth today. Between all of that and the food changes, I'm really hoping for the best - which is all I can do with this stupid disease. Keep your fingers crossed for us both please...