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Many people on K9 know of Sparky's history, he was attacked by a small terrier when he was 10 months old, he took a bit of a beating and had 11 bite wounds. He has struggled since that day to cope in situations where there are lots of dogs and consequently I have been unable to show him very much. I hate to leave him at home when I go to shows but he really gets so stressed if I take him, it breaks my heart to see him in that state.
Today we decided to go to a Companion Show, it was raising funds for Macmillan Nurses, a cause very close to my heart. We took Dylan and Sparky. The classes were pretty big and I wondered about showing Sparky but I took him in to the Open Class. He got himself into such a state, he just can't cope with dogs being behind him, it worries him and he tries to get out of the ring to go back to the car. The judge gave him every opportunity, but he was just too stressed. I did not feel good about myself, how many times have I said enough is enough, he has a fine life without shows, but Sparky is a beautiful dog and I just want him to have a chance.
I had entered them in The Brace class and more or less decided to scratch, how could I manage Sparky and Dylan together, but Peter said have a go, you can always come out if it's too much. So we went in and what an experience, it was as if Sparky gained strength from Dylan, Dylan seemed to take the lead and Sparky stayed close to him, when it was their turn to move it was as if they were one, they did a triangle in complete harmony, back to the judge and just stood close together and both looked up at her. We then went back to our place and Sparky lay down as relaxed as if he was at home but all the time watching Dylan who just stood close to him. The boys won the class and got a lovely round of applause.
I know they have a special bond but I believe just how special that bond is was demonstrated today, Dylan is a rock, he has the most superb, even temperament and nothing ever phases him, I think today he started Sparky on the road to recovery.
Today we decided to go to a Companion Show, it was raising funds for Macmillan Nurses, a cause very close to my heart. We took Dylan and Sparky. The classes were pretty big and I wondered about showing Sparky but I took him in to the Open Class. He got himself into such a state, he just can't cope with dogs being behind him, it worries him and he tries to get out of the ring to go back to the car. The judge gave him every opportunity, but he was just too stressed. I did not feel good about myself, how many times have I said enough is enough, he has a fine life without shows, but Sparky is a beautiful dog and I just want him to have a chance.
I had entered them in The Brace class and more or less decided to scratch, how could I manage Sparky and Dylan together, but Peter said have a go, you can always come out if it's too much. So we went in and what an experience, it was as if Sparky gained strength from Dylan, Dylan seemed to take the lead and Sparky stayed close to him, when it was their turn to move it was as if they were one, they did a triangle in complete harmony, back to the judge and just stood close together and both looked up at her. We then went back to our place and Sparky lay down as relaxed as if he was at home but all the time watching Dylan who just stood close to him. The boys won the class and got a lovely round of applause.
I know they have a special bond but I believe just how special that bond is was demonstrated today, Dylan is a rock, he has the most superb, even temperament and nothing ever phases him, I think today he started Sparky on the road to recovery.
) may he go from strength to strength :huggles:
