Agile Angus

Last week I competed against my classmates in an agility challenge and placed second (yes, there were more than two dogs in the class). While I fully deserved to be officially first, I still think highly of my performance as the class is full of punk puppies that don't have arthritis and are actually small enough to use the equipment comfortably.

The best news is that I got passed to progress to the next class series where there will be better competition. Mom, stretch your legs 'cause I'm ready to run!

Three times a lady!

I've got to tell ya, I've met a lot of dames in my day and Patty takes the cake. From her brown eyes to her dainty hooves, she's definitely Grade A. We met for the first time today and I have been captivated since -- I could barely part company long enough for her to be led to her stall. Patty, I can't wait to see more of you.

*Editor's note: Yes, Patty is a horse. Yes, Angus is truly enthralled with her.

Vice Dog of the Week

I know Vaughn's a nice guy and all, but what's a dog gotta do to keep up with him? It's Vaughn this and Vaughn that. How 'bout a little more Angus for a change? I deserve recognition! I'm handsome and charasmatic, too.

Passing the pigskin

It's the time of year for football and my very first opportunity to do some formalized sacking of my own as I am a proud member of Duke's Butt Scooters. While I do take issue with the name (my sacs are in excellent condition, thank you, and I've no cause to scoot), I am excited to be a part of the team.

Here's to a winning season and those I'll have to step over to get there.

My eventful trip to the hospital

I won't bore you with all the details, but I managed to escape surgery and have full use of all four legs. What we thought may have been soft tissue damage is in fact severe arthritis. Mom's cookin' up some new plans with the herbalist and I have to step up my time in the pool. Hopefully a modified approach will alleviate some of my discomfort. In any case, Mom says she'll get me a wheelchair when I'm old and gray if I need one.

Kickin' butt and takin' names

I came here to chew sticks and kick butt and I'm fresh out of good sticks.

This weekend Mom took us to the off-leash park (the little guy stayed home) to hang out for a while. She didn't expect to stay long as Vaughn's stamina is lacking these days and he's still plugging away at daycare twice a week with me.

Vaughn and I were busily cramming in as much sniffing, running, and wrestling as we could before heading home. We had each gone separate ways to investigate our own delights when Vaughn was approached by a young dog with what we call Stubby Leg Syndrome (SLS affects virtually all breeds of dogs excluding Danes and wolfhounds). This little Lab mix has a reputation of being the dog in charge during his time at the park and thusly thought it was appropriate for him to go ahead and try to mount Vaughn. Never mind that the critter with SLS is six inches shorter than Vaughn, he still wanted to try to get in a good mounting on the big guy. With Vaughn's disease comes some back pain and hind quarter weakness that he quietly suffers in addition to his existing arthritis, so attempted mountings are not welcome. Vaughn growled politely as he struggled to stand during the onslaught and Mom did her best to encourage the Lab mix's owner to call off the dominance to spare Vaughn additional pain.

What's that I hear? A cry for help? Super Angus is on the way!

Once I caught wind of what was happening, I sped over to the scene and stood over Vaughn's bully (very easy for me as I have six inches on Vaughn), holding him by the neck with all the authority I could muster. The Lab mix profusely apologized, submissively urinated on my paw (which I'm sure was an accident) and stated he wasn't aware we were together. We were then able to enjoy the rest of the time at the park without further incident, and I got to be a hero for my big brother as he has done so many times for me through the years.

In the future we'll plan to go to the park when it's not so busy so Vaughn won't be harrassed by those wishing to elevate social status by picking on the terminally ill. Sheesh.

I have a new job!

Because my older brother Vaughn has been too ill to work, I've been learning the ropes. My Mom has a booth at the local farmers' market and because she's The Dog Lady, she needs a canine companion with her who can be an ambassador for her business. That's my new job. I hang out with her at the market, pose for pictures with kids (and some adults), do light therapy work with my differently abled friends, and help kids and their families learn about how to prevent dog bites. It can be exhausting to be adored for six hours straight, but I always seem to make it through. I really enjoy my work and am so happy that Mom trusts me enough to be with her. I worked extra hard my first shift and impressed her enough to let me continue.

The bad, horrible, awful news is that I am scheduled for knee surgery next month. We don't know yet what kind of procedure I'll need, but as my lameness has not improved I will require medical intervention. This is especially disappointing as I'll be recovering during the summer (optimum play time in the Pacific Northwest) and won't be able to work for a while. I'll have to miss daycare, won't be able to go to the park, and won't be able to wrestle with Vaughn. I can only hope that the surgery is minimally invasive and that I can get light duty clearance soon.