Happy Birthday Conni! - Page 1

V Conni vom alten Turnerplatz, SchH3, KK1  (own daughter of BSZS/WUSV Ben Aahmelen)

Today is Conni's birthday. (Portia and Ali's mother) She's slowing down at 12, a bit arthritic when its cold (not out long in freezineg weather) but otherwise enjoying darned good health. We gave her a few bites on the sleeve this week as the "perfect gift" for a hard core working girl. Grips aren't what they used to be, and the helper had to run slower so she could catch him and the runaway, but the look in her eyes as she carried the sleeve off the field was priceless. She does have a hard growth on one elbow the size of a golf ball, had it for awhile, not getting bigger and doesn't bother her, but I'm not going to do anythng about it- don't want to anesthetize an old dog not in discomfort. She doesn't even have cataracts, very little gray. Still lifts her leg to mark stuff.
All GSD's should be in such good shape at her age. Photos not recent, but she hasn't aged that much since they were taken.
Me too! LOL

God bless my old gal. She was a hell of a working bitch and a wonderful producer.
SS

Happy Birthday to Conni!!!  That's an example of a dog that's put together right to be able to still go out for a grip at 12.  I am always amazed at how many people don't realize how much our dogs love the work.

Conni's appetite wasn't as good as usual last week. I was starting to worry. One short protection session and she's eating the bottom out of the bowl again.

A short story:  When Pallo was 11.5 "nearing the end" we took him along for the ride to Atlanta to the Raiser seminar.  We knew it would be his last road trip, the two slightly herniated discs inoperable at his age. We considered leaving him home, but he looked so sad watching from the window when we started to pull out  it broke our hearts, so we went back, piled every pad and comforter I had on the floor of the seatless van,  and gave him a little help to get his back end up and in. Instant Happy Dog! To be honest I was afraid if I left him he'd give it up for good, depressed and sad left behind for a week without his "Momma" for the first time in years...

On Saturday he stepped out of the van a little unsteadily at first for a walk at lunch, a bit stiff from arthritis and cold, damp weather. His infirmities again brought tears to my eyes, but some Rimadyl and prednisone alleviated his discomfort somewhat, but his time was clearly running out. Still, his failing ears could hear the last dog before lunch break working inside, and his failing gaze locked on the direction of the arena, so after he did his business I walked him into the arena to visit old friends and fans for awhile, maybe treat him to some leftover chicken off the plates... a lot of people remembered Pallo from byegone days. Maybe the petting and cooing would cheer him up?

Surprise! One look at those blinds set up and I instantly had a proud, prancing young stud dog heeling at my side, barking eagerly in his "old dog voice" looking around for the helper! Instant recovery! Temporary, but so heartwarming!

A kind soul, having seen all, gave him a bite in the foyer on the way out, let him have the sleeve to carry to the van, proud and happy, where he dug a tug toy out of my bag, cheerfully destroying it that afternoon.  He lived for 3 more months.

Old dogs need to work too, even if its only to hobble over and gum a sleeve now and then. I firmly believe that to deprive them of that joy is to send them to The Bridge early, depressed missing the joy in the work they have always lived for.

Oh dear. My eyes are leaking... Pallo's picture and collar are hanging on the wall in front of my computer. I swear I can feel him as I relay this story.  I am such a sap.

SS

Oh dammit, my eyes are leaking now too,  I have no doubt whatsoever, he WAS right there with you when you relayed that story.  I think sometimes they can reach out and give us a big kiss from the bridge, let us know they are waiting for us and are OK.

I believe the same. Onyx "stops by" here on earth now and then, fairly regularly in fact. Sometimes I swear he inhabits young Bijou's body, they are so much the same, right down to dropping toys and tennis balls in my bath water, stealing dishes from the dishwasher as I load it, running to the fridge when the phone rings, (???) and insisting on jumping on the bed, laying down with a dreamy expression as I try to put on fresh-from-the-laundry sheets and quilt cover... They are almost the same dog. Never fails to bring a tear and a smile to my face. No other dogs I have had do ALL those things.  Yes they are related. Both Harro descendants.

SS

Darn it, Shelley!

Pallo's story and picture brought tears to my eyes!  You can definitely tell he was very special to you.  Bless you.  On a happier note - Happy Birthday to Conni!  She looks simply stunning and svelte at 12 years of age.  I hope and pray my 2 are still with me when they're 12.

Treasured photo taken by Melli (GSDfan) of my newly all grayed Pallo a month after the Raiser seminar, just before a last hurrah rally on his part, and then... the end.  Old dogs get so-o-o cute! I found myself treating him like a puppy, talking in baby talk and finding ways to play with him that didn't involve a lot of moving in his last motnhs, and placed my mattress on the floor downstairs so he could sleep on it with me when he couldn't manage the stairs anymore, which he very much enjoyed.

well, you got me crying too. happy birthday to conni! she's beautiful and may pallo watch over you always.

AYE! Happy Birthday Conni Indeed!  it be hard for me t' do stairs and move a lot as well. Aye me responds very good when Blonde Bombshells be given me baby talk and petting me Aye!!

Happy Birthday, Conni! Thank you for showing me the ropes! Intelligent, kind, & patient with newbies....Conni is a better teacher than any number of books, DVDs, or what-have-you! And a fire in her belly that still shines in her eyes! Here's to you, Conni! Hat's off to a great old girl! jackie harris