We’re hoping for some amazing changes!
Go to Barrow Family Adoption for details.
Aug 112011
Apr 152011
“These trials are simultaneously burdens God gives to keep them utterly dependent; and thorns which pin back the veil that hides His face. In a fallen world, they are gifts.” Sono Harris
Apr 102011
Leika loves food and turtles – in that order.
I have to watch her closely while we are working in the garden. She’s been known on more than one occasion to steal vegetables and fruit. Last year, she stole my last cantaloupe right off the vine.
And when she’s not snatching fresh fruit, she’s my fierce turtle hunter.
She’s the typical mischievous Giant Schnauzer. If you own one, you know what I mean.
Sep 112010
Drawing by Tracy Riley
Jasso is pretty famous in giant schnauzer working circles. Not only was he successful in Giant Schnauzer trials, he also competed very successfully in international level all breed trials.
The hyperlink below accesses a media clip showcasing Jasso and his owner/handler Michael Klaas. Michael was Jasso’s only owner and handler during his competition years. At thirteen years of age, Jasso is still happy and active. It’s in German but the emotions are universal. This is a large 33 MB file so will take a bit of time to load. Please do not upload this clip to any other websites. Thank you!
Sep 102010
Test, test, test
Jun 022010
It’s been about 4 months now since Leika’s back surgery and even though she continues to show instability in her rear legs, she is able to walk, trot and run on her own.
Although recovery wasn’t 100%, we’re very happy. Many older dogs don’t recover from the paralysis at all. Leika turned 12 in March so she definitely qualifies for older.
May 132010
It’s always good to hear from puppy owners. Last week brought two nice bit of news. Tracy and Bullet (Jasso v. Hatzbachtal x Leika v. Hatzbachtal) got their VPG2.
On the other side of the coast, Bonnie and Stone (Ben v. Hatzbachtal x CH. Momentumm Be Attitude v. Iro) got their first two OTCH points.
Bullet and Stone have very similar strengths and weaknesses even though they are not closely related. I wonder if that is because working aptitude values these type of strengths while the weaknesses are not such they cause extreme difficulties for working trials.
Feb 122010
Two weeks ago, Leika began showing weakness in one back leg. Gregg made an appointment to see our vet the next day. But by 5 PM, her back legs were completely paralyzed.
We rushed to the emergency room. The ER vet felt we were looking at a herniated disc. But only an MRI or a Myelogram would tell for sure. The ER vet kept her overnight and started her on steroids and completed a full blood panel.
Gregg picked her up the next morning and was at our vet by 8 AM. (What a blessing Gregg is).
Our wonderful vet placed a phone call and Gregg had an appointment within the hour with a back specialist. The subsequent Myelogram showed a herniated disc in the middle back region. Initially the surgeon was hesitant over Leika’s age (twelve in March) but because she was in good shape, he ultimately decided she was a good candidate.
The surgery went well and we picked her up a few days later.
Recovery has been steady but not dramatic. Apparently some dogs show instant recovery. For us, it’s been small steps each day. It’s been two weeks now since the surgery and her back legs are moving and able to support her to a degree. She still needs a sling support in order to remain upright, but yesterday she stood up in her crate without any assistance!
So, we are indeed on the road to recovery.
Pictures to follow.
Jan 112010
I am now an official apprentice falconer. I received my Texas permit right after Christmas and the nice lady at US Fish and Wildlife emailed the federal permit last week (Thanks Elvira)! It is good to have the paperwork out of the way.
But there is good news and bad news. Bad news is that the Texas trapping season ended December 31, 2009. The good news is Arkansas allows apprentices to trap until the end of January. So, we still have time for this season.
In the meantime, Gregg has a second hawk on his permit. Charlie is a twelve year old captive bred Harris Hawk. He was bred by Jenn and Tom Coulson; became a versatile and talented game hawk for Matt Mullenix for six years; and, returned to the Coulsons after Hurricane Katrina decimated their breeding program in 2005. After a two year stint in the breeding chamber, becoming a daddy and hog fat, he moved to Dallas where he and Steve looked for rabbits along with Charlie’s nephew Smash. (heh… )
It took us about a month to get Charlie down to a dependable hunting weight. Then Gregg and I hit the field. I hawked a lot with Gregg and his redtails, but I have to admit I really enjoy bird hawking with Charlie. Watching Charlie power stroke after a sparrow is amazing.
We’ve had five hunts so far and Charlie has caught game each time – four sparrow and a rat. Last Sunday, Gregg decided it was time to add Sis the black Lab to the team. Sis quartered like a champ, flushed some birds and had a grand time.
Sis and Charlie are both twelve years old so neither are spring chickens. Maybe that’s why they acted as if they’d been a team for a long time. It was odd. Sis’ best friend was Charlie the yellow lab who died a few years ago. It was a bit painful to see Charlie and Sis back together again – albeit a much different pair.
One of the most interesting things about falconry is observing how the wild things react when a real predator is around. When I walk into a field, sparrows flush all over the place. When I walk into a field with Charlie, I can stomp right next to a sparrow and it won’t budge. They know who’s the real threat.
It’s been a great introduction to my formal apprenticeship and I couldn’t ask for a more generous sponsor than Gregg. He has sacrificed his own hunting time to help me understand husbandry, equipment making and how to flush game property. I’m very fortunate.
Charlie, his T-perch and me in my funny hat.
Sis
One happy dog
Charlie with his game