tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post1819108209524914436..comments2014-06-06T06:23:51.031-07:00Comments on Agility Engineer: Action Day "Aging": Don't Be "That Guy"Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-71841081842300806052013-09-11T10:10:58.164-07:002013-09-11T10:10:58.164-07:00In July, I retired my 8 year old Belgian Sheepdog....In July, I retired my 8 year old Belgian Sheepdog. He'd been having problems with weave poles and during a routine chiropractic adjustment our vet looked at me and said, "It's time."<br /><br />My dog was still blazing fast, in the 5 yps range. But I could see the weaves were hurting him and knew our vet was right. We were at a trial, and I took one last run, skipping the weave poles. I begged everyone to clap since my dog lives for applause. We had a gorgeous run with flawless teamwork. I skipped the weaves, finshed the course, and wept as I put the leash on. So glad my dog had a lot of life ahead, grateful that we had one last glorious run together.<br /><br />He's having a happy retirement and no, no one wants to be "that guy!"<br /><br />I am so glad you retired your great dog with class! Thank you for outing one elephant on the agility sidelines :-)Kaypeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16826402353784912518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-23191883771815242102013-09-06T05:55:13.294-07:002013-09-06T05:55:13.294-07:00Great Blog.
I am currently a few months or less ...Great Blog. <br /><br />I am currently a few months or less from retiring my 11.5 year old bc. Over the years I have seen a number of dogs, who were very competitive when young, kept going well into their older years. In the end these dogs were struggling to get around the course and knocking down and refusing jumps. It was sad to watch these formally good dogs keep trying to give their all to handlers who were blind to their struggles. My last memories of these dogs is watching their pain and heavy gasps as they landed over jumps. I do not want my dog to be remembered like this. I want her to be remembered as a dog who loved agility and at her last run finished wanting more of it.<br /><br /> <br />The Tri-Feralshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12382766605328201527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-53994112253282457042013-09-05T13:06:01.154-07:002013-09-05T13:06:01.154-07:00@AgilityEngineer Came back to re-read, I liked you...@AgilityEngineer Came back to re-read, I liked your article so much. Yes, you have permission to quote me if it helps the cause. @Merinda 's comment is pretty on-target as well ViewFr4Inchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-16592912267170684672013-09-04T17:29:45.640-07:002013-09-04T17:29:45.640-07:00Love the brutal (or not so brutal) honesty in this...Love the brutal (or not so brutal) honesty in this post. You went were I was afraid to go ;) Thanks for putting this message out there!Muttsandaklutzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05551047401085562752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-22247919745363015772013-09-04T13:04:39.830-07:002013-09-04T13:04:39.830-07:00Great post. It really is so dreadful watching &quo...Great post. It really is so dreadful watching "that guy" (or lady) trying to get a dog that isn't into it (or capable) around a course. :( They might be blind to the dog's condition and even using "happy voice," but it doesn't make it any less upsetting than watching someone be negative and mean to the dog.minnowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02684517947260435774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-57965208418427234742013-09-04T07:47:09.924-07:002013-09-04T07:47:09.924-07:00@ViewFr4Inch - Beautifully written. I am thinking...@ViewFr4Inch - Beautifully written. I am thinking about updating and quoting you!<br /><br />@Merinda - Agreed! I call it "eye rape" when an handler drags around a dog that doesn't want to do it anymore or has a physical issue that makes watching unbearable.AgilityEngineerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02875878044961232314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-17204356946802950792013-09-04T07:35:29.266-07:002013-09-04T07:35:29.266-07:00Thank you - this is perfect! I hate seeing those p...Thank you - this is perfect! I hate seeing those poor dogs being drug around the ring for the sake of the human's hunger for titles.<br />People need to realize that there is more honor in retiring a good dog, than earning MACH 235 on a crippled shell of a once formerly grand dog...Merindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06084422735540499496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7438272938839918405.post-2856837155816449902013-09-04T07:19:37.861-07:002013-09-04T07:19:37.861-07:00Good for you! I also am on the "retire early,...Good for you! I also am on the "retire early, regret less" band wagon. My Taylor is "only" 11 but retired 2 years ago when I realized his back was hurting him and he had been diagnosed with PRA. <br /><br />Yes, he can still see. Yes, he would still LOVE to be out there competing in agility. He could have earned at least a couple more championships by now. But I'm the adult and the species with the gift of reason. <br /><br />Our dogs often do more than they should because they know it pleases us. We should honor this trait but also have the integrity to protect them from their own desire to please. ViewFr4Inchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com