Good-bye to an Old Friend

Roxy – 1995 to Dec 13, 2009
Black Diamond Rox, FDCH-S
On December 13, 2009, Bonnie and I said good-bye to Roxy, free to run and play with out worry or pain.
We thought she had been doing well this winter in an old dog kind of way, but the cold weather really dragged her down and we discovered a massive tumor under her left arm, surrounded by many smaller ones.

Roxy was the leader of our pack and taught the Chesapeakes many dog to dog manners. She also taught Bonnie and I many things and introduced us to the dog community.

We picked her up from the local shelter in September of 1995. The shelter guesstimated her to be a 6 month old Shepherd Lab X. She had been found running scared in the inner city after a huge storm. We named her Roxy, and later when we registered her with AMBOR (Ameican Mixed Breed Obedience Registry). We chose the name Black Diamond Rox as she had a black diamond on her tongue.

Roxy loved all people she met, but barely tolerated most dogs. Amazingly, she always managed to get along with the dogs we introduced to the household. Puppies were fine and she tolerated the one dog we fostered.

The greatest joy for Roxy was to accompany Bonnie on her trips to the farm and to visit her parents. She loved being the house dog and took her job of keeping order and peace in the household very seriously.

Good-bye old friend....run free.

Dogs & People need sunshine & fresh air

Finally after some very bitter cold, we have weather nice enough to get out side with the new pup. Believe it or not, the temperature yesterday was -36 C with the windchill it was like -42C. Today it is -1...go figure, no go play outside.

Unleashed Wrath

Every morning we walk our dogs at about 5:45. Because there are 3 dogs and only two of us, Bonnie usually takes the pup and I take the 2 older dogs. We head in different directions, mostly because trying to enjoy a walk with Kitt is easier without the distractions of the other 2.

The walk consists of a 15-minute brisk walk on leash, no sniffing or peeing until we get to the park where we walk the perimeter of trees. This morning I walked the dogs to the park as usual, as we circled the trees I saw an adult golden retriever coming around the trees, I took a quick look and the only person I could see was about 30 yards away, power walking. I stamped my foot and said "shoo"… the dog stopped in its tracks. Roxy our 12yr old ShepX exploded in barking, hackles up, Ardis joined in with her deep bark. I asked them both to sit, they did I took a tight grip of the leash. Now the owner was calling “ Kaaatie…Kaaatie come…..Ka..de….here” The dog didn’t budge, now Roxy was screaming. The screams seemed to push the speed walker off the sidewalk and in our direction. When she got in ear shot she started apologizing profusely, “I’m really sorry…I’m so….sorry”. I stood while she gathered her dog up and as she grabbed the dogs collar she jerked it’s collar and shouted 2 times “BAD DOG”. The dog cowered and in a puzzled, inquiring voice I said “You know I really don’t think it is the dogs fault” Well she came unglued, you would have though I slapped her in the face. She yelled, “I don’t need the wrath of you, coming down on me this morning” snapped the dogs leash on, pulled the dog and as she left she said “I was having a nice morning until I met you.” I stood there dumbfounded loosened my grip on the leashes and said “Come on girls let’s go home”