REVERTING TO TYPE
Sun 09 May 2010
We all
love our pets and think of them as members of the family. There are
times when, in our minds, we bestow upon them human attributes,
thinking of them as humans with the capacity for intelligent,
rational thought and displaying human emotions. These
anthropomorphic feelings about our pets are just fanciful thinking
on our part, and, sooner or later, something happens to remind us
that those pets we know and love are only just animals after all.
Take
yesterday, for example.
Beattie and I were doing one of our regular walks; so regular,
in fact, that Beattie now explores the local fields when off lead,
always on the lookout for something to chase. She spotted a couple
of pheasants in a wheat field and was off to investigate in a flash
before I could stop her. At this time of the year these birds are
raising young and I try to discourage her from running off. She
soon returned after a fruitless pursuit, and I decided that she
should be put on her lead to prevent any other mishaps. Besides, I
am sure that the gamekeeper would be rather upset to see his
precious birds being harassed by a small, grey terrier!
I like
to give Beattie as much freedom as possible when we are at home, as
she spends her walks on her lead when we are in the Lake District.
But I don’t want her being a nuisance to the local wildlife, so I
usually keep my eyes open for any likely distractions. The problem
is that when she decides she is going to run, she runs, and nothing
I can say will make any difference.
Our
way back lay through a wood, a haven for rabbits and game birds. I
kept her on a reasonably short lead but, even so, was unable to stop
her diving into the undergrowth at the side of the path. After a
snuffle, she emerged, and I could see she had something in her
jaws. I grabbed her and ordered her to ‘drop it’, which she did
reluctantly. Then I could see that she had hold of a pheasant
chick. Sadly, the chick had not survived, as it lay limp upon the
ground.
I
dragged Beattie away and was sorry that I had not anticipated the
event. But it had all happened as quick as lightning and I realised
I could have done nothing to prevent the incident. Beattie was
displaying again, that she was just a terrier dog with all her
predatory instincts finely tuned.
In
fact, she was just reverting to type! Back
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CHECK UP
Thu 12 Feb 2010
As
part of her membership of the Healthy Pet Club,
Beattie is entitled to a
twice-yearly health check. Last week, I received a letter advising
me of that fact and yesterday, I drove Beattie to the vet for the
dubious pleasure of a check up. I say dubious, because ever since
last year’s BAST test, she has walked through the door in fear and
trembling lest that happen again.
In
fact, this was not to be a pleasant visit either as she had to have
her annual Kennel Cough vaccination, which is administered up her
nose!!
We
were the first visitors and the surgery was quiet when we entered.
First task was to weigh her and she tipped the scales at 8.35 kg.
Once again, she had put weight on during the winter months. But she
will lose that when the Lake District walking season begins again.
As we
waited to be called in, Beattie was visibly shaking and her tail was
tucked right between her legs. No, she was not a happy dog! Even
the bright and cheery voice of the vet did little to arouse her
normal enthusiasm, as I had to pull her into the consulting room.
She endured rather than enjoyed the examination and I was the only
one pleased that she was pronounced sound in wind and limb.
Next
came the Kennel Cough vaccination and this is where the trouble
started. She decided she was not going to cooperate once she
realised what was involved and she tried desperately to hide under
my arm as Z advanced
towards her with the tube of liquid poised! After two or three
abortive efforts, Z took her away to be held by more experienced
hands than mine. Besides, Beattie knows that she can play up when
Master is present!
She
was returned quite quickly and could not wait to be out of that
room! Once back in the waiting room, she was back to her usual
self, doing her ‘cute dog’ act for anyone that was interested in
her.
It’s a
shame she does not enjoy her visits to the vet any more. Even with
dogs innocence is replaced by knowing … Back
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Comment from AT
Remind me to
show you how to use the clicker to get her to accept the KC
vaccine. I did it with my most cowardly dog and it worked!
I'll talk to you at Dog Club about it. derek
Comment from
sablonneuse
Poor Beattie. At least it was over fairly
quickly. Our cats hate going to the vet because they know it will
mean injections. Yes, Beattie is like that now! derek
FAIR GAME!
Sat 23 Jan 2010
A few
days ago, A and I enjoyed
a delicious game pie for our evening meal.
Beattie was lucky enough
to have a few leftovers for her tea and there is little doubt that
she relished the varied tastes of venison, pheasant and partridge!
The
next day, I walked Beattie across sodden fields on a familiar
route. She is no longer content to follow the path, but attracted
by all sorts of scents and diversions will delve into the hedgerows,
often exploring the adjacent field, knowing at all times my precise
location.
Today
was no different as she disappeared into the undergrowth. Moments
later, there was a loud chucking sound and a pheasant rose somewhat
ungainly from concealment. With a clatter of rapid wing beats
accompanied by a repeated kurruk, kurruk call, the bird
escaped Beattie’s clutches. Next to be flushed out was a snipe,
which fluttered away across the muddy furrows. And finally, a
partridge rose desperately into the air eager to escape the
attentions of an excited Bedlington!
What
fun Beattie was having today! There was no doubt in her mind that
those birds were fair game! Back
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Comment from
Little Old Me
She was trying to
'bring home the bacon' Something
like that! derek
Comment from
sablonneuse
Well now, it
sounds as though Beattie is behaving like a cat!
Yes, there are similarities!
derek
Comment from
JT
I hope you
didn't waste half of the pie like last time!!!! No! My
pies are a more realistic size, now. It was my first! derek
EXUBERANCE!
Mon 4 Jan 2010
There
is something about snow that causes
Beattie to react in a very
similar way to a young child when the first snowflakes are seen
falling from the sky. She can’t wait to get outside and hare around
in a state of frenzied excitement. It seems to me that the sub-zero
temperatures magnify all the normal everyday smells. And the snow
does, at least, reveal some of the evidence of other creatures that
light up her interest so much!
After
another snowfall overnight, I took Beattie out for one of our
regular walks over the fields yesterday morning. It was a lovely
bright, cold day; the sort that only tempts the real hardy souls
outside, the sort of day that leaves your feet freezing in your
boots at the end of the walk and very glad to pull on slippers and
drink gallons of hot tea.
But
for Beattie, the walk was sheer unadulterated joy as she pranced
about with the wet snow clinging to her legs and her not caring one
jot, seemingly impervious to the cold. In such conditions, snow is
there as a plaything, ready to be tossed about, or snuffled, or run
through, or rolled in or any manner of games that a dog can invent!
And
Master must be encouraged to join in the game by acting as a marker
to run around or as ‘it’ in a game of tag! And if Master will not
join in, then there us always a gloved hand that can be attacked in
a friendly sort of way until exasperation causes a reaction
resulting in a happy game of ‘chasing the tail’ (of the dog, that
is; a game that Beattie always wins)!
Snow
is a cause for sheer exuberance, and this winter, Beattie has had
more than a fair share of pleasure on snow-bound days!
Back
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Comment from
sablonneuse
Well that's it then, our youngest cat is
actually a dog! Your description of Beattie's antics reflect
Willow's behaviour when it snows. All the others sniff disdainfully,
perhaps try a paw but then come inside quickly and curl up by the
fire or on a radiator. Not Willow: she darts outside and leaps about
- even rolling in it - and she loves it if you throw snowballs at
her (gently though). It's definitely the snow that
does it, Sandy! derek
SILVER DOG
Sun 13 Dec 2009
For
the past few weeks, Beattie
and I have been training for the Silver award of
The Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme. We took the Bronze test
in July and passed with flying colours. But this was to be a much
sterner test.
The
first exercise involved in the test is an examination of the dog by
the tester. Licking of ears is permitted, but biting is definitely
a no-no! Then there is a two-minute down stay, all fairly routine
for Beattie. Following this, the most difficult of the tests, a
road walk on a short lead, where the dog must not pull ahead or
annoy the locals in any way. Beattie finds it almost impossible to
walk past another dog on the street without having her say and cats
just drive her crazy! So I was hoping that we would meet neither.
We did have to pass one dog, but it was no problem for her, as
Beattie already knew the animal, as both dog and owner were taking
the test! I decided to walk her quite fast and just hope the
examiner did not see me pulling her along. I was very pleased to
make it back to the village hall without any major mishap. Next the
dog has to demonstrate that it can jump into and out of a car safely
and that it does not react to the engine noise of the car. This was
a piece of cake for Beattie. She has always travelled perfectly
from the time when at three months old, we drove her to Cornwall
without a murmur!
So
far, so good. Now we moved indoors again to complete the test. A
series of exercises followed, including a recall, a food manners
test, where the dog has to resist begging when the owner is easting
a yummy biscuit. AT’s
advice was to put the dog in a down stay. As usual, she was right!
Then Beattie had to come when called when she was in the midst of a
group of dogs when she was off the lead.
Another test that caused me some concern was a demonstration of
playing with your dog. At home, Beattie loves to play with any toy,
but at Dog
Club she simply will not cooperate. I wave her tuggy in what I
suppose to be a terribly exciting manner and make lots of
encouraging’ Come on, let’s play’ noises whilst she just stands
there looking bored. I decided not to risk a toy but played some
‘touchee’ games with her and she became so animated that she barked
excitedly! It all went better than I had dared hope.
Finally, there was the verbal test for owners and there were
questions about dogs travelling in cars, dogs left in cars and dogs
and children. Nothing too mind-blowing.
And
then it was all over. I was delighted to hear that we had passed.
In fact, all the nine dogs passed. But that was not because the
test was easy. There had been a number of places where the dog
could have failed. For instance, breaking a down stay would result
in disappointment, with the dog not passing the test. No, we were
thoroughly trained before entering and knew exactly what to expect.
Next
up is the Gold award. Now that will be a challenge! Back
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Comment from AT
She's ready
for the challenge!! I hope so! derek
Comment from
Little Old Me
Well done to you both. I do think some of
these tests a little hard, like the playing one. Sometimes we don't
feel like playing - it must be the same for dogs.
Yes, but at home she is always ready for a game. That's what
is so infuriating! derek
Comment from
sablonneuse
Many
congratulations to both of you. I'm particularly impressed when I
think of the difficulties I had with Purdy and failed miserably as a
dog handler. Thanks, Sandy. derek
TESTING TIMES
Tue 24 Nov 2009
Last
Friday, I took Beattie to
the vet for her follow-up liver function and BAST tests (Bile Acid
Stimulation Test). This was after a discussion with the vet who
advised that Beattie be monitored for liver function as she had an
abnormal reading when the test was done in September.
The
last time she had the BAST test, she returned home with a bad case
of diarrhoea! I was told that this was because of the fatty
substance she was given to stimulate the production of bile. She
also tiddled on the lounge carpet – something she never does.
Beattie definitely had an upset stomach that day!
I was
determined to watch her like a hawk and take her outside regularly
for the first twelve hours. She came home at lunchtime and this
time suffered no ill effects at all, which was a relief!
Yesterday, the vet telephoned to say that the results were back from
the lab and that although she still had a slightly high reading on
her liver test, he thought it might be the norm for Beattie. We
agreed that I would continue to monitor her, but, as I told him, to
all intents and purposes, she is a very healthy little dog!
I
don’t mind having tests done if they are really necessary, but this
one cost £94 and I did not want Beattie tested to destruction,
especially if there was nothing wrong with her.
Could
it be all part of a fiendish plot by the vet to part me from my
hard-earned cash???
Surely
not? Back
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Comment from
Little Old Me
Better safe
than sorry. Vets fees are very high though.
That's what I thought. derek
Comment from AT
Welcome to
the world of dog ownership!!! But it's all worth
it, though! derek
Comment from
sablonneuse
I think
you're right, Derek. If Beattie is healthy there's no point in
looking for trouble.
Vet's fees certainly aren't cheap. We thought it cost less when we
first came to France but they have gradually increased. Now, with
seven cats we are giving them homoeopathic treatment instead of the
annual vaccinations which we can no longer afford.
That's some bill you must have, Sandy! derek
I SMELL A RAT!
Fri 13 Nov 2009
‘The
terrier is a dog that has been bred to work beneath the ground to
drive out small and large vermin, rodents and other animals that can
be a nuisance to country living. Originally called the Rothbury
Terrier, the Bedlington hails from the Border Counties between
England and Scotland.’ Bedlington Terrier Muriel Lee pp. 10-11
Other
writers mention that Bedlingtons were popular with northeast miners
who used them as ratters in the coalmines.
One of
the first breeders to show prize-winning Bedlingtons, a Mr Pickett,
wrote,
‘I
look upon the Bedlington as a farmer’s friend and country
gentleman’s companion. No breed of Terrier can compare with him for
stamina, fire, courage and resolution. He will knock about all day
with his master, busy as a bee at foxes, rabbits or otters; and at
night, when any other sort of dog would be stiff, sore and utterly
jaded, he will turn up bright as a new shilling and ready for any
game going. He takes to the water readily, has a capital nose, is
most intelligent and lively and is a rough and ready friend about
the woods and fields – he has no equal.’ Quoted in Bedlington
Terrier Muriel Lee p. 13
That’s
quite an accolade. But does the rhetoric match reality?
SH told me quite a while
ago that P had spotted a
rat when her husband was clearing out their shed and she killed it
instantly. I had often wondered what would happen when
Beattie finally caught her
first rat.
Well,
it happened when we were away in the Dales at half term. I was out
and about with Beattie quite early on a foggy, morning. We had just
set off along a field path when Beattie was distracted by something
away to her left. She was snuffling at a patch of tussocky grass
when, without warning a rat ran out of the undergrowth and Beattie
pounced! She quickly had hold of the rat, but seemed quite
uncertain what to do next. Her mother would have despatched the
rodent to the next world very smartly, but her daughter was not made
of such stern stuff and, momentarily letting the rat drop from her
jaws, it escaped! Beattie chased the swiftly departing rat, but she
was too late – the moment had passed. Her supposed instinct for the
kill had deserted her and she was left snapping at empty air!
Poor
Beattie! She is not destined to live up to her reputation as a
fearsome rat catcher! Back
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Comment from
sablonneuse
I can't imagine
Beattie as a 'killer' so I'm quite pleased she lost her rat!
No, I don't think she had the
stomach for it! derek
FIREWORKS
Fri 6 Nov 2009
I
don’t give much thought to Bonfire Night, usually. We live in a
very quiet part of the village where there are no children and there
are fields back and front. The only excitement comes twice a day
when the parents drop off or pick up their children on the ‘school
run’. Occasionally, I lose my rag with inconsiderate parents who
think it perfectly acceptable to park across my drive before walking
off to collect their offspring! It usually happens when someone has
arrived late, or it is raining heavily when their precious cargo
cannot possibly walk a few extra yards to the car in case they
dissolve!! In such cases, emotion is stronger than reason.
But it
was fireworks of a different sort that disturbed us yesterday. I
came home from a Governors’ meeting around six o’ clock. It was
pitch black and very quiet – nothing unusual, in fact.
Beattie was waiting for me
and slipped outside as I opened the door. Obviously, she was
desperate!
In her
usual manner, Beattie ‘knocked on the door’ a few minutes later.
Actually, she has learnt that rattling the cat flap usually brings
the required response! On this evening, I was busy making a cup of
tea and did not answer the knock immediately. Then, without
warning, there was a tremendous explosion very close by, followed by
a desperate drumming on the cat flap by a frightened dog! When I
opened the door, poor Beattie was in a bit of a state, her heart was
pounding and she was literally shaking all over!
Then I
guessed what must have happened. The neighbours must be
entertaining the grandchild – the first time that had happened on
November 5th! I was mortified that I had been so
thoughtless and had subjected Beattie to that unwarranted shock.
It
took her a while to recover but she had a lot of cuddles from
A during the rest of the
evening.
I only
hope that dogs do not have an elephant’s memory! Back
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Comment from
sablonneuse
Sorry to hear
about Beattie's unfortunate experience with the firework. Our cats
are lucky it doesn't happen on November 5th here. July 14th is
usually pretty noisy but not until very late when they're all curled
up indoors. I won't make that mistake again, Sandy!
derek
Comment from
Gary
Poor Beattie - we
have the same problem with Timmy, he's slowly getting better, when
we first got him from the rescue centre he was so bad we had to
actually sedate him when the pub next door had their firework
display. He's a lot better now but still gets upset like Beattie ...
Beattie has never seemed
bothered by sudden noises. But I will be more careful in
future. derek
IN THE CLEAR
Sat 17 Oct 2009
By way
of a postscript to the story,
Healthy Pet, the vet telephoned me last week with the
results of Beattie’s DNA
swab. I was very pleased to hear the news that she does not have
the COMM D-1 gene and is therefore in the clear! It means that
Beattie is unlikely to develop copper toxicosis, although
there are no guarantees, of course.
The
vet would like to continue to monitor her abnormal liver function as
highlighted on the BAST test and has suggested a repeat test in late
November, with further tests, if necessary, every six months. I
think that is a very sensible precaution in the circumstances.
What a
relief! Back
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Comment from
Little Old Me
That's a
weight off your shoulders. Definitely! derek
Comment from
sablonneuse
What good
news! So pleased the result was just what you wanted to hear.
So was I, Sandy! derek
BEATTIE GOES TO SCHOOL
Mon 05 Oct 2009
Last
week, Beattie and I were
invited into my old school (before I retired) to talk to Year 1
pupils about how to look after a pet – in this case it was Beattie.
The children are all five years old and although I was looking
forward to the visit, I hoped I would be able to pitch my talk at
the right level and, more importantly, I hoped that Beattie would
prove herself to be a model dog for about twenty minutes. I didn’t
want her barking at the little mites and frightening them.
Screaming children I could do without.
I
packed up a plastic box of everything I could lay my hands on: toys,
food, worm pills, Frontline flea killer, her vet record of
inoculations, grooming brushes and combs, treats and a clicker, her
dumbbell and her various leads. Things to look at and hold help to
focus the attention. I decided that one or two could practise their
grooming skills. I was also going to try to persuade her to work
(or was I just being hopeful?)
I
arrived at the appointed hour and there they all were, all sitting
in an expectant circle with Beattie and I as the centre of
attention! I began by asking who had a dog and was pleased to see
that quite few responded in the affirmative. ‘Tell me something
that a dog needs to be looked after properly,’ I asked the raised
hands. They mentioned food, a bath, walks and a bed. Using their
ideas, I expanded on them to show how to look after a dog
responsibly. I demonstrated grooming with Beattie nearly managing
to cooperate and one or two volunteered to try their hand using a
gentle brush. I told them all about the correct feeding, medical
care and need for regular exercise.
Then I
progressed to training and, rather more than in hope than
expectation, demonstrated the clicker and how I used it with treats
to train the dog to sit, stay, go down, recall and even retrieve.
All right, she was not very responsive, but she did manage all those
exercises! I was amazed and pleased that she had responded in a
strange place with an audience in very close proximity. I spoke to
AT afterwards about the
session and her opinion was that it was very good for Beattie to
train in a strange setting.
The
children, and staff seemed very pleased with the visit and I was
gratified that things had gone so smoothly. Beattie was very
patient (actually, I think she was overawed) and bore the strokes
and pats at the end of the session very stoically.
It was
a good experience for children, owner and the dog! I think we might
do that again sometime. Back
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Comment from
sablonneuse
Five year
olds? Of course, everything's changed hasn't it? So glad you and
Beattie enjoyed the experience and it certainly sounds as though the
children got a lot out of it. Everyone enjoyed the
experience. derek
EXCITED
Mon 28 Sep 2009
We had
just finished our dinner last Saturday evening and I was washing up
when Beattie asked to go
out. She usually does this by sitting or lying at the back door
very patiently until somebody realises she wants the door opened!
I
dried my hands and let her out. All was quiet for about a minute
and I had resumed my task, when there came from the garden, a
frenzied, excited barking that just went on and on. After a short
while, in which Beattie did not let up her noise, but, if anything,
the decibel limit had been raised and the barking became more
frantic, I opened the door to see what all the fuss was about.
I say,
see, but it was pitch black out in the garden by this time and
Beattie was on the far side of the building. I walked around to the
other side of the conservatory, but I could not see anything at
all. What on earth could be causing her so much excitement?
I
would soon find out as I walked back into the kitchen and collected
a torch. It was the only practical way of solving the mystery.
Besides, I must stop her barking as she was perilously close to my
neighbour’s back door and the row that Beattie was making was
threatening to disturb the peace.
Armed
with a light, I strode back outside and the beam of the torch solved
the mystery. A hedgehog was curled up in a tight ball next to the
gate and Beattie was barking down its ear! It was enough to terrify
any living animal.
I
picked up Beattie intent on getting her away from the petrified
animal. She was unceremoniously dumped in the kitchen before
returning to the hedgehog. I decided the best thing to do would be
to leave well alone and let the hedgehog recover, naturally. No
doubt the poor creature was in shock.
Despite removing Beattie, the hedgehog continued to give concern
with its rapid, noisy breathing. There was no way out of the
garden, so A moved the
hedgehog, opened the gate and deposited the animal outside. At
least Beattie could not go back for a second instalment!
Now
the hedgehog could recover in its own time and escape!
The
following morning, the hedgehog was nowhere to be seen. I hoped
that it was now safe and that it had not come to grief! I
think that A might have felt quite guilty if there was a flat
hedgehog on the road out there!! Back
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Comment from
Little Old Me
Perhaps she thought it was hoping to move
in, ha-ha. She sounds a real sweetie. One dog is
more than enough for me! derek
Comment from
Gary
Hi Derek - we've had the same problem with
Tim on a couple of occasions in our garden. The first time he came
across a hedgehog he decided to see if it was edible and tried to
bite it! He ended up with a rather badly scratched face for his
troubles. He now just barks at them! Learning from
experience, Gary? derek
Comment from
Anonymous
How on
earth did she know it was there when the door was shut? Sixth sense
or an acute sense of smell? One of life's little
mysteries! derek
Comment from AT
I'd check her
over for fleas....hedgehogs carry a load of them!
What a good idea! derek
FAMOUS
Wed 23 Sep 2009
I had
another of those weird encounters with strangers when out and about
with Beattie, last
Friday. A and I were off
to the Lakes for a
Wainwright
Society weekend involving a walk and a meal with some of the
members. We were travelling up to Doncaster on Friday evening and
we had stopped at a Little Chef on the A17 for a bite to eat.
As we
were about to leave, I decided to take Beattie out for a toilet
break. At the same time as she jumped out of her crate, a car with
two lady passengers was drawing up in the car park. I could tell by
the body language that these two were ‘doggy people’. Beattie must
have sensed it as well as she ran up to greet the two ladies
enthusiastically.
‘Hello, Little Bedlington,’ one of the two said to Beattie.
The
other enquired, ‘Who is this?’
‘This
is Beattie,’ I replied.
‘BEATTIE?’ the lady exclaimed, in capital letters.
‘Yes,’
I replied, somewhat bemused by her reaction.
‘BEATTIE OF BLUNDESTON?’ It was if she could not believe the first
answer I had given her and just wanted confirmation. Clearly, this
lady knew of Beattie, but who on earth was she? Must be somebody
who has logged on to the website. But, no. I had not revealed the
name of the village before. Who then? All was about to be
revealed.
‘I am
Pe’s mum,’ the lady
continued. The mist cleared after a moment as the information sunk
in. This was
Viv Rainsbury, dog breeder and an authority on the Bedlington
terrier! In fact, we had been in touch with her only the previous
week about Beattie’s health concerns. She had given us a lot of
useful information and advice (See Healthy
Pet?).
It was
lovely to finally meet a lady I had heard a lot about. But what an
unusual place to meet?
As Viv
patted Beattie, she told her, ‘You’re a famous dog.’
Beattie took all this adulation in her stride. I don’t think that
fame will spoil her in the least! Back
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Comment from
sablonneuse
Of course
she's famous - and I bet she knows it too. Well,
maybe only very slightly famous!! derek
HEALTHY PET?
Wed 16 Sep 2009
Beattie has been causing
us some concern just lately. She had a ‘healthy pet’ blood test at
the same time as her annual injections and the vet rang me whilst I
was on holiday to say the Beattie had an abnormal reading for her
liver function.
He was
concerned because, being a Bedlington, the breed is susceptible to
copper toxicosis, that is, a build up of copper in the liver,
that can prove fatal if left untreated. He recommended another test
to check the results. The good news was that there was no
indication of liver damage.
On our
return, I took Beattie in for a BAST test (Bile Acid Stimulation
Test). A couple of days later the vet rang to say that the original
test result had been confirmed. There seemed to be four options:
do nothing and hope, repeat the BAST test in a couple of month’s
time, do a liver biopsy, which would involve surgery. The reason
for the biopsy was that it would determine whether there was a build
up of copper in her liver. But surgery is always to be avoided if
possible.
The
fourth option was to conduct a DNA test to see if Beattie had the
COMM D-1 gene, thought to be responsible for the development of the
condition. I had already spoken to the breeder who owned the sire
and that dog had been checked and was clear. Beattie’s mother had
not been checked, however. The vet said that if Beattie were clear
then there would be no need at this stage to perform the liver
biopsy.
That
seemed to be the preferred course of action, so earlier today, I
took Beattie to the vet, where he took swabs of Beattie’s cheeks,
which, incidentally, she did not enjoy in the least, and now all we
can do is wait for the result from the
Animal Health Trust.
Watch
this space … Back
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Comment from
Anonymous
Poor
Beattie. Is there any treatment if the test is positive?
Are you covered by insurance?
The treatment is either changing her
diet or medication. derek
Comment from
Anonymous
Poor Beattie. Are
you covered by pet insurance?
She does have insurance, but I haven't investigated whether this
condition is fully covered. derek
Comment from
sablonneuse
So sorry to hear
Beattie has a problem health-wise. Hope it doesn't prove to be
serious. Give her a pat and a hug from me please.
Thanks, Sandy Beatiie always has a lot of hugs! I'll make sure
she gets an extra one from you!! derek
THE ODD COUPLE
Wed 09 Sep 2009
We
were back at dog training yesterday after the summer break.
Actually, the class started a week or two ago, but we had decamped
to Somerset visiting A’s
sister.
Beattie always knows
exactly where she is and what is expected of her when she jumps out
of the car on training nights. She is a sociable dog and is very
pleased to see both humans and dogs at the class.
As we
walked through the door last night, Beattie set eyes on
N and instantly her legs
turned to jelly and she went all soppy!
It was
love at first sight as far as Beattie was concerned when she first
met N a couple of years ago. N is a regal Saluki who has been shown
at Crufts on more than one occasion, and what’s more, has actually
won! A stranger combination of star-struck lovers you cannot
imagine, but I do believe that the feeling is mutual!
N had
not been training for a while and Beattie was so excited she wet
herself before flopping down at N’s feet on her back with her
quivering legs in the air like the tart she is! I went to find a
mop to clear up the mess whilst Beattie got over the shock!
At
least during the evening, both Beattie and N managed to perform the
required exercises, but Beattie always had half an eye on N and had
to have a goodbye nuzzle before we departed!
It’s a
good job that Beattie has been spayed. I wonder what a
Saluki/Bedlington cross looks like? Back
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Comment from
sablonneuse
Congratulations on the award (previous
post) and I'm glad to see Beattie has a boyfriend at training class.
You'll have to invite him round for tea one of these days.
I would, but I don't want Beattie wetting herslf at home! derek
GOOD CITIZEN – BRONZE AWARD
Sun 05 Sep 2009
Now
that the summer holidays are finally over, I must catch up with old
news! A couple of weeks before we departed for Lakeland,
Beattie and I presented
ourselves at Westhall Village Hall to complete the
Good Citizen Bronze Award. We should have taken the test last
year, but unfortunately we were away at the time. A few months ago,
AT checked out our holiday
dates so as not to clash with one of our trips ‘up north’!
Although I was confident that Beattie would perform well in most
aspects of the test I was a little anxious about the grooming as she
can make quite a fuss, especially when her legs or tail are the
objects of my close attention. She will suddenly pull her leg away
when you are brushing it with the slicker brush, which can be quite
painful when those metal prongs scrape across your fingers! I am
sure she is getting her own back! And she certainly knows how to
tuck that tail right in making it very difficult to brush
effectively.
The
other worry I had was whether she would be able to complete the
controlled walk amongst people and dogs without barking or pulling
as she does frequently when out for a walk, usually with dogs she
does not know. And she would have to behave whilst I talked to the
examiner for one minute. Would she be able to contain herself
without jumping up in her usual friendly manner?
AT was
able to reassure me on both points. ‘Just bring a comb with you for
grooming. Only a light groom will be needed during the test. And
put her in a down when you are talking to the examiner. I am sure
that she will behave herself here – she usually does.’
Well,
I need not have worried. She behaved impeccably and passed all her
tests with flying colours. Mind you, at times I was not completely
sure whether it was the dog or owner that was being given the test!
Responsible owners do foster responsible dogs (well, that’s the
theory)!
At
Dog Club
the following Tuesday, we were presented with our certificate and
rosette. Beattie was very laid back about it all, but underneath I
could tell she was very proud of herself!
Well,
even if she wasn’t, I was! Back
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Comment from
Anonymous
Another
certificate to add to the collection.
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Photographs taken with a Fuji MX-2900
Zoom or a Canon EOS 20D
Copyright © 2010 Derek Cockell All Rights
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