Rich Rockets Etc

Shots of pets still with us.

Our six Terriers posing for a Pup-Peroni Ad.  They had to use their shots only for their
ads, which were ruined.  The flash caused a glare on the back-drop of Monument Valley. 
I took this one without a flash. 
In the blue Doggles is Timmy (TFT), behind him in the upside down gold Doggles
is Tex (TFT).  Up front is Gracie (RT), behind her in the red Doggles is Cricket (TFT) and
Cody (RT).  Driving the bike is Mickey a Jack Russell.

Little Texas Screamer (Little Tex, Tex)  Our first Toy Fox Terrier adopted from the SPCA at
the Texas State Fair.  The booth was set up in the shadow of Big Tex so that is how
he got his name 'Little Tex'.  Has 40+ titles so far to his name in Agility (1st TFT to title in Agility in the Nation), Flyball, Rally-O, Obedience and Tracking Competition.  In UFLI Flyball has four levels of titles, in Agility he's working on
his M.A.CH. (Master Agility Champion) and just got his first leg in the Advanced/Utility Class for AKC Obedience.

Mickey Doodle Dandy (Mickey) a Jack Russell that was too slow, in their opinion,
for their team.  So the owner was just giving him away or to the pound he goes.
Stubborn little sucker but is really working out.  Loves Agility and the new Flyball
team he is on now.  Because of the changes he has sped up and haven't seen him
drop a ball yet.  He too has titles in Flyball and has a couple of Qs or legs in
Obedience competition.

Wild Bill Cody (Cody)  A Rat Terrier originally got for Mom-In-Law but he was a
bit too wild for an 80 yr old women.  Still in training and did some Rally/Obedience
competition.
 The very first time in the AKC Agility ring he got a first place during a three day
weekend event.  That was Friday and he did it again on Sunday.  He too is ball crazy
and he fears nothing so we know he will be great in Flyball.  A few weekends ago 
had him try out Doubles at a Flyball Meet and was doing just great.  In fact
his team got a first.

Sweet Gracie Mine (Gracie) another Rat Terrier from an animal shelter in a further away
town.  Since Cody couldn't do we thought this calm, wanting to be hugged and on
your lap little girl would do.  Well mom started to get sick so we will be keeping her.
First time in the Jumpers with Weaves Agility course got herself a second place.  Recently received
her Therapy Dog certification. 

Little Bear, a small Chow abandoned at a local city park we picked up one hot
summer.  Found out she had been badly abused so she was afraid of the judges
in all the different types of competition we tried her in.  Has her Good Canine Citizen
award and she just loves kids so her main job in the house is to look cute and be a
good watch dog.  We had her for about 14 years when the boy decided to take her
to his place from now on.

And finally there is Cricket.  A pure bred Toy Fox Terrier that is a 'return to breeder.'
The buyers were caught abusing her so they lost the dog and their money according
to the rules of the contract.  Being it was a guy doing the beating she didn't want
anything to do with me.  Now she is my little girl.  First one to greet me when I get home
and sleeps on my side of the bed next to me.  Still a little skitish but she is coming around
to where she will be in the Agility and Rally ring soon.

Our newest member to the family.   'Journey'

 
                                                                                          Toni, to the left, rescued him, paid for his surgery
                                                                                           and nursed him back to health.
                                                                                         Met us in Waco at the Texas Rangers Museum for Mim's
                                                                                                          birthday gift.

His mother's pedigree would make your jaw drop. We don't know how a blue-blood female ended up churning out puppies in a Central Texas puppy mill, but this was the beginning of her son's journey. Sold as a yard dog/guard dog and left intact, he repeatedly escaped his owner’s property. When he came home with a massive injury to his foot, his owner decided he could not pay to have the broken bones repaired, and left his vet to decide his fate.
Released to rescue, he has been named Journey to reflect the promise his future holds.
Journey has undergone extensive and expensive surgery to repair his foot and with time and care, he will be able to live the life he deserves – loved, cherished and never, ever again forsaken.
I am getting him for Mim's birthday this year,2008, to help fill the hole in her heart from the lose of Tyler.
We all met the 8th of March and Journey and Mim just clicked.  Learned a couple of Obedience tricks in just a few minutes.
He acts and even kinda looks a bit like Tyler.  We got him today on the 22nd.   

The ones that will be waiting for us when it is our time.

Pygalgia de la Noche' (Py) Means 'Pain in the large muscle of the buttocks
of the night.'  Went out to get myself a Rottweiller pup and the last two sisters
were all that were left.  Mine, see below, was the only one that went for the ball
but when we started to leave Py started to really cry.  So the wife says, "I can't
leave her."  So she got one too.
Py was her First Rott, started in Search and Rescue.  Py had a few finds under
her collar where one was in 10 ft of water.  Did Tracking and was in Agility when
she was diagnosed with Cushings, a form of cancer.  Made it to 13 and a half
years old.

Alexandra La Grande Houdini (Alex) My old girl, more of a
couch potatoe, literally.  Find her often, when we came home,
stretched out on the sofa.  Didn't care much for Agility
but was doing really well in Search and Rescue.  Surprised
everyone at a joint training gathering when we tried 'Scent
Discrimination' for the first time.  Air Scented the victim,
ignored the decoys sent out and even tried to climb the
framing under the bridge to 'touch' the victim. She loved the outdoors,
would go and fetch her backpack when I brought mine out to
get ready to go on a trip.  She was called by Py about four
months after she crossed the bridge.

Crossed over Feb. 11th 2008 to cancer.  Sending us a new soul.
(See Journey above.)

Tyler Del Sol ('Tyler' of the Sun)  He too was rescued
from a backyard.  "We didn't know he would get so
big!"  What did you expect for a Rottweiller?
Now this guy was almost 12 and has a few titles as well
as awards in his name.  Has done Tracking, Agility, Rally-O
and Obedience Competition.  Used his Tracking ability for
Search and Rescue.  Also has a WET Dog title where he can
help rescue you in the water.  Tyler is my Geocaching buddy,
He always will be.  Just won't be in the pictures any more.
This is why my handle is Rotteedad.  (See Geocaching Page)

Tiny Timothy Zepher (Timmy) our second Toy Fox Terrier.
Rescued one cold Dec. night who was on his way to the pound.
The owners wife wanted a cat not a dog.  Here he is in his Easter
duds April 2007.  Earned 14 titles in Obedience and Agility rings.
Assorted Good Canine Citizen certificates.
Came down with a Cancer Tumor in his brain and Meningitis.
We had to put him down 10/01/08 @ 2:45pm. I saved him from the
pound the night we got him. I saved him from being given away when
he screwed up big time in the Obedience Ring but no mater what we
could do we could not save him from the pain he was going through.
At 4yrs 8 months we barely knew him.  Such a loving litlle dog, just loved
to give you hugs. Cricket's buddy, she keeps looking for him.

~If It Should Be~

 If it be I grow fail and weak,

 and pain should wake me from my sleep,

 then you must do what must be done,

 for this last battle can't be won.

 You will be sad, I understand,

 don't let your grief then stay your hand,

 for this day, more than the rest,

 your love and friendship stand the test.

 We've had so many happy years,

 what is to come will have no fears;

 you'd not want me to suffer ... so,

 when the time comes .... please let me go.

 Take me where my needs they'll tend,

 but stay with me until the end,

 and hold me firm, and speak to me,

 until my eyes no longer see.

 I know in time, you, too, will see,

 it is the kindness you do for me;

 although my tail is last waved,

 from pain and suffering I've been saved.

 Do not grieve that it should be you,

 who must decide this thing to do.

 We've been so close - we two these years -

 don't let your heart hold any tears.

 ---Anonymous

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~Old Dog In A Locket~ 

Old dog in a locket
That lays next to my heart
I will always love you
As I did right from the start.

You were right beside me
Through the darkest of my days
It was your kind and gentle nature
That made me want to stay.

Now I hold you in my arms
Your breath still warm against my hand
Our hearts still beat together
And I wonder if you understand.

Through the hours that I held you
Before the light did leave your soul
I knew a way to keep you
Forever in my hold.

I snipped the hair from around your eyes
So I would always see
The beauty that surrounds me
Even in times of need.

I snipped the hair from around your ears
So I would always hear
Music in the distance
To quiet my fears.

I snipped the hair from across your back
To bring me strength in time of need
And the power of your essence
Would always be with me.

I snipped the hair from around your heart
That beat in time with mine
So I would know that love would find me
At some distant time.

And so, your life slipped out of mine
On a quiet Spring like day
But I knew that a part of you
Was always here to stay.

Old dog in a locket
That lays next to my heart
I will always love you
Even though we had to part.

(--Heidi Stamm--)