Something to Think About

Sorry I've been such a poor blogger lately; too much going on. But -

Many, are boycotting the Triple Crown. I can't say I'm necessarily boycotting, but I sure don't want to watch. . . Nonetheless, I came across an article today about more hoof problems for Big Brown, winner of the Derby and Preakness.

'The unbeaten Triple Crown contender has a slight crack on his left front hoof. . . (and is) being treated by hoof specialist Ian McKinlay for a five-eighths of an inch long quarter crack on the inside of his left heel. . . McKinlay has repaired injuries much more severe before big races, allowing Touch Gold to fight off a leg injury from the 1997 Preakness and go on to win the Belmont and spoil Silver Charm's Triple try in 1997. . . Foot woes are nothing new for Big Brown. When he first arrived at Dutrow's barn in Aqueduct late last year, he suffered an abscess in the sole of his left front foot, which caused a wall separation and sidelined him for 45 days. In January, he suffered the same injury to his right front foot and missed another 45 days. '

Read the entire article here.

And from another article, here, we find out that 'Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown will head for stud at Three Chimneys after his racing career, which the colt's owner, International Equine Acquisitions Holdings, has said will end with his 3-year-old season.'

Hmmmm.

Part of the reason this got all caught up in my mental cogs is because a couple of years ago, right after Barbaro's break down in the Preakness, there was a thought provoking editorial in the agility magazine 'Clean Run'. I wish I could find the darn thing, but the bottom line of the article was that whether it's horses or dogs, breeding exclusively for particular performance traits, having a closed stud book, and ignoring a trend in physical or temperamental breakdown in your breeding population is a recipe for disaster.

What good are faster and faster race times, if the 'best of the best' have to be put down right on the track because of catastrophic break downs, or if their hooves have to be literally patched together to keep them racing? What good is a border collie with such high drive that they have no 'off' switch? What good is a flashy 'flying' trot, when the conformation no longer allows for an honest days work? What good is a head so big that ALL litters are are delivered via C-section? What performance criteria (or breed ring fad) is so important that we fail to achieve OVERALL health? What is the definition of IDEAL performance? When does specialization go too far?

Case in point - American Grand Victor, 1967

American Grand Victor, 2003.

Galveston County KC Agility Trial

Our first class of the weekend was awesome! Open Standard, and Mikey was SMOKIN'!! 100 points, 45.19 seconds (SCT 77.0) and first place! One of those really awesome runs where you don't even have to think about anything - you and your dog are totally in sync!

And after that. . . we totally self destructed. Mikey broke is stay at the start of his jumpers run, and after three tries, we just had to leave the weaves behind, and he completely destroyed the triple bar ('ya gotta' love the sound of poles flying!). Sunday in Standard we also ended up leaving the weaves without finishing, although the rest of the run really was lovely. And after that we went home.

Some of our problem was the heat. We've been waking up to 80 degree, 90% humidity and enjoying high temps in the low 90's, still with that wonderful humidity. It's really just to late in the year to be running at an agility trial in south Texas. Of course, when I entered the trail months ago, the weather was still pretty pleasant (note to self).

Oh well, there'll be more trials in the fall. I suppose I should put it in perspective; since January Mikey has finished both of his Novice titles, and has two legs on his Open Standard title, which is more that respectable in my book. The best part has been how proud I have been of Mikey, with or without titles. My sweet little boy runs his heart out every single time, and has an AWESOME time doing it. He's fast as greased lightening, but still totally responsive to me. And people get such a kick out of him; he makes friends everywhere he goes, because no one can miss the joy that just radiates from him. . . 'Agility, oh boy, my favorite!' 'People, oh boy, my favorite!' 'Other dogs, oh boy, my favorite!' Life's just one big party for Mikey.

Although, I wish we had ended the trail season on a better note.

Holly and Mikey say 'Hi'.

Forgotten Post - Will Ferrel and Angilina Jolie

After a recent post at ManyMuddyPaws, I went to Dogster and I discovered that I have a goof and a diva (no kidding!).


Will Ferrell

The Comedian

Keeping a straight face around Mikey is a cheek muscle-wrenching nightmare. Try as you may, but giggling is inevitable because Mikey is comedian Will Ferrell!

For a while Mikey was just funny on Saturday nights, but that's all changed now that he's taken his act on the road. Whether he's being silly in real life or on the silver screen, Mikey has a true knack for making people crack up. Mikey has even managed to make the crossover to the cyberwebs, where he delivers raw, fresh, uncooked humor to his countless cyberpet fans. A fast runner, Mikey runs marathons when he's not dreaming up his next slapstick routine. Widely talented and able to impetsonate any number of two and four-legged critters, Mikey's fans will be lapping it up for a long time to come.

Angelina Jolie


Traditional Beauty

Just like with Hollywood superhero Angelina Jolie, they broke the mold after they created Holly!

Defying the conventional meaning of the word pawpular, Holly can't scratch behind an ear without it being reported and talked about. Holly leaves pets of the opposite sex blubbering and babbling nonsensically after each encounter, their cuteness and charm receptors bubbling over with excitement. Always one to entice a broad audience, Holly not only loves to strut her stuff on the dogwalk, but digs every chance she gets to make a difference, adopt a pet in need or dish out for her favorite charity.