Monday, June 29, 2009

(pretend like Queen is singing) "We Are the Champions"...

Ah, this post is a little late news, but things have been crazy. Most of you know by now anyway! We are so pleased to announce that Maverick is now CH. Tahari's Magic Moment. He took back to back 3 point majors in Richmond last weekend to finish. His pictures came in the mail today!

3 Point Major to FINISH on Sunday.

3 point major! (Saturday)

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Time Flies...

I absolutely cannot believe that last Tuesday (the 9th) Maverick turned 5! He had a good birthday and a little "party" with the pointer crew to celebrate... doggy cake and ice cream. Too cute! Also, new photos of Miss Dahlia taken today at a little over 5 months old.

Happy Birthday!


Blow out the candle!!


I was very brave and let them all eat together... (I was just off of camera shot waiting to pick up empty plates... I didn't want any fights!!)


Stacked, just over 5 months


5 Month headshot


5 month head shot again!

Monday, June 8, 2009

"Let's Get it Straight"

June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month.

Scoliosis is an abnormal side to side curvature of the spine, displayed in either a "C" pattern, usually in the Thoracic spine, or an "S" pattern, which usually affects the Thoracic and Lumbar spine, although it could be in the Cervical (neck).

Scoliosis is a serious condition, and often painful. It is present to some degree in about half a percent of the population, and usually seen more frequently in girls than boys. Often there is no known cause (known as idiopathic).

As someone who was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 10, it is something I am very passionate about. Most of my childhood, I spent seeing doctors every few months, sleeping for years in a hard plastic brace, various therapies and swimming to "strengthen" my spine and surrounding muscles, and my curve still progressed. I had a 54 degree thoracic curve, and a 42 degree lumbar curve (look it up... it was crazy). Fortunately, my scoliosis often went unnoticed by a lot of people because of my dance and cheerleading background, I was "balanced looking" from front on. I did have a very prominent shoulder hump, and most people thought of it as me just having poor posture. Quite the contrary!

As many of you know, I had surgery in September (by the most amazing surgeon! Thanks Dr. Von Rueden!!). It was a HUGE surgery, but I bounced back and was shopping two and a half weeks later. Back to training dogs within a month. My nearly entire thoracic spine was fused and instrumentation was inserted. I am proud to announce my "curve" really isn't any more, and it's now at 13 degrees (I can BREATHE!!). Because of the flexibility of my lumbar spine, no surgical intervention was needed, and it self-corrected. Pretty amazing, huh?

So why I I telling you this "blah blah" stuff? Please be aware of this condition. For those of you who have kids, CHECK their spine. Scoliosis is painful and not fun! Make sure your school is doing checks on the kids. You only have one spine...

In the mean time, since June is Awareness month, I encourage you to do some research!

www.scoliosis.org
www.scoliosiscare.org
www.spine-health.com
www.spineaustin.com

Thanks! I'll get off my soap box now.... back to the dogs! TOMORROW IS MAVERICK'S 5TH BIRTHDAY!!! Where oh Where does the time go?

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Parker's Day at the Beach!

We took Parker and Dahlia to the beach Saturday! The morning weather was beautiful and Peekers surprised us by getting IN the water (we're talking about a dog who refuses to step on wet grass!). The old boy had a blast (he'll be 10 in July!!!).

It's a dark photo... but you get the idea! Parker got IN the Ocean!!!

Running on the beach...

Still running on the beach!

Exhausted after running back and forth on the beach. Parker has such a pretty pretty head!

Happy ol boy!

Turning grey!

Dahlia playing with her tennis ball (what's new?)

Pretty puppy!

Almost 5 months...