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We weren't even thinking about finding Chase a new home when the call came from Bevalee Crawley in Maryland. She was a friend of Kate and Karen, Angel's owners, so I knew she'd be an exceptional owner, but we just didn't have what she was looking for. Bev had a female rescue whippet with separation anxiety who needed a buddy, an easygoing adult male.
Bev and I talked for well over an hour. She was charming and funny and very obviously adored her whippet Annie. She had worked with Annie through problems that would have sent most owners right over the edge and the dog to a shelter.
As we talked, for some reason, our Chase kept coming into my mind. We'd gotten Chase at a year old from Calvin Perry (Appraxin Whippets) as a show dog for my daughter. He wasn't accustomed to being a house dog and it had taken him several months to get used to all the cuddling and attention he got as a teenager's pet. But once he figured things out, he was one of the most affectionate, loving dogs we'd ever had.
Chase and Daughter did well. They quickly accumulated five points towards his AKC championship, including a major (a win over a large number of dogs). Then life handed us some surprises: Daughter turned 18, fell in love, got married, and moved to Boston; I met Walt, fell in love, got remarried and moved to Lexington, Virginia.
Chase settled happily into our new home, but developed some recurrent urinary and prostate problems which grew worse when he traveled anywhere. He didn't drink enough water on the road. Probably because he associated dog shows with feeling sick, he began to lose interest in showing and then to downright hate it. When our dogs don't have fun at shows, it's no fun for us either. We retired him from dog shows with eight points towards his AKC championship.
In 2000 we bred Chase to Ivy, our Ch Appraxin Sensation at Timbreblue and the puppies were lovely. We kept a female, Snitch (Timbreblue Blames Her Brother).
Around that time we agreed to provide a foster home for a young Doberman rescue. Dakota was smart, devoted, and very gentle with people, but, unknown to us, he was seriously aggressive towards other dogs. When I accidentally let Chase follow me into the yard with Dakota, the Doberman leaped for him and grabbed his hindquarters before Chase could get back to the door.
Several hundred dollars later, Chase had physically healed, but he seemed depressed and nervous. Another Dakota incident involving our little Snitch, and we moved the Dobe into an only-dog home (where he is still thriving and happy). But even with Dakota gone, Chase didn't return to his normal, playful self. We tested him for every physical problem we and our vet could think of, but could find nothing. His confidence just seemed to have been irreparably damaged.
We repeated the breeding to Ivy the next year -- which gave us Timbreblue Shows Her Panties (Fannie) and then had Chase neutered, hoping that might help his continuing prostate and urinary problems. It did, but his attitude remained subdued.
All this went through my mind while I was talking to Bev and suddenly I surprised myself by saying, "You know, we do have a male dog who might do better in another home." I told her about Chase and she begged me to let her try him, assuring me that if he wasn't happier at her house, she'd bring him back.
Bev and Annie came to meet Chase and it was love at first sight for all of them. Chase didn't even look back as he jumped in Bev's car. A week later, she brought him to our annual Timbreblue reunion. I was afraid it would confuse or upset him to see us again so soon.
Ha! Chase was thrilled to see me and Ivy, had a great time with the other whippets, and at the end of the day, jumped right back in Bev's car and practically waved goodbye through the window! If I'd had any regrets about letting him go, they vanished. We would always miss him, but he was happier and better off with Bev.Bev has become a talented dog trainer and a very close friend to us over the years. She and Chase have developed a partnership that continues to amaze me. I'll let her tell you about the dog who just didn't have it in him to show off...
Bev, Annie and Chase
Chase with Bev and Annie
Chase started out as a kind of tagalong for Annie and me. He hadn't really enjoyed showing in conformation, though he was good. I just wanted him to be happy. He had been retired from showing with eight points and a major. Later, he was unfortunately grabbed in the haunch by a Doberman, which left a train track scar on his rear. He also sired 11 wonderful puppies. He was a great companion for Annie once he put the 'princess' in check a few times, and he went way beyond my wildest dreams in helping her combat the emotional issues that resulted from her previous life of abuse.
I had already been quite active with Annie in some dog activities, trying to level her out, and though I didn't know much about training, I was willing to learn, hands on and through reading. So began my interest in dog training and Chase became my student.
We started with obedience and, though Chase did it, it wasn't fun for him or me. It did give him good foundation skills. We moved on to agility which was kind of fun, but I found some of the competitors to be overly serious. He was able to build confidence there.
We tried flyball, which was fun and Chase started to blossom, but I felt it was too dangerous for them -- Annie got attacked by another dog during a drill. But Chase came away with more independence than before.
With Annie at Bev's -- Not a Bad Life for a Whippet
I even enrolled him in a show handler's class (for me, not him) and though he was by far the oldest dog there (I think he was older than all of the others ages combined), he placed an impressive 3rd out of 12 beautiful dogs of differing breeds that were actively competing -- remember, he was retired and I had never handled a show dog before! This was the experience that really made me want to show.
Anything I asked of him, he did. We went on to do many other things, like animal assisted therapy (Pets on Wheels), visiting sick children and the elderly and we also did demos and parades. He had the perfect attitude for interacting with people.
So, here I was, with an idea of what I wanted to do, lots of enthusiasm, and no sport to accommodate us. I envisioned Chase competing at something that he found fun. It had to be fun for me too. I'm lighthearted and I like to socialize.
Some folks I knew were doing freestyle dancing at the local training club. I was invited to join and I signed Annie up for a beginner freestyle class, since she had more spunk than Chase. I watched some people perform and was amazed at the things that they had taught their dogs to do. I loved freestyle!! I could come up with my own stuff, pick my own moves and choose music to suit the individual personalities of my dogs.
Chase was always in tow, and one day I guess he got tired of watching and just wanted to try it. He let himself into the ring and just stared very attentively at me. I excused Annie from the ring -- he had never shown initiative like this before. I tried luring him with treats to do a couple of moves and he seemed to like it. Though I had never even considered using Chase for freestyle at all, as beginners we moved into a performance level freestyle class. Now we are in a competition formatted class!
The funniest thing is that freestyle is by far one of the most difficult canine sports to train for. [Below and at right are Bev and Chase in class, practicing their moves.]
I had never seen anything that Chase liked to do. But even now, when Annie is working in the ring, he is intently watching from the sideline and when he feels that it's his time, he will come into the ring on his own as if to say "It's my turn." This was his way of telling me that he finally found something he liked.
Once he started coming out, some of his previous issues disappeared. He had had fear aggression and would lunge at strange dogs, barking and snarling. Now he's in a class, off-lead with several dogs, quite comfortable and focused working right along side them. A couple of them he would have never let anywhere near him before. If there was a hyper dog in another ring, he use to shut down. No more!
We've attended workshops and demos and even entered a fun match for freestyle. He really loves it. He created the opening move in his routine all by himself!
We competed in our first titling show in Harrisburg, PA and he shined. Not only did he earn his first title, he also placed third overall in his division on the first day!
During the show he gave me his full attention while performing in an unfamiliar place full of strange dogs. My competitors were so very nice and everyone was cheering on everyone else. I fit right in and best of all, it was FUN!
At home, I only have to say "Wanna dance with me?" and Chase jumps up, ready to start practicing the moves he knows. He worked very hard and getting his title all in one show was a great feeling especially since I wasn't expecting it. I look forward to competing with him and know he can get to the top.
I can never thank you enough Sharyn & Walt, for allowing such a precious boy into my life and Sharyn, you're right, I think he found his calling. Karen, Kate and Angel, without you, this would have never come to be...thanks and lots of Whippet kisses!
Bevalee
Appraxin Kamikaze CGC, W-SSFD (Chase)
Tivoli's Charm of Cyann (Annie)
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