|
More of Pam >>
|
Around Alaska's Mat-Su Valley with Pam Holen
January 23, 2008
Sophie urinated on the carpet twice this week. The last time she had an accident was when she was a puppy. I immediately made an appointment with our vet clinic, Ravenwood Veterinary Clinic, and crossed my fingers it was a bladder infection and not incontinence.
Dr. Hawn confirmed it was probably an infection, much to my relief. She also confirmed Sophie now has three old-age related benign tumors. She has the early stages of cataracts, arthritis, and going deaf. Sophie is getting old and although border collies can live to 16 years old, Sophie will only live to that age if medical science gives her a lift.
She was my first competitive dog in flyball, obedience, and agility. We traveled to the Lower 48 together several times for competition and took long road trips to visit family while we were outside. She still entertains guests with her beach ball soccer games and keeps them busy throwing tennis balls for her. Sophie was my first border collie; my friend, my companion, and always there when I need a hug. She stopped a grizzly from charging my husband and son and saved me from plowing into a moose and calf. She isn’t just a dog; she is unique, special, and Super-Sophie.
Sophie was a pup when Jim took her on a camping trip with our oldest son, Davin, and two nephews. Jim, Davin, and Sophie were taking a walk along a ridge outside Denali National Park – it was foggy. A grizzly bear walked out of the mist at the bottom of the ravine. He picked up the scent of the guys and started up the hill to investigate. The guys yelled and jumped up and down, trying to look big and menacing; the bear kept coming. Sophie broke free of her lead and ran down the hill, barking. We’re talking about a six month old border collie puppy... too young to realize she could have been an appetizer. Why the bear decided to hesitate and then turn around into the mist is a mystery, but Sophie become our hero that day and she has remained our most popular hiking companion. Sophie’s low growl helped us make many safe decisions on trails, heading away from potential danger. A few winters later, we were cross-country skiing out of Anchorage. It was hilly and difficult to see down the trail. As I was gaining momentum to breach the next hill, Sophie stepped in front of me and barked twice. I did a face plant to avoid hitting her. At the bottom of the next hill – a moose and her calf were enjoyed a lunch of tree branches. If I’d continued racing along the path, it would have been too late to stop. I would have plowed into the moose. Thank goodness for Super-Sophie.
I chose the breed because I wanted to play at agility – a game where handler and dog need to have a special connection. When I went to see the litter, Sophie’s white face and pink eyes almost turned me away from her. The breeder assured me she would develop black eye-liner and become a beautiful and striking border collie. If you ever see a Browntrout border collie calendar (the last four years of publications), Sophie is the beautiful and striking white-faced border collie; compliments of photographers Randi and Fred Hirschmann. She is our super-model Sophie.
I love Sophie; we’ve had twelve years together and she continues to amaze me with her intelligence. Even in the darkest, coldest, most boring days of winter, Sophie entertains me by playing hide and seek with a tennis ball. I can hide the ball anywhere in the house and she will find it. She is my Super-Sophie and although the process of her aging is painful for me to watch, she has taught me the special bond we can have with our four-legged companions. I love you, Soph.
More of Pam >>
|
