PACH Trapper and lots more!

On February 17 Trapper earned his Preferred Agility Champion (PACH) title in style!! We had a perfect 4/4 weekend at the Colorado Kennel Club's gigantic trial in Denver, and we earned QQs #19 and 20 to seal the deal. Trapper also earned 1st and 2nd places on the day he earned his PACH--what a bonus! 

It was such an amazing experience--Trapper and I have been training together for 10 years, and there were many, many, MANY times I thought we'd never reach this huge milestone. Frankly, with all of Trapper's health issues, I didn't know if he'd live long enough. And with all of his trust issues, I didn't know if we'd ever "get it together" as a team.... but we did!

The last 2 jumps were so exciting--knowing we were almost there!! Then, Tatum came out and give me my PACH bar (thanks, Kim & Janelle!) and we ran our lap of glory. My friends and family were all there to cheer me on and congratulate me....and wow, it still makes me cry thinking about how fortunate I am to be on this journey with my Trap dog. Whew!


We all celebrated big-time that night!! I do have to admit, though, that reaching this goal did make reality hit me right between the eyes. My dog is old. He is fighting cancer. He will not live forever. Sigh, tears, hugs, more tears, etc..... Thankfully, now, days later, I'm back in denial and Trapper's still in denial. :)

Headed out for Day1--early!

Headed out Day 2--with his game face on!! He'll come home a Champion!

Waiting patiently for a carrot between runs....sitting at 19 1/2 QQs

He's #1, he's #1...in the Standard Run

PACH Trapper, Kirsta & the judge

PACH Trapper & Kirsta with our haul!!

Headed home--tired boy!

Let the celebration begin!

Yummy chicken marsala for the humans!

Trapper's steak!

Waiting to eat his steak--yes, it's on china ;-) 

Five days later, Trapper celebrated his 12th birthday. I am so amazed that even 5 months into chemo at 12 years old, Trapper runs as fast on the agility course as he did a year or two ago. Absolutely an amazing boy with such a spirit and joy for life. I can't believe it was almost 12 years ago that we found this adorable little puppy at the Pikes Peak Humane Society and he grew up to be PACH Trapper!

Baby Trapper!

Yummy peanut butter cake

This looks SO yummy,  Mom!!

Why are you so mean to me?......

Good dogs waiting for their cake slices

Trapper's aardvark toy!

Birthday treats that Trapper shared with his classmates

We did have a bit of a scare--a few weeks ago, Trapper's nurse called when he was in for treatment and asked how long he'd had the mass on his shoulder.....can you say PANIC?? It's weird, it's a big mass that somehow we'd all missed seeing. It's deep in his shoulder tissue and only "pops out" when he's sitting. I just thought it was his fur sticking out. Thankfully, the aspirate showed just fatty cells, so now we tease Trapper about his fat shoulder!

Right side fat shoulder

Oh, yes, and the treatment update! We have now been through Weeks 16-20. Trapper has had an Adriamycin and Vincristine treatment. He only has 3 more treatments left!! Next week he'll have Cytoxan, 2 weeks later Vincristine, and finally Adriamycin on April 2. We may do a final HIGH dose of Cytoxan a few weeks later, but that will depend on my conversations with the vet. It has shown promising results in other dogs. I know I keep saying how amazing Trapper is, but he really his! He's like the Energizer bunny....he just keeps going and going and going!

And next he'll go with me to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the AKC National Agility Championships March 15-17. I can't wait!! Last year we made it to Challengers, and I have high hopes for this year. We ended with 5 perfect runs last year, and that's my first goal for 2013. From there, well, stay tuned!! I'll be curious to see if Trapper is the oldest dog in his class this year, too.

Our awesome stall sign for Nationals!

That's all for now--hug your pups, loved ones, etc. and remember that every day is a gift!!
Kirsta