Chace A.K.A the little piggy

The constant veterinary battle.....

Just wanted to make a post about my boy.... Poor Brody! We have been making pretty frequent veterinary visits over the last few years, unfortunately the line seems to have major health issues, and unfortunately his breeders are continuing to breed from Brody's siblings! Pretty frustrating and not very responsible if you ask me.

The two dogs from Brody's litter and

the other identical mating that work in obedience or agility have lupus, addisons disease, and one of them died unexpectantly last year.

Brodys past problems include: thyroid issues, skin problems, kennel cough and eye infections, stomach problems, seizures, cortisol abnormal levels, then FAD, more skin issues....

In the last four months Brody has had no seizures, which is AWESOME after 7 months of irregular seizures about once a month. I think this was mostly due to me getting rid of any environmental chemicals, and a new probiotic supplement.

Unfortunately in the hot muggy Auckland summer we have had other problems...... Fleas! I have never had the problem before, and not both dogs are going crazy with fleas, and of course Brody gets FAD. Being newly chemical free I cant use the usual topical products on Brody, so heres what I have been doing:

• Advantage on Chace and Max the cat
• Organic flea oil on all of them frequently
• Lots of baths with neem oil soap
• dusting the house with a mixture of salt, baking soda and lemon essential oil
• Cleaning all the leaf litter and long grass and sprinkling diatomaceous earth everywhere
• Adding garlic and brewers yeast to their food
• lots of brushing with the flea comb. Yes through Brody's hair!

And now that I seem to be starting to win the battle with the fleas, I now have a very sorry for himself feeling coughing kennel cough inflicted boy.

Poor Brody.

Chace progress...

Chace 'N Brody

Chace is now almost 10 weeks old.... and she's getting bigger - everytime I see someone who knows her the first thing is 'She's grown'!

I know thats what puppies do...but she's growing so fast!

Chace is doing well with her basic training.... she's recalling (when not distracted), sitting, down, touch, and shake.

I'm also starting to work on racing to the toy for agility.

She's great at home with toilet training and in the crate... just not so good away from home yet!

Chace and Brody have an interesting relationship... Brody has told her off once or twice, and now she dosent understand when he wants to play - she thinks he's telling her off again! And when she wants to play with him he ignores her! They will get there in the end though..... Whenever they have been apart they do a waggy tail licking face greeting which is cool.

Chace is doing really well at school - she LOVES all her student buddies, and they love her - she gets cuddles and walks every interval and lunch. She also gets to play with her puppy playmate Nitro!

Introducing Chace

This is Brody's new little sister..... Introducing

Weyahead Chace 'N Chocolate

Last moments with the rest of the litter.

First night at home, playing with the treat ball.

Chilling out at the first of many dog shows with 'Auntie Michelle'

First day at school, navigating the lab chairs.

Chace, Brody and Max playing outside.

Chace trying so hard to play nicely with Brody!

Being cute in the grass in the backyard.

New Baby sister!!!

I am SSOOO excited, tomorrow Brody and I go and pick up the new addition to our family.

The litter was born late September, and they are full Border collie - their mum Chip is a chocolate merle, and their dad Bear a chocolate and white.

After many visits, I have picked the chocolate merle girl, she is very

friendly and inquisitive, and very brave... plus she is playing and tugging really well already!

I will post later with more about Brody's little sister!

Brody's 5th Birthday