Grand Ol’ Dam
A few days ago, I finally got to do something I’ve been wanting to do for some time; a photo session with Borias’ wonderful mother. She’s going to be SIXTEEN in October!! Unbelievable, huh? And for her age, she’s really going pretty strong! Her back legs wobble, but she’s still mobile. Inside, she’s in good shape. She’s on Adequan just like Borias, which helps her with arthritis.
So Borias’ breeder was coming down from Ventura county for a doctor’s appt., and brought Rhena with her, so we could meet up at a park for the shoot. It was quite interesting that as we approached, and Rhena was being helped out of her crate to the ground, Borias started pulling me hard to get to her. He sniffed her intently, and I wondered if he remembered her. After all, he remembers his breeder quite well, and is always overjoyed to be reunited with her. I didn’t let him get too friendly, however, so he wouldn’t inadvertently hurt her.
Actually, he seemed quite respectful of her personal space after that initial sniff. I tried to get him to lay next to her for a few photos, and he didn’t want to be that close. Even at her age, she’s still got a presence, and perhaps intimidated him a bit! I laughed when Kathy, his breeder, told Rhena to “platz”, and she went halfway, still resistant, and having a mind of her own. Now there my boy is a lot like her. But when it comes to toughness, he didn’t inherit that quality. He’s kind of a ninny ; )
Rhena came to be Kathy’s at 6 years old, after being with 5 other owners. She had had a hard life in that time, too, with some heavy-handed training. It was another one of those ‘meant to be’ stories. A beloved dog of Kathy’s passed on, and there was room for another dog. Rhena had just been passed on to a new Schutzhund competitor, and he called Kathy, asking if she still wanted her. (She was available awhile before, but Kathy didn’t have the room). She jumped at the chance, and brought Rhena home, promising her that she would be there the rest of her life. She turned out to be her dream dog.
I’m so grateful that she gave birth to my heart dog. That her blood passes through his veins. Such a noble, beautiful girl, full of such grace at her advanced age. She was a great working dog, possessing a toughness usually only seen in males. In fact, she still marks like a male!
And my Borias pees like a girl, and is a drama queen ROFL!
I love how they have such individual personalities. Rhena has amazing character. Here’s hoping that she makes it to 16, and I’m there to take more photographs at her celebration of life!
Aly, Kathy’s daughter, Kathy, and Rhena.
