Time has slipped by since Boone crossed the Bridge over two years ago, but he’s still a big part of our memories and lives.
And he certainly wanted to make sure our lives were full of laughter and hi-jinks.
First, he sent us Tornado Tuck just two weeks after he passed. This crazy boy was only supposed to be a foster, but we failed ;-). I’m so thankful we did.
Tuck’s over-the-top energy and athleticism led us to a dog sport I’d never tried before – agility. While we started out with no intention of ever competing, just a year or so after our first class, we entered our first trial.
Today, Tuckaroo (he has a lot of nicknames, kinda like Booneman had) has his Open titles in Agility Standard and Jumpers with Weaves. He’s SO much fun, and he just LOVES to run and jump.
Here’s a compilation video my agility instructor put together for us.
This week we would like to introduce you to Jeanette and her pups!When Jeanette describes life with Tuck, a 2 ½ year old probable sled dog/hound mix and Ryker, a Rottweiler puppy, one of the Allstate commercials featuring the character Mayhem comes to mind. When they aren’t in timeout (which happens fairly often – especially when the boys don’t get their regular daily walks), she says the two create total chaos with their rambunctiousness and have played so hard they knocked the couch over. After losing a beloved dog, Boone, in 2017 to bone cancer, Jeanette swore she would not get another for at least a year. Two weeks later her husband saw a cute black and tan dog that had been rescued from Tok and needed an urgent foster family. The only thing they knew was that he was “great with other dogs and people, but does not like ducks.” Tuck came home with them and was an absolute angel for two weeks so he became a foster fail when they decided to adopt him. Apparently Tuck knew he had found his forever home because after those first two weeks, the honeymoon phase was over and he started to show his true colors. When Jeanette noticed Tuck’s favorite place was walking on the back edge of the couch, she thought agility would be a great way for him to burn some excess energy. She signed up for a class with Bell Creek Agility & Obedience in October 2017 and told Patti that they would never compete because Tuck could never be focused enough to make it through a course in competition. But Tuck loved the sport from day one and has earned his ACT 2, Novice Standard, and Novice Jumpers titles plus one leg towards his Open Standard title. Jeanette grew up with Rottweilers and had been waiting for a puppy since her last Rottie died four years ago. Ryker joined the family in October 2018 and is a WILD MAN when he doesn’t have enough mental stimulation. Agility helped keep Tuck’s energy in check, so she enrolled Ryker in the puppy agility class and is surprised by how agile and fast he is despite his large size. Both dogs are super food motivated (the stinkier the treat the better) and Jeanette’s homemade Salmon Blondies are a favorite. Be sure to ask her for the recipe when you see her at the arena!Something that people may not know about Jeanette is that she served in the United States Air Force as a F-15 Avionics Technician. In her spare time she likes to crochet, or as her husband describes it, she likes to tie knots. She also makes some really fantastic dog tug toys. Training for and competing in agility has helped Jeanette bond with both Tuck and Ryker. Tuck is very forgiving of her when she screws up and they are always having fun no matter how bad a run on the course may go. Ryker is still learning the team concept but is happy to be out there giving it his all. She has participated in competitive dog sports since she was a teenager and really likes that the Bell Creek students have a strong camaraderie and are so supportive of each other. Jeanette believes that in addition to regular daily exercise to help keep the chaos under control, agility gives dogs a job to do that works both their brain and ours. She encourages everyone to give agility a try – at least once – because it is a great way to stay active and bond with your dog. Plus…it is REALLY FUN!!!
Posted by Bell Creek Agility & Obedience, LLC on Friday, April 5, 2019
Boone apparently didn’t think training and competing in agility with Tuck was enough, so he sent a little (BIG) Rotty baby to us in October 2018 (you’ll see him in the video as well!).
Ryker is a big, goofy sweet boy who has no clue about his size. Kind of like Boone.
The boys rough-house a little too much some days, and have managed to tip the couch over more than once. Here they are during a rare peaceful moment in their respective places on the couch.
As you can see, Ryker is about twice the size of little Tuck. Thank goodness he has a sweet personality!
Both boys get their own daily walk on Boone’s favorite paths, and I’m certain Boone is right there with us, smiling his big smile.
Boone buddy, you did good sending me these two.
But I’d appreciate it if you’d stop daring them to top all of your good-bad-dog antics.