WSSCA Nationals

The report from nationals can be summarized in a single world: water. Or two words: rain and water.

The storms that hit Alabama on Thursday and Georgia on Friday swept across Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Saturday and wiped out the show. The hotel lost power Saturday evening during the WSSCA banquet, after only two tables had been served.

The Harrisburg Kennel Club asked WSSCA members to pick up their dogs, but leave behind crates and equipment. There were dogs lost and then found, a lot of confusion. There was a lot of help and camaraderie as members helped others find their misplaced dogs, and, later, helped one another break down crates and tables and corral towels and tools to move things to a safe place. On Sunday, under sunny skies, a swap meet ensued to sort everything out. The Sunday show was canceled, and WSSCA members left with tales to tell.


The Harrisburg Kennel Club took on water at the 2011 washout. (photo by Crystal N.)

Progress

Kim checked in with me to discuss Larsen's health and other progress.  He's eating like a starving animal and the other end is coming along.  Kim said that given the supplements, the precautionary medications that he received from Dr. Ken Currie at the Bishopville Animal Clinic, and his most recent digestive problems, it is no wonder that he still has a little softness in his stools.  The diarrhea has abated.

The really good news is that Larsen has decided that he now would pay attention to Kim.  This is a sea-change.

I personally saw the first round.  It was a hard-headed woman versus a brick-headed dog.

"Larsen.  Watch me."  "no."  "Look at me." "no." "Larsen, look."  "no."

Kim says that Larsen now barks at her when she's working the other dogs.  Says Kim: "It's still all about him." (The little prince.)  But the silver lining is that Larsen wants attention from Kim.  He is willing to give Kim his full attention if she will return the favor.

Now training can begin.

Kim said that he will reach for the barbell when she says "take it."  (This is a typical "force fetch"  requirement, and it is a very good sign.)  He pays attention to her when it is her turn.  Kim said that when it is not his turn, she kennels him on the truck.  This is to calm him.  Because he cannot really see anything from the kennels in the back of the truck, it prevents Larsen from barking himself hoarse and working himself to a state where he cannot be trained.  He curls up in the kennel, snoozes, and waits his turn.

The fact that Larsen is opening up to Kim is good news.  My sense is that Kim is opening up to Larsen as well.  Progress comes in little steps.

Update from Kamp

Larsen's down about 4 lbs and having digestive problems.  I wonder if he picked up something at the Athens show.  He's being treated for parasites, worms, etc.  Kim says he is active, curious, energetic, very interested in the cat, and eating like a wolf.  It's the other end that has trouble.  That and the weight loss are the concerning things right now.  We'll keep track, and even bring him home for a week if need be.

Animal Kingdom

Larsen is now a card-carrying member of the animal kingdom. He looks like he has been out in the north woods for a year. It's going to take some serious furminating and clipping to get him cleaned up.

No, not yet.

Larsen in his blue barrel


I went to Pocataligo Kennels on Tuesday to do a practice run with Larsen and bring him home. Unhappily, Kim, Devon Ruth (who stopped by with Amanda) and I agreed that he needed a little more seasoning.