Amazing Maisey
I've held off writing about some behind-the-scenes drama happening with one of my dogs this summer since I did not know how things would turn out. It was touch and go there for a while. But I can now say that I have a happy ending to write about. So here it is, the story of our Amazing Maisey.
At first, everything went very well. Maisey is a heck of a good dog and even though the only field training she had received until then was from me - a mediocre trainer on a good day - Tanja would soon see that Maisey had what it takes to pass the toughest test of all, the Master Hunting Test known as the VGP.
At that point, we figured there was no way she would ever run the VGP, let alone pass it. All efforts had to go into just saving the eye. So for about a month Tanja focused on nursing an injured dog back to health. And it was not just a matter of letting the eye heal itself. At first, special drops had to be administered every 2 hours 'round the clock! And by the end of the first week, the eye looked really, really bad.
But slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, the eye began to show signs of recovery. After about a month, a specialist examined it and told us that it was indeed healing nicely and would probably not need to be removed. With a huge sigh of relief, I though, "OK, she may not run the VGP, but at least she will have two good eyes".
Then Tanja said that it was time to get back to training!
I was stunned. I thought there was no way in heck for a dog who has not even run the VJP or HZP or any NAVHDA test in her life to be trained in such a short period of time for the toughest test of all, the VGP. But knowing Tanja and the fierce determination that has made her one of the top Weim breeders in the world, I along with Maisey's co-owner (and world's best veterinarian) Colleen Skavinsky figured, what the heck, we've come this far, why not double down?
So Tanja and Maisey headed back to the field, forest and water for what must have been the world's shortest and most intense VGP training program ever.
This weekend they ran the test. I got the results by email about an hour ago. Not only did Maisey run the test, not only did she pass the test, she scored 300 points for a prize 1!! She also earned a rating of "excellent" for coat and conformation and passed her character/protection test to boot!
This weekend they ran the test. I got the results by email about an hour ago. Not only did Maisey run the test, not only did she pass the test, she scored 300 points for a prize 1!! She also earned a rating of "excellent" for coat and conformation and passed her character/protection test to boot!
I am in awe of that dog and of her super-hero trainer. Just last month I was bursting with pride and admiration for another super-duo of trainer and dog. My soul-sister Judy Balog ran my dog Henri to a prize 1 in his NAVHDA Utility Test. And today is another great day thanks to another wonderful dog and trainer.
Thank you Tanja and Maisey,
Thank you Judy and Henri,
And to anyone out there who thinks that Weims can't get it done or that women can't breed and train great gundogs, I say watch out, here comes a couple of great grey dogs and their female handlers/trainer/breeders to kick your skinny ass!!
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Awesome news, Craig! Congratulations to Maizey and to you... and yes, if anyone still thinks that women can't train and compete at the highest levels, just ask any of the multitude who've been beaten by Sherry Ebert, Jeanette Tracy, or Kellie Short. Arguably, it's still prejudice that keeps women like these from being recognized as fully as their male counterparts -- but happily the dogs don't know.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dog. Underscore the character part; any dog that bounces back that quickly without losing focus has it in spades.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Craig, Maisey, Henri and their breeders. That is amazing news - especially after sustaining such a serious injury. Congratulations once again and the success of your dogs, and it is wonderful news that Maisy's eye responded to treatment!
ReplyDeleteHi Craig,
ReplyDeleteGreat to read - congratulations!
I was fortunate to be at the VGP & see Maisy at work.
My VGP photos are here if you're interested (tho not up to your standard).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandmandt/sets/72157628956618427/