My Opal
Opal joined our family in December 2005 , born on the 5th October just 3 days before my own birthday, Opal was to join us as a companion for myself and more especially Jade, who was lost without her friend Belle.
Opal came to us from Charney Kennels in Oxfordshire, a great gift in that she fitted in perfectly with the family, even Lucky took to her and has been nicer with Opal than any of my girls but then again maybe he's just getting used to white fluffy puppy's turning up.
Opal started Puppy training at our favourite place Staffs Agility School at the beginning of January, soon she starts her agility training and I can not wait, she is faster than Jade now at 5 months she was as fast as Jade at 4 months, I am so going to have to get fit myself otherwise I don't stand a chance of keeping up with her. Watch this space for regular up dates on opals progress.
Opal is now 6.5 months old and has started her agility training, help she's fast but she is a goods girl and loves the contact work, well she does when there's a treat at the end, her only problem is that everything is so exciting she's forgotten her sit -stay and wants to bound everywhere, but she is loving it.
Oh my gosh how my little girl has grown, I can not believe that she is now 15 months old, doing agility training, has measured into Small (old Mini) and is going to give Jade a run for her money, we only have a couple of problems, not to keen on the see-saw (teeter-toter I think the Americans call it) nor does she like te collapsible tunnel,used to love them both now as we approach her debut at shows she goes right off them, kids hey they are never consistent. One thing is that she has turned into a beautiful natured adult who does her Mum proud.
This is Opal at approx 5 months she is such a cutie,
Ok now heres the latest news, Opal has done 4 shows todate, we had a few faults at Dashin Dogs her first show but she did get round the KC Small Olympia qualifiers course albiet not in time but obstacle perfect I was so proud of her, she had fun at her other shows, first clear round in time at Wallingford but here's the biggy at her 4th Show Shrewsbury (2007) she got 2nd place in the jumping with a beautiful clear round on the Saturday and she got 2 clear run On Sunday she had another 2 clear runs and she got 1st Place in Agility, yes I repeat her 4th show and 1st place I am still in shock, on a high but shocked my Baby pulled that one out of the hat....
2009
Opal has reached the dizzy heights of a grade 5 dog, but the last 2 years she has been running really slowly, so we have been to the Vets alot and specialist after specialist, finally after several MRI scans and lots of X-rays we have an answer, poor Opal was born with a 139 degree angle in her spine, one day jumping off the A frame she twisted her knee and I can only presume the problems then started because she irriated her sciatic nerve. This special little girl has done everything for her Mum and got from grade 3 to 5 with severe sciatica, she is now wearing a Back on Track coat and has accupunture nearly every week and is doing really well, she doesn't notice the irritation most of the time but is occassionally wary just in case :)
Opal is in retirement for 2010 but later this year she may just do a little bit as she loves it, we are taking it one step at a time and she is calling the shots, her muscle tone is nearly back to normal as is everything else, so the good news is that she soon will be fighting fit and ready to play, mind you she is always ready to play and have cuddles the little angel :)