Linamia’s Thanks for the Memories CDX, RE, MH, AWC (Jake)

Jake has been retired from most competition since the summer of 2013, when we realized that he was losing control of his hind legs. MRI and other diagnostics revealed three herniated vertebral discs. We don’t know how Jake got injured, but it was obvious that he would soon be paralyzed if it weren’t treated. Surgery was done in the Neurology Department at University of Wisconsin Veterinary School in Madison and has been remarkably successful. After a long, carefully controlled recovery, Jake was able to return to the field work he loves so much and even to run in hunt tests at the senior level. He is not in regular training and we don’t want to jeopardize his spine, so we have not run him at the Master level since his recovery. At the National Specialty in Gettysburg, Jake competed in Veteran’s obedience and earned a second and a third place. He also ran in the Senior hunt test and earned a qualifying score. Finally, he competed in a special conformation class and finished third out of 8 or 10 entrants. He finished 7th in the Up to the Challenge competition, not bad for a dog that isn’t allowed to do any jumping.

Before his injury, Jake was truly a dog that could do it all! He earned 7 AKC points, all from the Bred By Exhibitor class, earned his JH and SH in four straight tests, and passed five MH tests in a row to earn his title. I titled him myself, but soon realized that was a lucky fluke, as my handling was not up to the Master level. So we went back to SH tests and passed five/five tests in 2012. We passed both the SH and MH tests at the LRC National Specialty, doing all five serieson the same day without handling on a mark. He did a beautiful keyhole water blind to complete the test. In the rally and obedience ring he placed in the ribbons, including several first places, in almost all the trials in which he qualified. His top obedience score was 195.5. Jake got his CDX in 5 trials with class placements every time he qualified. One of the puppies from his first litter became a diabetes detection dog. Jake’s latest event is nosework. He enjoyed his classes and now is able to detect birch scent.

Jake was trained and handled in the field by Larry Sonntag of Salty Dog Farms. I trained and handled him to all his obedience titles. Jake loves birds, water and retrieving, retains what he learns very well, is a good marker, and has a great desire to please. He is a certified therapy dog with Healing Paws of Fond du Lac Wisconsin. You couldn’t ask for a better dog to do visits at residence homes! At home he is the perfect companion except that he thinks he is a lap dog. His idea of heaven is to spend a day in the field and the evening cuddling with me. Jake is a proven sire. His first litter was born in May 2012.