Gear It Up Update - New Oct Pics, AND groundwork is started

[geowarrior]

Sorry not to have been in communication for so long. I've been quite ill for the last couple of weeks or so. This is for the the many of you who have asked about Gear It Up. For those who don't know, I owned a share of Gear It Up (3 yo gelding by Festival of Light out of Wild Gear) as a racehorse, but the partnership voted to dispose of him and he ended up being injured while being raced very frequently in Nebraska. I managed to reacquire him after the injury. He is currently in Colorado awaiting a haul to Spokane. Of course the trainer who sold him to me for an inflated price is also charging boarding while waiting for the hauler.

I got an excellent deal on the haul (and thanks for the advice, people, I did check references, which were excellent). However, it's a dual haul and the other party has delayed pickup of his/her horse, so Gear It Up now won't be arriving in Spokane until the 14th or 15th of August.

So far I have found two places who can take him temporarily but not a permanent place that fits all the criteria of being self care pasture boarding which is somewhat on the commute to work (Spokane - Cheney). However with the help of a much valued friend who is a former student of mine, at least I have a place to which he can be delivered, a vet who can check him out (as a conversation with the vet who checked him in Nebraska was less than revealing), and we can at least get a current height/weight on him, specific weight based feeding recommendations, hopefully a portable x-ray on the injury to the right fore fetlock - which could be osselets or could be any other old thing from the description of the Nebraska vet (cross your fingers it isn't serious), and a farrier to get his shoes off and see to his feet. We'll also be able to see how he handles and will then have more information to provide to a more permanent boarding facility.

Right now we're working on the Nebraska vet's indication that he needs a six month turnout. I've talked to Roguelet about the typical growth pattern of Indy Mood's sons, as of course Festival of Light is another A.P. Indy son, but unless anyone has a picture of F.O.L., I don't know if he has that A.P. Indy look to him. When we get Gear It Up we will get some conformation pictures and see how he compares with Indy Mood sons. If he is comparable, this might help us prepare for any growth spurts and help us to help him to develop the strong bones that his career so far has prevented.

Also I talked to a previous trainer of his. Gear It Up had been turned out for several months last year because of the development of an osselet, and when he came back to training, apparently he had very stiff shoulders. So during this turnout we need a way to keep him loose, without aggravating the injury. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have not been able to ascertain whether at any time Gear It Up was given a barn name other than maybe Gear. It kind of pains me a bit that no one gave him his own special name, so I am trying to think of something appropriate, because I find it difficult to say 'Gear It Up'.

I'm no less petrified than I ever was, but I want to say how grateful I am for the support of Marli, Canter Ohio, and all the people on this board who have offered helpful advice and support, or have just listened to me vent. I hope that anyone whom I contact for repeat advice will not be offended as although I take notes, I have a learning disability which involves short term memory, and I'm getting a bit confused by all of the information from all the different sources. I'm also grateful to his former trainer Jim McMullen for the helpful information about his rehab from the previous injury.

On another note, as one new life arrives, another one leaves. Yesterday I made the appointment to have my 14 year old Akita (Isla) put to sleep. So now I have a week to say goodbye to her.

Part of me feels guilty, as though I'm getting rid of her because Gear It Up is coming, but of course I have two other dogs and a cat, so that thought isn't really logical. Although all her vitals are good, her arthritis is to the point that if the footing is slippery she falls a lot and despite the fact that she eats well, she is losing weight and looks very gaunt.

Although I will have the vet check her over and make sure I haven't missed anything obvious, I don't really expect anything. 14 for a large breed dog is very old indeed, and I want her to leave when there is still a spark of interest in life and while the old imperious look is still in place. Just so I know I didn't let it go it until she was miserable. Everyone who knew Isla loved her. She was extraordinarily beautiful. And she was queen of all she surveyed. As companions we suited each other well - she was aloof, and I never liked to be fussed over, but she always knew where I was nonetheless. I have a very good vet, and I will be with her when it happens. So I'll be spending this next week focusing on her, remembering all the fun times we had together, and being grateful that I was lucky enough to have her share my life for so long.

So all those of you who have pets, from gerbils to horses, and even if you don't, please wish Isla a painless and peaceful passing when the time comes.

[judi]

Good luck with Gear It Up.
Sorry to read about Isla. I have been in that situation, and it is a very difficult decision.
Hope that you are feeling better.
Keep us posted on Gear It Up, what a lucky horse.

[Linda_d]

I think every responsible pet owner who has an "oldie" has to face the inevitable eventually, and then you have to ask yourself if you are prolonging your pet's life for him/her or for yourself. It's very hard to do, but I think you're doing the right thing. I had to do the same with my old Airedale who developed a liver tumor. When he could no longer enjoy life -- and runs in the park with other dogs were his favorite thing and he just didn't have the energy -- then it was time. Take solace in knowing that you're doing this for Isla ...

Good luck with Gear It Up.

[madelyn]

Sorry to hear about Isla.. but it is the Right decision.

Regarding Gear It Up, his acronym would be GIU, and Giuseppe is kind of cute. Or you could always go with Geo or George. Once you get to know him maybe his personality will suggest something.

Best of luck with him!

[Discovery]

Sorry to hear about your old dog.

I had to have mine put down last week, she was an 18 year old sheepdog. I almost regret not having done it sooner, so if you feel the time is right, don't hold on because you may regret it too.

Best of luck with gear it up, I would suggest a name but I'm terrible with that kinda stuff.

Amy

[Tiz]

The animals that we share our lives with depend on us to make those decisions for them. Chances are, as time goes on, you'll see a clearer picture of your old girl's current condition, and you'll be comforted that it was indeed the right thing to do.

As for Gear It Up, you're stressing. Take him to a good equine vet when he gets here, get a definitive diagnosis, then take it from there. It may not be bad at all. Wa State university has a teaching, animal hospital in Pullman. That isn't far from you. Maybe it would be a good idea to check it out for that diagnosis.

[geowarrior]

Tiz

Thanks for that excellent suggestion re. WSU, which of course has a top notch equine facility.

We discussed dropping him off there to get him evaluated, as there is some indication that we might be able to do a trade, as he fits the profile of a research program they are working on. We weren't able to get a definitive answer in the time available about costs etc., and since money is extremely tight, I didn't want to risk being hit with a huge bill that I wouldn't be able to pay.

Our final decision was to get him evaluated here by a good equine vet, and if a trip to WSU is necessary, it's only an hour and I'll at least be able to get some sense of the cost, possibly postpone the trip till I'm earning again and ascertain whether he really is of interest to their research program (and also whether any procedure they want to do is too invasive for me to sanction).

I don't know if you know of Dr. Bagby, who invented the device that was implanted in Seattle Slew's spine when he was 20 (the operation was done by a California surgeon but it was done at WSU). Dr. Bagby lives in Spokane. I don't know him personally but he is elderly and retired but still very sharp about his discipline, and he was the one who suggested taking Gear It Up to WSU. He always has an interest in any horse connected with Seattle Slew, and although G. Up doesn't look a bit like Slew and is one of probably thousands of great grandsons, Dr. Bagby was still interested in him nonetheless.

Dr. Bagby is involved with very many philanthropic activities, and my friend Mary who is helping me with the horse is closely associated in these activities with Dr. Bagby. So if Gear It Up were able to be of some help, I would certainly want to try to oblige them both.

However as I said, after much discussion we decided that we will bring him here first, with a trip to WSU not out of the question should the injury be more than a minor one.

Thank you to all of you for your comments about Isla.

[Bill from WA]

Hi geowarrior

In another incarnation I bred and showed Doberman Pinschers. One of my favorites was a bitch named "Tammie" who had an almost humanlike personality, and I loved her dearly. Late in her life she suffered from the same infirmaties that are affecting your Akita, and I had to put her down out of love. That was over 40 years ago, and I still tear up thinking about her. You have to do what is best for the animal, no matter how difficult it is. Good luck with Gear It Up, and hold tight to the memories of Isla.

Bill

[spex4me]

Yeah to you on the whole GIU adventure!! I believe you are this horse's angel!! I am seeing how hard it is to give him a barn name based on his registered name..... esp if you are trying to rhyme it to the original. ( I am a simpleton.... I name all my animals and they all end up with "eeee" on the end ...i.e. Banjo is Banjeeee.) Good luck with that!

Condolances are with you for your Isla...... it is never easy. But take solace that when they get to the Rainbow Bridge lush pastures, t-bone steaks, and fresh tuna abound for all our "fur kids".

[Barbaro06]

Condolences on your beloved Akita.

Keep us posted on Gear...hmm, a stable name. How about "G?" Short and simple I think...

[KamiBrooks]

Geowarrior

I'm not a cat person, but for some reason I ended up with a kitten who would be with me for 19 more years. That cat was with me through the hardest times of my life. While I litterally traveled the globe, he was with me every step of the way.

When I bought my farm, within months he gave into old age and had to be put down. I didn't know it yet, but the troubles of that period were over and I had 'settled down'. To this day, I'm convinced that cat was sent to help me through those times and when his job was done, he went home. It wasn't too long before a terrier (not a small dog person either) came to the farm and she's become the same sort of companion with that perfect personality and instinct for how to 'be there' in the hard times. That dog hasn't replaced my cat, so much as she's taken on the next 'shift' in my life.

I'm am still not a cat person, but to this day I miss that cat and catch myself looking for him to come jumping up on the couch.

I wish your Isla a peaceful journey and you the strength to let her go.

Kami

[geowarrior]

I do have a little bit more news about Gear It Up. I talked to the trainer today, and the horse has been stalled since arriving at the trainer's farm in Colorado. However, given the delay in the haul, we agreed it would be a good idea to turn him out. That should give him a chance to work out at least the worst energy excesses in the next two weeks. Also, the trainer mentioned that the racing plates have been removed - good to know in case the boarding facility here is strapped for pasture space.

As for Isla, thank you all for your supportive comments and for sharing your memories.

Amy, I didn't read your post carefully enough and didn't realise that it was only last week that you had to make the same decision about your sheepdog. The grief must still be very fresh, and I appreciate your taking the time despite that to offer your support.

Here are some Isla memories. She was a rescue of sorts, although not in a conventional way. I bought her from a franchise pet shop when she was five months old. She'd been shopped to all the branches in the city but had failed to sell and she was by that time quite gangly and the enormous paws were more than enough to prevent any parents from purchasing her for their dear darling children. She was 'on sale'.

They let her out so I could look at her and she immediately went for one of their fish tanks and drank a whole lot of water. I have no idea how many fish she sooked up at the same time. I was worried about what might happen to her (I don't trust pet shops) so I bought her. She was my first dog, and I knew no more about dogs then than I do about horses now, yet here we are 14 years later.

She was incredibly strong, and not super obedient - she had the kind of attitude that if I said 'paw', she'd sit, I guess she figured as long as she did something she deserved the treat. I used to run her on a very long rope and she'd take great delight in waiting till I wasn't paying attention, then running off at top speed and yanking me off my feet.

She is white with a black patch (a saddle!) on her back and a great big black grizzly bear head (somewhat greyed now). One time there was a horrendous blizzard in Brandon Manitoba where we lived and it buried the fence, so she just walked right over it. You have not experienced life unless you've searched for a white dog in the snow. When I came back from slogging round the neighborhood, she was sitting patiently by the gate with a big pile of snow on her black nose - evidence of a snow digging expedition.

When my first ex-husband used to come home, she used to take one of those huge paws, and whack him directly in the crotch. Later I used to say she had the measure of him long before I did.

As far as Gear It Up's barn name goes, I was half thinking of ignoring his thoroughbred name altogether and giving him a Scottish name - maybe in honor of Isla, but in fact most of my pets have Scottish names. Toty (the cat, means very small), Rhue (cross between a terrier and Satan) was a place in Scotland I once hiked to. Taz (elkhound-shepherd cross) is the only one without a Scottish moniker. She was abandoned at the humane society not once but twice. Her ignorant previous owners had called her Spaz, so we could not have that continue but she recognised the sound, so she became Taz. I got her for company for Isla when I became ill in 1999. For years Taz and Isla played and played and played through the never ending summer sunny days and the bitter winters. Taz would still play even now, but Isla just wants to sleep or stagger around the yard. Rhue just runs around like the half demon she is. I never intended to have a third dog because it is too much to handle, but someone abandoned her outside my second ex-husband's house in the pouring rain when she was six weeks old. She had been hit on the head. So what could one do when faced with those bloodshot puppy eyes?

I should caution though. Akitas are beautiful dogs, and Isla in her prime was extraordinarily so. If I can find a picture I will post it. However they are large and powerful, and if you are considering purchasing one, you must very carefully select a breeder that is NOT breeding for aggression, but more for the rather unique working dog temperament of the breed (and Isla is an American Akita). A good Akita is trainable but not as easily as many of the other working dog breeds. Akitas rarely bark, and often are surprisingly sedentary. They are friendly but aloof (one lick will do). They are also loyal to to the point of being territorial if they perceive a threat. An obedience school teacher once said that Isla was the perfect working Akita, with just the right amount of attitude (because she cleverly realised that there was no reason to jump a fence if she could walk round the side of it).

No Akita, no matter how well trained, should be left alone with a dog it doesn't know, or with children. Although I daresay that rule could apply to many breeds. The truth is, that any dog, no matter how well trained, is capable of breaking its training if provoked or presented with a situation it doesn't understand.

Nevertheless, if I ever were to get another dog (and I won't), it would be an Akita.

One of the hard things about the circumstances of losing Isla is that previously when I lost pets, I had a spouse or friend to pick up the pieces afterwards. I don't really have any friends here in Spokane and the thought of the aftermath of losing such a big part of my life, is daunting.

So thanks again for all your support and of course I will keep you posted about Gear It Up.

[WarHorse]

Massage for the tight shoulders.

Good luck with the turn-out and shipping.

And my condolences in advance about Isla. Your memories were a joy to read.

[geowarrior]

Isla passed away as peacefully and painlessly today as we could have hoped. Her vet Dr. Petersen said it was time to let her go while she still had dignity and an interest in life. I spent the last week with her visiting old haunts, there were treats for dinner, and rides in the car. I'm very glad I took the week to really focus on saying goodbye to her and although there was sadness there were many happy memories. Isla would have been 14 on August 18th. I thought some of you might like to see a couple of pictures of her taken during a trip the two of us made to Oregon when she was 10.

[geowarrior]