Nushi, CO extraordinaire, rose to the challenge of trying to save a diabetic dog's life. 

An emergency call last Thurs. morning sent us to the vet's office, where Nushi donated her blood (which after typing and cross-matching turned out to be a good candidate for the donee) in an effort to bring a 6 year old diabetic dog out of a coma and back on the road to recovery.  I'm very sad 
to report that despite the effort, the dog did not survive.  However, the experience was educational all around. 

On first hearing the request, I checked to be sure there was no specific breed caution with regard to anesthesia or sedation.  Once assured of that, we were off to the vets. 

Nushi was absolutely wonderful!  She's LOVES visiting the vet anyway. I've brought her with me every time I've visited for any reason, so she's used to being there and being fussed over.  And our housesitter is the vet tech there, so she loves seeing Andy.  After waiting a bit, one of the Drs.  drew some blood out of her right front leg for cross-matching, and she calmly lay there and watched, never flinched, never showed distress or concern.  Happily chomped down the before and after biscuits! 

Waited again while they determined if her blood would be a good match, and when confirmed, I sat with her while they injected a sedative so they could get the blood they needed from her neck later on.  She calmly went upstairs with Andy into a crate, and I left for a PT appointment. Returned later on, and while she was a little disoriented yet, she calmly 
got in the car and came home for a good nap and a looooong drink.  We skipped the usual walk that evening (just in case), and lightened up on her food, making sure she had lots of water.  Next day, she was just fine, and I couldn't even find the small spot they shaved on her neck -- her ruff is just too thick! 

Got a call the next day asking Nushi to stop by for a little "something". The vet staff made her a special ribbon to wear around her neck, with a medallion on it that had a picture very similar to the dog who she donated blood too.  This was her "award" for bravery and courage, and they took a picture of her with the ribbon on.  Very, very nice! 

Gosh, but we're proud parents! 

Pamela & Joel 
Nushi (Caucasian Ovcharka) CGC    Tyler (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) The Rose Cats: Athena, Cedric, Mishka, Sasha, and Br'asha

Two more Caucasians have been evaluated as free of hip dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).  OFA is oldest of several screening programs in North America 

Medveolo Zahar (Microchip identified) 
CAO-7G30M-T 
"OFA GOOD" 
Owner Tamara & Gabe Orbegozo (COCA) 

Mefiz Zor Bax 
CAO-8G41M 
"OFA GOOD" 
Owner Russel A. Scheel (COCA)

One bright, sunny day 2 years ago, "Cezar" aka "The Czar" came into my life as an owner give up/rescue.  He was imported to Canada from Poland and lived his first years on a farm where he honed his guardian skills.  A house fire caused the owners to relocate to the city where "Cezar" was contained in a fenced backyard.  While the owners were at work, someone lifted the gate latch and the farm guardian dog was set free to wreck havoc on the city.  The owners were fined heavily, and because he had caused such a scare in the neighborhood, "Cezar"  was slated for euthanasia. Luckily for "Cezar", his kind-hearted family decided to transfer his ownership instead. 

Because "Cezar" was a farm dog and not used at stud, his previous owners had not turned in his puppycard to the breed club in Poland to receive his registration.  Via the export papers, tattoo, and the generous help of Polish Caucasian fancier Maciej Semeniuk, Cezar's breeder was located.  The first news from Poland was that my beautiful farm dog was sired by the famous International FCI and German CH. a-Robber vom Hamstereck , and his dam is also out of Polish FCI Champions!  After careful consideration and confirmation of "Cezar's" tattoo, the Polish Club issued "Cezar's" full FCI registration. 

Cezar is a gentle and very responsive guardian who loves children.  After just a few months of training, "Cezar" began his U.S. Show Career in the Fall, 1996. Distinguished for his "authentic type" and efficient movement (so important in a working breed!), "Cezar" has been rated "Excellent" by rarebreed, AKC and FCI judges across the United States.  "Cezar" has won 14 Best In Shows in the U.S. and finished ARBA #1 Caucasian/ #4 Rarebreed 1997 (undefeated in Breed) and is ARBA #1 Caucasian for 1998 (undefeated in Breed) to date.  At the 1998 American Rare Breed Association Cherry Blossom show in DC, the largest rarebreed show in the U.S., "Cezar" won TWO (2) BEST IN SHOW and the Memorial Award for the most dogs defeated. 

"Cezar" will come out of semi-retirement, and with FCI registration "in paw", will compete at the World Show 1999 in Mexico. Who knows, maybe next year he will follow in his sire's pawprints and achieve the coveted International FCI Championship himself!   

See Cezar's picture in the GALLERY section and watch for a videoclip on the web soon! 

-stacey kubyn 
 Esquire Farms 
 cocaclub@aol.com 
 (440) 286-2374 
 
 

Hawk is our 15 month male Caucasian. In April he, and I, passed the first of three levels of mantrailing on our search team. Our standards are adapted from those of the North American Search Dog Network and are set up primarily for Bloodhounds. The "Type III" evaluation calls for a ¼-½ mile trail, one hour old with at least one 90° turn and at least two types of ground surface. 

Hawk passed without any negative comments. He seems to really enjoy the work and knows what is coming when I show him his harness. His is the largest harness we own, he has outgrown the ones he borrowed from our Bloodhounds. 

Our training consists of lots of country, woods, ditches, cotton and soybean fields, briars and other unpleasantries. We also train in Mid Town Memphis on the city streets with asphalt and concrete and all that exhaust. He does well wherever we ask him to work. 

Our goal is to take him to the second level of trailing then start working him off lead. The idea of turning my "baby" loose to work is one I have not dealt with yet. I think that comes from our upbringing in search and rescue with Bloodhounds which never work off lead. 

We're proud of our boy and his accomplishment. Will post an update as he advances. 

Bob, Paulette Weible & Hawk (a Thunderhawk baby)