Flash

Daybreak's Inspiration CD, STDs, CGC

Jan. 23, 1996 - Nov. 16, 2009

He came to us in a time of great excitement....our first litter!  We had bred Kira to AKC Ch Thornapple's Locomotion, a Ch Propwash Hey Jude son.  There were 7 puppies in the litter.  And of course, Flash was the naughtiest.  We kept him by default, feeling guilty about placing this little hellion with anyone else.  The first year of his life was a trial!  I had never had such a pistol and didn't know what to do with him!  He would run away, chase cars, mark in the house, fixate on other dogs at class, giving me zero attention....talk about frustrating!  But I did learn a lot from him.  I had to get very creative with my training.  He was also one of the first dogs I clicker trained so we learned together.  I remember one day, there was nothing that seemed to motivate him, and it occurred to me that the thing he really wanted to do, more than anything at that moment, was to sniff.  So I asked him for a simple behavior, one I was certain he would give me, and then clicked and said "go sniff"!  He looked at me, like boy, I'd better do this immediately before she realizes what she's said!  And from then on, I had a powerful reinforcer and we were off! 

He thought obedience was boring as h*ll, so I never matched him but took him right into shows.  He earned his CD in 3 attempts w/scores in the high 180's.  At his 2nd show, the dog in the adjoining ring was doing his retrieve on the flat.  It was a Springer.  Flash and I are on the opposite side of the baby gates just a few feet away, and about to start our heel off leash exercise when the Springer's handler throws the dumbbell.  At this point in our training, Flash was trained through Open so he was fully aware of what a dumbbell is for.  Our judge gives us the Forward command and I start walking.  The Springer goes out after the dumbbell and hits it with his front feet, sending it flying.  Flash stops, shocked at the Springer's bad behavior.  I of course keep going and am about halfway down the first leg of the exercise.  I knew that if I gave another command, it'd cost me dearly.  Thank God for catch heeling training and positive methods, as when Flash realized that I was several feet ahead of him, he hustled to catch up.  We made the right turn together.  I don't know who was more surprised, me or the judge.  I was certain that we'd failed however as there were several strides where my dog was no where near me.  Believe it or not, we not only qualified, but the judge told me later that she'd never seen a dog resume heel position after being so far out of it.  That was Flash.  You just could always count on him!  Despite being a mischievous little furball, he'd come through for you in the end.

Since obedience wasn't his thing we tried herding.  Oh, now this was fun!  At least for Flash it was.  I however, had never been so embarrassed as I was at our first trial.  It was like he'd never seen sheep before!  Somehow we got up the courage to try again and he earned his Started Sheep title that weekend.  The sheep were crazy so I decided I'd lay my dog down at the take pen and let the sheep come out (which they were happy to do) and then we'd begin our run.  Unfortunately, the sheep were so spooky by the time our run came, that when I opened the gate, they literally jumped OVER Flash.  He of course, knows this is not good so got up to fetch them and chaos ensued.  I don't know how we qualified because it wasn't pretty.  But by the skin of his teeth, but we made it!  That's when I decided, it would be enough if he would help with chores.  We didn't need the titles.  And he was an excellent chore dog. 

I can't tell you how many times, he, without direction from me, would protect me from the ram.  At one time, I had a 325 lb. Corriedale ram who could have crushed me in a minute.  I remember doing chores one day, with arms full of hay, the next thing I knew, Flash is hitting (biting) Solomon's nose.  That was the last time Solomon tried to rush me during feeding time.  Flash was a methodical and gentle herder.  But he instinctively knew when something was amiss and how to fix it.  How can you thank a dog who's saved your life?  It was no big deal to Flash, just part of a day's work.

Flash spent his remaining years being John's best buddy.  Since he was so good with other dogs and a love with people, we could take him anywhere.  As he aged, he mellowed and his true, gentle nature shown through.  A kinder, more gentle soul, I have never met.  He soon had his own fan club.  One Fourth of July, a friend, asked if Flash could come to his party.  Oh, and yes, John & I could come too.  We were invited as chauffeurs but at least we got invited!  That was Flash, he had such good energy about himself and always made everyone else feel good to.  People just gravitated to him.

Photo credit; Karen Cagnard "Time for a walk!"	Jan 23, 2008 Flash's 12th Birthday	Uncle Flash patiently playing with True's puppies, August 2004. Flash is one of the kindest, most gentle souls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Flash was also an excellent puppy raiser.  All puppies simply adored him and he, being the love he was, would never discipline them. He was like the Pied Piper with puppies, ever patient and gentle with them.

His favorite activities were going for walks and playing with toys.  He was a ferocious tugger.  He didn't know many tricks but he'd always get a laugh with the 1 trick he did know.  Ask him if he had a cold and he'd sneeze on cue.  It was pretty funny. 

As he aged, he developed cataracts and was basically blind at the end. He was also almost nearly deaf and quite arthritic.  He handled all those things with grace.  But when the dementia problems started, it was too hard.  Flash would have episodes of uncontrollable circling that were only stoppable with drugs.  When his quality of life became such that he wasn't happy anymore, we knew it was time to let him go.

So, Mr. Flash Man, thank you for all the good times.  For all that you taught us, for all the adventures, for all the goof-ball moments and most of all for all the love.  We were so blessed to have had you in our lives.  You can play soccer now with Arrow and Kira.  Run free, run fast and love much as you always did.