ATCH FdCh DDCh McCann’s Point Of Balance CDX, MADC, MJDC, FDX, RPT, ADD, CGN, SGDC , MSCDC, MGDC, MSDC, MJ, TDI, CGC
'BALANCE'
Border Collie
Aka: Bally Boy, Big Nose, Preppy Boy
When I decided to get another border collie. I knew I wanted a black and white male.
There was Balance! The only black and white male born in the litter!
I am so glad I got him! He is just an all-around good dog. He is loyal, and loves everyone. He is always ready to work, but could also sleep all day if there was no work to be done. He hates to do anything wrong and gets very upset when other dogs are doing things they shouldn't.
I can always tell when one of the dogs is "into something" , Balance will run and sit right beside me as if to say "I'm right here...it wasn't me"
Balance has starting competing in agility this year..he is doing great!!! Balance is very intense while he is working and enjoys doing everything "full force"!!
Balance’s Accomplishments:
-Featured in commercials
-Winner of the Royal Winter Fairs Canine Musical Freestyle Competition at the age of 10months!
-Chosen to compete in the the 2005 and 2006 Toronto Sportsman Show's "Big Air Dog Show"
-Placed 2nd in the finals both weekends at the Dockdogs competition in Toronto at the National home show
Bally's Injury
In the Spring of 2007, Balance suffered a major back injury where he "crunched" his spine together. I was told he would never be able to do dog sports again....or even hike in the woods. After deciding to try "alternative methods" of rehab for Balance we found ourselves traveling to Guelph, Burlington, and NOTL multiple times a week for acupuncture, massage, laser therapy, chiropractic care, and a combination of homeopathic and Chinese herbal remedies. December 1st Balance got the OK to hike in the woods, and do some obedience training again. We are both thrilled he is able to spend time doing what he loves best...running!!
Thanks to Dr. Leslie Woodcock, Dr. Lisa Burgess, and Dr. Susanne Langdon for all your help with Balance. We are very grateful to have worked with each of you!
With that said, I am happy to announce the results of Balance's first trial back.
On december 8th he Earned his CDX, 2 High In Trials, and passed the CKC CGN test!!
Way to Go Bally Boy!!
MORE GREAT NEWS! Here is Bally's full story! (updated Nov/2008)
Bally's Back!
Balance suffered a back injury last year around July where he "crunched" his spine together (not positive how it happened) A vet (not my regular one) put him on a major dose of steroids ( I wish I knew thene what i know now)which didnt seem to help, so I assumed his injury was permenant.
I immediatly began searching for a vet to re-assess his issues. I found Dr.Leslie Woodcock and Dr. Lisa Burgess. ( Both are awesome and I will never go anywhere else!!)
Balance continued to go down hill (skin issues, hair loss, no energy, couldnt run or even jump on the couch) Vets were telling me side effects of the steriods and that his body would take a while to recover from the high dose. (makes sense!)
10 months later and he was still getting worse, we did bloodwork as there was no way this was still "just" side effects from the steroids... Bloodwork showed 17 issues....kidnies, liver, anemia, low white cell count, etc etc AND his thyroid was below 2. He was so outta wack!
That was about 2 months ago. We did a homepathic detox and put him on thyroid meds and a Chinese herb for skin issues. For the first month, nothing changed, and he go worse (again!)
I was so frustrated.
Then, about 3 weeks ago, just when I thought things couldnt get any worse.....they did! He broke out in a huge rash on top of his already awful skin condition and lost all of his hair. An entire layer of skin peeled off his body ( face, ears, tail, everywhere) I was convinced this was it, I was going to loose this dog. I thought, something reeeeally bad must be going on inside his body for this to happen....
BUT since that layer of skin peeled away....there has been NO skin issues ( the first time in over a year!) His energy level is back to normal, he is running, and even did agility Friday at 22'' with no prooblems.....he is the dog I had a year and a half ago!!!!!! I cant believe it!!!!
It was obviously his thyroid that was effecting his skin, his temperment, and a lot of the physical things I chalked up to a permenant back injury!!!!
I am sooo happy! Although I cant wait to start training him again for agility, its even better to see him on a hike at the head of the group again ....not walking behind me!!!
XO I love my Bally Boy! XO
