The Horses
Cool Hand Luke is appendix-registered (Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse) with the AQHA. He is 13 years old. Mrs. Cox rides him both on trails and in dressage shows. Lopin' Lizzie is a dual-registered AQHA/APHA mare. She is 18 years old. She has been a good trail mount for the family. In 2005 she was borrowed by a Miss Redding Rodeo contestant for the competition at the Rodeo grounds.
The Dogs
Tango and Odie (Tango XXII and Tahara's Oden) are AKC-CGC registered Doberman Pinschers. Added to our family in April 2008, they are wonderful companions and running partners (they train with Mrs. Cox approx. 80 miles per month). They also work security (Zeus and Apollo-style) for Antler Hollow. Both dogs have completed advanced obedience training. The AKC-CGC stands for Canine Good Citizenship, where the dogs are tested for obedience, manners, and safety around crowds and distractions (find out more about the Canine Good Citizen program at http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/). As Tango is an extremely nice dog, both physically and mentally, we would like to see at least one litter from her in the future. Tango was bred on May 28, 2009 to an AKC Champion-line male -- we regret to inform that she did not catch this time, but we will try again at a later date.
Mrs. Cox, a competitive long-distance runner, trains with both dogs daily on Millville's dirt roads. Once a week the "dobie pack" enjoys a run at the Sundial Bridge and river trail. They enjoy seeing the geese,ducks, and squirrels -- and meeting the people, too. The dogs are exposed to bikes, skateboards, and strollers alike; they take it all in stride. If you live in the Redding area, you may have seen them trotting down the trail!
"That smilin' dog," my husband's uncle said. "Just look at that smilin' dog." Tango, our Doberman, had greeted our uncle at a family barbeque.
Tango does truly smile. There may be conflicting evidence about whether dogs smile or not, or even have emotions like humans do ... Tango definitely smiles. In fact, she has the prettiest smile of any dog I've ever seen.
We met Tango in April 2008. Admirers of black-and-tan breeds, my husband and I had set out to find two dogs to provide some security and companionship on our 10-acre property. Our choices for black-and-tans were Rottweiler, Doberman, or Manchester Terrier. We found a listing for Dobermans and decided to give one a try, having researched the breed's characteristics and needs.
Tango's breeder brought her to a local park for us to meet her. She showed us Tango's skills at obedience and socialization (she asked passers-by to pet her dog), and let us get to know her. When my husband knelt down to greet Tango, she put her head in his lap; an instant friend. It took very little time for us to decide that she was the perfect dog for our family. We also chose an unrelated Doberman male from one of the breeder's associates nearby.
We had the dogs we wanted. But one little option did present itself before we had left the park. The breeder, as a suggestion, asked if we would be interested in breeding Tango. She wanted to keep the dog in her own program, but had too many to deal with at the time. Tango's papers were left "open" for registered litters, so it was an option for us. We had not previously considered breeding. However, this dog was worth it. She had correct confirmation, temperament, and personality. A tribute to the Doberman breed. The breeder even offered to help us place the puppies.
As Tango was only six months old at the time, we had some work to do. We immediately began obedience and agility training, then worked towards an AKC CGC certification. CGC is a test that measures obedience, socialization, and manners. Dogs who pass the exam receive a certificate of completion. If both parent dogs are CGC, the puppies are easier to place. Both our dogs passed the CGC easily. We also began calendar-watching for Tango's heat cycle. She came into heat on June 25, 2008 ... her first birthday. As we planned to breed on the third cycle, we watched how her cycle progressed into December, when she came in on December 1, 2008. We noted body changes, attitude, and behavior towards our male (he was neutered, of course). By the time the third cycle arrived, we'd have some data to work from. Tango would also be mature enough for motherhood.
On May 13, 2009, we began to see signs (spotting) that the third heat cycle was underway. I contacted Tango's breeder to let her know the cycle had started. She gave us a date to bring Tango to her facility. She had a newly acquired male that would be a perfect match. Thus on May 25, Tango met her first suitor, Rambo. The breeder reported two successful "ties," where the dogs make the connection correctly. Once again we noted our calendars and embarked upon a new waiting game: "Is she or isn't she?"
It normally takes five weeks, depending on the dog and breed, to know if there are puppies on the way. At 45 days, an x-ray can determine if there are puppies, and how many. At one month, we are still at wait-and-see. According to the breeder, it is rare to not have a pregnancy if there are successful ties at the right time of the cycle. After a year and a half of planning, saving funds, and working with the dogs, we are hopeful that a lovely little bunch of pups will arrive in 2-3 more weeks. It has been an interesting, and educational, experience ... and it has potential to be even more so very soon! My biggest hope is that the pups will inherit Tango's winning smile.
Bonnie Cox and her husband have owned family dogs since childhood. The regularly work their two dogs, Tango and Odie, in obedience and agility. This is their first foray into breeding a dog, though they have had breeding programs for other animals (sheep, cattle, horses) in the past. Bonnie Cox plans to write an e-book about her dog's entire pregnancy when the puppies are weaned and placed with new homes (the puppy list already has 5 names). http://www.antlerhollowmillville.com; http://millvillegrammarcop.blogspot.com
What Kind of Rider are You?
by Bonnie Cox
Like any other skill or ability, horseback riders come in a large spectrum of types and experience levels. Some riders rode a pony as a child, never to try it again. Others begged their parents relentlessly through their childhood years, only to wind up empty-handed – pretending their bicycles were galloping chargers. The fortunate few did indeed win that pony from worn-down parents. They rode the shaggy beast until outgrown, then moved up to a larger horse, all the while allowing their developing motor skills to include the feel of four feet beneath them. For these riders, using those four feet is as familiar to them as the original biped mechanism of walking or running. Each rider is unique, because each rider has an individual base of learning. How the rider builds upon that base makes all the difference in riding ability.
The range of horse enthusiasts stretches from the pure recreational to the ancient art form. Some simply see the horse as a living dirt bike, charging around hills or dunes, whooping like maniacs. To them, the gears are go, stop. Add a little bit of care and sensibility and you have a car driver: start, stop, turn, low, high gears, even reverse. Go a step further to the airplane pilot: start, stop, turn, take-off, landing, adjustment for balance. Watch a Grand Prix or Spanish Riding School Dressage rider and you will see a helicopter pilot: Forward, backward, spin, hover, roll, pitch, yaw. This artist in horseflesh can balance himself and his horse on two rear hooves in suspended animation. A quantum leap from the dirt bike rider, to be sure.
Most riders exist in the middle of the plane. The sensible continuously strive to improve their strength and balance – to move closer to helicopter pilot status. As a rider adds hours in the saddle, nuances emerge that echo the beauty of the art form: shifts in weight, opening or closing of strides, and the period of suspension between beats of the canter. How the horse carries his ears or swishes his tail suddenly means something. Even riding a turn can be done in worlds-apart fashions: the dirt-bike rider usually treats a turn like a NASCAR bank, throwing balance to the wind. Yet done properly, a turn can become an upright, balanced ballet move where the horse flexes his body through the ribcage and molds to the curve. To the untrained eye, this is very difficult to see. It has to be felt in the seat and hands to be appreciated fully.
Most of us have been “horseback riding” at one time or another. The next time you give it a try, pay attention to your style. Few of us can achieve helicopter pilot perfection, but at least we should strive to appreciate the grandeur of those four feet beneath us.
Doberman Pinschers: Man’s Most Misunderstood Best Friend
By Bonnie Cox
May 15, 2009
Attack dogs. Devil dogs. Mean dogs. If someone mentions the words “Doberman Pinscher” in casual conversation, these terms sometimes come to mind. Dobermans are Hollywood’s bad boys: they chase the good guy off of the bad guy’s property. They guard seedy back-alley residences. They appear to be the hit-men of the dog world. It is a commonly recognized fact that Dobermans are somehow meaner or more dangerous than other dogs. Why?
A handler recently had her dog at a park where there was a crowd of event onlookers. A young boy came over and asked to pet the dog. Consent was granted, and the boy proceeded to pet the dog, pull the dog’s ears, ask questions about the dog, and generally make friends. “Do you know what kind of dog he is?” the handler asked. “No,” the boy replied. “A Doberman,” the handler said. The boy, without a word, turned and walked away. He must have been fooled by the long ears. Yes, some Dobermans have long, floppy ears. But why was that name the deal-breaker for an otherwise enjoyable encounter?
The Doberman is a very old, historic breed of dog. Around 1890, Louis Dobermann, a tax-collector, sought to breed a dog suitable for both protection and companionship. His job at the time could prove dangerous, as he carried money with him on his rounds. By crossing several breeds including the Rottweiler, greyhound, and Manchester terrier, Dobermann achieved his goal: a medium-sized, powerfully built, obedient guard dog. The dog gained popularity as a protector and companion. After Dobermann’s death in 1894, the Germans named the breed after Louis Dobermann (the second “n” was dropped later on); Otto Goeller continued to refine the dog’s breeding to create the dog we see today. The German word for terrier, “pinscher,” was also later dropped, as “terrier” no longer described the dog in general.
The Doberman’s primary working-dog role is guard and protector of property. Back in 1945, the breed served in World War II, helping U.S. Marines in their patrols on Guam. By the end of the war, 25 Marine Doberman dogs had given their lives to protect the U.S. soldiers by detecting land mines, sniffing out enemy forces in heavy cover, carrying information communiqués to different areas, and providing protection in foxholes so that the soldiers could rest. A few of these dogs were nicknamed “Devil Dogs” by the Marines for their fierceness in battle. Of course, the pointy, cropped ears helped complete the picture. The dogs’ ears and tails were cropped to minimize the ability of the enemy to grab the dogs if the opportunity arose. The cropped ears are still popular today, but are no longer necessary for any practical reason other than appearance.
Recent breeding programs and education about the Doberman have improved the breed dramatically. No longer bred for aggression, Dobermans are family-oriented, loving dogs. Their high intelligence and boundless energy require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation such as obedience and agility, but in their minds, they are indeed Man’s Best Friend. Perhaps in the years to come the Devil Dog persona can fade into history, yet never be forgotten.
April 29, 2009
By Bonnie Cox
All dog experts will agree on one fundamental dog care rule: walk your dog. It’s that simple. A leash and some walking shoes are your principal tools. Amazingly, this simple daily task, when done correctly, can help a myriad of problems, both human and canine alike. Is your dog bored and/or hyperactive? Could your cardiovascular health (within physician’s advice) be improved? Before your dog chews up your walking shoes, simply put them on, leash up, and go.
Professional dog trainers and canine experts can’t stress enough how valuable the “pack exercise” in your dog’s life can be. Continually throughout the days, months, weeks, and years of dog ownership, the human must reinforce the pack order and hierarchy. The walk can be the cornerstone of this relationship between leader and follower. On leash, a dog dragging a human along is simply establishing that pack order as he sees fit. Off leash, a dog who jumps up and claws at her human’s knees is doing the same. In most cases, the dog is bored, or burning off a cauldron of energy that’s been bubbling all day, or even frustrated at being alone for so long. Weak pack authority simply channels this extra energy into the dog taking the captain’s seat by hook or by crook. Read the invaluable literature available from the experts. Most will agree on this. Dogs need leaders. Obedience. Exercise. Pack order. A job.
Depending on breed or type, a great job for your dog is furry exercise partner. Even if you’re ambling along with a cane, a dog will go with you. Some long-distance runners train with leash-trained dogs for conditioning. The dogs do not tire as quickly (provided they are at a good fitness level), and rarely will “downshift” up hills as we humans usally have to do. The walk (or run) is so beneficial to both canine and human, but so often overlooked for its value. Both human and dog get exercise and fresh air. The dog can learn good leash manners. In public situations, the dog can meet and see other people, dogs, cars, buses, or any other distraction. At the end of the day, the dog is curled up and snoring on his bed, paws twitching in dreams about the day’s adventures. Hopefully, the human is doing the same. Weight-loss products and sleep aids are no match for a great walk or run with a dog!
The Foxtail or Wild Barley: Nature's Most Expensive Weed
May 14, 2009
By Bonnie Cox
Living in the country has its good points and bad points, its ups and downs, its recreation and chores. Quiet, peaceful days are only punctuated by the chirps and songs of birds; nights are silent save for the occasional horse sneeze. The country is beautiful, the views breathtaking to see – but the upkeep of country property can be a challenge. The biggest challenge (and I dare anyone to find a bigger one) is springtime weeds. Not those odd offenders who sprout up amidst a well-kept lawn (we don’t have a lawn); real weeds. The obstinate, aggressive, vengeful type. The kingpin of weeds is wild barley where we live. You poison it, it grows back. You cut it down, three grow back in its place. You hit it with a weed trimmer – it takes revenge.
The foxtail’s primary weapon is its seed heads or awns. They transport the seed into fur, wool, socks, hair, tires, noses, toes, or any other vehicle the foxtail chooses. The barbed fibers in the seed head act like tiny fish hooks, driving the seed head further into the soil, skin, or hair. It is quite common for veterinarians to remove foxtails from the ears, noses, toes, and body tissues of animals (mostly dogs and cats). It can be an expensive procedure – and is almost always very unpleasant for the animal involved.
The best defense against this weedy menace is prevention. Cut or mow the weeds (or hire goats … we’re not kidding). Early in the spring, when the wild barley appears as innocent and tasty grass for horses and goats, the plant is harmless. Allowed to progress to seed stage, it will sprout green awns that are still rather harmless. However, if the weed is allowed to dry out to its dreaded golden state, the awn becomes a tiny missile launcher; brush by it with new socks on, and you’ll have foxtails in the terry cloth until the socks are worn and done. The firing action is what also lobs the seed heads into the ears of dogs and cats – to nestle there against an eardrum until the veterinarian’s probe and forceps remove it.
Mind you, the offensive arsenal of weed poison (not popular if one has animals in residence) and weed trimmers is only partially effective. Cut the plants down, more grow in their place, with more awns than before. Sometimes the foxtails will fly up into the trimmer operator’s ears and nose. It goes without saying that sturdy pants and smooth boots are mandatory. Those seeds fly off of a trimmer’s head and stick to anything in firing range.
The coup de gras for high expense regarding this nasty weed is its final vengeance: weed trimmers tend to hit and launch rocks. A broken window here and there in the house seems to have the foxtails laughing. In one reported household, foxtails have run up a $1,000.00 bill due to vet bills for foxtails in dogs’ ears, and (so far – spring isn’t over yet) one broken window. Yes, indeed. The foxtails are laughing.
home page
