Wow, what a crazy and amazing week this has been. On Wednesday, Beamer turned had a birthday. I cannot believe that my boy is now two years old! Where has the time gone? And, what an amazing two years it has been. He was a wonderful puppy and an even better companion to me. We have learned a lot from one another and he has gotten me involved in the world of dog showing and trials.

After a busy week from work, we had an even busier weekend. I had signed up for the trials in Boonsboro, Maryland, since a few people told me it was a great little show. I was very impressed with it! On Saturday, we were supposed to be entered in Rally Advanced A, but apparently I messed up my entry and didn't realize it. There was nothing we could do, so I just ran in the Rally Novice A that I had accidentally entered in. We ended up rocking the class with a 98 and 1st place. So, the day didn't get off to the best start, but that's alright. My dad and his wife came out to see me, which was really nice. Amy has been really supportive of coming out to see my dog trials. Dad went to get us some lunch while I anxiously awaited my Obedience trial later that afternoon, although they couldn't stay to watch it.

I had also entered Beamer in Novice A Obedience, something I kept debating with myself doing. I wasn't sure if he was ready or if I was ready for it. I knew he could do everything, it was just a matter of him focusing in the ring. We ended up doing really great that afternoon! Only two of the original five of us Q'd. Beamer was wonderful and I messed up a few things. I got to talk to the judge afterwards and he said I had a tight leash, I wasn't allowed to touch him for the down stay (and I was trying to position him so he wouldn't move... won't make that mistake again), and that I was moving when I gave the recall command. The feedback is always good since Obedience showing is something we are really new at and the rules are much stricter than rally.
But anyway, we got Second place with a score of 185! We met a very nice person with a black lab who beat us with a score of 187. They did great, though, and definitely deserved it! Beamer was very focused with me during the whole run on Saturday, I was so proud.

On Sunday, we basically had a repeat of what I entered. I was for sure in Rally Advanced A and we ran. Beamer did /mostly/ well. He was following me great and just a little distracted (more than yesterday but I think he was just warn out from he day before). But anyway, he has this problem where he baulks at jumps. He will get a good running start and then won't jump, I don't get it... I even practiced with him beforehand in the parking lot over some large logs to hopefully prep him for the jump. But even with that, he wouldn't. I thought that it was an automatic NQ (and I also thought you could try the jump again... apparently not) but I was shocked to see a score of 82 on the board! Wow, what a relief that we got our first leg towards our RA title! There was only one other team in my class (who got a 70) so we got first place today, too! Now, all I need to do is really work on Beamer's jumping which probably means making my own jumps at home and working with him more than an hour every week or so.

This afternoon, I was still pretty nervous about our upcoming Obedience trial. I knew that we could do it from the day before, but I also knew Beamer was not at his best today. There were 6 in our class today, only 3 Q'd. Our turn was pretty disastrous- his heeling was nothing like the day before (where his off leash heeling was better than on leash). Both were pretty bad- the leash was tight and he was dragging behind at times. On off leash, he was still lagging behind me. On the recall, he did not come front or listen to me when I signaled him to finish. He was distracted by something outside the ring. But other than that, he did well for the figure 8 and stand for exam. The sit and down stays were great for both days and the judge was awesome and Q'd us. I was almost certain after that heeling we had been NQ'd. We ended up getting 2nd in our class again with a score of 170.5 (note that 170 is passing! One team actually got 3rd place with 170, haha!)
Wow, so what a relief, two CD legs down... I can't believe it! Since I was so hesitant with entering him, anyway. I am a VERY PROUD MOMMA!!

This trial was great, to sum up! Separate buildings for both Rally and Obedience and Obedience had 2 rings to get things moving quicker. The judges were AMAZING!! The judge for Rally (both days) tried really hard to get me into the right class, but it was the AKC rules that made it so I couldn't move up. She was super nice to me and tried her best. The Obedience judges were also really cool. The one the first day talked to me about how to improve myself as did the one from the second day. And she was really generous to Q us that second day.

They also had prizes that some dogs got and some you had to sign up to be eligible for. Beamer got two prizes both days- Highest scoring golden retriever in 'A' and Youngest dog competing. We got a calendar, a golden retriever notebook, a cute pillow, and a golden retriever wooden box. Also, if you got a placement in Rally, you got a toy, AND if you got first you also got a bag with a few goodies in it, so we got two of those total as well.

I'm just going to wrap this up because I could go on forever about it! But, to sum up, my boy is amazing and I cannot imagine life without him. I am very very proud of all we have accomplished together! 

My dad, Beamer, and I

Wow, where has the time gone? Beamer's second birthday is on Wednesday, March 27th. Just two short years ago, I remember that I was studying for a Nutrition exam and getting that email that my boy was born in a litter of 5 boys and 4 girls. Now, he has grown into a handsome young man and I could not have asked for a better boy. Yvonne, his breeder, picked out the perfect pup for me!

In other news, it sounds like we have finally secured a place to live! It's a 4 bedroom duplex with a 1 car garage and fenced in backyard. The company we are renting from has other vet students living in some of their places and I hear they are great to work with (and so far, I get that impression, too). I also have two awesome roomies for the fall and I can't wait to meet one of them at the open house next month. We are going to be signing our lease when we go out for it, too. The other one I won't meet until the summer, but both of them are awesome. Beamer will be having a rat terrier and kitty living with him for now and maybe more if my other roomie decides to bring something home. They also don't have a pet weight limit or number of pets limit, which is also amazing!! I'd love to welcome another golden into my life at some point.
We are going to be making one of the rooms an office and guest room so people visiting have somewhere to sleep besides a couch in the living room. So, I am pumped for this place!! We sent in our applications and deposits yesterday and when I called, she told me it was ours!
There are a few parks within walking distance and a few lakes, too, which will be great for Beamer since he loves the water. There is also a jimmy johns within walking distance, too!! Our place is about a 10 minute drive from the school but is also a little bit away from the city of Columbia. It's perfect!

Now, there is just a little less than a month until the open house, and I'm excited. I can't wait to get out there and actually get a chance to see Columbia. I also get to meet many of my future classmates for the class of 2017!

Beamer's biopsy report

Yesterday, I got Beamer's biopsy report back. His lump was 'Cystic trichoepithelioma' which is benign. What a sigh of relief for me, and of course, I am glad that my boy is fine. Though, he is prone to get more in the future, so I'm sure that I'll have more freak-out sessions in the future about him. Growths scare me on goldens- unless I can feel that they are just fat (which this one wasn't) I worry. Sadie, our black lab, has a fatty growth on her, but I don't worry about that one.
Anyway, Beamer is doing fine- just waiting to take out his sutures next Wednesday (which is the first day I work that week).

In other news, the housing hunt seems to be looking up. My roomie and I now have quite a few options and I have some phone calls to make tomorrow to a few places. It looks like most places won't know what they have for July until April, which really sucks since I want to find a place and get a lease signed when we are out for the open house mid-April. We may or may not be looking for third roommate for the fall. It depends on what the rent is on the place we find.

Also, my sister who moved out to California is going to be coming back to visit tomorrow for her spring break. It will be good to see her. And, the super dog expo is Sunday so I'm going to be picking up some gifts for Beamer for his upcoming birthday, which is March 27th. I really didn't get to do too much for his birthday last year since I was in the middle of exams. 

Beamer update

I'm just posting an update after Beamer's big day. He was really pissed off at me when he did not get breakfast that morning. He is such a food motivated dog, too, so that doesn't help.

We did his procedure at about 11am Friday morning. I wanted to try to do it with just a local anesthesia on him and if that didn't work, we could go to sedation. But, he did absolutely wonderful with the local. I held him in my lap while my wonderful vet injected the area with some Lidocaine (after shaving part of his beautiful golden mane).

After 15 minutes, I got him back out and laid him on my lap again while my vet removed his lump. It looked like a sebaceous cyst since we some some white material after removing it. Beamer got 4 sutures in and he was done. He got lots of pill pockets and treats afterwards plus he finally got to eat his breakfast a bit late.

It's been a slight challenge to keep him from playing with Sadie, our black lab. But, otherwise he has been doing really really well. He doesn't even mind wearing his cone at night. Now, it is just a waiting game until we get the biopsy report back. Here are a few pictures of his incision and where it is.

In other news, I started house sitting last night for an old yorkie. I'm house sitting Sunday through Sunday and I have to go during lunch and stay the nights. I meant to take ear plugs with me last night because the previous house-sitter told me he is restless at night, but I forgot. I didn't sleep well probably because of that and just being in a new place. He is on a lot of different medications for his multiple problems as well. It will all be worth it in the end since I'm getting paid $30 a day.

Today is also my mom's birthday! So, a big shout out to my wonderful mom. She has been so supportive of me and my dreams since day one. I couldn't ask for a better mom or best friend. We are both really close and share everything with each other. It is going to be hard to move almost 1/2 way across the country and not be able to see her everyday or even every month like I was when I was at Virginia Tech. So, Happy Birthday, Mom! I Love you!!

This is my boy and I at work today. We did a needle aspirate of his lump but couldn't tell much since it was such a small sample. We are thinking it is just a sebaceous cyst, but I am going to have it removed Friday for his well-being and my own sanity. Of course it will be sent out for a biopsy as well. I'm really glad I found this now since I'll only be working here until July and then I go out to Missouri for vet school. I also have had pet insurance on him since he was 8 weeks old and this will be the first time I've ever had to use it. I only have to pay my $200 deductible.

Beamer, of course, loves coming to work with me and I'm sure he won't know what is coming Friday besides no breakfast... he will be pretty upset. Poor boy.

In other news, I saw yesterday that my Sallie Mae loans are finally deferred. I just don't know for how long, so I need to call them and find out. At least my payment is now only $60 for interest instead of  over $300 a month. I also found out yesterday that there is no Wells Fargo in Missouri, which really sucks since that is the only bank I've ever used. So... not sure what I am doing about that at the moment. Still looking for a place to live and for some realtors to get back to me. I'm about 99% sure I've got a roommate nailed down, so that is out of the way! I'll meet her officially in April at the open house, which I am very excited for!

I'm worried about my boy. He will be 2 at the end of March. About a week ago, he was cuddling with me on the couch. I was petting his chest and found very small lump. Of course, he came to work with me the next day (I work at a vet's office). I tried to find it again and I couldn't. I also had 2 other people feel him over and no one could find this mysterious lump.
A week goes by and last night I am petting him again and I find it once more. It feels about the same, but I am concerned since he is so young, and since he is a golden- cancer is very high in this breed and I am very aware of this fact. I am really glad I took out pet insurance on him for this reason. I have not had to use it yet, thankfully, but I will be grateful that I do have it later.

Anyway, I take him and mark the spot with a sharpie and then be sure I can find it again. Of course, this is after working a really really busy stressful week and I'm finally off for 3 days until Tuesday (I swear I was only home for an hour after work when I found it). He will be coming to work with me on Tuesday- hopefully that black mark will still be there but if not, I am pretty confident I can find it again. It feels like it is just in the skin layer- not soft but not really hard, either. Very small, probably a little smaller than the size of a pencil eraser.

Being in the vet profession, we seem to worry a lot more about the possibilities with the things we see. So, I'm hoping it is nothing, but I think I am about 95% sure I am going to get this removed and biopsied to be on the safe side. The pet insurance will cover everything besides my $200 deductible. I'll also do a needle aspirate Tuesday just to get an idea of what we are looking at.

So here is to me worrying all weekend. If they aren't crazy busy Monday, I'll see if I can take him in then to have it looked at so I can get him in for surgery sooner.