In memoriam: Roscoe (the great)

I first introduced you to Roscoe in this post dated: April 19,2021 and mentioned him again in this post: March 17, 2022

Their page : Roscoe and Maggie's adventures

Once upon a time I was obsessed with only Cattle Dogs/Heelers. I belonged to a few ACD Facebook groups for these crazy dogs.   
I began to notice posts of this one dog. He sat and watched TV.  He literally sat there in front of the TV and focused on whatever was on the screen.  He would even "critique" when he wasn't a fan of what he was watching. 

Seeing that there was a page devoted to this dude, I checked it out. Not only was this dog a TV lover, he was obsessed with trains.  Additionally, he was cantankerous. He was awesome.    Seriously, I adored seeing posts about this guy.   
We even sent him some gifts for Christmas.   I was that invested.  

The page was actually devoted to him, Roscoe, his sister Maggie, & their surly poodle brother Eugene.  Each character grew on me & I held great affection for them from afar. 

MAGGIE

Sadly, Maggie passed a few years ago.  Having lost a number my pups, I know how heart wrenching this is.  Susie, the Momma to this crazy bunch, is a gifted writer & shares her thoughts and feelings.   I felt for her and just can't imagine going through that again.   

With Maggie over the rainbow bridge, we got to watch Roscoe's antics & Eugene's surliness.  I see a lot of Peryn in Roscoe.  They want things their way-- they're are NOT fans of doing anything different.  Even though he was a dog on a screen that I never met, I fell in love with this dude.   
Susie's posts of the things he did or did not do made me smile.   Her story telling of the things that the two of them did made you feel like you were there.    

Again, I have never met them, but I felt like he was one of mine.  Eugene was 19 & Roscoe 17.  
Eugene began to really go downhill this year and sadly we all said Goodbye with Susie as he crossed August 15, 2022.  

Leaving only Roscoe.  
She continued to share Roscoe with us after Eugene's crossing.  She even began sharing a new character, Arlo- a foster she was caring for.    Entertaining as always with snippets of reality mixed in with Roscoe's decline.  My heart hurt reading & knowing the clock was running out. 

ARLO

Sadly, last night she posted that Roscoe let her know it was time.  I started bawling immediately.  We've been there. When your fluffy best friend/child is done, they let you know.   It's painful. It's devastating. And at the same time, you do all you can to relieve them of the pain.   It hurts, it really does, but when you love a soul like theirs you do all you can to help them. 

As I've stated, never met Susie and never met Roscoe, Maggie, Eugene, or even Arlo--yet I share in her loss.

I want to make sure you all know of this Unique dog & his crazy obsessions.  I want to make sure he's remembered and loved. 

Susie- Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing your bunch of unique & crazy balls of fur.  It's been a gift to have a peek into yours & their lives. 
We are sorry for your loss.  Know he (they all were) greatly loved.   

Run free Roscoe. Enjoy your reunion with Maggie & Eugene.  Watch over your Momma. 

Please be sure to visit : 

https://www.facebook.com/Roscoesadventures

4th Annual Cattle Dog Campout and Picnic (3rd year of attendance)

Photo by Laurie Sydorowicz

CATTLE DOGS EVERYWHERE
Another year in the books folks.   This past weekend we attended our 3rd Annual Cattle Dog Picnic.  Mama in her cast and all.

Angelyne

This year was by far the largest attendance. Additionally there was a guest speaker and performer with Eric and Angelyne-The Amazing Deaf Cattle Dog.
 http://www.amazingangelyne.com/.  Amazing!   

Cooling down in the pool

This breed is definitely like no other.  As I've mentioned in a previous post or two, I have always loved dogs. Day 1 of my life there was a dog.    When it came time to get my very own, I had always thought I'd end up with a Golden Retriever.   Alas that's not what happened.  When it came time for puppy child number 6, it wasn't planned to get a Heeler, that was just the breed of the puppy we were getting.   





And that is all they wrote.   Nothing against any other breed, but this sweet, faithful, incredibly smart, and loving breed is the best.   This weekend there were close to 100 cattle dogs and while each is different, the similarities are quite obvious as well.

The one down side of this trip was my cast.  Last year we walked around and spoke to so many different folks.  This year I was stuck in my seat and was lucky enough to talk to a few that stopped at our tent to chat.    

My favorite part of the whole time is watching my kiddoes play in the water. I've been wanting to take them to swim for weeks, but the cast limited my being able to go.   So it brings me such great joy to see them have the time of their lives playing fetch in the water.    Little Girl didn't quite get as into it as Baby Boy because Mamma was on the outside of the fence, but she did have fun.

I really get a great sense of joy watching my little ones have so much fun.

It would have been fantastic if my older 2 could have been with us, but they are not travelers and the ride down would have driven me insane.


And they're not as comfortable around a large number of people and dogs as the others are.  There would have been lots of barking. 

I'll need to take them all to the dog beach nearer to us.

Should you ever consider adopting or going to a breeder for an Australian Cattle Dog, I beg of you to do your research.   These 2 have been the toughest to adjust to, but OH SO WORTH it.   (when I don't want to kill them).

If you stumbled upon this by chance and have a Cattle Dog, definitely look up the Annual Cattle Dog Camp out and Picnic.   It really is wonderful to meet up and talk about this breed with those who understand.    Oh and the dogs you meet.   

I loved loved cuddling with this girl

Most of the sweetest ACD's I've encountered are the deaf and blind ones.  Oh, they melt my heart.   If you don't fall in love with them after cuddling with one of those....you're a lost cause ;)


CATTLE DOG RESCUE
Speaking of, a few things before I end ...First check out this wonderful organization.   If you have a few extra bucks, donate.  For $20 donation, get their 2018 calendar. My kiddoes make an appearance.   

This is a wonderful organization and when the time comes, we'll most likely go through them or a similar one to add to the family (Four is our hard limit..so this won't be for awhile)

Second, our kids are up for June 2019.  If you have Facebook, follow the link to vote for them. Voting ends midnight of June 30.
https://www.facebook.com/OCDRTeam/photos/a.983423788499686.1073741954.328089074033164/983436778498387/?type=3&theater

Also above I gave you the link to Eric & Angelyne's webpage. Here's the link to their Facebook page as well.  Seriously check them out.   Angelyne-the Amazing DEAF Cattle Dog


And finally if you're interested in attending a future Cattle Dog Picnic, follow here : Annual Cattle Dog Campout and Picnic.    Now let's check out some more photos...

Lada says SMILE!!!!!

Peryn

Loves that ball!!

This little dude -too cute

making new friends

ABSOLUTELY GOREGOUS.

This crew was pretty awesome.

Skye and Millie

Two weeks in...

HELLO!  Welcome, welcome.   So we've had a busy week.

The kids are all getting along.  They play with him regularly and he hardly leaves them alone.   It's working out great. Athena gets her puppy and he burns off some energy.

Peryn & Dr Rick. 

We took him to the vet last Monday.  He weighed 9.6 lbs.  We also heard back from the woman who has his parents and he was born Jan 3. That makes him officially 8 weeks old tomorrow. The vet staff went nuts over him.  The one tech squealed, came up to me and took him from my arms. It was almost 10 minutes before I saw my puppy again.

It is freaking amazing how quickly he's grown in those 2 weeks since adoption.

Yeah and we're learning we're in for a ride. This dog is notoriously known for being a force to be reckoned with.  Training is going to be oh so much fun!
Everyone we've talked to with regards to the blue heeler have all said the same thing.   So not only did we take on a puppy, we've taken on a difficult puppy.

He's still quite a handful, but he's an affectionate adorable ball of fur.

Today, I took the girls to the dog park. We're trying to make sure they know they're still important.   They had a great time. In fact, they're not in the office with me. They're in their beds passed out while he is laying at my feet.

Adoption Day

With his toy

Eating from the big bowl.

2 weeks later at the bowl.

Lil pup, 2 weeks in.

Oh yes, I'm adorable.

my little lightening bolt

"As with dogs from other working breeds, the Australian Cattle Dog is energetic and intelligent with an independent streak. It responds well to structured training, particularly if it is interesting and challenging. It was originally bred to herd by biting, and is known to nip running children. It forms a strong attachment to its owners, and can be protective of them and their possessions. It is easy to groom and maintain, requiring little more than brushing during the shedding period. The most common health problems are deafness and progressive blindness (both hereditary conditions) and accidental injury; otherwise, it is a robust breed with a lifespan of 12 to 14 years."As with dogs from other working breeds, the Australian Cattle Dog is energetic and intelligent with an independent streak. It responds well to structured training, particularly if it is interesting and challenging. It was originally bred to herd by biting, and is known to nip running children. It forms a strong attachment to its owners, and can be protective of them and their possessions. It is easy to groom and maintain, requiring little more than brushing during the shedding period. The most common health problems are deafness and progressive blindness (both hereditary conditions) and accidental injury; otherwise, it is a robust breed with a lifespan of 12 to 14 years.(2016, February 19). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:12, February 22, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=APA_style&oldid=705722138