Mem'ry (Remember von Jagerstadt CGC)
from the Pearl Harbor Litter, whelped December 7, 2003
OFA good hips: GS-73149G24M-PI
OFA Elbows: GS-EL18555M24-PI
OFA Thyroid: GS-TH223/17M-PI
OFA Cardiac GS-CA248/18M/P-PI
CERF: GS-1180/2005--18
von Willebrand's & hemophilia free
Mem'ry unfortunately developed EPI, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, at 2 1/2 years of age. EPI is a recessive condition in German Shepherds, and is a condition where for some unknown reason the pancreas discontinues producing the enzymes necessary to digest food. For the rest of his life, Mem'ry will need the enzymes sprinkled on each meal, but he'll be healthy, hearty and happy with that simple remedy. He cannot be bred, since all his progeny could be carriers, so he has been placed in a loving home in New York, where he'll be an only dog and be able to continue doing his favorite sport, agility. He will be neutered once he has settled into his new home. His new owner recently lost her dog, who was a close relative to Mem'ry, of cancer at an advanced age, and is thrilled to be able to welcome Mem'ry into her life. It was a hard decision, but I know Mem'ry will be happier there than as one of many here. All the pups in the two litters he sired (V & W) will be sold on spay/neuter contracts since they are possibly carriers of this condition. As far as we can tell from intensive research, the chances are infinitesimal that any of them would develop EPI. They are, of course, fully guaranteed, and if one develops EPI, I will replace it. For more on this disease, go to one of these links: http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/GI%20disorders/exocrine%20pancreatic%20insufficiency.htm or http://www.vetcentric.com/reference/encycEntry.cfm?ENTRY=96&COLLECTION=EncycIllness&MODE=full
Mem'ry at 2 years
Mem'ry's parents and grandsire
Mem'ry comes from a long line of service dogs and guide dogs, and it's obvious. We call him "The Nanny" because he "mothers" everything small and fragile. If he is around anything, whether it be human or animal, that is young, fragile, scared or hurting, Mem'ry is very concerned and tries to comfort. He also is very eager to please me and to try to anticipate what he can do for me. He loves to learn and trains easily. He excels in agility, jumping like a deer, and will probably begin competing at trials this spring and summer. He is also going to be a good obedience competition dog, whenever I get around to training him. He's deceptive when tracking, acting very easy-going about following the scent, but he's always right on the track.
In fact, he's a pretty easy-going dog. He finally began retrieving at about 18 months of age. Before that, he preferred to chase the others as they retrieved and to try to herd them in circles and then take their balls. He still enjoys doing that but one day decided he liked to retrieve his own ball, too, as long as treats await when her returns each time. He lopes out and trots back, unusually calm compared to the rest of mine who streamline their bodies to go as fast as possible out and back, over and over, making about 3 trips to one of Mem'ry's.
Mem'ry is quite a character. His high intelligence, combined with the fact that he doesn't play hard enough at our morning sessions to get really tired out--as the others do--leads him to get into all kinds of things he shouldn't. While the others nap, he gets bored. He has gotten into storage areas, pulled boxes out, and strewn their contents all over everywhere. He is especially fascinated by cardboard, Styrofoam and newspapers, and has taken carefully wrapped stored items, set them aside unharmed, and shredded the newspapers they were wrapped in. He has torn up the drip system in the shelterbelt numerous times. I had to get metal garbage cans because he chewed holes in the plastic ones--and I have to bungy-cord the lids shut because he'll work on them until he gets them open. Life is never dull with Mem'ry around!
Mem'ry at 20 months
He's decided he likes to retrieve now.
He wouldn't cooperate when I stacked him and insisted on stretching too much on both ends, so this was the best we could do at this time.
Dad
Mom
Paternal Grandsire: G*Ingo Degen von Fernheim kklII (Lbz.) SchHIII,IPO1,FH2,CDX,TD, OFA good, negative elbows. Degen was known as a producer of many offspring who went on to title in Schutzhund, HGH, AKC obedience, herding, tracking and agility and who worked as Guide Dogs, other service dogs, SAR, K-9 etc.
