Mem'ry (Remember von Jagerstadt CGC)
from the Pearl Harbor Litter, whelped December 7, 2003
Mem'ry at 2 years
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 was neutered and 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. His new owner had recently lost her dog, who was a close relative to Mem'ry, of cancer at an advanced age, and was thrilled to be able to welcome Mem'ry into her life. It was a hard decision, but I know Mem'ry is happier there as an only dog rather than as one of many here. All the pups in the two litters he sired (V & W) were 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 comes from a long line of service dogs and guide dogs, and it's obvious. We called him "The Nanny" because he "mothered" everything small and fragile. If he was around anything, whether it be human or animal, that was young, fragile, scared or hurting, Mem'ry was very concerned and tried to comfort. He also was very eager to please me and to tried to anticipate what he can do for me. He loved to learn and trained easily. He excelled in agility, jumping like a deer, and was entered at an agility trial when he got sick. He could also haveg been a good obedience competition dog. He was deceptive when tracking, acting very easy-going about following the scent, but he was 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. One day he decided he liked to retrieve his own ball, too, as long as treats awaited when he returned each time. He'd lope out and trot 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 didn't play hard enough at our morning sessions to get really tired out--as the others do--lead him to get into all kinds of things he shouldn't. While the others napped and I was at work, he got bored. He got into storage areas, pulled boxes out, and strew their contents all over everywhere. He was especially fascinated by cardboard, Styrofoam and newspapers, and took out carefully wrapped stored items, set them aside unharmed, and shredded the newspapers they were wrapped in. He tore 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 had to bungy-cord the lids shut because he'd work on them until he gets them open. Life was never dull with Mem'ry around!
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
photos of mom are on Chaos's page
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.
