Summer of 2012 Banning State Park

Looking forward to our first long walk on vacation!

Banning State Park allows dogs on the trails which is awesome.

We wandered up and down the trails throughout the park which is part of a previous stone quarry.  It was quiet - we met only 4 other people and 1 dog on our walk.  Really cool temperature inside the quarry area - so nice for August!

Byam wanted to go swimming, but the water was moving too fast.

Even a small waterfall in the park - great place!

Byam's Sister is Titled!

Penny 5 has an AKC senior hunter title with Doug and she is just about ready to start on her master hunter title.

And her litter of five pups born in January, all 5 of the pups have been out hunting pheasants this fall.

Byam's Sister is a Winner!

More news from Byam's family!

Rae who is Byam's littermate sister formerl known as F6 won an amazing third place in the American Brittany Club National Ametuer Gun Dog Championship this year!!

Byam's Sister Update - Penny 5 Sucessful Hunt

While Byam has been busy taking care of her human grandparents, her littermate Byam's sister - Penny 5 - was having a great time hunting pheasants with Doug in North Dakota!

Byam - Back to Blogging Soon

Byam is attempting to be the best mama-dog to her human grandparents.  She will share more of her adventures as soon as possible.

Big Scare - All Ended Well

We had a big scare this week.  All ended well, but we were super worried.
Byam, my little 28 pound Brittany went to our vet for her rabies vacine - just a normal appointment and check up.  We love our doctor, as she has great diagnosis skills, and forward-thinking ideas such as adding massage thereapy - but that is another story years before Byam was even born. 
Byam's heart has a murmur.
We got an appointment at Iowa State University's Vet College.
Of course while we waited, we googled dog heart murmur and found out that murmurs could be anywhere from minor to grave. 
Our student doctor, and his supervising teaching doctor asked lots of questions about her lethargy - none.  And about Byam's travel - extensive.  And time spent swimming - recently.  Then Byam was put into a Thundershirt and had an echocardiogram.  Her heart murmur is minor, does not require any treatment or medicine at this time.  We have a follow up scheduled in a year to check again. 
We are so lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christian Petersen Sculpture "The Gentle Doctor"

 

Snacking on Soap

 

Byam has always liked soap, but this is the first time she was bold enough to keep licking while I grabbed a photo.