Chris & Martin's ScrapBook

Our Canine Family

Spot (Chris)        •        Susie (Martin)       •        Pepper  (Martin)        •        Pepper & Baron  (Martin)

Gunta with Chris' Dad,Al, Anthony & Ken (Chris)  •  Baron (Martin)  •  Tonya & Baron  (Martin)  •  Baron & Bear with Carol  (Martin)

Snoopy (Chris)                     •                                  Shilo & Twister(Martin) 

Ceda (Chris)   •  Kelly & Brandy (Martin)  •  Kelly  •  Kelly & Shannon  (Martin)

Orion & Ceda (C&M)     •     Orion & Onyx       •       Onyx 

Orion & Bach

Bach, Chris & Martin 2004

Sasha's parents Austin Police Dogs • Bach (01/11/94 - 08/18/04) & Sasha (02/26/95 - 07/17/05

Troubador (11/26/04)

First Birthday - November 26,2005 - view QuickTime movie

click on pictures below for a larger image

May 2006

November 18, 2005

Hi, Chris and Martin,
Hope Troubadour has settled in and is everything you wanted him to be. I should have
written you last week to let you know the big news, but with the shows and traveling, just
haven't been at the 'puter. You may not want to tell Troubadour that his father at the national
specialty was awarded United States Grand Victor. That is top dog in the whole country.
I say that you may not want to tell him this as he may not let you into his inner sanctum
now that he is such royalty. It was quite exciting to see Honky Tonk Man win the top
award over some 700 German Shepherds. As I had told you, he was #2 last year, but I bred
AOL to him rather than the #1, Marquin's Extra Extra, because of some of the temperament
issues that I saw. As far as I know there have been no temperament issues with the Honky
Tonk dog. Let me hear from you, and let me know what you call him. (other than spoiled )
Best Regards,
Carolyn) 

Bonnie Bracken 03/23/07 Bracken joined our family!

Heading to new home   •  Troubador?

Troubador was referred to the Texas A&M Small Animal Clinic in Bryan for an MRI • back home drinking water with Bracken • view video clip

Last Wed (August 26, 2009), Troubador (4.5 years old) began having serious  bouts of what they call "reverse sneezing." It looked like he couldn't get his breath. He'd done that a brief couple of times over the last month, however, it quickly passed and we attributed it to allergies. We took him to our vet and after x-rays and other tests, she was concerned he was bloating and sent us to the South Austin Animal Hospital (where we'd taken Bach). They completed a sonogram and other blood work. Everything came back normal, so they suspicioned it was neurological, as now he was having more severe problems with disorientation and drooling. The Hospital kept him Wed nite and we brought him home Thursday. Later that day we took him back to the Hosp as he was worse. Friday morning they did a throat scan to be sure nothing was stuck or abnormal and every test again was fine. The vet said we might consider taking him to A&M for an MRI. We brought him home Saturday and stayed up all night with him. Initially getting better, then serious turned to worse. Sunday afternoon, as we were unable to get him up to go out. We took him back to the Emer Hosp, realizing it was very likely he'd have to be put down. The ER vet said we may need to put him down. However, he suggested that if he did have a brain tumor, or some swelling, he would try steroids (+ other meds) and see what happened over night. Monday morning he seemed to respond to the treatment. The vet got us into the ER at A&M, so we drove to Bryan and they were able to do the MRI late Monday afternoon.  Dr. Wolf and his staff were excellent!!!

Turns out he has Encephalitis. There's no telling how he got it. It's more than I can describe, so here's a link they gave us.

The problem right now is that until they receive the blood work (3-6 weeks), they don't know what type of disease it is (fungal or infectious). The A&M vet thinks it has to do with his autoimmune system. So Troubador's getting 6 pills twice a day to cover all bases until they can refine the treatment. Unfortunately the prognosis is not good and it will shorten his life.  

Bracken playing ball • Troubador improving 09/03/09 (picked up his ball and carried it around) • movie

Dr. Wolff and Troubador at A&M on 09/17/09 • Chris with hay and Trou and Brac on 091809 • Martin & Troubador 092009 • Troubador and Bracken waiting for Chris to check gig at Hyatt Lost Pines • Carl's hamburger on Sept 26th

Troubador & Bracken 100209 • movie

Ferrier 100109

Trou and Brac on 100109

Bracken chasing squirrels

Playing ball with Troubador and reluctant Bracken. • View movie •  Troubador's become good at handing us the ball.  The ball is not near as important as chasing squirrels

Bracken in heat

Troubador & Bracken 11/15/09 and with Dominique's Stella

Troubador's birthday bones shared with Bracken

Cold and rain will not keep Chris from caring for KD & Dancer, nor does it defer Troubador and Bracken from loyalty standing watch

Bracken in rear view mirror

Spending time with the family • movie

Christmas Day 2009

Bracken & Troubador • movie

Bracken and Troubador

Bracken's Birthday - to Bastrop's Carl's with Troubador, Chris & Martin

Troubador & Bracken 02/13/10

Troubador and Bracken on cold Feb morning

Our first snow after 10 years on the property • movie

Chris with Dancer, KD, Bracken & Troubador

1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010

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