Pia was born on 16th March 1990.
She came to me at 9 weeks of age - having been through 5 homes already!
She was a very dominant little girl and would bite - hard - every time she was stopped from doing somthing she shouldn't! At six months old the vet said that when I'd had enough of coping with the little spitfire, she would put her to sleep. I wasn't ready to give up on her. When she wasn't fighting me, she was such a sweet little thing.
When she was ten months old, she developed a viral infection which effected her heart - she would go blue and collapse every time she moved. The vet said that with a sedentary lifestyle she might make it to three years! Pia was not the sort of dog to take things easy!! So I decided she would have a short active life rather than a slightly longer boring one.
On her first birthday, she started agility training. She took to it very well and was soon competing in mini classes. Her handler let her down mostly (me), but she did get many clear rounds and a couple of places in her career.
She also competed in obedience, getting many places in Beginners and Novice, beating many collies (including my Tigger!) but never that elusive first place.
When we discovered flyball, Pia came into her own. She was fast for her size and became a very reliable little dog.
She had plenty of stamina, and when most dogs were starting to slow up, Pia was just getting into her stride.
When she was five years old, Pia appeared in a three-act stage play. She loved every minute of it and was on the front page of our local paper and was interviewed on local radio - answering her own questions.
At seven years of age, Pia went down with Gastric Tortion - twisted stomach!!! This is a very serious condition and if not treated quickly, will lead to death. Pia was operated on and through the skill of my vet, she pulled through.
Pia is still playing flyball and competing, showing no signs of slowing up!!! |
