A Champagne Kinda Day :)

Today Tate is 11 years old!!! 11 on the 11th, his Champagne Birthday :)

He is doing amazing, although I did have a scare this past month when he totally slowed down & could barely even walk.  I was worried it might be his heart as my last collie died at this exact age from heart disease.  It turned out to be some pain/inflammation from the arthritis that he has in his elbows, pasterns, & shoulder.  A few days on pain meds & he's back to his crazy old self ♥
He sleeps alot heavier these days, not hearing me most of the time, which in itself can be scary!  Once I thought he had died as even touching him did not get him to budge.

Tate is such an amazing dog, & because of him I got involved in many more dog sports.
Tate is my very first Agility dog. My first Rally Dog.  My first Tracking Dog, & my first certified Therapy Dog.
He has an amazing temperament, nothing rattles him.  He is a gentle soul who even aggressive dogs don't challenge, he seems to have a calming effect on them.

I know how lucky I am to have an 11 year old collie, 13 years is average, but I do know of some collies who have been around at 14!

I don't know how long Tate will be in my life, I cherish every single day with him.  I enjoy the small things he does. On Tues. during our walk he came up from behind me & grabbed the poop bag out of my hand & went running off with it!.  Yes, it had poop in it!  Silly dog, I think he thought it was the toy I usually carry, I had a great laugh seeing his expression when he realized something wasn't quite right !♥

Sometimes I will walk in the kitchen & there he is standing all alone staring at the cookie jar, hoping someone might walk by & give him one, or maybe he thinks they will magically jump into his mouth!  I have no idea how long he's been there, patiently waiting :)

In honour of his Birthday I arranged to take him out by himself for a photo shoot .

Thank you Amanda for taking the pictures :)  I love them!

 

 ♥ Happy Birthday Tater Dog !!!!! ♥