The iPup Birthday Week is underway — today we have this wonderful update from Alison:
“I have such fond memories of the multi-day iPup pick-up party in 2013.
Tag and Tristan
New friends, gobs of puppy play, hikes, river floats, cakes, gift bags. Little did I know what a life changing addition Tristan would be.
His sweet puppy face disguised the blazing inner fire which propelled him to adore agility to this day. As a tiny puppy he begged me to take up that new sport.
Tristan is a dynamo in everyday life as well. Everything must be engaged with maximum energy, be it walk, car ride or agility run. I really did think I had high energy Berners before Tristan. Ha! He substantially raised the bar. He keeps me fit and alert. Running agility with him is a glowing high.
In Draft Tris started as a chariot racer then settled and with time and the help of his brace buddy, Kelyn, became a Grand Master Draft Dog.
Mornings are a treasure with Tristan. As soon as my eyes ease open I need to roll onto my back as his morning joy is to bounce up, stretch out lengthwise on top of me, power wash my face, then roll onto his back at my left side with my arm wrapped around him, power wagging as we cuddle. Tristan has the best wag and early on Tom christened him Sir Licks-A-Lot. I guess that's a wag at both ends.
In recent years he started heading up to bed ahead of me and lounging luxuriously on the bed, getting a rub down when I arrive. When the light goes out he hops off but is always back in the morning.
I started obedience training with Tris as a pup and then set it aside to play just agility and tracking. His version of heeling featured vertical leaps at my side! When I decided to dust off obedience I spent a month in my front hall helping him figure out how to keep four on the floor while in motion - an exercise in patience.
For his entire obedience career that was first priority in his warm up - four on the floor. Between covid and his true joy in agility I chose to retire him after his UD.
Which lands us here and now, ten and still bursting with energy. Ten going on five, with the love growing year by year.
Sending love and hugs to all the families whose iPups have departed. They live on in all our hearts.”
Yes, they do.
Thank you, Alison (and Tom), for appreciating and honoring Tristan’s talents and giving him such an amazing, rich, and fun life!
HAPPY TENTH BIRTHDAY TRISTAN!