It is deep sadness that we regret the announcement of our greatest loss. On December 16, 2009 Montana was laid to rest. After a long painful battle with Spondylosis of the Spine, we had to make the final decision for our little girl where she can now play in the fields with others who have passed before her. I have no doubt that we will meet again at the Rainbow Bridge. I thank Montana for teaching me most of what I know about dog training, trialing and having the patience to tolerate my poor handling skills until I "caught on". She was truely one of a kind. Thank you for sharing 14 1/2 wonderful years........... You will be missed by many but forgotten by none!
Montana is our first purebred German Shepherd Dog. She was purchased from a local breeder who told me when I purchased her, she would be a nice "pet" dog but not to expect her to be a competition or show dog. Boy could they have been any more wrong?? Montana (Monte) was never bred because she has a minor back deformity and although it caused her no pain it would have been hereditary. Monte has been with me through every step of learning dog behavior and training so for that reason, I have named my Breeding Kennel after her. She allowed me to teach her new things and she would always be up to try a new challenge. Montana and I first achieved her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) when she was a year old, which was quickly followed by her PT (Pre-Trial Herding) and her CD (Companion Dog) Obedience Title. At a young 3 years Monte and I started competeing in Agility and she began earning her AKC, USDAA, NADAC, and ASCA Agility Titles. Montana and I had a wonderful time being out every weekend with our dog friends but at 8 years of age I notice she was having issues jumping up onto my bed and into the truck, she was refusing jumps in Agility and after a visit to the Vet, she was diagnosed with a painful disease called Spondylosis of the Spine. It was at that time I decided we had to retire from competition. As much fun as we were having it was better to quit while we were ahead. Obviously it is better to have my girl as a companion dog for a long time rather than a competition dog for a short time. It was a very emotional decision but I know it was the right one. In that same year, I was notified by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America that Montana earned their "PAM" (Performance Award of Merit) Award. She is only the 15th German Shepherd in the history of the GSDCA to have earned this award. It was then that I knew she was not only special to me but she is now in the record books as an abassador for this awesome breed.
