A thespian at heart. Ready to entertain and be the center of attention always! He was indeed a people dog. Kind, serene - soothing. His gentle nature was forever invaluable when it came to babysitting the many puppy exercise routines he was part of. Happiest with a ball in his mouth doing so. Look at me - look at my ball...my ball my ball my ball!!!
His impact on so many lives throughout his time here at ICNDF is profound. Whether by face-to-face meet and greets; or having been the sire to so many litters. His participation in group class always brought smiles and looks of awe. What a joy to simply hand his leash to an unsuspecting observer so they might participate - and to then witness the connection you knew was creating ripples in a pond in that flash of a moment. One more 'human' on the receiving end of the 'Urma' experience! He loved wandering around; free to follow whomever was canvassing the place performing property maintenance tasks or just going back and forth from the woods, chicken coop, hay barn, garden, training field, front yard, back yard, driveway - follow follow follow. Walk and bark and walk and bark... with an absolute happy expression on his beautiful mug the entire time. Last year he started to slow down a bit. He seemed content more to sit in the sun and watch the goings on - and of late was more and more often caught napping so hard one had to almost touch him to wake him up. In the sun, stretched out near the shade of a tree in the training field - his favorite place to be. Also in close proximity to another of his many favorite places; the bite work stations. Several weeks ago - Urma endured a 'paralysis' event. Without assistance, he was unwilling to get up from his nap in the sun - with both back legs wanting to get tangled around each other underneath him. For the next few days we kept him close by, with minimal exercise - so a steroid plus anti-inflammatory meds routine might loosen up anything kinked, swollen, or just plain sore. After a second event 10 days ago - where pain became part of Urma's movements; ex-rays taken revealed arthritic cartilage had been fusing vertebrae together. His spinal cord seemed to be taking pressure and movement had become not only painful but now involved back leg paralysis. Getting up and laying down was a feat. Once up - walking and barking was still fun. And a short retrieve of the Kong ball was still doable. Yesterday - Urma experienced impossible mobility on his own and was disinterested in breakfast. He spent the day in the sun and grass napping in the middle of the training field - where he could still be a part of everything going on around him. We believe it's how he would have wanted it. Kong ball at his feet and surrounded by his cherished master and mistress - along with Punk 'A' Dunk, Ceasar, and Dax. His last sunset. Urma, whose father, grandfather, and great grandfather were all three world champions - was our very own supreme ICNDF TOP DOG champion! We all miss him horribly.
Surviving kennel family to carry on his legacy:
Punk 'A' Dunk/half brother [black and tan] --- retired
Shotzy/daughter [saddle-back black and red] --- in the ICNDF breeding program
Kelly/grandaughter [bi-color black and red] --- in the ICNDF breeding program
Czar/grandson [bi-color black and red] --- in the ICNDF breeding program
Ceasar/great grandson [black] --- in the ICNDF breeding program
