Addie, the second head study in Karen’s triple portrait, is finished.
I ask my client to tell me about their loved one before I work on their face. You must read what Karen wrote (below) about Addie’s personality that shines out of that impish smiling face — and how she got the nickname “Baddie Addie”.
Karen’s words:
Rhapsody’s Adriatic, CGC. “ADIA”. “Addie” “Baddie Addie”
I needed another Search-and-Rescue dog. I went to the Dobie National and came home with a beautiful 10 week old female pup. I decided to get a female this time because Rio had been so large (98 lbs). I figured, if my dog were to get injured in the field, I could most likely be able to carry her around my shoulders.
Well she ended up BIG. Male sized and 90 pounds. She was 1/2 from German lines. Thus an intense personality.
She would work a problem at SAR practice excellent for two or three sessions. Then on the next session she would take off after game and be gone for 45 minutes.
I think she would have liked the SAR game better if the subject was wearing a bite sleeve.
As a matter of fact, I took her to the UDC National (where Dobie SAR handlers would meet up to train together and make suggestions for performance problems. She, of course, worked flawlessly there!) I decided for the fun of it to try her in the bad man coming out acting like he was going to attack us exercise. Addie was only 9 months old at the time. When it was our turn she just stood looking at the guy. Did not cower. Ray Carlisle took me aside and said, “Let’s just stand here and let her watch how the other dogs are reacting.” Two dogs with double leads so they couldn’t get loose and hurt the “bad man” took their turns viciously trying to get him. On the next dog, when the bad man came out threatening the handler, Addie leaped and slipped her collar and raced for him. Ray started screaming “Loose dog! Loose dog!!” I was so embarrassed!! The bad man jumped onto a place that had been pre-set up for his escape and safety. Addie tried to get to him. Someone slipped a lead over her neck and I went to get her. I was mortified expecting to be chastised for my dog getting loose. As I turned with her back towards the audience/group waiting their turn, EVERYONE CLAPPED AND CHEERED!! Ray slapped me on the back and was so proud of her. This little 9 month old girl had grit.
Even on hikes I’d end up having to put her on a leash. For within a half hour I could see her starting to go “feral” and knew it was just a matter of minutes before she would take off. Thus the name, Baddie Addie.
When Addie was 18 months old, I finally accepted that SAR was not her thing. But she and I had formed a strong bond. She was allowed to just be a dog and do her thing. There wasn’t a ground squirrel or gopher allowed on our property. She would lay in wait for literally hours to get them. At night she would ask to be let out when the the raccoons raided the fruit trees. I couldn’t let her stay out there barking at them for the neighbors’ sake. But the only way she would back down is if you PRAISED HER and told her how great she was. THEN she’d come back in the house. Telling her to “hush” and get back in the house, did NOT work. Ha!!
A great watch dog, but once company was in the house, she was your friend. While standing talking she would place her head on a visitor’s waist looking up with gorgeous sweet eyes at them. She’d win even the most Dobiephobes over.
My mother in law was living with us. One day she fell down and couldn’t get up. (We weren’t home) She says Addie laid there with her and made her feel better until help came. She also loved that dog.
Addie and I loved each other. I don’t know why but we can’t help loving the little “rebel” bad kid. The little imp. The little stinker that has a ton of spunk. You have to smile at their creative antics.
I had noticed at 9 years old that Addie’s stamina wasn’t what it used to be. I just figured she was aging. But one night she asked to be let out. Within a half hour of coming back in and laying on her bed (by my bed) I heard some horrible noises coming from her. She died within seconds of what must have been sudden death cardiomyopathy.
I was heartbroken.
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