I want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers for Flash.

Flash died on Friday January 9th 2009 ~ 1:00 am of acute renal failure.

On Monday December 29th, after running 3 perfect runs at a trial in Ohio, she vomited in the car on the way home. We went to the vet on Tuesday and they treated her for an upset stomach. When she was still vomiting on Wednesday we went back to the vet. They did an x-ray to make certain there wasn't an obstruction, there wasn't, and they gave her an anti-vomiting medication. New Year's day she just wasn't herself, so we called Mark Rusley and arranged to have him see her the next morning. Mark took blood and urine samples and the initial exam of the urine showed casts, which is an indication of a kidney problem. We went straight from Mark's office to their Dundee location which has a critical care vet to admit Flash to get her started on an IV. Later that day Mark called with the blood results, they weren't good, Flash had kidney disease. This began the worst week in our lives. Flash stayed at the Dundee location being treated for two days at which time the vets suggested we get her to the Veterinary Specialty Center in Buffalo Grove for potential dialysis. We transferred Flash there on Sunday morning. Flash was constantly being monitored, all types of tests were being done including blood work and urine testing. They were not only tracking her progress but also trying to determine a cause. We were there constantly. On Monday evening during a visit we had a glimmer of hope as Flash was barking when you said "want to watch TV" and "Geico guy" and even gave us five. That was last time we saw a glimmer of the Flash we knew. On Tuesday and Wednesday Flash was putting up a great fight as we saw some of her kidney blood values getting better. On Thursday things started to spiral down. Although some of her blood values were getting better we were not seeing the attitude improvement we were hoping for. We were waiting for urine results due Friday am, to determine her treatment plan. We spent almost the entire day and night with her sitting on the floor, petting her and telling her what a good girl she was. Her fight ended around 1:00 Friday morning.

We still have no idea how she came down with this disease. The experts believe is was auto-immune. She was tested for all the common causes and they all came back negative. We will probably never know what took her from us way too soon. Flash was only 5 1/2 years old.

Flash's agility career was outstanding. Most recently, she just earned her MACh6 at Hounds. She made it into the finals at the AKC Invitational finishing in 7th place and earned the Top Border Collie medal. She also earned her ADCH, was in the 22" steeplechase finals twice, and made the finals at last years AKC Nationals.

Most importantly she was my best friend. She was my heart and soul. She was my constant companion and even came to school with me on many occasions. She made the days easier knowing that we would be spending time together going to class, an agility trial or just hanging out together. When she was a puppy she learned to sit with me and watch TV. She had her favorite commercials and programs and would bark at the TV and look at me as if saying "did you see that?". She loved playing in the water "getting the fish" in the baby pools or swimming is the large pool taking breaks on the raft. She was always a happy dog and it made me happy seeing the smile on her face. She was my "baby dog" and Thunder's special friend.

It was a privilage to have spent 5 years with Flash. She was an exceptionally loyal friend and companion. I hope she is in a better place; swimming, running and watching TV. I miss her alot.

Thanks again and I hope that none of you ever have to experience the quick loss of a young dog.

Pam