Photos of Nushi, the Caucasian Ovcharka
Poor Nushi!
Nushi had surgery on March 26, 2003 to reconstruct the tissue around her
genital area because of a chronic irritation problem. Although she was good
at the hospital, once back on home turf she would not leave the stitches
alone, and had to return to the vet for mending. Since neither the cervical
nor the Elizabethan collars worked, our vet devised this lovely Rubbermaid
bucket, which really did the job, and didn't deter her much from eating
or defending!
We are happy to report that she is fully recovered. The only lingering evidence of her ordeal was a funny, mildew smell on her ruff from the saliva that would run down the bucket and collect in the hair. Ugh! Bathtime for Nushi!
Nushi's beach excursion! Nushi, Tyler, Joel and I escaped the heat on the
4th of July weekend in 1999 by spending the day at Port Weller beach on
Lake Ontario in Canada. This is Nushi's first swimming experience, and while
reluctant at first, she came to enjoy to cool water and open space of the
sandy beach. 
Joel and I both walked Nushi out over her head to get her used to the idea of swimming, and at first she headed for shore whenever we allowed.
Pamela is obviously delighted with Nushi's performance. Nushi isn't amused!
Nushi characteristically takes up a protective position to keep her flock safe from beach bums while Joel and I keep cool in our chairs in the water.
Nushi enjoys the strong wind that blew off Lake Ontario that day... it was like being in a blast furnace during the afternoon, but she obviously enjoyed it after cooling off in the lake.
Nushi and Tyler exploring. We had to hold him up by his harness when we walked in the lake because he's so short! The beach was empty, so we let the leashes go for short periods of time.
Nushi displays her photogenic best as she meets Wolf Park photographer Monty Sloan, who kindly took this picture with his digital camera on Sunday, April 24, 1999.
Nushi conserves energy, saving it up for those moments when she must deter any threat to her territory. Here she displays Her classic casual method of parking her rear end on a convenient mound of snow (or on the couch, whichever is handy). Photo taken January 1999.
You can tell when a chill is in the air... Nushi perks up faster than a commuter with a morning cup of coffee! She LOVES the snow, loves to bury her nose in it and throw it up in the air with wild abandon, and loves to bound through the drifts. Photo taken January 1999.
Nushi happily tramping about on the Chautauqua County trails. There is a small pond with a huge beaver dam to her right. We often drive out here so Nushi can enjoy off-lead time, not to mention the stop we always make at the Upper Crust Bake House -- yum! Photo taken September 2005. Notice her graying around the muzzle and her upper front legs. Nushi just turned 10 years old on April 2nd!
Nushi doesn't look nearly as happy in July 2008 when we had to cut her beautiful coat down to a mere 2" -- all over! After a bout with illness, the vet wanted to evaluate her walking gait and spine. It's quite amazing to see how slim she really is! Looks a bit like a new fancy breed of poodle (Nushi is NOT amused when I say that!)
Nushi's favorite spot in the house, on her double-thick fleece pads, next to Mommy's chair. That at least makes up for her loss of hair which nicely cushioned her most of her life. Ah well, it will grow back!
Another view of Nushi outside, licking her lips after sucking up a little ice water. Here you can really see the abdominal cut that is normally hidden by her long "feathers" when she's in full coat. She's lost some of the feeling in her rear legs and feet... we can easily just bend her foot under, and she doesn't try and correct it now. But she still gets around... and still loves her fenced yard!
Last updated 6 August 2008
www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~pmrose/nushipic.html