By looking at the way “Shayna,” a 7 1/2-year-old Saint Bernard, bounced and pranced into the inaugural AKC RACH and AKC Agility Invitational rings at the 2024 AKC National Championship Week, presented by Royal Canin, spectators never guessed it would be the last time they would ever see this dog compete. The cancer had struck, and this was Shayna’s final performance.
The happy, energetic Saint was a hometown hero and social media fan favorite after participating in two past AKC Agility Invitationals, two past AKC Rally Nationals, and one past AKC Obedience Classic. People who knew Shayna and her dire prognosis gathered ringside to cheer her on and tearfully wish her a peaceful journey.
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Four months earlier, Shayna’s owner, Sarah Friedlander, learned that her dog had developed osteosarcoma, an aggressive and fast-moving bone cancer on her right shoulder. The veterinary oncologist gave the 130-pound dog an average of four to six months to live.
Saying “goodbye” to any dog is heart-wrenching and an experience that owners never forget. Training and participating in performance sports together since Shayna was 1 ½-years-old gave the pair a close bond.
The first Saint Bernard to earn an AKC Rally Championship (RACH) title, Shayna RACH Swissmiss Shayna Snowflake CDX BN RM4 RAE2 FDC MXP MJP MFPB DCAT SWN RATN CGCA CGCU TKP ATT received an invitation to compete at this inaugural AKC RACH event, which took place on December 12 and 13 in Orlando, Florida.
So many thoughts flooded Friedlander’s mind about how to make her dog’s last days comfortable and whether to make the 17-hour drive from her home in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, to the Orlando, Florida Invitational.
Friedlander consulted her oncologist about what to do. He advised her to have fun in Florida and let her dog do whatever she wanted. Also, if any problem on the road, to know where the nearest emergency veterinarians were. “I felt mortified and worried about what to do if my dog dies on the way down or back?” she says.
©Pix 'n Pages
The night before the show proved a nerve-wracking experience for Shayna’s owner. “It was so hard thinking about what we would do once we got there.”
“I wanted my dog to be happy and not suffer, but knowing how much she loved being in the ring and hearing people clap for her made my decision,” Friedlander says. “When we walked into the building, Shayna felt the energy and the vibe. She picked her head up and wagged her tail like crazy.”
At the agility ring, Friedlander changed jump height to four inches. “Normally Shayna competes in 20-inch preferred, but I felt four inches was enough,” Friedlander says. “A few people who didn’t know about Shayna’s cancer questioned this decision, but once I explained the change, they were sympathetic.” Given the chance, Shayna would have loved to give the teeter a go, but Friedlander said, “No.” “I let her do the tunnel, and I couldn’t believe all the clapping and cheering when she emerged. I know she had a blast.”
Before they entered the RACH Invitational ring, Friedlander explained to the judge about Shayna’s condition and said that they would only walk to two signs before heading out. I started to cry, and Judge Barbara Wedekind Selton was so kind.” When they left the ring, people cheered, which helped comfort Friedlander.
©Pix 'n Pages
In Rally, Shayna would have run the whole course, but Friedlander was worried about the tumor breaking. “Eventually, the bone will weaken and break, and I’m trying to keep it intact as long as possible,” she says. Friedlander watched her dog jumping around and being happy but was worried about letting her too much. “She wants to be in the ring because she honestly loves it and doesn’t want to stop,” Friedlander says.
At the Invitational, performance competitors receive a swag bag with a commemorative pin from each event. Friedlander affixed Shayna’s pins and patches to a vest and wore it during competitions. “This time, when I added the third set of Shayna’s Invitational pins to the vest, I realized they would be the last pins she would ever earn,” Friedlander says. “When I look at that vest with all the pins and patches we’ve collected from every competition we’ve entered, I’m amazed.”
“Seeing her cavorting around the arena, with her tail going, and begging food from people, I know I made the right decision,” Friedlander says. “I’m glad Shayna could do her two favorite sports and be the center of attention with everyone cheering for her. That’s the way I’ll always remember her. She’s an amazing dog, and I’ve had the privilege of making this journey with her.”
The post Saint Bernard ‘Shayna’s’ Final Appearance at the AKC National Championship appeared first on American Kennel Club.
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Dealing With the Worst News
The happy, energetic Saint was a hometown hero and social media fan favorite after participating in two past AKC Agility Invitationals, two past AKC Rally Nationals, and one past AKC Obedience Classic. People who knew Shayna and her dire prognosis gathered ringside to cheer her on and tearfully wish her a peaceful journey.
©Pix 'n Pages
Four months earlier, Shayna’s owner, Sarah Friedlander, learned that her dog had developed osteosarcoma, an aggressive and fast-moving bone cancer on her right shoulder. The veterinary oncologist gave the 130-pound dog an average of four to six months to live.
Saying “goodbye” to any dog is heart-wrenching and an experience that owners never forget. Training and participating in performance sports together since Shayna was 1 ½-years-old gave the pair a close bond.
The first Saint Bernard to earn an AKC Rally Championship (RACH) title, Shayna RACH Swissmiss Shayna Snowflake CDX BN RM4 RAE2 FDC MXP MJP MFPB DCAT SWN RATN CGCA CGCU TKP ATT received an invitation to compete at this inaugural AKC RACH event, which took place on December 12 and 13 in Orlando, Florida.
Making Healthy Choices
So many thoughts flooded Friedlander’s mind about how to make her dog’s last days comfortable and whether to make the 17-hour drive from her home in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, to the Orlando, Florida Invitational.
Friedlander consulted her oncologist about what to do. He advised her to have fun in Florida and let her dog do whatever she wanted. Also, if any problem on the road, to know where the nearest emergency veterinarians were. “I felt mortified and worried about what to do if my dog dies on the way down or back?” she says.
©Pix 'n Pages
Arriving at the Show
The night before the show proved a nerve-wracking experience for Shayna’s owner. “It was so hard thinking about what we would do once we got there.”
“I wanted my dog to be happy and not suffer, but knowing how much she loved being in the ring and hearing people clap for her made my decision,” Friedlander says. “When we walked into the building, Shayna felt the energy and the vibe. She picked her head up and wagged her tail like crazy.”
At the agility ring, Friedlander changed jump height to four inches. “Normally Shayna competes in 20-inch preferred, but I felt four inches was enough,” Friedlander says. “A few people who didn’t know about Shayna’s cancer questioned this decision, but once I explained the change, they were sympathetic.” Given the chance, Shayna would have loved to give the teeter a go, but Friedlander said, “No.” “I let her do the tunnel, and I couldn’t believe all the clapping and cheering when she emerged. I know she had a blast.”
Before they entered the RACH Invitational ring, Friedlander explained to the judge about Shayna’s condition and said that they would only walk to two signs before heading out. I started to cry, and Judge Barbara Wedekind Selton was so kind.” When they left the ring, people cheered, which helped comfort Friedlander.
©Pix 'n Pages
In Rally, Shayna would have run the whole course, but Friedlander was worried about the tumor breaking. “Eventually, the bone will weaken and break, and I’m trying to keep it intact as long as possible,” she says. Friedlander watched her dog jumping around and being happy but was worried about letting her too much. “She wants to be in the ring because she honestly loves it and doesn’t want to stop,” Friedlander says.
At the Invitational, performance competitors receive a swag bag with a commemorative pin from each event. Friedlander affixed Shayna’s pins and patches to a vest and wore it during competitions. “This time, when I added the third set of Shayna’s Invitational pins to the vest, I realized they would be the last pins she would ever earn,” Friedlander says. “When I look at that vest with all the pins and patches we’ve collected from every competition we’ve entered, I’m amazed.”
“Seeing her cavorting around the arena, with her tail going, and begging food from people, I know I made the right decision,” Friedlander says. “I’m glad Shayna could do her two favorite sports and be the center of attention with everyone cheering for her. That’s the way I’ll always remember her. She’s an amazing dog, and I’ve had the privilege of making this journey with her.”
The post Saint Bernard ‘Shayna’s’ Final Appearance at the AKC National Championship appeared first on American Kennel Club.
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