The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Hello! My name is Brittney and I've been lurking on this board for about a month or so. I got my cocker spaniel puppy 2 months ago. I love him to pieces! He is a blue roan parti color. His name is Borg Amadeus. He has a marking above his eye like 7 of 9 from Star Trek, which is where the Borg comes from. He also has an 8th note on his back, which is where Amadeus originates.

I am in my early 20's, childless, and had to have a hysterectomy. I have severe anxiety problems as well. The past two months with him has made a significant difference in my ability to cope with not only my anxiety, but also with the presence of pregnant women, babies, and children(which used to bring tears on sight, and occasionally on mention).

I hope to have him pass is CGC test. I also know there is a significant amount of discrimination against the term "service dogs" for those with psychological disabilities. This greatly upsets me. I hope to find a way to get around this and truly certify him as a service dog. I'm nearing agoraphobic without his presence. The world is a scary place and I don't want to be a part of it without him. He is the only reason I feel comfortable leaving more often.

Anyways, here is my baby boy, my pride and joy.

Borg is a doll

Welcome!!!!! Borg is handsome...

Welcome! I also aquired my Cocker not only as a family pet, but because of my anxiety as well. I have aquired a doctors recommendation since I wont take medication. She has been such a part of my life during any sort of episode. One time I swallowed some water wrong and coughed violently and she came running up, put her paw on my chest and started licking my face, thats when I knew she would try to comfort me through anything. Borg will be such a great part of your life, welcome to the boards and the pup is adorable!

Congrats on Borg!

About six months after I suffered a traumatic brain injury, I rescued my cocker Vivi and Vivi rescued me. More than two years passed, I still suffer from migraines and other lingering symptoms from the tbi. Vivi and Sky have been a god-send to me. I cannot express the comfort they have given me on the dark days.

I wish you many happy years with Borg! Please post more pics of Borg

Ginny

He' is darling!

He is darling! Good luck with training for service dog!

He is too cute for words.

I am happy to hear that you are doing well with your puppy. The best is yet to come. They have truly remarkable healing qualities and a tremendous amount of love to give.

OMG Cuteness overload! WHAT A DOLL BABY! Please know that little bundle of love will be the best thing that has ever happened to you! ENJOY!

Thank you for all of your welcoming replies. Borg is happy to be so well received.

I appreciate the personal stories about your own hardships and how your lovely cocker fur-baby helped you.

I had to explain to Borg about neutering. And then he had to get it done. Poor little guy.

Welcome to the forum!! Borg is so cute!! This is a great place for questions, knowledge, and just plain enjoyment of cockers. We do love pictures, so post when you can!!

I'm SO glad that you found us. They call cocker spaniels " Velcro dogs" for a good reason. I think the best part of them is they can love the most difficult parts of us. He is such a cute pup and I wish you many happy years with your pup.

Welcome! Borg is definitely a cutie and everyone is right, you couldn't have picked a better breed. I think it's very unfortunate that some people are taking advantage of the service dog title just so they can take their pets into places they normally wouldn't be able to. It's a total disservice to those that truly need it. Best of luck on that venture.

Just wanted to clarify one thing. Borg is not a blue roan, but a blue merle.

Welcome, Brittney! Borg is so cute! Glad to hear he's already an important part of your life and is helping you. He looks adorable. Hope to keep hearing from you guys.

Hello. I don't know much about what makes them different. From what I understand, most dogs that include roan have ticking, which Borg also does not have. He is, however, officially registered with the AKC as being a blue roan parti color. His parents are both *registered as* blue roans as well. Again, I don't really understand the difference. I just know he is black, silver, and white.

Edit: So, I read through the more detailed information on zim's and also on wiki. I think I understand more now why you say he is a blue merle. From what I've gathered, they don't recognize blue merle as a registrable color (though zim's sounded as though they may have recently started... haven't found the info yet). I hope he doesn't develop any health problems as a result!

(In edit also removed half a sentence and added "registered as" because I did not see the parents personally.)

Here is a photo of my Tucker. He is a blue roan and tan boy. His skin is all one color, pink and you can see his markings look like paint thrown on him. His nose and eye rims are solid black, no merle colorings. The pads on his feet are black as well as his nails. It is hard to see the tan above his eyes but it also under his tail. His face used to be solid but with age his little white beard has appeared since he is 10yo now.

Welcome, Brittney!
I know what you mean about the service our dogs can do for us. I have Autism, and when I am unable to communicate something, (emotion, opinion, anything really) I do the typical hand flapping, sometimes I will hit my head, and sometimes scratch, even when I don't have an itch. When I am overstimulated (too many people, too many options, too many sounds, ect.) I shut down. Usually I will just sit in a corner, sometimes rocking, and Indy knows (the little one is learning) to come over, he will crawl in my lap and just sit here until I have calmed down. I can sometimes tell before I am overstimulated, and I call over Indy, it takes me half the time to calm down when he is right there. Although I usually hate being touched, one of my favorite things to do is just sit there with my two dogs in my lap, my symptoms are alway less when they are around. It truly is remarkable what they can do, and what they know to do instinctively.
Anyway, welcome, your Borg is adorable, and I can't wait to see more pictures of that little cutie!

WOW what a cutie!! Good luck on getting him certified, I think it's wonderful that our pets can be such a great resource for dealing with the challenges of life.

Such a sweetie !!
I am not sure who rescued who here - Simon is in a much better place with me and he is my friend/baby/ confidant - you name it he is it. They are so much more than "pets".
I am happy you found him.

What a cute little sweet pea. I love the name you chose.

Welcome! As someone who is also early 20's and unable to have babies, I completely understand. My friends and family tease me mercilessly about my "kids" the Cockers, but I know that they totally get it and support me. Thankfully, I got both of my boys before I found out about not being able to have kids, so they were already filling that role and it just made me love and spoil them even more. I think you made a great choice. Among their other wonderful personality traits, I find Cockers to be very empathetic dogs. I am not a frequent crier, but when I do I always seem to have a dog licking away my tears and clamoring to get into my lap. When I am sick, they nap and cuddle with me, and seem to know that they need to dial back the playfulness and craziness. Anyway, welcome again.

Glad to see that Borg is so helpful and of course being as cute as he is...he will be spoiled in no time at all. Hope he is able to get his CGC and help you all the more.