Drastic Cougar Hrustyk - aka Sweetness (01/26/2008 -03/26/2023)

Drastic was a remarkable dog who came into my life when she was 13 months old. From the start, it was clear that she was a wild child with boundless energy, a ton of stress, and some issues with people. She was a Malinois after all. 

True to her breed, Drastic was an exceptional athlete, and she excelled in every activity she tried. Okay, she did not excel at dock diving. I think she only jumped about 10 feet.  She was, however, an incredible flyball dog, and even though I burned a ton of calories, sweat buckets, and sometimes ended up bleeding, I always had a blast running her. Of all my dogs, she was the one with whom I felt most in the zone with when racing. Over the years, Drastic achieved numerous flyball accolades, and I'm immensely proud of everything she accomplished.

Despite the fact that I ran every morning and attended flyball practice three times a week, I quickly realized that Drastic's needs were not being met. So, for her sanity or perhaps mine, we joined a Schutzhund group and added three more days of training to our week. She loved it and completely blew me away with how focused she was and how easily she picked up the new skills.

She also loved swimming, hiking, Jolly toys, and running with my other dogs. She got along well with other dogs, if anything was submissive. People, on the other hand, she wasn't a fan of many people. Those she did like, she made it known with her attempts to get into their skin.

Drastic was the smartest dog in my home, and she was always eager to please me. Sometimes, her enthusiasm could be a bit extra, but she just loved to work and was always up for a challenge.

I think one of the toughest things about an aging pet is not only knowing your time is limited but also witnessing the aging process and seeing them slow down. Drastic really didn't slow down. She was incredibly athletic until the day she passed, which is pretty amazing. The downside of that is, she left a big hole in my home because she still acted like a young dog.

Despite the sadness of her passing, I try to find joy in knowing that she lived her life to the fullest always giving everything she had. I will forever cherish the memories of the countless hours we spent training and racing together, as well as the bond we shared. The joy and energy that Drastic brought into my life will never be forgotten, and she will always hold a special place in my heart.