Home with Gary

I have had a fun week staying home with Gary. Mom told me it was my job to take care of him and not let him do too much. We did a lot of relaxing inside and out. It was fun to sit out on the deck with him in the mornings. And then he would sit on the deck and let me play outside.

We also got a big fruit bouquet from Gary's work, so we ate fruit all week. I really like fruit, it is GOOD! I also shared lunch with Gary every day. This is what it looked like before we ate it!

I was good all week, I knew he was not feeling good and I did not jump on him or stiff arm him. I just walked with him and laid on the couch with him. I kept my eye on him all week, just like I was supposed to. I am really going to miss him next week when he goes back to work, we really enjoyed our time together.

Agility Trial Day Two

We were running late this morning as Mom was really tired. Mom always gets to a trial one hour before it starts, but today we just got setup when Mom had to go walk and then I was the ninth dog in the ring. We didn't have much time before our run. We took a quick walk before Mom put me in my cage so she could go walk. Open Fast was first, but again, it was a really bad approach to the aframe, including a tunnel / aframe discrimination and then a send out to the weave poles. Mom decided right away that we were just going to run for fun and not set me up to be hurt or to fail.

We did jump/aframe/weaves and then on through the course. I did a great discrimation and even hit my weaves on the very first try. Mom was so proud of me and so glad she made the decision that she did. Sometimes the Q is not the best thing! We had a really fun time and zipped right through everything.

We had about 4 hours before our next run, so we went out for a long walk. It was pretty steamy outside and I got really hot. It was not as hot as yesterday though.

Open Standard was our next class. It was hard as there were two discrimations with the aframe/tunnel. We had to take the aframe the first time and the tunnel the second. There was a pinwheel of jumps really close to the teeter and a lot of dogs were either taking the teeter or putting their feet on it. I was very good and did all the discrimations properly. I had one refusal on the jump after the aframe and then it took two tries for my weaves. But I didn't have any off courses and I got right on the table and sat down. Little dogs were having trouble getting through the pinwheel without touching the teeter and I did it very well. Mom worked hard on the last jump this time to make sure that I knew to take it.

We had a long wait before our next run, probably about 5 hours. It started to rain and Mom took me out to potty and we were soaked. We walked and walked and walked. Even with my short hair, water was running off of me. We got towels to dry me, but Mom was taking too long and I kept going through her legs and drying on her shorts. Then Susie walked over to talk to Maureen and she had her back to us. So I rubbed my whole body across her butt to try my side. Mom apologized, but they thought it was funny. Mom needs to hurry up and get me dry!

At 4:30 we were walking our course. It was a pretty tough JWW course for novice. A lot of crosses and off course opportunities. Mom had several front crosses planned, hmmm, we will see :) I was really excited for my jumpers course when Mom took me to the ring. She was afraid I would be hot and tired, but I was READY! We were doing really well up to obstacle #9, Mom tried to do a landing side front cross and I went by the jump. We were able to go back and fix it and then Mom had to work really hard for the last four jumps. They were basically in a row, but offset and she was not able to get that front cross she planned. We did it though, we qualified with a third place and our second Novice JWW leg. I got a really cool toy too!

I had a lot of fun this weekend. It was a long weekend, but Mom was with me most of the time and we took a lot of walks. Mom also thought I had really good focus and attention outside the ring.

Name That Caption

Mike Lifer took this cute picture of me and it was the photo of the day on Sunday. There was a game "name that caption" - I think it is pretty obvious, I am showing Mom who is really running the show in agility!

click on this link:
http://www.mlifer.com/mlp/album/index.html?openfolder=dn_e/Edge-Melissa_Chandler-Weimaraner/&openfile=MLP03059803_5934.JPG

There are a lot of other great pictures of me there too!

Agility Trial Day One

Mom and I were entered in a local trial this weekend and we did not think we would be able to go. But Mom and Gary talked and thought it was best that we go. This way Gary can rest and Mom and I can do something together since Mom has been gone all week and we have not been to class or had a chance to train.

We had to get up really early as we were in the very first class. Our first class was Open Fast. The send was two jumps at an angle, but it was really hard to get points as all the high value obstacles were facing the same direction. Mom planned a nice course for me, but she pulled me off the jump with her body language. She was actually pretty happy about that as we have been working on me following her.

Our second class was Open Standard. This is our first time in Open Standard too. Mom was very concerned about the chute to the aframe as it was very tight and a very bad angle for the big dogs. She even talked to the rep about it and had him measure. But it was in a tight corner and he said there was no other way to move it. Then Dr. Joanne was walking and she questioned him about it too. They decided they would have to go the long way around and then rear cross us up the aframe to help the approach. There were a lot of discriminations on the course too, especially a lot of off course tunnels. We also had a U-shaped tunnel with a chute beside it. So a lot of communication to know which opening to take.

We had a very nice run going but then I slid off the table. I tried really hard to hang on and was even "teetering" on the edge (ha - that's funny!) but I fell off. Then when I got back on I was stressed that I couldn't hang on and I didn't lay down right away. After the aframe was the weave poles and I missed my first entry, but hit on the second try. And then I did really great poles. Mom was very proud of me to hit on the second try as well as perform them so well. We didn't qualify, but we had some really nice parts in our run. And Mom thought one of the best parts was my great attention and focus before we ran. She said it was the best ever!

The crating was in a separate building and the air conditioner broke. It was really hot where we were crated and I do NOT like to be hot. We ran standard at 12:30 and Mom just walked our JWW course at 5:30, so I was really hot by the time we ran JWW. I did a nice job considering, but then ran past the last jump. I was focused on Mom and I don't think she really gave me good direction. Hmm... Maureen told her the same thing!

We had a good day, but it was sure a long one and really hot in the afternoon.

Gary Comes Home Today!

Mom told me that Gary gets to come home today - YEA! I have really missed him and I know he has missed me too! Mom talked to me and told me that Gary was really sore from his surgery and I had to be a very good boy and not run into him. Gary and I do the "male thing" and we bash and crash and I stiff arm him! Mom said I could not do that when he comes home.

Mom left about noon to get Gary and I was so excited, I could not wait to see him. When they walked in the door I was sooo happy. Mom wanted me to stay in my cage and said she would use baby gates to keep me away from Gary. He said no way, just let me out of my cage. He leaned up against the wall and mom kept my collar.

I was a VERY good boy. I knew I couldn't do anything to hurt him. I just walked up and leaned against him and then sat down and talked to him. I had so much to tell him. Mom was so impressed that I was a good boy and knew just what to do. I was very careful not to run into him and I did not jump on him either.

Mom and I spent a lot of time outside tonight though. Gary did not get much sleep at the hospital and had a lot of pain, so he was very grouchy. We decided it was best to just go outside for awhile.

Gary surgery day

Gary had to have heart "surgery" today. They did a heart cath and discovered he was 95% blocked and very fortunate to still be with us. He had to have 2 stints put in his heart to open the blockage. Mom and I felt so bad for him as they started the procedure at St. Ann's and then stopped, transported him to Mt. Carmel West and then did the rest of it.

Mom worked a little and then went to the hospital to be with him before and after surgery. I did not mind waiting at home as I was worried about Gary.

When Mom came home in the afternoon, she said Gary sent me something since we did not get to share our morning cereal. She opened a napkin and handed me some "roast beef" (at least that is what the hospital said it was!) I sniffed it and made a funny face, sniffed it again and walked away. I sure do not know what it was, but nothing like I have eaten before. I hope Gary doesn't get sick again from eating it.

Mom took me out to play and get some exercise before she had to go back to the hospital. She went back to see Gary after I ate dinner. It is going to be another long night since Gary is not home.

Gary

Gary went to the doctor Tuesday evening since he wasn't feeling any better. He had a 5:30 appointment and at about 6:30 we were wondering what was taking him so long. He finally called us about 6:40 and said that he had been having heart attacks and they called the ambulance to take him to the hospital. He didn't know where they were taking him and he had to hang up. Finally the doctor's office called Mom and told her that he was going to St. Ann's but all his stuff was at the doctor's office. So we quickly got in the van and went to the doctors to get all of Gary's stuff.

I really didn't understand what all this meant, but mom explained to me that Gary was sick and had to go to the hospital. Mom does not like to leave me at night, but she told me that I had to be a big boy and stay home and watch the house while she went to the ER to see Gary. She told me she would be home as soon as she could.

I was a good boy in my cage as I was worried about Gary. Mom came home about 11:00 and told me that Gary had to stay all night and would not be home. I just didn't understand as I had not seen him since early this morning, and he never said that he would not be home. We did not sleep well as I was waiting on Gary.

Hot weekend

We didn't get out to play much this weekend because it was so hot. We did play a little in the mornings before the sun came out. I still didn't feel the best and mom knew I was not myself. So we didn't do a lot of training, just "playing" in the backyard in the early morning and when it cooled off at night time.

Gary didn't feel well this weekend either. It was just a quiet weekend around our house.

New dog in Rally Class

We went to rally class tonight and there was a new dog there. A Golden Retriever named Ethan. I did not want to turn my back on him since I did not know him, so it was really hard to do our course as I had to keep my eye on him. He also brought his two little human kids with him and I wanted to play with them!

Everyone thought it was because he was in tact and so am I, but so are several other dogs in our class that do not bother me. I just felt like he was worth keeping an eye on. Mom told me I had to keep working and work through it as he may be at a trial with us or another dog just like him!

Class tonight

Mom and I went to run thru class tonight. I had fun, but was still a little under the weather. We did two standard runs and I did a good job, doing great weaves including Mom rear crossing me into them. I don't think we've done that before. She told me what a good boy I was. Then we did a JWW course and Mom got lost!! Well, she forgot a cross and then got all mixed up. So we had to go back to the weaves and try again. She did better the second time :)

A better day

I am finally feeling better today. Mom gave me turkey necks with pumpkin and asparagus again this morning just to be safe. She said if I do well today she will let me have something else tonight. I want an egg!! I tried to steal one this morning when she fixed breakfast but she wouldn't let me. We have been going outside to play every couple of hours for about 15 minutes at a time. I love going out to hunt and run, but then I come in and rest.

I can't wait to get back to normal diet and normal play! This sick stuff is no fun.

No rally this weekend

We were entered in a rally trial Friday and Saturday and was not able to go since I did not feel well. We are sad as we were really looking forward to this trial. It is at a really nice site and there is air conditioning! Plus Jean was coming to watch and I was really excited to see Jean. In fact, Mom thought I may be too excited to do my rally!

RUN! Turkey necks can be dangerous!

Since my belly was upset, Mom thought that turkey necks might be better for me. She said they have more fiber and less fat. But she wanted to grind them for me. Mom put the grinder together and got everything ready, plugged it in and put in the first turkey neck. They are so big that it was sticking out really far. I was watching and then all of a sudden the turkey neck starting going round and round and hit a glass and flung it across the kitchen. I had to duck and run as that glass was headed right at me. Mom yelled and jumped out of the way too. She had to get back in there though and unplug the grinder. I peaked around the corner as I had no idea what was going on.

Well, I guess Mom didn't put the grinder together right and forget one little piece, obviously a very important piece. When they grind food, Gary always puts the grinder together as Mom preps the kitchen. Good thing we didn't get hurt!

It was all worth it though, the turkey necks with pumpkin and asparagus are helping my belly!

Rough week

I have had a bad week. It started on Tuesday evening when I vomited my dinner 5 hours after I ate. Then continued with really bad diarrhea until the wee hours of the morning. But I felt better at 2:30am and grabbed a toy and ran upstairs and jumped on Gary to let him know! :)

I was good all day Wed, but got sick again late Wed night and was up most of the night again. Mom thought I was better Wed morning so she was shocked when I had really bad diarrhea late Thursday night again. Mom and I were up all night long, she watched all kinds of weird TV.

I was only sick at night, fine all day, so everyone was very perplexed what was going on with me. Mom has changed my food so I am eating the same thing at night. She gave me pumpkin and gastrazyme and increased my probiotics.

We went to see Dr. Badami on Friday afternoon and she gave me some fluids and some meds. The fluids were really strange, I kept thinking something was on my back and tried to get it. Then it tickled as it ran down my sides and I kept biting and scratching it.

We stayed up until 11:30 on Friday night and I was doing good, so Mom thought it was safe to go to bed. It was so nice to sleep in bed ALL night. We even slept in until 8:00. We all needed it as we have not got a full night sleep all week.

TIRED!

We have had such a great Holiday weekend and now I am tired! I curled up on my comfy bed with my pig pillow and took a nap. Just a little nap before dinner, another big cookout! So I need my rest so I can enjoy all the good food.

I hope all my friends had a great Holiday weekend too - with lots of good food!

Cookie making day

We made salmon cookies today! Salmon cookies are yummy and I like having them in the freezer at all times. I always help Mom make them as I am a GOOD helper!

tunnels, weaves and shrimp!

We went out to play this morning and worked on tunnels and weaves. The best part is that my reward was shrimp!!! Wow - how exciting to get shrimp for doing fun stuff. I wish every day could start this way.

Happy 4th of July!

We started our Holiday by going outside to play. But then, as always, Mom made me pose for pictures. Oh well, she gave me good cookies and I got to chase my ball. We did some tunnels and weaves too! It is so nice outside this morning.

Have a great Holiday!

Great cookout and fireworks ...

all in my backyard. We started the evening with a wonderful cookout, I had tuna steak and shrimp. I love fish!!! Gary and I shared the shrimp when Mom went to the store, that was fun!! Then Gary cooked my tuna steak on the grill and I supervised. I knew he would sneak some bites if I didn't keep my eye on him. I might let him have one bite, but that is all. Mom gave me a bite of beans too and Gary was worried. I thought they were yummy but Mom wouldn't let me have anymore.

We sat on the deck later in the evening and our neighbors had fireworks. They were right over us and fun to watch. I knew exactly where they were and would keep watching for more! I was worried a little and would run to the door but then come back to watch some more of them. Mom brought my bed out and I laid in my bed on the deck and watched.

What a fun night we had, I sure hope we can do it all again tomorrow!!!

Happy!

I am so happy today, I went out in my backyard to run and play - woohoo! And then when I got in the house, Gary was bringing in shrimp - a LOT of it! So another great Holiday cookout with shrimp.

BIG BONES!

I got another one of my bones tonight too. I was so happy that I got to play and then came home to chew a big bone. What a great way to end a rough week.

A good Friday!

It has been a rough week. It has been so nice outside and I could not play! But things were much better tonight! We went to rally class and we did 2 courses! I had a lot of fun and Mom was happy as it was good practice for next weekend. We worked on our "honor exercise" too as we need to do that in the next level and we don't practice it very much.



Lis delivered our wooden "EDGE" tonight too and everyone really liked it and I wanted to get it! Mom wrapped it up and put it safely in the training bag to take home.

Whew... I am so glad we got to play tonight, I was really getting worried.

A kiss saves the day!

I am just about ready to burst out of my skin. It is day 3 of doing nothing! I was playing with a ball in the office and it got away from me and flew through the air and knocked over 3 pictures. They all crashed to the floor and one landed in my toy box. I ran under the desk and hit the deck. Then I had an idea... I reached out and gave Mom a big kiss. I really was sorry, I didn't do it on purpose. Whew.... it worked, she smiled at me and told me it was okay. Then she told me what a smart boy I am. Kisses are powerful !