Relaxing on the deck

After our cookout, we sat on the deck to enjoy the nice night. It was so peaceful and comfy on the deck tonight.


Then I heard Gary's ice cubes. Is it what I think it is??

Yes, it is!! It is gin and tonic, I LOVE gin and tonic. Especially gin soaked ice cubes.
Can I risk it?? Is he watching?? I think I can make it....


YES! Success - I got a drink of gin and tonic!
What a GREAT night!

Good Helper!

We had another cookout tonight and I got the pot holder so I could help! Help eat all the good food that is!!

Rolling in the cool grass

We went out to set up a course for tonight and I found a really cool spot under the trees. It felt so good to roll around on my back in the cool grass!!

To the park

We went to the park today and walked on the path. It was really nice in the shade, but then when we got out by the ball fields it was really hot. We had a lot of fun though and saw a lot of different people and kids. I enjoyed all the new smells too.


Mom took our new ZEB to test it on the mosquitoes. They were really bad last night and this morning and she kept forgetting to take it with us. It really seemed to help at the park, not one mosquito bothered us the entire time. We are going to keep testing it to see if it continues to work so well. If so, she said I can have my own on my collar!

Morning Run

It was so nice outside this morning, Mom and I went out for an early morning run. My leg is MUCH better now after lots of work and TLC. Mom said she may take me to see Dr. Karen just to make sure that it is okay. She worries about this too much! Gary and I told her it was just a "stinger" and Gary said it was probably on my "funny bone." I didn't know I had a funny bone??!!

First big agility boo boo

When Mom came home we went out and set up a really hard open course. I ran around for about 30 minutes while Mom set it up. We went inside and I was so hot, I laid in front of the fan even in the A/C, so Mom turned it on for me.

After I was cooled off, we went out to play on the course. The first time I did a good job, but Mom was not happy with how she handled it, so we did a few parts here and there and then went back to do the entire course again. We were almost done, only 3 jumps to go and I did the triple and wrapped it so tight, I hit it with my right rear leg. I moved the entire side panel and took down all the bars. I screamed and limped and couldn't move my leg - it REALLY hurt. Mom made me lay down on the ground and she gave me a lot of cookies to eat while she rubbed my leg. I didn't want to move it as it really hurt. After she worked on it, I limped over to my training bag for more cookies and water. We went in the house and I got zebbed, I didn't want that either! I just want to go outside and play again. Hopefully it was just a "stinger" and I will be all better soon.

Bison bone!

Look what I got today! YUM! Mom is doing "house stuff" so she gave me a great big bone to chew on. I was a very good boy and kept it on my bed so I didn't get it all over the floor.

Decisions, decisions

I was put in a tough situation at rally class last night. We were practicing our drop on recalls. When I got to my "front" position, Mom told me to "round" which means I am supposed to go around her and stop in heel position. Well... as I went "round" I realized she was standing right beside the aframe. hmm... is this a trick, what is a boy to do?? I know when we do this in our agility yard I am supposed to do my "bottom" (2o/2o) So, I made the best decision I could and I did my "bottom" in heel position. I couldn't be wrong with that decision could I???

Well, Mom smiled at me and told me what a great boy I was. And everyone laughed with me, so I guess I made a great decision. whew.... I knew it was a trick! But I got good rewards so I guess I did good!

Rally Class

We went to rally class tonight, I was glad to go as we have not been in 3 weeks. I really missed my rally friends and we even have a new girl in class, so that was exciting. Mom said that I am "maturing" whatever THAT means... but she said we did not have to do all our warm up games for me to focus. I was just glad to be there to play. We worked on my waits in the ring while other dogs were doing the course as we have to do that in the next level. I did a good job, but Mom was still giving me reward cookies. And good cookies as we had left over tuna steak! I can sit still for tuna steak!

Then we had to do waits while the cute little puppy ran back and forth in front of us. Hmmm, I don't think that is fair! I did what I was supposed to, but I really wanted to go play with that cute little puppy!

One of the other dogs in class was having trouble sitting still. So they were trying to set her up to move so they could correct her. Mom told them maybe they should reward her for sitting still... I'm glad that is what Mom does with me. I don't like being in trouble! I didn't like it when the other dogs were in trouble either. I like to have FUN!!

On our way home, we stopped at the pet store and got fish cookies. Then we played in our back yard when we got home - two times! It is nice to get home from class early so we can still play outside. And tonight, a ground hog was teasing me. What is it with all these critters picking on me. He was by the neighbors barn and he kept going back and forth from the barn to the grove of trees and all I could do was watch on the other side of the fence. One of these days....

First Agility Picture

The pictures are finally posted on the photographer's website from our first trial. This is the one they posted of me!! Look how good I am weaving and looking for Mom for where to go next. Stay tuned for the rest of the pictures... I can't wait to see them too!!
photographer website:
http://www.pawprintspet.com/CVGRC%206-10%20S%20St%20Nv.html

Cook out!

We had a cook out tonight, it was a nice surprise from Gary. He brought home a big tuna steak for me. I tried to take it before it was cooked.... hey, don't I eat "raw diet??" But they insisted on cooking it on the grill and making me wait. It was really good and Mom laughed at me as every time she started to get a piece for me I wagged my tail really fast.

The best part is that we went out and played agility and Mom used some for my treats. And we have more for my treats at school tomorrow! Mom and I worked on tunnel and aframe, I have to learn which is the "right" one to take when they are side by side. After working on it for two nights, Mom said I am doing a good job. I really prefer the aframe though!

Work from home day!

Woohoo!! Mom worked from home today, it is the first time in a LONG time. I was so excited when she told me. We started our day with my chicken leg quarter. I really like getting real bones for breakfast. Mom was surprised how quick I ate it, but I crunched the whole the thing.
Then I just laid under her desk and relaxed. It was so nice to just be in the office with Mom and stretch out on my bed. I got a second breakfast too, because Mom shared hers with me. What a great start to a day.

I played outside for awhile and chased the chipmunk and birds. All the critters seem to come and tease me now. Mom and I went out back at lunch time and I got to RUN! I helped her work in the afternoon, I am a good supervisor!

We went to Dr Karen in the late afternoon and my neck and jaw was much better. We didn't get to practice in the evening since I was adjusted, but I got to play in my back yard. By 9:00 I was exhausted! I couldn't even keep my eyes open - what a GREAT day! I hope Mom can work from home again next week.

Edge and the turtle

Visitor!

Look at what came to see me today! I have never seen one of these before.
Mom kept teasing me that he was going to bite me!

Fun morning

We went out back this morning and I ran and ran and ran. It was SOOO much fun. Mom was worried because I was flying, with my butt tucked, and sliding on the wet grass. She told me to slow down.... what... slow down - that's not fun! It was so nice she brought out her lounge chair and Sunday paper and read the paper while I hunted. Then I got bored and kept stealing her stuff, so we had to come in.

weaving at the park

We loaded two jumps and 6 weaves and drove to the park. There was no one there when we got there so Mom set up a jump and weaves. When I got out, I was SO excited to be there - wow, there were so many new things to check out. We played the "see it" game for awhile and I got to sniff all the bushes. Then we started practice.

I did it, I hit the entry on the very first try even with all the great surroundings. We celebrated and I ate good cookies. We came back and did it again. Then Mom took me for a walk around the park. I saw balloons by the road and wanted to know what they were so we walked over to see them. Then she set up 2 jumps with the weaves. I hit my entry but missed the next pole as I just couldn't turn quick enough. I was SOOOO hot, I couldn't think straight.

We walked a little more and then packed up to go home. I couldn't get comfy in the van because I was so hot. Mom turned my fan on and told me we would go home as soon as she got everything loaded. As soon as we got home, she put me in the house and told me to cool off. I ran outside and started running around my back yard! Gary called me a "drama queen" huh - I'm not a "queen!" it was just cooler in MY yard!

Heading to the Park

Mom is going to take me to the park to work on my weaves. She thinks if she takes me different places that I will get used to hitting my entries on the first try at new places. We shall see....

I heard her tell someone that she has to bungee them to the luggage rack because they don't fold. Now this could be fun!

Full Tummy!

We have had a fun day and it is only noon!! Mom took me out to run this morning and it was really hot, wow! But I was looking for the bunny and didn't care. I had a lot of fun just running and hunting.

Then it was food making day - yea!!! Food making day is so much fun, I get to be the taste tester. Gary had an eye appt, so Mom and I did all the liver and kidney. I always help Mom, especially since Gary wasn't there. Then we started working on the chicken. Mom would let me have chunks as she was cutting and it was really good. I also supervised to make sure that it was good before it was packaged and taken to the freezer. We got 40# done (half of what we have to do) then Gary came home and brought "Noodles" - more yummy stuff to eat. We get the asparagus noodles with chicken and it is REALLY good. Mom always shares with me.

Back to work - we finished the last 40# and now we have a FULL freezer. I have lots of good food to eat.

Oh, I almost forgot!!! Mom got out venison for my dinner - I cannot wait. I was so excited when she let me smell and taste test it this morning.

Run Thrus and Bunny - what a night!

When Mom got home from work she told me I got to play at a new place. I was excited to go meet new friends. We drove for quite awhile and finally pulled in the driveway... I couldn't wait. Mom went in first (as always) so she could walk the course. I was waiting in the van and a really bad storm started, there was thunder, lightning and lots of rain. FINALLY, Mom came out to get me... gosh, sure took her a long time to think about me out in the rain. When we went inside there were so many new friends to meet. I was so excited that we came to play. Mom and I played on the jump and table while waiting our turn. It was really hard for me to pay attention as there were dogs all around me. But I did a good job and stayed with her.

When it was our turn, I got a little distracted as I had turned the wrong way, but then I ran through the tunnel and was ready to go! I missed my weaves on the first try, but went right back and did them. We had some time left so we did another sequence, ending with the weaves. and I did them the first time - woohoo!! Mom and Mary both cheered for me, that was pretty cool! Our time was done and we went back outside to wait for our turn again. Mom didn't want me to wait in the van because of the storm. So we waited in the building and played on the practice equipment and some attention games. We had three turns and I did my weaves every time, so then Mom made a new sequence and she could see in my eyes that she misdirected me and whoosh - I was through the tunnel. After a few more tries, I was nailing my weaves and flying through.

When we got home Mom let me outside. She said she was worried about me as I was sliding all over the deck and "running" but not going anywhere and then I almost fell off the deck. Then she saw why, there was a bunny on our deck and I was going to get him!!! I chased him all the way across the yard, but he went under the fence. Darn! Wish I didn't slide and I would have got him!! I made Mom let me out about every 5 minutes so I could sneak up on him, but he never came back...

My first agility trial!

We had two fun filled days of agility, 4 runs and 4 Qs.
We earned a Nov JWW leg, a Novice FAST leg, and 2 Novice Standard legs.

I can't wait to go play again!

Agility Day Two

We arrived early to go into the jumper arena and play before everyone arrived. I was excited and wanted to go in the ring and play!! We worked on the practice jump and running up and down the aisles. I had to wait in my cage quite awhile before our turn since we came early, plus Mom didn't realize jumpers started at 8:30, we were ready to go at 8:00. I guess she better *read* the confirmation next time!

In jumpers, they had us go in the ring while the other dog was running and I really liked watching the dog ahead of me finish. Mom left me on the start line and lead out, it was jump, jump, tunnel and I took off like a bullet, she was not expecting that and she was moving to catch me as she wanted to front cross the tunnel!! I missed my weaves again, but came back and did them the second time. I had a clean run, although we did have a little miscommunication on a front cross. Hmm, I think Mom took her eyes off me.... We still earned a 100 and a second place, my First JWW leg. So far we are 3 for 3 for our first trial!!!

We had to wait quite awhile before our standard run, our last run of the weekend. Pinky the cute Weim came to see me and we visited before she went home. That was fun as she is really cute :) We took several walks outside and walked around the building and visited friends. I saw my cute BC friend, Pizazz, too. We have been to a lot of seminars together and I always like to play with her.

Mom came to get me to go outside and said it would be our turn soon, I was anxious to go run again! Today's standard course was difficult for Novice, at least that is what Mom said??!! There were some very tight turns and several obstacle discriminations. We had one 24" dog ahead of us so we didn't have to worry about jumps and table being set while we were on the line. We headed to the line, it was jump, dogwalk, with a jump and 180 to the aframe. After the Aframe it was jump with a left turn to the teeter but a jump straight ahead. Mom told me early that we were going to the teeter, she was worried as a lot of dogs took the off course jump or had a really bad approach to the teeter. But we worked together and I did the teeter with a safe approach. I also did the chute the first try and it was a fast approach to it. Mom was so proud of my table, I got right on and laid down like a good boy. She told me how good I was for doing that and for staying! It did take a few tries for my weave poles, but once I hit the entry I sailed right through them and then 2 jumps to the finish! Woohoo! we had another clean run.

Later we found out we were the only 24" dog to qualify. Guess Mom was right about it being a difficult novice course!! We earned a first place and our second Novice standard leg.

Time to pack up and go home!! What a great weekend.

AGILITY!!

It was not a good start to the weekend, but ended up being a fun time!! After mom set up my cage, she took me in the building and as I went around a corner, a dog hit it's cage growling at me. So she took me the other way and 3 shelties hit the side of their short little x-pen and knocked it into me. Wow, I thought everybody loved me?? I could not believe they were so mean to me. I just wanted to get out of there.

Mom to the rescue.. she got help and we moved my cage outside the arena area so I could relax and see all the dogs coming and going. We had about one hour before I had to walk in that room to get to the ring. We went in the other way and made it to the practice jump. There were nice dogs on that side and a cute little Golden girl. I felt much better. Mom was not sure what I would do after all the stress of the morning. We had to wait on the line for awhile as they forgot to set the table after we were ready.

Then we were off! We ran standard first and it was a line of jumps to the weaves - woohoo! I missed my weave entry, but came right back and did them. I also did very good contacts, and waited while Mom would lead out. I even aired my Aframe! as I shot out of tunnel and had the speed to go up and over, but I didn't think I was going to be able to stop, it was hard work!! Mom told me what a good boy I was for that! I did get a refusal at the chute, I ducked my head to go in, but it just did not look the same and I ran on by. Mom had me come back and do it and then it was fine. We earned our very first agility leg with a 95 and a second place!!!

FAST was next and Mom set up a course to have me work on my weaves in the ring. The send was Aframe to a panel, she wasn't sure about sending me to the jump after stopping on the contact, but it was the only way it fit into the plan. I did a great job, did the send with no problem and we earned our first Novice FAST leg.

What a fun day it turned out to be. I really like playing agility!!

Grandma and Marmaduke

Look what my Grandma sent. She is sooo funny!
It says "Why can't he just be satisfied with a squeak toy?"

Thunder Boomers!

We went to class tonight and I stayed in the van and Mom went in and walked our course. A few minutes after she went in, it started getting windy, then started raining and then got really dark. I thought she forgot me!! I was afraid I would get wet as the door was open.

Finally, she came out to get me and we ran in the building. The lights went out in the building and everyone was standing in the dark. The lights came back in half of the building but not all of it, so we ran a half a course. Mom made up a jumpers course for me with a teeter at the end. After all the big dogs ran, the lights came back on, so we were able to run the real course. I did a really good job and even hit a really hard weave pole entry.

We waited inside (it was too scary to go outside!) and then we did a standard course. It was fun and Mom said she was very proud of me. I did all my contacts, waited and even hit the weaves again.

We had to wait before we could leave as there was a tornado warning. When we finally did leave, we had a light show all the way home.

It was a good warm up for our trial this weekend! I can't wait!

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE!!

Mom realized this morning that we earned an "Award of Excellence" with our Level 2 title. We earned over 200 points on all 3 of our L2 A legs as well as we were 3 for 3. Good thing we didn't have a leash or Mom might have dropped it and cost us the award :)