Fun Match Today

Today at the fun match there was as many cardis as pems! If I counted right there were 11! Thats a first I think. It was so much fun seeing so many happy smiling bouncing herding group pups. Siren did really well for a 6 month old pup in pre novice. Especially since she hasn't yet taken an obedience class. No Q, but I wanted this to jsut be fun fun fun for her and she seemd to be very happy. Grace didnt Q either, but we will keep working on her issues - there are several. Magic had a nice run in Graduate novice with a Q and 181.5. Heeling is getting a bit better, but out biggest issue today was we had to stop and scratch his neck repeatedly. I thought it might be a stress reaction, but now I am not sure as he has scratched several times after. It happened at home too, but stopped once I changed him out of his show collar, so maybe the collar was really bothering him.

Music and Talie came as well. Sure is fun seeing the kids although with 4 dogs to show I didnt get to spend much time with either of them. All in all a fun time.

Herding Group Club Fun Match

Just wanted to invite and remind everyone about the North Star Herding Group Clubs fun match this Saturday. We will have non regular obedience and a conformation fun match for herding breeds. So if any of you with Graces kids want to come and try some Pre-Novice obedience? Siren and Grace might be giving Pre-Novice a try, Magic will probably try Graduate Novice. And Peace and maybe Grace will be in the fun match. Music (Nine) and his mom will be coming.

Lure Coursing

A while back we went to the Doggiepalooza so Magic could go lure coursing again. We had gone a couple of years ago and he seemed to really enjoy it, so we went again. Here is a link to the pictures. He sure looks happy to me. Magics pictures start in the second row, second one in.

http://www.allcreaturesphoto.com/Events/20081004_DoggiePalooza/index_22.html

Grace the Guardian

Ever since Grace had the pups, she has become the family watchdog. Not one noise can occur anywhere without her checking it out. She has always been a talker-but now, she never stops. She barks and woofs and woos and grumbles constantly. I dont mind the quieter stuff, but the barking has got to stop. My house is 3 feet from my neighbors. She needs to not bark so much. Quiet used to work, but not anymore.
Along with this, she has become the fun police, well, maybe its more the tug police. Magic loves to tug and so do both puppies, so its not uncommon for a game of chase grab and pull to be happening. Grace stops it. It is not allowed. It is not allowed even if Mom is on one end of the toy. She just walks up, grabs the middle of the tug and whatever other dog(s) is involved drops the toy and walks away. Then Grace drops the toy and walks away. It's not that she wants to play-she just doesn't want any tugging! Is that strange or what?

Mine Birthday by Magic

Magic here. Just wanted to send out Happy Birthday wishes to all mines family. I be 4 today so I gots mine faborite reward-da cheezeburger! I thought since I bees 4 I should get 4, but, I just gots one. But I didnt have to share wiff no doggie. Gone in 6 secons!

I also got to go to Petco and pick a new toy and all of us gots a big cookie. Is a good day.

Almost the weekend

It's almost the weekend, and it's cold. Very cold. Too cold. With my health issues, I am always cold anyways, but the first cold of winter almost knocks me over. Yuck. Good thing that I have no major plans for the weekend. I work at the store tomorrow, which I actually love. And hopefully I will be seeing some friends on Sunday and maybe one of Grace's pups will come visit.
I have been really lazy lately about training the dogs, though. I need to do a schedule or plan I think, something to keep me going. Otherwise, I see a future of me and the 5 dogs on the couch, under the quilt. HMM. Doesn't really sound like a bad plan does it?

Addicted to Blogging

I am addicted to all of your blogs. Is there a 12 step program for blogs? I am spending way too much time reading blogs lately. I love the sheep blogs, the chicken blogs, the craft blogs, and of course the dog blogs. Lets not forget the fugly horse blog, the cake wrecks blog, dolittler and on an on. I used to read books-lots and lots of books. Now its better, I can listen to one book on tape and read blogs. WOOHOO. Heaven. Oh, you mean I should probably actually train my dogs, or work on one of those many quilts I have in progress. No, I should be working on my new knitting project. Or maybe doing the dishes.... dang, did you all read that other blog.........

I admit I am an addict.. isn't that the first step??

Weight Loss Challenge

OK, well I think you can tell from the photo below, weight loss is definately needed. I have to admit that last week it just was not my focus, but on the positive side, even with a dog show weekend, over 14 hours in the car, and multiple meals out, I managed to drop 2. Well, thats what the scale said anyways.
On a positive side, I decided it was time to get serious, so tonight instead of coming home after getting off work and getting my car to go shopping, I walked to the downtown target. Now really thats not such a big deal- 8-10 blocks or so, but then I wrestled a large package of TP home on a very crowded bus. I think that probably worked off more agravation calories than anything. After all, I had my heavier fall coat, my purse, my work tote bag, a smaller target bag and this giant 24 roll package to TP. Had to buy the big size, it was on sale!

Dog Show Trip

Really bad pictures-our digital is way to slow.

Darryl and I had a very nice weekend, a late anniversary weekend.

Peace did really well at her first show, not perfect but not bad for a girl just 6 months old. She took 2nd (out of 2) in her class both days, to the bitch who won both days.

Todays judge pulled me aside to tell me how much she really liked her and that she will be lovely once she grows up and settles into herself. I thought that was very nice of her. Hopefully we will have a couple of nicer film pictures from the other camera to share later.

Poor Peace

Peace has an ear infection. Today she is not bright and happy like she was in this picture. She had to go to the vet and they poked around in places she would rather they didn't. She has meds to take and ear drops for a few days.

She really isn't feeling poorly from the ear infection though-just prior to going to the doc, she and Magic were rolling around the floor in full body wrestling. She is just a bit pissy, though, because of the indignity of the exam!

Glad we got her meds though, her first big girl dog show is this weekend! And, yes, I asked the vet if we should stay home and she said that it would be fine to go, she isnt contagious, and the meds will help in a day or so.

There will be quite a few cardis at the show, a 4 point major. We arent expecting anything though, other than a bit of experience and a good time.

Watching Wednesday

Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day. I hope everyone today can thank and honor both our veterans and our active service men and women who have given so much for all of us. My flag is flying, is yours?

Differences

The girls are so very different from each other. Peace is a princess type girly girl. She is gentle, very loving and snuggly, would rather not get her feet wet or muddy. Siren is a tom boy, rougher in play, dig holes and I swear would climb trees if she could. She is not bothered by rain, dirt or mud, water is a joy, and anything that moves is to be chased. Leaves falling from trees is great entertainment.
This morning we had the first snow of the year-not a lot yet, but there was enough to cover the steps. Peace went out, felt the snow on her feet and immediately wanted to come back in. Siren ran out and rolled in it. Let me just say, curly girl with a coat full of snow and dirt and leaves- not so much my favorite thing at 5 am.

NOT a morning person

I am so not a morning person. Why, why, why are cardi's so often shown first thing? Granted, the dogs don't seem to have any issue at all with mornings. I get up and stagger to the door, they get up bouncing, leaping and talking all the way. Of course part of my staggering may have to do with the fact that the 2 puppies just do not understand that leaping at my butt, crashing into the back of my legs, and tripping me does not get the door opened faster.

Peace is entered into her first show soon. And of course both days the ring time is 8. But I guess its easier to stagger around the breed ring than that first agility run of the day! (We rarely if ever Q that first run- I count it as a success if I find all the obstacles!)

Have a good morning everyone!

Wordless Wednesday

Color quiz

Ok, you wont be able to click on this to try the test, as I couldnt get it to post with the actual color, so instead I made it a picture. But it's kinda fun and several people have tried it and felt it was pretty accurate. enjoy!

Siren's Home

I missed the peanut. After several hours of playing, both girls are pooped and calm. Love these kids.

Music

Music came to visit today. He is growing into a very nice looking boy. It sure is fun to see Grace's kids as they grow.