The new cardi - mobile

Well no, its not new, but its new to me. With Darryl and earlier David both unemployed, I couldnt afford to keep my van. I miss my van, but gotta make the choices we can live with. But the problem then was, both of our other cars are old- 95's and really on their last legs. So I picked up this little used number, its very basic, but it should do the trick. Next weekend is another dog show weekend, (although I havent received my entry stuff, so maybe not), so we will see if I can get all the stuff into it!

All is well...

today anyway. Darryl is still looking for a job, David is working a few hours a week, getting ready to graduate college, and hopefully find full time work. All the dogs seem normal (well for them) happy and ready for the day.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.

Do dogs get a 24 hour virus?

I am not sure what is happening at my house. It seems like the dogs have a 24 hour virus passing between them. Monday night, Kazin whimpered on and off all night and kept asking to go outside, and during one of his 2 am out trips, Grace started throwing up and was really uncomfortable, but by Tuesday morning both were on the upswing, much perkier. By Tuesday noon, you couldn't tell either one had anything wrong, Except for the vomit Grace laid in and was covering her butt. Tuesday night and Wednesday all were fine, except Magic was a bit quiet, and not asking to play. Last night Peace had a horrible bit of diarhea, although she just went in her crate and didnt even let me know she was bothered. Now she too needs a bath, but to look at her she is acting fine and totally normal, other than not pooping when she went out this morning. So far Siren has been fine.

I am really greatful that whatever it is, it is short lived and really not too bad or hard on the dogs, but I wasn't planning on baths this week. Oh well.

Planning agility and training

Since Magic earned his NA last weekend, I need to figure out if I should move him up to Open in the next trial we are already entered into,. I also need to re-read the rules about A vs B classes. If I enter the next trial in Preferred, do I have to enter the B classes now?

Then, can he do 12 weaves? I only have 6 and although he will do all 6 at home no problem, with just about any entry we try, at trials he seems less confident. What to do?

Plus after Grace did so well the other day, I really want to get back to training classes with Grace. But with money at a minimum, I can do classes, or trials (or shows with Peace) so I have to pick and choose. What to do, what to do.

At least with the weight pulling, Magic and I can train at home- assuming I get my tush in gear and get going with it!

Siren and Grace's Day

Since Peace had a day, and Magic had a day this weekend, I thought perhaps Siren and Grace needed some attention too. So this morning Siren and I went over to the agility trial and had some time together just hanging out. We met new people, watched other dogs run while we remained calm and quiet, and practiced a little attentive heeling. She did really well. she also had a (non official) measurement taken and she is going to have to run 12 inches too, but I expected that as she is a leggy girl. We also looked at the photographers pictures from yesterday and as usual, she got some really nice shots of Magic. I may have to buy one of them.

Then tonight, Grace and Magic and I went up to an agility run through at a new training facility. Magic and I focused on contacts and contacts and more contacts, although he also did run the course a bit. But Grace is the one who surprised me. Grace took a couple of 8 week classes last the fall before she was bred, so over a year ago. Today, just to see what she would do, I took her in to the run through. she was so excited to be there and so happy, we let her have 2 - 2 minute runs. The first time, we just went slow to see how she would react, but she was crazy having fun. Not in a bad way, she was listening and trying to do what I wanted, but she was so happy! She did the tire with no hesitation, she wanted to do the A frame, tunnels were good and she took the jumps I asked. She even did the very loud, very hard slamming teeter twice with no concern, or reaction. She just so surprised me. The second run through I asked her to run the course, she did everything, almost perfectly. I didnt ask for weaves, but I did put her leash on and walk her through them at that point on the course, so she wouldn't think it was ok to cruise by, but in her classes, we hadn't gotten to the point of training weaves yet, so I was not at all dissapointed. She blew me away with her cooperation. Those that know Grace, know that she is not all that often willing to do thing my way. This was just wonderful.

Yesterday since the agility trial was so close to home, and we had such a long time between our first run and second run, we came home in the middle and got Grace and took her back to be measured. They had 2 VMO's at the show, so Grace was able to get both of her AKC measurements. They were exactly the same, and definately over 11 so Grace will need to run 12 inches so I will most likely stick to preferred with her.

Agility today

How did it go, well you tell me....

Magic will blow right by that

blue jump- missing the 8

point combination

Can you see the problem here? Yup, fly over the yellow.

Had he given me either one of these we would have Q'd, but alas-no FAST today.

But it wasn't all bad, here we made the send, the tire to the green jump. See the green line out there, Magic was in where he belonged, and I was way out there where I belonged.

Then later in Jumpers, he blew by a super easy jump again, but worked really well with me the rest of the course and got the rest of the course perfectly, including the hard parts.

However, the first run of the day was Standard and we did Q there with a first place. But no pictures because Darryl hadn't come yet. And that should be his NA title if I kept my records correct.

So 1 of 3 today, better than 1 of 6 last weekend! Plus the weather was beautiful and we had lots of fun.

St Peter Dog Show

Today was Peace's day of the weekend. We went to the dog show today and managed to pick up another point with Winners Bitch and BOS (although I lost that ribbon somewhere). Although I am surprised as she couldn't get her nose out of the grass. Diana's lovely boy won Winners Dog, BW and Best of Breed, beating his dad, and by doing so, earned a 3 point major. Yeah for Diana.

Joyce and Music were there today too. He sure has matured into a nice looking boy. Lots of coat, but very handsome.

Judy and her young collie had a successful run in Rally too, but it was at the same time as breed so we couldn't watch. All in all a good day.

Tomorrow, agility with Magic.