Quilting and Dogs

For this first time in a long time I actually did some quilting. I worked on a small wall hanging, but now need to run out and get some batting and maybe a pretty backing fabric to finish it. Then I worked on a quilt that I had started a while back. As usual, I can never do anything simply, so of course the sashing for this quilt is harder and more complex than the individual blocks. I have only 3 large blocks left to sew, and about half the cornerstone blocks to do.

It seems I am the same with quilting as I am with the dogs. I have a hard time waiting until all the individual pieces are done before I start putting it together. I have a need to see something substantial for the work I have put in. So although all the parts are not done, I have started putting some pieces together. It's my need to see progress and my own personal reward I think.

Its the same with the dogs. I often enter events with my dogs, really before I am done with the training. I need to see that we are making progress. Its not that I need another persons judgement, it's that I need to feel that we are moving toward a goal, and those Q's or even NQ's give me a real feel for where we are. I don't think that I could ever be a person who has a dog trained through utility before entering novice. I wish I could be that person, but so far have not mastered that. So you will probably continue to see me at shows with half trained dogs. But I guess that is OK as long as that is what makes me happy. Right?

On the dog training side, this weekend David worked with Siren and I worked a bit with Peace. Grace is in season, and the boys are driving her crazy. Me too really, Kazin leave her alone, Magic get off Grace. At one point yesterday, Grace shut herself in the living room crate. I think she was fed up.

David and Siren

My son David has always been a cat person. He has grown up with dogs, but always just preferred the cats. With the puppies coming along, David became more and more interested in all the dogs. Dave voluntarily spent more time with Grace and the babies than I truly expected. Which resulted in his really badly wanting us to keep Siren. I had not planned on keeping 2 puppies, as I knew with Grace and Magic and a new pup I would have my hands full as far as training went. 2 pups, triple the work. So we made a deal, he could keep Rinnie, but he had to help train her, and I am expecting he title(AKC) her in something. Well, by 8 weeks I knew what a smart little girl she was so I started working with her. But then I stopped. This is his dog-he needs to do it, right? Fast forward to this summer and I have asked David to help out a bit at shows lately. He doesn't care for conformation, and won't even think about agility because he is anti exercise (his words). But he did run Magic through a couple of pulls at the weight pull trial and liked that. Last night I finally convinced him to start working with Siren on obedience, as that is the foundation he will need no matter what he goes on to do with her, right?
I had Rinnie heeling at 10 weeks, so its not new to her, but it is new to him. He was simply amazed at how smart his little girl is, she got it right away. amazing huh! I really hope he will stick to this. I am hoping I can get him to try rally with her still sometime this year. Fingers crossed!

Garden Update

The garden this year is doing better than ever. We have had an abundance of green beans, ample zuchinni and quite a bunch of tomatoes. We have pickled 4 jars of green beans, canned 4 quarts of tomatoes and dehydrated chard, kale, tomatoes and some of the last peas. It doesnt sound like much compared to a country garden, but remember this is in the middle of the city in a community garden and the spot we have is really not that big!

We had our last meal from the broccoli and cauliflower, so those came out today, along with the pea plants. Parts of the peas were still green, but with the heat they were not looking so good anymore. We replaced the peas with four more pepper plants. There may not be time for too many peppers from them, but heck, they were really cheap and if we get anything from them it will be great. Our cucumber plant never really got going, where it was planted it just got overwhelmed by the beans and got no sun, so we moved that.

This sunflower is growing in the bean trellis and is about 10 feet tall, with beans growing up to the top, where I can't reach them. There are still flowers on the beans, so more coming there, we have lots of tomatoes still ripening and the nicest cabbage I have ever grown still to come. We will probably harvest at least one of those soon, and will start some millet in the vacant spots. If we get enough growing time yet this year, the wildlife will eat that up. Heck, they usually get the millet before the snow flies, but this year I will try to cover it and keep it until late fall if I can. Hopefully I will be able to protect a couple of the sunflower heads until winter for the wildlife too, although David is determined that he will get to eat the seeds of at least one of them. Enough rambling. Enjoy summer!

Friday Nights Fundraiser

was a huge success! The raffle was simply amazing. I did not stay for the drawings, as I was not feeling well, but darn was there some wonderful items. I tried to win the lamb, some training sessions and event entries. The event was really well done. Talie and her family came and we played a little. She is such a friendly little girl, loves everyone which is so good to see.

The rest of the weekend was pretty quiet. Some knitting, some reading and a some nice cuddle time with the dogs.

They came so its official!

Ch Daybreakes Peaceful Dreams! FO UWP UCD Qwaynts Magic Spark!
Both dogs UKC certificates came today. Peace's Championship and Magics Family Obedience and United Weight Pull certificates. I know it's probably silly but I am so proud of my dogs, and those titles to me show how hard we have worked and the fun that we have together.

I know that a lot of people look down on the UKC titles, but I am very happy to have earned these. I like UKC shows, and enjoy working with the local clubs that do them. And I also like that UKC allows dogs to earn titles in sports that are not traditionally geared toward that breed, like a corgi in the dog sport classes, or weight pulling. Heck at the last weight pull there were several non traditional pulling type dogs and I think all of them qualified, and I think all of them placed in the classes. In fact the Old English Sheepdog not only placed in the weight pull, he went on and won Best in Show in conformation.
Plus, UKC rewards it members who earn multiple titles from different events. Along with Magics titles he received 2 $25.00 gift certificates. Thanks UKC!

Friday Night Fundraiser Fun Match

One of the most wonderful things I have seen in the dog world is how people come together for each other, in the good times, but more importantly in the bad times. Robin and Dan Kilbury recently lost thier home and thier canine family to a house fire. Many locals groups have gotten together and are having a fundraiser this Friday evening at TCOTC. Agility, Obedience, Rally, a raffle and bake sale.

Having gone through this many years ago, I know how devastating it can be. There are so many things that these people have to deal with, many of these things are things insurance cannot replace. One thing we can give these people is the support of thier friends, and a little extra cash to help cover the initial needs. While having a good time with our beloved pups.

So a fundraiser! Come out and work your dog in a match situation, buy some great baked goods and a few raffle tickets and share some goodwill. If you ever thought about doing performace with your pups, this is a good chance to give it a try. Any Grace pups wanting to try a sub novice obedience , or novice rally course? Come join us.

Weekend

A nice peaceful weekend at home. Wishes apparently feels no pain from her foot, so is really wanting to play. Peace will be getting her stitches out tomorrow, so no more cone. We had the dehydrator going all weekend, drying vegies for the winter. And some knitting. I knit a washcloth, dish scrubbie pair as a thank you gift for a friend.

Thanks for the thoughts on the whiskers. I will see how they look after her appointment tomorrow and as the rest of the scabs heal.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!