tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18600541645635118532024-03-13T05:38:34.359-07:00Dog Nerd DiariesThe life and times of a Dog Nerd and the dogs who share her lifeDog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-28711595078900638302013-06-18T20:34:00.000-07:002013-06-18T20:34:59.338-07:00Regionals 2013This year was the most fun I've ever had NOT qualifying for Nationals :) <br />
No, really, 7 was fantastic and showed so much improvement in his trialing nerves. I messed up enough to keep us from qualifying but couldn't have been happier with his performance.<br />
Here are his runs from the weekend...<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TfcnNsSRC-A?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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A friend graciously let me stay at her place for the weekend (with 7, Cooper, Odd and 2 boarders!) to cut daily travel time by an hour and had a blast! I seriously need a farm, as do my dogs...(The following is WAY too many pictures of my dogs in fields)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwEaeltbGwc/UcEZH79PN7I/AAAAAAAAAwM/sUJEwv0CvhU/s1600/Regionals+2013+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwEaeltbGwc/UcEZH79PN7I/AAAAAAAAAwM/sUJEwv0CvhU/s320/Regionals+2013+007.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FktAhTZkg6g/UcEZHwC1f9I/AAAAAAAAAwI/na2SwqfezA4/s1600/Regionals+2013+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FktAhTZkg6g/UcEZHwC1f9I/AAAAAAAAAwI/na2SwqfezA4/s320/Regionals+2013+008.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2JMo23cKHU/UcEZF9eEzfI/AAAAAAAAAwA/tROHS8AfLrc/s1600/Regionals+2013+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V2JMo23cKHU/UcEZF9eEzfI/AAAAAAAAAwA/tROHS8AfLrc/s320/Regionals+2013+009.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-07jMtcQOF4M/UcEZUM6WNmI/AAAAAAAAAwo/IzuXPAkr1T0/s1600/Regionals+2013+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-07jMtcQOF4M/UcEZUM6WNmI/AAAAAAAAAwo/IzuXPAkr1T0/s320/Regionals+2013+012.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mrGQ7LX9oig/UcEZPBd81fI/AAAAAAAAAwY/sBk5J9oDHpM/s1600/Regionals+2013+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mrGQ7LX9oig/UcEZPBd81fI/AAAAAAAAAwY/sBk5J9oDHpM/s320/Regionals+2013+014.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I31Kk2tic44/UcEZQXRNd6I/AAAAAAAAAwg/jD1v61G_HvU/s1600/Regionals+2013+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I31Kk2tic44/UcEZQXRNd6I/AAAAAAAAAwg/jD1v61G_HvU/s320/Regionals+2013+022.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CrE5bgXAFZ4/UcEZXx5VyrI/AAAAAAAAAww/3fRCReD9gbY/s1600/Regionals+2013+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CrE5bgXAFZ4/UcEZXx5VyrI/AAAAAAAAAww/3fRCReD9gbY/s320/Regionals+2013+028.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-75q9WkzklTc/UcEZY27RQzI/AAAAAAAAAw4/hbQnVnnL_MQ/s1600/Regionals+2013+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-75q9WkzklTc/UcEZY27RQzI/AAAAAAAAAw4/hbQnVnnL_MQ/s320/Regionals+2013+029.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0g3Ty70BKbM/UcEZcXluhpI/AAAAAAAAAxA/xk8luZZV1RU/s1600/Regionals+2013+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0g3Ty70BKbM/UcEZcXluhpI/AAAAAAAAAxA/xk8luZZV1RU/s320/Regionals+2013+033.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tKXKSjRArSk/UcEZjAsPelI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/6CWDYHBmTgI/s1600/Regionals+2013+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tKXKSjRArSk/UcEZjAsPelI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/6CWDYHBmTgI/s320/Regionals+2013+034.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-symWgXSnae4/UcEZnNhKGhI/AAAAAAAAAxg/zcW-iTGuaqY/s1600/Regionals+2013+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-symWgXSnae4/UcEZnNhKGhI/AAAAAAAAAxg/zcW-iTGuaqY/s320/Regionals+2013+036.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAad2GGvIMY/UcEZhYweVYI/AAAAAAAAAxI/_n0uS8hsqNw/s1600/Regionals+2013+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAad2GGvIMY/UcEZhYweVYI/AAAAAAAAAxI/_n0uS8hsqNw/s320/Regionals+2013+040.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXqcOp_UD9w/UcEZqdIiuII/AAAAAAAAAxo/ndo-W_QUaRU/s1600/Regionals+2013+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXqcOp_UD9w/UcEZqdIiuII/AAAAAAAAAxo/ndo-W_QUaRU/s320/Regionals+2013+043.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ci0kb7sw_68/UcEZ3I1omzI/AAAAAAAAAyA/oLa6OeP81qA/s1600/Regionals+2013+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ci0kb7sw_68/UcEZ3I1omzI/AAAAAAAAAyA/oLa6OeP81qA/s320/Regionals+2013+044.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYZF9weZviQ/UcEZtddKj6I/AAAAAAAAAxw/plZ5kPWgnkg/s1600/Regionals+2013+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYZF9weZviQ/UcEZtddKj6I/AAAAAAAAAxw/plZ5kPWgnkg/s320/Regionals+2013+045.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SpCIf6fMC5c/UcEZyozNcxI/AAAAAAAAAx4/_CuoHL6Jej8/s1600/Regionals+2013+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SpCIf6fMC5c/UcEZyozNcxI/AAAAAAAAAx4/_CuoHL6Jej8/s320/Regionals+2013+046.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3FVDBzseW4o/UcEZ3wzsGLI/AAAAAAAAAyI/KJqwq3AjifY/s1600/Regionals+2013+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3FVDBzseW4o/UcEZ3wzsGLI/AAAAAAAAAyI/KJqwq3AjifY/s320/Regionals+2013+048.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACnuz_BR1UY/UcEZ59sW-PI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/voDLexBWkts/s1600/Regionals+2013+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACnuz_BR1UY/UcEZ59sW-PI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/voDLexBWkts/s320/Regionals+2013+051.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6de2KSdddVY/UcEZ8D8CSnI/AAAAAAAAAyY/__XVlz94NuA/s1600/Regionals+2013+055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6de2KSdddVY/UcEZ8D8CSnI/AAAAAAAAAyY/__XVlz94NuA/s320/Regionals+2013+055.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rh24eWZ1Nhg/UcEZmg2WO2I/AAAAAAAAAxY/BEGTKg86x8Y/s1600/Regionals+2013+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rh24eWZ1Nhg/UcEZmg2WO2I/AAAAAAAAAxY/BEGTKg86x8Y/s320/Regionals+2013+042.jpg" /></a></div>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-56148941296220286922013-06-12T23:10:00.000-07:002013-06-12T23:10:41.538-07:00Hey strangers!So, yeah...It's been almost 2 years since my last post. Which is not to say that life at Casa de Dog Nerd has been uneventful, quite the opposite in fact! However, there have been so many changes I can't even begin to catch up. I'll list the most important ones...<br />
-We've moved. That's right, me and the dogs packed up and left home. I found the most agreeable landlord on the North Shore and promptly rented his awesome hobbit basement suite. I have the yard to myself and he lets me have as many dogs as will fit in the comically teeny doors. This means I can have boarding dogs too which is a godsend as without the extra income, I'd be living in an awesome hobbit cardboard box by now.<br />
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-I got a puppy. Yeah, I know. What was I thinking? This is what I was thinking...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeAEUEumIA4/UblctXArpAI/AAAAAAAAAug/oRCFxJg2Qok/s1600/Misc+217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeAEUEumIA4/UblctXArpAI/AAAAAAAAAug/oRCFxJg2Qok/s400/Misc+217.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAYKsIn65z4/UblcxrQN4JI/AAAAAAAAAuo/5Y3XiOCzR9Q/s1600/Odd+all+wet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAYKsIn65z4/UblcxrQN4JI/AAAAAAAAAuo/5Y3XiOCzR9Q/s400/Odd+all+wet.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Here she is at 6 months...<br />
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Here's her all grown up...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3-i3_wGYOf8/UblcUSsy7NI/AAAAAAAAAuY/hhtPU1RbpEk/s1600/Regionals+2013+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3-i3_wGYOf8/UblcUSsy7NI/AAAAAAAAAuY/hhtPU1RbpEk/s400/Regionals+2013+033.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8seyvrwXX4o/UblgLIBdeBI/AAAAAAAAAvI/PpuUyfIqKOI/s1600/983610_10200187925843661_180569730_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8seyvrwXX4o/UblgLIBdeBI/AAAAAAAAAvI/PpuUyfIqKOI/s400/983610_10200187925843661_180569730_n.jpg" /></a></div>Her name's Odd. Her mom was a yorkie mix, dad unknown and she's ridiculous and adorable and RED :) She's almost 14 months now (bday April 25) and her agility training is fully underway and we're getting into the super fun sequencing faze. I'm going to put running contacts on her and I'm going to do it properly. Unlike the haphazard way I "trained" 7's running contacts. We have Silvia Trkman's DVD (LOVE her!) and next week we start an online course with her, so hopefully I'll have all the help I'll need to get fast and fabulous contacts :)<br />
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-7's still a Super Dog! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RemC7OWYf78/UblgaBA-ofI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/10HlUsMhcbY/s1600/199634_10151016805820952_1517533039_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RemC7OWYf78/UblgaBA-ofI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/10HlUsMhcbY/s400/199634_10151016805820952_1517533039_n.jpg" /></a></div>Last year we even got asked to travel to Saskatoon for a week of shows which was a blast. Odd came along for the socialization and even got in the show a few times :) 7 handled the plane ride like a champ, unlike me, who had a bit of a freak out about watching her boy get wheeled away into the bowels of the plane. Odd was wee enough to fit under the seat so she rode with me. Both of them made fast friends with the crew who we drove with every morning to the show site<br />
*that's not my leg*<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hpz_iCPJFi4/UblgDQ10O2I/AAAAAAAAAvA/lao3a32vFoI/s1600/386891_10151342298723345_549496591_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hpz_iCPJFi4/UblgDQ10O2I/AAAAAAAAAvA/lao3a32vFoI/s400/386891_10151342298723345_549496591_n.jpg" /></a></div>Hopefully this year Odd will get to make her "official" debut! Only time will tell if she keeps her puppy name "Popcorn" (of all the name's Chase has made up on the spot, this one actually isn't bad!)<br />
Well, I know I'm forgetting something important but it's bedtime and my fingers are tired of typing. Stay tuned for a Regionals 2013 post! I promise.<br />
Here's something adorable to tide you over until then<br />
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Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-9514929993164480682011-09-23T19:57:00.000-07:002011-09-23T21:47:21.997-07:00A Walk In The ParkI don't really have anything interesting to say today, so why don't I just show you some pretty pictures? Okay, good...<br />Here are some shots I took while at a trip to the park with; neighbour-dog Zuzu, 7 and Cooper.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-crj2oac9qYE/Tn1L3R4gOjI/AAAAAAAAAr4/Y6mOq0IBARk/s1600/Summer%2B2011%2B10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-crj2oac9qYE/Tn1L3R4gOjI/AAAAAAAAAr4/Y6mOq0IBARk/s400/Summer%2B2011%2B10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655760120112495154" /></a><br />Cooper's idea of a good game of fetch involves me throwing the ball, Cooper chases it down, then he finds a hill and proceeds to roll the ball down the hill for chasing. Seriously dog, do you not see my standing here with the big, long, ball throwing device? (aka chuck-it)... Cooper likes to dictate his own fun<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn--IMrQ8zM/Tn1L3DLAjTI/AAAAAAAAArw/z20aac7H7V0/s1600/Summer%2B2011%2B5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn--IMrQ8zM/Tn1L3DLAjTI/AAAAAAAAArw/z20aac7H7V0/s400/Summer%2B2011%2B5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655760116163579186" /></a><br />7's got the whole "fetch" thing down..."If I just stare at her long enough, she'll throw it!"<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBW91fk2yCU/Tn1L2ghbjXI/AAAAAAAAArg/HWvUANZKWbU/s1600/Summer%2B2011%2B2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBW91fk2yCU/Tn1L2ghbjXI/AAAAAAAAArg/HWvUANZKWbU/s400/Summer%2B2011%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655760106862382450" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PWNmHXAUKJw/Tn1L3mWJopI/AAAAAAAAAsA/JfvQC1bNNHM/s1600/Summer%2B2011%2B17.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PWNmHXAUKJw/Tn1L3mWJopI/AAAAAAAAAsA/JfvQC1bNNHM/s400/Summer%2B2011%2B17.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655760125605552786" /></a><br />"Hover Cooper"<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lnd2fj30XCQ/Tn1OiJ7frPI/AAAAAAAAAsI/BBxIFXdqDTo/s1600/Summer%2B2011%2B18.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lnd2fj30XCQ/Tn1OiJ7frPI/AAAAAAAAAsI/BBxIFXdqDTo/s400/Summer%2B2011%2B18.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655763055735188722" /></a><br />7 says: "Anything you can do, I can do better!"<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Tui4RXifwo/Tn1L2ys7-UI/AAAAAAAAAro/ElycI4R5NW0/s1600/Summer%2B2011%2B3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Tui4RXifwo/Tn1L2ys7-UI/AAAAAAAAAro/ElycI4R5NW0/s400/Summer%2B2011%2B3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655760111742482754" /></a><br />Zuzu doesn't know what balls are for, but she really likes the effect they have on my boys. She spent her time racing off in hot pursuit of whoever was running down the ball. For the most part this was a harmless, fun game but sometimes, it looked like this...<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFeFWnoJO-Y/Tn1OiyO2VWI/AAAAAAAAAsY/udr9Tt6om1M/s1600/Summer%2B2011%2B12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFeFWnoJO-Y/Tn1OiyO2VWI/AAAAAAAAAsY/udr9Tt6om1M/s400/Summer%2B2011%2B12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655763066553783650" /></a><br />Target Acquired<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HUusBO3q6Gs/Tn1OjKyP6MI/AAAAAAAAAsg/L83VSsWtIP0/s1600/Summer%2B2011%2B13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HUusBO3q6Gs/Tn1OjKyP6MI/AAAAAAAAAsg/L83VSsWtIP0/s400/Summer%2B2011%2B13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655763073144711362" /></a><br />Locked on<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4j_x70m2TDk/Tn1OjaTQPBI/AAAAAAAAAso/MwFDo6I5c4M/s1600/Summer%2B2011%2B14.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4j_x70m2TDk/Tn1OjaTQPBI/AAAAAAAAAso/MwFDo6I5c4M/s400/Summer%2B2011%2B14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655763077309676562" /></a><br />Engaging thrusters<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BnhtK8F3oI/Tn1ctBDNm_I/AAAAAAAAAsw/dH-aZ8DQY0g/s1600/Summer%2B2011%2B15.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BnhtK8F3oI/Tn1ctBDNm_I/AAAAAAAAAsw/dH-aZ8DQY0g/s400/Summer%2B2011%2B15.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655778635492989938" /></a><br />Contact in 3...2...<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwS5PqDTP90/Tn1ctQ_w2tI/AAAAAAAAAs4/Uh0SX9zUrSc/s1600/Summer%2B2011%2B16.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwS5PqDTP90/Tn1ctQ_w2tI/AAAAAAAAAs4/Uh0SX9zUrSc/s400/Summer%2B2011%2B16.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655778639773489874" /></a><br />"Holy SH*T! I'm sorry, I didn't mean it...don't EAT me!!!"Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-24512435092396181062011-09-09T20:44:00.001-07:002011-09-09T21:42:42.852-07:00Gone SuperDoggin'<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1O3bm64WEEk/Tmrn086sEAI/AAAAAAAAArA/KUW1XampvCQ/s1600/310590_10150272707350286_540870285_8216689_3147284_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1O3bm64WEEk/Tmrn086sEAI/AAAAAAAAArA/KUW1XampvCQ/s400/310590_10150272707350286_540870285_8216689_3147284_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650583579381207042" /></a><br />Our 8 days of SuperDog fun is over and now it's back to real life. I'm sad it's over but I'm not missing the crazy, long, hectic days. 7 (as always) surprised me! He was such a little star, he gave me everything he had in all that I asked of him. The actual performances were fantastic. He jumped great big jumps and ran as fast as his legs would carry him in the relays. His biggest accomplishment, though (in my eyes)was his pat 'n chat sessions after the show. 7 is a very fearful dog when it comes to strangers and children are the devil's spawn. I didn't think he would be able to meet any of his "fans" at all. He proved me right the first day. We tried to double up with one of his favourite doggy friends so the attention wouldn't be focused all on him. Too much, too fast. The second the first hand touched him, 7 was off in panic mode. I got him out of there fast and we rethought our strategy. Mostly I just gave up until I talked to a few of the team members and they gave me some hope with the stories of their fearful dogs who learned to tolerate (if not enjoy!) the attention. We started him back again slowly, placing him in spots where only a couple people could get to him. That way, I could stop anyone from petting him and just asked them to feed him and get him to do tricks. He loved it! Once he started seeing people as his own personal vending machines he was less freaked out when they snuck a hand on his back to pat him. In no time at all, he started allowing multiple kids pet him gently on his back and a little on his head. I just kept up a steady stream of treats and for the most part he stayed below his threshold. I'm not sure if he'll ever be comfortable enough to handle the full pat 'n chat, but I'm so pleased with the progress he made that I'm happy to take what I can get. <br />Here are a couple videos of his performances...<br /><br />This one is a little long but if you skip to the 2 min mark and the 3 min mark you'll see him jump 5 then 6 bars.<br /><iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gAx_ibOYq_Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Look for 7 running 3rd on the far side:<br /><iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dNcaLoiXsfw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-84865835193441706592011-07-25T10:59:00.000-07:002011-07-25T11:08:16.132-07:00He did it!I just recieved an email from Amy White the Operations Manager of the SuperDogs. We've been asked back for another apprenticeship. If 7 shows "SuperDog potential" they want him as an official cast member from Sept 1-5! <br />I'm SO excited, I can't wait :D<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Okay, now I'm a little nervous.Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-16591444653054548832011-07-19T23:40:00.000-07:002011-07-20T00:29:53.212-07:00Let's fill you in!...So, I suppose I should actually give a real update about what's been going on during my blog hiatus. I've officially quit flyball with 7. It was fun while it lasted, but I found it to be too much pressure to be on a team of such a high calibre (they were the Regional champions for, like, the past bazillion years). I guess I never caught the "bug" the way I did with agility. That's all well and good though, it'll be nice to have an evening off!<br />I've been investing more time in Cooper lately. While any type of formal training still puts him into a self-hating spiral. We've been having fun shaping nonsense tricks and he's LOVING the tracking we're doing with Aunty Jessica. While I still see him stress a bit if we go to far, too fast it's nothing like it was before. I think he really enjoys this game and it's nice seeing him puffing up and prancing when he "rescues" his lost Aunty. <br />Jazz is the same old Jazz. I'm going to make an effort to take him out on little neighbourhood walks, as he really enjoys those and I think they'll be good to help him stay in shape. He's still hiking with me 3-4 times per week, but his muscle loss in the past year or so has worried me. Jazz is a dog who is held together essentially by pure muscle. There is not a structurally sound area of his body...gotta love back yard bred designer mutts! <br />7 is continuing to be a dork. A lovely, happy, fun, slightly neurotic dork. With the longer days we've been doing more training in the yard. I've been focusing on jump grids and some flatwork to get my handling up to snuff. I am taking a break from trialing right now, I'm telling people it's to really focus on getting his running contacts but in truth it's mostly due to a sever case of "don'tgotnomoney"itis. <br />We just had our last SuperDogs training session/tryout tonight and so I guess I'll have to wait and see if we hear from them. Remember how last year, I was all excited because the "director" told me that if I took a few flyball lessons 7 would be ready for the team this year? Well, she got canned, so now I have to prove how super fantastic 7 is to a whole new person. It's alright though, these sessions were pretty much the most fun thing 7 has ever participated in, as evidenced by these photos...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz56ySu9slg/TiZ-KHQRQTI/AAAAAAAAApE/9Vt_V2xSUjQ/s1600/Weird%2B7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz56ySu9slg/TiZ-KHQRQTI/AAAAAAAAApE/9Vt_V2xSUjQ/s400/Weird%2B7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631327096284463410" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQrrUTfNFiQ/TiZ-J2eGyhI/AAAAAAAAAo8/GoylZD_ycjY/s1600/intense%2B7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQrrUTfNFiQ/TiZ-J2eGyhI/AAAAAAAAAo8/GoylZD_ycjY/s400/intense%2B7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631327091779095058" /></a><br />Those eyes and ears say it all, don't they?<br />Apparently, running wildly fast down straight lines of 10" jumps with the occasional tunnel thrown in is THEMOSTFUNEVER! <br /><br />Well, that's about it, I'll leave you with some photos of 7 at his first Regionals. Honestly, it was such a long time ago, I can't remember exactly how each run went but I do remember that each run got better and better. 7 was dealing with (and still is) a sudden-onset bug phobia. As in, he decided after getting a few fleas when I came back from Mexico that there were bugs crawling on him ALL THE TIME and the slightest amount of stress will send him into a tizzy of itching and flank biting that would put a crack head to shame. This made our weekend interesting as he would decide in the middle of a course that he had to stop and bite at the imaginary bugs that were crawling all over him. This caused a very large number of refusal faults. Judges just don't like it when your dog slides to a stop directly in front of tunnels to nibble his flank. Besides that, though, I was extremely happy with him. Each run was better than the last, culminating in a grand finale...we got the gamble in our last run on Sunday. Yup, my baby dog executed a flawless masters gamble (and a pretty hard one at that)...couldn't have asked for a better end to the weekend!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv1L671WeSo/TiaCoj4e_nI/AAAAAAAAAps/6fyZ5_NGiIc/s1600/IMG_5164.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv1L671WeSo/TiaCoj4e_nI/AAAAAAAAAps/6fyZ5_NGiIc/s400/IMG_5164.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631332017411915378" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSRlVi8vklA/TiaCoVReyQI/AAAAAAAAApk/vNiTRkqLT8s/s1600/BCY26382.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSRlVi8vklA/TiaCoVReyQI/AAAAAAAAApk/vNiTRkqLT8s/s400/BCY26382.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631332013490227458" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhlcqTy7F80/TiaCoZnD5vI/AAAAAAAAApc/T2rxYRNtMS8/s1600/7%2Bbug%2Bcontrol%2Bregionals%2B2011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhlcqTy7F80/TiaCoZnD5vI/AAAAAAAAApc/T2rxYRNtMS8/s400/7%2Bbug%2Bcontrol%2Bregionals%2B2011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631332014654482162" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JysmeWMoHAM/TiaCniV4W0I/AAAAAAAAApU/TZF92bMLX_4/s1600/7%2Bstandard%2Bregionals%2B2011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JysmeWMoHAM/TiaCniV4W0I/AAAAAAAAApU/TZF92bMLX_4/s400/7%2Bstandard%2Bregionals%2B2011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631331999818472258" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LI9o5MVShGE/TiaCnobRB2I/AAAAAAAAApM/EDVjZAIE1yM/s1600/BCY26364.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LI9o5MVShGE/TiaCnobRB2I/AAAAAAAAApM/EDVjZAIE1yM/s400/BCY26364.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631332001451673442" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wc5BLUVCnnM/TiaDnOKTNMI/AAAAAAAAAqU/IuNcnYSzVaY/s1600/WHP_3860.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wc5BLUVCnnM/TiaDnOKTNMI/AAAAAAAAAqU/IuNcnYSzVaY/s400/WHP_3860.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631333093912818882" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vH9K1P9EyH8/TiaDmoQJgEI/AAAAAAAAAqM/GN99Z4KGEfc/s1600/WHP_3849.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vH9K1P9EyH8/TiaDmoQJgEI/AAAAAAAAAqM/GN99Z4KGEfc/s400/WHP_3849.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631333083736801346" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-d7zkRGMTU/TiaDmQrUpQI/AAAAAAAAAqE/QExIiW-SFOg/s1600/IMG_5181.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-d7zkRGMTU/TiaDmQrUpQI/AAAAAAAAAqE/QExIiW-SFOg/s400/IMG_5181.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631333077408326914" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCLjNa7vuS8/TiaDmJ20C1I/AAAAAAAAAp8/P1TXItrPAJo/s1600/IMG_5184.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCLjNa7vuS8/TiaDmJ20C1I/AAAAAAAAAp8/P1TXItrPAJo/s400/IMG_5184.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631333075577473874" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m03rbbTH21k/TiaDlzatrxI/AAAAAAAAAp0/Vg9XfLl6mWc/s1600/IMG_5172.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m03rbbTH21k/TiaDlzatrxI/AAAAAAAAAp0/Vg9XfLl6mWc/s400/IMG_5172.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631333069554036498" /></a>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-79860605991586814242011-07-10T19:52:00.000-07:002011-07-10T20:53:41.799-07:00So...What's new?Don't take my lack of posts to indicate nothing's going on here. Quite the opposite in fact, since my last post; 7 competed in his first Regionals (and my first Regionals without Jazz *sadface*), he's also been taking SuperDogs training classes (which are the most fun EVER!), Cooper and 7 are learning tracking from their Aunty Jessica, and Jazz ate about a Kilogram of pork ribs...That last one isn't really post-worthy but I'm writing while looking at him sprawled out on the floor, unable to move and more closely resembling a beach ball than a dog. <br />I could post about all those things...or I could show you pictures of 7 having fun in the sun!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqUx4-eQDg0/ThpwE1uqUvI/AAAAAAAAAns/pWSi6uDinj4/s1600/Goofy%2B7%2B013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqUx4-eQDg0/ThpwE1uqUvI/AAAAAAAAAns/pWSi6uDinj4/s400/Goofy%2B7%2B013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627933912797434610" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVbNB_YqJ9w/ThpxrB654vI/AAAAAAAAAo0/W-OAWzRYkRg/s1600/Goofy%2B7%2B020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVbNB_YqJ9w/ThpxrB654vI/AAAAAAAAAo0/W-OAWzRYkRg/s400/Goofy%2B7%2B020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627935668416668402" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLHdf8EXfI0/ThpxqPOUbCI/AAAAAAAAAoU/aM_s-tMhdJ4/s1600/Goofy%2B7%2B016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLHdf8EXfI0/ThpxqPOUbCI/AAAAAAAAAoU/aM_s-tMhdJ4/s400/Goofy%2B7%2B016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627935654807890978" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6KpbYdNyrKA/Thpxq0CgG4I/AAAAAAAAAos/eKZIiL4HYOg/s1600/Goofy%2B7%2B019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6KpbYdNyrKA/Thpxq0CgG4I/AAAAAAAAAos/eKZIiL4HYOg/s400/Goofy%2B7%2B019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627935664690436994" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGEUBug0dOM/ThpxqRn-k0I/AAAAAAAAAoc/Dr1sSSRq0QA/s1600/Goofy%2B7%2B018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGEUBug0dOM/ThpxqRn-k0I/AAAAAAAAAoc/Dr1sSSRq0QA/s400/Goofy%2B7%2B018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627935655452382018" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDGKpo5FBns/ThpwFx4wBrI/AAAAAAAAAoM/aRPjgre7Nr4/s1600/Goofy%2B7%2B014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDGKpo5FBns/ThpwFx4wBrI/AAAAAAAAAoM/aRPjgre7Nr4/s400/Goofy%2B7%2B014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627933928945878706" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6IZHM-rUQU/ThpwFqrgO1I/AAAAAAAAAoE/G80iH6206vo/s1600/Goofy%2B7%2B012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6IZHM-rUQU/ThpwFqrgO1I/AAAAAAAAAoE/G80iH6206vo/s400/Goofy%2B7%2B012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627933927011269458" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qb54XNdmUEE/ThpwFQ0TqpI/AAAAAAAAAn8/JUShDOPED9I/s1600/Goofy%2B7%2B011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qb54XNdmUEE/ThpwFQ0TqpI/AAAAAAAAAn8/JUShDOPED9I/s400/Goofy%2B7%2B011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627933920068872850" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C3kLp01d618/ThpwFFavdXI/AAAAAAAAAn0/MRWL3PfYNF0/s1600/Goofy%2B7%2B010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C3kLp01d618/ThpwFFavdXI/AAAAAAAAAn0/MRWL3PfYNF0/s400/Goofy%2B7%2B010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627933917008852338" /></a>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-74260905909854463302011-05-04T17:00:00.001-07:002011-05-06T21:25:40.159-07:00Saving Lives and Taking NamesI just got back from my trip to Cancun and I have to say, that was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!<br />Just to be a part of something like that was unbelievable. I feel very changed and I'm thrilled with the new outlook it's given me. Never before have I been surrounded by so many people I've come to profoundly admire and respect for their unfailing dedication to the animals. Ever day on our bus-ride to and from the clinic each and every person would scan the scenery outside their window. The silence would be punctuated by the occasional call of "Dog!" or "Cat!" at which point everyone would swivell simultaneously to look out the caller's window. Everyone was just so anxious to check on the well-being of each and every animal they came in contact with.<br /> I assisted mainly in the dog recovery room which took in the dogs after their surgery, while they were still asleep. We would work fast to get their nails clipped, ears cleaned, incision area scrubbed, picked ticks and applied flea/tick prevention. Simultaneously we'd be monitoring them to make sure their breathing stayed normal, gums stayed pink and that they started to wake up in the average time (which changed daily as the vets had to keep changing their med protocol due to shortages). Occasionally I would help in the surgery room, cleaning instruments (NOT a job for the squeamish, I find out :D) and on the last day I helped bring dogs in from outside and get them on the table. They would come in, having been given some pre-meds so they were usually pretty dopey. I would shave a small patch of hair on their front leg and then hold the dogs for the vet tech to place an IV catheter. The tech would then administer more anesthesia to put them competely out and then they would be intubated. The small dogs and puppies were the worst, squirming and crying. Of course, everyone's favourites were the Pit Bulls! So stoic and loving they never gave us any trouble. I think I enjoyed working in recovery the most. As the dogs woke up you got to spend some time cuddling and getting to know them (if they were friendly, of course! The aggressive ones got muzzled and put in crates as soon as they started waking up) <br />I went on the Sunday before the clinic started to help set up. While we were there, one dog was brought in that was very near death (unfortunately, he had to be put down the next day due to overwhelming health problems) as well as a very sweet female dog who had a wire wrapped around her paw, right down to the bone. Both these dogs got treated without us even having unpacked all the supplies! They also did a street-dog round up on Sunday which introduced me to these two...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scD5iZQKBEQ/TcS0Q8XgIbI/AAAAAAAAAk0/7DOMpvaKNlk/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scD5iZQKBEQ/TcS0Q8XgIbI/AAAAAAAAAk0/7DOMpvaKNlk/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B043.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603802039531348402" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lzQlDtdlXg/TcS0RWHD4oI/AAAAAAAAAk8/iO5QpkLFQ0k/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B045.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lzQlDtdlXg/TcS0RWHD4oI/AAAAAAAAAk8/iO5QpkLFQ0k/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B045.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603802046441710210" /></a><br /><br />I fell in love with the mom-dog, "Lola," immediately. She was just the sweetest, most playful young dog! She surprised me with her outgoingness and super cuddling skills. Her son, who we named "Stretch" proved himself to be an extremely endearing brat and he soon had me wrapped around his tiny paw as well. Of course, it didn't take me long to attach a tag to their collars that read "EMMA'S". Lola is now being fostered by 7-sitter extraordinaire Erin, and "Stretch", now renamed Luongo, has wormed his way into my brother's heart and that's where he'll stay!<br />I have many stories to tell about my trip but this post has already gotten too long. I'll just leave you with some pictures, to give a better idea of what it was like...<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnAtSgy_rGA/TcTA0LE0z7I/AAAAAAAAAls/fG4ONAG-5QI/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnAtSgy_rGA/TcTA0LE0z7I/AAAAAAAAAls/fG4ONAG-5QI/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603815838914498482" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-85EMFV8ZbMc/TcS3Y5_YnjI/AAAAAAAAAlk/aqVI0ZSPxPg/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B061.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-85EMFV8ZbMc/TcS3Y5_YnjI/AAAAAAAAAlk/aqVI0ZSPxPg/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B061.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603805474867158578" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpMIKhY6t20/TcS3YrqCeHI/AAAAAAAAAlc/05Andh6jXsU/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B057.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpMIKhY6t20/TcS3YrqCeHI/AAAAAAAAAlc/05Andh6jXsU/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B057.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603805471019530354" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8-It4Olw0k/TcS3X-1D4cI/AAAAAAAAAlU/Xf_rCqc9bss/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B055.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8-It4Olw0k/TcS3X-1D4cI/AAAAAAAAAlU/Xf_rCqc9bss/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B055.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603805458986164674" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BL2j8g6TSn8/TcS3XmdrKUI/AAAAAAAAAlM/1hYiE9ZIz-U/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BL2j8g6TSn8/TcS3XmdrKUI/AAAAAAAAAlM/1hYiE9ZIz-U/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603805452445624642" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ_Gn5W-CY0/TcTA1TGvdMI/AAAAAAAAAmM/1mUVTrQQdfQ/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B074.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ_Gn5W-CY0/TcTA1TGvdMI/AAAAAAAAAmM/1mUVTrQQdfQ/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B074.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603815858249888962" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aIOjIBvRv5o/TcTA1HmZZZI/AAAAAAAAAmE/UnqBe3m0c1U/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B069.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aIOjIBvRv5o/TcTA1HmZZZI/AAAAAAAAAmE/UnqBe3m0c1U/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B069.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603815855161435538" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bPcbylQmBOs/TcTA02O6WFI/AAAAAAAAAl8/CjE1YAJciQ4/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B067.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bPcbylQmBOs/TcTA02O6WFI/AAAAAAAAAl8/CjE1YAJciQ4/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B067.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603815850499528786" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ9rzHMIY3Q/TcTA0pXnPGI/AAAAAAAAAl0/nzR-Z1C5OEI/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B064.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ9rzHMIY3Q/TcTA0pXnPGI/AAAAAAAAAl0/nzR-Z1C5OEI/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B064.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603815847046364258" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u3XfR-4mHpQ/TcTJSwxUNXI/AAAAAAAAAm8/XLxx7SjyhHY/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B092.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u3XfR-4mHpQ/TcTJSwxUNXI/AAAAAAAAAm8/XLxx7SjyhHY/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B092.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603825160522315122" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IKPLBeW7G7Y/TcTHMgZuiRI/AAAAAAAAAm0/4K0Oq0UI4oc/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B086.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IKPLBeW7G7Y/TcTHMgZuiRI/AAAAAAAAAm0/4K0Oq0UI4oc/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B086.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603822854025939218" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GyY0PlggFg4/TcTHMSlx-rI/AAAAAAAAAms/v-qhHi3TQuI/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B084.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GyY0PlggFg4/TcTHMSlx-rI/AAAAAAAAAms/v-qhHi3TQuI/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B084.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603822850318400178" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tpWSt3mUKGA/TcTHMMO_MqI/AAAAAAAAAmk/XI-4s0wzo2E/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B083.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tpWSt3mUKGA/TcTHMMO_MqI/AAAAAAAAAmk/XI-4s0wzo2E/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B083.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603822848612184738" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RqS2gkUoWY/TcTHL3KscJI/AAAAAAAAAmc/IfJFqxJ8gbU/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B082.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RqS2gkUoWY/TcTHL3KscJI/AAAAAAAAAmc/IfJFqxJ8gbU/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B082.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603822842957033618" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3eS0H3bUuY/TcTHLZKfTnI/AAAAAAAAAmU/LaMYxXIX84w/s1600/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B080.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3eS0H3bUuY/TcTHLZKfTnI/AAAAAAAAAmU/LaMYxXIX84w/s400/Cancun%2BApril%2B2011%2B080.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603822834903109234" /></a>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-52142300011621711672011-03-21T17:34:00.000-07:002011-03-21T17:37:24.474-07:00My conversion to Buddhism<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21322140" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/21322140">Buddha!</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user6366081">TheDogNerd</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-18998798349782536142011-03-19T17:27:00.001-07:002011-03-19T17:45:27.380-07:007's second agility trialBetter late than never, here is some video from 7's second agility trial. He Q'd in 5 out of 7 runs. 2 Advanced Standards, 1 Advanced Gamblers, 1 Starters Jumpers (moving him up to Advanced) and 1 Starters Snooker. <br />He now needs one more Starters Snooker Q to get his Starters Games Dog of Canada (SGDC) and one more Advanced Standard Q to get his Advanced Agility Dog of Canada (AADC) and move up to Masters!<br />I couldn't be more proud of my Big Red Dog and am very excited about Regionals. Now that I know he can focus in a trial environment with his buddies around, I feel (mostly) confident about Regionals in May.<br />Here's the video...<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iVT1HQdj3aI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />In other news, I'm going to be going to Cancun at the end of April to participate in a free spay/neuter clinic with "Cats and Dogs International" (CANDI)! I am more than a little excited about this trip, although it will be hard to leave my own poochies for a whole week! 7 will be going to stay with his favourite aunty Erin and the Littles will stay behind in the capable hands of my mom. <br />CANDI pays for everything on these trips; flights, accomodations (we'll be staying at an all-inclusive resort!), meals etc! All I have to bring is some money for tips. It's feeling like a trip of a lifetime and I'm getting very impatient realizing I have to wait a whole month :DDog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-48995349202443871832011-03-08T22:30:00.001-08:002011-03-08T23:02:49.195-08:00Training ProjectI've decided I'd like to take on an ambitious training project for the spring. I'm going to teach 7 a running contact. For the (agility) uninitiated readers this means that instead of having 7 come to a full stop at the end of contact equipment (dog-walk, A-frame) excluding the teeter for obvious reasons :D I will have him continue running flat out. <br /><br />There is a painted "zone" (often yellow) at the bottome of these pieces of equipment that the dogs feet must touch. This is a very difficult thing to train simply because it's ambiguous. Dogs HATE ambiguity. Running to the bottom of a long board and stopping when your front feet touch dirt is black and white. It's an easy concept to understand and there are definete criteria that you can teach <br />seperately before putting it all together. The running contact is basically taught- (through my preferred method) Continue striding accross the board and make sure your feet hit somewhere in the bottom third of the down ramp. Simple, right? Not so much. It combines a LOT of muscle memory as well as some seriously whip-fast timing with the clicker or marker word when the dog makes their last stride and it hits inside the yellow zone and roughly where you'd like to see it. For example, you might not reward the dog for getting a paw in the yellow zone that is too high up and thus dangerously close to not hitting at all. Conversely, you don't want the dog too careful and adjusting his stride awkwardly to make the very bottom of the plank. <br /><br />I'm planning to just teach the dog-walk first as it's the more difficult piece and if that goes well, we'll see if his skills transfer to the A-frame.<br /><br /><br />You may be wondering why I would even bother teaching this new concept to 7. I mean, he already has super reliable contacts that have (so far) held up in a trial situation, so why try something else. There are several reasons...foremost; all the coolest agility people are doing it...and I'm nothing if not a sheeple. But, it also intrigues me as a challenge and I don't think that, even if we end up failing miserably, it will mess up our current contacts. If anything, it should make them faster. I will be sure to name it differently and continue cueing "touch!" when I want a stopped contact.<br /><br /><br />I've decided I'd like to try Silvia Trkman's method as I've been able to find a lot of (free!) information on it and most of it's directly from the source. Here is a video of several dogs trained using this method...<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/G7mKN5Wewlk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Here is another trainer I love who has trained the Trkman running contact as well as a stopped 2 on 2 off contact (with nose touch)<br /><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XKMgiKx_f2w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-46828310290377504412011-02-03T15:26:00.001-08:002011-02-03T15:42:48.282-08:00Quick Tip:When hiking a bunch of dogs in the mountain, in the rain, you must remember a few things. If you are suddenly overcome with feelings of doggy love and general wellbeing you may feel inclined to break into song. This is normal. BUT, and this is important...first remove your hood. While a hood provides wonderful protection from icky, wet rain and has surprisingly good acoustics, making your rendition of "You light up my life" sound absolutely <em>fantastic</em>! It also unfortunately creates a cone of silence. <br />You will not, for instance, hear the man walking directly behind you. That is until, he clears his throat LOUDLY. You see, he will have been trying to get past the weird (but vocally gifted) girl walking with her giant herd of dogs for quite some time. However, you are wearing brand new boots which make you feel a bit unbalanced. Smartly, you will be walking with wide, swingy, balancey arms on a narrow trail, making casual passing impossible. When his LOUD, painful sounding throat noises finally get through your soundproof hood, try not to startle too violently. Those new boots will be unable to keep you upright and you will fall sideways into a puddle. Noisy throat man will then take his opportunity to jog past you, because, who in their right mind would help up a girl who is getting her face washed by numerous dogs while laughing hysterically. <br /><br />...You're welcome.Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-78250455593775270032011-02-01T23:41:00.000-08:002011-02-02T00:20:06.959-08:00Awesome Dog is Awesome.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TUkMha_6ARI/AAAAAAAAAkY/zTT8h6Kkjbw/s1600/7%2527s%2Bfirst%2Btrial%2B015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TUkMha_6ARI/AAAAAAAAAkY/zTT8h6Kkjbw/s400/7%2527s%2Bfirst%2Btrial%2B015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568996182542909714" /></a><br /><br />I'm a little late with this post as it's about something that happened over 2 weeks ago but, whadayagonnado?<br />So, 7 went 7 out of 8 in his first agility trial ever...*pauses a suitable length of time to allow mouths a chance to return to normal, closed positions*<br />Needless to say I'm a little proud of the baby dog! The first day, Saturday, was one of the best days in agility I've ever had. It wasn't so much that we Q'd in all four runs (that's super nerdy agility talk for "we had four perfect, fault-free runs) but that 7 maintained awesome drive and focus throughout the day and still remembered all his extra boring criteria like where to enter weave poles and how to stop at the end of each contact 'till mom says "break!" He is a dog who really likes to grab life by the cojones and a super exciting, loud, stressful trial environment is just the sort of place I could expect him to lose his mind completely until all his brain can manage is "look at that!" "Ohmydog is this dirt!?" "Are those <em>WALLS</em>?" "I can't believe the <em>AIR</em> I'm breathing right now!!!"<br />I was very happy with his ability to keep it together. Sunday was a little more exciting as that was the day Jesus Christ decided to visit us at the barn. Also known as Ryan...7's personal saviour. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TUkOuIyZhNI/AAAAAAAAAkg/iQtpnwS7PLk/s1600/Ryan"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TUkOuIyZhNI/AAAAAAAAAkg/iQtpnwS7PLk/s400/Ryan" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568998600015971538" /></a><br />I mean, look at him! How do you expect 7 to keep his focus when THIS angelic creature is in the vicinity? <em>I</em> can barely keep my composure with Ryan around!<br /><br />We still managed to pull 3 q's out of the 4 runs on Sunday mostly due to the fact that these were starters courses so there was some leeway given when 7 would be running furiously down a line of jumps and then all of a sudden get a wiff or eau de Ryan or hear what could be a "I'm in trouble and only a Vizsla can save me!" bark, and veer off course for a bit to check it out.<br /><br />Our only faulted run of the trial occured when the trial organizers in their infinite wisdom scheduled Ryan to run right before me in the Snooker run! I mean, come <em>on</em>! Everyone knows 7 needs at least a half a day to recuperate after watching Ryan fly whimsically through a course, while singing operatic criticisms and congratulations at his mom's chosen handling path. I knew we were about to break our streak when I had to hold 7 by the scruff of the neck at the start line while he sat craning his neck around me trying to catch a glimpse of Ryan sailing out the out gate. <br />I didn't mind not Q'ing Snooker as it's my least favourite class and I don't mind staying at the starters level a little longer just to avoid the more difficult courses facing us at the higher levels. As for the rest of the weekend, we moved up in Standard as well as Gamblers. We also technically would have moved up in jumpers but you have to get 2 Q's under 2 different judges and unfortunately we had the same judge for both jumpers classes.<br />Here's a pic of 7 with his ADC ribbon which he got under judge (and super awesome auntie!) Julia.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TUkMhPYlJeI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/JqaD39GaP50/s1600/7%2527s%2Bfirst%2Btrial%2B006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TUkMhPYlJeI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/JqaD39GaP50/s400/7%2527s%2Bfirst%2Btrial%2B006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568996179425175010" /></a><br /><br />Here's a video of Saturday's runs. <br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sDioB47zs_k?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-64274380855209715642010-11-13T00:11:00.001-08:002010-11-13T00:17:19.797-08:00Long time...No post!<br /><br />On Remembrance day, a group of us dog nerds threw our dogs (and some tag-alongs) in our cars and headed up Cypress Mountain for a little doggy free-for-all in the fresh snow. It was miserable rainy at the bottome of the mountain but snowing big, beautiful white flakes up top. <br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2VSrwNj0QI4?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2VSrwNj0QI4?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />That night was 7's agility class that runs Masters level courses. Not bad for the 18 month old Baby Dog!<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lXb6bCbwDSM?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lXb6bCbwDSM?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-19788785278474724432010-10-01T17:31:00.000-07:002010-10-01T17:50:54.201-07:00As promised...Here are some very sad pictures of 7 when he got home from his surgery. Being a dog with zero body fat, the drugs really hit him hard and he took quite a long time to recover. <br /><br />Jazz sat near 7's crate for quite a while, it was pretty cute although I'm fairly sure he just wanted in the big comfy crate and didn't know why 7 should get all the attention.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TKZ_DPXTz1I/AAAAAAAAAjI/j2VMYklXUBs/s1600/7+neuter+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TKZ_DPXTz1I/AAAAAAAAAjI/j2VMYklXUBs/s400/7+neuter+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523241686657126226" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TKZ_C3MkunI/AAAAAAAAAjA/QQImkKoy9hg/s1600/7+neuter+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TKZ_C3MkunI/AAAAAAAAAjA/QQImkKoy9hg/s400/7+neuter+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523241680169646706" /></a><br /><br />At one point I heard some heavy breathing and snorting sounds coming from 7's recovery ward and saw this terribly pathetic but also too funny sight. <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TKZ_DtvKmbI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/GKvxXy9BXSI/s1600/7+neuter+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TKZ_DtvKmbI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/GKvxXy9BXSI/s400/7+neuter+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523241694810249650" /></a><br />I actually had to opend the crate door and reposition his head to allow for more air flow.<br /><br />The surgery got rescheduled for thursday (yesterday) as they had an emergency in the clinic on Wednesday morning that took precedence.<br />Today, I've been giving 7 some filled kongs to persuade him to stay *quietly* in his crate. This is apparently extremely unfair says Jazz and foster dog Reese. They believe they should be allowed stuffed kongs too, just for having to put up with their whiney brother!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TKZ_D1lSwGI/AAAAAAAAAjY/o5ACbqqYCJE/s1600/7+neuter+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TKZ_D1lSwGI/AAAAAAAAAjY/o5ACbqqYCJE/s400/7+neuter+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523241696916324450" /></a><br />I'm very happy with the job my vet did, I was able to be with 7 right up until he was fully under and they were about to put the tube down his throat. I had to leave for a hike with some client dogs otherwise I could have stayed for the whole procedure. His incision site is miniscule and so clean looking. There are no stitches to be seen as they are all under the skin and dissolvable. 7's empty "coin purse" is a pretty funny site flopping in the breeze and I do hope it goes away with time!Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-27790381402452528072010-09-28T23:07:00.001-07:002010-09-28T23:15:22.097-07:00"Adios Amigos!"My poor wee puppy is finally getting the big "snip snip." He's going in tomorrow and while I'm happy to be finally doing it, I'm also being a super worried wussie mummy about it. I just can't stand the thought of my big baby in surgery! <br />Wish him luck!<br /><br /><br />Of course, post surgery, super sad 7 pictures to come! (I can be so cruel!)Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-1425814693075305612010-09-06T23:52:00.000-07:002010-09-07T00:41:51.689-07:00Dog Nerd Beach PartySo, with the stressful Super Dogs audition week over (with a few flyball lessons, 7 will be ready for the team next year!) we decided to take the whole gang down to Spanish Banks dog beach for a doggy beach party. We started out with 13 dogs, which dwindled to 10 when <em>someone</em> got too cold and had to go home (Love you Loic!)<br /><br /><br />This was our attempt at a group photo...<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXj78dY0qI/AAAAAAAAAhI/qZEk0R3iP08/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXj78dY0qI/AAAAAAAAAhI/qZEk0R3iP08/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514063937766216354" /></a><br />Unfortunately I think puppy Kepler *just* walked out of the shot as this was taken but, trust me, this is the best one I got!<br /><br /><br />We went at super low tide which makes it look like you can walk all the way back home.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXj9OV5AOI/AAAAAAAAAhg/yvZ-g5xIWDk/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXj9OV5AOI/AAAAAAAAAhg/yvZ-g5xIWDk/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514063959746478306" /></a><br /><br /><br />Cooper was in heaven checking out all the tide pools (and there were a LOT)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXj9aHsDaI/AAAAAAAAAho/jlLV0Gi3NOQ/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXj9aHsDaI/AAAAAAAAAho/jlLV0Gi3NOQ/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514063962908134818" /></a><br /><br /><br />Besides the usual suspects a couple new(ish) faces joined our party.<br /><br />This is Angel, a senior German Shepherd and a complete sweety...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXj8mR0znI/AAAAAAAAAhY/yb-C6Cq--hk/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXj8mR0znI/AAAAAAAAAhY/yb-C6Cq--hk/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514063948992007794" /></a><br /><br />Here's...oh crap! I forgot his name! He's awfully cute though, his permanent wink is terribly endearing.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXj8dgp0uI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/Cob5UbMNmVw/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXj8dgp0uI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/Cob5UbMNmVw/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514063946638283490" /></a><br /><br />Beezer: "Yep, I'm surrounded..."<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXm7uYy-9I/AAAAAAAAAhw/OnkvfrlT-dc/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXm7uYy-9I/AAAAAAAAAhw/OnkvfrlT-dc/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514067232523746258" /></a><br /><br />Kepler needed a couple pit stops along the way. Life is tiring when you're a baby!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXm8QJAKGI/AAAAAAAAAh4/pLFbqlY811k/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXm8QJAKGI/AAAAAAAAAh4/pLFbqlY811k/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514067241584306274" /></a><br /><br />Finally we found the real ocean...Ryan and 7 were overjoyed...<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXoUeL8dbI/AAAAAAAAAio/60B7x0fOx3g/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+044.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXoUeL8dbI/AAAAAAAAAio/60B7x0fOx3g/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514068757183231410" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXm9iGKncI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/9lht6Wh8qkM/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+036.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXm9iGKncI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/9lht6Wh8qkM/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+036.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514067263584116162" /></a><br /><br />However, 7's joy quickly turned to sorrow when he realized..."ooh mommy, it's <em>cold!"</em><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXm9ALBdTI/AAAAAAAAAiI/m5Pi94Sws44/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXm9ALBdTI/AAAAAAAAAiI/m5Pi94Sws44/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514067254477681970" /></a><br /><br />The dogs who swam did so with gusto and were retrieving ball after ball until our arms got sore...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXoUEniG5I/AAAAAAAAAig/Lr47Nx2iVq8/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXoUEniG5I/AAAAAAAAAig/Lr47Nx2iVq8/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+043.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514068750319623058" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXoToLv4SI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Ro_gwfWsJXA/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+038.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXoToLv4SI/AAAAAAAAAiY/Ro_gwfWsJXA/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+038.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514068742686892322" /></a><br /><br />While everyone had a great time, I think it was the "Four Musketeers" who really squeezed every last drop of fun out of the adventure. I swear, every time we get these four together, they immediately take off on their own version of tag that will last for hours if we let it!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXoU9qiKVI/AAAAAAAAAiw/LLiFnAft9jc/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+047.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXoU9qiKVI/AAAAAAAAAiw/LLiFnAft9jc/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+047.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514068765633030482" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXm8zwFErI/AAAAAAAAAiA/nCcXBB9Mo7E/s1600/Beach+Sept+%2710+020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TIXm8zwFErI/AAAAAAAAAiA/nCcXBB9Mo7E/s400/Beach+Sept+%2710+020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514067251143447218" /></a>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-78923938120170159442010-08-28T22:14:00.000-07:002010-08-28T22:21:21.162-07:00OMG...Ack! 7's been invited to try out for the Super Dogs!!! I just got the message tonight from one of my agility instructors (who has 3 dogs in the Super Dogs) that they want me to come for three days and check out the show. I will help out backstage and have 7 join the practices between shows. If they like him they will let him try something out in the show...I am SO excited and nervous. I think his only real struggle will be with letting other people restrain him while I lead out super far away to direct him over the huge, mostly straight courses. He's had an issue with strangers wrapping their arms around him in a "flyball hold" and I haven't been very good about working him through it. Oh well, I can just hope that they won't mind going slow with him at first.Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-63056520472175606812010-08-11T23:20:00.000-07:002010-08-12T08:55:13.701-07:00AAC 2010 Nationals!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOXVzrtc3I/AAAAAAAAAf0/UPd7GZLez6M/s1600/Nationals+2010+037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOXVzrtc3I/AAAAAAAAAf0/UPd7GZLez6M/s400/Nationals+2010+037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504409570483467122" /></a><br /><br />Phew! It's all done and over with :-) Myself and the dogs are back at home and adjusting to normal life again. I already can't wait for next year's Regionals...hopefully the baby dog won't embarass his big brother! If all goes well throughout the year I think I will enter Jazz in Regionals again instead of retiring as was my (sort of) plan. He's turning 10, and while that's not so old for a small dog, he is starting to suffer from his unfortunate conformation. I hope I can get one more year out of him as this Nationals wasn't what I know it could be. I don't know if it was the extreme nerves or I was just not able to focus with such prettiness all around but I know I didn't give Jazz the runs he deserved. I never felt fully connected to him and it showed. We didn't have a clean run all weekend. We came close, and a few of the runs were beautiful but I could tell we weren't as "on" as we usually are. That's not the trial I want to leave Jazz's career on. <br />Despite not being "all we can be," Jazz still managed to place (7th) and get me a big shiny ribbon! I love my ol' boy, he always tries so hard for me even when I'm not reciprocating.<br />Well, enough jabbering, let's look as some pictures! Here is the car that we crammed (literally) 6 dogs, 5 of which were not small! If you look closely you can see Jazz making especially sure he won't be left behind<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOVaRCkHuI/AAAAAAAAAe8/xgvC-5SA0gw/s1600/Nationals+2010+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOVaRCkHuI/AAAAAAAAAe8/xgvC-5SA0gw/s400/Nationals+2010+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504407448060174050" /></a><br /><br />Now, Faren demonstrates an interesting dog-loading technique on Beezer who seems a bit perturbed<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOVa6aygmI/AAAAAAAAAfE/Xq6PpGoMrDo/s1600/Nationals+2010+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOVa6aygmI/AAAAAAAAAfE/Xq6PpGoMrDo/s400/Nationals+2010+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504407459167634018" /></a><br /><br />*Ahem* Yep, the boy dogs on this trip got SUPER gay for eachother. They were adorable and disturbing all at the same time!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOY0Tn6TTI/AAAAAAAAAgM/grhxbX637Ts/s1600/Nationals+2010+066.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOY0Tn6TTI/AAAAAAAAAgM/grhxbX637Ts/s400/Nationals+2010+066.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504411193965169970" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOXWhZ1X0I/AAAAAAAAAgE/W_xp7GtkyPg/s1600/Nationals+2010+053.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOXWhZ1X0I/AAAAAAAAAgE/W_xp7GtkyPg/s400/Nationals+2010+053.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504409582756519746" /></a><br /><br />An interesting fact was discovered. We as a group are extremely patterned in our dog selection. Somehow we all ended up with one brown and one black dog...<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOXWVyIGFI/AAAAAAAAAf8/ej-lDyYRuuQ/s1600/Nationals+2010+043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOXWVyIGFI/AAAAAAAAAf8/ej-lDyYRuuQ/s400/Nationals+2010+043.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504409579637184594" /></a><br /><br />7 looking studly in front of the famous "Canada Planks." <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOXVgTUwLI/AAAAAAAAAfs/iXUygD2MPLY/s1600/Nationals+2010+034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOXVgTUwLI/AAAAAAAAAfs/iXUygD2MPLY/s400/Nationals+2010+034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504409565280911538" /></a><br />Those of you reading who have watched show jumping at Spruce Meadows, or who follow show jumping at all are probably squealing "Ooooh, the Canada Planks!" right now. I know I certainly did when I saw them up close and personal!<br /><br /><br />7 looking less studly. In fact, he's looking distinctly like "Goofy" in this shot. Awesome.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOVb-7Xb4I/AAAAAAAAAfc/cPan3ywQ53s/s1600/Nationals+2010+019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOVb-7Xb4I/AAAAAAAAAfc/cPan3ywQ53s/s400/Nationals+2010+019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504407477557882754" /></a><br /><br />Here's a shot of our layout in the nice stall that we had all to ourselves. This was before Faren got stressed out on Saturday night and did was she does best...clean! We came back to a tidy, swept, sparkly (well, almost) stall after she was throught with it<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOXVdEmyuI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Lcuzr5cocYc/s1600/Nationals+2010+031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOXVdEmyuI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Lcuzr5cocYc/s400/Nationals+2010+031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504409564413872866" /></a><br /><br />This was 7's favourite part of the day...playing in the super awesome fountain!<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f-p_tuXKiNE?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f-p_tuXKiNE?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />And finally a few more driving pics, 'cause they're cute!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOVbjCy2QI/AAAAAAAAAfU/NDSlEJVMS64/s1600/Nationals+2010+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOVbjCy2QI/AAAAAAAAAfU/NDSlEJVMS64/s400/Nationals+2010+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504407470072846594" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOVbeLkAPI/AAAAAAAAAfM/LXs9gnlrXKY/s1600/Nationals+2010+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOVbeLkAPI/AAAAAAAAAfM/LXs9gnlrXKY/s400/Nationals+2010+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504407468767445234" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOY0tMwLCI/AAAAAAAAAgU/WcNW6XV3Rns/s1600/Nationals+2010+067.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TGOY0tMwLCI/AAAAAAAAAgU/WcNW6XV3Rns/s400/Nationals+2010+067.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504411200830581794" /></a><br /><br />In closing here are a few of my runs from the event...<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-1Lv2fR4bO0?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-1Lv2fR4bO0?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/V4xCae2gQAQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/V4xCae2gQAQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CcYZwH4x2IA?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CcYZwH4x2IA?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hcYW2M60Cw0?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hcYW2M60Cw0?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-55607696988339123482010-08-02T12:46:00.000-07:002010-08-02T12:56:37.672-07:00Nationals Draws Near...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TFciKzE031I/AAAAAAAAAe0/CzmTGYK-8LM/s1600/June.9+dogs+025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TFciKzE031I/AAAAAAAAAe0/CzmTGYK-8LM/s400/June.9+dogs+025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500903038760836946" /></a><br />Well, the countdown is coming to a close. There are now only 3 full days left (including today) before we leave for Nationals. I am literally shaking in my boots with nervous energy. The roadtrip part is going to be a blast...3 girls and 6 dogs in a car...what fun! I'll try and get loads of pics and video of our adventure as well as the actual competition. 7 will be coming along to keep Jazz company and Cooper's going to stay with my much-abused mom! (thanks mumz!)<br />I hope I'm not too nervous to appreciate actually being at Spruce Meadows. I went there several years ago with my mom to watch the Masters and I've always wanted to go back. So many of the Greats of show jumping have competed there, the place has a certain awe inspiring feel to it.Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-47430037064147809112010-07-09T17:15:00.000-07:002010-07-09T17:17:52.330-07:00Weaves Day 20 (12 Poles!)We did it! 12 poles in 20 days :-) While that isn't exactly Susan Garrett's 12 poles in 12 days I'm still pretty happy with our progress. <br /><br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oa85-kadQCc&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oa85-kadQCc&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-31353008871529751092010-07-08T11:17:00.000-07:002010-07-08T11:19:44.519-07:00Weaves Day 19<object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WMqHHIwDeFw&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WMqHHIwDeFw&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nQJtw_W78E4&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nQJtw_W78E4&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-1525962671446084532010-07-05T21:54:00.000-07:002010-07-05T22:30:57.951-07:00PUPPY!My friend Jessica recently aquired a new member of her family...meet Kepler, don't they look gorgeous together!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK4GQUY9LI/AAAAAAAAAc0/6iVfU8kF14I/s1600/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK4GQUY9LI/AAAAAAAAAc0/6iVfU8kF14I/s400/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490653313317270706" /></a><br />This puppy is well on his way to becoming THE MOST SOCIALIZED PUPPY IN THE WORLD! Seriously, Jess has had him all of two weeks and he's been EVERYWHERE and then some. This sunday we made a day out of a trip to the jazz festival. I brought 7, Aunty Jody brought Super Abby and of course Jess and Kepler. The dogs had a great time! Even though the trip was primarily for Kepler socializing, 7 and Abby got a lot out of it too. 7 made some big strides in his "oh dear, there's a small child and it wants to <em>touch</em> me" cringing. He even allowed a young baby to balance on his shoulder as he pulled himself up to standing position! I managed to get a lot of little people to pat him in unscary ways and feed him goodies, this kept him from getting too overwhelmed. We also met a lot of "family." Other people with dogs from 7's breeder. I think I ran into at least 3 people who had Brinkworth dogs...too funny!<br />Here are lots of pics of our little field trip...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK7C1ZHFDI/AAAAAAAAAeE/S50UaR6k4Fs/s1600/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK7C1ZHFDI/AAAAAAAAAeE/S50UaR6k4Fs/s400/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490656553084589106" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK5d1UK4OI/AAAAAAAAAd8/AxQ9CKbQ-u4/s1600/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK5d1UK4OI/AAAAAAAAAd8/AxQ9CKbQ-u4/s400/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490654817897079010" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK5dYqTuzI/AAAAAAAAAd0/AGiTVN1Ynp0/s1600/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK5dYqTuzI/AAAAAAAAAd0/AGiTVN1Ynp0/s400/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490654810205305650" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK5chenn-I/AAAAAAAAAds/FEGt3QZ9lfA/s1600/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK5chenn-I/AAAAAAAAAds/FEGt3QZ9lfA/s400/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490654795392327650" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK5bRGGe6I/AAAAAAAAAdk/dhRD2H1lB-s/s1600/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK5bRGGe6I/AAAAAAAAAdk/dhRD2H1lB-s/s400/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490654773814655906" /></a><br /><br />Here the dogs are learning to drink water out of a poop bag...YES! A clean one! Bad dog parents, forgot a water dish :-(<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK5a02V2cI/AAAAAAAAAdc/DzFZlLnOx9E/s1600/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK5a02V2cI/AAAAAAAAAdc/DzFZlLnOx9E/s400/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490654766232361410" /></a><br /><br />This was supposed to be a cute pic of Jess and her puppy but Abby managed to steal the show with her Super Model pose in the background! Is it wrong to be jealous of a dog's body? <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK4JqsmlZI/AAAAAAAAAdU/xplfTf4qo24/s1600/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK4JqsmlZI/AAAAAAAAAdU/xplfTf4qo24/s400/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490653371937756562" /></a><br /><br />Okay, I know this one is blurry but it was way to cuuuuute to leave out!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK4IlQYiOI/AAAAAAAAAdM/nio_0o7nzOY/s1600/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK4IlQYiOI/AAAAAAAAAdM/nio_0o7nzOY/s400/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490653353297348834" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK4Hntq-fI/AAAAAAAAAdE/c0XJIb3HE9E/s1600/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK4Hntq-fI/AAAAAAAAAdE/c0XJIb3HE9E/s400/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490653336777193970" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK4G3seSkI/AAAAAAAAAc8/VbQ-76dLUmM/s1600/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK4G3seSkI/AAAAAAAAAc8/VbQ-76dLUmM/s400/Kepler+Jazz+Festival+june+%2710+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490653323887266370" /></a><br /><br />Here are some videos of their play session before hitting the festival...<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VyrbKRYvnn0&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VyrbKRYvnn0&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/K7PbZLU3vCU&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/K7PbZLU3vCU&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />Now, Cooper's been a little ticked off lately that I haven't been posting much about him so here are some pics I took of him tonight that are very..."Cooper."<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK94mYb7hI/AAAAAAAAAeU/9gpmvMcO5Wo/s1600/cooper+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK94mYb7hI/AAAAAAAAAeU/9gpmvMcO5Wo/s400/cooper+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490659675791420946" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK94J-YCVI/AAAAAAAAAeM/r-8ahR4x6c4/s1600/cooper.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK94J-YCVI/AAAAAAAAAeM/r-8ahR4x6c4/s400/cooper.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490659668165921106" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK95IqlSAI/AAAAAAAAAec/XSWxeme34sw/s1600/cooper+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK95IqlSAI/AAAAAAAAAec/XSWxeme34sw/s400/cooper+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490659684994336770" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK96Bg2a9I/AAAAAAAAAek/viQIfKuZABI/s1600/cooper+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK96Bg2a9I/AAAAAAAAAek/viQIfKuZABI/s400/cooper+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490659700254338002" /></a><br /><br />"Get OUT of MY photo shoot!!!!"<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK96v4T7GI/AAAAAAAAAes/yghfO9umcoE/s1600/cooper+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_astABqUoJlQ/TDK96v4T7GI/AAAAAAAAAes/yghfO9umcoE/s400/cooper+7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490659712700771426" /></a>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-83664877889042116122010-06-30T21:36:00.001-07:002010-06-30T21:36:31.144-07:00Weaves Day 18<object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OQ55C0Hg2ik&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OQ55C0Hg2ik&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860054164563511853.post-84612572617199128912010-06-29T22:00:00.000-07:002010-06-29T22:01:28.737-07:00Weaves Day 16 and 17<object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tBg1mmP5Drw&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tBg1mmP5Drw&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8n83OCo4viw&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8n83OCo4viw&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Dog Nerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552032286187843745noreply@blogger.com0