Tuesday, March 26, 2013

All Grown Up

One of the local competitors from our area is on the WAO World Team for  Spain 2013 and there was a 1 day agility trial to help raise money to finance the trip. Another of the competitors created this awesome video of the even, which I loved even if neither of my dogs made a appearance in it. I always find these agility videos fun, but they're even more fun when you actually know the dogs and people in it!

Anyway. The boys and I had a great time even if benching was the tightest I've ever experienced at Wet Creek (anywhere - really.)

Baxter was amped to play. So amped that contact performance deteriorated a little. Steeplechase was 2x 12 weaves, so that was a automatic write off - even without the crazy tight standard course times that had many people who usually qualify not making time. I honestly didn't even look to see how far over time we were!

Baxter and I had a decent Gamblers run, but missed a fairly hard final Gamble (only 8 dogs got it.) Standard turned into a good training round, and Steeplechase was the usual "donation" run. We redeemed ourselves in Jumpers though where he read what I wanted very well despite me not knowing quite how I wanted to handle things. Such a happy, good dog. He seems a bit faster now that he is a little leaner and hopefully that continues to improve with the nice weather.

Winter is hard for me to keep the dogs in good trialing condition, bring on the spring!! Everyone is ready for a new excercise regime!

Spencer had a great day as well. Still some baby dog confusion with the weaves initially. And he was having such a good time out there that he blew right across the table in standard without even attempting to stop (in his defense, I  cue'd it late.) The highlight though, he took the chute without any hesitation at all!

Spencer would have got his second advanced Jumpers had I not used the wrong cue and pulled him off a jump 3 obstacles from the finish.  He did get his 3rd advanced Gamble, putting him into Masters Gamblers. I can't believe it. My little guy in in a Masters class already, and Gamblers at that - the "hard" one.

All grown up now - sort of ...

Monday, March 18, 2013

Winter Wonderland ... in March











Eating Snowflakes












































March 17th. Only in Canada.
I think the heavy snowfall warning was probably warranted ...

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

“Dogs are not our whole life ...

 "Dogs are not our whole life but they make our lives whole.” - Roger Caras


He tries whatever I ask him to and is just a good, steady little dog with a lot of heart.

He's a little different from the chihuahua's, since he grew up as a only dog. A little more people focused. Always in the same room as me, or waiting by the door for me to come home. 

Always up to do something.

I love this fluffy little dog.

*edit - yeah, I changed the post a little from when it was originally posted. I like it better now!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Not Exclusively Dogs

I was playing with my camera that I really need to learn to use better the other day and got a couple of cute pictures of Sebastian.



Sebastian is my cat. Who is in fact larger than 2 of my dogs. I ended up getting him before I acquired Baxter from my parents. I wanted a cat that was social and friendly and didn't shed. He's a Devon Rex and I did manage to get 2 of the 3 criteria.


Either way he has pretty eyes!


Spencer also has pretty eyes, and is practicing his Jedi mind tricks in hopes I will throw the toy he has kindly deposited in my lap ...



 While poor Baxter just had to play by himself since no one was throwing his toy either. He's funny, he's the only one of the 3 that will play toys by himself, maybe because he grew up without another dog around?


Penny sucking on the foot of her stuffed "salsa" toy. Done as a glamor shot because she is in love with it - or something.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Worth 1000 Words: II

This weekend was Training Troop's St. Pawddy's Day March Trial. 
My boys did very well. 
More trial review later!



















Baxter: MSDC (Masters Snooker Dog of Canada)

 



















Spencer: ADC (Agility Dog of Canada)