lolcatz

more animals

Vet Hours

I started my vet hours today. EEEK! It was fun, but kinda crazy!

american bulldogish spay
chi/doxieish neuter (evil little beastie)
bcish tooth extraction
poodle xrays (possible obstruction)
collie ongoing diarrhea case
cat enema
FeLV positive stray kitty :(
probably more I'm forgetting

I was there from 8-2, and as long as I don't work at the Cafe, I'll be there again on Monday. Lots to experience. Fun to be in the back and with everyone, relaxed. Very interesting!

TOO CUTE!

Six Things I Like by Buzz

This is fun... keeps getting passed around from dog to dog. Buzz's turn!

Retrieving


Agility


Sleeping (happier if the other black and white thing wasn't there)


Rascal kitty


Walks & Snow (two, combined!)


Buzz is tagging Izzy & Stryder.

6th Photo

From The Incorrigible Corgwn

Here's the deal:

You have to check your Photo Archives (or wherever you store your images) then select the 6th file folder, open it & post the 6th picture contained there, with the story behind it.

Now I have to tag six friends to do the same:
(Most of the people on my blogroll have been tagged already!)
It's A Spring Thing
Days in the Lives of Dance and Spring
Blogging About Rescue

Make sure to comment so I know you've played!

I opened my photobucket, 6th album was "collars" and the 6th photo is:


Haha, those are all of Buzz's collars and leashes. From left to right: agility martingale, Premier KeepSafe, White Pine limited slip, Lupine combo, rolled leather, and the comfy padded one from KV. Wow, what a perfect picture for this game!

My Dog

How do I even begin to describe the relationship I share with Buzz? I've tried so many times in the last few years and it always comes up short, very short. There aren't enough words to explain how emotional I get each time I think about how old he is, how much we've taught each other, and how much we've accomplished. He is my gold standard and my heart.

How could anyone understand?
That you are more than "just a dog"
That there is no such thing as "just a dog"

Just a Dog

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."

Authored by Richard A. Biby

Toller Puppies

Puppies! All boys, 2 buff, 3 red... all cuddly cute fluffballs!
Remi x Vad











The End!

(they're flickr hosted so uhh... I don't think you can click to make them full size... oops)

Six Things I Like, by the Princess Pig

Bailey was tagged by Strata of It's a Spring Thing to fill out this "Six Things I Like" survey. She sends kisses to Strata because he's super cute!

1. My frisbee


2. Hoovies


3. Aroooooing


4. Water


5. my Planet Dog Orbee fetch ball


6. rolling in the grass


Bailey's tagging Tessie, Frodo, Kiba & Dance.

Aroha & Rescue

I knew I loved the word Aroha before I chose it. As I'm learning more about it, it's even more fitting.
"Aroha is a Maori term that goes back to Waitaha times. It might be translated as "unconditional love", and it stands for the utmost respect for fellow human beings.
http://partnering.inet.net.nz/a/aroha.htm

Rescue people are amazing. Springer Rescue foster litter

Therapy Dogs, Inc

Remind me when I'm not whining about school to get Buzz's appointment for testing set up. We'd enjoy it and maybe I can use him during my student teaching.

He is a very good ThD!

Car

Buzz rarely lays down in the car (this was after their CERFs, so his eyes were still dilated). This is one of few pictures that really captures him.


Gee, think the princess is a little self-centered? Yep, she hogs the WHOLE seat and he's too much of a nice guy to tell her to move until he gets REALLY tired. I end up feeling sorry for him and tell her to stand up, him to lie down, and then she curls up in a ball like a good sister.


Evil girl dog.

By the way... they are both wearing Roadies with a "name tag" that says "Hi, my name is Buzz/Bailey. If I am alone, I am lost! If I am injured, please call my vet. These numbers will reach my family cell & home. HomeAgain # and chip #." And of course, the standard "going out" Lupine (combo collar) martingales that have Boomerang Collartags visible as well as microchip and rabies tags in a quiet spot.

Bailey videos

crazies


We tried and failed at C-WAGS for the most part.
Seek Dropped Item. While heeling the judge will instruct the handler to drop a retrievable item. The item is to be carried in the handler’s right hand and dropped subtly to the ground next to the handler’s path when instructed by the judge. Handler continues heeling forward following judges directions. After the team has proceeded at least 25’ from the dropped item the judge will instruct the handler to about turn and halt, facing the end of the ring in which the item was dropped. The judge will instruct the handler to “Seek”. Handler will cue the dog to seek/retrieve. Dog should go directly to the item and return with the item to a front position.
(we really need to practice that whole about turn immediate halt thing... oops?)


freestyle stuff is embarrassing, I walk like a dork while she weaves between my legs


itty bitty heeling clip


yeah, I need to actually train my dog(s) haha

CERFs

They'll both get numbers, but both have notations.
Bailey-patch of corneal endothelial pigment, inheritance unknown, not a problem now
Buzz-2 torsal gland tumors left upper eye lid (yep, you did just hear me sigh because now he needs a vet appointment to have them removed)

Their actual eyes are just fine and dandy. Dr. Schoster said that Buzz's eyes are starting to show his age, but he's still clear.

I've got their forms filled out already, just need to write out the check (it's nice that reCERFs are only $8/dog as opposed to $12/dog). Reasonable fee for today ($30/dog) and the place was easy to find (getting home was another story... I HATE DRIVING). We're done for another year now.

Bailey-agility photos

Here are the professional photos I ordered.

(what? she CAN jump properly?!?!)



click to make full size

grrrr...

Came home to hairy dogs, was expecting that. Not a problem at all. Talons for claws... disgusting but, it happens when they're not done for months. What I wasn't expecting is all of my animals being overweight suddenly. GRRRR! I actually agreed with my mom last time I was home that the dogs were both just a little too skinny. Uhh, that means give thema LITTLE more food per meal. Not a whole bunch! Very annoyed. Baby the kitty is finally at a good weight (she needed to gain) but the other two are FAT again, after I worked so hard to get it off of them. ARG! Very, very annoyed.

The good though... this morning, not thinking, I fed the dogs first and that puts Bailey eating food right where I and the cats need to walk to get downstairs so they can eat. NOT A GLANCE in their direction! WOOHOO! GOOD GIRLY! She was SO SO SO good! Eating FOOD as cats walked by. I'm absolutely shocked. Not something I planned on doing but it's nice to know that well, the meds are working! SOMETHING is working! YIPPY!

I still need to bathe/towel but I may cheat again. Spray her down, towel her and then I can strip her the same day!

Hopefully doing C-WAGS next week, so I suppose I'll have videos to post, though I don't know where I'll film.

Grooming ESS

Even though I do the cheater version... it's much more time consuming than just taking a clippers and shaving them nekkid and less time consuming than a full show coat groom (and I don't even think I could do that... if I had the patience for it).

I strip Buzz's jacket in the winter, but I typically clip him in the spring. Stripping is just fine and dandy when my fingers are used to it. When they're not I can do maybe half a jacket before I need a break. It's not the same as stripping a terrier, as I use a stripping knife and thinning shears but it's the same concept. Regardless of the difference in how I manage their jackets (uhh... the hair on their back is called their jacket, but Bailey also wears a jacket/coat after her bath but it's not like a winter jacket... I need new pictures), they both get the same feet (trim between pads/around toes/dremel nails), face/neck/ears/tail trim. I love it when they're "freshly" groomed. They look so purty. One of these days I will find someone to take pictures of us just goofing around, with them groomed all pretty-like. The worst part really is redrying their belly and leg feathering straight. Mostly because I don't have enough hands. Still mastering the art of holding the dryer on my shoulder with my chin so that I can comb and spray with my hands.

I like my dogs being hairy beasties becauase they look prettyful.
Bailey


Buzz (only semi-hairy)

baths

I haven't been home in a long time (I don't want to count because that would make me sad) so my mom decided the dogs needed baths. Since I wasn't there to do it, she schedule baths at the vet. I hope everything went ok. I wish we had good groomers near home. I'd LOVE it if I could trust someone to actually groom them, since I'm sure it's going to take me hours when I am home on the 21st. They're really easy to do but it's just time consuming. And I'm sure that since Bailey wasn't jacketed after her bath, I'll have to bathe/towel, then strip and scissor her jacket, which I hope I have time for! Ah well, it's a good thing I enjoy grooming. The Buzz man will be easy: feet/face/ears/tail. Easy peasy compared to Ms. Hairy Thang!

I want to work at P&C just for the grooming privileges!

Therapy Dog stuff

Got an email from my mom about possibly using Buzz at Camp Triumph next year. I'd be more than willing, but the issue is he'd need to carry his own insurance, which means Therapy Dogs International Inc, Therapy Dogs Inc, or Delta Society Therapy Dogs.

There's testers in Duluth and St. Paul for Delta Society Therapy Dogs (and I really like that organization more, from what I've read). And there's a test in Minneapolis on March 21, 2009.

I really don't want to do TDI again, but their test is November 30th in North Branch. Their requirements and such just seem (and seemed) crazy to me.

Therapy Dogs, Inc seems to have the best vaccine policy... if only I can find out about testing in my area. I do know someone on SitStay who does ThD stuff, so she could probably tell me.

It's nice to have options. Very nice.

I'd be very happy to use/bring Buzz to Camp Triumph, but not if it's going to endanger his health with extra, unnecessary vaccines.

Bailey's Thyroid

Recheck says she's right in the middle, where she should be. We're going to continue with the Thyroxine. Next recheck isn't for a couple of months now.

YAY! I really hope this helps my little girly boo dog. No creature deserves to feel like she has been.

MMBC NADAC entries

I filled out entries today, just waiting for my mom to mail me my vouchers (I never remember to plan ahead... erg). I can't wait to trial again!

Buzz is entered in 3 runs each day. Last time we showed he was getting pretty slow after 5/3 so I decided we'll just try 3/3. He's entered in jumpers both days, touch n go both days, tunnelers Saturday, and weavers Sunday.

Bailey is entered in jumpers, chances, touch n go, and tunnelers on Saturday; jumpers, chances, and weavers on Sunday. I'm running a dog in OPEN! She's in OPEN Tunnelers! Woohoo!

So sad that the trial isn't actually until the end of December, but I'm sure it will be here before I know it.

Do You Remember Love?

http://doyourememberlove.com/narratedmovie.html

B & B pages for Annelise

I'm looking through my photobucket again and look what I found!

(clicky to make bigger)




I made these for Annelise's book last spring.

Hip Dysplasia from Dolittler

Hip Dysplasia link

"And this is where I find my clients confused: Some tend to think that over time, rubbing and grinding might lead to a smoothing-out of the joint. Instead, the body reacts to the ill fit of the joint by trying to stabilize it. In essence, the body produces hard, bony material in and around the joint so that the hip doesn’t move as much and therefore won’t cause the animal so much pain."

2008 ESSFTA Nationals!

http://www.dfwessa.com/08national

It starts October 24th! Ann and Kiera are going... I think she said shooting bitch (conformation) and agility! We're going to be cheering them on!

I'll definitely be posting results as I get them. There's quite a few Minnesotian's going, so it should be a good showing. I'm assuming the TopGun dogs are in hunt tests, obedience, agility, and conformation. I don't know of anyone doing tracking, but many are participating in conformation.

Fido Fleece

Poor picture quality (and I know I've posted the pictures before), I'll have to get good/new pictures this winter when they're actually being used in the frigid, cold, winter.
Buzz




Bailey

Health Testing

http://www.kismetsighthounds.com/testing.htm

"Health testing is a wonderful tool when used properly. Like many of the advances in our modern world, it is also subject to abuse/misuse. As breeders, let's all strive to avail ourselves of the valuable information provided by health testing, without misusing it!"

Always good to think about.

PetEdge order arrival

The PetEdge packages were there when I arrived on Friday. That made me very happy!

The Slumber Pet Deluxe Plush Crate Beds (http://homeandkennel.petedge.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=52983) are a big hit. The bolsters are REALLY thick and met with the approval of both dogs. I thought they were very soft, and felt pretty well made too.

The bed I ordered was also definitely worth the money! Buzz adores it. It's supportive, comfortable, and who knows what else. He definitely gives the Slumber Pet Therapeutic Memory Foam Bed (http://www.petedge.com/Slumber-Pet-Therapeutic-Memory-Foam-Beds-ZW276.pro) two paws up! I'm not sure he'll be sharing with Bailey anytime soon, so another one may have to be ordered this winter. Since things in our house get dirty, FAST, I tried to be proactive and put the actual bed (under the cover) in a plastic contractor bag. I put the cover back on over it, and wrapped a sheet around it. I'm really hoping I don't ever need to wash the cover, but in case I need to, now the whole bed won't be ruined.

My favorite part of the whole order was my NEW BLADE! I've been a bad groomer, but with my new sharp blade! OOOOH! I forgot what a brand new blade is LIKE! And realized that even my 7F needs to be sharpened. Buzz got a feet/face/tail/neck trim and looks really good. No clipper lines, no missed hair... it's nice to use a quality blade again!

Videos

A couple of friends and I occasionally do C-WAGS "shows" and here are two exercises we chose for this one.

Distracted Stay


Call to Heel

PetEdge continued

Now I understand why it costs more to ship the bed!

1. It weighs quite a bit
   
2. It comes directly from the company

I wish they would have said that's why! Now I'm very interested to see it. I REALLY hope Buzz likes it (he'll probably be the one to claim it because he claimed the Woolrich bed before (I HAD to buy it because Kira was on it and we do agility with Kira).

I like tracking my packages! It's still in MA, but should be there on Friday when I get home! Yay! I can groom, and bathe dogs, and put new beds in their crates. Bailey's is maroon colored, Buzz's is forest green.

PetEdge

I spend a lot more money at PetEdge each year than I should, but it's so hard to say no to things that are really on sale! I've been meaning to order a new bed for the dogs for quite some time but the shipping charge for the bed was crazy. Today I sucked it up because even with the crazy shipping charge, it's cheaper than any others I've seen.

So, I ordered a new #10 blade (mine is dull as well as missing a tooth... just decided to get a new one), new crate pads, and the bed. I hope the dogs enjoy their new beds. The old ones are very old and not very comfy anymore.

ARCH Countdown

Since I'd rather be working with my dogs than here at school doing this thing so called studying... I figured I may as well figure out what else Buzz needs for his ARCH.

So far he has his RL1 & RL2 as well as 27 points from RL1B. We need 100 points total and they're divided by needing at least 30 from RL1B and 30 from RL2B. We also need 5 double qualifying scores in RL1B and RL2B. We don't have any of those yet as he has yet to show in RL2B.

The MMBC APDT trial is in Jan/Feb this year and I'm so excited. I don't want to be greedy, but I think it would be possible for Buzz to get very close to his ARCH. I think he could manage 4 runs on Saturday and possibly 3 on Sunday. I would enter him in RL1B and RL2B twice on Saturday. Sunday would be RL1B, RL2B, and RL3A-one run each. That means we could possibly earn 3 QQs needed, as well as start on his RL3 title!

Now, I just need to actually work my dog... and wait patiently for the MMBC APDT trial!

Yet another, I want!

This time, it's a puppy! So, I wanted a Vad x Remi puppy from their last litter. As life would turn out, I couldn't have one at that time. Guess what?! An oops happened... I WANT A puppy! A toller puppy to be exact. Their previous litter's pictures can be found here: http://pets.webshots.com/album/562978786jUIuTR

Who could resist? They're SO ADORABLE! Torque is the puppy they kept (well, Brody has Torque, but Remi lives with him too).

I want to show!

There's a UKC trial coming up, but Buzz's sit stay is broken and I'm not at home to fix it. I can't enter him in Open with a broken sit stay.

I'm trying to enter agility trials where they can both play, which means NADAC and there's been a decrease in those due to an increase in CPE trials. No NADAC locally until the MMBC New Year's trial and I LOVE that trial, so I guess I can wait!

The above causes in addition to me needing to spend money on their health care instead of trial entries results in no trials until MMBC's NADAC.

So I'm content to "set goals" that could possibly be achieved by the end of the year (in two days of trialing).
Buzz
WV-N (and thus his Novice Versatility)
S-NJC
O-TG-N

Bailey
NCC

Dogs

When I was home on Saturday and Sunday I attacked the dogs feetsies! They were SO HAIRY! I forgot how fast (a month) the hair on their feet grow when I'm not there to do weekly trimming. Not to mention they both had talons and that's absolutely disgusting. When I left on Sunday they had super short hair on their feet and shorter nails. Mom had given them baths before I got home so now they're good to go for another couple of weeks I guess, hah!

I miss grooming them, it's so much easier to do a little at a time than try to cram it all into an hour!

Our new neighbors are on my good list already. They have a fence, and know what leashes are! I like them!

Oh, and Purdue application is being submitted as soon as I can get my personal statement to the writing center.

split

I split my blog at the beginning of September...

This is the "dog blog" and the "life blog" (which contains my life not pertaining to dogs directly) can be found here: http://mangomeg.blogspot.com

Up North

Up North 2007 (I want to go again, and it'd be really cool to go with both dogs and get GOOD pictures)

Split Rock Lighthouse


Split Rock Lighthouse (my favorite picture of him ever)

Split Rock Lighthouse

Split Rock Lighthouse


Gooseberry Falls

CERFs

I had to move their CERFs to November 29th because I have to take my Praxis II test on November 15th. Makes more sense anyways because I'll be home for Thanksgiving break and won't be making a special trip home to visit the cities for CERFing.

Treatment

I talked to my vet today and convinced him it would be a good idea to try treating Bailey for hypothyroidism (classified as a low normal, without external physical symptoms). We will be starting her on a "half" dose of Soloxine as soon as my mom can get to the vet. After twenty days we'll be doing a T4 check.

I'm crossing my fingers we see a positive change and my little boo dog doesn't feel like she needs to be the hallway monitor anymore.

More OFA Ramblings

There are two PRA affected dogs submitted to OFA (free submission for affected dogs, Bailey is one of those two affected dogs submitted) and twenty-one normal or carrier dogs. Someone was compiling a database in our yahoo group but that hasn't been updated in many months. My dogs aren't in there and they were tested over a year ago now.

I am absolutely thrilled that people have submitted results, I just wish more would. It seems to fall into the same category as failing hip and elbow results where many just cover it up because then no one will have "information" to judge their breeding decisions on.

I know a few people are still waiting on accurate paperwork from the lab and that's no good either! Hopefully we'll see an increase in submitted results soon. Both of my dogs are in there, and that's all I can do.

Bailey is the most health tested dog in her OFA "family" which is interesting as she's spayed. At least her relatives are in there for something though.

Hopefully next summer I can "do my part" and have both dogs blood run again to test for PFK. It's the same price as the PRA test we ran and at the time PRA information was more important so I had to decide. Their blood is banked for life (as long as I don't use it all up) so I just have to pay the fee to have the test run. Right now there's more important things to spend money on so it's still waiting (which is probably the mentality people have who haven't submitted their PRA forms to the databse, so I do understand but it doesn't change my desire for more ESS in the OFA databse for PRA).

Number 94

Bailey is English Springer Spaniel number 94 to have her Thryoid bloodwork run at an approved OFA lab, receive a "normal" rating, and be submitted to the databse. Hopefully we'll break 100 by this year! I plan to run Buzz's through Jean Dodd's and I don't think she can submit from there so he won't be contributing to raising the number of ESS who have their Thyroid OFA evaluated.

Bailey's OFA page with hips, elbows, cerf, pra, and thyroid test results

Logistics of Transporting Many Dogs

Hypothetical Situation
I go to school at Purdue (because Cornell doesn't offer me anything extra other than it being Cornell... Purdue looks cool... I'll just have to take a trip to Ithaca for fun). I bring three dogs and three cats, the hypothetical person I'd stay with brings three dogs. That many dogs doesn't fit in one vehicle that either of us currently owns.

So I start looking at vehicles that would fit six dogs (my Corolla fits two dogs comfortably which is fine when you only need to transport two dogs). Even my hypothetical three dogs wouldn't fit in my car so I'm already in a bind regardless of transporting dogs in addition to mine.

What does the ABSOLUTELY NO MINI VAN person come up with?

1. Toyota Highlander Hybrid (looks almost possible to fit 3-4 medium sized dogs)
2. Toyota FJ Cruiser (possibility of fitting 4-5 dogs if they all get along and extra "stuff" can be strapped on the outside of the car)

And after that it's all mini vans. The Toyota Sienna doesn't look too bad but *shudder* I don't want a mini van!

Summer

The Spuzz had a really good summer at the shows
http://geocities.com/arohaspringer/BuzzResults.html
16 qualifying scores out of 20 attempts!
*New Titles: O-NJC, NCC, O-TN-N, RL2

My Boo-dog had a good summer too
http://geocities.com/arohaspringer/BaileyResults.html
9 qualifying scores out of 10 attempts!
*New Title: RE

It's 1:30AM and I can't sleep. Of course I have a Psych quiz at 8AM... erg! But look at how good my dogs are! Awww!

Low Normal...

Why couldn't the vet actually look at the paperwork when I called him about her results.

A package from my mom came today and it contained Bailey's official thyroid results from MSU. First of all, it was kinda cool to see how the paperwork was all official and contained ALL of her information in addition to the "official result" they sent to OFA. MSU is cool! :-)

Free T4 range is 8-26. Guess what her reading is? Yup, 8. Can we say "VERY low normal" yes we can!

Free T3 is low too (4.2 with the normal range being 4.5-12.0).

KV is sending me Dodds stuff so I can write letter to vet and send information with it about treating low normals. Only glitch is she doesn't have power right now, so it'll be a few days.

health stuff

CERFs are scheduled for both dogs on November 15th. I'm hoping I can schedule Buzz's chiropractor appointment for that day too, just later. CERFs are at 8 & 8:15 am... hour and a half drive, yuck!

Bailey's thyroid came back "normal" (I'm still waiting for it to go up on OFA). Official OFA paperwork is at home, mom sent me the MSU results in the mail today so I should be able to look at those soon.

Looking at sending Buzz's thyroid blood to Dr. Dodds because it's not a whole lot more expensive than sending it to MSU, and I think it would be very beneficial to have her actually read the results.

Today...

I had fun with a cute boy in class
One of my new CDs arrived
It wasn't raining on my bike ride home from UMD
I've almost decided on a design for my tattoo
NADAC and AKC results pages showed all summer shows and results are accurate
Chocolate cake made a good desert

My blog always becomes more "school/social oriented" when school starts.

Plans for this weekend and next include

• Grandma's
• Pizza Luce
• Rose Gardens
• Amazing Grace
• Victoria's Secret
• Jake's Lake Place (Duluthian Life is Good store)
• lots of movie watching with friends

focus, stress, sleep, friends

Since school started I hadn't gotten a good night's sleep for a variety of reasons. Even though I didn't get a lot of sleep last night, it was quality sleep and made me very refreshed. I was also able to take a nap this evening, which was quality sleep. I'm off to bed in a matter of minutes and I anticipate that being quality sleep too. It was so nice to go to sleep without a certain topic on my mind and to wake up without it all rushing back. It didn't cross my mind until a friend mentioned it, and it didn't elicit the respsonse it has in the past few weeks. I was able to breathe in the fresh air today, remove all thoughts from my mind, and truly enjoy it. Life is good.

I finally feel at ease, comfortable, and only slightly confused as to where I'm directing my life. Talking with a best friend until 5am really is a good.

It makes me happy to think about the friends and best friends I have. They're amazing.

Borrowing Randi's book "My Sister's Keeper" so I can settle for sleep by reading.

To make this dog related... I miss my puppers terribly!

South Dakota fun

I loves me some Erin!


PARTY HATS are the COOLEST!


Where's Theo?!?!


Surprise!


Theo da Gangsta!

Life Defined: Friends

"You're only as strong as the cocktails you drink, the tables you dance on, and the friends you hold on to."-Sex and the City

"A good friend is hard to find, hard to lose, and impossible to forget..."

"You are you and I am I,
You do your thing and I'll do mine,
and if in the end we meet up together,
it is beautiful."

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival." - C. S. Lewis

"No love, no friendship, can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever." - Francois Mocuriac

"Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods." - Artistotle

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."- Anais Nin

"A friend loves you, makes you feel alright, troubles are not troubles when you talk, listen and accept you as you are, because you will feel the same and love the same......."

"How lucky I am to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye to."

"A friend is like a rainbow. They brighten your life when you've been through a storm."

animal related frustrations

No Bailey-thyroid news yet.
Buzz's chiro appointment had to be moved out another two weeks.

I need to make massage therapist appointments for both dogs.

ARG!

AND, since Canidae/Felidae changed manufacturing plants I don't feel comfortable feeding the canned Felidae anymore so I'm out of my "reasonably priced" canned cat food. Guess I'm switching to the Eagle since that seems to be the next most reasonably priced good canned food.

SCVKC Agility

We came home with two more green qualifying run ribbons as well as a second and fourth place. She has 2/3 NJP and 1/3 NAP Qs now.

I'm so happy about how well she worked for me. Coming home with 7/8 Qs is an amazing feat! What a good girly!

She's tracking like a maniac now too. Class tonight was SO good, and I'm SO sad I leave for school on Sunday. I'll definitely be tracking her when I'm home though. We all really enjoy it!

RAE QQ #3

NQ in Open today, but she worked really well for me. Can't really complain, and now we have time to work on a few more things before showing again.

Q in Excellent B (97) and Advanced B (99) for another double Q! Yippy!

ribbons from the last two days (she was not fond of having her picture taken today...)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v324/SpringerLover/100b5500.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v324/SpringerLover/ribbons2008.jpg

And just a cute one, AFTER the ribbon picture attempts :)

thryoid and shows

We drew blood last Thursday for a thyroid test going to MSU (and then on to OFA) but the vet didn't know it needed to be overnighted, so it didn't arrive until Monday, long after it needed to be run. Thankfully they're not charing me for a redraw, I just have to bring her in on Monday, but that means that I won't get results until I'm at school. That's somewhat frustrating.

GOOD NEWS!
We showed at the TCVESSA obedience and rally trials today. It went SO well. We had obedience first and we QUALIFIED in Open A! That's our first Q and our second time in the open ring. VERY good girly! 190/200 and 3rd place.

She also qualified in rally Excellent B and Advanced B for her second QQ!

I am just THRILLED she qualified in Open! YIPPY! :)

Bailey CD RE TN-N

Friday, August 15, Bailey qualified in Rally Excellent with an 88 and Rally Advanced with a 96 to finish her RE and gain her first RAE double Q!

We have Rally and Obedience on Thursday and Friday for the TCVESSA shows. I hope we can put in good performances there too!

My August

8/15: CMKC rally trial with Bailey
8/16-8/17: Aberdeen, SD with Erin and Ben to visit Chris!
8/18-8/20: Ely, MN to stay at the http://www.grandelylodge.com and visit the International Wolf Center (http://wolf.com)
8/21-8/22: Anoka, MN for the TCVESSA specialty with Bailey
8/24: Lake Elmo, MN for the SCVKC agility trial with Bailey
8/27: MN State Fair!

Then I sadly have to go back to school. Oh well, the end of August is jam packed with FUN!

Wheeeee!

Now, to bed because I have to open at the Cafe tomorrow at 6:00am all by myself (well, Aaron is cooking but that doesn't count).

APDT

Buzz and I entered five runs on Saturday, August 9th (two level 1B and three level 2A) and I was slightly worried he may not make it all day. He showed BEAUTIFULLY!

Level 1B
Q/203/4th (13 ARCH points)
Q/204/4th (14 ARCH points)

Level 2A
Q/199/2nd
Q/205/2nd http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjA9iXbYNXQ
Q/203/1st! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfArPpHoVHM

So, we have finally started on the path to our ARCH. He needs 100 points, 30 of which have to come from level 1, 30 from level 2 and the remaining from either. We also need 5 QQs from Level 1B and 2B. APDT comes around in MN again January 31 & February 1!

hair

Wow

It's been a while.

Random thoughts...
*New friends are so much fun
*Old friends are always good for reminiscing with
*Making time for a phone call really is worthwhile
*Laughter is good for the soul
*Boys are just trouble
*Make sure any boys you color with use magic markers... crayons and colored pencils are, well... inefficient (yeah, uhh... watch Sex and the City, the movie, and you'll get it)
*A good haircut with a best friend makes everything seem so much better

Today was a good day. Monday was an amazing day. I can't wait for the fifteenth and sixteenth.

Bliss

If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Wherever you are--if you are following your bliss, you are enjoying that refreshment, that life within you, all the time.

Joseph Campbell
"The Power of Myth" with Bill Moyers

Upcoming Shows! and a Buzz update

Buzz
APDT Rally-O August 9th
3 runs in level 2 A, and 2 runs in level 1 B (hoping for ARCH points!)

Bailey
AKC Rally at the CMKC show on Friday, August 15th
Advanced B & Excellent B (hoping for a new RE and a 1st RAE QQ)

AKC Rally and Obedience at the TCVESSA shows on Thursday and Friday, August 21-22
Advanced B & Excellent B, Open A (will be her second and third times in an Open ring)

AKC Agility at the SCVKC show on Sunday August 24
Novice Preferred STD and JWW (we have 1 NJP Q right now)

I'm excited! We get to SHOW again! :)

Buzz's stitches came out today and they were very pleased with how well his incision healed! Playtime today at work AND hopefully a bath!

I have...

1. Two super amazingly cool dogs
2. Amazing Ben-brother who put a new radio/cd player in my old car "just because"
3. Super Chris-brother who always helps me out whenever I ask for it
4. New running shoes that are THE best ever... I LOVE new running shoes
5. Air conditioning
6. A farm to visit that has lots of wildlife and walking paths
7. The St. Croix River to look at early morning when the fog is just lifting
8. Hot chocolate from Ali because she knows it always makes me happy
9. Good friends to talk to on the phone
10. Caring, thoughtful, and kind "dog friends" who are frequently more than just "dog friends"
11. A mom who understands my "animal obsession" and helps me out no matter what it is I need
12. A trip to the MN ZOO planned because it's probably my favorite place ever
13. Wannigan Days to (hopefully) hang out with Ben-brother and play catch up with our lives
14. A really funny and cute nephew named Owyn
15. A friend named Kristen! :)

I want...

1. A horse
2. New collapsible crate for Buzz
3. Puppy (toller, ess, aussie, or belgian would be just dandy)
4. Fenced dog yard
5. Cooler weather
6. Forced air dryer for grooming
7. Fenced cat yard
8. Concert tickets (not terribly picky about who I get to see)
9. Free gas forever (or at least a month or two)
10. Live in chef (in the form of a husband or just friend... but cooking good food without onions and peppers and other yucky stuff is a must)
11. Pool
12. Friends who actually want to do stuff without their SO (significant other) at least SOMETIMES!
13. Tanya to be my vet
14. More Milano cookies (milk chocolate and mint)
15. My placement for Student Teaching to be at Stonebridge!

Videos

Buzz: ACTS NADAC July 5, 1008 Regular 1
Q/2nd
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gBJnkAFoego

Bailey: weaves
http://youtube.com/watch?v=szJScgqHzIg

Bailey: broad jump
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Aahn5xhBHPM
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vRVE_QP-dSY

100th Post!

Woohoo! Can I collapse though?!?! :)

I've worked the last three days at BOTH jobs.
Thursday was 8-2:30 at the Cafe and 4-close (left about 9:15) at P&C.
Friday was 6-1 at the Cafe and 4-close (left about 9:05) at P&C.
Today was 7:30-10:30 at the Cafe and 12-4 at P&C.

Friday was by far the LONGEST day EVER! But I also made over $60 in tips at the Cafe so... hah!

Buzz news: Pathology report came back and the lump wasn't cancerous! Apparently it was something that acts/looks like cancer but isn't. Still had to come off and that makes me triply relieved. Clean margins too! :) Restricted activity until next Friday and we'll see how he's doing then.

Bailey news: Tracking class went REALLY well on Tuesday. We get to graduate to a 10' leash! WOOHOO! We'd been on a 5' since the start. Her corners are REALLY improving. We're back to using food on the track and that's FINE with me. Most times she blows over it but if she "needs it" it's there. Her weaving is MARVELOUS (for her). I'm quite impressed and need to get a video soon. I can't WAIT to show her again! Yippy! We've also done more broad jump work and I think I have FINALLY taught clearly what the broad jump expectations are. I can send her from *almost* anywhere and she'll take it straight on. I'd like a *little* more distance after the jump, and we'll work on that but it's a fairly solid behavior now and that makes me very happy!

And now... I AM going to sit on the couch and do absolutely nothing... until the dogs need to go outside! :) Tomorrow is my DAY OFF from BOTH JOBS! I am SO freaking excited!!!!!!!

Lump Removal

The lump came off nicely accordint to the vet and his preliminary report is CLEAN MARGINS!

We're waiting for the official pathology report before I REALLY celebrate though!

I'm so relieved!

Buzz HATE this whole "recovery" thing. He has limited activity, a lot of crate time, multiple short walks each day. Limited food because he's on limited activity. But, lots of cuddles and snuggles and belly rubs. He's being a good boy about it even if he's clearly not happy with the situation.

I shouldn't laugh at him, but when I picked him up on Monday he was still groggy and had those glazed over eyes that are just hilarious. He had good balance just silly looking eyes.

I'll try to get some new pictures of my healthy old man soon!

ACTS NADAC Day 2

Well, we actually qualified in all three runs today! That's pretty darn cool!

He had some really nice runs too! Jumpers was almost ELEVEN seconds under time! Chances was very clean and we worked together. He went where I wanted him to go, and I directed him well! Really good teamwork on that run. Tunnelers was good too. It also earned us a new title: O-TN-N!

I really couldn't be happier with how he performed.

All in all, a really good weekend... and now I'm just waiting for tomorrow.

There are videos... on a few different friend's video cameras so it'll be a while before they're posted.

ACTS NADAC Day 1

Today really was a good day. I was kinda sad we didn't qualify in weavers, but that's ok. He was a happy dog... and he DID weave, it just took us a while! ;)

Today we were scheduled to have six runs, but I knew we'd be running five at the most. He just isn't young enough/fit enough/can't mentally handle that many runs in one day. Started the day with regular 1, Q/2nd place by .01 seconds! Good boy, nice run!

Weavers followed... hah. He decided that he couldn't weave, though we'd just weaved (and well too) in regular. He got the last set but we were WAY over time! But, big improvements from this time last year... he was HAPPY in weavers, and didn't really mind being asked to redo them. Very silly boy.

Regular 2 was next, another good run but we knocked a bar. I think he tripped. I'll have to check the video for sure though.

Then we had a nice break and I decided to 'play' in the chances ring. There was a 3 jump serpentine that worked well using the start and finish jumps. So we did 5 jumps and left for a YOGURT party (he absolutely LOVES yogurt). Instead of chicken parties, we have messy yogurt parties (it's not really messy, except on his nose, hehe).

Last runs of the day were Touch N Go and Jumpers. I debated about scratching from one but in the end we ran both. He ran Touch N Go SO well. Seriously, I think it's the best he's ever run. I was so pleased. That is definitely a run to remember! Jumpers was nice too. I thought he was moving a little slow, but he really wasn't. I was going to see how he ran the first few jumps and see if I needed to make a short course. He didn't seem very tired and was still jumping well so we ran the whole thing.

I really couldn't be more proud of my Buzz-dog today. I'm trying to stay positive for Monday, but this really was an amazing day and one I'll not forget soon.

As to Monday, the Buzz-dog goes in for surgery. There is a malignant and infected lump on his neck. The soonest they could get him in was Monday, so we decided to play this weekend. He's on Cephalexin for the infection.

Go Buzz Go!

Showmanship Judging & Fun Match-ing

I judged showmanship for the 4-H today. It was a lot harder than I'd expected. I would be a lot more comfortable judging kids that I didn't know, but I think it still went well. The beginner class was definitely the best beginner class I'd ever seen. They were all in control of their dogs, and had more than a basic understanding of showmanship. I was quite pleased. All of the classes were hard to place. I'm trying to think of general "work on" things for the kids, but I really am stumped. A few kids need work on their patterns (when to switch hands, correct pace for their individual dog, spacing between dogs, eye contact, confidence in their performance) but really, it went a lot better than I expected.

Buzz really had a test of his focus abilities. We were chosen to do sit and down stays with a bitch in heat. I was REALLY proud of him. She was in STANDING heat and it was just bad. She broke her stay and came to hump MY dog and he just looked at me. He also found a spot she had sat, shoved his nose in it... but then looked back UP. I was rewarding for maintaining eye contact with me and he got more than one treat for looking UP from that spot. GOOD BOY!

As expected... both of my dogs need work on the honor. They were sure I wanted them to offer behaviors if I was just standing around in close proximity to them. I anticipated that problem but wasn't paying close enough attention. I had to reset both dogs. Other than that though, they worked SO well! Good attention, no stress behaviors, I was super pleased!

Open... reminder to self: really work on teaching dogs that they NEED to return over the jump with the dumbell. I had to cue it as they were both going to go around the side (because my throw was bad). BUT--both of them heeled REALLY nicely. It was just beautiful (ok, well Buzz was wide on a few turns but otherwise it was SO nice). Good good dogs. Oh, yeah... Buzz's brain was gone but I wanted to try the broad jump, he did a nice contact behavior on one of the boards. AND he was talented enough to step on EACH board before returning to the middle board with a really nice 4 on behavior. I was laughing so hard.
-Buzz had a really nice front with the dumbell to go with his retrieve on flat but a non-existant front after the drop on recall as well as retrieve over high. I know we need work, but it's nice to see exactly where we need work.
-Bailey had a BEAUTIFUL broad jump, with a non-existant front... hah. I hadn't practiced putting it all together very much when we were working the broad jump a few weeks ago... and we haven't worked it in a few weeks.

Overall, it was a nice relaxing day. The dogs both worked really well. We had positive ring experiences and they were both HAPPY! I wish I'd have thought to bring the camera, but oh well. Next time... if there is a next time!

I have a JOB!

I start on Friday! I'll be working at a doggy daycare/grooming/dog boarding place.

I had a working interview today as well as a phone interview earlier today and received a call with the job offer a couple of hours later!

I'm so excited!

Benefits: allowed to use the grooming salon for my own dogs before or after my shift-can bring my dogs with me (they have suites or rooms for crates for Ms. Bailey dog) once I feel comfortable working there, of course.

Yay! A JOB!

Day 2 MAC NADAC Results

Buzz-dog!

Qualifying run and SECOND PLACE (yes there were more dogs than that... I think five qualified) in Tunnelers.

Qualifying run and fourth place in Weavers! YAY!!

We NQ'd in Chances, but he went OUT and did the distance challenge! We were busted on the discrimination (I really should have handled it differently). Ah well. Chances is one of those classes... hah. We try our best... sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.

Overall, a good weekend. One NQ each day isn't bad at all.

Day 1 MAC NADAC Results!

Today was a good day dog show wise. We ran jumpers first thing in the morning and he had a stellar run! We really worked well as a team, and it just just a "zone" run. Fabulous feeling! He now has 6 Qs in Novice Jumpers to earn his O-NJC, only four more to go before we get to OPEN!

After Jumpers Jeremy and I went to Ash's dad's funeral. If funerals can be 'good' this one was. It was TOTALLY Brian. They played some of his favorite songs and there was standing room only. He was an amazing person and will be sorely missed.

We missed round 1 and the walk through of round 2 regular so I just went out there to wing it with Buzz in round 2. We made it through clean but WAY over time because of my BAAAAAAAAAAAD handling! He was a good boy though.

Chances was next and it was a NICE run (he just felt like adding a little loop-de-do). We QUALIFIED and that finished his NCC! Now we only need 2 more weavers Qs for his Novice Versatility.

Last run of the day was Touch N Go. I was working the Elite Chances ring and didn't get to walk that course, but it was very flowing and we made it through fairly well.--Q/5th.

Overall, it was a GREAT day at the dog show. Can't wait for tomorrow!

Jumpers--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0LOGJL6O5s

Chances--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5yG9q8qLJo

Picture of Buzz with ribbons--http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v324/SpringerLover/Buzz/100_4982.jpg

Kitty Cats

I'm bad... this little tyke has a name... it's Pop, for orange pop. I figure a name is better than "Orange Ball of Fluff" like I've been calling it. Girl can be Poppy and boy can be Popper. Pop for short!




with a foster sibling


Foster Mamma


This baby is just way too cute... here's Pop playing with it's tail.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v324/SpringerLover/Gjovig/?action=view&current=100_4968.flv

Good Thoughts for a Friend

Ashley's dad died last night. She is one of my best friends from high school. Her dad battled non-hodgkins lymphoma for probably ten years and last night his heart just gave out. It was so sudden, and such a shock.

It's never easy to lose someone you love, but when it's a parent... I just wish there wasn't so much pain.

The funeral is on Saturday. Erin and I will probably be going early. I haven't seen Ashley in months. I feel badly about that right now too.

Why?

The people I'm housesitting/petsitting for have (had) four cats. Well, I'm told there are four. I've been there since last Friday and until yesterday morning there were only two kitties coming to eat. Yesterday though, there were three.

One of the kitties has five kittens, in the truck bed. Cute buggars. Momma kitty is really good.

Today I found the cat I just discovered yesterday... dead on the road, with a kitten. I checked to see if she was really dead, yup. *sigh* I hate the whole concept of outdoor/farm cats but this just really makes me so angry. I figured if there was one kitten, there had to be more.

Searched the ditches, searched the shed and was about to give up when I heard a faint mew. I tried to follow the noise but couldn't find anything. Got "smart" and grabbed a flashlight as well as one of the baby kittens (probably 2 weeks old now) who I KNEW would mew very loudly in protest. It worked. I found a orange fluffball wedged between the shed wall and a box, probably a week to two older than the itty bitty kitten in my hand. Had to move boxes to get the little tyke out. Poor kitten! Goopy eyes, skinny, dirty... poor baby!

I figured the only thing I could try was to get the other momma cat to take this kitty. Whaddya know? That momma cat didn't even bat an eye. The kitten was NOT happy though. Clearly knew that this kitty is NOT mom. I sat with them for about half an hour though and in the end the momma started grooming the kitten and the kitten finally nursed.

Now that I'm so attached, I want to take ALL of the kittens (6 now) and the momma and find them HOMES where they'd be s/n, cared for, and loved. *sigh* No one in this area is looking for MORE kittens, so I feel like I can't do anything...

I just feel like I can't leave them to the same fate, makes me cry. Poor babies!

My mom is going to help me bury dead mom and dead kitty tonight. I *should* leave them out for something to eat, let the life cycle continue but I just can't. I only pet her once, and didn't even know she had kittens but I just feel so badly.

*frustrated and sad*

"What is a Title?"

"Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A title is a tribute to a dog that bears it, a way to honour the dog, an ulitmate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard. And though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good-natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed.

And a title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him, because he was a good dog, and you believed in him enough to give him another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in a world for disposable creatures, this dog with a title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return.

And when that dear short life is over, the title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received permanently."

--Sandy Mowery (found in Front and Finish)

ticks... ew!

I took my own dogs for separate walks and then played with Bailey in the yard for a little bit. Drove to where I'm housesitting and took Buddy for a walk. I came inside and found TWO ticks crawling up one arm, ONE between my FINGERS, TWO on my legs (inside of pants), TWO ON my pants, and one on my head. I officially HATE ticks. I've never liked them, but sheesh... that's a TON to pick off at one time!

I hate ticks!

I should probably go work on crate games with Buddy and then put him to bed. He's SUCH a good dog. We had a REALLY nice walk today when I got back.

Plan to bathe him again tomorrow, got some mane n tail shampoo which would be better on him than the white n brite stuff I used on Friday. This should help moisturize his coat.

Buddy and a kitty

I took a few pictures of Buddy and one of the kitties yesterday.

Kitty seems to have frostbitten ears... yee-ouch!






And the Buddy dog! (who is very sunbleached and sunburnt... poor guy)