A Few

edited... taken on her birthday (Saturday)

Bailey's Day

I got some pictures of the birthday girl. Nothing fabulous, but she deserved some pictures, especially on her birthday!

her BELOVED nearly dead frisbee came out tonight!


she was even willing to semi-pose with her brother for me


nine years old and I finally get a stacked picture of her (no, she's not structurally sound... not at all--just ignore those rear feet... and her nose, it's her BIRTHDAY)


the snarkasorous (thanks for the word nolu, probably with improper spelling)


"happy birthday to me!"

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

My baby girly dog turns NINE today! How can she be nine? It seems impossible. I feel like it was just yesterday I went to pick her out and yet she's been here forever, and seen me through so many life changes.

We were at odds for years, just coexisting and now I can't imagine my life without her. She's a spunky little black and white blurr who has taken me on an amazing journey. We've become a team and I can't wait to see where we'll continue to go.

Happy Birthday Boo-dog. She who showed me that it's ok to be "wrong" and keep on trying. You taught me that it's not about showing off or winning first place but rather about running together as a team. She tries so hard for me and absolutely loves to work. What more could I ask for? She may not be title-filled, but boy do we have a blast.





My Novice A dog.
from your first qualifying run


to our first title together (RN!)


Thank you for playing Foo-Foo dog for me!


and a memorable TCVESSA 2009
(RAE QQ #2 & #3, CDX Q #1, plus NAP & NJP QQ Sunday of SCVKC)


but most of all, thank you for being you
sassy


silly


opinionated


my ever agreeable model


talented


and, well... beautiful!


I hope we have many, many, many more years together.


You are the best multi purpose partner anyone could ask for. Always up for agility, rally, obedience, tracking, freestyle, or even foo-foo dog if I ask nicely enough!
that's my boo-aroooooooooooooooooooo


Aroha's Limited II Irish Creme CD RE TN-N

Winter Gear

Saving the rant for another day regarding dog boots but here are three pictures from our walk, braving the elements this morning. I love Fido Fleece and Muttlucks... Pet Edge muttluck wanna be boots are a waste of money!

Ma! I need FOUR BOOTS!


OOh, what's THAT?!


I'm warm, I want to WALK, HURRY UP!

training

no videos but I've actually been training my dogs!

My task is to put nose targets and foot targets on cue and stimulus control.

Then I get silly and play 101 things to do with a ball or work on signals. I figure as long as they're learning something and we're both happy (I only work one dog at a time) it's a success. Yes, that is code for I enjoy being lazy and letting my dogs be super silly. You should SEE the things Bailey comes up with when presented with the exercise ball. Silly Boo! Maybe videos tomorrow, if I remember.

lumpy dog

I have very lumpy dogs apparently. Bailey dog's lump on her right fore has grown back so she has a pre-op appointment next Saturday. Don't know when surgery will be yet but it needs to come off again, and hopefully they can get more/most of it this time.

She has also been peeing again. We don't know if it's startle peeing, incontinence, or other. All we've found thus far is evidence (pee). Hopefully we'll see when/why/how it happens before the appointment.

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.