New Blog for us

My frustration with being unable to upload pictures has finally caused me to move. Our new blog is: http://skwyrllydogblog.wordpress.com/

Hopefully this will work better. It's still being tweaked a little but is basically all there. Please subscribe to the new blog.

Cheers.

Vega fashion statement...

Vega finally went into heat last Wed. This was confirmed by Rip in their first Young Guns class. Poor boy couldn't think. It was very reminiscent of what my classes were like when Greg or Kenette had the squeaky ball out. She's been really good about wearing her panties and thinks she's kind of cute with them on! ;-) Unfortunately Blogger won't let me upload pictures so I can't show anyone.

Speaking of Vega's first Young Guns class, it was fun. I made some decisions about commands. I'm going to use switch as my left or right command and wrap as wrap command. I think I will be one of those out there using the wrong word anyway so I might as well cut the words needed in half. Also getting the two syllable name out when we are doing something takes too long so I'm going to go with Pup. I called her that when she was baby and I can use it on all future agility dogs too!

Vega is on vacation until the 27th due to being in season.

Height check

At the USDAA trial over the weekend I finally got Vega under the measuring stick and she came in at a whopping 18 1/2". I'm really pretty sure she's done growing height-wise. She's still at about 28 lbs. I think she's so little, it's like having a puppy all the time.

USDAA in Loveland this past weekend

Over the weekend I was head groupie at the Loveland USDAA trial again. I absolutely love this trial and can hardly wait to do it again next year. We have an amazing team at FAAD that is so impressive to watch. I was blown away by Morganne/Sage and Stacy/Wally (baby daddy) in Steeplechase. Both teams are just amazingly accurate and fast and just truly beautiful to watch. As everyone knows I get teary watching Steeplechase and this year these were the two teams that brought tears to my eyes. I hope someday Vega and I can be half as impressive someday.

I had a fabulous weekend. I am so unbelievably lucky to have such awesome friends that are always willing to let the "newbie" follow them around AND explain why they are making the choices they are in how to run the courses. You all know who you are and you all are so awesome and an inspiration to me. Thank you.

So while I'm on the subject I think one of the things that I love most about this sport is that almost everyone is willing to help a fellow competitor. If you are having a performance issue most people are willing to help with suggestions to help you fix it. I can't think of any other sport where all the competitors are so giving with support and help to the very same people they are trying to beat later. It's incredible.

I bought new leashes this weekend and didn't realize until I picked them out that they don't take credit cards. She wrote me a little receipt, gave me her card, told me to send a check and I walked away with the leashes! Dog people are awesome.

Finally a nose touch!

Last night I'm hanging out in front of the tv (it does happen occasionally!) and Vega is pitching balls at me when I decide to just put my hand down and make her touch it with her nose before I'll throw the next one. Anyone who knows us knows this has been an issue for us.

I certainly got every form of paw possible while waiting and it's a good thing I was watching tv because it took almost 20 minutes before she gave in and did it. YES! Oh good girl and lots of happy dance. After months of trying to get her to put her nose in my hand... FINALLY!

She's not enjoying it much and doing it only about 75% of the time right now but soon... ;-)

Evil coyote!

I don't put very much on this blog that isn't dog related but I really like this...

I work at Progressive Insurance and a few months ago we got an email explaining that they were putting rubber coyotes all over the Cleveland Campus to keep the ducks and geese away as they were ruining the grass. This week we got an update on how that's working out.

Happy 1st Birthday Vega!

I can hardly believe it's been a year. I put my name in for a puppy from this litter when they were about 5 days old so she's been a part of my life since the beginning of hers. Happy birthday Little Star... here's to many, many more.