Thursday, January 20, 2011

A New Trick!

Here's a video of Beezer's latest trick:





Get it? He's lifting his leg to "pee" on command. It was all done with shaping and clicker work. I'm so proud of him! This is from a dog that I swore would never have hind end awareness, let alone any cool tricks!

He really is the Bee's Knees!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Jan Trial

Amigo and I went to our first trial since Nationals this past weekend. I decided to just do 1 day, as I had 6 dogs this weekend, and didn't want a whole weekend of chaos!

Tissot, the GSD had her first go at an agility trial. Considering she hasn't had any training since the summer, and the fact that she seems a bit "off", she did very well. I put her into Gamblers and Jumpers, and she tried her hardest and did her best all considering. Her "mom" is going to take her in to see the vet and maybe the acupuncturist as her whole posture isn't quite right.


Amigo's and I first run was Gamblers, which is our most challenging class. But we nailed it! She got the mini gamble twice AND the main gamble. A great surprise which earned us a "Q" and a second place!



Then was Standard, but she crossed behind me, and touched the A-frame, so we didn't place there.

Our second Standard went a lot better, and earned us a "Q" and a second place.



Then came Snooker. My least favourite class. It kinda went like this:
Red jump, Obstacle, Red jump, Obstacle, Red jump, Obsta...Look... a TUNNEL, and tweet. We're outta there.

Even though I was exhausted, I didn't want to end the day with that run, so I waited until the end of the day to run Jumpers, which is her favourite.
Maybe we should have quit after our second Q of the day...
To tell the truth, it was a very difficult course, and she did very well, but she decided (and from my lack of handling), that straight lines were more fun.
If you listen to the video closely, you can hear commentary from the audience. They're impressed with her speed and pure joy at the sport at 13 years young!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

BC Lions Demo 2010




For the past 3 years, Julia has been invited to do the half time show at the BC Lions game. Amigo and I have been honored each year to be apart of the team that shows off their skills and pumps up the crowd for what I believe, is the best half time show during the entire season!






I always love showing off Amigo's agility skills. She loves running in front of a roaring crowd, and it often on of the crowd's favourites! She isn't bothered by the loud noises, screaming people, and the usual chaos that is present during a Lions Game. She takes it all in stride, just doing what she loves! Plus there's lots of cookies to be had at every turn:)

Here are some photos from Aug 2010's Demo. These are the best photos by far (thanks Frank)! I'll try and post previous years photos another time.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

New Years on Pender Island

For New Years, Sue invited Jody, Emma, Jess and I up to her cabin on Pender Island. We were allowed dogs, but had to lessen the load a bit, so we narrowed it down from our normal 10, down to 5. Ryan, Seven, Beezer, Tycho and Kepler were the lucky ones to spend the whole weekend with us.

I've never been to Pender Island, or any of the Gulf Islands for that matter. It's beautiful! And it was made even better with gorgeous weather.

We got out for a few hikes during the weekend, which gave us a chance to see more of the island, and for the boys to burn off steam.







We even did the polar bear swim!



OK, so not us, but the dogs didn't mind taking a dip in the frigid ocean















Cutest baby ever. This is Mya


Monday, January 3, 2011

A New Year

And so many new changes!


I haven't gotten around to blogging for a while because things have been super busy.

I have decided to become a full fledged adult. I moved out! That's right everyone I can now tell people that I don't live with my mom. However it does complicate things a wee bit. I'm still pet sitting (cause I can't give up that sweet gig), and when it comes down to pin pointing my exact location, my friends do have difficulties.

It may go something like this

"Wanna car pool?"

"Sure."

"Great, I'll pick you up."

"Awesome, thanks! I'm at home."

"Which home?"

"Mine."

"Yours yours, or your mom's? Or are you pet sitting somewhere?"

And as you can see I now have to narrow it down from 3 possible places to just one. I do like keeping everyone on their toes.

Now you may be wondering about the dogs. Don't worry, they're still around. Now they can get spoiled in 2 homes. My mom and I are sharing custody of Amigo and Beezer. I get them during the week, and during the day on weekends, but I have my mom take them on weekends so that I can sleep in (they're not known for being late sleepers)


But wait, there's more!!

More you say? Yup, not only did I move, but I also went to Mexico, started fostering Itsy, and got a brand new MacBook Pro! Holy amazing, a brand new computer, and a place to call my own, plus a shiny new TV!! What a great start to the New Year!

Oh yeah, and I guess you want to hear about this foster dog.


Don't let her looks fool you.......




Cute? Yes. Annoying as all hell? Double yes!

This little things packs quite a lot of personality into her whole 15 pounds. I have been hiking her for Animal Advocates for some time, but Judy just didn't have the time and energy to put into her So I agreed to foster her when I got home from Mexico. Oh my, hiking her is one thing, but living with the little apple head is another.

She's come leaps ad bounds since she's been with me ( almost a month now). She hasn't had any accidents in the house or fights. She sleeps through the night in her crate (she actually gets bonus points for sleeping in, unlike my dogs), and we're really really really working hard on the CONSTANT barking and jumping up.

Amigo and Beezer are basically waiting for her to go home. At least she shows them respect! I have high hopes for her in the agility ring. She's quite athletic and smart, so it'll probably do some good to exercise her apple shaped brain.

All in all it's been a very exciting end to the New Year, and I look forward to what 2011 brings.