Monday, June 17, 2013

Regionals 2013

June 7th-9th were the BC/Yukon Regional Championships.

I wasn't feeling too nervous going into it, but after Saturday when Beezer came away with 2 ribbons, AND a 4th place aggregate score, you could say I was feeling A LOT more nervous come Sunday.






Sunday wasn't as good.  We got an off course in both Jumpers and Standard and he knocked a bar in both courses.  Our place on the podium was surely gone.

Except it wasn't.  As we were waiting for our qualifying ribbon, I patiently waited for our name to be called.

There were 24 dogs in our height category. They got down to 10th place...

9th...

8th...

Podium placements are 1st through 6th, so the last thing you want to hear is your name being called 7th...

Still, I didn't hear our names.  I glanced at my friends and wondered "Did I miss it?"

6th...

Holy fucking shit

5th...

4th...

BEEZER!!!!!!




That's right!!  My amazing brown dog got on the podium!!!  I couldn't have been more shocked or proud. 

Good boy Schoodger Bean! 





At this point I might have started tearing up. 


Love you Beez, you're a pleasure to run with. So happy and always giving it your best!


My only regret from the weekend (besides the sun burnt face) was not getting video.  Oops.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Call me crazy

It's been a while since my last post and much has happened.  It's amazing how 5 dogs can keep you busy.  I know, shocking.

Let me break it down for you:

Monday:Flyball (Avi and Reckon)
Tuesday:Avi agility
Wednesday: Reckon obedience
Thursday: Beezer agility
Friday: A DAY FOR ME!
Saturday: Flyball
Sunday: Reckon French Ring

Exhausted aren't you?

It's worth it to see everyone improving in their field.   Avi knows all the pieces of agility equipment, now we just need to proof them. And get her to turn tightly around the jumps.  I'm so proud of her being able to run off leash when her arch nemesis, a red Aussie Kane,  is barking and screaming.

Beezer is perfect as always.  He's now in Masters Gamblers and Masters Snooker.  It's just the darn Jumpers we're stuck in.  Still having a slight issue with his weaves in trial.  He does them SO beautifully in glass.  Nails his entrance, has distance etc etc.  But not in a trial.  I guess he's feeding off my nerves.  Another trial this weekend-wish us luck!

Reckon is doing awesome in Ring.  As long we can go consistently, he makes leaps and bounds.  I'm hoping to be ready to trial him at the end of Sept.



Amigo and Cody are perfect as usual.  I finally sucked it up and took Cody to see a professional groomer.  He looks much better than when I give him a haircut. Where he looks like I threw him through a wood chipper.

To top it all off, my frisbee throws are improving as well!  Since Avi has no self preservation and will likely kill herself trying to catch the frisbee, I have taken to throwing the frisbee sans dog.  It's helping a ton.  Funny how as soon as she comes out I panic and my form falls apart.  But I'm getting better.  She's still young and I don't want to damage her perminantly. Although if I did, I'm have a lot more free time...







Reckon has done more damage to my car than i thought possible. He likes to show his displeasure at waiting his turn by pulling off the weather stripping. And most recently, tearing the bench seat.  Not impressed.  I mean, yes, it means he wants to train and play, which is awesome. I'm happy he's so keen, but STOPTEARINGAPARTMYCAR.


So to sum everything up, I'm busy.  Crazy dog lady busy.  And I want to do more. With more dogs. 
I gotta win the lotto and buy property. Or marry rich. Any day now, right?!?!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

She weaves!



http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151322525516440&l=9038682802219944874


So proud!!


I'm hoping she picks up speed as she gains confidence.


Now we need to proof it and add entering them off other obstacles. Exciting!!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

It's a little empty around here.

And quiet since Burger found his fur-ever home!!


That's right! The Washington State Champ couldn't stay away!!  He emailed and asked if he could take home little Burger as "He couldn't stop thinking of him."

Fine with me!!  So on Feb 24th Burger became Bronx and a dual citizen!


Not even a week later and he has wormed his way into Ben's heart.  He is going to be a daddy's boy for sure :)
I am very happy to see Burger/Bronx get such a wonderful home. I can't believe I had him for over 3 months!


Avi and Reckon don't seem to notice his absence, but I sure do.  It's QUIET.  Like everywhere.  In the car, in the house, on the trails.  I like it.

Ben promises to keep me updated with pictures and emails, and he's already kept that promise.  Facebook is filled with videos and pictures.  It's nice to keep tabs on him.

Can't wait to see what Ben does with that handsome, smart boy!  Good luck to the happy family!!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Frisbee Practice



Beezer and Avion are great at it.  I have to work on my throwing.







I had the 2012 Washington State Champion, Ben and his dog, Anci to show us how its done.

              Ok Ok, so he came up to take a look at adopting Burger but unfortunately it didn't work out.


                                                                       *sigh, so close*


But at least I got some good pointers out of him.  Lots to learn!  I am proud to say he saw A LOT of potential in Beez and Avi.



Too bad their handler sucks.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

They grow up so fast

As of Jan 22nd 2012, Avion is no longer a little girl.  She came into heat!  I didn't realize how emotional this would be.  No I haven't cried. Since she is the first female dog I've had that I've kept intact, it's going to be an interesting journey. So far nothing has changed.  She isn't acting any different, nor are any of the dogs in my home or at work.  We'll see if that changes with time.

She is being very very good wearing her pink frilly panties in the house.

She has only tried to take them off a few times yesterday.  I came out of the shower to find her throwing them gleefully around the living room.  Tossing them into the air and death shaking them.  I had no idea menstruating could be so much fun!!

I've also started her in a foundation agility class.  She is kicking ass.  When she's not trying to chase poor Kane.  Don't what it is about that Aussie (perhaps the frantic running and barking?), but she is a little OCD about him. When we first started classes I could not get her attention back to me when she "locked on" to him. I could wave a raw steak attached to a ball in front of her face and nada.  We had to leave the barn for a little time out more than once.
She is now at the point where I can re-direct her attention. She can even go off leash as long as he is on leash too. The people haven't been an issue either! As long as I give her a bit of distance, she is quite happy to work around them.  So proud :)  I can't wait to start her agility career.

Know who else is getting older?  This guy:


This is Burger

I still have him,




It's been two months since this little terror angel came into my home. He wasn't supposed to be here this long.  Turns out, not many people want a wittle Malinois puppy.


WHY NOT???? TAKE HIM!


It's not like Sheena hasn't had applications, she has.  They are just from people who have no bloody idea what owning a Malinois is like.  You would think one would research a breed before obtaining one. Especially when you have to apply to get one.  When asked "What do you plan to do with your Malinois to keep him busy and stimulated?"  your answer should not simply be "jogging"

Let me put it this way people.  I hike this 16 week old puppy TWICE a day, and he still drives me crazy.  He spends my lunch time in the car so I can eat in peace. Thank goodness for Avi, who then plays with him in the evenings. Otherwise I may strip the skin from his body.

At least he is now sleeping through the night. And we are at the point now where I can have him in his crate while I watch TV in the evenings.  He still has separation anxiety and can't be left alone.

He's come a long way in two months.  Greets people without hesitation, not afraid of new situations etc. He does bark at approaching dogs, but once he can say hello there's no problem.  Sometimes he likes to bark just cause.  Like at a dog from our group is ahead of us.  BARK BARK BARK. Oh, right, you came in the car with us.  Sigh.

He and Avi are attached at the hip.




Or Burger's mouth on Avi's neck.


Seriously.  That's all he does.  He doesn't let her out of his sight.  And then latches on.  She is SO tolerant.  When it's not annoying it's very adorable and entertaining.




I've been trying to get Reckon out to Ring training every Sunday. He loves it so much and I really do enjoy the sport.  Plus it's so nice to see him progressing!  His tugging drive has really blossomed.


I've also noticed his focus has improved bucket loads.  If I take him into Beezer's agility class, he will actually work with me, even with other dogs running around!  I never thought we could get to that stage!



Amigo has started to rub off on Avi.  Since I can remember, Amigo has been in love with the water.  She will run ahead to a water source, turn around, and stare at you to throw something.  Anything.

Well Avi has started to do the same.  Thankfully without the demand barking a la Meego.

More than once I've walked away from a lake/ocean/swamp/puddle with Amigo still contently digging around for sunken logs. I can see the same in Avi's future.  Silly girls.



Beezer is still doing very very well in agility.  I love that boy so much.  He's a good dog.



 I got a new lens for Christmas, so hopefully more pictures to come!


All in all, life with the Sandberg menagerie is good.  Except for a God awful neighbour, we have settled into the new place with ease.  I'm happy to see little improvements with the dogs every day.  Makes living with them a whole lot easier :)




Editor's note: Avion has put on 7-8 pounds and looks a lot less skeletal. She has also decided she wants to sleep by herself in the crate in the living room. Not too sure why, bigger crate/more room?