I Will Show You How It Is Done - by Lee

As Phod explained yesterday, we got to do some house agility last week. 

I don't mind this because I LOVE cookies. I do love them so much it impacts my ability to concentrate. (Lady wants to make it clear I do get fed a lot of food!). Here I am on my last run. 

When we were done, Man said to Lady "I bet you can't go through the tunnel."  Lady took this as a dare and she went through the tunnel (very, very, very slowly, she said it was not easy and laughing so hard did not help) and finished the course. 

Mischief Monday - A Stupid Hobby - By Phod

Dear pals,

A couple weeks ago, we had 5 days of extreme cold (Like between -20C/-4F and -35C/-33F). Needless to say, our time outside was limited.

One afternoon the Man got this idea that we need more exercise and stimulation. He made us an obstacle course. He made us participate in said obstacle course. I did not enjoy it. Lady got laughing sooooo hard at the whole thing, she nearly peed her pants.

Here is a clip from my first reluctant run and the last. 

A Story About Gemini

Yesterday was 4 years since my angel Gemini died as a result of a head injury. This accident left me with PTSD and I remember the summer of 2010 being the darkest and heaviest of my life.

4 years later, I can sometimes even smile when I think about her and the 6 great years we had together.

Today, instead of feeling sad, I will share a funny, happy, Gemini story. It is one of my favourites.

I got the bright idea that we should put Gemini in agility as Hailey enjoyed it.  Gemini, who truly was a little princess, wasn't so sure. She definitely didn't like to over exert herself. She would do it, she was obedient enough. However, she was in no hurry to do it. She moved in slow motion while doing it. It cracked us all up! I remember our trainer saying she had never seen a dog go so slowly through agility. We all referred to it as "Gemini speed." For someone like me who is so uncoordinated agility is hard as a handler, Gemi was the perfect dog to work with. I had time to remember what was coming next.

Here are a few pictures of our angel trying it out.

She may have moved slow but she could jump

I think her face here shows how thrilled she was about being there

She was excellent at the table, it was definitely her speed, although she would have preferred it with a pillow!

Mischief Monday - They Work Hard for Treats Here

For some reason I got into my head that I should do agility with all 4 dogs.

First trick (sorry no pictures) was jump over the broom stick. Hailey and Barley excelled. Hailey kept showing off that she could jump over it when it wasn't her turn. Phod did it once and decided it wasn't worth the payment. It took a long time for Tendra to figure it out, she kept trying to go over but she did get it.

Trick 2 was the tunnel. When Tendra and Barley took agility, apparently this wasn't a favourite. Hailey again showed off her mad skills but whipping in and out while I was trying to coach the others through it. Phod went a few times, including a very funny time through the middle to get some cookies. It took some coaxing but Barley did it. It was hard for him as he is such a big boy and it was a little tight for him.  Tendra got quite good at this and was soon running through it.

It was a lot of chaotic fun!

Black and White Sunday - Table

One of the things that was left on our property by the previous owners was an old picnic table. While it isn't in the condition to use for people, it is the perfect place to do some agility. 

I was so proud of Phod for being brave and climbing up. He can be very fearful of new experiences. He hoped up before Hailey! 

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My friends would like to thank everyone again for their suggestions for checking out a breeder. In the end, they didn't get good vibes from the person, and are continuing their search for the perfect dog for them (whether a rescue or a legit breeder). They feel they know more now so will be better able to assess these types of situations in the future.  While they sense this was a backyard breeder and not a mill, they have taken the steps to report it to the appropriate local authorities. When they find the perfect dog, they promise pictures. Thanks again.

A new toy

First: In case you missed it in the comments yesterday, a note from Aunt C regarding cousin Panda:

Thanks for the well wishes for Panda! She did great at the vet. It's not a tumour or cancer. Most likely it's a cyst or an old wound healing (she was a stray so we don't know her history). She may need surgery to remove it but that will be a breeze!

Panda's mom

We are so happy that it is nothing serious!

On Thursday, because I am feeling slightly guilty about the time I have put in at work the past 2 weeks and the time I have not been spending with my dogs (somehow I don't feel guilty for not getting the housework done), and because I saw it - I brought the dogs home this new toy . . . . . .

A tunnel!

Phod coming out. he is great at the tunnel and likes it. He loves to go around the bend in it. 

Lee taking it our for a spin. It took her a couple minutes to warm up to it, even though she liked it at agility.

Phod thinking about having a tunnel nap. 

Emma is unsure of it. With cookies and blocking she will go through it.

So far everyone seems to be enjoying it. 

The test will be, how long will it last!

Kitty Agility

The other day, while practicing the weave with Lee at home, the Man decided to see if the cats would do agility. Nin would have no part in it, probably because Lee just kept trying to hump him. Baggy on the other hand showed interest in the treat part . . . .

Last agility

Here is a video of Lee's last agility 2 course. We are going to take a break from school for the summer (and take advantage of being outside), but we may go back in the fall (time will tell).  Lee was totally exhausted when class was done.

Agility 2 - Week 5

Here I am doing my thing at agility. I was a little off on Sunday. Ok, I wasn't really off, but the other dogs were and this made me off. We are blaming the full moon!

Agility 2

I missed the first week of agility 2 because I was away for work, so while this was my first visit, it was Lee's second. Agility 2 is longer courses and some obstacles she didn't do in 1. Overall I was very proud of her and how she did. Her last run was a simple course of 4 jumps and the tire (she doesn't like the tire). However, by the end of class she was so tired she initially just wandered to the door asking to leave. Turns out a good hour long run at Conroy and a 1 hour agility class can tire her out!

Here is one of her runs from the middle of class: