I was feeling pretty discouraged going into it, actually. I had to work a half a day on Friday and I just didn't feel right at the Dobie club that afternoon. Won't do a friday show unless I take the day off. Was up way to late on Thursday packing and had to be at work way to early on Friday to get a decent amount of sleep.

Speck and I got called for training in the ring in the STD course, which was questionable. And in JWW, the judge placed her self on course in such a way that she was in pretty much everyone's way. I was not impressed with her at all. Had she not been in my way, SPeck may or may not of gone off course, but he did brilliantly on most of it. I scratched Emma, deciding that I would rather get to Argus at decent
time.

The RHR show was quite nice and we did extremely well at this show.  Both Speck and Emma were super good. Highlights:

Emma: Getting her LAA-Bronze on the first run of the day. Granted it was a fairly easy Gamble run, but I will take it! Emma also won Gamblers, Saturday Standard and the Performance Grand Prix. SHe was such a super star. We didn't get the pairs (our only NQ of the weekend). On Sunday, she saved my ass in Std (I was WAY out of place), got a SQ in Snooker (2nd place) and won Jumpers. She had a smoking time in jumpers too.

Speck. A lot of things went great this weekend with him. I made sure we got a proper warm up (chuck it before and after) on most runs. We also practiced some focus on me excercises before we ran which I think helped *us* out.

Saturdays' Gambler run was spent on reminding him about contacts and 20 inch weave poles and we were out of place to set up the gambler portion.


Saturday's Std, he was such good boy, ran very well and would have had a better time had I not made him stay on the table a bit longer. (He was very close to the edge as he jumped on, and I elected to reinforce his stay rather than get to my lead out position, and was late getting to
it).

Grand Prix, was an "almost" run with a bobble at the weaves. It was jump to tire to 90 degree turn to weaves. I did a recall to heal and it didn't work out. In Sunday's STD run, he nailed the DW to 90 turn and wrap into the weaves, which I was super happy with.

Speck was such a good boy this weekend, and I felt very much like a team with him.

And one of the highlights of the weekend was his run in Jumpers. About 5 dogs before we were to run, Wade asked if he could run him. YES! He gave him some treats and we went over cues to use (or not ;-) and they went out. Speck was slow on the first three jumps (a pinwheel) and came back running to me but finished the course with Wade and got a Q (about 9 seconds slower than Solar and 3 seconds under SCT, but still a Q.

And Meri got out and about to play around with me and the other dogs. On Saturday she made Merc KNOW that she wanted nothing to do with him or his hormones but on Sunday Jo and I took the two of them out to the field and they played quite a bit. Even Jenny likes Meri better (than Speck). Have I told anyone how much I love this girl!

The MAD and the LAA-Bronze were just icing on the cake.

like Haku



or Venture


Please save us
!

The rest of the set can be found here.

I didn't even knew she existed last year at this time.  Hard to beleive how much she has changed my life.    Happy Birthday Meri!

It was a long 4 day weekend at the Rose City Classic, and while this is still my favorite show, I didn't have the best of times. It's been a wild past few months and I have come to the conclusion that I need to stop working so hard at putting on agility shows and start working hard at running in them.

To be honest, I am finding it increasingly annoyed at people who don't work and expect everyone else to shoulder all the jobs. I am sure the same people complain about rising entry fees. Meh, just need to let go of that. I will be sure to volunteer at each show as I do, and I think I will be trial secretary for the shows I already do, but that's it. And to be honest, while I didn't have to pay for Speck's entries to the trial last weekend, what's the point of free entries if we can't do well at the shows. I had no time to spend with Speck in our pre-run ritual (ok, there's no place at the RCC for really serious chuck-it action, but I couldn't even leave the rings long enough to fake it).

Part of these decisions were made in the fall after I got from USDAA Nationals. I was teaching 6 classes 3 nights a week, and really decided to teach 5 classes 2 nights a week. I thought seriously about buying a local dog training business or perhaps starting my own, but in all reality I like working with technology (not really liking Motorola, but it's not horrible). And I don't want to suffer through the pains of working a billion hours a week to start a business that will not pay me as much as I make now. I know that I could run a business, and I have learned a great deal from running Peak Agility, it's all I really want to do now and still have a life that I enjoy with my husband and dogs and family and friends. I am doing quite alright if I stay on this path.

I really enjoy teaching (must be the genes, as both my parents were teachers) and I love my students and am I really enjoying watching them compete. And I teach at this fabulous facility that is warm and dry and clean.

Life's pretty damn good.

Looking for a fun, dog friendly place to camp (with RV's) this summer (July).  Would like to be able to rent a boat (not necessarily with the dogs), go hiking, perhaps go to a good meal.

Any suggestions?

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This is of his left eye.  You can see the mottled blue specks in it. 

'n happy!


Judi and I took the girls for a hike today at Vancouver Lake.

They had a great time!


Rest of the pics are here.

Jorgen made another friend.


Took Page herding.


Did I mention wet?


Speck had a blast, got to do herding AND agility!


All in all, it didn't suck to be a dog this weekend.

Rest of the pictures are here.

From the AKC today regarding Agility and Mixed breed:

1. Mixed breed dogs will be permitted to compete in the same companion event classes with purebred dogs. Competition will be head to head for the same titles and awards.
   • This change involves - Obedience, Rally and Agility
   • This eliminates all previously published mixed breed classes – mixed breed novice a or b etc

The entire letter:

We are pleased to inform you of a decision made by the AKC Board at the January 11, 2010 meeting, which will enhance the AKC Canine Partners program. This exciting new program allows mixed breed dog owners to list their dogs and participate in AKC Agility, Obedience and Rally events starting April 1, 2010.

While each club's participation in the AKC Canine Partners program will remain voluntary, clubs may now choose to allow mixed breed participation at any AKC Agility, Obedience or Rally event. Mixed breeds will compete in the same classes and earn the same titles as their purebred counterparts.

This decision was made following a lengthy discussion and review of feedback from enrollees, delegates, clubs, show and trial chairpersons, current purebred exhibitors and potential mixed-breed exhibitors, prompting a reevaluation of the current program. AKC staff took into consideration the prior feedback received from the AKC Delegate body about the program and contacted each individual member of the AKC Delegates Committee for Obedience, Tracking and Agility and others regarding this feedback.

New changes, effective April 1, include:

1. Mixed breed dogs will be permitted to compete in the same companion event classes with purebred dogs. Competition will be head to head for the same titles and awards.
   • This change involves - Obedience, Rally and Agility
   • This eliminates all previously published mixed breed classes – mixed breed novice a or b etc.
2. At the option of an event-giving club, mixed breed dogs can participate at any event open to all-breed obedience, rally, or agility offered by the club.
   • Please remember that mixed breed dogs must meet the eligibility requirements to enter an AKC event.

Can anyone recommend a good canine nutritionist?  Speck really doesn't eat enough, but I know he's hungry and I would like to figure out a food plan for him.  Currently he's on a rotation diet (raw to kibble to McD's cheeseburgers (those are his favorite).  

Either near Portland OR, or via email and/or phone if longer distances.

Thanks

Mine!



No, MINE!


You want this?


In the end, still BFFs!






The rest of the pics can be found here.

There's a German Shepherd behind you!


It's been a while since we have seen Onyx! (I can't believe it was last July: http://barjor.livejournal.com/151389.html)

She is turning into one GORGEOUS Shepherd!

(Er, Meri that's kinda rude!)

She and Meri were pretty well matched. About the same speed, Meri can corner just a bit better


Run, Onyx, RUN! (There's a Border Collie behind you!)


Meri also got to play with Miss Pix and Haku!


Look, they can share!


The rest of the pics can be seen here.

I have truly enjoyed the DSLR camera and I find it utterly fascinating that things can look so awkward and it's captured for eternity (or at least as long as Flckr) is around.

Take, for example, this picture. I almost think that Haku told some really horrible joke, and Meri and Pix are not too happy about it.



Catch much?


You have something stuck in your teeth but NO one says anything.



or you are forced to share a crate with your sister.

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Took these last night.






A few others are here

Got some pretty cool pictures today in the field next to my work. I take the dogs out at least once a day. The routine is pretty much the same with or without snow. Speck scopes out the holes. (Not sure what he's looking for).



Meri watches Speck (I think trying to figure out what he's looking for too) and then takes off and runs a big loop around us).




Emma usually chases Meri around, but she's just not fast enough.



And these are from Brigands on Sunday when I went up to practice some agility.



The lambs are so cute!



The rest can be found here.

This is my sister's new dog, she's coming home next week. What do think she is?

She weighs about 25 pounds, and I would guess she's about 13-15 inches tall and has soft fur.


( Other than VERY CUTE, I think she's a..... )