More Photos

Thanks to Wendy at Paws on the Run Photography for the great photos!

Good Wicca

Thanks to Sarah for the video!

Damn Near Perfect and Looking for a Home

Thanks Sarah for the great photos!!!

Dax is an almost 2 year old Jack Russell Terrier. He was adopted through the rescue I used to work with 9 months ago. I received an email on Wednesday saying that it wasn't working out. I don't work with rescue anymore, but I couldn't turn my back on this dog. I loved him nine months ago- and I knew that I couldn't leave his fate in anyone elses hands. So, Friday afternoon we was dropped off and he had a great weekend tagging along with me at the agility trial.

I don't know quite what I am going to do with him. He needs a little bit of rehab with other male dogs (terriers especially) but otherwise is pretty near perfect. He is very obedient and can sit, down, stay, and comes when called. He has started flyball training in his previous home, and some foundation work for agility. He has a lot of potential as a great sports dog. He loves to play fetch and is forever carrying something around in his mouth.

He is super snuggly and affectionate. Loves to curl up on your lap and have a nap. He is perfectly well housetrained- no marking. He is great in the house and isn't hyper off the wall- he will settle on a dog bed with a toy and you hardly notice him. He is crated at night, and during the day with only a small amount of barking at first.

He is super friendly- and met lots of people on the weekend. He is good with other dogs and is quite playful. He doesn't guard items, and will walk away from a toy if someone else wants it. He is a good worker but will benefit from some "Control Unleashed" exercises to learn to control his impulses. Already in just two days I'm seeing a change. He is quick to focus back on you, and is smart as a whip.

He is tall. As in 15" and a bit. But no, he's not a smooth fox. He is most definitely a jack. He has a perfect head, a perfect front, and structurally is a very, very correct dog. Temperament wise he is very jack- curious, loves to play, friendly, and not nippy, growly, or anything like that. He really is what a Jack should be. He did fight with the other male jack in his previous home- but I don't know the circumstances that lead to that. He is absolutely fine with my two boys- one of which has already put him in his place. He is super flirty and palyful with the girls but isn't inappropriate (i.e no humping!)

Dax is looking for his forever home- one that has the time, and experience to deal with a dog who needs a job. And someone who has room in their hearts, and on their sofa!



Email me at manymuddypaws @ yahoo.com for more info, or if you are interested in him. I will be picky about where he goes- so be prepared for questions!!!

Sarah's Photos

Sarah sent me these photos this morning. Click to View Large.


I love that her back feet aren't touching....





No feet touching...






Thanks Sarah for the Awesome photos, and for letting me run Gyppie!

tunnel? what tunnel???..

It was an interesting weekend.

Some highs:

Boone earned a Snooker Q with a great run- it was a fun course and had lots of tunnels (as in he did 13! tunnels!!!). He did great, and stuck with me.

Wicca earned a Masters Gamble Q- it was freakin' amazing. She was one of four dogs to do the 22 point mini gamble twice. We even managed to do the end gamble. It was a breathtaking run. I got goosebumps.

Running Gyp in snooker was super funny.It was very different than running Wicca and I almost immediately screwed up...sorry Gyp! Sarah ran wicca and was super flustered and had to work hard to keep wicca focused. Wicca took a wrong obstacle and was tweeted. Sarah did win though- she got more points than I did with Gyp...

Some wierdness...

wicca ran a great standard run in the morning on saturday. It was perfect. I pushed myself, and my dog. Intense, Fast, and clean...Except I forgot a tunnel. Yeah. Fabulous no? I was super annoyed at myself.

She ran a second standard almost as good but this time had a bar which made me feel a bit better when I realised I forgot a tunnel....again...

And the lows... (Pretty much all day sunday)

Boone was pretty flaky and had a hard time staying focused on what I wanted him to do. He did have great weaves all weekend though and pretty decent contacts. Today he kind of fell apart, but I think the heat was getting to him. Overall he was a good boy. I need to be more creative about staying in his head on course...I also realised on the way home that I didn't use his goodie container or food pouch once all weekend- which are his favorites.

Wicca was an idiot today and totally blew me off. I was SO frustrated with her. She broke all of her startlines and early released on her contacts. To end it she demolished a snooker course and left one bar standing. On the steeplechase course she went almost THROUGH me to get to a tunnel. It makes me almost ill to think that regionals is only a few weeks away. We have a lot of work to do.

And in other news...

Pixel and Vito got to tag along- they had fun chasing gophers and hanging out. I also have a temporary house guest that got to come and socialise aswell... (more on him later)

My friend Wendy came and took photos all weekend at the trial- she got lots of great photos and was swamped all day today with orders. There are rarely any photographers at trials anymore so she had a lot of interest. I will have photos to post over the next few days. Sarah took some great photos of my dogs too- so I will post those when I get them aswell.

It was mostly an okay weekend. I am feeling like crap now, but Saturday was so good, it almost makes up for it. With Wicca it seems that for every step forward, there are two or three steps back. I haven't been training, and have barely trialed lately. I have been lax on the rules, and it is biting me in the ass right now. I am going to get out as much as I can to train until regionals.

It was the hottest weekend of the year so far. The dogs, and the people all suffered in it. I am burnt to a crisp- I know, my fault....oh, and I am very, very tired.

Thanks goodness tomorrow is a holiday...

Stay tuned for photos, and more info on the mysterious houseguest...

One Last Thing

On A Dime 19/52, originally uploaded by manymuddypaws.

This is my 52 Weeks photo for Flickr this week. Thought I'd share it with you all before I head out.

It is going to be the first "hot" weekend this year- I'll get a nice tan, have fun with the dogs, and visit dog friends! And, I get to have a whole day to recover! There is nothing better than a long weekend!

Have a great weekend Everyone!!!!

Happy Friday

Wish us Luck! We are off to play agility!

Funny Story

The background story:
Sarah and I had planned on "trading" dogs for the next team we ran. The trial on the weekend doesn't have team though so we've decided to trade dogs for Snooker. And to make it interesting we are going for 7's....

The Funny Story:
Sarah had blogged about her list that she keeps in her pocket, and the fact that if Gyp her border collie was a zoo animal she'd be a dolphin.....and that somehow lead to this:

Sarah said
well you better make a list before this weekend - how will i know what to do with Wicca when i run her? haha

Manymuddypaws said...
run fast
yell bottom
decel into weave poles
pray to keep bars up
oh- and be late....

Sarah said:

HA!
for Gyp:
- run fast
- politely ask Target
- tell her weave - she should do the rest, don't turn your shoulders - moving laterally away is fine
- bars 'should' stay up
- oh and be early!!! LOL

We both said
this could be interesting ....

Out Takes

I wanted a new header- but it had to meet certain critera;

*green grass for that "spring" like feel
*I also wanted to have all four dogs in it
*not posed
*an action shot
*the dogs having fun

It was difficult, but mostly I like how it turned out


Here are some of the out-takes for your viewing pleasure...

Washed Out

Last night was supposed to be our Regionals Prep Class. Last week we were blown away...this week we were washed out. Rain. Rain. Wind. Thunder. Side Ways Rain. Hail. Wind. Sounds like perfect agility weather no?

We did manage to get about 20 minutes of "training" before it hit...but mostly we suffered in the cold. The dogs had fun. Especially the flatcoat.

Monday night was better- chilly, but no rain, cold wind, or any other weird weather. I took Boone to work a few minutes before and after classes. He did great! He was a bit stressed at first, but once he picked up on the excitement of the other dogs he almost forgot about the traffic. Really. He had great contacts (until Sarah was watching)- I have been working hard at home to get rid of the creeping and it seems to be working. Also he had good weaves- we only did 6 though- 12 is usually the issue, but I just used what was set up. And we dabbled a bit with some discrimination and that's it.

The first outdoor trial is this weekend- it is a great trial and I am excited. I am going to run with pressure. I've decided that I am going to go for the fastest time in every run. Maybe if I give myself a "time limit" I can increase my stress, and possibly my speed and enthusiasm? Wicca needs one more standard leg for her MAD. It would be very cool if she got that this weekend. Boone needs one more standard for his ADC, and a Snooker for his Starters Games title...

It will be a fun weekend regardless. Well, as long as it doesn't rain, hail, snow, or storm.....

Momma's Boy

Vito is the biggest Momma's boy ever. Serious.

On the Move

Obligatory Photos

Show Photographers have it made...While I am thankful to have gotten both dogs titles, I wasn't quite as excited to have to buy TWO photos....

Random Photos

The hotel we stayed at was in an area called "Cornerstone"- I thought it would be a cute photo to get Pixel beside the sign (seeing as how she is a "Cornerstone" Cardigan...)


We had rain, rain, and more rain Thursday, Friday, and most of Saturday...I like the dark clouds in the photo...

The Last Day

Boone finished his Rally Novice title with a 90/100. He worked through his nervousness of the judge (something we are definitely going to have to work on!!!) and tried his hardest. I am so proud of this dog. Really. He was a great ambassador for the breed all weekend- and met TONS of people. I explained over, and over, and over again what he is, and about the breed in general. He was friendly, happy, and had a great time. The course this morning was more difficult than the last two, and he was definitely interested/worried about where the judge was. I had to work very hard to keep him with me...but we did it. I was so proud of him. I think often of how far he's come since I got him and it chokes me up to think he used to be so scared. What a great dog he is.

Wicca earned an Advanced leg today with a 99!!! We lost one point due to an out of position sit, and came in second place to the Aussie who scored 100 all weekend. I was thrilled with her performance- she was up, happy, and paying attention. I didn't do a warm up barely at all and it seemed to make a difference in her attitude- something to take notice of that's for sure!

Pixel is happy to be at home, and is adjusting to wearing "panties." Poor Girlie! It doesn't seem to bother her much though- she and Wicca are wrestling and having a good time...

I will post pictures tomorrow!

pixels great adventure and other exciting news..

First off Pixel is no longer allowed to be in an xpen...even with a cloth top the little bugger escaped. I was walking Boone and when I got back I found out that she had jumped out not once, but twice!!! The first time a dog person was going by and saw her jump out and scooped her up to put her back. The second time she got a little farther and was returned to the wrong corgi prople!!! Geesh.

Wicca did very well in Open. We lost major points on our fronts/finishes but otherwise it was great! She did a great drop, broad jump and retrieves. I am very impressed with her- she was a bit worried, but didn't flake out on me. She did her long sit out of sight- but broke the long down!! She got up right when I left the ring, and then laid back down....but I am very proud of her, and it totally made me realise that it is not as scary as I thought!

Boone had an awesome run today!! He scored a ninety-six and did great!!! He wasn't stressed or nervous about the judge and had a good day.

Wicca had her Advanced debut and did really, really well. I of course screwed up a sign and again cost us ten points for doing the sign incorrectly. I didn't have her sit in heel position after a call front sign even though I totally knew I was supposed too!!! Anyway, we scored an eighty eight which isn't awful, but if I could get my act together we are totally capable of a 100.

Oh, and in other news we just discovered Pixel is in season. Imagine how fun our hotel room is with two intact males and a flirty but bitchy little Pixel. Needless to say she is in a crate now...

handler Error

Before we get to the results there were a few odd things that I want to share. First off we get to the site this morning and there are ARMED GAURDS....seriously. We had to stop and answer questions before we could go in. I am assuming that it was a training exercise for them...I meant to go out and take a photo but it rained off and on all afternoon....

And some of the conformation people are pigs...I would NEVER treat my dogs the way they do. Some of them were in pens all day crapping where they have to be...and the people themselves are "totally rude" according to Jo. There was one man in particular- totally crude, swearing and being nasty....it is people and actions like this that brand all conformation people as wackos...

On to the fun stuff- I got to handle a flatcoat this morning- it was fun! I got to see two cute little pembroke babies- and there were five other Cardigans!! Wicca's breeder has a new tri colored dog and she is very pretty and seemed very sweet..

Oh and my dogs rock but I suck. Totally. Wicca was first and it was beautiful- I felt as though we had done awesome- she was focused, happy, and excited to work. Yay!

Boone was great- he was happý and although a little wide was with me the whole time! He got a little spooked at the judge near the end of the course but stuck with me- I am very proud of him!!

Now for the stupid part. I cost Wicca twenty points. Twenty. So we went from 99 to a 79!!! Yeah. On the 1,2,3 steps back I counted my first "front" as the first step- which is wrong. Also with Wicca I cost her the second 10 points when I didn't pause long enough after the down, walk around...yeah...

Boone's scored was an eight six!!!! That's with the ten points off!!!! Wow!!

It was a great day and my dogs totally rock!!! Too bad about there handler!!

Oh, and Kort from One Collie got his first point today!! Go Kort Go!!!

Chapter 1- Thursday Night

Due to my very cool phone I can blog even though I'm away!!! How cool is that??

Anyway, the drive to Medicine Hat was pretty exciting in itself. It was pouring buckets which then turned to hail and snow. Sounds fun right? To add to the fun Jolene's van was fogged up so badly we couldn't see out the windows. Forcing us to wait until the visibility was better. About half way here the rain stopped and it was a nice drive- I was very entertained- Jolene is the funniest person ever...

Once we got here we checked in and unloaded the room stuff. Then we went to the show site and got set up...jolene is ultra organised and we got everything set up quick!! But, due to my bad directions we kinda went the wrong way and took a detour out of Medicine Hat on the way back to the hotel...haha Ooops!

Now it is late and we are hanging out in our very nice room- it is huge and the kind of room that you aren't afraid to walk barefoot in!

I am looking forward to tomorrow. I am showing a friends flatcoat in the morning and have rally with both dogs in the afternoon....wish us luck!!!

Visitor

Davin had a sleepover last night. He LOVED Pixel. As handsome as he is the feeling isn't mutual and everyone pretty much ignored the poor guy!
He is about 5 months old and is an Australian Shepherd that belongs to my friend Michelle. Sleep overs are a great way for puppies to learn to be away from home, and experience new things. In Davins' case he even got to come to daycare today!!! Lucky Guy! He's been having lots of fun! :o)





you can see more of Davin and his big sister Ande on their own blog- Dogs And Old Bones.

Big Mouth and Stuff...

Pixel has a big mouth. Literally. She can almost carry two toys now. :o)

On a more serious note tonite Boone and Pixel both got baths and a groom- we are heading to medicine hat tomorrow right after work.

I have Wicca entered in Rally all three days, and Open on Saturday. Boone is entered in Rally too!!! I am excited...and just a tad nervous about the Open Obedience. It's supposed to be fun right? Then why do we stress ourselves out!!!

Anyway, of course it can't be without drama!!! After the bath and in between my classes tonite I noticed that Pixel's face is swollen. I am assuming a bug bite or allergic reaction of some sort. I gave her a benadryl and hopefully that will take the swelling down. Poor Girlie! It is just on her lips and muzzle right now. I didn't notice it at all during her bath and blowdry...it's always something it seems!!!