Hip Hip Hooray

DING DONG THE SNOW IS GONE! WRETCHED SNOW, FREEZING SNOW. ALL 18 INCHES OF SNOW!

Me... actually thankful for a monsoon? Definitely, we all had a bad case of cabin fever. We broke free from the confines of the snow. The rain melted it all away. Yes, all 18 inches of it.

The Pug Boys had grins from ear to ear when they heard me say, "Do you want to go to Brecknock Park?"

Ho Ho Ho

Sidney & Jasper had a blast Christmas Eve. That's when they opened their presents from Santa. No colored shiny wrapping paper that could be toxic but brown paper bags. An old pro at shredding brown paper bags, Jasper was more than thrilled to show his little bro the finer technique. Pieces of brown paper decorated the entire living room floor. Sidney would play bow and dart past Jasper with brown paper dangling from his mouth. Such a tease. They loved the paper bags just as much as the toys. One was a santa whose head was a rattle and his body had 12 squeakers in it. The other one was a penguin with a santa hat that squeaks and opens up at the bottom so you could put a plastic bottle, squeaker, or paper inside. Of course Santa didn't forget the BULLY STICKS!

Big Snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful....

Snow. More Snow. It snowed for about 34 hours. In all, we got 18 inches of snow. Six years ago was the last time we got any accumulation of snow to speak of - 20 inches. Usually we only get a couple of inches of snow each year.

Last year was Sidney's first snow. It was about two inches on the ground. This was his second snow. It was way over his head. But it didn't stop him from trying to plow right on through it. I tried to get pictures but when I tried to get a pic he was right in front of me practically on my feet.

Jasper doesn't care for snow. He just wanted to snuggle inside were it was toasty warm with his buddy.

This morning I sure enjoyed a cup of HOT coffee and a warm cinnamon bun snuggled with my pugs in a comfy chair while gazing out the bay window at the snowfall.

Merry Christmas!

New Neighbor

Yep, we finally have neighbors that moved into the house next door that has been vacant for about a year. The for sale sign was taken down and a big red bow was wrapped around the mailbox. Boy that was sure a nice Christmas gift for someone.

This morning I saw a young women in pajama bottoms with a winter coat on walking her Corgi puppy. I can't wait to go over and make friends. I just LOVE puppies. Besides Sidney wants someone who he can play and chase that doesn't wear out.

I'll invite her and her puppy over for a play date. My yard is enormous and fenced in. Perfect for those zoomies.

AKC 2009 Obedience Invitational Results

For the second year in a row, Petra Ford's black Labrador Retriever, Tyler, has been crowned the AKC National Obedience Champion. They are from New Jersey and train at Top Dog.

In the toy group Linda Coates and Otis, a pug, took first place.

Top scoring dogs of each group from Saturday also were honored in the final awards ceremony Sunday.

SPORTING

OTCH High Times Ris'n Above the Tide - Golden Retriever - Kathleen Rasinwich-Platt
NOC OTCH Count Tyler Show Me the Money - Labrador Retriever - Petra Ford
OTCH First String's Liv'n On the Edge - Kathleen Rasinwich-Platt
OTCH Sunsplash No Free Time - Golden Retriever - Helen Smith
HOUND

Ch. Goose Creek Let Me Entertain You UD - Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen - Mike Willaquette
Ripley's Believe it or Not UD - Dachshund - Roberta Pylate
Bellgrey Bella UD - Basset Hound - Sharon Hall
Dreamcatchers Aces High UD - Dachshund - Judy McGlothlin
WORKING

CH. OTCH Phantomwood Halle V Bluespring - Rottweiler - Frances Delony/Karla Ebert
Maine's Atlantic Allure UD - Bernese Mountain Dog - Gwyndean Candelaria
Double Take's Flight Leader UDX - Rottweiler - Jeremy Schuster
Otto's Gunstaf Von Hiser UD - Standard Schnauzer - Lucie Hiser
TERRIER

Emerald Acres Glorious Angel UDX3 - West Highland White Terrier - Mary Lowden
Ch. Brisline Plumperfect Unforgettable UDX2 - Airedale Terrier - Suzanne Tharpe/Georgia McRae
Chloe of Misty Meadow UDX - Russell Terrier - Anne Bidwell
TOY

Who Dun It Surprise Witness UDX3 - Pug - Linda Coates
OTCH Yorkshire's Sassy Chessler - Yorkshire Terrier - Elizabeth Ann Mahan Clark
Ch. Denzel Born to Be Wild UDX5 - Papillon - Eugene I Morris & Ann Arnold
Emma Wonderful Darling Friend UD - Yorkshire Terrier - Ann Mahan Clark
NON-SPORTING

OTCH MACH6 Sanews Abundance of Energy - Poodle - Shirley Balkan
CH OTCH MACH2 Songbird Sandstorm Saketumi - Poodle - Joann Neal
CH OTCH MACH Sandstorm Skedaddle - Poodle - Ronda Clark DVM
CH MACH Taywils Wolf's Bane - Lowchen - Don Roback
HERDING

CH OTCH Trumagik Star Invader - Border Collie - Betty and Curt Cunningham
OTCH Jusdandy Solar Flare - Border Collie - Laura Romanik
Ch OTCH Highland The Next Generation - Border Collie - Louise Fox Meredith / Anne Marie Silverton
OTCH Dune Von Schoerling UDX2 - Belgian Malinois - Anne Paul

Linda Koutsky Seminar

Boy was I pooped after this weekend. I drove 4 1/2 hours on Saturday and 4 1/2 hours on Sunday to this seminar. I should have stayed in a hotel.

Linda is a top trainer. She has Border Collies. Most people that show in obedience have BIG dogs. One of her main points was that people rely too heavily on food or toys. It's hard to make the transition off food/toys for the show ring. She taught us ways to get the dog into you. You are suppose to become the cookie. She demonstrated motivational pops and butt tags. The show ring is suppose to become more like your training.

She does something called a flash training session where she puts music on for 3 minutes. During this time, she doesn't want you to use food or toys.

She helped me with Sidney's heeling. He has great drive and attitude. I've been teaching him heads up attention heeling using a cookie in the beginning stages. Sidney needs to be closer to me not wide on his heeling. He also forges. Linda said he needed to be bound to me to help teach him to be in correct heel position. She had me put an adjustable dog collar around my upper left thigh with the ring on the back side of my leg. I ran the leash through the ring on the dog collar attached to my leg and pulled the leash through my legs. This caused Sidney to be very close to my left leg and brought him from a forged position to a correct heel position.

Bridget Carlsen Seminar

What an experience. I was one of the lucky ones who got a working slot. She makes most trainers look lazy. Her strong work ethic carries over to her dogs. What impressed me most was her Norwich Terrier. This little guy was born without prey or food drive. He didn't work for praise either. She proved that you could take a non-obedience breed and turn it into a reved up highly motivated dog with a nonstop work ethic. How did she create this. Hemi learned that you have to work for your meals. She gets up every morning and he trains for his breakfast. She has a cue word, "Are you hungry?" This guy just recently got his OTCH. She purposely picked a breed that had NOT obtained an OTCH. People stamped her forehead with Golden Retriever Trainer. People only thought she could reach great heights in obedience competition with Goldens. If you ever have the opportunity to watch her compete, train, or attend a seminar, I highly recommend it. It will be worth every penny and then some.

Letters to Santa

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus right down Santa Claus Lane...

Dear Santa,
I have been a very good big brother to Sidney. When he gets something he's not suppose to have, I let out my unique cry to get my mommy's attention. Lately, he's been bringing in those dang dead brown leaves from outside. He prances around the house like he thinks he's Rudolph. His noses isn't red and what about those none existent antlers.

First I really, really want a BULLY STICK. They are great entertainment, give my jaws exercise, and clean my teeth. I also want a Nylabone for my crate when we travel in the car. It will keep me from getting bored when I'm not napping. Last, I want Oreo to be my girlfriend. It's a blast chasing her at Brecknock Park. She is such a cutie.

The Good Big Brother,
Jasper


Dear Santa,
I have been the best little brother ever. I give Jasper lots of exercise. I swat him on his shoulder and run away. I get him to chase me around the dinning room table. Yeah, Zoomies! That's why he' so buff. Would you please tell him not to clean my winky and face every morning. Enough already.

What I want most, a BULLY STICK. These are my absolute favorite. You know how good they clean your teeth. Next, I want a squeaky toy. That sound just pushes the excitement button in me. Finally, Oreo should be my girlfriend. She's 2 1/2 years old and closes to my age. She's too young for Jasper.

The Cute Little Bro,
Sidney

New Friend

At the park, Jasper & Sidney almost missed out on a new friendship. I'm leery about meeting new dogs. I don't want someone to tell me their dog is friendly and then find out otherwise.

Instead of the usual trail, we came out of the woods and headed over to the volleyball nets. Underneath the nets is SAND. I call it the sand pitt. My boys just love to chase each through the sand. I call it zoomies.

What a nice surprise, a little female Shitzu mix. All three of them where play bowing, chasing each other, and doing zoomies through the sand. I had a blast watching them. I wished I had my video or camera with me. I think Jasper fell in love with her. Her name is Oreo and she is 2 1/2 years old.

Gobble Till You Wobble! It's Turkey Time!

Poor Jasper & Sidney were tortured with aromas of turkey and the trimmings simmering all day. In between preparing dishes, I would plop down on the sofa and snuggle with my boys. Jasper would just melt into me. But little Sidney, he was not content to snuggle. He would crawl up on the back of the sofa and pounce on my head. The little devil would tap my head with his front paw just like a drummer in a band. Then he would grab my hair and give it a tug desperately trying to convince me to play with him. To his dismay, it's been wet outside for the past week. We haven't been able to go for walks or train much. His energy is pent up just like the energizer bunny. Sidney just loves to tug and he's really good at it. I ended up switching from snuggling with Jasper to tugging vivaciously with Sidney. If he keeps this up, he's definitely going to work a few pounds off me.

Jasper just got a new toy from Clean Run. I'm trying to turn him into a tugger. It's the size of a small wallet. One side is covered with rabbit fur. I've never bought rabbit fur in the past because I didn't want Jasper to think he could play with my pet bunnies in an inappropriate way that could harm them. Last March and April my bunnies past away from old age. One was nine year old; the other was ten. House rabbits can live up to ten years of age. I miss them dearly. Jasper & Bailey got along great with them. They were buddies. Anyhow, this toy has velcro and opens up like a purse. You can put a squeaker or food inside it. On one side, there is a handle for me to hold on to. Jasper loves this thing. At home, he really gets into it. Next week at class, I'll try to get him to tug around other dogs. Tugging is a great tool to relax, motivate, and get a dog focus into working with you. I hope the tugging will transfer from home to other places like dog shows, training facilities, and show-n-go's. Below is the website link to the tug toy.
http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=494&ParentCat=22

Agility Tribute to Lisa & Diva

I have saved this agility video to my you tube site quite a while ago. It is inspirational. I thought I would post it here. This dog really clears the jumps. There is lots of air space. He has springs on his feet. Look at that Crested go!

Up Coming Seminars

Boy am I excited. The month of December I'll be attending two seminars. The first one is Bridget Carlson. She is a top obedience competitor who has competed at the AKC Nationals and at Crufts with a traditional breed and a nontraditional breed. She strives to train her dogs for enthusiasm, animation, and precision. Her website shows videos of several breeds being successful. The Newfie blows me away.

The following weekend I'll attend Linda Koutsky's seminar in New Jersey. Her training has been influenced by Sylvia Bishop. She has a border collie named Tilt that comes from the Hob Knob kennel. It will be interesting to see what she does for a small brachycelphalic breed, a pug.

This past weekend I took the pugs to a show-n-go in Red Lion, PA. It was a blast. Jasper's tail was up, he was confident, and thoroughly enjoying himself. Little Sidney cracks me up. He has such drive. He's just so darn fast. I love the speed of his recalls, retrieves, and jumps. His heeling is so flashy. He has great extention of his legs. When heeling, I feel like I'm driving a Porche.

Jesse I wish I had your knowledge and expertise. Sidney could really be a star in agility too.

PUG Skateboarding

Jesse, did you teach your gang to skateboard? This looks like fun. I bet Sidney would like to play around with a skateboard.

Joey the Pug- trick for a treat

Boy, this is a hoot watching vids on You Tube.

Pug Screen Cleaner

Reminds me of my Bailey. I miss him soooooooooooo much!

PUG PUSHES STROLLER-PORTLAND OREGON

Very adorable. She has a stuff plush pug puppy in her stroller.

funny pug

I bet Sidney could do this.

Hug a Pug - November 2009's Pet of the Month Video Featuring the Webkinz Pug

Cute! Can't help but tap my foot to the beat.

Judith Shoemaker Seminar

One of my favorite vets who I admire and greatly respect is having a one day seminar in Slaughter Beach, DE on March 20th. Judith is a wealth of knowledge and experience. She is highly sought after by both horse and dog people. Below is the website and seminar flyer. http://www.mispillionkc.org/events.html

Salisbury Show

Well once again so close but no cookie. It didn't come out of my mouth but I was thinking exactly what a friend blurted out at the show. I've never seen Jasper do that before. On the recall he came toward me, did a nice drop, then I called him to front but he laid their staring right at me. I had to give him a second command to come into the front position.

The last show it was the broad jump that NQ him. Jasper is more stressed than usual with my mom having been in the hospital and rehab the last month from falling. She broke 3 ribs and ended up with pneumonia.

Our next show will be Jan. 29th. He has no excuses at this show. He has trained in this building before at show-n-go's. He should be relaxed there and my mom is now home and on the mend. There are 76 days until show time.

Pug Nationals

Below Jasper and Sidney are hanging out in their hotel room at The Village Inn & Golf Resort in Clemmons, North Carolina. They took over that king size bed in abandonment.



My dream was not realized at Nationals, a second CDX leg. We were so close but no cookie. Jasper qualified on all the exercises in Open A but the broad jump. He absolutely knows this exercise and has even scored perfect scores on this exercise at past competitions.

We did Rally Novice and got our fourth leg. My purpose was to get Jasper accustomed to the ring environment prior to his Open A run thru.

Our next shot at another CDX leg will be at the Salisbury Dog Show and The Missipillion Dog Show November 6th and 8th.

Tanglewood Park Clemmons, NC

While at Pug Nationals, I ventured out to Tanglewood Park. This place was featured on the Travel Channel. During the Christmas season, you can venture through a tour of lights and displays.

Unfortunately it was a cloudy day when I was taking the pics. At least it wasn't raining. It was absolutely gorgeous there. The boys just loved strutting around the park. The park rules stated that they had to be leashed otherwise those little munchkins would have been footloose and fancy free getting into mischief.

Halloween Pug Party At Nationals

What a Halloween Party! You should have seen those pugs. Very clever themes and costumes.

On The Way to Nationals

Fall. Brightly colored leaves. Crisp cool air. Picturesque views. This is what I'm madly anticipating on my adventure to Clemmons, North Carolina for the Pug Nationals. Loaded with camera in hand.

I'm looking forward to making new friends both people & pugs. Sidney and Jasper got Halloween costumes for the party on Wednesday night. This is the first year that I found costumes that fit well enough to purchase. Sidney will be a devil and Jasper will be a bumble bee. Jasper really wants to devour the hot dogs in the contest but I don't want him to have a belly ache. So he's really going to have to convince me. Those eyes and sounds he makes usually do the trick.

I've entered Jasper in Rally on Thursday and Obedience on Friday. Sidney just gets to watch his big bro show him how it's done. Jasper is trying for his second CDX leg. The obedience judge, Victoria Brown, is fair and keeps a respectful distance from the dogs.

I'll be taking lots of pics and video. When I get back to Delaware, I'll edit it and make a DVD.

I just love fall. It's my favorite season. A Halloween pug party, dog show, new friends, and phenominal scenery... just what the doctor ordered!

Way To Go Pugs

Below are pictures of Jeannine Kerr and OTCh Willow.


Below is Linda Coates and OTCh Otis


Below is Linda Coates and her gang.


Below are more pictures of Jeanine Kerr and Willow.





For a long time there had only been one pug to obtain the distinguishable honor of OTCh in obedience. This year two pugs are added to that distinct group of dogs in the AKC, Otis and Willow. They will be at this years Pug Nationals in Clemmons, North Carolina.

My dream for my new pug puppy, Sidney, is an OTCh.

Licking

When will this stop? Jasper has been tormented by the itchies. It started in July. Just licking his paws a little. Then it turned into full blown chewing & biting his feet. I sware he's going to rip his feet right off his legs. He is raw fed. He's been on commercial raw (Nature's Variety, Aunt Jeni's, Abady ) and homemade raw recipe. I did an elimination diet with just raw turkey and sweet potato. He is given Coconut oil for the omega's, Thorne Small Animal Antioxidant, probiotics, enzymes. My gut instinct is it is environmental not a food allergy. He walks one mile every day, trains 5 days a week in obedience, brushed & massaged every other day, bathed in oxyfresh shampoo weekly or every other week.

He's been seen by a holistic vet. He was given a chinese herb and homeopathy remedy. She also did accupunture with homeotox injections at the accupressure sites. I want to stay away from predisone since it suppresses the immune system.

Any suggestions/ideas?

GoD And DoG by WJ Francisco

A simple yet profound message.

Qualified

That's right. Qualified. Jasper got his first leg in Open A at the Oriole Dog Show on Saturday. Two more legs and he will have his CDX title, Companion Dog Excellent.

Each time he qualifies, I always manage to well up with tears. It takes every ounce of control to hold back those tears and not look like a blubbering fool. Over the years of training, I've cultivated such a deep bond with my special boy.

I am so very proud of my guy.

Tina Humphrey Crufts 2009 Freestyle - without the first few seconds :(

Another amazing performance of Tina Humphrey and her Aussie.

Tina Humphrey

This video brought me to tears. To witness this special bond/ realationship, I was filled with joy. This is what living with animal companions is all about. That special bond/ relationship and the joy it brings to our lives. God is good.

Check Us Out

While visiting Norman, I convinced him to get out his camera and take some shots of the boyz. We were snuggling and hanging out on the sofa watching the movie "Taken".

Sidney thinks he's a kitty. He loves to lay on the back of sofas.

I just love how pugs will cock their little heads to the side when you make silly noises.

Fortunately no one set off any fireworks in our neighborhood this year. The fireworks that the City of Dover set off could hardly be heard from our house. So the pugs were not frightened by any sudden loud noises.

Wilmington Kennel Club Indoor Show

obviously after Saturday and Sunday's performance, Jasper and I need more work. His heeling was good and so was my footwork. He knows all of the exercises in Open A. But he succomed to stress and shut down on the retrieve on the flat, retrieve over the high, and broad Jump. I need to do more proofing and find men to be distractors.

At show-n-go's, class, and training places, he performs all of the exercises and does well. Once he is in the show ring, his tail goes down and you can see he is stressed. I was quite surprised to see how stressed he was. Of course it didn't help that the night before I was in the emergency room with my mom. She had taken an extra dose of medication for her Parkinson's at the same time taking cough syrup with codeine. Once the meds wore off, she was ok. I got to bed at 12:30 and got up at 4:00.

Our next show is in August.

Baby Robins

For a while, I witnessed two Robins diligently building a nest. It's on top of the outside light which is right next to the bay window. Recently, the eggs hatched and the babies where sprung. What a faithful mother. She works hard for a living. Feeding those babies nonstop with fat, juicy worms. What exhilaration I get from watching them. Soon, I will set up an exercise pen . When the babies leap from the nest, the pugs won't try to play with them.

Happy Birthday Jasper

One adorable pug boy just couldn't wait to devour his birthday supper, salmon & broccoli. After posing patiently for a picture, Jasper inhaled his scrumptious pumpkin cupcake just like a Hoover vacuum. This guy lives for food. Good thing we walk at the park everyday and train. It keeps his physique buff. He's definitely fit as a fiddle and struts with pride like a peacock.

Once again I couldn't just buy Jasper gifts. Sidney would have felt unloved. So they both got a bully stick and plush toys.

Sidney wants to say that he loves his brother with all of his heart. Jasper is his best buddy. He loves to wrestle and use him for a pillow when they nap together.

Jasper is now 8 years young.

Oriole's Show N Go

Jasper knocked my socks off. His attitude and self confidence were phenomenal. In between exercises, I focused on using my voice to praise him and I had him do several tricks.

Last week I finished reading "That Winning Feeling" by Jan Savoie. She writes about motivational tools, goal setting , self talk, visualization, relaxation, affirmations, and attitude adjustments. It had a profound affect on me, my training, and Jasper. This week, I'll begin her second book "It's Not Just About The Ribbons".

I also came across a flower essence called Ego Builder. I used it on Jasper and myself one hour before we went into the ring. It works.

June 6th and 7th, Jasper and I will be showing in obedience at Wilmington Kennel Club's Indoor Show. We'll be entering the Open A Class. I'm so psyched. I now have the tools to deal with ring nerves for him and myself.

More Socialization

Today I had a great opportunity to expose Sidney to more strange people, sounds, and objects. Every year the first Saturday in May is Old Dover Days. People dress as they did in Colonial Times. On The Green, Vendors set up. Sidney was confident and enjoyed his outing. He got exposed to:
*Real native American Indians dressed in their full costume (including hearing their music)
*Teepee
*Civil War Infantry
*Cannons going off
*Man dressed as a Knight
*Martial Arts Demo
*Generators
*Man carrying a bazillion balloons
*Man in a strange hat
*Many people of all sizes, shapes, colors, ages, and costumes
*Fire trucks
*Horses
*Band Marching in Parade
*Walking on a loose leash in a crowd
*Everyone wanting to pet and feed him

Hey if I could sew, I would have dressed him in a tricorner hat with colonial duds on then entered him in the pet parade.

WKC Lums Pond Show

I ventured out into the sweltering heat to watch friends compete at the WKC Dog Show at Lums Pond. After snapping some photos of my friends, I ventured around the vendors area. I found a stylish pug pin and a snappy camouflage harness for Jasper.


Below is York (German Shepherd) and Jodi. They qualified in Utility B. It's their second leg.




Below is Spirit (Sheepdog) and Ann. They earned a first place and New CD Title on Saturday.



Below is Nicky (Pap) and Jeannine. They got reserve in breed on Saturday.

My Beloved Gateway

This afternoon my heart was broken once again. Gateway left this Earth and is now with his beloved Bunny in heaven.

He was a gorgeous broken black & white mini lop. I fell in love with him the moment I saw him. I adopted him through the House Rabbit Society. He lived in Virginia where a girl could no longer keep him. We set a date for the two bunnies to meet hoping they would hit it off.

At first Bunny did not know what to make of him. It took about 5 weeks of introducing them each day for them to finally bond. She fell madly in love with him. She would present herself to Gateway for grooming. Gateway would take his cute pink tongue and lick her head and ears. She just loved it. I would find them in numerous places snuggling together. I marveled at their relationship. Bunny often told me that Gateway was the best gift she ever had. If only all human couples could live in peace and harmony as Bunny & Gateway did.

Gateway loved the pugs as much as they loved him. They would sniff each other's noses. So cute to watch.

Gateway loved his blueberries, bananas, carrots, oranges, timothy hay, oxbow pellets, and raisons. Anytime I was in the kitchen or opened the refrigerator door, Gateway was like grease lightning leaping into the kitchen. When he heard me come home, he would come running to greet me. He would make this endearing sound as he approached me. He loved living cage free. Oh, how I am going to miss this special boy.

I was honored and blessed to take care of Gateway. God has so blessed me with all the pets he has entrusted to me.

Invincible Unstoppable Super Pug

Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's SUPER PUG. Alright, I should probably train Sidney in agility. He proved his talent this morning. My mom and I were working on Sidney being quiet when the door bell rings. I put Sidney on a leash and had him sit stay. My mom was outside the house. Sidney knows the commands quiet and speak. She rang the door bell every 30 seconds for 2 1/2 minutes. When the door bell rang, I told Sidney quiet. When he was quiet, he was reinforced with a treat. My mom came back into the house when she was done ringing the door bell. Sidney was now off leash in the kitchen. The baby gate was closed. He thought someone was still at the door. From a stand still, he leapt straight up and over a 3 foot baby gate. And some people think pugs are couch potatoes. Above is a picture of Sidney who is sleepy and hanging out in front of the same baby gate that he easily cleared today.

Down Under With Sidney

I have been working on the down with Sidney. I could get him to bow down his front end by putting a treat on the ground between his front legs. But when I would push down on his rump, I got opposition reflex. Next I tried sitting on the floor and bending my knees. I would them lure him under my legs. Once under, I would lower my legs on top of him, then click and treat. Then I put the treat in my hand and made a fist. I put my fist on the floor and slid it toward his front legs. Wow, he went down so I clicked and treated. Then I put a name to it, down. Now he throws himself down on the floor without me asking. Oh how the clicker works wonders.

In obedience, you want to teach your dog to down from a standing position with the front hitting the ground first followed by the rear. In the Open class, dogs do a recall with a drop. If you teach the dog to sit first, then go down. He may remain in the sit and not go completely down. If this happens, then you NQ and blow your entry fee.

Bunny, Gateway & The Pug Boys

Missing and remembering how special Bunny was to me. I'm so glad I made this video of the buns & pugs and posted it on YOU Tube.

Bunny Goes To Heaven

It's the first day of spring. 7:20 a.m. the phone rings. The Emergency Vet called to tell me Bunny had passed away 20 minutes ago.

Bunny, a mini lop rabbit, was a gift from Norman. We saw her in a pet store while looking for supplies for an aquarium. She was irresistible with those long hanging ears, sweet eyes, and gorgeous seal point fur. Norman gave into my dark brown eyes when I asked, " Could I get her?"

She was my first rabbit. I had no clue in how to take care of her or what incredible adventure I would embark on. At the age of three, she developed a tooth root abscess. She battled this several different times and always won. She loved life and was sweet natured. As a baby she loved to do binkies and run like mad around the living room.

Doing research on the Internet, I discovered the House Rabbit Society. They are a wonderful organization that has great knowledge about the health and care of rabbits. Fortunately in Delaware we have a local chapter of the House Rabbit Society.
There I met Theresa and Joyce who help direct me to knowledgeable rabbit vets.

Bunny has a bonded mate. His name is Gateway. He is a black & white mini lop. I adopted him when Bunny was 1 years old. It was heart warming to watch the two of them together. They would snuggle and groom each other. If only all humans could get along as well as Bunny & Gateway, it would be Heaven on Earth.

This past Saturday Bunny really wasn't interested in eating her pellets. She was still eating lettuce and hay. On Monday I called my vet. The office manager told me they were booked. She could squeeze me in on Tuesday. Her lower molars on grown crooked and prevented her tongue from moving much. Her tongue was somewhat trapped. The vet wasn't able to file her teeth by hand because of the location. He anesthetized her. Then filed her tooth. I couldn't get her to start eating pellets when I brought her home. I started feeding her by syringe. Thursday night she was week and I feared that she may not make it. I took her to the Emergency Vets so she could get IV fluids, body temperature warmed up in the incubator, and forced fed. They also gave her metrocleptromide to help the motility of her gut.

I so love my little girl and miss her dearly. She deeply touched my spirit. She's now in heaven with my beloved Bailey.

Happy Birthday

March 8th was Sidney's first birthday. He woofed down his pumpkin cupcake and left the plate squeaky clean. Not even a crumb for his big brother. I couldn't just buy Sidney gifts. Jasper would have felt left out and he would have given me that sad face look. So they both got kongs, bully sticks, and a plush toy.

Sidney's First Show -N-Go

Salisbury's New indoor facility is wonderful. Climate controlled with heating and air conditioning. On Sunday, they held their second Show-N-Go at their new facility. The people there were very friendly and quite helpful. Randy was a sweetie and carried in Sidney's heavy huge plastic crate while I carried in Jasper's light folding crate. You see Sidney did have a light folding crate until he decided he rather be with me and doesn't have the patience to wait while Jasper trains with me. He fuses and digs at the crate door tearing small holes in the material. So I'm stuck toting around a heavy plastic crate until he is trained better and a little more mature.

Outside the rings we played tug, sit, twirl, spin, touch, pre-heeling, and Sylvia Bishop's stack ups. He had a lot of self confidence and enjoyed the company of other dogs big and small. I had unfamiliar people ask Sidney to sit, twirl, spin, speak, and touch. He happily did those things for yummy treats. He's quite a food hound.

Jasper is improving with his attention and self confidence. We did 2 runs in Open A. I'm looking at May or June to start competing again in obedience with Jasper pursing a CDX title.

Since I'm visual, I love to post pics. This pic was taken on Christmas Day. Sidney was 9 months old here while Jasper was 7 1/2 years old. Training has been a lot of fun with Sidney. He loves to tug and retrieve. We're working on heads up heeling. He likes to jump up and grab the string cheese from my hand. So we are working on this. He has become such a tugger. When I first met him at Helen's house, I couldn't even get him to tug with me. Most likely this was the case because Helen was stacking him while using yummy chicken breast right before she handed him off to me. I would go for the meat too instead of the toy.

The end of this week I will be going to the Maryland Pet Expo. On Saturday and Sunday I've signed up for two seminars with Dr. Christina Chambreau. I'm looking forward to learning more about homeopathy, alternative medicine & health care for our pets. There will also be a lot of vendors there. I can't wait to shop for the pugs.

Rally

Here is a friend of mine with her pap Nicky.