I'm working just a couple of hours this morning then I head home to hit the store, pack, take the dogs on a nice hike, etc.

Can't WAIT to get going! I get messages from the Bay Team people saying the weather might be "hot" on Saturday... hmmm, not sure what a Bay Area person deems hot, but current weather.com forecast for Salinas is high of 70... dude, that's chilly. HA!

In any case, it's not going to rain, so that's good.

I will be sans-computer for many, many days. Miss me okay? hehehe. I plan to take HAND WRITTEN notes of our adventures then transcribe them for your viewing/reading pleasure. Not sure if I'm taking my camera. It's fairly big and heavy and often doesn't take good fotos and I think my co-pilot IS bringing a camera so hopefully there will be a recording of sights seen.

Anyway. off we go.

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Video is overrated... hehehehe.

Here are some pictures from our 0-10 Brownsville weekend.  We might have got skunked, but we sure had a blast:


Ruben is so good at 16. Once he finishes his AKC excellent titles, I'm moving him down.


Raze actually GOT this contact... not sure how... Friggin "Superman" A-frames... (and yes, it's on my MUST DO list to MAKE him stick all his contacts at Bay Team.



We have a much better time on the DW contacts. He's way more watching me.


Cheri was so proud of this one... Yes, this is MY dog exiting the Chute... backwards... Like he's being birthed from the dang thing! Very, very funny. Great job getting that one Cheri!



I'm fairly certain this is illegal....But keeping myself from getting killed seemed more important at the time... hehehe

Thanks Cheri, you rock!

I've never traveled to a trial before (like, more than a couple of hours driving).
I've never stayed in a hotel to trial before
I've never seen my name on a DAM team roster before.

Yep, there's a lot of firsts for me coming down the pike!

The Diaper Derby kids are hot and ready to go!:

Diaper Derby*
26  Razor Aussie   Rosie Stein
26  Swift BC           Julie Kitelinger
26 Charlie BC        Paulette Czech


I love that we have a name (rather than just a list of the dogs' names, thanks Julie!) and I don't know what the * is for in our name... maybe it means "look out!! puppies ahead!"

I feel like I should be daunted about the drive, about staying in a hotel w/ my barking fiend (sorry neighbors, I'll do what I can, short of snapping his neck off!), daunted about running excellent courses with my baby dog, daunted about just the whole experience......

But I'm not.

Not even a tiny bit. It's going to be SO fun. I can just feel it.
Traveling w/ Razor is a breeze. He sleeps the entire time. Of course, his longest ride ever was to Grants Pass (about 4 hours) but he was a prince for the entire thing. Doesn't do the "Gotta go potty" dance that Ruben always does.

As for the barking. If things are calm, he's calm. If everyone is squirrely, he gets squirrely. Playing dogs really jack him up. It's happy barking, but still barking.

I didn't really get a real vacation this year, so I'm counting these away trials in my "holiday" list.

How fun, my name on a DAM team list... and Razor's... And it's less than two weeks away!!

WOOT!

Carol took some awesome pics in Brownsville down at the river. She's got them all at :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gordongirls/sets/72157606687314096/

Here are a couple of the Raze, who basically barked the entire time... Sigh..



Cousin Cole was way more quiet, and busy fishing his toys out of the water:



I really love this trial...



Had class w/ Raze last night. It was HOT (or muggy, something like that). But he just so loves to play, and so do I. He had some really nice weave entries, so I think we're finally transitioning from "He does them at home!~" to "He can do them in class!" and hopefully that leads to him doing them nicely in trials. (tho, his weaves weren't bad at Brownsville).

I need to really get a better feel for my spacing and how close or far from jumps and contacts I can be. We're working on it. It's just that his momentum can take him WAY farther than Ruben ever goes, and sometimes I find myself totally out of position. But... it's coming along.
My new goal is to WORK those contacts. He's too young to let him run through, and I love his 1RTO so much, so I need to make him stick them. And he will, he's a good boy about them. Just in trials I've been letting them slide. Bad mommy...
I was so jacked up after class last night that I came home, washed the Dog Box! (boy, it needed it), swept the floor, did some laundry and watched the Olympics. After Monday's bitch-fest, I was feeling really good.

woot!

Ruben had class last night. But when I got home from work I got NAILED with the crankies. I was just a raving Bitch.
Probably a mix of a lot of things.
Leg hurt (actually BOTH of them hurt, the one I pulled, and the right side which often hurts just because)
Tired
Stiff (sitting at work all day doesn't help the legs)
Just overall BLAH... and I made myself something to eat, but it tasted crappy and I just wanted to sit there, but the dogs wouldn't let me.

Both my boys were all over me and it was driving me crazy, then about the time I could get them off, Kai shows up and wants some love. Uhhh, No love to give, sorry.
I even YELLED at them all. (I don't normally do this).
I got so mad at Ruben for eating some cat food he found out on the grass during our walk.

two little questions here.... why is there dry cat food sorta just out in the middle of no-where... and why is cat food in shapes, but not dog food? Do cats enjoy shapes of fish, stars, etc... but dogs don't? or is dog food to hard to shape? I think probably animals don't care what shapes their food comes in, but maybe cat people like shapes?? It's silly!

I tried calling him off, but he just wouldn't come. So I had to stomp over there and grab him and that's SOOOOOOOOOO not me! Arggg! He paid... he got no dinner. (of course, he got lots of food at class, so he'll live)..

As I sat there feeling crappy I kept thinking "I should just go, I always feel better in class, and I could leave early if that doesn't work."

So I took an Aleve for my two gimpy legs, and I went, and even driving over there I was already feeling better, and by the time we were walking the courses I was feeling pretty darn chipper and ready to go. I thought Rube would be slow after being gone all weekend, but nope! he was totally happy and running around like a looney.

So, why do I doubt it. Go to class. It's like the only place in the universe where I feel totally great, totally focused, totally in the "now."

Go to class.

hehehe

A first for me, I believe... totally shut out in 10 runs... wow...

I should feel bad about it? But I don't. I had a really good time. Started out rocky in that I fell during my very first run w/ Razor on Saturday morning. It had been raining and the ground was totally wet. He started to look like he wasn't going to take the DW in the standard run, so I stopped short to re-direct him and down I went. I pulled the thigh muscle in my left leg. It was a good thing... sorta..hehehe
One: it's the thigh muscle and a big one, so the pain was sorta all-over, rather than sharp and stabbing.
Two: it's my left side, my "good" side and didn't effect my back issues at all.

And on we went. And little things happened here and there. And Ruben only ran 4 things total, so maybe that's where my missing Qs went... He was just a goofball most of the weekend. He missed his standard Q Sunday by being freaked out at something under the table. He was SURE there was a monster under there... and just had to check. Goofy.

Razor was a lot of fun. But, I was seriously nervous. Which was weird. It wasn't our first trial... it WAS our first USDAA and our first outside. But he was totally happy to run and play and it didn't distract him at all to be outside. But... still....

He did some odd stuff, but most of our problems were mine. I was late, I was not making a good line. I wasn't running (maybe the leg? I probably could have run faster without the muscle pull)>

But he was happy. And I was often VERY happy with what he was doing.

Ruben's big score this weekend was learning to swim! He actually got into the creek and swam all the way across... It freaked him out, but you could see him thinking "Hey, that was actually sorta fun" like little kids do when they finally start going on the "big" rides. hehehe.

Also, staying w/ Ginger is ALWAYS a blast!!!! All the girls are so cute... and Ruben learned that Treble is going to challenge him for lap time w/ Ginger. Poor Ruben.

Brownsville is such a cool trial. I love the location, I love the creek. I love the people. Lori saved us a nice tenting spot and she's the BEST neighbor! I got to watch a lot of excellent dogs running and saw some cool handling.

No Qs tho... hmmmm.... just odd.

Oh well, there's a first time for everything eh?

When I got home, my I found my roomates have purchased an RV! WTF??? hehehe. They slept in it last night to test it out... People crack me up... Maybe I can lock the dogs in there when they're being dorks?? ha!

Wish I could have slept in today. Maybe I'll sack out on a park bench for lunch.

There might be some pictures soon. Cheri took some that I want to buy off of her. Very cool pics.

I love it when the wild black berries get ripe... but it also makes me sad because it signals the end of summer.

sigh.

Here's a clip of Razor at about 7 months old (looks exactly the same!! hehehe) doing some harvesting.

Hehehehe, Seems I needed a re-set. And my good buddy (now he is anyway)... Jake hooked me up this morning with a re-set password and then called me and I actually GOT the call!

hehehe.

So, I have phone now. And hopefully a phone that doesn't DROP MY CALLS!!

We'll see about that.

I have free nites starting at 7 p.m. and free text. So text me anytime and call me at nite or on the weekend.

I broke down and bought a new cell phone, and changed my service provider.
I don't get good coverage at my new place, AND my cell was dropping calls left and right.

I realize this is a HUGE CAN OF WORMS for many people and might test my stress limits, but it had to be done.

The original transaction went okay. But the guy at the store seemed hesitant to port my old number. He assured me it could be done, but he didn't want to do it. So when I got back to work, I tried to do it online, no luck (tho I did get my new account set up and I should be able to do paper-less billing which gives you a $5 credit.. nice).

Anyway. So I call the number to port my old number and they say they'll take care of it. Then, I get a call on my original phone from the new provider saying he needs a "pin" number to transfer the number. Uh... a PIN? I had pre-pay. Didn't need a PIN... but I guess he does. At one point he puts me on a three-way call with my old provider and we try to hammer this out.

Did I mention my phone gets lousy signal?? Yeah, couple that w/ three-way calling AND a rep for whom English is not his first language and you see my problem. While on the line with the original carrier he begins to ask me why I'm leaving and what they can do to keep me, etc... DUDE!! I already bought the phone! I'm PORTING my number!! the chances that you can talk me into staying w/ you are VERY slim!!! AND... I'm here to discover my PIN> It finally occurs to me what it would be (a four-digit number I use for a lot of stuff)... and the new provider is happy and off we go. At one point I'm like "uh... do you need me anymore?? cause I'm no longer part of the conversation.. sigh" And they let me get back to work.

I swear, I wasted 3 hours of my life on this today ONLY! Well, my new number should be on the new phone by this evening. If not... Not sure what I can do. The number the phone came w/ seems to be not work, already... I hope I don't get lost in a sea of cell madness in this deal... hehehe.

If anyone needs me, I guess they have to call me at work. On a land-line... the HORROR!!

I just love puppies. All sorts of puppies.

My pal Becca at work sent me these pictures of her parent's new cattle dog puppy. Her name is Rosie (yep, sigh... happens all the time)

But when I look at her, I can totally see "Rosie" in her. I can't wait to meet her. She's in Scappoose, but it would be worth the drive, she seems like a character. And I love her ears:


Rosie and her "lazy sit" She's like "yah... I'm cool..."


She's a Putz, I can tell..



Nice ears...


In other puppy news. The Bay Team trial is a GO for me!! with an all Starters team of Julie and Swift, Me and Razor and a woman named Paulette and her BC Charlie. Going to be a blast. I'm so glad that worked out...WHEW!! Our team name (thanks Julie) is Diaper Derby....just makes me laugh...

-30-

Traveling to N. Calif for the Bay Team trial over Labor Day.

Need a puppy team for Razor. You get a nice discount on the Saturday runs if you run an all Starters team (which Razor would be).

Know of anyone interested? You have to enter by Aug. 8, so I realize this is short notice. But it came along sort of suddenly.

Let me know if you'd like to do it, or know someone who would.

Of course, this is a PUP!! so Don't be expecting a bunch of Qs, just a lot of laughs...

Thanks!

(oh and of course if you know someone looking for a Starters Dog for another team, give them my info... thanks!)

nosemovie @ yahoo (dot) com

Look who is agility dog of the day on Agility JOT!!!

http://agilityjot.com/index.php

There seems to be a new LJ feature I never noticed (or maybe it just started today) up at the top of my page next to "friends" is "random journal".

Sort of an LJ Russian Roulette. And the Russian part wasn't too far off! I clicked on it and the first three journals I got were NOT in English... or any other language I could recognize.

Tho that's kinda cool. It also freaked me out a bit because ALL the tabs on my journal changed to that language too! So I kept clicking the one that used to say "Random Journal" until I finally got to some freak from San Fran whose posts are politically charged and filled with words like Dick, etc...

So anyway. Click at your own peril. But it is sort of an interesting idea.

-30-

Control Unleashed won TWO awards from the

International Institute for Applied Companion Animal Behavior

One for " Best Dog Training Book of 2007
and one for
Best Dog Sport Book of 2007

Okay, that's just damn cool. Some of the names in the "runners up" lists were pretty impressive too. So for Leslie's first try, this book is gold.

I'm so proud that I was/am involved with it.

Check it out: http://www.iiacab.com/awards_2007.html

Okay, how many of us KNOW that Heather and Fenwick would win this show HANDS DOWN!!???

May 2, 2008
 

ANIMATED ZOOLOGIST JAROD MILLER TO HOST "GREATEST AMERICAN DOG" (working
title) WHEN THE NEW REALITY COMPETITION SERIES PREMIERES THURSDAY, JULY
10, ON CBS
           

Jarod Miller, animated zoologist, naturalist, pet expert, television
host, and go-to talk show guest, has been named host of GREATEST
AMERICAN DOG (working title), a new reality competition show where dogs
and owners will compete for the title and cash prize, premiering
Thursday, July 10 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

 

Twelve extraordinary teams of dogs and owners from across the nation
will compete for the title of GREATEST AMERICAN DOG.  Owners and their
pets - from "pageant dogs" to those simply trained at home - will live
together and compete against each other in games that put the owners'
ability to train their dogs to the test.  The winning team will walk
away with a $250,000 cash prize.


Okay, I'm totally watching this show, even if Heather doesn't go on it. Just so I can say "That's CRAP! my dog can do that" I watch AI and stuff, but I can't sing... I CAN train a dog!! hehehe

RRR

Ok, I asked her... but she didn't reply... so I'm taking that as a GO! hehehehe.

Ginger sent me these pictures of Treble herding sheep and IT'S JUST TOO DAMN CUTE!! Not to share..

So I'm sharing.

Hope she doesn't kill me..

Damn, this is so cute I was laughing out loud!!

But I just find it extremely FUN to see my puppy's name on an "event results" PDF...

I guess because it seems like it was only a couple of weeks ago that he was 15lbs and had floppy ears and had to learn not to pee in the house...

How did he go from that
to this:

20120 Buckley Australian Shepherd xxxxxx    28.58 0 Q 1
20124 Tally All American xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 34.74 0 Q 2
20135 Razor Australian Shepherd                 40.13 5 Q 3
20167 Gem Border Collie xxxxxxx    NT 5 -- -


hehehehehe....

I know there's lots more to come. But wow, it's coming so FAST!

I mean, GEEZ... I work for the entertainment section. Yet, somehow I had NO IDEA this was happening.

It's been 10 years since the last one. I'm pumped!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443701/

First let me point out that it was all of 50 degrees when I left the house for Razor's class. Not a WARM day by any means. I did have on sweats and a fleece top (with long underware under) so maybe I shouldn't have been surprised. 

But that dang dog makes me SWEAT!! and not only because I  have to run my ass off to run in the same time zone as he runs, but because he sort of freaks me out!

I was told twice that I had a look of "fear" in my eyes. Well, if not fear, definately "worry." 

Remember my "driving a fast car" analogy from a long time ago?? You know how sometimes if you're not familiar with how a car handles you might find yourself going into a curve with maybe just a "bit" too much speed??? Yeah... like that... 

He is really doing WONDERFULLY responding to my body and my cues, but damn it... if I'm not THERE... how is he supposed to respond? 

I'm damn glad I've lost some weight. It's really going to help. But I also need to rely on more than just coffee to give me the boost to move around the course with this boy.

Good stuff: Nice contacts for the most part. The one A-frame that resembled his CPE Standard loft (geezus kid) was due to over-exuberance on his part and we were able to slow him up just a tiny bit so he wouldn't leap the apex and come down in the yellow (which is very "showy" but NOT good, not good at all). I gave him a quiet "wait" just before he began to climb and that got his attention enough that he really did climb it rather than try to mountain goat it. 

Nice entry into the weaves. Strong. Assured.. until he got to about 10 and went "Dude, shouldn't I be out of these yet?" Picking up another 6 this week to get more work on full sets. 

Really nice turns in most places. Really, if I was THERE to show him a turn was coming, he was really good about reading me. My favorite was a 180 where all I did was stop and turn my shoulders and he came right around. I doubt that would work with Rube, he doesn't watch my body that closely, and if he IS, he's more likely to come between the jumps if I do something as drastic as that. But boy it felt nice to watch him really get it.

Needs more work: Moving laterally away from jumps and still getting him to take them. I was using two arms for some of that and it really helped. I will practice that more. 

Not taking short cuts. Baby dog thinks that even if I indicated a jump before the tunnel, he might get to the tunnel faster if he just skips that stoopid jump. ahhh, yes, physics... However, I said jump, it was right there, he just went around it. Zooom!!

Table. Tho he's getting on it nicely. He's not really staying there like I'd like. I have a table, it's coming out for more practice!

That last course was really fun, but had a long running part. Yep, I was sweating by the end. Sure, breathing heavy... but SWEAT??? wow... Running down my face. Sheesh.

I LOVE my new fast car, but driving it  for FUN and for Speed is going to take some work!