Happy New Year!

Jane's favourite thing is her laundry basket with a toy inside, she can easily get the toy out, she just jumps in, but it is much more fun to pretend you can't. And Gyp, well she is trying to join in too, with the Devil, apparently he made her do it (you can hear the evil laught and "the devil made me do it" in the background)

ENJOY!

Happy New Year!

Year in review ...

I've been on this blog 'thing' for just over a year now, and it has been fun, I've met lots of cool people and dogs and it has been a great way to keep track of all the things in my day to day life - be it significant or not!!!

January

• I came across this quote which I still love

http://digit-fetchit-herdit.blogspot.com/2008/01/quote.html

Pedigree indicates what the animal should be.
Conformation indicates what the animal appears to be.
But performance indicates what the animal actually is."
Anonymous

• We had our first Outreach with Kim Collins and I have improved my handling more than I thought I would have in one year.

This is what I wrote about it last January:
Motivating and discouraging all at the same time, you just have to take what you can, and for me I am motivated to do better, and the things I am discouraged by, are the same things that motivate me to be better!!! If you don't admit you have things to work on or avoid the things that are difficult you, or make excuses and say you and your dog can't do something, you will never improve, and that for me was something she really emphasized, so homework here I come!!!!

February

http://digit-fetchit-herdit.blogspot.com/2008/02/could-you-be-serious-for-once-in-your.html

• Kaleb got his ATCHC and Bronze Award of Merit, a great day! This dog will never grow up.

• Gyp now competes at the Masters level

March

• Kaleb cut his pad on a broken beer bottle, two days after the Agility trial, and he was off for a month! Poor guy!

• Kaleb turned 6!

• Kathy Keats seminar, herding and an Agility Trial rounded out the month

April

• Jane got her Silver Award of Merit! She was entered in 7 classes and Qd in 6.

http://digit-fetchit-herdit.blogspot.com/2008/04/every-agility-weekend-should-have.html

May

• Jane turned 9!

• Jane took home the big bucks at the Rally Fun Match

http://digit-fetchit-herdit.blogspot.com/2008/05/action-packed-weekend.html

• Gearing up for Regionals, our last trial before Regionals was in Medicine Hat

• Terry Simons Seminar was exhausting, but we learned a lot 

• Lots or retriever training!

June

• Kaleb got his first 2 Junior Hunter legs in Saskatoon

• Regionals! I was so happy with how all three did! And Gyp and K won their Steeplechase finals too!

July

• Lots of camping, hiking and Burt the Boler made his camping debut!

and when I wasn't working and camping ....

• Gearing up for Nationals ..... training, training, followed by more training

August

• Nationals in Sussex New Brunswick, probably one of my biggest highlights of the year!

Gyp 5th place overall and Kaleb 7th!!

http://digit-fetchit-herdit.blogspot.com/2008/08/new-brunswick-highlights.html

• more camping with Burt the Boler, hiking, all that good stuff!

• Jane in her Pink Polka Dot lifejacket. I think this speaks for itself.

• Not a happy moment, but one that left a mark on me forever. A goodbye to Amanda's Sam I Am, what a dog, he we be missed always. We also said goodbye to Judy's great dogs Lukas and Bailey this year. They all have left me with some great memories.

September

• Gyp's month.

• Our 2 Year Anniversary with Gyppie

• Gyp gets her MAD title in the second weekend

• Gyp gets her ATCHC in the third weekend

... it was a good month.

October

• Hunting season begins. See you in 6 weeks Pete and Kaleb :)

• Our paddling pool blew away - we never did find it - sigh.

• Halloween :)

• Jane was dethroned, she is no longer the wiener dunking champion. That Wicca Beeotch.

November

• Our last trial of the year, a one dayer. We ended on a great note! I love this photo that Wendy took.

• Jane breaks her tooth and needs surgery = stress.

• Outreach with Kim Collins, oh my list is big for '09.

http://digit-fetchit-herdit.blogspot.com/2008/11/ups-and-downs.html

• Gyppie graduates from pre-school to Kindergarten in Herding - she got to go in the big Arena for the first time :)

December

• A low key month - finally!!

• jane gets her tooth surgery and comes through like a trooper! 

• Happy New Year! Looking forward to a SUPER '09!!!

More Presents!!

]On Christmas Eve Gyp and Kaleb got their AAC (Agility Association of Canada) ATCHC (Agility Trial Champion of Canada) plaques in the mail, aren't they pretty!

I find it funny that Gyp and Kaleb got their ATCHCs in the same year!!

Kaleb - February 16th, 2008 (and his Bronze Award)

Gyp - September 21st, 2008

Kaleb's time from ADC (Starters) to ATCHC was 2 years and 4 months - which in all accounts is still pretty good. Jane's ATCHC was just over 3 years. Gyp's time from ADC to ATCHC was one week under 1 year, and done in 11 trials. From what I can tell on the AAC site she has the 3rd fastest ATCHC in Alberta and looks to be top 25 in Canada.

This got me thinking, I think I'll have to do a year in review post so I can look back and remember all of the great moments of 2008!!!

16 things.

16 things., originally uploaded by sarah ....

I got tagged on flickr, 16 things about me, anyone wanting to join in??

1. i don't like combo birthday and christmas gifts
2. my favourite colour is red, or black.
3. i am a vegetarian.
4. i don't wear leather.
5. i've been told by a psychic that i am a little odd, she assured me that was a good thing.
6. my dogs have middle names: Jane "Monty" (after my childhood pet rabbit - he died on the day Jane was born), Kaleb "Ramone" (his mom is Ramona, we considered calling him Ramone, and I like the band), Gyp "Neena" (the name I wanted to call her, but she came with the name Gyp, after 2 months of pondering names, it stayed Gyp:) )
7. At one time I had 10 piercings.
8. I am a mix of British, Polish, Czech, Cree, Sioux, French and a dash of Scottish for good measure, I suppose you could call me a mutt.
9. I still have my wisdom teeth.
10. I am working on my top 10 Greatest Movie list, don't have them all yet. Yes Spaceballs, Christmas Vacation and The Color Purple rank top 10.
11. I am a Graphic Designer by day
12. My passion is all things dog. Dog training, and dog Agility, and various other sports - involving dogs, it is beyond a hobby for me.
13. My favourite saying is "nothing changes, if nothing changes"
14. I am not "married", but have been with my guy for over 12 years.
15. I have big feet.
16. This photo is real, and I didn't get licked in the face.

Happy Birthday to all!

Happy Birthday to all!, originally uploaded by sarah ....

It was Gyp's 4th birthday yesterday and she had a nice day of extra treats, licking a breakfast plate or two followed by a nice run, and lots of attention from the visitors at our place, we had 14 over the holidays.

But when it is one dog's birthday, they all get the same treatment it seems, though Gyp got an extra special toy which the others didn't, followed by unlimited fetching, which is a daily occurrence, but it is even better when there are guests to throw and play all day!!!

In this photo Gyp and Jane are snuggling with my cousin Jake, the ladies man :)

my christmas misfits ...

Kaleb says: 

this is so awesome, this is the best toy evah. i wuv cwismis.

Gyp says: 

i've got my eye on you Santa, you better not send an imposter.

do i look tough or what. (um - not)

Jane says: 

merry christmas my a$$. I look like a fool.

p.s. Santa isn't real, I know better.

Border Collies do things differently.

Border Collies do things differently., originally uploaded by sarah ....

Gyp enjoyed wearing this Santa hat around the house the other day, even when it slipped under her chin like Santa's beard, she just went with it. Total trendsetter.

i can take a hint, mr. glovehead.

i can take a hint, mr. glovehead., originally uploaded by sarah ....

it snowed again last night, Kaleb has the right idea.

These are my snow-shoveling gloves, and he loves to carry them around, he knows it leads to going outside.

If only I could teach him to shovel.

jane in clay.

jane in clay., originally uploaded by sarah ....

my Christmas craft to myself, i made a mini Jane, in clay :) Now she can watch over everyone, more than she already does :)


as seen with a picture of herself in the background, naturally.

my little elf.

my little elf., originally uploaded by sarah ....

Jane my little elf. Spunky, spry and full of beans this morning.

Jane had her surgery to remove her incisor yesterday, she came through like a champ, we had put it off a month as she was being treated for an infection from the first time her blood work came back, so the surgery was postponed.

This time the blood work was fine. There was concern because she has a heart murmur.

The vet said while she was still intibated - they didn't think she would wake up so fast - she popped up and sat, looked around like no big deal, her heart is very strong, and they said she was raring to go, just minutes after. Last night she was even running around the house again, I am so glad it all went well!!

I am so relieved it is all done. They even gave me the tooth, I wonder if the tooth fairy comes for dogs??

Winter is Fun, for some ...

"Old Man Winter" has reared his black fuzzy head.

To get this effect, you need to totally cover your entire body in the snow, and make flat-coat angels. Look at his little teeth that is the best.

Matchy, Matchy!!!

 (well Jane usually doesn't wear her boots on walks, but she will pose in disgust.)

I had to find boots to match hers :), mine are rated to -40, I hope it doesn't get that cold.

A good game of tug with a toy that was buried under the snow is always a good game.

 It's like getting a brand new toy!

 more, more, more, more, more

HONK! if you love winter!!!

In disguise.

Don't let the ears fool you, IT IS JANE! 

I can't believe how floppy ears make Jane look so innocent, I love that she has prick ears, it seems to match her personality so much more! She had "normal" Jack Russell ears until about 7 months. When she was done teething, they did all sorts of weird things, then finally they went BOING!!!!! 

... and thats how they stayed!

My 6th Photo Story...

Thanks Full Tilt Border Collies for the invite to the 6th photo challenge!!

Here's the deal:

To check your Photo Archives (or where-ever you store your images) then select the 6th file folder, open it & post the 6th picture contained there, with the story behind it.

Now I have to tag six friends to do the same:

Manymuddypaws

It's a Bernerful Life

Alta-Pete Stockdogs

Crazy Coulee and Little Lacey

One Collie

Mira Duke Sadie

So heres the story behind the photo:

Funny that this is photo selected! It was our first snow fall from a few weeks back, and my mom was visiting (she was looking for a place to live HERE in Lethbridge), so in between house hunting we packed the dogs up and headed to the coulees.

So onto the photo, Kaleb LOVES to roll in the snow and Gyp loves to jump on his head and get all feisty with him. Then they run around like hooligans. THis photo captures that well!!! The snow makes them all KOO KOO!!!

The other reasons this photo that is funny is that we now have winter - and that day seemed sooooo cold, i think it was -5 celcius. Today is -25. Seems warm in hindsight!

AND today my mom arrived with the moving van!!!! That week she was here she did find a place, and today is the big day, she and my cousin drove 7 hours to get here!!

Jane's favs ...

1. Grammy. There are two Grammys. Grammy Pat and Grammy Carol. It just so happens that Grammy pat is moving to Lethbridge. One of the conditions to her new place is that Jane could visit, she has a new dog bed waiting already.

2. Spooning. Under the bed covers, under the blanket on the couch, or laying on my lap while I work, like right now.

3. The sound of her buffalo bones coming out of the freezer for breakfast. Those bones are toothbreaking good. Or the sound of the dog dishes getting ready for their meals.

4.Wanna gopher a walk? The best kind involve going in the car first, but she is happy to bebop around the 'hood on our daily adventures.

5. Being with me. She loves to please and happily goes along to do pretty much whatever I ask, not because she likes me, but mostly because she gets food, but even more so it means GYP and kaleb aren't getting a turn.

If they were humanoids.

I often ponder (I have a wild imagination, and apparently too much time on my hands).

If the dogs were magically turned into to humanoids who they would emulate, I've had a lot of thinking time at night as I haven't been sleeping well, here is what I thought of last night in my pain induced state ....

Jane.

Fiesty, pretty, possibly a dominatrix when no one is looking, also lovable and very cuddly, but watch your back, or your fingers, a total diva and fashionista.

Pink or perhaps ...

... Martha Stewart :)

Gyp

Beautiful, little-miss-perfect, little-miss-can't-be-wrong, down home Southern country girl, wants everyone to love her, legs that go on forever, rarely takes a bad photo, and she makes overbites look cute.

Faith Hill.

Kaleb

Goofy and fun loving, big sweet brown eyes, classic good looks, athletic jock who has also done some modeling, secretly amazingly smart, likes older women, and meanwhile being totally obnoxious.

Ashton Kutcher.

NEXT UP .... what would their theme songs be .....

Hot Dog.

Check out Jane's new stylish super duper winter coat from "Chilly Dogs"

Finally a coat that fits her - and is warm to boot! The best part is the fleece collar to keep her neck warm. Especially now that she is older I want to make sure she is warm as possible when we are out walking, I think she likes it too, and of course it had to be RED!

She'll be walking with an extra strut in her step now!

Single White Female.

Does any one remember this movie? 

(read the sub head for full effect.)

It got me thinking ...

(cue movie announcer guy and creepy music)

Jane's new roommate 

is about to borrow 

a few things.

Her toys. 

Her spotlight. 

Her dog bed.

is she still looking at me? 

please make her stop.

 

but i'll continue to pose for this photo,

because that is what i do.

i wish i had a stalker.

Infatuation.

Infatuation., originally uploaded by sarah ....

Infatuation is the state of being completely carried away by unreasoned passion or love; addictive love. Usually one is inspired with an intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone.

Infatuation is common emotion characterized by unrealistic expectations without positive relationship growth or development. In the case of infatuation there is more often than not an obsessor and an object of desire (generally unattainable).

One may come to the conclusion that unlike love infatuation is not mutual.

admiration

ad-mi-ra-tion (noun)

1. A feeling of pleasure, wonder, and approval.
2. An object of wonder and esteem; a marvel.
3. Archaic Wonder.

Gyp, AKA "Jane's #1 fan".

jane and the drive-by.

Jane is funny. She is 9.5 and still can't resist the urge to eat horse poop. She'll happily runs her first agility sequence last night, she doesn't miss a beat while grabbing a random poop nugget on her way over a jump. Now that is multi-tasking. She had a blast last night at training, and did great on the sequences, she quickly got it out of her system, and focused great after that.

...t hen I tied her up to walk the next sequence, I didn't realize I had tied her up to the "horse poop all-you-can-eat buffet" however, I think she had a full stomach by the end of class last night.

 You can never have enough fibre in your diet, right??

Down on the Farm.

Jane always gets to come along to the farm when Gyp has her herding lesson at Alta-Pete, she LOVES the farm, she wishes she could live there. We were there for a few hours Saturday. Pete and K were out hunting - as usual.

The first thing Jane does upon arrival is roll, then rolls, and then she rolls some more. When she done rolling she likes to explore and try to find more stuff to roll in, she is rather fond of sheep poo.

Did I mention she likes to roll?

Jane also was security this weekend. Jane runs a tight ship when it comes to keeping the dog, handler and sheep in the pen. She keeps the other humans and dogs waiting their turns, on the other side. Between guarding the fence, she would find more stuff to roll in.

It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it.

Gyp and Jane hangin' out on the farm. Gyp chillin', Jane on guard.

I didn't get any photos of Gyp herding but she did really good, it was her first time in the big arena, her confidence is getting better, there is so much to think about when she is in there, I am slowly beginning to understand what I need to do, emphasis on slowly. I am enjoying more and more each time I go, and I think Gyppie is too.

Those are Gyppie's sheep at the back of the new Arena, and Kit the Guardian dog watches, can you spot her on the left?

Here is Neena, it was her first time, she had a lot of fun!

Kim also brought Maggie and Bosley, here is Bosley and his sheep, I think he is as big as they are!

A day in the life.

I work.

The dogs sleep.

Then I say, "wanna-go-pher-a-walk", they suddenly wake from their sleep, bright eyed and bushy tailed.

They streeeetccch. I put on collars and leashes, and my shoes. We walk.

The three begin to take formation. 

Jane gets sandwiched in her attempts to take the lead. Try again Jane.

She settles for the outside lane, besides, Kaleb is a good wind break.

G & K enjoy some ball tosses, meanwhile Jane sniffs and takes a poo. 

I pick it up, really I do! I never break the law, G & K are on leash, 

really long invisible leashes, really they are :)

We head to the other park, the one with the lake!

This lake has geese right now, Kaleb thinks that is the best thing ever, 

... he watches ... and watches ...

meanwhile jane and gyp sniff and try to eat goose poo.

Something different happened today at the end of our walk, there was someone to greet us when we were walking up the street to our house!

It was Judy!! (she was dropping off some stuff for me)

oh the joys of living in the 'burbs ...