It's Friday!

It's Friday!, originally uploaded by sarah ....

Gyp is pretty excited Friday is here, can you tell?

Kick up y'ur heels!

Happy Weekend!

Prison Break!

If you see this dog AKA prisoner #803213, please do not approach, you might get licked to death. He has recently been spotted running aimlessly at full speed in open fields in this area.

He's also been known to wield overly large sticks, and take people out at the knees, nothing can stop this freight train on four legs.

Above all, he is known to disobey all authority and do things his own way.

Don't let his bad boy good looks and muscular physique fool you, he is one bad Jailbird.

(thanks for the best Collar ever, Amanda)

woman, feed me

woman, feed me :: 12/52, originally uploaded by sarah ....

around these parts, it's never a secret when it's "puppy breakfast time".

first the pleading looks, then the "hey woman, i'm sitting at the cupboard, hello!" and last but not least, the never ending whining.

- - - -

52 Weeks for Dogs
I wanted just a sweet, simple portrait of jane this week, i figured breakfast time would get the best expression :)

On the 71st day.

Yep 71 days and counting since the POP that put me on the ground. I ate the sawdust in the arena running Gyp in Snooker (which I might add scares me to death to run again). What looks like an everyday average knobby knee is not. This knee is trying to ruin my life. Keep trying knee, just because you're giving me pain, stiffness and swelling, and keeping me from the things i love to do, i will not sink to your level. You've done it before - sure not to this extent, but i got better despite your ability to drop me to the floor at full speeds.

You are a royal pain in the ass, sometimes literally. My brain wants to run, but my body won't let me. And just because you have the Doctor, Physiotherapist and the Orthopedic Surgeon some what stumped, and asking more questions than answers, you better get your shit together and start healing up. I want answers. I have stuff to do, places to see, and Agility to run, and it requires you, not just your buddy Mr. Perfect on the left leg. I hope my Physiotherapist is right - I will be better than ever, I'm hardcore about doing my Physio and hitting the Gym, I want to be better.

I am having a hard time seeing the light at the end of the tunnel sometimes. I try my best to stay positive and keep doing my thing - the best i can. I've hit a block and nothing has really improved in the last 3 weeks, in fact sometimes it feels worse than ever. It's been 71 days since i've been "normal", since I've jogged with my dogs, since I've taken the dogs for walks and runs with no pain, since i've handled my dogs to my full ability - done a threadle, and well not had daily pain. Just last week in the span of 10 minutes, someone commented "you look stiff tonight", followed by someone saying "you are sure walking better these days". I liked the second comment better.

The last thing to come will be my lateral and pivoting movement, sure I can run a straight line at about 75% speed, but my dogs are in Masters - and require far more from me. I'm not sure when I'll be handling again fully, but sticking with doing the little bits I do, helps me realize how far I have to go, because I know where I was physically before this injury. My dogs have had to compensate a bit for my lack of handling, and that is what I DO NOT want, to even run a jumpers course right now, I would have to change my handling almost completely, and that is not fair for my dogs - when I'm better, I don't want to have them second guessing, since they rarely do. See my dilemma? Damned if I do, damned if I don't!

I guess it's hard because if it is one of my dogs injured, i would have to take a step back and help them heal, and do everything i can, and there would be nothing more i can do about it, than let it take its course, it is my responsibility to do so. But when it is me that is injured and my dogs are fine and able to run, frankly i feel fucking ripped off. I always say, better me than them, as I have health coverage and insurance, but really, either way it sucks ass. So I will continue to keep my chin up, my brace on and my knee aligned, and hope for the best.

Let's make a deal, knee. You get better and i quit talkin' smack about you?

Family Resemblance

You know how they say dogs look like their owners??

Well in this house, the spikey do is the in thing.

If you look close or click the photo to make it bigger, you can see that Pete and K must go to the same hair stylist.

daddy's girl

daddy's girl, originally uploaded by sarah ....

little miss can-do-no-wrong, loves her dad snuggle time, the feeling is very mutual :)

Easily Amused.

mine. mmm k?

There was a challenge this week on 52 Weeks for Dogs "capture your dog with their favourite toy". Jane's favourite toy, evah, is the Laundry Basket. And it only gets better when you put her second favourite toy - the Jolly Ball - inside the laundry basket. Combine those 2 ... and all hell breaks loose.

You tell 'em Jane. You're demented.

Ya Jane, bite the carpet, that'll get the Jolly Ball out faster, you weirdo.

There is nothing like a Terrier barking, growling and biting at something just for the pure enjoyment of it.

Ya Jane bite it, you freak.

Dragging it across the room won't help either.

if you REALLY want the full effect click the video clip ...

Now if only we could get her to help fold the laundry.

the leprechauns are coming!

the leprechauns are coming! the leprechauns are coming!

the leprechauns are coming! the leprechauns are coming!, originally uploaded by sarah ....

and they're outta beer!!!

one too many guiness', originally uploaded by sarah ....

say what??!!!

two too many guiness', originally uploaded by sarah ....

Gyp, you're cut off. No more for you, word on the street is that you're an angry drunk.

yep. thought so.

Shamrocks and Shenanigans

I figured the song "Shamrocks and Shenanigans" by "House of Pain" was fitting for this blog post.

This weekend I "ran" at the St. Paddy's Day Agility Trial. I went in hoping to gauge where I am at physically, do the best I can for my dogs. Qs were the last thing on my mind, I only entered them in half the trial. Saturday was a pretty bad day running wise, I was really stiff and sore. I had been in a great deal of pain since Thursday, and I didn't know why. It was the worst my knee had felt since I injured it 9 weeks ago. I managed to pull of some good runs and Qs in the process, good thing for independent obstacle performance. Feeling like crap on Saturday night I wrapped my leg in heat for over an hour, then kept and cold pack on it over night. I woke up Sunday morning feeling WAY better. It could have also been the 3 glasses of wine I slammed Saturday night ... great anti-oxidants you know. Sunday morning I kept heat on it for another hour and it loosened up so much, I did my stretching and it made the one run I did with each dog WAY better. Then I iced afterwards as always. I refuse to use my injury as an excuse for my dogs "Oh he/she didn't hit the yellow because my knee was sore", I did the best I could, and they returned the favour.

anyways, on to the fun stuff ...

Lets start with the Shamrocks ....

Despite my ability to give 100% to my dogs, Gyp prevailed and Qd in all 3 classes I "ran" her in. She Qd in Masters Gamblers and she earned her 24th and 25th Masters Standard Qs for her SILVER AWARD OF MERIT!! (25 Masters Standards and 50 Games). I would jump up and down if I could!!! I am so proud of my girl, she knows her job so well and is so honest and forgiving, I really couldn't ask for more. And I think I proved my point that she makes me look like a better handler than I actually am LOL!! She didn't miss a beat.

Amanda ran Gyp in Challenge and one Standard (the 2 classes that I couldn't run physically), and did a great job too, they were so close to Qs, I don't think I could have done a better job.

On to the Shenanigans ...

You Guess it, KALEB! He was really good considering! I only had him entered in 4 runs over the weekend and he Qd in Masters Gamblers - he really needs those games for his Gold Award, so I was thrilled to get a Gamble Q on a pretty tough Gamble that was not a gimme.

His other 3 runs were Standards, he tried his hardest for me, but my inability to handle to my maximum was more evident in running him, he is not the forgiving dog Gyp is. On the best of days he is much more difficult to run than Gyp, and he relies more on my movement to help with focus and motivation. I ran him in 2 Standards, 1 refusal in the weaves and he popped once (which is odd considering the end Gamble was a 15' weave send!!) Amanda ran him once and well, he is a mama's boy and he tried hard, but couldn't focus 100% without checking back to make sure I was watching him LOL.

It was a fun weekend, better than I thought it would be, I kept my chin up and was ready to accept what ever happened. It was great to see friends, cheer on our group, and hangout. I was thrilled for Sue and Piper who got their Lifetime Achievement Award, and it was cool to share some Champagne and be a part of a toast to them afterwards - a great way to end the weekend. I got home Sunday evening and my knee felt better than it had all weekend, not worse, which is great. I curled up with 3 of the best dogs around and a glass of wine - which Pete (the best guy ever) went out to get me last night since we were out, he was proud too.

Crazy # 8.

(K-man 14 at weeks)

Happy Crazy 8th Birthday!

To one the craziest, loving, heavy-breathing, adorable, baddest, drive-me-to-drink, relentless, slobbery, wildest, lickiest, sweetest, smartest dogs I know.

I luv ya boy.

- - -

K-man gets to spend his weekend at an Agility Trial, what a great way to spend a birthday - friends, agility, toys and treats!!

See Jane ...

see Jane stand on Gyp.

See Jane sit on Gyp.

See Jane lay down on Gyp.

See Jane, sleep beside Gyp. because as Jane found out, that "bitch ain't movin".

The heating pad is one of the most popular things in the house, and I have been using it alot lately, Gyp and Jane both love it too, and sneak their way onto it whenever they can.

I was making dinner and I came upon this scene, I needed to see what was going to happen :) pretty darn cute if i do say so myself.

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb :: 10/52, originally uploaded by sarah ....

I love March weather, you never know from one day to the next what you will get. Nature's way of saying, don't get too comfortable ...

+ 15 C and sun Monday, +1 and snow Tuesday and +6 and Sun today!!

Jane says "bring on the sun, i hate that snowy sh*t".

- - - -
52 Weeks for Dogs

Meet, the Bachelor.

It's true. Chicks dig me. They love my flowing black coat, my super toned physique, and did I mention the tongue? You know what they say about big feet? And who doesn't love a guy with a sense of humour? Come on girls, I'm pretty much irresistible.

Sexy chicks are always looking at me, and I always look back just so they know I am interested too. The key is to never break eye contact, and come running at them 100 miles an hour, just so they know you are serious about the courtship.

See, look, the sexy babes are talking about me (I think Neena has a crush on me). I sure like those Border Collie girls, those legs go on for miles.

See look they are wanting me to chase them, they always play hard to get.

They love me, they really love me!

(says Neena: Let's get the Hell outta here Gyp! Who invited K-man anyway, he's kind of an old man creepy stalker)

Girl chasing is hard work, good thing I found this mud to rejuvenate in. See ladies, I also love the spa, I'm very metrosexual and sensitive too.

I'm always lookin' for a good time, call or text me: 403-555-KMAN

if it feels good, do it.

WARNING: this post contains Agility content. As well as a "Knee" update.

We had our last Agility League last night, we had 5 over the winter months and it was great to see the progress in everyone.

I had to sit out the last 2 leagues because of my knee injury, but last night I RAN! I RAN! I led out about 50' on the start line and I am happy to say, I handled the course pretty well. If there is one good thing about me being injured I can't over run - which has been a n issue with my handling at times - but I like to go fast!!!! My body still isn't moving like it should and my dogs pick up on that a bit, which I don't want, I don't want them to be confused, but alteast they are responding even if what I am telling them isn't how I normally do, so they are still doing the correct things, based on that - what good dogs. So I have to be sure to follow through with more verbal or a verbal directional if I need it - a good tip from Amanda.

Amanda also ran Gyp and K for me, and WOW they did great with her - Kaleb's run was only 4 seconds behind Gyp and Wicca's!!!! Now that is fast! She is my pinch hitter next weekend at the Trial in case there is a course I can't run, or if I am too sore. Though I am hoping that since I only entered Standards they will be kinder to my body. I am dreading these courses to have threadles and tight front crosses as I still don't have the lateral movement and pivoting yet. But I can RUN DAMMIT! I CAN RUN!!! But I really do want to do a front cross and give'er 100%, but beggers, can't be choosers, this is progress!! :) It's been a good gauge for me in my recovery, since I know where I was at before physically, I still have a way to go.

Healing wise I would say I'm at 85%, a ways to go until 100% as I have hit a plateau somewhat in my recovery, now I need to start pushing it even more. I've been at the gym 3 or more times a week and walking the dogs everyday again YAY - even on uneven ground.

Yesterday at physio I did one legged wobble board squats!! Woo hoo! My left (good leg) is much more stable and stronger than my right, but it is also somewhat in my head too. I am slowly being convinced my knee is stronger than I think it is. I was actually able to do a few one legged wobble board squats on the right leg by the end!! YAY!

Then the next challenge was ladder work again, but this time on one foot zig zagging - the first steps in getting that lateral and pivoting movement back! Again, the left leg has much more spring too it and I didn't need my other foot to balance at all. Where as when I was on my right (bad leg) it was much more weak and I needed to stabilize my self twice as much. I was reminded by my therapist, that I did nothing on it for a month. and only another month has passed ... oh right, patience.

And the best part of all of that, there was no pain!! My leg is still compensating though, and I continue with the stretching and strengthening regime twice a day to keep everything loose and limber. The pain is almost gone entirely now, I rarely get spasms and most of the swelling has gone ... 2 months later.

my daily position, working with my laptop on the couch, and a rotating heating pad to loosen up my hamstrings, quads and calfs. I've been able to cut icing my knee back to only after exercise YAY!! The kinesio tape is to help support the knee cap, keep pressure off /keep swelling down and well it looks bad ass too.

March 17th is the the big day ... I see the Orthopedic specialist ... I'm happy that is happening on St. Paddy's Day ... good news or bad, either way a lot of green beer will be consumed.

who's it gonna be? what's it gonna be? when's it gonna be?

larry, curly and mo., originally uploaded by sarah ....

I love to daydream about my next dog. What will he or she look like? What breed will it be? Where will I get it from? I look online, I look at pedigrees, I talk to people I know. I have ideas, I have dreams, I want a pup.

I haven't had a puppy since K. 8 years is along time. And I didn't even really do much of the puppy training - he was Pete's SAR dog, god knows there was no self-control taught - off switch you say?

Have I been lucky? I couldn't ask for a better bunch of 3 dogs. Most of all they are all my buddies, they sleep on the couch, on the bed, they cuddle unconditionally with me. That is what is most important, really. None of my dogs, have any dogs in their backgrounds with any "Agility" titles, they all come from sort of working backgrounds, Kaleb is the only dog I have that has ancestors with "titles", none of which are Agility. The working ability is what I TRULY admire about all three of the breeds I have, and something that is fairly unique to these breeds also, it has been preserved (well atleast in the breed lines I have). I love the learning ability, natural and proven instincts, and using what comes naturally within these breeds to get the best out of them, titles in pedigrees or not. Shouldn't that be enough?

Even my little backyard bred Jane, she has dogs in her pedigree that are well known in the JRT world as producers of good working Terriers - and she too excelled at JRT events when she was younger - it was OK to be a fierce and feisty Terrier at the Trials - everyone always would comment on how well behaved she was LOL, it's true, there are dogs with worse temperaments than hers. She taught me more about dogs, than I would have ever thought possible.

Kaleb's background includes a wide variety of dual-purpose dogs - the reason I love the breed so much - they have show titles, but they all have working and obedience titles on the other end of their names, Flat-coats are one of the only Breeds that compete at Westminster with performance titles - it's true, look it up.

And miss Gyp, her pedigree is full of working Border Collies who know sheep, not weave poles. She came to me as a young adult, and sponge for a brain, just waiting and wanting to learn. I knew very little about Border Collies, but she looked physically like she would be good, and that sweet personality, it was love at first sight.

So what makes a great dog, what makes a great Agility, Obedience or working dog in general? Will I get lucky again, was it luck the first 3 times, or is there more to it? Health history and good structure aside, that is a whole other post. Do I look at "performance" type dogs, dogs from strictly working backgrounds, maybe one will just show up on my door step? I do know that training is a big part, and I've always believed you can do great things, big or small, with any dog, you just need a good, solid, trusting and respectful relationship on both sides of the equation as a first step. I am also a big fate, karma and "everything happens for a reason" person, so I think when the time is right, and the pup is right, I will just know. But if there is a trick to it, please give me the secret.

As excited as I am with the prospect of a new pup, I am also scared to death.

... Good thing I have a lot of time to obsess about it.

my exciting life.

have you ever wondered what goes on in people's every day life, you know the stuff that no one really gives a shit about?

well here is how exciting my life has been in the past 3 days ...

the biggest news is i touched my right foot to my butt for the first time in 10 years, not once but twice in the last 3 days, my left foot has always been able to touch itself to it's left buttock friend. but not the right one, YAY for physio, YAY for my foot touching my ass.

i bought new runners. they are pretty. i hate white runners - they get dirty and look grey in minutes. so I bought grey runners to fix that problem.

i love my little family.

i wish my knee would let me do a front cross.

i trimmed kaleb's hobbit feet, i think he is 10 pounds lighter.

i bought wicked awesome unpressed apple juice form costco. it is murky and gross looking but tastes like a fresh apple.

i broke my glasses, i hated them anyways, so i'm glad they broke. but now i need to buy new ones.

i am sad the olympics os over.

i am procrastinating from my REAL work my writing this post.

now was that exciting or what?

made in canada

made in canada :: 9/52, originally uploaded by sarah ....

I've never been a super patriotic RA-RA-Canada kind of person, but after
watching the Olympics for 17 days I am proud to say Oh! Canada!

14 Gold medals, the most Gold medals ever for any country in a Winter Olympics, kinda makes me proud to be a Canuck, Jane feels the same way.

Maybe we'll start training for the 2-person Bobsled? Jane of course, in the drivers seat.