The Joker

This weekend was my first weekend back since my surgery ... and well, I ran great (if I do say so myself), someone even commented on the fact that I was scary being back after 9 weeks ... I'm sure they meant that as a compliment :)

But someone ran even better than me ... Yep the K-man. I entered him in 6 runs and he rocked them all. 6 Qs and he even placed 1st in 3 of his classes!! His energy, speed and focus was great all weekend. He didn't get tired, he wasn't at all stiff - he was running as good as he ever has. He is 9 and sure as hell doesn't act it or look it ... and you have no idea how grateful I am for that. He's one of a kind, that's for sure :)

I've been doing the same conditioning plan (including massage) with him as I have been for Gyp for the last 6 months - and well, it is obviously paying off.

Here are some highlights of my Joker ...

what a glorious feelin'

what a glorious feelin' :: 21/52, originally uploaded by sarah ....

I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'

I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain

Dancin' in the rain
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
I'm happy again!

I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain!
I'm dancin' and singin' in the rain...

it's nice to have a dog that enjoys the rain ... it almost makes it fun :)

it's raining CATS and DOGS - i've been LIVING in my rainsuit!!

We're off to our first Agility trial since my knee surgery - I am sooooo looking forward to getting back in the ring with K (hopefully Gyp will be in the ring again soon too)

Royalty should be treated as such.

Queen Jane surveys her domain, and her loyal servants are all in check.

Screw the Tea and Crumpets woman, I want a damn cookie.

Make that 2 cookies.

Product Test: Cranimals. APPROVED!

Last month a Rep. from Cranimals contacted me through my Blog and asked if I would be interested in trying out their product and doing a review. I had heard of Cranimals - but had not tried it. I looked into the product and company, and their products are great - and certified Organic as a bonus!

My dogs are on a large variety supplements - I swear it takes longer to prepare their meals than mine sometimes! I have used Cranberry powder for myself, and as well for the girl dogs when they had urinary tract issues. I didn't realize there was so much more to it! They also use Raspberry and Blueberry extracts in the products as supports for cats and dogs. Cranimals has all of the information on their website and facebook page.

We tried the VIBE formula: Cranberry, Vegetarian DHA Omega 3 and Spirulina (a green algae extract that helps with muscle damage through heavy exercise).

Kaleb and Gyp tested the product, and well I don't think we were able to see long term effects because the supply only lasted 2 weeks, I did notice some short term effects right away.

First off, Kaleb has a really sensitive stomach, and I am careful not to add too many things to his diet (especially since his torsion - but also because of his allergies). This product acts as a detoxifier, and the best thing I noticed in the short time using the product is that it didn't give him "the runs", and that is big - his poop was still in a solid form (sorry too much information??)! So what that tells me is the product is gentle on the tummy for dogs - which is a big deal for me. Kaleb can be a really yeasty dog - so I can see how using this product long term would help with that, so we are going to keep trying it and we hope to see some long-term positive effects.

Gyp also enjoyed it - I swear half her meals are supplements, so I wasn't sure what one more would do - but she gobbled it right up - and would even eat it plain out of my hand. I tried it too, and it was pretty palatable :)

So again if you aren't familiar with the benefits of their product - they are all Organic Certified also which is a big selling feature, I encourage you to check out their website and facebook page.

Gyp, in the Ring ...

It was so fun to get back in the Ring with Gyp last weekend - while it was a different Ring than we are used too - I loved it, and look forward to lots of Rally and Obedience in her future!!

Here is Gyp from Sunday's Rally Obedience trial, and her 2nd High In Class. I think her happy waggy tail says it all :)



Thanks Jolene for taping!!!

weeeeee!!!!!!

i believe i can fly ...
i believe i can touch the sky ...

(my friends little dog Targa)

i believe i can fly., originally uploaded by sarah ....

something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

Something OLD ...
6 months off of Agility, and Gyp didn't miss a beat on her Dogwalk last week YAY!! This week we are conquering even more in an effort to get her back!!

Something NEW ...This weekend Gyp was entered in her very first Rally Obedience Trial, She came home with 2 High in Classes, 3 Qs (score of 100, 95 and 96) and her very first CKC Title! "Rally Novice". She was pretty spooked in the building with the loud noises and especially our Male judge on Friday. But through lots of play and games outside the ring in atleast 15 sessions over 3 days ... she got more comfortable as the weekend went on, and by Sunday, was 100% normal Gyp - happy and nothing bothering her. It is hard working with a dog with fear issues, but through alot of diligence and patience with Gyp she is now able to recover faster and faster from meltdowns. Her want for nothing more than to please me, and through our special bond, it scares the outside world away when we step in the ring - it is GAME ON. I am so proud of her.

Something Borrowed ...

Kim sent me this photo of Gyp getting her first High in Class!! They we large classes of 12-15 dogs in Novice B, I was thrilled!

Something Blue ...

x2!!!

(thanks for the great photo Amanda)

Rally Advanced and CD here we come!!

It's true. I am in love with a little dog from Kentucky.

shoplifting and ice cream

the recipe for a perfect birthday according to jane ...

shoplifting at your favourite pet store

(yes that is a cat toy) knows exactly where they are in the store and she immediately bee lines for the cat section, and sits and waits for me to get her one out of the bin.

topped off with diving headfirst into ice cream

OMG BEST F'ING BIRTHDAY EVER!

Jane had a great day and got extra spoiled! Grammy bought her an awesome stuffy, and a friend bought her a brand new fluffy soft bed - photos to come

... in my excitement I forgot to take my camera along - but I am amazed with how my iPhone pics turned out!!

Jane says thanks for all the birthday wishes ... I wish I was as popular as she is. Maybe in another life.

Today, she's 12!

Today, she's 12! Happy birthday to my best teacher. Honestly I didn't think we would get to see this birthday. Every month we pick up her meds at the vet there is a small celebration (it helps ease the pain of the cost - but she is worth it 100 times over).

Today we plan on hitting the DQ drive-thru as we do every year, go to the park, sit on a bench and share the ice cream :) and we'll finish her fun outing by stopping off at her favourite pet stores so she can do some shoplifting.

- - -

Excerpt from blog post "the dog that started it all"

Because of Jane, I have an obsession with all things dog - I do not like to fail, and it was NOT an option to give up on her. She is the reason I love to teach other people and dogs - if I can do what I've done with Jane - ANYTHING is possible, you just have to want it bad enough. She is the reason I have this blog, she is the reason I have an SUV, she is the reason I have Kaleb and Gyp, she is also the reason I have white sheets on my bed and an obsession with getting rid of those damn little white doghairs.

did you hear?

ears mcgee :: 17/52, originally uploaded by sarah ....

someone is having a very special birthday tomorrow ...

Green Light!

My girl, originally uploaded by sarah ....

Seriously, how adorable is she??

It's been 6 months since Gyp's Illospoas injury diagnosis. On Friday she had another treatment and was given a new 4 week conditioning plan - this time it includes Agility equipment!!! YIPPEE!! It's been through acupuncture, laser, chiro, massage, chinese herbs and mega conditioning that she is getting back!!

It's been a very cool learning experience into learning how much we ask our dogs to do - and making sure they are conditioned enough to do the job. Kaleb is 9 and has never been lame a day a in is life. He is massaged regularily and gets adjustments as needed too - but that's it. He has done a ton of agility, hunting, running etc. He is IRON DOG, and I think that is in part to his conditioning as well as his build for working.

But I have now have a new view on how important conditioning actually is, even thought I THOUGHT I was doing a good job as I know the benefit of it with myself also. I am not talking about 30 minute walks a couple times of day - that is the bare minimum and not considered any part of our conditioning plan - it is just a given. I also ALWAYS give my guys a day off a week of anything - just a casual walk in the 'hood. Now they get 2 days off a week. I am talking about challenging the dogs muscles and co-ordination with a variety of strength and endurance skills. I always did the peanut ball, jogging, hills, active ROM exercises etc ... but not to the extent I have been to get Gyp back, better than ever - we've added a few more things than what I've listed also. My Body worker course has been amazing also, I have learned so much and am getting a really good feel for my dogs and others too. I think that has been a HUGE benefit also.

Gyp has more muscle than she ever has had, it's amazing really. And it has payed off for Kaleb to. I THOUGHT my dogs were in good shape before ... but the difference now is pretty cool.

My dogs are my pets, but they are also athletes - and I think people need to have this mind set more, given what we ask them to do for us. I happily drive a 4 hour round trip for a 30 minute treatment ... but it is worth it and it has payed off. Dr. Devall has been amazing over this journey, I am so lucky to have her knowledge, honesty and encouragement ... she is now Auntie Veronica given the fact she is a big support for our family ...

Gyp and her "trainer" are focused and ready to go!

6" grids today ... conquer the world tomorrow ...

aahhh what a great session (thanks Acey for helping me train her)

Kaleb didn't miss a beat given that he had 7 weeks of off equipment (because of my surgery). I did some proofing ... me sitting on the ground, taking a photo while I sent him through the poles, atta boy! I don't want to brag ... but I did some pretty good handling myself ... yep, front crossed, rear crossed and I ran pretty hard too. Oh ya! I'm back!!!

Green grass, blues skies ... happy dogs ... happy me.

The Nutty Professor

My brother Graduated from College, and we took some family pics ...

meet the Nutty Professor ...

And my Bro .. the REAL Graduate

Kaleb was so excited to have Grammy over for photos

... afterall, she is his favourite person in the world ...

.... seriously he loves her ...

Having a Ball!

When the Peanut ball comes out - it's a fun exciting time.

I bring it out 3 days a week and we do a variety of exercises.

... the first dog to jump on is always Jane ...

K likes it too, he happily jumps up... mmmm coookiiiieees

And of course Gyp the noodle gets a good little work out too!

Gyp has one more Treatment this week .. and I am crossing my fingers that we can up our conditioning again ...

I did some 2 jump drills today with K - it FELT great to do a front cross!!!