boo!

 
Via Flickr:
Gyp and Kaleb wish you a very spoooooky halloweeeen!

Go back a little to leap further.

My dogs are always teaching me ... more than I am teaching them. They force me take a step back and really evaluate myself when things don't seem to be going right. I hate disappointing them, it's my job to guide, encourage and have them succeed. Agility - no problem, for the most part, that's my comfort zone, though lately I've been battling with feeling good enough too. I've been training Gyp for Obedience - specifically the Open ring, and I love the journey, it's a challenge, it's out of our comfort zone, makes me a better trainer, and overall it builds a better relationship and takes us on new Adventures together! I thrive on variety and am always on a quest to learn. I had challenges when putting Kaleb in the Open ring - his were different though, he got his CDX quickly and I know Gyp can too. This weekend at an Obedience training session, for a brief moment, I let intimidation, lack of confidence in myself and my dog take over. And you know what, it's just what I needed to keep me grounded. Gyp could feel my heart racing and my anxiousness seeping out of my pores. She thought I was crazy(er). Then she gets unsure and it all goes to shit. She did everything I asked, just more cautiously and worried, not with the happy spirit she normally has. I HATE that, I felt like a total shithead. We took a break, had a play, entered the Ring again for another go-round of Open exercises, and YEP,  I had my dog back. Nothing like a sensitive dog to tell you SMARTEN THE FUCK UP, WOMAN!  We trained again yesterday while I kept my Mantra top of mind "In order for my dog to be her best, I need to be at my best." And yep, I had my dog back. If I fuck up again, I think I might just tattoo it on my arm, then while I slap myself upside the head, I can read it as my hand makes impact with my face.

A is for ATTITUDE

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. 

-Maya Angelou 

B is for BODY LANGUAGE

Emotion always has its roots in the unconscious and manifests itself in the body.
- Irene Claremont de Castillejo 

C is for CONFIDENCE
 Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.
-Vince Lombardi

D is for DETERMINATION
 Go back a little to leap further.
- John Clarke

I know what I am

I haven't been much into blogging lately, clearly. Lat time was 17 days, took a pic of Kaleb taking a shit and that was 23 days ago. Hopefully this post makes up for it. In the last 3 weeks I've been to Vancouver, the Island, went to 2 wineries, lots of working, lots of training, welcomed a "new" dog to the family, hanging with friends, drinking wine, tagged along bird hunting with Pete and K, and of course watching too many episodes of Breaking Bad.

I was thinking a few weeks ago - wow I really feel like I am beginning to have a defined picture of who I am, I feel like an adult. Then, squirrel. My life is changing and redefining all the time, and I do like the journey, and I am learning to accept those changes. I've been around lots of family and friends in the last few weeks, and they accept me and my eccentric-ness, ADD and OCD tendencies all wrapped into one hyper, off centre person. But there are times, when I am like who the F am I and what the hell do I stand for. Oh well, I guess I'll figure it out as I go, it's worked thus far.

So instead of doing a bunch of writing - here are more photos, I like pictures.  Hopefully soon, I'll feel like writing more ...

Vancouver ... love this city.

My cousin Ruby and I had an epic sword fight with plastic straws on the Ferry.
Arrrrh Matey!

I loved this Beluga whale session, all about education and operant training. Neat stuff.

Ruby, doing her Penguin imitation at the Van Aquarium

Welcome, my mom's "new" dog Pleat.

Read about who the heck Pleat is ? Oh! THAT Pleat!

Gyp working on her Out of Sight Stays, 2 fun matches on Saturday, and just layed down on one sit -
otherwise he runs were SUPER!! Excited to enter her first Open Trial!

The boy has been hunting ... he's been doing rather well ... Pete loves hunting with him,
and I love seeing K work - nothing better, at all.

Gyp also likes Pheasants ...

Here is Gyp "helping" at class. She is the official Cookie Tester/Moocher of the year. She especially likes Shannon's pumpkin treats! Our outdoor classes are done for the year, and I had a GREAT session on the weekend - just me and the dogs. loved it.

Until next time ... hope less than 23 days next time, who knows!

sh*t happens.