Thursday, July 19, 2012
Meanwhile, In the land of flatcoats
We are in Vancouver / abbotsford area for the next 5 days at the Flat coated Retriever National Specialty. I drove 13 hours to get here, all for the love of a dog. He shows in 3 classes all weekend, yep only 3. Less than what he would run in a weekend of agility - and you'd never catch me driving 13 hours for it - and I love agility. This is different. This is truly as a thank you to kaleb - this is his trip. He is having a great time and looks like a million bucks thanks to Jolene's expert grooming. Sorry Jo, but tomorrow after he's done showing, he's hitting the water :) He got to meet new friends from the US and England that have only known him through photos. I got to meet people and dogs I only knew through photos too. I have renewed my love for the breed ... Oh my there are some gorgeous dogs here. He has earned this trip and I hope it is something we will always remember. I've gotten really sappy since losing Jane ... But you know what, you've gotta cherish every moment even if that means driving 26 hours just to let your dog swim in the ocean again.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Home sweet home ...
Pinch me. I can't believe we live here ... :) awesome neighbors, a JRT on one side, a BC on the other and a sweet pittie across the alley. It's amazing to walk 50' and unclip the leashes and just let them run in the coulees. It feels like home already. I was a little worried this morning unpacking my clothes that is lost all my underwear. But I found them. Catastrophe averted.
Friday, July 13, 2012
the BIG move ...
today is the day we move to our new house for the dogs ....
our kitchen ... so happy with how it turned out!! OMG we have a pantry!!!! OMG we have no carpet!
and did I mention the double garage ... with a side door to our dog run!!
And did I mention Air Conditioning? And the fact that the coulees are across the street and we have a pond just a 5 minute walk away ...
And did I mention Air Conditioning? And the fact that the coulees are across the street and we have a pond just a 5 minute walk away ...
today I feel so lucky to be moving into this house, i feel like a grown up. it seems like a dream. except for the packing and unpacking part, that is way to real, and it sucks!
speaking of grown ups ... Here is Kaleb and Acey last weekend - kaleb likes to give rides while he swims - hand on tight and he will take you for a tour! below is a link to a video I posted on facebook - not sure if it will work :)
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
i don't normally rant, but this is indeed, a rant.
I haven't been posted much related to dog training, or my dogs training. My life just is not the same these days. I miss Jane - like I might need help coping it's gotten so bad. I know people see my sadness, and I really do try to be up, but a part of me is missing, and it sucks ass. I miss Agility - but I can't bring myself to train it right now. Gyp is still off - yes she is sound, but I it's only been 5 weeks since she was injured ... I'm pushing her to 10-12 weeks of time off - I love my dog more than I love the sport ... it's true!!! We are moving, I'm overwhelmed, but excited. I put too much of my time into things that waste time and I need to change that. I am self employed - and that means I make my own money ... my time is valuable, and some people just don't get that. I run 3 businesses ... sounds fun right? Mostly it is, I set my hours, some which are crazy, but it is far from easy ... but I wouldn't change it for anything, my dog is lying beside me right now, and one is at my feet, I know I'm lucky.
The rest of my rant starts now ...
I'm pissed off because I get calls and emails from people who are coming from Agility training at other places, and want us to fix their dogs. Hmmm well, perhaps the first time you see a dog alpha rolled or jabbed in the side with a hand continually by the instructor you should walk away ... 8 weeks of class does not mean you are ready to run a course, and no it also doesn't mean your dog knows all equipment. You've done courses with 14 obstacles, after 8 weeks of class, really, no foundation whatso ever?? And you have competition in mind? Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a "just for fun" agility type class - as long as it is designed with fun and safety in mind. It's sad and disgusting that people pay for classes like this where it is encouraged for the dog to go slow and submit "we are not supposed to let our dogs go fast, we need them to go slow so we have better control" she says. And it is all correction based - seriously. Squashing the dogs spirit and MAKING them do it - is not what any training is about in my opinion. They are living breathing, fun loving creatures - why treat them like anything less?? Isn't this sport supposed to FUN!!!!?? What is even more disgusting is that these people pay more than we charge for classes, and yet we get complaints that our classes have gotten pricy. We have raised prices by $3 a class over the past 3 years. We are half the price of some places in Calgary. I never feel like I'm good enough in what I do - which is a big part of my drive to better at the things I do, how do I justify charged $30 per class, I just can't do it. For the 4 or 5 months we run at the Arena in the winter it is just a break even, and actually, the last month of classes at the barn this year, we lost $200. The cost of classes is not what we make. 30% goes to the tax man, 5% GST, there is wear and tear and equipment maintenance, rental costs, business costs - accountant, insurance which is about $100 month, and it goes on .. I essentially volunteer 30 hours a month during that time. Most of my time is not spent teaching (the fun part), its spent planning, sending emails, going to the bank, doing books - and I get paid hardly anything when it is all said and done. We are a family and our group is amazing, I love people's dogs as if they are my own. I teach, train and play because I LOVE doing it, I am a horrible business person. But I will keep doing it as long as I see brilliant dogs and people emerge and do great things, nothing better than seeing happy dogs and happy people connecting - that is where I get paid, and there is nothing better.
I am far from a perfect trainer, no other dog makes my blood boil like Kaleb can - but I try my hardest to let him be him, he has taught me that, and taught me patience - but what I strive to do is built a relationship of trust and respect on both sides, have fun, and for the love of dog ... let your dog be themselves, squashing their spirit is awful and not what dogs where put on this earth for. They were put here to better us, and we owe that to them.
Rant done.
The rest of my rant starts now ...
I'm pissed off because I get calls and emails from people who are coming from Agility training at other places, and want us to fix their dogs. Hmmm well, perhaps the first time you see a dog alpha rolled or jabbed in the side with a hand continually by the instructor you should walk away ... 8 weeks of class does not mean you are ready to run a course, and no it also doesn't mean your dog knows all equipment. You've done courses with 14 obstacles, after 8 weeks of class, really, no foundation whatso ever?? And you have competition in mind? Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a "just for fun" agility type class - as long as it is designed with fun and safety in mind. It's sad and disgusting that people pay for classes like this where it is encouraged for the dog to go slow and submit "we are not supposed to let our dogs go fast, we need them to go slow so we have better control" she says. And it is all correction based - seriously. Squashing the dogs spirit and MAKING them do it - is not what any training is about in my opinion. They are living breathing, fun loving creatures - why treat them like anything less?? Isn't this sport supposed to FUN!!!!?? What is even more disgusting is that these people pay more than we charge for classes, and yet we get complaints that our classes have gotten pricy. We have raised prices by $3 a class over the past 3 years. We are half the price of some places in Calgary. I never feel like I'm good enough in what I do - which is a big part of my drive to better at the things I do, how do I justify charged $30 per class, I just can't do it. For the 4 or 5 months we run at the Arena in the winter it is just a break even, and actually, the last month of classes at the barn this year, we lost $200. The cost of classes is not what we make. 30% goes to the tax man, 5% GST, there is wear and tear and equipment maintenance, rental costs, business costs - accountant, insurance which is about $100 month, and it goes on .. I essentially volunteer 30 hours a month during that time. Most of my time is not spent teaching (the fun part), its spent planning, sending emails, going to the bank, doing books - and I get paid hardly anything when it is all said and done. We are a family and our group is amazing, I love people's dogs as if they are my own. I teach, train and play because I LOVE doing it, I am a horrible business person. But I will keep doing it as long as I see brilliant dogs and people emerge and do great things, nothing better than seeing happy dogs and happy people connecting - that is where I get paid, and there is nothing better.
I am far from a perfect trainer, no other dog makes my blood boil like Kaleb can - but I try my hardest to let him be him, he has taught me that, and taught me patience - but what I strive to do is built a relationship of trust and respect on both sides, have fun, and for the love of dog ... let your dog be themselves, squashing their spirit is awful and not what dogs where put on this earth for. They were put here to better us, and we owe that to them.
Rant done.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
photo bomb
Via Flickr:
He are dog-sitting our friends dog Tango ( a rescue from Cuba) for 12 days. She has been an absolute joy to have around. It's bitter sweet. She reminds of so much of Jane - there has a been a few tears of joy ... reminders of how much we miss a fiesty, cuddle bug dog. But at the same time she has helped us heal. She is one special dog, and the timing couldn't better. THis was supposed to be a photo of Gyp ... but come on, how perfect is this?
Friday, June 29, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Desicion made. Mostly, sorta, kinda.
So we are for sure going to the FCR Nationals!!! Now to decide about Nanaimo. Nobody has offered to pay for my trip ;) so I'm back to reality and having to decide ... But it's looking like furnishing our living room (my office, 2 additional bathrooms, landscaping shall i go on?) in our new house is overriding going to AAC Nationals. The big move is surprisingly more important ... So much to do and purchase when doubling your square footage. So this is me saying (gulp) officially we are not going to nationals, I'm sad but must go with my gut and what the universe is telling me. For Gyp, there is always next year ...
This will be K's last FCR National most likely ... Let's pretend he is going to live to be 15 and maybe he will see another.
Gyp is young and has been on the Nat podium 3 times ... And I want that again, but not at the cost of running a dog who's heart overrides what her body is telling her. She's been sound, but every couple days or so I swear I see a slight shoulder drop - but I'm hypersensitive to it. And wouldn't I feel like a shithead if she came up lame?She hasn't been on agility equipment yet at all. She will be seeing our rehab Vet again but not until after the entry deadline. Bummed yes, happy yes. And the biggest perk this summer is I get to see my grandparents when we head over to Vancouver Island after the specialty, or they might come to the mainland and stay with my aunt, uncle and cousin Ruby who live in downtown Vancouver on English bay. A great summer!! Even without Agility. Let the fun begin!!!!
This will be K's last FCR National most likely ... Let's pretend he is going to live to be 15 and maybe he will see another.
Gyp is young and has been on the Nat podium 3 times ... And I want that again, but not at the cost of running a dog who's heart overrides what her body is telling her. She's been sound, but every couple days or so I swear I see a slight shoulder drop - but I'm hypersensitive to it. And wouldn't I feel like a shithead if she came up lame?She hasn't been on agility equipment yet at all. She will be seeing our rehab Vet again but not until after the entry deadline. Bummed yes, happy yes. And the biggest perk this summer is I get to see my grandparents when we head over to Vancouver Island after the specialty, or they might come to the mainland and stay with my aunt, uncle and cousin Ruby who live in downtown Vancouver on English bay. A great summer!! Even without Agility. Let the fun begin!!!!
Friday, June 22, 2012
What to do???? Help!
i've been so torn about what to do about Nationals and the Flat-coat National Specialty - they are 2 weeks apart from eachother, and the Specialty happens the weekend after we move to our new house ... Originally doing both was the plan ... But with a new house comes lots if costs.
Will Gyp be good to go for Nats - and do i want to run Kaleb too? i will know in a few weeks, but i have to send my entries in before i know for sure if gyp is 110% sound - so far so good but it's a big investment to go and have to pull her, I was planning to give then June off and start them back in July - with 4 weeks to nationals at that point. But I'm scared I'm rushing her. see, way to complicated .... And she has to do the pre qualifier - a minimum of 4 runs plus her 6 for the weekend.
The Flat-coat National Specialty is in Abbotsford the weekend after we move in (20th weekend).
For Nationals a friend and i would travel together and stay with my grandma and grandpa. gas, ferry, food, entries. no hotel cost while on the island which is the killer.
i am trying to find the cheapest ways to do this. An unlimited source of cash would make my decision an easy one - do it all. But one trip of 12 hours one way and one of 16 within 2 weeks and moving is alot to take in!!!
I really want to go to the Specialty as Kaleb looks wonderful, he is 10 and this could be his last specialty, as next year it will be out east again.
What to do, what to do.... I have to decide this weekend. Help!!!
Will Gyp be good to go for Nats - and do i want to run Kaleb too? i will know in a few weeks, but i have to send my entries in before i know for sure if gyp is 110% sound - so far so good but it's a big investment to go and have to pull her, I was planning to give then June off and start them back in July - with 4 weeks to nationals at that point. But I'm scared I'm rushing her. see, way to complicated .... And she has to do the pre qualifier - a minimum of 4 runs plus her 6 for the weekend.
The Flat-coat National Specialty is in Abbotsford the weekend after we move in (20th weekend).
For Nationals a friend and i would travel together and stay with my grandma and grandpa. gas, ferry, food, entries. no hotel cost while on the island which is the killer.
i am trying to find the cheapest ways to do this. An unlimited source of cash would make my decision an easy one - do it all. But one trip of 12 hours one way and one of 16 within 2 weeks and moving is alot to take in!!!
I really want to go to the Specialty as Kaleb looks wonderful, he is 10 and this could be his last specialty, as next year it will be out east again.
What to do, what to do.... I have to decide this weekend. Help!!!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
happiness
Via Flickr:
a true sign of a happy Kaleb is the length of his tongue.
i'd say he was pretty happy.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Sheep, Sangria, and a Herding Title!
I'm a proud mama! Gyp earned her first herding title this weekend "CKC Herding Started". I had made the decision not to go this weekend because she had come up lame at Regionals. But she had been sound for a week and off of meds for 5 days, light exercise was showing nothing. She had acupuncture, chiro, laser and massage (by me) - and was seemingly OK. And she was. Not a miss step or a limp all weekend. This are looking up ...
... Just for fun ...let's take a look back at where she started ...
... Just for fun ...let's take a look back at where she started ...
Gyp at her Herding Instinct Test a three years ago ...
"look Ma I can make sheep jump!"
"look Ma I can make sheep jump!"
then we took some lessons with Scott in the round pen ...
more like let's chase the sheep and bite them and build some confidence ... weeeee!
I'm pretty sure nobody thought we'd ever get anywhere with the herding - and I didn't either, I thought it was just cool to see her instinct and let her have some fun and learn to boss something around - when she wasn't being pouty that is. We would go out and herd every few months, but never really progress much, it was just for fun afterall, and I didn't really have goal.
Then we started going regularly training with Jenny and Louanne, and we had a goal - a CKC Herding Started Trial!! YA let's do it!
This weekend we made our debut along with Amanda and Brit (I'm sure you've seen her weekend results ... seeing as she isn't as much of a Blog slacker like myself).
Gyp wowed me, she kept a cool head and only had a couple crazy eyed moments ... She qualified in all 4 Trials with scores between 93.5 & 98!! She earned 2 High in Trials, One Reserve High in Trial and 4th place.
Gyp with her loot ....
Now we hope to get out into the big field and see where we can go with that, and keep up our skills on the farm this summer, and pursue further titles if we can. It's an amazing sport, and I'm so proud of my dog - and so incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have had to train with the BEST!!!!! And an extra thanks to Louanne for that killer Sangria and borrowing me those equally killer cowboy boots. Those are on my to buy list!! Did I just say I was buying Cowboy Boots?
Here is a video of her HIT run (98/100)
Friday, June 15, 2012
Put me in Coach, I'm ready to play!!
Well Gyp has been limp free for a week and off meds for 4 days ... I was sure that when she injured her self 2 weeks ago it would be something very major. She's had acupuncture, laser, chiro massage (by me) and she is recovering fast - like an athlete should. It was thought it could be a major injury, but without the dogs being able to speak all we have to go on is her visible soundless, feel of muscles and flexibility - and all seems good. So I've decided to keep her in the CKC Herding Trial this weekend. She is in no way ready for the intensity of agility, I was planning on giving her the month off (before she injured herself), and that is not changing - still on the fence about Nationals - wait and see is all we can do. The arena course this weekend is small - where she is at her nice pace - a trot (I hope!!) she will be fine - it's the light exercise she has been getting anyway. It's been 3 weeks since she has seen sheep, and 2 weeks on rest with light exercise ... I'm pretty sure she will be amped. She was ready a month ago, so if we do like we've been doing it should be great!! It's my first time in the herding venue and it's safe I day I have a few nervous butterflies. Any day spent with Gyp is a good day, so we are going to enjoy the ride!!!
Gyppie being good ...
I hope she remembers how ...
And in other news ...
our house is coming right along!!! We move July 13th!
Gyppie being good ...
I hope she remembers how ...
And in other news ...
our house is coming right along!!! We move July 13th!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Feeling Good
I took K out to the field and fired away ... I took a couple hundred shots and I think I captured his spirit in the 4 minutes ... He is alot of dog and sometimes one photo doesn't cut it :) during this shoot I also lost my precious 50mm lens somewhere in the field. Over the past 2 days kaleb strapped on his SAR vest and searched high and low for it ... But nothing ... This slideshow almost makes up for losing that lens ... I'm not giving up hope though, maybe someone picked it up.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)