Tracking

Shaker had his first tracking session today.  

Diane laid a trail with pupperoni that took the shape of a fluted vase.  We walked to the first one and I released him to "find".  He put his nose to the ground and followed the trail.  He missed on little detour, but other than that he stuck right to the track trail.  

I can't wait to start working with him at home.

Yeah Good Boy Shaker!

Yard Work with Cardis

We made our way to the back yard today, and I thought it would be good for the dogs to spend the day with me.  Before I got started I filled the dog pool.  

Well let me begin with the fact that the dog pool got used as a gigantic water bowl while Shaker and Ella continued to play in the muddy pond water.  Even Russ found his way to the edge but would have nothing to do with the actual water.

I raked a huge pile of leaves over the edge of the retaining wall, and one of Music's favorite things to do is jump off the retaining wall.  Well today was even better as she could jump into the leaf pile. Then she had the whole Cardi cast jumping into the pile.

Ella took to hiding in the bushes and would lie in wait for the others to come around--then it was the great Cardi pounce.  Oh that was the best game--she kept it up for 1/2 an hour.

Shaker and Russ led many games of catch me if you can.  I just love to watch the Cardi run with abandon.

Well at the end of the day they are all sleeping very soundly.  Ella was voted the dirtiest puppy again.  Music got the vote for most creative.  Ruff Ruff got the fastest award, and Shaker was annointed the best sport.

Oh it was a good day!

NQ Queen

National Specialty Story # 3

The first day of Rally Rosario was present.  He was  moderately into me, so I thought maybe we have a chance to qualify.  We stepped into the ring and the judge asked if we were ready.  I felt like saying maybe but yes came out instead.  Rosario  stepped out with me in heel position, but on the second station he refused the down.  Okay 10 pts off but we can still do this...WRONG!  

We got to the serpentine weave cones and I am watching him like a hawk.  We came around the 3rd cone and he lifted his leg.  Three (3) drops came out before I could stop him.  So I stopped and turned to the judge and said "That's it. May I be excused?"  Her response, "What did he do"  Me,"He peed on the cone."  Judge, "Well honey I am going to have to excuse you." Me thinking " Well 'duh that's why I stopped."  But what I said was, "Yes I understand."

Day 2 of Rally.  I seriously did not want to take that dog back into the ring.  But the people I surround myself with insisted that I go and give it a whirl.  Now there were many many better things that I could have been doing such as polishing my shoes, and counting nuts and bolts, but NOOOOOOO I had to go back into the ring with Rosario.  

So I did a little warm up with him--sits, stays, down and heeling.  He was marginally on, so darn him anyway I thought well maybe we can do this.  We walked into the ring and he wouldn't sit.  The judge asked if we were ready and off we went.  Rosario forged to the end of his 4 ft obedience lead and acted like he had never seen me before in his entire life.  He was watching something or someone--I could have sworn it was Aunty Cindy, but she assures me that it wasn't.  Any way that DARN dog--completely ignored me.  I could have been dipped in Au Jus and he wouldn't have given me the time of day.  I asked to be excused after 3 tries to get him back to me. 

We are officially taking a year off to recover and work on FOCUS!!!!!

Herding Instinct

National Specialty Story 2:

I decided to throw caution to the wind and have Russ evaluated for his herding instinct.  It was a COLD and RAINY day at the herding trial, so I must also admit that I didn't think Russ would do a darn thing.  You see my pretty boy doesn't like to get dirty or wet.  

But after he got over that woman in the funky rain cowboy hat with the STERN look, he was all over those goats.  I couldn't believe my eyes or ears for that matter when the other herding woman was saying things like--sustained interest, strong drive, some regrouping...

Then the other herding person said catch him.  Catch him?  Are you kidding me?  Have I ever mentioned I have a broken bone in my leg? Catch him? Yeah right.  So I raised my voice to call him off, for which I got a STERN--"Don't ever call him off stock!"  Then she raises her voice and says, "I said CATCH HIM."  Okay I think--this could take all week.

After much ado, I finally step on his lead and reel him in.  I picked up a very happy Russ and limped to the truck.  Catch him!  Are you kidding me. That's why I taught recall!

Moose and Music

National Specialty Story 1:

We found our holding tanks full, so we broke camp and headed toward the "dump station".   My cast of clowns were present and accounted for, but it turns out we had a stow-away named Moose. Now mind you, I knew that Moose had a thing for RV's so I was not surprised to find him on board the USS Gibson.

Okay so we were releasing the contents of our tanks when I heard the horn honking.  What?  Did I really hear the horn honking?  Yep it honked again.  So I headed around the back of the RV when I saw the brake lights flashing.  What?  I looked again and yep I saw the brake lights.  What the heck is going on?

So I climbed aboard the USS Gibson and saw Moose in the driver's seat with his paws on the wheel and Music on the ground with her paws on the brake.  Yes indeedy Moose was blowing the horn while Music was flashing the brakes.  I just shook my head...

Nationals or Bust

Russ here.

Mom is busy loading the RV.  She is double checking to make sure we have enough dog food, fresh water, and great chew toys so she asked me to post.  (I think she had a couple of human food items on her list too but I didn't look after I saw she had our stuff.) I went to Nationals last year so I am telling Shaker Baby, Music and Ella all about it and they can't wait to have fun with other Cardigans.

Mom says come by and visit.  We will be camped next to Davenitch--just listen for the laughter and you'll find us.  Mom really has a good time camping and enjoying her dog friends, so stop by ask for a soda or something stronger if you will.

See you there!

Russ out!

Music's Report

Good afternoon it is me Music.

As you can see in the picture I am the Queen of All I Survey.  The boys and Ella are my faithful subjects.  Mom is busy getting ready to go to Nationals, so I have to post or it simply won't get done.  She loaded 5000 crates on Saturday, and 2000 dog beds today.  She also packed 40,000lbs of dog food, and I suppose a bit of human food too, but I wasn't paying any attention to that part.

I have go now because I want to watch her make my bed.  I ride on the bed in the bedroom because I am the Queen.

Think of me watching Mom work.

Good bye,

Music

Time for ER

Hi it's me Music.  

My Mom was on the phone when it was time for ER, so I took the chair.  When she came for the opening scene, she said I had to get down.  I told her that she could go find a folding chair.  So we worked out a compromise and I am sitting on Mom's lap for the show.

Think of me warm and fuzzy on Mom's lap.

Music

Water Play

The whole house was quiet--a very rare occassion at the Gibson Ranch when I hear Ella start barking like a maniac.  My first thought was, "What the Heck?," while my feet were taking me in the direction of the barking.

As soon as I rounded the corner to the kitchen I saw immediately what the distress was...  Shaker was pelting her with water from the kitchen bowl.  Yes he was splashing her with as much water as he could,  and if you have seen the size of his paws he can move a lot of water quickly.  She was soaked as was the floor.  

Oh I seriously have to get that boy a wading pool and soon!

Photo Shoot

I had a professional photographer so a natural setting shoot with my 4 babies.  I saw some of the proofs already and they are amazing.  I can't wait to see them all but in the mean time I'll post a few of pics I have taken in the back yard!