Genuinely Good Dogs

Sometimes we're lucky enough to come across genuinely good dogs in our lives. Ones that are just good souls with kind hearts. You might get one in a lifetime or you might get many, but they're the dogs we'll always remember for their almost human like qualities. These dogs put up with our mistakes and fumbles in training, they take it in stride and just ask we do our best and they turn out to be our heart dogs. That's what Izzie is for me, she's just that damn good dog. I know lots of dogs who fit that part for their people too.



Take Rio for example...

She was a rehome, taken from a really bad situation and acquired by my friend, Madison, who at that time was a young, first time dog owner. Probably wasn't the best idea at that time for her, but sometimes logic falls away when that poor abused puppy looks you in the eyes and tries to bite you from the end of their tether. None of us expected her to stick it out with this dog she got suckered into taking, especially me (sorry love, but you knew I doubted you!)

... Am I ever glad I was wrong about that.



I met Rio last weekend. I remembered what she was like years ago when Madison brought her home. Fearful, reactive, skeptical of the world. She was a mess at less than a year old. I thought that without someone very experienced, this dog would be a disaster and would bite and meet her end sooner rather than later. Like I said, I am really glad that I was wrong. This dog is amazing and I would take her home in an instant.  For a first time dog owner to take that damaged dog and turn her into this lovely, well mannered, happy-go-lucky dog is awesome. It took years of hard work, patience, persistence, and tough decisions. She still has her quirks, she still can't be trusted around kids and is a little guardy with food and toys, but she is who she is and it's managed well (I don't generally like kids either and am a little guardy around my food too, so I guess we're kindred spirits in that sense)

Rio is just naturally a sweetheart. I spent much of my mornings playing with her and Izzie out in the backyard and giving endless belly rubs while just hanging out on the couch. She's a total introvert (dogs can be introverted and extroverted right?), she is a gentle loving soul who just wants to be cuddled and played with by people she loves. She's not a very naughty dog, although she has her moments i'm told, she just wants to be good and make her people happy. She's just such a chill dog, I love that about her.

I'm very proud of how far this dog has come and she's not even my dog, hell I barely had any influence in how she turned out. Back then I never would have thought I would ever be able to bring Izzie over for fear of Rio maybe attacking her. I don't think she'd be where she is with anyone else. All she asked from Madison was to understand her and love her and do the best she could. It wasn't without hard work and mistakes, but she gave this dog her all and Rio turned out to be that genuinely good dog for Madison. I think they were both what each other needed in their lives. The connection is unmistakable with the way Rio looks at her and seem to understand every word she says. Rio is her heart dog. 

I'm so glad they stuck it out together and I think Izzie is pretty glad too because she likes her new friend. It was lovely to have our heart dogs there together and getting along so well. Neither dog without their quirks, but from snarfing in peoples faces to obsessively patrolling the backyard we love our girlies for who they are and they are definitely genuinely good dogs.

Red Balloon

Really there's not much to blog about. On the dog front our outside classes have ended and we have a month off before we move to the barn. Izzie and I haven't been doing much at all for training. I haven't sent entries for any trials either. I'm so busy lately that I not only forget but just don't feel like doing anything or going anywhere dog related on my weekends. 

In what little free time I get I am working on another hobby of mine. One day I would like to take some photography classes but for now I have the internet tutorials and simply like to just play around until i figure it out. So I'll put a few here for you guys to enjoy.

I've been wanting to try these photos for weeks now and finally got around to trying them out. They're a bit outside my comfort zone and more thought out and planned than most of my photos. Gotta step out of the box occasionally I guess!

Enjoy!

 

Flower Child

I haven't been spending too much time lately photographing Izzie. So when on Sunday I couldn't go play agility with her due to car troubles, I decided to check out a local public garden where a friend of mine has shot recently. Photographing my muse sure made me feel better, it's been a while since I've taken her out for a good shoot. Here are a few for you fine folks to enjoy.

Blogging Fail

Oh man, I'm terrible at this blogging stuff.

Well back a couple weekends ago we had our annual Go Dog Go trial. I love our group and we put on a damn good trial if you ask me. Great organizers, great courses and freakin' fantastic judges. Izzie did awesome first of all. I couldn't be more proud of the smush.

So here's the breakdown...

- 5/7 runs Q'd
- MADC earned
- AGDC earned (on a Kim Anderson gamble with WEAVES! Holy shit!)
- MSDC earned

Most of all, Izzie had a good time and so did I. That's what matters. Anyway, I would write more but I have to study for school so here's a video!

Oh yeah, Nationals happened!

So I've been slacking on the blog front for the last few weeks. I've just been busy and a bit burnt out from summertime but summer is almost over and I'm getting on to a new schedule to start next week. It's going to be insane. 

Anyways...

The biggest event of the summer has come and gone. The 2013 AAC National Agility Championships happened on August 1st through 4th in Leduc, AB and it was Izzie's very first nationals. 

... All I can say is "holy crap".

What an experience. Izzie did wonderfully. She ran 4/6 runs clean and under time, we were smooth and connected and just a great team. She placed in all 4 of her clean rounds; two 5ths, a 6th and a 10th and she was about 1.5 points of the aggregate podium for her division, so close! More than the ribbons, I'm so very proud of my little dog. She worked her heart out for me and was happy to play with me which is what really matters. My girly and I are finally becoming the team I know we can be. 

As a result of doing so well at nationals, I've had a seriously needed confidence boost. We can do this shit, and we can do it well. Just gotta believe in us. More on that later. 

I don't have video due to being a scatterbrain and forgetting to charge my camera for all three freaking days, well I have part of one run on video but I'm too lazy to put it up on youtube. I also don't have much for pictures. I did bring my camera and did take it out but I took zero pictures, I guess I was too distracted? Oh well. Here's a photo of the GDG gang there, have I mentioned how much I love GDG lately? Seriously, I love our group. 

GDG

Release the hounds!

Five Years of Pug

31/52:. Birthday Froyo, originally uploaded by mandypug.

Izzie turned the big FIVE today. I got her some froyo with her favourite fruit toppings to celebrate. She would be more concerned about ageing if she wasn't so concerned about getting every last lick of this delicious treat.

Happy Birthday, Buddy. Now let's show 'em what we're made of this weekend at Nationals!

Our Annual CKC Agility Weekend

The Lethbridge and District Kennel Club CKC agility trial has come and gone for another year. I don't do much CKC as it costs a bit more than AAC and there really aren't a lot of trials around these parts. This was our third trial and we were competing at the Excellent A level. Izzie ran well all weekend, only a few little things like a couple of missed weave entries and a pretty gnarly table slide off. Other than that she ran fast and happy, just how we like, and she went 2/4 which narrowly misses her AGXS title. We'll get it next year, I have no worries about that! But even better was the fact that all her runs, she ran about 20-30 seconds under time. That's HUGE for the Iz and is a major win. She's definitely feeling good and my newly refined ability to move and focus is making a huge difference in our performance. 

Anyway! Take home points...

1. Izzie knows how to weave, but she gets all weird when I over handle for it and don't trust her to find her entry and ends up missing it. Don't over handle, she can find her entry. 

2. We prefer to run tighter, more technical courses. Wide open courses with lots of running and time to think are more common in CKC than AAC (depending on the judge). We can do them fine, the courses don't tend to get us, but they're not our preference. I find that Izzie likes the connection through handling of the more technical courses as it keeps her engaged (And well, I like all the twisty junk and challenges so I'm probably in a different mindset too). So I guess I need to learn to like wide open courses too. 

3. Tables that aren't rubberized are slippery as... Well as a bad word that I would normally say but I know children read this now so I probably should cut back on the f-bombs. Note to self, put hands on the table during the walkthrough to take note of the surface and know how to handle for it. 

Other than that it was a great weekend and ran smoothly. We ended up getting out of there pretty early both days! I got to cheer on lots of my friends who were very successful at their respective levels, Q or not they ran great! I even learned how to scribe for CKC agility (there's a bit of a difference in what you write compared to AAC). Can't wait for next year for sure!

Future's so bright, I gotta wear shades

Izzie and I attended a seminar with Kathy Keats all weekend. We had a blast and learned a lot and Izzie and I worked better than ever as a team. I have ideas and advice to work on and some mental game thoughts that are percolating through my brain cells. Mental game stuff is always a big help for me and Kathy Keats is especially awesome for that kind of stuff.

This weekend also marked the first real transition into running Izzie at 6". We've done it in class or practising on our own, but this weekend was the first real event where I've had her run all weekend at that height and really worked handling skills. I've already come to peace with the decision even though it wasn't much of a struggle for me. It's better for my dog and I know it, she's happier and faster and more confident. So fast that I have to relearn how to run her in certain situations now! Kind of an okay problem to have I suppose! Anyway, experiencing her running so well and hearing from everyone including Kathy that she's doing awesome was really encouraging. I've said it before and I'll say it again, we have an AMAZING group of people friends here. So supportive.

I'm so excited to see where our future takes us. No matter where we end up, it's going to be a fantastic journey to take with my best friend. 

Do What You Love

25/52:. Do What You Love, originally uploaded by mandypug.

I love playing agility with the Biz, so that's what we did today for a bit.

She's such a great little dog.

Regionals Recap

24/52:. Qualifier, originally uploaded by mandypug.

Time to talk about REGIONALS! Woop woop!

This was our first regionals that we've competed in. I've been to a regional event before (and a national event) but only to volunteer. Luckily those things gave me an idea how it's all supposed to work though which is super helpful.

Anyway despite the myriad of weather (hot, cold, rainy, hail, wind) and an allergic reaction to bug bites on Thursday night, Izzie ran awesome and only had a few bobbles. A bar and a couple refusals and a couple seconds over time here and there. Nothing huge. We ended up qualifying for nationals with about 367 points and placing 10th in a pretty competitive 10" specials class.

She didn't miss a contact all weekend and weaved great. Her gambles were iffy but i knew that going in. BUT she did a pretty good attempt at the second gamble and even took the left cue I gave her! Unfortunately she lefted all way back behind the jump she just came from, but it was a good effort. I don't know many placements but she did place 6th in the first standard run which is AWESOME. Go Iz!

She makes me so proud. Nationals here we come!

Teamwork and Hardwork

Teammates, originally uploaded by mandypug.

Via Flickr:
Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success. - Henry Ford

Less than a week until regionals. I'm nervous but excited. Izzie and I are better and more in sync than we've ever been and I've learned more about teamwork and plain old hard work in the past few months than ever before. I'm pretty much mentally and physically where I want to be right now. We're ready. I keep saying it out loud to myself. We're ready, we're ready, we're fecking ready to get out there and do our best. To be the best team we can be.

Bring it on.

Flashing Canines

Spent our Sunday in Medicine Hat this past weekend playing some agility. These guys put on some of the best trials, really they're awesome.

Izzie did well even if we got no Qs. Masters Standard was under time and she ran awesome but we fumbled the weave entry which means a NQ, oh well! The rest of that run was awesome. Our Advanced Gamble was smokin'. We racked up 30 points in the opening including a mini gamble (teeter to tunnel) and did get the main gamble but unfortunately since I had a hard time getting her over the first jump, we were over time. However it showed me that the work we've been doing on distance is paying off, she did a beautiful left into the tunnel in the main. Masters Snooker was awesome, it was a nasty course with all the reds far away but we picked a pretty good path. It was the end of the day and it was hot and Izzie was tired but she gave me her all. I think even in the most perfect conditions it would've been a hard course for her as there's lots of yardage to get the reds, we got buzzed off due to time going over 5, we just needed to get to the end of 6.

Overall I'm super pleased with how she ran. It's all coming together, just a few tiny things here and there but no more over time standard runs which is very promising. I'm feeling ready for regionals now. So excited!

You Win Some, You Lose Some

With any judged sport, you have calls that are disagreeable. Judging is subjective, there's no other way for it to be since it's a thinking being and not a computer out there making the calls. Having judged figure skating events before I know this well. Sometimes the judge has to make a call based on what they believe to be correct from what they saw (or did not see?). Sometimes it's wrong, sometimes it's right but in the end they have to make the call. There's nothing you, as the competitor being judged, can really do about it. Life goes on and maybe the sport gods will give you a mulligan next time. 

Pug hit that dog walk contact though, and for now it stings a little bit because it was a beautiful run that was well under time. Such is life though, you win some and you lose some. On to the next one. 

Traditions

19/52:. Traditions, originally uploaded by mandypug.

Happy Jane Day.

Perfect Day

Clear skies, 23 degrees, no wind, and the day off work.

Perfect day.

Then throw agility practise into the mix and its even more perfect. Especially when the Notorious P.U.G. did brilliantly yet again.

Hey universe, lets have a bunch more days like this, alright?

Here's Izzie Puggy in my pink shades out at the field. She looks way better in them than I do.

Rockstar

17/52:. Up 'n' Over, originally uploaded by mandypug.

Izzie is a pretty damn special little dog. Every day I tell her how glad I am that she's my special little dog. Regardless of what she does, that much is true. Special Pug is special.

Then there are those days where she flat out blows me away. The last two Tuesdays for instance.

We are on fire. Red hot, Katniss Everdeen coming into the Hunger Games, mothereffing on fire.

I love it. We are so on right now as a team it's unbelievable. She's feeling amazing thanks to upping her conditioning and more often appointments to the rehab vet (nothing is wrong, I just like prevention for my dog) and I am feeling good too (more on that later). Plus every single cue, bam bam bam right on the money no questioning me (even if I'm wrong). She is amazing. She is a rockstar.

She is my rockstar.

"Rockstar!"

Thanks for the Memories

I've been trying to put this into words for two days now, but each time I've tried I haven't been able to finish it. So here goes.

Kaleb was a dog who taught me a thousand lessons. In the short two years I knew him I learned to live, love, relax, and enjoy every moment for what it is. He was the poster dog for living life to the fullest and enjoying every minute of it. He taught me to be impulsive and that even if it all crumbles that it's okay, smile and make the best of it. Most of all he encouraged forced me to develop a sense of humour. That first time Sarah let me run him, I knew I was in for a ride. He had his own idea of what he's supposed to do, and a lot of the time those ideas differed from what I wanted him to do.

How can I love a dog that isn't mine so much? I remember the first time I met him. Rude, pushy, slimy and loud. With one lick he could manage to slobber half my face. The first time he met Izzie he gingerly licked her ear and backed away remembering a certain other little light coloured dog wouldn't take to kindly to that. Once he knew Izzie wouldn't bite him, he loved her. Licking her ears and air humping. Oh Kaleb. Izzie loved him anyway, I imagine that's the only reason she put up with him. Even if he was wary of Pugs after my parents' dogs went after him, I don't think Izzie ever stopped loving her big black buddy.

I'll never forget when Sarah asked me to check in on Jane when she and Pete had to be out of town. He greeted me at the door with his "Izzie" in his mouth. Totally adorable. His adorable puppy-dog eyes staring at me like "oh you're not my mama but you'll do just fine!" I wasn't sure he was going to let me leave, he kept bringing me any toy he could find and soliciting love. 

Then there was the summer that I'll never forget. I am so glad that I was able to make the trip to the FCRSC Specialty in Abbotsford. I cannot express how grateful I am to have been a part of what ended up being his last specialty show and his last swim in the ocean. It might sound cheesy but that trip changed my life. It really did. It was rather impulsive for me, full of firsts. I became a pro at the "dammit Kaleb!" exclaimation, got many snuggles, played many rounds of UFC with him, met so many new people and got to know a few better because of him. I'm so happy it happened. To witness his wins, the JAM, the love and connection between him and Sarah. It makes me tear up just thinking about the great time we had on a trip all for my buddy boy. 

I loved that dog, and jeeze what a dog he was, he was one of a kind. That eternal smile, his loving yet mischievous personality. He will never be forgotten or replaced. A dog like Kaleb leaves a huge hole in your heart that will take a long time to heal. How lucky we all are to have loved him. 

Kaleb, you were an amazing dog. I will cherish every memory I have of you in the short two years I knew you. It still doesn't feel real. I still feel like I'm going to go out to the agility field and have you mooch all my cookies. I'll never forget the life lessons you taught me or that cute bubba gump lip of yours. Say hi to Janers and Tag and the rest of them for us. You are very missed. 

Kaleb died of Lymphoma. This terrible disease is one of the most common forms of cancer in canines. Anyone reading this, educate yourself on the signs and symptoms and observe and put your hands on your dogs regularly to be able to catch any changes early. Please consider donating to CLEAR by clicking the logo below. CLEAR is a nonprofit organization looking to increase awareness of canine lymphoma and it is a great resource for information on the disease as well as prevention and treatment. 

Bow Tie Sunday

I've been relatively boring lately. Not much is happening on the dog front as I'm trying to give Izzie some time off. We have two days of trialling coming up in May and then our very first Regionals is upon us at the start of June! Exciting but so scary! Thank dog we have our regional prep class starting on Tuesday!

I also bought Izzie a bow tie collar. Look how bloody adorable she is.


Bow Tie Sunday, originally uploaded by mandypug.

Payback's a Bitch

Eh Izzie?

That's what you get for always humping my arm during fetch, Pug.

The little white dude is our friend Sarah's little Jack Russell Terrier puppy named Fitz. He's super cute and I almost died of cuteness poisoning today when visiting him. Here's his owner's blog!

The Running of the Pug

It's spring, which means warmth and sunshine and awesomeness. It also means a feisty Pug. I took these on Sunday after our little bunny ears photo shoot. She started out chasing ground squirrels and then it turned into zoomies from there. Go Pug!







I love her little zooms!

Happy Easter!

13/42:. The Easter Puggy, originally uploaded by mandypug.

Via Flickr:
Izzie wishes everyone a happy Easter and hopes you all enjoyed your 2 pound chocolate bunnies and piles of cadbury cream eggs. She got bunny ears in her Easter basket.

Bring on Spring

Spring officially began on Wednesday, and it did indeed act like spring with highs of 14 degrees Celcius and sunny skies! Did I utilize that day doing cool outdoor things and taking photos? Nope! I walked the Pug in the morning when it was still chilly and then did laundry and cooking and washing the Pug during the nice part of the day. Lame, I know. Then it ended up snowing on Thursday. Sloppy wet snow that I hauled dog food bags inside in at work. Also lame.

So today is Friday and I get most Fridays off so I was determined for it to be nice today and to go and take non instagram photos of Izzie because I've been severely slacking on that. Luckily my blue sky dance and the power of optimism and a positive attitude (or as I call it, "Retrieverism") worked and today was lovely and sunny out, a pretty day even if snow was still on the ground and the cold wind was still blowing. 

You want me to SIT in the SNOW? Yeah you know where you can go...

The majestic ewok has a silent but stern conversation with the sun.

The wind was pretty chilly on her eyeballs!

Frosty face! I imagine this is what Izzie might look like when she's more grey.

The extreme sport of Icicle fetching. 

Hopefully spring is indeed on it's way, and soon too! We want to play agility outside again!

Border Collies, Puppies, Sheep, Puppies, Mud, Puppies

... Did I mention Puppies?

Om nom nom! Sarah's Foot!

Anyone who knows me, knows I love puppies. All puppies. They're squishable and cute and I don't even mind if they pee on my leg as they're puppies and they don't really know any better. You know I want a puppy so bad but cannot have one just yet, so the next best thing is other peoples' puppies. 

At 6 weeks they start looking like dogs instead of guinea pigs.

Sarah was going to Alta-Pete to give massages to the dogs and do a little lesson with Gyppie and I kind of invited myself along haha. I'd never been out there so I wanted to go... Okay, really I just wanted to see the litter of puppies they have. It's safe to visit them as they all have homes and I knew I wouldn't go home going sad because I can't have one. This way I get some of my puppy fix so I don't go crazy. There were six puppies in the kitchen area with me and their young dog, Try, helped me hang out with the pups while Sar gave massages. Seriously, it was heaven even though puppies kind of smell bad.

Fleece (or hamster) tugging on my sleeve. She's my favourite.

We did other non-puppy related things too. I watched Gyppie's lesson and she had fun. I don't know much about herding but I'm pretty sure she did well. I also met the guardian dogs, Togo and Alaska. They loved attention, especially Alaska. She followed me around and sat on my feet and rolled in the snow and nearly pushed me over by leaning all her weight on my legs. Such a ham.

Alaska asking for some belly rubs.

We also got to see the lambs. So cute! This one liked Sarah and thought she might have a bottle for him. Then he bopped poor Pleat in the nose with his hoof. 

Lamb hugs!

As for the mud part of the title? It was mucky out there. I'm glad I invested in rubber boots the other day as the mud would have definitely been terrible in my normal shoes! Being a city kid I don't have much use for boots other than the leather high heeled kind (and even then I rarely wear those). I had loads of fun though! What a great way to spend a day off. Thanks again Sarah!

Some June love.

... Oh yeah! June came up to me and let me pet her, several times, and she even wagged her tail. I'm told this means I'm special and I should be flattered. =)