The walking pack!
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| Zeus, Marley, Norman, and Wally |
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| Wally, Marley, Zeus, and Norman |
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Friday, June 13, 2014
Agility Trial Adventures
This is our year! I can totally feel that we are finally going to sync and work as a team during competition. I just know its going to be awesome! I have complete faith in Marley!
I've been so positive I signed her up for her first AKC agility event! I was so sure we were ready that I entered her in Jumpers and Standard. I blocked out my entire Memorial weekend for agility (yes, I know I'm a bit behind). I just knew Marley was ready to totally rock in Jumpers and I had high hopes for her in Standard.
What happened?
Day 1: We entered Jumpers and I signed up for Jumpers and Standard in a fun match after the event.
Jumpers: We lined up and she was looking around while I led out. I called her and she went over 3 jumps beautifully and entered the tunnel without hesitation. I was so excited! The then proceeded to sniff around the weave poles and she jumped over some jumps on her way to her leash.
Fun Match Standard: While I walked the course I decided to stay close to Marley and support her through the course. When it was our turn, I led out and I saw her eyes light up as she saw the A-frame. We started and she flew over the jumps and hit all her contacts and she flew into the weave poles. She was so AWESOME! It was MAGICAL! My heart nearly burst from pride!
Fun Match Jumpers: Hyped up by our success in Standard I just knew we were going to be awesome in Jumpers. We started and she jumped over the jumps, zoomed into the tunnel, flew into the weave poles and looked fantastic zooming into the second tunnel. She flew out of the tunnel and started sniffing around... Yep, she was done.
Day 2: We were entered in Jumpers and Standard. After much thought I decided I needed to provide Marley more support and not expect her to perform in the trial as she does during training.
Jumpers: Our startline great and she was fantastic going over jumps and through the tunnel. She was a bit tentative going into the weave poles. She was doing so well and then she started sniffing and she went off course.
Standard: I just knew this was going to be fantastic. We were at the startline when we heard "Ready" and Marley was like, "why, yes I'm ready" and she took off. Yep, I was inhaling her dust as she took the first two jumps while I watched in total shock. Once it hit me that I shouldn't call her back I took off and met her at the third jump. We were smoking hot as we completed the next three obstacles. Then it happened...she flew out of a tunnel and missed the weave poles and the magic was gone.
Overall, I think Marley understands the game and she enjoys running the course. She simply soars over jumps with a gigantic grin on her face. She is happy and relaxed after our turn and she is not stressed over the excitement and noise of the event.
I'm not going to lie, I wish we had at least competed a course without being disqualified but I'm choosing to focus on the great things we accomplished and how happy Marley is playing the game.
.JPG) |
| Isn't it funny how positive my mom is that I'll cooperate? |
I've been so positive I signed her up for her first AKC agility event! I was so sure we were ready that I entered her in Jumpers and Standard. I blocked out my entire Memorial weekend for agility (yes, I know I'm a bit behind). I just knew Marley was ready to totally rock in Jumpers and I had high hopes for her in Standard.
What happened?
Day 1: We entered Jumpers and I signed up for Jumpers and Standard in a fun match after the event.
Jumpers: We lined up and she was looking around while I led out. I called her and she went over 3 jumps beautifully and entered the tunnel without hesitation. I was so excited! The then proceeded to sniff around the weave poles and she jumped over some jumps on her way to her leash.
Fun Match Standard: While I walked the course I decided to stay close to Marley and support her through the course. When it was our turn, I led out and I saw her eyes light up as she saw the A-frame. We started and she flew over the jumps and hit all her contacts and she flew into the weave poles. She was so AWESOME! It was MAGICAL! My heart nearly burst from pride!
Fun Match Jumpers: Hyped up by our success in Standard I just knew we were going to be awesome in Jumpers. We started and she jumped over the jumps, zoomed into the tunnel, flew into the weave poles and looked fantastic zooming into the second tunnel. She flew out of the tunnel and started sniffing around... Yep, she was done.
Day 2: We were entered in Jumpers and Standard. After much thought I decided I needed to provide Marley more support and not expect her to perform in the trial as she does during training.
Jumpers: Our startline great and she was fantastic going over jumps and through the tunnel. She was a bit tentative going into the weave poles. She was doing so well and then she started sniffing and she went off course.
Standard: I just knew this was going to be fantastic. We were at the startline when we heard "Ready" and Marley was like, "why, yes I'm ready" and she took off. Yep, I was inhaling her dust as she took the first two jumps while I watched in total shock. Once it hit me that I shouldn't call her back I took off and met her at the third jump. We were smoking hot as we completed the next three obstacles. Then it happened...she flew out of a tunnel and missed the weave poles and the magic was gone.
Overall, I think Marley understands the game and she enjoys running the course. She simply soars over jumps with a gigantic grin on her face. She is happy and relaxed after our turn and she is not stressed over the excitement and noise of the event.
I'm not going to lie, I wish we had at least competed a course without being disqualified but I'm choosing to focus on the great things we accomplished and how happy Marley is playing the game.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Dog Park Closed
A light started this whole mess four years ago. I went to the park and there were about 5 people huddled under the light of one streetlight. It was dark and there was no way I could spot my dog as she ran around in the park. I started asking around, why do we only have one light? This of course led to more questions, such as, why does one side of the park have running water and shade and the small dog section is just a tiny patch of dirt? Soon everybody was questioning the status of the dog park and getting involved.
Before you knew it I was conducting dog park crawls and presenting my findings to the park district. One of the problems was the age of our park, about ten years ago it was the first in the area. Today all new development includes a dog park.
Fortunately, everybody who attended the park regularly wanted to see changes, especially during the winter when the entire park became a swamp. The park district heard us and decided to create a Master Plan for our park. The public was involved in the development of the new plan and the Dog Park began to raise funds. We sold as many dog cookies, calendars, and cookbooks as possible. Our great committee chair sent out letters and applied for grants. Contests were entered for a new dog park. Community yard sales are being held to raise funds. Everybody has contributed and worked hard to raise funds.
I am so pleased with all the hard work of the Dog Park Committee and everybody who chipped in to raise funds. This is fantastic progress, even though most of us are at a bit of a loss as to where to go in the evenings. Marley misses her park and her friends.
Before you knew it I was conducting dog park crawls and presenting my findings to the park district. One of the problems was the age of our park, about ten years ago it was the first in the area. Today all new development includes a dog park.
Fortunately, everybody who attended the park regularly wanted to see changes, especially during the winter when the entire park became a swamp. The park district heard us and decided to create a Master Plan for our park. The public was involved in the development of the new plan and the Dog Park began to raise funds. We sold as many dog cookies, calendars, and cookbooks as possible. Our great committee chair sent out letters and applied for grants. Contests were entered for a new dog park. Community yard sales are being held to raise funds. Everybody has contributed and worked hard to raise funds.
I am pleased to share that construction has started on the park infrastructure. Unfortunately, our park is closed for the entire summer.
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| Signs on the gates. |
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| Dumpsters scattered in the park. |
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| Fencing has been removed. Dying trees and concrete pads are gone. |
I am so pleased with all the hard work of the Dog Park Committee and everybody who chipped in to raise funds. This is fantastic progress, even though most of us are at a bit of a loss as to where to go in the evenings. Marley misses her park and her friends.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Marley and the CAT
A few weeks ago a friend asked if Marley was taking the CAT. I told her Marley has a kitten and I don't want another, thank you very much. After she was done laughing she clarified, the Course Ability Test (CAT). It turns out the Course Ability Test is an AKC lure coursing activity for dogs that are not sight hounds. All dogs can participate and earn titles and win ribbons.
At this point I decided to join the AKC Canine Partners Program, this is for mixed breed dogs also known as All American dogs. Not only will I be able to participate in the CAT but also in AKC agility, Obedience, and Rally and earn titles. It was about $35 and easy to join, the hardest part was deciding on Marley's "official" name.
Today we attended Marley's first AKC event. It was so much fun!
She was so well behaved and really calm around the other dogs until they started testing the system. At this point she totally lost her mind and started whining and trying to get the lure. She spent most of the event in her crate covered with a blanket to prevent her from seeing the lure.
I ended up having to carry her into the field she was just so wiggly and squirmy and I was afraid she would hurt herself trying to run after the lure while on a leash. She had a blast, she ran through mud, large puddles, and horse poop (her favorite).
No surprise to anybody who is a frequent reader...Marley passed the CAT! She caught the lure and earned an orange ribbon! Yep! We have our first ribbon (I hope its our first and not the only ribbon we earn).
I am so proud of her! If she passes the CAT two more times she gets a CA title.
At this point I decided to join the AKC Canine Partners Program, this is for mixed breed dogs also known as All American dogs. Not only will I be able to participate in the CAT but also in AKC agility, Obedience, and Rally and earn titles. It was about $35 and easy to join, the hardest part was deciding on Marley's "official" name.
.JPG) |
| Marley guarding her first ribbon |
Today we attended Marley's first AKC event. It was so much fun!
She was so well behaved and really calm around the other dogs until they started testing the system. At this point she totally lost her mind and started whining and trying to get the lure. She spent most of the event in her crate covered with a blanket to prevent her from seeing the lure.
I ended up having to carry her into the field she was just so wiggly and squirmy and I was afraid she would hurt herself trying to run after the lure while on a leash. She had a blast, she ran through mud, large puddles, and horse poop (her favorite).
No surprise to anybody who is a frequent reader...Marley passed the CAT! She caught the lure and earned an orange ribbon! Yep! We have our first ribbon (I hope its our first and not the only ribbon we earn).
I am so proud of her! If she passes the CAT two more times she gets a CA title.
.JPG) |
| Check it out! |
Monday, December 30, 2013
Good Grief...Where does the time go?
Wow, I just realized I haven't blogged since October! Quite a bit has happened since my last blog post.
We kept Marley's kitten. His name is Mojo and unfortunately, he is a black cat. I love black cats but he is incredibly difficult to photograph; I have 3 months worth of black blobs in all my photos. He is currently 5 months old and weighs about 6 lbs. He is incredibly feisty and into everything. Marley treats him like a puppy. Bob has serious reservations about the kitten.
Marley and I have spent time enjoying the nice weather. We've been hiking along the American River. The river is very low this year and there are a ton of dead Salmon along the edge. Marley is in heaven!
Squirrels are very feisty this time of year and Marley is determined to catch one!
I've started working on Marley's calendar for 2014 and there are some fun activities planned for Marley. Of course, I will be better about sharing them in a timely manner. I do post often on Facebook.
We kept Marley's kitten. His name is Mojo and unfortunately, he is a black cat. I love black cats but he is incredibly difficult to photograph; I have 3 months worth of black blobs in all my photos. He is currently 5 months old and weighs about 6 lbs. He is incredibly feisty and into everything. Marley treats him like a puppy. Bob has serious reservations about the kitten.
Marley and I have spent time enjoying the nice weather. We've been hiking along the American River. The river is very low this year and there are a ton of dead Salmon along the edge. Marley is in heaven!
Rolling in smelly stuff is fun!
Squirrels are very feisty this time of year and Marley is determined to catch one!
I've started working on Marley's calendar for 2014 and there are some fun activities planned for Marley. Of course, I will be better about sharing them in a timely manner. I do post often on Facebook.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
National Feral Cat Day
Marley celebrated the day by rescuing a kitten from the street and insisting I bring him home.
Bob is not happy! 
Monday, October 7, 2013
Agility Workshop
Marley and I recently attended a wonderful Agility Workshop. It was fantastic!
We attended Novice Day and we started the day by going over basic sequences and equipment. Marley did a great job, she received a Standing Ovation when she completed the weave poles (Ok, this may be a slight exageration, but it totally felt like a standing ovation and I did shed a few tears of joy!). Her contacts were fantastic, even the dog walk.
In the afternoon we completed a few sequences that involved some thought on my part. Marley had a blast! I had a great time; however, I did notice a few spots where I need some work. I tend to panic half way through a sequence and forget all about Marley.
It was incredibly amusing to receive feedback in a British accent. She pretty much pointed out the same issues my regular instructor has pointed out in the past.
I was very proud of Marley, she stayed on track and didn't run off. We were in close proximity to dogs she didn't know and she was calm and focused. I'm glad I attended and I look forward to the next Agility Workshop.
We attended Novice Day and we started the day by going over basic sequences and equipment. Marley did a great job, she received a Standing Ovation when she completed the weave poles (Ok, this may be a slight exageration, but it totally felt like a standing ovation and I did shed a few tears of joy!). Her contacts were fantastic, even the dog walk.
In the afternoon we completed a few sequences that involved some thought on my part. Marley had a blast! I had a great time; however, I did notice a few spots where I need some work. I tend to panic half way through a sequence and forget all about Marley.
It was incredibly amusing to receive feedback in a British accent. She pretty much pointed out the same issues my regular instructor has pointed out in the past.
I was very proud of Marley, she stayed on track and didn't run off. We were in close proximity to dogs she didn't know and she was calm and focused. I'm glad I attended and I look forward to the next Agility Workshop.
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