We're Moving to Hollywood!!!

...Not really, but Bolt is officially a star, so maybe we should consider it. Okay, when I say 'star', I really mean AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy. Sure, the 20-step puppy test is pretty darn basic, but that's not the point. The point is, my little man earned his first certificate and medal this summer and is well on his way to real stardom!

Oooh, I can't wait until he gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame one day... and his first Oscar... and maybe we'll try the Olympics, but I really should book him an agent first. So much to do! ...


...
For now, I think I'll just continue to take him to intermediate obedience classes and hope he can eventually master a simple 'stand for exam'. Argh!!! Why is that so tough!?!?!?!?

Hiking Adventures at Sheep Dung

More about the best place on earth (screw you, dogless-Disney)...

200 acres in 4 days = a LOT of ground to cover each and every moment we were awake and the sun was shining! I'm not sure if there is a rule about leashes or not, but I doubt it since it's a private property with only four isolated cottages sharing the massive space. The one time we did see other people/dogs was near the central pond, where I'm pretty sure most peoples hiking adventures end, and they were nice enough to give us a wide berth when I let them know that Z wouldn't welcome any greetings. Imagine that --- they were nice and didn't come back with the usual snarky comment. How very refreshing!

We did hike sans leash for the most part, especially once we got to the back end of the property where they were able to fully enjoy the rolling terrain. Luckily, most of the times when they might have been flight-risks (with the sudden appearance of rabbits, deer, and even little piggies) I happened to be standing within arms reach. Of course, there were a couple of times when I wasn't able to stop the inevitable and they turned into little dots on the horizon as they chased their 'prey'. Thank goodness for all of my training; I knew enough to yell goodbye, walk away, and hide until they came flying back, looking for me. They know that there is nothing better than us together.

Enough words, here are way more photo's than anyone wants to see of someone else's vacation...
(click on pix to view larger)

Bolt-"Heh heh, this bench says 'dung', heh heh."
Zainey-"Shut up, Beavis"

It was all so much fun. Exhausting (hit my first 25,000 step day on my pedometer...that's over 10 miles), but very relaxing as well. I packed so much for the trip, but forgot two very key items - my toothbrush and Z's medication. Whoops! Turns out a washcloth makes a decent enough toof' cleaner when you're only kissing dogs and if Z hikes between 5-10 miles a day, and is living in the middle of nature, there is no place in her little body and brain for her usual anxiety.  Hmph... I guess that confirms it, I need to retire and move to the country. Oh well, that's not in the cards for a long, long time.

At least we have our memories ...

Heaven is a Place Called Sheep Dung

Sheep Dung Properties operates two separate ranch properties a couple hours north of San Francisco and I have to say, I did not know heaven was located so close to home!

To get to the property, you turn off a somewhat hidden road at the edge of the quaint town of Boonville and pass through a flourishing vineyard before meandering up, up, up a windy dirt road that takes you to your private hideaway. The pups and I stayed at the Breezeway cottage and I have to say that it was probably the best time either of them have ever had.

The cottage was wonderful; clean, hardwood and tile floors, comfortable furnishings, and well stocked with everything a person would need to 'move in' (and boy did I want to). The view from the adirondacks of the valley below was absolutely picturesque, the hammock positioned under the oaks was the perfect place to enjoy the complimentary wine, and the grill did my salmon up nice and yummy, but the best part was what surrounded it all - several fenced acres for my pooches to roam and sniff and explore and even disappear from sight (gasp).

It was fabulous to pull up to our place and open the gate that would keep us in our own world for just a few splendid days and it was interesting to watch how each dog responded to this new setting. With little training and even less impulse control or fear, Bolt didn't even wait for me to open the car door. Up, over, and out the window he flew. Z had a slightly different approach (which, for our 'real world' makes me very happy); she stayed, even when I opened the car door and walked away, even at my first attempt to call her out, she stayed. She finally did get out though and after a few hesitant sniffs and encouraging words and pats from me, she remembered she was a dog and quickly took to running and sniffing and bounding around like the country dog I know and love.

We spent the first afternoon and night just hanging around our place, getting acquainted with everything there, and making sure that every inch of ground was touched by at least one of our paws.

Minus a little motion sickness on the way up for the little guy, it was a great first day in our very mini-escapcation (escape-vacation) and we couldn't wait to get up the next day to go see what the other 200 acres of the property had to offer (oh, did I not mention that part!?) ...

More to come in Part II

On My Way to Success and Why Dogs are Superior to People

Thought I would be back to a semi-regular blogging schedule. Oh well. I was wrong. It's been seven weeks since I said I was back - how very discouraging! But, life happens. Every single day, life happens. Somehow the crap and not-so-fun-stuff seems to squish out much of time for the things that I enjoy. Sick of it.

Also, I know it's supposed to be 'Wordless Wednesday', but I've been 'wordless' in too many other areas of my life and I'm sick of that too.
I guess all that is left to do is to try again since I'm apparently just on the road to success...
"Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success." -Dale Carnegie

(Uhhh ...whatever, Dale. If this were true, I'd be living in my castle by now!)

Pictured below are two of the reasons why I have not had time for blogging recently (and the only two reasons that don't completely suck I might add. Although, they too have been quite the little handfuls lately!)

He doesn't quite grasp the 'selfie'

She's better at this than I am!

And now ...Why I will always prefer the company of dogs:

They use their senses to know how my day was, not Facebook or Twitter. They play with me when I am happy and lick my face when I cry. They genuinely seem to care; several times a day my pups are there just to 'check in' with me.

Their default is happy, or at least content. There's no reason for my dogs to have a 'smile' across their muzzles when they are just hanging out, but they often do. 

They will try anything once, for better or worse, their fear of adventure is minimal. Chase a skunk, swim in fast current, eat food that's too hot. They live and learn, but they rarely say no unless they've learned the hard way that something will hurt them. They LIVE!

They are good for my health. They increase oxytocin levels and reduce stress and blood pressure in people. For reals. There's real science behind it. Look it up yourself, I'm not your link guru.

They give freely of themselves in exchange for affection and food. How many people do you know will give so much and not expect something more than just who you are and the love (and treats) you have to share?

They don't criticize me or what I do or tell me I picked the wrong park to take them to play. They know how to appreciate in ways few people ever do.

They live here and now in this moment and will do the same again in the next. Z and Bolt will play and play and play and sometimes Bolt really annoys her. She might snap at him and that's okay because there's another moment right after this one where they'll be playing again like nothing happened! They don't hold grudges!

...People could really learn a thing or two if they really, truly paid attention to a dog now and then.

So, to sum up - I know this post may be all over the place and cryptic, but I super don't care at all... I'm done being 'wordless' and may or may not be on the road to success, but at least I've chosen the best possible traveling companions!

What's that you say, Jimmy?

That's right, Jimmy!
After a year-long absence, we're back!

Stay tuned for exciting (yawn) updates including Z's change in career from agility star to hockey goalie and details about the addition of her bratty brother, Bolt.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Dirty Doggy Edition!

Almost 'wordless' with just a bit of funky music!

Dirty Doggy!...

...Gross Doggy!

Happy Doggy!

Happy Birthday, Dear Doggy!

Little Puppy with a Toy

Big Puppy with a Toy

Little Puppy in the Yard

Big Puppy in the Yard

Somebody turns 4 years old today! Can you guess who?

I've heard it said more than a few times, "we may not get the dog we want, but we get the dog we need." I don't know about that. I know I wanted a dog that I could take anywhere, would love people, enjoy greeting new doggy playmates, swimming, and kayaking. I wanted a dog that would be my enthusiastic agility partner for years and years to come. So, do I need a reactive dog who does not like new people, dogs, or situations? Do I need a dog who does not like swimming or kayaking and is currently too anxious to continue with agility trialing? I don't think so. I don't think I need any of this; I've learned patience, compassion, and how to overcome disappointments in life, so I'm not sure what I'm getting here that I am in such desperate need of. I need a break. I need a money tree. I need ...a lot of things, but I don't need any of what is on poor little Z's list of issues any more than she needs them.

It's okay though - I don't have to need what I get from my dog (although the endless kisses and unconditional love are appreciated). I just have to love and care for her, and I do - very much. It's my job, my duty, and (most days) my pleasure. In the end, I suppose what is important is that each dog receive the owner that they need. 

Where would Zainey be if I did not come across this picture of her online several years back? I can't imagine. All I know is where she is today - safe at home waiting for her birthday cake!

Party on, Birthday Dog!

Happy 4th of July from the Anti-Neighbor!

As I've gotten older, it's become easier to let the unimportant things roll off my back and it is also much easier to speak up for what I believe.
Yesterday was the 4th of July. Happy Independence Day America! I love this country, not a day goes by that I don't appreciate how fortunate I am just to have been born here. So, I am not one to squash anyone's celebration of this country.

While I was out enjoying the day at a chili cook-off with my good friend Michelle, Mike got a visit from our neighbor across the street; they were planning to have a group of friends over and would be setting off fireworks in the street in front of the house. As in, right in front of our house. Anyone with a dog that reacts to fireworks by panting, shaking uncontrollably, and going out of their mind, knows how hearing this news would make you feel. Poor Mike, to be put in that situation. Nobody wants to be the buzz-kill neighbor, but she obviously came over to inform us of their plans for a reason - to hear what we had to say (I'm giving her way too much credit to even assume that she started with any good intentions). Mike is a very reasonable person with a lot of tact when it comes to dealing with neighbors. He kindly let her know that he/we would not be okay with those plans. He informed her that we have spent a lot of time working with our dog and that fireworks are extremely difficult for her, not to mention the fact that fireworks are illegal where we live (a subtle but direct hint that our opinion in the matter does actually trump theirs). Her comment was "everyone up and down the street will be doing it". (Ummm, does that make it legal or okay?) Mike reiterated our position, she left, and ten minutes later she came back to say that they had changed their plans. Good - it's nice to know that there are reasonable people who aren't completely self-absorbed and think of themselves as being above the law. So, come sundown, we hunkered down for the evening in the front room. We had our movie and Z was snug in her anxiety wrap with xanax in her system and her puzzles on standby to keep her occupied should we need them. Yea! We can do this! ...

"Ready for the movie! I've got my xanax, treat-toy, anxiety wrap, and puzzles!"

Agility Retrospect...(part 3)

One Day.

One Mission.

Complete our level 1 requirements by qualifying in Jackpot!

(Oh, and also try our hand/paws at level 2 Standard - as in, perform the weave poles and teeter in public).

DONE! ...and... DONE!

Jackpot, our final level 1 requirement is complete. Yea! ...
It didn't go as smoothly as I (or Zainey) would have liked, for sure, but we did it. Z fell off the A-Frame, or more accurately, she launched off the A-Frame. Whoopsy! One of the people working the ring (I won't say who) observed that it was due to my approach, being such a green handler, that I needed to not 'leave' her at the approach to the A-frame, and that I'll learn how to manage that better in the future. ...<Ahem>... Okay. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that the tire to A-frame approach was at a 90 degree angle and by the time we ran, the non-rubberized equipment set up outdoors on grass was visibly wet from all the dogs that ran before us.  Luckily, this is one of the few courses where the A-frame is not faulted and, while I was prepared to stop our run right then and there, Z bounced right back and was ready to keep on truckin'. Granted, my course plan fell apart a bit at that point and we just kind of muddled though, but we finished strong (no 'sniffy' or other distractions in the gamble portion) and in 1st place! Pretty good for her first time running on an outdoor course where the distractions are tenfold and she had to run up a slippery slide!

Behavior Modification ~ Progress and Follow-Up

In the seven+ weeks since our initial appointment with the veterinary behaviorist, we've been adhering to our training and behavior modification plan, recording our progress, and checking in with Dr. Bain when new situations or questions arise. ...

Part 1 - Help Zainey relax:

DAP (Dog Appeasing Phermone) Collar ~  For the first couple of days wearing this, Z did seem a little more calm. For example, whenever we pull into the driveway after coming home from agility practice, she is up and ready to get out of the car. The day after she started wearing the DAP collar, she remained lying down and completely relaxed when I opened the back seat. After a few days though, that chilled-out state seemed to fade. Since the collars need to be replaced every few weeks, I applied a new one a couple of weeks ago and that night she 'nursed' in her sleep quite a bit. This is something Z has always done mildly, off and on, but that night she was
really 'sleep-nursing'. Again, that effect didn't seem to last.
Anxitane (L-Theanine) ~ I can't say that I've noticed any change in her behavior or anxiety level since she's been on this green tea nutraceutical, so if it is helping her in any way, it's not at a level that I've been able perceive and I believe we're somewhere near the point where if it were to help, we would be noticing.