Ride with Gizmo

Last night mom took me, Chloe and Gizmo for a ride. Yes, you heard me right, our kitty Gizmo went along. Mom said she's going to the cabin with us on our next trip and vet wanted mom to give her a kitty downer to calm her and take her for a ride before we actually go to the cabin to be sure all was okay with Giz. She did great! She only meowed a little then just chilled the rest of the time. It was cool to have her along. We did stop and pick up mom's friend Nancy and went to see the horses. Of course we had to stay in the car, but mom didn't stay real long. Mom kept checking on us though cause she knows I like to sneak up to the front seat when she let's us in the car, but Gizmo was there and she warned me that I better not step on her. I was tempted, but I didn't.

When we got home, mom took us for a walk cause it was like really warm for December. I'm talking t-shirt weather. I loved going for a walk and there were so many scents in the air that I kept stopping to sniff things. Mom kept telling us to come on if we stayed and sniffed too long. Sorry mom, it's in my nature:) I had a really good time on my walk and hope we get to go again soon. If only the weather would stay that way furever!

A new friend

I forgot to tell everyone, we have a new friend. She's a little Shizpoo something or other. She looks like a little white cottonball. Brett and Chelsea got her Friday and brought her for a visit. Her name is Nala and I was afraid I was going to squash her she is so small. Mom took pix and vids of us so I'm sure she'll eventually get them posted. It was funny cause when she would go under me, I would freeze cause I was afraid I would step on her and hurt her. She didn't seem to be afraid of us big dogs at all. As soon as mom says okay, she'll be playing just like me and Chloe. Look out Nala!!

Whole lotta baking going on!

Yep, that's about sums up my weekend. Mom did nothing but bake, bake, and bake some more. I kind of figured since she said she had to get it done. At least I got to see Grandma and Aunt Lois. They came over Friday night to help mom make nut rolls. Those crazy people weren't done until like midnight. Mom made 10 of them. Of course, none for me. Saturday mom started at it again. She baked all kind of cookies and I just hung out and watched. Mom said us dogs are real good about staying out of the way when she's baking. She never got done until like 10pm that night. 29 dozen cookies and again, none for me:( Sunday daddy came home! I was VERY happy to see him cause he's been gone for what seemed like fur ever. Ok, maybe not that long, but you get the idea. He left on Monday though to go back to the mountains. Trying for another deer. Mom ended up coming home Monday from work cause he belly hurt. I knew something was up with mom cause she was pretty moody Sunday and Monday morning. I slept with her then just laid with her when she watched TV. The couple times she got sick in the bathroom, I stayed right by her side. Poor mom. She did go to work today even though she didn't feel 100%. Hopefully she feels better soon cause I don't like when mom is sick.

That's about all that happened for my weekend. Agility on tap for Thursday, and my first official SAR training with the team on Saturday and I can't wait!

Fun night!

Last night we had agility class and it was sooooo much fun! It was more fun than last time cause Grandma came along to help mom handle us (Aunt Lois came along to watch). Grandma worked Chloe and mom me. Mom said I am a handful! I can't help myself, I just get so excited to do this stuff. She told me my major problem is the reward, i.e. food. She says I'm too focused on the food that I don't pay attention to what I'm doing. Like when we walk across the low dogwalk, I step off every time when mom tries to turn me in the middle cause I'm not watching my feet, only the treat. Mom asked the instructor if she could reward me at the end of each exercise, but she said it has to as soon as I complete the task so I know I did good. Ah, I know I'm just a dog, but isn't that the same thing? But I'm not complaining cause I love treats! My said I'm really good with targeting and now that I got the tunnel down, I fly through that too. Chloe wasn't too happy that she was working with Grandma. Not because she doesn't love grandma cause she does, but you know how she is, such a momma's girl. I am too, but I can work with Grandma and pay attention to her. I actually did work with Grandma a little, but I'm just a little too much for her cause of my excitement level. But all in all, I had a great time and crashed the rest of the night. Mom said she wishes she could do that every night so I would give her some peace and quiet... BOL:D

This weekend mom is baking a lot, but I do think I have a visit to Manor Care tomorrow. It's my turn so I sure hope I get to go!

Daddy got a big one!!!

I only had one exciting thing happen since my last post... that is the big deer that daddy got on the first day. He came home on Monday to take it to the butcher, but stopped at home for mom to see it first. Guess who else had to see it? Yep, ME! When dad opened that tailgate, I was on my hind legs and could see and smell it. It smelled good! I wanted that deer in the worse way so I jumped up on the tailgate. Dad grabbed my hunchers cause there was blood on the tailgate and mom just bathed us so he didn't want me in it. Plus, he knew I would probably take a bite out of it! Yes, I have the instincts of my ancestors and that smell was driving me crazy. Mom will post a pix and you can see me trying to get at it. Unfortunately, I didn't get to have any... so not fair!

Other than that, I haven't done much. Chloe got to go to Country Meadows Sunday, but not my turn so I had to stay home. Us dogs did get to ride along with mom last night to pick up the deer meat after it was butchered so at least that was something. Mom had a hard time making me stay in the car though cause I smelled all the deer at the butcher shop outside (and there were a lot!) that I tried to get out so I could try for a bite. No such luck again.

I think we have agility tomorrow night and I'm looking forward to that since we haven't done it in a few weeks. Mom is baking most of the weekend so probably not doing much there. Guess I should get use to it until our next trip to the cabin cause sounds like mom will be busy. I know we'll have visits and agility so at least I can look forward to that.

Well, gotta run. Look for mom to post the pix soon. I hope everyone is having fun doing something. Cio!

Mom gave me a new nickname... Spotter!

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I didn't get any goodies cause of my belly issue:( But, we did go to the mountains which makes up for no goodies. Actually, that's where we're at now... we have internet up here now so hopefully mom can keep us up to date. Anyway, we did stop to see grandma last night before we came up. It was nice to see her on Thanksgiving.

Today I had so pretty good adventures. First we went to the property so dad could put up a treestand. Chloe and I played while mom and dad put it up. It didn't go too well and I almost got hit in the head with it and dad almost fell cause the bottom part buckled and bent and dropped 5 feet with dad on it! Fortunately dad was able to jump off of it and I got out of the way. It was close! They still put it up, just 5 feet shorter. When we got back we went to Clair and Velma's for water so us dogs got to ride in the Bota. After that, me,Chloe and mom all went up to the tree. It was a beautiful day! No wind and in the 50s. We sat there for a while just enjoying the peacefulness when I saw something move. Mom saw my alert and looked in the direction I was. It was two deer, a doe and buck. Mom told us to stay and be really still and we listened. It was really cool so see the deer that close. I mean they were only like 300 yards from us and they never knew we were there. We watched them go up to the top then they went down the other side. That was pretty exciting, but it gets better. So we're still there relaxing when I alerted again... thi time there were 4 deer! 3 doe and a buck. That's when I got my nickname... Spotter. Mom said I was awesome spotting all the deer. These 4 stayed for a long time. I really, really wanted to get closer cause they were playing and eating, but mom kept telling us to stay and again we did what she said. The deer stayed for a long time (mom says about 30-40 minutes) then they went up over the top too. Mom said we were soooo good and the deer never knew we were there. Mom kept calling me her little Spotter and I like it. She said we're going to go up again tomorrow and see if the deer come again. Of course dad had to know all about them cause as many of you probably know, Monday is deer season. I don't want to think about that cause I like watching them and it'll be sad if they're gone. But dad said if they didn't have hunting season, it would be bad and there are so many that they get hit by cars and stuff and that's worse. So I guess I understand even though I don't like it.

That was my big adventure for the day. Tonight we're just going to relax and enjoy being in the mountains. Boy what a difference in mom when she's up here. Very relaxed and nothing seems to bother her. I can't wait til we're up here permanently!

Search and Rescue

My weekend was pretty boring cause mom had lots going on, but I did get to have some fun on Saturday.

Mom had search and rescue training. She needs to attend 3 of them without me (to learn without worrying about me and also to show she's committed to the team), but I got to go this time cause they were doing the team photos and they wanted me to be included:) I got to see a lot of dogs and when I didn't mind my manners, mom told me about it. We got our pictures taken, but then I had to stay in the crate while mom did some training. At first I was okay with that, but as time went on and I saw all the other dogs doing stuff, I wanted to do the stuff too. I let everyone know too by my barking. I didn't bark constent, but enough to get mom's attention. She let me out to potty, but then back in the crate. That's when I knew my barking wouldn't work. So I went back to chilling in the crate and just watching everyone.

It was getting time to leave when mom came and got me out. I figured it was just for a potty break before we left, but it was so much more. I got to practice my "runaways". That is when someone has my toy, then runs away with it then goes out of view. Then mom tells me to "find" and I go after the person and find them. I did pretty good, but wouldn't engage much with the person. Two of the air scent people who have certified dogs helped mom and told her some things to do. We did a couple more "runaways" and each time I got better. I have to work on these because they teach me my "recall, refind". I need to be able to find a person, then automatically go back to mom and let her know I found someone, then show her where they are. Right now I don't come back to her without her calling me so that's the first step. I still practice my regular searches with mom and dad, but with the team, I'll be doing the runaways and other recall exercises cause I need to do them without even thinking about it. I had lots of fun doing that and can't wait til next month when I get to particiate in the entire training session!

Other than that, we didn't do much. Mom has been really busy with making her jellies and getting ready to bake for the holidays that I just relax in my crate (not that mom puts me there, it's just where I like to chill) and it's beside the kitchen so I can watch mom too.

I think we're going to Manor Care tomorrow night. We were suppose to go Sunday, but mom's back hurt and she got a headache so we just watched TV. Hopefully I get to see my friends so I can wish them a Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, I guess that's all for now. I'll let you know if something exciting happens. If I don't post before, I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!!! Don't eat too much:D BOL!

THANK YOU VETERANS

We just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all the veterans on this special day. I'm so glad they gave you your own day because you all deserve it! You sacrified so much to give people you don't even know the freedoms we have today. You spent time away from your families, fought battles and saw things that people should never have to see, been hurt in the line of duty, or gave your lives for our country. Know that our family is thinking of you and praying that your lives will be fulfilled because you deserve it and more. Your service will never be forgotten.

Alotta nuttin goin on

It was a pretty boring weekend. Friday mom and dad were home, but we didn't do anything except play with the frisbee a little.

Saturday mom and dad were gone most of the day. They went to a pet first aid class so they can take care of us if there's an emergency until we can get to the vet. I guess that is a good thing they went, especially with my health issues and bad luck. Then mom bought dad a helicopter lesson as an anniversary gift. I got to see the video of dad flying the helicopter and it was really cool. I wish I could have flown with them.

Today mom and dad were gone a few hours. They went to Cabela's. That's the place I dock dived once. Mom went and bought most of the stuff she needed for search and rescue that we didn't have. I think we're almost all equipped. Now I just have to keep on training and hope to get certified soon! When they got back, I had to stay home with dad and watch football and mom took Chloe somewhere. When she came back I knew exactly where she was.... THE BARN!! I wasn't happy that she got to go and I didn't. But mom told me that last time I got to go and she didn't so it was only fair. I know she's right but that doesn't mean I have to like it. But I will say that mom kept her word about being fair and I got to go visit at Country Meadows since sissy got to go to the barn. I visited a lot of rooms this time and everyone was really nice. My friend Jack was said though. His best friend Lacey (a little poodle) passed away last week. I was sad for him and did my best to cheer him up. Mom said she'll be sure to always visit with Jack so he doesn't miss his Lacey so much.

Now I'm home and ready for a nap. Doing nothing makes a dog tired. I hope everyone had a good weekend and I'll drop a line when something exciting happens.

Agility

Before I start, just want everyone to know that mom finally got some new photos loaded so check them out!

I like that agility stuff! Mom took me and Chloe Thursday night and I had a great time:) I got to get on and off a box, walk across a plank, go over a bar on the floor, walk over a ladder and the bestest part was going through the tunnel! I really, really liked that a lot and I was all wound up and had a hard time paying attention to mom after that cause all I wanted to do was play in the tunnel. Fortunately that was the last exercise we did.

Poor mom was tired out though working both of us, constently in and out of the crate. She said that dad or grandma have to come cause she can't handle both of us like that. It's not fair cause we don't get all the time we should. I'm soooo much looking forward to next week. I'll tell you all about the fun stuff I do each week. There was so much cool stuff there that we didn't try and I know it's all gonna be fun!!:D