MAD dog in the house!

Wow, have we ever had a big month! After that horrible human holiday with all them booms, Momma packed us up in the car, and we rode all day.
We went to this really cool place called 4 Paws Kingdom. We slept in a cabin, and they had all these different dog parks where we didn't have to wear leashes, and each one had different things to smell and do: ponds and streams and woods, and even an agility field. Mom promises we're going back when we can stay longer.
After three days, we got in the car again, and went to see our former foster brother Reece and his family. Going to visit Reece's pawrents is nothing like going to Nanna's - we got to get on whatever furniture we wanted, and Reece's pawrents gave us lots of pats and rubs and said how good we were.
While we were there, we did agility, too. The first two days, we had a lot of fun, but I didn't get (what according to Mom) were easy Gambles, I mean, why do two jumps away from your Mom when you can just do a tunnel?
The third day Momma said the Gamble was hard. She seemed sad and said "No MAD this weekend". Well, we got out there and had a look, and it was just what we work on at home all the time: straight into the weaves while Momma stays put. I did it, and I looked back and Mommma was standing there looking shocked. I started back to her and she yelled "OUT, OUT, OUT" so I looked and there was one more jump out there, so I sailed over it, and Momma screamed so loud they probably heard her back in Nashville. Next thing I know, she's walking around with a ribbon taller than me, calling me a MAD dog.
I guess three days was enough 'gility for her, 'cause the next day we went out on the boat instead. Momma made us wear life jackets, and it felt funny. Reece loves to swim, but I tried it and decided it wasn't for me.
The day after that, we drove back to Nashville.
Momma went back to going to work like always. Diamond the twerp and Dubby got adopted. It's been hot, hot, hot. We've been wearing t-shirts with Miss Anna's stickers on them when going to the park and on walks, so that Miss Anna can keep being our Metro Council person - Momma says it's real important. Momma says she found us a team for Nationals and one of the humans has a Schnauzer, though it's her other dog that's going to be my teammate.
Well, off to do my 'gility practice - we had a boom storm yesterday, and it's not quite as hot today.

Bark atcha later,

Raoudi

We did it!

We had a 'gility trial this weekend, and Momma signed me up for Dog Agility Masters (DAM, but Momma says it's not a bad word)team. She didn't choose who she wanted us to run with, but our friend Marianne put us with two other good people and dogs: our buddy Z who we got a Pairs leg with and a pretty red border collie named Trendi from Florida.
There were 5 runs to do for it. Z's Mom Miss Terry and Trendi's mom Neta were super nice to Mom and kept her from being nervous, which she says helped a whole lot.
Momma says we didn't do anything fantastic, but we didn't totally bomb on any one thing either. Z and his Mom were awesome, and ended up being the #1 individuals in the whole thing. Trendi and her Mom had some problems on some stuff, but they did a lot better than we did on others. Mom and I ended up being the #3 individuals out of 15. Our team got 4th place, and we got the qualifying score (Q)we needed.
Momma says not only did we need that for my Champion title, but with my two Steeplechase Q's this year, we now get to go to Nationals!
So, I got steak for treats, and got to make Momma all happy and excited. Apparently the Nationals thing is several days long, and it's not until October, so we get to do agility at home a who bunch and go to classes with a new teacher until then. That's better to me than that silly pin Momma's so excited about, but she's wearing it like it's the bestest piece of jewelry she ever got.
I still didn't get my Gamblers leg for my MAD title, and Rocke didn't get the Standard leg he needed for his, but Momma says we're gonna go see Reece and his Mom next month, and maybe we'll get it them then.

Raoudi

Goin' fur it: USDAA Nationals

As long as Rocke and Mom have been doing 'gility, the USDAA Nationals have been in Arazon.. Aireezo - oh, however you spell it, a long way away. Then last year they were in Kintucky, and Momma didn't try for us to go. Well, I showed her what I thought of that by knockin her socks off the very next week, gettin my 3rd Super Q and my Snooker Master title on my 6th barkday.
Aunt Kip said "Oh, My GOD, you're going to put an ADCh on that dog!" and it got Momma to thinkin, and she told me "If we try, the worst that can happen is we fail, right, baby?" I batted my eyes, and next thing I knew, she and Aunt Kip were makin plans.
So far, we've been one place we never went before, (North Carlona to see Reece and do 'gility there)and I think she's plannin on some others, some place called George-uh. We went there one other time but the people weren't very nice and we haven't been since, bute gonna give it another shot.
I need just one stinkin Gamblers Q for my MAD (Masters title), but I hate-hate-hate to be that far away from Mom on the course.
So, we have another competition in two weeks. Wish me luck. I think Mom said the D dogs might even come to the Nationals if we go, so wish us all luck!

It shoulda been me

Today after 'gility, Momma took us to the park for Earth Day. There were lotsa people who petted us and called us pretty, and lotsa kids dropping kettle corn for us to be helpful and clean up after. I mean, it's Earth Day, we don't want litter in the park, right?.
There was a place selling vegan dog treats, and they had a speed eating contest to sign up for to win a years worth of their treats. So, Mom signed us up. Then we walked around more. We got to taste a gyro and stuffed grape leaves, too,and flirt with lotsa people. Rocke jumped down off a swing and bumped his chin but he was ok.
Then we went back for the contest. Turns out it was the *humans* who had to eat the dog treats. Momma's eyes got kinda big, but Rocke and I jumped up and down "Please, please, please" so she said she'd try. The other contestants were skinny young girls who, well, they both looked like the dog treats being vegan would be important to them. Momma's figure says "I can down a fast food meal and make two phone calls during a 5 mile trip between clients' homes", BOL. (Love ya, Mom, really).
The owner handed Momma and the two girls a dog bowl with 5 treats in it and a bottle of water, counted 1, 2, 3 and they all started munching. Momma looked like she gagged a couple of times and laughed so hard she nearly spit some out, but we cheered her on. I'm proud to say she beat the two skinny girls by an entire cookie. The two girls then gave their remaining cookies to Rocke and me, and we showed them that speed eating is a family skill. The first cookies arrive in the mail next week. Momma said for us not to worry about her eating any more of them, and muttered that if that didn't prove she'd do anything for us, nothing would. Pawsonally, I think they're delicious. Thanks, Mom, but they shoulda let me, the Joey Chestnut of Schnauzerdom, be in the contest - I coulda eaten 50 of those cookies in the time it took Momma to just eat 5.

Oh, hail!

Last night it was all dark and blustery outside when Momma got home. By the time we ate, it was thunderin.

Momma had to go back outside to get something outta the car in the garage, but I was afraid she was going for walksies or a ride without us. She told me "stay", but she didn't close the door tight, and the wind sucked it open, and I ran to the door of the garage. Rocke hates thunder, so he stayed like he was told. CHICKEN!

Then somethin wild happened - was standin at the door outside the garage, and I felt something hit my back . I looked but didn't see anyone to be throwin stuff, then it happened again! Then there were a whole bunch of things little things hittin me on the back, and they were cold and they stung. I heard um clatterin on the tin roof of the back porch, too, and I could see um bouncin around in the yard. I hunkered down at the door and tucked my tail.

Then Momma opened the garage door, and I dashed in between her legs. Momma said "Oh, it's hail!" First I thought she said a different word, and I would've agreed with it , too!

Momma looked me over and said "You're ok, now get your tail out of your butt. If you'd stayed this wouldn't have happened."

What? Somebody's throwin cold little rocks at me and I get *no sympathy*??? No kuduos for the faithfull little Schnauzer who braved a stoning to be with his Momma?

Momma opened the door and I could see that the little rocks were fallin outta the sky. One of of bounced inside, and when I sniffed it, I saw that it was ice!

Then it started rainin, and pretty soon there was no more ice fallin and Momma and I ran to the back door, where Rocke was standin and lookin worried. Momma showed him the little piece of ice she had picked up, and he ate it!

Momma toweled me off and turned on the TV to see if there was anybody sayin "Go to the basement" but there wasn't. We didn't go for walksies, even after it stopped rainin. I'd have liked to see if there were any red robins that got knocked silly by the hail that I coulda caught.

Red Robin?

When we were in Alabama I kept seeing this commercial were somebody sang "Red Robin" and somebody else said "Yummmm". One was a lady and a fussy baby and the other was a hiker and a bigfoot. So, out on our walk I saw a red robin in the neighbors yard and thought I'd try one for myself. I mean, if a cranky baby likes 'um and bigfoot likes 'um so much they're advertising on tv, they must be pretty tasty, right?
Well, Momma was tellin me to "come on" and Rocke was pullin forward - they didn't even see it. Then we stopped at another yard and Rocke was poopin' and Momma was gettin the baggy ready to pick up the poop, and there was a red robin - it was tauntin me, I tell ya! I made a lunge for it and Momma slipped and almost stepped in Rocke's poo. She said "Oh, good greif, Raoudi, you'll never catch a bird". What's the deal? She's usually so positive and supportive.
Well, I know Bo caught a bird one time, and I think he or Annie did other times too, 'cause we'd find feathers everywhere and no bird.
Momma's always said Rocke and I have no prey drive. Humpf! Let her think that. I just have to figure out how to get a robin to land in my yard inside the fence when Momma and the others aren't there to scare it off.

Super Q #2!

We went to Cullman, AL to do agility this weekend.

Yesterday I did my offside weaves really good and Momma was so-so-so proud. Unfortunately some other stuff went wrong, so I didn't get my Gamblers or my Standard leg. I crashed into a bar and fell in Standard - scared Momma cause it happened when she was looking the other way, and she looked back and the bars and I were all on the ground, but I hopped right back up. Momma was crushed about the Gamblers, cause she could have done it another way that would have been better, and I was THISCLOSE to getting it - just .7 second over time and I actually did the gamble.
Then we did something we never did before. It's called the Steeplechase, and if you do good at it you can win a little money a even maybe go to The Nationals. Well, Rocke and I both qualified, and got to move on to round two of it the next day.

Today I didn't do the weaves so good in Standard, and Gamblers had a teeter in the gamble - I refuse to do a teeter without Mom right there with me - and so does Rocke. I did Snooker and did a good job and Momma was happy, but we had to run to the other ring to do Round 2 of Steeplechase, so we didn't see what SOnic the superfast poodle did. Sonic weaves like you wouldn''t believe, and his Momma is lean and athletic, unlike ours. Momma managed to mess both of us up on Steeplechase Round 2- even she admits it was all her fault. No matter, we had already got a Q we needed for out titles anyhow, and if we can do it one more time we can go to Nationals, Mom thinks.

But when we went to get my ribbon for Snooker, the sticker for the ribbon said SuperQ, and Momma went berzerkers. She'd run a hard course with me to get as many points as we could, and we knew we had a lot of points, but what we didn't know was everyone else had less - the either didn't try for as many in the opening as we did or they messed up, even superfast Sonic the poodle.

Momma's so proud of me doing weaves so well, she says she may let me do the Dog Agility Masters Team competition next trial we go to - before she was too afraid we'd mess our teammates up. If you do real well on that you can also go to Natioanls, and they're in Kentucky instead of all the way out in Arizona this year - so we could actually drive there.

So, who alls gonna come to Kentucky and see me if I get to go?

Why can't we trade fosters, Mom?

Klaus the louse has torn up our Hedgie-hog and our Ginormous Octopus. Every morning he grabs a toy and runs out with it and leaves it in the yard, and he's always bugging me. I usually like our fosters, but Klaus is such a twerp.

Princess is ok - she doesn't bother us, but Mom gets mad cause she chews up stuff. I mean, she's 11 or so, but she chewed the cord off Mom's new CD player and the dog bed heater just like she was 11 months old instead of 11 years.

Old Man Hardy just kinda wanders around and sleeps. Mom groomed him and his hair is so thin he's practically bald. He asked for my food and I was giving him some cause I feels sorry for him. Momma cries cause he looks like Bo a little, and he's a good old guy, and she wonders if anybody ever loved him, and now he's so old and arthritic that he'll never get 'dopted. Momma said I was sweet to share my food, but I''m getting too thin.

So, yesterday Momma goes out early. She says she has to go to the place we got Klaus the louse and pick up another Schnauzer. I'm thinking "Darn, not again. Not another one like him" but when she gets here, he's nothing like Klaus - he's actually pretty cool. I asked him his name and he said "I. Dunno." Funny name, but he's nice and he liked to play with me.

Momma says he just got neutered, but he has to have a very careful bath and a haircut. She told us not to be rough cause he had stitches.
So, she gives I. Dunno a bath and a blow dry and a haircut, then does the same with Hardy. I. Dunno actually looks a lot better. Poor old Hardy just looks if anything more pitiful.

Then she makes a call, and puts me and Rocke and I. Dunno in the car. We stop, and she gets out with I. Dunno and gives him to a nice lady. She says he's gettin fostered by Miss Samantha, and we're goin on to practice 'gility.

Why? Why? Why? Why couldn't we give Klaus to Miss Samantha and let I. Dunno stay here? Momma says Klaus is just about to get adopted. So? I. Dunno coulda stayed a while and Miss Samantha could kept Klaus the last few days. Right?

Nanner, nanner, nanner!

When Momma served up dinner tonight, she had to scrape the bottom of the barrel.
So after we inhaled, um, I mean ate, she loaded me and Rocke in the car to go to Nashville Pet Products.

Momma's lunch bag was on the seat, but she didn't notice, cause it was like only 20 minutes until the store closed. I looked inside, and JACKPOT! An entire banana!

I knew I didn't have much time, cause it's a real short ride. When we got there I was still munchin. She said "What have you got?" and pried my jaws open for a look, but then all she said was "Oh, good greif".

I gulped the last bite while she put or leashes on. Miss Becky, who works there came out to hold the door open for us, and Mom told her what I did. "Did he eat the peel, too?" Momma said she couldn't find it.

We got a big bag of food, and Miss Becky gave us treats for dancin', then we came home. Momma says she hopes she can work tomorrow and Friday, but if it does snow, at least we won't be hungry.

Momma says she hopes so much banana doesn't plug me up. So do I, but it sure was delicious.

Another new kid in town

Saturday we went to the shelter, and Momma said we were gettin' a new foster. Well, she couldn't bring him home 'cause he had to get nootered. She was 'sposed to get him yesterday, but she couldn't get away from work and nobody else could pick him up way down in Murfreesboro. This mornin she got up super early and got him before she went to work. She had to just get him home and pop him in a crate and go back out to work.

Tonight when she got home she told him he had to have a bath, just nootered or not 'cause he was just too stinky. She plucked his earsies, too and clipped him nails with the clicky thing that makes Rocke hide when he hears it.

We think he's just a baby. The shelter said he was two, but he was a stray so they just guessed. Momma says he acts and sounds like too much of a baby to be two. His hairs real wirey, but Momma thinks maybe he's never even had a haircut before and it's puppy fur.
He's a nice enough little guy. We were glad it was him getting the bath and not us, but I 'spect our time's comin'.

Anyways, his name Klaus. Momma wanted a Christmasy name and Auntie Leigh Ann said name him after a rock star, so Momma remembered Klaus Meine from The Scorpions which fit both - there was a Rudolph in that band, too, but Momma said she was 'fraid if she started with reindeer names she'd end up getting a Donner and Blitzen and Dasher and Dancer to go with him. Momma says she doesn't recall a year she hasn't had her holiday plans rearranged to get a Schnauzer in need - seems the time off from work gives people time to go drop the poor pup at a shelter before they go to grandma's house.