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Likes: Dinner, playing with Parker and Bear, chasing things, playing tuggie, running, obedience class, canine freestyle class, agility
Pet-Peeves: dogs that just run right up to her, strangers, going to the vet, getting her nails trimmed, thunder and lightning
Favorite Toy: The Cuz, Occi, the Wubba
Favorite Food: Anything raw. ;-) She also likes Wellness Pure Rewards, and apples
Favorite Walk: Riverfront Park, Lake Elmo, Erie Canal, Onondaga Lake Park, Cove Island
Best Tricks: Shake, hi-five, speak, spinning, jumping over my leg, playing dead, weaves, sitting pretty
Arrival Story: Since I had moved out of my parents' house and had a decent job, I decided it was finally time for me to get a dog. I'd never had one before and had been waiting for YEARS. I started looking online and found her on Petfinder. She sounded like exactly what I was looking for. I went through a bit of disappointment first. I was told she was no longer there, just to find out within hours that she WAS available (Fate?). I drove 3 hours to meet her. When she was running around in the outdoor enclosure, she kept stumbling in the same gopher hole. I told her that she was such a goof, she had to come home with me! She was 36 lbs, skinny, and shy when I took her home on July 15, 2006. Now she's a healthy 42 lbs and still a bit reserved in new situations and with new people/dogs. We've come a long way but we've still got quite a ways to go!
Bio: I honestly have no idea what type of mix Risa is. The shelter had her listed as a Border collie x. I've gotten all sorts of guesses from Great Dane to coyote mix. Feel free to join in the guessing game! I'm still trying to figure her mix out! Border collie/sighthound seems fairly probable.
Forums Motto: Grinny Girl Dogster Local Spots I've Marked: Caring Hands Veterinary Hosp, Best Friends Animal Hospital, Animal Lodge, Lovable Pets Bakery and Boutique, Circle of Life Animal Wellness Center The Groups I'm In: Canine Good Citizens and Neighbors Group (US, Concerned Owners for Vaccination Education, DAA: Dogsters with Aggression, Dance your Paws Off, Dog Sports - Agility, Holistixperience!, Million Dog March, Nerdster, Pet Photography, Raw Fed, The Whomping Willow
The Last Forum I Posted In: Please help find a lost dog
Name Origin: Risa is short for the Spanish word 'sonrisa' that means 'smile.' 'Risa' is also the Spanish word for 'laughter.'
It seems Mom and I are just not going to take a break this month. That's fine with me. I'm having a blast keeping busy!
Today I met up with my friend, Shayne, again. We spent some time walking together and working together. Mom put me through my paces today! Lots of work around distractions and proofing my behaviors. My brain was tired! I also got to play in the water with Shayne and we spent time dunking our heads in the water to get shells.
I think I walked about 5 miles today, played in the water, and worked my brain. I am BEAT!! I don't think I've been this tired in a long time. It feels so good though. I really enjoyed hanging out with my new friend. :D
Whew! I think I am finally recovered enough to write about my weekend now.
We had a visitor this weekend. A very handsome, studly German shepherd. He was a bit intimidating because he liked to bark at me. Mom says he really likes other dogs just that he comes on a bit strong. I trust Mom's judgment but he still sort of scared me.
Mom played musical canines with the two of us here. When I was out, he was kenneled. When he was out, I was kenneled. He is a goofy boy and Mom said he reminded her a lot of me. Which is a good thing, I think!
Saturday we all loaded up into the car for a road trip. We arrived at a nice park where we met up with one of my favorite people and some of her dogs! I was so happy to see her I forgot all my manners and bounced on her and licked her. She didn't care and gave me lots of loving.
I got to hang out with her dogs which was great. It gave me a chance to get out of the car and stretch. I met with Tika and Chimo, the seniors. I'm still a bit nervous around them, like I am with all dogs, but I felt pretty comfortable hanging around with them. Comfortable enough to maintain my down/stay while Mom and her friend photographed us! Mom was so proud of me--she said this is a huge step for me.
Of course, I also got to play with the puppy, Jethro! I love that lil dog. Well, he's not quite so little anymore. He's actually bigger than me now. I did a big play bow to him when I saw him. We did some sniffing and he tried to get me to play a bit. I found a really good sniff and we enjoyed inhaling that odor together.
Our friends had to leave sooner than we liked but Mom and I had to get on the road again too. But we didn't head home. We went to a hotel! This is the first time I'd ever been in a hotel with just Mom. There were two beds and I claimed one all for myself. Mom was a bit upset with me because I preferred laying in the bed alone rather than joining her in her bed. We hit the hay early because we were both exhausted and had to get an early start the next day.
Sunday morning we were back in the car and on the road again. Turns out Mom had signed us up for another seminar! This one was definitely up my alley: "Scaredy Dog!" Mom did most of the work in the morning but she did come up to check on me once in a while. I got to meet two new people and that was really cool. I am sometimes reserved with meeting new friends but I felt pretty comfortable with these guys and opened up. I think they liked me too.
In the afternoon, I got a chance to work. I was a bit nervous because I was in a new place and I didn't listen to Mom when she asked me to do some things. I know Mom was a bit disappointed that I was having so much trouble concentrating even though she also understands why. The second part of the afternoon session went much better, though. It was much more like what we practice every day! I did get a bit scared when we passed the large crowd of people but I trusted Mom to keep me safe and refocused on her easy.
After another long day, it was time to get back on the road again. This time, however, we were headed home! Mom stopped at McDonald's on the way and I got to have some fries again. I love them so much, ha ha. I passed out on the couch after dinner and even let Mom cuddle and pet me. I was just too tired to care.
Mom and I slept a LONG time on Monday--like 11 hours. We were BEAT. Even though the weekend was long and a bit stressful, it was so much fun!
Today, my ribbon for my 1st leg in WCFO Freestyle arrived in the mail. I'm so excited. I just need to get one more qualifying score to get my 2nd leg and my Beginners title in WCFO Freestyle!
I also got a chance to do a freestyle demo again. It's been 2 years since the last one. I was pretty distracted during it as there were tons of smells in the grass and a LOT going on. I tried my best, however, and Mom was still pleased with me. Especially because I was on my best behavior all day. She said most people wouldn't have realized I was a scaredy wuss dog if they saw me. That makes me happy. . .but I think Mom is even happier. :) Mom is very proud of me today.
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