tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64583180986254476862024-03-14T00:29:01.052-04:00Good Dog BlogThis blog is inspired by Buddy -- who, in our 13 years together, through hurricanes and intercontinental moves, taught me more than I could have imagined.BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-84508388679834163672010-10-27T20:36:00.000-04:002010-10-27T20:36:50.146-04:00Nap TimeJust had to post this wondrous photo of not one, but TWO Border Collies sleeping peacefully on the same bed. Now if I could just win the lottery....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/TMjFXIUJ0fI/AAAAAAAAAXA/O2DO6jme8go/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/TMjFXIUJ0fI/AAAAAAAAAXA/O2DO6jme8go/s320/IMG_0224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-68513591566257676272010-09-01T20:44:00.000-04:002010-09-01T20:44:33.053-04:00Back in the Saddle, Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/TH7xVIXyz9I/AAAAAAAAAWk/4U3lJDP_zAg/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/TH7xVIXyz9I/AAAAAAAAAWk/4U3lJDP_zAg/s320/IMG_0033.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Here we are! After settling in this summer in the new country house, we're beginning to get back on track in terms of agility training and outings in Ontario. Chip seems to have whipped the whipworms, but not without some difficulty. Anyone ever seen explosive doggie diarrhea? Wow. We finally had his DNA tested by the nice folks at Washington State University (see <a href="http://www.awca.net/drug.htm)">http://www.awca.net/drug.htm)</a> for the gene mutation that would keep him from taking the ivermectin he needed. Turns out he doesn't have the mutation, so he's on Sentinel now and we're hoping whipworms are a thing of the past!<br />
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We took Chip swimming this morning at a nearby provincial park -- here are the pics. He's not been swimming very often but really seems to love it! We'll be doing this more often...<br />
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Note the photo with the dog-mom happily wading in the water with Chip. Guess who forgot her iPhone was in that side pocket? D'oh!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/TH7yQkG_btI/AAAAAAAAAWs/f6MCE-9eTwI/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/TH7yQkG_btI/AAAAAAAAAWs/f6MCE-9eTwI/s320/IMG_0031.JPG" /></a></div>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-60978068520426342852010-07-15T19:48:00.000-04:002010-07-15T19:48:36.373-04:00Agility & Whipworm!Summer agility training has been going great! Birgit has a new camera, so she will be taking some new photos to post. Here's one of Chip taking a breather from training. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/TD-daDHPS5I/AAAAAAAAAUA/7Uk1vXLMYxg/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/TD-daDHPS5I/AAAAAAAAAUA/7Uk1vXLMYxg/s320/IMG_0134.JPG" /></a></div>Unfortunately, Chip has also contracted a pretty nasty case of whipworm. They are very difficult to get rid of, as we're finding, and cause Chip to have bouts of violent diarrhea. He is on medication, so hopefully we will get them under control soon.BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-89139156769037507832010-05-07T20:49:00.000-04:002010-05-07T20:49:32.277-04:00New SeasonTomorrow we start agility training outside again -- yay! It will be a private lesson, just me and Chip and Erin. So Chip will have no reason to go bee-zerk at other dogs as they run the course.<br />
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The last few weeks, it's become more and more clear that Chip is doing great and that I need remedial training. I just can't get myself to react quickly enough, or to remember which jump comes first, or to give Chip the signals he needs when he needs them. So... we may try a few sessions of me without Chip, just learning how to walk a course and think more strategically about what I need to do.<br />
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We move to the new house next week -- yay again! -- and Chip and Max will have a new big yard to patrol. Can't wait!BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-14729065742032506372010-03-28T18:46:00.001-04:002010-09-01T21:08:24.019-04:00We're Baaccckk...Thanks to Addie, Lucie, and Hailey for the gentle nudge to get back to the blog!<br />
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We decided back in January to put our house on the market. The idea was to get out of the city and find a detached or "free standing" house (i.e. not a semi-detached like our current house) with a big yard for the dogs. So this winter/spring has been one big house selling/buying project. We've sold our house and are in the process of buying a 150+ year-old house in a small village in semi-rural Ontario. The lot is a bit less than 1/2 acre and will be much bigger than what the dogs have now.<br />
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We've started back to agility and have moved up to the "beginner+" class (intermediate?). Chip has decided to go into orbit when the other two dogs take their turns running the course -- he barks at them like crazy, and I'm hoping that he somehow gets over this behavior soon. I don't have a current agility photo, but here's one of Chip napping on his bed after training....<br />
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"Picking up" reminds me of a small business in Denver in the mid-80s, when I lived there: Poop Van Scoop. They would come to your backyard a couple of times a week and pick up dog poop. I never subscribed to the service, but I liked their ads:<br />
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"Poop Van Scoop -- We pick up where your dog left off!"<br />
"Poop Van Scoop -- We handle gross encounters of the turd kind!"<br />
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Funny what sticks in your mind over the years. And what doesn't (like my phone number).<br />
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Chip wants to see what the heck I'm typing...BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-17031351742685542082009-11-30T16:04:00.000-05:002009-11-30T16:04:55.098-05:00Acting OutIt's been an interesting few weeks. Chip is doing pretty well in agility -- I seem to be the weak link. If I could only manage to stand up straight as we are going from apparatus to apparatus... I have this compulsion to bend over, like having my face closer to his is going to help in some way. I'm seriously thinking about putting duct tape down my back for the next class. Maybe pain is the answer! <br />
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The real news is Chip's new-found desire to chew on things that are not his toys. This includes my violin rosin, my memory foam pillow, and my sock. He has never done this type of stuff before... what is going on between those (big) ears?<br />
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</div>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-48070923245890342462009-11-02T16:02:00.000-05:002009-11-02T16:02:00.321-05:00Scholars in CollarsYes, Scholars in Collars in Burlington, Ontario, is the new location for Chip's agility class. Now we have two classmates who are also being taught by Erin. We really had fun yesterday at the first class. Birgit says that she will try to come next week and take some non-flash photos for the blog.<br />
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We did have one little mishap.... Chip and I arrived for the class early, so I was trying to entertain him with his frisbee before class. Somehow, he and I lunged for the frisbee at the same time, and his teeth collided with my chin. A centimeter-long cut and plenty of blood resulted. I now look like I've been in a bar brawl. The bad thing is... I keep forgetting to tell people why I have it, and they are too polite to ask!BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-61574972505424428042009-10-25T14:09:00.001-04:002009-10-25T14:11:11.520-04:00Fall Colors (or Colours)We finally got some sunshine today and raced out of the city to take advantage of it. Erin (our agility trainer) had suggested we try a hike at Mt. Nemo. It was beautiful! Now if I could only get Chip to stop pulling on the leash... Going uphill is nice, but when he pulls me downhill, things get a little scary.<br />
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</div>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-18378481015788959492009-10-19T10:30:00.002-04:002009-10-19T11:23:56.257-04:00More Agility!We went to another agility session at Erin's yesterday (see more about Erin, her dogs, and her agility training at <a href="http://artof dog.wobbley.com">www.artofdog.weebly.com</a>). What a great time! I can't wait for our class with Erin to start in November.<div><br /></div><div>Here's a little slideshow I made, starting with some puppy pics, then our first agility session with Erin this summer, followed by the autumn session yesterday. The music is by William Coulter & Barry Phillips, so turn on your speakers! :-)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxs8osqXWv66Q5llTkDBbB1hBBr83LmKxULkfcjoczOCPIpmJXc2UXwIJM2sXv25SHXE-bmnia075UZEYOs3A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-19104533250837344892009-10-12T11:03:00.002-04:002009-10-12T11:09:43.553-04:00Happy Thanksgiving?Yes, it's Thanksgiving in Canada... in October. There are pumpkins everywhere. We're going to a colleague's house tonight for Thanksgiving dinner. Then we'll have U.S. Thanksgiving in November. Mmmm. 'Tis the season for significant weight gain.<div><br /></div><div>Chip and I just returned from a long walk to the lake and back. The last time we were at the beach, I let him off the leash and he took off into the water like a ship going out to sea. The waves were coming in over his head -- we were afraid he would sink! Birgit finally caught up with him and went into the water after him. Today, I let him go in the water but held firmly to the other end of the leash. Until he has better recall (which seems like NEVER), no more free swims. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, I did throw a stick into the lake, close to shore, and he retrieved it. Maybe if he focuses on retrieving something, he won't go so far out into the water. The nice thing is that he LOVES the water and really seems to enjoy swimming -- not just wading.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next Sunday is another agility session with Erin -- can't wait!</div>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-70648613047106361302009-10-05T18:55:00.007-04:002009-10-05T19:12:36.317-04:00Fall ArrivesThe air is crisp, the leaves are turning, and I have a new goal of posting here at least once a week!<div><br /></div><div>Chip is now 21 kg (46 pounds), but Birgit and I keep asking each other if he has grown. Apparently so, but to us he still seems so small. He is as tall as Max, though, and built like a little tank.</div><div><br /></div><div>We've been visiting Erin for some agility training, and Chip LOVES it! I am thrilled... he actually seems to smile when he's running around, flying over the jumps. We've found out that he seems much more motivated by his frisbee than by treats, too. Now if only I can manage to move fast enough out there...</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a photo of Chip napping on my PJs after we returned yesterday from our agility lesson.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Ssp7vXNUYSI/AAAAAAAAARM/pk92KEyjURc/s320/Photo-0049.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389255957716164898" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sure Max is only napping in solidarity...</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Ssp8DxNAhhI/AAAAAAAAARU/J2mKDma5v5I/s320/Photo-0050.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389256308291569170" />BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-89193172802152688422009-08-20T18:09:00.003-04:002009-08-20T18:24:05.226-04:00On the Road Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/So3Lr_b8U2I/AAAAAAAAAOY/zFDywjv1BZY/s1600-h/bppv2.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 291px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/So3Lr_b8U2I/AAAAAAAAAOY/zFDywjv1BZY/s320/bppv2.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372173887146316642" /></a><br />I drove to work today! Yay! I never thought I'd be so glad to go to work. This whole experience has made me much more appreciative of what I am (usually) able to do and my life in general. I think I'll be much more sympathetic the next time a colleague is sick. More than three weeks of being stuck and home, unable to even read anything, has really made an impression. Birgit, Chip, and Max have been such troopers through all this BPPV business. When I was really sick and in bed, Chip kept bringing his toys to my bed and asking me to play. He would finally give up and either go to Birgit or lay down next to my bed.<div><br /></div><div>I still get a little wobbly now and then and am still taking motion sickness medication (Gravol) at night, but things are so much better than they were three weeks ago! And Chip is signed up for an obedience class that starts in mid-September, so hopefully we'll be able to get everything back on track by then.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a picture of BPPV from www.earsoftexas.com. The loose particles are the culprits! They send the wrong signals to the brain about your position, and you become sooo dizzy and nauseated as a result. Yuck!</div>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-21113265870541373302009-08-08T14:28:00.002-04:002009-08-08T14:40:36.735-04:00BPPV<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Sn3GmExd4jI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/3dWr6zeximA/s1600-h/Photo-0029.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Sn3GmExd4jI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/3dWr6zeximA/s320/Photo-0029.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367664688314049074" /></a><br />Well, our training has certainly hit a speed bump. I've developed BPPV -- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. It is an inner ear disorder that results in dizziness and nausea. After experiencing these symptoms for about 10 days, I landed in the ER. Poor Birgit had to take me and stay with me for the 16-hour ordeal. Now, all I can do is sit at home and wait for the symptoms to dissipate. I do have an appointment with a specialist on Monday and am hoping he can help.<div><br /></div><div>Needless to say, this has put quite a kink in our training plans. Birgit has been great about taking Chip for walks and playing ball with him. I'm hoping that we're back to training in a few weeks. In the meantime, here's a new photo of Chip and Max in the backyard.</div>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-39722372615242931002009-07-24T20:59:00.003-04:002009-07-25T19:20:53.268-04:00Summer Bed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/SmpaY-n2TzI/AAAAAAAAANs/-LDbEhjlEXQ/s1600-h/Photo-0028.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/SmpaY-n2TzI/AAAAAAAAANs/-LDbEhjlEXQ/s320/Photo-0028.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362197691511492402" /></a>We've been trying to keep the windows upstairs open and the air conditioner off this summer -- not difficult, since Toronto has been so cool and rainy this summer so far. But Chip seems to get pretty hot during the night, so I starting thinking about ways to help keep him cool. There are some "cooling" beds on the market, but I was afraid he would rip them open and eat anything that was in them to keep them cool.<div><br /></div><div>Our shower upstairs is made of natural stone, and Chip started slipping into the bathroom when we weren't looking. We found him a few times sprawled out on the cool stone, which gave me an idea. I went to the home renovation store, Rona, and bought eight 12" x 12" polished granite tiles and laid them out on plywood next to my bed. Chip loves sleeping on them! They are nice and cool and smooth, and don't seem to move around on the plywood. He's happy -- and I'm happy!</div>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-5192745961602958822009-07-20T21:08:00.001-04:002009-07-20T21:12:28.582-04:00Haiku!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/SmUV85QGbqI/AAAAAAAAANk/mtLCYf8UEj8/s1600-h/06-04-09_1302.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/SmUV85QGbqI/AAAAAAAAANk/mtLCYf8UEj8/s320/06-04-09_1302.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360715067359129250" /></a><br />A sudden thumping.<div>Chip wags his tail in his sleep.</div><div>In the dark, I smile.</div>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-19386335425458943692009-07-06T18:15:00.004-04:002009-07-06T18:25:25.404-04:00Practical LivingThis weekend, Chip and I started yet another class: Practical Living. There are only three other dogs in the class and the instructor is our favorite, so I'm hoping for great things. Puppy Kindergarten and Puppy Gymboree (agility) classes went well, but now Chip is big enough (36 pounds as of last Friday) that his pulling on the leash is about to dislocate my shoulder! I'm hoping that the Practical Living class -- which focuses on things like loose leash walking and how to stop dogs from jumping up on people -- will be a big help.<div><br /></div><div>I was hoping to take Chip to the beach almost every day this summer, but with Toronto's garbage strike entering its third week, I'm afraid of what we might find down there -- especially in the form of chicken bones. So we'll stick close to home for the time being. And although we started the Family Dog class a few weeks ago, it just didn't work out. Twelve dogs and one instructor in a noisy, sound-reverberating hall is not a recipe for effective learning.</div><div><br /><div>After the six-week Practical Living, assuming we complete it successfully, we'll be able to sign up for a real agility class! Woo hoo!</div></div>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-60826027442609316822009-06-21T21:34:00.004-04:002009-06-21T21:43:10.548-04:00H2O!Finally -- some photos of Chip enjoying Lake Ontario!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Sj7gV3GSbJI/AAAAAAAAANU/qiuPXcMLIkk/s1600-h/IMG00094.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Sj7gV3GSbJI/AAAAAAAAANU/qiuPXcMLIkk/s320/IMG00094.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349960073534925970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Sj7gG1RcaII/AAAAAAAAANM/kfixHv_-cxg/s1600-h/IMG00092.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Sj7gG1RcaII/AAAAAAAAANM/kfixHv_-cxg/s320/IMG00092.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349959815346808962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Sj7g5XPZ_rI/AAAAAAAAANc/Gb8QnEwP7x0/s1600-h/IMG00100.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Sj7g5XPZ_rI/AAAAAAAAANc/Gb8QnEwP7x0/s320/IMG00100.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349960683458526898" border="0" /></a>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-32098499282379225292009-06-15T17:19:00.003-04:002009-06-15T17:24:54.169-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Sja7__MCzYI/AAAAAAAAANE/Q9IgSHEerz0/s1600-h/06-12-09_0834.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Sja7__MCzYI/AAAAAAAAANE/Q9IgSHEerz0/s320/06-12-09_0834.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347668315517144450" border="0" /></a><br />Oh my. The last few weeks have flown by. Birgit's mom and nephew from Germany were here for a two-week visit, and Chip has now finished Puppy Kindergarten and Puppy Gymboree (agility) at Who's Walking Who (www.whoswalkingwho.net). Chip did ok in agility, but he really cleaned up in kindergarten -- he took home the prize on the last day of class!<br /><br />Now Chip is in the six-week Family Dog class, and we have our work cut out for us. He knows the basics (sit, down, etc.) but getting him to do this stuff without being distracted is a trick. And the jumping up on people -- wow, he is sooooo excited when a person comes within paw's reach!<br /><br />He's had his last puppy shots, so we're free to go to the beach now. More photos soon from Lake Ontario!BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-62338736796079950822009-04-30T17:01:00.002-04:002009-04-30T17:05:20.694-04:00First Try!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/SfoSh3-S8HI/AAAAAAAAAMk/Vo5IgdtLlmQ/s1600-h/chip_agi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/SfoSh3-S8HI/AAAAAAAAAMk/Vo5IgdtLlmQ/s320/chip_agi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330593482116624498" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a new photo of me and Chip as he gives his first jump a try. We were waiting for puppy class to start, and saw that some jumps were set up in the field next to the facility. Well... we couldn't resist, and had to give one a try. Okay, so maybe he didn't make it, but look at the eye contact!<br /><br />We start Puppy Agility class in two weeks! Woo hoo!BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-391661648730035102009-04-21T21:17:00.004-04:002009-04-21T21:31:15.635-04:00A New Pack<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Se5ySXWUk1I/AAAAAAAAAMc/jT7l0wDuv8E/s1600-h/chiptheone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/Se5ySXWUk1I/AAAAAAAAAMc/jT7l0wDuv8E/s320/chiptheone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327321069056725842" border="0" /></a><br />So last week, I packed up the Subaru Outback with lots of granola bars and Buddy's big dog crate, and headed off for Beloit, Wisconsin. Made it in 12 hours without any major problems, other than taking a wrong turn south of Chicago and driving <span style="font-style: italic;">through</span> the city instead of around it as planned. The next day, Jackie and her daughter picked me up in their van along with Chip and his dad, Kohbayn, and we went directly to the vet to get Chip's health certificate. Then they gave me a wonderful tour of the farm -- Border Collies, sheep, goats, horses, ducks, rabbits... you name it!<br /><br />Chip and I headed out for DeWitt, Michigan the next day. The pup howled like a siren in the crate for at least 30 minutes. I drove with one hand on the wheel and the other hand over one ear. We spent the night in DeWitt and made it to Toronto the next day. At the border, the Canadian officials didn't want to see any of his health info -- just the sales receipt for Chip so they could calculate how much tax I would have to pay.<br /><br />So far, Chip and Max are getting along beautifully! Chip adores his new big brother, and Max is being very patient. Sometimes I think Chip sees me and Birgit as giant chew toys, but I'm told this phase will pass. Tomorrow, Chip and I go to our first puppy class at Dog Sports Centre. He is already a bruising 18 pounds @ 11 weeks old! But he is everything we had hoped for -- smart, attentive, fearless, curious, and clearly people-oriented.<br /><br />The photo was taken by Birgit today as Chip surveyed his new back yard from our deck.BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-58846549109791595482009-04-12T20:57:00.004-04:002009-04-12T21:06:19.987-04:00Wisconsin Bound<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/SeKO3GKDoRI/AAAAAAAAAMU/N-XGWdHNgow/s1600-h/chipjoshtom2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 308px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/SeKO3GKDoRI/AAAAAAAAAMU/N-XGWdHNgow/s320/chipjoshtom2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323974786702090514" border="0" /></a>I'm all packed up, ready to go. (Isn't that a song?)<br /><br />Tomorrow morning at 6a I'll be hitting the road for Wisconsin to go meet Jackie and Chip. I hope to make it to Beloit by tomorrow evening. I'll visit Jackie's farm and Chip & Family on Tuesday afternoon. We've decided to take Chip for a vet's check-up and health certificate on Tuesday even though the Canadian Border website says we don't need a certificate for pups under three months. But just in case we meet up with a cranky border guard, I want to have a certificate on hand.<br /><br />I sure hope that new-used Subaru doesn't have any hidden time-bomb problems lurking! Bet I don't sleep a wink tonight, I'm sooooo excited!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">(In Jackie's photo, Chip is the purposeful-looking one with the toy.)</span>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-81796384518050206442009-04-07T20:16:00.003-04:002009-04-07T20:37:16.751-04:00Guess Who?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/SdvuGI6NCrI/AAAAAAAAAMM/SmO03ITvEUM/s1600-h/chip5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/SdvuGI6NCrI/AAAAAAAAAMM/SmO03ITvEUM/s320/chip5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322109173906606770" border="0" /></a>I just finished reading two of Dr. Patricia McConnell's books -- <span style="font-style: italic;">The Other End of the Leash</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">For the Love of a Dog</span>. Now I'm totally scared that I am going to mess up Chip! I read about all the emotional and behavioral problems dogs can have, and how vitally important those first six months are in a dog's development. What if I can't keep Chip away from traumatic experiences? What if Chip and Max don't get along? What if I misread Chip's emotional signals? Arghhhh!!! It's a good thing I've never had a baby -- I would be completely neurotic (more than now).<br /><br />Chip is now enrolled in the Puppy class at <a href="http://www.dogsportscentre.com/index.htm">D.O.G. Sports Centre</a>. The centre comes highly recommended by my vet, Barb, whom I called in a little panic yesterday. Chip will start class the week after he comes home with me. After Puppy class, we'll check out the Obedience classes, and eventually Agility.<br /><br />So... I'm making a list of things to pack for the trip to Wisconsin next week to go pick up Chip. Hopefully I won't need my boots -- we got about 10 cm of snow here yesterday!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/SdvtVHqBcOI/AAAAAAAAAME/iLj5EtvCoAE/s1600-h/chip5.JPG"><br /></a>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-27048792265842299412009-04-03T19:42:00.006-04:002009-04-03T19:48:10.231-04:00Chip in ActionHere's a short video from Jackie. I'm reading Dr. Patricia McConnell's book "For the Love of a Dog" right now, and Jackie seems to be doing everything that McConnell suggests a good breeder do in terms of giving the pups a stimulating environment full of people. Chip certainly seems to be enjoying himself!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzjUXQyguYDJ8AEsQ0JjPiB4vlblm0e8HFaVLctLGCWEBQIG4GHW9Vog8X7QsXsn2z_1ch1W2TO5hHYoNls2g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458318098625447686.post-84636098079787692072009-03-20T17:18:00.004-04:002009-03-20T17:27:34.189-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/ScQJfTxdXaI/AAAAAAAAAL8/-Ewf9aWL5gw/s1600-h/howlingpupsonstep.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NkQB1YfA1Hk/ScQJfTxdXaI/AAAAAAAAAL8/-Ewf9aWL5gw/s200/howlingpupsonstep.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315383893692341666" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: ;">Here's a new photo from Jackie. The rather plump pup howling away on the step may be our Chip. She says that all the pups are good, but this one certainly stands out. He is playful, powerful, can be somewhat aloof, and complains until he gets his way. Sounds like Buddy to me, but I worry that Buddy's hyper-aloofness was a bit much sometimes. He could tolerate being petted maybe 15-20 seconds, then would get up and walk off, like a cat. I'd like the new pup to be more people-oriented than that, but without being a separation anxiety candidate. Oh my... how to find a middle ground!<br /><br />I've made the hotel reservations for the big trip to Wisconsin, so it looks like this is really going to happen! Max and Birgit are doing GREAT in their obedience class, and we're hoping to have everything all ready at home for Chip's arrival in April. Gee, I wonder what color we should paint his bedroom.... ok, just kidding...<br /></span>BudBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03607234054365121607noreply@blogger.com1