Poop Van Scoop

Our agility class has ended for the year, and we're looking forward to picking it up again in 2010.

"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:

"Poop Van Scoop -- We pick up where your dog left off!"
"Poop Van Scoop -- We handle gross encounters of the turd kind!"

Funny what sticks in your mind over the years.  And what doesn't (like my phone number).

Chip wants to see what the heck I'm typing...

Acting Out

It'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!

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?

Scholars in Collars

Yes, 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.

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!

Fall 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.

More Agility!

We went to another agility session at Erin's yesterday (see more about Erin, her dogs, and her agility training at www.artofdog.weebly.com). What a great time! I can't wait for our class with Erin to start in November.

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! :-)

Happy 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.

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.

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.

Next Sunday is another agility session with Erin -- can't wait!

Fall Arrives

The air is crisp, the leaves are turning, and I have a new goal of posting here at least once a week!

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.

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...

Here's a photo of Chip napping on my PJs after we returned yesterday from our agility lesson.

I'm sure Max is only napping in solidarity...