Sunday, March 28, 2010

MORE SNAFU!!!

Yet FURTHER interruptions... except computer is fine, but AT&T is being most uncooperative now. It's been quite a week and we are incredibly sorry that we haven't visited our wonderful blog friends. Not only did our DSL line go out, but our ground phone line is gone til late tomorrow (Monday) night. We are befuddled, but trying to cope with the issues. Typing from the likes of an internet cafe, so feel very European, but it's no vacay. See you Tuesday at the latest... we hope. Again, our apologies... we miss you all so much.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Technology SNAFU With a Side of CD

This week's charming menu. When it rains it pours, at least lately... over here. Not only did Mom's 'puter take a super poo again, but the peeps' router went out too. We've spent the better part of three days 'puterless, but finally, my peeps do believe the problems are over and done with... for the moment. We are tremendously sorry not to have visited anyone lately and vow to catch up today and throughout the weekend.

We've had a pretty exciting week, with great weather for even more hikes, some obedience practices and yesterday... an obedience trial. I've garnered two legs in the hunt for my CD (Companion Dog title) and hoped that I'd be able to get that third and final leg yesterday. My dear pal, Sierra and her mom made an amazingly wonderful post here about their adventure yesterday, but I want to tell you all that they played huge roles as chief cooks and bottle washers in helping me get set up. Sierra's mom acted as paparazzae extraordinaire. She also has majorly outstanding skills setting up and organizing camp. An hour before my class, we were ready-to-go.

The top picture shows Sierra and me looking for the building where my ring will be. I'm pretty tired.

In Novice A, the judges always do a "run through" of the heeling pattern which is nice. That way, if Mom messes up, you know that she's seriously bereft of RAM and any misteaks have nothing whatsoever to do with me. (Hah! Nothing is ever my fault anyway.)

And here are the peeps following our judge to learn the pattern.

Here, I've just completed my exercises and am so befuddled, cause I couldn't figure out where to do my "front" sit on the recall exercise, which made me even more confused when Mom gave me the hand signal to finish. You can go here if you want to see the movie . But. We aren't nearly done yet.

We still have "sits and downs." Which are my fave, cause I'm kind of pokey. Mom felt terribly about her own performance, especially on the "figure 8" and, of course, the recall exercise. And she'd watched the other dogs who'd all done better than any Novice A class duos she'd ever seen! Imagine her surprise when I qualified with a second place! Here we are congratulating the winners, who were really amazing!

So, with that nice ending, I actually got my CD... whoopeee! Here we are in a traditional pose with the judge after finishing a title.

Mom had heard that she was a tough scorer, but I was happy, even with those major markdowns. Don't know if it will biggify or if it even matters!

And here's Mom and Sue (the Norcal Golden Retriever Rescue lady who put me and my peeps together!) blabbing again about "how it went."

More treats please.

The celebration and a nice pressie and card from Sue! Now we can go and investigate the party going' on outside!

Here is Sierra, ready to follow the golden ladies into the ring - they're about to be called heheh!

MMmmnnnn - scented goodies for hoomans - how's that for "turnaround is fair play?"!!! Mostly there were good scents for doggies! And funny signage!

And how's this for a statement on ironic disparity? Fluffed up Goldens backed by a Grateful Dead t-shirt!!!



I think everyone with a camera was busy snapping these fellows!

And how's about this storekeeper? He was incredibly gracious, courteous and helpful to a "T." A good time was had by all and we feel furry lucky to have the technical gizmos back again. See you shortly!


Monday, March 22, 2010

In Which We Discover a New Doggie Park...

Cool place for da bags, eh?

And cool new park we've discovered!

How we do da swimmin' thing. I pick up the kong-on-a-rope and toss it to mom or dad or anyone who looks like they cans throw it good!

Temps are in the 70s and ground is slightly mucky, which is just perfecto fer me!

Okay ready!

Hey, c'mon! I'm ready!

Geez whiz, thought you'd never frow it!

Whoopee! After the Kong I go!

And then... return it!

Hmmmmnnnn... seems like there's a welcoming party...

But I can make my way through 'em all!


And RUN... to my dad... who will throw it again and again... I hope!

No way! Tomorrow? Uh uh... no way.


Friday, March 19, 2010

Spring Fever and...

I think I'm in love.

This is Jackson, and I met him way back in September at the Squaw Valley Art Bark Fest. Some of you may remember that I went there for a fun dock diving event and then went on a spectacular hike up to a mountain lake. But one of the highlights of my weekend at Tahoe was meeting Jackson. Here's a picture of him and us at Squaw. I've never forgotten him heheh!

Isn't he handsome? I was lucky enough to have a playdate with him a couple of days ago on...yes - you guessed it! Yet another hike, where we found out how much we had in common, sigh....

Since I've blabbed so much about all the amazing lands and trails we have to hike on, I'll keep that to a minimum. We chose the Dawn Falls Trail in an area called Baltimore Canyon. Janis Joplin used to live practically on the old trailhead. Our goal was to see Dawn Falls, swim a lot in the overflowing creek and hike up far enough to check out the views and just chill.

A pretty waterfall, but not like Cataract or Carson Falls, because, well... I was with Jackson, of course and who pays attention to such things when you're hiking with a hunk!

We took a dip in this gorgeous little pool. Jackson quite possibly enjoys swimming more than I do! Well, he's a champion dock diver, so I guess he better love the water! What a stud!

"Hey Sam, what's your nose doing down there? Come and swim!"

Just LOVE watching him glide through the water!

Here's a collage of some of the activities we shared.

Some redwoods along the trail...

And look what an enormously high rock Jackson dared to jump up to!

Another collage of other pastimes we indulged in along the path and then a little movie of some swimming in that little blue pool.

You certainly are handsome - smack!

A dip halfway up the trail off the first fire road we crossed. That was delicious!

Ahhhh - the views! Only I'm not talking about what's behind me. Look at that big smile on Jackson's face! Now that's what I'M talking about! Thanks for sharing an unforgettable day with me, Jackson! Hope you come back for another outing soon!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Award from Sweet Tiffy

I received this wonderful award from Tiffy, Coco's (http://luvbeingachihuahua.blogspot.com) new little (adorable) sister on the occasion of her first blog. I cant' thank her enough and feel totally badly for my belated expression of gratitude. THANK YOU TIFFY!!! Even though you said it would be your last post, I hope that Coco will relent and let us see a bit more of you - and... it seems that she already has allowed you some more space! Thanks to Coco too!