Front door, Back door meme

Wow I am so late getting out here but look at the difference in my yard!Here is the back yard on April 16th.

And today.

and now the front yard on April 16th..

And today...

So pretty, so green! I love spring!

I am so proud of my boy!!!!

Jackaroo was amazing this last weekend at the Agility Trial!

We made a major breakthrough in our performance. He took FIRST PLACE in the Master Snooker class and got a super Q which means he got the highest points in the class. This is a difficult task especially because he runs in the 22" class against all the Border Collies, but he did it.

Almost right after we had a miserable Standard run. I sat down and analyzed my handling (which is how I maneuver him through courses) in each class and realized I was being very conservative in the Standard run, trying to manage every detail instead of just running! In the Snooker class I ran not worrying about anything, just RAN! I thought I was really on to something.

The next run was the Grand Prix which sounds exactly like what it is, fast, fast, fast! I just ran it like my hair was on fire and Jackaroo read all my signals and qualified! We placed 7th! I was floored, could it be that simple? Just run? Simply stop managing every nitpicking thing and just go?

Yes! I believe it is that simple. We didn't Qualify again last weekend but our runs were fun, fast, satisfying and Jackaroo was wonderful. I think he could not believe this was his mom! Seemed to tire him out a bit too.

So we have a three day show this coming weekend. I will once again put this new theory to the test and see how we do.

I am not sure but I think this might actually be a message to the border collies we usually have such a hard time beating. I hope all our border collies friends will forgive him this once.

Fish Training

CM, start training Alaina Azul. Here is inspiration.

Dog Agility Rocks!

I LOVE Dog Agility!
Let me first say, I am not an athlete. I have never been an athlete. I was on the track team in high school and had to quit because I got sick. I took up jogging in my early 20's fell off a curb and tore cartilage in my knee. Since then I have had 4 arthroscopic knee surgeries. I run funny, I an NOT graceful and I am not fast. But I love this sport. I have learned to be more physical and am in the process getting in shape, all the time. Someday I may even make it. But in the meantime I love the process.

I love dog training! I am totally intrigued, enthralled and challenged by how dogs learn, by how to get them to do what I want without coercion. It is amazing.

I love that my husband has chosen to be as enthralled with this sport as I am. It is a love and life we share. He was also willing to help me start a business surrounding dog agility and training and it has so blessed our lives.

Now before you think I am waxing maudlin, what I am trying to explain is why I keep doing this when things go like this.


well.... but sometimes they go like this.

I love my sport, I love my dog and I will do it again this weekend. Maybe I will have a new fantastic video to share with you.

Take Care Lauren

My niece Lauren who is in the army is headed out today, overseas. She can't tell us exactly where she is going but we are pretty certain of where she will be.
She is a beautiful, brave woman and I am appreciating her sacrifice so much as she goes off today, away from her "normal" life, and her beloved husband Steve as she goes to protect all of us.

She is proud to go and that makes me admire her all the more. I believe she goes with God's blessing and we will be lifting her in prayer daily.
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

If you want to check on her she has a blog of her own Laurne . I don't know how much time she will have to write but I hope we get to hear from her while she is away.

God speed Lauren, we love you.

Dog show #2

Well we had our second show last weekend. The weather was horrendous, my nutty Jackaroo was a kooky maniac but Scott and our little star Beta did quite well.

I only have a few minutes to post today so will spread this out over a few days.

We arrived Friday evening at the show site and set up the camper. The dogs enjoy hanging out and watching the world around them.

Our friend Boston pulled in not to long after we got set up. He asked us to help him line up his camper. I think his mom was in the back reading a magazine.

After dinner Beta had a bit of trouble settling, she was the energizer bunny until about 9 pm.

Tomorrow I will post videos of us actually running agility. For now I am going to garden, it's gorgeous here today.
Have a great day.