Hurrah for Lacey!

You all remember my student Patty and her amazing whippet Lacey right?
Well folks they have done it again!!
On top of finishing Lacey's AKC Novice Jumpers with Weaves title on September 19th at the Wachusett Kennel Club show; last week they cleaned up at the Whippet Racing Nationals. What an amazing dog.
I received this email from her humble owner:

I took Lacey to the whippet racing nationals in Indiana and she won 4 trophies: high scoring bitch in her grade, reserve high score Rally titled dog, reserve high score Agility titled dog, and the coveted Loowit Memorial Versatility Award that went to the dog with the highest combined score for the two days that was titled in racing, lure coursing, rally or obedience, and agility. So, the fact that I got her agility titles this year made her eligible for 2 of the trophies that she won. We had a lot of fun.

A lot of fun!? Well YEAH!

Here's a few pictures Patty sent me a while back of Lacey in action.

Woohoo, do you think she has fun?

Beating the competition!

This is my favorite! she needs a cape with a big S on it.

Super dog!

I am pleased as punch for them!

Congratulations Patty and Lacey. Can't wait to see what you do next!

S-whine flu or H1-UH OH

OK, I feel like crap. Let me just say that up front. I caught some horrible cold/sore throat/plague sort of thing.
(Big sigh!) I suppose it could be worse. Oh wait, it is, my truck failed its inspection because it has a broken tie rod end thingy, so its at the repair shop racking up who knows how much of a bill. And tomorrow is our annual Open House at the dog training business, so I am popping Vitamin C and eating aspirin in hopes to be cured by then.

So there has been even less blogging than usual. I have had way too much couch time this week and there truly is nothing on TV!

So that's why you have not heard from me.

I'll be back soon but in the meantime here are a few pictures to keep you all busy.

Kindle and one her best buddies, Sydney.

Christie and her baby dog Winee. I think she needs a bigger toy!

Tyler doing his stalking wolf impression. Very scary!

Tasha being, well Tasha. Gotta love those ears.

See you all soon.

Kindle's Debut

Well Kindle made her debue this last weekend at Wachusett Kennel Club's Annual agility trial. I am so proud of her.
Just watch this!

At just 16 months she did a stellar job and I had a blast running her! The judge was quite charmed by Kindle as she left the table to say hi and kissed her hand.
She qualified and took second place!

What a girl!

She kept me humble though here is her jumpers run on Sunday.

Do you think she had fun?!

Scott and Beta get their 1st Master Standard Q!

Since making it to USDAA (United States Dog Agility Association) Masters level Scott and Beta have done really well so far they have earned their Master Relay title, excelled at Master Snooker but they have struggled with Master Standard.
But 2 weeks ago they had a wonderful run and Qualified taking first place in the 16" division.

Can you tell who was the most excited?

Hip Hip Hooray for Lacey and Patty

You guys know I teach agility dog training classes, right? I teach people to train their dogs to compete and really it is a great job.

I get to spend lots of time with dogs and other nutty people who love dogs and I get paid for this. What a country!

I have students who started their puppies with me when they were only just a few months old and I am able to watch them develop with their owners into a team.

One such team is Patty and Lacey. Lacey is a gorgeous black whippet and it was apparent from the first that she is something special. Her owner is also someone special. Patty works hard and they are both a joy to have in class.

Late last year they competed in their first Agility Trial at the Whippet National Specialty. They did really well qualifying and taking first place in Standard and though they didn't qualify in Jumpers with Weaves had a very respectable run. They still took high in trial and I was so proud of them. Usually a handler will have a picture taken with the judge to commemorate the run but Patty wanted her picture to be with me because she said it was my teaching and coaching that helped them to take the prize! I am very flattered.

So here we are.

A couple weeks ago they went to their second trial. They competed for 3 days and qualified twice in Standard, finishing Lacey's Novice Standard title and qualified twice in Jumpers with Weaves, so they need only one more jumpers Q (qualifiy) to finish her Novice Jumper title. Oh yes and I almost forgot, they also took first place in all four runs! Woohoo!

I am so proud and happy for them.
Here they are with all their ribbons.

The other dogs better watch out! They are an awesome team and I predict they will continue to eat up courses!!! Go Patty & Lacey!

Guest cook

I got a night off and we had a cook come in.
so nice to just relax and let someone else take care of us.

Alright not really, we took my mother-in-law out for her birthday.

Happy Birthday Mad!

Cattle Dog Swim?

They do have a style all their own.