Roller coaster ride

The last two days have run the gamut - incredible joy and soul-searing loss.
On Sunday, after a very, very long, discouraging run of competition, Teddy and I qualified in an agility trial. While, admittedly, we've competed only sporadically for the past 18 months, it was nevertheless discouraging to come away with only experience. Both of our runs on Sunday were fun and fast. Teddy stayed with me and did everything I asked of him. In Jumpers With Weaves Team Teddy made a couple of mistakes, one mine, one his, but we had fun and I was happy - especially since it had been months since our last competition.
Then in our Standard run - everything clicked. It was one of those instances when everything was going right. I didn't know if we'd qualified, the judge is a bit tight on time, but I was just thrilled. As it turns out, we succeeded and came away with not only a qualifying score, but first place in our class. Sheer, unmitigated joy.

And then there was yesterday. A normal day at work. I got home to find my sister Fran cleaning up a mess little Roc had made - he couldn't help it and he wasn't happy about it. I think we both knew then that Roc was tired of fighting the pain and disability that has progressed over the past year. So I made a choice and the veterinarian who has cared for him since the day I brought him home sent him gently into that good night. Sheer, unmitigated grief.

I love them both. Tears of joy and sadness.

Allergy season

For the most part, Teddy's a pretty predictable dog. Every once in a while he'll start barking madly for no reason whatsoever, but there's usually a reason for his behavior. If I can figure it out. Yesterday I was a bad dog mom. He was acting weird, and I just got annoyed.
Sundays are pretty predictable around the house. The morning is spent on "ablutions" for four dogs. Nails, teeth, ears, face-washing, etc. As part of the routine I rinse off paws, especially Teddy's, because he has a mild grass allergy and we want to keep it under control As a matter of routine, I rub in some stuff the vet recommended to keep the ph of his skin where it should be.

In the afternoon we collapse. It's our time to do absolutely nothing. The dogs all know the routine and are all happy participants. You'd think a dog bomb went off in the tv room on a Sunday afternoon - little limp, sleepy bodies littering the floor and furniture. 

Yesterday Teddy wouldn't settle. He was making me crazy. He didn't have to go out, he didn't want to play, he didn't want to chew; not even on Booker. 

On one of our numerous trips outside, I noticed how pink his ears were. And, stupid me, thought "isn't that adorable."

It finally dawned on me that ear irritation is an allergy symptom. Sure enough, all four paws were red and angry looking. Teddy's allergic to the new goop from the vet. 

I washed his paws again, with hypoallergenic dog shampoo, dried him off. 

Simple answer. We both collapsed on the couch for the rest of the afternoon. 

Wish I'd paid more attention, sooner. It would have saved Teddy some discomfort and me some aggravation.

Momma said there'd be days like this...

I love my dogs. A lot. I like spending time with them, doing "stuff" with them, and just hanging out.
Yesterday I didn't like either one of them at all.
Understand that most Sunday mornings without plans are devoted to "dog ablutions" - nails, teeth, ears, etc. Each dog doesn't take long, but when you take care of four (my sister's two and my two), it adds up to a couple/three hour chunk of time.
Afterwards, I just wanted to relax.
Roc was too hot, so I got the cool pack for him to lie on. He settled.
Teddy jumped off the couch and started whining. Booker jumped on Teddy and a vigorous round of "bitey-face" ensued.
Roc got paranoid about the two others jumping on and off the couch and started whining. And shaking, which usually means he has to go outside to potty.
Take Roc out - everybody goes. Booker insists on eating grass.
Come back inside - Booker throws up, Roc poops in the house (his disability means he's not always aware when he has to go).
Get everybody/everything cleaned up, attempt to relax again.
Teddy won't come in the tv room to relax - whines by the back door. Lift Roc off the couch (heaven forbid I leave the room without him), go see what Teddy wants. Mr. "I can't poop when anyone's watching" wants to go out.
Take Teddy and Roc outside.
Come in, attempt to watch tv. Roc's too cold on his ice pack, take it away. Teddy chooses a bone to gnaw on. Booker wants it. More bitey-face, more paranoia, rinse and repeat.
Not the restful Sunday afternoon I'd planned. And, something I never thought I'd say - Tango earned the "Best Dog" award of the day.

Booker

Roc and Teddy

Tango

Getting ready for prime time

Teddy and I ventured back into the realm of competitive obedience on Saturday. We went to a Correction Clinic (practice obedience trial) hosted by a local club.
I realized when I got there how much my training has changed over the last few years. Teddy was one of only a handful of dogs at the match who wasn't wearing a training (choke) or prong collar. I've become immersed in "positive reinforcement" training. I'd forgotten it was the rule, rather than the exception, to actually use "corrections" at a Correction Clinic.
You don't have to, of course. So I didn't. And Teddy did great!
We tried our hand at both Beginner Novice and Novice exercises and Teddy would have qualified in both if it had been a "real" trial.
So it's time to go for the real thing and actually enter a competition. I spent a chunk of time this morning waffling about it. I found a relatively close trial, with great judges, and sat there with my entry all filled out, thinking "I have until Wednesday, maybe I'll see how he does in class tomorrow and then decide," and "Maybe I'll just enter Beginner, instead of Novice, just to see how he does."
I'm not sure why competition has become such a bug-a-boo for me. Teddy knows what he's supposed to do, I know what I'm supposed to do. And I won't be devastated if we don't succeed. But I didn't seem able to hit "enter" for that entry.
Then my sister reminded me of my resolve. "Just put your big-girl pants on and enter Novice." So I did. Wish us luck!
-Hope

Team for a lifetime

As Roc requires more of my time and attention I worry that Teddy isn't getting enough of either. It's a balancing act that's part of everyone's life, since we haven't found a way to stretch time.
To make sure I'm not falling behind with training and spending time with the Ted-Monster, I go to obedience or agility class even on the days I'd rather just collapse on the couch after work.
I always wind up being happy I went - one of the reasons I have dogs is that I love spending time with them, I enjoy the training process, and it's wonderful when you see your dog finally "get" the behavior you're working on. You can almost see Teddy being proud of himself.
It's also an opportunity to spend an hour - even if it's the only hour you get all week - to ignore all of the stresses and demands on your time. I can shut out everything else when I'm training my dog. Precious time, indeed.
I extend that time for a few minutes every day. Whether we work on a perfect "front" or a faster "recall," or just try to get a few, perfect heeling steps, I meet Teddy's eyes, we're working together, and we're a team.
The training and teamwork lasts a lifetime. Roc remembers all those little things, too. And when I ask him for one of them - his tail still wags.
-Hope

Back from Louisville, with ribbons!

 Last weekend Hope and I went to Louisville for 4 action-filled days of dog shows! We both competed in Agility (Hope with Teddy, and me with Tango), and Hope competed in Rally Obedience with Dax. In just three days, Dax received her Rally Novice title! Tango and I had fun but only had one qualifying run in Open Standard. Teddy and Hope did a little better with two qualifying runs - one in Open Jumpers and one in Open Standard. - Fran

Dax weaving in Rally O

Teddy jumping

Tango going over a triple jump

Yin-Yang

Hard to remember now that last year at this time Dax was doing her best to ignore Teddy's existence. She's finally figured out that he's warm, cuddly, and not getting out of her favorite bed. - Hope

Hard at work

I'd wager everybody'd love to have the perks of my job! Ted's a wonderful butt-warmer and it's really hard to have a bad day with that face around! - Hope

Dynamite (T and T)

Teddy and Tango were being unbelievably cute this morning. Teddy's chomping on a Nylabone, and Tango waited his turn. Because, of course, there's only one good toy in the house. And it's the one the other guy has. - Hope

Yesterday and today

Yesterday we had the Norway Maple tree in our backyard cut down. We were convinced of the need by the number of huge branches, narrowly missing our power lines, house, and garage that had come down during each of the storms that have blasted through our area this summer. It was a bit of a sad/relieved feeling. Relieved we won't have to worry about the tree coming down on its own. Sad because our father planted that tree more than 50 years ago and it's been a constant in our lives.

We are hoping it will have a second life - as our new kitchen cabinets. We found a local company that recycles trees into lumber. Watching them maneuver the giant logs out of our yard yesterday was a nail-biter - but the loader was amazing.

This is all that's left of the tree today. Teddy, as always, sees it-climbs it. Dax always enjoyed lying in that spot when the tree was there. Don't know what she'll do when they remove the stump.

Tango likes to dig in the wood chips and chew on them.

And he thinks its funny. He's right. - Hope

Waiting for supper

Dax and Teddy look calm, but they're ready to spring into action as soon as their bowls start moving toward the floor! - Hope

Typical

This is what it looks like when I let the dogs out on my day off. Fran has Tango at work, so he's not in the picture, but he probably wouldn't be anyway because he's always in motion. Ceilidh (Boston Terrier) lies in the sun, Teddy (fawn Frenchie) finds a stick to chew on, Roc (Brussels Griffon) is on alert for anything to bark at, and Dax (brindle Frenchie) eats grass (which she promptly regurgitates). - Hope

On his way!

Teddy competed last week in his first-ever agility trial, ran two courses (1 Jumpers with Weaves and 1 Standard), qualified in both runs, got perfect scores in both runs, and won third place in both runs. I'm hoping these are just the first of lots of ribbons Ted will earn - but I'm just so thrilled with and proud of these first ones! I apologize to everyone who's been listening to me rave about my little guy for the last week - just can't help it! - Hope

Dax and Teddy

I spotted Dax and Teddy relaxing before breakfast today. And to think that a year ago Dax did not recognize Teddy's existence! - Fran

Dirty, dirty Teddy

Every Sunday (when we're home) we have assembly-line dog-clean-up time: mani/pedi, tooth-brushing, face-washing, etc.
Teddy is the only light-colored dog we've ever had. And what does Teddy do after his clean-up? Rolls in the dirt, of course!- Hope

One of the very best things about working here at Golly Gear/Dogs In The Ring is bringing our dogs to work with us. Just taking 5 minutes to play with our dogs is really energizing. I wish everyone could!

How can you possibly have a bad day when you've got this face to look at? Ted's even starting to get the whole concept of "stay!"

And of course my darling Daxie-girl is wonderful in practice. Classes and trials may be stressful for her - but she loves playing with me here. Excuse the devil-flash-eyes, please. They looked even creepier when I tried to fix them. It's a wonder we get any work done at all! - Hope

Teddy - novice camper

We stole a great idea from our friend Brutus's blog and decided to take you all along as Teddy explored the campgrounds!

Just when he was sitting pretty to show off the sign and landscape, a big, friendly German Shepherd walked by and Teddy had to get up to say "Hello!" very, very loudly. We don't think the neighborhood really appreciated his greeting - it was about 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.

We were charmed by the care and creativity the seasonal and permanent residents show in their landscaping. Ted had to make sure the animals weren't real.


Especially the frogs. There is a weird affinity between French Bulldogs (Frog-dogs) and frogs.

Maybe it's because they wear the same expression.....

Teddy really wanted to check out the lake. Or maybe it was the fisherman's bait bucket.

Sun worshipper

Teddy is a definitely a devotee of summer! - Hope

Obedience practice

1 minute Novice "Long Sit"
3 minute Novice "Long Down"

Perpetually cute. - Hope

Bored

Whaddya mean ya gotta work? You should play with Teddy! - Hope