I'm "it" - Why I blog

Renee of Small Dogs Paradise and Aquarium Fish Wonders (just an animal lover!) has tagged me! My very first tag! And the topic? Why do I blog?

I took a while to think about that question. At first, it was, in all honesty, mostly a marketing thing - to get the word out about our shop. But now, almost a year later, that's not really a factor anymore.

I blog to connect with others with the same interests (read obsessions). I've met some terrific people and while my blogroll grows, so does my circle of friends. And that's what the internet is best at - bringing people together.

None of us has to feel alone now. Whatever you're "into," you can find like-minded people to share your life with. And when the winter is getting to you (I'm now officially sick of it) and you don't feel like going out and doing much of anything, you can still connect with your friends from the comfort and warmth of home.

So that's why I blog. To form connections, to meet friends, and to share my dog obsession with people like me. Some of whom pull me back to the wider world on occasion. Also a good thing.
So - my new friends, why do you blog? Answer me that Halloweenlover, BT Photo blogger, Leslie, Marlene, and MB? Tag - you're it!

Back in the Deep Freeze

Man, it's cold out there! I know it's still winter, and it's supposed to be cold and snowy, but this is ridiculous. The "normal" temperature for this time of year is supposed to be the mid-30's (fahrenheit). According to the little weather.com desktop icon on my screen it's 17 degrees right now, 3:30 pm. I don't think it's going into the 20s like they said. Poor dogs. It's bad enough for us. I have three or four layers on (I lose count) and put on another layer plus boots, gloves and hat when I venture outside. I think we've mentioned before that the dogs don't like getting dressed. But it's too cold for them not to wear their coats, so we torture them by putting coats on and then throw them out into the cold!

And since the snow the other day there are limited open spaces in the back yard. (I'm sure you know for what purpose.) We did clear spots, and the wind drifted the snow away from other spots, but the dogs look at us accusingly when they can't go in their favored spots. (It goes without saying that the drifts were on the front walk, the back walk, in front of the garage door... Areas that had to be shoveled, of course.)

Only a few more weeks until Spring officially begins! And Spring Training is beginning! A sure sign that winter's almost over.

Is it finally sinking in?

The winter storm finally passed - by noon today it was a magnificent winter day. Crisp air, sun shining, glittering white snow on the ground. If more winter days would look like this afternoon, I wouldn't even consider becoming a snowbird in my old age.

But that's not really what I wanted to talk about today. Roc and I are seriously getting ready to compete in Open obedience and we have a full schedule in the next month - three matches and five Obedience Trials.

I'm learning to just let go and have fun with my dog at these events. And it seems to be working! At the match we were in last Sunday my boy was terrific! He did all the exercises (except for dropping the dumbbell to inspect the leaf that looked like a cookie on the ground), heeled like a champ, did his sits and stays! And this was after waiting around for three and a half hours to go in the ring. I'm really happy that our present training seems to be sinking in to his little Griffie hardhead.

Stormy weather

It's not much fun driving in the Chicago area today.
The wind is blowing so hard that the drifts start piling up against the door as soon as we finish shovelling.

We cancelled training classes for tonight. This is why. Believe it or not, the snowplows have already been by a couple of times and this is a major road. It's just not a nice day.

Studious Pups

Among other things here at Golly Gear, I'm the web designer. I don't claim to be an expert or have all the answers to the problems that present themselves - I'm self-taught, with the addition of a couple of online courses offered by the local community college. I try to keep up with news in the field, and the latest best practices as best I can. So if something is mentioned more than a couple of times I pay attention, even if it means a nasty future total redesign.

I had the opportunity to take an online seminar on just such a topic on Wednesday, my day off (is there really a day off when you own your own business?). I took the dogs out twenty minutes before the seminar was scheduled to begin (that's how long it takes for all the coats, boots, mittens, etc.) and was comfortably ensconced in front of our home PC with my water for dry throat coughs at hand.

And Ceilidh (Boston Terrier) decided she wanted to be nowhere but in my lap. OK, fine. I log in and fumble with the speakers. Then Golly and Roc (Brussels Griffons) wandered in and settled down (in separate beds, of course - they don't usually share).

So now, just ask Ceilidh, Golly and Roc about the CSS Box Model for Dreamweaver. Dax (French Bulldog) stayed in the sunny living room for a nap.

What a good girl!

Golly is Fran's dog. Completely. Brussels Griffons are a "velcro" breed - you never have to look for your Griff, because she's always at your side. I never have to look for Roc, Fran never has to look for Golly. It's just the way it is.

On a rather routine exam, the vet discovered that Golly, now 11 years old, had significantly high blood pressure. Which was contributing to a host of other issues. It was imperative that we get it under control - quickly. So we started her on some meds and committed to taking her in once a week for re-checks.

Week after week, no joy in Mudville. Her blood pressure stayed dangerously high and even getting a decent reading was becoming difficult - Golly didn't understand what was going on and didn't like it one little bit. So, we began practicing at home - I would play doctor and fake the bp cuff with a bit of cloth while Fran steadied her and offered treats.

The good news is - it worked! Golly's bp, with an accurate reading, is under control and she was a model patient at the vet's office.

When Fran told me the good news, I was rather surprised by my own reaction. I can't stop smiling about it. Every time I look at Golly, I'm just delighted and all over smiles. I didn't really realize how much I cared about her. But if I want to find her - I still just have to look for Fran.

Truly lovelorn

Last night at training Roc's girlfriend (Charlee the Yorkshire Terrier) wasn't there. Perfectly understandable, since the wind chill factor around here is well below zero degrees Fahrenheit and she's a tiny, itty-bitty little thing. Not to mention the inches of snow that made driving an adventure.

So, without his adoring audience Roc entirely forgot absolutely everything he knows and shone in the exercises that haven't been his strong suit. All of a sudden he has no idea what "down" means, but heels like a Golden Retriever.

I'll take the heeling. I love it when we're in sync like that. And I'm hoping that everything else falling apart right now means that we have time to put it back together before the National Specialty next month.

But after such a frustrating session, it's a bit hard to remember we do this because it's fun.