Keeping warm

It's still chilly here, so the dogs snuggle up to the heating vents to keep warm. Roc thinks Dax makes a mighty good pillow.

One more week, and then READY OR NOT!

Here we come! After taking a few sessions off, I think Ceilidh and I will rejoin our Agility Class! Ceilidh's heart condition is mostly under control with medication. The vet feels that taking a class where she's used to the place, and most of the people and dogs won't cause her to become worse. And it will give Ceilidh much joy. I've also been feeling somewhat better lately. So, we'll see how my hip bursitis feels - whether or not I can run, walk or give some semblance of moving with my dog. And then try to walk the next day! So next Thursday will be the test!

Caught in the act

No toy is Ceilidh-proof.

Worth every penny

We just couldn't let it rest. Okay - Roc's fan club nagged until we went and got a third opinion on what was going on with him.
Thank goodness for friends! Our regular vet was right - Roc does have something growing at the base of his heart. A pad of fat. Perfectly benign. Yippeee!
And there is something going on with his lungs - chronic bronchitis.
We're absolutely thrilled! Roc's not so happy about it, though. When we feared the worst he was getting scrambled eggs every night with his dinner. Now he's back to beans. After all, a healthy guy's got to stay in fighting trim!

Spring is on the way

It's going to be near 60 degrees today! I know it's not spring, and one forecast I saw had flakes for next week, but it's sure nice while it lasts. And the dogs are in heaven! Dax is much more active. Ceilidh is more impossible than usual. And the Griffs, Golly and Roc, are barking more outside. Dax is even sitting outside in the sun, raising her cute face to catch more rays! Pretty soon all four will be tearing around the back yard, making mud fly everywhere! Can't wait...

Daxie does agility!

I've decided to post all the videos of Dax and me in agility. I figure if I start now, while we're still absolutely raw, Novice A competitors, I'll be able to look back and laugh by the time we're in Excellent!
I've never before been involved in any kind of competitve sport. This is one I love - I get to play with my dog, we're only competing against ourselves and the clock, and no matter how good or poorly we do - I still get to take Dax home at the end of the day.

This was the Smack Dab Agility Club Trial in Naperville on February 27, 28 and March 1. We didn't compete on the 28th, and I forgot my camera on the 1st.

This was the first time (out of three whole trials!) that Dax did the A-frame in competition. So proud of her!

This Jumpers run was the very first time we managed to finish a course! Progress!

Trials and smiles

Dax and I were in our third agility trial over the weekend. After our last outing, I wasn't sure we'd continue since Dax seemed so unhappy.
What a turnaround! We had a wonderful time - Dax was happy, running, playful, climbing, jumping, and generally a joyous little dog. Which is what it's supposed to be about, at least for us. Agility is a way to get out with our friends and have fun with our dogs.
We even came close to qualifying a couple of times!
Previous to this weekend, I didn't really understand how people could say they had a great weekend, their dogs ran great, and it was a terrific time, even though they didn't qualify. Now I get it. We had a blast. Even the last run of the day, which was a complete disaster because I totally forgot the course when I stepped in the ring, ended on a good note. We worked together, Dax and I. Such a good girl!
I'm trying to decide whether to post a video diary of our trials (and tribulations). Since I have absolutely no illusions of competence, I probably will. I'm definitely in a "what the hell" stage of my life. If we give someone a smile, either with us or at us - why not?