Happy 2112!

In case you do not know, I am a Rush geek.  Loved the band since I was an infant.  My dad being a musician, looked up to Geddy Lee as THE bass player to get somewhat as good at.

I had the pleasure of seeing Rush for my birthday which was nothing short of an experience.

Today is 21-12, and in honor of one of the best albums ever I posted the full epicness.

Thanksgiving

Turkey day was quiet.  The weather was nice.  I was going to do agility but as my luck would have it, a dog exposed to a nasty strain of Parvo at the ASCA Nationals was competing so with Lizzy pup at home I opted out.  There will be more trials!

Work is practically killing me we are so busy, thank gawd I can bring Lizzy with me.  She is a great break from the office.

Otherwise that is about it.  I will keep you all posted!

Lizzy!

This is the new kid...I am so in love with this puppy.

She is so smart, so confident, so get-up-and-go.  She already was at 3 trials, met landscapers at work with wheelbarrows and ride on mowers, kids in strollers and took it all in stride.  She is into EVERYTHING and has an opinion about it.  Perfect for me.  I don't want a wallflower.

She is Priscilla's half sister through the sire and Ryka's half sister through the dam.

No official registered name yet but she is from the Ice litter so we will see...  :)

New Title!

CC finally got her NJP agility title at Dream Park this past Saturday with a clean run and a first place!  All her legs so far were clean.  Her weave poles are just awesome too.

She is now Cool Sensation z Domu Polanki RN NFP NJP CGC TN-N WV-N NJC!  Go CC Go!

Now we will be trying to get those last 4 singles so we dont have to play foo foo dog show anymore.

Post Hurricane

My childhood memories...all gone.

Millions of people without power, without homes, over 40 dead.

Hurricane Sandy wiped entire towns off the map in the NY/NJ area.  I grew up in Manahawkin, NJ and lived there as an adult.  My old home is gone.

It has been a week and we still have people without power.  The gas crisis incredible - we have a gas ration in my part of the state.

My heart goes out to those who lost everything.  We were lucky and only lost power for about 4 days and suffered no flooding or damage.

To get a sense of normalcy my local NADAC club hosted their November trial this weekend, on schedule.  I was debating on going and using the gas but I went for it.  I am glad I did.  We are a close knit community and it was fun to get the dogs out to run around.  CC finished her tunnelers, weavers and jumpers titles too!  Iggy Pop finished his weavers title and got another Q towards his superior novice tunnelers title.

Iggy Pop's return with a Hurricane

Well Iggy Pop's return to agility wasnt terrible but I realized our timing is way off.

Our first time in Excellent Standard wasn't so bad.  He knocked one bar on the triple and the judge called a missed contact on the dog walk even though he kinda sorta half-assed stuck his foot out on the way down.  He knows.  LOL  We got a refusal on the weaves but it was a tough entrance.

Open Jumpers he ran right after Standard.  He was a wild thing.  2 refusals and a knocked bar.

Novice FAST - he ran great!  We got 77 out of 80 possible points and a Q First place for his title!  Yay!

CC bombed out of novice jumpers and did better in Open FAST but did not get the bonus.  close but no cigar.

I also got a new PUPPY.  Yep.  She is named Lizzy and is settling in.

And hurricane Sandy is about to hit my area and it might be close to or a category 2 by landfall.  Im moving to Florida.

I will more likely than not be without power for who knows how long so I am hunkering down with some cake vodka and dogs.

Updates updates!

First, Dylan was born almost 2 weeks ago and he is precious and adorable. I adore that kid.  He is still in his squishy baby phase with that new -baby smell.  So so so so cute!  I bought him outfits with skulls on them like a good aunt should.  Congrats Ginny and Aaron!

Second, Iggy Pop is CLEAR to enter trials!  Whoo hoo!  I entered him in a trial at the end of the month.

CC got her second NJP leg last Saturday too.  It was one of the best runs I had with a dog...just perfect.  I love Q's like that.  Still hunting for those last 4 points.

Comic Con is next week and I got my costume in order...and work has been hell and I have been cleaning like mad so my guests for Comic Con won't be skeeved out to the point of calling A&E's "Hoarders".

No Dog Show this weekend...

Technically there is.  I entered, but I am not going.  Instead I am waiting by the phone to get my behind to the hospital to welcome Ginny and Aaron's boy, Dylan, into the world.  I am a very excited "auntie" to be!  

So while I wait Mad Max is on tv.  

Weekend wrap up

CC went WB/BOS for point #11.  4 singles to go!

I was entered in the NADAC trial but I felt like hot garbage so I took it easy and took Iggy Pop to his therapy visit.  We also got an email about doing therapy work with veterans returning from service at our local armory.  We would have to pass inspection at Ft. Dix by the lieutenant and I dont know what that entails so we are awaiting more details.  I am very interested and I hope this is something we can do.

Also got some new books today.  Slaughterhouse - five and The Sirens of Titan.  I have been on a Vonnegut kick lately.  And it is a good kick to be on.  

This is most incredible

For NY Giants fans.  Click to see the whole comic.

Never Forget.

This player sucks but one of the best 9/11 tributes from a personality.  Especially because Jon Stewart is a local.  

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
September 11, 2001
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

A major for CC!

Yesterday at Newton Kennel Club in Augusta, NJ, CC went WB/BOW/BOS for her second 3 point major!

Now she is at 10 points with both majors!  5 more singles to go!

Here are some recent pictures of her...

NADAC trial 8/18-8/19

The trial went great!  Priscilla tried her hardest and Got her Q for her Novice Touch n Go title!  

All weekend they had day of show entries.  I entered CC in Weavers and Tunnelers and she Q'd for her second legs!  :)

Short update but exciting things coming up on the weekend!  

New Kid on the Block

Meet Ryka.  Formal name is Xtacee Fade To Black @ Winddancer.  She is mine and like I need another dog like a hole in the head she is too good to pass up.  So when she was offered to me by Kathy at Xtacee Cardigans I said YES.

I might change her call name.  But she is doing awesome in agility training so far and has 2 points in conformation.

Pics taken by Mindy at Rakkaus Photogrpahy during our beach excursion.

Iggy Pop update

well 2 weeks of crate rest and Iggster already is done with it and thinks he is all better!  I wish it was that simple.  :-/

Its been a rough go - Iggy bores easily but the bright light is we can still do therapy visits.

Broken Toe

Well It happened, my first injury on a sport dog.  Iggy Pop broke his toe on his front left foot.  He is in a splint for now and on crate rest...ugh.  He is not happy.  I am not happy.  But I hope it heals quick and he can be back to agility soon!

NADAC weekend!

The dogs and I had a GREAT weekend at the NADAC agility trial.  We Q'd in everything but 3 runs...Priscilla Q'd in everything she was entered in and got her tunnelers title!  Yay!

CC did awesome at her NADAC debut - even nailing a hard jumpers course that Iggy Pop didn't get.  :)

Priscilla also is an ACE at Touch N Go.  TNG is a course with no jumps but contacts and hoops and tunnels.  She did so well earning 2 legs over the weekend.  This is form her second leg on Sunday.  She also loves Hoopers.  And in NADAC she can jump 4 inches.  This will be her venue from now on.

Whata weekend!

Not to be outdone, Priscilla got her second leg in Novice A obedience!  Since our first leg was many moons ago this is incredible!  Go P!

Iggy video!

His title run!  I am so proud!

Go Iggy Go!

Iggy Pop has been on fire!

Today was the hottest day of the year and we had a trial that was indoors and (usually) air conditoned but not this time.  In between checking to make sure my car wasn't on the verge of exploding by leaving it running with the air conditioner on so the dogs don't explode and hosing myself off with the garden hose provided so I didn't event a sport called naked agility the day ended on a great note!

In the early morning CC had a go at Open FAST.  The handler (me) screwed up big time so No Q.  CC did great though!  She had no trouble doing the send bonus at a 10 foot distance and no trouble with the noises and acoustics with indoor trialing.  And we got over the A-frame!  yay!

Next up was Novice FAST.  Iggy Pop kicked ass and got his second leg with 65 points and a first place!  So at least I knew we would leave with one green ribbon.

At this point the place was getting unbearably hot.  However thanks to Mindy being stuck in traffic to get there to watch instead of scratching Iggy Pop from Open Standard and going home I stayed.  Everything happens for a reason right?

The Standard course looked doable.  I hosed Iggy Pop off to keep him cool and we got our final (finally) Open Standard leg to title - first place with a course time of 49 seconds!  YES.  I pulled CC from Novice Jumpers and Iggy Pop from Open jumpers as it was just too warm.

Florida Birthdays shows oh my!

It was both my mom and my dad's birthdays last week and this week.  Lots of celebrations!

I went to Florida for a long weekend to visit my childhood BFF Jamie.  She lives in the Orlando area and even though it was cloudy and rainy we had a great time!  We went to see an improv show at the comedy club and it was the most I laughed in a long time.

The dogs did ok with "Grammie" watching them but after a couple of days in Jamie's apartment with just her cat I missed having a dog around...luckily Saturday we went to a dog show!  I got to meet a long time online friend Maria who shows and breeds Cattle Dogs.

The weekend of the 17th I went to the DelVal Cardigan specialty - CC won her class on Saturday and was dumped on Sunday...but we had a great time - I won a TON in the raffle and it was great to schmoose with other cardigan breeders.

I also have some news coming soon!

Agility pictures

Cardigan Welsh Corgi CC » Proof #ad-060212m-134 » Karen Hocker Photography

Wow, thank you Karen for having a great eye and getting my feisty girl in action!

What a GREAT weekend!

At the Somerset Hills agility trial yesterday - it was a busy day because my class had its "field trip" trial for students new to the sport of agility and wanted to see how a trial is run.  So I was the masochist who entered all 3 dogs.  I was planning on retiring Priscilla from AKC agility and sticking to NADAC at this trial but more on that later.

CC was first up in the morning in Novice Jumpers.  She broke her start line and then it was big mess of dog and human so she knocked a bar in the beginning.  Otherwise the rest of the run was lovely - got a nice rear cross on her.  Oh well.  she is a babydog.  Her Rottie pal, Chance, got his second NJP leg too!

Then it was a long gap until Open Standard with Iggy Pop and Priscilla.  Iggy Pop knocked the second bar but again his run would have been clean.  D'oh.  Priscilla started out GREAT - until we got to the table.  Then she saw Iggy Pop outside the ring and a bug literally flew in her ear so she was trotting/hobbling like Quasimodo around the course shaking her head.  oh well.

Then it's Open Jumpers.  For a dopey handler like myself and a fast unforgiving dog like Iggy Pop this has been the bane of my existence.  My handling has improved I will say.  I actually got ballsy enough to lead out for a front cross.  It worked!  We had a pretty pretty run for our second OJP leg!  Our time was 33.77 seconds.  By contrast my friends Chesapeake Bay Retriever ran (and Q!) on the same course in 33.6 seconds.  Yeah Iggy is a tad quick.  Our other friend Susanne and her lab Lily, also got a Q for her title!  Great times!

Next up is Novice FAST.  I had all THREE entered again...if CC qualified it would be her title.  She did!  The icing on the cake was ALL my dogs qualified.  Even Priscilla!  So I guess we have a title to finish!  :)

CC is now Cool Sensation z Domu Polanki RN NFP CGC

Iggy Pop has 2 legs in Open Standard and Open Jumpers and one leg in Novice FAST

Priscilla has one Novice FAST leg.  

Another Agility Q

CC got another Q in Novice FAST Preferred with a great score and a first place!  She was the only one of the three to qualify that weekend.  Our jumpers run was less than desirable.  But she is still a babydog.

2 legs down, one to go!

A MAJOR!

A great weekend at the Atlantic Shore Memorial Classic!

Saturday at Monmouth County Kennel Club, CC went Reserve Winners Bitch to a major.  Brother JR went Best Of Winners to finish his Championship!  CC and JR's dad George went Best of Breed.

After a year of being the bridesmaid, CC picked up her first 3-point major today at Plainfield Kennel Club under judge Edy Dykstra Blum by going Winners Bitch and Best Opposite Sex.  I am thrilled!

To make the day better, CC's dad, George, went Best of Breed and half-brother Willie went Select Dog!

Next up is the agility trial Saturday.  :)  Go CC Go!

"My" Horse

How I WISH I could own a horse as wonderful as him.  Or own a horse at all.  This is what I flew across the country for.  I LOVE Shine.  He is what every little girl dreams of at one point - a gray Arabian to ride to the magical castle in the clouds.

Instead I got the fairy tale cat, Mischief...

Yup.  She is super soft and squeezy though.

Kennel Cough

Ugh.

Long story short I dropped CC off at Raquel's house on Monday.  Saturday she called me and said "CC has kennel cough".  Sigh.  Raquel has 5 large dogs herself and now they are all sick.  Priscilla and Iggy Pop are ok for now but I know where this came from and they were exposed as well.  So in all good conscience I can't bring them to the NADAC trial knowing this.

Crap.

California May 2012

One of my favorite places to go is to San Diego...its the one place on the planet that was made for me...as if I drew it up myself.  Warm, low humidity, and such variation in climate and topography - one can go from the ocean to the mountains in under 2 hours...love it!  Best part is I got to stay at my friend Rhonda's house - which is on an Arabian horse farm and avocado groves...it was HEAVEN.

The Desert Divide at Mt Laguna.  Foreground is mountains, background is the desert. 

Julian Apple pie.  It is the best I have had.  Seriously.  

Driving (well sitting in traffic) in Orange county.  This guy ain't going 88 mph anytime soon.

Coronado Island...talk about Heaven.  It should be illegal to live in a place so damn nice.

One of the beaches on Coronado

The famous Hotel Del

I missed my dogs but I will hopefully be back to SoCal very soon!  

Therapy Work

Iggy Pop and I have been embarking on a new venture - therapy work.  I got him certified though TDI (Therapy Dogs International) with every intention of using it.  We did "unofficial" therapy dog work when my grandparents were still alive and both of us enjoyed bringing smiles to faces of residents.

Finally we found a facility that is easy to get to - lovely (nice homey look and feel - not like a hospital or "nursing home" at all) and small.  He works with residents in the Memory Care Unit and it is bittersweet...it makes me miss my grandparents more and more and I know the residents do not remember me and the dog visiting before...but in that moment they smile, their eyes light up, they grab a ruff of corgi love.  And they tell me stories of their dogs past.  Iggy Pop is so patient and loving.  He was made for this.

There really isn't a title for it (I mean I add the TDI at the end of his name and I think AKC has the therapy dog title) but I dont even care about that.  I love my visits on Sundays with my dog and I love bringing joy to people.

2012 Cardigan National Trip

Well the 2012 National is over...some photos of our trip.

It was a rainy drive there...but that does say "Welcome to Ohio".  Luckily I beat out the nasty storm that dumped 12 inches of snow in Western PA.

The GM plant in Lordstown, Ohio.  Home of the Chevrolet Cruze.

Iggy Pop wanted breakfast in bed.  We did not stay at the Host Hotel as it was mad expensive.  For 34 dollars a night I stayed at the Motel 6 around the corner (literally) with free Wifi.

Rally, agility and obedience kicked off our week.  In fear of conflicts I only entered CC in Rally Novice.  I entered her long before we actually got her title in case she still needed legs to qualify.  She got her title before we left so this was just Gravy.  :)

Our score could have been better Monday but we were both stressed and CC is NOT the kind of dog where you can drag her out of the car and run in the ring...she needs some time to decompress first.  She has never NQ'ed in Rally Novice B since we started trialing.  :)  


The weather left a lot to be desired.  The town of Huron is right on Lake Erie.  Which would be fabulous in July...it was almost May and we had 40-50 mph wind gusts with wind chills in the 30s.  Needless to say 2 days of outdoor agility was not as fun as it could be.  But...

Yes!  CC at her FIRST agility trial EVER got a leg in Novice FAST!  FAST is a course where each obstacle has point values and a "send bonus" where the handler has to send the dog into a series of obstacles at a distance in order to qualify.  Novice you need 50 points (including the bonus which is 30) to qualify.  She got 65 points!  I couldnt believe it!  She also got a first place!  Not bad for a dog who never saw a real agility course before.  She was also entered in Novice Jumpers with Weaves and she did GREAT!  She backjumped once which caused us to not qualify but for a baby dog she was outstanding.

Iggy Pop FINALLY  (cue angel chorus) got his second Open Standard leg.  And he did it with a CLEAN (!!!) run in wicked fast time!  He was 20 seconds faster than the second place dog.

 CC saying "ALL THE TOYS IS MINES"

I also got to go to my first performance dinner which was great.  I won the socks in the corner at the silent auction.  :)  The rest is all our swag.  The CWCCA went all out this year and the fact I qualified at a trial dedicated to Beth Magnus was really special.  Beth was a pillar in cardigan performance events and she was missed.  It was great that one of her dogs went High in Trial too.  :)

Tuesday was not as q-able but CC did it in Rally with a much better score.  I love the toy that says "Naughty".   how appropriate.  :)  Tuesday I also got to meet Nikki - a person who I have known online for about 7 years and NEVER met in person!  She shows and breeds Belgian Sheepdogs and owns Ziggy, a rescue Cardigan.  He got his Novice Agility title that day!  It was a great day despite the wind.  

 Conformation was next in the week.  CC got super stressed in Sweepstakes - lots of people talking ringside (right against the ring) videographers, people going in and out, dogs barking.  Its a lot.  No surprise she didnt place in her class she was not herself.  Friday was Bitch classes and she was more relaxed but no love for her.  So I packed up and went home a bit discouraged.

I came home to find THIS in the mail.  :)  Yay!

Bad news and good news

Well no Puppies.  :(  Priscilla reabsorbed her entire litter.  She won't be bred again sadly.

Good news is the dogs and I have landed at the 2012 Cardigan Welsh Corgi National Specialty in Huron!  We are staying at a much cheaper and very nice Motel 6 around the corner from the host hotel.

Iggy Pop the wolf

Iggy Pop howling...he does this on a regular occaison cause we live by a fire house.  :)  Adorable!

Easter show

Well CC was the only one in her class and she showed really nice but no points.  Holly's girl Hush got the points and finished with 5 majors!  Congrats!

We also entered in Rally - even though she finished her title 2 weeks ago, a bumper leg is fine.  Especially now that the new regulations are in effect.  CC did ok - despite finding the floor VERY TASTY - we got an 84.  So now she definitely has her RN title.  LOL

The best part of the weekend was seeing my good friends Eileen and Tony and their Elkhounds, Kate and Jared.  Jared got Reserve Winners Dog and once he matures he will be going places.  Amy and her daughter Ali also stopped by and we all had an awesome Easter lunch/dinner at Eileen's motorhome.  CC loved the motorhome - she was going in and out and in and out...maybe one day I'll get one myself.

Bad week

My grandma passed away - my last remaining grandparent.  Its bittersweet as my grandparents were huge parts of my life.  It's numbing almost...

On a lighter note, you know you are at a Sicilian funeral when you overhear someone say "I should have put a contract on him."  Dead Serious.

Long story short the aftermath should be interesting regarding everyone coming out of the woodwork...

Upcoming litter

Priscilla was bred a month ago to possibly my favorite dog on the planet - George.  We are almost positive it took and that would make for a very exciting summer!

Click here for Pedigree

As of right now I am taking names for pet or performance homes.  Both parents are proven in the show ring and in obedience and Rally.  Priscilla would herd all day and loves agility.  Temperaments should be nothing short of outstanding.  After disappointments last year my fingers are crossed this is the real deal!  :)

New Title! And Lure Coursing!

CC got her Rally Novice title last night!!!  Yay!  And she got another point in conformation.  We are entered tomorrow and sunday so hopefully more good news!

Her reward today:

We tried lure coursing for the first time and she took to it like a pro!  She got a little confused as to why the spools were there for the turns but she wanted that lure!  She did about 300 yards easy.  I entered her in an upcoming CAT event so we will see!

Iggy Pop got to play too but he wasnt as enthused...we had some great sections but he figured out his "squirrel" was a lowly plastic bag.

A good weekend!

I decided to make the trek to the Celtic Classic in York, PA on St. Patrick's Day.  The night before I slept at Lisa's house so I could see my Priscilla who is vacationing there.  We had a great time together and took a nice walk together.

Then the 90 minute drive to York.  CC was entered in Rally Novice B and we had a huge conflict.  And of course Rally and Obedience were in a different building.  CC hated the building but she got a respectable score of 86.  I could have retried a sign instead of screw it up altogether and have a better score but too late now!  

We didn't even stay to get our ribbon - I packed up CC and her crate and we went to the breed ring area.  With 30 mins till Ring time.  With an ungroomed dog.  I think I groomed as fast as ever.  After a long long dry spell in conformation - I was happy to take Reserve Winners Bitch to the major under respected breeder-judge Leah James.  

Rally Q!!!!

CC had her first Rally trial at Monticello Kennel Club in Novice B.  We were working on a lot of confidence issues and I was just hopeful for her to enjoy herself.  Maybe a Q maybe not.

Well - she not only got a Q - she got a score of 99 (perfect score is 100) and a nice Third Place!!!  WOW! Is all I can say.

Not bad for a little peanut.

Obedience match

First, I got my weave poles and they are Fabulous!!!  

Iggy Pop couldn't wait to play with them!  

Next I took CC for 2 runs at my training club's obedience show n go.  It was corrections allowed.  She did awesome!  My handling is terrible but she got the point.  LOL  Good girl!  

Corgi Hat!!!

This came in the mail today!  Ignore the mess of Astronaut ice cream stacked behind the hat.  http://www.thinkgeek.com is the last place that sells it so I stock up!

My home made very own fleece cardi hat came today from CorgiPals!  They are a great organization that helps corgis in need.  You can find them here http://www.corgipals.org/ or on Etsy or Facebook!

Lure coursing Corgis!

http://www.pawpalspca.org/

I am happy I found a place to try out lure coursing with the dogs!  We are going to our first practice next month. Should be interesting!  I am always open to try new dogsports - we dream BIG.  :)

Big Dog weave poles

My Weave Poles!!!

FINALLY after putting off and putting off and borrowing weave poles from friends (thanks Raquel!) in 2 weeks I will have my VERY OWN SET OF 12 AKC 24 INCH SPACING WEAVE POLES.  Iggy Pop is thanking me already - or cursing me.  I will get to pick them up from the trial in Swedesboro. 

The level we are competing at now he needs 12.  And I keep my equipment in good shape so they will last forever.  My yard is small and one of the essential pieces of equipment is weave poles and a jump or 2.

Its like Christmas!

No Q's but he done good

We spent all day at Dream Park.  Met up with Kathy and Lisa who took a video for me.

First up was Open Standard.  I assed (I don't half-ass I use the whole thing) a front cross in front of the teeter but we did it.  We got called for 2 Refusals at the weaves so no Q.  But that was our only issue.  Great!

Then Open Jumpers.  It was a hard jumpers course.  Iggy knocked a bar then decided the course simply did not have enough tunnels.  So he added an extra.  ;o)  However, he got his weaves!  And besides him getting creative he read me well.

We decided to stay for Time2Beat.  Iggy Pop was a celebrity with the stewards.  They love him and hoped to see him.  Iggy is so full of himself if his head gets any bigger I'm going to need a wheelbarrow.  He was so THRILLED - ZOMG IM RUNNING A THIRD TIME - he barreled into (yes into - the dog is like a bull) a jump.  However.  Time2Beat is more advanced than where I am at now and the fact I handled the rest of the course like I wanted to was great.  I even front crossed!  ::pats back::  The judge was like "too bad for that bar".  Yup.

Video of Iggy Pop's standard run.



Meeting up the regulars at the agility trials made me feel good.  A really great Cardi handler, Donna, saw our runs and said "you should be proud.  Green handler, green dog you are doing well."  :)

First agility trial of the season

Iggy Pop will get to go ape at Dream Park tomorrow...I am nervous...why?  Because we haven't trialed in months..or have had access to contact equipment to practice...so will Iggy Pop be Super Igg?  Or will he remember his manners.

We practiced weave poles yes and some one jump exercises but I will be shocked if we go there and he doesn't rip my arms off to get inside!

I am also nervous about Me.  Will I remember where to go?  Especially because I know I will be blessed with a JWW course with just jumps and weaves.  Oh well...should be entertaining.  And Iggy Pop will have a wonderful time (just hope he behaves).

A SUPER Bowl

The NY Giants made all of New England collectively sob.  Me I was pumped so I went out to buy the new Superbowl hats...Yeah one size does not fit all

In true NYC fashion, the city holds a ticker tape parade in Downtown Manhattan, by City Hall.  Me and my friend Raquel had to go.  A guy on the corner was selling Rally towels before he got busted for selling without a permit.  But the towels were Sweeeeet.  I love NYC I have been and worked in a many US cities but the energy New York has...its like a heartbeat.  That day everyone was happy even the cops had a good time.

If you throw stuff at the players on the floats they will sign stuff.  Raquel's hat was signed.  

It was a tiring day.  We got to our spot on the barricade at 7:30am...the parade started at 11 and was over by 12:30...we were BEAT.  So we decided to catch a train uptown to grab food and get the bus back to my house.  We swore we werent going to the Rally back at the stadium (which is a mile from my house) because we went to the parade blah blah blah.  But the bus home stopped at the stadium...

 Yeah we got off the bus.  Glad we did.

Awesome!  I called my mom to pick us up after as we had no bus going home...it was WORTH IT.

The MVP himself.  It was one of the best days I had in a long time.  

Canine Learning Experience

Oh!  Last weekend was Canine Learning Experience in Allentown, PA.  They offer a CERF clinic and they have various obedience and Rally matches.  I was still sick as anything but I knew Kathy and Lisa needed help for the Cardigan booth.  And since my ring time for CC in Beginner Novice was early I figured I could stay through the morning.

CC did GREAT at the match!  I knew she wasn't fully trained in everything but matches are great for learning and proofing.  For a busy show with music speakers other dogs and the general public she worked for me and worked happy.  Yay!

Tollar got CERF'd and CERF'd clear!  :)

Working Dogs

The Jersey Girl has been spoiled with winter.  We had like 2 "cold" (as in seasonable) days but this whole winter so far has been in the 40s, 50s and a couple days in the 60s!  Considering this time last winter we had 3 feet of snow on the ground and I was going absolutely insane to the point I considered WALKING to Florida or California or someplace WARM.  I guess my prayers were answered or Global Warming does exist.  

Warm winter means no snow (hooray!) and that means I actually can work the dogs on agility skillz.  

First of all I got the coolest Christmas present from my dear friend Raquel.

Ain't it the coolest thing ever!  Iggy Pop will be STYLING at trials.  It is so him.  And not just because it has his name on it.  He gets so excited for agility he loves to tug when he's working.  The fleece is so soft.  

This is him modeling it.  

I worked CC some too.  She is coming along nicely.  SO athletic and drivey.  Tugs till my arms fall off.  TOY DRIVE (hooray!).  I can't wait till agility class starts up again.  

Fabulous!

On the DL

I had an uneventful trip to Reno, NV over the weekend of the 17th and came back with something that must be what the Black Plague was.  I caught a nasty upper respiratory infection and I let it sit (I was in denial) for over a week.

I found some non-expired antibiotics in my medicine cabinet and took them to start and finally went to the doctor Sunday to get more antibiotics and I got an inhaler.

The worst part is I can't sleep.  I try to sleep and I have this wretched cough to the point I throw up.  So I got a few hours last night by sleeping sitting up.  LOL

Priscilla has been perfect (of course she is) and Iggy Pop and CC think that I am home and I must entertain them.  So to have 2 sets of eyes staring at me while I lay on the couch is not fun.

I am hoping to be back on my feet by the weekend.  I missed a weekend of trialing already I hope to not miss another!

Iggy Pop weave poles

Its been awhile since I made Iggy Pop videos!  I wanted to work with the dogs and take advantage of the mild winter (unseasonably mild but I am not complaining!)  My yard is tiny I have just enough space for 12 weaves and 1 jump before we hit the bushes outside the garage.  :)

Goodbye Janet

Or rather "See you later".  Janet Seltzer passed away after a long battle with cancer.  She was my first intro to agility and possibly Iggy Pop's biggest fan.  She loved my dogs but especially Iggy.  Iggy knew it too.  There were days I wanted to give up, give up Iggy, we were going nowhere fast and Iggy Pop would be eating my house, acting out the whole bit.  She told me "I believe in you and this dog will be great."  Even on her bad days she would come out and teach me simply because she loved to and she loved the dogs.  I will miss calling her on the phone for every Q (and NQ).  I will miss her smile as she would watch Iggy Pop do his thing at class.  

Rest well Janet.  You will be missed.  Thank you for everything.

Happy New Year

2012 is here...wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year!