Catching up!

Wow...So sorry I haven't written on here in such a very long time! Lots happened... but first my mom got really sick, and had to go stay a few times in some place that wasn't here at home where she belonged. She came home smelling all sorts of medicine-y, and it took her time to be able to walk, and then run.

But then we spent LOTS of time working on various things, and planning, and doing a bunch of other things I don't understand...but in the end, we all went away for over a WEEK! It was so much fun, 'cause I got so MUCH attention! I showed off in harness, and played on some agility stuff, and went in a show ring and we left with those pretty ribbons my mom likes so much..best part though was that I got groomed at least once a day- and you all know how much I love grooming......I wish every week was all about me....it was just as it should be.

And now we've been working really hard on our agility training. Even though I had fun when we went away, I guess mom needs me to be better at some things...I think she needs to find a way to be more clear when she tells me what she wants. I admit though, sometimes I just don't pay attention...so maybe we both need to communicate better with each other.

Mom is also trying to teach me to chase and bring back a toy...now, I'll do most anything for food, and I like to play with toys..well, when I feel like it. But why would I go get and bring back something a human threw?? I think if she wanted it, she shouldn't have thrown it away. Duh.
But I'll think about it. What she's doing right now, is she's using click and treat methods..I love getting her to click, and she's clicking me for touching these two special toys with my nose. Yesterday I actually DID bring her the red firehose toy, and then she played tug with me for a minute, before she gave me a piece of chicken and put the toy away. I don't usually like playing tug with people, only with my uncle Ash...but it was kind of fun! I might do it again. Maybe. The other special toy is a bright green ball, she calls it a "tennis" ball. It's sort of fun how it bounces, and I like to watch it, and then grab it after it stops bouncing. So we'll see....I might be willing to give it a try. I'll let you know how that goes!

Wow, Busy!

We've been so busy! I was right though- we DID go somewhere, and we were gone for DAYS! I was pretty sure, 'cause we all had baths, and mom washed a bunch of our stuff, and packed stuff in bins and this wheely thing she calls a "suitcase"...I guess it's a case, alright, but I don't get the "suit" part.
Anyway, we traveled most of a day in the van, but I don't mind that part- I just roll onto my back in my crate and sleep most of the time. Oh, and talk my aunty Sharon out of french fries...I love my aunty Sharon, she dances for me and she's just so silly! I wasn't so sure I liked her putting strange dogs in MY van at first..but after a while, I remembered that these weren't strangers, I just hadn't seen them in many months.
It turned out that we went to a dog show! Dog shows are GREAT- I get so MUCH attention- all that brushing, and spraying, and combing, and that awesome blower thing, and then in the ring: LIVER...I just love it. I DON'T love it when mom has to give that same attention to the other dogs, though, even my dog-mom Rhya. I want mom all to myself! She's MINE. We had a good time though, and mom was happy when we won pretty strips of satin ribbon and some sparkly glass stuff. THIS dog show was extra cool though, because we got to work in harness, too! We did good, I think, 'cause everyone said so. I was a little unsure of that big cart behind me at first, but pretty soon I figured out that mom liked it when I pulled it to her, and then I just had fun showing off how strong I am! Mom made me stop before I was ready to though- just when I was really sure I was getting good at it! Just wait'll next time...
Then, we get home, and things JUST get back to normal, and then we spent two days going to this weird building, with springy green carpet on the WHOLE floor, and lines painted on it..but they had agility equipment on it! I didn't get to go near any of the equipment, bummer! But Rhya did, and she said she was good sometimes, and really had a hard time paying attention to mom some of the time. But there were more of those colored ribbons, and new STUFFY TOYS! I will take them..oh yes, I will...they will be mine...

Going to School

OK, so last night we got to go to Agility class! I LOVE agility class- I like doing pretty much anything, but going to school is great! We have so much fun...
Last night, I made mom really happy- I started getting the idea to drive ahead to the next obstacle without needing to turn back to mom to make sure she was coming along. It's easy, I'm not sure why this was a problem- I think she just wasn't telling me that's what she wanted.
And then I REALLY made her happy: I took the Aframe hard and fast, but remembered (well, she might've reminded me, but I could'a done it on my own) to get into a 2 on -2 off contact position..and then I STAYED there while she got a short lead-out to the next jump! Mom was so proud - if she's this happy when I do something so simple, I don't know what I'm going to do with her when I show her how to do something harder...
Mom did say something about needing to remember that I'm still learning, and she needs to give me clearer direction...she's used to running my dog-mom, Rhya, and Rhya likes it best when mom is quiet and understated. I bet I'll get there too someday, but I think she needs to work a little harder for a while!
Mom's training me differently, she says, than she's trained dogs before- she's always very positive, but I guess she's letting me make choices to learn without always just telling me or showing me what she wants...whatever it is that's different, it sure is FUN! I love figuring out what I can do to make her click the clicky-thing.