Thursday, September 24, 2009

Classes Have Begun




Jane, Harley, Pam and Topper are busy learning.






Harley is the social one- he is trying to get this pretty lady to play!






The front door to our "class" - all set for Halloween already!








Class is fun, just have to dive into it!



I'm sorry that I have not been a good correspondent, but life has been full recently. Topper and Harley have been experiencing many different settings these past two weeks. First of all they continue to go to camp with Alice and Paul on the weekends. They are "enrolled" in puppy play school twice a week, and this week we added puppy obedience class. My friend, Jane O'Connor, a wonderful doggy person who has 3 "babies" of her own, consented to come with me each Tuesday for these classes. That way both dogs will get the full benefit of the hour long class. This past Tuesday was the first class! Well, now I know what being joined at the hip feels like! Topper and Harley wanted to be with me. Harley did alright with Jane, but Topper screamed as if we were taking his legs off whenever I moved out of range. Harley wasn't as vocal, but he made his objections known when he couldn't see me. Jane, bless her heart, worked patiently with Harley and with Topper when we tried to switch off. Both dogs did sit for treats and we are practicing "getting their attention" by saying their name and then treating. The lessons to be learned this week are attention, name and no snapping at the treat! Well two out of three "ain't bad"! A woman who's husband was in the class took a bunch of pictures for me, but we were too far away for any really good shots, but I put them on anyway!
I have heard from Gillis' parents (Bar Harbour, ME) and he is growing, healthy and very happy. Dawn - new name is Marlie- is enjoying her life outside of Portland ME. Sachmo, who lives in Weston, MA, is really enjoying life. His parents have a beach house and he has spent the summer running in the waves and loving every minute. Ava, our NJ girl, is going to live with Emily in MA. Emily is our handler and she co-owns Ava with Greg (NJ). Our Canadian boy, Oden, is very happy--seems he spends many days at his "Aunt's" doggy boutique. Our California "dude" is busy re-training his people--he was the one with the silver collar that we thought would make the best hunter, as he was always ready to work! Sophie in ME continues to be the light of her owners life and absolutely knows that she is a princess! The only people that we haven't heard from recently are our girl's parents in PA, but then they have school, job etc to keep them busy, not to mention learning what our girl wants.
By now everyone probably has had their second visit to the vets for the second vaccination. Hopefully all went well with those. Harley and Topper love our vet, he gives treats- lots of them!
I'll try to get some more news for next blog entry.
Enjoy
Pam

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Harley and Topper



Topper on the Rocks--he is quite the swimmer!





Topper and Harley pose for pictures.






First time on a boat! Alice gets a big thank you from Harley!





Travis has his hands full with Harley and Topper at Puppy Playschool!




I just had to post some of the pictures of Harley and Topper. They had a wonderful time with Alice, Paul and their family this weekend at the lake. They took their first boat ride, enjoyed swimming and generally were the center of attention for 48+ hours. Tough life eh?
On Tuesday they went to puppy play group, and yes I forgot my camera #@!@#*. But when I picked them up (they go 1/2 day) the report from Travis was that they raced around and had a great time.
I promised to tell you about my "re-entry" into the Rally ring after being away from it for 4 months. Well, the old saying that pride goes before a fall certainly applied!! Rosa blew me off in spades!!!! She checked out every blade of grass, watched every cloud and smiled the whole time! But never fear, we will return! I have "us" signed up for classes and our goal is to complete the Novice Rally level by the end of October, and go on....and yes I am polishing off some of my more colorful language learned in the Emergency Department during high stress times (lol). Even my police experience doesn't match that level.
I'll keep you informed as Harley and Topper will be going to classes too. I might even learn some words in another language.
Pam

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Gillis Loves Maine



Gillis and his Dad





Time for a nap Gillis




Life can be rough!




If you load this thing correctly, it really works.



I am including part of the email that we received from Gillis' parents. Apparently he is having varied experiences and tons of fun.....(From Yvonne) Hello All--I wanted to give you an update on Gillis. His first week was a busy one. After acclimating to the house and yard his social life improved. He was introduced to all of my colleagues at work--and they were all there that day. He made a big hit. We took him shopping so he could meet people and see cars and hear noise. He was not impressed. He greeted people on his belly and then peed when they petted him so he is definitely not an aggressive dog. On Saturday he went to a party with about 80 people--kids and adults--and one dog whose attitude basically was, "go away kid, you bother me." Gillis tried to be friendly but she was having none of it. He was, however, the hit of the party and this time he did not crawl on his belly but ran to greet people. He was such a good dog all afternoon--many people complimented us on how good he was. Today we took him for a walk around a nice neighborhood where he encountered a golden retriever, and they were trying to out-subservient each other. Gillis obviously was not the alpha dog in the litter. He is going to a barbeque tonight at Acadia National Park so we will see how that goes. He's turning into quite the social butterfly....she went on to say that he loves food, is sleeping through the night, but is afraid of the dark, won't go beyond the "circle of light" when she takes him out before bed. I have posted the pictures sent and you can see he is really enjoying himself.
Hope to post other stories tomorrow.
Pam

Monday, September 7, 2009

She's a Mainiac!





Dawn's now a Mainiac!









Tessa and Thomas and their Mom enjoy the Train.








The Merry-Go-Round was fun too!








It looks like a dog, Thomas, but it's really a goat!





Our Dawn went to her new home in Maine this Saturday. Her new owners, Nelson, Laura and Justin met me at a Dog Show in North Conway, NH. Rosa, Dawn's Aunt, was entered in Novice A Rally (that's another story!) and Harvey and Topper were going to "Lake Club Med" with Alice who was also showing there. Dawn had a bath and smelled wonderful. She had on her new collar, and she had her favorite toy and blanket with her, and then Harvey "lost his breakfast" during the ride to North Conway and Dawn was suddenly covered with "uck" and smelled worse!! I did try to wipe most of it off, but you know how that is...a small cloth, some water from a jug and a squirming pup...oh well, she still looked cute. It's always hard for me to say good bye, but being able to meet with such wonderful owners has helped. We hear that Gillis is settling in just fine, and our Canadian boy, Gideon, is really enjoying being at the "boutique". California boy hasn't had any blond streaks put in, but settling in was the first priority. Sophie is as smart as a whip and wowed everyone with her immediate response to "sit" when she went to the vet to be weighed and checked over. Sachmo, our biggest male, who went to Massachusetts, is the center of attention and loves his life. Our NJ/RI girl is the queen of the shop (her owner owns a grooming shop) and her life is full. Our PA. girl's family has been busy, but we hope to get some pictures of her soon. I will post the pictures as soon as I get them.
I hope you have had a wonderful long weekend. Labor Day is always bitter sweet, as the "end" of summer, but actually some of the best weather days are ahead of us! I went with my daughter and the twins to our local "state fair". It was a blast to be with the twins as they looked at all the pretty lights, rode the little train and merry-go-round, and petted the animals at the petting barn. Football has also started and I'm the "nurse" for our local team, the Redhawks. In the league you have to have a medical person on the field, so it's been fun cheering for my grandson and his friends....keeps one young!
As soon as I get pictures I'll post them. Oh yes, and I'll tell you about rally and going back to basics and class!
Talk to you soon.
Pam

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Gillis sends His Love





The perfect toy to chew--helps the gums too!







Here you go Dad, maybe next time a ball?









Just got some wonderful pictures of Gillis and had to post them. Sounds like he is enjoying his new family as much as they are enjoying him. He sleeps through the night, plays with his "parents" and is enjoying his life!
Pam

The Three "Moosekateers"



Now this is a forest!




I don't need any swimming goggles, I can see just fine, thank you!




Boy, look at Mom go!





Couldn't resist a little NH humor in the title this morning. The three pups, Topper, Dawn and Harley spent yesterday afternoon and last night with me at my home. My husband, Mike, is having a ball with Dawn. She knows how to bat those big brown eyes! Marion has her house to herself for a few days. Our local "Doggy Day Spa" has puppy play school, so the three of them will go to school probably on Friday..and yes, I'll get pictures of the "first day of school"! My grandchildren will be over to play with the pups on Thursday, as our school system shuts down Thursday, Friday and the long weekend due to the State Fair held in our town.
The pups had a ball as usual this weekend at "Lake Club Med" as you can see by the pictures. We should all have this much fun!
Today I am working with the lead and collar, so they don't do the "puppy flip" every time they have to be on lead. Alice and Kayla, and Rosa and I will be at a Rally Trial this weekend and the pups will be going also. Alice said that the pups are welcome to go to camp with her after the trial, and it looks like a perfect weekend, so we'll do the swap at the show.
We got a wonderful email from the Davis' who have Gillis. He is thriving and enjoying his new home. He apparently does not appreciate the recent heavy rains. Yvonne told a cute story of taking him out to "potty" and him standing under her between her legs so this "Irish Water Spaniel" didn't get wet!! What a hoot!
Hope you all have a great Labor Day Weekend. I'll post pictures of the pups as I get them.