Road Trip!!!!

It's Christmas time, which means mom and I will be in Florida to celebrate with the family. Mom and I headed out very early Monday morning to start the drive from Tulsa to Melbourne, Florida. I made this drive before with mom and gramma over the summer, so I was prepared. We took Granddad's car! Granddad has a flashy red car, and I thought it suited me quite well. Mom loaded up my car seat, and even got me an extra dog bed so I could try to rest and relax during the journey. I did my best to rest, but well I know it's a dog's job to keep an eye on mom, so I did my best to do that too! It took a total of 22 hours in the car. Mom and I tried to stop at least once every 3 hours unless "nature called," if you know what I mean...Mom did her best to take some pictures of my adventure on the road. So here's all that I can recall:

As you can tell from this picture, I was in great spirits and really up for the journey. I am such a great companion. Recently, my mom has been quite busy with work so I was really excited to get to spend some time with her!!

Mom hit a part of the trip after Memphis Tennessee and before Birmingham Alabama where the road was pretty straight and simple to follow. She stated that even "I" could drive it. So I offered to take 2nd shift on the driving. I think it lasted like 20 minutes, I was wiped out!!

Okay, so I know in this picture it looks like I'm sleeping, but I'm not was just giving my eyes a chance to take a short break during the long trip. I kept a good lookout. When we got to Montgomery Alabama there was a wreck of some sort on 85 South. We had terrible timing, or maybe it was awesome timing for me, as we got to see 10 policemen head towards an accident that was in front of us while we hung out in the car. Now the really cool part about this for me, is the fact that 7 of those policemen were on motorcycles!!! I love motorcycles. Once we got to rolling again, I hung my head out the window and was commenting that I liked their motorcycles, mom told me to stop barking and then rolled my window up. I just grinned.

When we finally checked into the hotel, a Days Inn in Dothan, Alabama. It's pronounced (Doe than, with a long O sound), mom double checked because Pat was doubting her as she said the name of the destination.

I was stoked that the hotel had ESPNU so that mom and I could catch the 2nd half of the KU basketball game!

I was amped up and ready to go this morning! Mom was lolly-gagging around, and I just wanted to hit the road, and get the road trip done. So I hopped in the car, and mom went to turn in the room key. I tried to stare her down to get her to move quicker, but instead she snaps this photo. But as I said earlier, I have to say I looked pretty stylish in granddads ride!!

This morning mom met up with another KU Jayhawks, Carla! You know Jayhawks always stick together, and once a jayhawk always a jayhawk. Carla lives in Tallahassee, Florida. She works at Florida State University. Carla told my mom about a cool park: Maclay Park and Gardens. There was a cool recreation area. There wasn't anyone around, so mom let me off my leash and I got to run around and play for a little while. It was good to work the stiffness out of my legs. Mom took a video, but not sure how to upload that to my blog right now. I'll work on it.

Once I ran around a little bit, mom and I walked down towards the water. There was a beach-like area. I remember not liking the beach too much last time I was in Florida, but mom encouraged me to check it out and give it a try. Since there weren't any other two-leggeds or four-leggeds around I figured "why not"?

There appeared to be some seaweed on the beach, but later mom told me that it was the trees shedding some funky looking leaves.

I checked out the water a couple of times. Carla later told me that there are real live gators in them there waters. So gratefuly I didn't meet one of those nose to nose if you know what I mean!!

I got to meet mom's friend Carla. She of course thought I was adorable! I think we took a really cute picture. It was really nice to hang out with a fellow Jayhawk. Especially after the basektball loss last night to Davidson. She was a really great host and brought my mom some tea and a bagel from Panera. My mom was nice enough to give me a taste of her left over cream cheese. We had fun hanging out in the garden area, even though the sign said no pets allowed. I tried to point out the sign to my mom, but she ignored me...it was a very pretty garden. My gramma would probably like going there.

After all the excitment at the park, I have to admit that I was feeling exhausted! So I decided to catch a dog nap. I had a tough time getting everything in just the right place so that my head didn't get bounced around when we hit bumps in the road. I have to say that granddad's car really rides pretty smooth.

Mom was nice enough to wake me up a little before getting to Gramma and Granddads house so that I could look awake and alert. I'm sure that I will sleep well tonight. Mom says that I get to ride in a plane on the way home in a little over a week. I am a little nervous about that, but for right now I am going to keep sending good vibes to Santa Claus so that maybe I'll get some of the things on my wish list. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!! (my mom does too)

Weekend of Tests!!!

Wow, it has been a super crazy week!  First things first...my mom had to go out of town for business and my gramma and granddad are in Florida so I had to spend 3 days at the Doggie Hotel (mom calls it woodland west).  I really am not a fan of the Doggie Hotel, but try to be understanding that mom has to leave to work sometimes so that she can make money so I can get treats, cool stuff, and go to dog school.  Mom told me that she has to go out of town next week too and I started to panic, but then she said that Gramma and Granddad would be home from their trip so I can stay with them.  PHEW!!

Well mom got back to town on Wednesday and picked me up as early as she could...I had about 2 hours before it was time to go to dog school for my agility class.  I really wasn't feeling like myself and was still a little stressed out and tired.  When mom wanted me to go across the Teeter Totter I panicked!  It was like the first day of Agility class with the teeter at full height.  I was all over the place in the ring, and I could tell that mom was tired for all the driving that she had to do as well.  Needless to say...dog school did not go well.

I was glad mom went back to work on Thursday, I needed the day to be at home in the nice quiet environment so that I could catch up on my sleep.

Well Saturday morning, mom and I got up.  I was surprised mom wasn't getting all her running stuff on.  Then she breaks the news to me, that I was going to have to take my Rally test that morning.  I tried to keep my cool.  Mom said that I probably wouldn't do well because we haven't been doing my homework like we really should.  Well we got to school and there was a sign on the course that neither my mom nor I had ever seen  before.  Mom told me just to stay cool and have fun.  So I did... Well turns out I squeaked out a 75.  I know that doesn't sound like a great score, but technically it's a passing score. Mom was thrilled and I thought good job me!!

Then today came...mom woke up and started telling me I needed to "be the teeter".  I was kinda freaked out again about the teeter totter.  We got to school and I made the rounds saying hi to all my two-legged and four-legged friends.  Before I knew it was my turn!!  Mom had my friend Zoe's mom take a video.  You can see that video here:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfFlHxw1Egc

You can see that I was still a little skeptical about the teeter totter.  So mom says that I get to do beginner agility again.  My teacher Ms. Jonnie told me that I could go on to novice agility, but mom thinks I need to continue to build my confidence and get over my fear of the teeter totter.

Here's me going over the teeter totter while on my leash, after my test was finished:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znWyu16J5HQ

Two tests in one weekend...I'm ready for mom to go to work tomorrow so I can recover.

Boca II CD RN

Hey all!

I did it! I earned another diploma/title. I competed in my 2nd and 3rd trial in novice rally on Friday October 28th. Mom was nice enough to take the day off of work so that we could compete. I was excited because mom told me that the trial was going to take place at my very own do school!

During the first trial. I was all calm cool and collected before going into the ring. However, as soon as mom told me to heel I got a little excited and took off a little too fast and mom had to talk loud at the first sign so I didn't miss it. Once we got through about half of the signs I settled down. I wound up getting a score of 90. Hey, it was an improvement from the 89 I got at the trial in Fayetteville.

Well mom and I took it easy before the second trial. Then when mom was walking the course she came back and told me that the course was a little tricky and that I better pay attention to her. Mom took me outside to play and run out some of my nervous energy before it was my turn to compete. When we got back inside mom told me a bunch of dogs had "nq" (non-qualified) because they missed a sign. Now as the four-legged it's not our fault if the two-legged missed the sign. But after getting too excited during the first trial I knew I better pay close attention. Mom and I took the ring for our second trial. We both did great. I didn't think mom missed any signs am she didnt seem frustrated so I figured all was well. Our score got posted and I got a 98!!! We watched the other dogs go and what do you know? I did well enough to get 3rd place!! Also by getting my 3rd score of 70 or better I earned an "RN" (rally novice) title. It's very exciting. I had a great time!

Mom says the next title that I will go for is in novice agility! Now that I am over my fear of the teeter totter I think that title will be in my near future.

Happy October!!

Hello everyone!!! I am so sorry that my mom hasn't updated my blog in over a month!!! I have been harping her about it, but she's been super busy with work. I hate when my mom has to work a whole lot, but it's what let me go to dog school and get treats and all that. I have so much to share I am not real sure where to start.  It's a good thing mom has remembered to take pictures of me and some of my cool happenings. I'll just upload those pictures and tell you about them.

 The weather has finally started to turn cooler, so I am able to spend more time outside and on longer walks with mom.  I am so glad it's almost winter time.  My mom says "yuck", but I say bring it on!  Well there was a 5K event that my Big Buddy Pat was running in, and mom wasn't just down the street, so I asked mom if I could go cheer him on.  She said sure why not.  So we headed out to the Corn Dog Classic 5K.

I found a prime spot, just by the corn dog stop.  Mom said that the runners had to stop and eat a corn dog before they could continue up the hill to the finish.  So I could smell the corn dogs and see the finish line.  I was the coolest cheerleader out there!  Then once my Big Buddy Pat went by I convinced mom that I needed to show the rest of the group how to finish strong.  So we darted up the hill and crossed the finish line!

I didn't get any special recognition or anything, but I made lots of people say "oh, what a cute dog".  Then Susan Westmoreland who runs with my mom saw me, and I turned on the charm, because she was enjoying a full sized corn dog that she got for finishing. 

It worked!!  I really appreciated her sharing with me.  I felt that I earned it.  Then as we were getting ready to head home, I felt that my legs were a little sore.  Mom always jokes about ice baths to help her muscles.  There just happened to be a pile of ice, so I took advantage.

It really does work!!  I didn't slow down or anything due to muscle soreness!

Anyway...it was loads of fun to go cheer on the runners!  Like I said earlier, mom has been pretty busy with work stuff.  So much so that she is working some on Saturdays and Sundays.  I asked if I could go with her a couple of weekends ago, and she said yes!

I like to hang out at mom's work.  She has a big window in her office and lots of people walk or ride by because it's right next to a dorm.

And when I'm there, I know I motivate and encourage mom to get her work done.  I think I look pretty good hanging out on a desk.

A couple of weekends ago, mom took me to Fayetteville Arkansas for my first trial in Rally obedience.  I liked riding in the car.  Mom said it took a little under 2 hours to get to the site.  It was in a barn-like atmosphere.  I was ready to rumble though after being in the car for so long.  We went in and set up my condo and checked in that I was ready to compete.

Mom and I then went out into a big yard area and ran and played and then crammed on the rally signs that were going to be on my test.  Then before we knew it was our turn to compete.  I did great.  Mom kinda got distracted on the first sign, but it was the first time for both of us, so I don't hold it against her.  I wound up with a score of 89 (if mom hadn't gotten distracted it would have been a 99).  This means that I got my first of 3 needed qualifying scores to get a Rally Diploma/Title.  I am going to be competing in 2 more trials at my dog school on Friday the 28th.  Wish me Luck!!

I am doing great in Agility!!  This past Wednesday night I went over the teeter totter at Full Height without my leash 2 times!!!  My mom has some videos of courses that I have been running while at school.  I am getting more confident with every class.  Conquering the teeter totter has been AWESOME!!!

My Mom is Finally Giving an Update!!!

First things first!! I finally got my very own diploma!!  It is an official document from the American Kennel Club stating that I met all of the requirements necessary to titled a "Companion Dog".  I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for this to come.  Now I just hope my mom finds a great frame to put it in so it can hang proudly in my room!  I enjoyed being able to take my diploma over to Gramma and Granddad's house and hear how proud of me they are.  Granddad even said that maybe he and Gramma would get a cool frame for it.  As long as one of the two-leggeds who's allowed to visit stores takes care of it, I will be a happy dog!

Now on to the not so fun stories.  I have been feeling a little under the weather lately.  I had a couple of days where I was really having a hard time breathing.  I went for about a week with very little energy, and was pretty happy sleeping all day.  Both my mom and grandparents felt that I was really acting different.  So mom made me constantly sit with her.  I couldn't seem to stop panting, and when I was breathing mom said it was really loud breathing.  So mom made me an appointment to see a v-e-t.  I am not sure why my mom spells that word, but that's what we call it a v-e-t.  I really don't like going to the v-e-t because when you're a dog and they take your temperature, do you know where they put the thermometer?  Well, I'm sure you can use your imagination, so it never starts out well.  Dr. spears checked me out, listened to my heart, looked at my teeth and told my mom that she couldn't pinpoint anything going on with me.  So she said they were going to do a dogogram.  I was like what the heck is a dogogram, but I was feeling pretty puny so I went with the vet techs and the vet to a back room.  I would tell you what all happens in that back room, but well...it's top secret, and I don't want to lose my membership in the cool dog club.  Well my v-e-t uses all the coolest technology so Dr. Spears pulled up my dogogram on the tv in the exam room.  It was pretty awesome to see that I'm as cool looking on the inside as I am on the outside.

Dr. Spears explained to my mom that I appeared to have stuff in my lungs.  She mentioned the possibility that I might have canine asthma.  Fancy words if you ask me, but no one did...I decided ot just chill out and relax while the doc went and got some meds I would take for a week or so, that would hopefully put a little spring back in my step.

I knew I'd be back to my old self soon.  As much as I hate going to the v-e-t, I was grateful my mom made the appointment for me, and that I was going to get some relief.  I had to take some prednisone and some meds to help me breathe a little better.  It took about 4 days but then I started to get some pep in my step.  It worked out well that I got a little under the weather during my fall break from dog school. 

My 2 week fall break went by very quickly!!  But, I have to say that I was so excited to go back to school this past Saturday.  I am taking an advanced Rally class on Saturday morning and then Beginner Agility on Wednesday nights again.  I told mom that we should snap a photo of me on my first day of an "advanced" class.  So here it is:

You can see that I was so much more genuinely excited about going to dog school than my mom.  After school was out and I hopped up into my car seat, mom took a picture of me after school.  I have so many new things to learn for this class at school, but I am up for the challenge.

I went to my Agility class last night, and it was so different being an "experienced" dog in class this time around.  It was so weird to go over the dog walk when it was so low to the ground.  On the first class last time, I wouldn't go on the dog walk at all.   This time, I did everything that was set out on the course.  The teacher didn't have the teeter-totter out for this class.  I am ready to conquer it though!  It was fun to see many of my dog friends (Zoe, Tyson, Haley) that were for a class before mine, or in my class again.  I think this next 10 weeks is going to be so fun in agility!! I have a better understanding of what I should do!!

I will work really hard with my mom to keep my blog updated.  She's back working now with her own students at TU, so she has lots of papers to grade and her own paperwork to do.  I know a pretty lame excuse, but I am trying to be an understanding dog :)

Thanks for checking in on me!

One Test Down, One to Go!!

I can't believe that this session of Dog School is already wrapping up!!! I took my Beginner Agility test today. Mom already told me that I was going to take this class again. I was a little relieved to hear that. She said that we were going to do the test, just to get some extra practice in. I was so excited that my Gramma and Granddad came to watch me complete the agility course today.

When we got to my school today, mom and I did our normal school routine of going out and playing in the yard a bit. Then we "signed in" for the test. Mom visited with some of the 2-leggeds and I made the rounds introducing myself to some of the 4-leggeds I haven't met. Then it was time to get the show on the road. Mom had 5 minutes to walk through and check out the course. Mom seemed pretty confident, she said it was going to be like a paperclip going around and around. Because I have done spirals in my rally class, I knew what this meant. Then mom got to take me on all of the "contact equipment". My granddad asked why it was called contact equipment. It's called contact equipment because you have to have at least 2 paws make contact with the lower portions (usually marked with a different color) of each side of the piece of equipment. There are 3 pieces of contact equipment: the A-frame, the teeter totter and the dog walk. I went up and over the A-frame without any issue. Then mom put on my leash and walked me over the dog walk. I was a little hesitant, but I just crawled on my belly and let the teeter totter fall and hurried off. Then I really strutted over the dog walk. Then mom and I left the ring, and waited. The person judging the test, then announced the order...I had to go first!!!

It was time!! Mom and I went to the start of the course. I did the first jump without any difficulty. Then, I hesitated initially on the A-frame, but then thought what the heck and up and over I went. Then it was over another jump and then to the teeter totter. Mom went ahead and put my leash on to help me stay calm and be successful going over the teeter totter.Because my mom put my leash on, I failed the test, but like mom said...we were just doing it for practice I already planned on retaking the class anyway. Then once I was off the teeter totter and mom took my leash off, it was time for a tunnel. I really LOVE tunnels!! Then up and over the dog walk. I walked so fast across the dog walk, and with such confidence my mom had to run a little. Then I jumped through the tire, and hopped on the table. I think I had the quickest sit of any of the dogs mom and I watched. Then I went towards my mom and did the weave poles with style and flair, not missing a single one! Then it was over a jump, over a long jump, through the chute and over one last jump. Everyone clapped!!

I did great!!! I had lots of fun. It was weird to go first though, usually I have to go last in a class because my last name starts with a "W". Now I'm gonna rest up and get ready for my Rally test on Wednesday evening. I had the 3rd highest score on the practice test with a 93, and hope that I can improve on that score for Wednesday. I will keep you all posted!!

I'm Getting Brave!!

Greetings everyone! It's time I crawl out of my hidey-hole and share with you my latest happenings. The 100+ degree temperatures over the last month have made my choices of activities slim. I have even been controlling how frequently I need to go out to take care of business if you know what I mean. I mean the grass is crunchy and hot. It's a good thing I attend dog school, I might not ever get out of the house with as hot as it's been. My coping with the heat techniques have included lounging in the shady spots at home on the wood floor, hanging out close to an air conditioning vent, and well just resting up for fall when I know I'll be ready to run around and play like crazy.


Mom, however has had other ideas. She is on a cleaning and purging frenzy. She made me go through my toys and pick out the ones I wanted to keep, the ones I was willing to part with, and some that could go into "storage" until winter she said. Cleaning is hard work! But...I do have to say that my house is starting to look quite clean and organized. I got to cat-sit my aunts and uncles a week or so ago. Mom would drive me over so I could check on Gramma and Granddads cats. I would chase them a little to make sure that they were breathing (and I have to admit I like to keep them on their toes). It was fun to ride in the car a couple days a week. I made sure the cats cleaned their bowls...oh okay I'll admit it, when they said they ate enough I cleaned the bowl for them, so my mom would think they were really hungry and leave them some fresh food when we left.

I'm sure you are all on the edge of your seat wondering how Dog School has been going. I am really getting the hang of Rally. Mom says that I can enter a competition in October in novice Rally. I have 3 more classes left for this session. I am really hoping that mom and I can rock it out on the Rally test. Agility...well...it's going okay. I definitely have my favorite obstacles: I love tunnels and I love the A-frame. I'm pretty good at the jumps now. The weave poles, well I am good at them when I do them towards the beginning of class. I have been having troubles with the teeter-totter. I mean really, I'm a small dog and it's a big board...and it drops down and makes noises. Mom has been giving me pep talks about it every week, about how it's fun and everyone will think I'm awesome if I can do something as intense as the teeter totter. Each week, I've been trying to overcome my fear and anxiety about the teeter totter. My mom has been great in supporting me. Although I think it's funny because the agility teacher keeps telling my mom to have a better attitude about the teeter totter. Not that I like to get my mom in trouble, but I do laugh a little on the inside. Well....this past Wednesday, I did it!!! I went across the teeter-totter, while on my leash, at the lowest level with my mom standing upright! I did exactly as my mom has coached me...I walked bravely on, got just past the midway point and laid down while the teeter totter flopped over and then walked calmly off. The whole class cheered. I was feeling pretty smug. Then the teacher raised the height. Did you know that the further things are up, the quicker they fall down? Well, I wasn't quite ready for that so I scampered off, more than walked off calmly, but my mom made me go over it again and I did, making sure my mom stayed close to me. It was a HUGE day at school!!! I was so proud of myself, and the teacher was so proud of me and my mom!!

then to make class even better!! The A-frame got raised to it's full height...I didn't hesitate. It's awesome to be so tall, even if just for a brief second!

I rocked out Dog school on Wednesday. Mom and I were on cloud 9 and I had a brilliant idea that we both deserved a super special treat. Mom agreed: So it was off to Braums...how cool is it that mom got me my own little bowl of some vanilla frozen yogurt!!!
School Rocks!!! Test week is in 3 weeks. Mom says I'm repeating beginner agility, I'm okay with that...not ready to move on to new stuff yet. Need to feel more comfortable with the current stuff. I hope to kick butt on my Rally test though! I appreciate all the encouragement from my 2-legged friends.