tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46680184597849444352024-03-16T14:53:03.737-04:00Dream DogzUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger429125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-26320345702347532622013-07-31T16:57:00.000-04:002013-07-31T16:57:06.236-04:00Quick update on Mika's lameness<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So Mika's had several chiropractic appointments now. She's still very slightly lame, off-and-on, but there's been a gradual steady improvement. Her chiropractor told us that his job is mostly done (except for occasional adjustments, but not every two weeks anymore). What needs to done now is muscle work, according to him. So I've reinstigated daily massage for Mika, focusing on her shoulder muscles. I've also been doing FitPaws egg ball work with her almost every day, and have been taking her on regular walks. (Mika is one of those dogs who doesn't really enjoy walks, but I've been making them enjoyable for her by playing find-the-treats-on-the-ground games with her.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So she's doing pretty well :) </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-68252650402612019522013-07-28T20:49:00.001-04:002013-07-28T20:49:33.061-04:00Chillin' at this weekend's trial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1nMFP4wHSe0/UfW76E7oZMI/AAAAAAAAKiQ/DVVtF1ApMtY/s1600/001-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1nMFP4wHSe0/UfW76E7oZMI/AAAAAAAAKiQ/DVVtF1ApMtY/s640/001-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-36590768936259592442013-07-08T15:28:00.003-04:002013-07-08T15:28:47.590-04:00Summer dozing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DM1n9HE5tno/UdsR0HlxgZI/AAAAAAAAKh0/WoxOD9yeYVs/s1600/015-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DM1n9HE5tno/UdsR0HlxgZI/AAAAAAAAKh0/WoxOD9yeYVs/s640/015-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shadow loves the summer because she can spend her days outside. She's somewhere between 18 and 19 years old now (my family found her as a stray long ago!) and she's still going strong.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-91478183088709842772013-07-07T19:47:00.002-04:002013-07-07T19:47:24.723-04:00Just playin' around<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUStbcyQGM0/Udn92QP9CmI/AAAAAAAAKhk/5L4Znea08w8/s1600/mika+bow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUStbcyQGM0/Udn92QP9CmI/AAAAAAAAKhk/5L4Znea08w8/s640/mika+bow.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">M offered this trick in the backyard while I was taking photos of her. It's one of her favourite tricks :)</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-67866381202424676432013-06-23T13:55:00.000-04:002013-06-23T13:55:02.482-04:00It's a good life!<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wall-e running in his new Julius K-9 IDC harness! (With the extra Y-belt attachment that I ordered.)</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1P3bXCpwXxY/UccwHJ3FsOI/AAAAAAAAKhQ/isssVg_PIwg/s1600/wall-e+harness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1P3bXCpwXxY/UccwHJ3FsOI/AAAAAAAAKhQ/isssVg_PIwg/s640/wall-e+harness.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-84822897804777336152013-06-18T10:50:00.002-04:002013-06-18T10:50:57.794-04:00Quick shot of Wall-e<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7Jf0BtxL5w/UcBzptEzRRI/AAAAAAAAKhA/jwG7AsvLyss/s1600/wall-e+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7Jf0BtxL5w/UcBzptEzRRI/AAAAAAAAKhA/jwG7AsvLyss/s640/wall-e+run.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-58476914702347017872013-06-07T08:32:00.001-04:002013-06-07T08:57:24.161-04:00Mika’s first chiro adjustment<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Wednesday Mika had her first chiropractic adjustment (as recommended by our regular vet when I brought her in for very slight lameness).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I literally just copied/pasted these rough notes I made on a word document on my computer, so they're just random/unedited jot notes:</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Muscle spasms on left side (shoulder area and
rear leg area)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Out of 32 possible adjustments, did 18, had 8
concerned about</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Right pelvis higher than left</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Above caused pelvis (?) to rotate/tilt toward
the left (left is tilted more forward)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>This caused the front to tilt/rotate toward the
right (left is tilted more forward) to compensate</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>This caused everything in between to be affected</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Compensating with left side for the right side
(where lameness was initially noticed)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Main area of concern is middle/back (more
middle)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>This is where she appeared most uncomfortable
(especially back-middle – more back)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Recommended aspirin</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Give Traumeel right after we get home, then
before we go to bed, then in the middle of the night</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her body's been doing a lot of compensating, and rearranging as a result of
compensating. The chiropractor adjusted 18 different areas, and he said eight of
these areas are of concern. We'll be back in two weeks and see how it goes from
there; she'll probably need 4-6 regular appointments over the coming weeks. The vet is great, though. Lol, I took to him right away when we walked into
the exam room and he'd just finished loading an assortment of treats onto the
exam table :) Next step for me is to research Robaxacet (the muscle relaxant he wants me to give her before our next appointment, because Mika had
a couple areas of muscle spasms).</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, he also doesn't think Mika has any problems in her joints that I should be concerned about, unlike our regular vet who suspected possible minor arthritis. I didn't mention about Mika's joints cracking when she changes positions though (this is why our regular vet suspected arthritis). I myself am not sure that cracking is a sign of arthritis, as I've read articles that say it's something normal that can happen with aging but doesn't necessary mean that the individual is experiencing discomfort. I'll discuss this with our chiro vet next time though.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday Mika experienced a short period where she showed no lameness at all in her front legs. Woot! She went back to a very slight limp later, though (like she had before the adjustment).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And yesterday I brought Wall-e in to get his B12 injection (like I mentioned in a previous post, our regular vet thinks he has low B12). He'll be getting this 4 times a year. </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-5166238974846608642013-05-29T20:49:00.000-04:002013-05-29T20:49:30.139-04:00Happy b-day Wall-e!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's Wall-e's 5th birthday today. Wow! It still feels like he's the baby dog.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here he is enjoying a walk at the pond; I edited the leash out. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmXx0B036Mc/UaagzG2T9aI/AAAAAAAAKfY/x9uJw05CbJk/s1600/048-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmXx0B036Mc/UaagzG2T9aI/AAAAAAAAKfY/x9uJw05CbJk/s640/048-003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-43205088258227762272013-05-22T08:42:00.001-04:002013-05-22T08:42:53.606-04:00Wall-e's routine bloodwork results -- B12 injections in his future<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So Wall-e had routine bloodwork done a few weeks ago. It showed that he has a very low ALP, of 7! Because of this, our vet thinks that he has low B12, so he'll be getting B12 injections 4 times yearly, starting this week if we can get an appointment. As well as health reasons, it'll be interesting to see if this affects his behaviour, since B12 is supposed to increase energy.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-22637756719727157252013-05-17T11:00:00.000-04:002013-05-17T11:00:06.065-04:00Products we've been using/going to use<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">E<span style="font-size: large;">xcuse my lam<span style="font-size: large;">e title, I'm not feeling very creative today :)</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So <span style="font-size: large;">Mika and Wall-e <span style="font-size: large;">have <span style="font-size: large;">been getting a<span style="font-size: large;"> new joint supplement since</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">April</span> 30<span style="font-size: large;">. It's called <a href="http://lakotaforpets.ca/caninearthritis.html">Lakot<span style="font-size: large;">a Canine Joint Care Formula</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> W<span style="font-size: large;">all-e has </span>been on other joint supplements in the <span style="font-size: large;">past <span style="font-size: large;">for his old knee injury (Gly<span style="font-size: large;">co-Flex I and Dr. Maggie's), but <span style="font-size: large;">I have never put Mika on a <span style="font-size: large;">joint supplement regularly. (I slipped her the occasional supplement as a treat when there were no other rewards around, but that's it.)<span style="font-size: large;"> I <span style="font-size: large;">can't say if this s<span style="font-size: large;">upplement has been help<span style="font-size: large;">ing or not<span style="font-size: large;"> (and it's just a preventative for Wall-e anyway<span style="font-size: large;">), but time will tell. It's meant for arth<span style="font-size: large;">ritis, b<span style="font-size: large;">ut <span style="font-size: large;">mainly because of it's anti-inflammatory prope<span style="font-size: large;">rt<span style="font-size: large;">ies, which works for Mika's sore shoulder anyway<span style="font-size: large;">; and there<span style="font-size: large;">'s a good chance Wall-e could develop arthritis as he ages because of his old knee injury, so this supplement could prevent that.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also need <span style="font-size: large;">to get a harness for Wall-e; he's been coughing <span style="font-size: large;">more often. Sometimes during training (not too often -- <span style="font-size: large;">maybe once every couple of weeks -- </span>but more than he used to), <span style="font-size: large;">and after lunging at cars on walks. I'm currently <span style="font-size: large;">walking him on a collar<span style="font-size: large;">. I posted on a Facebook group asking for recommen<span style="font-size: large;">dations o<span style="font-size: large;">n harnesses for Wall-e, and these are the ones I<span style="font-size: large;">'m now considering:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1771">ComfortFlex</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=1699&ParentCat=202&string=walkeez"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Walkeez </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.capetowncarts.co.za/"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">CTC Shoulder Ha<span style="font-size: large;">rnes<span style="font-size: large;">s</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(coul<span style="font-size: large;">dn't fin<span style="font-size: large;">d it on the web si<span style="font-size: large;">te, but found a picture of the harness o<span style="font-size: large;">n the Facebook page</span>)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I need a harness that won't break, won't restrict his movement, and will e<span style="font-size: large;">ncourage him to continue pulling for conditioning :)</span></span></span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-17485845421774855582013-05-16T13:39:00.001-04:002013-05-16T13:39:50.855-04:00Training May 14, and thoughts on aging<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Tuesday we went to the field for the seco<span style="font-size: large;">nd time of the season. <span style="font-size: large;">I set up part of a seque<span style="font-size: large;">nce <span style="font-size: large;">fro<span style="font-size: large;">m t<span style="font-size: large;">he<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">"Backyard Dogs" article in the May 2013<span style="font-size: large;"> issue of <i>Clean Run</i>, for Wall-e<span style="font-size: large;">. I also line<span style="font-size: large;">d up two sets of 6 weaves, about 15 feet away from each other, <span style="font-size: large;">because Wall-e popped out of <span style="font-size: large;">12<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span>weaves at our trial last weekend, and I'd hoped this exerc<span style="font-size: large;">ise would hel<span style="font-size: large;">p.<span style="font-size: large;"> (His entries were fantastic a<span style="font-size: large;">t the <span style="font-size: large;">trial though, really happy with those!) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We did more work on the weaves then I<span style="font-size: large;">'d planned (just 3 reps, but I'<span style="font-size: large;">m trying to keep sessions short<span style="font-size: large;"> with Wall-e <span style="font-size: large;">because he's <span style="font-size: large;">been less drivey lately)</span></span></span>, so I opted not to do the s<span style="font-size: large;">equence and instead <span style="font-size: large;">end the <span style="font-size: large;">session. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I took Mika out. I<span style="font-size: large;">'ve been resting her <span style="font-size: large;">because I noticed a couple weeks ago tha<span style="font-size: large;">t she was bearing weight unevenly; she<span style="font-size: large;"> was</span> very slightly lam<span style="font-size: large;">e in her front <span style="font-size: large;">right le<span style="font-size: large;">g. It's probab<span style="font-size: large;">ly a sore shoulder; I gently <span style="font-size: large;">felt around her shoulder and she started blinking when I felt <span style="font-size: large;">the part of her shoulder near her elbow</span></span></span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">But <span style="font-size: large;">after training Wall-e this day, I took her out of the car and let her <span style="font-size: large;">explore the field. It was her first time on the field this season, and the look <span style="font-size: large;">on her face was a<span style="font-size: large;">wesome. She was <span style="font-size: large;">just so, so happy to be out there. I loved watching her cheerfully <span style="font-size: large;">galloping around the field (<span style="font-size: large;">a slow <span style="font-size: large;">gallop, n<span style="font-size: large;">ot a frantic race that wou<span style="font-size: large;">ld re<span style="font-size: large;">-injure <span style="font-size: large;">her shoulder), around the 16" jumps that Wall-e had been using, then turn<span style="font-size: large;">, smiling, towards me, with the sun shining behind <span style="font-size: large;">her and lighting her fur. That w<span style="font-size: large;">as all it took to fully convi<span style="font-size: large;">nce me that no matter what Mika's age, I'm never going to stop <span style="font-size: large;">doing agility with her as long as she wants to do it too<span style="font-size: large;">, a<span style="font-size: large;">n<span style="font-size: large;">d as long as it isn't hurting her. I want her to <span style="font-size: large;">feel</span> yo<span style="font-size: large;">ung for as lo<span style="font-size: large;">ng as she possibly <span style="font-size: large;">can, and agility does that for her like nothing else. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The only thing that I'm unsur<span style="font-size: large;">e <span style="font-size: large;">about is trialing. <span style="font-size: large;">I've e<span style="font-size: large;">ntered <span style="font-size: large;">he<span style="font-size: large;">r in a lot more trials this year in the hopes of making her feel important. I just want to keep this dog with me as long as possible while still being happy and healthy. If I thought that trialing was bad for her, I wouldn't enter <span style="font-size: large;">her in any more<span style="font-size: large;"> ever again. I just want to do w<span style="font-size: large;">hat's best for her, and I'm still not exactly sure what that is.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">On one hand, trialing is stressful and <span style="font-size: large;">involves a lot of waiting around between runs<span style="font-size: large;"> (and before and after)<span style="font-size: large;">. But then I think of how<span style="font-size: large;">, although Mika is dog-reactiv<span style="font-size: large;">e, her reactivity lessens at trials. She knows she's there for agility and that<span style="font-size: large;">'s what she's focused on. And t<span style="font-size: large;">rials <span style="font-size: large;">get her out of her familiar environments<span style="font-size: large;">, which is a good thing? May<span style="font-size: large;">be? I don't <span style="font-size: large;">know, there's just so muc<span style="font-size: large;">h to think about and I'm hoping the answers will come to me. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-24075807036553822642013-05-11T15:56:00.001-04:002013-05-11T17:23:35.206-04:00The agility field's opened for the season!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mMCJi2cXwpE/UY6kEiG2DeI/AAAAAAAAKeA/8W5UAhzZVPk/s1600/016-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mMCJi2cXwpE/UY6kEiG2DeI/AAAAAAAAKeA/8W5UAhzZVPk/s640/016-004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wall-e <span style="font-size: large;">enjoying a post-training <span style="font-size: large;">gallop</span> around the field.</span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-63731568478256914782013-05-06T16:59:00.004-04:002013-05-06T16:59:57.091-04:00Enjoying yogurt "pup"sicles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fyRNBunENy4/UYgYZYYJciI/AAAAAAAAKc0/YlQSdWCKjpw/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fyRNBunENy4/UYgYZYYJciI/AAAAAAAAKc0/YlQSdWCKjpw/s640/028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every summer we freeze yogurt into "pup"sicles<span style="font-size: large;">. This year I </span>mixed together yogurt and water and then fr<span style="font-size: large;">o</span>ze it<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">. <span style="font-size: large;">Mi<span style="font-size: large;">ka starts off licking it, then moves <span style="font-size: large;">on into chewing it. Wall-e starts chewing right away.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-9321902539443403472013-05-02T22:21:00.001-04:002013-05-06T13:43:48.920-04:00Mika and Wall-e Trials July '12 video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">From <span style="font-size: large;">last summer :)</span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN6wNKv1p1U">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN6wNKv1p1U</a></span></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xN6wNKv1p1U?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-57579975661087827142013-04-29T17:34:00.000-04:002013-04-29T17:34:20.848-04:00Mika's groom - final result<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RU9EtX5uRw0/UX6QauzDBaI/AAAAAAAAKck/P2bvNU-exW8/s1600/121-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Y<img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RU9EtX5uRw0/UX6QauzDBaI/AAAAAAAAKck/P2bvNU-exW8/s640/121-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-56732627681962845492013-04-28T11:32:00.001-04:002013-04-28T11:40:37.952-04:00And summer begins!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I finished my exams last week, so now I'm off for the summer. I can't begin to describe how much I'm looking forward to hanging out with my dogs as much as I want again! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">On Friday evening we went to a mini trial; both dogs did two Masters Jumpers runs (each). Wall-e got his first Masters Jumpers Q! I was really happy with the run and my mindset before during it; I was "in the zone." But as for the run itself, it was very speedy and flowy. Too bad it's not on video (the memory card malfunctioned), but oh well. It was my first time using a blind cross at a trial; at the exit of a tunnel. (I used a blind cross in the next course too.) The only thing we could have improved on in the run was a very late front cross I did on the second jump of a 180; I changed my handling of that part in my next run with Mika (on the same course).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Now that I'm regularly running Wall-e in two different Masters classes (Steeplechase and Jumpers), I'm really starting to appreciate the benefit of running two dogs on the same course. Wall-e is usually the first dog I run, since he's in Regular and Mika is now in Veteran, so he's kind of my "tester dog"; if something goes wrong with my handling while running him, I can change it in my run with Mika. Of course, I try to make the best handling decisions while running Wall-e too, but it does help to be able to make my mistakes with a dog who I don't have to worry about speed with (unlike Mika, who slows down if she gets confused).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Mika was great on Friday too. I recently noticed that she's been slowing down over the past year or two; yes, she has been getting older, but she's still only 8.5 years old and I'd like to keep her feeling young as long as possible (in all aspects of her life). She did have fun on Friday though, barking at the ends of both runs. Her speed was normal (not the normal it used to be, but the normal it's been for the past year or two.) Maybe increasing her fitness will help her speed...not sure. I still absolutely love running with her, even if she isn't as fast as she used to be, but I also want her to live the life of a young dog for as long as she can. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">This weekend I've been giving Mika a much-needed haircut. Yup, it takes all weekend because I give her lots of breaks! She looks pretty funny at the moment; groomed everywhere except her head. Cute though! I'll be clipping her ears next. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-67023578941636786012013-03-19T09:53:00.002-04:002013-03-19T21:31:12.278-04:00Our St. Patrick's Day (no alcohol involved!)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This green box is pretty much one of the only green things we own, so I grabbed Wall-e for some photos, but ended up focusing more on him and pretty much forgetting about the box :P He was trying to do 2on2off on the thin edge of the box. As I kept telling him, "You're so strange! :)" Well, he started off doing 2on2off, then started raising his left rear foot in the air; kind of a 1on,2off,1in-the-air kinda thing :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I couldn't pick just one picture; it's hard to decide between all his faces :P</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">(Totally not the best background for photos either, but oh well, we had fun :) He really likes the home-dehydrated beef that we've been using.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mister Handsome!</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I took both dogs for separate walks that afternoon; the sky was beautiful, and although it was a bit chilly, both dogs enjoyed it. I've walked Wall-e every day all winter, but I've only recently started taking Mika for walks again because she really doesn't enjoy it when it's cold. But she loved it on this day :) We have a game we play where she runs over to one of the little snow peaks and stands on it until I release her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Her beard is still a bit stained from her surgery last year; it got really stained because of her Elizabethan collar. I've been cutting it so it can grow out white. She's still as cute as ever, of course!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What's up with that ear! It was WINDY! (No pun intended, ahaha...what's "up"...anyway, moving on... :P )</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">:)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-64817067286281571382013-03-06T10:50:00.000-05:002013-03-06T10:50:02.940-05:00Just an update<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Haven't blogged in a while, but things have been going pretty great. We've had two trials so far this year (one on February 2 and one on March 2), both at an awesome indoor venue that we'd never been to before. I was SO pleased with Mika and Wall-e's performances at both trials! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mika was so relaxed at these trials (well, compared to her usual self); she didn't show any signs of reactivity except for a growl at the February trial. It was great to see. And in the ring she had a really nice balance of control and drive! And Wall-e amazed me with how he was running; he was running like a Masters dog, with tons of skills in his toolbox. It's definitely all coming together for him! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">One thing I have to work on with Mika is start-line stays. She stays wonderfully, but it's beginning to stress her a bit. She used to stress at the start-line years ago, back in 2008, which is when I ceased to start-line stays and began starting with her; then I re-introduced start-line stays in 2009 when her speed increased and I needed that head start on some courses. She didn't have a problem with stress when I re-introduced the stays then. I still use a mixture of both stays and no-stays at the start now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">At our last trial, I led out two jumps in our first run (Steeplechase). In our second run (Masters Jumpers), she entered the ring a tad bit more stressed then her last run because she had to wait for a bit longer for her run, and there were other dogs milling around (including a lab, one of her greatest triggers). Anyway, at the beginning of our second run, I told her to sit, resting my hand gently on her back as she did so, to give her a bit of comfort (because she still had a bit of stress). But when I told her to "Wait" and I started to lead out, she got up and shook her entire body (a sign of stress, and one of her methods that she used to try to relax herself). I said, "You're okay! You don't want to stay? All right," and I started with her instead. The rest of our run went uneventfully (we Q'd), but it was a bit slower than her usual, which was likely because of our stressy start. So yeah, we're going to have to work on start-line stays, but I do need them on some of our runs. Just increasing the value of stays, and leading out, will do the trick, I think. We've been working on them at meals, which are high-value reinforcements for Mika (and Wall-e!). We'll also work on them whenever we rent the agility arena next (we've been renting places once a week for the past couple of months), and at future fun matches throughout the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Anyway, that's all for now! Hope everyone is doing well! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">P.S. One more note...SPRING IS COMING!! It's starting to get warmer! :D</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-46344871021285605392013-01-08T19:29:00.004-05:002013-01-08T19:29:46.351-05:00Montana waking up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2km_8OZqw-Q/UOy5EoPZZKI/AAAAAAAAKac/FFwhv-XELeM/s1600/006-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2km_8OZqw-Q/UOy5EoPZZKI/AAAAAAAAKac/FFwhv-XELeM/s640/006-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mom got this shot. I wonder if this is what I look like when I wake up.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-78592554295198211692013-01-04T09:29:00.000-05:002013-01-04T09:29:40.901-05:00"Oh the weather outside is frightful..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZQZW7F9-OM/UObmg8QrvrI/AAAAAAAAKaM/sNy5p_qSsLk/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZQZW7F9-OM/UObmg8QrvrI/AAAAAAAAKaM/sNy5p_qSsLk/s640/015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wall-e during the "2012 Apocalypse" on Dec. 21/12. We had some pretty crazy weather that day ;)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-7197374716941076402012-12-29T13:29:00.000-05:002012-12-29T13:29:27.745-05:00Dehydrated sweet potato<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our first time using the old dehydrator we got a loongg time ago!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The dogs got a bag of dried sweet potato for Christmas, so a couple days ago we figured we'd just try making our own. We let the sweet potato slices dehydrate overnight (from 6pm on Thursday to about 9am yesterday, so about 15 hours), and in the morning they were like this. I admit, they looked a lot more appetizing before they were dehydrated, but at least they'll last a while!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today I'll be dehydrating beef for them. (The beef we got was nice because it was pre-sliced for Chinese fondue, so it's already thin enough to be dehydrated.)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-89947298698642623852012-12-27T09:41:00.000-05:002012-12-27T09:41:33.471-05:00Boxing Day car chasing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4MFP-FaCR8/UNxYLN2wJ8I/AAAAAAAAKZM/ATBT_cQFSbo/s1600/128-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4MFP-FaCR8/UNxYLN2wJ8I/AAAAAAAAKZM/ATBT_cQFSbo/s640/128-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ft-GAmVwjY/UNxYSd2Va4I/AAAAAAAAKZU/IamkiLrBMw8/s1600/136-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ft-GAmVwjY/UNxYSd2Va4I/AAAAAAAAKZU/IamkiLrBMw8/s640/136-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U05nGv5vcaI/UNxYVOEBm0I/AAAAAAAAKZc/QkmXqfMFdw4/s1600/146-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U05nGv5vcaI/UNxYVOEBm0I/AAAAAAAAKZc/QkmXqfMFdw4/s640/146-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuvgqM2w_cc/UNxYdNGJwuI/AAAAAAAAKZk/u0QKM_rm5bQ/s1600/180-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuvgqM2w_cc/UNxYdNGJwuI/AAAAAAAAKZk/u0QKM_rm5bQ/s640/180-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-26162338430023826342012-12-26T11:48:00.001-05:002012-12-26T11:49:06.842-05:00Happy holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsgP21qqGp8/UNsqPZ2rBtI/AAAAAAAAKY8/IFBwZtX7zds/s1600/005-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsgP21qqGp8/UNsqPZ2rBtI/AAAAAAAAKY8/IFBwZtX7zds/s640/005-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-53207127886488444672012-12-24T13:44:00.000-05:002012-12-24T13:44:55.280-05:00Summary of 2012, and planning for 2013<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">M<span style="font-size: small;">y last po<span style="font-size: small;">st was in September? </span></span>Well then<span style="font-size: small;">!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First of all, Merry Christmas everyone! :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's been quite a while...a LONG while! I've been incredibly busy because of school, so I've only just now found the time to blog.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Quite a few things have happened this year. I'll start off with the most major event.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On November 14, Mika underwent surgery to have a mast cell tumor removed from the back of her left hind leg. She also had a lymph node and a chunk of muscle removed from that leg in order to make sure that all the cancer cells were taken out. The tumor was biopsied and found to be a Grade II tumor (there are 3 grades). Our vet says Mika has a great diagnosis, though, because all of the cancerous tissue was removed, and there were no cancer cells found in either the lymph node or the muscle. Mika's doing great now, and only has a scar (and a bit of a different shape to the back of her leg, due to the removed muscle) to show for her surgery!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our vet found cataracts on Wall-e's right eye on November 22. She's not 100% certain of the diagnosis, since she doesn't specialize in eyes, but she's almost certain. They're too small to be removed right now, and they aren't affecting his vision, so we're going to keep an eye on them (pun not intended, ahaha!), and in May we'll bring him in again to get his eyes re-examined.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On a non-health related note, Wall-e got his first three titles this year<span style="font-size: small;">.</span> In CKC, he got his Ag.N.J. (Agility Novice Jumper) on July 15, and both his ADC (Agility Dog of Canada) and SGDC (Starters Games Dog of Canada) on July 28.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mika didn't trial very much this year<span style="font-size: small;">, but we had a great year <span style="font-size: small;">together nonetheless in terms of running together as a tea<span style="font-size: small;">m.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">As for 2013<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">,<span style="font-size: small;"> here <span style="font-size: small;">are some things I have <span style="font-size: small;">in mind:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">- trying out a new indoor venue in February</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="font-size: small;"> for<span style="font-size: small;"> Mika, </span>focusing on Steeplechase<span style="font-size: small;"> a<span style="font-size: small;">nd </span>Masters </span>Jumpers<span style="font-size: small;"> (her favourite classes)</span> and </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Starters Snooker (we haven't <span style="font-size: small;">Q'd in this yet, even though we've <span style="font-size: small;">gotten <span style="font-size: small;">really close</span></span>!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>, </span>with some Masters Gamblers mixed in<span style="font-size: small;"> (I find that run<span style="font-size: small;">ning in Gam<span style="font-size: small;">blers keeps me motivated <span style="font-size: small;">to maintain my dogs' distance skills<span style="font-size: small;">)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">- focusing on Masters Jumpers for Wall<span style="font-size: small;">-e (<span style="font-size: small;">he hasn't trie<span style="font-size: small;">d it yet)</span></span>, b<span style="font-size: small;">ut running <span style="font-size: small;">in the rest of the classes <span style="font-size: small;">as well</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">- m<span style="font-size: small;">ost importantly, enjoying our time together! I've reache<span style="font-size: small;">d the point where <span style="font-size: small;">honestly, <span style="font-size: small;">if I stopped trialing, it wouldn't be a huge deal. <span style="font-size: small;">Simply spending <span style="font-size: small;">time with my dogs has become more precious because of two reasons: l<span style="font-size: small;">ess time with them than I used to have</span>, and the realization that neither of my dogs are young anymore. Trials are only a small part of making <span style="font-size: small;">the most of my dogs' lives.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /> </span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4668018459784944435.post-40693835513260685162012-09-03T19:09:00.000-04:002012-09-03T19:09:12.215-04:0052 Weeks of Mika 39/52<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">39/52<br /> <br /> From 2 weeks ago. Stretch!<br /> <br /> 20mm, 1/200s, f/16, ISO 400. Edits: contrast, crop</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1