I Got My Title

Yep, that's right! Finally, after almost four years in Open STD, I got my title. It was a beautiful thing, too. My mom can finally run with me, again. We were a TEAM. I didn't make any mistakes. I didn't bark, or bite. I ran the course in 50 seconds and even got Third Place. How cool is that?

Busy, Busy

Well, I haven't been blogging lately, because I have been a busy boy. I did an agility trial with Racer. We had a lot of fun with that even if we didn't do so well. I have been visiting the nursing home every Tuesday. I love doing that. Racer and I have been going to Wisconsin almost every Sunday to train at our friend, Loretta's barn. That is really fun. I also have been going out to play with the sheep a couple of times a week. Last night I wore my very cool Pirate costume and went to work with my mom. I was the host with the most. I didn't really like all the dogs that came to have their picture taken, but I tried very hard to be a good Petsmart employee. I'll try to blog more often, because I miss hearing from all my friends.

A Real Sports Hero

Not much to say, but I wanted you all to see a picture of my good friend BJ. He plays a game called Flyball. That is a relay race for dogs. There are four dogs to a team. The dogs have to go over four jumps, get a ball that shoots out of a big wooden box, and go back over the four jumps again. They race another team of four dogs. The winning team is the first one to finish all four dogs, without any mistakes. I tried it a couple of times, but not at a tournament like BJ. He is fast, and he loves it!

Sports Heros?

It's all in the news. They have been talking about the big football "hero" and how he's so very sorry he got involved in dogfighting. I say "Bull****. He's not sorry at all, well, maybe sorry he got caught. Maybe he's sorry he may have to go to jail. He should get the death penalty, just like the dogs that were in his care. He gave them all the death penalty, in the name of "sport!"
People like that deserve to get what they give.

We poor dogs go through so much. Oh yeah, some of us live a pretty cushie life. Many more of us have to struggle for everything. People are mean and cruel to many of us. We are starved, beaten, neglected, and thrown away like yesterday's garbage. People think it is a sport to watch us fight each other and die in the process. Look at the pictures of the dogs that fight in this "sport." It is not fun for them, they are hurt, bleeding, and most of them die. Those humans that profit from dogfighting say the dogs are just animals. I say, "Who exactly is the animal?"

Rainy Weather

The last couple of days have been rather exiting around here. There have been terrible storms, high winds and lots and lots of rain. So much that everything is flooded! You should see our bach yard. It looks like a giant lake. Our agility equipment is under water. No fun for me until everything dries out.
My mom is home. She moves much faster than she used to. She won't let me fight with Rookie by the door anymore, and she uses her cane to keep me away from him. What fun is that? Rookie laughs at me now and says, "Na, na, na, na, na" and sticks his tongue out. Those Border Collies think they are so smart. I'm glad I know better. We Cattle Dogs are the smart ones, right Kinka? Right Roo? Right BJ? Right Ringo?

Mom's Coming Home

I am so excited! My mom went to see her doctor last Thursday. He took pictures of her new hips. I included a picture so you will see how they look. My mom's looked perfect. Mom is also walking pretty well, so it looks like she will get to come home. So far, they say either Tuesday or Thursday. Only a few more days without her! Here's the best part. She won't be able to go to work for a few weeks after she comes home, so I get to be with her all day, every day. That means that while the weather is still warm, we will be able to play together (the other dogs here, too). I can't wait. Maybe she can start doing agility with me again, soon. Wouldn't that be great?

It's Already August

Ya know, I haven't done one agility trial all summer long. My mom is still away,
and my dad is working long hours. I spend a lot of time in my crate. They tell me mom will be back home in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, there is nothing to do. Geez, I can't even get into trouble, because I'm never out long enough to get into anything. I can't even fight with Barney, which is fun for both of us. Barney is bored too!
On the brighter side, it's been too hot anyway. How much fun can I have when it's 95 degrees out, and humid?
I hope the rest of you are having more fun than I am.

My Mom is Missing!

She left last Wednesday morning, and hasn't been home for a week! All of us have been spending a lot of time in our crates. One morning I even had an accident because my dad had to work overtime, but my bladder coulldn't.
Monday, I went to the hospital to visit her. She is in a room with a funny bed that goes up and down. She fed me her lunch, because she didn't llike it! That was great, 'cause I did. Iggy went on Tuesday to visit, and Rookie got to go yesterday. I think today is Barney's turn. They say she'll be gone for a couple more weeks. I really miss my mom.

News from Home

Things at my house are a bit crazy right now. My mom is going to a place they are calling a hospital. She is leaving tomorrow morning. She will be gone for a long time. She is packing two bags and taking books and stuff, to keep herself busy. She isn't taking me! What am I going to do without her? I have been following her around all day. I tried to fit myself in her suitcase, but I'm too big and all I could do was sit on her clothes. I have been letting her scratch my belly all day, too. Beth was here and hugging me and telling me that she would be my "cow" for a while. I'm so confused.

On the good side, my mom says when she comes home, we'll be able to run agility again, like we used to. She says she'll be better than ever because she is getting "Bionic Hips" and she will be like the "Bionic Woman." I don't know about that. We'll just have to wait and see.

The Fourth of July

Wow! What a day. It was so much louder this year, than last year. Of course, last year I spent most of the day in my crate. This year, mom was home, and went out in the yard to watch the big display that they set off in the park near our house. She took me outside with her, along with Rookie and Iggy. The neighbors had a party. Their stuff was so loud. All I wanted to do was run back into the house. Mom called me a wimp.

Iggy is a brave guy. Nothing bothers him. Must be those drugs they give him for his epilepsy : ) I'll tell you what! Next year, I'm staying in my crate. No, I don't think going out in the yard will ever be a good idea on the Fourth! They tell me that only Americans celebrate the Fourth of July. they call it Independence Day. Fireworks are a big part of the day. I don't know about that. I could live very nicely with the picnics, food and fun without all that noise.

News ETC

Well, now I know why they took me to THAT nursing home. That is where my mom will be after her hip surgery. She is getting two new hips in two weeks. She will be away from home for at least that long, while she rehabs and learns exercises. I will be able to visit her, because I am such a well behaved guy LOL.

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July! They are firing off all sorts of stuff in my neighborhood, and have been for a couple of weeks. The booms scare my BC friends, but not me. I don't really care about the noises. As a matter of fact, I like to bark at them.

More about that tomorrow

I'm a Therapy Dog

I went for my first ever visit to a nursing home last Wednesday. I had so much fun! They let me walk right in with my Mom and Dad. First we went to visit the people in the Altzheimers wing. Everyone was so happy to see me. They all wanted to pet me. I did my tricks and made some of them laugh. I love that. The nurses said I was the highlight of the day. I don't know about that, but I did get some yummy treats.

We also visited the Rehab wing. These people are only staying there for a little while, then going home. I saw lots of machines and exercise equipment. I tried to use the treadmill. Everyone liked me there, too. There was even one guy who knew that I was an Australian Cattle Dog. He was really excited to see me. I liked him too.

The staff said I could come back any time. I think I will take them up on that! If you get the chance, try being a Therapy Dog. It is a good time for you, and a wonderful thing for all the people who are in the hospital, too.

Missing in Action

Yep, that's right, I've been missing in action. I have had nothing to say, and nobody to say it to.

Life has been pretty dull around here. My mom is getting ready to have hip surgery soon, so she's not walking much these days. That means she is BORING! She doesn't run me in agility. I have to wait for Beth to come by. That only happens a couple of times a week. We haven't been to any trials, not even on Memorial Day weekend. Mom judged then. She was gone for four whole days. I had to stay at home. How is a guy supposed to get any titles or ribbons?

Things are looking up though. They tell me I am going to be a Therapy Dog. I am not sure what I have to do yet, but I think I will be going to a nursing home, or a hospital, to visit people who are sick, or not able to go outside. Mom has been working on my tricks, so I guess I will have to do them in public. I think it might mean lots of good treats for me, if I do well.

I'll keep you all posted on what happens with that.

My favorite game

I had to show you a picture of my favorite toy! I love this thing. My mom puts a tennis ball in it and we go into the yard. We can play "throw it, catch it, run for it" for hours. Today, we played until my tongue was hanging down to the ground. Then I went for a dip in the baby pool. I think every dog should have someone to play ball with. My mom is the best! I know she loves me because she likes to play with me.

Nice Weather

It sure has been nice out for the past few days. I have been able to play ball in the yard with my mom and the other dogs here. Beth has been coming over to work me on the agility equipment. That 's always fun. They even put the baby pool out for us to splash in. That is everyone's favorite. Sometimes it is good to be a dog!

Checking In

I've been doing nothing lately. That's right, nothing! My life has been very boring. It's cold outside, my mom isn't feeling well, and my dad is spending way too much time working with the Border Collies and the sheep. They give me a Booda Bone and expect me to be happy with that. Jeez, they don't know me very well. Granted, I love Boodas, but don't they know I wnat to do stuff. I want to go to work with my mom, but she keeps taking Tubbs or Rookie. I want to play with the sheep, but dad keeps taking Tubbs and Rookie, not me. What's a guy to do?

My Friend Tubbs

This is a photo of my good friend Tubbs. He is a purebred Border Collie. Tubbs came to live with us last June. He is what my mom calls a "rescue" dog. He couldn't keep living in his first home, we don't know for sure why, but he couldn't. One thing for sure, he wasn't starving! Tubbs weighed 55 pounds! That is huge for a Border Collie as small as he is. Anyway, my people were supposed to rehabilitate him, and find him a new home. He found a home all right, ours. Not only that, he herds the sheep better than I do. Anyway, he is a lot of fun to have around. He likes to play with me, rough, which is what I like best.
You know what? Tubbs isn't fat anymore. Now he weighs just 32 pounds. He really doesn't look like the photo now. He isn't fluffy, and he never is lying around on the deck, like he was in the picture. He is never in one spot long enough to lie down, as he is always on the go.

It is just amazing how good food and exercise can make a dog healthy!

Humiliated

My mom got these pictures back finally. Look what she did to me! This was a "Halloween Costume" so she said. It is SO wrong. In my humble opinion, no dog should ever be made to wear clothing. We already have beautiful fur coats. This costume is an absolute abomination!

You know, at that pet superstore where we work, they sell all sorts of clothing for dogs. They have little dresses (Moe says "never" would she wear one of those). They have raincoats! Imagine, raincoats for dogs. How embarassing! Thank goodness I don't fit in a purse. My mom would probably put me in one if I did.

Humans, I will never understand them.

Bored

Hi all,
Nothing much exciting going on around here this week. My mom isn't doing too much because of she has arthritis in her hips. She has been hurting, so she lays around a lot. This can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. On one hand, she has been laying around with me, and the rest of the dogs here, bonding. On the other hand, she doesn't feel like working with us on the agility equipment, or walking with us. She hasn't even taken me to work with her. I really miss going to work. I have many friends there, and I get lots of treats.

I hope this pain thing stops cramping her style soon. When her style is cramped, so is mine. Nobody is having fun this week.

Spaying and Neutering

Well, I suppose I am back on my high horse on top of my soapbox again.
My good friend Kinka got spayed yesterday. This is a good thing. I wish more people would believe that.
I've mentioned before that my mom and I work at a pet superstore, as dog trainers. We meet many people every day, and also many dogs. What amazes me is how many dogs are still intact. We hear many stories why. My favorite is the one about how they think they have a wonderful dog, and want to breed him or her, to produce a puppy just like the original dog. Another good one is that they feel that every dog should be bred at least once. Or those people that get a purebred dog at a pet shop, then want to make puppies, so they will get some money from their investment. Never mind that the dog might be an unknown mix, with no traceable parentage, or that the structure is bad, or they have an overbite, or they have seizures, or a very bad temperament. Don't they know how many unwanted puppies end up in shelters? Don't they know how many dogs are euthanized every year?
They don't understand how hard some breeders work to make sure they produce only healthy puppies (right Jen?). They don't understand about Baer testing, or OFA X-rays for hips, or CERF tests for eyesight. They don't understand that they could lose the female and the puppies, if the pregnancy gets complicated.
Thank goodness for the responsible people that breed responsibly. Thank goodness for responsible people that will spay and neuter their dogs. Spayed or neutered dogs have a longer life expectancy. They will never get uterine cancer or testicular cancer. The incidence of mammary cancer goes way down in spayed females. Also they never have heat cycles or false pregnancies. Neutered males don't feel the need to roam looking for females. They don't lift their legs on everything, and have milder temperaments.
I am neutered, and look what a great dog I am! Humble, too.

Bad Weather and Phone Problems

Well, the last week has been very boring. It has been cold where I live, and there have been ice storms. Our phone service has been out for almost a whole week. My family, being roadkill on the internet superhighway, still have old fashioned dial - up on their computer. I have been SO out of touch with my public. I hope you all haven't missed me too much. I will try to get my humans to upgrade their computer, so I can communicate better.

Agility in Michigan

Racer and I had a blast doing agility this last weekend. We were in Dexter, Michigan trialing with many of our friends. Mike was there with Misty and Bailey. Bailey did very well and brought home many ribbons. Misty did well, too, but this was Bailey's weekend. Our friend Jeremy got a MACH 2 title for our buddy Dodger AND a MACH 4 title for little Spyder. What a great weekend for them! Kathy was there with Dory and Houston (who kinda looks like me), Boogie and Kimmie were there, and so many more of our friends. What a party!
Racer had a fun time. No Qs, but for the first time at a trial in a long time, he didn't sniff, and managed to complete all the courses he ran. He says agility is fun now, especially the jumpers courses.
Anyway, I ran Excellent Jumpers both days. My mom is broken, so Beth ran with me. I love Beth, but I would rather run with my mom. You know, we start out pretty well, but then I start wishing mom was out there with me, so I look for her. Maybe I can persuade her to join us for the fun. Then, before I even know where mom is, Beth is taking my collar and excusing us before our run is over. I think, "Wait! Mom's not here yet!" Too late, we have to leave the ring. I did try to stay with Beth a couple of times, and our last Standard run was pretty good, but mom left the building before we ran. I didn't see her come back, so I figured I'd better just stay with Beth. We didn't Q, but it wasn't terrible either. I did get one qualifying score in a new game called FAST! That was big fun for me. I got to run, and forgot all about my mom for a minute. I got a green Q ribbon and a new toy! Beth gave me big kisses and told me I was the best cattle dog there (I was the only cattle dog there).

Trialin'

This weekend, my friend Racer (a Border Collie) and I are going to an agility trial. We will be driving to Dexter, Michigan. My mom can't run well lately, so Beth is going to run me and Racer. Even though I love Beth, I usually don't run for her because I love my mom, but we'll see. I also love agility, so maybe this time, I'll feel good about it.
Michigan is fun because we get to see all of our friends. There's Mike and Gail, who bring Misty, Bailey, and Zipper with them. They are always a fun time, especially after the show when the humans go out for Margaritas. Jeremy and Kathy are also a fun time. We will get to see Jeremy's new Australian Shepherd puppy. Christine and Kaboom will also be there. Maybe she has her dice with her. That is always fun, too.
We will be staying at a Red Roof Inn. I love motels. I have so much fun when we stay in one.

I'll tell you all how I did on Monday,
Love,
Zip

Lazy

For the past week it has been COLD here. So cold that I don't want to go outside. It's the kind of cold that will freeze your tongue to anything you try to lick. It is so cold that the poopsicles are too hard to eat, or even sniff. All I want to do is be in the house and sleep.
My mom has been lazy, too. Yesterday, all she did was watch movies, eat, and sleep. She took three naps. We all did too, of course. She fixed a little food, but didn't pay attention to our sad puppy looks. We got nothing extra!
I played with Moe a little, and Tubbs, but I think the cold has gotten to them too. Moe spent most of her day on the couch. I had to curl up on the green footstool that I'm really too big for.
Next week, we go to Michigan for an agility trial. Beth is going to run me. I don't like to run with Beth, I only like my mom, so we'll see how it goes. I'll keep you posted if I do OK.

Superbowl Sunday

OK, so today was the big day. My mom even cooked chili and made dip, just for her and my dad. She went grocery shopping! That is an event all by itself. It was unbelievably cold outside, so their plans were to eat, watch the game, eat, watch the game. You get the idea.

After all that, they ended up watching a show about a Beardie herding sheep. Nice wooly ones, not bald ones like I have. I have to admit, that Beardie had a lot of fun, even got to exhaust the sheep at a big trial. He wasn't really ready for that though.

To make a long story short, the Bears ended up losing the game. The humans were very glad that they didn't waste the whole evening watching the Bears lose. We got some potato chips and licked the bowls, so everyone was happy.

Except maybe the Bears.

Climbing on my Soapbox

Well, here I go, climbing on my soapbox for the first time.

My mom works in a large pet superstore. She often brings me to work with her. We like our job most of the time. We get to talk to a lot of different people, and meet some nice (and some not so nice) dogs. Every once in a while, we talk to someone that really gets our dander up.

Why do some people get dogs? Why do people get the dogs they get? What was the mother of four unruly boys thinking, when she bought that Chocolate Lab puppy, and why didn't she think the puppy needed a crate or a training class? When we saw the lady again several months later, the puppy was about seven months old, very big, overweight, and dragging one of the boys through the parking lot. The mother said the dog was chewing up everything, still not potty trained, and she was thinking of giving the puppy up for adoption. Still, she didn't consider signing up for a training class. What did she think? The dog was going to magically become good? It just doesn't work that way.

What about the people that came in the store with a three week old Pitt Bull puppy? Don't they know that a puppy needs to be with it's mom and it's littermates until it is at least eight weeks old? Don't they care? Why don't people think a little bit more before they decide to get a dog? Maybe there wouldn't be so many of us in shelters if humans used their brains (which are supposed to be much bigger than dog's brains). A little common sense and a training class or two, or three, would save so many of us from shelters and sometimes death.

Off my soapbox, but still on my High Horse!
Zip

Da Bears Again

Nothing much to say today. We laid around the house all day and watched the pre-game show, the football game, the post game wrap-up, and the Patriots/Colts game. In case you haven't heard, the Bears WON! Now they will go to the Superbowl.
Unfortunatley for all of us dogs, the humans put us us in our crates when the pizza came. No crumbs even. I guess they felt we weren't real Bears fans. Gee whiz, I am a big PIZZA fan. Maybe next week! Maybe if the Bears win the Superbowl.

The Chicago Bears

Around here, my humans are football fans. Specifically, they like the Chicago Bears. They are planning to spend tomorrow afternoon in their recliners, watching the Bears play football. The Bears haven't made it to the Superbowl since the 1985 season, so they are all excited. This may be the year, if the Defense plays well, and if the Quarterback(Rex Grossman) is on his game. It could be great! If not, the humans will be in a foul mood tomorrow evening.

All of us (poor dogs) will have to lay around tomorrow while the football game is on. The good part is that they will probably order a big pizza. That means crumbs and crusts for all of us, and if we are smart, we may even be able to steal some real pieces of it. We are pretty slick about that. Wait until there is a big play and then just zoom right in and grab what we want. The odds are in our favor. Two of them vs. six of us. Do the math!

Anyway, if the Bears win, there will be another weekend of football. That means another day of pizza for all of us.

GO BEARS!!!

Sheep

Yesterday I went herding. Herding is an interesting sport. You are supposed to go out, get around the sheep, and bring them back to your handler. That's what the Border Collies do. Cattle Dogs like to nip the heels of the stock they work, and drive from behind. Scott (my Dad) says I don't have a drivers license yet. Very funny.

Going out to work the sheep is a lot of fun. Lately it has been quite muddy. All the more fun for me. Yesterday, Scott let me go out to look at the cows. That was even more fun than the sheep. Either way, I love herding. I only need one more "leg" for my Herding Started Title. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Agility Class

Mom went with Beth and Racer tonight to agility class. I used to go too, but now it's all about Racer, because he needs help. Really it's Beth that needs help. Racer is fast and fun to watch. He loves to do the weave poles.
I love agility too. For me, it's all about getting a wonderful view from the top of the A-Frame, banging the teeter making it go bang, and ggetting lots of treats afterward. I also get to play tug with the special leash. Sometimes I do very well at trials, but I have a big problem. I am handler challenged. My personal assistant can't run fast enough to suit my style.

Agility is such a fun thing for us dogs to do. We get to run, jump, climb, and go through tunnels. It's like going to Disneyland!

I Have Lots of Friends

I thought I would tell you of my many friends. Without them, I wouldn't be here blogging away.

First, I'll tell you of my family. I live with five Border Collies. Life with them is lots of fun. I love to play with them. Moe is the oldest. She is ten and a half. Don't tell her that, though. She thinks she is a little puppy still. Moe is the Queen of the House! She'll beat you up if you get her mad. She is a fun playmate most of the time. Next comes Barney. He is a rescue, like me. He's almost eight. He's lots of fun, too. Barney loves to bark. Next comes my good friend, Iggy. He has epilepsy and has to take drugs. He's still a good playmate though, but I have to be gentle with him. Rookie is two. He is my best playmate. He is red and quite a little devil. We play very rough sometimes. The newest addition to my house is Tubbs (AKA Tubbie). He is three. We rescued him, too. He used to be very fat, but now he is thin and very active. He is fun to get rough with, too. We have sheep to play with, too!

My friends include Ringo, who lives in New York. We were on a DAM team together doing USDAA agility. We didn't do very well, but we had a great time. We were very entertaining. I also like BJ and Riley. My mom says that it was BJ who convinced her to keep me!! BJ is a very cool ACD who also likes agility. Riley lives with BJ. He is red and also quite cool. They also have a Border Collie named Minnie. I have a girlfriend in Utah named Roo. She is young and very pretty, blue,with a double mask. She is growing up, and learning. I hope to play with her someday. We could have hours of fun. Roo has a sister named Kinka, who also is pretty. They were born in Canada(SK). Their mom is a beautiful red girl named Giddy.

I seem to make friends everywhere I go. I think it's because I always have a smile for everyone, especially if they have some treats!

My First Blog

Hi Everyone,

Well, I guess I have computer skills after all. I noticed that some of my friends had blogs, but weren't posting very often, so I decided to come up with one of my own.

Today was a fun day for me. I went to Petsmart with my mom. She works there at a trainer. She uses me as a demo dog, though today she called me her "dummo dog!" Not very nice! There were a lot of other dogs there and it was very noisy, but I did my best. It's hard for me to do simple stuff, when I can do so much more. She asks me to "down" and when I roll over a couple of times (much more fun), I can tell she is frustrated. Oh well, she taught me that trick, didn't she? I do so love it when she uses the clicker. I got so many treats from the people that work there, too. I also got to pick out a new toy to play with, and a Booda bone.

Well, I better go to bed now.

Zip the Wonder Dog