I Want Another Bath

This picture was taken the day after her bath and some trimming. I used the big doggie dryer too. I can't believe she wants another bath. What a character.

Paris

Bath time!

I just have to share how crazy Paris is. She cracks me up. Bath day is nuts around here and I only have 2 dogs. I have learned the hard way that while bathing Frasier I need to crate Paris. If I don't crate her, she stands on her hind legs with her front feet on my shoulder and stares into the tub. If I give her half a chance, she jumps into the tub with Frasier. OK...so at least I have remembered to crate her. Her latest is that every time I walk down the hallway Paris races past me, into the bathroom, and jumps in the tub. Then she looks at me, ready for her bath. She LOVES it. Another thing she does is while Frasier is on the grooming table, Paris wants up with him. She puts her front feet up on the table, Frasier growls at her, then I tell her "off". Then she lays down on the floor and watches my every move. I've never had a dog like that. It doesn't seem as funny in writing, guess you need to be here. So long....time to bathe Paris!

Disappointed

Paris's training class has been cancelled for this Saturday. How disappointing! We've gotten a great start and I hate to go 2 weeks between classes. However, her teacher had a scheduling conflict and I certainly understand.

Time For Surgery

Little Paris has a big surprise next Monday morning. I'll be taking her to get spayed in the morning. I have the option of bringing her home Monday afternoon, but since she and Frasier play so much I will probably let her stay until Tuesday. It is going to be very quiet around here!

A Good Week

I hope everyone had a good week. I've had 2 good weeks. As you all know, I am a person who worries a lot unnecessarily; that is just what I do :-) I worry about my mom being alone in her house, especially since she goes up and down her basement stairs numerous times a day. Well, my brother and his wife were in town for about 10 days (stayed with mom) and I felt like I was on vacation! And I never left town!! I went to a spa and had a manicure and my eyebrows waxed. I returned to the spa 2 days later and had a great haircut, color and foil. I kinda look like a calico cat. The spa was a wonderful treat. Thank you to my sister-in-law, Annie, for showing me how great Spa Paradiso is!!

I was able to work with Paris on what she is learning at training class. As the teacher told me yesterday "she is doing awesome". It is fun watching Paris figure things out. I don't know why but she was pretty whiney during class yesterday. Insecurity? I have also been able to work with Frasier here at home. He is remembering what he learned last year and doing great. And, of course, that means I get double the walks! Since it's only been in the 20's we walk fast. Good exercise too.

Frasier

Paris

I hope you all have a great week.

Training Class

Paris is now in a regular training class. It is a six week session and her first class was yesterday afternoon. There are 11 other dogs in her class. She is the cutest and the best. Yesterday we worked on having our dog walk next to us...NOT AHEAD. I am the pack leader...not Paris. She also learned to sit at my side when I stop walking; she picked up on that very fast. We also worked on her not bolting out of an open door. She was on a leash, I opened the door, and she went out the door. So I say "no", pull her back and say "come". The second time I opened the door, she just stood there and looked up at me. The instructor asked if we had worked on that at her private lesson 2 days earlier. I said "No...she is an english cocker!"

When this session is done, I want to take her to a Rally class. Then I will take Frasier to the class Paris is currently taking. Frasier had private lessons only last year and I really think he will do better in a class with other animals.

Paris Goes To School

Paris did incredibly well yesterday at training class. It was her very first class! We had over an hour of private, individual attention and boy did she respond. She loves it. Tomorrow we begin a six-week class with about 10 other dogs. Being with other dogs and humans will be best for her. The private lessons are best for me and this isn't about me.

The following picture is one of my favorites. Paris is only abut 2 1/2 months old. She is thinking about going up to the fence to 'meet' Percy. And Percy could not care less!!

I have been very impressed at how Frasier has adapted to having another dog in the house. He is so patient with Paris. He is actually a little too submissive but that is just the way he is. He is so sweet. He reminds me of my cream Afghan Hound 'Cosmo' so much that sometimes I call him 'Cosmo'. I'm hoping that in the spring I can have both dogs in training class. It will be good for me too!

So that Frasier gets equal time, here is a picture of him trying to see what's going on out in front of the house!

School

Paris starts training class on Thursday, January 15! Or should I say we start training class? I'm sure she will do extremely well. I've arranged private lessons for now. We may go to a regular class later.

I have not been fair to Paris

Ok..I realize that I have not been fair to Paris. She is a normal lively puppy. The reason Frasier was so perfect is that he was almost a year old when I got him! I missed out on all the puppy stuff with him. I am living the puppy stuff with Paris. She makes me laugh. I am going to try to put a little video with this post to show you how funny she is. It is a video from a few months ago but it will show you how entertaining she is. Of course, it doesn't take much to entertain me. Oh, and on a previous post I blamed Paris for Frasier being up on the bush and snow. Well, he did follow her up! I was walking back to the house from the barn and looked up and she was up there all alone. Next thing I knew, he was with her. So, she is broadening his horizons. I just don't want to give the impression that Paris is horrible. She is a wonderful puppy. I also have to admit and let you all know that the things that happen that are upsetting with a new puppy are always the owner's fault!! For instance, when I discovered that Paris had eaten a sponge the other day, it was my fault. I had left the sponge on the edge of the bathtub and I had also left the bathroom door open. Don't worry; all is well. The sponge "passed" without surgical assistance or screaming. The whole experience was not Paris's fault. I was not paying proper attention. OK...now I hope the video loads properly. Enjoy. (It's cuter with sound.)

YAY - We have snow!

Here they are. Up on top of the snow that is on top of the bush! Frasier is fascinated with the window wells and they are both looking down into a window well. Frasier would never climb up on the snow and bushes by himself. I just know that he followed Paris up there!

Is Paris chasing Frasier?

Help! The yard is gone.

Paris's first winter.

First Post!

I love my English Cocker Spaniels so much that I decided that I should blog about them. I got Frasier, Calypso's Elixir of Youth, on August 25, 2007. He was almost 10 months old and had been returned to the breeder by his first owner. It was only 2 1/2 weeks after my 14 year old Afghan Hound died. Frasier saved my life! He was the perfect puppy for me. He is still perfect. He never dug, chewed, or caused problems. Then I got Paris, Calypso Kiss 'n Tell, on September 12, 2008. She was 8 weeks old. She is a hellion! Most of my family and friends think she is good for me because she keeps me on the go. Paris chews everything she can get her mouth around. She digs through snow and dirt. She is so cute that I have only been angry at her once! They are both red in color. They are extremely smart and active. Paris is definitely going to go to school. Frasier attended a few times last year and I couldn't believe how quickly he learns. I will take both of them to school in 2009.

We recently received 77.8 inches of snow. Both dogs absolutely love the snow. Paris brings ice and snow into the house to eat...she races past me like she has a bundle of gold and heads for the doggy bed in the living room to munch.

Those of you who know me well know that I haven't driven in snow and ice for 2 years. This has nothing to do with the dogs, but I need to put it in writing that I am driving this year! I have 2 great vehicles; both are 4-wheel drive. The Envoy has studded snow tires and handles perfectly. I'm sure the truck would too, but it just has all-season tires. Ohhh yeah. I feel like I am living again. Oh what a feeling.

Frasier - Calypso's Elixir of Youth

Paris - Calypso Kiss 'n Tell