Frasier graduated from Beginning Agility this evening!! YAY! The mom of a young girl in class took the following pictures of Frasier last week while we were practicing. He starts Intermediate Agility on July 3. The same evening, Paris starts Beginning Agility.

Agility class is so much fun! The new things learned last night were the 'table' and jumping through the 'V'. As soon as Frasier learns what is expected of him, he is right there doing it. The instructor set up 2 different short courses. Frasier did so well after the first run through on course #1 that the second time through he was not on a leash! YAY! :-) The funny part was that course #1 did not have the chute, however, the chute was beside the last object. Ole Frasier ran over to the chute and went through it! Course #2 was more difficult; it had the higher bridge, which is a bit intimidating at first. It also had 3 different jumps. All of those were things learned last week, which is the class we missed. He did very very well with course #2 also, but I just wasn't comfortable with him doing it off leash. Then we worked on the 'teeter' some more. I got some great advice from the instructor which helped a lot.

It took me about a year and a half to get my rear in gear with training classes. I am sorry it took so long, but I am grateful that I got 'the bug'.

UPDATE: I just found out that a Beginning Agility class begins June 26. On the same evening, an Intermediate Agility class begins. I'm hoping to take Paris to Beginning and Frasier to Intermediate. The only problem is that I will be out of town the first night. Hopefully that will not be an issue.

Frasier

Paris

Agility Is In Progress!

Frasier is loving agility class. Tonight was the 2nd class. We learned the teeter-totter, weave poles, jumps, a tunnel with a turn, and the tire jump. He did all of it very well! The 1st class we learned the A-frame, bridge, tunnel, and the chute. Class is cancelled for next week, but we can still go and practice on the things we have learned. And then the next week, I will be out of town. Barb (the instructor) says missing the 3rd class won't be a problem, but I sure hate to miss a class. I'm not gonna give up 4 days in Vegas though!!

I am very glad I decided not to take Paris and try to train 2 dogs at the same time. A couple of other people are doing that and it looks way too confusing for my old brain. Plus since I'm new at agility I don't think it would be fair to the dogs!

Kelly...thank you very much for posting comments. It is nice knowing that Paris and Frasier's breeder is reading about how wonderful they are :-)

Left-Handed Scissors

WHEW! I have been attempting to get left-handed straight edge scissors and left-handed thinning scissors since last January. I groom the dogs myself and have been struggling with using right-handed scissors, holding them upside down! LOL! I needed the left-handed thinners the most. I didn't want to spend $400 for the thinners but it turns out that I should have. I spent way more than that when it comes to emotional output AND dollars. I ordered both pair online from the same company. I received the straight edge pair in less than a week. There was no invoice or paperwork so I called the phone number provided online. All calls go to the owner's cellphone. He emailed the invoice that day. He also told me that the thinners were on the way. YAY! Oh, and the charge was put on my credit card immediately. After emails and phone calls, on my part, the owner stopped communicating with me. I was even nice and did not yell or cuss. My last email was giving him a specific date to either refund the money or send the thinners. No response. I turned him over to the Better Business Bureau of Winston-Salem, NC. Funny thing; 14 days later the owner called AND emailed me that I should have the thinners by the end of that week. They did not arrive (of course). However, I received the thinners yesterday!!!! In the meantime I had ordered another pair from a different company. I should received them in the next few days. I ended up spending over $500 for thinning scissors. *sigh* I have probably ordered hundreds of items online over the years. This experience has been the worst I have ever gone through. I am wondering what I learned and I am looking for the silver lining. I am also thanking God that the experience is over.

Frasier Is Awesome

Frasier's six-week Rally Obedience class ended on Saturday. The change in him is unbelievable. He started whining when it was time to go to class. He was excited. The instructor set up a course for the final day. I'm not sure but I think it had 10 different items. Frasier was right there with me and even did the Moving Down perfectly. On our 3rd turn the instructor told me to try it without a leash on Frasier! I almost fainted. She said keep up the confidence and do not act like he doesn't have a leash. Needless to say, my boy went through the course like butter. I so wish that Kelly and Robin could have seen it. I have the palmcorder that I purchased 'for the dogs' but of course I left it at home with a dead battery! The instructor told us that if we would've been at an AKC sanctioned event, he would've gotten his first leg! YIPEEEE. Beginning Agility starts Friday evening. I was going to take both dogs, but after talking to Robin about it I think Paris may be too young. Her bones aren't developed yet. I have a little agility course kit I purchased last year and maybe I'll work with her on that at home.

Exciting Times On The Farm

It's hard to know where to begin. Spring is here. The grass is turning green. We are finally getting some warm weather.

PEOPLE NEWS

As most of you know, my neighbor and good friend, Valerie, was diagnosed with breast cancer last November. She underwent a mastectomy with reconstruction on March 2. I can't even begin to express how much of an inspiration she has been to me. Tomorrow is the Susan Komen Race For The Cure in Spokane. And just 6.5 weeks out from surgery, Valerie is going to participate in the 1 mile walk. I am absolutely honored to be walking with her.

I have such a big mouth that some of you will be surprised to find that you hadn't heard that I am on a quest to lose 60 pounds. I just have been so ashamed of myself that I haven't told a lot of people; probably out of fear of failing. I joined Nutrisystem and started the program January 20. For the first time in YEARS I am eating healthy and I feel wonderful. I am even exercising, which will shock ALL who read this!!! And so far I have lost 22 pounds. YAY! I have been taught not to be proud, but I am proud of myself.

OHHHHH....and on Monday a team (3 women) is coming to put color on the walls of my house! This home has needed painting for quite some time, however, I hate hate hate to paint and I can't seem to pick paint with more color than off-white. These ladies came last Friday for a consultation, and it's gonna be beautiful when they are done. They are also going to assist me in choosing new furniture.

ENGLISH COCKER NEWS

This blog is suppose to be about Frasier and Paris, so........

Frasier had his 4th session today in Rally Obedience. He is thriving in class, so eager and darn near perfect. We participated in 2 different courses today. Several times, after our turn on the course, I yelled, jumped, and ran clapping my hands with excitement. He was racing with me and so very happy. The instructor commented on the positive vibes traveling along the leash from dog to human. It was so wonderful that class went over by 30 minutes! I think that you will only understand this if you have trained with a dog. It is a 6-week class and ends on May 2.

Frasier AND Paris are starting a Beginning Agility class on May 8. WOO HOO. I could not decide which dog to take to the class and the instructor suggested that I split the class between the dogs. I'll see how that goes.

Have a great week everyone.