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.

Frasier Starts School

It is now Frasier's turn to go to school. It is a six-week class held on Saturday afternoons. We have been to 2 classes. Frasier learns things quickly and is very eager to please. But then aren't all English Cockers? I have to be extremely careful when working with him. If I show any sign of impatience or stress, Frasier feeds right off of me. He shakes and things just go bad for him. Kelly, Paris & Frasier's breeder, suggested that I read a book written by Tamar Geller, "The Loved Dog". I was lucky enough to receive the book 2 days before the 2nd training class. It is wonderful and packed full of ideas and suggestions. My friend, Robin, also told me to lighten up :-). So, I cooked a chicken breast, worked on MY attitude, off we went to our 2nd class this past Saturday. The difference was incredible. Frasier and I had fun. YAY Frasier!!!

Doesn't everyone have goofy names they call their dogs? I know Kelly has blogged about this in the past. Oh, and Robin has goofy names for her crew too. We can't be the only ones! I named Paris after Paris, France. Then I started calling her P. France. She wiggles her tail like crazy! Then I am ashamed to confess that I started calling her P.P. Oh my gosh...wiggle, wiggle. I will end the story by telling you that P.P. changed to Pee Pee LaPew. *wiggle wiggle*

I love it when I look outside and see Frasier and Paris side-by-side. They are best friends. Earlier today I looked outside and they had discovered a piece of carpet just the right size in a spot of sun. :-) The picture follows.

Pee Pee LaPew and Frashey

Company for Dinner

I was shocked when I walked into the kitchen and Paris was sitting AT the kitchen table! She just sat there like she was waiting for dessert.

Had a delivery about 10 days ago.

New Photos

Here are pictures taken after Frasier and Paris had baths today. These are also Paris's 8-month photos since she will be 8 months old on Tuesday. I also had a great video of them 'singing' together but I accidentally deleted it. It shouldn't be a problem getting a new video of the duet.

Frasier

Frasier

Paris

Paris

Best Friends

This picture is a few weeks old. They are being guard dogs and watching for any movement out in front of the house.

I showed this blog to a very good friend recently. Her comment was, "You need to get a life". I have been processing and chewing on that statement. The dogs are a huge part of my life and so I have the blog! I'm thinking that only dog people understand!

Webster's Definition of Prolific

This is Webster's definition of Prolific:

"marked by abundant inventiveness or productivity"

It is also my definition of Paris' chewing. I thought our first Afghan Hound, Yassie, chewed a lot, but Paris is PROLIFIC.

She chews Kongs and poops them out. Bully sticks are like a nice, soft plush toy. Also to be pooped out. The real hard and difficult-to-chew toys aren't worth messing with. Did I mention how cute she is? Rope toys are made for her to eat and poop out. Nylabones are so boring that she just looks at them, looks at me, and says "grrrrrrr" with a smile. Boy is she a cutie. Have I mentioned the corner of my kitchen cupboard is chewed? Have I mentioned that she also chewed two corners of my baseboards? I thought she was being a good girl laying/lying in the doorway between the kitchen and dining room chewing on a toy. Nope.

Kelly & Jennifer: Are you laughing? I think you are because you own Paris' ancestors and you've been through this. And I KNOW that Robin and Jeff are laughing. No wonder I have a headache. I can't remember if I mentioned how much I love Paris and how cute she is.

Family Dog Class & Rally Novice

The six-week training class ended today. Paris did very well, especially considering that I don't work with her at home as much as I should. We did two things at class today that really made me nervous! The first was to tell Paris to sit and stay. Then I walked away about 30-40 feet. Then I said "Paris, Come" and as she started towards me the instructor had the other classmates call and try to entice Paris to go to them and not me. She hesitated a tiny bit but then she came right to me! YAY. The second time around there was no hesitation at all. The second thing we did was to drop our dog's leash on the floor, walk to the door, and open it. Then the person was to back off and see if the dog bolted out the door. Paris kept looking up at me and just stood at the doorway. Another YAY. Here is the proof that we finished the Family Dog Class. I am proud of my puppy!



A six-week Rally Novice class begins March 21. First I decided to take Paris, but I have changed my mind and Frasier and I are going to go to Rally Novice. He has not been socialized enough. I believe that Rally Novice will give him confidence. When I was at Kelly's house (the breeder of both dogs) last fall, she took Frasier for a couple of minutes to show me a few obedience things. He really responded quickly. I think it will be good for him.

Cranky Day

The human in the house is extremely cranky today. The fog is so thick I can't see the far end of my pasture. It has been drizzling and raining since yesterday afternoon. I spent a couple of hours grooming Frasier yesterday and he immediately went outside and acted like he was on a NASCAR track; he was as wet as when he had a bath. The dogs need a walk but I don't particularly want to go out in the fog and rain. waa waa waa This is such a juvenile entry.

Training class went very well Saturday. I am about a week behind on working with Paris on specific subjects though. Thank you to Kelly for the advice on 'downs'. The instructor asked if any of us were having problems with 'come' and 'down' and I was one of many who raised their hand. So the instructor took her and Paris was PERFECT. I felt like an idiot. Then we started working on random sits. Paris likes that. We only have one more class left. I am hoping that we can immediately start another class the following week.

A friend and her son came over yesterday. I thought it would be a great test for what both dogs have learned. Holy cow! Both dogs went absolutely wild. I have no excuse for Frasier because he is 2+ years old. The excuse for Paris is that she is 7 months old. The excuse for the pack leader is that...um....er....never mind. At least they had fun?

It is suppose to rain all week. I am going shopping tomorrow!