Agility tomorrow

Tomorrow is Chica's second agility class of this season. I have packed up her bag o' treats that I wear on my hip and should not run out this time! Last class, I had to borrow treats from Arthur's "mom" and from the instructor. I am thinking of trying to prepare some "dog party mix" in the oven. You know the party mix you get with Shreddies, stick pretzels, etc. that you can make in the oven yourself by seasoning the ingredients and then baking on low forever? I am thinking that if I took some Shreddies, I could baste them in liver or something tasty (NOT FISH) and have a nice bagful of yummy treats. Some of the instructors cut up hotdogs or bring small pieces of cheese. Chica doesn't do all that well with cheese. Hotdogs are so messy. But, dog treats that you buy are sooo expensive. Well, we'll see what we can do.

Lotsa dogs

We have met so many different dogs at Bruce Pit. Today, there was a Great Pyranees, a Basset Hound, a Whippet, and all the usual Bernese Mtn Dogs, labs, bulldogs, retrievers, pugs, beagles, spaniels, and hounds. There is one really big guy who looks like a rottie-bulldog. He is so cute/ugly. Loves hugs. Chica doesn't like me petting any of these dogs too much, of course. Yesterday, there was an Italian Greyhound. They are just so adorably delicate. We just meet so many nice dogs and owners there. There are very few bad ones. I wish I could take photos of each and every dog to post to Chica's blog.

Pretty Weimariner photos: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/weimaranerphotos.htm
All about Great Pyranees: http://clubs.akc.org/gpca/
Italian Greyhound photos: http://www.geocities.com/itgrcc/females.html
Sad-eyed Bassets: http://www.basset-bhca.org/

Chica at Easter

Last weekend, Chica and I went out to Elgin to visit Martha. The U.S. family came north and we had a nice lunch followed by walks to and in The Pines and through the fields. It was a beautiful, sunny day and Chica had a ball. From the moment arrived, she looked absolutely mad, her eyes bright, her tongue lolling out the side of her mouth. Martha gave her a tour of the groundhog holds that she wanted Chica to patrol. Later, Chica stayed in the house while Matt, Justine, the kids and us went to see the new lambs at Woolly Maples farm.

Back at the house, Chica and I got in some games of ball. We surveyed the frog pond, but she didn't jump in.

Chica conked out as soon as we got in the car. I thought I would have to carry her inside like a sleeping baby, but she was up and at'em when the car slowed near home.

Chica back at agility

Chica started back to agility with WAG the weekend before Easter. It is level two. There was time for the trainers to get a look at where all the dogs were at. Chica did her Table, Tire, Jump, Walk and even did a see-saw. Her stays are getting better. I just have to keep remembering to go over it with her. There are three dogs in this class from her last session back in the fall - Arthur (hound), Blue (Rottie), and Schapps (Schnauzer). The rest of the class are new to us. My favourite of the newbies is Poppy, the Papillon, a real feisty tiny dog. Chica was pretty pooped on the way home.