Chocolate Tales

2009-02-09T14:36:00.000-08:00

Finally a chance to run! And mom brought the camera too! Yippee

A Fine Day

2009-02-07T13:56:00.000-08:00

The weather was nice enough today to take the boys for a nice walk in the woods. We went down to Job Corps for a romp. It was beautiful. The boys were thrilled to get out in the fresh air, to sniff, to pee, to explore. Bailey jumped aroiud like a bunny. Bodhi haf his nose to the ground like he was on the trail of something. Every time he stuck his nose in a bush or patch of grass, thought he was going to come out of it with a dead animal. Finn behaved nicely off leash- came when I called (following his brothers, I think). He wore his e-collar for the first time. Mainly cause I forgot to bring a regular collar. It wasn't on, but I thought it was cute to see the three of them running around with their colors. Bailey is red. Bodhi is blue. Finn is green.

We're done with this

2009-02-04T17:07:00.000-08:00

We're climbing the walls here in the Quinn household! We need spring. We need to run and walk and train....outside.

Snow, snow go away!

Why do I get so excited?

2009-02-03T10:55:00.000-08:00

So Finn lost his first canine tooth today! You'd think he'd won a ribbon or something I was so darn excited. Another one to add to my collection. There's another one about to fall out and I was tempted to push it out. Gave him a handful of ice cubes instead.

Finn meets his first Foe

2009-01-28T17:42:00.000-08:00

Took little Finn for a walk today. Just a short one- he needs some practice with walking well on his leash. Along our way, I saw him be nervous about something for the first time. He approached cautiously, then backed away, then approached again dropping into a play bow. But then he wasn't sure....so he backed away again.

There's me- laughing my butt off- His first foe- A fire hydrant! LMAO!

They made friends in the end. ;)

A little Brag

2009-01-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

Noreasta's Mighty Quinn makes his conformation debut at the LRCGB Match.:

The boy handled the atmosphere like a pro. His personality is one thing I don't have to worry too much about. Our first time in the ring, we placed 1st in our sweeps class!!!!! Yippee for Finn! It was funny- I was a bit nervous, basically cause I took two classes and don't really know what I'm doing yet. But once I got in there, I concentrated on my boy. On our bond, on whether or not we were having fun. And we did have fun! And our first ribbon was a wonderful bonus! He also placed second in the regular puppy class. Then afterwards, slept like a rock! I guess it's hard work to be so darn good looking. He also got to see his other Granny- Breeder MC. I think she's pretty happy with how he looks. And we got to meet Abby too!

One part that made me feel great- when they moved us to first place, I was pretty concentrated on him, but in the background I could hear all my training buddies give a big cheer for us. It was wonderful.

Pics to come soon- Battery in my camera died today.

Another First for Finn

2009-01-03T17:07:00.000-08:00

Finnegan had his first bath at work yesterday! Sadly, I turned out to be too busy to get to see it. But the girls made it positive and fun for him. Besides a really poofy coat, he seems no worse for the wear. It was a long day for the little guy- But we got in tons of socialization- Just what he needs at his age. Finn is weighing in at 35lbs and is growing by leaps and bounds.

My friend Mel helped me get some decent pics of him today after our walk:

Bodhi is the most amazing dog

2009-01-01T02:51:00.000-08:00

Bodhi needed a special day with Mom, so I decided to take him to work yesterday. I figured he could run around the store before it opened and then I would set up the crate by the register for the day. Usually I put him in a kennel in grooming, but I didn't think it would be too busy, so I would let him socialize in the front.

Let me tell you all--He is just amazing. He was being so well behaved that I barely ended up putting him in the crate. He cruised the store with me for most of the day- with just a tab collar on. He greeted customers, he played the customer service up, he showed everyone where the cookie jar was. He sat, he shook hands, he spoke. The customers were amazed at how well behaved he was. Never once did he go near the front door. After the first couple of customers, he didn't jump. He wandered off a few times, but came right back every time I called.

It was the coolest thing ever. I guess I'd best look into therapy training for him.

A day outside

2008-12-27T16:58:00.000-08:00

Despite the iffy weather today, we spent a few hours outside. It was wonderful and just what everyone needed. The big boys got some marks. The little guy got to run around and meet some new friends. Bailey and Bodhi did a great job. We only did singles cause it's been so long since we've been out- But their behavior was pretty stellar. I'm proud of them. Finn discovered deer poop and how fun it was to roll in. Yikes.

Upcoming Snow

2008-12-18T09:01:00.000-08:00

I am in complete and total dread of the coming storm. Yes, it will be wonderful and exciting for the boys, but for us humans that have to commute....I am having flashbacks to that storm last year.... It took me 7 hours to get home that day (and I was one of the lucky ones). Blah!

Finn's first snow

2008-12-13T06:03:00.001-08:00

Finnegan trying to figure it out

Not Dog Related- Why a Husband would come in handy

2008-12-13T05:30:00.000-08:00

Despite my total comfort at being single, a husband would have come in real handy last night while, in the freakin' freezing cold I tied my Christmas Tree to the top of my car.

Wasn't expecting that

2008-12-07T05:06:00.000-08:00

Snow, that is. I was shocked to get up this morning and see a winter wonderland. What does that mean for the bulbs I haven't planted yet? Crap. However, I embraced the joy of seeing Finn's first snow - Had to find my camera (thank goodness I charged the battery last night), then find some shoes and also go potty myself. I tried to hurry, but the little man was telling me I wasn't going fast enough. He was telling me he needed to go out!!!! Yea! But I couldn't move fast enough and he had an accident in the house.

It would be so cool to know what was going thru his head when he stepped out onto the deck. He sniffed and ran in circles for a moment. Then any dog person knows how they sniff and then snort- it was too cute!

So the boys had a good run around the yard this morning- even Bailey acted like a pup. And although snow means yucky gross roads and spring bulbs that may not get planted and dirty windshields and kitchen floors- the boys teach me to just enjoy it for it's beauty and fun.

Pics Later

Bedtime, not playtime

2008-12-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

Lat night as the boys were settling in for the night.... something the older boys do much better than Finnegan.... Finn decided to play bitey face with Bailey. Bailey was okay with it- "Whatever" he says, "maybe it will wear the damn boy out". When Finn got too carried away, Bailey just kinda held him down for a second. However, Bodhi was not too happy and decided to be the fun police. He was laying inches away and I could see his lip starting to curl in disgust... So he leans over, gives Finn a "ruff, ruff" I could almost hear him say, "Young Man, it is bedtime, not playtime!!!!!"

Not Chocolate, but still beautiful

2008-12-04T05:51:00.000-08:00

Had my first looksie at puppy whelping yesterday. Thanks to my friend Marie for inviting me.

Time and Money

2008-12-02T05:06:00.000-08:00

It's official- the economic crunch is effecting my dog training. It's a bummer- I've got to try to remember the things I can teach on my own while we get thru the holidays. I can do signals in my living room, I can do heeling and recalls at the park (while the weather holds) Maybe things will straighten themselves out after the holidays.

A weird list

2008-11-29T08:59:00.000-08:00

Talking with a friend the other day, I recounted the days when I used to journal. One of the journaling techniques I used back then was lists. So today as I was completely unmotivated to get anything done around the house I made a list of things I can't afford. Then I made of list of things I could do for free. Then I made a list of things I could do around the house if I felt motivated- which I didn't- so I took the pups for a long walk around the block. It was a reminder- Stop and smell every mailbox and telephone poll, pile of leaves, smile at your neighbors, enjoy the sunshine.

Observations

2008-11-29T08:46:00.000-08:00

While walking around my neighborhood with my three very well behaved dogs is nice and relaxing- Once one of them poops and then I have to carry that- it's no longer as nice. So, three dogs on leashes- cool. Three dogs on leashes and a bag of poop- not cool.

Each day

2008-11-19T06:10:00.000-08:00

Each day gets better and better. Finnegan is fittiing into the routine. Bailey who started out very upset about his new little brother is coming around: seeking him out in play, teasing him with a toy. Finn is getting used to crate time and knows not to stick his nose in anyone else's bowl. He sat this morning for breakfast without being told.

Now, if only it wasn't so freakin' cold out- we could spend the day outside..... A few more hours of yard work and we will be cleaned up for the season.

Rainy Days

2008-11-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

So, what do you do with three labs on a rainy, crappy day? You don't take the time to wash your kitchen floor- that's for sure. Everyone is sound asleep right now- and I should be on the couch reading a book.

We're off to take the new little guy to the vet this afternoon. Can't wait to see how much weight he put on in the week he has been here. It's still not too hard to carry him down the stairs, but it will be soon.

Bailey is still in a little snit, but thankfully has been playing nicely with Finn. Just going to take a while is all.

The last thing I needed...

2008-10-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

The last thing I need lately is exercise- I've been going like crazy for what seems like forever. But on this perfect fall day, a walk in the park was just what the doctor ordered for me and the boys. We went to do our drills. After realizing how beautiful it was out, I rushed thru so we could just plain walk. It was perfect.