News

Victoria passed away due to sudden onset heart failure this month. I know many readers won't understand, but right now I'm moving on. I'll be able to make a memorial video, page, etc. later on but right now it's too raw, and the fact that she's gone terrifies me too much to deal with it. It's denial, in a way, I suppose. But I just don't feel as though I can go on with my life any other way. I have two other dogs that need me desperately, a full time job teaching a classroom of six-year-olds who need constant attention and a teacher truly dedicated to their progress...I planted a fox-tail fern over Victoria's grave and will be having a memorial stone created when I know I can handle choosing the words, images, etc.

I know when I have to sit down and think about everything I will miss about her, I'll be out of it for days. I just can't do that right now, I have to keep my life going. I'll be posting again over Summer when the dogs and I get out and do more, and I just wanted to make everyone aware of why Victoria won't be in my posts.

Rock Climbing

Another photo taken from this past weekend, when we went dog-party-hopping with Quenya in her costume. I always try to make sure she's having fun as well, so we took a break to climb on some huge, fun rocks a a park. She loves leaping off of things! The little things I incorporate with my dogs every day end up being a huge part of how they stay fit for hiking and Agility/Rally/Tricks/+.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Come Out From the Covers Skip!

Um...how about no?

A day late, but Happy Halloween!

Yesterday Quenya, Skipper and I went to a small dog-focused carnival in a local park. We entered a hot dog eating contest (just Quenya, Skipper would've gotten sick), entered a costume contest and won a raffle basket! We also made pawprint art, which I will be taking a photo of soon.

A favorite of the day

Preparing for agility class

Quenya had a wonderful day in my classroom today! She was a little nervous at first and barked a few times when strange noises echoed down the hall, but quickly adjusted. She loved the children--she's always loved children (and adults, and teens, and well, everyone). When I took her out at recess all the kids from the other grades wanted to come and pet her too--she loved every minute of it. Photos are poor as I only used my cell phone, which has a half-broken camera anyway.

They loved watching her solve her puzzle toy, laughing and giggling as she figured out which pieces to slide to get the treats I'd let the kids the place.



At nap-time, she quickly figured out where the most cozy, comfortable spot was. 



Tomorrow Quenya goes to her "school" in the form of our first real agility class! In honor of the Tasty Tuesday bloghop I'm showing how I prepare my training class treat jar to be as high-value, varied, and nutritious as possible.

I start out by putting in several different varieties of treats.

Fruitables Salmon, Orijen 6 Fish, Primal Beef/Salmon Freeze Dried, Chicken/Beef Liver Baked Treats, Freeze Dried Raw Chicken, Alligator Sweet Potato Treats, Stewart Beef Liver Freeze Dried, and Zukes Pumpkin Turkey treats

I layer the treats in the treat jar, usually starting with firmest texture and working my way up to the softest. For training I always like to top the treat mixture with two tablespoons of her liver-flavored Glucosamine supplement powder. On training days she gets it entirely through her treats rather than sprinkled on top of her kibble.

 I then put the lid on the jar and shake the contents to get an even mixture and to spread the glucosamine powder evenly. It doesn't look nearly as pretty afterward, but it does spread the scents and flavors of the treats to each other. This way if Quenya ever wants a particular treat, say Alligator based, she'll be able to smell a little of the alligator on each treat which will create a higher value.

Finally of course I make sure the air-tight seal on our treat jar is intact to keep the treats fresh overnight. During our training class I will move treats from the treat jar to my treat pouch that I keep hooked to my pants pocket. But this way I am able to take more treats in a more sturdy container so that I never run out--I always end up using more treats than I think I will!