tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89920116151779925792024-03-05T16:35:53.966+11:00A Girl, and her Girl...The "Dog Blog....."Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-58514114860962514572012-06-27T17:00:00.004+10:002012-06-27T17:00:48.909+10:00Private Lessons and Mini Workshops.......Well it was something I never said I would do but I have to say I am really enjoying it. Its great helping people one on one fix some issue and great to see them leave excited to want to work with their dog.<br />
<br />
Because the privates have been pretty successful, I am now going to put on mini workshops. They will be approx. every 2 - 3 months only each with a different subject and will have a Maximum of 6 people. They will only be for 3 hours as well which is enough to learn something without being to long. Location will be at my place in Cambewarra, NSW<br />
<br />
So the first Mini Session will be<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Jumping </u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
August 11th from 9 am to 12 pm. $50 per handler</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5y3ku1rFkUzUZR3lzGVQvoFnXwasK1bjuPZL5e03pzERCodEOfWuPVAP0iHYgotjJevnsXmkCoJJGnBq1j8AVOMVVCrBd6uD3rb0lP_pozYVDxGoocXWrefy9lSrdAcQYSusl7HoACA/s1600/Nat2012-2041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5y3ku1rFkUzUZR3lzGVQvoFnXwasK1bjuPZL5e03pzERCodEOfWuPVAP0iHYgotjJevnsXmkCoJJGnBq1j8AVOMVVCrBd6uD3rb0lP_pozYVDxGoocXWrefy9lSrdAcQYSusl7HoACA/s320/Nat2012-2041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We will cover all the stuff you should have done and teach the dogs "how" to jump. Dropped bars will be a thing of the past, so will blasting past you as well where you are screaming to catchup. For those slow pokes, we will show you how to get them to drive to you and get the focus back on fun.<br />
<br />
Lots of drills that you can teach a new dog - or an old one. Each handler can work multiple dogs but only one dog per rotation.<br />
<br />
<br />
Minimum of 4 people and Maximun of 6<br />
<br />
email me at <a href="mailto:nat@caninebodyworks.com">nat@caninebodyworks.com</a> for more info or to book your spot and we will put something up on the <a href="http://www.caninebodyworks.com/" target="_blank">web site</a> soon. There is scope for a second class that day from 1 - 4 if there is enough interest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
exciting!!!!!!!!!Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-46082792657066188192012-05-12T22:42:00.001+10:002012-05-12T22:42:04.754+10:00A long overdue update......Must be a thing with blogs. I just never get around to updating them. On the other hand we have been super super busy with next to no time for anything. Late nights, early mornings and lots of adrenaline.
We had our first real run under trial conditions on Thursday for the regional grand Prix qualifier and steeplechase. Raya did great and we got 2 qualifys and she placed 4th in the GP and 5th in the steeplechase. We made the finals and has a problem when I hooked her the wrong way over a jump but it was a good course to figure that out on.
Yesterday was day 1 of the WAC and we had a great day. We will call yesterday the "one hit wonders" as we got. Fault in each round. Round 1 was snooker and she did great. She did decide after she Wrapped a jump that apperently I may Ned that jump later so she literally ran back behind the jump and took it. She is so considerate. We still placed 9th with only half a course completed.
Second run was agility. Well what can I say. AWESOME run. Super fast and clean, until the judge ran towards her on the contact to judge it and she stopped dead still. The judge moved to the end of the contact to watch the contact and she just didn't like her so jumped off sidewards. She picked up the rest of the course fats and clean. The results showed that even with he dead stop and time wasting that she was only 2 secons behind 3rd place and 3 seconds behind 2nd place. So a should a, could a , would a run. But what a great feeling going into the next 2 days with that's sort of performance.
Then as a last minute addition, she was needed for a team jumping run and there was a huge long straigh that we had to run. The problem was my mind was telling my body to stop but my legs were going so fast they didn't hear and I encroached on her path so she mised the weave entrance. Still, only got 1 fault and the team is sitting really well.
It's day 2, we have just been handed today's courses which are gamblers ( I hate gamblers) agility for teams and jumping. So I'll log off, look at the course and get ready for day 2............
Today I learnt that give it 100% no matter what you do, and you can walk with your head held high.
Sorry for any spelling mistakes but I am on teh iPad so I am not going back to change them.Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-52482527223325106092012-05-07T13:41:00.001+10:002012-05-07T13:42:03.239+10:00The princess has landed......hmmm....thats right. I was so tired the other night I only went into half of the sight seeing the team has done. On Friday we went down to Dallas and went to the book depository 6th floor meuseum where JFK was assasinated. There is even a big X in the middle of the road where he was hit and it was very educational. We then went to a glass blown exhibit in the botanic gardens by Chulay ( I think it was called). Was much nicer than it sounds and My photos wont be uploaded until I get back.
So fast forward to Sat night. About 9 pm a car arrived carrying a very special princess on board called Raya. Funny you know as you try out for the team, go through the selection process and then it dawns on you. Out there Somewhere is a little dog with my name on it that I have no idea of who it is, and they have no idea what an important part of my life they will play.
That little dog for me turned out to be a little silver Poodle called Raya - who I got to meet on Sat night. I have to say, she is very striking to look at and has the most insightful eyes. Turns out Miss Raya is from Germany and had a personality much bigger than her size. That was evident with the walks down the hall way last night where she decided that she knew exactly where she wanted to go and really -my imput was not required as we were going raya's way.
She is staying with me the entire time thats to her wonderful owner who saw the need to ensure we had a long time to get to know each other during that week. I have to say, that it is a brilliant thing to happen as I am really seeing into this huge personality in this tiny body.
I guess the first sign of what I will refer to as "raya's way" was when I woke up and found a poodle in my arms. We both slept right through ( she had an 11 hour car trip to get to us and I was up since 4am as I could not sleep the night before) until 8.30 am. We went out to the toilet and apparently the grass at the hotel - as neat as it is, is not to her liking so we actually dont want to walk on there unless we absolutly have to.
Then I had to rush down to breakfast so I put her in her crate and headed out the door. Well I got about 2 doors down until you heard this screaming as if she was beign murdered. Now usually I would say deal with it, but in a hotel of 180 rooms, I thought I had better go back and address her. I walked into the room to see a very happy tail wagging pup bowing down saying "I dont think so lady" I am comign to. Raya came to breakfast and thankfully Billie ( another team member took her and put Raya in her room with Rayas brother ( so to speak) called Sonic.
So there ends my peaceful breakfasts. We then headed up to the training grounds which was an hour and a half away. Well that is how long its suppose to take, not the 4 hours it took us to get home from there the day before when a truck took out a road bridge.
It was hot, and I got to run her in a few sequences which she did well at. her mum was there and she kept running to her but I was not concerned with that at all as today was more about getting help from Suzzane and finding out cues, and distance rather than try to run her for speed and accuracy. I did have some great work from her before her mum arrived and with the indoor airconditioned stadium and her mum not around we should have a great time together. Tomorow we are training at an indoor training center which will be great and much better than the heat today ( about 93). Raya can cope with the heat but for me its a little hot.
Anyway, its 10.30 pm and we get to sleep in tomorrow and that is a good thing as we are both very tired and as I type this sitting on an office chair, I am unable to sit back as I have a tiny silver back pillow that has actully taken up the whole seat and is snoring. So its really like sitting on a massage pillow that vibrates with each breath.
So in a nut shell, I had spent many many months wondering what do was going to be a part of this chapter of my life and I am wrapped and thrilled with the dog that the dog god sent me. I am not excited, I am not nervous - to word it perfectly - I am content.
This is Natalie and raya signing off looking forward to our big adventure together and are ready for what ever will be thrown at us.Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-33756802206877882302012-05-05T11:59:00.001+10:002012-05-05T11:59:46.986+10:00The Aussie\'s have landed......Well I guess it has bee a few days since I left and with the promise of regular updates well lets just say I forgot about Jet lag.<br /><br />The trip over was pretty much 24 hours long from the time I left home to hotel check in. Next to no sleep on the plane but that was to be expected. I think I had1 hour in the total 24 hours.<br /><br />That might explain why I was up at 4 am online changing over my boots that I had delivered that were the wrong size and also why I was in the gym running at 5.45. <br /><br />We have been on the hop since we arrived. Shopping on Thursday with a body scan to figure out which size clothes to buy and a chocolate dipped strawberry from Godvia ( something I was hanging for) and a very happy trip to the disney store for my disney stock up. <br /><br />Then we followed up on that trip with a journey down to Dallas on the train to watch the NBA playoffs with Dallas playing Oklahoma. What a brilliant night and a real experience. It was a late night and needless to say, I crashed big time and had the first full nights sleep since we left. <br />Anyway, much more exciting adventures when I have woken up a bit more ( which hopefully will be tomorrow) Shame I cant add photos to the blogs but it wont let me - Oh well - I am sure you\'ll live.Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-13397403660850490132012-04-22T18:12:00.003+10:002012-04-22T18:20:48.864+10:00Final agility stuff before we go...<br />
Well it has been a crazy couple of weeks. Brisbane with the team, then to Canberra with Jack (and the Puke-ster with a record 5 vomits on the way down there), then Wollongong for an ADAA trial that had me doing a silly 14 runs ( who's idea was that) in a day to having a fun day judging the rescheduled Milton Ag show open agility trial this weekend.<br />
<br />
Now - as my son informs me, its 10 days until we fly out with the team and my last "Doggy " stuff is done.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BNY8UtNEJpVksia65HWAON4D6DKGOs8u6hBJ8FSmUnWibKwBAVEC5T4f2Oc8npMWIX6HdopFZ6mOr4TgL45HhaCR1lcVjoNtAiUoDo14TsBnuqDnRzWNMcwCorKQjoU1mzwOcn9aWpQ/s1600/20120408-IMG_2753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BNY8UtNEJpVksia65HWAON4D6DKGOs8u6hBJ8FSmUnWibKwBAVEC5T4f2Oc8npMWIX6HdopFZ6mOr4TgL45HhaCR1lcVjoNtAiUoDo14TsBnuqDnRzWNMcwCorKQjoU1mzwOcn9aWpQ/s320/20120408-IMG_2753.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Rescue dog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This was my second year judging at Milton as I am not a "official" judge nor do I want to be. Its a path that suits some and does not suit others. I am in the others category, but enjoy days like this very much.<br />
<br />
I have been doing agility now for over 20 years ( to scared to add up the how many over) and to be given the opportunity to watch people in their first time in the ring with the nerves that we all go through, and to be given the opportunity to help the new handlers enjoy themselves is a great honor.<br />
<br />
To me, the day was a reflection on what agility really is and it comes straight on the back of what can only be considered the most stressful situation I think I will ever go through in my agility career coming up ( and that goes for all the team I think). It was a day of first timers, old timers and everything in between. What a contrast.<br />
<br />
It was in a one ring in and enclosed fence and everyone sat around cheering everyone for their successes and for their failures. We had 2 old timers who were lovely ladies that needed an assistant to do the course with them as they were unable to remember. They took a long time to get around, but go the loudest applause from the people there. <br />
<br />
<br />
We were in no rush - we were not there for cards, team places, handler reviews or first places. We were there for a great day out with our human friends and our best friends. The club put on a BBQ, people got into the ring to practice sections they had trouble with and had advice from others how to handle situations and it truly was a lovely reminder of what agility is all about and should be all about..<br />
<br />
It was just a really great day and a fitting reminder with what we are about to face, that although sheep stations are nice, the true spirit of agility is much nicer. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw38HBN70rNQNRHjzZBh9vE2Sj_tAGq5cRCeaqZNiJtzDjFiTdxlwIQcnlo3DW-8jCSBwI7zmK6PjQ4vbvmiB6V6NBzBLmD49qdr3p4rRn6la1sfO2ovaOu7nnTJbcWlKTDu9tgj1kLmU/s1600/20120408-IMG_2704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw38HBN70rNQNRHjzZBh9vE2Sj_tAGq5cRCeaqZNiJtzDjFiTdxlwIQcnlo3DW-8jCSBwI7zmK6PjQ4vbvmiB6V6NBzBLmD49qdr3p4rRn6la1sfO2ovaOu7nnTJbcWlKTDu9tgj1kLmU/s320/20120408-IMG_2704.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack & Jess playing in Canberra. This is what having a dog is all about</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On the family side, Jack ran Maverick again in Novice jumping and went clear and came 3rd. He was so proud of himself as I was of him, and even more so Maverick yet again earned my true respect and stayed with Jack the entire way. They are both growing up before my eyes.<br />
<br />
I had entered Bug in Novice jumping with Jack, but Jack decided Bug was to fast for him so I offered her up to anyone who wanted to run her and have an opportunity to run a dog that is very honest with your handling. I had a few offers and decided on A girl called Tracy who ran a Poodle and had never run a big dog. Tracey was great, she listened to what I said and they were doing really well until Bug saw me in the ring and naturally came over. She went off course and got a DQ but the handing of the rest of the run was beautiful to watch.<br />
<br />
We ended the day with a pairs event, of which Tracy again ran Bug. I told her to really Tell Bug what she wanted and there was no where on this course I could remove my self to so I figured she would spend most of the course coming over to me.<br />
<br />
They entered the ring and Tracy asked her to sit at the start which was about a meter from me. Bug didnt and Tracey persisted and pushed her down. Bug went "alrighty" and off they went for the most beautiful run with Louise and Bella. They crossed the line, and Bug did not once look for me and left the ring like she was Tracy's dog and off they went for a ball game. I should add here that they won the pairs event by a long way which was just great for them both.<br />
<br />
I was so proud of Bug as she was calm, focused and jumped very clean and honest and I was very proud of Tracy for stepping up to run the judges dog and doing something she had never done before.<br />
<br />
Today she showed me, that its really nice to hand your dog over to someone else, and trust that what you have put into her, will blossom and flourish no matter who runs with her. Again, very fitting with what we are about to go through with the team in the US.<br />
<br />
I think it is safe to say she was "Buggered" when she got home..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-JylTMygeeejR_NSIIlalvkLJzInS0OSLxynj4nhfBlKni7AzRqDMTCOY84ubCX1ZMFaNReAJx_GJqD9Df4N0vqybXKEdTLGnpWzJ39TV1-BIgkgadxfJcgd0OOt2M8bCV8upVRmca4/s1600/IMG_2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-JylTMygeeejR_NSIIlalvkLJzInS0OSLxynj4nhfBlKni7AzRqDMTCOY84ubCX1ZMFaNReAJx_GJqD9Df4N0vqybXKEdTLGnpWzJ39TV1-BIgkgadxfJcgd0OOt2M8bCV8upVRmca4/s320/IMG_2022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Now with 10 sleeps to go, I can work on getting everything ready for me to take a 3 week absence from my life and the "Dog Blog" will now become my "WAC blog".<br />
<br />
After all, my dogs are what got me to the WAC. Its going to be a fun ride.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-53125299027043032332012-03-08T08:37:00.002+11:002012-03-08T08:37:51.548+11:00Times are a changing...........<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Well I have had so many request from people asking for help to train their dogs and as I just dont have the man hours free in my week, I agreed to set up some work via the blog of what I do with my dogs. The main dogs I will be working with on the Blog are Bug ( obviously) and Jess ( the rat) as the foundation work that goes into them is really what set my dogs up for the rest of their lives.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I have found this particularly handy whenI have my months of procrastination and all of a sudden find myself standing at a start line when none of my dogs have been trained for weeks ( or months in Mav's case). I know there are all these die hards that train 4 times a week and cant wait to get to a trial, but seriously , 20 years down the track, you get a bit slack.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
But as slack as you are and want to be - its all good - cos my foundation work really pulls me out of a heap- a lot.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
So - ready for the big change (that would be me updating my Blog)? Ill try ( repeat try) for weekly updates and I have been having a blast with Pinwheels in the past few weeks. So much you can do on a pin wheel. Now of course, when I am ready to train, the rain is here and the floods have arrived. Oh well, Ill be at a start line soon - yet again - with an untrained dog - that no doubt will pull something out of a hat - yet again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Today she has taught me .................to never put off till tomorrow - what you really should be doing today.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Oh MAKE sure you hit the subscribe button so you get the updates. We already have over 40 people there waiting.......must pull ones finger out!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjInm40R7bOz9osg5qS3dg2KTQBWzIRyp-K3aGAE9oq1Jn4PqV_qc4IMi8OhGNzsnWwlwDmg92oTRY2QhU5dEZt-_gr_UngLkUdd1suKHBVmj4u8YByfZV5P5WFRPNLsXo3lso8VKsZ0/s1600/20110808-IMG_1914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjInm40R7bOz9osg5qS3dg2KTQBWzIRyp-K3aGAE9oq1Jn4PqV_qc4IMi8OhGNzsnWwlwDmg92oTRY2QhU5dEZt-_gr_UngLkUdd1suKHBVmj4u8YByfZV5P5WFRPNLsXo3lso8VKsZ0/s320/20110808-IMG_1914.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Till next time!</div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-6814325449269103512012-02-01T12:48:00.001+11:002012-02-01T12:48:20.125+11:00A new year - so - whats one more?Well its the beginning of a new year with so many new goals to set and so many new goals I get to break. Come one - surely I am not the only one that goes through this at the beginning of each year am I? <br />
<br />
2011 has to have been simply one of the best years of my life. Both work wise and personally ( which I guess are one and the same thing) and again , I got so busy that life with the "girl" just flew by and before long, I would not see her for days, even though she was by my side all day long ( well okay - when she was not outside with her flock of 1)<br />
<br />
We added a new addition to our house over the holidays and it was, yet again, a case of the dog found us not the other way around. This is our new girl Jess. She came from "paws for Thought" rescue in Sydney after being saved from death row at Renbury Pound. She is fully grown and all of 5.5 kg, about 1 year old and the vet has classified her breed as 100% pure pocket rocket ( he did have a laugh how I seem to end up with these zippy rescue dogs). She is Jacks dogs exclusive;y. She sleeps with him, sits on him, adores him and follows him. When he is away at school or for a sleep over, she just hangs very quietly by my side but the moment Jack comes back she lights up with pure joy. As some put it, they may have just rescued each other and I think its safe to say from this photo taken on Australia day, they are a perfect match.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw79SuBS2Zq8cOiTSso0qrkmVIZhg07EkObumjIcRPOR7gwtfsNhblJiXXsmNPtm3il5t9zB_ywe7P0vNru7JqtPnXW2D1_l8UbMJxNuNsc1y86hoqGgT-9uLFFKopaWOBwXSf4e6wFs/s1600/20120126-IMG_0536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw79SuBS2Zq8cOiTSso0qrkmVIZhg07EkObumjIcRPOR7gwtfsNhblJiXXsmNPtm3il5t9zB_ywe7P0vNru7JqtPnXW2D1_l8UbMJxNuNsc1y86hoqGgT-9uLFFKopaWOBwXSf4e6wFs/s320/20120126-IMG_0536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Jack is really looking forward to starting agility when he turns 10 and when we stopped and looked at the dogs we had, it became clear that none of them would suit him and encourage him to stick with it.<br />
<br />
Firstly, we have Ben<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhED4erKjI-1XZM41DUyPoTlwUEwQY25kb9sPxxiinWZ3U1fDW_gNOaufD-MK-rB0VbWohNSCxX9P2RYcHJychhgEs5ZqRPybt0J5Z8FFK8hQK-7hY__lgvs-armvcZ9m7fxoONf9XjnZQ/s1600/IMG_6931-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhED4erKjI-1XZM41DUyPoTlwUEwQY25kb9sPxxiinWZ3U1fDW_gNOaufD-MK-rB0VbWohNSCxX9P2RYcHJychhgEs5ZqRPybt0J5Z8FFK8hQK-7hY__lgvs-armvcZ9m7fxoONf9XjnZQ/s320/IMG_6931-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rescue dog extrodinar. Saved from death row given everything including a whole new knee and a place called paradise to live in. And in return we get the "I only work at exactly 18.1 degree with zero dew point and 12% humidity at exactly 1.05 am". Anything out of this results in the paw being stuck up at us and a growl/snap to follow. Not the ideal dog for a new handler to "enjoy".<br />
<br />
Then we have "the Girl" - Bug<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQRz4axn3hxsB18yKFI91scVy5jDmMMi-6DU5-Do1MRKekIzgfIIwiI7ByTtEqN54frAWpdGxG6io2JATRENQgyt-klYw6a0koIhONpmP7yEwYfOomBYR53Zkkl2LOMIhu3SXnIzAt60/s1600/Bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQRz4axn3hxsB18yKFI91scVy5jDmMMi-6DU5-Do1MRKekIzgfIIwiI7ByTtEqN54frAWpdGxG6io2JATRENQgyt-klYw6a0koIhONpmP7yEwYfOomBYR53Zkkl2LOMIhu3SXnIzAt60/s320/Bug.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As simply beautifully natured as she is, she gets a little over excited as does any Koolie and if you are not giving her instruction well and truly prior to what she needs to do, then she will keep going until stopped. Adorable and she simply adores Jack as well - but just to fast as the first dog for him we think. She will be a brilliant step up dog though when they have both had time to grow up and learn a bit more.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Then lastly we have hmmm.......Maverick<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwI5CveTAJoPyPHRjLaQcmXmtURf797fXx81scWR9RrU7wU1SuJC2tyJGCOkj7NLp4DHVIVJRRo-8OimgrPJGFBrhjtBL-qgSSKEWSWUlyaUT9mreE_lctTPnO4T6dU8SpwlHpXV9otU/s1600/Maverick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwI5CveTAJoPyPHRjLaQcmXmtURf797fXx81scWR9RrU7wU1SuJC2tyJGCOkj7NLp4DHVIVJRRo-8OimgrPJGFBrhjtBL-qgSSKEWSWUlyaUT9mreE_lctTPnO4T6dU8SpwlHpXV9otU/s320/Maverick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Simply put - Mav is a wild child. He is head strong yet vague. It has taken me many years to learn how to work Maverick out and I am a much better person for it I have to say. Has lead me to pure frustration and back and with this in mind, he could not be further from the ideal dog for a novice to learn on. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So - you can see we really had no option ( well we could have said no but where is the fun in that) than to look further ahead and see that Jack needed something of his own. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am happy to say that he has shown such responsibility already from holding a towel under her head while she is car sick to standing outside at 4 am in the rain waiting for her to go to the toilet. Welcome to our forever home Jess and I guess now it will be a double girl blog</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoUQ8b6_GTDQ5XR240K-9upCzK1swg3ob_o93MoYIOLKz-AUzDWC_otohJnreBfnpjX_g3eOLybcC8f87GFE6TApBqEz4T3KG0QcFzWhuCDr92rTkduoFapt35qa-5Uja39T08vFDcUg/s1600/20120119-20120119-IMG_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoUQ8b6_GTDQ5XR240K-9upCzK1swg3ob_o93MoYIOLKz-AUzDWC_otohJnreBfnpjX_g3eOLybcC8f87GFE6TApBqEz4T3KG0QcFzWhuCDr92rTkduoFapt35qa-5Uja39T08vFDcUg/s320/20120119-20120119-IMG_0033.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMef6Ax7vA5S8ebuytrbsh-2fa5bp3vIkVBTLktina0IqWpZna1ljIy6Toi_jIdAbK5LAcETeGq3tDSrHODsOF2gXyaQtdUTp2NRaBrRVFc_1NL02ehIJYyi3rAlbESkRcNh6HZspAeg/s1600/looking+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMef6Ax7vA5S8ebuytrbsh-2fa5bp3vIkVBTLktina0IqWpZna1ljIy6Toi_jIdAbK5LAcETeGq3tDSrHODsOF2gXyaQtdUTp2NRaBrRVFc_1NL02ehIJYyi3rAlbESkRcNh6HZspAeg/s320/looking+up.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0YupOYgcJ4AloXWhr-z8xPFOeGi_brcTuLRzu3FDWP7eWZgqxL7T4TtG-z_xgDKByKT6exSDDwcL2cGJVrybd6xI9YGMXVCeH-Y5LYCdizqdm3FTMpkAw9XacN55EsScddUwGOymq9U/s1600/The+gang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0YupOYgcJ4AloXWhr-z8xPFOeGi_brcTuLRzu3FDWP7eWZgqxL7T4TtG-z_xgDKByKT6exSDDwcL2cGJVrybd6xI9YGMXVCeH-Y5LYCdizqdm3FTMpkAw9XacN55EsScddUwGOymq9U/s320/The+gang.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today I learnt that although we had plans to downsize our numbers, the Dog God ultimately controls what is going to happen with your life - not you.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hug your dogs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Natalie</div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-28888135211579545312011-12-01T12:34:00.001+11:002011-12-01T12:34:43.612+11:00Gentle reminders from a dog............<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
There really is nothing like the sweet gentle reminder that you really have managed to ignore your dog for a few weeks ( okay - months) while you set up a new business. Ways in which you are reminded are </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
1) The "I am not looking at you because you dont exist in my life" look in the eyes when you call her and she just pretends that you are made of glass. This can be coupled with a slight but gentle head turn as the nose raises to the air.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
2) The " I refuse to sleep next to you on the bed - even if they are 1000 thread count sheets" which is shown when you walk in the room to go to bed and you get the look "oh - your here". She then gets up and moves over and lays on your husband instead. Now, in my mind, this is really not a bad one and can be kind of handy not having a huge horse on your legs all night.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
3) You are not longer spending hours running to the front door to answer it from all the paw tapping that used to go one when she would try to get my attention to come outside and make her "flock" (Ben) run and chase the ball.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
4) You take her to your agility yard and she says - "Whats that?" or even worse - take her to do club for the first time in 3 months and she runs around barking and screaming like a nob while making up her own course then barking at you as you are not following</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
5) When she sneaks into the chicken pen at every moment she can when your back is turned and is only caught when poor Gloria is safely clamped between her jaws.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
6) She is as jumpy as a Jack rabbit which is very abnormal for a dog that was perfectly names "B Kool"</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
When you add all of this up, you have to think that there are one or two signs that I have been ignoring the girl and I think we can all agree that a Koolie that is not mentally and physically worked is something no one wants in there house.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
So - time to get off the computer, put the business away for a while, and go and see what she can teach me today.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Today she has taught me to read the signs and preferably the first one when it happens so 2,3,4,5 & 6 dont follow suit.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-75650430585796790662011-08-17T13:22:00.000+10:002011-08-17T13:22:26.435+10:00One day you are dreaming of owning a Koolie, the next she is turning 2....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
<div style="color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 300; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 1.625em;"><a data-mce-href="http://kooliegirl.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/20110806-20110806-img_1569.jpg" href="http://kooliegirl.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/20110806-20110806-img_1569.jpg" style="color: #1b8be0; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-38" data-mce-src="http://kooliegirl.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/20110806-20110806-img_1569.jpg?w=200" height="300" src="http://kooliegirl.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/20110806-20110806-img_1569.jpg?w=200" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; clear: both; color: inherit; display: block; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; height: auto; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 97.5%; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px;" title="20110806-20110806-IMG_1569" width="200" /></a>One day I was dreaming of owning a Koolie, the next day she is turning 2. What an amazing 2 years we have had! Out of the 8 dogs I have owned, by far she is the easiest to live with and the most fun to work with ( Mickey - close your ears!). Everyday is a party, Everyday she is happy and everyday she makes me smile. I cant ask for any more than that from her.</div><div style="color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 300; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 1.625em;">I had made this movie when she was 18 months and if you have not seen it yet , you can see what and action packed life she leads. She is one lucky Koolie......</div><div style="color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 300; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 1.625em;"><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/21182351">Bugs first 18 months - Movie.</a></div><div style="color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 300; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 1.625em;">Her Agility is progressing well with finally some real training. I seem to always be full of excuses for her but she had to take a back seat for a while so I could get my cavalier Maverick up to speed for the ADAA Nationals. Maverick was the only dog I had in the advanced level to try out for the world team to compete at the World Agility Championships in Texas in May 2012.</div><div style="color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 300; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 1.625em;">I am pleased to say the work payed off and I made the team and Bug was a great supporter of Mav over the tryout weekend. Those that know Cavaliers know that they need other dogs around them ( if not on them) and Bug and Mav get on so well. She would be the only person in the family that actually gets him I would say. Anyway, back to Bug. I am so pleased to say she is finally doing 4 weave poles and is really enjoying figuring things out. Now I have a whole lot of life things all sorted, I can really go out and enjoy working with my Girl.</div><div style="color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 300; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 1.625em;">Oh and look what she gave me as a gift on her 2nd Birthday - 4 poles! First time ever and I am so proud of her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/p_cIY7esBjA/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/p_cIY7esBjA&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/p_cIY7esBjA&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div style="color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 300; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 1.625em;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_cIY7esBjA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_cIY7esBjA</a></div><div style="color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 300; font: normal normal normal 15px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 1.625em;">Today she has taught me that life can pass in a flash and you should take time to enjoy those moments before they go right on by.</div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-79282848267979970852011-08-17T13:15:00.000+10:002011-08-17T13:15:37.344+10:00What is really a winner?????<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
<div class="entry-content" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1.625em; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One of my blogs from my old page.....that is nice to refresh.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sometime ago my idealistic bubble was popped in a rather sad way. I thought that most people doing dogs sports were in it for the right reason. How naive I was after doing this sport for 20 years. I was very saddened to find that some people moved their dogs on because “they were not winning”. I guess on reflection, those people that have this attitude really don’t have the slightest Idea on what winning really is.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I think Bug is a winner. I think this because she wins when it comes to being first in for a pat. She wins for being the dog that literally makes me laugh multiple times a day ( it the Koole dag factor and those with Koolies will know exactly what I am talking about). She wins the hogging stakes in the bed having my husband complain that with a King size bed and koolie in it, he still has to hang his leg out the side. She wins when she seeks me out and just stands next to me for no hidden reason. I could go on about how she is a winner but you get the drift.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So what is winning? Is it the dog that is locked away from animal and human contact so that it will want to be with its owner when it goes in the ring and comes home with the shinny blue ribbon – only to go back in a crate until the next event? or is it the dog that is a part of your life no matter what and that makes your heart sing the winner. I know my choice and actually feel very sorry for the dogs that live with the former.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://kooliegirl.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/img_3366-edit.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #f77826; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="200" src="http://kooliegirl.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/img_3366-edit.jpg?w=300&h=200" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 97.5%; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px;" title="Beach Bug" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Today she taught me that the best part of winning is a run on the beach, in the sun without a cloud in the sky, and she is a girl with the biggest grin who is now sound asleep at my feet. She definitely won today <img alt=":-)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s2.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1255548780g" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 97.5%; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So…What do you think constitutes a winner??????????</div><div><br />
</div><div class="sharedaddy" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 0px 0px !important; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-left-radius: 0px 0px !important; border-top-right-radius: 0px 0px !important; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; zoom: 1;"></div></div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-22423486996583939292011-06-19T20:14:00.003+10:002011-08-17T11:50:01.099+10:00Well the time has come to move on......yes - I am slack. so much time goes by and I just forget to post. So with the set up of my new photography business, I have moved my blog page for Bug to the same site as the blog page for the photography. so my new page is at<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>http://kooliegirl.wordpress.com/</div><div><br />
</div><div>please feel free to subscribe over there and my photography one if its of any interest is at</div><div><br />
</div><div>http://nataliewinter.wordpress.com/</div><div><br />
</div><div>I have already made progress with 2 posts in only a few days!</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-39655169716433817362010-11-21T18:31:00.002+11:002010-11-21T18:33:17.998+11:00can it really be this easy?????<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nwinter/5173868621/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5173868621_946a0175ea_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nwinter/5173868621/">"Wellaway"</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/nwinter/">Natalie Winter</a></span></div>So - the time pressed person who also is the queen of procrastination has FINALLY found a way to fit in some training on a regular basis. It goes something like this. <br /><br />My new agility yard is a cut off of land at the back of the property that we had cleared last year. I loving hand seeded it and literally watched the water grow. Thats it on the right hand side behind the pool. Long story but we had to put in a 10,000 litre reticulated water supply as part of a DA. So we opted for a pool and the only place for it to go was you guess it, in my new agility yard. The yard is long but Narrow so I could ill afford the space.<br /><br />Anyway, it has worked out to be a good thing. The boys have a swim each day in lieu of a bath and being the responsible parent I need to be out in the yard. So rather than sit there and stare into space ( or do something for me like read a book), I am able to spend some one on one time with Ben and Bug doing some training. Excellent use of time as its the late afternoon and the girl is always up for a work out.<br /><br />Today I learned that she really can be quiet when I train Ben and she is in another yard. Maybe she is just growing up.Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-53979028646361707432010-11-18T21:08:00.001+11:002010-11-18T21:09:34.435+11:00Today I rescued a human.....Going through my saved emails I came across this. How very very true.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><div id="ygrp-msg" style="line-height: 1.22em; width: 470px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 25px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; z-index: 1; "><div id="ygrp-detail" style="line-height: 1.22em; "><dl class="last" style="line-height: 1.22em; border-top-width: 4px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-color: initial; "><dd class="last" style="line-height: 1.22em; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-left: 25px; padding-top: 20px; margin-top: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><div class="ygrp-content" style="line-height: 15px; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px; ">I rescued a human today.<br /><br />Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor,<br />peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I<br />had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.<br /><br />As she stopped at my kennel, I blocked her view from a little accident I<br />had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been<br />walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get busy and I didn't want her<br />to think poorly of them.<br /><br />As she read my kennel card, I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my<br />past. I only have the future to look forward to, and want to make a<br />difference in someone's life. <br /><br />She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. <br />I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.<br />Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. <br /><br />A tear fell down her cheek, and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.<br />Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I Instantly<br />jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to<br />always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that<br />radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.<br />I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out<br />there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. <br />At least I could save one.<br /><br />I rescued a human today...<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><br /></span></div></dd></dl></div></div></span></div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-41373832289657235072010-11-13T20:29:00.001+11:002010-11-13T20:29:28.587+11:00hmmm....<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nwinter/5160110237/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5160110237_f532cb4f1e_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nwinter/5160110237/">Radar lock on........</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/nwinter/">Natalie Winter</a></span></div>Okay, so I am discovering how much work goes into starting a new dog again from scratch. Its hard to keep the brain focused on what they dont know and not to expect that they do know. <br /><br />Take jump training for example. I discovered that you need more than 2 training sessions for the logic of see a jump and take it when told to sink in. I mean - seriously - why does she not get it - after 2 sessions. lol. Some times I need a good whack over the head but I always get it eventually.<br /><br />There is so much to remember. The main one that I struggle with from time to time is the positive voice and praise. I think I spend way to much time thinking about the mark etc that I forget to make it fun. <br /><br />So - next challenge, jump training, with flat work and call offs - while being fun. Now that will be a challenge.<br /><br />Today Bug taught me exactly how much work I really have ahead of me.<br clear="all" />Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-64425382689778802832010-11-07T22:07:00.002+11:002010-11-08T11:40:00.654+11:00I dont believe it........yes, I have to confess. I trained my dog. I stopped procrastinating and took the bull by the horns and we did some jump training. She is a very neat little jumper and I can see why some Koolies are just out of control and overly excited. I have come to the conclusion that a calm koolie while working is the sort of Koolie that I want. Not the hyper one that screams its head off when running around and what most Koolies sadly are known for. So I shall have to throw the "tug before you train" theory out the window - good choice - or bad?????? Ill guess Ill find out later along with with "you left your dog to long to train"....<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>"Today Bug taught me that you dont need all the hype to get a great result". </div><div><br /></div><div>Onwards and upwards for our training now. We are even doing some trick training!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div> <div><br /></div></div></div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-71087824342324569092010-11-06T09:34:00.005+11:002010-11-06T14:21:09.174+11:00The Queen of Procrastination still reigns........<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Well looking back the last post was in January which is oh well - almost a year now. So - what have I done with Bug in all that time I have had to myself with no kids about. Well - a lot - and nothing at the same time. I have taken the road of "build the bond first" and maybe even taken it a little to much to the extreme of how many months you should do that for. But although at the moment she may have forgotten how to sit, she gives good nose kisses with no tongue and is a brilliant spooner in bed <g>. She has a great life and I have a great life with her in it.<div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRxfjoXi0kcyAd65q9Iz6d9WpQ3MYS_469mqvhmYKj8T53kQmY6OOTZHCcA48l696yqQoJg3ZwRJDsl7GpR8-cRRMoVo78T_Zxh7NDnefMnj1pLhz3sfPHz3wXQiMry_VMEGXZs_dSSY/s320/5101666072_120f58ab30_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536271339306200370" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I read friends blogs from time to time and feel oh so very guilty. I also get looks from people when they see this fully grown dog (15 months now) with little or no training and they tell me I should probably start now. Yes, they are right and I should but I am so not in a rush because I have 2 trialing dogs that are 4 & 5 and just hitting their prime. I dont want to have 3 trialing dogs as running 2 drive me insane - 3 would just bury me!</div><div><br /></div><div>So yes, I shall start trainer her a little more seriously as I know she is looking for a job and I am sure I can provide one. I had planned on starting today but being the queen of procrastination, I felt is only right that I get onto my blog ( after 10 months) and sit down and write "how" I was going to train my dog today............ </div><div><br /></div><div>okay......turning computer off and heading to the fridge for training treats. Wonder what will jump out to stop me this time......</div><div><br /></div><div>maybe I should be a good parent and go and watch Charlie play the Wii game......</div><div><br /></div><div>okay.....going out the door.......Buggy.........where are you..............</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>First point of training - recall.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lets see what I can learn from her today.</div><div><br /></div></g>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-83433143277923357422010-01-29T17:07:00.002+11:002010-01-29T17:21:06.763+11:00thinking to much could only hurt you!So with the last child about to head off to school after what can only be called a "trying" 8 weeks vacation time, I find myself in the "now" and about to have some free time to actually train my puppy. Coming up to 6 months old we have "dabbled" with some basics but with this dog ( and due to her breed) I have opted to build a relationship with her first of trust and respect rather than of "My way or the Highway". <div><br /></div><div>Our relationship is fantastic. She is defiantly my dog and every day she presents me with a new challenge which I actually enjoy as well as showing me how devoted she is to me as her partner. I was reading somewhere in a book completely unrelated to dog training about something that really struck home and a way of training a dog I never had thought about before. It was a book on quilting ( yes - I am a closet quilter) and it said that in order to really make a really nice quilt, you need to enjoy each and every process. That included picking the fabric colours, cutting, sewing, basting ( no - not turkey), quilting and binding. Thats a lot of sections but once I took this on board I truly started to enjoy the WHOLE process of quilting rather than flying through the parts I didnt like. </div><div><br /></div><div>How does this relate to dog training? Well when I thought about it I thought that is so much like dog training. You need to enjoy the foundation work but no foundation work is enjoyable if only one of you is having fun - and that is where the relationship side comes from. If its a 2 way street then you will go much further than "my way or the highway" and now that I think about it, that would be why I did so well with my cavalier Mickey. We really did work together. I think I was extremely luck to have worked with him and to have achieved what we achieved. Not because he was a one off dog, but more the fact that I now really understand what its like to have a wonderful relationship which will help us both down the track.</div><div><br /></div><div>So now I am faced with some free time ( well after I spend a few days on the lounge asleep recovering from school holidays) and now I have to be "accountable". So the first few days of "real" training will be working out exactly what I want and more importantly exactly how I will train that behaviour. Here is where I hit the next and biggest hurdle I will face. I had read somewhere that people who have read too much on training methods are in fact their own worst enemy. Its time to shut up and put up and yes - mistakes will be made ( many) but its time to take the plunge and I am looking forward to what ever lies ahead. Hope the water is not to cold!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-82935384679522708742009-12-14T20:44:00.003+11:002009-12-14T20:57:59.774+11:00Food for thought.I am reading Suzanne Clothier's book called "If bones would fall from the sky" and she describes 3 types of trainers.<div><br /></div><div>1) The Mechanical trainer - how to <i><b>make</b></i> the dog do what you want him to do</div><div><br /></div><div>2) The motivational trainer - trying to figure out how to motivate the dog <i><b>to want to do</b></i> what you want it to do</div><div><br /></div><div>3) The spiritual trainer - who try's to figure out how do <i><b>we</b></i> accomplish it together</div><div><br /></div><div>I know with Mickey we were number 3 and with Maverick we were number 1. Having been really connected with a dog in my lifetime I hope that I can have that connection with Bug and that is my dream with her. To train and work to accomplish everything together.</div><div><br /></div><div>So - Food for thought. Which one do you want to be and then when you really think about it which one are your really?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-48360341386545493972009-12-14T20:12:00.008+11:002009-12-14T21:05:36.909+11:00Where does the time go???????<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MEAzG9nOe9jq8JZKZyCS3lmOBRnKHTU3_8bsm2PjUC0CqSbmurrGH8OHTv7WGi_htcmVXwQjPRdJ6FtdRt5zhLzqjmo06xSq8ntZXkm7Pk2M5Zdhb7Jth32uyb-gx3XTNNkCwJgRqSQ/s1600-h/PC130051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MEAzG9nOe9jq8JZKZyCS3lmOBRnKHTU3_8bsm2PjUC0CqSbmurrGH8OHTv7WGi_htcmVXwQjPRdJ6FtdRt5zhLzqjmo06xSq8ntZXkm7Pk2M5Zdhb7Jth32uyb-gx3XTNNkCwJgRqSQ/s400/PC130051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415021529466744818" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div>One minute the time it ticking away every so painfully waiting the arrival of Bug then all of a sudden she has been here for 2 months and I have not had time to update her page ( or do anything else due to major sleep depravation). They say that a puppy is not able to hold its bladder until its 4 months old but I did not wait that long. After 6 weeks of no sleep because between a puppy and an old 13.5 year old on fluid tablets, I was up 2 -3 times every night. This did not make for a happy person so Bug has been banished to sleep outside for the summer with Ben in hopes of all of us getting some rest. I have to say, I am very happy and less grouchy for it so out she shall stay.<div><br /></div><div>What's it like living with a Koolie? Well I have had a god 8 weeks with her now and I am really enjoying not knowing anything about a breed and learning as we go along. Here is what I have learned so far.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_JSTu9rXvGsUIHM5WoszFVo-Q9N4Z-OZ-7YABSCRsODJ39yYpj48SFPZiPlzZqL1U79YjZwkANeilRK8KPV0JUTyKum75c2ERbeJ3sAA1hhKM9D312cxclwyqtJppLLCUtt13VNKSwc/s1600-h/IMG_0483.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_JSTu9rXvGsUIHM5WoszFVo-Q9N4Z-OZ-7YABSCRsODJ39yYpj48SFPZiPlzZqL1U79YjZwkANeilRK8KPV0JUTyKum75c2ERbeJ3sAA1hhKM9D312cxclwyqtJppLLCUtt13VNKSwc/s400/IMG_0483.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415022761946118050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div>- Not every Koolie chases a ball. Instead my Koolie prefers to chase the Border chasing the ball. I mean why waste the energy on something so silly!</div><div><br /></div><div>- Not every Koolie knows how to jump. So far she has not attempted to jump on anything. This unfortunately includes the car, the van or anything else that would make sense. Given that she is now as big as Ben ( 42 cm) and the fact that she cant jump ( or wont) amazes me ( doesnt both me though as that will come later).</div><div><br /></div><div>- While finding chasing the ball a complete waste of energy, her energy is much better spent attacking the broom, mop, vacuum or anything else that moves. Favourite weird toys - the hose with water coming out and the blower van in the face ( that is a truly weird one)</div><div><br /></div><div>- Koolie's really do think things out. I can actually see her brain clicking over in an extremely calm way trying to figure out what I want or trying to solve a problem. I am really enjoying watching this.</div><div><br /></div><div>As far as training goes we are primarily working on play both with toys and with me. She adores interacting with me and is slowly getting the hang of playing with the toys I ask her to. He favourite by far is anything rabbit fur so I am using that to my advantage. She also sits, drops and hand touches. Thats about it as we are enjoying finding out a lot about each other and in the next few weeks Ill up her training routine. </div><div><br /></div><div>So until then, Merry Christmas and see you in 2010 when the fun shall really begin.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAorNTRd5UPLk6MtXCjhxZwIdudPCdpGcJccuyc6VhF_CDF52g-7cexxv5I5DvCO-udf-cRgeoHiDi6iV631eVHk08RbPbnYxW7j3erDUQIpg5mUimTgV3yo2b-5oA7nU6qhX6i_2MhIk/s1600-h/PC130051.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQhBIFOtu8HxaJon8hgSTjPW9N5K5tENkeYW4D4gjg6aJfab1i-R8x3Os0TcDPLXsnj2iua4b5sd4m_hcbcIMZ02ep9MK8UtCkmFpXurv0zfc3jJBbnyMyVtNU_kBIwBWfWvyZYD3l8Y/s1600-h/IMG_0556.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQhBIFOtu8HxaJon8hgSTjPW9N5K5tENkeYW4D4gjg6aJfab1i-R8x3Os0TcDPLXsnj2iua4b5sd4m_hcbcIMZ02ep9MK8UtCkmFpXurv0zfc3jJBbnyMyVtNU_kBIwBWfWvyZYD3l8Y/s400/IMG_0556.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415023730571177314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></span></div><div> </div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-24095645591032712562009-10-18T20:50:00.002+11:002009-10-18T20:53:31.101+11:00Bug -v- pink squeaky toy<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9dw6N6XTHZE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9dw6N6XTHZE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I think its safe to say she has settled in. </span></span></span></div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-87876166046319758482009-10-15T20:24:00.005+11:002009-10-15T21:34:16.976+11:00Things I had forgotten....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfPg7MpESdBmKDLDa2HBk1KmP4cOaOfN_PNtK8PgfHNAdfyxMxC5gNqF2kVxj9WrfHjqjlxbvUpltqubi_HF8fM9hFxIvhOHyjzRnoDlaqo5xG_HraKi9irpeKk794vmkVUIUQ7SYCJU/s1600-h/PA130125.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfPg7MpESdBmKDLDa2HBk1KmP4cOaOfN_PNtK8PgfHNAdfyxMxC5gNqF2kVxj9WrfHjqjlxbvUpltqubi_HF8fM9hFxIvhOHyjzRnoDlaqo5xG_HraKi9irpeKk794vmkVUIUQ7SYCJU/s400/PA130125.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392757012555183906" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirt7wBTa4Ku-n8KnTVi9vo70oc7uIf7TVxxjonIpve4M84U55_Ap8lrzBtKSatjhaYbIXuoDQlMmAYijM_x7_ThCdP7CzMBSgLie_Z5lFFt1_-Fn9kfD5o4KDV9Y0ZMhz1N6vMOSDo-8s/s1600-h/PA130127.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirt7wBTa4Ku-n8KnTVi9vo70oc7uIf7TVxxjonIpve4M84U55_Ap8lrzBtKSatjhaYbIXuoDQlMmAYijM_x7_ThCdP7CzMBSgLie_Z5lFFt1_-Fn9kfD5o4KDV9Y0ZMhz1N6vMOSDo-8s/s320/PA130127.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392755775005102082" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>Well I found the missing link. The Bug has landed and after a few days to settle in she has started to make herself at home. The boys are really excited to have her and they even had a fight at 6 am this morning as to who's room Bug is going to play in until Mummy can get her eyes open. So we are now onto taking turns to bug sit. <div><br /></div><div>So at the end of day 3 here are some of the things I had forgotten about having a puppy.</div><div><br /></div><div>1) dont wake the puppy up at 10 pm to put her out and then expect her to go into a crate for the night straight away</div><div><br /></div><div>2) worming tablets should be on hand for when puppy comes home</div><div><br /></div><div>3) to buy chicken wings</div><div><br /></div><div>4) how much they can scream when they dont want to do something like stay in a crate away from you ( her record is an impressive 70 minutes)</div><div><br /></div><div>5) the poop</div><div><br /></div><div>6) that Maverick will never change</div><div><br /></div><div>7) the poop</div><div><br /></div><div>8) that even though you know so much - you actually realise that you know so little.</div><div><br /></div><div>9) sleep is for everyone else in the world except for me</div><div><br /></div><div>and my favourite thing I had forgotten</div><div><br /></div><div>10) how soft and loveable the pad of their feet are and how they will roughen over time with all the miles you will walk together in her lifetime.</div></div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-27986111301393899302009-10-03T19:53:00.005+10:002009-10-05T14:44:08.905+11:00Something is missing.................<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWcjsVG27U2GXWPIy8wZ2K366BJEzKrojPaFW6U4EVzLpXngKjWWSQN4VvuPSaVGfd89LePXg3ynrzKrWGg-tfkIPnCm_N0MTj6F-dePUpjhly5Ot7vRUCApVEBwRgTo_2ux8Hd910DM/s1600-h/IMG_5487.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWcjsVG27U2GXWPIy8wZ2K366BJEzKrojPaFW6U4EVzLpXngKjWWSQN4VvuPSaVGfd89LePXg3ynrzKrWGg-tfkIPnCm_N0MTj6F-dePUpjhly5Ot7vRUCApVEBwRgTo_2ux8Hd910DM/s400/IMG_5487.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388310340718700578" /></a><br />let see if I have everything under control.<div><br /></div><div>cute pink Rogz puppy bed - check</div><div>pink collar - check</div><div>pink lead - check</div><div>pink sheep toy - check</div><div>pink puppy kong - check</div><div>filling for pink puppy kong - check</div><div>lamb ears - check</div><div>puppy pen - check</div><div>puppy pen assembled in loungeroom - check</div><div>puppy food - check</div><div>pink puppy toys - check</div><div>pink water bowl - check</div><div>pink mat to put pink water bowl on - check</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>puppy - hmmmm......thats what is missing. 7 sleeps to go.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-86078149509499344332009-09-14T11:51:00.008+10:002009-09-14T13:42:12.096+10:00The Bug has been hugged!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7t4C_dEIBpQA0JFmmJ_j-iz0Rttl2yrk8uMSFCnGtVVKtRBGiHlMAeE4dpo1fBMfKCVbl3hXCrUJgvGoidrJlLF38HDWJJxw0HTIRcDREQFfR5tf9ucc-wjSE3BoUTTtqPUSGE8ybWY/s1600-h/P9110064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7t4C_dEIBpQA0JFmmJ_j-iz0Rttl2yrk8uMSFCnGtVVKtRBGiHlMAeE4dpo1fBMfKCVbl3hXCrUJgvGoidrJlLF38HDWJJxw0HTIRcDREQFfR5tf9ucc-wjSE3BoUTTtqPUSGE8ybWY/s400/P9110064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381147956748808354" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Well the Bug has had her hug and it was great to meet her. I am finally home after a long 4 day trip to visit Bug in Victoria and then compete at a 2 day agility trial at Wagga. <div><br /></div><div>When I got there on Friday they were sound asleep but she woke up and after the initial greeting she came out of her shell. She was a bit perplexed to start with when she saw her band new toy ( a monkey) but as you can see from the Movie below, she got over it pretty quickly.<br /><br />She could not figure out how to carry it as it had such a big head but after the video stopped rolling she went back and took it on again.<div><br /></div><div>She is going to be bigger than Ben and a medium height dog I think with a thick coat and she will be jetting up on a plane to Sydney for me to collect her when she is 8 weeks old. So only 3 1/2 weeks to go and any type of sanity I may have had ( which is not much I assure you) will be gone and chaos shall quickly follow.<br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: -webkit-xxx-large; white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; "><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ei8rK_1meFg&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ei8rK_1meFg&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><object width="445" height="364"></object></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">what do you think?</div></div></div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-4661065835243366062009-09-06T21:39:00.000+10:002009-09-06T21:43:39.581+10:00Bug at 3 weeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqEMU-EpibW4uWTScmC2yRI5NGpyGl9S9vWIhkzmXZWYwRO-tx6180FSEAszo2_mzNUvqTJg-kJLTWUiWpxEPN1Q-7t0Pf_-9_8KensRBnf8LmkZzxBxUoFAFl5L_YHhTXiv8FIcTNZM/s1600-h/IMG_5429.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqEMU-EpibW4uWTScmC2yRI5NGpyGl9S9vWIhkzmXZWYwRO-tx6180FSEAszo2_mzNUvqTJg-kJLTWUiWpxEPN1Q-7t0Pf_-9_8KensRBnf8LmkZzxBxUoFAFl5L_YHhTXiv8FIcTNZM/s320/IMG_5429.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378318609345050642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PYb3iqun2a5KnTcSwuybHoMDD0DxgXK6wyc2YqcWX71wNHFsTN8pf1MgpoyJAW6RhR85-CrxtrEjIsdIvUB5O3xzVQqJQ1_ny9_e-nGnjluZI51vB7nGdrISbj37b2ixerM-3lrIaXk/s1600-h/IMG_5434.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PYb3iqun2a5KnTcSwuybHoMDD0DxgXK6wyc2YqcWX71wNHFsTN8pf1MgpoyJAW6RhR85-CrxtrEjIsdIvUB5O3xzVQqJQ1_ny9_e-nGnjluZI51vB7nGdrISbj37b2ixerM-3lrIaXk/s320/IMG_5434.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378318599235741202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OnoGaSyUt3sRFiQaizLmzAz2cwh-gzvsqDQjAU5Gs1INH4RWna1Dl6JFixc_Na9ab4-XMjwJ_i0BE_FTX-jSeU4hNMSP-XRASYBUSHVnD3GB5KaPo2_L52cJdmGvaVx1pqxDHUDPj60/s1600-h/IMG_5423.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OnoGaSyUt3sRFiQaizLmzAz2cwh-gzvsqDQjAU5Gs1INH4RWna1Dl6JFixc_Na9ab4-XMjwJ_i0BE_FTX-jSeU4hNMSP-XRASYBUSHVnD3GB5KaPo2_L52cJdmGvaVx1pqxDHUDPj60/s320/IMG_5423.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378318595100763266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsbGY0TRUqWIinQ8AUcCfSw8GVXVrEgLSgVL84USIK1-wc3oo8_Z3qKh6-ZtxrAWjqs28dP27QUkfvbPZzHu_jIJKZfqCYiq_0dSKMFZIbSXQagjUlqNUPORhEM23iXAOKMOsGbo5rMI/s1600-h/IMG_5436.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsbGY0TRUqWIinQ8AUcCfSw8GVXVrEgLSgVL84USIK1-wc3oo8_Z3qKh6-ZtxrAWjqs28dP27QUkfvbPZzHu_jIJKZfqCYiq_0dSKMFZIbSXQagjUlqNUPORhEM23iXAOKMOsGbo5rMI/s320/IMG_5436.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378318588836544786" /></a><br />I am amazed at how much she is changing just in a few weeks. Her colours are more prominent and I think she is going to be a really interesting dog to watch grow. I am getting very excited as I am going to visit her on Friday and I will get to "hug my Bug". Then 4 weeks after that life in our house will change as we know it.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8992011615177992579.post-55106641638106778062009-09-06T21:36:00.001+10:002009-09-06T21:38:44.365+10:00bug at 6 days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhOCLUp3PeGgUmoV7vkYkB5dJWDVWQFz60UKGlNUUi629YmS16QUzz3LAdvqQkXq2qa43nAVs-nmfjwA9UrKoqQiWQKcBZHZhIPPHXOV8MVcduyZAQvhwAMY5YHXidYS3BPZYMxnjqGU/s1600-h/bug2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhOCLUp3PeGgUmoV7vkYkB5dJWDVWQFz60UKGlNUUi629YmS16QUzz3LAdvqQkXq2qa43nAVs-nmfjwA9UrKoqQiWQKcBZHZhIPPHXOV8MVcduyZAQvhwAMY5YHXidYS3BPZYMxnjqGU/s320/bug2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378317304124689682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfc5fTvE0XJd3anXElQtvbgi0js9t8uQV0Ta78lc5kRkZ3DQITI1_7Awwyb6YJ05Q47w9KV3vVgGtvmekdOOu9A90PGwutnmQ_HOLvdj5zKesP66NwB5lY_YYeLIW4xQiqvJeYZRZq70/s1600-h/bug1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfc5fTvE0XJd3anXElQtvbgi0js9t8uQV0Ta78lc5kRkZ3DQITI1_7Awwyb6YJ05Q47w9KV3vVgGtvmekdOOu9A90PGwutnmQ_HOLvdj5zKesP66NwB5lY_YYeLIW4xQiqvJeYZRZq70/s320/bug1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378317292931479314" /></a><br />Kerrie sent through some photos of the girl at 6 days and we are very excited. She says she has "racoon eyes" and I could not have asked for a better colour. Just perfect<div><br /></div>Natalie Winterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541554441076996677noreply@blogger.com0