Kaibab Bernese Mountain Dogs

DONE!!!

2011-08-01T10:45:00.001-06:00

The Kaibab website is up and ready for visitors -- thanks to Galen for all his hard and creative work :)

Let me know if you see any "bugs" and from now on, the Blog will be at the website...

http://kaibabbmd.org/

The Nature of a Berner

2011-07-30T06:36:00.004-06:00

"The main business of the dogs on Bernese Farms has always been to be good watchdogs. These farms were built at a distance from each other, each one situated more or less in the center of the land that was cultivated by the farmers family. A dog that announced strangers (man and other animals) which approached the farm or the nearby meadows was essential for the security of all the living creatures there." (attributed to Margret Baertschi at http://www.bmdca.org/pages/The_BMD_History_and_The_Standard.php)

In a culture that focuses on appearance, I suppose it is not at all surprising that berners are attractive to people because of their beauty. But a berner is not a stuffed dog or a yard ornament -- they were bred for a particular purpose and all the wishful thinking in the world will not change DNA.

I have found that many people are surprised when their berners turn into crazed barkers at the sight of a stranger or strange dog -- really? What exactly do you suppose a farm watchdog ought to do? Roll out the welcome mat? Show the intruder to the family silver? This is not a breed that was developed to love everyone -- why should we be surprised and upset when they don't?

On the other hand, it is hard to have a dog that honors her heritage by barking at strangers and strange dogs who dare approach the home or the beloved family; this is especially true when one lives in close confines with others. It is not unreasonable to want our dogs to be quiet and ignore strange people and strange dogs who approach our home -- but it is also not at all unreasonable that a dog bred to be a watchdog is going to bark and carry on.

I think people forget that dogs were bred for specific purposes, and this "hard wiring" does not go away with training or wishing or punishing -- it is just as much who a dog is as their outside appearance. And this means that as much as we want a certain kind of dog because they are pretty, that dog may not be the right breed for us.

Mrs. Maize is the most perfect dog I know -- she truly loves everyone -- but she is the first to bark when the UPS truck heads down the driveway or a stranger comes to the door. This is HER "farm" and when something new or strange (or fun) happens, she is hard wired to let us know about it through barking. And then she runs out and leans happily on the new person -- barking an alert is not the same thing as unfriendly.

I think about barking as expression, and decided that if I was not allowed to ever express myself, I would go crazy. And so I think barking is okay -- it is how dogs "talk" -- and it is a safe (albeit noisy) way for them to communicate. I do want it under some control though so allow the alert, and then thank everyone and suggest they be quiet; this typically works, especially when silence is rewarded with cookies.

My dogs' alert barking does not bother neighbors because we don't have any that are close, but it wasn't always that way. When we lived in Utah, we lived on a busy corner in a neighborhood filled with families -- that is a lot of strangers, human and canine. Living where I do now makes me wonder how/why I dealt with the stress of having watchdogs in a busy neighborhood!!

I managed it, of course, but it wasn't optimal for anyone -- including the dogs, and I see this now. But the reality for most people is city life so what does that mean for life with a berner?

I think a berner can be managed in a city but that there are some things that are important. First, one MUST recognize the innate "watchdog" qualities of a berner and not have unrealistic expectations of the dog. Second, the dog needs to be well socialized and trained to have an "off" button with regards to barking -- a "that's enough, thanks" switch. Third, it is unrealistic to expect most berners to be quiet in a yard when people and dogs are going by since they are hard-wired to alert -- and since they do not send text messages as alerts, it is going to be loud, which neighbors do not appreciate -- and so I think a berner left home alone is best kept inside. Fourth, a city berner especially needs exercise -- mental and physical -- on a regular basis. These are working dogs -- they need jobs so either you give them one or they will find their own (or go crazy).

I am sure there are other things that help but those are the ones I think are especially important. I like friendly dogs and I have them -- but my friendly dogs are likely to bark at you when you come over -- heck, they bark at me when I come home! Dogs bark -- and when we are willing to stop talking, I guess we can ask them not to bark.

And a watchdog is going to keep watch -- there are breeds that were bred to love everyone and everything, but a berner is not one of them. The Breed Standard absolutely allows this when it says that a berner, though she should never be "...sharp or shy..." may indeed "...remain aloof to the attentions of strangers."

And what does aloof mean? Here is a definition from a dictionary: "Distant physically or emotionally; reserved and remote". And so a berner who does not wish to be petted by a stranger is not a freak and may not be shy either -- staying distant from strangers fits the definition of "aloof".

None of this is to say that I do not think we need solid, confident temperaments in our dogs -- we do. And I know that a friendly, loving dog is much easier to live with and so that should be our goal as breeders. But I want to make the point that a berner is a watchdog -- we cannot change that reality, and it comes with certain behaviors we should expect from our dogs -- and some of these behaviors -- like barking at strangers and/or strange dogs -- can be challenging, especially in a city.

I think most things in life can be handled, but it helps to have realistic expectations. And so anyone interested in a berner needs to know about their history and their purpose so it is not surprising when the dog barks at the letter carrier -- she is just doing her job (the dog and the letter carrier :) And if alert barking is a big problem -- well, they have a breed for that -- basenjis.

Hair and Spot and Dot

2011-07-28T15:36:00.005-06:00

As if on cue, look what is happening:

Yes indeed -- that is Zoey's beautiful coat, which is now falling out like the dried up needles on an old Christmas tree. The practically a Grand Champion girl will soon be in her birthday suit and not venturing out to any shows any time soon. I find it rather amusing to be in this position -- one stinking point -- sigh...

Spot and Dot are unimpressed and wonder why anyone would want to be pointy when clearly round spots are in fashion this season...

An itch! How cute is that?!

Oh -- very bad manners Spot or Dot -- they are hard to tell apart :)

The twins let me creep very close this morning -- they were extremely curious about me and I half-expected them to walk over and nibble on my shirt...

I am not the only one who thinks mosquitoes are clearly God's mistake!

I am in love!!! Aren't they adorable!?

So cute!

More cute -- and curious!

Do you think she is trying to get better reception?

I hope you are getting excellent reception -- or having an excellent reception :)

Fall Draft Season Begins!

2011-07-26T14:51:00.003-06:00

I know it isn't even August yet but it is time to start training for the fall draft tests! Thankfully Syd was born with the full set of carting genes -- and apparently her grandma Maize's set as well -- because she is taking to this draft stuff like a duck to water.

Of course, I do not take that for granted and I am being careful and thoughtful about her training just as I am with every other draft dog I have trained (n=9) -- but having all those carting genes means we can move faster and not spend time getting used to the cart -- Syd was born used to the cart!

Just as an example -- during the harness and hitch I gave her about ten treats. My goal is for her to LOVE every bit of this and so harness over the head -- treat! One foot in -- treat! And so on... Baby steps and reinforced every little bit along the way, even though she is perfectly fine with it all. Look at how comfortable she looks...

She does need her own harness though -- I am thinking her color might be purple???

I hope you are having an excellent week and reinforcing yourself for all the baby steps you take along the way :)

Do The Math

2011-07-25T07:27:00.002-06:00

Yesterday there were 23 girls entered at the Portland show -- a five point major in girls requires 19. I had hope -- Zoey went to Portland needing five points for her Grand Championship.

Unfortunately only thirteen class girls showed plus four excellent champion girls -- that equals what? A four point major -- Zoey got it by going Best of Opposite.

So now she sits at 24 points, with four majors -- and that is great and impressive and so on but really -- one stinking point?! Sigh.

Yesterday was Mac's fourth birthday so a big Happy Birthday to him -- we will not make him wear the crown :)

Portland!

2011-07-24T08:44:00.004-06:00

What seems like another lifetime ago I lived near Portland so being here reminds me of what my life could have been like, which I always find so disconcerting. And then I remembered something I read about your real and true life being the one you are living and as usual, my sense of faith in what is popped right up, reminding me that things unfold as they should...

Portland is a lovely city and how strange (in a fun way) to have all kinds of services and places to eat and etc. so close! But ever since I was kid I wanted to live in the country and so cities like this feel so crowded to me now, and I have some new insights about dogs in the context of a city like this -- that is for another day.

Peaches Sula's mom, Terri, has let us stay her GREAT house and what a blessing that is, especially for Mrs. Maize who is much happier than if we were at a motel. A big thanks to Terri :)

Mrs. Maize -- aka Dog Show Mrs. Congeniality -- had a grand time meeting new BFF's yesterday. She went from person to person to spread her unconditional positive regard to as many people as her leash would allow, and then she won her veterans class -- never mind that she was the only dog in her class :) When you are an 11 year old berner, it is kind of like last dog standing wins the prize! And being alive at 11 is indeed the best prize of all :)

Pictures...

They have a rather famous and funky doughnut shop here in Portland called VooDoo Doughnuts -- part of the experience is standing in LONG lines to get one of their strangely named doughnuts. This morning, up at my usual crack of dawn time, I went over and got Galen a maple bacon doughnut and there was NO LINE! Maize poses with the famous pink box -- and yes, doughnuts inside!

Zoey shows this afternoon -- keep your paws crossed! In the meantime, we are off to show Galen where we lived when he was a wee lad...

Neighborhood News

2011-07-22T06:36:00.005-06:00

Heidi Marie says: What is that I hear? Another birthday?

Karma spread the word and soon everyone knew, including Robin who immediately set out to build a party nest!

Chippy volunteered to bring nuts if we had a party but said he would not come if Karma was going to be there (smart squirrel!)

The new twins, Spot and Dot, were especially hoping there would be a party! They said they would probably be too scared to come but they still hoped there would be a party!

But the birthday girl is on her way to Portland today so will be having a traveling party with her sister, Zoey, and her Auntie Mrs. Maize -- and Galen!

Happy Fourth Birthday to Asia, our extra sweet plus-size model

Have a great weekend – I will provide weekend updates/photos as allowed by wireless access.

The A Team

2011-07-18T13:42:00.002-06:00

This is a picture of our A Litter when they were babies...

Can you pick out Maize?

Three Things

2011-07-17T20:14:00.003-06:00

1. Congratulations to Peaches Sula from the F Litter and her mom, Terri -- they passed another Nosework hurdle today -- her Anise ORT (Odor Recognition Test) and she did it in 15 seconds (time limit is 3 minutes)! Littermate Maya is also getting involved in Nosework and doing well -- sounds fun!!!

2. More F Litter news -- Zoey was Best of Opposite in Coeur d'Alene today for two more Grand Championship points. She now has 20 points and needs five more; the Portland shows next weekend are big -- five points each day in girls.

3. Picture from today of 11 year old CH Aspen Green Beauty Queen (Maize's littermate) sent by her mom -- it was taken in Estes Park, Colorado.

I sure hope you have had an excellent weekend!

Changing Lanes

2011-07-15T06:40:00.003-06:00

First of all, Syd's little mass was just a benign something that was irritated/infected so no big deal.

Second, Halo's agility career is now officially over. Many years ago Halo starting yipping when landing jumps. We did all kinds of stuff to try and figure it out but nothing so the best guess was some kind of injury -- probably in her neck. This is the reason that she stopped doing agility for a few years -- she just would flare that up.

I have carefully been doing agility with her off/on for the past year -- no more than three days a week and limited jumps, and she has been fine -- until a few days ago. Bless her heart -- she was whining with jumps and I thought it was her usual excitement whining at first, but after three jumps I realized it was different :( We stopped immediately and I could tell she was hurting -- we went in and I told Dear Husband that Halo was done with agility.

Poor Halo -- I had to basically sedate her that night to make her comfortable :( She is okay again but clearly she cannot ever again do agility, which is sad because she really has always liked it (except when it hurts).

I know Halo is almost nine and most people would just retire her, but Halo has always had a drive to do stuff -- she is a smart dog who loves to work. And a big part of why I do so much with all the dogs is because it is what is best for them -- it facilitates THEIR happiness.

And so Halo needs to change lanes and do other stuff, and my goals for her also have to adapt. In life stuff happens and what we wanted/planned just isn't realistic -- this is not failure at all but just how it is. I think where it becomes failure is when we fail to recognize the need to walk a different path and cling stubbornly to the "trail closed" sign, crying and carrying on about the path we thought we wanted to take.

I will give Halo some days to really recover and then I thought we would see what she thinks about doing more tracking -- she LOVED tracking to the point of it not being fun because she pulled so darn hard but maybe now that she is older we can negotiate something about that. And Halo can be Zoey's brace draft partner for the fall tests -- drafting is something Halo is very good at and enjoys a lot -- so she will soon be back to work :)

There is no shame in changing lanes when we find the one we wanted is closed. Whether it is a college major or a relationship or a dog title -- sometimes changing your mind is indeed the right path, and it reflects flexibility, good assessment skills, self-awareness, and a bunch of other positive things. However, do signal before changing lanes!

Also 11 -- CH Aspen Green Beauty Queen

2011-07-14T13:44:00.003-06:00

Maize shared her 11th b-day with her beautiful littermate, CH Aspen Green Beauty Queen. Aspen lives with Patrick and Tiffany and their two extra adorable children in Fort Collins, Colorado and they provide this report:

"Aspen had a happy 11th birthday. She had special dog biscuit treats. Slept in (again). Barked at the neighbor dog. A good day. We love our Aspen girl!!!"

Happy Birthday wishes to Aspen, who remains healthy and well at eleven -- quick, knock on wood!!!! And gratitude to the Greens who are just a wonderful family for such a special girl :)

Maize and Aspen's littermate, Bessie Berner, died just three weeks ago -- we wish the whole litter had been able to celebrate an eleventh birthday and we remember the ones who did not: Bessie, Bud, Anna, Cruiser, Riley, Aengus, and Angel.

She Did It: 11 in 2011!!!!!!!

2011-07-13T09:03:00.005-06:00

Today is the Big Day -- Mrs. Maize is ELEVEN!!!!!!!!!!! She is out chewing on a birthday bone now but we just went and took some Happy Birthday pictures and had a Happy Birthday walk -- just the two of us :)

Maize says: Stupid crown -- I hope she loses it before next year!!!!

Happy Birthday Mrs. Maize -- we love you!

LoveFest in Montana

2011-07-12T15:59:00.002-06:00

The Dog Who Loves Too Much (aka Zoey) is especially cuddly lately -- pictures from her love antics today. Here she is with Karma -- how cute is that?!

Karma is pretty cuddly as well -- I always know when she comes in that she will go straight to a dog so I get the camera out...

Karma and the cat with many names conferencing with Zoey...

Asia and Zoey -- first the growling and snarling and then this -- time elapsed is under 10 seconds -- hard to take Asia too seriously :)

Look at Zoey's face -- "she loves me, she really loves me..."

Off to groom a certain dog who is about to have a VERY big birthday tomorrow!!!!

Some Training Thoughts

2011-07-12T06:05:00.002-06:00

On Monday nights I teach agility classes at a training center in Missoula. One would think such a job would be about training dogs but really -- it is about training people to train dogs. I think it would be easier to just train the dogs!

The really fun part is to interact with all the sweet dogs and their owners -- you meet some really interesting and nice people teaching dog training classes! But I am reminded over and over about how hard it is to wrap one's mind around a few simple truths that are useful in dog training -- and life.

First of all, yelling what you want does not really increase understanding. If a dog -- or person -- does not get it when we are speaking in a normal, nice voice what exactly makes us think it will be different if we turn up the volume?!

Second, stress is not conducive to learning -- and stress happens when we ask for too much, too soon. And guess what? When it comes to dogs (or other people), we do not get to decide what is stressful and what isn't -- what matters is only what the dog thinks is stressful. A good trainer recognizes stress and knows how to increase demand without creating overload.

Third, embarrassment is the mortal enemy of dog training (and showing). It causes us to do all manner of really unfortunate things -- blame the dog, lose our objectivity, feel incompetent, forget to be fun and silly, create stress/overload in our dog, and sometimes even quit. We really all need to get over middle school and stop worrying about what anyone else thinks.

Fourth, humility is the friend of dog training! Being open to new information and new ways of doing things is how we improve -- if we already know everything, then we should expect to stay exactly where we are right now.

Fifth, when you are willing to work with no reward then you can expect your dog to do that. Does anyone REALLY still think a dog should do something "because I said so"?! Get over it and get out the cookies -- that is not real life.

Sixth, punishment doesn't work. Well, maybe it makes the punisher feel powerful or something like that, and if that is goal -- okay. But in dog training, punishment is not effective for long-term success -- you have to make it reinforcing.

Seventh (related to above), the dog gets to choose the reinforcer! Rewarding your dog with a handful of hay is probably not going to get you very far -- you have to figure out what a dog loves, and I am not just talking about food. I love seeing dogs light up when their owners remember to happily and genuinely praise them -- or play with them :)

Eighth, dog training is not about power -- it is about learning to cooperate, and that involves respect. We must learn and respect the needs and wants of our dog in order to have a cooperative and productive training relationship.

Ninth, dogs have individual personalities -- like people -- and trying to figure out "why" is basically a waste of time. Who knows why cute Foxy Brown hates the dog walk?! Is knowing going to change anything? No -- our job is to simply figure out how to help her see that the dog walk is okay -- fun even! Focusing too long and hard on the why's gets in the way of HOW.

Tenth, as I said at Camp Kaibab -- if the neighbors don't wonder what the heck is going on next door, you aren't doing it right. Training a dog should be playful, fun, happy, and crazy!!! Liz (Tara Geneva's mom -- they came to Camp) offered us our new training motto: Let Your Freak Flag Fly!!!! (Say that three times fast!)

So there you go -- some things to think about as you interact with your dog -- and with other people. Have a happy, playful, freaky day :)

A Few Things!

2011-07-11T08:51:00.002-06:00

First of all, a BIG Happy Birthday to Cadi and her brother, Maverick!! It is very hard to believe that the C for Cruising and Convenience Store litter (born 7/11) is already six but it is true. I hope Mav and Cadi have excellent birthdays :)

We remember their littermate, Dillon, who sadly is not alive to celebrate with those who love him -- he is gone but he is not forgotten.

Second, a BIG congratulations to Fiona (D Litter) and her family -- Fiona got a major towards her championship yesterday in Ventura :)

Third, I decided last month that I would name my next puppy Harper (long story) and I wake up this morning to discover that the Beckhams (famous couple) have named their little girl Harper -- copycats!!!!!! Now everyone will think my puppy is named after THEIR daughter instead of the other way around! But you know the truth... And no -- I am not planning on a puppy anytime soon -- I just have her named :)

Fourth, if you are on Facebook, please "Like" our veterinarian: Sapphire Animal Hospital in Stevensville, Montana -- they are new at this and need support :) Also, Syd is on their wall!

Fifth -- well, I thought there was something else but maybe not :) Oh -- I know -- have a great day even if it is not your birthday!

Report on 2011 Goals

2011-07-10T11:23:00.005-06:00

Mid-year is here -- can you believe it? It is an excellent time to consider how the 2011 goals are going, and make any adjustments as we head into the second half of the year.

I wrote out my 2011 goals on January 1, and today I reviewed progress. To me, the purpose of a goal is to provide a vision of where one wants to go and so long as one maintains the vision and is making progress, success has been achieved.

And so I am okay with not achieving all my goals yet but I am seriously NOT okay that an external event imposed on me has prevented me from making progress on many of my 2011 goals -- of course I am talking about the car accident of January 25, 2011.

That accident placed significant limits on my abilities to train, travel, and show -- not to mention the crabbiness factor from having a backache every single day. Those limits have stalled or delayed many of my goals, forcing me to make choices since my back only has so many activities in it per day -- still.

I am used to it now -- it always hurts some, and sometimes it hurts quite a bit, and most mornings I wake up to zinging sciatica going down my legs -- oh well. I still go to physical therapy and I am careful and etc. and now it just all seems like my "new normal", which is actually kind of sad, isn't it?

Nobody knows better than me that life is not fair -- but that doesn't make it easier to swallow, does it?! But one can sit around and eat chocolate and feel sad (I do that occasionally) or one can just march forward, dragging the new ball and chain along (I do that most of the time) -- and if you eat chocolate you get plump (sigh -- why can't it be calorie-free during times of extreme stress?) and if you march forward, you actually get stuff done. And so yes, I have accomplished some of the 2011 goals in spite of the ball/chain of three bad discs...

My goal for Mrs. Maize was that she be happy and have fun -- this is being achieved every day :)

The goals for Halo and their progress:
Goal: Halo will earn her OAP.
Report: Car accident casualty – I have had to limit how many dogs I can run in agility. We will try again in August -- she needs two more legs

Goal: Halo will earn her NFP.
Report: DONE! Did this at the Specialty.

Goal: Halo will earn her RE
Report: Earned a leg at the Specialty, expect to accomplish this in 2011.

Goal: Halo will earn her Working Dog Excellent.
Report: Car accident casualty – need that OJP for this. We will keep trying.

The goals for Cadi and their progress:
Goal: Cadi will earn her CDX.
Report: Stalled due to car accident – but training again, hope to complete in Sept.

Goal: Cadi will earn agility titles.
Report: Stalled due to car accident but still hope for another title or two in 2011.

Goal: Cadi will earn her Working Dog Excellent.
Report: Stalled due to car accident – need the CDX.

The goals for Asia and their progress:
Goal: Asia will earn her VST and CT.
Report: Stalled due to car accident but training now for August test.

Goal: Asia will earn her CDX.
Report: Car accident casualty – delayed until 2012.

Goal: Asia will earn her BNDD and BDD.
Report: BNDD DONE! Expect to earn BDD in the fall.

Goal: Asia will earn her Working Dog Excellent.
Report: Car accident casualty – delayed until 2012 due to need for CDX.

The goals for Zoey and their progress:
Goal: Zoey will complete her CH.
Report: DONE!

Goal: Zoey will complete her GrCH.
Report: Closing in – should be done in 2011.

Goal: Zoey will earn her NDD.
Report: DONE!

Goal: Zoey will earn her DD.
Report: DONE!

Goal: Zoey will earn agility titles.
Report: DONE! Well, one is done, another close…

Goal: Zoey will earn her Versatility Dog.
Report: DONE!

Goal: Zoey will earn her Versatility Dog Excellent.
Report: Closing in – should be done in 2011.

The goals for Sydney and their progress:
Goal: Sydney will earn her CH.
Report: Stalled due to car accident but still possible for 2011.

Goal: Sydney will earn her NDD.
Report: Stalled due to car accident but still expected for 2011.

Goal: Sydney will earn her Versatility Dog award.
Report: Stalled due to car accident but still possible for 2011.

The goals for Mac and their progress:
Goal: Mac will earn his NDD.
Report: DONE!

Goal: Mac will earn an agility title.
Report: DONE!

Goal: Mac will become a Versatility Dog
Report: DONE!

Goal: Mac will earn his CD
Report: Possible but focused on the more difficult Versatility Dog Excellent now (goal shift).

Goal: Mac will become a BMDCA Working Dog.
Report: Possible but focused on the more difficult Versatility Dog Excellent now (goal shift).

It is pretty clear where the available energy went -- Zoey and Mac. That doesn't mean others were neglected -- it just means Zoey and Mac got the showing focus, and it helped that they were doing the same things (agility and draft).

Being forced to choose who to show and in what is not fun -- all the dogs are getting older, and I do not get this time back with them. But I cannot dwell on that -- yes, it is infuriating and not fair but I cannot let those feelings suck more energy, as that is just voluntarily letting the accident cost me even more.

No, you just have to march on. This doesn't mean we pretend whatever happened has not caused big problems in our lives -- no need to lie about it! But wallowing doesn't get goals accomplished, does it? Unless you are a pig and wallowing in muck was indeed your #1 goal for 2011, I suppose.

All that said, sometimes the marching is not a straight line and you have to sit and rest (and cry and eat chocolate) -- that is perfectly normal. And sometimes you have to be mad and wonder at the unfairness of it all and snap at people who remind you that others have it worse. But as long as we are making SOME progress most days or weeks -- well, then I would say that things are moving right along!

As to my 2011 goals -- I recognize that there is a couple of ways to look at all this -- one is to be mad about being limited -- and I admit that I am sometimes.

But the other way to look at all this is the way I actually do feel most of the time -- in spite of having three bad discs and a backache every day, the dogs and I are having a seriously kick-butt year -- bring on the next six months!

I hope that whatever drags you down doesn't stop you from marching forward and achieving your goals, even if the timetable has to be adjusted a bit. And remember - marching burns off the pounds that chocolate adds :)

The New Business Empire

2011-07-09T13:18:00.008-06:00

Ever since Jake and Cassie were here talking about their future business empire, Karma has been on a mission to expand her own business empire. She tried to recruit Carlos/Ute/CarlUte as a partner so she could expand the extermination business.

Unfortunately this will not work since the cat with many names is NOT allowed outside! Every time he has gotten out we have spent a worried 24 - 36 hours while he pretends to be a feral street cat from California among all the trees and bushes of Montana -- well, the ones within 100 feet of the house anyway. He loses his hearing, has delusions that we are giants chasing him with the intention of roasting him alive, and somehow thinks living outside under the bush waiting to be killed by a fox, coyote, or who knows what is better than his nice house with the other dogs -- that is, until he gets hungry and then his psychotic episode magically ends -- sigh.

So given that Carlos/Ute/CarlUte was unavailable to help with the extermination end of things, Karma decided to diversify! She looked around (at our lawn), saw a definite need and brought in a business partner -- Heidi Marie. Yes indeed, Karma's Killing (the name of her new business empire) now includes the elimination of weeds! This morning Karma sat on the deck with me and watched her business partner demonstrate her natural weed control skills -- very impressive.

Heidi Marie focuses right in on the weeds, leaving the lawn intact -- she handles yellow weeds...

She eradicates clover!

Pink weeds and dandelions are no match for Heidi Marie -- that dandelion in this picture was gone in the next bite!

And she recycles - but we do not show pictures like that!!!

There are a few bugs to work out in this new business venture -- Heidi Marie sometimes forgot to stick to weeds and munched on the shrubs also - and not in a pruning kind of way but in a way that causes your friends (aka Marti ) to secretly wonder why you have such ugly bushes -- LOL!!!!!

But overall, this is another example of a win-win -- Karma expands her business empire, our lawn has no more dandelions, and Heidi Marie got a free lunch!

Let's all be winners -- but not in a Charlie Sheen kind of way...

Update and Changes and Plans!

2011-07-09T07:14:00.002-06:00

I have been asked about upcoming plans and thought I would share those, and I also want to tell you about a Blog change coming soon.

I have never been especially good at math and so it is not surprising that it appears I miscalculated Zoey's points from the Missoula shows -- it appears that her two majors were four points each and not three as I thought. This means she actually should have 18 points towards her Grand Championship -- not 16 as I thought.

Showing a girl is a challenge because of her coat, and Zoey is not big enough to show without coat. So I can only show Zoey when her sparkly coat is at its best, which it is now. However, we are nearing the end of this coat cycle and I expect it to start coming out any minute -- especially because I entered her in a couple of shows, hoping against hope that maybe she would keep her coat two more weeks so she has a chance to finish that Grand Championship.

So next Sunday Zoey and I will travel to Couer d'Alene, Idaho to show, and the next weekend we are going to the big Supported Entry at the Portland, Oregon show. If Zoey gets points two of the three days she is entered (one in Idaho and two in Portland), she will finish her Grand Championship. Of course, she needs to keep her coat for there to be any chance of that -- otherwise, she is done with beauty pageant stuff until the fall.

Asia is entered in Best of Breed also at the Portland show -- I figured if Zoey loses coat I will show Asia but if we can show both girls, I have a handler lined up to show Asia; I am also doing obedience one day with Asia (since they have cool prizes :). Zed (Zoey's littermate) will also be entered in Best of Breed that first day of Portland.

And (drum roll please), Mrs. Maize is going to Portland!!!! In four days she will be ELEVEN and eligible to compete in the old, old veterans class -- 11 - 13 year olds :) And so Maize is going to compete in what I expect will be her last show -- just because she can. Galen is making the trip with me and so I think Maize will have fun on the family road trip.

And so that is July -- a mad dash to try and get Zoey's Grand Championship before her coat comes out :)

In August we have a local agility trial on the first weekend -- everyone will be in that one! Well, not everyone but close: Mac, Cadi, Halo, and Zoey. I am sure my back will love that!!!! The countdown at that trial will be for Mac -- he needs one open jumpers leg to be a Versatility Dog Excellent!

The next Sunday after the trial is the Variable Surface Tracking (VST) test on the University of Montana campus -- Asia will be entered and we hope she gets a track.

The last weekend of August is an agility trial in Spokane -- likely I will "only" take Mac, Zoey, and Cadi to that trial.

All you Syd fans are probably wondering if poor Sydney is being neglected -- the answer is NO. Her turn has arrived and she is getting ready to show the draft community how it is done :) Syd will be in her first draft test in Washington on September 10 - 11, and some of our other girls will be entered as well but the goal of that weekend is all about Syd.

We are expecting that other Kaibab dogs will also be in that Washington draft test. We are using my Dear Husband as bait to get Cindy's Dear Husband to agree to make the trek from California with Gracie (D Litter), and we also hope that Jennifer and her Dear Husband will come over and play as well, bringing Cooper Whitby with them to get his draft title. And then there is Zed -- certainly Zed wants to catch up with his arch rival, Mac????!!!

And then we have the Helena, Montana shows on September 22 - 25. It is four days and I expect to show Syd and Cadi; maybe Zaida can come as well if she is not finished by then. Zaida Jamaica has some summer shows planned and she is looking great these days so maybe she will be the first champion from the Glitterati!

And in the middle of all this we will be looking for some obedience opportunities...

Are you tired yet?!

And about the Blog change -- Galen has been hard at work on the new and improved Kaibab website. As you may know, Galen is studying Media Arts at the University of Montana and he has been learning a lot about websites and etc. He has figured out how to have a Blog on a website and so the Kaibab Blog will be merged with the Kaibab website, which makes sense. We are anticipating an August 1 launch of the new site -- I think you will be impressed.

Please share the summer plans (show and/or otherwise) of other Kaibab dogs, either in the Comments or send me an email and I will post for you! And in the meantime, have a wonderful weekend :)

Solution!

2011-07-08T12:26:00.005-06:00

I am reminded of the importance of persistence because that is what both Syd and I had to do/be in order to find a solution to our little "protect the vet's sewing project" problem.

Syd did not want to look like a satellite dish or a dog getting ready to board Noah's Ark -- and I wanted to save future needle poking for voodoo dolls -- and so we finally arrived at a workable solution -- one we can both live with...

A good lesson in this -- if someone puts a satellite dish or flotation device on your neck (or something along those lines) -- and you object -- don't be afraid to make your case. And if you really need something to happen, don't give up! It is possible and desirable to find win-win solutions when everyone is willing to keep trying :)

Asia still cannot really find a good solution to her "sister who loves me too much" problem. In this picture you can see her usual first response to Zoey's plopping in her personal space -- notice the glare in Big Sister Asia's eyes...

And then -- not thirty seconds later -- this...

And more of Sisterly Love from this morning...

This is from yesterday...

I hope that whatever problems you have today, they are quickly handled with something as easy as a tee-shirt :)

More from Syd

2011-07-07T15:55:00.004-06:00

Dear Diary:

It was all false hope -- the big balloon landed and nobody came to rescue me from the satellite dish after all :(

I was so disappointed and sad, and aimlessly wandered about crashing into things until the satellite dish no longer received a signal (or something like that) and back we went to my friends at the vet -- of course I was very happy to see them!

However, those people need a new hobby or something -- quilting flesh and making nice dogs like me wear satellite dishes are one thing but REALLY?!!!!!!! Do I look like I am in danger of drowning?!!!!

But I showed them -- the human looked down from her computer and there I was -- separated from the flotation device in under 45 minutes...

Will they ever just give up?!

Update from Syd

2011-07-07T07:36:00.003-06:00

Dear Diary:

I knew someone would come and rescue me!!! I was just sitting around feeling morose when we all heard this noise -- it sounded like maybe Auntie Lisa or Galen had sent a fire breathing dragon to take the satellite dish off my neck!!!!! We all raced out to the deck to see it.

But it wasn't a dragon after all -- even better!!!!!

Right now Auntie Lisa or Galen - or maybe BOTH -- are landing in the field next door to come and save me :)

It is just like the Wizard of Oz!!!!!!

Syd's Diary

2011-07-07T06:44:00.006-06:00

Dear Diary:

It started last Friday. I thought they were all my friends but obviously I was wrong. I felt very sleepy and then when I woke up I had a bad headache and that little lump above my elbow was gone -- and someone had done sewing there!!! Seriously?! What kind of sicko practices sewing -- in flesh?!!!!

Fine. I fixed them. I licked and licked and nibbled -- and by yesterday morning I had gotten rid of most of that bad sewing job.

The humans were not impressed -- back I went to my friends at the vet -- and yes, I still love them because I love EVERYONE all the time; this might have been a mistake.

My vet was also not impressed with the little hole -- and apparently thought that like a sock, I needed to be darned. She stuck needles in me while those traitors held me down and fed me bad cookies. And when it was done, they wrapped it in layers of tape and green vet wrap stuff, sprayed nasty crap all over it, fed me more cookies and remarked on how quickly I forgave them all -- what else can you do?

I had the stupid green bandage off before we got home -- since the vet is about three miles away, I was impressed even if nobody else was.

The humans wrapped it again. I had it off even quicker, having gained experience.

This was a mistake. The next thing I know I am wearing something around my neck and it is not a collar -- Karma was very rude and asked if I was trying to be a satellite dish.

I had it broken in about five minutes -- but they reinforced it with duct tape.

I went through their legs to help them understand the dangers of this stupid thing -- that was entertaining but they are slow learners and did not take it off.

I have cracked it more by running into walls, the table, doors, etc. -- duct tape is powerful stuff.

I am now depressed and need help from some real friends. I am sure Lisa or Galen will be here soon to rescue me...

The End.

You Dirty Dog!

2011-07-06T07:12:00.003-06:00

One of the best things about getting older is figuring out that I really don't know everything. It is actually a BIG relief not to know everything -- you should try it! No longer do I have to have all the answers or solve all problems or insert my ever so informed opinion into every conversation -- this creates a lot of free time and brain space!

This very odd experience of ignorance also has somehow increased my ability to be compassionate and recognize that there is usually a bigger picture hidden from me. Recently we were having a family discussion and of course, there are villains in every family story. But I found myself thinking of the villains in different ways -- of being able to articulate that maybe the usual storyline was just one way of seeing the situation, and not really the absolute truth.

Black and white thinking makes people into saints and sinners, or good guys and villains. Working with people as much as I have has taught me that when we understand someone's story, we usually can find a soft place in our heart for them. Indeed, I have found very few people who do not deserve compassion -- darn it.

It is so much easier to categorize people, ideas, actions, etc. into good and bad because we know how to respond to good and bad -- like good, hate bad. But the reality is that everyone is a saint and a sinner - all of us are a mix of good and bad, whatever that means. Our challenge is to embrace that reality, and learn to accept and love imperfect people and appreciate that their stories (and actions) usually make sense to them.

I am a villain in someone's story (as are you, no doubt) and that used to bother me - but now I accept that sometimes we need villains. A villain is useful -- it is someone we place all the complicated "blame" on -- like a scapegoat -- and in doing so we do not have to see our part in the unfortunate story -- and maybe more importantly, we can avoid acknowledging how those we have put on pedestals let us down and/or contributed to the unfortunate story.

Most of us are really not victims in our own lives -- and most people are not really villains. Of course, it is simpler to think that way -- but it just isn't accurate and I see that as I get older and know less.

So maybe the less we know, the more we know? Or maybe it is that when we recognize the limits of our knowledge, we create space for new understanding - and that new understanding creates space for increased compassion. All I know is that I appreciate the perspectives that seem to be part of getting older :)

But there are still dirty dogs in the world - as evidence, here is Cadi:

It made sense to her to take a dirt bath and I was invited to choose my response to a dog who resembled Pig Pen from the Peanuts cartoon when she came in the house. I could freak out and be mad -- but why? A dirt bath made her happy :) I just hustled her through the house to the deck, where the grooming table lives at the moment, reminding myself (and horrified Dear Husband) that the dust cloud she was leaving in her wake could eventually be vacuumed and wasn't toxic after all! And then I took pictures and blew the dirt off with the blow dryer -- no big deal.

Life is all about choices -- and the most important ones seem to be related to how we respond to the dirty dogs in our own lives -- including the dirty dog that lives within all of us. I suggest that we embrace the dirty dogs -- and in doing so, maybe we will find compassion and understanding not only for others, but for the parts of ourselves that need some serious blow drying...

Sisters!

2011-07-04T18:04:00.001-06:00

The price of a great picture? Ten new mosquito bites!!! But well worth it I would say -- this is Asia and Zoey...

I hope you are having a dynamic day!

Keeping Cool!

2011-07-04T09:48:00.002-06:00

Carol sent these pictures of Brighton (D Litter -- Zack x Maize) staying cool in Iowa -- my Zack daughters also LOVE water -- how about other Zack kids?

Happy Fourth of July! One this day we remember Abra, mom of Maize and Halo and grandma or great-grandma to all Kaibab dogs -- Happy Birthday to Abra!

Weekend Happenings

2011-07-03T15:27:00.003-06:00

Congratulations to Zaida Jamaica from the Glitterati! Shown by Val Horney, who owns Zaida's grandpa Marshall, Zaida was Best of Winners today in Colorado for a major! She earned two points last week in Montana so she has had a five point week -- how excellent is that?! Zaida's mom, Barb, has done an outstanding job getting Zaida conditioned and trained for the breed ring -- two thumbs up for Team Zaida!

We have continued to entertain -- Jake and Cassie arrived from Utah for a fast two day visit. Both are students plus they work so appreciated the opportunity to just chillax...

I took advantage of the warm weather to give Halo deVil a much needed bath/trim.

It has been a while since I have shared a sisters shot -- Asia and Zoey.

I won this chicken in a raffle at the Blackfoot agility trial and it is a huge hit with the girls -- today it is Zoey's baby -- love at first peck, I call this...

It makes great (annoying) noises when pushed -- Zoey demonstrating...

Cadi takes the saying, "I am falling for you" to extreme -- first she does the berner lean...

...and when you move, she just falls right to the ground at your feet -- "timber!" Of course, she expects to have her tummy scratched...

I hope that -- like Zaida -- you are having a winning weekend :)

Pictures and New Title

2011-07-01T08:04:00.003-06:00

We want to send a big shout out to Marti and Maverick (C Litter) for earning Mav's Novice Draft Dog title this past weekend -- Congratulations to them both! One of the judges at the test is Mav's grandma (since she owns Maverick and Cadi's dad, Marshall) and she reported that Team Maverick did a great job! Well-done Team!

Dear Husband and Mrs. Maize taken yesterday -- we are now in the countdown to the big 11th birthday on July 13...

From this morning -- Sydney.

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer day, and looking forward to an excellent Fourth of July weekend!

Traveling Clothes, Eagles, and One Mean Hawk

2011-06-30T18:20:00.004-06:00

Some of you know that I have been searching high and low for my sparkly green show jacket. I had it in Blackfoot but it was no where to be found when I went looking for it for the Missoula shows. Dear Husband had done the laundry so I called him (since he was in Utah last week) to ask if he knew where the missing jacket was -- he had no idea and so I kept searching.

In my search I found many excellent things I had been missing and discovered that the dryer vent had a small leak -- but no jacket. It was very sad and humiliating to have to wear the same suit all three days of the Missoula shows :(

Well, Dear Husband came home this morning with a confession -- and the sparkly green jacket! He had taken it to Utah to be dry cleaned (since we have no dry cleaners in Montana ;) but did not remember doing it when I called him -- sigh... But at least it is back and clean!

And in other missing clothes news, my new Lucky Hanukkah Socks wound up in Colorado!!! That is what happens at shows -- on the last day when everyone is trying to pack/leave things get tossed all over and stuffed in the nearest bag -- it is why I have two combs but am missing my Mars Coat Thingee. Anyway, the socks are on their way back to Montana -- those are some well-traveled socks already!

Dear Husband and I went to lunch and when we came back we were greeted by a most amazing sight -- two bald eagles riding the currents over our house. I grabbed the ever ready camera and took pictures!

And then -- like a stealth bomber -- a hawk came from out of no where and whacked one of the eagles in midair!!! The eagles took the oh-so-subtle hint and flew away -- who knew birds could be just like people?!

Score!!!!

2011-06-29T15:37:00.002-06:00

Keeping the camera ready permits these kinds of pictures -- I just took them from the deck :)

Isn't Spot2 ADORABLE?!

Final Report

2011-06-28T18:16:00.004-06:00

Today ended the Missoula shows, which was the last event in this busy month of June. Before we get to the summary, just a few pictures to share...

This is a picture of siblings Cooper Whitby and Sydney chilling together in the lower yard last night.

The view - I never get tired of it :)

So excited!!!!!! We have a new resident in the neighborhood -- Spot II! I saw her last night and am now carrying the camera at all times just in case, and I got lucky this morning but it is not the greatest picture because of the fence...

Thanks to Vic for these show photos from today -- not the greatest lighting but you can get the idea. This is Cooper Whitby -- he placed in a very nice open dog class.

This is Sydney -- I like how the picture shows her nice side gait. She did not do much today -- judge liked a good shoulder layback and the G Litter fault? Not good shoulder layback :)

This is Zaida Jamaica and I. She placed in a nice class so that was great.

Moving on to Zoey -- I showed her in Best of Breed and again, this shot shows her side gait. Zoey went Best of Opposite for her third GrCH major!

Alex showed Cadi in Best of Breed and Juniors -- Cadi was Select Bitch, earning her second GrCH major and then they got a second place in juniors! Alex did a great job and is just cool as a cucumber in the ring -- a wonderful quality :)

And Cindy and Gracie (from the D Litter) earned their second Novice A obedience leg!!!!

With my baby girls looking so nice and wildflowers all around, I took some pictures -- this is Sydney...

And Zoey...

And so ends a great month of dog fun and successes -- and friends. We started with the draft tests -- and came home with four new titles and two new Versatility Dogs (Mac and Zoey).

We then moved on to Blackfoot -- Zoey earned her NA, making her a Working Dog, and also picked up more Grand Championship (GrCH) points by going Best of Opposite every day; Mac earned two open agility legs.

Then we had our fun -- and I hope useful -- Camp Kaibab where we worked hard on draft, obedience, training ideas, and Ring Nerves.

And finally we did the three days of the Missoula show. Zoey was shown twice -- she was Best of Opposite both times and picked up two majors plus beat Cadi both days; a GrCH requires that the dog beat at least one other champion three times and Zoey has now fulfilled this requirement. She also has the required three majors, and has a total of 16 points -- so what she needs now is nine more points.

Cadi was Best of Opposite on the day I did not show Zoey, and that was a major towards her GrCH. With Alex showing her yesterday and today, she was Select Bitch both days, and earned a second major plus points. So Cadi has eight GrCH points, including two majors -- all earned this weekend when she was completely out of coat!

Zaida was Winner's Bitch yesterday and all of our class dogs (Cooper, Syd, and Zaida) did well in their classes and looked great. And Cindy/Gracie got those two obedience legs and Alex placed each day in his juniors class -- his first time showing a dog!

My goal is to breed versatile dogs -- I think we got it covered...

Show Update

2011-06-27T15:28:00.002-06:00

On Sunday I showed Cooper, Zaida, Sydney and Cadi (!). Cooper and Zaida placed in their classes, Syd won her class, and Cadi was Best of Opposite, earning a three point major towards her Grand Championship. Alex (Cooper's human brother) showed Cadi in juniors and was third. Also, Cindy and Gracie earned their first Novice A obedience leg!!!!

Today (Monday) I showed Cooper, Zaida, and Zoey; Alex showed Cadi in Best of Breed and juniors. Cooper again placed in a really nice class, Zaida won her class and went Winner's Bitch (Yea!), Zoey was Best of Opposite for another major towards her Grand Championship, and Cadi (with Alex handling) was Select Bitch, earning two points towards her Grand Championship! And Alex and Cadi were second in their juniors class :)

Tomorrow we have everyone entered - I will be showing Cooper, Zaida, Sydney and Zoey; Alex will again show Cadi in juniors and Best of Breed. It should be a very wild day!

More Pictures!

2011-06-25T20:50:00.007-06:00

I am much too tired to say anything clever and so you will have to be content with pictures from Day Two of Camp Kaibab. We were busy today -- here is Cooper Whitby on the dog walk...

Okay Cooper Fans -- here is a shot of his head -- pretty intense!

This is Cadi and (son) Cooper doing a down stay...

Tara Geneva is a natural agility dog -- the Glitterati are simply BRILLIANT and I am very serious...

Husbands tend to think that all this dog stuff is SO easy so Vic took the challenge and did a course with Halo -- if you do not count hitting the narrows (once) and the cart (and dog) tipping over, he did GREAT!!!!! Here he is figuring out the harness...

And his second try through the narrows -- success!!!!

What a good sport! Unlike some Dear Husbands (aka Kim and Ralph and Keith) at least Vic showed up -- and never mind that he is only here because his fishing trip was canceled ;)

Moving on... Mrs. Maize added Camp Counselor to her impressive resume and continued to help Campers learn how to draft.

Halo also served as a Camp Counselor...

Zaida Jamaica is a natural draft dog -- and extra cute :)

Our new friend, Tucker, was all tuckered out!!!

And of course we did family pictures -- three generations! Mrs. Maize, daughter Cadi, and Cadi's children, Tara Geneva, Sydney Sydney, Zaida Jamaica, and Cooper Whitby

Three Glitterati girls, Tara Geneva, Sydney Sydney, Zaida Jamaica

Just Sydney

Just Tara Geneva

Mrs. Maize's daughter, Gracie (from the D Litter)

Our Happy Campers...

And I end with this lovely shot of our practice freight haul, down our driveway...

And so ends a fun Camp Kaibab -- until next year... and now on to the three days of the Missoula show :)

Pictures!

2011-06-24T17:30:00.005-06:00

Fast update as we are heading for dinner soon - but here are some pictures from Day 1! Mrs. Maize is beyond happy at having visitors so she can revive her second favorite role: Miss Congeniality! Here she is helping Alex learn how to draft...

This is our non-Kaibab friend, Tucker, with his parents, Byron and Yoshi...

Barb and Zaida Jamaica -- that is one SMART puppy!!!!

Dear Husband had to go to Utah so Alex fed Chippy, who showed off his fence running skills to the appreciative crowd (Chippy, not Alex!).

Cooper Whitby -- WOW!!!

Grace from Maize's second litter will be showing in obedience this weekend and she looks very ready :)

Cadi and Alex

Tara Geneva -- not sure she could be any cuter!!!!

Very fun to have four from the Glitterati together -- group photos tomorrow!

Friday Topics/Plan

2011-06-24T06:25:00.003-06:00

The Friday Camp Kaibab Schedule

Scones
Introductions
Discussion of Goals
Training Concepts (i.e., Reinforcement, Consequences, Motivation, Luring/Shaping, Threshold, LTU's)
Attention & Attitude -- what does it look like and how to get it
Heeling/Controlled Walking
Recalls
Planning a Draft Practice
Walking the Course
Draft Practice on Course
Ring Nerves
Stays

Let the fun begin :)

Just Zoey

2011-06-23T19:38:00.002-06:00

To celebrate these frantic days of cleaning and getting ready for Camp Kaibab, I relaxed by giving Zoey a bath and she looked so lovely that I took some pictures...

I love these poppies -- and this dog :)

Can you guess what Zoey was looking at so intently when I took the pictures? Well, look at the next picture -- it is what happened after I threw what she was looking at :)

Check back tomorrow for Camp Kaibab pictures! And have a great evening :)

Let the Games Begin!

2011-06-23T06:38:00.004-06:00

Frantic activity underway here as we prepare for a special group of Campers who are making the trek to western Montana to train for two days at Camp Kaibab. I am hopeful the stunning views will help them not notice that a bad back and a perfect garden are incompatible :) This picture is from this morning as the sun was coming up...

Mrs. Maize is all set to welcome the Campers, which include three of her grandchildren!

Camp Kaibab starts tomorrow -- we will be discussing learning theories, practicing breaking behavior into Least Trainable Units, working on obedience, perfecting draft training/performance, and reducing Ring Nerves; of course Camp begins with fresh, hot chocolate chip scones :)

We will miss Carol, who had to cancel due to a family emergency at the last minute -- and Kay/Sue, who also had to change their plans. But the little group of six remaining campers will leave with new skills and knowledge that will support whatever goals they set for themselves and their wonderful dogs :)

The two days of Camp will be followed by three days of showing in Missoula (conformation and I think one obedience entry from our group) -- I will post daily with pictures.

We wish you were here but hope whatever your plans are that they are fun ones :)

Busted

2011-06-21T06:38:00.004-06:00

We have a Trickster in our midst -- not only did I get the magnet and the poster, but I also got a set of postcards with the infamous picture and a quote from my Blog on the back. Yes indeed -- a whole collection of memorabilia centered around one unfortunate collision with a tree -- and who is the clever person with the wicked sense of humor? Our very own Lisa K -- here is her picture -- and now we know why Zoey was sticking out her tongue at her!!!

Sigh...

This whole thing reminds me that failure is all about perspective. Yes, we failed the draft test by assaulting the tree -- but was it failure?! No, not at all. Look at how much fun (!) we have had at the expense of the tree and -- well, me -- how could anything that is so much fun be considered failure? It isn't.

When things do not go as we wish, there are two excellent responses. The first one is to view the situation as information -- not passing a draft test or flunking an obedience exercise is nothing more than information. I learned a valuable lesson about the need to watch boy dogs like a hawk when trees are involved -- who knew?! Not me! But I did after that incident.

The second excellent response when things do not go as we planned is to PRACTICE. Wishing and hoping are insufficient methods to getting where we want to be -- we have to do something more, and that is to prepare/practice for the future. And so "failing" is just information that tells us what to practice -- how excellent and helpful is that???!

And so we can call it failure if we want -- but how depressing! Falling short of expectations is just not a big deal -- unless we make it so. And when we make it so, we are so busy beating ourselves up and stressing that we stay stuck in that place -- yuck! You cannot get to Kansas if you are sitting in Nebraska crying about your wrong turn -- just correct your course and keep driving, appreciating that the detour was part of the journey, even if unplanned.

You will hit trees, say bad words when you shouldn't, and in other ways fall short of perfection -- and isn't that wonderful? It means you are alive and human -- which is better than being dead or a tree without bark.

I will treasure the tree memorabilia -- they remind me that the only real failure is the failure to maintain perspective and a sense of humor. Thanks to Lisa K. for the life lessons and for making us all laugh :)

The Weekend and Other Stuff

2011-06-20T07:28:00.004-06:00

I have had months and years where agility legs were very hard to come by and so I am not feeling too badly about being proud/overjoyed at all the excellent agility runs we had this weekend. Zoey went 5/8 and each of the five qualifying runs was clean (score of 100) and earned a first place; she also earned Grand Championship points and is now up to ten (need 25). Mac was 2/3 in open jumpers -- we do not count that unfortunate fourth run where we were whistled off due to rated PG language ;)

Here is a picture of most of our ribbons -- evidence of a good weekend:

This year I camped with three other people from Montana and that was a lot of fun. I slept in the car instead of the tent and that was a better choice for my ouchy back. Mac and Zoey were Happy, Easy Campers and only two dogs was definitely a better idea for my current back situation than the four I had last year.

Zoey is the kind of dog that you can have loose at your campsite and she ignores all other dogs and people. She enjoyed the other Montana campers and all her admirers -- it is unusual for an agility dog to be so well-groomed as she was, and she got noticed and soon had a Fan Club. Not only was she stunningly pretty, but as one person said -- "she is competing two levels below her training". Yes, she is very, very well-prepared and it showed in her performance; it supports my position that one should only show a dog that is very ready for the event.

This is a link to a picture of her taken by photographer/fellow berner person/very nice guy, Randy Gaines and you can really see how nice her coat looked: http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=1NF0005A000011&po=11&pc=228

Mac was also awesome. To so easily get two legs in open jumpers is really amazing. Here is a link to a picture that Randy took of him:
http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=1NF0005B000099&po=99&pc=254

So we got home and it was like Christmas/Hanukkah!!! I have to start by telling you how the Lucky Socks got started -- in 2001 at the Specialty I needed some socks and so I bought green berner socks, put them on and Abra went High in Trial with a 198.5!!!! Of course I immediately knew that the socks were Lucky and told everyone, including the vendor, and soon the socks were being advertised as the official Lucky Green Socks.

I had many pairs of those socks and they were very lucky indeed -- but they wore out and the vendor had stopped carrying them :( For years I was without the Lucky Green Socks -- it was very sad and luckless :(

My daughter gave me the Lucky Hanukkah Socks -- she lives near a sock outlet and so I have socks for all occasions. I discovered the luck in those particular socks by accident but they have served me well -- a UD, TD, TDX, etc. I wore them -- holes and all -- the first two days in Blackfoot and you know how well that went :)

You can imagine my great delight when -- at the Specialty in April -- Cindy H. passed along socks that her son/daughter-in-law (parents of Mika Ireland from the Glitterari) had found in Colorado -- LUCKY GREEN BERNER SOCKS!!! The original Lucky Socks!!!! What a find!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wore those socks the last two days at Blackfoot and that also went extremely well. But only one pair of Lucky Green Socks is so risky -- they wear out and then there you are -- luckless. And the Lucky Hanukkah Socks are on their last legs, so to speak -- thinking about showing dogs with just one pair of Lucky Green Socks and extremely fragile, holey Lucky Hanukkah Socks is a dismal prospect indeed :(

So you imagine my delight when I opened up a package last night from a real Jewish grandma to find NEW Lucky Hanukkah Socks -- oh my gosh, those are going to be seriously Lucky Socks!!! But there is more -- the package also included a pair of the original, hard-to-find and irreplaceable Lucky Green Socks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, that is a lot of exclamation marks but well deserved! I went years without the Lucky Green Socks and now I have TWO pairs (I used to have 5 - 6 pairs and I am serious -- you cannot have too much luck in your drawer) -- plus a very attractive new pair of Lucky Hanukkah Socks plus excellent heart socks that are no doubt also lucky :) So a HUGE thank you to Sharon and Halo's puppy, Jemie (Asia's littermate) for the wonderful present of more Lucky Socks -- I cannot wait to test them out!

And there is more -- I also came home to a mailing tube that Dear Husband guessed involved the damaged tree from the draft test. I did not think he was right -- but he was -- a poster of the picture from the magnet, complete with the heart and "M-A + Mac" -- many sighs... Dear Husband insists that it will be framed and prominently displayed -- but where does one hang such a ... well... work of art? The closet?! Sigh -- more on this soon...

And so wraps up an excellent few days -- thanks to Dear Husband for managing things at home so I could go and have fun. And now we get ready for Camp Kaibab (Friday and Saturday) and the three days of the Missoula shows where we know that -- thanks to our new excellent Lucky Socks -- we are assured of more points and (more importantly) fun times!

I hope you had an excellent weekend and are looking forward to a fun week -- it is not too late to head for Montana and Camp Kaibab!!!!

News Flash

2011-06-19T11:42:00.000-06:00

After again going Best of Opposite, ZOEY had another clean run and earned her NA making her a BMDCA Working Dog!! WOO HOO!

Saturday AGAIN!

2011-06-18T20:42:00.000-06:00

This is the third time I have tried to post results for today but apparently the Lucky Green Berner Socks only work for dog events and not blogs - or maybe three Saturday reports will suddenly appear! Breed first - Zoey again Best of Opposite. Raced back to run Mac in open jumpers - leg #2 with second place. Then Zoey in novice jumpers - clean fast run for leg #2 and first place! Then Zoey in standard - a repeat: clean fast first place and leg #2! I will be wearing those socks again tomorrow!

Friday Report

2011-06-17T12:55:00.000-06:00

Sigh... Today I paid Mac back for crashing us into the poor tree and for peeing on Zoey's head. I got a little lost on our course and said a word I normally do not say and got the whistle of shame as a result - and will be teased about this forever I suspect. It was more shocking and funny because I am not one to say such things...

Moving along... Zoey was again Best of Opposite and had a lovely clean jumpers run and first place!

Thursday Report

2011-06-16T19:18:00.001-06:00

Cold and very windy here in Blackfoot but we are staying warm and having fun. Today Zoey was Best of Opposite and then had a perfect Standard run for her first agility leg; she knocked one bar in jumpers but did her course in 22 seconds! Mac got his first Open Jumpers leg - and peed on Zoey's head! Boys!

A Very Clever Surprise

2011-06-15T07:05:00.005-06:00

In yesterday's mail I received an anonymous gift -- at least I think it is a gift :) I could not make out a postmark and do not have the technology to do fingerprinting or handwriting analysis but my hunch is that the sender is from Washington or Oregon, which narrows it down only slightly...

Due to limitations of my camera, I had to take a picture with my cell phone so not the best but here it is:

So, it is a magnet and on it is a picture of the unfortunate and surprisingly significant damage that the poor tree suffered during the assault (aka Mac/M-A/cart vs. Tree). And do you see what is written in the area of stripped bark (which was big enough to practically write a book)?!!!!??? "M-A + Mac" -- in a heart, no less!!!! Yes, someone has a wicked sense of humor -- sigh...

And yes indeed -- one should laugh when the roller coaster of life takes a dip -- or strips away bark -- or pride ;)

I seriously laughed out loud when I saw this mystery gift and could not wait to show Dear Husband, who also thought it was quite hilarious and clever. And now I share it with you -- and send a public thanks to whoever sent it. Thanks for a most excellent gift/surprise/reminder -- it has a place of honor on our frig and makes me smile every time I look at it :) :)

Very, very clever indeed -- wouldn't you agree?!

We are off to Blackfoot, Idaho today for four days of agility (Mac and Zoey) and four days of Best of Breed (Zoey). Last year I took four dogs to this tent camping/dog show adventure but the roller coaster dips of this year mean just two dogs can go -- oh well, my new magnet reminds me to just keep smiling -- and that things that go down must also go up.

So hang on friends, and enjoy the ride -- and like my clever magnet friend -- let's practice surprise acts of random kindness this week because -- wow -- they have a big impact :)

My New Friend: Spot

2011-06-12T13:31:00.004-06:00

This weekend was the Montana tracking test, and unfortunately I was not entered because preparing a dog for the TDX test is beyond what my back could handle at this time. And so instead I volunteered to help, and that meant that both yesterday and today I drove the 150 mile round trip to the test site.

I will admit to feeling a bit sorry for myself -- the test conditions are so perfect and I just love tracking -- giving up such a close test because someone blew a stop sign?! That hardly seems fair to me :(

But I have also learned to just have faith that things work out, and that being crabby over what is lost prevents us from enjoying what is -- and that we are never left without some kind of a gift or blessing, even when it seems all has been lost.

And so I found a new friend to remind me of that today -- someone so special and magical that I am left just awestruck at how we are never left without comfort, never really alone in our hardships and disappointments.

I could have stayed home and felt sorry for myself -- but I would have missed the gift left for me, the blessing that reminds me to trust the path I find myself on, even if it is not one that I planned or wanted...

Thanks to Elizabeth for letting me know me know that the embedded video might not work -- the YouTube link is: http://www.youtube.com/user/Kaibabbmd#p/a/u/0/SpyNJzfcxrU

Ruth Nielsen Pictures!

2011-06-09T17:56:00.004-06:00

I really appreciate Ruth letting me share these wonderful pictures with you! She is a superb photographer and I bet you can see why I say that...

Seriously this might be my favorite picture of all time -- Zoey and Lisa K. sharing some attitude...

What the heck is with Zoey and her tongue?!

Zoey and I having a conference about the course...

Zoey on the freight haul...

Mac on the freight haul before we took out the tree...

Cooper Whitby...

Mac doing an out of sight stay...

Zoey letting off some steam after the test...

That draft test was well photographed, I am sure you will agree!

Pictures and Videos

2011-06-08T13:07:00.003-06:00

Peaches Sula's mom, Terri, took many pictures of teams at the draft test and also some videos; she has kindly posted at these site:

http://bmdcodrafttest2011.shutterfly.com/videos

http://bmdcodrafttest2011.shutterfly.com/

Terri also did a video of Mac's Saturday run and made a DVD for Mac's real mom, Megan, that I am sending to her. Thanks so much to Terri!!!

Cooper Whitby's dad nicely did a video on Friday of Mac's ring exercises, and I have posted that to YouTube -- thanks to Ralph!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/Kaibabbmd#p/a/u/0/ELlIVwa_npI

A Farewell...

2011-06-07T19:26:00.004-06:00

Noah, the Feline Puppy Nanny, has died. He has been living with my daughter for the past 1.5 years because his diabetes required her skills and abilities. I saw him in May and could tell he was not long for this world, although he was still happy and friendly. Noah died peacefully at home, surrounded by people and animals who loved him.

We found Noah as a young adult cat about 15 years ago when we lived in Wisconsin. He loved puppies, and was a most excellent Puppy Nanny for each of our litters. Our girls, having been raised by Noah, would allow him in the whelping box immediately and seemed to take comfort in his purring presence.

Thanks to Nicole and Doug for their excellent care of Noah in his very senior years. We will all miss that funny Noah -- the best Feline Puppy Nanny ever...

Draft Wrap-Up

2011-06-07T06:08:00.002-06:00

As I mentioned yesterday, I wanted to share just a few thoughts about preparing a team for a draft test and I think it can be summed up in one word: fluency.

If you look up the definition of fluency you will discover that it involves something that flows and appears effortless. Consider what it means to be fluent in a language -- it does not involve pausing to make translations in one's head or stopping to read the English/Spanish dictionary or telling someone that you want to have sex instead of complimenting a very fine painting. No, fluency means the task has become natural, accurate, and even easy.

Fluency is achieved only through diligent, thoughtful preparation for a task. Being "draft fluent" doesn't mean there won't be an occasional mistake -- we are all human -- but it does mean the dog performs easily and willingly, with no wide detours, begging, pleading, etc. Fluency means the team goes in and does the job and makes it look easy -- that is what you should be aiming for before the dog steps a paw in the draft ring.

The key to achieving fluency is practice -- that is the bottom line. Mac and Zoey were "draft fluent" because of how hard we have worked at getting ready -- there is nothing magical or secret about it -- we prepared and -- at the risk of sounding boastful -- it showed.

Before one can even start the process of preparing for a draft test, one has to have a dog that is comfortable pulling and who can stop and turn. This basic work takes time and practice as well, and I was reminded of that when I was asked about getting a dog started. I am so fluent in training that I have to stop myself and think through the steps that have become so automatic for me -- like the harnessing (which usually I am good at ;).

When I start, I put the harness over the head -- and give a treat. Then I put one leg through -- and give a treat. Then the other leg -- another treat. I click/fasten one side of the girth strap -- treat. I click/fasten the other side -- treat. Of course I am also praising and petting as well but do you see what I do? I break tasks down into tiny steps and reinforce, and that starts with putting on the harness. If I had a dog who was scared of the harness, I would further break down the task and reward each baby step.

I think that is why I have good success -- because I have learned this skill of seeing the baby steps, and so I work in baby steps and not giant, scary leaps.

And so once I have a dog who is relatively confident and pulling, stopping and doing some semblance of turns, it is time to start serious preparation for a test -- I like to start this about 4 - 5 weeks in advance of a test. So here is what I really and truly did to get Mac and Zoey ready...

As you may know, I have a training arena at the house so I set up a draft test "ring" in the arena (but I have also done similar things to prepare before I had the luxury of my own arena -- parks work well). The "ring" included two sets of narrows, lots of things to weave around and make circles, and distractions. I designed a different course each week, and I included every single element that would be in ring exercises, including basic control, the movable object, backing, the slow, and the various required circles. I set the narrows at about one-half of the space allowed in the test, and did crazy weaves and tight circles -- in other words, I challenged the dogs and made it harder than we would see in a test.

Six days a week the dogs did the course in the arena and I am serious about that. Rain or shine we practiced the course of the week, usually 2 - 3 times in a session. But there is more -- three or four days a week, the dogs also did a freight haul. Just like a test, we would start in the arena with a stay -- Dear Husband put a tarp over my tire jump with a strategically placed hole in it so I could practice out of sight stays, and we would do the stay and then go out a gate -- the dog had to wait while I opened and closed it, just like the movable object in a test.

The freight haul was 2/3 mile and always included hills, since we have little hills at the house. The dogs pulled weight on the freight haul, and I increased it every fourth freight haul by at least ten pounds. On the freight haul we did changes of pace, stopping, weaving, different terrains, and turns -- just like you will find on a test freight haul.

On days when I did both the ring exercises and the freight haul, each dog took about 45 - 50 minutes; just the ring exercises was faster -- maybe 20 - 25 minutes. Since I had two dogs in full on test preparation, and Cadi getting conditioned to pull big weight, I would easily spend 1.5 - 2.5 hours practicing draft per day.

My draft training is heavily reinforced. I think of training as making deposits and showing as making withdrawals -- and so I built up the draft bank account with lots of excellent reinforcement, which means I used exceptionally desirable treats, I rotated treats during the week, and I used different treats during a training session; all of this is in addition to lots of verbal and physical praise.

I NEVER correct a dog during draft training -- it does not help me achieve my goal of happy fluency. This does not mean the dogs do not make mistakes -- or more accurately, do not offer a different behavior than I want. For example, I just decided 3 - 4 weeks ago to get both dogs ready to move up to open should they pass the novice test. Suddenly I had more elements to practice, one of which was the dog staying in the ring while I went out and got the cart.

This was surprisingly hard for both dogs. They wanted to get up and go to the cart as I pushed it in, or maybe they were worried I would run over their feet with it :) When they got up, I did not say anything -- I just noted to myself that I had made it too hard for them to be successful. I put them back on a stay and broke the exercise down into smaller increments -- so rewarding for staying while I walked out, then for when I had the cart, and then when I pushed it in a little and so on -- you get the idea.

I also changed how I did the exercise to make it easier for the dog. I had the dog facing me in a down stay and verbally reinforced the entire time I was getting the cart in ("good stay, what a good dog, etc.") as well as randomly going back and giving a cookie rather than always doing the whole exercise before reinforcing. I never turned my back to the dog, and I placed the cart at a decent, safe distance from them -- just things that helped them be successful. What I did not do was in any way physically or verbally "correct" the dog if the dog moved -- I work under the assumption that if my dog knows what I want, s/he will do it so any "mistake" is a communication issue and nothing more.

Practice makes perfect, but it has to be practice that increases confidence rather than creating stress in a dog by asking for more than she is capable of doing. It is this ability to accurately assess a dog that allows us to thoughtfully and carefully plan for appropriate practices -- what we do in practice ALWAYS has to be based on the dog, and not on what we think the dog should be doing. Accurately assessing a dog is respectful, and honors the reality that each dog has strengths and limitations that must be considered when training him or her.

Consistent and considerate practice creates fluency, and fluency is what allows a dog/handler to go in a ring and make it look effortless; Cooper Whitby and Jennifer achieved fluency even though they did not pass the test. At no point did it look anything but easy when you watched her and Cooper in that draft ring -- they were ready and it showed. And really -- that is what matters -- that the performance flows and looks effortless, no matter the outcome.

I would have been very shocked if Zoey especially had not passed the novice draft test, and I was pretty confident with Mac as well. This level of confidence is directly related to how well-prepared the teams were -- again, there is nothing magical or special -- it is all about being ready, and you do not get ready by wishing to get ready -- you have to put in the time and effort, and quite simply, we did.

We all have bad days at a show or test or trial, but a poor showing should always surprise us -- it should never be a big surprise when we do well. And again, I am not talking about passing/winning as a measure of doing well because a passing or winning performance can be ugly :) I am talking about performing in such a way that the loveliness of it is based on the performance and not the score sheet. It is nice when those two things both reflect excellence, but I will take a pretty -- but flunking -- performance over an ugly pass any day because fluency -- while it does not assure perfection -- gets us closer to success than relying on marginal preparation and good luck to carry the day.

And so there you have it -- the secret to doing well at a draft test is to achieve fluency through practice, and also wearing Lucky Socks. I think Lucky Socks are critical because they are an acknowledgment that no matter how much we have practiced or how much experience we have, we are not perfect and so we need help; they are like putting on a prayer.

Sunday's Socks Are Full of Grace (and Holes and Dirt)

2011-06-06T05:54:00.009-06:00

Sunday morning started with promise of an excellent day -- I rummaged through my dirty clothes and pulled out my secret weapon -- the Lucky Hanukkah Socks. Yes, they were streaked with dirt and so on but a woman needs to do what a woman needs to do...

I headed over to the draft test site with Cadi, Mac and Zoey, arriving almost two hours early because: 1) I hate being late; and 2) the time difference meant that I couldn't sleep anyway. Being so early gave me both a prime parking space and bragging rights over Lisa K. about being the first one there, both of which are important and further evidence of the power of the Lucky Hanukkah Socks.

The handlers are given a walk through of both the ring exercises and the entire 1/2 mile freight haul, which changed each day. So off we went -- the judges, stewards, and handlers -- to walk the Sunday freight haul. We stopped along the way to listen attentively to one of our esteemed judges since clearly he had something important to say about what we were to do in this spot. He looked solemn and said that that we would be stopping there during the freight haul for a moment of silence in honor of the tree that was killed in Saturday's freight haul.

Sigh. This resulted in anyone who had not already viewed the devastation caused to the poor tree by our unfortunate collision with it on Saturday to run up and check it out, make admiring comments about doing things really well (!), and further increase the redness of my face. Apparently Lucky Hanukkah Socks do not cause memory loss in others -- sigh...

Okay, it was finally time for the action to start. Ruth N. -- another of those people who just makes you want to be a better person -- handled Team Tondi, which was her boy, Tonka, and my Cadi. Although they did not pass, you really have not seen two happier dogs -- their tails wagged constantly when they were hitched up so it was ultra-cute and just made you smile. We will tweak Team Tondi a bit and try again in the fall -- here is a cute picture of Team Tondi with their handler, Ruth (thanks Terri!!):

Remember that Mac and Zoey moved up to Open after passing the novice test on Friday, and Open has some important additional challenges over the novice test. Specifically, the dog works entirely off leash, has to wait inside the ring while the handler retrieves the cart from outside the ring, the dog must back an additional three feet (so a total of four), the three minute stay is out of sight, and the dog pulls close to their weight in the cart for the freight haul. These are big differences that require different skills from a dog and handler.

However, when one member of the team (preferably the human) is wearing the Lucky Hanukkah Socks, all things are possible. Mac ran first -- his ring exercises were again just lovely -- including the display of his most unusual talent of backing the cart up several feet while he remains sitting!

Then it was the out of sight group stay. The handlers huddled behind a massive tree but I quickly discovered a problem -- Team Tondi was the first team in the stay group and Mac was the last. If I was too far one way Team Tondi could see me but getting out of their sight meant Team Mac was in view -- yikes. Even though I was not technically handling Team Tondi, being in view of my own dog during a group stay is not cool -- as we all know (well, most of us anyway) -- it is double handling so I had to position myself sideways next to the tree so neither end of the stay group could see me -- awkward but ethical.

I really cannot believe Mac does out of sight stays with three weeks of practice and practice that included no actual group of dogs. Well, I did once make Maize join him in an out of sight stay but that was the extent of his group out of sight stay experience so it was much to my complete amazement that he once again did the group out of sight stay -- and off we went on the freight haul (or as the judges called it, The Sunday Walk in the Park).

There was one instance of a potential tree/pee problem but an early shriek averted disaster and we soldiered on, after a collective sigh of relief. Up the little hills, down the little hills. Through the trees, over the goose poop, past people and dogs, circling here and there and then we were back in the ring with a new title: Draft Dog.

Yes indeed -- in his first draft test weekend, Montana Mac earned two draft titles and his Versatility Dog award. Surely you cannot doubt the power of the Lucky Hanukkah Socks now??!!!

Thanks to Terri and Lisa K. for these pictures of Mac earning his DD...

Okay, it was time for Zoey, Zoe-Bean, Bean, Beaner and all other manner of nicknames (the bean reference is for jumping bean :). And yes, when I was harnessing her I did get some ribbing from spectators outside the ring about remembering how to do it correctly -- sigh... But I managed to get the loops and all other pieces where they needed to go and triple-checked it so we passed that particular exercise (harness & hitch) on Sunday -- whew!

And then we were off and Zoey's ring exercises were simply flawless. And not only was she really just perfect, she was happy, enthusiastic and quick -- and pretty :)

Zoey had even less experience with out of sight group stays because she never got the one practice session with Maize but Zoey is perfect, and did a perfect first ever out of sight group stay and off we went on the freight haul, where she was again perfect, and again we came back in the ring after our Sunday Walk in the Park with a new Draft Dog! Again, thanks to Terri and Lisa for these great pictures of Zoey yesterday...

So let's review the evidence -- on Friday I wore the Lucky Hanukkah Socks and Mac and Zoey earned their NDD's (consider that only five teams passed and Mac + Zoey = 2 of them) and they both became Versatility Dogs. On Saturday I wore different socks and I forgot how to harness and we took out an innocent tree. On Sunday, with the Lucky Hanukkah Socks back in the game, both dogs earned a very challenging title: the DD. Coincidence?! I think not...

A real honest to goodness Jewish grandma has offered to send me new Lucky Hanukkah Socks -- can you even imagine the power in those socks?!

Okay -- yes -- the Lucky Hanukkah Socks are just one (HUGE IMPORTANT) part of draft test success. Tomorrow I will share thoughts about how -- in addition to the (VERY IMPORTANT) Lucky Hanukkah Socks I took two dogs to a draft test (one not even mine) and came home with four new titles (and two new Versatility Dogs).

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that any mishaps are easy to laugh about now :)

Bad Luck Socks

2011-06-04T21:12:00.004-06:00

Life is a series of ups and downs, and if one remembers this simple reality then there is nothing to do but laugh and complain and whine when the roller coaster we call life takes a dip...

So the first problem was that in spite of having about 30 draft titles, I incorrectly harnessed Zoey -- yes, I admit it. I forgot to put the shafts through the loops -- sigh. I caught it quickly -- but the judge caught it quicker! Seriously the rest of her run was a work of art - so Zoey passed and I flunked. Oh well -- I am human and I was wearing the wrong socks -- and that is my story.

Mac also had a great open run -- he can back four feet -- while sitting!!!! His out of sight stay was great and he was rocking the freight haul pulling all that weight in and out and up and down -- until the very end when that darn tree clearly needed to be watered and he headed off to handle that task but instead -- perhaps startled by my shriek -- hit it with the cart shaft and sent a chunk of bark flying. Sigh.

Unfortunately we were one of the early teams and so all day I heard back about the huge chunk of bark missing from the tree from all those who went on later freight hauls and -- well -- you just imagine the fun we all (!) had about the harnessing misadventure.

So no new titles but fun pictures! This is Cooper Whitby with his family...

Jennifer and Cooper came very close to passing -- their ring exercises were stunningly good and consider that Jennifer has never seen a draft test, let alone been in one. We are very proud of Team Cooper Whitby!!!!!

Elliott from the D Litter also looked great and came close to passing -- he is a lovely and well-loved boy :)

Cooper Whitby's human brother, Alex, will be showing Cadi in Juniors soon -- here they are bonding...

And speaking of bonding, we made a new friend and Zoey made sure she felt welcomed!

Here is Zoey showing our new friend, Lois, that yes, berners really are lap dogs!! We meet the best people because of our dogs :) :)

And here are three pictures of Mac during the test today...

Now I need to go rummage through my dirty clothes and find those Lucky Hanukkah Socks... And Cindy -- Camp Kaibab will be heavy on Narrows -- you will be a pro before you leave :)

The Power of Holy (okay -- holey) Socks

2011-06-03T22:41:00.005-06:00

Yes, the Lucky Hanukkah socks have holes now but that did not stop them from working quite nicely today -- and being "holy" might have even helped!

Mac was before Zoey at the draft test -- and that dog did not do anything wrong. He was stunningly good and earned his NDD, becoming a BMDCA Versatility Dog just like that! Yes indeed -- his first test and he was perfect and passed.

This means he beat Zoey in the Versatility Dog race -- and she was none too happy about that!!! And so when it was her turn ten dogs later, she was just as perfect and also earned her NDD, becoming a Versatility Dog as well!!

WOW -- two in a day!!!! Those are some powerful socks!!!!!!! Thanks to Susan Parr for the great pictures :)

New Friend!

2011-05-29T20:41:00.001-06:00

Please Remove the Pins!!!!!

2011-05-26T15:47:00.005-06:00

I don't even know what to say about this week! Monday was uneventful, Tuesday was my birthday so that was fun, and yesterday someone apparently made a voodoo doll of me or something because my back became possessed with an evil spirit and I wound up in the emergency room :(

Good heavens -- who knew a car accident could have such long lasting and yucky consequences?! Much to the amusement of Dear Husband and Galen, I had no choice but to take heavy duty pain meds and was more than a little loopy. But the good news is that the new MRI did not show any additional issues and in fact, one of the herniated discs actually has a slight bit of improvement -- yea for all that! Boo for voodoo dolls!!!

I did not let a little (!) back trouble stop us though -- my draft dogs continue their practice march towards the tests in Oregon next week. In just a week Cadi, Mac and Zoey (and me) will be heading to Portland for a three day draft test. I am looking forward to it, and to seeing some of my Northwest friends :)

Pictures! Cadi reminds us all to take time to smell the flowers...

Did you know the ability to roll your tongue is inherited? I cannot do it but obviously Zoey can -- can you?

This could be one of my most favorite pictures ever of our lovely plus-size model, Asia...

Sydney -- so cute!

Carlos/Ute says: "Some of us dogs are really shedding!"

Mrs. Maize -- doesn't she look just wonderful?

I hope that your week is going super well, and that nobody is making voodoo dolls of you!!!

Weekend Wrap-up

2011-05-23T07:21:00.002-06:00

We are home after a very fun visit with family/dog show weekend. It was Zoey's first long trial weekend and she was awesome, even though we did not get any legs (qualifying scores).

Normally when I show a Novice dog I run the dog in a "safe" way in order to qualify and get a title but I know Zoey is something special and I have decided to do things a little differently with her. First, I will only "Q" with her if the run is clean; this is a requirement for Excellent and so I have decided to work at this now in the "easier" level. And so I am not fixing mistakes as allowed in Novice -- I am giving us one chance at obstacles (except weaves, which are not scored in Novice -- they just have to be completed in three tries) and that is all.

The second thing I am doing differently is that I am handling the course as I would if she were in Excellent -- I am not "babysitting" or taking the easy route. This means I am asking a lot more of both of us but I hope it will also mean that we will be more ready for Excellent when we finally get there.

All this is to say that Zoey would have gotten legs this weekend if not for my experiment with her. I am aware that not everyone "gets" why I would do this -- even the judge came over to me and asked if I knew we could make a second attempt at obstacles :) But I have experience moving quickly through Novice and just stalling in Open and Excellent because all the skills were not there -- so I think I will just stall in Novice instead...

That said, here is a video of Zoey's last run of the weekend -- she knocked over a jump (the entire jump!) but still a very lovely run with good skills demonstrated:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jArfOaN_rEM

The weekend really belonged to Montana Mac! He qualified on both Saturday and Sunday, earning his first working title! Here are those two runs with a bonus at the end -- Zoey and Mac at the special, scenic private Idaho dog park :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCNMB1wclug

If you watch Zoey's run first and then watch Mac's second run, you will see what I mean when I talk about "safe" handling as they are the same course but my handling is different. I handled Mac safely to get a Q and I handled Zoey expecting more skill (i.e., less safely :).

I would love to hear/read your impressions of the dogs' runs! I hope your weekend was excellent and that your week will be even better :)

Sunday Morning

2011-05-22T07:03:00.003-06:00

Greetings from Einstein's Bagels in Logan, Utah. We do not have an Einstein's where I live so coming here is a real treat -- and they have free Wi-Fi!

I have spent the weekend with my wonderful daughter and her husband, who happen to live just a few miles from the site of a very nice show/agility trial so this is a double-duty trip and I have Mac and Zoey with me. Here is a picture of my daughter with everyone's favorite Feline Puppy Nanny -- Noah:

Mac got a second agility leg yesterday but what is even more impressive is how well he handles traveling and shows. My daughter has cats and dogs, and Mac is completely trustworthy and fine with all of them. My daughter, who has been a vet tech and does rescue, commented on what a nice and easy dog he is -- there are not many dogs -- let alone an intact male -- that you could take to a strange house filled with an assorted of rescue animals and know that all would be well but Mac is just a very kind soul.

I want to share about Zoey because I am just really proud of her. You may recall that I shared about a scary judge experience she had when she was 14 months old. She was going through a phase and I foolishly showed her one weekend -- and everything that could have gone wrong did at that show, including having a very large male judge. The judge was nice but Zoey was not alone in finding him very scary, and she refused to stand for him to examine her.

I suppose I could pretend that none of that happened and she has always been fine -- but why? There is no perfect dog and I won't pretend otherwise -- she had some "stranger danger" concerns when she was younger and that is the truth.

Yesterday reminded me of the importance of development -- in people and dogs. I entered Zoey in Best of Breed yesterday but not today because today's judge is the one who scared her 1.5 years ago and I just did not want to go there again. What I did not bother to check was the judge for the working group yesterday -- it was indeed Judge Scary.

Zoey won Best of Breed, which meant she earned a trip to Group. She has not enjoyed Group the couple of times she was there, and add in Judge Scary -- well, I wasn't sure I wanted to show her in Group. But you know what? I did -- and she was perfect. She wasn't bothered by any of it -- the bigger, intense dogs, Judge Scary -- none of it bothered her.

So Zoey went from agility to breed to Group to agility -- she really is a special dog :) Thanks to Bryan and Yoshi for these pictures from yesterday...

Hope your weekend is wonderful, filled with things that you feel proud of...

Distraction Pictures

2011-05-17T08:00:00.005-06:00

Taking the pictures is the distraction -- from end-of-the-semester grading. I confess to not loving the whole grading thing -- I know, I should give them all A's but there is the whole integrity thing again -- and sometimes it conflicts with my niceness commitment. Maybe that is why I dislike grading -- it is an internal conflict between the need to accurately and honestly evaluate the work -- and my desire not to hurt anyone's feelings...

So, I took a break on this lovely Montana morning and got some pictures of the dogs doing some of their favorite dog things...

Mac and Asia having a conference about something...

This picture is just for Heidi -- Cadi is channeling Heidi's feelings towards all of us faculty at the end of the semester ;)

Maize has dug herself a lovely hole that she like to hang out in -- and we are so happy she is here and healthy and making a big mess on our walkway :)

Mac looking extremely handsome.

Zoey doing what Zoeys do -- play with balls...

Asia wrestling with a stick.

Syd wants everyone to know that it isn't just Zoey, Zoey, Zoey who can retrieve...

You will not believe this but some of the dogs dared to have fun -- this resulted in a warning glare from the Chief of the Fun Police...

Karma is still trying to convince someone to get the noisy collar off of her -- to no avail and to the great happiness of all field mice.

Hmmm... what else can I do to distract myself?????!!!!!

Endings and Beginnings

2011-05-15T05:42:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was the University of Montana's graduation ceremonies -- and yes, there were multiple ceremonies. I love graduations -- I always have -- which is a good thing because as a faculty member I have to attend.

The day started with a bit of a wardrobe malfunction. My plan was to wear shorts and a tee-shirt under my robe but I discovered too late that the robe did not zip far enough down on me to get away with the shorts -- oops. So I had to wear jeans -- more oops -- under the robe. Oh well -- it is Montana and I was not the only one :)

The main university ceremony was in the football stadium -- very cool. The faculty marched through the tunnel onto the field, which has artificial turf -- wow!!! It was a heady experience to be down there on the field with all those people in the stands, and I had never actually felt a football field with artificial turf so I took off my shoes (once in my seat, of course) and enjoyed the novel feelings of fake grass on my toes.

They don't pay faculty quite enough so as part of our compensation package, we got great seats at graduation -- second row on the fifty yard line -- as in ON the fifty yard line :) And what a treat -- Tom Brokaw was the speaker and he was amazing -- truly. His talk was inspiring, thoughtful, intelligent, funny -- all the things a great graduation address should be -- I am a fan.

One thing he said that I will never forget was the graduates were not going out to the real world -- the real world was junior high, with all the hurt feelings, jealousies, meanness, immaturity, etc. and that was the kind of stuff that they would too often encounter again in the so-called real world. What an excellent point -- funny but sadly, too often true...

He talked about the importance of helping others, of making a difference in the world -- all that stuff that I think is important -- and his status and experience made the charge credible. It was without question the best graduation speech I have ever heard. (You can read more about it at the Missoulian: http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_e60cef18-7e77-11e0-b8f1-001cc4c03286.html).

And then we had our School graduation, where we faculty beamed with pride as if it were our own children who were completing their degrees :) Lots of hugging and tears ensued -- a tender, happy and bittersweet time as we said farewell to all those wonderful students who have been a part of our lives for the past few years.

I am so lucky to once again be in academics, where I get to continue a cycle of life that started for me with kindergarten -- hard and intense work for the school year and then an ending -- a completion, a graduation. I get to graduate from this academic year and have a rest before starting again -- it is a cycle that is familiar and wonderful and suits me very well.

I will work all summer but in different ways than the school year, and that ability to vary my work is sustaining and interesting. But I will also do lots of fun things and take little trips and ride my bike and train dogs and enjoy having Dear Husband underfoot and so on. After all these years, I still get summer vacations, with all the excitement and hope that it has always brought -- I am lucky indeed :)

I think endings and beginning are important, and that we need to look for the opportunity to create them in our lives -- and celebrate them even when the ending part is hard. We rest our minds on the bittersweet sadness of an ending but need to quickly turn to face the rising sun -- the new day -- the new adventures that beginnings offer. Graduation is a really BIG ending -- and beginning -- and how blessed I am to be able to participate in them each year :)

Happy Graduation to you and good luck in your future because really -- every moment is a graduation from our past, and the beginning of our future...

Overheard Conversations

2011-05-14T06:49:00.004-06:00

Karma: Zoey, you are my BFF forever and ever!!!
Zoey: Really??!
Karma: Yes, I love you more than any other dog in this house or even in the universe!
Zoey: That is very nice of you, Karma. What do you want?

Karma (looking insulted): Why would you think I wanted anything -- I just love you and wanted you to know that...

Zoey: Sure you do -- so what is it?
Karma: Well, there is a small matter that perhaps you could assist me with -- since we are BFF's after all...

Zoey: I am listening...

Karma: it's this stupid pink collar -- it is interfering with my business!
Zoey: What business?!
Karma: My extermination business! What business do you think I have?? A pie shop?!
Zoey: Oh -- your killing of innocent small animals -- that business...
Karma: Don't get all moralistic with me -- cheaters cheat, rattlesnakes bite, and cats...
Zoey: ...kill little animals who are minding their own business doing their little animal things. I saw Mom rescuing that cute little field mouse last weekend -- serves you right that you have to wear that noisy collar...

Karma: I am getting the impression that you are not going to help me get this collar off!!!
Zoey: Your impression would be correct.
Karma: FINE. (stomps across the deck...)

Karma: Sydney, you are my favorite dog and true and only BFF....

Just Sydney

2011-05-13T11:06:00.002-06:00

Sydney is our feature dog today :) She is Cadi's daughter, Maize's granddaughter -- her dad is Jed...

What do you think? Isn't she growing up nicely?? :)

Just Halo

2011-05-12T09:33:00.000-06:00

It is a perfect western Montana morning -- clear and cool, with the promise of a warm day. Halo helped me clear out the arena so it could be mowed, and I took some pictures of her -- she is 8.5 years now and not showing her age at all. Halo is the mother of Asia and Zoey, and half-sister to Mrs. Maize.

I hope that your morning reflects a day filled with promise...

Every Advantage?

2011-05-11T06:26:00.004-06:00

Dog shows bring together all kinds of people and you can imagine that this dynamic does not always work well. Consider that there are people in the world who think it is perfectly okay to take every advantage in order to do well -- this is something I have been thinking about a lot lately. What advantages are okay and when is a line crossed? And who gets to decide?

Consider this scenario -- the obedience building is not available to exhibitors prior to the day of the show. An exhibitor takes her dog into the off-limits building and practices -- is that wrong? Or is it taking an available advantage?

In June I will be attending a draft test, and Cadi will be teamed up with another dog for open brace and the other dog's mom will handle the team. Therefore, I will not be the dogs' handler -- so could I stand ringside with folded arms (a stay cue) in sight of Cadi while the "handler" is out of sight for the stays? Isn't that just taking an available advantage?

There is a big difference between an advantage that does not break a rule, and an advantage that does; they are not the same. Going into an off limits building to practice absolutely gives an advantage to a dog/handler -- and it also violates rules about when/where a dog/handler can be. If I stood ringside and gave Cadi a stay cue it would be double-handling, and that is an advantage but it also is a rule violation.

Who cares about rules anyway?? It is only a dog show so it is not a big deal -- right?!!!

Wrong. Following rules shows respect for other people -- that is the bottom line. When I follow rules, I am letting people know that I do not think I am above them -- I do not think that I am so special that I do not have to follow the same rules as everyone else. Following rules lets people know that we are trustworthy, ethical, and want to play nicely and respectfully everyone else.

An advantage is what I have by being able to train in an arena at my own house, or to train VST on the campus where the test will happen. An advantage is having access to lessons and workshops and so on... When a rule is violated, it is no longer an "advantage" -- it is cheating.

Again, dog shows are not the most important thing in life -- but I guess being the best person we can be is -- in my opinion. And people who cheat at dog shows -- or who think rules are for other people -- well, you can bet that this reflects personal character and is not just something that happens at the dog show.

Mixing cheaters with people who see dog shows as a chance to practice integrity is kind of a mess. And it can get discouraging because cheaters -- well, they cheat! And when you call them on it they say stuff like, "everyone does that" and "it is a dumb rule anyway" and "I was just taking an advantage" or "I didn't know I couldn't be in that building".

And then they try to make the honest people look bad -- like we are uptight, naive, and/or don't know what we saw with our own eyes! But then again -- what else would we expect from the cheaters? An apology?! The truth?! Not in their nature...

The nature of a rattlesnake is to bite and not think that is wrong, because biting is what rattlesnakes do. The nature of cheaters is to cheat and not think that is wrong because cheating is what cheaters do -- but they call it, "taking an advantage". Just as you cannot really teach a rattlesnake not to bite, cheaters are also kind of a hopeless cause because they lack certain qualities that are needed to be decent, respectful, honest people -- and one of these is an awareness of their nature.

Bummer for all of us -- even the cheaters.

What is not a big fat bummer is my cute mother-daughters - here are a couple of them, starting with Halo and Zoey...

And how about look-alikes Cadi and Sydney -- are they cute or what?!

So remember friends -- Be Nice (aka No Cheating). And have a wonderful day free of mean people, cheaters, and all other manner of unpleasantness :)

Identity Crisis

2011-05-09T06:43:00.004-06:00

I understand that gender identity issues are painful and problematic, but consider how challenging it is to have species identity crisis -- that feeling that one is trapped in the wrong species. Apparently we have a case of that at our house -- I will let Carlos/Ute/CarlUte tell his own story:

"I always knew I was different and didn't belong. I thought it was because I was living on the streets in California after my family kicked me out -- they didn't accept me because I was different.

Then that nice girl found me and we left California on the scary airplane and suddenly I was living with a bunch of boys in Utah -- I like the boys a lot even though they were not good at cleaning bathrooms (theirs or mine). But still I did not quite fit in -- I thought maybe it was because I was not Mormon... Or maybe because my name kept changing -- who can feel good about identity when one has a new name every week?!

And then I traveled again -- to Montana -- and wow! Scary stuff!!! WOLVES!!!!!!!!! EVERYWHERE!!!!! I hid for weeks and then I realized they weren't really wolves -- they were dogs. And suddenly it all became very clear to me -- I am a dog trapped in a cat body.

Although I still have three names, I now know who and what I am. My family loves me and there is no judgment because they know I was born this way -- finally I am at peace and happy and feel like I belong :) I want to share some pictures of my life as the dog I really am....

This is my real mom, Cadi -- we were separated at birth.

This is my sister, Sydney -- I am, in fact, one of the Glitterati...

Us dogs like to sleep in our crates...

Or on one of the big dog beds -- only us dogs can sleep on DOG beds...

All grooming of dogs happens on the grooming table...

Stupid DOG brush!!!!! (secretly I love the DOG brush but the spray bottle -- not so much)

Us dog littermates on the dog grooming table -- this is me and my sister, Sydney. Oh how I miss my other littermates...

And that is his story -- amazing what a little insight and acceptance can do for a person or cat or dog or whatever...

Draft Practice Video!

2011-05-08T12:44:00.001-06:00

Pieces of draft practice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGBFIXACi-M

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T06:54:00.003-06:00

I do not actually like this holiday at all, and maybe I am approaching it all wrong but I think it is a mean holiday.

It is mean because of people like me who do not have moms anymore. I remember the last Mother's Day card I gave my mom -- I was 23 years old and she was in the hospital getting a terminal breast cancer diagnosis at age 45 for her Mother's Day gift -- my card said in blue letters: To hell with Freud -- I love my mother".

Mother's Day is mean because of people like my student who lost a pregnancy recently -- I am sure she appreciates the reminder that she is no longer going to be a mother this year.

It is a mean holiday because of people whose children are dead. I am thinking of one today whose daughter actually died of childhood cancer on Mother's Day. I am thinking that mom is not appreciating anything that says Happy Mother's Day.

Mother's Day is mean to women who struggle with infertility -- that silent and constant loss and the ever present but unacknowledged grief that comes from yearning for something that seems so easy for everyone else.

It is mean for people who never found themselves -- for whatever reasons -- in a place to have children and who so wish life would have dealt them a different hand -- one that involved children.

Mother's Day is mean to stepmothers, who might get an obligatory Happy Mother's Day from step-children who otherwise have not recognized her for some time; the dutiful greeting only makes the silence of the other days so much louder.

Some have lost children to causes other than death, and for them this is also a mean holiday as we mourn our missing children, who will always have a place in our broken hearts.

So yes -- Happy Mother's Day indeed -- but likely we will say that to someone who doesn't feel happy at all, and only increase their sorrow as they recognize that they are not understood and their sadness and loss is not acknowledged. So for those many, here is my Mother's Day greeting: I am sorry.

Randomness

2011-05-06T06:13:00.003-06:00

Just a bunch of random things...

1. Happy Birthday to Sharon Greenberg in St. Louis!!! I hope it is a wonderful day for Sharon, who is a super wonderful person :)

2. Last day of classes is today -- there are no words to offer enough thanks for that! A good portion of my little soldiers have been deployed to deal with the back issues and so I feel like I have operated at limited capacity all semester -- now I have a chance to catch up and regroup the troops, so to speak -- YAY! Love summer vacation!!!

3. The Puppy Nanny (aka son Galen) created a website for his design business: www.gsontag.com -- he does graphic design and develops/maintains websites, including my big www.helpwithgrief.org site. His next project is updating the Kaibab website so I will let you know when that is done. As a student, he is cheap so keep him in mind if you want something "graphic" done :)

4. More Specialty photos -- these are from super nice/great photographer Ruth Nielsen -- big thanks to her! All three are of Halo...

I hope your day is filled with random good things!

Thoughts About Draft Training

2011-05-05T05:39:00.004-06:00

Yesterday as I was working with Montana Mac on draft, I was thinking about all the little steps that got us to where he now is and I wondered if people/dogs that have draft issues maybe skip some of those important baby steps along the way. I thought about some of the dogs that I saw drafting at the Specialty -- many did not look at all happy. I wondered why my draft dogs always look happy and other people have obviously stressed/unhappy dogs, and again I wondered if people are realizing how many tiny steps go into training a dog for anything, including draft. And so I decided to write about this today -- baby steps.

Think of a scale from 1 - 10, with one being super easy/natural/hitch 'em and go types of draft dogs, and 10 being a dog that won't even approach the cart; I have trained dogs all along this scale. My first berner, Emma, was an 11 -- I had to take the cart apart and get her used to it in pieces, and Maize was surprisingly a 10, apparently born with zero carting genes. Halo and her daughters (Zoey and Asia) were all in the 1 - 2 range -- interesting, isn't it?

Montana Mac was probably a 6 - 7 so not a super easy/natural carting dog but not as bad as Mrs. Maize by any means; I think Mac is pretty typical for most berners.

I knew this immediately because I tested him for carting genes, as I do all my dogs. The way to do this is to walk the dog between the shafts towards the cart and then lift the shafts gently as you feed the dog a cookie in the cart. A dog's reaction to the shafts tells you very quickly how much work you will need to do before you can even think about proceeding with a harness/hitch.

And so I first helped him become very comfortable walking between the shafts towards the cart -- off leash, with cookies, and no force. If he wanted to jump over the shafts and run off -- that was fine; I think it is important for a dog to know s/he can get away if needed. And we gradually built up his tolerance for the shafts along his side, touching him, and then having him facing away from the cart with the shafts along side, and then one step and so on -- still not hitched.

Yesterday I thought about all those steps as we made our way down the long drive to the street, and I thought about how we are still making our way towards a June draft test in baby steps.

Once Montana Mac was comfortable being hitched, he experienced what many berners do -- concern about that strange and noisy thing following him. I kept him on leash so that he could not take off if a noise startled him -- the last thing you want is a scary setback. And I treated noises as if they were "clicks" so noise/treat -- this transformed what a noisy cart meant to him.

Turns are very hard for most dogs -- they cannot turn as they usually do because they have to handle the shafts -- if they just turn, they wind up twisted between the shafts and scared -- not helpful for learning. Unfortunately, too many people take GIANT training steps instead of baby training steps and think a dog should learn turns right away as well -- sigh...

Consider what happens when a dog has constant stress during the training of an activity -- the dog associates stress with the activity, and you see this in the draft ring. My goal is to increase the stress associated with a new task only slightly and then stay put at that level until there is no longer any stress with it, and the dog experiences fluency in the behavior. I believe fluency is required to have a happy, confident working dog and is only achieved by taking very small steps and staying at that step until the tail is wagging :)

And so Mac was hitched and pulling but still with some concern at times -- I do not move forward when there is still concern so we did not work on turns until going straight was confident and happy. Luckily we have the perfect driveway -- almost 1/2 mile round trip and straight. So for about three weeks we have done that driveway and that is really all -- of course, we practice the harness and hitch as part of it, and add in a change of pace, stops and that kind of stuff that works with a long straight draft pull but I saved the turn training until we had what we now have -- a very confident, happy draft dog.

When I started turns I helped Montana Mac learn that he could not just turn -- he had to move his body into the shaft to be able to turn. I used food as a lure and made a huge turn one step at a time -- literally. In addition to the food lure, I applied pressure on the shaft to move him the correct way. Turns almost always create stress in a dog because they are trapped and cannot do what they want, which is to just turn their bodies -- they have to also turn the cart.

Yesterday I decided we were ready to test our training -- I have very gently been adding turns and Mac has really caught on. He is extremely motivated to do what he thinks I want, and so praising wildly for gentle big turns really got the message through and I decided to test it out.

I set up a draft test course in our arena, complete with draft weaves and a set of narrows. I was quite impressed with him -- his weaving and circles are still "big" but he is doing them with no stress at all -- and he did the narrows successfully every time :)

Zoey can literally turn circles in place -- in other words, the cart doesn't move because she turns so tightly. Montana Mac is not there yet but he shouldn't be -- she started sooner and was a "hitch and go" dog from the start. If I did not correctly assess Mac at every step of the way and only adjust his training in the smallest of increments after he had attained fluency at each step, I could have easily ruined him by expecting him to go as quickly as Zoey.

Training a dog well requires that we respect their strengths and their concerns, and they all have both (as do we). If we require a dog to move along at our pace instead of theirs, we create stress and anxiety -- both of which are counterproductive in learning new things. Dogs that are stressed and/or shut down tell us that they have been consistently pushed farther than their limits without having the chance to create the joy and confidence that comes with mastery -- or fluency.

Montana Mac walks up and down that long driveway with the cart like he owns the place, tail wagging and happy, confident, willing attitude. I know this is because I honored his pace and I broke things down into small increments and stayed there until he was happy and proud of himself. And yesterday he started working on the technical aspects of a draft test, and because he trusts me and has learned this draft game well, he tried hard and showed both skills and confidence.

We still have over four weeks until the draft test, and we will be practicing almost daily until then. When we go in the ring, he will be happy, confident, and well-trained -- because no other dog should ever step foot in a draft test ring, in my ever so humble opinion. He may or may not pass -- I cannot control that -- but I sure can control our preparation and I can tell you that will be as perfect as it can be because again, only a very well-prepared dog can have the level of confidence and joy that all dogs deserve when they are asked to perform.

I am really proud of Montana Mac -- he works when girls are in standing heat, he works when he thinks the cart could be part of a terrorist plot, he works when he thinks the shafts are an evil trap, he works when the neighbor's dog barks profanity at him -- the dog LOVES to work. And to see his confidence and happiness when he figures something out -- priceless!!! What a super fun dog he is :)

And so Mac and Zoey are racing to see who gets that NDD first -- paws crossed that they do it together...

And speaking of together, here are a couple of pictures of cuddle time:

I hope you are having a wonderful day, and will remember that all of us make progress one baby step at a time -- there are no short-cuts to perfection.

Another Birthday Picture!

2011-05-04T07:00:00.003-06:00

I am happy to share another of the newly five year old D Litter: Elliott. This lovely boy lives in Bend, Oregon where he is an active Therapy Dog and very busy earning working titles -- Elliott's full name is Kaibab's Dash Across The Moon CD RE NAP NJP NFP NDD. Elliott also earned his BMDCA Working Dog award, which his parents received at the Specialty this year :)

Thanks to Glenda and Greg for giving Elliott such an interesting life :)

Camp Kaibab!

2011-05-02T05:05:00.003-06:00

Calling all Campers! It is time to seriously start thinking about Camp Kaibab -- a training camp for Kaibab berners and their owners, and other people that we would love to hang out with for a couple of days :)

When: Friday - Saturday, June 24 & 25. These dates are followed by the Missoula conformation/obedience/Rally show on June 26 - 28 so come train and then show!

Where: At our place in Stevensville, Montana -- about 25 miles south of Missoula

Who: Kaibab berners/owners will get first chance at the limited working spots but others who are interested can come as well -- if you are interested, please just ask!

I have been thinking a lot about what kind of useful training we can do -- things that Campers can "take home" and that would be hard to get elsewhere. Therefore, the 2011 Camp Kaibab is going to be based on the following objectives:

1. Campers will gain knowledge and learn skills to create and maintain a happy, focused working relationship with their dogs.

2. Campers will understand how to train obedience using "Least Trainable Units", and will gain both knowledge and skills to bring out the best and happiest obedience dog possible in their berner.

3. Campers will gain knowledge and skill -- no matter what their current level -- in training and handling the successful draft dog.

4. Campers will understand how their mental state impacts their own performance as well as their dogs (aka "Ring Nerves"), and learn how to transform their thinking in order to maximize success with their dogs.

And so we will have a Camp that is primarily focused on relationship-building, creating happy working dogs/handlers, obedience and draft skills, and some therapy for the Nervous Nellie Handlers. We will have a chance to do some agility for fun, learn how to properly groom a berner, and so on -- it will be an action-packed two days. But the best part? Getting to hang out and "play" with our friends :) Oh -- and scones, of course...

All levels of dogs/handlers are welcome and will feel comfortable -- don't let any Nervous Nellie tendencies keep you from coming to Camp Kaibab because all are welcome here :)

Cost: I would do it for free but Dear Husband vetoed that idea so cost is a whole $85 for a working slot, and that includes lunch and etc. Campers can pay when they show up -- Dear Husband can handle all that money stuff -- I just want to train dogs and people :)

Where to Stay: We can accommodate maybe two trailer/RV's; Stevensville Hotel has some dog friendly rooms -- let them know that you are coming to Camp; Days Inn in Lolo is dog-friendly and just 18 minutes away, between us and Missoula, so perfect for those who will stay for the show.

Now is the time for Camper Commitment so if you are planning to come, please send me an email (msontag@qwest.net) and let me know. If you are thinking about it -- tell me that also. And if you have questions or want to know if you can come -- please just send me an email -- we are very welcoming to all who want to train and have fun with berners and their "people".

I hope you can join us!

Sunday Evening and an Applicant

2011-05-01T19:54:00.003-06:00

It has been a lovely day here in western Montana. Karma decided to practice her tree climbing skills, making for some interesting pictures of her from under the tree!

Here is Cadi-Bug being cute instead of delivery the puppies that would have been due today -- sigh...

Without a ball handy, Zoey settled for the star that Kay/Sue gave us when they picked up Ruben Hudson 2.5 years ago -- that thing has lasted!

Mac tried to steal the star but he was no match for Zoey...

All that fun brought out the Chief of the Fun Police and she yelled: NO FUN!!!!! STOP this instant!!!!!

And then she glared around at all the fun-loving miscreants...

We have some exciting news!!! Although Mrs. Maize is no where near retirement age, we have had an application for Assistant Chief of the Fun Police -- a Chief in Training, so to speak/bark -- see for yourself:

Who knew she had such a big mouth?! She looks so demure when she is quiet...

Coming Soon -- Camp Kaibab details!

A Leg!

2011-04-30T18:32:00.002-06:00

Montana Mac had a clean run today for his first Jumpers leg and even got second place! Here is a link to a video that has his first run two weeks ago and then today's run...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxd849liHOw

Divine Inspiration

2011-04-29T06:22:00.007-06:00

I am so excited to share this story!!! This is the story about Michael Jackson, God, a beautiful young woman, and a puppy -- with characters like that -- well, how could it be anything but grand?

Part One
I was working at the pediatric hospital in Utah with my wonderful colleagues that I still miss every day, including our hospital chaplain whose name happens to be Michael Jackson -- he is, in fact, the original Michael Jackson.

I have to say this about Michael -- he made me want to be a better person. In another life I suspect he was a dog because I am not sure I ever met a human being so capable of giving unconditional positive regard to another -- his abilities to authentically show warmth and regard are positively dog-like! So I guess it is not a surprise that he is a Man of God -- dogs and God's special people have much in common, but that is a post for another day.

So back to the story -- Michael happened to walk in my office as I was sharing ultrasound pictures and I excitedly handed a couple to him. He looked at them and said, "I know what these are" and then looked at me, back at the pictures and struggled with looks of wonder and horror that I immediately understood and I quickly reassured him that no -- those were not MY ultrasound pictures but my dog's. Indeed, they were ultrasound pictures of D Litter puppies -- Maize's second litter that turned five recently.

It was pretty darn funny -- I will never forget that little scene :)

Part Two
Fast forward to the puppies' arrival. You know how I always name my puppies -- I hate calling them by colors as if they do not have an identity except the one defined by the color of ribbon around their necks. And for some reason, I named a girl Ashlee -- spelled just like that -- Ashlee.

Part Three
Kathy LaPine is one of my dear Utah friends, and she is a special friend to Maize and Cadi. Kathy has two berners of her own, and her younger daughter decided that she wanted one of her own -- love those multi-generational berner families :)

Kathy's daughter was about to start graduate school but I knew she was reliable and more importantly, I knew that Kathy would never let anything bad happen to Maize's puppy and so it was decided that Ashlee would get Ashlee. Did you follow that? Kathy's daughter's name is Ashlee -- spelled the same way as the puppy, Ashlee -- a fact I did not know when I named the puppy.

Part Four
Of course my poor colleagues had to endure all manner of puppy stories/pictures and I had to share that one -- the Ashlee going to Ashlee story -- with my colleagues, including the aforementioned Michael Jackson. And do you know what he said? He said it was clearly Divine Inspiration -- and what litter was it? The D Litter! And so little Ashlee went to big Ashlee with the name bestowed on her -- unknowingly -- by Michael Jackson: Kaibab's Divine Inspiration.

Part Five
Little Ashlee got a new name, as all those Ashlees could be confusing -- her new call name became Joy. Together, Joy and Ashlee went off to graduate school where they earned Ashlee's MFA and along the way had many adventures, including meeting a man that they both fell in love with (insert little heart :).

Part Six
Do you hear wedding bells? Yes, Ashlee is getting married in May, and Joy is part of the wedding party! And guess who is marrying them?

The Very Reverend Michael Jackson (insert big smile :) -- and no, they did not know each other until recently. Divine Inspiration indeed...

Backstory and Show Plans

2011-04-28T07:51:00.004-06:00

It has now been over three months since I had the minor but life-altering car accident. Who knew how much damage and drama could be caused by a relatively low-speed collusion?! Not me.

I don't like to whine too much or give extra energy/attention to those three herniated disks in my lower back, but they do speak to me every day, and impact my plans and goals. I know life is not fair and that it could be worse and so on -- but I also know that it could be better and more fair and I wish it were both!

I have paid dearly for the drive home from the Specialty -- my back hates that whole sitting still/driving thing and has been quite mad about that drive, punishing me with new and different pain; Alleve is my new best friend.

And so -- not wanting to piss off those nerves again -- I have revised my dog show plans AGAIN because of Galen's laundry/the car accident.

I have four dogs who are trained in agility and could be running at trials but because of my back, I am limiting myself to no more than two dogs per trial and spacing out the trials.

I have multiple dogs who could be training for the June Montana tracking test -- but I will just work with one because of my back.

I would love to go to the California Regional in June and visit family at the same time -- but the drive is too long for those touchy nerves.

And so on -- you get the picture.

So what are we doing? Since hopes and goals keep me happy, I cannot give up everything and so yes, we have hopes and goals -- since people have asked, here they are :)

Mac is cross training -- draft, obedience, and agility. He has three different agility weekends between now and the end of June, with a total of eight runs, and so my hope is that he will get his NJP. We are entering the Oregon draft test on June 3 - 4 so hope to earn his NDD at that test. Finally, he is doing obedience training, with the goal of showing him in Novice at the Missoula shows in late June.

Zoey will be back in action in May doing the same agility trial in Logan, Utah as Mac and also one day in Best of Breed at the same show. She will be entered in the Oregon draft test as well, and do four days of agility and breed in Blackfoot, Idaho in June.

By the end of June, my hope is that both Zoey and Mac will be new Versatility Dogs, and that Zoey will also be a BMDCA Working Dog, and have more points towards her Grand Championship.

Halo will run in the agility trial this weekend, and not in the May trial because of my back-imposed two dog limit.

Cadi is taking an agility break for the same reason, and instead I am hoping to get her CDX this summer.

Asia will be training for the late summer and fall VST tests once this semester is over, which is thankfully very soon.

Sydney is mostly just training but I will show her in conformation if she stays in coat, but only at the shows I am already planning. I had hoped to take her to more but the back...

Maize is successfully achieving her goal of staying alive and having fun :)

And so I have just a short-term plan at this point -- through June -- and then we will see what we have accomplished/what is possible and go from there. As you may recall, I always make New Year's Goals, and in spite of the limitations, I have already completed three:

Halo will earn her NFP.
Asia will earn her BNDD.
Zoey will complete her CH.

In addition to completing those, we have made progress on others and so I take comfort in all of that :)

So that is what we are up to -- Helena agility on Saturday, Logan, Utah on May 20 - 22 for agility and breed (and visit with my daughter :), Oregon draft tests on June 3 - 4, Blackfoot, Idaho on June 16 - 19 for agility and breed, CAMP KAIBAB on June 24 - 25 for serious fun and training, and the Missoula shows on June 26 - 28 for obedience and breed.

I hope you have some excellent hopes and goals -- and would love to hear them!

Show Photo

2011-04-27T13:20:00.003-06:00

This is Ruben Hudson's show photo from the Specialty :)

Laundry and Birthday

2011-04-27T06:22:00.006-06:00

I am doing Galen's laundry this morning -- as you may recall, Galen (aka The Puppy Nanny) is now a student at the University of Montana and he lives in a campus studio apartment. Yes, they have laundry facilities there and you may wonder why I am doing his laundry, especially because doing his laundry caused my car accident in January. Good question and here is the answer -- because doing Galen's laundry reminds me of my mom.

When I was a young mother, I lived a mile or so from my mom. She LOVED my two kids more than anything in the world -- more than Fenton's ice cream or Aggie hot dogs or the desert or her own kids -- I am convinced the only reason I had two kids before I was 21 is because my mom needed them before she died.

Anyway, she did our laundry!!! I would just go over with the kids and somehow the laundry got done -- like magic! And for an overwhelmed young mom with two kids in diapers -- well, it was a gift and a way she took care of me and did I ever need someone to take care of me!!!

Galen never got to meet his grandmother -- she died at age 45 when my older kids were just 4 and 3 -- but she reaches through me and touches him when I do his laundry. And I get to remember what it felt like to be cared for by my own mom when I do this for Galen -- and he get clean clothes so it is a win-win-win situation.

But his laundry scares me!! You see, I was only at that intersection at that exact time because his clothes took too long to dry so I was running later than I usually would have been -- hence, his laundry caused the car accident. I like to say that I have a laundry injury because it generates guilt in Galen, and a child can never have too much guilt ;)

The D Litter (Zack and Maize) had a birthday and I am still waiting for more pictures but here are four of them at age five...

Gracie lives with our wonderful and perfect friends, the Heitzbergers, in California. If Cindy were my real sister, I would have to say that I had TWO Perfect Sisters, which would really be too much -- so good thing she is "just" my friend ;)

Fiona lives in California also -- she is loved and owned by almost 16 year old Molly (and Marti, her mom). We love Fiona and the whole "M" family!!!

Brighton started life with one family but when the dad was deployed they had to give her up rather than take her to Japan with them -- much sadness ensued but it ended with good things as Brighton now lives with Carol and Sharon (and Fannie) in Iowa, and we gained not only a great home for Brighton but a terrific friend in Carol -- we have not met Sharon yet but I am sure we love her also :)

And now one of the boys -- Milo. He lives in New Hampshire with more amazingly good people -- Jeff and Sue Nowak. As I write all this, I am really struck by all the great people who have one of our puppies -- in my dog family, I am surrounded by such wonderfully decent and good people -- how lucky I am :) :) Dear Husband and I LOVE the Nowaks -- seriously -- and including Milo Nowak :)

So glad to have these five year old pictures of these sweet Maize kids, and looking forward to getting the rest of the litter's pictures so we can enjoy and celebrate together :)

Regarding the laundry -- no good deed goes unpunished. Regarding the birthday -- YEA! Regarding your day -- hope it is spectacular!!!

Goodness, Good Deeds, and a Tolerant, Perfect Sister

2011-04-26T06:28:00.005-06:00

As you know, I have a Perfect Sister. It is not her fault -- she was blessed with the perfect temperament, an undying positive and cheerful attitude, keen intelligence, and just all around goodness. I think I also contributed to her perfection by providing a very nice example of how not to be and how not to act, and so I have to take some credit for how she turned out.

Anyway, recent events have caused me to ponder what makes a person a "good" one, and how to tell when someone is genuinely good and when someone is just lying about being good. Does it seem cynical to suggest that there are fake good people? Hmmm... I don't think I am being cynical -- I am being realistic: there are wolves in sheep's clothing out there (and wolves in cheap clothing, but that is another post).

One thing about being a professional in my field -- you assess all the time. It is not like I separate out my personal self from my professional self -- I am a mental health/people kind of professional and a researcher, and so my mind is always collecting data, analyzing it, collecting more, and trying to objectively figure out what it means.

People who are not quite right do not appreciate this part of me because they do not want anyone looking too hard or too critically at them. And darn it anyway -- it means I am a bad pretender because I cannot lie about what the data suggests -- it is just wrong to misrepresent data. So I can totally set off people who are not right just because I look, I see, and I refuse to pretend I don't.

And so I see the whacky ones -- and they know it -- but I also see the really good ones. And I think it is very interesting to consider what makes a person "good" because it gives me ideas for how I want to be in the world.

I think if I had to sum up what tells us that a person is "good" it would be humility. Really good people do not know how darn good they are, and this means they do not talk about it -- they just do it. My sister does not send emails to the family to announce her every good deed -- "hey family, I sent a thank note!" or "hey family, I volunteered at Elizabeth's school today". If she did that, she would lose her status as Perfect Child and be demoted to simply "Most Annoying Child".

Humility means those extra good among us go about their goodness without calling attention to it -- because calling attention to it says that the point of the good deed was the attention it would bring. I don't think attention-seeking good deeds really qualify as true good deeds because the main point is self-serving, and good deeds are about serving others.

Dear Husband and I have gone round about this -- I say that donating money so that one can have one's name on a building is not a good deed because it is self-serving. He has a slightly different (i.e., wrong ;) opinion about this, and thinks it is okay and still a good deed. I think if the point is to do a good deed, then one does it with less fanfare than having one's name scrawled for time and eternity in cement on a building!

So much the better to do it in a quieter, less garish way -- like in honor of someone besides one's self. Maybe if I win the lottery I will donate money to have a building on campus dedicated as the, "Mrs. Maize Building"... or "The Dear Husband Building" -- how funny it would be to hear students say to each other, "hey -- where is your next class? "It is in the Mrs. Maize building" :)

If we do not think about what makes a person "good", it is less likely that we will hit our target -- if being "good" is indeed our goal. I am fortunate to have really good people in my life, and appreciate their examples. As evidence of my Perfect Sister's goodness, she puts up with me talking/writing about her -- since she is perfect and good and therefore doesn't know she is (humility), she gets embarrassed BUT since she is so good and perfect, she doesn't hit me or send me nasty emails :)

Good deeds all around today -- let's get busy being good :)

More Easter Berners

2011-04-24T20:13:00.003-06:00

Thanks for these Easter Berner pictures!!! First we have extra cute Zaida Jamaica from the Glitterati -- she and Syd sure look alike!

And speaking of looking alike -- guess who this is?? Clearly a Halo puppy since she takes the same kind of picture -- can you guess???????

It is FAITH :)

I hope you had a wonderful Easter!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-23T19:46:00.007-06:00

The Easter Berners want to wish all of you a very Happy Easter!

Sydney

Zoey says: If I close my eyes, nobody will see me with this dumb thing on my head!

Asia

Mac warns Zed not to utter a peep -- he suggests that since it is Easter, Zed should eats some peeps instead...

Cadi has one word for this: "REALLY?!"

Halo is like the kid who won't stop making stupid faces when the camera comes out -- fine Halo -- here is what happens when you refuse to just smile and look pretty...

Maize had a bit of a wardrobe malfunction....

...and was not especially happy that we were able to recover from it...

And guess what else today is?! Dear Husband's BIRTHDAY!!!! Happy Birthday to my wonderful Dear Husband -- I am very glad he was born :)

Bath and Picture Day

2011-04-23T18:12:00.003-06:00

The dogs that did not go to the Specialty were looking positively scruffy so since it warmed up to a whole 60 degrees, it seemed like a good day for some baths.

Boys have A LOT of hair!!! Way more than girls! Here is Mac after his bath...

Mac playing with newly fluffy Sydney...

Mac running up the hill...

Just see for yourself how wonderful Maize looks!!!!

Maize is SO not ready to retire from her position as Chief of the Fun Police :)

And wow -- Sydney has grown up!!!! She is almost 2.5 years now and I took these pictures without any help at all since Dear Husband is gone for today -- so not only is she pretty, but she knows a stay :)

Cadi was not scruffy enough to do a fourth bath -- maybe tomorrow :)

I hope your weekend is going well!

Redemption

2011-04-23T07:07:00.002-06:00

I have been learning about Passover and while my knowledge is pretty rudimentary, I gather that it is a time to commemorate the Exodus -- when the Israelites were released from slavery in Egypt following all those nasty plagues God sent down on the Egyptians. The Israelites did not have time to do anything but flee, as they apparently were not given notice that their slavery was coming to an end -- so off they went into the desert.

I already know a lot about Easter -- we are commemorating that Christ died and rose from the dead. He was crucified unjustly and put in the grave, but the pain and injustice resulted in transformation as Jesus Christ took on a new life -- a better life.

I believe in redemption. I believe that each of us is capable of shedding our past and becoming a new and better version of ourselves. And I believe that we can free ourselves from the things that hold us captive, and find a new and better life.

As we celebrate Passover and Easter -- and likely some additional holidays of which I am unaware and do not have appropriate socks to celebrate -- I have been thinking a lot about redemption and new beginnings. And I have been thinking about redemption within community -- that is, how other people support or impede redemptive efforts.

Recently on Facebook something was going around that was basically a "string up and tar and feather and etc. Michael Vick" kind of petition thing. You will recall that he is the football player convicted of abusing/killing dogs -- and you might imagine that I was all over that Facebook movement -- but I wasn't.

Instead I reflected about how a person can ever redeem him or herself when other people will not stop punishing the sinner.

I am a fan of accountability and justice, but not revenge. What is the difference? Actions have consequences -- a crime carries with it a sentence, and justice and accountability require that a person "pay" for the crime, but once paid any additional consequence is nothing but revenge -- and that is not cool.

But I think one cannot start the process of redemption or new life until one acknowledges the old self or the old state or the old sin -- could God save the Israelites from slavery if they did not believe they were slaves? No, there has to be recognition that change is needed.

And so I think there has to be some kind of acknowledgment and/or accountability as part of the redemption process. This might be a prison sentence or a fine -- or a simple and heartfelt apology. But I think redemption involves something from which we are being redeemed -- and if we cannot think and deal with what that is -- well, we don't get redeemed, I guess.

So back to community and redemption -- we have the opportunity to support each other in our redemptive efforts. Once justice has been served -- as decided by those with the power to decide what is just -- our challenge is to accept that the debt is paid, and that redemption is both possible and underway.

And so during this season of new beginnings, I hope we will extend support to those who want to change -- including ourselves. Each of us has the ability to escape our personal slavery and I think the Israelites had it right -- Just Do It. Don't waste time dwelling on the unfortunate state -- just make the change and move ahead without waiting for the bread to rise.

Yes, the new terrain is scary but leap forward in history and see that endings are also new beginnings, and that what feels like torture and death is a transformation to something better.

So offer up those sins, seek forgiveness, be willing to be held accountable and make things right -- and in doing these things you will be redeeming yourself, along with the other imperfect, humble and self-aware people who are doing the same thing.

I guess we are all on an exodus of sorts, aren't we? Please pass the matzo...

Random Picture

2011-04-20T12:17:00.001-06:00

Thanks to Dawn Weber -- another picture from the Specialty. This is Zoey getting groomed and snuggling for cookies from Uncle Jeff...

Defense Mechanisms

2011-04-20T06:42:00.004-06:00

As a rule, I am not a clinician that utilizes psychodynamic -- or Freudian -- theories when working with people as I am more of a "now what" person/professional. As my dad says, you can't change what you had for breakfast so I am not sure going over and over what is done is all that useful.

And therefore I am not a huge fan of defense mechanisms, which reflect psychodynamic theory -- but when you see one in action, it is hard not to be a believer.

Consider, if you will, a person whose behavior is contrary to the image that she would like people to believe. Let's keep this dog-related, although there is wide applicability -- so think about someone who wants people to believe she is good and smart and kind but who also takes every advantage, including breaking rules and lying to people. The problem is that you cannot be both a cheater/liar -- and a nice, good person -- it just doesn't work that way.

One function of defense mechanisms is to help people mediate the anxiety that is generated by the incongruence between the inside and outside self, and one that I have recently watched in full bloom -- making me think that maybe Freud was on to something -- is called Reaction Formation.

Here is a simple definition of this defense mechanism (from changingminds.org):

"Reaction Formation occurs when a person feels an urge to do or say something and then actually does or says something that is effectively the opposite of what they really want. It also appears as a defense against a feared social punishment. If I fear that I will be criticized for something, I very visibly act in a way that shows I am personally a long way from the feared position.

A common pattern in Reaction Formation is where the person uses ‘excessive behavior’, for example using exaggerated friendliness when the person is actually feeling unfriendly."

So if someone fears being exposed (to self/others), s/he will go to extreme measures to demonstrate that s/he is actually none of the undesired things. Unfortunately, what s/he does not realize is that the frenzy of defensiveness is simply additional evidence that something is not right.

People who are congruent (i.e., insides match their outsides) do not need to continually "tell" others who/what they are because it is obvious in their being, while incongruent people have to "sell" us on their facade.

All that selling and convincing and pretending seems like a lot of work! So much better just to be who and what you are, and if that doesn't fit with the image you have of yourself -- change. Yes, it is hard and scary -- but people can -- and do -- change.

I end this with my favorite quote from the Velveteen Rabbit:

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

Just Pictures

2011-04-19T07:36:00.002-06:00

Sisters -- Asia and Zoey

Look who is doing just fine: Mrs. Maize, Chief of the Fun Police

Mrs. Maize's granddaughter, Syd, looking naughty :)

The cat known as Carlos to some, Ute to others, and Carlute to me -- but in a dream his real name was revealed as Rasta -- not sure what to think and he isn't talking...

Hope your day is picture perfect :)

Agility, Focus, and So On...

2011-04-18T07:35:00.003-06:00

A long, busy weekend as I was in charge of Judge's Hospitality at the agility trial, which was fun because I know the judge -- she is a berner person.

I just got back from dropping her off at the Missoula airport (she had to be there at 6:20 a.m.!) and on the way home I heard a song with a great line:

"‘Cause if you don’t know where you’re going
You might end up somewhere else"

Isn't that wonderful? It reminded me of the need for focus, direction, and goals -- all of which seem a little absent for me right now -- but not for long! I think Spring is the perfect time to re-adjust and start with renewed energy and focus, and I am starting to believe that Spring might actually have arrived...

Agility was fun. Mac did a super great job in his first trial, and just made small beginner dog mistakes, taking down just one jump in each of his two runs. Halo took down one jump on the first day and otherwise had a great run, but yesterday forgot she knows how to weave and was just a little distracted -- maybe she thinks one run per weekend is enough?!

You can watch Mac's run from yesterday at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Kaibabbmd#p/a/u/1/uOvb017A3B4

Halo's run from yesterday is at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Kaibabbmd#p/a/u/0/1u6ODr950ac

I hope you are feeling a renewed sense of purpose with the arrival of Spring -- or if not, that you will be open to -- and invite -- the possibility :)

The New and Revised H Litter Plan and Weekend

2011-04-15T07:51:00.003-06:00

As I have mentioned, we have a new plan for the H Litter. Here is a picture of sisters:

The fun part of that picture (which was taken by Tammy Hayden Porter - thanks to Tammy) is that the girls are sisters and the girl-dogs are sisters :) The first girl is Molly, age 15, with Fiona from the D Litter (Maize/Zack); Fiona is the girl we will be breeding soon. Behind them is a girl who looks just like the first girl, which makes sense since they are twins, and she is Megan with Asia (Halo/Zack).

We will refrain from mentioning that Megan, not realizing how much she had grown since she last put on her show suit, had a bit of a wardrobe malfunction in full (moon) view of the crowd when stacking Asia, much to the dismay of her mother -- and simply note how fortunate it is that the cute twins wear underwear!

Anyway, back to the H Litter -- Fiona will be the mom and we have a super exciting WOW YEA boy that is on the Short List but once again, we are awaiting DM test results -- one of the parents must be clear so keep your fingers crossed on this. Fiona is Maize 2.0 -- if all goes according to plan, we should have wonderful, sweet puppies by the end of the summer :)

In the meantime and following along with my current life story, If It Weren't For Bad Luck, I Would Have No Luck At All, we have one of the TWO local agility trials of the year this weekend! The good news is that Zoey did not come in season until the end of the Specialty -- the bad news is that Zoey came in season. This means she misses -- not one but two -- of the very few and far between Montana agility trials -- how is that for excellent timing?! The second trial she will miss, which is in two weeks, is in Helena -- "only" 2.5 hours away so practically local -- sigh...

But all is not lost (trying to see sunshine on a cloudy day ;) -- Montana Mac will be making his agility debut!!!! Check out his excellent weaving:

And cute Halo is also entered in a class each of the two days as well -- but Zoey....ugh....

Apparently I am in need of additional character building, which is the only explanation I can come up with for this long string of unfortunate events -- and how wonderful that the Universe/God cares about me enough to want to build my character (!). I know it will change soon -- and because I know I am due, I am going to start buying lottery tickets so I will be ready when my luck takes a turn.

In meantime, I truly hope YOU are enjoying all the good fortune that I am not. And congratulations on having enough character :)

Masks, Rattlesnakes, and Warm Feet

2011-04-14T05:44:00.003-06:00

It is not an easy thing to take a stand, and I understand why so many of us choose not to do it. Poking holes in carefully constructed facades sends people into frenzies of defensiveness, and the more important the facade is to maintain, the bigger the reaction to the hole poking.

What we present to the world is rarely completely congruent with our insides. Indeed, one of the tasks of development is to develop insight and self-awareness that helps us becomes congruent and comfortable in our own skins.

But some prefer an imaginary self to the real self, and so create an external persona that is not congruent with who and what the person really is. Why? I am not sure there is one answer but I wonder if perhaps it is easier to do some construction of a mask than to start the arduous task of reflection, self-awareness, and change.

I really do have a great imagination, but when it comes to people I just like the real thing. It is what I like about grief work -- crisis strips us all down to "real" and real people are my most favorite people.

Recently I caught some students who had plagiarized on papers in my class. One submitted a paper that was completely cut/pasted from a couple of websites! I met with the students and got versions of, "I didn't know that was wrong" -- sigh. But one -- the worst one -- came in and looked at me with tears in her eyes and said that yes, she had done it and she was sorry -- I wanted to hug her.

It takes courage to look your professor in the eye and just own up to what you did, knowing full well that such conduct can get one dismissed from a university. But that student showed more courage than many of us possess, and I respect and admire that kind of person -- it is a funny thing to say about someone who plagiarized a paper, but that young woman has integrity.

We all make unfortunate choices because we are human. It is not the mistakes we make that define our character -- it is how we handle our mistakes. Unfortunately, when our carefully constructed facade does not allow anyone to see our humanity and imperfections, we lose the opportunity to show courage and grace when we make the inevitable unfortunate choices.

And like the small boy in the story, sometimes we are presented with the chance to note that the king is actually not wearing any clothes -- and another opportunity is presented. Do we say something or follow the crowd and pretend that all is well? There is no right or easy answer that fits in all situations, but what matters is that we consciously make a choice.

If we decide to say something that reveals our awareness that the facade is just that, we have to be prepared for a defensive attack. The carefully constructed external persona is there for a reason, and it usually covers up a big, yucky mess that a person is trying desperately to keep hidden. Poking holes in the facade results in a rush of toxic waste, and I assure you -- it is not pleasant. But it is confirmation that one was correct -- that yes, it is a facade.

Beware of people who are not real, who do not strive for congruence between their inside self and their outside self. These are dangerous people, scary people because their very identity requires that their masks remain firmly in place and that we all pretend to think the masks are who they really are. When one dares to notice the inevitable leakage from inside or sees through the mask, expect fury and attack, and just know that this is more evidence that yes, you are indeed dealing with a very unfortunate person who is not as she appears.

But we cannot allow ourselves to be bullied into silence. Yes, sometimes the price of speaking out is painful but the price of pretending can be even steeper. Just be careful out there -- there are rattlesnakes hiding behind what appears to be a "perfect" person and you know this is true when they strike.

I have the image of the mom with a long hoe taking care of the rattlesnake -- was that you who shared that, Barb? It is a wonderful lesson -- keep your distance but don't be afraid to take care of the rattlesnake...

But most people are not hiding an inner snake and/or toxic waste dump -- most people are good and decent and doing their best. In the midst of my dark cloud of disillusionment and unfortunate events/luck, I went to work yesterday and found a package in my mail slot. I took it up to my office and opened it and what did I find?

Seriously -- this made my whole day!!!! My whole week!!!! These are socks that Kris from Massachusetts knitted for me from yarn made from her three berners: Nala, Moose, and Meg. She sent them -- with a wonderful card -- even though we have never met.

The idea that she rested her mind on me -- someone she knows only through this Blog -- and made/sent me such a wonderful and personal gift -- well, it is more touching than I can say. And it reminds me that acts of kindness are critical -- essential even -- in our lives. How did she know how much I needed the gift of support?

Today I will work hard to banish the nastiness of rattlesnake strikes, and instead rest my mind on a pair of socks and all that they mean. And I invite each of us to do the same -- and even more -- let's all extend support/kindness in some way to someone else who isn't expecting it. I speak from experience -- these acts of kindness and support mean so much.

Thank you, Kris -- I needed those socks more than you can know...

Cheaters Never Prosper

2011-04-13T05:59:00.005-06:00

At the Specialty, I personally observed an incident of cheating. The same person I observed cheating was observed by others doing unfortunate things that one could interpret as cheating.

Before I firmly established the behavior I observed as cheating, I contacted the AKC for an opinion and was given the actual section the violation falls under; therefore it was, in fact, cheating and not just my opinion.

I considered whether it was unintentional -- for about three seconds. The "unintentional defense" is not credible in this situation. I try hard to assume good intentions -- but a commitment to assuming good intentions does not mean one has to bury one's head in the sand. Sometimes intentions are not good, which is really sad and disappointing. And sometimes intentions simply do not matter -- "I intended to stop at the stop sign" does not make my back better or change the traffic violation committed by the nice woman who caused the car accident.

Three things about this cheating situation are problematic for me. First, I REALLY hate it when people try and gain an advantage over others. What is so hard about just following the rules? They are, after all, designed to create a level playing field.

I have been told that this kind of behavior is common in this type of competition -- can I just say that hearing that makes me want to quit showing my dogs?! But I do not believe it because I am aware that I am not alone in being upset about what happened. There are still ethical people who show dogs.

The second thing that upsets me is some of the reaction to me noting the violation -- "sour grapes" is what I got from some! Sour Grapes?! What are you smoking out there?!!! This is not about me -- this is about someone gaining an advantage by violating a rule!!!!! That is called C-H-E-A-T-I-N-G and there is no fruit involved in that.

My Blog friends are well aware that I went to this Specialty ill-prepared because of the injury I received in the January car accident. I had not trained much and therefore went with minimal expectations. Yes, this cheating violation may well have cost my dog -- so what? What may have been lost wasn't a goal of mine in the first place.

Further, years of Catholic school is probably to blame for my strong commitment to doing the right thing; it is insulting that anyone would think that my outrage about cheating is losing outrage rather than moral outrage.

But that is what we call a "red herring" -- something tossed in a conflict to detract from the main point, and remember -- I hate seafood. So whatever to the stupid red herring -- the central issue is that someone cheated.

The third thing that is problematic about this situation is how disillusioned it makes me feel. Yuck. What is wrong with people?!

Add all that to the gossip/backstabbing -- well, sometimes I am not sure that dog shows are good for one's soul.

Are there more important things in life than a dog show? Of course -- but a dog show gives the excellent opportunity to practice those more important things -- integrity, for example, and that is shown by being honest and fair, and treating others with respect -- all things that we can do in the most ordinary of places, including dog shows.

And you know what else matters? Taking a stand -- being willing to say that some things are just not okay. So here is mine: Cheating is never okay, and if you do it around me -- well, don't expect me to keep your little secret...

Oh -- and just a reminder: out of sight stays are done with the handler out of sight.

But in the dark cloud of disillusionment, yesterday I went to work and got something that brightened my whole outlook and reminded me that there is so much that is good -- I will tell you about that tomorrow...

In the meantime, here are the Rules for Today:

1. No cheating.
2. No lying.
3. Be Nice.

Draft Test Video

2011-04-11T21:06:00.002-06:00

This is a video of Ruben Hudson and Kay's ring exercises at the Specialty draft test -- if you have never seen a test, here is your chance to see a good performance :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T-EYwPrfHo

More Pictures

2011-04-11T14:48:00.002-06:00

Thanks to Sue for sending me some pictures of Zoey in the Best of Breed ring. Here is Zoey having her teeth checked by the judge...

Two shots of her free stacking -- she knows exactly where to put her feet :)

Home and enjoying one of her new toys...

Asia -- happy to be sleeping on her own bed again :)

More Halo Loot

2011-04-11T10:25:00.002-06:00

My kitchen counters are covered with Specialty loot as I unpacked. Here is Halo modeling one of her prizes -- a cool coat made for Specialty agility prizes by the mom of one of Halo's puppies -- it is very nice!

1233 Miles Later

2011-04-11T07:39:00.006-06:00

I drove 1233 miles in 18+ hours -- by myself (well, with Halo, Asia, and Zoey) -- arriving home late last night. Maize is just fine -- and so is everyone else :)

Len Bergstein from Arizona very kindly took pictures of my brace team on Friday and sent these to me -- isn't that so kind of him?! Since it is hard to both compete and take pictures, I rarely have pictures of myself ;)

Look closely -- this is a picture of two dogs heeling together...

An excellent and attentive wait on the recall. Notice that unlike most brace teams, mine are not "coupled" (connected with a short leash) -- I hate seeing one get dragged by the other so do not use one.

Halo wins the recall race!

Reminding them -- pay attention!

Success in the narrows...

Love my girls!!!!!

And just now I looked out the window and what did I see???? George and Karma regarding each other!!! How cute is that?!

Long trips are good for thinking -- I have missed that -- but I am glad to be home :)

Have an excellent week!

Specialty Thoughts/Finale

2011-04-09T18:37:00.004-06:00

Kay and Ruben Hudson at our grooming area...

The berner cake provided by the judge!

What a nice Specialty!! This has been an exceptional Specialty for performance events -- all were very, very well-run and a pleasure to compete in. It takes so many to put on a Specialty, and I am so grateful that others have worked diligently so that we can all enjoy each other and our dogs.

But this has also been a strange Specialty for me. I did not feel as prepared as I normally do, and my back has really bothered/impeded me -- and that is seriously annoying. Not having Dear Husband here has been a drag, but I so appreciated everyone who has stepped up and helped me.

I hope you are having an excellent week -- and remember, if you can't say (or write) something nice -- well, you know the rest... :)

Tri-Athlete

2011-04-09T07:51:00.003-06:00

Halo earned the Specialty Tri-athlete award by qualifying in three working events: agility, rally, and draft -- and got a big stash of goodies :) Thanks to Ruth N. and everyone who supports this fun award!

Not too bad for 8.5 year old Halo deVil :)

Friday!

2011-04-08T22:58:00.003-06:00

It is Friday, isn't it?

Thanks to the combined efforts of Lucky Green Socks on my feet AND one of the draft test steward/Super Nice Guy, Jasen...

...Asia and Halo passed the Novice Brace Draft Test, earning Asia's BNDD title...

..and they also earned lots of loot, modeled by one of our favorite twins, Molly!

There was other fun stuff as well but that is all I have the energy to report!

Pieces of the Specialty: Video

2011-04-08T07:01:00.001-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaEZP3pRHwA

Friday!

2011-04-08T03:05:00.001-06:00

I have figured out my fickle camera! It only takes pictures that are close -- I learned this at agility. It would not take photos of dogs doing agility in the ring but it would take pictures if the subject was close. So here you go -- pictures!

Super nice and wonderful Jeff and Sue Nowak apparently spend a few minutes each morning deciding on the day's color scheme -- although they are from New England, today was obviously UC Berkeley Day (GO BEARS!).

BMDCA President Val from Colorado...

Two more of the nicest people ever -- Mary and Stu from Flagstaff, AZ....

Everyone's favorite baby and his mom, Nikki, from Utah...

Marti brought the unpaid child labor -- her son Matt having a great time helping at agility today!

All the way from Bozeman, Montana -- another of the wonderful berner owners, Christie...

Our new BFF's -- Heidi and Micheal from northern California (the better part of the state)...

I said to Marti, who was agility trial secretary today -- "show me how you feel" and this is what I got...

Our own Cadi's daddy, Marshall, owned by the aforementioned Val...

Lots of Kaibab dog successes in agility today!!! Elliott and his littermate, Fiona, both did well (D Litter), littermates Purna and Zoey looked great, and just guess who won her class, earned a title, and was High Scoring FAST Preferred dog at the trial...

YES -- Halo deVil!!!!!!

With no time to run back and change into show clothes, the dogs and I raced over to the conformation building where a team was busy getting Ruben Hudson (Glitterati) ready to show -- at least I remembered to take off my agility name tag before going in the ring with him! And besides, my agility clothes were so stylish -- and comfortable! And lucky! Ruben Hudson was fourth in the bred-by class :)

And at the end of the day -- a very tired Zoey with her new toy....

Results

2011-04-06T19:12:00.003-06:00

Once again this year I had the second highest scoring obedience dog -- Asia won the Novice B class. Question -- can you do out of sight stays when your owner/handler is sitting there watching you? Just asking...

Anyway, Fiona (Maize/Zack) was fourth in Novice B and won her Rally class, Maverick (Maize/Marshall) qualified in Rally and obedience, Elliott (Maize/Zack) did well, Gracie (also Maize/Zack) came very close to getting a Novice A leg, and so on -- lots of great Kaibab dog performances!

Halo woke us up throwing up and was off all day and just wanted to stick her head between my legs -- not helpful in the obedience ring :) But she did manage to do well at the end of the day in Rally and she seems fine now.

I skipped Rally with Zoey and Asia as the day was hectic -- and long -- enough :)

Tomorrow -- agility!!!!!! YEA!

Hope your week is going very well!

I Hate Seafood

2011-04-05T19:07:00.002-06:00

I could be depressed because my bad luck continues, my streak is broken, and it is all due to a crab -- I hate seafood even more now! However, I choose to look at it in a different way -- yes, my toy obsessed dog could not take her eyes off the crab that they nicely put on the ground in front of the narrows (mean!) and as a result, hit the narrows in the draft test ending my steak of NDD passes at seven BUT she did everything else perfectly and beautifully and she is adorable :)

The pass rate at both tests was dismal -- none of the Kaibab dogs passed, although they looked good flunking :)

Here are some spectators -- our friends Jeff & Sue, and Cheryl.

Elliott from the D Litter (Maize and Zack) was SO close to passing the open test today...

Cindy and Gracie, also from the D litter -- they had one SMALL error but looked great :)

Another cheerleader -- wonderful Nikki and her pup!

Glitterati Ruben Hudson also came very close to passing today!

Marti and Purna Kinsey (F Litter) did a great job!

And Zoey made the rounds to get petted :)

Tomorrow -- obedience and rally!

Monday P.S.

2011-04-04T07:56:00.000-06:00

Now that it is light -- a look through our screen door...

Specialty!

2011-04-04T07:18:00.002-06:00

We made our way through Idaho, Nevada and California -- finally arriving in Del Mar late yesterday afternoon, exhausted and ready for action (not!). Thankfully, Marti arrived when I did and was extremely helpful -- and the hotel staff unloaded all my stuff and took it to the room, which was so nice -- that doesn't happen at Motel Six, BTW ;) So after a good night's sleep, I am feeling more ready for action, which is a good thing as this is an action-packed week.

We have a very nice room -- the only thing missing is Dear Husband :( Here is a look at it -- we have a patio that looks over the pool!

Zoey especially appreciated that the Specialty goodie bag included a toy!!!!!

Halo loves the tile floor in the bathroom...

And Asia is resting up for her big week...

Today is Monday -- Zoey and I are practicing draft with Kay and Ruben Hudson at 9, practicing draft with Purna Kinsey whenever they get here (Marti lives close so stayed at home last night), meeting with the BMDCA Board at 3 to discuss the member survey, going to a talk by Dr. Jean Dodds at 7, and in between all this I will visit friends and further get ready for my Berner U presentation tomorrow morning -- a busy day!

If you are not here in Del Mar -- you are missed :)

Specialty Plans

2011-03-31T20:30:00.003-06:00

Big Sigh. Dear Husband is staying home from the Specialty because of concerns that Mrs. Maize could have a crash again -- she is fine now but we just worry about both of us being so far away should anything happen.

This is very, very disappointing -- Dear Husband and I always go to the Specialty together, and he will miss seeing all of our friends. Plus, he is the Safety Committee Chair -- well, he was -- I guess I am now. Luckily I have a lot of people I can volunteer to help me...

So not exactly the Specialty I planned but just another life lesson, I am sure...

So, three girls got baths this afternoon and are fluffed and ready to go -- here is the list of who is doing what and when....

Halo

Halo deVil is going to have a fun Specialty. On Wednesday she will do obedience and rally. On Thursday she will do agility. On Friday she will do brace draft with Asia, and be in the Brood Bitch class with Zoey and Purna. On Saturday she will be in the Veterans Versatility Showcase.

Moving on to Asia...

Asia is ready to go! On Wednesday she will do obedience and rally. On Friday she will do brace draft with Halo, and on Saturday she will be in the Versatility Showcase.

This could be a very special Specialty for Zoey!

On Tuesday she will do the draft test. On Wednesday she will do rally in spite of not having any rally training at all -- should be fun (!). On Thursday is her real and official agility debut -- super excited about that :) Friday is Brood Bitch with her mom and sister, and on Saturday she will be in Best of Breed for the first time ever.

Several other Kaibab dogs will be competing -- I will keep everyone posted and share pictures if the fickle camera works; I am also taking a video camera! You can also follow Specialty results at this site: http://bmdca2011.blogspot.com

So I leave tomorrow late afternoon, drive to Twin Falls for the night, and then to Davis, CA for a family visit on Saturday. Early Sunday I will head south, stopping in Santa Barbara to visit my Perfect Sister and her practically perfect family :) I hope to be at the Specialty on Sunday evening in time for a meeting of the show committee.

It will be great to see everyone -- but sad not to have Dear Husband with me... However, I am sure there is a life lesson in THAT as well -- sigh....