I can see clearly now

A year and a half ago Kel and I broke up with our pool guy. It was an unhealthy relationship. He came and spent 15 minutes at our pool and we had a dirty pool. This went on for a LONG time. Things kept breaking and we kept paying to fix them and still the pool was dirty.

I think we just stayed together so long as it was convenient. It was better to have a pool boy then to have people over and not have one. Even if our pool boy wasn't our dream, at least we had one.

Finally the difficult decision was made and we broke up over a nice Chianti. I wanted to text him, but Kel said it was better in person.

Since then it has been a struggle. At first we thought we'd find another pool boy right away, but to no avail. It is so hard to find a good pool boy now a days even with all of the tools at hand. There just no time and when you do meet someone, how do you know that the relationship will last. So we decided to go it alone.

We started to take pride that we didn't need a pool boy. We were "OK" on our own. When people would come over, we'd proudly show off how good we were doing and worked hard to demonstrate that we were holding it together just fine.

But underneath it all, the truth was, we really needed the support that a pool boy gives.

Our pool became as cloudy as our mood. We tried everything. We spoke to the pool, burned incense, had a priest out to exercise the demons, even went so far as to empty the pool and fill it back up again. But still, that deep feeling of need persisted.

Now I can report that we met a pool boy at of all places a card game. He is honest, hard working, of good humor and best of all talented in all the right things. We've only been dating for a short time but our mood is lifted and our pool is clearer.

We still have a long way to go to ensure that this relationship lasts, but we feel optimistic about our future.

Tazz gets his AAD, Havoc gets her PII, and Vici still coughs

First I have to give a BIG shout out to Trish who drove down, stayed the night, got up at the ungodly hour of 5:30am, and helped me out for the SMART trial. I would have LOST my mind on Friday had she not been there.

Second, a huge thanks to Kel who helped maintain my sanity by doing whatever I asked and then a few things I didn't ask and held me when I wanted to lay down and let my flu take over.

The trial was fun. Lots of work and a few things to do still, but almost all done. I heard very nice things and the entire trial committee should be congratulated for a job well done.

I did go. Coughing, sneezing, and a somewhat altered state of voice..but go I did. Saturday I only ran Tazz in Gamblers, Snooker, and Standard (well, ok I did try to run steeplechase but forgot the course and ran out of the ring). Laura ran him in grand prix for me and he did really well, staying with her the whole time. He would have Q'd, but he stopped twice looking for me.

The highlight of Saturday was Tazz and Havoc both "Q'd" in their standard runs and got their Advanced Agility Dog title (AAD) yipppee! (Havocs title is PII which is the same as an AAD just Havoc jumps a lower jump height).

A big Whoo Hoo to Laura! Here is Tazzies run.


Fin, Maddie, and Rocks stayed home with Dad this weekend. I felt that being the secretary, running Tazz, and resting were about all I could do. So I stuck to the plan. I do want to say that I started to feel better on Sunday and missed her a bit, but Kel got to enjoy her and she seemed happy enough being with him.

Overall it was a fun weekend and my exile is over. I'm feeling even better today and I think I've knocked this flu out of the ball park.

And finally, my creative Snooker. I had a plan. I practiced my plan. I showed the plan to Tazz. Tazz had his own plan. We went' with it...and ALMOST finished :)

House incarceration day six

It is day six of my flu/cold/"what...ever, just wanna feel better" self exile. The garbage men have been visiting today (always exciting).

So far no one else has shown signs of infection. I may be able to leave the house soon.

Tazz is quite happy to have the time off. It's actually a little scary how lazy he can be. Maddie has been bringing me socks and toys to play (she must be bored). Fin just runs (imagine a little skinny black dog with wispy locks running up the walls, around, down, out the door, through the bushes, back in the house, up the walls). Rocks is getting quite optimistic hanging right next to me waiting for any sign that I'm gonna get the chuck it ....he is deliriously happy as I NEVER toss the ball so much as I have in the last few days. All in all I think we will soon see the outside world again.

I'm planning on actually getting in the car and driving to Tazzies class tonight. With a big trial this weekend, Tazzie and Mommy need some practice.

The flu, whilly nilly, and chaos

Well the flu has come to visit. I had to pick up the flu while it hitchhiked friday during the drive back from Arizona. But hopefully it is finding being here boring and will leave soon. The resulting fallout from me sitting on the couch coughing, sniffling, and in a general delirium is zooming, barking, wrestling, food stealing, whining, and just alot of chaos.

If nothing else, this is a demonstration of how exercise and training make for a relaxed atmosphere.

Today out of desperation, I took the pups in the back and played "chuck-it." I usually don't just toss the ball whilly nilly for all the dogs, I feel that Fin just learns bad habits. But today I said, "Who cares, you guys GOTTA get some exercise. So exercise we did.

When I toss the ball, Finnie is the fastest, but somehow, Rocky always gets the ball. I think Fin just likes to chase but she runs too fast and ends up in the front, loops around and chases Rocky back. Such fun.

Fins tongue is longer than her front legs. After a few runs she has this wild dazed smile on her face, similar to a crack head getting a fix.

Tazz is the lazy one usually letting Rocky do all the work and then grabbing the ball that Rocks drops for me to toss (I fool him by having two balls!).

Maddie is uninterested in the malay and searches the grounds for squirrel sign and chases the UPS truck if it happens to drive by (she is stopped by the fence so no worries).

So the flu sits here in my chest, quite unwelcome, but what are ya gonna do. I must be feeling better if I'm starting to whine.

Happy 11 months - 1 month shy of a year!

The girl is 11 months. I can hardly believe it myself. She is getting so mature.

She looks like one of the guys when she is out running. Yesterday evening we were sitting watching TV, and Kel asked me, is that Maddie or Fin curled up on the bed under the fireplace. He is having trouble telling the difference between the black dogs :)
She is such a pretty girly. Her training is going well and I hope to show her around 20 months or so. Just in a few jumpers type courses. Mostly we'll just show in fun matches until she is ready.

I remember bringing her home last July. Flying to Florida was the best thing I've done in a long while as I came home with a wonderful team mate, and a life long buddy.

Zoom Zoom

A fun weekend sums up April 11-13. The weather was "hot" but we stayed refreshed in Lauras 5th wheel. I have to thank her for driving the rig up there. It was roomy and comfortable and kept the dogs cool.

Doggy running report:

Laura got ther ADCH BRONZE!! with Brazen. Whoo hoo. This is big stuff. Most handler teams get this later in their career. Brazen is only 3.5 years old. A HUGE feat, an amazing accomplishment. I'm proud to call her my best bud!

Here is a link to her most AMAZING run and celebration: http://www.agilityvideoservice.com/node/1800

Tazz got an Advanced Standard Q! One more and we'll be in Masters Standard. He also Q'd in Masters jumpers and this was his Masters Jumpers Q. Whoo hoo.

Friday was an off day for Team Whiz. The human part of the team just couldn't seem to concentrate and was late on cues and sent her partner to the wrong jump. Saturday was much better, but "HOT!" Tazz N I weren't in any runs until 1:30. Then we were in 4 rings at almost the same time. Interestingly enough, we did the best we did all weekend. Sunday was a fun morning but no Q's. Tazz was really happy this weekend and my goal of just having fun was accomplished. Never once did I feel like Tazz and I weren't having fun.

The best news of all, we found a FABULOUS resturant for our Dixon trials thanks to Lauras husband Kelvin. This was truly important and may even overshadow Lauras accomplishment of her Bronze ADCH!

Away Game

While the "cats" away the dogs will play!
Maddie and Rocky get a full 3 days with their dad. All by themselves. I'm taking the young heathens to a trial up in Dixon. Tazz N I have been working hard. Me on my sprinting and him on his contacts and tables. Time will only tell.

Fin gets to go so she won't drive her daddy nuts. She'll get to work on walking nicely while other dogs are working. One jump work. Targeting. Go ons and anything else that suits my fancy and hers of course.

There will also be crazy running around chasing balls and biting water for sure.

We are staying in the Casa de Laura. She took her big motor home up to Dixon last night and I'm camping out on her couch. Should be an adventure for sure.

I'll have an update early next week. Send good thought our way.