almost a year to the date since I last posted here. What's changed you ask?


nothing.

haha. Phoenix and I are entered in Open Obedience for the first time this upcoming weekend. it only took us a year to get here. keep your fingers crossed.

i created a video for AFI's Begin Transmission contest...didn't win and I'm totally bitter about it. lol

So.

Maybe I should just keep my hands to myself then. Turns out the whole "baby" thing is catching and has spread to what was a possible diversion in this neverending road of loneliness and misery...mainly loneliness. I'm not miserable, just starved for affection I guess.

Damn.

Stupid boys.

what's in a title, srsly

Dogs: Phoenix has been having to stay out of daycare due to a growth in her mouth. I'm not sure whether to see it as a blessing or a curse at the moment. Her energy levels are, of course, increased. So the mischief she gets into at home is to be expected. I can only pray for continued good weather so that she can have her playdates with the O'Boyle clan atleast 3 times a week. On the plus side, since I take breaks from the pack to go play with her we've been practicing a lot more and solidifying some of her Open Obedience exercises. For awhile we were having Dumbbell issues but lately she's done it perfectly, with an even better hold. Today we did some dumbbell work, not a lot, but practiced more on fronts, left finishes, recalls, and dropping on recall...which went rather spectacularly I might add.

Me: As for myself...I'm at a stand still really. For one, taxes killed me, so now aspects of saving up for a trip to ireland are OUT. Two...I'm not really sure why I did it, maybe because it's just fun or it's too easy I dunno, but flirting with Daniel was...really easy. And it may be because I'm more confident in myself...but I was testing his reactions all the while. LOL. I had my fingers resting against his neck and I would take them away, just a little to see what would happen...he'd lean in. So it was interesting to say the least. Granted I'm sure everyone had a field day in their heads with that because...A.) I have a tendency to break boys easily B.) Daniel's a bit of a pushover C.) We'd definitely never work out due to mainly A & B.

So all in all, just speaking to hear myself think.

Do a little spin...

APDT Rally...oh how I ...?loathe? thee. I use question marks only because I'm resentful right now. Of course I love Rally when my dogs perform well. But after working the trial AND showing in it, I'm exhausted and will be until Friday.

Lets start with the Old Man first:

I'll admit to being a bit hesitant to show Cote this time around because I had taken him to a few classes beforehand just to get him out and about after his semi-retirement and he really didn't do well, wasn't enjoying class like he usually did. So I stopped taking him to class and just left him be. Since I've got free entries I can't pass up the opportunity and he's working towards his last title so we may as well give it a shot. I was plesantly surprised at how much fun he had this past weekend. Jumping around, barking at inappropriate moments but overall performing well. Just not with high enough scores to earn the double q's we need. He did, however, win High Scoring Veteran Dog in one of the trials so that was pretty good for him.

And now the Little Girl:

Phoenix is slow. She's just slow sometimes. She got beat by a Bichon in the Rally ring on time. A friggin bichon! But this weekend she stepped up. I don't know what made the difference but maybe she was just glad we weren't in the obedience ring this weekend. Poor girl. She's a true show dog now, going from show to show each weekend. Phoenix earned her Level 3 title, earning all first places for her 3 qualifying scores. I'm pretty sure she earned her RL1X and possibly her ARCH but I'm not too sure. Bad mommy for not keeping track, LOL.

I always laugh when people were surprised that she doesn't have her ARCH yet and I think I sound a bit bitchy when I say, "Nope, not yet, but she has her CD and her U-CD." That kind of shuts their mouths ;)

Overall, they had a great weekend and the trial wasn't too much hard work.

<3

The time for a U-CD approaches

So as of last night in Comp. Obedience Phoenix was feeling great and working very well making me very excited to show this weekend. Of course as the time draws closer...I get more nervous. But I've done this before, we've got a fricking CD from AKC. WE CAN DO THIS...I guess it's just a matter of siking myself up, getting her ready to work before we go in to the ring, and not being nervous. There aren't many dogs in our class...however I am competing against my mentor. That's enough to make me nervous as all hell....I think Phoenix and I are going to work a little overtime and go to Petsmart to do some work.

As for stuff that isn't dog...

Things I've outgrown: Highschool friends
Things I wish I could outgrow: esteem issues
Things I wish didn't bother me: *sigh* too many things...

So I've entered the world of blogging...

How lame am I?

Don't answer that. I've decided to just use this as...therapy, for a lack of a better word. Rants, celebrations, etc. And mostly to track our (Phoenix and I's) progression in the world of dog sports. :-D