We see the Mississippi!

On the border of Illinois and Iowa!

Does size really matter?

Dora finally decides to make friends with Shahla! Well she didn't run pass the fence into the pasture so that was an improvement!

We are officially in the moving process!

Our first leg started by going up to Michigan and visiting with friends and family. Belle and Dora got to spend some much needed time with grandma and grandpa too! One of the best things about Grandma and Grandpa's house (besides Uncle Fred teaching you how to get a cookie every time you go outside!) is the surroundings which quickly take our city girls into the country!

Dora normally goes a little too crazy with cats. She loves to chase them but there is a new cat on the farm named Cutie Pie! She is convinced she is a small furry dog too! Belle would bark at her which at least gets the cats to move but not Cutie Pie who decided Belle needed to be cuddled!!! If Jim wasn't so allergic to cats, we would have taken her to LA with us in a heart beat!

Obedience and Agility in the same weekend?

We tried it... lets just say probably not again! Dora was first in the ring and got thru everythign but not as pretty. She was in the down and she jumps up scratches and lays back down. She obviously knew what was suppose to be done!

Belle then stole the show. They had fans and a/c going a bit too much for her liking and Isabelle decided to stop and roll herself on the matting. It did bother her but then she must have knew people thought it was cute because it was all down hill from there! Belle is a performer and was a famous actress in a previous life. If she didnt get enought people to watch her on Saturday, she had a bigger fan club on Sunday. She actually listened pretty well. I did have to give a second command on the off lead because she stopped to watch everyone watch her. Then the down came and Belle did a roll over... okay she wants attention. But then she jumped up! I told the judge she could have her but knew she would give her back the next day. Lots of people said they had no idea little dogs could have so much personality.... well Belle has more than enough! Owning a Diva is hard work!

Dora had her second chance but it wasn't pretty. We lost quiet a few points because Dora went to the right side on the heel free. It took me a minute to remember to use my second command. She was in heel just on the right! She ended up taking third place though. The best part was this trial site gave you a gift certificate to go shopping at their store! Dora had a few toys from the day before so we got her a purple slip leash for the next agility trial!

Dora on the otherhand performed wonderfully with another 100 and a 95. She also took another 2 first place ribbons. She is doing wonderfully but we still need to work on consistent speed. She does tend to stress a bit at agility trials so I just watch that she doesn't feel too overwhelmed but she did get some great toys which she already loves!

Wow they already make pocket border collies!

That seems like a statement you want to hear when you take your maltese out of the agiity ring! I took Isabelle to her second agility trial and thought what was I doing. It was in a horse barn and all this dry mulch which isn't nice to long hair dogs let alone if I was 7 inches off the ground, I would want to sit and sniff something that my legs were sinking into too!

Well I take her leash off to throw to the steward and Belle is already over the first jump. She was flying so fast that I didn't get a chance to keep up and she continued. She did extra obstacles to make up, visit the ring steward, etc. But she did perform with tons of attitude which always draws a crowd! Now we just need better focus! Belle just thought she was being nice letting me do some of the course with her!

She NQ'ed in jumpers too because she doesn't like to be told she is wrong and will shut down and then go play on her own. She missed the weave pole enterance and I knew it was over from there!

Belle's reward

Most dog love the toys but Belle had a special reward and therapy dog kicked in after the trial! The judge came over to visit and she was in heaven!

Belle & Dora's first time in the agility ring!

We went to our first competition with my good friend Alicia and her mini poodle who is absolutely amazing. I was nervous because in the 2 weeks prior to the trial Belle couldn't make it up the aframe and once your dog gets 2 paws on the aframe, which is about a 2 inch movement for Belle, they will nq if they dont make it all the way up.

I took the girls to be measured and they both jump the same height. Lets just say that pretty much means I am going to run back to back... yikes! Belle was 7 inches tall and Dora 10 1/2 inches tall but AKC's min jump height is 8

Belle in standard course was the first thing up... yikes! Well the first obstacle was the tire. I set Belle up and she ran right under it. She had never done that in her life. I take her back cause she didn't set the timer up. She ran right under it again and again. So I knew we nq'ed but I wanted to do the rest of the course! Belle performed beautifully. Lets just say she flew up the aframe! I was so proud of her on her and we had a lot of fun too!

Now on to my SUPERSTAR! Dora always surprises me. She is calm going in and I think we are going to have to deal with time. I take her leash off and she jumps the jump and takes off. She scored a perfect score and took first place!

We then had the jumpers course to do which is a much faster pace and the tunnel monsters are out ready to pounce on my girls! Well Belle was up first and did well, she did have a refusal and had some trouble on the weaves.

Dora almost blew the course and went after a tunnel monster. She slid her breaks on and I got her back to me before she nq'ed. She hit the weaves perfect and she still managed to take a first place and Belle took second!

Lilly the mini poodle also did very well and took two first places too!

Lets just say this sport is addicting! Queen city didn't help with a double q rosette in addition to placement rosettes and toys!

Such a special cake, it deserves it's own post!

For my moving away present, I got a cake... not just any cake but a homemade chocolate cake decorated agility style. This was such a good cake, that I ended up taking 2 first places and a second in the trial the next morning! Look how creative my gang was! Thanks for the good cake Mona!

P.S. I was able to keep the decorations and everyone joked, it was agility equipment Belle sized!

An old photo I found on my husband's computer!!!

When we brought Belle home, I had to return to work rather quickly. Jim on the other hand spent time at home and was able really bond with MY LITTLE GIRL! Here is a cute photo I snapped of them where Jim is on his yoga matt doing sit ups. Belle quickly modified his workout to add another 2lbs!

Moving time is a coming but right now I am concentrating on the friends I have!

Some friends from the training club who I have really grown to love over the last year, invited me over for a going away celebration. This time with wine and no dogs (Although dog drinking wine did happen!) My friend Kathy was gracious enough to host this event in her lovely home- Thanks Kat!!! She keeps reminding me if jim throws me out for mentioning yet another puppy, she has an extra room... If I knew how nice her home was, I would have gotten that puppy already!





Spending time with people who are as crazy over their pets as you are is always going to result in having a great time, there is usually good food, and I went away with some doggy presents!!! Thanks to everyone and it wasn't needed but for sure I will be scrapbooking while grooming my girls with cute bows and a cute doggy print apron And I can still continue to shop since I have a grow my own credit card (and yes it is pink!)

I am sure I will find another training club when I move but I am sure I won't be able to replace the friends I have made here. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be in my training level, have the titles and ribbons on my dog and I wouldn't look forward to each weekend we have been able to exhibit together and laugh and cry thru the good and the bad. I sure am going to miss you guys!

Grab your kleenex!

Havanese Rescue has it's first video on youtube! The adorable guy running in the grass is the one who shared his home with Belle and Dora and now has a forever home of his own!

Agility Graduation Night!

Our club always has a fun graduation night and this time auntie Cindy videotaped us!

Glamour Shots

Belle & Dora's show photo!

This photo was taken at the last day of the Dayton trial. Congrats Dora Neezer on your 4th RAE leg, your CD and all your placements! Congrats Baby Belle on your 2 CD legs, your first places, your RA title!!!

World's Cutest Harry Potter Fans

Our amazing trial weekend!

Thanks to all the supportive CATC members, I have some amazing memories this weekend and some brags! Friday night started out with my Maltese taking 4th place in Rally Advanced! Dora earned another RAE leg (4/10). Then I went to dinner with some great friends and stayed over night. 4 dogs in a hotel room (one being my little loud mouth!) and we were able to get some shut eye!

Well the next day, we went out for breakfast and lost track of time. Following Mel down the highway to the trial site (I won't say the speed we were going!) I walked in the ring about to get sick knowing I was the first dog in the ring. Luckily, the morning was a little behind and I had about 10 minutes to get it together. Thanks to everyone who helped me calm down!!! Dora came flying to me on the recall. Some you might remember Dora has been having issues with this. She is a timid dog and she gets nervous the closer the judge gets! Well, she had no problem! Dora didn't move in groups and I heard the great news that we qualified. My heart sunk! I had a few minutes to get it together before I had to take the Belle in the ring (my wild child's first time in the obedience ring). Isabelle heeled her little butt off! I was very proud of her. The recall came and Belle hesitated when I called her. I thought oh no, but then she ran as fast as she could and redeemed herself!!! Belle also made it thru the groups and we were told we qualified. I was so happy at this point nothing else mattered! It got better though. I was shocked when I heard my number called for first place!!! I congratulated Dora and the judge told me it was the maltese!!! Isabelle decided to listen to mommy. If that wasn't good enough, Dora earned second place! I was so flabbergasted I went to check the scores later. Belle won the class with a 194.5 and Dora second with a 194. I am becoming a more consistant handler obviously!

After this high, I was shocked to go into the rally ring to finish Belle's RA title and she won that class too! The really funny part was Isabelle won the class, then second and third place went to 2 Irish wolfhounds. Lets just say that white dot in the photo is Isabelle (lucky she wasn't lunch- they eat 8 cups of food per day!)

This morning, we returned for another round of obedience. I made the novice mistake of having my husband come because I wasn't sure if they would split groups. Well they didn’t so I was glad he came! I didn't want them to suddenly see or smell him so I didn't have him hide. On the heel free, Dora saw him and on the final about turn-kept walking toward to the exit. I remembered to use that second heel command. Dora came running back in time for the halt and we were saved! The maltese was up a few dogs later and she became bored on waiting for me to walk the recall and decided to try and remove her top knot. The judge pointed to me, I hesitated knowing that I would lose points but I should see if she finally looks for me. The judge pointed again and I just yelled as loud as I can. Belle looked up and ran hard. She didn't come in straight but I was happy she came at all! Then came the groups. I had my husband take Dora knowing Belle can be wild! Well Dora flipped out when she didn’t see me a few dogs behind her. My husband's first time in the ring might keep him out! He said she was in panic mode. She finally sat down. When we walked across the ring, she saw me and settled down. On the downs, he made the mistake of letting her lay right up against the ring gate. He knew better but he said he was so scared if he moved her, she might run to me! Belle ended up with a second place and Dora a third! There were 5 qualifiers and the 4 placements were all club members from CATC!

I had a lot of help with a talented photographer this weekend. Thanks to Sean Phillips (see him in the beginning photos !), there were a lot of mementos. He had to deal with some pretty bad lighting conditions but was able to still get in some good shots! If anyone needs a higher quality copy, drop me an email!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81344125@N00/sets/72157600839925627/show/

Well conclusion, Dora now has a CD and Belle will have to finish hers up in the novice B class but she added her RA too! Thanks to all the members who were there to support us and especially to all my great instructors at CATC. I had many people come up and compliment my dogs and were shocked watching my Maltese heel.

Amanda, Belle, & Dora

I have a monster!

I know it is hard to imagine something so sweet that can be so stubborn and mean but I had to yell at Isabelle to get in the house. She will sometimes follow me out, and when she really doesn't want me to go some place without her, she runs out. Well I went to swat her little behind and she turned around and growled at me! I thought maybe she was growling at the neighbor's dog and I just did it at the wrong time, so I yelled house and did it again... sure enough, another growl! I had to remind someone about our size difference! She seems to be sure she is the pack leader, well we had another of day of reminding her who really is!

It is party time!

One can quickly go from being the life of the party to the party pooper!

Happy Fourth of July

Here are some photos with the girls with their new bows! Isabelle didn't want to model at all today so Dora has no problem stealing the spot light! The girls arent very clean as they have been to the park and on long walks... bath time is over due but we need a good grooming session first!

Dora's agility practice!

Dora's last agility practice!

Okay it was really hot so we were both slow but my friend had her camera so I couldnt resist!

Belle & Dora are going to be competing against each other this month! I have them both entered in a Novice Obedience trial. Dora has one leg taking a second place and Isabelle is the rookie. I will be handling both of them so it will be interesting to see how it comes out. Dora is a mommy's girl always willing to please but when she gets stressed out she can tend to freeze up. Belle on the other hand can be a total nightmare and make it look like she has never heard the word heel before, give kisses to the judge, or pretend like why do they not have the agility equipment set up in this ring. But then Isabelle can also suprise me like she did and take a 98/100 in her first trial without a leash! Needless to say, it will be interesting to see who does what!

Amanda

Isabelle makes a new friend! While Dora has never met a toy she didn't like for at least a small amount of time. Belle doenst like much. However, when she does make a friend, it is a friend for life! Belle's newest friend is a blind tiger whom she graciously helps around the house. We might just have to take this guy to CA :)