For the love of Dog!

Ryder here, I decided that since Mom is “too busy to update the collie blog,” that something had to be done.  So I am putting my paw down, I refuse to listen to any more of her excuses.  Is it my fault that she is so busy with Kori and Scarlett?   And the two of them are constantly bragging about how they get to go to handling class on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings to get ready for the show.  They think that being chosen to go to a dog show next week is some sort of big deal!

 And Scarlett keeps barking on and on about her upcoming trip to the Collie National dog show!  She thinks that it’s all going to be some great adventure!  And Kori got to go the National last year, when she was only six months old!  It's all the two of them bark about!   I secretly wish I was going Like I care about going for a long car ride to the middle of the country!  I will get to go to doggie camp while they are away, and that is lots more fun! 

 

 

And if all of this wasn't enough, Mom is working on Saturdays now!  She said it's to earn overtime, for the trip!  But I am barking mad, because I am not getting enough "mom and me" time! 



This is what I think of all this dog show preparation!

 

So this weekend I am putting on my leash, attaching the handle to my mom, and dragging her out on a hike!  My trails are calling my name!  It had better not rain on Sunday! 

PS - Mom did tell me that I can go to the National next year.  She said next year will be my year!  I guess she is partially forgiven.  Do you think if I sleep in their suitcase they will get the hint?

 

 

 

 

 

Collieday!

Yesterday was Mom's day off from work.  So we kept her day busy with our errands, so she wouldn't get bored!  BOL

First Scarlett had mom take her to the veterinarian, for her vaccines.  She has dog shows coming up, and needed to make sure she was well protected!  Our veterinarian loves us, and was so happy to see Scarlett!  Our vet is a very special lady, she even teaches a dog hanlding class once a month!  So we get to see her at class too!

Then Scarlett came home, to rest after her vaccines.  So I, Ryder, took mom to Petsmart to buy some more kibble!  I noticed we were getting low on our Blue Buffalo!  Then we went by her job, so mom could show me where she goes when she leaves me us.  I couldn't go inside, but two of her co-workers came out to meet me.  They loved me, of course!

We then went by my human sister's college, since she was done with her classes for the day.  She was so happy to see me waiting in the car for her!

We drove home, and then mom decided that Kori, Abby and Holly deserved to go somewhere too.  After they put their heads together, they decided to go to the dog park.  Mom kept telling them that it would be muddy, but they wouldn't listen!

They had a great time, but came back so muddy!  Their pretty white paws, a collies' pride and joy, were black!  But mom said that was nothing compared to the golden retriever, Sam, that they met at the park.  He was covered from nose to tail in black mud!  Now collies don't like to get dirty, we avoid it whenever possible.  Abby and Holly ran around at the park, but they avoided the large lakes puddles.  But Kori loved Sam so much that she ran with him - RIGHT THROUGH THE MUD PUDDLES! 

"What the Woof, Kori?  You should know better!"

"At least I didn't roll in the mud like Sam!  Give a girl a little credit!"

Even mom and our human sister came home muddy!  I wish I had gone to the park with them, but mom said she is very grateful I wasn't there!  She said with all my fur, I would have needed a bath after a visit to the mud pit park!  I guess I should be happy I didn't go, I'm not too crazy about baths!

Last evening we all took turns snuggling with mom on the couch.  So I think we did a great job filling her day with lots of collie fun!  We are counting the hours until the weekend, so we can begin our next adventure with mom!  What are your plans for the weekend?


 

Uh oh! Scarlett hears the news...

What!?!  The world is going to end tomorrow?

But there is so much beauty in this world...

Just look at this endless ocean, isn't it gorgeous?  I would like to see where it goes... 

I am going to have to give this some serious thought...Because how could the world end before I get to have my first Christmas?  I have presents to open!  How could a good puppy like me, who has been waiting her WHOLE life for Santa to come, miss out on her very first Christmas?

And there is this great big world to explore...and so many dog shows to enter!  Fortunately, we have heard from New Zealand...And they are still here!

Apparently, some people are still predicting the worst.  They say the world won't end until 6:00 PM on 12/21, Mayan time.  Those Mayans sure are specific.  We should ask them how they came up with such a specific date and time....have you seen any Mayans for me to ask? 

No? 

They are all gone?

Huh, guess they weren't very good at predicting their own ending...should we trust that they were able to predict ours?  I'm just going wait, with my paws crossed, and we'll see what happens!

Before you can swim, you have to get your paws wet!

If you have ever read Albert Payson Terhune's books, about his Sunnybank collies, you know that HIS collies seemed to enjoy swimming. The Place was comprised of 40 acres, and located on a fire-blue lake. The house was Victorian, with wide porches, covered with Wisteria. The collies would romp and play across the lawns, through the woods, and they would swim in the lake. Now I believed this meant collies enjoyed swimming. But I have discovered that this isn't actually true. Some collies may enjoy plunging into a lake or ocean, they may enjoy the feel of the water as they paddle with all four paws through the cool depths. But most do not like swimming at all. I had a golden retriever, Chloe, who loved the water. She would never turn down an opportunity to jump in for a swim...collies, not so much.

Maybe Terhune's collies enjoyed swimming because back in the 1920's and 30's they didn't have a little something called air conditioning. So the only way for a collie to cool off during the hot summer months was to jump in a lake. But collies have now become spoiled...

 Me: "Hey Abby, want to go down to the beach and go for a swim?"
Abby: "No thanks, I'm just going to lay here on the couch, in front of this air conditioner, and nap. Can you put a Lassie movie on for me? Oh, and could you get me a Frosty Paws while you are up? Thanks-bye"

Still, I think all dogs should be introduced to the concept of swimming. (Who knows, I might yet discover a collie who actually loves to swim!) Since we are working on socializing Scarlett, by introducing her to new people, places and things, it seemed like as good a time as any to take her to the beach. We invited Holly along, but not because we thought Holly might encourage Scarlett to swim, Holly has no interest in swimming. It was just her turn to go for a ride in the car.

My daughter, Scarlett and Holly had fun, running and playing in the sand.

And Scarlett graciously agreed to pose for some pictures.

But then it was time for swimming. And her natural instincts had her paddling immediately…straight for shore. She proved she can swim, but will she every view it as something enjoyable? I don't think so...I think she'd rather chase sheep - on nice solid ground! Guess we can't all be swimmers!

Questionable temperaments in purebred collies?

Did you know that collies are notorious party animals?  True fact!  Just look at this picture of two of my collies, Lad and Holly!  They are gambling! Horrors!