Happy Easter!

We hope every person and every dog (and cat) has a wonderful Easter!

Just a quick collie post...

I decided to post on the collie blog today.   Mom’s at work, and Ryder and the other collies are sleeping, so the computer is all mine!  Everyone who has read our blog know me, but for those who are new, I am Kori.  I am 19 months old, and I am a smooth collie.  Abby is my collie mom, Ryder is my brother and littermate, and Scarlett is my little sister. 

 I went to one dog show, and to the Collie National last year, and then mom decided to wait until I grew up a little bit, before I was entered in any more shows.  Well she must have thought I was all grown up, because this past Sunday we went to a dog show!  It was a lot of fun, and I loved being chosen to go to the show.  (Scarlett came too) The dog show was really interesting, it was only for collies.  So there were many rough and smooth collies there.  I liked running around the ring, with everyone watching me and cheering for me! 

 

photo by Ron Sherr

And I just heard Mom say that I am entered at another show in a couple weeks!   I can't wait!

 

 

Love is...sisters

First Day of Spring = fun!

Yesterday was the first day of Spring.  So Mom announced we were all going to take a trip to the dog park!  We had fun running and playing.  Even Abby joined in our collie games!

 

We had the park to ourselves, but then right before we left the park, a family arrived.  They had a little four month old pit bull named Ruby and an older beagle mix.  Ruby was nervous at first, because we overwhelmed her.  We were so excited to meet her, we ran right up to her and surrounded her.  The funny thing is, she ran to our Mom for protection.  Mom cuddled her and told her we were nice collies.  She must have believed our Mom, because she started running and playing with us too.  And even though Ryder is the biggest collie, Ruby followed him everywhere.  We think it's because he looks like a big teddy bear.  (or maybe she is just a Lassie fan!)

 

Mom said we are going to go back tonight when she gets home from work.  Now that the sun is staying out longer, we can do more fun things!

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?

 

 

 

 

 

Back at the dog shows...and Holly update!

We had a fun weekend at the show!  I enjoyed spending my birthday surrounded by collies and friends up in Maine.  Holly was back to her old, happy self.  She was really excited to be back at a dog show!

Only Scarlett and Holly came with us, Ryder wants to make sure he isn't left behind next time!

Scarlett  didn't win any points this weekend, but she did a great job considering it was only her second dog show!

And watching Holly, so happy she was bouncing in the ring, brought a smile to everyone's face. It was hard to believe she was so sick last week, or that she is now old to be in the veteran's class!

Updates...

Where to start?
 
I've been sick, and haven't been able to get on the computer to update, sorry about that.  I will be catching up on everyone's blogs over the next few days.
 
And no sooner did I start to feel better then Holly collie became ill.  We took her to the vet, and they sent us to the veterinary hospital for x-rays.  Fortunately, it isn't bloat or an obstruction, but they didn't give us a definitive dx either.  They think it is either gastroenteritis or pancreatitis.  So she is on a bland diet, and we will be watching her closely.  She seems a little better today, and her appetite is returning, so I am hoping that’s a good sign.

Holly is our happy, bouncy girl.  She lives for dog shows, and just shines when she is in the ring.  She has competed at Westminster twice with my daughter. 

 

At Westminster

 

 

She had to have an emergency spay two years ago, and then my daughter aged out of junior handling two years ago, so Holly has been unable to compete in the classes at dog shows since that time.  I know she misses it, and I know she has been sad when my daughter goes to dog shows without her.  She watches my daughter pack up the grooming bag, and gather together her show clothes and bait, and she knows that means my daughter is going to a dog show.  But because only intact dogs can compete at dog shows, Holly was forced to retire from shows just before her 5^th birthday.

 

 

 But Holly turned 7 years old on Christmas Day.  And many of the collie specialty shows allow 7 year old collies to compete in the veteran’s classes.  And they can be spayed or neutered in the veteran’s class!  So this weekend we have entered Holly at a two day show, it was supposed to be her return to the show ring.  And now with her sick, we aren’t sure she is going to be able to go.  We are hoping she will feel back to her old self by Saturday, because it will break her heart if she has to be left home again.  It reminds me of this story:

 

THE OLD SHOW DOG

by Cindy L. Williams

 

 

He was a real nice show dog, but his glory days are through,

And he gazes out the kennel gate, with nothing much to do.

They're loading up the van now, 'cause they're going to a show,

But his showing days are over, and he doesn't get to go.

 

He watches, tail a waggin', his eyes as bright as they can get,

As his crate goes in he wonders why they haven't bathed him yet.

Then your eyes meet through the kennel fence, and you have to look away,

How are you going to tell him that he's staying home today?

 

Retirement, they call it, now he's in his 'golden years.'

He doesn't look as old, though, when your eyes are full of tears.

And you think of all the rosettes, and the Best in Show he won,

The more he showed, the better he got, and then he had a son...

 

And so now for the first time, you are leaving him behind,

And trying to convince yourself he doesn't really mind.

He sees the younger dog get in, and he's looking pretty low,

But there isn't time to cheer him up, you really have to go.

 

'Be a good boy, old dog, this time you have to stay!'

He doesn't bark or climb the fence, he simply looks away

Just like a nice old show dog, whose glory days are through,

He gazes out the kennel gate, with nothing much to do.

 

Yes, he used to be a show dog, but the glory doesn't last

And he's gazing out the kennel gate, remembering the past.

 

I don’t want any of my dogs feeling sad, or replaced.  If they are able to show, and want to go, I want to make sure they are given the chance.  So please keep Holly in your thoughts and prayers…

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

From Baby Thor and Baby Scarlett

And look at what Maggie's mom posted!  (from the Valentine's Ball)