Crikey, I Fell Off the Wagon

Today, I caved. I found myself in the pet store and it just came over me, my palms were sweating, I had a knot in my stomach but I couldn't help it I broke my 12 step program and bought Zack the new collar and of course the matching lead I had been eyeing up the last time I was in the store. You see the lead has gel in the handle - so I just had to have it too. It's super cool!!



Zack just looks great in green - he looks good in blue too. Hmmmmm there was a nice blue collar and lead in the pet store also. Oh no.

Hot Hot Hot

Finally the weather has warmed up here but taking Zack for his daily 5km walk after work in 30 degree weather is a little draining - there is lots of water involved and lots shade when we get home. The worse thing is with all the rain we have had earlier this month the mosquitoes are of prehistoric proportions and I know I am big, fat and juicy, but come on!!!!

This morning I was up at 6:30 a.m. and took Zack out and it was much much better - felt alot cooler and less bugs whoo hooo!!!!!

Play Time

To help with Zack's motivation levels for agility training we have been having lots of short sessions of play time. He loves his wubba kong. Go Zack Go Zack Go Zack.


Then Zack couldn't decide what he wanted more the basketball or his wubba Kong.

He is too funny.

Oh No the Urge is Back

Many of you who know me know I have a bit of a problem. I LOVE dog collars. Zack has two collars that I really like and I have been switching them around this past week or so.


I have lately found myself in the pet stores again and can feel myself itching for my next fix. I rummage through all of them hanging there eyeing up the details, the buckles, the colours and trying to find the next "perfect" collar that would suit Zack. Trouble is lately I have found more than one!!!! As Zack has a pair it wouldn't hurt getting a spare collar right?

Then I hear that voice in my head "step away from the collars", "step away from the pet store". That's the start of my 12 step program - see I am a bit of an addict when it comes to collars. I think I need rehab.

Goofy Boy

Zack got the zoomies lots today as I was home from work and spent most of my day in the back garden

I was out there jumping up and down, arms flailing, squeaking and hollering and having a right good time egging him on. The neighbours probably thought I had gone completely doolally again and should be re-committed to the loony bin for sure!!

Motivation - or Lack Thereof

It has been a constant challenge to keep Zack's motivation up whenever we do anything together whether it is rally o or agility. He is weird for a terrier in that he doesn't really have much drive for anything except live rabbits - which are a no no in the ring and the odd skateboard ahahah. One minute he seems to be having a great time doing agility and then the next he couldn't care less. I think that is a border terrier trait as well from what I have been reading. There are times when Zack does go crazy for certain toys and plays alot by himself with them in the garden but only for a short period and then he couldn't care less if you shake it in front of his face so it is hard to use toys as a motivation. It is probably all my fault in the way I have been doing things and my instructors at agility on Sunday gave me some great pointers about the way to use toys and food rewards to try and keep Zack's attention and motivation up and I will certainly give it a whirl.

A Day in my Life - Part II

June 17th - cont..

12:31pm Weeeeeeerrrrrrr off, riding along in an automobile la la la la la la la la


12:50pm - We arrive at my favourite place.

This is me inside the building aren't I cute

First thing, must catch up on the all the latest gossip from inside the playhouse

Her, really, she never

OMG the devil dog!!!!

Outside I reckon for some serious play time


ooohh crikey

uh oh he's got me again


After running around all afternoon I starts to get sleepy.

Mum and dad comes to pick me up at 5pm. Last week they found out a little secret about me as one of the daycare girls spilled the beans about my reputation here, my nickname now is "Mr. Humpy"!! Well what can I say, even tho me wotsits were taken off when I was just a wee lad, you can't blame a dog for trying eh.

5:30pm Arrive home and it's dinner time. Should I eat should I not eat? oh what the hell.

Quick pee and poop and then this............out cold doing some serious chillaxin..

Hope you enjoyed hearing about a day in my life. Until next time.

A Day In the Life - Part 1

Friday, June 17th - as seen through Zack's eyes

6:00 a.m. - WTF! Turn that friggin alarm off, you know I am not a morning dog. Geesh!!! Back to sleep.

6:50 a.m. Uh Oh, better get up GOTTA PEE GOTTA PEE. Aaaahhh that's better - gave mum's flowers a good showering and barked my head off to wake up the neighbours. Mission accomplished. Woof.

7:00 a.m. It's breaky time. What a disappointment - same old same old kibble. Should I eat should I not eat? Naaaaaaaa.

7:05 a.m. Ooooh Mum's got toast - mmmmmmmmmmm toast. I love toast. Nows my chance to give her my puppy dog eyes, yup toast crusts coming my way....works every time.

7:30 a.m. Mum and dad leave for work to pay for ME, yes ME and MY life. I am not cheap ya know. I likes the finer things in life.

The house is now so quiet no more nagging just me and my BFF (bestest feline friend) Fat Cat. Fat Cat and I always hang out together and she gives me regular facials and grooms my wiry whiskers. To the right ah yes, little to the left....yeeahh, you got it.

Then it's cat butt time. How should I put this, well my BFF has let herself go and she is so rotund she cannot reach her own butt so somebody's gotta clean it right? I am a dog afterall.


12:15 pm Yay mum's home mum's home - wiggle wiggle wiggle jump jump jump. Here we go again the nagging begins "off", "off" "sit" "off" bla bla bla bla.

Uh oH all that excitement - I GOTTA PEE. Outside I go.

12:30 - Then I hear mum calling my two favourite words "Doggy Daycare". Oh boys Oh boys, let me in let me in

Come on let's go let's go

To be continued......

Just One More

I can never have too many portraits of Zack right?


This is my latest one of Zack in Prismacolour pencils. I am still learning this medium but it is great that I can practice on my own dog. The colours and tones in the portrait in real life are actually a little different than what is shown in the photo, but it gives you an idea.

I also did a picture of a trout for my husband's flying fishing club. Here is that picture.

This too is in coloured pencil.

The Tunnel

At first Zack wasn't sure about the "new" tunnel in the back garden. It is definitely lighter weight and a different colour and texture than the one we use in class and my handling skills need some work too!!.

But he soon realized it was not such a scary place.

Jumping

I only set up one jump on Sunday to practice with Zack at home. We didn't do any combinations or pinwheels just a straight jump.

He loves to jump.

Nice form if you are a horse



We have our next class on Thursday evening and a seminar on Sunday morning for me to learn how to handle better and different jump sequences. I can't wait it should be lots of fun for Zack and I. Hopefully my leg holds up and I don't reinjure it. Fingers and paws crossed.

Home Set Up

This weekend we finally set up a couple of pieces of agility equipment in our back yard to do a bit of practice.

We now have a couple of jumps and a tunnel.

It was great. We also have some weave poles but are at the very beginning of learning those with just two poles to start.

Tuna Bites

When Zack does agility he gets some special homemade treats that don't upset his belly - mmmmmmmm, tuna bites. All that is in them is tuna, flour, parmesan cheese and eggs...and Zack loves them.

This was him watching me as I was making them - giving me the "please mum" look.

and this was him afterwards catching a nibble.

Once In A Lifetime

On Sunday we happened to anchor the boat on Police Lake to fish and there right in front of us was a bald eagle's nest about 50 yards away.

We were there all day so got to watch the coming and goings of the pair of eagles. It was so amazing when we realized there was a baby in the nest.




The parents would do shifts, one would go off to hunt and then return with food, then the other would go. This went on all day. We only saw one chick but blimy it got fed well!!!

They were very attentive to the little one, but occasionally it would annoy them and get a right telling off and a good hard peck on the noggin... it was quite funny.

Other than having a wonderful day fishing we were very lucky to have witnessed the bald eagles. I wish I could wildlife watch as a living - maybe for National Geographic? Only in my dreams I guess.

Zack was oblivious to the birds and just lounged all day and soaked up the sun on the boat. I am sure if he knew the eagles were bringing back bunnies and gophers for the little one to eat then he would have been more interested in case the eagle dropped a bit!!!! ahahahah