The year in review, according to ME, Sam.

Hello Pals,

As I take paws to keyboard, I am thinking of all the experiences that my sisters and I have had this year.

This has been a great year of change for all three of us, not to mention Mother. Zorra competed at the CPE Nationals (Agility) in Kissimmee, FL. She took a long trip with Mother and the Supreme Commander through Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida to go compete for 3 days. Katherine and I were forced to stay home with Auntie, and we did not have as much fun as Zorra.

We've all competed in agility trials closer to home. We have all done very well and have had fun. We've all gained a couple titles or so in the past year as we go toward the ultimate goals of the top titles.

Katherine has started a new sport that Mother says is just for her. Hurmph. I am going to try it one of these days when Mother isn't looking. It is called lure coursing and Katherine loves it. She would rather do that then anything else.


Most of our time and adventures have been gained through Flyball. When we go to flyball tournaments, we tend to go with the Supreme Commander and stay in her RV trailer. It is usually Spirit and Yippee, who are in charge of the Supreme Commander, and all of us. We like traveling with the trailer, as it is:

• airconditioned
• has a bathroom
• roomy
• has a kitchenette

Mother says that at some point, we may have to sleep in our tent like we used to, but she can stay in that leaky tent. We want to stay in the cushy surroundings!

Although, at times I do wonder about Mother's mental state. Earlier this summer, she managed to lock the Supreme Commander and all of us..... (wait for it) INSIDE the trailer. Yes, you read that right, pals. We were locked inside. At some point when Mother walked inside, she managed to somehow break the door mechanics and we were imprisoned! Luckily, The Supreme Commander got on her cellphone and called our teammates Boogie and her mom, Gloria. They came over right away (ten feet) to release us. It was the worst 10 minutes of my life. Seriously, there's something wrong with my Mother sometimes. It is a good thing that she was with me, and I was able to bring a calmness to the situation.


Of course, now for me. This year I took up the fast and exciting team sport of Flyball. Oh my goodness pals, it is the best thing. I can run as fast as I can, retrieve a tennis ball (which I love to do) and bring it back to the Platoon Sargent. I started in March, and now I am the top Wire Fox Terrier in U-Fly and the #8 in NAFA. I can't tell you how much fun it is, and I wish everyone could play with us.

I've met lots of interesting friends on our SWAT team. They are from Ohio and we don't see them often, but when we do it is a grand time.



Our own team is Extreme Insanity Flyball team and we have a grand time together. We competed in the NAFA nationals where I received one of my flyball titles this year.

We lost our beloved kitty brother, Harley, who we all still miss terribly. Out of respect, we have given DaKota (our kitty sister) a pass for a while before we start chasing her again.

We're ending this year and beginning the new one at an agility trial with our cousin Cal. Some of our friends are going to be there as well, and we can't wait.


Katherine, Zorra, mother (Platoon Sargent) and I are wishing all our pup pals a very happy new year with many treats, pats and hugs.

Trip from h-e-double toothpicks

Hi everyone - Zorra here.  I know we have been MIA for a while.  Our mom wouldn't let us use the computer, and we haven't been too happy about that.

I confiscated it tonight while mom is sleeping.  My story needs to get out!  My mom and some of my aunties (not my real auntie, she stayed home with Katie and Sam) traveled together to Florida.  Before I knew it, I was in the tail end of a van! That's Yippee in the middle and Dixie on the far left.We were stuck in there from Indiana all the way to Kissimmee, FL!  If only my mom hadn't taken away my cellphone before we left, I would have been calling someone to save me.  They kept saying we were going to an agility trial.. yea, I bet.

It was horrible, being in that crate.  I let my mom know it, too.  I made a voodoo doll of her while I was in my incarceration.  Luckily, she hasn't found it yet.  I am actually lying on it here.  She just doesn't know what I am going to do to her later.....

Not only was I forced to ride in the crate, my mom made me pose in front of stupid things....

She even made Auntie Debbie pose with Dixie and Duffy!  There's no end to her madness!

She made me sit in front of this bull statue.  Obviously, mom didn't even notice what is above my head, which is why I look extremely upset!

I thought this look was my best... I was giving her the evil eye. 

But, alas, nothing I did could change my mom's mind........  She kept putting me in the back of the van and she and my aunties carted us all over the place.  I will plot my revenge... some how, some way.  Be on the lookout, for I am Z!

Our weekend

Hello Pals,

We are back, and are barely rested up from our adventures.

First things first. Zorra was NOT eaten by a bear. There were NO bears in our vicinity and we managed to come unscathed through a dreadful thunderstorm, where I spent my time in my safe bomb shelter/crate. The tent flapped wildly, the girls were not nervous, and we remained dry. I,of course, stayed in the bombshelter ready to call 911 in case of any emergencies.

We spent a delightful 2 dayss in East Fork Park in Ohio. Mother wasn't extremely happy with the camp sight, since it was all out in the open, be we got used to it after a few hours. The reason for our camping trip was, of course, for an agility trial.

Oh, I did splendidly, as you know. In fact, I was in such a good mood - I listened to my mother for a brief instant and actually decided to tease her and do a qualifying run. Well, the only reason that I did is because our cousin Calvin was with us. He was there for his agility debut. After he Q'ed on his run, I decided that there was NO way I was going to allow him to carry on and on about that! So, on that first run the 3 of us that were entered all Q'ed.

Friday.... that was our shining moment when all of us, but Zorra, (who was probably worried about being an entree to a bear) Qed. Katherine told mother last week not to keep her paws crossed. And, we all lived up to that. BOL.

Although, I was much better listening to mother over the weekend. Well, I believe it was because I was tired of hearing her whine about my selective hearing. News flash mother. I am a WFT!! I am not supposed to listen. My mother is very, very daft at times.

Mother thought she had solved the posting video problem by purchasing a special cord for the camcorder. But, she is too daft to figure it out. So, maybe she will try again to have the video uploaded.

(Don't hold your breath)......

Tired, tired, tired

Hello dear pals....



As you can see, I am quite tired. However, have no fear. I am resting up today. I had a terrierific time over the weekend at the agility trial, camping, being with my friends, running amuck in the ring, etc., etc.

Katherine did quite well this weekend getting qualifying runs, bossing everyone around, and having a grand time. Zorra was a bit nervous and only had one qualifying run, but she tried very hard. She will give it the old college try and again, will attempt to overcome her stage fright.

I, as you know, am an outstanding agility star. I met up with my WFT buddies Riley and Ralph. We all met secretly and decided that it was Wild WFT weekend, and none of us would do anything our moms said, and we would all "do our business in the ring." Now, I was not sure if Riley and Ralph would actually "do their business" as they are older and more experienced that I. But, they said that I could be nervous at a new place and they wanted me to fit right in! And, when it came their time to run at various points, they promptly lifted legs in salute.

Of course, in my first run, I was distracted and didn't like what another dog had said in a pee-mail, so I went right over with my response. I heard my mother scream SAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMM NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. But, I needed to send my response right away and lifted my leg as an exclamation point! I absolutely told that other dog off!!! I was immediately scooped up by my mother, and another lady came over with a spray bottle and "tried" to erase what I had just sent. Ha. Try it lady. You are unsuccessful! My response to the first miscreant's pee-mail is still there.

In another run, I was stretching my legs as I sailed around the ring, until I noticed to dog chaps sitting away from the ring, but close enough for me to see them. I immediately went over and asked their advice on how I should properly run the course, but their mother was trying to put an end to our conversation. I stood there until I heard my mother coming up behind me. Then, I promptly turned and ran back to the course. I decided to humor her, and do a few obstacles. Of course, that pleased her feeble mind and she seemed happy, for a change, with my performance.

We stayed in this nice camper, and did not have to spend a cold, rainy day and night huddled together in our tent. The wind was so wicked on Friday and Saturday, that I am sure Mother would not have put it up properly, and we would have ended up who knows where, all a mass of legs, dogs, arms, and tent.

But, our Auntie Sharon, who is also our agility instructor, insisted that we stay in her camper with her for the weekend. Oh, I was so pleased. We were warm, dry, and happy all weekend. I will try to post more about our camping later this week.

Now, we all must prepare the VW for our trip to Blue;s and Snowball's birthday bash!

New Pals, agility, and an AWARD

Hi Everyone,

We wanted to introduce you to 2 new pals we made recently. The first one we met through our hooman pal, Blue. His name is Hero and you can visit him here. He's a nice pup and is new to DWB, so pop on over and give him a sniff.

Our other new friend is Stanislaw. Go walk by his site and see what he is up to.

We are going camping this weekend, and Zorra is glad. Do you know why? Because we are going with our Auntie Sharon who has a CAMPER, and we won't have to sleep in the tent. Now, I do enjoy roughing it, but Zorra DOES NOT. She hates camping and prefers the finer things... like a bed... a roof... and more than a few millimeters of plastic between the outside world and herself.

We are going to a CPE trial in Dayton, OH. Mother finally agreed that I can participate in more than one event. I shall show everyone my expertise and technique that I have refined over the last few weeks. Oh, will they be in awe!

And, thanks to all you who voted for us in the cool site of the day. We were the Cool Site of the Month for February!



Now, I must go oversee the packing of our van and supplies. I am certain mother will forget something vital, like food, stuffies, treats.... Of course, she can forget Katherine, and I would not cry. BOL.

Dusting out the cobwebs

Hello everyone,

Our mother has hogged the computer for DAYs! Even to go sooo far as to post photos on her own blog for ABC Wednesday, when we had NOT posted in eons. I immediately advised her that this was totally inappropriate behavior!



That is a photo of Zorra and I pouting on the sofa.

Katherine, Zorra, and I all had an CPE agility trial this past weekend. Everyone did very well. Katie and Zorra received qualifying runs toward those silly titles. And, as you know, I prefer the more "nomadic approach" to agility. I ran and ran and ran. My mother didn't find it as fun as I did, and mostly just stood in the middle of the course next to the judge. Other people thought I was rather humorous and laughed at my antics.

By Sunday afternoon, I was getting quite tired and just decided to give my mother a little present and I ALMOST completed the course. Even the judge said I was getting better. To that, my mother laughed and carried me off the course. I delight in making my fans happy. BOL. Mother hasn't forgotten about posting videos to the site. She just hasn't had time to figure it out.

We have been looking at our friends' blogs, and noticed that we needed to make something creative. Our mother has made many things to see in stores, online, and even when she, too, was nomadic and traveled to do arts and crafts shows. We'll post a few over the coming days.

This is one of our personal favorites, especially Zorra. She loves a good mat/blanket to snuggle on.

'Tis not to be

Oh, friends...

February 29th came and went... Even though I saw Maizee on that day, she did not ask me to marry her. Sigh... Mother said that it happens sometimes, that a girl may just not see how truly wonderful I am. She also said that maybe Maizee doesn't want to settle down at the moment. Oh, all right, Mother. I shall go on.

Unfortunately, I will have to see her this weekend at the CPE agility trial. I will perform to the best of my abilities so she was get a twinge of guilt when she sees my athleticism!

I was depressed for a whole 2 minutes. But, I started flirting again with all the girls on Saturday! You can't keep a good dog down!!

Agility Trial this week.

Hello Friends,

Oh, I'm sure you are all awaiting my colorful commentary of Zorra's and my runs from the trial yesterday.



First, Zorra did a very nice job in listening to our mother during her runs. She received a qualifying score in 3/4 runs, and received a 3rd place ribbon for one of those runs. She zigged when mother told her (snore), jumped at the appropriate times (boring), zoomed through the tunnels (yawn). The only reason she did not qualify for one run is she had to go on the teeter totter, which she does NOT like. (I find it very fun and love to fly over it). Mother was very proud of Zorra for each one of her runs.





I needed one more qualifying run to complete my first title. This specific run was for a game called Full House. In this game, you must go over a minumum of three jumps, run through a circle (tunnel or tire), and go over a "contact" (either a dogwalk, A-Frame or weave poles. I did this magnificeintly. Everyone at the trial was just amazed at my performance. Oh, Mother was trying to tell me where I should go and I only slightly listened. In the end, we (i.e. I) managed to get a qualifying score AND a first place ribbon for my efforts. (ed. note (Katie, here) He was the ONLY one in the class). This completed my first level of CPE. I shall receive a certificate in the mail with my accomplishments.

I had three other runs yesterday. Since the pressure was off, I chose NOT to listen to Mother and run however I wished. I decided that I truly only wanted to go over teeters, A-Frames and tunnels in an indiscrimate order and at my leisure. I ran and ran. I went over to the people along side the ring and personally thanked them all for coming to watch me run. Oh, I heard my mother screaming like a banshee to come back over and complete the run, but when one has an audience, you must attend their needs, don't you think?

The buzzer sounded for each run (I guess you are supposed to complete the run PRIOR to the buzzer), and my mother would pick me up and say "What am I going to do with you?" each time. Well, I assume that she is going to continue to enter trials with me, as I am a fabulous agility dog. What a silly question!

Unfortunately, we did not get any photos from the trial to post, but there was a photographer there who is sending them to us later. She was quite a nice woman, as she also has a WFT named Ralph. Ralph winked at me each time I ran, and I heard his words of encouragement as I dashed and darted way from my mother. His mother said that Ralph was just like me when he was my age. Ralph told me to keep everyone guessing. No need for the humans to be off their guards.

Recovery

Hi Everybloggie,

We have been pretty busy and haven't had too much time to blog lately. But, we're gonna try real hard 2day.

I wuz surfin' the internet and 'membered I hadn't told you guys about the agility trial that I went to wif just my mommie.

It was a lot of fun, just us. And, I did really good, too. We went last Sunday and I had three runs that day. There wuz a fotographer there and he took some piktures that my mommie is gonna get cuz she thinks that they are cute.

Here is me on the teeter totter. It is ssssssssssssssoooo skeery. I like to just stand in the middle and watch my mommie try to get me to come to her. I am always thinkin' of jumping off, but I try not to. You can see that I made it all the way down.



This is me comin' out of the tunnel. I love the tunnel and I wuz thinkin' of barkin' at my mommie on this one. I wuz havin' a good time. One thing about runnin' in 'gility, is you have to run.........
(nakid). I didn't have no collar on, or nuffin'. Makes me feel weird.


Here I am comin' off the dogwalk. We are up a little high, but I like it.



I got 3 red 2nd place ribbons and 3 qualifying scores for my runs. We were happy. We were runnin' in CPE (Canine Performance Events), and I finished up my very first title. My mom wuz real prowd of me. Katie already has titles, but this wuz my first one. Sammie is close to getting his first title too. Sammie and I are going to a 'gility trial next Sunday, and maybe he will finish his. Since Katie is takin' a break for a few weeks from 'gility, she isn't gonna go. So, she will be mad. But, don't worry. She is gonna do 'gility again starting early next year.

We wuz there wif two of our 'gility friends, Suzi and Rory. Suzi is from New Orleans, but came to Indiana after that big hurricane. She does a lot of 'gility. Her brother is Rory, and he has a lot of titles in 'gility and obedience (whateber that is. I asked Katie to splain it to me, but she said that we aren't obedient most days and not to worry). He is a greyhound. They both are rescues, just like us. Rory hadn't been feelin' too good and he had to go to the doctor and haf tests done like Jackson. In fact, they had a lot of the same tests done. Rory really had a lot of shaved parts, but he's feeling a lot better too. He said that he hopes he gets to feelin' a lot better cuz he wants to do 'gility again, too. He was just at the 'gility trial to be with his mommie and sister.

I had a pretty full day that day, and can't wait until next Sunday to do another one!