Superbowl Sunday

My sisters and I are having a problem. We have reached an impasse regarding the Super Bowl. I want us all to root for the Steelers Just like Joe Stains.

THEY want to root for Green Bay because they thought they could munch on their new hats as they watch the game.

I vote for the Steelers, because I have muscles of steel. The Steelers are a football institution. Oh, sure, so are the Green Bay Packers. They have a long history of great footballness. But, I cannot root for the same team as my sisters. That simply is NOT done.

After all, I am a terrier. I like to fight. Now, when the Steelers whomp all over Green Bay, I'll be able to take their hats and have a snacky.

KATIE HERE ..... When the bonehead of steel loses, Zorra and I will still have a snack. Muscles of steel my arse.... When Mr. Steel head gets out of hand, I will just sit on him!! BOL.

Good luck to both teams, I say!!!

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.

Agility trial

Hi Kids!

Man, we have been b-u-s-y!!!  We have been doing a ton of agility trials lately.  And, one of our friend's mom took some great pics of us!  Wow, we were so happy and thankful for that!

Here is me coming out of the tunnel.  I gotta tell ya. I love tunnels. 

They are so fun, and you can get some super-sonic speed in them, too!  This is my mom's favorite pic of me, almost ever!  She says that it looks just like me, attitude and all.  I always run with a smile on my face, because I like to be with mom and do agility.  Although, mom and I don't always agree on what we should be doing. BOL.  Tough mom.. I am going to do what I want and there is nothing you can do about it!

Anyhooo, I got some qualifying runs that weekend, and finished up a title.  What fun.

Zorra takes an entirely different approach to agility that I do.  She thinks of it as serious work!  Like WTF (where's the fun?)!  She always has a very focused look on her face and very serious.  B-O-R-I-N-G, Zorra!!

 

She's also an over achiever.  Look how much air she got there.  She is just trying to suck up.  Groan....

I say.. skim over the top.  Cuts down on drag.

Then, I cut back the other way...  still keeping the drag low.  Less energy that way!  More energy for trash talking other dogs. BOL!!!

 

But, not for Zorra.  She's just one of those girls you wanted to kick their XXXXX (censored).  I don't know what she was thinking on this first jump, but it is like Michael Jordan time or something. Gimme a break!

 

 

She's running full out for this one.  I guess she's going to see if she can fly, again.  

 

 

See, she never smiles.  What is up with that.  She and I are gonna have a little chat!

 

 

Well, our friend's mom had to run with our friend during Sammy's runs, so no pics of him.  But, we just came back from another trial and the lady took a bunch of him.  So, stay tuned.  I am sure the bratty boy will have a ton of things to say.

Spendid, I was

Hello Pals,

Again, long time no chatting from me. We have been extremely busy. We have been in the midst of agility trials, and FINALLY Mother came to her senses (what she has left of them) and remembered to send in MY entry. It is terribly frustrating that Mother always seemed to lose my entry, while Katherine's and Zorra's always made it into the envelope. I just contribute that to her senility. (Zorra here. MY comments are in red. I read this and needed to explain a few things that Sam seems to have stretched a bit.)



I primped the night before the first day of the trial. My mustache and goatee were perfect-o. I was really getting ready to see my one true love, Maizee. You may remember her from previous posts. (She cannot stand him. She really doesn't like him). I had heard through reliable sources that, she too, would be there competing. I thought I was quite the dashing young lad. My skills had been honed and I was ready to compete. I could not wait! (What a loser. He normally looks like this:)


However, Katherine got to go first. Age before beauty, as they say. There she is jumping through the tire. Oh, I suppose you could be impressed, but I knew most everyone at the trial (and especially Maizee, I hope) was really waiting for ME. After all, I am the mere picture of canine perfection.


I sat quietly meditating in my crate. (No he wasn't he was barking like a crazy dog. Auntie kept telling him to be quiet. He was soooooooo annoying).

I was ready to go, when Mother returned and said it was Zorra's turn. WHAT? How can that be?? (Because I am better than you, dogbreath). I watched Zorra zip and turn over jumps, tunnels, and teeters. I shouted out words of encouragement showing brotherly love. (No you didn't you were trash talking both Katie and me the entire time).


Finally, it was my turn. If only you, my friends, had been there. You would surely be amazed at my athleticism. I am sure that there has never been a dog as fine as I that day. I jumped, I lept, I climbed, I went through chutes, tunnels. I darted and dashed. Mother was so amazed at how well I did that she stood in the middle of the course speechless. (She was speechless, all right. She was amzed that you got some things right!!)


Everyone cheered me on. Oh, to bask in one's adoring fans admiration is something that cannot be described adequately. (OH brother, and I don't mean Sam). Mother was quite impressed with my actions and allowed me to continue competing for the entire weekend.

All were very impressed with my skills, and I assume Maizee was as well, as we were forced apart by stupid hoomans. Maizee sat on the other side of the trial site and I could not whisper sweet thoughts into her ear. (No one separated them. Mommi and Maizee's mom just didn't sit next to each other this time. What a whiner).

I was competing in the last run of the trial. I started out showing how handsome I looked flying over jumps, when all of the sudden, I got pee mail. Someone sent me a telegram right there on the course. I stopped to sniff it out. Mother was starting to turn various stages of red and purple by this point. She was insisting that I finish the course and leave ".... what ever you are sniffing... LEAVE IT). Well, as you all know my good friends, one cannot leave important pee mail. It needed an immediate response. So, I lifted my leg in response and.....

(He was dismissed from the ring BOL. Mommi was M-A-D. BOL.)

Today is my Barkday!

Hi everypup!

Today is my birthday. Well, as far as Mom can tell. I don't remember when I was born, but she thinks it was probably around May 14, and that date was one of her good friend's birthday who passed away, so she thought it was a good tribute.

I am having a great day so far, and the best thing is Mom and I are going to agility practice! Woo hoo. She said I could have some custard on the way home!! I am so excited, 2 of my favorite things in one day. What a lucky girl!

WE have been practicing flyball really hard, as we have a big tournament in 2 weeks. I am going all by myself with Auntie. Oh no... mom can't go, but she said I could go if Auntie took me. I hope Auntie is up to the challenge. We are going all the way to Michigan. I have never been there before. I hope Auntie knows the way!!

Here are some new friends I met last weekend, too. I went with my mom to work, and we took a walk. Theys guys were strange looking!!! But, strangely, they reminded me of ... me? At least the ears, huh?


I wasn't too sure about them, but I got a little closer to see if they were pups or what! They had long ears and collars, but man, are they bizarre looking. They also didn't smell like pups.


Then, this one told me she was a G-O-A-T. Well, I am not sure what that mean, so I just looked at her funny. But, they were nice. I will probably go see them again next time.



Anyway, happy barkday to me!!

?? Flyball ??

See my face. I have my game face on. I am going to be in my very first Flyball team tournament this weekend. I am IN THE ZONE.

Where is my mom????? She's still in India! W T Heck!! She better get her #@#@ butt back here. I will leave without her!! I have been training for this moment for 3 years.

I am ready. I have my trash talk down. I am confident and I will run faster than any other beagle/foxhound mix EVER.

If you see my mom in the airport, tell her to hustle her bustle back to the US. We have to leave on Friday!

Katie says not to worry that mom will make it back. She better!!!

Christmas time, so many things.. so little time

Hello friends....

I slipped mother an anti-stress pill in her caffeine laden drink and it appears that it has temporarily knocked her out. So, the girls and I are taking this opprotunity to blog.

We have been so busy working at the store, making sure mother works at her real job, attending agility and rally classes, attending agility trials, barking, sleeping, playing, and traveling that we don't know if we are coming or going!

We had a bark-taq-u-lar Christmas, and we hope that everyone celebrating their holidays did too. Santa Paws was quite generous with us, even though some of us which won't be named (Katherine) were on the naughty list. I, of course, was a perfect boy all year and had no guilty conscious regarding my actions.

The weekend before Christmas we had an agility trial, and we all did marvelously well. Katherine and Zorra got many qualifying runs. I got one, myself. Obviously, the judge did not agree with some of my choices during the course and did not allow me to finish. Pish Posh, I say. I can always plot a better course than any mere human!

In fact, at one point, I thought that Mother and I were racing to the end of the tunnel. I ran into my end to speed along, but was SHOCKED to see her legs at the other end blocking my way. As soon as I stuck my nose out of the tunnel, she swooped me up, saying something about the course did not allow endless tunneling. I only took it 4 times! I would have taken it more if she had not so unceremoniously grabbed me! I, for one, was quite taken aback by mother's lack of foresight!

We have another trial over New Years Eve and Day. One of our New Year's resolutions is to keep up with our blogging We got quite far behind over the past few months. Thanks for sticking in there with us. You are all quite wonderful pals!

Holidays, etc.

Hello Everyone,

First, the girls and I would like to thank everyone who has sent us Christmas cards already! We are having such fun at mother. We have received close to 20, and... how many have you received, mother? What's that you say? NONE? Zero, Zip. BOL.

Well, we have been very busy with the holidays. First, on Thanksgiving, we took a delightful 6 mile hike with Auntie and Mother. Auntie and the girls had not been on this particular trail, so I was delighted to show them the way. Zorra, there is a very good scent here... see?



And, so we started on our quest to hike the trail, 6 miles round trip. The trail goes along the canal. Part of the old canal tow path is now a railroad.


Zorra and I were walking with Mother. It takes two of us to watch her. We have a long way to go! So, let's get moving.


Auntie and Katie seem to have a difference of opinion on where to go. Here's a clue.... the trail continues straight!


Those two led us along until we reached the end of the track, as noted here. But, it wasn't the end of the trail!



We saw a lot of things along the trail, like this old piece of farm machinery. Of course, I had to bark at it.


Mother decided this was a perfect time for a photo shoot. Oh, how dimwitted she is at times. First, she made ME sit next to Katherine. Blech....


Katherine was more interested in the birds, than getting her photo taken. C'mon. The faster we get our mugs shot, the faster we can go sniff!


Did someone say treat? Do try to stay awake, Katherine!


Katherine has the attention span of a GNAT. LEAVE THE BIRDS ALONE!

OMD. NOW, SHE'S LOOKING FOR SQUIRRELS! We will never get the perfect shot.



I grew tired of those slackers, and now, I am off on my own trailblazing trek!



See you soon!!

Hiya... happenings

Hiya kids!

We finally wrangled the computer away from our mom... don't be bothered with that screaming or anything coming from the garage. We just locked her out so we could post. She never gives up the computer much anymore... she is "supposedly" working. WHATEVER. We need to post......

While mom is working, we get b o r e d with not much to do. I was lying around on the couch... but that got boring. REALLY boring. I am going to go check on Mom. Maybe she's not working.


You are STILL working??!! That is just not fair. Where is my time. Me and you?? Just us? Do you even remember who I am???



I guess I will go lie on the couch in the den. I just can't get comfy.....


Sam get up!!! Let me boss you around and take all your toys! Sam says he's sleeping and doesn't want to play. What a BABY!


C'mon Zorra.. Let's WRASSLE!!!



She says she schnoozing too. Whassup with all this @#@$@$@. I need some interaction!

I even tried to get into a theoretical conversation with Ruthie, who owns my grandpa. Ruthie wasn't seeing my point of view and immediately turned around and went to sleep!

THEN, my mom says.. C'mon Katie. We gotta go! I was like WOW. Let's do it!

We went to a pet expo to do an agility demo to help promote our training center. Now, Mom didn't get any photos of me doing anything, but she did get some of our buddies!


Here is Duffy on the teeter-totter. He and his mom did a great job. And, this photo below is Deeva, Duffy's big sister. She was there to do some agility, too. They are two of my pals from agility trials, and agility, rally, and flyball classes.


This blur is Jet, a min pin. He goes really fast. Mom didn't have on flash, so the speed of the camera was a little slow, but it really makes Jet look like a blur. BOL.



The pet expo was GREAT. I won a bag of really good dog food, got some great treats and mom even bought ME some new toys and leashes. I had a great day!

But, then, we came home and now I am bored...

But, I think I will just rest my eyes for a MOMENT.

My trip to Metamora

Hi everydoggie,

First, today is our bloggerversary. It has been one entire year that we have had our bloggie, and made such great pals. Thanks to everyone for being our buddies and saring your doggie lives with me, Katie, and Sammie.

Sammie wrote about his trip to Metamor last week, and I am going to write about mine now. I love ti when mommi takes me with her to work. But, this time, mommi was sitting outside and that is not the way it usually is. normally, she sits INSIDE working with grandma.

I was sitting outside and mommi had a nice blanket for me, but I was still cold. I was still shivering, and when mommi asked me if I wanted to go inside, I said YES. It was nice and warm in there with grandma, and I greeted everyone from behind the counter. I got lots of pets and treats that day. i really loved it.

I met lots of other puppies, too. mommi and i were walking around, since i needed to stretch my legs. guess what I saw?? TWO, count 'em TWO wire fox terriers walking on leashes, next to each other.. with ALL THEIR PAWS on the ground. mommi and i couldn't believe it, and we decided that we had to meet them and tell them about Sammie.

We caught up with them and found out their names. They were Lilly, who is 4 years onld, and Phoebe, who was 11.

Mommi asked their mom and dad how the 2 pups could walk through a crowd on all 4 legs. Their mom and dad just laughed. We told them all about Sammi and Katie and all the activities that we all have. Lilly's mom was amazed that Sam did rally. She said that she might try Lilly in obedience (mommi and I laughed). Or, rally.. or maybe even agility!



Phoebe is a rescue like us. Actually, her original mom passed away and now she has a nice home with a lot of love. They were very nice and were actually not obnoxious like Sammie, that is for sure.


I really enjoyed working with grandma, especially. I love my grandma the bestest.

Paws in the Park Day

Hello Pals!

I simply must tell you of the grand time that we had recently. Every year, Mother takes us to Paws in the Park. Oh, we have a wonderful time. It is a day mostly for dogs. For those hoomans who are looking to expand their family, they can adopt a dog or cat. (This is where we first met Avery. Don't forget to vote!)

The day is chocked full of marvelous events. There's a doggie dash, musical mats, talent show, frisbee contest, and many other fab things to do. One of our favorites is FASTEST NOSE. The premise of this event is to find a hot dog amongst all these shoes. Of course, I knew that I would be outstanding in this event, and was delighted when Mother and I went to the gate.

Mother asked the nice gentleman at the gate to allow me to get the scent (like I didn't know what a hot dog smelled like. Sometimes Mother is so simple!) The fellow allowed me a small whiff of the ambrosia, and I got a bit carried away and tried to take a small sample, but he did not oblige. He went through the gate ahead of us and "hid" the morsel in a random shoe.



Here is the form of a hunter stalking his quarry. Notice the form. Head low, eyes keen, feet nimble. Ears alert. A hunter........


The scent becomes more pronounced. Oh, I will find you hot dog treat. Your days are numbered!!


I have zeroed in on the exact footwear. There it is. Yes, I have narrowed the field down. Soon, the succulent hot dog will be MINE!!



Oh, that little scamp hot dog has hopped over into this pile. The gentleman who placed the treat in the shoe was very crafty. He tried to put me "off the scent." Ah ha. I am too wise for this trick. I shall overcome this small diversion.


Ahhh, yes. Here it is. See how my nose is deep into this sneaker!! Aha....


WAIT! WAIT! WAIT! I am TAKING OVER this post. Sam is really telling you a HUGE, BIG FAT TALE. I will tell the true version.



Sam couldn't find his way out of a wet paper bag! He never found the piece of hot dog after a whole minute, sixty whole seconds! Tick Tock, Tick Tock!

In fact, here is the real picture of him. He sniffed around for a little bit, then started sniffing everywhere else! Then... do you know what he did????!!! I was soooo embarrassed. Sigh...... he lifted his LEG in the corner. Once again, mommi had to go and get him because of his inappropriate bathroom habits.


I am part beagle. The nice man let me sniff the hot dog treat and I knew exactly what I was looking for. I followed the nice man's footsteps by following his scent. I have great beagle form.


Oh boy, I know that hot dog is here. I can really smell it good now!


Ta Daaa. Here it is. Let's see... what was my TIME, Sammy??!! 5.6 seconds?????


Oh, and here is the little piece of hot dog that Sammy couldn't find. BOL. BOL. More for me!


Oh, and by the way, Sammy would never tell you this, but I had the best time on the Fastest Nose event. BOL.