Lots of Tracking

good boy, Ray with Sarah

tired boy, Ray

Boy this tracking stuff is a lot of work!  I kind of like it though.  Last weekend we went to this cool field where these great big animals live.  I didn't see them because they were way back in the field but I smelled their "you know what" and some hair they had left in the grass.  The grass was pretty tall and wet...it was fun to run in.  I did a couple of tracks and then got to run around with Ace and Ray.  They kept catching these round discs that Sarah threw for them and I just kept chasing Ray...got going so fast, I did a summersault and then got the "zoomies".  Sarah finally had to grab my collar when I started rolling on my back in that wonderful wet grass because it was Ray's turn to track and we needed to go to a school place for his track. He's working on his VST.  Mom didn't know what that was until Sarah told her it was "variable surface tracking"...see, Mom's been out of the dog performance stuff for a looong time.  Ray has to track on hard surfaces like parking lots and in places where lots of people have been walking.  He is really smart!!!



Monty and the glove

me and the glove

Today we went to North Seattle Community College where the grass is shorter and there are lots of parking lots.  Ray went first so I howled and barked in the car.  Ya know girls are supposed to go first!  Mom said Ray was really good.  She put down the track and dropped about 8 articles, then she followed Sarah and Ray.  Ray lies down when he comes to an article so now Mom is going to try to get me to do that....more on that later.  Sarah gave me long tracks that led into each other by turning a corner.  I'd been practicing that with Mom and Dad so it wasn't too bad.  They have also taken all the food off the track except for what is at the end with the article.  That's ok with me (you know how I feel about food) but...I was distracted by a tennis ball and a dead something that was in the area.  Not sure why because I don't even like the dead seals we find on the beach and I only chase balls in the back yard.  I must say I did a pretty good job and Mom was pleased...I think Sarah was too.  Now we're home and Mom is trying the "lie down" when you find the article business and guess who is involved in this training...my own personal role model, Monty.  It only took 2 times before he got it!  I'm getting pretty good but Mom says the proof will be what happens in the field without Monty around.  I think she oughta look in the garage for that other tracking harness or buy one for Monty. There's no way he can use mine!   She'd have to get some gloves to protect her hands when he pulls!

with "serious" Cathy
we look good

One of the "grands" spent the weekend with us.  It was Cathy and she is pretty cool.  She got to sleep with Mom and Monty and I had to go in my canvas crate...not fair!  Cathy did throw balls for me in the back yard and let me sit on her lap for pets. She also got Dad to take us to the park up the street so, of course, we went to the dog park where I found a Brittany who liked to run and boy did we!  Another lady told Dad about a good place to take a dog swimming around here.  Mom said not to tell or there might be too many dogs there.  We'll go when it warms up.

We'll go back to the beach next week to see if any of our seeds are up and probably do some tracking too.  Maybe we can get together with our friends over there.

              Later,   Juno

Sunshine and Monty "Mans Up"

Watching

You'll never believe this!  Monty actually scared me...only for a couple of seconds though.  See, this is how it happened:  Mom bought us these antlers to chew on and we both really like them.  Sometimes Monty chews on one and lies on the other which is kind of unfair.  Well, a few days ago he had them both so I was gently trying to paw one away so I could have one too...you'd think I was taking his dinner and we all know how important that is to the Mont.  He barked and snarled at ME!  Boy did I move out of the way quickly and then to top it off, Mom and Dad told him he was a good boy...NOT!!!  I hope it doesn't happen again.  Mom said it wouldn't if I were careful.

Sadie

The new grandpup, Sadie, was pretty sick last week but it sounds like she is really getting better.  She even had to stay overnight at the special vet clinic and has had to be kept calm at her house.  I hope she's all better soon so I can meet her.  Sadie is only 6 months old but bigger than me...well she must be because she's a Lab...but the best part is she's black so she'll probably play with me.

Dad's dessert

We've been doing more tracking and sometimes I'm good and sometimes not so good.  Mom and Dad decided to back up a little in my lessons.  Now that we're at the beach we have to travel a little farther to find places to track.  They've even been making me wait while the track ages...that just means it isn't as fresh and I don't get to watch Dad put down the flags.  I think I should get out of the car as soon as we get someplace and Mom says, "Just be patient, Missy".  I think she needs patience while we are following the track because sometimes I have to just look around at these new places we go and she wants me to just keep on tracking.  She's worried that I won't be the "enthusiastic tracker" they talk about in the book.  The other day I worked in the rain but today it was sunny and pretty warm.  One day this week they put some tracks up in Uncle Chuck's field, it's right next to Granny's house.  Well there was stuff in that field that I have never seen or smelled.  It was like piles of little black marbles.  That's what Mom said but I don't even know what marbles are...anyway she told me that I had seen the animals that make them several months ago when we were visiting Granny.  Smelled more interesting than Dad's track! Tomorrow we will go back to the model airplane field...that's where Mom lost her sunglasses, but now she has a string on them...then on Wednesday we'll meet Val and JoJo in Port Gamble.  Saturday we go out with some other people (and dogs) who are just starting too.  Mom hopes she learns new ways to get me going!.  I say just take off the leash!!!

Still helping

Mom had brunch with our friend Annie and came home with some new "hair stuff".  I believe it's for horses so why is she using it one me?  Actually it makes my hair shine and sparkle...let's see what I can do about that.  Both Monty and I had baths and I am in the process of getting a shorter "do".  I think we're about halfway finished...takes longer here because Mom doesn't have my grooming table and it's kind of hard standing in one place on the deck so she can clip me.  There are interesting things to look at and sometimes I just get the urge to walk away. Actually, I did really well yesterday...Dad even said so.  When my summer "do" is finished, I'll have Mom take a picture to put on my next blog.

Dad made this really yummy dessert with rhubarb and cherry pie filling in it so, of course, I had to help clean the bowls.  I do that all the time...clean bowls.

                         See ya later,               Juno