One More Wallaby

This is such a great pattern. Another Wallaby for Christopher. I think he should always have a Wallaby in his closet.

Framed

I finally got the October '06 issue of Dog World magazine framed this month. It's not every day that my dog ends up on the cover of a national magazine; I really should have framed this earlier. I'm not sure where I want to hang it, so I am admiring it as it rests on the mantle over the fireplace for now.

Fun on the Connecticut Wine Trail


As we visit wineries along the Connecticut wine trail this year, I am finding that I like apple and pear wines. I thought this label especially creative.

And the little dog laughed to see such a sight...

.

OK, so she isn't so little...... but Monroe was happy and couldn't wait for her turn to get on the boat. We had a lot of fun participating in a TASK-9 search and rescue water training exercise over the weekend. Below are a few pictures of Shasta and Monroe with me during training.

In the training exercise we are encouraging the dogs to use their sense of smell to detect human odor from an underwater diver. Once the dog understands the game, the idea is to turn the boat in the direction the dog chooses (with their nose) until you are close to the diver. As the boat gets close to the diver, the dog signals - usually with barking, pawing, animated enthusiasm, etc. The diver is then signaled to surface via an underwater rope; they have hot dogs with them to reward each dog for their "find". It doesn't take long for the dogs to learn the game and they have a great time. Shasta was so excited he went overboard into the water his first time out. He has since learned that staying on the boat is much more fun. Monroe can be a bit more analytical and less impulsive when learning something new (not counting her skunk episode last month). I will always remember Monroe's expression and the look she gave me the very first time she saw a diver come up to the surface of the water. If she was in a cartoon strip, the bubble above her head would read "Wow, look at that! Did YOU know there are hot dog dispensing people that live in the water??!!"

Several dogs trained during the day. Here is a picture of Taiz. She is the most experienced dog in the group. She is 12 yrs old and still loves to work.

Fun at the Air Show

Christopher had a great time yesterday at an air show with his mom and grandpa. So many planes, helicopters, and trucks!!! Absolute heaven.