2008: A Year in Review ... Sheltie Style

The boys had a GREAT year, accomplished many new things, and had a lot of fun.

2008 accomplishments ...

Gio
- finished his CARO Rally-O Advanced title with Cum Laude
- earned one leg of his CARO Excellent title
- tracked a lot more this year than last, and can now handle a long track with 2 corners
- continued visiting his ladies at the retirement homes as a therapy dog and volunteered at many demos and booths for SJA, logging over 46 hours of therapy dog work
- got his Performance Event Number (PEN) from CKC
- earned his CKC Rally-O Novice title
- earned two legs towards his CKC Novice Obedience title

Romeo
- competed his CARO Rally Novice title with Magna Cum Laude
- completed his CARO Rally Advanced title with Cum Laude
- earned two legs towards his CARO Excellent title
- earned his CKC Novice Obedience title
- earned his NAFA FD and FDX flyball titles
- earned his CKC Rally Novice title
- passed his certification test for St. John Ambulance therapy dog, logging 9 hours of therapy dog work
- began training for agility

Our goals for 2009 ...

Gio
- finish his CARO Rally-O Excellent title
- begin working on his CARO C Stream Bronze title
- finish his CKC Novice Obedience title
- begin training for CKC Open Obedience title
- begin (and finish, hopefully) his CKC Advanced Rally title
- continue on with therapy dog work

Romeo
- finish his CARO Rally-O Excellent title
- begin working on his CARO C Stream Bronze title
- CGN test (if there is one offered locally this year, there weren't any last year)
- begin (and finish, hopefully) his CKC Advanced Rally-O title
- continue to train towards competition in agility (master those contacts!)
- continue to train towards CKC Open Obedience title

Thank you for sharing 2008 with us. We hope that you will join us for our adventures in 2009.
All the best in the New Year to you and
your furry family.
Health, love, success, and lots and lots of Sheltie Hair!

Orange tree.

I wish I could live in a garden with fruit trees, like this orange tree. In Israel there are lemon and orange trees everywhere, with ever so tempting fruits, which I unfortunately haven't tried tasting yet.







Dress, tutu skirt and socks from H&M and shoes from Bianco.

I wish you all a delightful new year!

Hanukkah

While most of you have been celebrating Christmas, I've been celebrating Hanukkah this last week. Up until now I had never really celebrated it, so this time it was lovely to celebrate it with all the things it includes, such as lighting the candles, songs, and delicious food like sufganiot (like berliner doughnuts) and latkes (potato pancakes).


(photo by hbruya)

Last night was the last day of Hanukkah, and we made latkes.





Yummy!

Tricks

This time of year is quite slow for training. The different dog groups that I belong to take a break for the holidays, and most other classes and drop-ins are canceled for a couple of weeks as well.

I have to keep the boy's brains going during this time, or they will pester me to no end. As it is, the toy box is emptied and refilled a couple times a day.

I just have a small space to work them in, but small area work is beneficial as well. It would be glorious to have a great large empty room with good flooring and all the agility/rally-o equipment I could ask for ... But alas, I only have a 10'x6' opening in the living room if I push the coffee table out of the way. I try to use it to my advantage and get in some "tight space" work when I can. I have found that small crowded spaces have their advantages, though. The dogs learn to work in small spaces and around obstacles, so heeling into walls and pivoting amid physical barriers serves as great distraction practice for trials. You never know how a Rally-O course will be set up, if you will need to heel into a corner, send for a jump into a wall, or maneuver your way around a support beam.

Here is a video of our session from the other day ...

am I the only one....

Am I the only one who finds it frustrating that people giving their friends and family stuff they don't want -- and that will immediately be returned to the retailer -- for christmas, has become part of the business model for said retailers to turn a profit? What does that say about the role that gift-giving has become around this holiday?

finished projects

Lisa and Colin's wedding quilt, aka the red & white quilt (yes, finally). For the record, Ellen and I agree that while it's acceptable to give regular wedding gifts for up to one year after the wedding, wedding quilts get five years, so I am actually three years ahead of the game on this one. Lisa's a quilter too, so I'm hoping she'll understand....

The details: log cabin block pattern, various red, white and pink-themed fabrics, including two vintage monogrammed napkins and a vintage rose-themed handkerchief (lower left corner, one block up, one block over). Quilted with a "medium gauge" stippling pattern in white thread -- the first one I've quilted entirely on my new Bernina.

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And a diaper bag for Emily. Or is it for Buford?

Pattern: Amy Butler's Birdie Sling; fabric: Heather Ross' Mendocino, various colorways

After I took that top photo, I added these buttons, but it had gotten too dark out for a tree reshoot.

(check out the snow meltage in two days!)

Dog Sledding

A friend of mine got a kicksled from her hubby for Christmas. I headed over there with the camera this afternoon to catch some of the action. (Really, I just wanted some cuddle time with her puppers.) She also wanted another individual with opposable thumbs around to dial 9-1-1 should things end upside down in a snow bank.

Storm and Natty Gann made a show for me of bitey-face play romps.

Then I kicked the soccer ball for Meridian a couple ... dozen hundred ... times.

Storm then began to complain about the cold and seek out a den to hibernate in
until summer returned.

Storm retired to the house, and it was time to get down to business. Natty Gann was up today as she is totally fearless and appeared quite keen to check out the sled ... or maybe she was just plotting a way to weasel a walk out of us.

Wrong end of the sled there, Natty.

No, sleds don't go up stairs very well.

Now we're getting somewhere!

Atta girl!

"What do you mean we gotta turn around!? Walkies are THAT way!"

They are kinda getting the hang of this!

That kicksled looks totally cool! (Do people say "totally" anymore?) I can just picture Storm, Meridian, and Natty all harnessed up and tearing down the street. So fun!

Christmas Presents

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! Some time with family and friends, good food, good drinks, and good times.

"Santa" brought me a lovely table lamp ...

So that means the boys got ...

A BOX!

And THAT means ...

MORE "101 THINGS TO DO WITH A BOX"!

While Romeo is playing, Gio is in a down-stay behind the camera. You can hear him "protesting" that Romeo is getting treats and he isn't. Gio is a work in progress with the Box Game. He had a short session tonight, but as he is more inclined to killing the box, we are taking it slow. I'm trying to break him of the "101 Ways to Destroy a Box" version of the game by keeping sessions short and only clicking for his calm approaches to the box. I find it helps if I ask for a "down" before introducing the box, then he tends to do his tricks from a down position and less harm comes of the box.

Jaffa

Today I discovered what has to be my favourite place in Tel Aviv: Jaffa. It's one of the oldest ports in the world, and it's so extremely pretty and picturesque with the old buildings, sea, and palm trees.











Playsuit; Primark, lace blouse; H&M, tights; Pierre Robert, and shoes; Office.

Romeo's First Therapy Dog Visit

Earlier in the month I had made plans with the recreational coordinator of one of Gio's therapy dog facilities to have a visit on Boxing Day. I'm sure there are residents there that maybe missed out on family celebrations, especially with the weather we have been having and all of the cancellations at airports across the country. But a couple of weeks ago, Gio began having trouble with his seizures again. Normally, and we have in the past, Gio would be able to go on a visit a day after a seizure. He recovers quite quickly and can be back in action in a day or two. But since he was put on new medication, that wasn't the deal this time around. The phenobarbital that he was prescribed is really taking a toll on him and he is having a hard time adjusting. So even though it is nearly two weeks since he started the new meds, he still isn't in top form for therapy dog visitations. He's much better now than he was a couple of days ago, but still has his bouts of dizziness and ataxia, and I didn't think it would be fair for him or the residents he would be visiting to require him to work today.

A couple of months back, Romeo passed his St. John Ambulance therapy dog test. I have spoken with the recreational coordinators of the facilites that Gio visits and they are happy to allow Romeo to visit as well. Of course, we still need to go through the formalities and Romeo has to pass his orientation visit where our regional direction accompanies us on our first visit as an SJA therapy dog team. Romeo has not yet had his orientation because of busy schedules the past couple of months. A few days ago, I wrote the recreational coordinator at the facility Gio was supposed to visit today and told her the story. I offered to either come without a dog and keep the other therapy dog team company as they visit, or I could bring Romeo and visit outside of the umbrella of St. John Ambulance. They gave the thumbs up for me to bring Romeo out of uniform, so that their residents could have some furry visitors during the holiday season.

So today was Romeo's first therapy dog visit, not officially with St. John Ambulance, but as an independent therapy dog team.

"I've got an important job to do! Gio has entrusted me with his ladies, and made me
promise to be good to them."

I took him to the facility a couple of minutes early to get him used to the place. It is pretty echo-y in there and lots of new smells, so we spent some time heeling up and down the hallways, lots of treats, and practicing his tricks and focus. He did great! Even got a little warm-up in the foyer where he was assaulted by two residents that insisted on coo-ing over his pretty markings and commenting on how smart he is.

"I did a couple of my tricks and practiced heels and stays so that I could get used to the new building. Anything for some treats!"

We visited all of our regulars and Romeo did a great job! I have to say, it is nice having a small dog to do visits with. He is able to sit on laps, get a good cuddle in and give whisker kisses. I was unsure how he would react being placed on a strangers lap, but he LOVED it. Settled right in for a good scratch.

I was glad that he had Lily the Cairn Terrier to show him the ropes. Lily is Gio's usual visiting buddy and she really took control showing Romeo what to do. They were so cute prancing down the hallway together. There was always that little urge for Romeo to break out a play-bow, but Lily is a pro and knew better. She was working and provided a great example for Romeo to follow.

Lily and Romeo

solo christmas

I spent christmas lounging and enjoying. After waking up to a new half-inch of snow and more falling, I made a lovely scramble and toast for breakfast, made biscuits for Finn, continued to bind the red & white quilt (binding has been tricksy for this one -- not sure what I did wrong), watched no fewer than seven cars get stuck in the slushy snowy mess that surrounds the roundabout I live next to (I threw on my boots and helped one motorist get unstuck), called relatives near and far to wish them happy holidays, and then trekked down to what I am calling a make-shift off-leash park, but is in actuallity a pair of fenced in tennis courts. Finn and I stopped there yesterday on our way home from Penny's house, and I threw snowball after snowball for him. I knew the quality of the snow was degrading fast as the snow drifts become puddles, but I thought it might still be good enough for a few more snowballs. If his snoozing away after we got home is any indication, I'd say I was right....

I'll get it right next time

I just spent about two hours crafting an essay about how I don't celebrate christmas anymore (to speak of), at the end of which I declared that I will make it a 2009 new year's resolution to celebrate christmas the way I want to. I then started listing my favorite christmas memories, and once I was done with that, I realized that that was what I should be posting here today.... my favorite christmas memories.


Andrea with Grandma Alice, circa 1984

The advent calendar and stockings my mom made
The smell of the christmas season, which I have since learned, is actually the furnace coming on for the first time that winter
Cherry and lemon breads that mom makes (lemon bread was my favorite as a kid because it has this thick layer of sugar crust on top, but as an adult, I prefer cherry bread. with nuts.),
Looking up at the falling snow at Grandma Alice's house (this may not have actually been at christmas, but I sure think of it that way)
Emily and I stealing peeks at the bounty by the christmas tree by looking in the bathroom mirror, which reflects back into the living room
Christmas tree getting, which usually included a picnic, and Dad let me carry the bow saw
Dungeoness crab feast (much better than turkey, and way better than ham)
Aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends decending on the house for christmas brunch, and then Going over to another cousins' house in the afternoon
Said other cousins' christmas tree, which was decorated with dolls (?) or balloons (?!)
Helping my mom embroider a tree skirt festooned with penguins and tree ornaments (I still think of that when I embroider anything)
My mom's collection of tree ornaments from places she's been (her favorite, I believe, being a Venitian glass Santa propelling a gondola), and carefully writing the year of travel on it
The decades-old sandwich baggies the ornamens are stored in
Mom nudging me when I spilled the beans about Santa not being real to my sister
Realizing that Santa wasn't real
Going to the sing-it-yourself Messiah with my mom and aunt
Dad testing all the "xmas lits" before hanging them
The family dog, Daisy, was allowed into the living room on christmas morning
Calling my friends to wish them merry christmasses
The decorations: the angel orchestra my mom got in East Germany, the christmas pyramids, the stack of christmas story books, googly-eyed red bird and bumble bee ornaments from Japan, and of course, the partially-melted angel candles that belonged to Grandpa Reed
Going to see the decorations at Union Square in San Francisco
My mom tearing up at reading The Polar Express
Mom's christmas music tape
Charlie Brown Christmas on TV
Carrolling around the neighborhood one year
Zoe wearing sushi pants
Making treat gifts for all the neighbor's dogs and cats
Oranges and apples in our stockings
Mom's coffee cake at christmas brunch
Dad's singing... "christmas comes but once a year, here at last, now it's past!"

yeah, I'll do it right next year....

happy holidays!

From Finn and Andrea to you and yours!

Our very best wishes to you in the coming year and always.

'Tis the Night Before Christmas!

This very fitting and festive poem was found on RawFed.com. Written by Crystal Sarcopski and the Raw Food Brood.

A Most Carnivorous Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas; in the house, not a sound.
The critters were zonked out, their bellies so round.

The fridge was all cleaned out; the freezer was bare
In hopes it would fill with a bounty so rare.

The dogs on the couch and the cats in their tree;
No doubt all were dreaming of a nice RMB.

Dad in his pj's and me in my gown;
I'd just finished mopping the kitchen floor down

When out in the yard I heard such a racket;
I slipped on my shoes and grabbed a warm jacket.

The moon was quite bright, and the sky was so clear;
The stars were all twinkling--wait, was that a DEER!?

I followed the shadow out back of the shed,
And what I saw next had me scratching my head:

A great St Bernard, with a jingle bell collar!
Then from inside my house, I heard someone holler:

"Here's beef ribs and goat meat and oxtails and deer!
Chicken and rabbit and pork--have no fear!"

I ran in my kitchen, and guess who I found?
Looking like St Nick, but dressed all in brown?

Why, it's SANTA PAWS, that wonderful guy
Who each Christmas Eve comes down out of the sky

And blesses our furkids with toys and with treats,
And gives to our carnivores yummy RAW MEATS!

He stocked my fridge and freezer with organs and such,
Then he pointed to something--oh, this was too much!

"For you," he said proudly, "a chest freezer at last;
Fifteen cubic feet, and it runs on dog gas."

He lifted the lid; it was full to the brim
With hog heads and green tripe, and deer meat and trim.

My heart was near bursting; I wept tears of joy.
What blessings, what feasts, what good food! Boy oh boy!

He laughed at my happiness, and that's when I saw
The buckle of his belt was a shiny gold paw.

"Your house-wolves and wildcats deserve only the best!
Their perfect diet is here in this chest."

He gave a sharp whistle; in came the St B.
I gave him a scratch and then half a turkey.

He scarfed it right down and gave me a big kiss.
Santa Paws laughed, and then he said this:

"Each Christmas Eve I'll visit your place,
And I best not find kibble, not even a trace!

"Empty your freezer, I'll fill it up right,
Stock it with goodies, packed in nice and tight.

"I might bring some toys, a Kong or a ball,
But proper nutrition is the best gift of all!"

His dog gave a WOOF as if to agree;
I motioned to him, shh, Dad's sleeping, you see?

We went out to the yard where his sleigh was parked;
He hooked up the St B, who smiled and barked.

And Santa Paws said, as though it were law,
"Merry Christmas, and keep feeding those carnivores RAW!"

A Fun Christmas Updo

Because really, I don't know what else to call this.

We did this little ditty on Sunday and I LOVED it. I curled it tighter because, well, I felt like it. Today the curls aren't as tight and I STILL love it!

Start by pulling the hair into little triangle ponytails. With Tess, I started on either side of her bangs and went to her crown, then from that ponytail (and the one on the other side) I went just beneath the ear. What was left, was one more ponytail...like so.

Then I pulled each ponytail into a knot.

A bit closer.

Next, I took each ponytail and combed it to the center. When I had them all in my hand, I went around to each ponytail and pulled a little hair out of either side. You can see them hanging down. The middle I secured in another ponytail that I didn't pull all of the way through. That's just a temporary fix for a minute while I do a few more things.

Curl each of the pieces that you had pulled from the original ponytails and then spray the heck out of them with hairspray (dumb humidity).

Now I pulled the ponytail all of the way through and curled the rest of the pieces. Then I tied a bow around the base and fluffed the ponytail.

Ta-da!