Where did August go?

Hi everyone!!!

The past month has flown by and I don't know why I haven't had time to write. I have been busy with squirrel chasing and opossum hunting that my days and nights seem to fly by. However, I will say that I am so glad we had a cool day today!!! It has been so hot, even I don't want to hang out outdoors until dark! Today it was a lovely 75 degrees. When we went for our walk--it was 62! This was our first cool walk in a long time since Mom missed all the spring walks with her hideous ankle.

There were some signs of fall:

 

Are you seeing an optical illusion? No--just a really large tree
 that fell down in the forest during our big July storm.

 Here is Hasten playing in the stream...she is really crazy for water... Just click below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBVXGCgrjGo&feature=youtube_gdata

I however, act proper when I see water.

We had a great time on the trails tonight!! Wish the days weren't getting shorter!

The bouncy bridge!

Do you know that when we hit the trail, we are tied to our Mom's waist?
Exciting Times!

I did go to an agility trial last weekend but was at least 1 second over time...the interesting part of this experience was that I ran 3 runs with Dad! I had one great run with Dad and would have Q'd but he was late on his front cross and I dropped a bar. That's OK Dad--it happens.
Running with Dad was fun and different but it didn't make me want to rush around the ring. I just take my time--don't see any reason to hurry. I still get treats so, why not take your time?

Hasten on the other hand was the busy bee. She Q'd in Standard both days and earned her first Q in FAST class. She looked very happy...and she jumped in the green water holding pond. ICK!

My baby brother is really growing and he is ridiculously loud! Here both of the noisy children are helping Mom with the laundry:

Guess what? I turned 8 this week. Wasn't I a cute baby?

This birthday thing seemed to make a big hulabaloo with the humans--I didn't realize that there was anything that spectacular but I got lots of good things. We went for ice cream puppy cups at Brewsters.

I gobbled mine up in a flash!

Ciaran took a little while longer.



For the 1st time in my sister's life, she was a dainty eater!

 I also went shopping at Petsmart. Just an average birthday for an above average dog!

I forgot to tell you! I killed a nightime marauder that was threatening my space!

Mom said I "murdered a young opossum" I was just doing my job! Don't be hatin'!

Good Night Folks!
Barclay,
Reluctant Agility Dog

A trial with mom

Hola!
I and my whole family traveled to Fredericksburg, VA this weekend. We went to...you guessed it folks, my favorite way to waste a weekend (uhm...sarcasm)---going to an agility trial. This was our first trial running with mom in 5 months!

On Saturday, I eeked out a Qualification for mom in our Standard course but was over time in Jumpers. Sunday, I was  V  E   R   Y slow and so I didn't have to do a whole JWW's course. The good news, I got to stay in a hotel room (which I really love) and received a lot of treats over the two days! Pretty much we are treated really nicely--it just isn't my favorite thing.

In other news, this week Ciaran got a really bad hair cut, attended his 1st Intermediate agility class and had his 1st stay in a hotel room. He also talked to about a million humans at the trial...he really loves people. Weirdo!

Hasten had good news---well, not like "I killed a squirrel" good news, but she earned her Open Jumpers title so she is now running with us big (relatively) dogs now! Hah! Poor beast...my condolences Hasten!

I guess she did OK. On Saturday she did everything Mom told her in Standard and did it--including taking the wrong end of the tunnel that Mom pointed at. In Jumpers she Q'd (the ever respected title to which I was refering to earlier).  Dad had some trouble recording...but here are are runs on Saturday:

Sunday, she did what the humans think is great on a pretty difficult Excellent course but the silly thing just ran past the Aframe...it was the 3rd obstacle! How in the world did she miss it? Even I haven't done that! I will never understand girls! Likewise, in her 1st Excellent Jumpers course she rocked the hard parts...but was too much in a hurry to get her weave entry right. (Silly sister, I told her to go slow through those poles!)

These are all our runs except for Hasten's Time 2 Beat class.

Overall, it was an OK weekend. I would much prefer staring at the woods or chasing squirrels but it was livable.

Chow! (This is how dogs spell goodbye in Italian!) 

Barclay, Reluctant Agility Dog

Happy Birthday to Hasten

Hi Folks!

This week we celebrate my crazy sister, Hasten's 2nd birthday. This means she is going to be getting an official jump height card in AKC agility. It's hard to believe she is already two!

Here is a little bit of her birthday celebration-- 1st, shopping at PetSmart:

Hasten meets the cats!

There is TOO much to focus on!!!

What is in here?

For two weeks Mom has been sneaking Hasten out and taking her to Winchester to practice on the turf at the Blue Ridge Dog Training Club...yes, I know about it! Here's a video of one of her runs and some play with Hasten on her Bday.

Click here: Hasten's 2nd bday


In other news, my little brother, Ciaran has at least doubled in his length and is having a great time in agility. (Silly boy!) He and Hasten spend hours playing and he is a nice enough little brother. Mom has been trying to take pictures of his darkness (it seems he is hard to photograph and Ciaran does mean "little dark one" in Celtic). He graduated from beginning agility this week!

Ciaran can still get under the couch and drive his sister crazy!

My parents gave Hasten a bath the other day and I had a near panic attack! I was just sure I was next. Luckily I got away but I spent the rest of the night trying to avoid them by turning my back to them.  Here I am in the kitchen. They don't exist...they don't exist...

They tricked me! No bath that night--but the Groomer on Wed!

Have a great weekend people!
Peace Out!
Barclay, Reluctant Agility Dog, Wordsmith.

Of heat, relatives and agility

Greetings people of human land!
I am writing today to catch up on our last couple of weeks.

Our grandmother came to visit us from Florida. She was hoping for some cooler weather than was at her home but she enjoyed coming to visit anyway. We didn't get to spend much time with her because she doesn't really like dogs and doesn't think they should be in a house...I don't know what is wrong with her. I always sit quietly next to her but since my sister has absolutely NO impulse control, we all had to stay in the kitchen until she went to bed every night.

The humans all went to the Massanutten ski slopes to watch fireworks and had this thing where they put the food on a blanket in the ground...which I would have liked to have been invited to!!! That sounds like easy pickin's for food!!! I think they call it a picnic. Either way, we got to try some of the food that Mom made for about 14 people!

In addition, our human sister Samy drove her 1st road trip (14 hours)--to visit us from Florida!! It was nice to see her --we had missed her and love playing with her.

This past weekend we all went to Winchester, VA to a trial. Hasten competed in her 1st 3 day trial and she earned her Open Standard title and moved to her 1st Excellent class.

It was a good weekend. We had lots of Q's --and on Sunday, I earned another Double Q! It was tough--it was so hot outside and not much cooler inside that I got to stay home on one day but I didn't even do that much squirrel hunting! The most interesting news is that Mom ran me in Standard class!!! Here is our first run together in almost 4 months---Wendy ran me in Jumpers and together we Double Q'd---NUMBER 18--as if that is important!!! Actually our Sunday runs are here:

Winchester July 2012 Runs

Hasten started feeling sickly (tummy trouble) on Sunday and although she Q'd in one class, she did not in the last class of the evening. I actually felt sorry for my little bratty sister--she was quite pitiful. (Total Q's--3 for Hasten, 3 for me!)

Ciaran was, as usual, the hit of the day. He came to the trial with us on Sunday with Dad and everyone wanted to see him, pet him and ask what he is. Someone actually asked if there were more like him available. I guess they think he is cute.

Here is two little clips of him starting agility--he really loves it--kind of crazy--I don't remember ever being that happy in class...especially in my first few weeks...er months!

Ciran's 1st class tunnel and chute

Ciaran 2nd class



In other Ciaran-related news--he has learned how to jump up on the couch--not sure how something with legs so short can do this but here's proof!

Anyway, glad things have cooled off around here--we have been on two walks and have chased several squirrels. 

Thanks for reading folks!
I have to go snark at my little brother and sister!

Of Double Q's and HEAT!
Hi everyone! I am reporting on the past week and my adventures. Tuesday was Mom's birthday and the weather here was amazing! It was only 77 degrees and a steady breeze so we all went on a very long walk in the Arboretum. The only bad part of the experience was that the creek bed was completely dried out!! Hasten and I really wanted to play in the water but there was none to be found. As we rounded the park area, we got close to the duck pond and both of us jumped in! Ciaran just had his feet a little wet--he did not understand how much fun it is. Mom was not thrilled---when we got out our feet, legs and tummies were black from the mucky pond! We had a great time though!

Later in the week the temperatures rose terribly!  I knew something was up--Mom was packing up the agility stuff and twice she snuck out of the house with Hasten and tried to distract me so I wouldn't know they were going to agility practice. I guess it's OK---I didn't really want to go run doing stupid agility when it is so hot!

Sure enough, on Friday morning the three of us (Mom, Hasten and I), went with Wendy from Peak Performance to Lynchburg, VA. That was the hottest agility trial I have ever attended. I heard Mom say that is was so hot that I was going to pack up my stuff and leave. Luckily we had this really nice air conditioned building to hang out in and mom put our cool coats on us. I ran first in FAST class but I didn't understand the directions for my Send and missed it. I was in a good mood though. When I was getting ready for Jumpers I found this man sitting in the shade and I ran straight to him. He petted me and made me do the Dancing Booty and that made me happy. Mom was cheering me on and I gave her a bunch of kisses at the start line. (I have NO idea why!---what was wrong with me?--I was in a decent mood!) I ran with Wendy in JWW's and Q'd and got 2nd place! Mom was very happy---and she and Wendy couldn't believe I made time--since it was so hot and I don't usually do well in the heat.

Later, I gave Mom many more kisses and then they took me out to the Standard class. Did I mention it was really hot. Someone said 107 degrees!!! I did NOT like the 2nd obstacle--the dogwalk--it was SOOOOO hot! but Wendy said that if I would hurry up it wouldn't be over soon so I kept going. Guess what? I Q'd and got 2nd place! Everyone was so happy and talking about that ridiculous Double Q thing again. That makes 17--whatever that means!

My sister Hasten did well too--she got her 1st Q in FAST class (2nd place) and her 1st Q in Time 2 Beat (1st place). She never once went sniffing or ran out of the ring. We all thought she would jump the fencing and go visit since it was her first outdoor trial. Surprisingly my little freak of sister did very well.

When we got home a HUGE storm came and we had no power for 24 hours! Exciting! We all got to sleep down in the basement with Mom and Dad.

I have to say that going to trials now and watching her get treats out of the special treat bag and seeing her get her own frozen "baby food" jar is quite motivating. Perhaps I will do a little more agility...if I am made to.

My grandmother arrived from Florida so she will be here a few days--that will mean we have to stay in the kitchen--because she doesn't really "do" animals. My sister is going to go crazy!!!

Here's the video of our runs. Click here: Our runs

So, peeps--who knows why, but I had a good time on Friday! Heat and all!

Peace Out!
Barclay, semi-reluctant agility dog

Danger! and Excitement!

My first real hike in 3 months w/ Mom! 

Tonight was full of excitement! Mom waited until later hoping the evening would cool off to take all 3 of us. We headed down the street and toward the Arboretum to begin our first hike on uneven ground and through the woods w/ Mom. Mom was doing really well, and then a little Bichon came running towards us---the dog would NOT back off. So, Hasten and I both got really angry. The dog was going after our baby brother and so Hasten and I yelled and warned it to leave...it did not! Mom tried to move us out of the way--but it kept following us. Finally, a woman came out and collected the dog and apologized. We both gave it a major scolding and were ready to fight! (So much for the training our fill in dog walker Felicity had been doing to desensitize us to reacting to dogs we see on the hikes...Game on Dudes! )

Mom's biggest cardio of the trip was from the fear that we would get hurt and she said she never even felt tired from the trip up suicide hill or any of the two other hills as she was still having palpitations (whatever those are) from the dog fight! 

Mom was really surprised that it was still daylight out at 9 pm!! We told her that's what happens when you sit on a couch for 3 months! The last 30 or more yards, Cirian's  little legs gave out--and mom had to carry him up the hill to the house. Probably enough walking for a 5 month old no-legged dog! 

Ciaran was a good dog!

So, over all, it was a successful walk for mom and fun for us. She made the 1st loop (at least 40 minutes) with lots of terrain changes and had no problems with her ankle (in her attractive brace, of course) but her heel still hurts! Just as we got to our driveway, a rabbit sat doing it's sneaky sit and blend-in trick--but it was near the green grass and we saw it right away! Hah!

We warned all the neighbors about that rabbit! 

I have some pictures to share of a few things that happened this week. 

1st Hasten watching Dad eat a Popsicle! 

Good wait! 

A year ago my sister would be on my Dad's head!!---She wasn't allowed to be near the humans when they were eating!! Look how well behaved she was! Weird!

Here is how our new baby brother sleeps! 

 

I told him that boy dogs should not trust their privates like that!! No telling what might happen! You won't see ME sleeping like that!

Finally, I leave you with an embarrassing picture that Mom took. I don't like my sister (or anyone really) to get in my bed (or near it) when I sleep. Mom has been chiding me about it because Hasten has even tried to sneak between the couch and the wall to get in this bed with me. I always snark and tell her to get lost. This time I let her hang out. I think I must be feeling ill. Better get extra treats or special treatment for being so nice!

At least she is respecting my space!!!

That's all I have for you...head back to camp!
Peace Out Folks!
Barclay, Reluctant Agility Dog.

Memorial Day Weekend 2012--We Rocked!

Hola!

I come to you with information about all things Agility. This is because my mom took Hasten and I to an agility trial this past Memorial Day Weekend. Our teacher and friend Wendy ran us in the trial since Mom is still broken. Sorry---hardly any pictures--just a story about our weekend and video!




Look at all our booty! Hasten can't even see out of her crate!

The Capital Cocker Club put on a really nice trial in a soccer field house in Fredericksburg, VA and we competed on Sunday and Monday. On Sunday I had a really happy run in Standard. I don't know why but from the start I just felt good. It wasn't super chilly or any of the conditions that usually make me happy but since Mom has been limiting how much agility I have to do, I think I was just ready. I did the fastest teeter I have ever done in competition and I had really fast weaves if I do say so myself!

So, I Q'd and Wendy and Mom were very happy.  I actually ran a 71 second course in 59.54 seconds...4th place! There were 16 dogs in that class...not bad for a reluctant dog!

MANY hours later in the other ring I ran in my Jumpers and Weaves class...I was not as happy--What can you expect people?...I had been lying about in my crate for at least 4 hours and didn't get to see a single squirrel!! But, I had some fun in the weaves and the jump pattern was really nice so... I Q'd in that too! One of those darn Double Q's Mom is always talking about!
Hasten ran in her Novice classes and had a very good weekend. I find it somewhat upsetting that she gets to run (and more importantly get really good treats and get her baby food jar like I do!) She ran in her JWW's class where she needed only 1 leg to get her title---it was a 41 second course--that she completed in 17 seconds! If you blinked you wouldn't see it. (It is at the end of my blog here) This was her Novice Jumpers title!  Her Standard class was good too--she had a couple of problems but stayed attentive and Q'd and got 2nd place. Her boyfriend  (and my friend first) Sully got 1st! (You can see this run in the video below)

Hasten and Barclay run

On Monday we had a good day as well, I know---shocking--who knew?

Hasten Q'd in her first Open Jumpers course and had only one mistake (good thing, since Open only allows for one mistake...she had to restart her weaves.) She ran the 44 second course in 29.44 (w/ the restart!) 1st place.

Her Standard course went well--she had a 76 second course and ran it in 38.77. A first place and a Q...and her NOVICE Standard Title! So, she accomplisher her NA and NAJ this weekend! She IS the little freak I have been telling you about for over a year now!

I ran in Standard early and it was cooler, so for a second day run (where I usually go on strike and refuse to run) I did pretty good. I Q'd! Standard is HARD and has a bunch of crap we have to do--so Qing is good!  In Jumpers I was getting really annoyed at being there for 2 days but I decided to try and I actually Q'd and finished 6th among 14 dogs. Not bad! So, yes, another Double Q! Mom says that brings us to 15. Whoopee!!

Mine and Hasten's Runs Sunday

Special Thanks to Wendy from Peak Performance Peak Performance from running us this weekend! We hope we made you proud from all the years of teaching us and the help running us while Mom is broken is greatly appreciated (even though somehow you both have tricked me into having some fun and Double Q-ing both days!)

While I am at it, I would also like to tell all my doggie (and kitty) friends about the food that Aunt Wendy sells. It is called Life's Abundance and it is yummy! There are treats and dental chews too! You can check out their high quality, yummy food at the Peak Performance site or go straight to Life's Abundance. You can have your food autoshipped to you. Ours just shows up magically at our doorstep by that annoying man in a BROWN truck!

Hasten JWW run on Sunday and Standard on Monday

That's all folks! I am on agility vacation for over a month!!! I will be blogging but NOT about agility!--At least my agility.

Peace Out!

Barclay, Reluctant Agility Dog...but pretty damn good this weekend! (Shh--don't tell anyone!)