Friday, February 27, 2009

I am a St Louis Gal!

Maybe the below will explain to some of you why I am the way i am....And now I will crave toasted ravioli and Imo's Pizza for the rest of the day !

You know you're from St. Louis when you measure the distance to get somewhere in time not by how many miles.

You are from St. Louis if, it's pronounced St. Louis, Missouree not Missoura. And you cringe when someone says St Louie...

You Know you are from St. Louis when you know this phrase "Cheap Cheap. Fun Fun."

If you got a hole in you or a hole in your heart, or hole in your roof....

You know your from STL when you find yourself cursing on anyone whose wearing a cubs baseball cap.

You know your from STL when everyone you know has gone on a "FLOAT TRIP"

You know your from St. Louis if you go to another state order toasted ravioli and wonder what the hell is wrong with this place when they don't have it.

You know you're in STL when the weather is 80 one day and 40 the next.

Haha, 878-9999 is American equity mortgage.

You know how to find the Shane Co., and you've memorized American Equity Mortgage's Phone #, and not to mention the fact that you can sing the Mattress Giant jingle.

When you increase your speed by 20mph as you cross from county to city.

you know you're from St Louis when all that you and your friends can think about is leaving. And you all go away to school. And two years later, everyone is back in town and never wants to leave.

"Vacation" is a choice between Silver Dollar City and Lake of the Ozarks.

You can get anywhere in 20 minutes, except on highway 40.

You know what "Party Cove" is, and where the "lake" is. So many found memories!

You still can't believe the Arena is gone.

Your first question to a new person is, "Where did you go to High School?"

Your non-St. Louisan friends always ask if you're aware there is no "r" in "wash." And no "r" in toilet.

You think the four major food groups are Beef, Pork, Budweiser and Imo's.

You know there are really only three salad dressings: Imo's, Zia's and Rich and Charlie's.

It just doesn't seem like a wedding without mostaciolli. AND YOU PRONOUNCE IT 'MUSKACHOLLI'. The balance of the menu is ham, boiled roast beef, string beans with ham and of course pitchers of Busch Bavarian (class weddings have Bud)

You know, within a three-mile radius, where another St. Louisan grew up as soon as they open their mouth.

You know what a Pork Steak is...and what kind of sauce to put on it.

Everyone in your family has floated the Meramec River at least once.

A hoosier is someone that lives just south of Chouteau, not a person from Indiana.

You have listened to Mike's broadcast on KMOX, while watching the game on TV and wonder what game he is watching. A tear forms in your eye as someone mentions their favorite Jack Buck story.

You've said, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity."

Your favorite summer treat is handed to you upside-down.



Gosh I miss home.....

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

WW - Sneek or is it "Stink" Eye???


ps. Happy 33rd birthday to my little brother...Well not little, younger...

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

HSUS agrees to summit on fight bust dogs.....

Bascially,

"The Humane Society of the United States on February 23 issued an interim policy recommending all dogs be evaluated as individuals, and is calling a meeting of leading animal welfare organizations concerning dogs victimized by dog fighting."“We expect government, corporations, and individuals to constantly re-evaluate how they deal with animal issues,” Pacelle said. “Likewise, we regularly review our own policies and procedures here at HSUS, and we think it is important to talk with professional colleagues in the movement to examine issues related to the disposition of fighting dogs."

Read the full article here.
Our friends from Bad Rap will also be attending the conference.

Hmmm are we on our way? Shall we even hope for change?????

At our household, paws and fingers will be crossed!

Doga

Tonight, Jake and I will attend Doga class, held by one of our favorite trainers.

We went last week, and I really enjoyed it. So did Jake - well except when I tried to put my legs up-over his back. He gave me a "I don't think so Mom lady". Not only did we do some poses, but we did some visualizations and transfer of energy and light from human to dog (I eat that stuff up. I have used it before with humans, but not with one of my dogs - pretty cool!). He did really well on the stretch parts and a few times he wanted to blow off the pose for a belly rub - LOL he can be so funny sometime. Jake has been getting muscle rubs since he was a pup - his Grammy started doing it and I picked it up from her. He usually gets a nice massage before he falls asleep. So he is use to it.

There were times I felt really in tune with him; to the point that I felt almost tears of joy coming to the surface; almost overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that we have each other. For a few poses, Anna took him up front to demonstrate to the rest of the class a pose. As i looked at him up there, I will filled with warmth and pride watching him. His shiny coat, the wag of his tail, his bright eyes, remembering the puppy in him... Of course, he did not take his eyes off me :)

"Jake?" you ask. Jake participates at Doga? Jake calms down for Doga? Jake doesn't bark at Doga? Jake has a relax switch?????

It may surprise many of you, but Jake does have an off switch. At home, he is pretty laid back and relaxed, except when he needs to referee the girls play. Mostly you will find him laying on one of the many dog beds in the house or in the spare bedroom; it depend on what room his Mom is in :)

Monday, February 23, 2009

Happy 5th Birthday!

Happy 5th Birthday to our #1 Wheelchair Lab - Zoe!

Her favorite place in the house.
She loves car rides
She loves to swim and hang out with her brother



She loves hanging out with her sister MaddieUnless, Maddie interrupts her lounge time...
Snow tug with Maddie or Jake
And just hanging out at the park

Typical Zoe; while practicing flyball in garage, she goes off box, grabs tug and runs to the steps to go back into the house. While practicing flyball at the park, she grabs her tug and runs to the fence to be let out of the training area. No work for this girl; she would rather just lounge around.
Thanks for being the neutral pup in the house, Zoe. We are so happy you picked us as your forever home...

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Don't blame us!

The author of B-More Bulldogs Blog sent an amazing letter the HSUS addressing concerns about the of euthanasia of over 100 APBT. You can read her letter here.

You can read John Goodwin and Nadya Vera response.

Judge for yourself. I have already made up my mind......

Friday, February 20, 2009

How nice is it to -

Leave work after a crazy day - a day you just want to throw up your hands and say ENOUGH!
Get home from work while the sun is still shining?
For the sun to actually be shinning?
To hear and see the happiness from your dogs as you walk thru the door?
No snow on the ground?
Take your dog for a walk and the weather cooperate?
To feel that crisp semi-wintery weather as you walk?
To have a bounce in your step because your i-pod is playing old Prince jams? - we are talking pre- Purple Rain album....
To forget everything and walk in tune with the music and your dog?(boy, do I get the looks b/c I kind of dance as we walk - hehe)
To have your dog offer a sit/stay at a crosswalk?
To have people in cars see your dog sit/stay/down etc at the crosswalk and they smile or wave or give you a thumps up?
As you bend over to sing the chorus of the song in your dogs face, she smothers you with Bully kisses?

How nice is it? Nice doesn't describe it. It's one of those afternoons you savor - one of those walks that move you - body,mind, and soul - into a different plane. The one you have longed for but can't just reach ...It's not just a "walk with my dog". It is something different.

it's a beautiful thing......thanks for the beautiful walk Universe....

Thursday, February 19, 2009

What happens when you are late for work

I was running late this morning. So, I was running around like a chicken with her head cut off.

Well, guess what I just noticed while walking to the restroom at work?

I have two different shoes on! - Right foot is a green keen and left foot is a maroon keen. OMG! How embarrassing!
Thanks for the chuckle this morning, Universe. Lesson learned!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

RIP Dogs

I won't write out a long story. 127 adult dogs and puppies were put to sleep yesterday.

You can read about it on BadRap's blog. Really, pull up any APBT forum and you can read about what happened to the dogs that were confiscated in the Wildside Kennel Bust. There are also some interesting posts on this blog or this blog.

At this point, the HSUS, " Representatives of the Humane Society told the judge that the dogs should be destroyed, because they had been bred for generations to be aggressive,"and Peta are on the same page in my black book.

Did we learn nothing from the Vick case; from the Vick dogs? Why not try and evaluate them first? Why label all as dangerous without an evaluation? Sure I know the questions running thru your minds. They are probably the same questions many had when Vick was busted. Where are we going to put 157 dogs? Why these dogs when millions are dying in shelters? Who is going to pay for all this during a recession? etc.

I just don't like the ongoing label being put onto the dogs, and the assumptions being made about them. Sure, this guy who owned the yard was guilty as sin. But did the dogs ask to be put into that yard? Just because a dog is "game" doesn't mean it is HA. Most game dogs do not have once ounce of HA. Do you - Wayne, John and fellow haters, know anything concerning the history of the breed??? Wait, you and Peta both wanted the Vick dogs euthanized too. Guess I should not assume you might have learned something about APBT from the Vicotry dogs. You probably did not pay attention since your group wasn't in the positive spotlight.

Ok..enough out of me.

On a positive note, congrats to Hector, a dog from the Vick yard, who officially became a therapy dog this week.
Stick that in your fedora and smoke it HSUS.

wait...didn't I say i wasn't writing a long post - LOL

one of the woman on PBF summed it up best...
"Needless to say, I'm furious about this--Faron's stupidity, the HSUS' blatant, arrogant hypocrisy, and above all else, the loss of those dogs. The deck was stacked against them from the outset, thanks to Goodwin's sensational, fear-mongering bluster."

WW - More Snow Tug

Monday, February 16, 2009

I just have to say.......

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

I am just so d@mn excited!! Some of my hard work and commitment is starting to pay off.

If it wasn't for the mud in my back yard, I probably would have done a cartwheel...

Don't know what to do with myself!

I have today off from work. I am sitting here thinking of all the cool things I can do. But what do I do first?

I cleaned this weekend. I washed all the dog bedding - must of done 6 loads of just dog/cat stuff. LOL I am sure there is more cleaning to do - but I think I did enough this weekend.

I think I will go get a coffee drink - that will jump start the energy. I want to wait till it is a little warmer to exercise the dogs. I have a lot of plans for them today!

Yesterday was wonderful. Jake ,Zoe and I hung out together most of the day. We ran errands. They got to play, and go to Petsmart to visit MSM,. Then we went to visit their Grammy, Grampy, and Cubby, Jake's alpha. Cubby is just about the only dog I have ever seen Jake bow down to. Cubby could do just about anything to Jake. Jake will just roll over on his back. yep..Jake rolls over on his back for another dog . LOL Jake is like a puppy when he visits his Grammy and Grampy. Zoe just loves to be able to play in their toy box. They were tired by time I got home and took a long nap on their new dog bed. Maddie got an extra long walk.

It has been a great weekend - no real commitments and off work three days in a row. It is like a little mini retreat for me. Something I have needed.

Off for a Mocha....

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Snow Fun Saturday

Once again, it is snowing in SLC. So, guess what that means?

Snow fun with the dogs!
We got up early and I took Jake and Zoe up to the park for a little snow tug. I got some great shots - a new favorite shot of Jake, one of Zoe too, but I am saving those for later posts. Once again, I got a shot of Jake barking. I need to just do a blog entry on all the shots I have with "Ralph the Mouth" examples - LOL

Here is a short video of Jake and Zoe doing what they love in the snow.

After Jake and Zoe were done playing, Zoe, Maddie, and I went to our local tennis courts. I wanted to let Maddie run off leash in the snow. She did more seeking (looking for her usual dog friend who lives next door) and smelling than she did running. But that is ok...Here are some shots.




All in all, a great morning! Gosh, I sure love days like this. Wish I had them more often.
Now it's sunny and the snow that fell is just about gone. Only in Utah!!!

Friday, February 13, 2009

RIP Eudora 2000-2009

My heart goes out to one of our favorite dog people; defiantly one of our favorite Utah trainers.

Anna's Eudora, her big blue love, passed away earlier this week :(

RIP Eudora. Run hard and free at the bridge.

Hugs to Anna, her hubby, and Eros. You all are in our thoughts.

Love,
R3K9 gang....
Special bully kisses from Miss Maddie

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Flowers, for me!

I just received early birthday gifts; two bouquets of flowers!

One from Jean and Richard, good friends of mine who persuaded me to hike Timp.
One from my Dad, Russell, Lori, Hadley and Sabby (their cat who loves to bite me).

They are so pretty and smell so good.

I wish I had bought my camera. Maybe tomorrow I will bring it and add photos to the post.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

London Calling

Here is another one of my favorite performances on the Grammy's.
The performance was in 2003.


Monday, February 9, 2009

Closet JT Fan

Ready for your Monday chuckle?

The author of R3K9S is a closet Justin Timberlake fan. BIG TIME. Iz LOVE him :) His moves, his voice, his look, his music, his hilarious skits on SNL, his _______(fill in the blank)
See told you I would give you a Monday chuckle.

So, when i read this morning he performed with the great and soulful Al Green on the Grammy's, I kicked myself in the butt for a) not watching the Grammy's and B) not turning on the DVR.

Thank God for You Tube! Just watch JT move...

Goosebumps galore for me!


Congrats!

Just a quick shout out to congratulate my brother and his, now, fiancee on their engagement.
I am very happy for the both of you!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Yummm Cat Treats

Just got a call from DH.

He forgot something and had to run home.

He found Zoe having a cat treat party on her stoop. She chewed the lid off and ate half the bottle of cat treats. Miss Smarty pants moved the kitchen baby gate, got on the counter, and took the bottle down. DH said she was all wagging her tail when he found her; happy as can be, he said.
Oh Zoe......

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Photo Tag

Our Friend at My Spoiled Mutts tagged us for the photo folder game:

Open a document or file folder,
click on the fifth folder
and then the fifth photo.
Post the photo and describe it.
Then tag other bloggers.

Here is the photo I found:

Description - "throw the d@mn ball Mom lady!" Just another photo with Jake's mouth open, Sneek's tongue hanging out, and Zoe - as always hanging in the background.

I won't tag anyone. Kind of like the chain emails you get. So play along if you so choose!

PS - Jesse, one of ME pups, will be having surgery today. Paws crossed and prayers said for Jesse!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Monday, February 2, 2009

We are back.

Well we are back from a nice warm weekend in St George.

I am happy to report that our green dogs did AMAZING. Bailey, Ryker, Hannah - WOW WOW WOW. It was the highlight of my weekend. You can read all about their success on the Utah Tail Blazers Blog. I even got to run Hannah - who is so much fun to run. You can see some videos here. Our team dogs did really well. Lucie, at 12 years old, was so consistent. Chaser too! His endurance was amazing. Some of his Dad's passes gave me a few heart stops! Zoey and Jana rocked at starts. Zoey just kept getting faster and faster. Raygen and Ryker got to run on the team. They each earned titles because they ran clean in the line up. Pretty darn cool if you ask me. So proud of everyone!

Jake's racing was off this weekend. There are probably 100 reasons why, but really they would just be excuses and full of denial. Guess it's just better to say - Jake did not race well this weekend. But maybe my expectations of him were too high. In addition, my energy was not as positive as it usually is - so I bet he picked up on that. Then again, when I review the tournament, maybe he did not do as bad as I thought. Guess it doesn't matter. He had fun.

He continues to only get three feet on the box. His left foot hits between the bottom of the box and the ground. This is something we are constantly working on, and we will continue to work on.

But enough negative things about Jake. The positive so outweighs the negative. And to be honest, I am tired of hearing the negatives!!!! Especially, when it is the first thing out of someone's mouth and I am not in a good place. It really leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

He did run a 4.39 in singles, but it did not move him up in standings (his fastest is 4.305).

I will say that he did not bobble at all this weekend, and I only had 2 early passes all weekend with Jake. My passes were much better this tournament than the last one. I think he averaged a 4.7, with his fastest time being a 4.53 during last heat on Sunday. I switched my reward to what I call, "doggie crack".

Sneek did good in her x-pen during the tournament. She loves watching the dogs race - she gets all riled up. I tried to get her to focus on me while watching - not happening. On Sunday, I did some touch stick by the race lanes and she did engage, so that is a good sign. She enjoys working with the touch stick. I gotta get motivated with Sneek. Either give her the time, dedication, & training that she needs or rehome her to someone that will. I thought a lot about that this weekend. Don't know if I am up to the task to train her - can I really do what it takes to train a flyball dog? Do I have the willingness and commitment it takes - especially with a dog like her? Guess that is a question only I can answer.