WW - The Borador and the Seal

WW - Team Work

WW - Belated Birthday Wishes to My Black Pack

Zoey - 6 y/o 2/23/10
Jake - 7 y/o 3/23/10
Sneekers - 2 y/o 1/21/10
(not real birth days, but a guesstimate)

WW - Sleeps while Sitting Up.

Zoe and her Babushka.....

Poor Zoe...
You never want any of your dogs in pain - but Zoe is my "special" gal. She doesn't cause trouble - mostly lays around and wants to be loved. She is the neutral dog in our pack - gets along with other dogs. She loves all people. Her only downfall - she will lick you to death......

She has a severe staph/yeast infection in her ear - even her middle ear. Vet said it was one of the worst he has seen. Not sure if that is true - but anyway.

Lots of cleaning solution and lots of cream (antibiotic cream). Once we find out from the lab what type of staph we are dealing with, we can then talk more about a plan of attack.

He is worried about her shaking her head too much, so he put this wrap on her. If she shakes it too much, and damages her cartilage, she could end up with a hematoma.

She does look cute with her babushka on, doesn't she?

Zoe and her Maternal Instinct

A post on FB, had me thinking about Zoe this morning... Her maternal instinct comes into play with Sneek. It's a beautiful thing to watch.

Walking in the gully, Sneek's terrier(? maybe terrier) side is in full force. She snifs every little nook and cranny looking for varmints. Sometimes, she gets up on the hill side, alone. Zoe consistently looks for Sneek if she isn't with the pack. If Sneek falls behind, Zoe goes to her and shows her the way to Jake and I.

We were on the bridge last night and Sneek wasn't - she was down by the water, on the wrong trail. Sneek still won't cross thru the water. The look on Sneek's face was almost panic - she couldn't' figure out how to get to us - without getting in the water. We were all the way thru the bridge and Zoe ran all the way back, to get Sneek. She got Sneek to follow her onto the right path...I was simply amazed at how Zoe knew what to do...

Good girl Zoe..

Catching Up

I haven't been updating the blog recently. It has been crazy, busy at work and well, I am kind of addicted to Face Book! LOL I can update my page straight from the crackberry. But I realized, it would be good to take time and update my blog. This blog is for me - yep I am selfish. I want to be able to look back and see the things the dogs and I have done so far. Sure, I can do that on FB but it is a little harder. To me the blog is more a diary of the fun, the accomplishments, and the struggles the dogs and I walk thru life....

So, here are some updates...

Maddie - Her rash came back a little over a week ago, but this time under her front leg shoulders. We got some more cream from our vet and i loaded her up on benadryl. Happy to say it has now gone away. But I wonder as to what is causing this? It has to be some weed in the yard. Right now she has the zoomies, and is doing her Pitty cry to go outside.....

Zoe - Zoe has returned to flyball. It is good for her to have a job - good exercise for her. She isn't fast - and that is ok. When she learns the game, she can just run singles or doubles. I am concerned with her back legs - but if we take it easy she should be ok. Zoe also attended Splash Dogs this past weekend. She actually jumped off the dock; not far but she jumped two out of the three rounds I took her up to the big pool. I was excited for her. Not sure why she wouldn't jump the last round. A friend suggested she might be tired - that is no excuse - LOL

Jake - Participated in the annual SYM where we did a flyball demo and Course A Lure. At SYM, Jake was the third fastest dog out of almost 350 sets of paws running the course. I was excited for him. He was beat by Sneek and our fellow flyball team mate, Zoey. He did well at the flyball demo. You can see a video of my dogs and fellow teammates running CAL, and the flyball demo here. Our fellow flyball team mate made an amazing video of the day. I love not only how he captured a little bit of everything - but the team work that went into the day. He and his wife are amazing asset to UTB. Jake also attended Splash Dogs and CAL this weekend. On Friday, he ran a 14.02 at CAL (again beat by his sister, Sneek, who ran 13.96). He swam tons in the practice pool and off the ramp in big pool,but for some reason - he just won't jump off the dock. I was disappointed but well, have to accept Jake for who he is...

Sneek - She is attending a beginning agility class on Tuesday's. This past week she completed the pinwheel jumps on her first try.. She also completed her first sequence - 3 jumps and the tunnel. (side note - first CAL runs - she wouldn't go in the tunnel - agility has helped her now complete the tunnel at CAL). She really loves to run and take the obstacles at agility.
She too participated at CAL at SYM - 2nd fastest dog - woot! She also participated in CAL this past weekend, beating her brother with a 13.96 run. She lived up to her name, by figuring out how to open the side door on the crate. SNEEK! I tried to get her to swim in the practice pool - no go. She was so fixated on CAL - the minute she heard the sound of the pully her focus was on the course. So, no Splash Dogs for Sneek.
So, that is a short update on the pack and our doings....In between the big events, we Rollerblade, flyball, work on our box turns, housework, make meetings, eat, sleep, potty, work, lol. We have some full days in our house. Heck, I even forgot to grocery shop last week. Nothing like Atkin shakes, apples and cheese for lunch!

I swear I need three of me just to keep up with our busy schedule! But, life is meant to be lived to the fullest - and I believe I am trying to do that. I want to be able to look back when I am 90 and know that I gave my dogs, and me, the chance to engage in life....After all - isn't life what you make it????

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...

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......

Zippity Zoe

I took Zoe to flyball practice last Sunday. She doesn't come often; but sometimes, due to circumstances, I need to bring her. She always has fun. When we first started with the Utah Tail Blazers - I trained both Jake and Zoe. But due to a torn CCL -I pulled Zoe. Then the other CCL went. And I never brought her back into the team. I worry about a re-tear in one of the legs; especially on the box. So, when she comes to practice we run recalls over the jumps - it's good exercise for her and she seems to enjoy it.

She sure loves recalls. For a portly lab - she can get some speed and she was single hopping. Yes, she is a little overweight, but she is holding onto her weight loss. At her annual in November of this year, she was still holding steady at 55. The low fat Innova seems to be working for her.

And of course, she barks during the line up too. I wonder if it is all labs or just my pack of "mama" girl/boy. As soon as I run away from them - Jake and Zoe both bark and lunge towards me. Gotta always make sure strong people are holding onto those two..

She just loves to tug. Funny the two dogs that don't play flyball are my tug maniacs.....Very funny joke flyball gods.....

She was wiped out after practice.
Tired dogs are good dogs.....

Zoe's new trick and Neeko's bad habit

So, Zoe has a new trick.

I came home last night to a chewed up plastic bowl and chewed zip lock bags. I questioned Billy about it and he said Zoe knows how to open the Lazy Susan in the kitchen (where we keep the dog treats). He watched her do it again when he was home. Boy isn't she talented??? Guess we need to keep the kitchen gate up when we are not home.

Neeko has a very very bad habit. Before I go into it, I am TRYING to remember she has lived in a hotel her whole life with some people who did not live in reality.

I take the little girl out to potty - she goes. But then I bring her in, and she proceeds to potty (#1 and #2) on our bed! Last night, she did both outside. I then put her in her safe room to get Maddie situated, go back to the room and she did #1 and #2 on the bed!

Solution, more crate time - not allowed in the bedroom ? Even attended she urinated on the master bed a few times. A friend said she might be marking. Heck I do not know but it has to stop.

I will ask our trainer tonight about it during Neeko's class...

Ahhhhh the joys of puppy hood!

Girls and the Rain

Oh,.,,what babies my girls are. It rained here all day yesterday - and this morning too. It's also cold out.

Maddie won't go out - not even on the deck. She barks to go out and when I grab the lead to let her out, she backs away and gives me the "no way in hell look". Zoe will, but won't step off the deck. I finally lured Maddie out and she urinated on the deck. Maddie doesn't enjoy the cold, wet weather. We had this issue all last year - she is worse than Zoe. They both love to swim but cold wet weather is a turn off. Then again, they love the snow - such picky girls!

They are such princesses!

So this is what they have been doing all morning

Girls at play