Homework Can Be Fun!

This past weekend I packed up my homework and travelled to Chris Jobe's and Mildred Barry's - my homework being Mitch, Floss, Nan, Gin, Ky, Kelly and Sal. There were a couple of hitchhikers as well - Kap and Dan who would find new homes in Bowden, and ol' Fly and Artie came for the fun of it..   This was going to be a weekend in which the rule of the day would be to get in much needed training for the dogs - the following weekend would be the first field trial, and it would be nice not to look too much like a fool out on the course (although it has happened a time or two in the past).  

Randy Dye (who is a descendant of George Washington - yes, it is true, I wouldn't lie to you - next time call him your worship!) and his wife Val had come down for the day as well.  We brought out the young dogs, and I soon realized that Sal was quite overwhelmed by things - she will have to be put on a shelf for a while.  As the rest of the youngsters came out, it was soon apparent that there were nice dogs in the making.

Stephanie, the new kid on the block, came down with her young dog Jake as well.  She is gung ho about training dogs, and I can see a little bit of myself in her when I started - live and breath about training.  Hope we didn't scare her off with all our help, but being a vet herself, I am sure she can sift through the crap and find the jewels of knowledge needed to go forward.

After an afternoon of working, it was time to socialize.

The next morning, the parkas had to come out as it was quite winter like outside, and we decided to work in the field.

This was a neat field to work in, and there is is gossip out there that there will be a trial on it this fall.

After we were all done, we let all the dogs have a run.

There was, yet again, time to relax before Randy and Val made it back to Bowden.

Mother's Day was the next day, and Randy had to make sure he got some flowers for Val, or perhaps it was to make sure his children had gotten something for him to give to her....like all good fathers do.

Stephanie and I stayed behind for the roast lamb - no, we didn't have any over the top grips that had to contend with, but it was a stupendous way to end the day and celebrate Chris's birthday.

A couple of Chris's workmates came to celebrate as well.

We sat and visited, and the dogs relaxed.

I then found out that some dogs are like their owners.

 A little bit twisted.

It was a fantastic way to spend the weekend, and really we should do it more often.

Now is the question...will the dogs remember all that was taught this weekend...better yet....will I remember what I taught them this weekend?