2012 Just Around The Corner

Another year is ready to end, another year is ready to begin.  I don't do resolutions simply because for me they are pointless.  I'm not good at long term, these days I'm more a today person.   Okay, except for dog plans.  Those I tend to plan out year(s) in advance but as I have said for many years "I reserve the right to change my mind at a moments notice".  They are plans but definitely in the "ish" category.  Bless Clara for her "ish" isms.  For example, I'll be there about 10ish.  Love it!  So my dog plans are "ish". 
I will say that I have two more solid plans for January since the entries are already in.  That doesn't mean I'll make it to the shows, but it's a step.  Declan is entered for 3 days in St. Paul--it's 4 point majors in Smooth Collie boys all three days so I have my fingers crossed for at least one major.  Today I entered Hobbs for his first outing as a special looking for his Grand Championship points and we are bringing Reid back out again.  Because puppies are due at the Jola household I'll be showing Reid myself.  This makes me very happy and proud as we are going Bred By Exhibitor for his class.  And I do love "The Baby" as he is affectionately known.  Hobbs should be a hoot, I don't think he has been shown for years since he finished pretty fast in his youth. 
No other 2012 plans that are anything other than thoughts.  So much depends on weather, but thanks to the new job actually getting to shows should be easier.  And there are puppies due in WI and MN that I'll want to go and snuggle if the opportunity arises.  Fingers crossed and prayers said for healthy babies out of Splash, Musca and Sally.  I think I need more crates....

Until next time...

New Job, New Issues

I have a new job!  Yea!  It's not rocket science but I get to collect a paycheck and benefits and walk away at the end of the day stress free, so I am not complaining.  The dogs are most disgruntled.  We are up by 5:30 a.m. now and I'm literally having to drag some of them off of the furniture to potty and eat breakfast.  Then there is the "confinement" of the elderly population in the bedroom.  I don't think they are dying in there, they have a sofa and 3 dog beds since none of them can make the leap onto the bed. 
The younger dogs have been banished (their word, not mine) to the kennels during the day.  I'm giving it about a 60% success rate after 4 days.  So far I have to repair one panel corner that has popped into two pieces.  I think it's the pull of the tarps and the direction of the wind.  Tarps on that one side will have to come down.  Trace hasn't stayed inside his kennel any day this week so I am considering moving his dog house to the house porch and leaving him in the house yard.  I knew I would have issues with Charlie who gets bored in about a millisecond, so I added another plastic jug, knuckle bone, toys and a frozen kong stuffed with goodies.  He still has dug himself into oblivion and has made a nearly completed "tunnel" between his kennel and Hobbs'.  This has caused Hobbs no small worry and he has managed to get his nose under the fence and scratch it all up.  Charlie may find himself in the yard with Trace.  Tori is most upset that her meal times have been adjusted.  Breakfast before 8 a.m.?  Dinner at 7 p.m.?  Are you nuts? 
Thankfully I managed to get the additional 2 tires on the car last weekend.  Can't be driving 90 plus miles a day on bald tires.  Or as it was discovered a rim with a rather large crack in it.  Dodged a bullet there.  And since a regular paycheck is on the horizon I put a snowblower on layaway.  I'm hoping that will be enough to keep truly measurable snow away for a while.  
Merry Christmas!  Until next time... 

A Picture IS Worth A Thousand Words...

Charlie, Ace, Hope

CORGI IN THE MIST

This is Trace's favorite spot, the back of the sofa looking out the living room window.  With it being a south side window it's dang hard to get a good photo but I totally love the way this one turned out. 

Ace The Foster Dog

This is "Ace" our latest foster dog for MWCR.  He is about 1 1/2 years old and a real love.  He so wants to please his human and adores attention.  He is getting along fine with my little dogs, girls and neutered boys.  He can run with the intact boys but I have to keep a close eye.  He has some guarding issues with food and bones when there are other dogs around.  I think he would blossom as an only dog or in a home with a very settled and solid female dog.  Here are some pics I took yesterday.  He is a handsome dog, isn't he?

WHO KNEW CHAIN LINK WAS SUCH A BLESSING?

Camera Batteries!  Yipee!  I needed to take pics of the newest foster Collie and since it was such a lovely day today I finished up some pre-winter chores.  We don't get many December days like these and I've been pushing the envelope on getting items checked off my list before the snow flies.  Today I managed to make room in the small building for the car and finally put away all the jumps and such from the yard.  The garage has officially taken on the duty of kennels and this winter room enough for a bit of light training so I am thankful for the use of the smaller outbuilding.  Speaking of kennels, it hit me today how much has changed in the three years I've been here.  In light of this I took some pics of the current kennel situation, four indoor/outdoor runs finally all complete, six outdoor kennels (down from eight this summer-I just don't need that many right now) and my latest accomplishment of kennel panels surrounding the kennels to make a smaller yard and to put my mind at ease if some dog escapes the kennel they have to escape the yard as well.  I do see all the nice kennel panels as a blessing, without it I couldn't do as much with the dogs as I do now including fostering and the ever expanding canine assisted living facility. :-)