Afraid to jinx it...

but I will say things are looking a bit more positive as of late.  I have a full time job, albeit temporary, although I'm not just too sure how temporary.  Things around here are a little uncertain and I suspect the higher ups are still sorting out what to do with the job I'm doing.  It's fun work, no sick people! and not stressful at all.  Whew!

I had decided not to take a puppy from the Musca-Hobbs breeding because things were so iffy financially.  But (knocking on wood) I believe we are going to pull thru.  So I'm going to take one of the little girls pending eye check results.  And I'm toying with the idea of bringing one of the Sally-Hobbs babies down for some training time--although I hear the girl is a terror. Of course that is the one that Becky would like me to take for a while.  Thanks a lot Becky!

Jenny and Carly go back home and Hope is off to meet her new family on Sat.  So I will be taking in another foster Collie.  At least this round it's -3 and +1 instead of -1 and +3.  I like it when the numbers work that way.  So here's to continued upward climbs and happiness....shhhhhh.....don't jinx it.  ;-)

Until next time...

Mid Week Musing

Spring came early this year, heck, may as well call it summer for a few days that we have had.  It's been nice to open the house and the dogs really enjoy their times outside.  The grass has greened up and now I can really see how badly I need to re-seed some areas.  I think it's going to involve re-fencing some of the house yard and just doing it in sections.  Since the extra dogs from last year are gone now I can take down most of the kennel runs and make another big yard down below. 
It is official-in two weeks I will be sending out the last of the foster dogs from last May.  This weekend my other foster goes to his new home.  And Jenny and Carly's mom and dad will be back from Texas in a few weeks.  It's going to be pretty quiet here after that.  Well, okay, so for most people more than one dog isn't quiet, but hey it's a matter of perspective. 
I haven't given very much thought to shows this year except that Declan's final three single points are priority as well as dipping my toe back into the obedience ring with Spice and seeing where we are on that.   The plan is to stay as local as possible or one day only trips.  Working full time has it's advantages and necessity but it really cuts into my desire to train and leave the farm on the weekends to show.  And I don't even want to go into the ever rising gas prices.  Ugh.
That was a pretty boring post, we are pretty much just hanging out here in Iowa, waiting to see if it is going to rain, or be 90 or let's see...I'm sure snow in April will be on tap. 
Until next time...

Old Dogs Rule!

Lemmy, 11

Shortcake enjoying the new green grass.

Lemmy, 11

Shortcake, will be 12 in April.

Well, that was okey dokey

We didn't come home with any points this weekend but I call it a success anyway.  First, I managed to go to the show by myself with 2 dogs to show, 4 along for the ride, unload, set up and potty all of them without incident.  And my biggest accomplishment--groom Reid for the ring.  Thankfully Sahra had him ready to go except for chalking and fluffing.  I overestimated my physical ability to drive roundtrip on Friday and show twice--that up at 2 a.m. home at 9 p.m. did me in and I opted not to show on Sat.   I was proud of how Gus and Reid showed for me--especially Gus who actually behaved for the most part.  Reid and I have obvious issues with him thinking we are in play mode together, but it's okay, I just know that Sahra needs to show him and I need to be his play buddy.  On Sunday Reid had some absolutely lovely comments by two Collie people and it meant more to me than anything all weekend.  And we got to be there to see Amy and Fletcher get the major win in rough boys! So now Reid goes back to WI, Gus goes back to MN and I wait to enter Declan and finish his last three minors.  And there is a lovely little smooth girl with my name on it growing up to hit the ring in the summer.  Smoothies Rule--Roughies go to Sahra! :-)

Until next time!

Excited but...

I'm so excited for my first show of the year, but as usual waiting for the other shoe to drop.  So far, so good.  Car working - check.
Plan for the non-showing dogs - check.
Gus here - check.
Found all of my grooming and show stuff - check.
Found the hitch pin for the hitch plate - check. (Last year I had to buy a new one and then found the old one stuffed in a "safe" place).
Pantyhose - check.
Reserved grooming space verified - check.
One last "item" to pick up on Thursday - Reid!
Until next time...

And we are off like a herd of turtles, again

Tomorrow is another of those long round trippers.  We are off to the Minn-St Paul area to check out a new home for Kit, pick up Declan after he shows tomorrow (fingers crossed everyone that he finishes tomorrow!) and pick up Gus to show in Des Moines for Becky.  Hope is going along for the ride as she can use some more experiences and you never know who might fall in love with her.  She is so sweet and happy but everyone seems to fear her loss of vision in that one eye.  Plans are in the works to have her see another vet ophthalmologist who may be able to do some laser surgery on the other eye to help prevent that retina from detaching as well. 
I do believe it will be early to bed for all of us tonight!
Until next time...

Biscotti

Just a couple of quick pics of Biscotti--son of Shorty, half brother to Spice.  The first is on his favorite doggy bed, the second is his "hey--it's getting a little late for dinner isn't it?" look.

He did have a lovely new collar which Charlie semi-destroyed.  It's a Lupine so thankfully I can send it back for a replacement.  I love this collar-it is so Biscotti--bones with an argyle pattern.  Very distinguished.

Once more with feeling

I am thinking happy thoughts since I have a trip planned to WI again on Tues, MN on Sat. and Des Moines the following weekend.  Then of course it's back to WI and MN to return dogs, etc.  And I want to see puppies again!
Musca and Hobbs' babies are simply to die for!  At three days I count one pet and 5 show prospects. They are all huge and healthy and stunning with loads of chrome and just for John, silvery blues.  I would like to publically thank Musca for providing one stunning tri girl without white factoring! 
Sally and Hobbs' babies are due any minute and I am looking forward to squeezing them this weekend.  Declan comes home this weekend too--I've missed my big bubba boy.  Reid and I are going to play show dog in Des Moines--all huge majors and he is just gorgeous and getting better every day.  Thank you genetics!  I'm also getting the honor of showing a certain blue pup-pup for Becky.  Yep, got my running shoes on for both of the boys!
Until next time...

ACE IS FOUND!!

MyLinda found Ace earlier today!!  I'm ecstatic!  They are such a wonderful match and I'm happy that Ace will be snuggled safely in bed tonight.  Thank you to all of the wonderful people that helped spread the word, made posters and tromped around looking for the big lug.  Dog people ROCK!

ACE IS MISSING!!!

******LOST NEWLY ADOPTED MWCR DOG ACE******

St. Paul Park, MN

Lost at: 8095 Grey Cloud Island Drive
... Age: 2 – 3 years old
Weight: 70 lbs
Breed: Rough mahogany sable & white collie
Wearing: Collar with MWCR tag #2912 and dragging a purple leash

Ace went missing last night. We need help getting flyers up around a 7 mile radius of his home ASAP. Where to put flyers:

• Tape mailboxes, do NOT put inside mailboxes
• Staple to telephone poles
• Businesses
• People walking

Flyer can be printed here: http://www.mwcr.org/2012/Ace_Missing.pdf

PLEASE POST BACK TO US WHERE YOU POSTED FLYERS AND BUSINESS NAMES.

We also need help searching for him. He is in the area where there is a river and lots of forested areas. You MUST get permission from the owner to walk their property if needed.

If spotted, do NOT chase. He is move comfortable around women than men, and he likes to play with smaller dogs. He loves hot dogs.

Sighting map: http://g.co/maps/7b5zp

Facebook group: Search for “Ace is Missing”

For sightings please call 651-246-4992

Uh-Oh

Oh boy, I have successfully taught my conformation, wanna be a grand champion dog, to sit.  And sit he does, and does and does.  Of course at the same time my obedience dog has decided that an automatic sit is something that I have just pulled out of the blue and expect her to know and not something she actually knows and has done in the past.  Gads!  Three weeks to re-teach Hobbs to stand and look pretty.  But I see a few sits in there popping up unexpectedly.  Hobbs did get a bath and blow out today and he looks so pretty.  Got him trimmed here and there to make him more polished appearing and did his nails.  He was utterly unimpressed by all the fuss.
Three more dogs to go before mid next week.  Gem is headed to IL, Harold to WI and Kit to MN for various adoptions and meet and greets.  I hope to get in a couple of trips to see new puppies along the way.  Tri girls, tri girls, tri girls...that is my new mantra.  
Okay, so back to the drawing board--need the conformation dog to stand and the obedience dog to sit.  Good thing she's not entered anywhere this month!
Until next time...

What to do, what to do...

Okay we are going to try to enter the next set of Des Moines shows.  I can only imagine what the weather will be like in February, it certainly was par for the course this past weekend for the January shows.  Now to keep my fingers crossed that nothing more falls off the vehicle and messes up these plans.  I know for sure that I will enter one dog all four shows but am up in the air between Declan and Hobbs.  It's the age old dog show question of where will my entry money do the most good for my dogs?  Declan is showing the weekend before up at the Collie Club of Minnesota.  I have no expectations for him to finish up there based on the one judge.  It's not the judge's fault, it's just that I know Declan will not be her particular style.  The other judge would be more likely to enjoy him but winner's dog for that show won't finish him just because it won't be enough points.  So...do I enter him all four Des Moines shows, hope he finishes at one of them and then bump him up to special and start working on his Grand Championship...or...do I just enter him under the one judge that is most likely to find him in a large group of nice dogs...or..do I just say forget it and enter him later this year looking for his last couple of minor points?  I am dreading that he will end up in the "I need one more point to finish" club--I think the majority of show people hate being in that club!  Then there is Hobbs.  I just want to get him his Grand Championship and have no intention of specialing him indefinitely since I have dogs coming out later in the fall and those entry fee funds only go so far.  Four shows would be a good start to maybe pick up a select or two, maybe we would even get blessed with a "left behind" (go read the AKC requirements for a grand Ch--I'm going to have to carry them along with me just to keep track).  But to enter Hobbs and Declan both for all four shows just isn't really feasible.  So if Declan gets entered at some or all that means messing with who to enter Hobbs under.  I hate not to enter him since there should be a nice entry of smooths that weekend. 
What to do, what to do...

Good Bye

Ace left for his new home this evening.   He did his "adopt me" job very well.  Ace is a big boy and plopped himself next to his new owner, sniffed, snuffled and finally kissed her.  There was much Collie puffing and sucking up.  We talked and his new owner is thinking about doing some obedience or agility with Ace.  I'm sure he will love everything about getting all the attention in the world. 

WINTER FUN!

This is what 8 inch of snow makes out here, a few mild drifts except for the lane which needs to be plowed out.  The dogs had some morning fun - I left the gate open between two of the yards and the chase games were on! 

Gem - foster for MWCR

Tori

Let's see--Charlie, Ace(foster for MWCR), Trace, Spice and Harold

Charlie, Trace and Spice

Harold, Ace (foster) and I think Tori on he other side of the fence.  You can see the kennels still need to be scooped out. Stupid drifting.

The Puppy

Since Reid is and will always be known as "The Baby", Philip will need to be "The Puppy" at least for a while.  Here is one of my favorite pics of him sleeping with his stuffed Collie toy. 
Introducing:  Philip!  From the Bryce - Lolli 2011 litter.

NEW PICTURE

Here is Declan's major win photo from Land O Lakes!  He is now at 12 points with both majors and showing next at the Collie Club of MN hoping to finish there or at Des Moines in February.  Then onto some obedience/rally and hopefully in the spring some more herding.  Thank you Amy, Brian, Peppi and Rachel for producing such a nice boy and sharing him with me.  And especially to Amy and Brian for showing him when I couldn't so that he can be so close to finishing--thanks guys!!

Major News

Declan (Oak Knolls Riverton, HIC) now has both of his majors!  He earned his second 4 point major today at the Land o Lakes show in St Paul.  Handled by one of his breeders, Amy Ross.  That puts him at 12 points and both majors.  Whew!  Now to chip away at the final 3 singles once he comes home. 

THE GOOD AND THE BAD

The bad:  on the way to work on Wed. the wheel flew off the back of the car.
The good:  great people at Delaware County 911, the sheriff's dept. and Georgen Auto.

The bad:  I let Maddy go to the Bridge on Friday.  It was time, probably past time.
The good:  14 1/2 years with a wonderful dog who made me smile and laugh more often than not.

The bad:  Had to cancel entries for Des Moines so I could pay for the tow on the car.  Bummer.
The good:   Declan wins his first major, a 4 pointer, in St Paul today!  Shown by one of his breeders, Amy Ross.  I believe this puts him at 8 points/1 major.

Life is a balancing act.

Until next time... 

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...