An award? For my little blog?

As most of you know, I'm pretty new to this blogging-with-an-audience thing. Learning as I go!

So this week, I got a Versatile Blogger Award from Tena at Success Just Clicks. I had to look to see exactly what this meant! It seems to be an award for new bloggers, and it's a very cool thing!

The rules of this award are that I must share 7 things about myself and then pass along the award to 15 blogs that are either new or are new to me. I don't tend to branch out my blog reading very much, so I'm going to post this before the full list of 15 is up, then find new blogs as I go along!

Seven things about myself, and West, of course. Since this really is his blog..

1. I drive a TINY car. It's a Chevy Sprint, and it's a 5 door, but that's basically ALL it is (made of doors). It's kind of hilarious when I park somewhere (like the gas station today) and I've got four dogs loaded in the back, plus a passenger! I once fit 3 months of "living stuff", 3 dog crates, Archie, Cujo/Koodo my prev foster (huuuge dog!) and myself in my tiny little car and drove it over the rockies. It's kind of a joke. :) West likes it far better now that the muffler is attached!

2. I wish we had a local CU class to attend. I think both West and Archie would benefit hugely from such a class, but it's very hard to teach and attend at the same time!
Sigh. One day, maybe.

3. I love free stuff. I enter lots of contests (and win some!) and freebie entries. I enjoy couponing, and once got 4 free-natura-dog-food coupons, one bag of which is still around!

4. I have really cool friends. I was at a Rally trial back in April, and a friend was entering a raffle. She had a couple extra tickets and wasn't sure where to enter them.. I told her to throw them in the GO! prize and that I'd buy the food off her to use for West (who is still getting a mix). She said if she won, I could just have it. Almost two months later, I was at an agility trial when another friend approached me to let me know she won that raffle and had kept the food (all this time!) for West! How cool is that?

5. West really wants to sleep on the bed. He would like very much if I'd kick Archie out of the house, and then West could be as bad as he wanted! He's sitting on the floor with his head resting on the bed, looking very pitiful. There are several comfy dog beds available.

6. Archie is totally addicted to tissues. I'm allergic to most every plant out there, so spring is a rough time. I go through many kleenexes, and Archie is obsessed with finding and eating them. It's to the point now where he hears me blow my nose and comes running! Bad dog! :)

7. I'm really bad at writing things that fit a framework! Listing these 7 things has been awfully hard!

And now for a list of blogs. Let's see how many I can come up with.

After Gadget Not new, or new to me, but very good!

Vet On The Edge New to me!

BZ Training Fairly new to me.

Through a Guide's Eyes Thanks to Sharon for suggesting this one!

The Homeless Parrot

Syn's Blog

Doggie Ideas with great training plans and steps!

Children In Perspective a brand new blog by a young man who I met through animal rescue, who writes about all sorts of things..


That's 8... I will add more as I think of them!

Some time out and about..

West mostly comes everywhere now. Today, we would have practiced at the centre, but instead, practiced in a friend's yard. So we just took Gypsy to CU class, came home and got the others to go play.

Mom pulled up near the gate, and I just let West out. He ran to the gate while I got Archie out, then I let them and Gypsy into the yard. Oh, and Sheela too! Mom went to do some shopping, and I headed for the back of the yard to turn the water on. The 4 dogs just played and ran and sniffed. I tossed a couple balls, but mostly, they wanted to investigate.

Once I had the water on, I decided I needed to do something with West and Gypsy so I could work Archie. Popped West in the solid crate, Gypsy in the zipper one beside him, and left sheela loose. Archie and I worked a few 2x2s, some tables, and some jump sequences. I put him over the dog walk a couple times, and he was great.

Shifted the dogs around, let West out, put Archie in. West did some tables, a couple jumps, and tried to get him over the dogwalk. He did go over once. He's not worried about being high, but has no sense of where his feet are! Silly pup!

Now, I put West in the fabric crate. Last time he was in one, he scratched it up, so I was watching him closely. He didn't relax, but he didn't claw at the crate either! Good dog.

I rotated through a couple more times. Mom came back, and I worked Sheela a little. Loaded everyone back in the car and went to the gas station.

The only available pump in the shade was right near the door. 6 months ago, I would have parked to the side and waited for a farther one to be free, but I figured West could handle it. And he did! He watched a few people go by, without tension or barking. He sat on the front seat with the window wide open while I pumped the fuel. Even when some men walked by! He's come a looong way!

Once we got home, he ran around a bit, then jumped through the window into the car. This is his new favourite spot, sitting on the passenger seat of my car, watching the world. And he's discovered he can get there on his own when the window is open. Sigh.

It's been a while, but he's come a LONG way!

Does everyone remember the little biting border collie pup that I offered to foster for Sheena?

I think I misplaced him.





He's watching Tim eat his yummy sandwich across the table, I think.



Please note the little white fluff poking out from his back end? This is his TAIL. and I can SEE it, even though he's being TOUCHED by a MAN! Now that's progress!

Sorry we haven't been updating as much as we should, but he's coming along nicely :) I am proud!

He also came along to Archie's agility class on Thursday morning. Was ok around Chris and Ray, as long as he kept his distance. Did some tunnels, and a few jumps. Good boy.