Everything is Awesome!

Hello all, It's been a long time since I have updated the blog, so I'm not sure if we have any followers left!!! I have been very busy with Mouse, Barbie and Bender. We are fast approaching Mouse's first 'gotcha day', but the next celebration is Barbie's birthday in a couple of weeks. I will make an effort to get back to updating the blog, but in the meantime, here's a summary of Mouse's life with us so far...

If you're doing it right, everybody will be dancing (Esperance Road Trip Video!!)

4 days in 3 and a half minutes? Challenge accepted. This is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It's a long drive but it is more than worth it. I would love to retire to Esperance, Western Australia!

Barbie's Moves

With Mouse around, Barbie has a ready made playmate. Mouse was a bit scared at the park at first, but she is very good with other dogs and soon came out of her shell. On their first trip to the park they had a high speed collision, and Barbie acted like she had a broken leg for a while. Mouse carried on as if nothing had happened. She is a little toughie. They were a bit more careful running together after that, but there was no bad blood between them.

Before Mouse came along, Barbie had to hope for other dogs to play with in the dog park. This video is from a few weeks ago when Barbie found this lovely friend to play with. I can't remember her name but she was very sweet and kept coming to me for cuddles.



Barbie and Mouse have their moments, they are not always best mates, especially when my affections are concerned. I think Mouse does look to Barbie for direction in the house and Barbie has been extra-tolerant of Mouse and her exuberant nature.

What do you get when you cross a Husky with a Corgi? And more kayaking with Bender

Today I spend most of my time hanging out with an old friend at her garage sale. I think I missed the rush, but there were still quite a few visitors while I was there. One was this cutie.

Her mum was keen to show off her tricks. Her name is Honey and she is a Husky cross Corgi. Can you see it? She had just been shaved and they weren't so happy with how she has been clipped. How cute is this beg?

Yesterday I took Bender out on the water in the kayak again. He was a fair bit better in the boat but I have to convince him that floating around with me is more interesting than what is happening on the shore. We were out on the water for about 15 minutes straight, and then when I got him out there again, he decided he had enough and jumped out a fair way from shore and swam in. I had to paddle back in and make sure he didn't get into any trouble!

I think I will win him over eventually, the idea is that we can all go for a paddle together by the time it gets nice and hot in summer.

Ever wonder what the furkids do when you are out?

I was very curious about how much time the dogs spend lying in the sun when I go out. I set up my gopro to take one photo every 60 seconds for the two and a half hours I was out riding this morning. I captured a lot of .... action. Sleeping, looking out the window, wandering around a little. Keep an eye out for Bender hiding in the doonah on the couch...



Not sure where the cats were all morning, but when I got home I got a great photo of everyone making the most of the sun!

barbie's 'pray'

So she's mainly got 'pray', next time I'll work on the head position, but it kind of looks like praying! :) she's got it down in one move now but I think she's being queued by the object (the chair) as well as the verbal command. I will work on it with park benches and stuff like that when we are out.

I think I need to get one of those 101 trick books to see how many I can get Barbie to do. She is such a sharp little cookie.

So here is the video. Excuse Bender's barking. I am proud of Barbie not being distracted though. Also note Mittens lazing on the couch, she is probably thinking 'I'm glad I'm not a dog!'

Greyhounds and Cats

Some friends warned me against getting a Greyhound.

"Your cats will get eaten" they said. I didn't believe them. I'm glad I didn't because Barbie is awesome. She makes my day every day.

Here is her interacting with her friend Frou frou.

Jumping video!

Bender is actually a top class jumper. I think he will jump full height (I think he's a 60 cm dog) already. He got a bit sloppy after a few goes and knocked the old mop down so we stopped. He was getting a bit manic. I am going to try him out with jumping. It depends how he pulls up after doing a full course. He does have issue with his wrists after an hour of chasing his ball, so I'm not sure if jumps are doable for him or not.

Barbie can jump, she just doesn't when she has to think about it. Before I put the mop up, I saw her jump down from the retaining wall, take two steps and then jump the length of a xxlarge trampoline type dog bed. We'll get there. She approaches it all with a good attitude.

Day 4 of roll-over training...

I think she's made progress.



On the other hand, I got a nice big crate for her and when she saw it, the expression of disgust on her face was priceless! Bender proceeded to go lie in it, and when he left, the cats went in, but Barbie hasn't put more than her two front feet in. It was like she knew exactly what it was and didn't want a bar of it! I've put her bed in there and fed her in there. I will take it slowly with her. I have a feeling that Bender will be in there a lot of the time though!

Barbie does 'Roll Over'

I emailed Desma (the dog trainer) and told her that if she saw the trainer who remembered 'Barbed Wire' again, he should search 'Barbed Wire' and 'greyhound' on youtube and she will blow his mind. Apparently he was shocked that anyone would take a greyhound to obedience class.

I better start working on her repertoire!

Training Update

I think Barbie is starting to understand 'roll over' but I don't think it's her favorite trick. 'Paw' has also turned into 'flail your legs around like a dieing cockroach'.

Here is a really crappy video of 'commando'.