3bluentru

THANKSGIVING!!!!

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:33:52 GMT

I am SO excited for Thanksgiving this year! What could be MORE fun than 12 people (or more) and more dogs than people! (Poooor Russ!)

Alison is coming tomorrow, on her way to CA...we're a little out of the way, but hopefully worth it :>) The weather is supposed to be 60 and partly cloudly, which means we will be able to get in a DUNES HIKE hopefully! It's a GREAT time to go to the dunes, because there are lots of 'dune lakes' from the recent rainfall. These are last year about this time...

Rob & Alysa will be here Wednesday with the whole gang. They came for Christmas last year and we had such fun with all the dogs and dune hikes!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!! I am very THANKSFUL that I have gotten to know everyone, and have really enjoyed our 'LJ' family!

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:03:32 GMT

Wow, what a line-up! And our OWN TORI ON TOP!

Wow, sandwished between Marcus and Nancy! Impressive!

Way to go Revvie Girl!!

Our #1 WINNER!

CONGRATULATIONS LJ'ers AND BEYOND

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:56:30 GMT

AMAZING!!!!! A special congratulations to our OWN Tori SELF and REVOLUTION!! and to Gabrielle, who toughed out a gruelling week to run finals...you guys are amazing! I ONLY wish I had been there. I took these as I was watching the LIVE FEED!

Marcus HUGS Tori!

THE BIZ IS BACK!

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:04:56 GMT

Met the G's from Seattle today in Eugene to pick up Biz...luckily it was nice and dry and the dogs could run and play int he field where we met.
The G's showed me her newly learned frisbee talent, which I was QUITE impressed with. She really learned to 'track' the frisbee, and she looks FABULOUS. Although she could be 'good', she most likely could not be 'world class--she likes to play, but is not obcessed with it. She might get there someday, but we all know there are lots of obcessive BC's waiting for just this kind of sport.

She has lost a little weight, and her coat is GORGOUS. They have taken WONDERFUL care of her, and I could tell they were a little more than sad she didn't work out. she totally just fit right in again with my pack, playing with everyone, toys and seems like she remembers EVERYTHING like she was here yesterday.

Oh-Robert taught her to jump in his lap--thanks Robert! It's fun to have the Biz back, at least today. Tomorrow Imight remember she's DOG #5 IN THIS HOUSEHOLD...OMG.

The BIZ is BACK... Santa Beard INTACT...

Why did I Leave? I'm SO cute!

Look at that coat! Aerial view...

Welcome back Biz!!

She is 'Bizzy' playing with everyone...what a GREAT personality she has...and she has only gotten better over the last 3 weeks with the G's....

BUT, she STILL doesn't walk good on a leash...dang, I should have put THAT in the contract..."No returns unless said dog is now capable of walking gently on a leash"...I'll have to remember that one...

It's obvious the G's were wonderful to her, and I'm so sorry it didn't work out. But I 'think' I'm very glad she's back...

Biz & Tru get reaquainted...I had to hold a bone up to make them stop playing...

Beautiful Albany leaves

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:38:26 GMT

The leaves in Albany were just spectacular...and although they won't be as good or cute as the ones with Haku in them...my boys are still cute....and besides, mine were taken with...my iphone!







Fall is beautiful in Oregon!!

Getting 'In the Mood' for Nat's

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:18:03 GMT

Wow, hard to believe it's just a couple of weeks until I leave for Nationals! So...I need to concentrate on my Mickers...just changed my user pic to the screaming Mick everyone knows and loves. this nationals is going to be different. It's been 'challenging' to get a team together and make the travel plans. Just alot of things up in the air here and there, adding a bit of stress to a usually super exciting time.

Also, this may be Mick's last Nationals...who knows, we'll see how 2010 goes...I surely don't want to break him, and he's at least 9 years old, so there's the factor that he's getting older...not that he shows it in any way really...but I KNOW he's older, and more prone to injury, etc. He sure does still love the game though, and as long as he's sound, and happy and healthy, he can continue to do the sport he loves...just maybe on a more limited basis.

What a ride this boy has taken me on! He's been a spectacular friend, companion and confidant. From the moment I saw him, I adored him...he has slept next to me on the right side every single night of his life except for the week we went to Mexico. That's longer than some marriages!

Thanks Mick, for the ride, for the doors you've opened, for the love of life you've shown me. Thanks for opening the door of rescuing other dogs and finding them new homes where they are loved and adored as much as you are. Thanks for teaching me so much, and most of all, thanks for being Mick. THERE IS NO ONE ELSE LIKE YOU ON EARTH AND I LOVE YOU!!!

We're gonna get to nationals and rock the world--together. Love ya Mickers!

2005 SW Regionals 22" GRAND PRIX winner

ANOTHER CUP BITES THE DUST & MORE

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:58:07 GMT

FUN FUN at the NW Cup--but I still wore my 'black cat' shirt in honor of the good old days...

Mick was Mick-flying here and there at the speed of light. Gambers Q, and almost a Std Q on Sat, but I got called on the 'runout plane' of a jump...for a fault...grrrr. Judge Jim even apologized on Sunday, saying the jump wasn't 'set' exaclty as planned, creating the rufusal plane line to be very close to the previous jump...oh well...another Cup bites the dust! One bar down after the tunnel in Jumpers...but a speedy 22 seconds...sheesh--doesn't matter if he can't keep the bars up!

My shining star was one of many baby dog shining this weekend! I put him in GP & Steeple, just for the experience, never EXPECTING him to actually get thru it with no faults! That beautiful run earned him a 5th place Q in GP (one place of out the ribbons-drat!)...and then in Steeplechase, WOW! How about 2nd place!
I was AMAZED, really. I went into the finals saying to myself, "Just take one jump at a time, this is waaaay over his head, he's just a baby".

Anyone seeing Tru's Advanced Standard course earlier that day would agree...ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE with a baby dog! ha ha...he was definately getting our monies worth, taking every obstacle at least twice and a few for extra points--and it WASN'T Gamblers! I finally gave up I was laughing so hard, and the judge (Trish Stall-a GREAT judge with a sense of humor) was laughing right along with me. Tru was one happy agility dog as he bounced out of the ring..."Did ya see how many things I did for you, aren't you proud?" Exhausted is more like it...he was hilaraious.

OK-back to Steeple FINALS! (Hello--this is a baby dog who is just over 2, who I've had just over a year!)...and he did it! WOW...good enough for 4th place! (and damn it, ONE out of the ribbons again!) I don't usually take ribbons, but when your baby dog MIGHT get a big pretty special one, well, dang it, ONE place out of the ribbons, is just ONE place to many!

And there are some awesome dogs in 26"...London, Skillet, Freddie...so many! I am very proud of my boy (ribbon or NO ribbon)...and I think it STUNK that CAT did not hand out checks at the trial. I'm not sure why...but I would have at least liked SOMETHING that says, "hey, ya did good" to take home. All the other clubs seem to be able to hand out cash or checks, why not CAT? And many people stayed JUST to get the $$ (or did I miss something)...

I hope everyone got to sign Pete's 'Retirement Bar'. Carole Mann is retiring him after Nationals. He has arthritis in his toes, and Carole wants him to be "as good as he can be for as long as he can be"...and although you might see him here and there in a run, he will not be doing full trials anymore. They have been wonderful competitors, and it has been wonderful to see them grow as a team over the years. Watch for Carole and Nash to do the same in upcoming years.

Anyway, fun trial, congrats to all LJ'ers who did so well...so fun to see you all again. Blynn-you and Gem were fabuos, Alison and Epic won the 22" --WOW!!! And so many fun dogs to watch, and great competition. I didn't hear any squabbling, and everyone enoyed the sport as it should be, or so it seemed.

Prineville AKC

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:47:43 GMT

Went to the Prineville AKC show last weekend, finally getting around to doing an update...

BEAUTIFUL FAIRGROUNDS! It's SO nice to have warm weather and green grass and an agility trail all in one place! Prineville is special to my heart anyway, as that's where Mick was found wandering the streets in an ugly old leather collar. I feel like I need to pay homage to the city when I enter...thanking them for my wonderful Mick!

Friday started at 2 pm....which is odd anyway. I took the motorhome, but stayed over at Carole Mann's so we could hang together after the trials. Her house is so dog oriented, with LOTS of beautiful tile work (her sons and husband do) and the back yard is HUGE, with GREEN GRASS and LOTS of agility equipment, PLUS trees that are loaded with chippies (squirrels) for the dogs to scent and chase and bark at--it's kind of dog heaven.
I had all FIVE, count them FIVE dogs with me, and they all had a blast.

Friday was Excellent only, and we bombed. Maybe I don't like trails that start at 2 pm...but it was an ODD weekend...the dogs that are usually at the top of the class in Excellent didn't Q! It was almost a pattern...and got to be kind of funny! We 'should have' been able to Q--the courses weren't that hard (some totally lame), but none of us did! Flash, the Michelons, Pete and Mick--all no Q's! By the end of the weekend, people were SO happythey were Q'ing...and we weren't! Too funny.

I did manage ONE Standard Q and 1st place on Sunday...and little Mick was even a second faster than speedy Pete Mann who wond the 24" class. It was Mick & Pete's ONLY Q of the 3 day weekend!

Now I'm gonna complain a little bit...(in little type even). The judge seemed grumpy the whole weekend, and it set a 'grumpy' tone for the trial. It was Lisa Potts, and I doubt I'll ever show under her again. It was more than her courses, which were SO imbedded that they BARELY changed anything from Excellent to Novice, and some of the challenges were waaay too much for most baby dogs. But it was MORE than that...on Friday in Jumpers I got stuck behind a wing on a front cross, and ended up telling Mick to 'go on'...whcih he did...but because of me being behind, I need to take a cut thru the middle of the course, right by where the judge was standing. I shouted, 'EXCUSE ME!' 3 times, and she didn't budge, and so I had to go behind her, trying to avoid her, thus, sending Mick off course.

After the trial Friday, I went to chat with her about it, putting the blame on me, and she was NOT approachable at all, and said "I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!", etc, etc. It was disappointing.

She did things like this all weekend, blowing angry whistles at people, and making comments about 'having to charge the club $1.00 per bar that SHE had to set". She did not ever give light in the briefing of 'enjoy yourself and your dog, and didn't mutter any rules to the novice handlers. Usually I hate the speech, but I now see that it 'sets the tone' for the trial, to be happy and enjoy this time with our dogs, no matter what.

And then there was the NOVICE FAST course on Sunday. The SEND BONUS was 2 double jumps AT THE START LINE! Yup, go jump #1, then jump #2, and you got the BONUS...what??? WHERE'S THE CHALLENGE IN that? The pink 'send' tape was just nexxt tot he 2 jumps, so you didn't even ened to do a leadout to get the BONUS--just run with your dog! Duh.....

Sunday's Open Std was more of an Excellent course, with angry entries to a spread jump and a nasty weave-tire-jump sequence...if you didn't have super distance on your weaves, you were sunk (and I sunk)...but as I was walking it, I said outoloud to a perfect stranger, "THIS COURSE STINKS", and ya know what she replied? "Yeah, it's a reflection of the judge, she stinks too!" Now this is a person I don't even know, have never talked to, and she had the same feelings I did...hmmmmmm.

Anyway, Tru got his Novice Jumpers title, and a few Q's...I also ran the Time to beat with Jammer & Tru...and Jammer loved it, earned 8 pts...and Tru had a well...baby monent.

It was a fun trial, because WE MADE IT BE FUN. There were people there I hadn't seen in a long time, and different faces, which was fun.

Here's Friday Std...where Mick pulls off the chute for some silly reason... (okay, it's below the other one) I still have to upload the Tru videos.

Uh-oh

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:59:44 GMT

Guess who slept curled up next to me all night...with her head and Tru's head right next to each other.....

yeah, little Biz is worming her way into our house PRETTY well Took her to the Prineville AKC show with us and hshe had a blast, and everyone fell in love with her. She has a super recall, played off lead with all my dogs, Carole's dogs and some others, and well, you couldn't ask for a better little girl. Not that she's short on the looks side either, she is a doll, her coloring is just beautiful.

If I change my mind, there will be a nice waiting list of adopters to choose from. But for now...uh, she needs her stitches out, and some more socializing :>0, (ha ha ha), and I MUST get the flea problem under control (they are gone), and I MUST let her hair grow back on her legs (it's pretty good now), and I MUST show her the world...(she loves meeting it!)

I mean, WHO can resist THOSE EYES?????

Oh, and she plays with all my dogs so well, even Mick likes her...yikes.

USDAA WEAVE POLE SURVEY--VOTE!!!

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:55:48 GMT

USDAA Weave pole survey. VOTE!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=TJacTWz_2boyBBzqznzc8LtA_3d_3d

PHOTOGRAPHER AMANDA JONES IN PORTLAND

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:36:03 GMT

The photographer who did the photo shoot of my dogs for the cover of Bark Magazine will be in the Northwest in July. She books up fast, so if you are interested, contact her right away. Photo shoots run about $1400...and that includes some big prints (I think 5). Her website is:
www.amandajones.com she is an awesome photographer!

Her schedule is:

July 11, Seattle, WA
July 14, Los Angeles, CA
July 17 ~ 19, Portland, OR
July 24 ~ 26, San Francisco, CA

I was lucky to get this photo shoot as the 'prize' for getting on the cover!

Mick on 'Agility Fusion' blog

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:32:24 GMT

While working on gathering donations for the Regionals Raffle, I began chatting with the woman from 'Agility Vision' about our dogs...and she posted this pictur eof Mick on her blog! (Mick was IN Clean Run, not on the cover BTW)
http://www.agilityfusion.com/

RAFFLE ITEM FOR REGIONALS

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:36:55 GMT

I'm in charge of the RAFFLE at Regionals. if anyone would like to donate something, PLEASE let me know.

This is a BIG EVENT and you will get lots of recognition...SO PLEASE STEP UP!
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Liz

ANOTHER FUN WEEKEND!

Tue, 26 May 2009 04:14:26 GMT

Too tired too post too much, 'cept these pics of my rescue boy Tru. Judge today asked 'where' he was from...I was pleased to anser..."the Albany, Oregon SHELTER"!

Here's just a couple I got yesterday in the field at the school by the trial...







And smilie Mick...

And...yesterday we had another FIRST PLACE Q in Std and a 2nd place in JWW...04 seconds behind Sandy and Trick! Yeehaw!

Today was a bomb...more later...

ELMA UPDATE 4-09

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:18:25 GMT

Mick and I had a VERY SUCCESSFUL weekend in Elma. He ran beautifully, despite his injured handler! My arm held up remarkably well, with just a few major pains, and a host on minor ones. I'm exhausted today...but the fun weekend was SO worth it.

We Ended the weekend with:
Saturday
Gamblers Q-no placement, was working on holding contacts!
Std-NO Q, ONE bar dwon wihen I called him over it, very nice run.
Grand Prix-5th place Q, EVEN holding contacts! I NEEDED the Q for Regionals, so I played it SAFE. Nice run. (video below)
Snooker-ha ha ha, no Q
Steeplechase-Mick cut behind me after the FIRST JUMP, thinking I was doing a lead out front pivot---we we existed, stage left.

Sunday-
Std-no Q, one bar again
Snooker-Q-despite me HUNTING for 3 minutes for jump #3 int he closing! Duh! (good entertainment for the audience tho!)

AND THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEKEND...da da ta da!!! FIRST PLACE MASTER JUMPERS! WOW!

DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT'S BEEN SINCE I HAD A FIRST PLACE IN JUMPERS?

Yippe for Mick--he was awesome! and yippee for my other dogs, who were great dogs all weekend in the x-pen taj mahal. I am so proud of them!

Here's my TWO fav runs of the weekend.

And GRAND PRIX...

FOR RENT HILLSBORO AVAIL MARCH 1

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:52:21 GMT

Rescue Made Easy

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:16:27 GMT

Here is a link to "Dogs in Danger'...dogs in fear of being euth'd at various shelters. You enter your zip code and can search by breed, and 'how many days' they have left....
http://dogsindanger.com/

PLEASE pass along to anyone looking for a dog, or if anyone can foster a dog and safe a life-DO IT. What if you saw Mick or Tru on this list??? Would you have reacted?

It just makes me sick SO many wonderful dogs are being euthe'd.

BC FOUND IN PORTLAND

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:55:04 GMT

A VERY NICE LOOKING BC was FOUND IN PORTLAND, and posted on Craigs List. Any help locating the owner is appreciated! BC rescue is on it to take him and foster him...but thought I'd pass the word.

Here is the listing and link if you need it:
A medium sized black and white dog; possibly an Australian Shepard or Border Collie wandered onto our front porch tonight for this second time in two weeks. He is black with white on his stomach, around his neck, the tip of his tail, legs and paws. He has on a brown leather collar with a rabies tag from Colorado but no other identifying tags. He is very friendly and definitely well trained, he is not the type of dog you would want to lose.

We already have 2 dogs and as much as we would love another, we can not afford it right now. We will hold to him for a day or so to see if anyone claims him. If not, we will have to bring him to a shelter.

Please email or call (503)477-6061 with any information. Thanks.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/pet/872231754.html

ONE LESS BAD BREEDER

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:26:25 GMT

This is off The Bark.com site...it is estimated this guy sold over 3,000 dogs annually to Pet Stores acrss the nation. Is it any wonder shelter are at capacity with crazed dogs? Wow, there sure needs to be some kind of legislation...

Commercial Breeder Closes Doors, Gives Key to Shelter

Commercial breeder Wallace Havens, who owns Puppy Haven Kennel, one of the nation's largest dog-breeding kennels, and the Wisconsin Humane Society have agreed to, surprisingly ... agree. Now retired, Havens has closed his breeding business and allowed the WHS to assume his business assets. Most dog lovers wouldn't consider dogs to be "business assets," but the deal includes his handing over more than 1,100 dogs to the WHS for spay/neuter and adoption.

That's right, more than 1,100 dogs. All of them have lived at the kennel their entire lives and have never been socialized or lived with people. The WHS has an extraordinary task before them. More importantly, this single-handedly is an impressive feat in the fight against puppy mills. Havens said he sold about 3,000 dogs a year. He was in business for 40 years. Do the math and the number of dogs he created (don't forget the intact dogs he sold that were purposely or accidentally bred) is astronomical.

According to the WHS press release, Margaret Stratton, president of the board of the Wisconsin Humane Society said, “Assuming the assets of this facility will allow us to provide wonderful homes for more than a thousand dogs. These dogs will soon enjoy the love and companionship of people who will treat them as members of their families. To our knowledge, this groundbreaking action is unique in the humane movement. This is consistent with the Wisconsin Humane Society’s mission to build a community where people value animals and treat them with respect and kindness. We are always working to educate people interested in obtaining a dog that they must consider the physical, social and emotional needs of the dog and find out as much as they can about the dog’s background.”

ZIP CODE

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:57:26 GMT

THE ZIP CODE IS 97420...sorry--didn't proof that!

CALL FOR HELP

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:08:01 GMT

Okay-here is an example where everyone can help--with an extra crate, fostering, or someone you know fostering, sending a few $$, everything helps! I have worked with Heidiin rescue for the past 7 years--she is just like you or me, I know her personally. If you can help, please do...Thanks! Liz

Yesterday in rural
Eastern Washington, a puppy miller of Mini and
probably some Toy Aussies had her dogs seized. An
all volunteer rescue group called Adams County Pet
Rescue out of the Othello & Ritzville areas helped
the authorities with the dogs. Adams County does
not have any government funded or run shelters so
luckily there is a great group of folks over there
that have banded together to do rescue. Prior to
yesterday they thought there might be about 40-50
dogs in the bust. There were just over 100 animals
alive and a half dozen dead on the scene. A small
few have already been deemed un-adoptable or
treatable and were humanely euthanized by a vet.
There is a link to news coverage at the bottom of
this email. The woman living there had no running
water and the conditions were beyond appalling
according to the gals I spoke with this morning.
The miller had a boarded up hut that was nailed
closed where she left nearly a dozen dogs. This
was her culling room, no food, water or
ventilation. The dogs not able to produce went in
there to for culling. If any of you have been to
this arid area of Eastern Washington you know how
incredibly hot it can get over there. Amazingly,
they found dogs alive inside this hut and they're
now in rescue's care.

Legally, they can not adopt out any of these dogs
for at least 15 days. Some will need
rehabilitation and longer foster care as they
learn the ways of the world outside a puppy mill.
They are desperately seeking foster spots and any
supplies related to the care and housing of dogs.
Their shelter (term used loosely) is in the
process of being able to house animals. They were
working on getting runs set up before this but are
in no way ready to house the animals adequately
and certainly not this many. 30 of the 90 plus
dogs went straight into foster care with
volunteers. They have 50+ housed at their
facility. If you know anyone that would be willing
to foster a dog please contact Julia at
Julia@myuw.net. Julia is an Aussie lover; she is
the one that I've been in contact with. She has
also been touch with Leslie from MARS (Mini Aussie
Rescue). I told Julia I would help get the word
out. They are also in dire need of supplies
especially crates. If you have unwanted crates,
grooming tools, collars, beds, food or anything
that might be useful to these volunteers, they
would appreciate it. They are in the process of
setting up a Paypal account to receive funds via
credit card or check and I will re-post that
information when I know it.

For now, if you wish to donate money, it can be
sent in care of:

Broadway Animal Hospital

2780 S Broadway Ave
Othello, WA 99344
(509) 488-6206

The web address for the Adams County Pet Rescue
group is located here:

www.petfinder.com/shelters/WA52.html

To send money directly to them in the form of a
check:

ACPR - 202 Curtis Drive - Othello WA 99344

News coverage on the front page here:
http://www.keprtv.com/ or here:
http://www.kimatv.com/

Sincerely,

Heidi Erland

regionals

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:38:00 GMT

FUN TIME AFTER PRACTICE

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:46:02 GMT

It's SO MUCH warmer at the arena where I NOW get to practice...so I took some pics of the dogs afterwards in this adorable little patch of 'Forget-me-Knots'--which I just LOVE...

The ones of Jig didn't turn out...Tru, of course, looked dashing...

VIDEO HELP

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:24:38 GMT

Can someone tell me HOW to get my video from the camera onto the computer? What cable connector do I use to transfer my video to my computer? help???

WT Tryouts

Sat, 03 May 2008 15:28:39 GMT

Bought the 'pass' to watch WT tryouts--it's great! Eric has enabled full-screen capability--which is nice-and it makes you feel like you're right there! Half the $$ ($24.99) goes to the WT--so it's really a good buy and a donation to the team as well. Here's the link in case you don't have it--
http://www.agilityvideoservice.com/