Agility Practice at Creature Comforts 12-10-11

Sky showing control coming down the A frame

Nancy Davis giving Sky a stern talking to after she decided to make up her own course, not once but three times. Nancy gave Sky a verbal scolding and she decided not to play for a few minutes; actually pictured above is Sky and Nancy making up, lots of string cheese involved in this process ha ha.

When will it be my turn??????

Pate working the 2 x 2 weave poles, this is one of many methods to teach weave poles, young Pate has done very well with it and always seeks out the entrance to the poles, a habit you want to instill in your agiltiy dog.

Another shot of Pate, he is the 2nd most beautiful dog Nancy has owned since I have known her, the first being her Leap. They are very similar in style and temperament, Nancy will have lots of fun with Pate. He is stunning!

Sky Dec 1, 2011

We went to check on our rental house in Burnsville NC and took Sky with us last week. She struck this pretty pose in the field behind the house. Too bad there is a building in the background, otherwise would make a great field pose.

Action Agility Shots Nov 2011

Dean Lake, pro photographer was on hand at the agility trial last weekend and caught some super shots of Sky. While we did not qualify in any of our 4 runs, we improved each time and Sky was quick to respond to my commands (which were too slow lol!) I love the shot above as it shows how athletic Sky is!

Why is it when I was younger and faster my dogs were older and slower, and now that I am older and slower my dog is younger and faster????? Sky showing off great jumping form, me, not so much. . .

Agility Nov 2011

Agility is a great sport, and now that Sky's championship is obtained, we hope to spend more time training and competing. Each time you run the judges provide you with a new and challenging course, above shows handlers walking the course and planning their strategies for a successful run. Each dog is different so what one handler chooses to do, may not work for you and your dog.

Sky patiently waiting for her next run, you are a good dog Sky!

One of the most enjoyable things about competing in agility is the camaraderie. Spouses of friends who are running their dogs are here to provide support, video tape, walk dogs, what ever is needed. Morris, Joe, and David are enjoying the event as much as the participants. I was invited to eat dinner at the camper set up with the Edney's and Davis's on Sat at this trial in Pendleton, SC. The stories and jokes told after dinner by the fire kept us in stitches and was a great way to unwind!

Thanksgiving with the Fogg's 2011

Steve Fogg and family invited us over once again to share Thanksgiving with them in their new home. This has become an annual tradition and we love the fellowship and food!

Old friends gathered for the feast, Michelle, Penny, Fred, Jeff and Steve are pictured just before the crowd dug in.

And the 4 legged family member was not left out, Ashley with her puppy, Ewah.

Sky's new Champion Photo's

New Ch Grayhart Lightfoot Early Morning Rain JH TD RN NSD NRD VX CGC, what an exciting day this was!

Sky's first time in the ring as a special she goes BOB and earns 2 grand champion points!

George and Sky Nov 2011

Sky and George Nov 2011

George the cat and Sky are best of buddies, George gets very upset when Sky goes away for the weekend and leaves him. I think he misses us too, but only because we provide canned food treats when we are at home! Of course, he does think pay back is a good thing when Sky has been gone a few days. . .

Mom, George won't let me past him. . . .

Mom, I can't come down, George won't let me!!!!! Just like siblings, they love each other but also love to aggravate the other.

Vacation time w/friends Nov 2011

After finishing Sky, we decided to go visit friends downstate. .. George Moody and his "Buddy" - if the name sounds familiar, our cat is named "George". We've known George since the early 80's, and though it's been many years since we've lived in Burlington NC, going to visit is like going home.

Sky in the "small" pond at Carol & Charlie Parron's wonderful property near Clayton NC. She flushed up a Great Blue Heron and a pair of Mallard's on our early morning walk.

Hostess of the house, Carol taking me on a ride on the Gator down to the Nuese River that borders their property. We also went and checked on the beaver dam and ponds.

Charlie is a crack shot with shotgun and pistol. Joe and Charlie went to his sporting clay club in the morning, and later in the afternoon we had some practice with the pistols. Charlie is watching where the shots are going for any necessary adjustments.

Charlie and Carol are NC State fans w/season tickets to the Wolfpack basketball games. They kindly invited us to go with them to a game, it was a real nail biter with State winning in the last 20 seconds! It was so much fun, a highlight of our vacation!

Sky NRD Title Oct 2, 2011

Sky qualified for her NRD at the Tarheel Weim Club test on 10/2/11!

Ballet aka the art of throwing birds. The moment of a member being taught the finer aspects of throwing birds for the rating. . . it is an art form! Thanks to Mary Ann and Jessica for demonstrating!

NEW CHAMPION Nov 12 2011

CH Grayhart Lightfoot Early Morning Rain RN JH TD NSD NRD VX

Sky completed the requirements for her championship in Winston Salem handled to her last point by Debbie. Not only did she earn her CH, but this title gave her the necessary points to qualify for her Weim Club of America title Versatile Excellent! And to add icing to the cake, it gave her sire Parker (BISS GrCH Hibournes It's All About Me) the 8th champion to qualify him for Bench Register of Merit! Sky is her dam's Trixie (CH Graytsky's I'm Not Really A Waitress CD RN OA NAJ BROM) her 6th champion to date.

Our friend Suzette Jett with her GrCH CT Nani's Cool Your Jetts (Cool) found a great place to hang out while we waited on Cool to go into the group on Saturday. Sky met a new friend at a dog park, and. . .

we found these super fields to go tracking in! It was quite a day for our girl, and Cool finished it off by going Group 3 piloted by Suzette! Great job Cool and Suzette!

Joe was so excited about Sky finishing, and going BOB the next day, her first time in as a special, earning her 2 pts toward her Grand Championship, that he pulled out all the stops for a celebration meal. I think Sky was downcast since she earned it, but didn't get to eat it lol!

After a busy and eventful weekend, Sky is glad to be back in her own bed to dream about finding gloves and quail. Sleep tight Sky, you earned it!

Sky's 2nd Major Atlanta Oct 2011

Sky earned her 2nd elusive major being expertly presented by Susan Wise at the Chattahoochee Weim Club specialty in October

Sky adores Susan and she has the skills to bring out the very best in Sky. It is a pleasure to watch them in the ring. Thank you Susan!

First Agility Leg - Sept 2011

Sky earned her first qualifying score and a first place at our local club's 2nd Agility trial held in Waynesville NC on Sept 25th. She had a clean run in Novice Standard and gave me a great treat for my birthday. Thank you Sky!

To celebrate our upcoming conversion from Wachovia Bank to Wells Fargo Bank (I've worked for 4 different banks now since 1977 thru mergers!) the Wells Fargo full size stage coach made a visit to western North Carolina. It draws quite a crowd and is also used in parades and other special events.

Colorado Trip August 2011

Arrived in Colorado in time to cheer for my niece Sara and her Golden male Trooper placing 2nd in rally novice after a run off for time for first place. Well done Sara and Trooper!

Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park is one of the most scenic places on earth, we hiked up to Dream Lake one morning to take in the sights and watch the trout in the lake.

Lots of wildlife, we passed these to big elk on the greenway trail while riding. . .

our Segways! It was a blast and a great way to see animals as they are so quiet.

And no trip is complete without playing with some of my sis's Flyway Goldens. This is Zita showing puppy Twist how it is done, it was her first time swimming and she took to it like, well, like a Golden!