tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7148175133274537692024-03-13T16:53:34.391-05:00View From 4 InchThe ups and downs of running tiny dogs in the big world of dog agility.ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.comBlogger559125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-81725586602184594472015-05-09T07:03:00.001-05:002015-05-09T07:09:12.631-05:00Strafe vs. Revolution in 2015 AKC ITT Event<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Side-by-side video compare two all-out runs </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>by Roseanne DeMascio and Tori Self</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two top competitors take on the final Round 4 course of this International Team Tryouts (ITT) event for AKC. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This video by 4 Legged Flix show the runs side-by-side and then in slow motion for detailed evaluation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DeMascio uses some strategic blind crosses to get and keep the edge through most of the course but dropped bar after a too-close-for-comfort Japanese turn gives the run to a fractions-of-a-second slower Rev in the backstretch closing sequences of the round. </span></div>
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ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-21763988941015135372015-04-29T09:10:00.001-05:002015-05-04T16:30:29.053-05:00The Myth of the Magical Rescue Dog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Shaun earning his first ribbons at an agility trial</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dogs with Serious Emotional Trauma Need Critical Care. So Why Do Some Dog Trainers Insist on Training them "Just Like Other Dogs"?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A popular dog training blog recently posted a rant about how the owners of rescue dogs were guilty of "coddling" them and how they should be treated "just like other dogs". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That somehow, the deficits of non-existent socialization, reactive behavior, traumatic experience and lack of relationship knowledge somehow magically disappear.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes a "rescue" is more like a re-homed situation. And oftentimes, the dog doesn't have serious or unusual issues. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But in those cases were serious problems do exist, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel that criticizing owners for being to over-protective or worried is a convenient way for dog trainers to side-step the sometimes often complex and time-consuming issues of treating a dog with serious issues. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead of helping the owner with the critical care the dogs badly needs, the new family often walks away with a band aid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the dog doesn't fit in the box of "normal dog training" -- training often developed to support the training needs of competition obedience dogs -- the new owners too often walk away with serious behavioral and socialization needs sorely unaddressed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Shaun in his peaceful older years</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The story of Shaun</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our 17-year-old Toy Fox Terrier came to us at 2 years old after surviving being a pit bait dog. He had been starved, burnt with cigarettes and bitten. His life was probably not great before that point either. He was classed as vicious by the shelter when we adopted him.
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But because my current dog at the time was dying of a brain tumor, I wanted to rescue something. So I rescued Shaun. Shaun had many severe problems. I won't list them for you, but if you can imagine it, he probably had it.
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got into dog training because of Shaun. I knew he was more than I knew how to handle alone. He did get better. He did go on to lead a somewhat normal life. He did earn his CD, Open agility titles and earned some of the first Toy Fox rally titles. He ended his career discovering something he really loved, APDT rally, where he retired with a High in Trial.
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I can tell you about the things we managed (with difficulty) to accomplish. But Shaun was never a normal dog. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He had nightmares, at night and in his sudden reactions to triggers of his formal life. His brain, I think, had been damaged by the experience of being attacked. Possibly from being shaken. He was an extremely athletic dog and an escape artist of the highest degree and we figured that's how he survived.
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Shaun learned to enjoy life,</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>but still, the past haunted him</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are dogs that have gone through genuinely horrific experiences. Who never knew a trustworthy human relationship. Who have real physical and mental damage from their abuse.
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My life and Shaun's were made harder by those who insisted that now that he was rescued that the past should disappear and he should be magically the same as a dog who was bred well and raised in a loving environment. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It really was really because I found trainers who had worked with seriously damaged rescues that we were able to work within the reality of his true situation. But, honestly, he always struggled and was always the ghost of the dog he could have been.
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The blessing was that at the end of his life, canine dementia stole away the bad memories. He lived in the moment and for those last two years he was feeble, but blissful. For the first time in his life. That was pain I did not train away. It was pain he finally lived away. He died in his adopted daddy's arms with a smile on his face.
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Dedicated with love to Shaun </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Serious needs need to be appropriately addressed, not just wished away</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just don't want other people who have severely traumatized dogs to struggle, not getting the help they need, by people who have never had a dog with serious issues, and who insist they should just treat their dog like any other dog who has not had severely traumatic experiences. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not fair to the person, who is probably trying very hard to treat things they don't understand. It's not sufficient for a dog who needs, in the training and emotional sense, critical care and not a bandage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Here are some things that can help</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have rescued a dog from traumatic circumstances, here are some things that I did for Shaun. I hope they will help you.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Look for a trainer with rescue experience</b> -- Look for a person who has worked with all kinds of dogs from all kinds of backgrounds. A person with lots of titles might have dog training skill, but their experience might only be with dogs selected from birth from high end performance lines and raised in enriched environments. What's important to their agenda in dog training might not mesh with the urgent needs your dog presents.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Interview your potential dog trainer </b>-- Ask specifically what successes they have had in rehabilitating dogs. Ask also about their failures. Someone who has participated in a deep way with the realities of rescues will be honest about both.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Look for a behavioral focus </b>-- Ask your trainer what solutions they have for helping to socialize your dog, build the relationships and create plans to address specific behavioral issues. If the training program seems more directed toward skills needed to earn titles in dog shows, they might not meet the needs you have now. It's not that this type of training is a negative, and you might decide to pursue these skills some day. It's just that you first need someone who can help you triage your situation, prioritize the issues, and help you develop the skills to address and manage them.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Listen</b> -- A good trainer will often tell you things you don't want to hear. Keep listening. Try it, even if it sounds like the funniest and most unlikeliest thing you've ever heard of. Dogs don't think the same as we do. And often, things that don't make sense to us, makes sense to them. Keep an open mind and give the strategy a chance.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Know when to look further </b> -- If your dog trainer seems to not have the flexibility or tools to address unusual or difficult issues, don't hesitate to break off the training relationship and find a more experienced or suitable trainer.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Try HARD -- </b>Training and rehabilitating a dog with serious socialization, reactivity or other needs is serious business. You will need a plan. You will need to commit to doing the work. And you will need to work at it every day, most likely for the life of your dog.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Know your dog</b> -- Even if you haven't known your dog long, you most likely understand more about him than you know. Trust your instincts. Trust the responses you see in your dog. If you come across advice you absolutely feel is wrong for you or your dog, you do have choices. You can ask for alternative approaches, or if the gap is large or serious, you can choose to find a trainer or system that better fits your need or lifestyle.</span></li>
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ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-82632383147583055102015-04-25T20:55:00.000-05:002015-04-25T21:08:55.560-05:00Equipment for a Starter Canine Fitness Gym for a Toy Dog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Samurai doing a sample workout in his Papillon gym</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A friend asked me for suggestions for purchasing starter workout equipment for her dogs. Here is my response. It includes links to the equipment discussed and the reasons I like it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As promised, here are some suggestions for building a starter canine fitness "gym". For all of the inflated equipment, start out with item not completely inflated. Inflate more to make balance harder, deflate to make it easier). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to choose one item to start with, I think at this point, I would choose a K9 Fitbone. Second, 2 balance discs. Third, the PawPods. Fourth, the Get on the Ball Video. Five, the stretching video. There is a lot of stuff here you can make or have someone make for you a lot cheaper than buying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's fun to have a selection of things so you can be less repetitious and let the dogs "play" on the obstacles, similar to the way Taylor was in his little video. I have to be very careful not to overdo with him. This would be awesome for the puppies! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Supporting strength, balance and proprioception in an older Papillon</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Except for cardio, they only need a few minutes, 2-3 times a week with this. The movements and weight shifts don't have to be dramatic. With Samurai, I'm really making the movements a lot more subtle to get him to shift weight to his weaker knee without having him start to compensate (by moving his leg out or roaching his back). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try to keep a flat back and good posture through all of the exercises. Fewer correct exercises is better than more out of position. Watch for shaking or compensating. This means the dog is tired. Keep it the workout short and sweet and quit while they're still having fun.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1 or 2 small balance discs (these are really versatile)</b></span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fitpawsusa.com/FitPAWS-Balance-Disc-Canine-Fitness-Equipment/productinfo/FPAWSBD/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.fitpawsusa.com/FitPAWS-Balance-Disc-Canine-Fitness-Equipment/productinfo/FPAWSBD/</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>40 cm peanut </b>(peanut should be longer than the dog standing square. Dog should not stand hunched up on the peanut. This size should work for most Papillons. If you have a larger dog, purchase for the size of the biggest dog). The eggs are harder than peanuts. Don't use a yoga ball. The dog can't stand square on it.</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fitpawsusa.com/FitPAWS-Peanuts/products/113/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.fitpawsusa.com/FitPAWS-Peanuts/products/113/</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>K9 Fitbone</b> - 1 should be good for a Papillon. 2 for larger breeds. These are relatively new, but really nice. Especially since the dog can easily board on its own, which is harder than with the peanut. It's also more stable and if they lose their balance or an oops happens, the fall won't be as scary.</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fitpawsusa.com/K9FITbone/productinfo/FPK9BONE/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.fitpawsusa.com/K9FITbone/productinfo/FPK9BONE/</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>FitPaw Pods</b> - These took Samurai a little bit to master, but Taylor loves them. They're great for teaching balance and some people use them to teach stacking. In our class, one point we learned is how difficult it is for an animal or person to stand still. Having the dog stand in balance on the pods or doing weight shifts is a really great exercise. You can also substitute tuna cans. You can also use human versions of these found in sporting goods stores.</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fitpawsusa.com/FITPAWS-PAW-PODS-SET-OF-4-Balance-Stones-for-Canine-Fitness/productinfo/FPPP/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.fitpawsusa.com/FITPAWS-PAW-PODS-SET-OF-4-Balance-Stones-for-Canine-Fitness/productinfo/FPPP/</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cavaletti</b> - I'm sending a link to the product, which I purchased, but frankly, as is, they're difficult to work with for a dog of Papillon height. Basically, the dog is trotted over with one paw falling into each opening between the cavaletti. You space them the length between the withers and point of the hip. Basic height is below hock height. So...for Papillons, really low. So, the heights on these cavaletti are too high! So I end up taping bars to a yoga mat. Some people get little baskets at the dollar store that you can pop the bars into. Or custom make bar holders to height. Send over at a trot. Great for conformation to develop balanced muscling. Start with 6 cavelletti and work up to 12. Once the dog can do the trotting at the initial distance you can extend the width between the bars sometimes to work on an extended trot. <a href="http://www.fitpawsusa.com/FitPAWS-Hurdle-Set/productinfo/FPHURD/">http://www.fitpawsusa.com/FitPAWS-Hurdle-Set/productinfo/FPHURD/</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wobble boards</b> - You can make these a LOT cheaper. Great for puppies to play on to get them ready for working on the teeter. <a href="http://www.fitpawsusa.com/FitPAWS-Wobble-Board-36-Dog-Fitness-Canine-Rehab-Equipment/productinfo/FP-WB36/">http://www.fitpawsusa.com/FitPAWS-Wobble-Board-36-Dog-Fitness-Canine-Rehab-Equipment/productinfo/FP-WB36/</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Rocker board</b> - You can also make these a lot cheaper. Just wrap a board with yoga mat material. These are great for doing incline work and teaching lateral leg raises (important for strengthening the medial hip flexors).</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CANINE FITNESS VIDEO RECOMMENDATIONS</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Get on the Ball</b> - This is what I started with. I'm studying with the presenter right now. The moves here can be done on any of the equipment above (except cavaletti)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.fitpawsusa.com/Get-On-The-Ball-Two-DVD-Dog-Fitness-Video/productinfo/DVD-GETON2/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.fitpawsusa.com/Get-On-The-Ball-Two-DVD-Dog-Fitness-Video/productinfo/DVD-GETON2/</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog</b> - This is a wonderful video. It's really a good balance for the strength building exercises.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.fitpawsusa.com/The-Healthy-Way-to-Stretch-Your-Dog-DVD/productinfo/DVD-HEALTHY/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.fitpawsusa.com/The-Healthy-Way-to-Stretch-Your-Dog-DVD/productinfo/DVD-HEALTHY/</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CARDIOVASCULAR TRAINING FOR SMALL DOGS</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Should also include walking, trotting, hiking, swimming several times a week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cavalletti counts as cardio</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://dogtread.com/treadmills/" target="_blank">DogTread</a></b> - These are becoming popular and people are combining them with the balance obstacles above for advanced workouts. You can use a human treadmill for a dog the size of a Papillon but for larger dogs, the length of the bed won't be long enough for them to trot extended.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope this helps! Have fun with your dogs. :-)</span></div>
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ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-75652791617188419972015-03-04T16:33:00.000-06:002015-03-05T20:52:56.975-06:0011 Promises to a New Puppy (Whom I Haven't Met Yet)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SgWwGDNFfG8/VPd0PKSv6QI/AAAAAAAABeU/p6vXJ77k8tY/s1600/IMG_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SgWwGDNFfG8/VPd0PKSv6QI/AAAAAAAABeU/p6vXJ77k8tY/s1600/IMG_0070.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Samurai, when he was just a pup</i></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Before you were even born, I made promises.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>A promise</b> <b>that we would be a good match for each other.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want you to be happy in the world we will create together.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A promise to let you be a puppy as long as you need to be.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want you to enjoy those blissful months of puppyhood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want you to wander and explore,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">your eyes filled with wonder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>A promise</b> <b>that I will keep you safe</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">but give you room to grow.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This will be hard. Sometimes I'll question myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And you will test your limits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> But together, we'll move forward</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">on an important journey toward trust.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>A promise</b> <b>to make careful choices about nutrition.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://viewfr4inch.blogspot.com/2014/06/saving-samurai.html" target="_blank">Caring for Samurai</a> and our old Shaunie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">taught me lessons about how important it will be </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">to feed you well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I will continue to study </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and try my best to make good choices</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">that will help you grow strong,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">run healthy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and live long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vSRZL4WADd4/VPeCB9gCTHI/AAAAAAAABe4/xKuP-Ma2SAw/s1600/20140124-141308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pixIowVkJ5Y/VPd_6RBomtI/AAAAAAAABek/2Qe6XpGZPU8/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pixIowVkJ5Y/VPd_6RBomtI/AAAAAAAABek/2Qe6XpGZPU8/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A promise to make good choices for your training.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Kid, I'm not perfect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You'll find that out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Probably, you'll laugh </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and have me scratching my head</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">at your endless mysteries and jokes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But I will try.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vSRZL4WADd4/VPeCB9gCTHI/AAAAAAAABe4/xKuP-Ma2SAw/s1600/20140124-141308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vSRZL4WADd4/VPeCB9gCTHI/AAAAAAAABe4/xKuP-Ma2SAw/s1600/20140124-141308.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A promise to seek out the best advice I can on your behalf.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I will think. Then plan. Then do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been around the block long enough</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">to take a pass on some of the myths</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">that make sense to people</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">but not to dogs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll try hard to find paths</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">that bring us joy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">as well as lead us to our success.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A promise to keep you fit for the efforts I ask of you.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You can only perform well what you are physically able to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I will try to understand you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and find ways to help you be strong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I promise not to push you beyond</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">what you can happily do.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What I will adore more than any ribbon, win or title</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">will be your smile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What I will not tolerate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">or permit for myself</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">is losing that happiness.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss2cew2IUT8/VPeAeUoiz9I/AAAAAAAABes/vSQjOmpKXJY/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss2cew2IUT8/VPeAeUoiz9I/AAAAAAAABes/vSQjOmpKXJY/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A promise of medical care when you need it.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A soft, warm bed for you to sleep in.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A family that will love you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Arms that will always be open to you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A promise that when the time comes, I will let you go.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It will break my heart almost more than I will be able to bear.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But you will be too good of a dog</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">for me to let you suffer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Know this:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When you are gone, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">you will live in my heart forever</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">just as you are with me now,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">perhaps before you were born </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and before we have even met.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Above all, always and forever,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I promise to treasure you</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">as the matchless treasure you are.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Adieu, my little one.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Until we meet,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I love you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This blog is part of a <a href="https://dogagilityblogevents.wordpress.com/health/" target="_blank">Dog Agility Blog Action Day (DABAD) on performance dog health and happiness.</a></span></h4>
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ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-78297877475450263382015-02-07T21:16:00.001-06:002015-02-07T21:16:09.148-06:00Mike Across America @ Black Dog Smoke and Alehouse, Urbana, IL<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7OEq3IET7M/VNbU-SH6rEI/AAAAAAAABdY/0cfy3PwwV20/s1600/image1-769149.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7OEq3IET7M/VNbU-SH6rEI/AAAAAAAABdY/0cfy3PwwV20/s320/image1-769149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6113307710684048450" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4oKV-A8H5OQ/VNbU_EEXOKI/AAAAAAAABdk/hWxztHlJDfg/s1600/image2-771544.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4oKV-A8H5OQ/VNbU_EEXOKI/AAAAAAAABdk/hWxztHlJDfg/s320/image2-771544.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6113307724090914978" /></a></p>Smoked salmon sandwich with spicy vinegar sauce.ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-67506355494731500042015-01-14T09:32:00.001-06:002015-01-14T13:27:33.867-06:00Do Papillons and Small Dogs Need Jumping Skills?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46p2P7sFtUY/VLaPuJDArwI/AAAAAAAABdE/Yr0kbx53yLY/s1600/20140125-094325-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46p2P7sFtUY/VLaPuJDArwI/AAAAAAAABdE/Yr0kbx53yLY/s1600/20140125-094325-3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>More than keeping bars up: J</i></b></span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>umping skills help </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>little dogs run with speed, accuracy and confidence.</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The answer is yes! Jumping skills are more than not knocking bars. They are the foundation skills you need to guide your dog swiftly, safely and efficiently around the agility course. And while small dogs don't seem to knock bars as often, they often still HIT bars without taking them down. And that isn't good for your dog.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a young agility dog you'd like to get started off right? Want to move your handling from good to great?
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Register for Mastering Jumping Skills: Foundation Flatwork. It's available now in Daisy Peel's Online Classroom. Sign up <a href="http://classroom.daisypeel.com/dap/a/?a=2382" target="_blank">here</a>:</b></span><br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline;">http://classroom.daisypeel.com/dap/a/?a=2382</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This class is first in a series that will take you from a great start to running with mastery and confidence. And it all starts with FLATWORK.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know <a href="http://www.daisypeel.com/about/" target="_blank">Daisy</a> and have taken her classes. She presents a first class learning experience for all sizes of dogs. This time, she's teaming up with agility icon, Linda Mecklenburg and world medalist Jenn Crank.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They will be teaching you a new approach that advances the methods introduced in Linda's books, <a href="http://www.awesomepaws.us/store/books/developing-jumping-skills/" target="_blank">Developing Jumping Skills</a> and <a href="http://www.awesomepaws.us/store/books/developing-handling-skills/" target="_blank">Developing Handling Skills</a>. You'll not only have the skills to run today's tough courses. You'll have fun! (Remember fun? :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Registrations are open now and classes start very soon.
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>On your mark. Get set. ZOOM!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm signed up with an auditing spot to pick up skills and additional motivation for Samurai (and yes, flatwork can be VERY motivating). I love flatwork because it lets my little guys experience the joy of running full out -- and work on skills -- without those pesky bars!
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even my little retired 4" guy, <a href="http://viewfr4inch.blogspot.com/p/2011-akc-preferred-national-agility.html" target="_blank">Taylor</a>, will be able to have a little fun. Because, hey, no jumping!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every dog should revisit flatwork once in awhile. And, it can get a youngster started like a speedy pro, right from the start. Take a look. Be one of the first to get the advantage of this innovative new approach. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See you in class!
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ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-78139480847223120402014-11-17T07:34:00.000-06:002014-12-08T21:38:11.053-06:00MACH Samurai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pP1feGki53I/VGn5EUcNv6I/AAAAAAAABcs/MqJKHp4N8iI/s1600/IMG_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pP1feGki53I/VGn5EUcNv6I/AAAAAAAABcs/MqJKHp4N8iI/s1600/IMG_0620.JPG" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>MACH Wingssong The Seventh Samurai MXB MJS OF T2B</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Oct. 25, 2014</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p>Samurai earned the 20<sup>th</sup> QQ for his MACH at this
trial. We celebrated at the trial with a cake decorated with the Japanese kanji
character meaning, “Samurai”. The “i” in Samurai was dotted in red symbolizing
the red sun symbol of Japan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Samurai was named in honor of my Japanese aunt, Chieko, who
passed away shortly before we adopted Samurai. His registered name was taken
from the classic Japanese movie, “<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047478/">Seven
Samurai</a>”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Samurai, who was a troubled, reactive puppy, was named after
the movie’s character,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kikuchiyo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kikuchiyo, the seventh samurai, was a brash, silly farmer.
He only pretended to be a samurai, but in the end, he became a hero. We gave
Samurai this name in hopes that he would someday find his way from being a
crazy puppy to being a good dog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a very long journey. Samurai’s reactivity made it
difficult for him to go to classes. I trained him mostly alone and then added
classes as a distraction. From the beginning, I didn’t dare hope that he would
ever be able to go into the ring. Later, my highest goal for him was an Open
agility title. Even earlier this year, I thought he might not ever have enough
focus to have consistent weave poles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, we nearly lost him summer before last due to chronic
digestive problems that made it a constant battle to keep weight on his skinny
frame. After being diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Disorder, we changed him to a
raw diet supported by Chinese herbs. Samurai gained weight and became stronger.
His tummy no longer hurt as much, so his attitude improved, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are very proud of our brave little Samurai and look
forward to many adventures to come.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-58507479995876789872014-09-28T19:28:00.000-05:002014-09-28T19:39:38.426-05:003 QQ Weekend for Samurai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Samurai made a clean sweep of the weekend, bringing home his 17th, 18th and 19th double Qs.
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I had just told a friend that I didn't expect him to finish his MACH until next year.
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I'm hoping this means he'd like to get it done just a little sooner.</div>
ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-44186378337479771672014-09-27T20:41:00.000-05:002014-09-28T19:39:49.765-05:00Samurai Celebrated 17th and 18th QQ at Antique Archaeology<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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He met this foxy friend along the way. Looks like he found his twin.</div>
ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-65041132215018221542014-09-27T20:34:00.000-05:002014-09-28T19:40:02.430-05:00Taylor at Antique Archaeology at Le Claire, Iowa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Luckily, the staff didn't try to pick him as their shop dog this time. But he still seems to fit right in.</div>
ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-77675681760654882012014-09-27T20:20:00.001-05:002014-09-28T19:40:13.360-05:00Sunset on the Mississippi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-69634682611398538962014-09-27T20:16:00.001-05:002014-09-28T19:40:25.836-05:00Samurai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-9836958355357126822014-09-27T20:10:00.001-05:002014-09-28T19:40:38.264-05:00Everyone is So Tired Tonight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-57466749164125019162014-09-03T15:42:00.002-05:002014-09-03T17:51:22.712-05:00Outside the Ring: When Sad Times Come<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YEUskUdwZ8Y/VAc7_o1W7uI/AAAAAAAABag/0wVEAQZK3rE/s1600/End_of_Summer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YEUskUdwZ8Y/VAc7_o1W7uI/AAAAAAAABag/0wVEAQZK3rE/s1600/End_of_Summer2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>End of summer (and other things).</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes, you try very hard and <a href="http://viewfr4inch.blogspot.com/2014/06/saving-samurai.html" target="_blank">do all the right things</a>. But life moves along by unseen design. And often, the things you want very much <u>not</u> to happen, do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In late July, our old Toy Fox Terrier, Shaunie passed away. He was 17 years old and we'd been expecting it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But as much as you know the end of a life is coming, it doesn't make it any easier when it finally comes tottering and blinking to a close. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Drifting off in a cloud of love</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every day since the time Shaun left this life -- drifting off in a cloud of love and with a peaceful smile of relief on his grizzled muzzle -- I've looked for him without meaning to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe it's just the slow decompression from the long period of caring for a blind, deaf and happily senile old dog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But every day, at least once, a thought flashes through my mind. Maybe I think it's time for him to go out. And then, I remember...he's not there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For days, <a href="http://viewfr4inch.blogspot.com/p/2011-akc-preferred-national-agility.html" target="_blank">Taylor</a> would stand outside the room where his old friend used to sleep and stare and STARE at the door. It was almost like he was willing Shaun to turn up behind it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I would pass, he'd look up at me, asking. And I'd nudge the door open and show him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Remember, buddy? He's gone." And Taylor's poor little shoulders would slump so dejectedly and his gaze would drop to the floor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Shaun, in his glory days</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>One of the first performance titled Toy Fox Terriers</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I'm suddenly aware that I'm describing this scenario, probably as a way of skirting around some issues that are more important. Most significantly, the sharp health declines of my mom and dad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't want to share details. I probably don't have to. So many of you have shared that experience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the point is, when they come, these larger issues of life swamp over us like tidal waves. Unrelenting, all-encompassing and completely undeniable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In these crucial moments, it's the structure of each day that often keeps you going. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the ladder you climb on -- sometimes up, sometimes down -- until you reach the other side.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x9rlpNh1mE8/VAdr5PeweeI/AAAAAAAABa8/_8-oSCW-GrY/s1600/Look%2Bto%2Bthe%2BHorizon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x9rlpNh1mE8/VAdr5PeweeI/AAAAAAAABa8/_8-oSCW-GrY/s1600/Look%2Bto%2Bthe%2BHorizon.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Look to the horizon but keep </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>what's close to your heart</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>The importance of agility and the comfort of routines.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that's where the habits and structures of agility training fall into my life right now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the familiar. The comforting. It's a way of maintaining a sense of progress and motion when the larger things overwhelm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the "little things", like enjoying agility, can have that purpose. Beyond ribbons. Beyond titles. Beyond what we get wrapped up in and often think that it is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because there are certain times in life when it all comes down to just putting one foot in front of the other. Over and over again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So while agility isn't the most important thing in my life right now, it's important to what makes my life fulfilling and truly worth living.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_r4wtlO20X4/VAdz8m8Dp-I/AAAAAAAABbI/aVgMRbadu00/s1600/Tomorrow%2Bis%2BAnother%2BDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_r4wtlO20X4/VAdz8m8Dp-I/AAAAAAAABbI/aVgMRbadu00/s1600/Tomorrow%2Bis%2BAnother%2BDay.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Tomorrow IS another day. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Or at least we can hope.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Before you can make lemonade, you first gotta get a grasp on those lemons.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't mean to sound like I know what I'm doing here. Plenty of people could point to evidence to the contrary. But along the way, I'm learning. Bit by little bit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For what it's worth, I'll leave you with a few of nuggets of rainy day wisdom:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Don't try to figure it all out</b> -- Most likely, there isn't an answer. Or at least one any sane human could comprehend. Make peace with chaos. After all, even the world started out that way.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Take time to enjoy the things that make life worthwhile</b> -- When things get tough, it's easy to lose yourself in the things you have to do. Treat yourself as if you were your own best friend (you actually are) and schedule some time on your calendar to catch up.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Appreciate friends and family </b>-- The silver lining of trying times is that you find out what the people in your world are truly made of. Including, and maybe mostly, yourself. Yes, some people will disappoint. But others will amaze you. Forgive the first kind. For the second kind, open your heart, appreciate and hold close.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Work hard</b> -- Working hard has been the salvation of many a beleaguered situation. Just remember to keep it all in perspective.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Chase some little goals </b>-- You might not have the time or energy to take on something big at this moment. So pick something light. Maybe it's trying one of those fancy, new handling moves or teaching your dog a cute trick. Sure, it's not going to save the world. But it will probably bring a ray of joy that will restore your confidence and inspire your ability to DO.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Help someone else</b> -- Often the best way to ward off the shadows is to help a fellow human. Once again, it doesn't have to be something big. Maybe it's giving a sincere thank you, sharing a favorite training tip or buying a random person a cup of coffee. The warm feeling that results will be yours to keep all day.</span></li>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">This article is part of the <a href="http://dogagilityblogevents.wordpress.com/success/" style="color: #774c00; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Dog Agility Blog Action Day</a> on the topic of <a href="http://dogagilityblogevents.wordpress.com/outside-the-ring/" target="_blank">Outside the Ring</a>. Help yourself to lots of other great ideas by checking out the other articles on <a href="http://dogagilityblogevents.wordpress.com/success/" style="color: #774c00; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Dog Agility Blog Action Day</a>.</i></div>
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ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-79025643318076716682014-08-30T14:25:00.000-05:002014-08-30T14:26:03.392-05:00Wind Star<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XLuTBf7ft0w/VAIlTQe1lVI/AAAAAAAABaU/eIULmLm9ZK0/s1600/photo-763393.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XLuTBf7ft0w/VAIlTQe1lVI/AAAAAAAABaU/eIULmLm9ZK0/s320/photo-763393.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6053441861911418194" /></a></p>ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-7833002980332292014-08-30T14:24:00.001-05:002014-08-30T14:24:46.081-05:00End of Summer<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TtOajsJ5JXo/VAIlAIR50zI/AAAAAAAABaI/u9-WcWcrQkw/s1600/photo-786082.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TtOajsJ5JXo/VAIlAIR50zI/AAAAAAAABaI/u9-WcWcrQkw/s320/photo-786082.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6053441533292172082" /></a></p>ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-36508031628431494372014-08-02T18:02:00.000-05:002014-08-02T18:03:19.325-05:00Our Zinnias in the Summer<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5FfTG8MmQEg/U91uOHk4-MI/AAAAAAAABZ4/PoyakPRv6sw/s1600/Photo-799325.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5FfTG8MmQEg/U91uOHk4-MI/AAAAAAAABZ4/PoyakPRv6sw/s320/Photo-799325.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6043107463832074434" /></a></p>ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-61412874573555247692014-08-01T18:12:00.000-05:002014-08-01T18:13:24.032-05:00Mike Across America Birthday @Destilhl<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rc49440XmgA/U9wfFEw9a9I/AAAAAAAABZo/JpOCOrbdvVE/s1600/Photo-704032.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rc49440XmgA/U9wfFEw9a9I/AAAAAAAABZo/JpOCOrbdvVE/s320/Photo-704032.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6042738972063263698" /></a></p>Mike partakes of a Black Angel Stout (or as Mike prefers, St Micheal's Stout) on his special day.
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<br>Happy birthday, Mike!ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-50854578724589373602014-07-13T13:26:00.001-05:002014-07-13T13:26:53.518-05:00Samurai Celebrates #13 QQ @Whitey's Ice Cream<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-706wzLr9ESQ/U8LPbodl04I/AAAAAAAABZU/bgdnZZUD3VI/s1600/Photo-713519.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-706wzLr9ESQ/U8LPbodl04I/AAAAAAAABZU/bgdnZZUD3VI/s320/Photo-713519.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6035614524254835586" /></a></p>He did such a good job. Running fast and happy. Searched out ice cream places to celebrate and discovered Whitey's Ice Cream.
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<br>It's really creamy, high quality ice cream. Just right for a splurge. Mike got a 3 Berry Smoothy. All fruit and OJ.
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<br>As you can see it won big smiles from my guys.ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-47517427106841395812014-06-05T00:13:00.001-05:002014-06-29T15:16:47.667-05:00Saving Samurai - Finding a Road Where Healthiness Means Happiness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>A low day for Samurai</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The picture above was taken on the day before we almost lost Samurai.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He'd been battling a stomach virus for quite some time. On top of the fact that he'd never been a good eater and we were always fighting to keep weight on his skinny little frame.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the time this picture was taken, he had dropped to three pounds, and still, he wouldn't eat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, it took an entire IV bag of fluids to get him stabilized.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At that point, I knew something drastic had to change. And so, from that day forward, we've tried to put together the pieces of a plan that could not only keep this fragile little dog with us, but also make him strong and happy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Samurai's plan</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0WvZJfzfU0M/U4_mzhjWVcI/AAAAAAAABYk/CrLFtcaXqV8/s1600/Samurai+Close+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0WvZJfzfU0M/U4_mzhjWVcI/AAAAAAAABYk/CrLFtcaXqV8/s1600/Samurai+Close+Up.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Love finds a way</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To back up a bit, Samurai had always been a dog with special needs. He can be reactive and volatile under stress, but can also be the most charming and loving little thing when he's in his element. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We thought we had made it through the worst part: The conditioning against his reactivity and helping him to feel comfortable with his world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the diagnosis of<a href="http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/c_dg_irritable_bowel_syndrome" target="_blank"> Irritable Bowel Disorder (IBD)</a> threw a whole new curve -- and lots of new questions to consider. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought about whether to discontinue agility training and competition with him. I gave him a long break to see if it would help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I found he really seemed to prefer and even craves an active life. I would just have to find a way to make it safe and supportive plan that would help him stay in the game, without putting him at risk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Samurai fights back</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>A little lion finds his roar.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are a few of the elements of Samurai's plan. He's stronger and happier now than when we started. And significantly, he's thriving on the course, as well as off.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A raw diet -- </b>It's been said many places and many times before, but a natural diet is best. We chose <a href="http://www.chewy.com/s/stella-and-chewy?gclid=CMyg__Lu4b4CFaY-MgodRAcALA" target="_blank">Stella and Chewy's</a> diet for Samurai. Since we're partial vegetarians we appreciate that it requires minimal preparation and handling.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Chinese medicine</b> -- Although we still depend on Western medicine, the Chinese medical perspective added a crucial element of his care. Acupuncture helped him through the critical part of his recovery. Herbs helped heal and balance. And choosing a "cool" diet helps calm inflammation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Physical conditioning</b> -- Making his little body stronger has helped make the physical demands of agility easier. Proper warm ups and cool downs prepare both body and mind and help prevent stressful reactions. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Stretching</b> -- I can't emphasize enough how much a program of full body, fully relaxed stretching has added to Samurai's physical and mental well being. It's much more than the athletic stretch you might do after a competition. In this case, with the dog lying down and fully relaxed, it becomes more like guided yoga with the calming properties of massage.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Scheduling</b> -- I'm learning to structure and schedule Samurai's training, conditioning and rest time. By thinking first, then doing, you get more done with less stress on your dog. Every week, I look at the time available and choose his rest, training and conditioning days. Usually, that will include three training/trial days, two conditioning days and two rest days. I pick specific targets for the training and conditioning days. On the rest days, he does nothing but rest.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Trial selection</b> -- I've gotten much more selective about the trials I choose to enter. I don't need or want to enter trials "just because they're there". I want to be there for a reason. Whether it's a trial site Samurai enjoys or courses we'd love to run, it's more about total experience and less about knocking out Qs. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Happiness first</b> -- I was fortunate to spend some time with <a href="http://daneens.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Daneen Fox</a> at an event recently. When you meet her, it's clear why her dogs do so well. She's got just tons of energy and she puts the dog's happiness above all. An ounce of happiness is worth a ton of pure technique when it comes to building a successful environment for your dog. It's not that technique doesn't count. It does. It's just that happiness is the glue that binds it all together. And somehow makes it all something very much more.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Success is a thing with wings.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Healthiness is happiness</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish I could tell you this story ends in big wins, lots of ribbons and arm's lengths of titles. Almost. We've had some of this along the way.</span><br />
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But the main thing is, when your goal is building a healthier life, competition goals pale by comparison.</span><br />
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When you see your dog jumping easily and freely. Eating a whole meal without coaxing. Standing tall and confident without a back and belly pinched by pain.</span><br />
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It really feels like winning. And you know what? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This article is part of the <a href="http://dogagilityblogevents.wordpress.com/success/" target="_blank">Dog Agility Blog Action Day</a> on the topic of Success. Help yourself to lots of other great ideas by checking out the other articles on <a href="http://dogagilityblogevents.wordpress.com/success/" target="_blank">Dog Agility Blog Action Day</a>.</i></span><br />
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ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-37265017833099978062014-05-17T20:29:00.000-05:002014-05-17T20:31:02.642-05:00Watching Twister Chairs @Pii Party<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwshrrEPjEg/U3gNWFXcPGI/AAAAAAAABYE/mKTZskaGsZQ/s1600/Photo-762642.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwshrrEPjEg/U3gNWFXcPGI/AAAAAAAABYE/mKTZskaGsZQ/s320/Photo-762642.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6014571975402077282" /></a></p>ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-76497356625135714162014-04-19T22:03:00.000-05:002014-04-19T22:04:06.350-05:00Mill at Deep River<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6G7ycPGCkQA/U1M5Jqrd9XI/AAAAAAAABWk/FhZtMH06gOY/s1600/Photo-746350.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6G7ycPGCkQA/U1M5Jqrd9XI/AAAAAAAABWk/FhZtMH06gOY/s320/Photo-746350.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6004205566453216626" /></a></p>ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-53133561495332427012014-04-19T22:00:00.000-05:002014-04-19T22:01:26.153-05:00Willows at the Old Mill<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71Sg2uuRzh8/U1M4hgwUjfI/AAAAAAAABWY/-p_ZLcF9Fqk/s1600/Photo-786153.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71Sg2uuRzh8/U1M4hgwUjfI/AAAAAAAABWY/-p_ZLcF9Fqk/s320/Photo-786153.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6004204876594449906" /></a></p>ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-64116888747347610982014-04-19T21:46:00.000-05:002014-04-19T21:47:44.416-05:00Samurai at the Old Mill on Deep River<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TmOwf6UiYZU/U1M1UEVkZ-I/AAAAAAAABWM/UPQGwOBCf8A/s1600/Photo-764417.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TmOwf6UiYZU/U1M1UEVkZ-I/AAAAAAAABWM/UPQGwOBCf8A/s320/Photo-764417.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6004201347092867042" /></a></p>ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-714817513327453769.post-18534645730205775312014-04-19T21:30:00.001-05:002014-04-19T21:30:59.562-05:00Taking a Break by Deep River<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDGZ8ygoYrs/U1MxZOBLXcI/AAAAAAAABWA/n9-RIIw2YRc/s1600/Photo-759563.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDGZ8ygoYrs/U1MxZOBLXcI/AAAAAAAABWA/n9-RIIw2YRc/s320/Photo-759563.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6004197037544529346" /></a></p>The park has covered porch swings along the trail.ViewFr4Inchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590083513718152157noreply@blogger.com0