Pet Therapy

I am so excited and nervous at the same time. I have been hoping for this moment for the past 6 yrs. I have been wanting to be part of Pet therapy ever since I got my first Boston Terrier, Brady. We tried together to get to do this but Brady could never contain his excitement when he met new people. He has always jumped. I worked for quite a while to get him not to but I was unsuccessful in my attempts. Bradley was my next Boston. Bradley is a wonderful dog but he has a certain edge to him. I know when and what causes it but I just don't believe pet therapy is his thing. He loves agility and dock diving...those are his things. I so love him for what he is, even his quirks. Bentley, well he just turned one and is a bit on the wild side. He is learning agility, tracking and I have been teaching him some rally. I still hope that maybe some day he might settle down enough to do some pet therapy. Now is just not the time. Then there is Chester. He is a wonderful little dog. Yes, he is a Boston. Chester came to me for some training. When the training was done his owner thought it might be best to rehome him. I put all that work into him so my husband and I decided to adopt him. We love him so. He is our smallest Boston at 14lbs. He has probably been in 3 or 4 homes in his 3 short years on this earth. When we got him he didn't know any commands. He still marked in the house. He was so starved for love. He has come so far in such a short time. He is very laid back. He loves to be held and he loves to play with Bentley. He has such a gentle spirit. He is wonderful with children and offers to sit so they can pet him. I just know he was meant to be my pet therapy partner. We will testing September 13th. I know he has it in him to do this. I know he will do this some day. I am so excited. I found out that the pediatric floor at one of the hospitals has an opening for a team. I just know that opening is for us!

UKC Agility trial

I took Bradley(my boston) and Gambler (dalmation) to our club UKC agility trial. Bradley and I are working on our U-ACH which is a point based title. Gambler and I are working on earning our AG-I title.

We had an amazing weekend. Bradley ran 8 runs and qualified 7 out of those 8 runs. Gambler ran 4 runs and qualified 3 out of those 4 runs. In UKC 200 is a perfect score.Runs and scores below

1- score 199 6pts

2- score 200 1st place 10pts

3- score 198 4pts

4- score 200 3rd place 10 pts

5- score 190 no pts

6-NQ

7- score 199 6pts

8- score 200 1st place 10pts

Bradley earned 46 pts this weekend and had 20 previously. 100 pts is the goal for the next title. My little buddy is well on his way to that title.

Gambler

1- score 187.89 He qualified, no placement

2- score 180.99 He qualified, no placement

3- score 198 He qualified

4th place4- NQ we dropped a bar

Gambler earned his AG-1 title!!!!!!!!!!

It seems that only yesterday I brought you home.

I'd wake each day just to watch you grow.

You have become my shadow.

I love spending time with you by my side.

There is nothing that we won't try.

Flyball, agility, you even try to fly.

Go my little Dock Dog.

Show those big dogs,the heart that only I know!



Bradley is 6 years old today. What a splendid 6 years it has been. The day we met you climbed in my lap and kissed me. I knew at that moment we were meant to be. You were quite a challenge. Scared of everything and everyone. You have taught me so much. I have met some wonderful people because of you. You lead to home manners, public manners and on to agility. We turned out to be a pretty good team! We have had some adventures, the lose of a couch and matching chair, a feather pillow everywhere. The times that dad would threaten to put you out on the curb and all the tears I shed at the thought of losing you. This has been some ride so far, one that I hope will go on for quite some time. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRADLEY!!!

AKC Agility Trial

I can't believe it. This past weekend was the AKC agility trial. Bradley and I were entered Saturday and Sunday. Before the trial we got a little extra help from Valeri on the weave poles. Bradley and I have been struggling to do them accurately and with consistency. Valeri suggested some minor adjustments and it did the trick. We did great 3 out of 4 times with only one re entry. I was so excited. Saturday's standard run was nothing to write home about we had some errors probably the handler's fault. Our jumper's run Saturday was good but 6 seconds over time with one refusal. No Q for us...but we still had done well. Sunday Bradley was dead on. We had 2 perfect runs and did the weave poles beautifully. Bradley earned his OAJ title. I don't mind telling you the thought of going to excellent class scares me a bit.

Who would have ever thought that a puppy who had 12wks of class and would only let 2 other people touch him would ever come so far. Bradley you amaze me and I am so glad I get to share my life with you. I love ya.

A Nice day to play ball

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLGg5dOSG80

Chester decided that he should set this one out.

Not much going on

It has been a while since I have written so I thought I should stop being a bum and do just that. Things at home have not been dull. Since it has been nice (windy-but nice) the last couple of days the boys have been playing tons of chase in the yard.

Earlier in the week John thought it would be a good idea to leave Chester out and see how he did. Well I am not sure who did it but the foam mattress on the futon sustained sugnificant damage. Let's just say there was a mess to clean up. Then the next day Chester and Bentley were in the office playing and again the mattress pad sustained damage. Dang, I still don't know who did it. Hmmmm...a few days later the guilty party was caught. Bentley had foam in his poop. We all know you can't fake that. The mattress pad has been retired to the trash.

Welcome to the Family

• Chester is now offically our boy. He became part of our family on March 13, 2008. I think Bradley is sad that Chester didn't go back to his original home. He is getting way to much of Bradley's Momma time. Chester is a snuggle bug and loves to come and cuddle on my lap.

Chester's birthday was Sunday the 30th. We got a few new toys for the pack and made Chester some banana bread. He also got a steak dinner. I know he is spoiled already. Chester is currently enrolled in Home Manners class at the club.

We are hoping to work toward our CGC and then on to pet therapy. Wish us luck.