Chesney's newest "outfit"

Chesney is modeling her new bandanna. Her Mom bought it for her at Cider Days on Walnut street today. She'll be stylin' it at the Fair Grove Heritage Reunion next weekend. Chesney really enjoys going to the festival. While Mom browses all the craft booths and samples the delicious food, Chesney gets to meet all sorts of new friends. Anyone who knows Chesney knows that she loves everybody and never misses a chance to make a new friend. If you've never been to the Fair Grove Heritage Reunion, it is an awesome craft show, with lots of great food, family activities, music, and demonstrations of old farm implements. It all kicks off next Saturday with a parade at 9am. By the way, I will be riding my 29 year old Arabian gelding, Rocky Ridge Emin, for his 7th or 8th parade appearance. I'll post pictures after next weekend.

Agility Class

Chesney had a great night at Agility last Wednesday! Her Aunt Lindsay came to watch her and recorded some of her practice runs. Our instructor, Valerie, said that the course was designed for excellent dogs and had some really interesting turns to negotiate. Of course, on the second half which involved a very sharp u-turn, Chesney couldn't stand it anymore and ran off course to one of her very favorite people, Cindy! Cindy is known for her treats and Chesney just loves her. This video is from the first half of the course.

Saturday, Chesney and I went up to Pomme de Terre lake to visit our friends Lindsay and Jay and their children who were camping there for the weekend. Chesney got her first experience riding on a boat and swimming in the lake. She was not especially impressed about the swimming part, even with her life jacket. She pretty much attached herself to me while in the water. I got her a floatie cushion to sit on , which was ok as long as she could lean against me too. She was also not impressed when anyone in the boat jumped into the water, especially when I did. Lindsay thought she was going in after me, but she just couldn't bring herself to jump in on purpose. Those handles on the dog life jackets come in very handy for putting a small dog down into the water! She seemed to like the actual boat ride though. The campsite was fun too. She jumped right in the camper and made herself at home and enjoyed laying out in the grass near the campfire while those hamburgers cooked. All in all, I think she really enjoyed herself, but was definitely ready to come home and get some rest and recover from her big adventure.

Little Orphan Annie Oakley

Meet Little Orphan Annie Oakley...A big name for such a little girl! But very fitting..she's an orphan and she's also tough like Annie Oakley. I just hope she's tough enough! Annie and her brother and sister were abandoned in a plastic tub outside the front door of the clinic where I work almost two weeks ago. They were flea ridden and Annie appeared more sickly than her siblings. Several of us at the clinic have cared for the trio: I took on Annie, and another technician took on the other two. Annie's sister was adopted out last Friday but her brother passed away on Sunday. On Saturday, Annie developed the diarrhea that had already begun to affect her siblings and her appetite became decreased. A course of medication and probiotics was begun on Monday, but she seems about the same, and just doesn't seem to be able to sleep curled up and comfortable like she had been doing up until the weekend. However, she definitely has an opinion about the baths she gets to clean up and soothe her little bottom! She growls and spits and looks genuinely annoyed with my deciding she needs a bath. As you can imagine, I have become extremely attached to this little girl. I only hope that she keeps on fighting because I know she will be an absolutely beautiful at if she gets to grow up! Keep her in your prayers!

Chesney loves being outside...

It is beautiful outside, sunny and cool! I have the front door open and the doggie door that the dogs created in my screen door is getting plenty of use this morning. Chesney has spent most of the morning outside by herself. She loves enjoying the fresh air and all the smells. I snapped a few pictures of her. I might add, Chesney is notorious for her "sloppy sits", which probably won't earn her any points in obedience. She did do some nice down and sit stays on the agility table for me, without treats, so I could get a couple more pictures. After I get the yard mowed and get all of our agility euqipment arranged again, I expect we'll practice some agility this afternoon. I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful day!

Dinner with Mom

Mom came out last night and we had a wonderful dinner outside on the patio. I grilled steaks and we had potato salad and cucumbers fresh from my garden. It was a wonderful, cool evening and perfect for outdoor dining! Mom is doing very well after her heart attack scare and spending last weekend in the hospital.

Homemade Agility Equipment

Here are a few examples of the agility equipment I have been able to assemble so far...
A teeter compliments of Cheri, weave poles made with rebar compliments of Nicki, a jump, a hoop, a table and a chute made from odds and ends I found in the barn. Nothing fancy, but they work out quite well and give us something to practice on here at home.