Routine is the best way to train a dog. Consistency pays off!
We do a lot of manual turnarounds early in the season, and I always say and do the same thing. I stop the rig, walk up behind the leaders, say their names and then "C'mon, we're done." (don't know why I decided on that...it's just what I say).
Today we did a 3-mile loop but they missed the last turn back to the truck and had us headed down the whole thing again. I had a little female in back who would not have been able to handle the six full miles (Eve), but I couldn't actually stop them and do anything because there was just enough snow to make things interesting. Figured it was worth a shot so I used our normal "whoaaa" command anyway. They stopped. Then, even though we were stopped, I KNEW they'd never hold still long enough for me to safely turn us and make it back aboard the rig, so out of exasperation, I yelled "Knock it off - we're DONE!"
Joppy and Petunia turned the team ON A DIME. Full 6dog team, leaders with a neckline and all, and not ONE dog even so much as ended up on the wrong side of the line. I'm not saying we could do it again in a million years, and I'm not saying it wouldn't have been easier if they hadn't missed the turn in the first place, but ummm AWESOME? I think yes.
It's days like this, you know?
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
thomas was a congressman with closets full of skeletons and dresses that he wore on friday nights
I don't even know where to start. Once we get a few 3 or 4 day weeks in, these mutts just blow me away. When the training is inconsistent (because of the weather thus far), I can tell we don't progress like we should. BUT, after one day on, one day off and two days on, they're on fire.
We have Manistee this coming weekend (Nov 12 and 13), so I absolutely MUST get two days in this week. It'll probably be Wednesday/Thursday.
I ran May and Jop up front this weekend (I haven't had Joppy in front hardly at all this season because she didn't show any desire to lead early-on), and they were both PERFECT. Jop took every turn and set the speed.
I let (er, I mean made) a friend use Tune and Brew for a run this morning. They moved along at a good clip and minded their business, per usual. I think he'll use them at Manistee....and perhaps get hooked and demand to drive 'em for the rest of the season.
My big team is a little slower right now than I'd like, but I think they'll speed up a little on their own in the next week or two. I've been working so far to keep them down around 16mph, but it's time to let them open up. I'll see how we do at Manistee and then try to put them on the 4wheeler for a few weeks (we'd be into December by then believe it or not!) before the snow flies. Even being a few miles per hour off, they run so hard and behave so well, I could pretty much care less about speed right now :-)
I don't think I'd be this worried about speed if it weren't for the race next weekend, so I have to step back and realize, no, we don't appear to be at REAL race speed yet BUT and don't need to be for another two months. I'm content and I'm not going to get all flustered over a 2mile dryland!
We have Manistee this coming weekend (Nov 12 and 13), so I absolutely MUST get two days in this week. It'll probably be Wednesday/Thursday.
I ran May and Jop up front this weekend (I haven't had Joppy in front hardly at all this season because she didn't show any desire to lead early-on), and they were both PERFECT. Jop took every turn and set the speed.
I let (er, I mean made) a friend use Tune and Brew for a run this morning. They moved along at a good clip and minded their business, per usual. I think he'll use them at Manistee....and perhaps get hooked and demand to drive 'em for the rest of the season.
My big team is a little slower right now than I'd like, but I think they'll speed up a little on their own in the next week or two. I've been working so far to keep them down around 16mph, but it's time to let them open up. I'll see how we do at Manistee and then try to put them on the 4wheeler for a few weeks (we'd be into December by then believe it or not!) before the snow flies. Even being a few miles per hour off, they run so hard and behave so well, I could pretty much care less about speed right now :-)
I don't think I'd be this worried about speed if it weren't for the race next weekend, so I have to step back and realize, no, we don't appear to be at REAL race speed yet BUT and don't need to be for another two months. I'm content and I'm not going to get all flustered over a 2mile dryland!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
earl had a baby, baby was her name. knew she was crazy, tiny was the same.
Well, I'm tired but I want to write before I don't want to write, so here it goes.
Ran twice last weekend. Had to run out of trail head, which I typically avoid at all costs. I bet it started a bunch of bad habits, but to hell with it; we'll be on totally new trails before long. There's a sharp turn right out of the gate, so instead of running my full 6dog, I split them up into two 3 dogs. It actually worked great. It kept the speed down and let them really lean in and work. Rachel and Bren led one team on Saturday and Heini and Fred led the second.
Rachel isn't a driving leader so that was a lot of ask of her. She kept her head down, but she really didn't want to be up there doing that much work. Like I said in an earlier post, I've used her up front already this season and she rocked, but that was in front of the full 6dog. This was slower and a little more stressful, so I made sure to move her back on Sunday.
Sunday I let Bren lead again, this time next to Fred and in front of both the boys. Speaking of driving leader, Brennan is pure gold. She literally drove them hard enough to pull a tree. Yes, we actually cleared the trail when the rig got hung up on a downed tree.
The second team that day was Tune in front of Heini and Rachel. Heini needs the occasional break and Rachel was also happy to be behind someone. We would have added some speed with Heini next to Tune, but it was good to let her relax a little in back and just pull.
May has been leading wonderfully so far. I really think she'll do wonders at Jill's kennel this winter.
Hmmmm other news? We've been feeding twice a day. That paired with having the whole week off should get some weight on everyone. Rachel is a little scrawny these past few weeks.
And I suppose that is all for now.
Ran twice last weekend. Had to run out of trail head, which I typically avoid at all costs. I bet it started a bunch of bad habits, but to hell with it; we'll be on totally new trails before long. There's a sharp turn right out of the gate, so instead of running my full 6dog, I split them up into two 3 dogs. It actually worked great. It kept the speed down and let them really lean in and work. Rachel and Bren led one team on Saturday and Heini and Fred led the second.
Rachel isn't a driving leader so that was a lot of ask of her. She kept her head down, but she really didn't want to be up there doing that much work. Like I said in an earlier post, I've used her up front already this season and she rocked, but that was in front of the full 6dog. This was slower and a little more stressful, so I made sure to move her back on Sunday.
Sunday I let Bren lead again, this time next to Fred and in front of both the boys. Speaking of driving leader, Brennan is pure gold. She literally drove them hard enough to pull a tree. Yes, we actually cleared the trail when the rig got hung up on a downed tree.
The second team that day was Tune in front of Heini and Rachel. Heini needs the occasional break and Rachel was also happy to be behind someone. We would have added some speed with Heini next to Tune, but it was good to let her relax a little in back and just pull.
May has been leading wonderfully so far. I really think she'll do wonders at Jill's kennel this winter.
Hmmmm other news? We've been feeding twice a day. That paired with having the whole week off should get some weight on everyone. Rachel is a little scrawny these past few weeks.
And I suppose that is all for now.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
she said, “look me up when you get back to town.” “look you up,” i said. “hell, i’m gonna hunt you down.”
This is probably the most overdone topic in the history of the world, but I'm going to write about my dogs' names. Deal with it.
Monsters I've named: Connor, Brewer, Brennan, Brother, London, Roman, Rebel, May, Eve, Elsie, Oakley, Jockey. Oh, and years ago there was a certain houndy son of a gun I called Grover. I think they all kind of go together come to think of it. They're all rather dignified and strong, but not clunky or contrived.
Names in my kennel that I would never consider in a million years but that I've come to like: Rachel, Fox, Petunia, Heini. They're sharp with tons of personality. Fox is a super common name, but it doesn't bother me. The others are quirky and cute.
I think Keytone is an awesome name for a dog. Sharp and completely unique.
Boring names: Juneau, Aurora, Star, Klondike. All so overdone. I actually named all of them except for Star, but I was 11. Give me a break.
I guess Freddie should be added to the "I would never consider this name" group. For a male, lame. But for a female? It just about works.
Oh, and in total disclosure, I should add Sosa, Delta and Trotter to dogs I've named....and summarily sold.
Let's see...what about meaning? Connor was named because of the Irish connotations. Brewer and Delta were named after places in Maine. London I like because it's rugged...as in Jack London. Grover, Eve, Brennan and Roman just came to me. One of those weird things where you look at the beastie and just know. Kenny and Lori have (had?) a Brother. He was a leader and a pretty cool guy. I just thought it was a fun name....and plus, my Brother dog has three sisters, so he really is THE brother. All of the boring names were my being a little girl with dreams of Alaska and all the snow in the word on my body; they sounded so noble and adventurous back then. Oakley, May and London were names I'd liked for a while and just needed a dog for them. I thought of Reb specifically for him, same with Jockey (now Joppy) and Elsie. Trotter started out as Johnny Walker, to be called Johnny, because I wanted to play along with the "liquor cabinet" theme my friend has. BUT, then I decided to be all witty and call him Johnny Trotter, because he was a sled dog and all, you know. But THEN, he wouldn't run for a damn so I have him to my dad. He called him Clyde, but I hated it....I sold him as Trotter because Clyde is a dumb name and I couldn't possibly let my father win. And Sosa was, oh lordy, this a terrible note to end on...Sosa was named for Sammy Sosa because, ummm, he's an incredible black athlete. But when the buyer asked what his name meant, I just said he was a sports legend. Politically correct, for the win.
What's interesting to me is that Kenny and Lori give the weirdest names, but they usually fit well enough. I don't change the dog's name after he's had a season on him, because usually they know it by then, but I do change a yearling's name. Before I had that rule (more of a guideline, really...), I tried to change Rachel's, but I kept accidentally calling her Rachel anyway. I never bothered to change Heini's because I hadn't planned to keep her. By the time I decided I wanted her, she was Heini to me. I was also going to change Freddie's, but she knew it so well I didn't bother. Brennan (Tazzy), London (Elf) and Roman (Coty) all got new and better names, though!
Monsters I've named: Connor, Brewer, Brennan, Brother, London, Roman, Rebel, May, Eve, Elsie, Oakley, Jockey. Oh, and years ago there was a certain houndy son of a gun I called Grover. I think they all kind of go together come to think of it. They're all rather dignified and strong, but not clunky or contrived.
Names in my kennel that I would never consider in a million years but that I've come to like: Rachel, Fox, Petunia, Heini. They're sharp with tons of personality. Fox is a super common name, but it doesn't bother me. The others are quirky and cute.
I think Keytone is an awesome name for a dog. Sharp and completely unique.
Boring names: Juneau, Aurora, Star, Klondike. All so overdone. I actually named all of them except for Star, but I was 11. Give me a break.
I guess Freddie should be added to the "I would never consider this name" group. For a male, lame. But for a female? It just about works.
Oh, and in total disclosure, I should add Sosa, Delta and Trotter to dogs I've named....and summarily sold.
Let's see...what about meaning? Connor was named because of the Irish connotations. Brewer and Delta were named after places in Maine. London I like because it's rugged...as in Jack London. Grover, Eve, Brennan and Roman just came to me. One of those weird things where you look at the beastie and just know. Kenny and Lori have (had?) a Brother. He was a leader and a pretty cool guy. I just thought it was a fun name....and plus, my Brother dog has three sisters, so he really is THE brother. All of the boring names were my being a little girl with dreams of Alaska and all the snow in the word on my body; they sounded so noble and adventurous back then. Oakley, May and London were names I'd liked for a while and just needed a dog for them. I thought of Reb specifically for him, same with Jockey (now Joppy) and Elsie. Trotter started out as Johnny Walker, to be called Johnny, because I wanted to play along with the "liquor cabinet" theme my friend has. BUT, then I decided to be all witty and call him Johnny Trotter, because he was a sled dog and all, you know. But THEN, he wouldn't run for a damn so I have him to my dad. He called him Clyde, but I hated it....I sold him as Trotter because Clyde is a dumb name and I couldn't possibly let my father win. And Sosa was, oh lordy, this a terrible note to end on...Sosa was named for Sammy Sosa because, ummm, he's an incredible black athlete. But when the buyer asked what his name meant, I just said he was a sports legend. Politically correct, for the win.
What's interesting to me is that Kenny and Lori give the weirdest names, but they usually fit well enough. I don't change the dog's name after he's had a season on him, because usually they know it by then, but I do change a yearling's name. Before I had that rule (more of a guideline, really...), I tried to change Rachel's, but I kept accidentally calling her Rachel anyway. I never bothered to change Heini's because I hadn't planned to keep her. By the time I decided I wanted her, she was Heini to me. I was also going to change Freddie's, but she knew it so well I didn't bother. Brennan (Tazzy), London (Elf) and Roman (Coty) all got new and better names, though!
if you wanna impress me, baby, here's my plan, all you gotta do is put a drink in my hand
For anyone who saw a few weird posts that were in no way related to dogs, those were on purpose. I had to turn in some work for a class, but I have no word processor on my computer, so I typed everything into the blog and turned it in like that. Ahhhh modern technology.
We were up at Lost Lake this past weekend and it was a blast, per usual. I only got one run in, but it was a good one. I've got to slow them down a tad until we get a few more miles because the speed is a little much, especially throwing it at London all at once.
Eve has continued to be awesome in harness, and she behaved beautifully the whole weekend.
Mr. Mystery Monster came home last night! He hailed from Pennsylvania (but is out of Kenny and Lori's kennel) and he has already seemingly adjusted perfectly. He's so damn sweet. I'm already sold on him, and I have good reason to believe he's going to be an incredible asset. His puppy name is Coty, but I'm thinking he's a Roman.
Good news on the Siberian front. A great MUSH member and owner of Oak's brothers will be leasing May and Jop for the season. I'm happy about it because that way they get plenty of training AND racing. I'm still him-hawing about Tune and Bruce. I could lease them out together or keep them and run them with Beaver. Star could possibly go with them to make a 3 dog. We'd still have Brother and Oak. I haven't completely made up my mind on that second chunk of dogs....still chewing it over.
I'd like to get 3 days in this coming weekend. Next weekend (22 and 23) is the training run at Kalkaska. I'm looking forward to the good ole All Seasons and a nice dip in the hot tub!
We were up at Lost Lake this past weekend and it was a blast, per usual. I only got one run in, but it was a good one. I've got to slow them down a tad until we get a few more miles because the speed is a little much, especially throwing it at London all at once.
Eve has continued to be awesome in harness, and she behaved beautifully the whole weekend.
Mr. Mystery Monster came home last night! He hailed from Pennsylvania (but is out of Kenny and Lori's kennel) and he has already seemingly adjusted perfectly. He's so damn sweet. I'm already sold on him, and I have good reason to believe he's going to be an incredible asset. His puppy name is Coty, but I'm thinking he's a Roman.
Good news on the Siberian front. A great MUSH member and owner of Oak's brothers will be leasing May and Jop for the season. I'm happy about it because that way they get plenty of training AND racing. I'm still him-hawing about Tune and Bruce. I could lease them out together or keep them and run them with Beaver. Star could possibly go with them to make a 3 dog. We'd still have Brother and Oak. I haven't completely made up my mind on that second chunk of dogs....still chewing it over.
I'd like to get 3 days in this coming weekend. Next weekend (22 and 23) is the training run at Kalkaska. I'm looking forward to the good ole All Seasons and a nice dip in the hot tub!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
it's a white flag, it's a stop sign, it's the last long drag on a marlboro light...
Six runs in and I already feel like this season is off to an awesome start!
Beyond the run at the Vineyards, our official start was September 24. That morning I ran on the road with the rig and used Tune and Heini in front of Rachel and London. It was my first time driving London and I was immediately blown away. We did 2 miles on the nose.
I loaded up that afternoon and headed up to Gary's, mostly to get London some truck experience. I ran teams that night and again in the morning on just a quick quarter/half mile loop.
We did a lot of sitting last week....it literally rained all day, every day, but we have certainly made up for it this weekend! I've had the main team out three times and everyone else got out at least once. Friday night (in the rain!) I ran the main team, minus London (just in case something happened between the almost darkness and not being able to stop; didn't want to put him in a bad situation), led by Heini and Bren, and then a full Sibe team with May, Star, Jop and Oak.
Got my butt outta bed Saturday morning and ran the full hound team (London included), led by Bren and Fred, then another full Sibe team led by May and Jop with Brother and Star in back.
THEN, this morning (Sunday) I...you guessed it, ran the full hound team, led by Fred and Rachel (both were GREAT), and used Tune and Fox in front of Brew and Eve to ease Evie into rig training. She drove like mad! I was really impressed.
Busy, busy! I might be able to get out Wednesday night, and other than that, I plan to run Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Lost Lake. We started with a shaky two miles, went back down to one mile for a few runs, and they really got their wind. This morning we did two absolutely no problem, so I'll probably stick to all two-milers at Lost Lake.
Beyond the run at the Vineyards, our official start was September 24. That morning I ran on the road with the rig and used Tune and Heini in front of Rachel and London. It was my first time driving London and I was immediately blown away. We did 2 miles on the nose.
I loaded up that afternoon and headed up to Gary's, mostly to get London some truck experience. I ran teams that night and again in the morning on just a quick quarter/half mile loop.
We did a lot of sitting last week....it literally rained all day, every day, but we have certainly made up for it this weekend! I've had the main team out three times and everyone else got out at least once. Friday night (in the rain!) I ran the main team, minus London (just in case something happened between the almost darkness and not being able to stop; didn't want to put him in a bad situation), led by Heini and Bren, and then a full Sibe team with May, Star, Jop and Oak.
Got my butt outta bed Saturday morning and ran the full hound team (London included), led by Bren and Fred, then another full Sibe team led by May and Jop with Brother and Star in back.
THEN, this morning (Sunday) I...you guessed it, ran the full hound team, led by Fred and Rachel (both were GREAT), and used Tune and Fox in front of Brew and Eve to ease Evie into rig training. She drove like mad! I was really impressed.
Busy, busy! I might be able to get out Wednesday night, and other than that, I plan to run Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Lost Lake. We started with a shaky two miles, went back down to one mile for a few runs, and they really got their wind. This morning we did two absolutely no problem, so I'll probably stick to all two-milers at Lost Lake.
Monday, September 12, 2011
i could get a broken jaw from being in a fight, i know it's evening when day turns to night
Got some miles on the monsters! We ran up in Manistee on Sunday, Sept 11. The trail was not quite 2 miles, which was perfect anyway because it was warm and we hadn't been out yet.
The host kennel ran first so I could ride along and see the trail. Her team did well and her new leader is a nice little female - not too far away from Rachel, I don't think. We each only brought one team, so I went next. It was heating up fast, so I took water and stopped I think four times (only watered once) to be extra cautious.
The whole point of going up there was to scout a new trail that's been put in at a winery called Douglas Valley Vineyards. It was SUCH a neat spot. The trail's just in and around the apple orchard, so there was plenty of gee/haw work. It was a lot to ask of the first run, but they all drove great and everyone came in happy. I had Heini and Tune in front, Rachel in the middle and Fred and Bren in wheel. I've got to get Bren down a little before I really start putting miles on her. It'll probably be another two weeks before it's cool enough, so we've got time.
The good news? Thanks to the hard work of the host kennel and some positive reviews, GLSDA has slated a dryland RACE (!) there for November 12 and 13. I'm pumped. I've never even done a legit dryland, so I've got to make sure everyone's up to speed and ready for that weekend. A reason to train hard right from the get-go...I like it!
And the title....it's a line from a Proclaimers song. Look that shit up.
The host kennel ran first so I could ride along and see the trail. Her team did well and her new leader is a nice little female - not too far away from Rachel, I don't think. We each only brought one team, so I went next. It was heating up fast, so I took water and stopped I think four times (only watered once) to be extra cautious.
The whole point of going up there was to scout a new trail that's been put in at a winery called Douglas Valley Vineyards. It was SUCH a neat spot. The trail's just in and around the apple orchard, so there was plenty of gee/haw work. It was a lot to ask of the first run, but they all drove great and everyone came in happy. I had Heini and Tune in front, Rachel in the middle and Fred and Bren in wheel. I've got to get Bren down a little before I really start putting miles on her. It'll probably be another two weeks before it's cool enough, so we've got time.
The good news? Thanks to the hard work of the host kennel and some positive reviews, GLSDA has slated a dryland RACE (!) there for November 12 and 13. I'm pumped. I've never even done a legit dryland, so I've got to make sure everyone's up to speed and ready for that weekend. A reason to train hard right from the get-go...I like it!
And the title....it's a line from a Proclaimers song. Look that shit up.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
it's almost perfectly legitimate
We’re back at it. Training updates will be coming shortly. If I don’t manage to run monsters this weekend, I’ll aim for next Thursday, September 8.
If you’re curious as to why I don’t ever bother posting over the summer, it’s because I’m always drunk. That was a joke. I’m not always drunk. Sometimes I’m just buzzed.
Fine, fine, I’ll stop.
But anyway, just to reestablish who I am and who exactly you might be, here we go. I’m still Annie – and by this I do not mean that I’m “Annie the Non Mover”. As for you? I’m stumped….but I know this much: you’re at least mildly interested in occasionally reading about what goes on in this crazy kennel of mine. And see, if your interest is only intermittent and rather lackluster, then why in the world would I write more often than that? My sporadic posting, motherfuckers, it’s entirely your fault.
I’ll have more professional days, worry not. The occasional post is guaranteed to have depth and breadth. There might even be entire passages where I forget to insult you, my not-so-loyal reader. That being said, this is your annual warning – if you can’t handle receiving only a handful of venom-laced posts a month, or if you think “sarcasm” is a jerk’s excuse to be an asshole, then this blog is better left unvisited; mostly because you’re entirely right about the latter and the former is my proven track record.
I do suppose that’s it for now. The dog animals are acting crazy with the cooler temps…today stayed around 75. In the mornings until nearly 8 a.m., the temp keeps lower than 50. Dear the 2011/12 season, here goes everything!
And dear you, come again. Or don’t.
If you’re curious as to why I don’t ever bother posting over the summer, it’s because I’m always drunk. That was a joke. I’m not always drunk. Sometimes I’m just buzzed.
Fine, fine, I’ll stop.
But anyway, just to reestablish who I am and who exactly you might be, here we go. I’m still Annie – and by this I do not mean that I’m “Annie the Non Mover”. As for you? I’m stumped….but I know this much: you’re at least mildly interested in occasionally reading about what goes on in this crazy kennel of mine. And see, if your interest is only intermittent and rather lackluster, then why in the world would I write more often than that? My sporadic posting, motherfuckers, it’s entirely your fault.
I’ll have more professional days, worry not. The occasional post is guaranteed to have depth and breadth. There might even be entire passages where I forget to insult you, my not-so-loyal reader. That being said, this is your annual warning – if you can’t handle receiving only a handful of venom-laced posts a month, or if you think “sarcasm” is a jerk’s excuse to be an asshole, then this blog is better left unvisited; mostly because you’re entirely right about the latter and the former is my proven track record.
I do suppose that’s it for now. The dog animals are acting crazy with the cooler temps…today stayed around 75. In the mornings until nearly 8 a.m., the temp keeps lower than 50. Dear the 2011/12 season, here goes everything!
And dear you, come again. Or don’t.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
and I had a feeling I could be someone
This is how fetch works:
Annie grabs a ball from the truck. Why does she keep the tennis balls in the truck? Because it’s the one spot that’s secure from all monsters; they haven’t learned to open the doors. Yet. Annie then whistles.
All monsters stop whatever they’re doing and swarm around Annie. They love her dearly, but at this moment, they could easily become confused and devour her out of sheer excitement.
Annie grabs the chuck it. She rarely throws the ball with her own arm because, honestly, and she hates to admit this, but she kinda throws like a girl. Either way, the monsters tear off in pursuit.
Well, correction….Freddie, Connor and Elsie take off in hot pursuit.
Saint chases Connor.
Eve chases Saint.
Keytone chases the group and Petunia chases Keytone.
Fox wants the ball, but is a learned doctor and can’t be seen chasing something so meaningless.
Busy follows the commotion, knowing they’re all nuts, and sometimes openly wonders why Lori would send her here to live, for an entire winter, with this group who is so clearly ape-shit-crazy.
Brennan legitimately tries to comprehend the rules and procedures, but gets confused and sometimes brings back sticks or a leaf instead.
Heini lies in wait until she can snatch the ball, at which point she’s overcome and carries it in circles, calling it her squishy.
Brew is usually too busy batting his eyes at butterflies to notice anything at all.
Artie always, unwittingly, plants himself as an obstacle; he’s regularly run over.
Rachel just runs laps around everyone because she’s pretty sure that’s the whole point.
Despite this mass of seeming confusion, the ball is (usually) returned to Annie for another round.
****
From here, we’re going to assume Freddie gets it, mostly because Elsie is fat and Connor is…..he lets her win. Shut up. So, Freddie heads back towards Annie who then begins to encourage the monster.
Eve now looses her focus on the fat blob of Saint and suddenly, earnestly believes that everyone should stop moving and that no one should be near Annie or deliver anything to her. Not even a ball. Not even during fetch. When anyone runs by, Eve tries to bite their face off. Don’t worry, she’s mostly unsuccessful.
Fred has now reached Annie and is finishing up some last minute obsessive circles. She’ll drop the ball a few times, pounce on it, spin and repeat. Annie looks on and says “thank you” when Fredly finally refocuses.
And now enter Elsie: she’s adorably impatient and all of that bullshit nonsense makes her crazy. She’s not sure who taught these monsters to play fetch, but her teacher was a helluva lot more thorough (and dark).
At this point, Connor (speak of the devil) trots up, troubled by the delay but ready to put everything back on track and right all the wrongs known to man. Annie doesn’t feel like reaching down to grab the ball from Fred, so she asks Connor to do it for her. “Sir, get that,” she’ll say. The Black Monster of All Things Wonderful will then grab the ball….either from the ground or from another dog’s mouth. No big deal. He will then, with both elegance and grace, offer it to Annie. She will accept. Then, she will throw it again.
If Connor so impressively taught Elsie how to play, then who, one may ask, bestowed this knowledge upon Connor? Who worked tirelessly for weeks and months with a new, shiny Black Baby Monster to turn him into a bundle of black, fetching obsession? Who tried to convince him not to ingest mother’s cat that one fateful afternoon? Oh, that was beside the point. But anyway….who could this person of myth possibly be? I mean, she sounds vaguely familiar, but I just can’t be certain.
Now let’s rewind and say Elsie gets the ball. She’ll bring it directly to Annie (remember, education is everything), dropping it about five feet in front of her. Connor will then swoop in from behind and deliver it to Annie’s hand. Teamwork at its fucking best. If anyone else attempts to look at/take the ball in this process, they will lose a body part.
Rewinding once more to a world where Connor gets there first: he’ll trot directly back to Annie, gleefully, and literally, running over anyone dumb enough to get in the way of a 100lb monster. Sometimes he’ll stop and frolic in the snow, or tall grass, or water, or lily pads, or something else not remotely on the way to His Beloved, but it’s Him, so she just doesn’t care. When He reaches Her, the ball will be given. She might accidentally drop it or he might place it in the wrong spot. She’ll simply ask him to “get that” and he’ll pick it up like the true gentleman he is.
So, that’s what fetch is. Annie falling in love with The Black Dog all over again.
Annie grabs a ball from the truck. Why does she keep the tennis balls in the truck? Because it’s the one spot that’s secure from all monsters; they haven’t learned to open the doors. Yet. Annie then whistles.
All monsters stop whatever they’re doing and swarm around Annie. They love her dearly, but at this moment, they could easily become confused and devour her out of sheer excitement.
Annie grabs the chuck it. She rarely throws the ball with her own arm because, honestly, and she hates to admit this, but she kinda throws like a girl. Either way, the monsters tear off in pursuit.
Well, correction….Freddie, Connor and Elsie take off in hot pursuit.
Saint chases Connor.
Eve chases Saint.
Keytone chases the group and Petunia chases Keytone.
Fox wants the ball, but is a learned doctor and can’t be seen chasing something so meaningless.
Busy follows the commotion, knowing they’re all nuts, and sometimes openly wonders why Lori would send her here to live, for an entire winter, with this group who is so clearly ape-shit-crazy.
Brennan legitimately tries to comprehend the rules and procedures, but gets confused and sometimes brings back sticks or a leaf instead.
Heini lies in wait until she can snatch the ball, at which point she’s overcome and carries it in circles, calling it her squishy.
Brew is usually too busy batting his eyes at butterflies to notice anything at all.
Artie always, unwittingly, plants himself as an obstacle; he’s regularly run over.
Rachel just runs laps around everyone because she’s pretty sure that’s the whole point.
Despite this mass of seeming confusion, the ball is (usually) returned to Annie for another round.
****
From here, we’re going to assume Freddie gets it, mostly because Elsie is fat and Connor is…..he lets her win. Shut up. So, Freddie heads back towards Annie who then begins to encourage the monster.
Eve now looses her focus on the fat blob of Saint and suddenly, earnestly believes that everyone should stop moving and that no one should be near Annie or deliver anything to her. Not even a ball. Not even during fetch. When anyone runs by, Eve tries to bite their face off. Don’t worry, she’s mostly unsuccessful.
Fred has now reached Annie and is finishing up some last minute obsessive circles. She’ll drop the ball a few times, pounce on it, spin and repeat. Annie looks on and says “thank you” when Fredly finally refocuses.
And now enter Elsie: she’s adorably impatient and all of that bullshit nonsense makes her crazy. She’s not sure who taught these monsters to play fetch, but her teacher was a helluva lot more thorough (and dark).
At this point, Connor (speak of the devil) trots up, troubled by the delay but ready to put everything back on track and right all the wrongs known to man. Annie doesn’t feel like reaching down to grab the ball from Fred, so she asks Connor to do it for her. “Sir, get that,” she’ll say. The Black Monster of All Things Wonderful will then grab the ball….either from the ground or from another dog’s mouth. No big deal. He will then, with both elegance and grace, offer it to Annie. She will accept. Then, she will throw it again.
If Connor so impressively taught Elsie how to play, then who, one may ask, bestowed this knowledge upon Connor? Who worked tirelessly for weeks and months with a new, shiny Black Baby Monster to turn him into a bundle of black, fetching obsession? Who tried to convince him not to ingest mother’s cat that one fateful afternoon? Oh, that was beside the point. But anyway….who could this person of myth possibly be? I mean, she sounds vaguely familiar, but I just can’t be certain.
Now let’s rewind and say Elsie gets the ball. She’ll bring it directly to Annie (remember, education is everything), dropping it about five feet in front of her. Connor will then swoop in from behind and deliver it to Annie’s hand. Teamwork at its fucking best. If anyone else attempts to look at/take the ball in this process, they will lose a body part.
Rewinding once more to a world where Connor gets there first: he’ll trot directly back to Annie, gleefully, and literally, running over anyone dumb enough to get in the way of a 100lb monster. Sometimes he’ll stop and frolic in the snow, or tall grass, or water, or lily pads, or something else not remotely on the way to His Beloved, but it’s Him, so she just doesn’t care. When He reaches Her, the ball will be given. She might accidentally drop it or he might place it in the wrong spot. She’ll simply ask him to “get that” and he’ll pick it up like the true gentleman he is.
So, that’s what fetch is. Annie falling in love with The Black Dog all over again.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
...reaching a fever pitch and it's bring me out the dark
Today was god damn near gorgeous and perfect, so I couldn't wait to get home and let the dog animals out. I had Eve, Artie, Elsie, Brew, Fox, Keytone, Fred, Bren, Busy, Rachel, Heini, Tune and Joppy all out for about an hour. We went down into the field for a few minutes, but it was so hot that everyone was sluggish and boring. Usually their antics entertain me, but today was in slow motion haha. We mainly hung around the kennel and they all got to be crazy and play in the pools.
We played fetch for a few minutes...well, Fred and Elsie played fetch with me while everyone else just ran around confusedly. Story of my life.
Fred and Keytone need rabies shots and Eve needs to finally finish her baby dog shots....or, more likely, start them over.
I'm excited to see what I can actually do with Fredly this summer. We shall see if she'll actually swim. I hope little Eve monster will figure it out also. Elsie is patiently waiting for me to get her into shape, forget about the other two noncommittal time-wasters and take her to the lake!
We played fetch for a few minutes...well, Fred and Elsie played fetch with me while everyone else just ran around confusedly. Story of my life.
Fred and Keytone need rabies shots and Eve needs to finally finish her baby dog shots....or, more likely, start them over.
I'm excited to see what I can actually do with Fredly this summer. We shall see if she'll actually swim. I hope little Eve monster will figure it out also. Elsie is patiently waiting for me to get her into shape, forget about the other two noncommittal time-wasters and take her to the lake!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
you've really got a hold on me
Two smileys that describe my life right now.
One that means, “I’m starving and we’re having spaghetti tonight so I’m happy as fuck,” and the shark one mainly.
..........
I let the girls out tonight. Story of my life. It was a good time. Super quick. I fed them and they were only loose for about 10 minutes. I had just gone for a run and was tired anyway, so I just wanted to let them stretch their legs and have a few minutes of excitement.
I don't know what it is about those girls, and this isn't even going to make any sense, but I just love them. Just watching them move and working them. They're incredible.
Tomorrow some people are coming out to take a gander and learn a little about the sport, owning/running a kennel, etc. I love to talk, so of course I'm ready for it. Short and sweet tonight. And I thank you kindly.
One that means, “I’m starving and we’re having spaghetti tonight so I’m happy as fuck,” and the shark one mainly.
..........
I let the girls out tonight. Story of my life. It was a good time. Super quick. I fed them and they were only loose for about 10 minutes. I had just gone for a run and was tired anyway, so I just wanted to let them stretch their legs and have a few minutes of excitement.
I don't know what it is about those girls, and this isn't even going to make any sense, but I just love them. Just watching them move and working them. They're incredible.
Tomorrow some people are coming out to take a gander and learn a little about the sport, owning/running a kennel, etc. I love to talk, so of course I'm ready for it. Short and sweet tonight. And I thank you kindly.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
and truth be told, i'm lying
No dog news tonight. I was coaching Girls on the Run, so the monsters were already fed when I got home. I know that my grandpa let the little girls out tonight. I probably should have gone out and handled them a little bit, but I was hungry. Hahaha don't think I'm a terrible asshole.....he's been in the kennel all day. No one is dying for attention.
Oh, wait...that's something semi interesting. The groups. Everyone is put into groups by ability/who they get along with/just so we know who we're talking about without having to say everyone's name allllll the time.
23 dogs.
The girls (Fred, Bren, Heini, Rache, Tune, Keytone, Fox).
Then there's Busy...my grandpa calls her "the other dog." When it comes to everything BUT running, she's one of the The Girls.
Brew is in his own group. Sometimes my grandpa calls him Buster or "the male."
Sometimes Joppy and Brew are together.
Kuz and Them: Kuz, June, Roary.
The Little Girls: May, Star (Joppy).
But usually that group, as far as training at least, is just May and Them: May, Star, Oak, Brother.
Joppy, as mentioned, is sometimes one of the Little Girls, but she's usually a loner or with Brew because I use her in either group.
Then there's the house/yard dogs, aka Connor and Them: Mr. Monster, Monroe, Elsie, Saint and Arty.
And little Beaver dog is in her own little world.
You know what this makes me wanna do? PLAN TEAMS FOR NEXT SEASON. Holy shit balls. That will happen soon.
Oh, wait...that's something semi interesting. The groups. Everyone is put into groups by ability/who they get along with/just so we know who we're talking about without having to say everyone's name allllll the time.
23 dogs.
The girls (Fred, Bren, Heini, Rache, Tune, Keytone, Fox).
Then there's Busy...my grandpa calls her "the other dog." When it comes to everything BUT running, she's one of the The Girls.
Brew is in his own group. Sometimes my grandpa calls him Buster or "the male."
Sometimes Joppy and Brew are together.
Kuz and Them: Kuz, June, Roary.
The Little Girls: May, Star (Joppy).
But usually that group, as far as training at least, is just May and Them: May, Star, Oak, Brother.
Joppy, as mentioned, is sometimes one of the Little Girls, but she's usually a loner or with Brew because I use her in either group.
Then there's the house/yard dogs, aka Connor and Them: Mr. Monster, Monroe, Elsie, Saint and Arty.
And little Beaver dog is in her own little world.
You know what this makes me wanna do? PLAN TEAMS FOR NEXT SEASON. Holy shit balls. That will happen soon.
Monday, March 28, 2011
he smiles politely back at you, you stare politely right on through
Ears bleed so much! Fox ripped her ear on the fence and by the time I had put everyone away and cleaned it a little bit, it honestly looked like she had attacked and attempted to kill me, but that I avoided death by leaping into a pool of blood and swimming around just for kicks. Ugh.
The funny/worse/terrible part is that she lives with Keytone....and Keytone is now also covered in blood. Seriously, multi-racial blood-fest in my kennel tonight.
Anywho, she'll be fine...just a little sore. And she'll look like a bad ass prison survivor for the rest of her life. What a hardcore monster.
Also, who the hell knew that Rachel was an obsessive pacer from hell? Lordy. I'll never be able to keep weight on her. But she is rather fond of her chain. I think Heini and Bren dislike theirs very much. A-kennel building I will go.
The funny/worse/terrible part is that she lives with Keytone....and Keytone is now also covered in blood. Seriously, multi-racial blood-fest in my kennel tonight.
Anywho, she'll be fine...just a little sore. And she'll look like a bad ass prison survivor for the rest of her life. What a hardcore monster.
Also, who the hell knew that Rachel was an obsessive pacer from hell? Lordy. I'll never be able to keep weight on her. But she is rather fond of her chain. I think Heini and Bren dislike theirs very much. A-kennel building I will go.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
prototypical non-conformist
Let's see: five weekends from the past few months that I'll never forget....in no meaningful order.
And the title is from a Say Anything song. It doesn't get much better than that bullshit.
Kalkaska this year. Because our training worked.
Tubing with the sister. Because it was a Wednesday night.
Finnishing Chute of Badassery Party. Because it was technically canceled, but we rocked it.
Indian River. Because we won money for the first time ever.
Pudding shot night. Because who knew they were even possible? Or that they fucking rock?
Every weekend involves either beer or dogs. Some both.
...............
In case you're wondering, Busy is not in heat. No where near. Kenny and Lori will be home April 1 (!) so I'll probably just take her up there that weekend. Rachel, too? Still deciding. Probably.
I think tonight is a great night to go to fucking sleep. Early. Most nights are. It just sounds lovely. Say Anything, anyone? Oh hell yes.
And the title is from a Say Anything song. It doesn't get much better than that bullshit.
Kalkaska this year. Because our training worked.
Tubing with the sister. Because it was a Wednesday night.
Finnishing Chute of Badassery Party. Because it was technically canceled, but we rocked it.
Indian River. Because we won money for the first time ever.
Pudding shot night. Because who knew they were even possible? Or that they fucking rock?
Every weekend involves either beer or dogs. Some both.
...............
In case you're wondering, Busy is not in heat. No where near. Kenny and Lori will be home April 1 (!) so I'll probably just take her up there that weekend. Rachel, too? Still deciding. Probably.
I think tonight is a great night to go to fucking sleep. Early. Most nights are. It just sounds lovely. Say Anything, anyone? Oh hell yes.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
there's....something on the wing...some....thing
An idea: Six things I wish I'd never done.
You know, if wishing I’d never done those six things helped in some way, this might be worth it. But it’s not.
Well god damn, aren't I in such a charming mood tonight?
Suppose I could list six of the most influential dogs in my life.
1. Kuzin. Because he ran like a stubborn SOB, but that dog would drive through hell and back without making a poor choice. He allowed me to realize that I COULD train dogs well enough to beat the shit outta anyone.
2. Fox
3. Freddie
4. Keytone. Because they were the original "the girls" for an entire year together alone. I can't say they started it all, because Kuzin started it all, but they started everything I have now.
5. Heini. Because this season wouldn't have happened without her. God damn. When Freddie quit that day, I actually cried. Heini took over from there on out and made everything okay.
6. The Pretty. Because he's everything a monster should be. Because I'm more proud of what I've done with him than anything else I ever have.
...........
This is the current ability of my brain to function. I'm tired and I'm never a pleasant tired.
Must check to see if Busy is in heat. Must learn subtraction to see how many months ago November was. Must call Tim to see if he'll take her in the near future.
Must check to see if Rachel is anywhere near coming into heat. Fuck math. Must decide if I even want to breed her yet. Must say no to Rachel puppy. Fuck.
Must figure out what the hell is wrong with Connor's feet. Must might maybe require medication. Must find and learn addition to see if I can afford. Must afford. Fuck.
Must get rabbies shot for Fred and Keytone. More math. More money. More fucking.
Must stop eating fresh for lunch to save $12 a week. Must stop calling Subway, "eating fresh." Just realized I did math. Fuck.
Must put weight on Petunia. Must not make it sound as dire as a "must". Must buy different wormer to see if that helps. Must buy thing. Fuck.
Must get Elsie into shape. Must join dog park and Air Dog club because I really fucking want to. Must involve money, I'm sure. FUCKKKKKKKKKKKK.
Yep. My current mood is just peachy. Fuck money and fuck math.
You know, if wishing I’d never done those six things helped in some way, this might be worth it. But it’s not.
Well god damn, aren't I in such a charming mood tonight?
Suppose I could list six of the most influential dogs in my life.
1. Kuzin. Because he ran like a stubborn SOB, but that dog would drive through hell and back without making a poor choice. He allowed me to realize that I COULD train dogs well enough to beat the shit outta anyone.
2. Fox
3. Freddie
4. Keytone. Because they were the original "the girls" for an entire year together alone. I can't say they started it all, because Kuzin started it all, but they started everything I have now.
5. Heini. Because this season wouldn't have happened without her. God damn. When Freddie quit that day, I actually cried. Heini took over from there on out and made everything okay.
6. The Pretty. Because he's everything a monster should be. Because I'm more proud of what I've done with him than anything else I ever have.
...........
This is the current ability of my brain to function. I'm tired and I'm never a pleasant tired.
Must check to see if Busy is in heat. Must learn subtraction to see how many months ago November was. Must call Tim to see if he'll take her in the near future.
Must check to see if Rachel is anywhere near coming into heat. Fuck math. Must decide if I even want to breed her yet. Must say no to Rachel puppy. Fuck.
Must figure out what the hell is wrong with Connor's feet. Must might maybe require medication. Must find and learn addition to see if I can afford. Must afford. Fuck.
Must get rabbies shot for Fred and Keytone. More math. More money. More fucking.
Must stop eating fresh for lunch to save $12 a week. Must stop calling Subway, "eating fresh." Just realized I did math. Fuck.
Must put weight on Petunia. Must not make it sound as dire as a "must". Must buy different wormer to see if that helps. Must buy thing. Fuck.
Must get Elsie into shape. Must join dog park and Air Dog club because I really fucking want to. Must involve money, I'm sure. FUCKKKKKKKKKKKK.
Yep. My current mood is just peachy. Fuck money and fuck math.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
well, i think it's hella tight
Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Connor
Miles (as in the actual number on my dogs at any given moment)
My addiction to Coke/Dr. Pepper and how long it has been since I’ve had one (3 weeks, I do believe)
Thoughts of my comfortable bed...THE CAVE.
JG
Dog food...as in which brands I'd rather be feeding.
Money. Always money...and I’m not even sure I know why.
.....
It's Saint Patty's Day! You had better be having a great one, you fools. As for me, I skipped class. I slept in. I worked on the kennel for 4 hours....and I think I'm a fan of the result. Chains? Oh heck yes. The dog houses are temporary (just barrels), but everyone is dry and happy and it doesn't look half bad.
There's a damn half tree/ sapling wannabe in Busy's circle, but she has been very patient and allowed me to rescue her whenever her chain catches. Once I find the brush-clippers...or a machete....that problem will be no more.
Petunia is happy to have some company down there. Rachel complains until I'm out of sight, per usual, but has lived her whole life on a chain, so it doesn't phase her. Freddie is preoccupied digging a mote, presumably to keep her soon-to-be pet dragon animal from escaping. Heini is super fucking happy to be dry and in the sun.....she just keeps rolling around like a puppy. Brennan is a baby and has been pouting, but I find it adorable anyway.
What about Foxer and Keytone you wonder? Well, I don't want to put Fox on a chain at all and Keytone was already in one of the nice, new kennels (with Bren...but I moved Bren), so I left her and tossed Rockstar in there too. I still have a spot (almost 2) left down below, so I might put Keytone down there in the next few days.
Wouldn't it be awesome if I could take pictures and post them? God dammit all to hell I NEED A CAMERA. I had one....but then it landed forcefully on the ground.
Just take my word for it- everything is bad ass. It's hella tight. Promise.
Oh and I wanted to add, Brew is still up in a kennel. He's really rough on chains (a terrible, obsessive pacer), so a kennel is much easier. Six on chains, three in the kennels (plus all the sibes...they're in kennels). I think I like it.
Connor
Miles (as in the actual number on my dogs at any given moment)
My addiction to Coke/Dr. Pepper and how long it has been since I’ve had one (3 weeks, I do believe)
Thoughts of my comfortable bed...THE CAVE.
JG
Dog food...as in which brands I'd rather be feeding.
Money. Always money...and I’m not even sure I know why.
.....
It's Saint Patty's Day! You had better be having a great one, you fools. As for me, I skipped class. I slept in. I worked on the kennel for 4 hours....and I think I'm a fan of the result. Chains? Oh heck yes. The dog houses are temporary (just barrels), but everyone is dry and happy and it doesn't look half bad.
There's a damn half tree/ sapling wannabe in Busy's circle, but she has been very patient and allowed me to rescue her whenever her chain catches. Once I find the brush-clippers...or a machete....that problem will be no more.
Petunia is happy to have some company down there. Rachel complains until I'm out of sight, per usual, but has lived her whole life on a chain, so it doesn't phase her. Freddie is preoccupied digging a mote, presumably to keep her soon-to-be pet dragon animal from escaping. Heini is super fucking happy to be dry and in the sun.....she just keeps rolling around like a puppy. Brennan is a baby and has been pouting, but I find it adorable anyway.
What about Foxer and Keytone you wonder? Well, I don't want to put Fox on a chain at all and Keytone was already in one of the nice, new kennels (with Bren...but I moved Bren), so I left her and tossed Rockstar in there too. I still have a spot (almost 2) left down below, so I might put Keytone down there in the next few days.
Wouldn't it be awesome if I could take pictures and post them? God dammit all to hell I NEED A CAMERA. I had one....but then it landed forcefully on the ground.
Just take my word for it- everything is bad ass. It's hella tight. Promise.
Oh and I wanted to add, Brew is still up in a kennel. He's really rough on chains (a terrible, obsessive pacer), so a kennel is much easier. Six on chains, three in the kennels (plus all the sibes...they're in kennels). I think I like it.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
between you and the liqour, I'll take the booze
It was a good night with the girls. It was gorgeous all day so I let everyone loose for about an hour when I got home from work. I've known for a few months now, but today it hit me harder than hell.......I legitimately hate the way everything is set up. The kennel looks practical, but it's more dysfunctional than damn near anything.
The one row of sibes looks good, but the original section looks like hell. Even thinking about it driving me up the wall. It might be tomorrow, or later this weekend, but I think I'm going to throw the girls on chains for a few weeks while I brainstorm and things dry up.
Chains right now would give them more room than their current kennels and will be easier to clean until I figure out what to do. We have plenty of fencing and room for kennels, I'm just not convinced. If I'm this unhappy with them, I think I should at least try chains for a few weeks. The dogs would be so accessible. (SO MUCH MORE ROOM FOR ACTIVITIES)I can always go back to the old way if anyone (myself included) hates it.
Have you heard? Bird is the word AND tomorrow is St. Patty's day!!
The one row of sibes looks good, but the original section looks like hell. Even thinking about it driving me up the wall. It might be tomorrow, or later this weekend, but I think I'm going to throw the girls on chains for a few weeks while I brainstorm and things dry up.
Chains right now would give them more room than their current kennels and will be easier to clean until I figure out what to do. We have plenty of fencing and room for kennels, I'm just not convinced. If I'm this unhappy with them, I think I should at least try chains for a few weeks. The dogs would be so accessible. (SO MUCH MORE ROOM FOR ACTIVITIES)I can always go back to the old way if anyone (myself included) hates it.
Have you heard? Bird is the word AND tomorrow is St. Patty's day!!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
she’s seen all the classics, she knows every line
These damn games, but FINE. I'll play along. Nine things about yourself.
I’m more than crazy about JG.
I hate things with texture.
I can’t handle wearing turtlenecks/scarves.
I genuinely appreciate people who are smart enough to be funny.
I eat spaghetti at least twice a week.
I'm only a dick most of the time.
Connor is a gentleman and a scholar - fact.
I want so much matching equipment.
I was shocked to discover that I no longer own a bike. They’re a quintessential part of being a person...who the hell doesn’t have a bike?
...
And I would like to add: Eve is intermittently an excellent fetching machine. Tonight, she was flawless. I plan to capitalize on this and turn her into an obsessive mess soon enough.
I’m more than crazy about JG.
I hate things with texture.
I can’t handle wearing turtlenecks/scarves.
I genuinely appreciate people who are smart enough to be funny.
I eat spaghetti at least twice a week.
I'm only a dick most of the time.
Connor is a gentleman and a scholar - fact.
I want so much matching equipment.
I was shocked to discover that I no longer own a bike. They’re a quintessential part of being a person...who the hell doesn’t have a bike?
...
And I would like to add: Eve is intermittently an excellent fetching machine. Tonight, she was flawless. I plan to capitalize on this and turn her into an obsessive mess soon enough.
Monday, March 14, 2011
if i outlive this, and some do, i shall have only good to say of you
what's an adventurer to do...
Holy hell. I think I might just be terrible at doing this regularly. Well then.
There are more than a few things I can manage to do regularly, even habitually, like day dream, eat Burger King, honk my horn at assholes, feed the dogs (at least six days out of seven), and ponder my summer plans. I should try in earnest to add this blog to that comprehensive list of "Annie's Daily (aw hell...weekly) Bullshit".
I had this grand idea of posting every week. Which turned into every month.....which ended up being twice almost the entire winter. I created this blog specifically to brag about my amazing monsters of lore, so I should probably do that less infrequently, eh?
The almost news is that perhaps I'd like to dabble in weight pull. Honestly though, nothing grabs me like mushing. I really like disc. And I really like UAD. Wp would be fun. A few from this group might really like lure coursing or even a slew of other sports.....but those other sports only bide our time until the temps drop and the harnesses come out.
The season ended a month ago today and I'm ready to start training again. Ah well...disc with Elsie and teaching Eve to swim will be entertainment enough until September.
BUT ANYWHO...race season is over and my life has no meaning.
I think what I meant to say was that A)maybe I'll actually get into the habit of posting, ummm, a lot and B)hopefully this next thing will help me with that. I have this idea. I got it from a friend. I get a lot of ideas from said friend. Here goes nothing:
Day One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now.
Day Two: Nine things about yourself.
Day Three: Eight ways to win your heart.
Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Day Five: Six things you wish you’d never done.
Day Six: Five people who mean a lot (in no order whatsoever)
Day Seven: Four turn offs.
Day Eight: Three turn ons.
Day Nine: Two smileys that describe your life right now.
Day Ten: One confession.
Uh oh....some of these are sappy. There's a reason why I didn't name this "sappy shit and sled dogs." Gulp. I refuse to admit anything worthwhile...and avoiding any sort of serious response is something I do actually excel at regularly.
There are more than a few things I can manage to do regularly, even habitually, like day dream, eat Burger King, honk my horn at assholes, feed the dogs (at least six days out of seven), and ponder my summer plans. I should try in earnest to add this blog to that comprehensive list of "Annie's Daily (aw hell...weekly) Bullshit".
I had this grand idea of posting every week. Which turned into every month.....which ended up being twice almost the entire winter. I created this blog specifically to brag about my amazing monsters of lore, so I should probably do that less infrequently, eh?
The almost news is that perhaps I'd like to dabble in weight pull. Honestly though, nothing grabs me like mushing. I really like disc. And I really like UAD. Wp would be fun. A few from this group might really like lure coursing or even a slew of other sports.....but those other sports only bide our time until the temps drop and the harnesses come out.
The season ended a month ago today and I'm ready to start training again. Ah well...disc with Elsie and teaching Eve to swim will be entertainment enough until September.
BUT ANYWHO...race season is over and my life has no meaning.
I think what I meant to say was that A)maybe I'll actually get into the habit of posting, ummm, a lot and B)hopefully this next thing will help me with that. I have this idea. I got it from a friend. I get a lot of ideas from said friend. Here goes nothing:
Day One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now.
Day Two: Nine things about yourself.
Day Three: Eight ways to win your heart.
Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Day Five: Six things you wish you’d never done.
Day Six: Five people who mean a lot (in no order whatsoever)
Day Seven: Four turn offs.
Day Eight: Three turn ons.
Day Nine: Two smileys that describe your life right now.
Day Ten: One confession.
Uh oh....some of these are sappy. There's a reason why I didn't name this "sappy shit and sled dogs." Gulp. I refuse to admit anything worthwhile...and avoiding any sort of serious response is something I do actually excel at regularly.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
wish you'd just freak out
So, this was my thinking. I figured, being that we got a foot of snow last week, the trails at the Fort would be shitty at best. I says to myself, I says, "I'm too lazy to run two teams, so I'm going to combine them. It's probably not packed at all, so the slower dogs shouldn't have a problem." But really now, what the hell do I know?
I had this whole crazy concoction of teams swimming around in my head all after noon. I was going to run the girls for two miles, then come back and grab the other two (Brew and Joppy) and do another two or three. I knew some of the trail would be broken because we got the storm on a Tuesday night, so the snow machiners would have been out there all weekend. I honestly didn't think it would all be packed. They NEVER pack the whole thing. Until this time.
First of all, I expected Tune, Keytone, Fred, Heini, Bren, Brew and Joppy. I got Rachel instead of Petunia. I opened all the boxes to let everyone out and I asked my grandpa, "where's Petunia?"
"She wasn't on the list," he said.
"Yes," I corrected, "she was."
He pulled out the list and I pointed to the name "Tune," right next to Brennan, per usual.
"I thought that said Rachel," he said.
"But it starts with a T. T-U-N-E.," I growled.
"Looked like Rachel."
UGH, so anyway, Rach has bad feet right now, (which is why I DIDN'T put her on the list for tonight), so I decided not to run her. And then there were six.
Genius, lazy me decided that the six dogs left would fit beautifully into the six dog gangline I was unraveling. I'm such a thinker.
Wanna hear my thoughts once more? "Hmmm, the trail looks a little fluffy. It'll be slow. I bet we wont go over 16mph We'll only go 4.5...Joppy and Brew can handle 16mph for that long." WHAT DO I KNOW? Seriously now.
We took off. Bren and Keytone up front, Heini and Fred in the middle and Brew and Joppy in back. Obviously the front four are WAY faster than the back two....but I was thinkin' tonight would different. Not exactly sure why.
We made it to the top of the hill and around the first right turn. (I'm really damn proud to say that Brennan took it! No neckline between her and Keytone, but she didn't miss a beat.) This was hardly a mile into the 4.5. Brew was doing fine, but Joppy was in over her head. She was driving harder than hell, but she just wasn't there. We were going around 18mph. I was hitting the drag a little, but it was still too much for Joppy. I didn't have her on a neckline, so every time she fell a step or two behind, she'd get pushed into the deep snow and I'd have to really hit the break.
At this point, just after a mile, I considered just making it an interval run. That didn't end up making much sense because no matter what, you can't beat the build of a dog. I had to swallow hard and realize I'd made a big mistake. My choices were to either ride the break and wreck the run for my pro team or leave it at their pace and ruin Joppy. I didn't want to do either. She drove hard and hung on for another mile. By this point, Brew was done also. He hates pressure and he didn't want anything to do with the last 3 miles.
I stopped, pinned the sled behind a tree and un-hoooked Joppy's tug. I put her on a neckline only. We took off again. But, because Bruce didn't have a neckline on anymore, he backed off completely. He wound up back by the sled with the harness over his head, caught around his legs. I stopped again. I tried to call him up, but he was done, done, done.
Decision time. I didn't have any more necklines, and with Bren in lead, I couldn't keep them stopped for long. I turned Brew loose completely. For a second, he spun and was going to run home backwards (no, not physically...just directionally), but I let the girls go and called him. He followed.
In just a few strides, everyone was happy again. Joppy was thrilled with her "free run" and really poured on the speed trying to keep up. She relaxed and her happy grin returned. Brew stayed behind us for a couple hundred yards, but then he shot ahead. It was a perfect pass! (Good practice for Bren at least,eh?)
I thought he'd quit listening and fly home on his own, but he didn't. He held a comfortable distance in front of Keytone and Bren and settled in. I stopped once just to see if he was paying attention, and he was. He stopped and waited patiently for the "ready." When I called them up, he took off.
By now, we were about 2 miles from home and things were looking great. I had absolutely no steering power (lack of wheel dogs haha), but I was making it. We were coming up on a gee, so I shrugged and gave it a shot. "Brew, go gee!"
I shit you not, he took that turn so hard he literally fell halfway through. It was amazing. I think he was expecting to lean into the harness. I laughed at him a little bit...in a loving way of course. Just a few hundred yards later was a left. The monster took it. Meanwhile, Bren and Keytone were on the wrong side so they were pushing each other like crazy. They were both off the trail and all I could think about was twisting shoulders in the deep snow. On the haw, Bren, dove under the line went behind Keytone, switching sides. We sped up. So did Brewer.
One last turn and everyone took it without hesitation. Our last step was down the hill and a right into the truck. Brew almost went left, but actually listened and figured it out. He charged into the campsite and into the open van. He was a little stressed, but he wandered back over to say hello when I started to water.
Brennan was happy as could be. She was calm and smiling. I gave her a giant hug and let everyone loose (except for Joppy). They all jumped into the truck and we headed home for dinner and Facebook.
This weekend is Boyne. Sometime after race reason I've got to actually try Bruce in lead....with a harness. Pulling.
I had this whole crazy concoction of teams swimming around in my head all after noon. I was going to run the girls for two miles, then come back and grab the other two (Brew and Joppy) and do another two or three. I knew some of the trail would be broken because we got the storm on a Tuesday night, so the snow machiners would have been out there all weekend. I honestly didn't think it would all be packed. They NEVER pack the whole thing. Until this time.
First of all, I expected Tune, Keytone, Fred, Heini, Bren, Brew and Joppy. I got Rachel instead of Petunia. I opened all the boxes to let everyone out and I asked my grandpa, "where's Petunia?"
"She wasn't on the list," he said.
"Yes," I corrected, "she was."
He pulled out the list and I pointed to the name "Tune," right next to Brennan, per usual.
"I thought that said Rachel," he said.
"But it starts with a T. T-U-N-E.," I growled.
"Looked like Rachel."
UGH, so anyway, Rach has bad feet right now, (which is why I DIDN'T put her on the list for tonight), so I decided not to run her. And then there were six.
Genius, lazy me decided that the six dogs left would fit beautifully into the six dog gangline I was unraveling. I'm such a thinker.
Wanna hear my thoughts once more? "Hmmm, the trail looks a little fluffy. It'll be slow. I bet we wont go over 16mph We'll only go 4.5...Joppy and Brew can handle 16mph for that long." WHAT DO I KNOW? Seriously now.
We took off. Bren and Keytone up front, Heini and Fred in the middle and Brew and Joppy in back. Obviously the front four are WAY faster than the back two....but I was thinkin' tonight would different. Not exactly sure why.
We made it to the top of the hill and around the first right turn. (I'm really damn proud to say that Brennan took it! No neckline between her and Keytone, but she didn't miss a beat.) This was hardly a mile into the 4.5. Brew was doing fine, but Joppy was in over her head. She was driving harder than hell, but she just wasn't there. We were going around 18mph. I was hitting the drag a little, but it was still too much for Joppy. I didn't have her on a neckline, so every time she fell a step or two behind, she'd get pushed into the deep snow and I'd have to really hit the break.
At this point, just after a mile, I considered just making it an interval run. That didn't end up making much sense because no matter what, you can't beat the build of a dog. I had to swallow hard and realize I'd made a big mistake. My choices were to either ride the break and wreck the run for my pro team or leave it at their pace and ruin Joppy. I didn't want to do either. She drove hard and hung on for another mile. By this point, Brew was done also. He hates pressure and he didn't want anything to do with the last 3 miles.
I stopped, pinned the sled behind a tree and un-hoooked Joppy's tug. I put her on a neckline only. We took off again. But, because Bruce didn't have a neckline on anymore, he backed off completely. He wound up back by the sled with the harness over his head, caught around his legs. I stopped again. I tried to call him up, but he was done, done, done.
Decision time. I didn't have any more necklines, and with Bren in lead, I couldn't keep them stopped for long. I turned Brew loose completely. For a second, he spun and was going to run home backwards (no, not physically...just directionally), but I let the girls go and called him. He followed.
In just a few strides, everyone was happy again. Joppy was thrilled with her "free run" and really poured on the speed trying to keep up. She relaxed and her happy grin returned. Brew stayed behind us for a couple hundred yards, but then he shot ahead. It was a perfect pass! (Good practice for Bren at least,eh?)
I thought he'd quit listening and fly home on his own, but he didn't. He held a comfortable distance in front of Keytone and Bren and settled in. I stopped once just to see if he was paying attention, and he was. He stopped and waited patiently for the "ready." When I called them up, he took off.
By now, we were about 2 miles from home and things were looking great. I had absolutely no steering power (lack of wheel dogs haha), but I was making it. We were coming up on a gee, so I shrugged and gave it a shot. "Brew, go gee!"
I shit you not, he took that turn so hard he literally fell halfway through. It was amazing. I think he was expecting to lean into the harness. I laughed at him a little bit...in a loving way of course. Just a few hundred yards later was a left. The monster took it. Meanwhile, Bren and Keytone were on the wrong side so they were pushing each other like crazy. They were both off the trail and all I could think about was twisting shoulders in the deep snow. On the haw, Bren, dove under the line went behind Keytone, switching sides. We sped up. So did Brewer.
One last turn and everyone took it without hesitation. Our last step was down the hill and a right into the truck. Brew almost went left, but actually listened and figured it out. He charged into the campsite and into the open van. He was a little stressed, but he wandered back over to say hello when I started to water.
Brennan was happy as could be. She was calm and smiling. I gave her a giant hug and let everyone loose (except for Joppy). They all jumped into the truck and we headed home for dinner and Facebook.
This weekend is Boyne. Sometime after race reason I've got to actually try Bruce in lead....with a harness. Pulling.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
fancy drinks and fifty dollar cover charge
Whew! Here it goes:
Kalkaska was GREAT. We did 6dog sport and 4dog pro; I've never had cleaner runs! In 4dog pro, we took 7th of 38. Not too damn bad, eh?
And now let's skip ahead to this weekend....Fife Lake. I should probably begin by saying IT WAS COLD AS HELL. I will then continue trying to explain how DAMN COLD it was. Once again, we did 6sport and 4pro. The sport team started out as pretty much a joke and just a way to exercise my "extras," but they ended up pulling (pun very much intended) a 3rd place finish in that class. Those dogs ran hard....all four of them. Damn straight. I ran four dogs in a six dog class and we took 3rd place. Not too damn bad, eh?
The trail was pretty intense, so you had to drive the sled like your life depended on it....because it pretty much did. My 4dog was on fire. Seriously, there were flames. We were sitting in 5th on Saturday. Sunday started at a balmy -20 and warmed up to a searing -3.
We were in the chute for 4dog and, literally at the LAST second, Freddie decided that she also wanted to wear Heini's harness. We barely cleared the chute and I had to hook down, untangle them and explain to Freddie that single beds are only made for ONE. After that, the run was FLAWLESS and fast as anything. Even after all that, we held our 5th place spot. Not too damn bad, eh? I'm happy with it.
Now, like I've been saying, it was way too hot all weekend. Oh, wait....no it wasn't. Silly me. I think we've established that it was finger-number cold, right? Good. Just have to make sure you're following me. It was during my 4dog that I realized how much my ear hurt. Question mark I thought to myself. I took off my gloves to feel it....only problem was, I couldn't. My fingers were fine, but my earlobe was stiff and numb. Naturally, I said to hell with it and concentrated on my run. I forgot about my ear until we started the truck to drive home.....and then I realized the feeling in my earlobe was similar to what I would expect if a small raccoon, no more like a badger or a wolverine, were trying to CHEW ITS WAY THROUGH MY SKIN. Needless to say, I frostbit my ear. No, THE FROST bit my ear. Uncalled for. BUT, it's still attached to my head. Not too damn bad, eh?
Kalkaska was GREAT. We did 6dog sport and 4dog pro; I've never had cleaner runs! In 4dog pro, we took 7th of 38. Not too damn bad, eh?
And now let's skip ahead to this weekend....Fife Lake. I should probably begin by saying IT WAS COLD AS HELL. I will then continue trying to explain how DAMN COLD it was. Once again, we did 6sport and 4pro. The sport team started out as pretty much a joke and just a way to exercise my "extras," but they ended up pulling (pun very much intended) a 3rd place finish in that class. Those dogs ran hard....all four of them. Damn straight. I ran four dogs in a six dog class and we took 3rd place. Not too damn bad, eh?
The trail was pretty intense, so you had to drive the sled like your life depended on it....because it pretty much did. My 4dog was on fire. Seriously, there were flames. We were sitting in 5th on Saturday. Sunday started at a balmy -20 and warmed up to a searing -3.
We were in the chute for 4dog and, literally at the LAST second, Freddie decided that she also wanted to wear Heini's harness. We barely cleared the chute and I had to hook down, untangle them and explain to Freddie that single beds are only made for ONE. After that, the run was FLAWLESS and fast as anything. Even after all that, we held our 5th place spot. Not too damn bad, eh? I'm happy with it.
Now, like I've been saying, it was way too hot all weekend. Oh, wait....no it wasn't. Silly me. I think we've established that it was finger-number cold, right? Good. Just have to make sure you're following me. It was during my 4dog that I realized how much my ear hurt. Question mark I thought to myself. I took off my gloves to feel it....only problem was, I couldn't. My fingers were fine, but my earlobe was stiff and numb. Naturally, I said to hell with it and concentrated on my run. I forgot about my ear until we started the truck to drive home.....and then I realized the feeling in my earlobe was similar to what I would expect if a small raccoon, no more like a badger or a wolverine, were trying to CHEW ITS WAY THROUGH MY SKIN. Needless to say, I frostbit my ear. No, THE FROST bit my ear. Uncalled for. BUT, it's still attached to my head. Not too damn bad, eh?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
if your heart is nowhere in it, i don't want it for a minute
KALKASKA IS THIS WEEKEND! Do you have ANY idea what that means? It's my favorite race of the season. Oh Lordy I can't wait.
It always seems so surreal to go from all of this crazy training and preparation to the dead calm of a race trail. It's honestly the time to take a deep breath and say, "well, we gave it hell, so let's see if it worked." It's a little like being on your deathbed, only way happier of course, because once you hit the trail, there are no excuses. Either you got the miles, or you didn't. Simple as that.
That being said, I'm running tonight. The last two weeks have been 4X's, and this week will be also. I'll run tonight (Tuesday) and either tomorrow or Thursday. I'd prefer to run tomorrow and avoid Thursday because I have class until 6pm. We shall see. I'd run those crazy assholes in the dark with Kalkaska looming!
I think I lied about Bristow. I do LOVE that name, but I keep calling her Rachel. I very much dislike the name Rachel, but it's so HER. You know?
Brennan gave me an exciting positive sign last week. Since day one she has been a driving fool, but sometimes her head isn't quite in it. WELL, she led for three miles last Thursday. I put her up with Tune and they led away from the truck, turned us around (manually....I purposely ran them into a dead-end), and drove home like professionals. I love to see progress like that. She's a solid-headed little dog, so I really think I can start leading her in training more often.
Speaking of training, we've been running like the crazy fools we are. Last year, I had "problems" on race trails because my dogs were gaited for the twisty bullshit at Fort Custer. They had the miles, but not the reach nor the right wind to power through a semi-straight trail. This year, I hope I've changed that.
There's a 1.5mile stretch that we've been running. We hit the end, turn around and run back to the truck. I switch leaders and we take off again. That's six solid miles of flat-out speed. At least I hope. At the very least, because they pick their heads up a little early in preparation for the turn-around, it's four solid miles. Twice a week I add a loop through the woods, which is mostly straight, making it five or so.
Tonight, to get them on a new trail and to test their stamina a little bit, I'm going to do six miles in the woods. It'll be a little choppy, but they need a refreshing run before their big debut weekend.
As I sit here now, I have 10 dogs who have worked their asses off, consistently given me their all and driven their hearts out. Let's see what the competition has to offer!
It always seems so surreal to go from all of this crazy training and preparation to the dead calm of a race trail. It's honestly the time to take a deep breath and say, "well, we gave it hell, so let's see if it worked." It's a little like being on your deathbed, only way happier of course, because once you hit the trail, there are no excuses. Either you got the miles, or you didn't. Simple as that.
That being said, I'm running tonight. The last two weeks have been 4X's, and this week will be also. I'll run tonight (Tuesday) and either tomorrow or Thursday. I'd prefer to run tomorrow and avoid Thursday because I have class until 6pm. We shall see. I'd run those crazy assholes in the dark with Kalkaska looming!
I think I lied about Bristow. I do LOVE that name, but I keep calling her Rachel. I very much dislike the name Rachel, but it's so HER. You know?
Brennan gave me an exciting positive sign last week. Since day one she has been a driving fool, but sometimes her head isn't quite in it. WELL, she led for three miles last Thursday. I put her up with Tune and they led away from the truck, turned us around (manually....I purposely ran them into a dead-end), and drove home like professionals. I love to see progress like that. She's a solid-headed little dog, so I really think I can start leading her in training more often.
Speaking of training, we've been running like the crazy fools we are. Last year, I had "problems" on race trails because my dogs were gaited for the twisty bullshit at Fort Custer. They had the miles, but not the reach nor the right wind to power through a semi-straight trail. This year, I hope I've changed that.
There's a 1.5mile stretch that we've been running. We hit the end, turn around and run back to the truck. I switch leaders and we take off again. That's six solid miles of flat-out speed. At least I hope. At the very least, because they pick their heads up a little early in preparation for the turn-around, it's four solid miles. Twice a week I add a loop through the woods, which is mostly straight, making it five or so.
Tonight, to get them on a new trail and to test their stamina a little bit, I'm going to do six miles in the woods. It'll be a little choppy, but they need a refreshing run before their big debut weekend.
As I sit here now, I have 10 dogs who have worked their asses off, consistently given me their all and driven their hearts out. Let's see what the competition has to offer!
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