Second Beginner Agility Class

Small disclaimer -- I just realized that Jake isn't really 10 months old until September 29th. Bad mommy. On with the story! As you can see from the picture, agility is working well for us as Jake's parents. A little bit of leash burn on my poor hands is worth the few minutes that Jake is unconscious sitting up in his butterfly chair next to my desk. Tonight went well for all the dogs present. Some of the more timid dogs approached the class with more enthusiasm and little less fear of the obstacles. And then the knuckleheads like our Jake were still flinging themselves about in utter abandon for all the doggy social rules. It was completely neat to see the dogs start watching each other on the obstacles. I believe one of our instructors called them "doggy mentors". Jake sure wanted to fly over those jump bars when the German Shepherds Ava and Marco sailed over them. Jake got a little stuck in the longer chute because of some odiferous tuna another dog missed inside the chute. He'd go flying in a top speed and just not come out (it's maybe a three-foot long chute so Jake has good brakes). For the most part, the string cheese is still doing the trick for Jake as bait. I think class was more relaxed for everyone tonight. And I'm pretty sure we're all looking forward to the next session!

Agility 101

We headed to Jake's first beginner agility class last night. He seemed really disappointed when we drove right past the river. He threw himself down with a great big theatrical huff and rolled his eyes. But once we got to the instructor's house and he heard all the other doggies, my husband and I were totally forgiven. There were three German Shepherds, one Golden Retriever, one Cocker Spaniel, one Boxer and one Sheltie to join us in the class. I had no idea that Jake already had a fan club -- one of the instructors had already seen Jake's blog and thought he was an "adventurous soul". Two of the instructors have herding dogs (Border Collies & Australian Shepherds)so we haven't encountered any herding dog prejudice. Besides fighting the swarming mosquitos (which seem to have the best knack for biting the small spots I missed with the bug spray) and trying to keep Jake from invading the other dogs' personal space until better acquainted, everything went wonderfully. Jake zoomed right through the tunnel, hit the contact spot on the A-frame, walked across and turned around on the lowered balance beam, flew over the jump bars, and raced through the weave poles -- all in the name of CHEESE. Jake doesn't get cheese at home so we pulled out the low-fat string cheese for the occasion. He kept running over to the instructor that normally held the bait to lick her fingers. The husband of one of the instructors told us that Jake was a natural. I know I was proud of him. Most importantly, Jake was totally pooped. Besides Ellen's sheep, we haven't found that much that can wear Jake out in an hour and half (at least not something that he can't recover from in a ten-minute power nap). Yeah, agility! Hopefully we can get some pics of him doing his stuff up here soon!

Cowboy Jake -- 10 Months Old

Jake's Halloween costume came in the mail yesterday and I just had to know if it fit. Jake pulled all the limp noodle stuff that he normally does when we stick his seatbelt harness on him. Once I finally had it on him, it took all of Jake's training to make him SIT up for the picture. He was kind enough to let me snap a few before he laid down to pout. Isn't our little cowboy cute? I doubt he will let me ever put him back in his costume, especially to make an appearance in public. So enjoy looking while you can!

One of The Things I Love Most About My Dog

Jake always seems to know my moods and know when I need him to cuddle with me and kiss away my tears. His sensitive (and most often mischevious) brown eyes scan my face and Jake tries to "fix" whatever is wrong. Many of the dog breeds find direct eye contact uncomfortable but Jake looks to your face to know what kind of day you are having. Today I found myself glued to a heart-wrenching documentary of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centers that had been filmed in 2002. I knew I would cry but I felt that I owed it to the victims to watch it and weep for them and the families they left behind. Jake had been sleeping under my bed until he heard the rumble of the second tower falling. He came racing out of the bedroom and growled and postured at the TV. He then jumped on the couch cushion next to me and sat intently watching the television screen. Jake never sits still that long. At the end of the documentary, there is a segment on the funerals and memorial services. Jake began an eerie, soft howling and didn't cease until "God Bless America" was sung by one of the NYPD's own. Jake turned to me and swiped a few tears off my cheeks. He then proceeded to bring every toy he could to place in my lap. I know he sensed my heartache. Every day I am awed and amazed by my little cattle dog. Some days the awe is touched by some frustration, other days sheer marvel.

Jake 10 Months Old and Obsessed with Cows!

After Jake's debut in the sheep herding arena, Jake couldn't wait to get another chance at the cows next to my grandparents' house. The usual problem of loose baby cows didn't present itself (apparently the farmer finally fixed the fence). So several reconnaissance walks were undertaken (yes, I'm a military brat). The first walk in the cove produced no sign of the cows (they were resting in the shade of the trees). Jake returned home a sad, sad puppy. Jake's second walk in the cove also proved to be cowless. As soon as I saw the cows on the nearby end of the pasture, the leash was clipped on and Jake RAN to the cows. The cows were cooling off in the stream under the watchful eye of the big, black, proud Papa Bull. In the past Jake has always remained on the proper side of the fence. This time Jake stuck his head through the barbed wire. When we didn't reproach him, the rest of Jake's mottled body followed quickly after his big head. He refused to turn around and lose sight of his beloved moo cows so we had to back him through the fence. He only lost a tiny patch of hair, which I'm sure a lovely mountain bird has used for their nest by now. But Jake was happy cattle dog and bounced all the way home!

Jake 10 Months Old and Still Hating the Seatbelt Harness

Jake outgrew his first seatbelt harness and, after much research, has moved onto a different type of harness. When we received this harness in the mail, my husband and I were awestruck. The straps are so much thicker than his previous harness and the metal attachments are quite weighty all by themselves. Jake wasn't very pleased by the weight change but he has much more room to twist around and not get tangled. My husband joked that Jake could go bungee jumping in the harness. I joked that it was better made than our own seatbelts. Despite the joking, Jake is still not laughing. The harness still puts him in a serious pout in the backseat. His momma is happy, though, to know that Jake will be safe!