Agility folks and Nationals prep

I've been officially unemployed for a week. Can't say my mood has improved too much, but luckily I've been pretty busy with Nationals and my club's upcoming show. But, I have to admit that agility folks are pretty darned cool.

The day I got laid off, Jam and I had agility class. I walked out of agility class with a job! I am now teaching 2 classes for this group and that's great. I also came out of class after talking to two other folks who said they'd send my resume on to their HR folks at their companies. Cool!

Then, I had a show that weekend and was talking to the judge about my malady. He works for a company that has headquarters in the valley and he said he'd circulate my resume as well. Wonderful! Then, yet another agility buddy said she had lots of contacts and would pass my resume around. Fabulous! And THEN, one of my blog readers had me send my resume to her as well...it's a longshot, but heck...I'll take/do anything! Terrific!! I tell ya...agility folks are truly the best folks on Earth! I haven't received any word from anyone regarding a job offer, but getting my name out there is key. I thank all of them profusely as my mood gets lifted with each and every offer of support.

And then there's Nationals prep. Most of my efforts have been focused on volunteers. I am working feverishly on getting my schedule in order and being sure that I communicate adequately to everyone who is helping out. Not to mention that I have a dog to prep as well! I set up some back yard drills today. I have a friend (and Toller teammate) coming on Monday and we're going to head over to where I take classes and do some practice. I could also go to class Tuesday night, but I think I'll spend the time with my girls instead since I won't see them (except for Halloween night) for 5 nights. If Jam and I aren't ready now, we'll never be! :)

And then there's Quila. She and Jam are playing a LOT. I think they actually like each other!! She's still not 100% on potty training, but we're close. She is still nipping quite a bit, but it's getting better. She's definitely a cutie-patootie and somewhat of a troublemaker! :)

Can't finish without pictures...





:-)

The Black Cloud

It's settled over our heads and seems to want to stay for a while. It is amazing how bad things happen in big, huge clumps. Amazing.

Started last week. Had a hefty vet bill and some more not-so-good news regarding Calvin. His protein levels seem to be down so there is a definite possiblity that either the Valley Fever has settled in his bones, or he has cancer. We opted out of the invasive tests (given his age) and instead have forged ahead with drug therapy.

That very same day, my back right tire on my SUV went flat. Really flat. While driving. With the girls. I was able to get my husband out to help me and another kind soul pulled over as well, but this all resulted in $400 for two new tires. Blah.

We had a wonderful hike in Sedona this past weekend (my birthday wish) but in the process we hurt Jeff's mom's feelings by not inviting her.

And then, the biggie...I lost my job on Tuesday. This job was a risk when I took it, in that it depended a lot on the economy. I just hoped for the best...and got the worst. So now, I am jobless...in what has to be the worst economy since the depression. To say I'm scared is an understatement. I have gone through all the emotions, but the one that stands out is an enormous feeling of terror.

Perhaps the only good thing that happened this past weeks is that I got to do a TV segment to promote the Cynosport games (dog sport) to be held at WestWorld here in Phoenix in less than 2 weeks. Jam and I taped it on Thursday and got to watch it this morning. (Of course, I had major issues with DirectTV and finally got it resolved within seconds of the start of my segment.)

I think I did a pretty good job...what do you think?

More puppy pictures!!

It's hard to get a bad picture of her! :) Day 3 and she's doing great! The potty training is progressing, though she's had a couple of oops's. She's also sleeping better and woke us up at 5:45...about 45 minutes later than yesterday. Slowly we'll work her to 6 - 6:30. She's also figured out the doggie doors...just gotta get her to use them to go outside on a regular basis!

She's also taken to the ball, though Jam is NOT impressed! Jam is still quite growly with her, but I have no doubt they'll be fast friends. She's such a cute fluffball!!







:-)

Introducing Baby Quila!

Here she is...


And again...running in from the backyard...


And playing with the girls...


She traveled very well, never making a peep from her Sherpa bag. When I brought her home, Jam was a bit growly with her, but they are slowly warming up to each other. Quila loves her puppy toys and has chewed on every single one. She also likes to lie in wait while Jam runs out to retrieve a ball, and then pounce on her when she comes back to me! :)

She kept us up a bit of the night whining, but otherwise, she's acclimated very well. She doesn't seem to be fearful of much and is being a pretty good puppy so far!!

Kinda weird to have a "baby" in the house again!!

Alb. results and I think we've got a name!!

So, like...I went to Albuquerque hoping to come away with a DAM Team Q and hopefully a couple Q's towards our ADCH. But I DIDN'T expect what we did get:

DAM Team - Q and FIRST PLACE!!
Masters Standard (Sat.) - Q and 2nd place
Masters Gamblers - Q and 1st place
Steeplechase - Q and 2nd place
Masters Pairs - Q and 1st place
Masters Jumpers - Q (no placement)

We needed Pairs, Gamblers and Jumpers for our ADCH. Before the weekend we needed 8 legs, now we need only 5! We CAN do it!!

We were so close to a GP Q. We were running beautifully, but at the 3rd last obstacle, a tunnel, I sent her in the wrong end. Grrrr. My bad.

Jam ended up getting pretty sick Saturday afternoon/evening. She had diarreha (sp?) and was vomiting. She was one unhappy Toller. She wouldn't even run after her ball...not good. I wasn't sure about Sunday. Sunday morning she woke up much more perky and happy. I didn't run her in Masters Standard (which was the first class), but I did run her in Snooker (in which I sent her over #2, and then she backjumped it), Steeplechase Round 2 (she placed 3rd...won $16!) and Jumpers (Q'd).

All in all, a rather excellent weekend! :)

Wishy and her family were at the show and thanks to them, I believe we have a name for the puppy!!! I called my hubby and he didn't pooh-pooh it right away, so I think it's gonna stick. And now, the name...

Formal name = Lakota's Tequila Sunrise
Call name = Quila (key-la)

Whaddya think??!

Roadtrippin'

Jam and I are heading to Albuquerque today for a 3-day USDAA show. We'll be RVing it with a friend and her 2 pups, so it'll be a bit different this time. We're used to staying at hotels so now we're going to see how the "other side" lives! :)

Jam is ready. I think. I mean, she's been doing well in class and in my backyard, so we'll see what happens on the field. She's 100% on her weave poles everywhere but at a show. Typical, eh? Though at the West Valley show in July she was 100% on her poles...not sure why, but she was. Maybe cuz that's the show in which I returned home from Wisconsin on a Thursday and left for the show on a Friday without having done a single jump...? They say practice makes perfect, but maybe not really...?

Can't end this post without a puppy picture! They are 7 weeks old today! The breeder has been fabulous. He's had them on live birds, has had agility equipment in the puppy pen, took them swimming in his pond and has taught them how to retrieve! I'm going to have a very well-rounded pup and I'm SO excited!

Here is Ms Yellow (Green) after a swim. She is SO CUTE!



I bring her home in a week and a half. Can't believe it's coming already!!

And now a name...a freakin' name. Now I'm looking at the names of beaches in the Caribbean. Her "formal" name could be "Lakota's Life's a Beach"...! :) Anyone, anyone? (OK, so maybe 2 people read this thing, but anyone???)

Catch ya on the road....

Lots 'o stuff going on

Lessee...where to begin...

Jam...NO VALLEY FEVER!!! The test came back negative...woohoo!! :) I am so happy. :)

Calvin...he seems to have stabilized. He hasn't had a nosebleed in a week, thank goodness. He still isn't nearly as perky as usual, but that's to be expected. He is still eating like a horse, so that's good. He does go after the ball, but he takes his time. I just hope he continues to improve.

Puppies...they are 6 weeks old now!! The breeder sent video of them with live birds. They were going after them like good little Tollers! (no bird dies during filming!) The breeder has pretty much picked out the pup for me...the one I've been eyeing all along, Ms. Yellow (who is now wearing a green collar). Here are pictures of her being stacked...





Isn't she adorable?!! Right now she's one big puffball, but soon her "real" Toller coat will come in and she'll be as adorable as Jam! She STILL doesn't have a name though. I looked up some Caribbean facts online and like the name "Soca," which is a type of Caribbean music. My husband was less than thrilled with the name. Ugh. It's gonna be tough naming this one for some reason.

Our air conditioner...the upstairs one...it went out. And yeah, it's still freakin' HOT. And of course, it went out on a Saturday. One trip to Lowe's and 3 fans later, we were all able to sleep well last night. And luckily I was able to figure it out this evening and was able to jump start it back to life. Ugh. Hopefully we can limp it along until it cools off...like not until the end of October.

The girls...both are doing very well in school! We meet with Dani's teacher this week for parent/teacher conferences. We are expecting a good conference, so no worries there. And Erin continues to do well in Pre-K. They are both a bit rambunctious and need to learn to listen better, but that's age-specific and to be expected, I suppose.

Me...I got sick, really sick on Friday. And this was supposed to be my day on Friday...1) wake up, 2) wish husband a happy birthday, 3) head to the scuba shop to get his gift, 4) go to lunch with my boss, 5) lead "smoothie Friday" at Dani's school, 6) celebrate husband's birthday with gifts and cake. NONE of that happened. None. I was flat on my back (or in the bathroom) the entire day. I felt slightly better on Saturday, but still not too good. By today, I felt better, but not 100%. We were at least able to celebrate husband's birthday on Saturday and do some kid-oriented stuff today.

That's about it. Jam and I are heading to Albuquerque on Thursday for a 3-day USDAA show with DAM, Steeplechase and GP. It's gonna be at least 20 degrees cooler, thank goodness, and loads of fun. I'll be staying with a friend in her RV, which'll be way cool.

Show season is starting...woohoo!!