The Days of Johann - an agility dog!

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The manicure!
2007-10-24 21:49:00
I don't know about you, but I absolutely hate getting my nails trimmed. Mum says we have to do it tomorrow, 'cause they are a bit long for me running three days at this weekends agility trial. She tries ever so hard to make it a pleasant experience with the clicker and treats - and I have to admit, I'm getting better about it all the time.Because I don't like it so much, Mum did some research. What are the best ways to trim a pups nails? What are the different ways? How do you help a pup like nail trimming? And what are the best tools?She found out a lot of cool stuff, that you may or may not know. And she put all the info into our Squidoo Lens - Trimming your dogs nails!Be sure and check it out. There's a cool instructional video, all kinds of tools available, resource and information articles about trimming a pups nails, and a terrific vid on helping a dog to like nail trimming - from my very first obedience trainer, Laura! She's awesome and taught me all about the clicker,...
More About: The Man , Manic

Blogging for friendship!
2007-10-24 20:56:00
My good blogging friend Tish at ChattieKat tagged me the other day with the Blogging For Friendship tag! How cool is that! Tish is one of my top buds. She has pups of her own and totally gets me. Thank you Tish!!!!I have to say I've made a lot of really good friends from blogging - lots of two-leggers and four-leggers.One of my best buds is Therese from PetSitUSA. Not only does she give me advice when I need it, but she's totally real with me - that's what a friend is for! And she's very kind, goes out of her way for others and is totally devoted to animals. You just couldn't ask for more than that in my doggie book!Another one of my good friends is Cyn from TipTail. She's a pup rescuer and foster Mum. She's always going out of her way to help a pup in need. And she's a sports nut, just like me - well dog sports that is. We have loads in common.And I would be totally remiss if I didn't mention all my friends at Dogs With Blogs. There are so many! They welcomed me with open ...

I want this!
2007-10-24 20:44:00
Mum was looking around for some stuff for our Disco, stuff that she can add to it to carry more of our stuff! 'Cause not that there are two pups and two kitties in the family and we are travelling more to trials, we need places for our stuff.We came across this site that has all kinds of add ons for your truck, car, SUV and van. They have racks for the tops, step ups for the sides, cargo liners for those 'little spills', pet barriers and loads more. They even have big 'ole lights for setting up those courses in the dark.We wouldn't mind having a van rack for the top of our Disco, then we could stash some stuff on top and have more room for more pups, BOL!Note: This is a sponsored post.

A new sport for us pups?
2007-10-24 20:43:00
There's a new dog sport coming out of Germany? Well, maybe! It's called Treibball. Looks like it would be fun for us herding breeds. Maybe for those that are getting on in years, or don't have sheepies to work. Check it out!
More About: Sport , Pups

Animals, pets and humans face threat in Southern California!
2007-10-23 17:21:00
We've been thinking a lot in the past couple of days about our friends out in Southern California . We hope they are safe!The fires are raging there. Many, many people, homes, pets, animals and wildlife are being threatened. More than a quarter-million people have been ordered to evacuate from the path of these dangers wildfires.Hot, dry winds off the desert are fueling these deadly fires, and authorities say there's little they can do to stop the flames until the winds die down possibly today at the earliest.The San Diego Humane Society's Animal Rescue Reserve (ARR) is on the scene, helping many of these animals in need. They are a team of highly trained volunteers dedicated to assisting people during disasters, by safely evacuating horses, livestock and household pets.Here is more info from the San Diego Humane Society website:The San Diego Humane Society is diligently working with them (ARR) to help all the animals needing help during this disaster. Under the supervision of t...
More About: Pets , Animals , Face

Investing for my future!
2007-10-23 13:56:00
I don't know about you but just thinking about how to invest my bones (money to you two-leggers) gives me the shivers. I soooo rather be out running agility, hiking with my Mum, or blogging and talking with all my friends in cyberspace.There is just way too too much information out there, and even loads more folks giving you advice. Making financial decisions on where to invest my bones is incredibly overwhelming.We did come across some new resources that look kind of interesting - on the Internet, of course! One of these place is MyWallSt.net - a investment learning center with social networking built right in.They say that MyWallSt.net is a one-of-a-kind financial social network that allows members to create unique personal and professional online profiles in order to find and communicate with other like-minded individuals. You can blog, talk with friends about the latest hot stock tips, listen to leading experts, track company performances, and even enter investing contests.Ther...
More About: Future , Investing

Howl-o-ween safety!
2007-10-23 13:55:00
Halloween, is a great time to celebrate - fun, food, gatherings with friends, pawties, trick or treating, yum! But it's also a time to be careful.The ASPCA has put out a pretty doggone good set of safety tips we wanted to share with you to keep your pets safe on the big goblin day.Check it out, have a doggone good time and be sure and be safe out there, K?
More About: Safety , Howl , Ween

Muddy paws!
2007-10-23 13:21:00
After just about the driest summer on record, we are getting some rain. And dog, it's a lot of rain! Mum didn't used to have to worry too much about my muddy paws, 'cause they are kind of little. But now with Gracie's big 'ole mitts, we've got lots of muddy paws to clean up.And Mum's been cleaning us and the floor a lot the last day or so - with much more to come.Here's a cool idea that may just help - it's a personalized doormat. One that soaks in all the wet and goo. We could even have our names put on it! Maybe Santa will bring me one, if I'm a good boy.This site also has other neat personalized items like a custom address plaque, and address signs. And they have really cool personalized slates with all kinds of dog breeds. Would make a nice plaque for the front door.And whata ya know they have cute bird houses. Maybe I can talk Mum into getting one of those to feed my bird herding habit. Hmmmm.....Well we are off to get dirty, wet, and slimmy - just so Mum can clean us...
More About: Muddy

Handicapped pups - can live a healthier, happier life!
2007-10-21 15:12:00
Thousands of two-leggers are caring for elderly and disabled pets with special needs; senior, geriatric, disabled, injured, recovering from surgery, and handicapped pets.There are organizations out there ready to help! Check out this vid from Handicappedpets.com. They are doing great work to help pups (and other four-leggers) live a longer, happier life. And when you get a chance, stop by my Squidoo lens for all kinds of info and resources for handicapped pups.
More About: Life , Live , Happier , Pups , Heal

Love your Vet Tech - It's National Veterinary Technician Week!
2007-10-15 20:43:00
Throughout my life, I have been blessed with wonderful care from some equally wonderful vets, vet techs, and holistic practitioners.From my dog attack, dislocated toe and broken foot to my general overall care, these kind and caring individuals have gone to great lengths to get and keep me well, and up to my best performance possible in agility. And they have been my friends!This week is National Veterinary Tech nician Week , and I am honoring the vet techs in my life. I want to thank them for the great care and love they have shown me throughout my life.I remember it was just about a year ago when I got my broken foot. There was an amazingly caring individual who was the vet tech for my ortho. She was incredibly knowledgeable, patient with my Mum through all of her countless questions and requests, had a great working relationship with her boss, and beyond that she always had a smile on her face. She liked me and I liked her. And I trusted her when she had to take me back to the post...
More About: Love , Technician

Happy Blog Action Day!
2007-10-15 20:03:00
Today is a special day - it's Blog Action Day! This day, October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone's mind. In its inaugural year, Blog Action Day will be coordinating bloggers to tackle the issue of the environment. Over 15,000 blogs, reaching nearly 13 million subscribers will be blogging about the environment today and we are one of them.There are so many ways us pups can help to make the environment a better place to romp. One of them is by going Green! From using a Doggie Dooley and wearing earth-friendly collars made of hemp to eating all natural, organic, and healthy foods and treats and even having your humans make you some pawsome tug toys out of old socks - there are numerous ways we can lesson our paw prints on the environment and live healthier, happier lives.Visit my Green Dog Squidoo lens and get loads of ideas! And don't forget to join in the cause!
More About: Happy

USDAA, cool is cool, and moments of greatness!
2007-10-15 12:18:00
We're back from our USDAA trial this past weekend, and catching up on all our emails. We're moving kind of slow today, it was a long, but fun, weekend!I was entered in Standard, Snooker and Gambles on Saturday; Gracie in Standard and Gamblers. On Sunday I did Pairs, Jumpers and Standard, Gracie did Standard and Jumpers. So Mum was pretty busy running from ring to ring. And she tried volunteering some in between. Being that she's pushing the top numbers in age (don't tell her I said that, K?) she's not moving too fast today.The weather this weekend was amazing - between 55 and 65 both days with mostly to partly cloudy. Just my kind of weather, I'm tellin' ya!My Gamblers run was first for the weekend. At that time it was about 50 some degrees. Mum had a good plan - jump, walk, jump, frame, out jump then a right to the teeter, jump and teeter again, jump then up the frame - and then play around the jumps until the buzzer went off. The buzzer went off just as I was taking the jum...
More About: Cool , Moments

Cool new camera!
2007-10-15 12:00:00
Mum always lusts after digital cameras and video cameras, 'cause she loves to take pics and vids of us and the kitties. It's one of her hobbies! For the most part we are pretty cooperative, especially when she has treats!There are some new digital cameras coming out soon. One of them is the new Nikon D300. And wowser, does it look like a good one. A dream camera if you will. It's a 12+ megapixel, and they say it will take up to 8 frames per second, just perfect for those speedy agility runs. Whew! Sounds soooo cool.Right now Mum is using a little Olympus Camedia 6 megapixel. Sure would be great to get a new one. Maybe Christmas time, huh Mum?Note: This is a sponsored post.
More About: Camera , Cool

Mum's marketing for pet businesses!
2007-10-13 02:15:00
Mum has been real busy this week. What's she been working on now? She has kept it pretty hidden from me and Gracie, but unveiled it to us this afternoon.Here it is! And we are super excited. Mum has decided to begin helping pet businesses with their marketing needs. That means we can get to know loads of folks and other 'fur kid's' that have pet businesses like online shops and boutiques, pet sitting and photography businesses, doggy daycares and bakeries, spas and grooming shops, and loads more. And we get to help them with their marketing. Well, Mum will anyway, as it should be, BOL!If you have a pet business and need some marketing help, be sure and contact my Mum, K? She knows lots about marketing and has been doing it for way longer than I've known her - nearly 20 years she says. For the past 5 years she's been a freelance marketer to technology companies.Since she loves animals and has experience with my sites and in retail, she decided to branch out to help other pet bu...
More About: Marketing , Businesses , Sine

Thinking about my Chistmas list!
2007-10-13 00:24:00
Yep, the holidays are getting close. So I've been working on my list for Santa.Here's my list so far....I definitely want a new bed, one of the Jax and Bones or WestPaw beds. They are sooo cool. Not that I don't love my Orvis bed, but I need some fleece for the winter. Mum keeps it cold in the house, even for us! And I want a cool fleece sleeper for my travel crate, I'm getting tired of my old blankie in there.For toys, I'm putting on my list the AKC Lamb toy, the large one that makes hooting sounds. 'Cause if I can't have real sheep, guess this will be the next best thing.And it wouldn't be the holidays without treats, right? My list includes Grizzly NuTreats, and the Lakse Kronch Salmon treats, and if I'm good maybe Mum will throw in some Zukes Salmon minis. Guess I'm on a salmon kick, huh? But they are sooooo yummy!And if budget allows I'd sure like my own real tunnel, dogwalk and aframe - but that may be out of the question unless Santa brings us a larger yard too. No...
More About: List , Thinking

No chase! It's Squirrel Awareness Week!
2007-10-11 18:55:00
Calling all dogs, you are not allowed to chase squirrels this week? 'What,' you say? Why, not?Because it's Squirrel Awareness Week and they need a break!As most dogs out there, I love a good squirrel chase. There aren't too many squirrels around our house, since it's a newer neighborhood. Now and then I see one, or two, and can't believe their tenacity. But you really have to admire their work ethic. Kind of BC like, if you BC's will forgive me.I remember my first encounter with one of the brown , fluffy tailed things. It was a nice Autumn day, kind of like today. Cool, crisp, and with a certain smoky smell in the air. Just as I was patrolling the yard, I saw a flash in my peripheral...something I hadn't seen before. (I'm young, you know, and haven't seen a whole lot).First I was a bit startled and barked, then it was as if something had possessed me. I had to have it!!!! Being a herding breed, such that I am, it's in my nature and it's in my blood to either get them out...
More About: Chase , Waren

Dogs with disabilities!
2007-10-11 05:30:00
Just in the past six months or so, our neighbor dog, Saba, has had loads of trouble walking. Her back legs just don't work anymore.Gracie and I visit with Saba through the fence sometimes, when she has enough energy to get that far. And, we have been thinking a lot about pups with walking disabilities.So we did some research. Seems there are many dogs that have trouble walking, because of old age, car accidents, or birth defects. And there are many resources on the Internet just for these types of pups - to help them live happy and healthy lives.We put together a Squidoo lens on the subject to document our research. Visit the lens, tell us what you think, and be sure and add some resources you discover about the subject. And thank you to the folks that work to make our lives better!
More About: Dogs , Disabilities , Sabi

CPR to the rescue!
2007-10-11 04:37:00
Way to go Officer Josh Halsey!Samo, an officer of the Ligonier Police Department, was chocking on a tennis ball. That's when Officer Halsey saved his K9 partners life by giving him CPR.Watch the video courtesy of CNN!And for more information on Canine CPR, visit my squidoo lens!
More About: Rescue

Is agility allowed?
2007-10-07 21:45:00
I would imagine that we, like many agility newbies, live in housing developments that have the dreaded homeowners association covenents that govern what you can and cannot do in your yards, to the exterior of your home, and have sitting in your yard.Before me, Mum was on the board of our development association - but she got wise and quit pretty quickly. Thankless job.We've not had any association board members comment about that cute blue and yellow teeter sitting 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in our yard, and hope that we won't ever.Mum is pretty good about cleaning up our equipment and not leaving it out for hugely extended periods of time, although she'd like to. She has garage storage solutions to organize everything which helps keeps it all tidy and easily accessible. We feel pretty fortunate to not get any grief about our equipment in the yard, although to us it doesn't seem much different than all the kids two story playhouses around the development.We've bee...
More About: Agility , Allo

I'll take a DQ please!
2007-10-07 21:21:00
Would you like two sir? You bet!!!!And that's just what happened this weekend, I got two double Q's. Wowser!We arrived at the Indiana Collie Club AKC trial yesterday morning at 7:00 AM, dark and early. 70 degrees and humid. By the time I ran it was getting in the 80's already. JWW was first.Nice course, no significant off course ops, flowing and potentially speedy. Because of the humidity (my big speed nemisis), I wasn't so speedy, but good enough for a 6th place.Then, it was time for the Standard. 11:00 AM and 88 with high humidity. Another nice, flowing course with a little potential for off course with a tunnel entrance. But we ran clean, and got 1st place! Wowser! Another DQ. #9 DQ overall.Sunday the weather wasn't any better. 75 and hugely humid and sunny for my first JWW run. I was getting tired already...but another nice, flowing course for another Q and 4th place. Then it was time for Standard. Course seemed dooable, so we went for it. By this time it was very high 80'...

Celebrate?
2007-10-07 21:00:00
What do I like to do to celebrate my wins at trials? Dig into a nice, fresh marrow bone, of course! I like to take my time with it. Gracie? She's digs in with gusto!But Mum, she either wants ice cream, or a really good margarita! What? Yep, that's what I said a really good, homemade, frozen margarita. Now we know drinking alcohol shouldn't be talked about on a G rated blog. But for those of age, and within discretion, we don't see anything wrong with a little celebratory drink.Oh, I should tell Mum to visit The Tequila Guy for the best stuff, huh?Note: This is a sponsored post.
More About: Celebrate

Today is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi!
2007-10-04 12:14:00
October 4th is the Feast Day of St. Franc is of Assisi !Saint Francis of Assisi (September 26, 1181 - October 3, 1226) was a Roman Catholic friar and the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans.He is known as the patron saint of animals, birds, and the environment, and it is customary for Catholic churches, rescues and shelters, and animal community organizations to hold ceremonies honoring animals around his feast day of October 4.To learn more click here for info:Who is St. Francis of AssisiFind out about Animal BlessingsAnd here are some great books about St. Francis and Animal Blessings:Blessing of the Animals: A Guide to Prayers & Ceremonies Celebrating Pets and Other CreaturesThis compendium of stories, prayers, ceremonies, and engaging tidbits is a blessing not only for the animals of the world, but for all animal lovers too.Blessing the Animals: Prayers and Ceremonies to Celebrate God's Creatures Wild and TameTake a spiritual journey t...
More About: Today

My inspiration!
2007-10-04 12:14:00
Sylvia Trkman and La at the FCI World Dog Agility Championships 2007.
More About: Inspiration

The dog's nose knows!
2007-10-04 12:13:00
The other day Mum had Dr. Phil on the TV while we were working away. (This isn't a usual thing, it's just that she got so into work, she didn't change the channel, sorry Dr. Phil). But that day they had a program about ethnic rhinoplasty - changing your nose to be more like other folks.That got me to thinking, again. What if us pups changed our noses to look alike? Wouldn't that just be the weirdest thing ever! And quite unthinkable. Take a boxers nose - all squished in (makes them kind of cute, Mum thinks), and put a collie nose on the boxer. What???? Makes no sense right?Us pups, we just need to share our ethnic diversity with the two-leggers. Being unique is wonderful! It's what makes us pups 'man's best friend'!I know rhinoplasty in Beverly Hills isn't for me for enthnicity purposes. But I do have to say if my Mum got a hurt nose and rhinoplasty would help to fix it and make her feel better - we'd be on the first plane.Note: This is a sponsored post.
More About: Nose

It's all about the brand, dog brand, that is!
2007-10-04 12:12:00
My Mum is a marketing consultant. And she thinks a lot about our companies, their reputation, and of course, the brand.Yep, you know what that means - I'm a brand.There are all kinds of companies out there that have dogs as a symbol of their brand. Take Morris (the finicky cat) for example, or the dog with the target on his eye for Target Brand s, or even Lassie. Yes, even Lassie is a brand.Of course Mum doesn't look at me as a brand (just my company), but she sure does take care about my online persona, and handles all my search engine reputation management.Every now and then she will do a Google search for "Johann The Dog". Today 23,500 results popped up. Looking through them, we were pretty happy with the results. They are mostly links to our sites and postings we made on other blogs, (your's I hope). There were a few other 'Johann The Dog's', but nothing that would ruin our reputation, I would guess.Whew! Guess Mum is keeping me clean!So what pops up about you when you sea...

Baking time!
2007-10-04 12:10:00
My good friend Therese at PetSitUSA.com, baked for her pups Archie and Lydia the other night! You must go check out the easy, yummy recipe. My mouth was watering just reading it.Mum has baked for us before, but doesn't do it nearly enough. Maybe this easy recipe will get her going!
More About: Baking , Time

Running a business!
2007-10-04 12:09:00
Most of you know that I'm incorporated. Yep, that's right, incorporated. Well, my company is anyway.Back at the beginning of the year, Mum decided that it would be best to incorporate my business, for our peace of mind. But I gotta tell ya, we hate the tax times that roll around. The deadlines, the different types of paper that need to be filled out and sent. It's enough to make a doggie go mad, I tell ya!It sure would be nice to hire us up a San Diego accountant to help us out!Note: This is a sponsored post.
More About: Business , Running , Sine

Wag goes podcast!
2007-10-03 14:09:00
Have you seen this? Wag Hotels now has a new Podcast and Blog and they have some great info they are putting together. The Podcast is a weekly show dedicated to breaking news and stories from the world of dogs and cats.Be sure and check it out, K?
More About: Goes

Health insurance!
2007-10-03 14:00:00
My Mum has health insurance on me and it's come in very, very handy over my three years of life. It paid about $1000.00 for my broken paw this last winter and the same amount when I got attacked by the dogs the year before.She also has health insurance but is always looking for the best for her, her lifestyle and budget. And since her policy is coming due, she's gonna start looking around for the best 'deal'. She's gonna look around online, but if any of you have recomendations, let us know, K?
More About: Health , Insurance , Health Insurance , Heal

A Dog About Town!
2007-10-03 11:53:00
Not too long ago, I got an email from Randolph. What, you don't know who I'm talking about?Well, let me tell you. Randolph is a dog like any other dog, but with a nose for murder.Randolph wanted to send me his book and let me read it. And guess what, we got it the other day! And he autographed it too! Very cool.Right now I'm pretty beat from the agility trial, but after my nap today, I can't wait to dig in...we'll keep you posted on the story!And Randolph? Keep your nose clean, K?A Dog About Town