The Days of Johann - an agility dog!

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Back from the trial!
2008-04-07 15:51:00
We are back from the trial! A little tired but feeling pretty good. Can you say, 'Double DQ'!This is me with my loot from the trial. Got four Q ribbons, two DQ ribbons and a gift for each Q - so Mum got me and Gracie a few toys and a new travel food/water bowl!Our drive over on Saturday morning was kind of a knuckle biter. There was an amazing amount of fog, nearly the entire three hour drive. Kind of scary for Mum, but we made it without too much stress. It took us a little longer to get there, but we got there in plenty of time to run.Overall my runs were kind of slow. My first run was good, but the rest just weren't up to where I was running last fall. But we'll get there - it's probably gonna take some time for me to get back where I was after my injury.My first run (Standard) was at about 10:00 AM. Mum was kind of nervous, not sure how I would run, since my muscle pull. But I did great! We ended up with a Q and about 8th place out of 37 16"ers, which we felt really good ab...
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Getting ready for the big weekend!
2008-04-05 00:25:00
Mum has been busy working away today, and getting ready for us to be gone most of the weekend. She's packed the car, got our treat bags ready, travel crates all secured in the car. We'll be leaving about 5:00 AM to get there by 8:00 AM.I'll run two runs and then we've decided we're driving back and forth. Hopefully, we'll get home at a decent hour and then wake up on Sunday and do all the fun all over again. We are super excited. Haven't been in a trial since I pulled my muscle back in January.Hope everypup and two-legger has a really great weekend! Can't wait to hear what you all have been up to.Woofs, Johann
More About: Weekend , Big Weekend , Ready

Don't forget to watch Oprah today - it's too important to miss!
2008-04-04 20:54:00
Just about an hour, here in EST, before Oprah does her show investigating puppy mills. Be sure and watch, tell everyone you know to watch, spread the word - this report is too important to miss.Visit Oprah's website for more information on Lisa Ling's investigation into puppy mills by clicking here. We also encourage you to send her an email, and thank her for bringing this important topic to her millions of viewers. This may be the widest audience ever to be reached with this issue - just think what an impact it could have.She also has links some great information:Resources to help you fight back against puppy millsWhat you need to know before getting a puppyThe truth about animal shelters and responsible breeders Learn how to find a good breeder
More About: Watch , Today , Miss

Practice today and other musings!
2008-04-04 00:06:00
Gracie and I got to go to practice today. Yeah! Dog, did we have fun. We had a private which was pawsome, because we got to work on some great stuff. For me, we worked on tighter turns, my dog walk (I've been bailing recently), weave speed and a few, somewhat complicated, jumping maneuvers. Mum was pretty pleased with how I performed.Gracie did really, really well. Her focus was a little off today, but she did great. Her weaves are really speedy - she's wanting to do them so fast she's been missing some poles lately. We're not worried, she'll get them - we just want to keep her speed and enjoyed up. She worked on her dog walk too (she's been bailing, also), and she worked on her teeter and focus. We came away with some homework - which we absolutely love.Got the big 'comeback' (again) trial this weekend. An AKC trial in Columbus, Ohio. Running on dirt in a horse barn - which I absolutely love. Mum's a little nervous, I'm ready!We're gonna meet up with a fellow dog blogger...
More About: Musings , Today , Practice

Basset agility!
2008-04-04 00:02:00
Now here's something you don't see everyday! A Basset doing agility. Way to go!
More About: Agility

It's almost blooming time!
2008-04-03 23:51:00
When my Mum moved in to our house back in 2000, there was absolutely no landscaping.Over the years Mum has attempted her version of backyard landscaping and I think she's made some really good choices! There is almost always something blooming in our yard throughout the growing months.Mum favorite plant is just about to bloom - Forsythia. We have two of them on the south side of the corners of the house. They are just amazing shrubs with amazing yellow color. The first shrub to bloom for the year.Mum's favorite thing is go out and cut them just before the buds pop open, and put them in a humongous vase to display in our office. Then she has about two weeks to enjoy them. It's about time to go out there and trim them. Maybe this weekend. We'll be sure and get a nice pic to show you!
More About: Time

DVR Alert! Oprah to feature investigation into puppy mills!
2008-04-02 22:46:00
Winfrey Dedicates Show to Her Late DogFrom the Associated Press:CHICAGO (AP) — Oprah Winfrey plans to dedicate a show investigating abuses at puppy mills to her cocker spaniel, Sophie, who died last month from kidney failure."Sophie gave me 13 years of unconditional love. She was a true love in my life," Winfrey says on the broadcast scheduled to air Friday. (Advance remarks from the show were released Tuesday by Harpo Productions.)The show features special correspondent Lisa Ling investigating puppy mills, which Ling calls "horrific" and "haunting."Winfrey says the show is "for anybody anywhere who loves a dog, has ever loved a dog, or just cares about their basic right to humane treatment."While Sophie was not a product of a puppy mill, and Winfrey's three current dogs were adopted from breeders, Winfrey says in the future she would look to adopt from an animal shelter."I would never, ever adopt another pet now without going to a shelter to do it. I am a changed woman after see...
More About: Feature , Puppy , Investigation , Alert

Run free, dear Saba!
2008-04-02 01:33:00
Our friend, Saba, is gone.Saba was a great pup. One of the first pups that Mum knew before she even had a twinkle in her eye for me or, my sis, Gracie. Mum took this shot of her from across the fence one nice, summer day.Saba lived next door with her family. They moved in about three months after Mum. We've been really close with her family the entire time we've all lived here. Mum goes to their parties, we all exchange little Christmas presents every year, and Saba's Mum watches my kittie bros and our home when we are off to agility trials.Saba used to want to make friends with my kittie bro, Wiggy. Wiggy was not so sure about the whole friendship thing, but Saba never gave up trying. Saba used to play with us through the fence, even through the coldest, snowiest day of the year.We loved Saba. She grew old and sick this past year. No longer could she walk and today was the time she was helped to pass to the Rainbow Bridge.We will miss Saba, her love, her kindness, her gentleness...
More About: Free

Better hurry! Not much time left! You gotta do this!
2008-04-02 01:17:00
Oh, oh, I almost missed this!If you are reading this, you must go now and leave a comment on Gomer and Opie's blog and wish the Gomer a very, very happy 8th Birthday! Why?Because if you leave a comment today, Gomer's Mum is going to donate10 cents for every visitor and 25 cents for every comment for an animal that needs it or a donation toward an animal that doesn't have a home in honor of the Gom-ster!So head over there right now - won't take but a minute and you could help save a life!
More About: Time , Left , Gotta

Hanging out!
2008-03-31 13:52:00
The weather was nice most of the weekend. And my kittie bros, Wolfie and Wiggy, just couldn't resist treading on my territory - the yard.Wiggy wanted to check out the weaves, so I thought I'd herd him into doing them right. But he just didn't get the hang of them. Maybe we should use those big fiberglass columns to get him started on weaving?Wolfie kept peaking out the door, but he knows better than to venture out or get chased by some feisty dogs.Gracie has something firm on her mind that was down at the pond.I just wanted to play!

Big congrats to the winners of the AKC National Agility Championships!
2008-03-31 02:02:00
The 2008 AKC National Agility Championships are history. Great competition, great dogs, great handlers. Big congratulations to all those who competed!8" Finals1 - MACH2 Pal O'Mine Allie (Papillon) - Owner: Daneka Hedges2 - MACH3 Kt's Double Trouble (Toy Fox Terrier) - Owner: Nancy Louise Jones3 - NAC MACH17 Pinpaps Jonquil Of Skipnlena MXF (Papillon) - Owner: Robin Cohen12" Finals1 - MACH4 Hilltop Kelsi Lee Kinsella (Shetland Sheepdog) - Owner: Dee Anna Gamel2 - NAC MACH9 Blue Moon Shine On Willow XF (Australian Shepherd) - Owner: Michelle Beardsley3 - MACH Majestykbelcroftblinkofaneye (Shetland Sheepdog) - Owner: John Nys16" Finals1 - Contact Point's Driven To Win MX MXJ XF (Border Collie) - Owner: Kate Moureaux2 - MACH3 Triune's Feelin Hot Hot Hot (Shetland Sheepdog) - Owner: Karen Holik3 - MACH2 Devil's Surprise OF (Shetland Sheepdog) - Owner: Diane Goodspeed20" Finals1 - MACH Hidden Valley's Crew Of Two (Border Collie) - Owner: Kendall Fairchild2 - Artemis Von Schoerling C...
More About: Winners

A little training this weekend!
2008-03-30 21:27:00
The weather was a little nicer this weekend and we got in some practice. Mum was very tired, but she tried to keep going as much as she could. Been a lot of work for her this week...Gracie and I are both having teeter issues. Everyplace we go the teeter is different and we just aren't doing the same things on all the different teeters, so we worked on that, as best we could on our own teeter.Mum wanted to do some work on sending Gracie to the tunnel. She did well! And we wanted to continue working on my weave speed, as well as remind me what distance is.We're signed up for a trial in Columbus, Ohio for next weekend. Got the kittie sitter lined up! Mum has signed me up for four trials coming up in the next six weeks, two USDAA (gotta get one more Standard for my MAD title) and two AKC trials - right now we sticking with dirt and grass, since I'm not doing too well on other surfaces right now, just being too cautious.We are really looking forward to being in a trial again. Just lov...
More About: Training , Weekend

AKC National Agility Championships - Day 3!
2008-03-30 20:45:00
We're a little slow going today - lazy day. We went to check on the progress on the AKC website and they've already completed the Hybrid class! Seems our friends Ruth and Zina didn't get in a clean run this morning, but they sure did really well for their first time at National s.We saw that a couple of nice folks we met from Tennessee at the Corydon trial are set for the finals this afternoon - Joel and Marvel, and Jean and Keesha, good for them! Also big congrats to Jenn and Guess. It will be a really nice 16" final! Looking forward to that.It looks like two handlers will have two dogs each in the finals - wonder how common that is? Should be really competitive in all the heights! Good luck to everyone.If you want to see the results for the Hybrid - which is round 3, click here. And you can watch for more results coming tonight for the Challenger and Final Rounds.Check out this link for some videos from the event - they seem to be pouring in...The creators of one of the blogs I ...
More About: Championships , Agility

AKC National Agility Championships - Update Day 2!
2008-03-30 00:00:00
Day two of the AKC National Agility Championships are complete and included Standard in Round 1 and Jumpers in Round 2.Cumulative Standings through Round 2 include:8"1 Phoebe, Kimberly Sisak Papillon2 Pip, Nancy Louise Jones, Toy Fox Terrier3 Pierre, Diane Overstreet, Papillon12"1 Willow, Michelle Beardsley, Australian Shepherd2 April, Gail Donaldson, Pomeranian3 Leo, Lyndsay Mulligan, Papillon16"1 Flash, Pamela Fish, Border Collie2 Vixen, Robin Kletke, Border Collie3 Luka, Ashley Deacon, Pyrenean Shepherd20"1 Streak, Diane Sanders, Border Collie2 Tessa, Frank Lafata, Border Collie3 Teak, Kendall Fairchild, Border Collie24"1 Jive, Carrie Jones, Border Collie2 Skylar, Ann Zarr, Border Collie3 Kestrel, Bridget McKnight, Border Collie26"1 Scream, Ann Braue, Border Collie2 Focus, Geri Hernandez, Border Collie3 Pickle, Alicia Nicholas, Border CollieOur good friends, Zina and Ruth Goode, are at 40th place with two clean runs in Round 1 and Round 2 (way to go you two)!Tomorrow's Round 3 w...
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AKC National Agility Championship - Day two!
2008-03-29 12:25:00
The individual competition gets underway today at the AKC National Agility Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma.Here are the courses for the day: Standard and JWW.Yesterday's final results are in for the International State Competition. The winners are:26" Class 1st: MACH Hob Nob I.O. Ewe, Border Collie - Owner: Jef Blake 2nd: MACH Hob Nob Shaper Image XF, Border Collie - Owner: Geri Hernandez 3rd: MACH Bluefire Causin' Commotion NF, Border Collie - Owner: Ann Braue18" Class 1st: MACH Dylan MXF, Rat Terrier - Owner: Angie Benacquisto 2nd: MACH4 Romayne's Prairie Skye VCD1 TDX XF, Shetland Sheepdog - Owner: Lori Michaels 3rd: MACH2 Devil's Surprise OF, Shetland Sheepdog - Owner: Diane Goodspeed14" Class 1st: MACH4 Hilltop Kelsi Lee Kinsella, Shetland Sheepdog - Owner: Dee Anna Gamel 2nd: MACH3 Tell-Tail's Tri to Imagine XF, Cocker Spaniel - Owner: Irene Barrie 3rd: MACH 2 Cosmo Omega Edward-Jones, Poodle - Owners: Lynne Edwards & Tom JonesAnd the winning state was Wisconsin with ...

AKC National Agility Championships: Update!
2008-03-28 22:28:00
Some of the results are coming in for the International State Tournament being held today at the AKC National Agility Championships .The first round of JWW and Standard have been completed and results posted. Over 700 dogs competed in the first round and we were really happy to see a couple of our friends qualified in Round one! Results from portions of round two are just now being posted. Be sure and click here for all the results. The state team finals will be held at approximately 4:30 PM Tulsa time.Tomorrow starts the individual competition with the following schedule:7:45 am Course Map Distribution (Information Booth)7:45 - 8:15 am Exhibitor Check-in at Information Booth8:00 - 8:30 am General Walk-through’s (All heights)8:45 am Opening ceremony - National Anthem & Judge’s Briefing9:00 am Individual Group Walk-through’s9:10 am Judging BeginsWe'll be following the action throughout the day and bring you any news and results we find.
More About: Update

Fence? Say what?
2008-03-28 22:18:00
After my fun time the other day off leash, Mum still hasn't decided if she'll let me do it again. Guess she'll just have to see what my 'mood' is for the day and go from there.You couldn't see it very well in the video, but while I was out hiking several days ago, I headed out for a nice inspection of an amazing pool on the back lot of one of the humongous houses on the edge of the wooded area. But Mum called me back before I could inspect fully. And then the house next door to them I couldn't even get to because they had this amazing fence around their property.We live in a really nice area, but have one of the least expensive homes around. Mum thought it was a good idea for resale value. We think she's gonna be right! But I have to tell you about this amazing fence! The fence looked like a concrete fence, but it wasn't. It was one of those vinyl fences that looks like concrete.It was very cool, but the only thing I didn't like is that you could see through it, but it sur...
More About: Fence

AKC National Agility Championships get underway!
2008-03-28 14:47:00
Today the AKC National Agility Championships get underway in Tulsa, Oklahoma with the International State Team Tournament.The Jumpers, Standard and Finals courses have been posted. (These are PDF files and may take a bit to load). We'll be back later today to post more. In the meantime, here is a full schedule of events. And a little about what one of the bloggers is saying who is attending and competing at the event:Adventures of the Miller PackAnd here's a bit of news from around the US:From high school teacher to dog agility trainer, competitor - courtesy of the The Herald in Puyallup, WAQuad-City Doberman pinscher ranked nationally for agility skills - courtesy of the Quad-City Times in Davenport, IALocal dog to compete in AKC agility championship - courtesy of the Battlecreek Inquirer in Battlecreek, MI

Canine CPR reaches 4th top lens on Squidoo!
2008-03-28 12:38:00
Wow, we achieve a really big milestone today! Our Canine CPR lens is the 4th top ranked lens overall, and the #1 ranked lens in the Animals and Nature category on Squidoo today! Woo, hoo!There are over 500,000 lenses on Squidoo. To be ranked this high is an incredible honor.In August of 2007, we created this lens in honor of our great blogging friend, Tish and her pup Cruella. Because, in February of 2007, Tish and Cruella had a really big scare. Cruella choked on a piece of hot dog and couldn't breath. Tish told the story on her blog, "Cruella became disoriented and started to stumble around the room. I started screaming, and I continued to whack her between the shoulders, hoping to dislodge the food." Every time I read Tish's post about this terrifying night, I start to get those scary chills and go over and hug my Mum. It really makes me scared and at the same time grateful that I'm alive.Recently, Tish attended a Red Cross training and became certified in pet first aid and c...
More About: Lens

Stuff on dog cars!
2008-03-28 12:23:00
When you do stuff with your dog and travel, you see just about everything. Especially the personalization of cars.Dog folks somehow love putting stuff on their cars. Like those magnets and stickers, and the obligatory bumper sticker. And we see a lot of folks doing those window films now for their back car windows, showing amazing action shows of their pups doing agility.We only have one thing on our car now, and that's a JohannTheDog.com license plate holder. Someday we may do a little more advertising on the car. Maybe try out car magnets to advertise the website.VistaPrint has a wide range of things that they can print for you at very affordable prices including checks, business cards, rubber stamps, calenders, postcards, note cards, sticky notes, and now they are offering car magnets. VistaPrint has over 12 million customer worldwide and they are the leading online supplier of high quality and easy graphic design services for customized printed products.All you have to do is ...
More About: Cars , Stuff

2008 Midwest Championships announced!
2008-03-27 23:29:00
Mark your calendars for October 24-26, 2008 .The 2008 Midwest Championships will offer 3 days of Agility, Rally and Obedience competition as well as Agility Team events and Super Rally just to name a few! The event will be held at the Regional Sports Center in Crystal Lake, Illinois.This exciting 3 day event will indeed have a championship atmosphere with huge trophies and ribbons as well cash…yes you heard right…$$CASH PRIZES$$ to be awarded to the top teams. There will be an abundance of vendors on site to provide products and services to delight your canine best friends!Max 200 has signed on as a major sponsor and will provide all the equipment for all three areas of competition!This event is for everyone. There are no qualifications or number of points required for the current year. While this is going to be much more than an average trial we to encourage the average weekend competitor along with the top handler to come out and try your hand. You will be tested to see what yo...

I love gadgets!
2008-03-27 22:56:00
I just love gadgets. My Mum does too, anything to make life more fun, interesting and easier!We often frequent a site called PetGadgets .com - Innovative Pet Products. They have all the latest and greatest pet gadgets on the market. Here are just a few of our favorites that we'd like to try?Vibrating Pet Massager - for all those sore muscles after agility.Canine Cooler - to keep me cool on the blasting hot days at trials.Staywell Eco Clean Dog Waste Disposal System - to be more green about disposing of the doo.Panasonic Network Camera and Pet Cam - so you could all keep an eye on me!A Paint Kit for Dog by Pup-Casso - I was once a budding artist, maybe I could pick it up again and add to the family income?Pooch IQ Kit - I always knew I was smart, maybe now I could prove it!And they have lots more fun, useful products, including the Pawsitive I.D.™ is a DNA testing kit for dogs & cats, so you can really know what your pet's made of.
More About: Love

A dog whisperer of another kind!
2008-03-27 22:49:00
I posted this on my other blog, Rescue Me, but wanted to share it with you too!We found an interesting article in the London Telegraph about a dog whisperer of another sort. Christopher Middleton on a vicar who believes godliness is next to dogliness, writes about the sermons of the Dog Whisperer ..."It was 9.45 in the morning and I was going to the pub to get blotto. My company had gone bankrupt and I had lost my house, my cars and all my money," he recalls. "Suddenly, I saw this border collie lying in the middle of the road, about to be run over by a truck."I don't know why, but I called out 'Annie!', as in Orphan Annie, and she ran straight over to me, the truck missing her only by inches. It was a moment that completely changed my life."No question about it. A rescue dog in more ways than one, Annie accompanied the newly impoverished Graeme and his wife, Maureen, to their new, downsized life in Devon ("We went there because at least the fresh air was free").It soon became clea...

Sun protection!
2008-03-27 22:37:00
Now that it's coming up on main agility season here in the Midwest, Mum is always looking for clothing that's comfy, breathable, looks good and has great sun protection. She doesn't want to get those agility trial day sun burns - they can be dangerous!She came across a site today that sells sun protective clothing - everything from hats and shirts, to pants, shorts and jackets - for men, women and children. Their UV protective clothing provides a UPF of 50+ so you can play outdoors with confidence.Mum really liked this cute shirt, and now that's she's been loosing those Winter inches, she just may be ready to wear it come hot weather time.
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AKC National Agility Championships!
2008-03-27 00:27:00
It's that time of year again - time for the AKC National Agility Championships ! This year they will be held on starting this Friday, March 28-30 at Ford Truck Arena and Mustang Arena at Expo Square in Tulsa, Oklahoma.Check back here, we may be able to gather some results info and vids!To be eligible for this competition, dogs must have earned 6 Double Q's and 400 MACH points from the Regular Excellent B Standard and Jumpers with Weaves classes during the qualifying dates of December 1, 2006 through and including November 30, 2007.Judges for this years event include: Laura English, Evansville, IN; Donald Farage, Jr., Bartlett, TN; Zera Holm, Fresno, CA; Rachel Long, Rosharon, TX; Jean Munger, Hampshire, IL; and Pamela Sturtz, Afton, NY. The event will include the AKC National Championship, and the AKC International State Team Tournament.The American Kennel Club is announcing the addition of the National Agility Champion title this year. This title will be awarded to dogs that win ...

AKC Agility Invitational starts tomorrow!
2007-11-30 10:56:00
The 2007 AKC Agility Invitational gets underway tomorrow and continues Sunday as part of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship and the National Obedience Invitational in Long Beach, California, at the Long Beach Convention Center.The AKC Agility Invitational will include all the top dogs ranked in agility events during the the year. The top five ranked agility dogs in each of the AKC recognized breeds will compete in this prestigious event. In addition, they competition is open to the top 3 international agility competitors identified in their respective countries. All international dogs will compete at the AKC required jump heights.Click here for the running order, and here for results and more information!
More About: Tomorrow , Morrow , Tomo

Human relationships!
2007-11-30 03:10:00
I just don't get human relationships, they seem so complicated. One day they are friends, and they may have been for years! Then one little thing happens, someone gets sensitive, one won't talk to the other, and, just like that they aren't friends anymore. They break up and the ole goodbye letter comes out.The saddest part is that one person thought they were friends, but the other may not have every thought that and was just 'being nice.' Well, doesn't seem very nice to me, it's fake! What is up with that?Luckily, Mum doesn't get into this kind of stuff very often, she's very matter of fact, says her mind, doesn't like gettin into the caddy stuff, she's not clicky or sensitive, doesn't 'hold on to things' and doesn't like to gossip; probably why she gets along a lot better with men 'cause most women just don't understand her.Us dogs, we've got it right. We sniff each others butts, and find out all sorts of stuff about the other pup - what they ate, where they've ...
More About: Relationships , Human

Getting in the zone!
2007-11-30 00:18:00
With the trial coming up this weekend, and being off agility for about a month, we are so looking forward to getting out there and giving it all we've got this weekend.One of the things that both Mum and I are pretty pleased with is our ability to 'get into the zone' before and during and after our run. No matter how late we get to the trial (oops!), no matter how many dogs are around the gate, no matter how close the quarters are on the way to the gate or in the crating area, no matter how much noise, confusion and, and, and...we most always just zone when it's time for our run.Oh, I admit that there have been the occasional times where we've lost it, but it was primarily due to the fact that we didn't stick with our usual routine before our run. And, it made us feel off.We see a lot of people utilizing different tactics to 'get into their zone.' Mum likes watching people and see how they do what we do. What Mum does is something that she learned a long time ago when she ha...
More About: Zone

Dog classify photos in the same way humans do!
2007-11-29 23:47:00
Seems I can love certain photos just as much as Mum, according to a researchers from the University of Vienna who performed a new study recently.According to Science Daily:Like us, our canine friends are able to form abstract concepts. Friederike Range and colleagues from the University of Vienna in Austria have shown for the first time that dogs can classify complex color photographs and place them into categories in the same way that humans do. And the dogs successfully demonstrate their learning through the use of computer automated touch-screens, eliminating potential human influence.Read more about this study!I have to say that after reading the article that we could have told them this was true, at least for Gracie. She has always picked out the pups on the TV and computer screen, and ignoring pretty much everything else!(Credit: iStockphoto/Rami Ben Ami)
More About: Photos , Humans

Massage!
2007-11-29 17:48:00
You all know how much I love a good massage, especially after a long day at a trial. And I'm lucky that Mum obeys!But unfortunately, and sadly for Mum, I can't reciprocate, even though my kittie brother Wiggy tries to give it a good shot. She'd love to get a massage once a week, but it's just not feasible. She did, however, find something interesting today. One of those cool Massage Chairs.They say the experience of sitting in this chair is like hands rapidly tapping on your back, gentle rolling and alternating strokes, relieving spinal pressure, and kneading to work out knots and ease soreness. Now I know Mum could use that after an agility trial too!Note: This is a sponsored post.