I Done Good

Dyl: As you can see from the picture Mum is very pleased with me. On Saturday morning she gave me a really good brushing. Not sure if I like that or not, it usually means we are going somewhere so it's worth having it done but it's a pain to have to stand still - I don't do standing still. Anyway we got into the van, (Mum has a new van so we've got much bigger crates to travel in. It's a bit noisier than the car but when it stops brumming we are always where Mum wants to take us; so it works.) Emily came too. Mum had made a flask of coffee and I saw that she took some shortbread, Oh I love shortbread, if I'm a good boy and run really fast she's bound to give me some. Tazzie was not allowed to come. He ran away from the door crying and went into the other room to look out of the window as we drove away, but Dad was home with him. I expect he saw the shortbread box coming with us and knew he wouldn't get any.

We went brumming along in the van for ages and Mum and Emily were talking such drivel that I went to sleep. Eventually we arrived but I couldn't see any jumps or tunnels, what was I going to have to do to get some shortbread?

We went into a room and there were lots of people wandering around and eating biscuits. That's ok I thought. I can soon work the crowd and get a few biscuits here; but we all sat down and I had to stay with Mum. A man was out the front shouting instructions and names, I heard him call our names and Mum obediently got up and walked to him with me. He looked very pleased with me and said something like 'up the merles'. I'm not quite sure what he meant by that so I sat down quickly, just in case. He gave Mum a glass bowl, everybody clapped and we went back to our seats. What the hell was all that about??? The man called more names, there was more clapping and then we had to have our photo taken. Then we went home..............................where was my shortbread? I didn't get the chance to do any really fast running to earn it, or to do any tricks in front of those people to get them to feed me. It wasn't really very fair. I didn't do anything but Mum kept on about how proud she was of me and what a clever boy I am. I done good at something -wonder what that was.

When we got home Tazzie kept sniffing me to work out where I had been. He doesn't believe me when I tell him I have no idea what happened, that I just went for a long drive in the van to see a man who threatened to stick something up me and then come home. I always said Mum was a strange woman but this is the strangest yet.

Very Strange

Taz: We've been to lots of those showey things lately. Each week Mum seems to take us to one, they are fun. I get to run really fast and can never do anything wrong. Mum is always pleased with me but sometimes more pleased than others. This weekend we'd been a long way and had that housey-thing-on-wheels on the back of the car. It always means I get to sleep with Mum when we take that (but not on her bed as she need too much room!). Anyway Mum was really really pleased with me on Sunday. I jumped over all of the jumps and weaved and listened/watched really carefully to what she was saying, so when she pointed to the black bin bag that was hanging on the side of the ring, I even went to investigate that. Mum called me back quickly and I ran as fast as I could. She was really pleased because she was laughing. I've never been sent to a black sack before, I wonder what obstacle name that has. She gave me lots of cuddles when we had finished and lots of chicken!!!! A bit later on she turned up with a rosette and apparently I'd had a clear round. Squiddy got 2 rosettes this weekend but both of his had a number on. They didn't say clear round - mine's better than his, well I think so anyway and Mum is very very pleased. Stupid Squid thinks he has done something wonderful. Doesn't he realise that if it doesn't say clear round on his rosette then he is just an 'also-ran' He may have got a placing but what's that in comparison to a 'clear round?' I am so clever. I am a good boy. I shall keep running around with my tail in the air and my ears all puffed out. I am the bees knees and Mum keeps telling me so.


Dyl: I don't know what's wrong with Maggot, he is acting very peculiar and Mum seems to be encouraging him. I suppose he did get one of those rosette things last weekend, he doesn't get very many so he might be a bit excited about that. I've got lots and lots of rosettes but I still want more as it makes Mum so happy when we get one.
We went to another small dog club to have a go in their playground. Their jumps and things were very different to what I'm used to and Mum wouldn't let me do some of the obstacles. (I was quite pleased because one of them was like the side of a mountain and I wouldn't have gone up there even if she had offered a whole chicken, hmmmmmm chicken, well I might have had a go if there was chicken on offer but as there wasn't I was glad that I didn't have to try!) We had a good run around and then had to go back to the car while Mum had some lovely food. I know it was lovely food because I could smell it and it made me dribble. Mum says that they are going to come to us and have a go in our playground. We will make it a bit of a party and have some lovely food as well.
Apparantly we are 'going to wipe the floor with them' They will get very dirty and dusty as our floor is covered in wooden chips. I wouldn't want Mum to wipe the floor with me but will be interested to see how we are going to do it. I wonder if we will we attach a stick to them and push them around or just push them around with our feet? Can't wait to see this one, Mum can practice with Maggot. He likes doing new things! She can wipe the floor with him! She is very strange sometimes.

Even Squid can get it wrong

Taz: Mum is losing her marbles. She took us to one of those showey things last weekend but it took ages to get there. We had the housey-thing-on-wheels attached to the back of the car which always makes us slower but it took forever. 61/2 hours, yes 6 1/2 hours it took us to get there. All stop, start and stop start. Anyway we got there in the end; and then of course it was that very strange ritual of 'the banging in of poles and the warming up of kettles'.
It was very hot and when Mum was taking me to the ring for my go, I noticed that some of the little gardens had paddling pools in them. I want one of those. It did look like fun. I shall be a good boy and ask Mum really nicely then perhaps she will get me one. I'll even share it with Squid.
I tried very hard this weekend to keep the poles up and Mum seemed very pleased with me. I am a good boy. I tried to read the little numbers by the jumps and dashed off knowing that Mum would be surprised at just how clever I am, but apparently I don't know what order the numbers go in yet. I will keep trying to learn because I am a good boy and it will be much easier for Mum if I can read the numbers.
Mum didn't get any trophies or rosettes this weekend, not even with that Squiddy thing, but she didn't seem to mind. She told us we were very clever dogs and that she loves us so much. I love my Mum, she is always pleased with us - except when Squid washes the dishes in the dishwasher! I slink off in the other room cos I know he's being naughty. He is so stupid. Mum will catch him at it and then there'll be trouble. When will he learn?
Mum said that Squid was running in a 'Final' on Saturday evening, and I don't think that went very well either, but again Mum didn't seem to mind. She is very strange sometimes, she gets all excited and thrilled when we get one of those rosettes but doesn't seem to mind if we don't - I always do well, even when we don't get one of those things - it'll be the judges fault because he has put the numbers in the wrong order. I try to show that person, the one who stands in the middle of the ring and waves their arms about; what a good course looks like. I much prefer mine to theirs but Mum always tries to make me do theirs, so sometimes I ignore her and say 'look Mum this would better' and off I go with my ears flying - they are ears to die for you know - Mum says so, so it must be right.
This weekend we are off to Cornwall and Emily is coming with us. She is bringing Cairo. I love Emily. She used to live with us and she would give me lots of cuddles and kisses. I wonder why she doesn't live with us anymore............what did that Squiddy do that made her move out? It must be him because she said I was gorgeous so it can't possibly be me. Anyway I will make up for lost time this weekend and snuggle in close to her. I will be such a good boy, she might want to move back in with us. I will take Cairo to one side and have a chat with him and explain what he has to do in the ring - go over all the jumps, through the tunnels, and to stop and look for chicken on the end of the planky things; that way Emily's 'clear round shoes' will start working and she will be sticking one of those rosettes in his face and saying 'look what you have done. You clever boy' She will thank me for my little chat with him. You see..............I am a good boy!

What's going on????

Taz: We went to won of those showey things and when we came back Aunty Ann & Uncle Ian were at our home to see us. They love me lots. I snuggle us close to them and they keep smoothing me. If they stop, I give them a shove with my nose and they start again - it goes on for hours...............heaven! When it was bed time Aunty Ann & Uncle Ian went upstairs; they stayed. Oh wonderful I thought I can get them to scratch me behind the ears tomorrow. But when tomorrow came it was not such a good day. Aunty Ann, Uncle Ian and Mum went out but Mum didn't come home. I waited and waited but Mum didn't come back. Aunty Ann & Uncle Ian did their best in looking after me, they kept me fed and watered and cuddled me lots but I did miss my Mum. They kept saying that Mum had gone on holiday, but how could she? She takes us to a showey thing in that housey-thing-on-wheels for a holiday. Did she have another dog that she has taken? I don't understand what is happening!!

Dyl: Oh I do wish he'd stop moaning about Mum not being here, it's not that bad, I told him I'm sure she'll come back. Anyway I had Ann & Ian wrapped around my paw, I easily got them to give me lots of sweeties and titbits. I would just sit in front of them, look longingly at them and drool! I am quite an expert at drooling and can turn it on and off like a tap, sometimes I can manage to get a piece to hang about 5-6 inches from my mouth. That always works! I was having more of Ian's toast than he did.

Taz: One day Aunty Ann was saying that Mum & Dad were coming home. I was soooo excited. I couldn't wait. I kept going to the window and looking out for them but they seemed to take for ever to come. Eventually though a car stopped outside and Mum & Dad got out. Yaaayy. I'm so excited, I'm so excited. I grab my toy and run about. Why are they taking so long to come in? Aunty Ann let us out, and I ran as fast as I could to see them. I told them 'I'm a good boy! I'm a good boy' I know I am because Aunty Ann told me so. I barked and barked even though I had my toy in my mouth (Mum likes it when I have a toy in my mouth, she likes to play tuggy with me) 'I am a good boy, I AM a good boy' I am so happy now.

Dyl: When Mum & Dad came home Tazzie went mad. He was running around and around and eventually I just had to chase him. I was very pleased to see my Mum & Dad but Taz was just asking to be chased, I couldn't help myself!!! Anyway when things had calmed down, I tried to tell Mum that we missed her by sitting on her feet and generally making a nuisance of myself. It's nice when Ann & Ian look after us but they don't take us to school or do any agility with us, we get to go for walks but don't do any training at all!! In fact I train them, I've certainly taught them to give me some of their biscuits and toast.

Things are back to normal now, I've been to see Aunty Sally, Taz had to stay home and tonight we are going to school as usual. I tried the drooling trick in front of Mum when she had her breakfast this morning.........things are definitely back to normal, I was told to go away in no uncertain terms. Oh well it was good while it lasted............Mummy or toast? Mummy or toast? Oh I don't know it so hard - Mummy! .......................or perhaps toast!

Perhaps Tuesday's aren't so bad............

Taz: I normally hate Tuesday lunchtimes as Mum goes off with that Squid. I know they go running and jumping because he tells me all about it when he gets home; although I'm sure he embelishes the truth about how good he is!!! Anyway as usual Mum started to get ready and got the lovely treats from the fridge - sausage, cheese, chicken and all tasty things like that. Squid started getting all excited and was jumping about saying 'I'm going to see Aunty Sally, I'm going to see Aunty Sally, I'm going running & jumping, I'm going running & jumping - you're not!'

I felt sad and went to my bed with my sad face on and was starting to plan my attack for when they got home. I'll jump about and be really pleased to see them. I'll look longingly at her and then she'll take just me out. But then, you'll never guess what............Mum looked at me and said come then Taz, you're coming as well today. Yippee I'm going, I'm going, I'm going, I leapt out of my bed as fast as I could - wait for me, I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming.
I'll give Aunty Sally the biggest wetest kiss she has ever had. I will lick her face and squeak and squeal in delight. She'll be sure to want Mum to bring me again. Anyway when we got out the car we weren't at Aunty Sally's barn, we were at the Monday barn and Pauline was there too. She had that Tougan with her. I like him because he sometimes growls at Squiddy and puts him in his place!

Well we had loads of fun running and jumping. I got to play with my toy lots and I had some of the VERY tasty treats. We also got to go and have a look at the paddock - at least I think that's what Mum called it. Mum and Pauline spent a lot of time looking at the ground Hmmming and Aahhhing. I don't know what was so interesting on the ground I looked but couldn't see anything, so I went sniffing in the hedge. There were some very interesting smells there I can tell you. It's a very nice hedge! Mum said that next Monday we can take some jumps out there and play outside instead of staying in the barn that's if it's not raining. What is it with people and rain? It's only water for goodness sake. I don't mind..........I'll go outside if it's raining....mind you Mum does look funny when she wet!!

I like Tuesdays...........well I liked this Tuesday!!!!

Naughty Mum!!!

Dyl - I heard her. She said a very naughty word. Apparently it was in disbelief about the results of my latest running and jumping exploits. We went to one of those showey things again this weekend. It was a VERY long way and we had to get up really early. When we eventually arrived Mum let us have a run around the field and Taz went for a poo! (why doesn't he do it at home in the proper manner, we have a lovely toileting facility that I always use) Some horrible little Sheltie came up and was growling at poor Maggot, Mum had to step in quick before Maggot told it to %%%% off! Mum threw Tazzie's poo at it - that'll teach it hehehehe. My Mum always looks after us and will jump in quick to protect us so we don't get ourselves in trouble. Perhaps I should poo when we go out so she has something to throw at another dog if it starts picking on me.

Tazzie went to go running and jumping first and when he came back he said it had all gone ok but that Mum had smelt funny. He thought that perhaps she was a bit more nervous than usual. I asked him why but he didn't know - stupid dog he should pay attention, I expect she was looking out for that Sheltie and was worried because she didn't have any poo to fling at it. Anyway next it was my turn and Mum did indeed smell nervous. I looked for the Sheltie but it wasn't there so I tried to make her relax by just being my usual self. Both Tazzie and me got an 'E'. Mum was very pleased with us.
Next time Mum was much more relaxed and I tried very hard but she said some very strange things to me as I was running - I don't know what she meant perhaps she'll teach these new commands to me when we go to the barn tonight so next time I'll know.
Then we had another round - and I must say that there was STILL NO CHICKEN at the end of the dog walk. Anyway I went as fast as I could - apart from that dog walk thing, I don't like it, I've fallen off 3 times and if there's no chicken why on earth should I go fast!!!! Mum was very pleased; as always - (it doesn't take much to please her you know)
We had a bit of waiting around to do then and then a man came up to the car and spoke to Mum and that's when she said the very rude word. From what I can gather, I think I was the fastest dog around the running and jumping, it seems to mean a lot to Mum and we got another one of those rosette and trophy things which she immediately stuck in my face and said 'look what you've done!' Then she gave me and Taz lots of chicken. I think I must have done something right, I wonder what it was!
Apparently I've gone up another grade - still don't know what this is but perhaps there's chicken at the end of the dog walk in this next grade! Yay Chicken. I love chicken.

Where's My Shrekkie Monster?

Dyl - Well we've been doing lots of 'proper' agility over the past few weekends. Mum keeps appearing back at the housey-thing-on-wheels with rosettes and trophies - I really don't know what they're for but it seems to please her when she gets one. She always sticks it in my face and says 'look what you've been and done again!' Aparantly I've gone up a grade now; whatever that is. I'm wondering if it means I get more chicken at the end of the dog walk - there seems to be a distinct lack of it in these competitions. I think someone should tell the person who stands in the middle and waves their arms about that there's no chicken at the bottom of the dog walk.
Anyway- the thing that's worrying me this week is what has happened to my Shrekkie Monster? I have a little toy -(that I have to share with Maggot) and Mum has pinched it! I took it outside and dropped it in our toilet area. I peed on it a few times, so Maggot didn't want it but he didn't seem to care. However, it made Mum want it. She took him away :-( and put him that funny machine that fills up with water and then spins. Why would Mum want him? She gave him to me in the first place and then took him away - hmmmm I might have to start guarding things if she does that a lot.

Oh I have just seen him on the washing line, Mum has pegged him out by his ear - poor Shrek, I bet that hurts nearly as much as when I bite him. Mum saw me looking at him and said that she has washed him as he was very smelly and that it will be much nicer for me now. Nicer? what does she mean nicer, I thought he smelt lovely and now I will have to chuck him around the garden, roll on him, dribble and pee on him again until he smells just right!