Time seems to be getting away from me. Here it is already Christmas time and a New Year on its way. Belle Starr received her International Title in October at Ridgefield. She was a show girl that weekend and took a first, 2 seconds, and a third in the shows. Her brother out of Oregon beat her out for best of breed in one of the shows. Exciting. There's nothing like traveling with a dog. You share your bed with a furry creature, look out the door of your hotel room to make sure there's not another dog in the hallway. You don't dare leave them in the room and go have fun, for sure as you would, the barking would probably start. So when you go to a dog show, know that it is a bonding time and don't plan on going anywhere a dog isn't welcome. The best part is trying to lug up kennels, dog supplies, plus your own luggage up 2 flights. But I have to admit the comradeship you develop with fellow dog lovers makes it worth while. Not only that it's exciting to see your dog perform. I'm hoping to take Shadow in the spring so he can work for his title as well. He has grown into a handsome boy and is quite the companion. I'm never without a friend, even when taking a bath. I usually have two labs taking up their space in the bathroom. Luckily I now have a bigger bathroom. Shadow lives up to his name for he shadows you all day. Belle Starr is more independent but she is also is becoming a partner. Probably had to do with being shut up in the puppy room during her last heat cycle. Phew! Glad that one is over. She joined the rest of us right after Thanksgiving. You talk about hormone overload that effects the other dogs as well as people. Must say that takes the cake. Our whole house is on edge during her time. One more and then we will look at having pups. With our new add on puppy room, I'm getting ready for our first batch of pups. My resolution for the New Year is to work more on my web site and keep up weekly with the blogs.
Fall Time in Montana
Days are getting shorter and cooler. Labs love the cooler weather. They still have fun getting into the kiddy pool after chasing around. We've been walking and exercising the pups a lot. They are both looking good. Shadow is in training for hunting antlers. He's excellent at finding them, but the bringing back is a work in progress. The Belle Starr is getting ready for the IABCA show in Ridgefield, WA. She has the conformation that judges like in the show ring. They tend to choose the more blocky body and shorter legs. With this show she will receive points for her conformation on an individual basis. A one on one time with the judge. This is the first International show like this I'm attending, so only wanted to start with one dog. Shadow has the blocky head and mellow disposition, but has the longer body and legs that moves him like a graceful gazelle. Such an awesome pair. Turning the back porch into a 8' by 12' dog room. It is going to be very sweet. It will also create a great puppy training room when the time comes. Only a year left before that phase of my business begins. Exciting!
New Home for the Labs: Happy Labs in Montana
After a long hard hot move we are finally at our new home. We bought a 2 story house with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, family room, and living room. Lots of room for the labs. The wonderful thing about this is that they have their own space and we have ours. Love it.. Along with that they have a little over an acre to run on. We almost have all the fencing around it so they won't wander off too far. Labs and moving! Now there's a challenge. Getting ready for a yard sales and packing boxes creates many opportunities. They loved getting into the garage where things were sitting out for the yard sale. I would find something in a million pieces and then think: It would have only gotten me 50 cents at the sale. Hum, a dog toy costs about $5 bucks, so I guess it was a cheap chew toy. Amazing what they charge for dog toys. With labs they usually chew them up, swallow, and in the night regurgitate. Yuk! The best toys we have found has been boiled beef leg bones with all meat and fat trimmed. They last for months and great for teething. Good rope and tennis balls strung on it also is a favorite at our house. I'm back into training again and that feels good. Currently we are working on training so we can search for antlers. They already found their first antler. Of course it was just by accident. But being in deer and elk country now, we want to give this a whirl and see how it works out.
The labs are adjusting very well to their new home and love all the area we have to walk them. Forest, alfalfa and wheat fields to explore. They are getting in great shape and hopefully so are we.
Haven't made it to any dog shows recently for obvious reasons, and with Belle Starr ready to come into season again, I'll wait a little on that.
Children and Labs
Last week we had the privilege of hosting a fun filled week with the youngsters in our family. There's nothing more exhilarating than interacting with kids and labs. Wherever the kids were, Belle and Shadow were right with them. They were even part of the club. (pic of week) I have to say between keeping up with meals, changing diapers, and keeping the labs from eating socks and toys, I had to rest a couple of days to get my stamina back after it was over. Wouldn't change it for anything in the world. My children and their children have raised awesome well behaved children. I'm proud of them and love them very much.
Dog Daze of Summer
Cool nights and hot days. Just the way the furry creatures like it. Get up in the morning, play while its cool, eat some breakfast and then take a nap. They then wake up in time to find a cool shady place to relax until lunch. After lunch, then another nap. When the afternoon brings on the heat, the pool is the place to play. Then its time for a shady place to relax until dinner. Once it cools off it is time to run and play some more before bedtime. Tough life... except for maybe the 4th of July. By the way Happy 4th... Whoever invented fireworks weren't thinking of our furry creatures. Have you ever tried to go the bathroom with 3 dogs crowding in. I thought that was bad until I talked to my sister and said she had 4 canine friends crowding with her in her bathroom. I really hope her bathroom is bigger than mine. Anyway we survived the day with panicked dogs and lots of noise. And since it is the dog daze of summer I also must get some rest while it is cool. Belle Starr and Shadow have one more lesson this week and then will have their Canine Good Citizen Awards. The picture in front of the rocks was after their last training session and they were exhausted Happy Labs.