Sunday at the fair

Today we went for a ride up the hill. I could tell we were going to training class, except we must have got lost because we ended up at the fairgrounds. There were lots of dogs there and people too. Some of the people were selling toys and food, which is always nice.

I got to do a Rally course with mom. She was pretty happy with me, and we got a third place ribbon. There were so many dogs doing Rally that we had to wait a very long time for our turn.

Then I got a treat and a new toy. Then we went home and ate, which was nice.

Whiney

Last night we didn't do any training at all. When mom got home, she heard the whining sound that was coming from the bathroom. She thought it was an electrical short. She turned off each circuit breaker in turn, to try to figure out which circuit it was, and if it actually was electrical.

It wasn't.

So she went outside again (leaving me behind all this time although I am certain I would have been of great assistance) and turned off the water to the house. So now, no water pressure, and the whine continues. So it wasn't a pipe.

Now, I have great hearing, and if mom had just asked me, I would have told her what it was. So obvious.

But instead of asking me, mom called friends and asked them what they thought it was. They didn't know.

This morning I decided to help out, even though I still haven't been asked....or thanked come to think of it. It was my little toy that used to talk to me all the time before I threw it in the toilet. It stopped talking after mom pulled it out of the toilet, and it then it started whining. It's been whining a while, but mom didn't hear it until just now.

So this morning I took pity on her because she was so worried about the noise. I picked up the toy and handed it to her with a very satisfied look on my face. I'm so helpful!

Now MONDAY is agility day!

Yay! Last night we got to go to agility. We usually go on Thursdays, but this week we went early because there's going to be a big storm on Thursday.

I knew when we turned onto the last street where we were going and I starting whining. Couldn't help it, I'm just a puppy still.

We had two 90 degree hurdles to work with. We did some threadles, figure 8's, and stuff. I didn't have too much trouble with any of it. Mom was pleased. Then we went home and ate!

People running from the cops....

Today we got up very early and took a walk through the neighborhood. We don't usually do that. I'm fine with getting up early, but mom prefers to sleep in. I'm fine with that too, actually.

Anyway, we stopped at the big streeet. People were there. Dogs were there too. Everybody was standing around waiting.

Then the cops came. There was lots of them! I love cops. They were on motorcycles, in cars, in pickups, everything. It was great. Then some more guys on bicycles came. They were great too.

Then it got even better. A bunch of people came, and they were all running. Some were running fast, and others a little slower. Mom told me it was the California International Marathon, but what you know. I liked seeing all the people.

But we got cold, so then we went home and had breakfast.

Well, I was concerned.....

Tonight my mom was about an hour late coming home from work. I was worried what might have happened. You know how it is, a guy worries when the family is late. So I chewed up her book. It's just a paperback anyhow, and between you an me, I think reading is boring.

Mom was unhappy though, because she was still reading it. I just chewed off the cover, and the last couple of pages. What's the big deal?

We worked some more on go outs and me returning the TO my mom when we play. I'd really rather she come get it from me, that's a way better game.

Brrr!

Okay, I know I'm a real California blond kind of guy and everything, but I just have to say that it is very very cold outside. It's bracing.

Mike doesn't like it this cold. He wants to come in really quick. I kind of like it, as long as I'm running around patrolling the perimeter against invading squirrel forces. At night I like to curl up next to Mike, but he moves, so I jump up on the bed and curl up next to mom.

Due to the cold, we're mostly training inside. We played "go out" to the table and "find mine". I don't get the point of either one yet, but I'm working on it.

Very sleepy

I wasn't feeling very good this weekend. I just wanted to sleep most of the day away, and I was happy when we got to go to bed.

I did chase the squirrel a little, but that's about it.

What's a Starbucks?

Yay! Tonight I got to go to Starbucks. I don't know what that is, but we got to heel back and forth past the entrance. There were many nice people who wanted to pet me. One man wanted my mom to train his dog. No way buster, she's taken!

There was a Borders too. Heeling past that was hard, because the window was all the way to the ground, where I could see in. I like that! One nice looking boy was smiling at me. I was thinking I could bust through the window and jump on him, but I would probably just get in trouble.

Back home again!

Today we found our house again. I'm glad. I was getting a little tired of driving around in the car, although Lucy's house was pretty nice.

The weather is not very good. It is very smokey from some forest fires, and we just stayed inside and I helped do the laundry. I'm a big help with that.

A very large back yard

Today we got to go see Lucy's house. There's a very very large back yard. Lots of trees, and things to smell. I saw a golfer and barked at him.

I'm a little disappointed, however. I had been under the impression that this trip was going to be all about training ME and playing with ME. But so far, not too much of that. I'm even starting to miss heeling in circles.

Colorado is HOT

Today we went to the dog show again. I got to sit around all day. It was pretty hot. We went shopping a little, which was nice, as all the people selling things give out free cookies. I made maximum use of my wave. That's gets me extra cookies usually.

A word about dog shows

Today was the first day of the dog show. This show is only for Labs, so my friends that are Golden Retrievers were not invited. This made my friend Lucy very happy.

The judge went over me, and I could not stand still. Then I was excused. I'm told I am not the right "type". Whatever. I can jump! And I heel much better than those other guys.

Mike did much better, he got second place and won $14. Lucy got first place and some money too, but I think she got less money than Mike. And they say humans make sense....

The trip to the park

Today we found a big park. It was nice, with rabbits, squirrels, and something else I could smell but not see.

I saw a lake too. It looked fun, but we were not allowed to go swimming because we have to stay clean for the dog show. This deal just keeps getting worse.

Lucy and Mike had their picture taken together.

Whole bunch of LABS!

Today we got to another hotel. There was a lot of Labs there! Neat! Some of them are teenagers like me. It's great, except for the elevator. Don't like that.

We ate, then we walked around the park next to the hotel. We saw a monitoring station that is logging weather conditions and radiation levels. I marked it as mine.

My car ride

Today we all got in the car with a bunch of stuff. Some of the stuff is food. That's good. Bowls too.

We drove all day, then went into a neat place called a hotel with some other dogs. I had to ride in an elevator. I've never been in one before. It's like a room that moves up and down. Yucky.

Tomorrow we ride in the car some more. We are headed for the dog show.

Circling until I am dizzy.....

Rally-O class last night was pretty fun. We did the spiral thing, which makes both me and my mom kind of dizzy. There's four cones, and you spiral first around all four, then the next circle is three, then two, then around the last one. Whew!

We also did my favorite, the weaves. I like it because we go together, unlike agility where I do all the work.

I also really really like Cooper. He's a chocolate Lab but I don't hold that against him. We're about the same age, and sometimes we get to play. We like playing so much that sometimes we agree to break our stays and go for it. Sometimes a guy's got to get the ya-yas out, you know?

Memories.....

I was helping mom clean out the training bag today. I like the training bag. I usually see it when we are going to do something fun. In the bottom of the bag, I saw the touch stick.

Now, I haven't seen that thing for a long time. I'm 15 months old now. I don't think I've seen that stick since I was about 4 months old, but I remember it! I know I'm supposed to just touch the ends (don't ask me why, but that's the only way it works to get the treat). I remembered about not grabbing it too. When I was a puppy, I thought it was just any old stick. I tried to grab it and run away with it.

Mom thought it was pretty amazing that I remembered the touch stick from so long ago. I'm pretty smart I guess.

No toilet paper available today. I did locate a box of kleenex, which I found can substitute in a pinch if you really need to chew something up.

I got a new toy but...

Today I got a new toy. I haven't seen it. It's a "kayak". Not sure what that is, but mom was gone a long time and I had to sit in my crate the whole time. I would prefer to go to the park on Saturdays.

I'm told this kayak will be pretty fun. I'm also told I'll have to learn to sit still in it. I already know I don't like standing still, so I do not think I will like sitting still either.

I'll write more when I see this thing.

Prepping for the beauty contest

We went back to handling class today. It's dark now during our class, but I can see well enough to trip my mom.

I do not like standing still. I believe I mentioned that before, but it bears repeating. I'm more of an action guy.

I think I've got the "free stack" thing down though. Maybe I can get away with just doing that at the National Labrador Retriever Specialty. I'm told there will be lots of dogs there, maybe I can make some new friends in between standing still.

By the way, I've developed a great technique for impressing potential new friends. You might want to try it. Here's what you do. Look them right in the eye, and make sure you have good eye contact. Then bounce straight up in the air. That's it! It's really simple, and always generates attention.

A real bloodbath

Today it was all about Mike (the other dog in this house). He's old and slow. We got bones to chew on after dinner. Usually I get to train a little bit after that. But oh no not tonight. Mike cut his mouth on the bone, and bled all over everything. Good thing the cops didn't come, they would have arrested us all for something I am sure. He's still bleeding. I'd call him a name, but he's bigger than me and I'd better not. I'm faster though!

There was toilet paper to chew up today, but it had hot pepper on it. I prefer the plain kind, so I left it alone.

Rally-O class is Tuesdays

On Tuesdays we have a nice long class for rally-o. It's fun, but tiring. Cooper's a chocolate Lab in the class. We totally understand each other, and would very much like to play in a big field. We need lots of room. When we get going, chairs and people fly every which way.

I also like the fox terrier very much and she is not afraid of me. I haven't stepped on her yet though.

There's also a Great Dane in the class. He's kind of tall....I'm not too sure he'd like me, and his teeth are as big as my nose. I stay out of his way.

I went to Petco today

The back yard is still flooded from the rainstorm!

Today we went to Petco to train. We go there a lot and heel around the cookie bar. We did some nice attention work and a long stay. They had just polished the floor so it was pretty slippery, and I just did a long down. It was too darn slippery to do a sit.

Big storm today

We had a big storm today, it really rained hard. We probably got over one inch of rain, but we thought it was still summer and didn't put out the rain gauge yet. I like to snatch the rain gauge out of the ground and chew it up, so with any luck it will get put out now.

No toilet paper available to chew up today.

Friday!

Today all we did was watch a movie, but I like that. We had popcorn.

Today was agility day

We went to our agility instructor tonight for our lesson. We did a 6 wing jump mini course. There's a picture at the bottom.

We did this with a front cross before #4, which I like because I can bump mom if she's too late with my name. Then we did it with a rear cross at #5 and an over-right for 5 & 6. That was confusing, because mom didn't tell me to GO to #5. Once she did, it was totally fun and I got lots of treats and petting.

I can't really count to 6, three's my limit. Mom made the picture.

1 ______			5 l    l    l
	2 _______		4 _______	6 _______
		3 l    l    l

Wednesday update

Well, handling class was pretty fun. There was a cute Alaskan Malamute, but I'm not so sure she liked me. The Golden puppy liked me, but his person didn't think much of my leaping up into the air. I can't help it, I just get so happy when there's other dogs to meet. I sure miss Maxi....maybe I can go visit her sometime.

Who am I?

I'm a 15 month old Labrador Retriever. My best friend and I like to play a lot. Most evenings we play at something or other, but she says I'm pretty young to start competing. I don't know what that is, but I think I would like it. Whatever it is,I don't think I'm too young! I'm big!

Tonight we go to handling class. I think it's stupid. I'm learning to be a show dog. All I have to do is stand a certain way, and everyone makes a big deal about it and gives me treats. It's not interesting at all. But I don't get fed until after class so hey if all I have to do to get a bite to eat is stand there I'll do it!