White Shepherd Stories

Pirate, Doing a Little Last Minute Shopping

Pirate had a little more shopping to do.

His shopping goes kind of like this:  "I want one of those.  Oh Journey would like that, I will get him one too.  Oh, I need one of those.  Questy might like one too.  I need a new one of those and I also really want a red one of those...."  

It is difficult to get all our shopping done because so many people want to greet Pirate. He enjoys meeting new friends, so at least half of our shopping time is spent shaking hands and exchanging greetings.  "No he is not a wolf or a husky".  "There have always been White Shepherds, they are just not as common as the colored ones".  

"I think we all need one of these"

Tonight would have been our Spirit's birthday.  He died in April of 2011, so this will be our second Christmas without him.  It was our custom to celebrate Spirit's birthday on New Year's Eve.  It began as a Birthday Party and then over the years it became a celebration of many reasons.  For one thing, Christmas was a very busy time and I needed that time to pack things to head for my daughter & son-in-laws house.  It always felt like the dogs were not getting time to play with their new toys, as we needed to make the drive to Portland.  It was too late when we got home.  

Since the other dogs always needed to have gifts too and Spirit did not want them to take his birthday gifts, we just began saving all the dog gifts for New Years Eve.  It worked out well.  I have never liked going out on New Year's eve anyway.  So we just created a dog party to top all others we had in the past.  Depending on my energy level, sometimes it is downright elegant with doggy-appetizers, a fancy dinner, games, treats, and of course the presents, which the dogs open for themselves. Everyone is always relaxed and comfortable.  That is one of the wonderful things about dog parties! Those attending are never critical.  They just have fun and enjoy everything until they get too tired and then they fall asleep.  I realize many people may find these parties a little strange, but I can honestly say they are some of the best parties I have ever attended.   No one ever drinks too much and we truly enjoy each other's company.

The first New Years after we lost Spirit, I was very sad and wondering how to best get through the night.  It did not take long to realize how it should go - the same as always.  We would celebrate Spirit!   I shed tears, but also laughed a lot as we usually did.  It was the right thing to do.  It felt right in spite of missing our #1 boy like crazy.   I may always get teary on New Years Eve, but I would still rather spend this evening with my best buddies.  New Years Eve, at our house,  is a night when everyone gets to be just who they are.  Everyone gets gifts and they are always the right choices.  Everyone has their favorite thing to eat and it is always perfect.  Gosh they are wonderful guests and I can make no hostess errors.  My dogs believe I am perfect and they always like whatever I cook and whatever I wear.   Just the kind of parties I like best.  

Happy New Year everyone!  Happy Birthday to you sweet Spirit!

Journey Passes Agility Graduation Exercises

Journey is progressing nicely in his agility lessons and even more important to me, he loves it!  

The graduation exercises included the following:   

1) A-frame: Ascend, move over the apex and descend the A-frame set at full height, coming to a stop with two front feet on the ground and two back feet on the A-frame (known as 2-on, 2-off). 

2) Chute: Run the full length of the closed chute without anyone holding the end open.

3) Dog Walk:  Run the dog walk set at full height to a target at the end  (2-on, 2-off).

4) Jumps:  3-4 wingless jump standards with jump bar set at 16".

5)  Panel Jump:  Do the panel jump set at 16".

6)  Broad Jump:  Negotiate the broadjump set to a maximum of 24".

7)  Restrained Recall:  Run to his handler from across the barn.

8)  Table:  Get on an 8" table and maintain a position for 5 seconds.

9)  Target:  Move 3 feet from their person to touch a target on the ground with their nose.

10) Teeter: Move up and then down the length of a teeter, waiting in the contact zone until released.

11) Tire:  Run and jump through a tire set at 16" while handler runs past it. 

12) Tunnel:  Run through a tunnel with a 180 degree (U shaped) bend.

13) Weave pole chute:  Run through the center of a weavepole chute to a target set at the end of the channel weaves.  We do the in-line weaves - no channel.

14) Weave pole entries:  The dog will make the correct weave pole entrance from right and left side.

The rules for the above are that the handler/dog must complete the graduation exercises with 75% accuracy.  We must do each exercise a minimum of 3 times correctly.  

Journey's over all score was that he passed everything.   What fun and boy does he love praise.  I could pass on the treats and just give him loves and hugs.  He would be perfectly happy about it.   He still loves the weave poles best of all - to the amusement of nearly everyone.  He will slip away and do an extra run of the weave poles any time he gets a chance.  I have never had a dog like him.  Most dogs love tunnels the most and probably the weave poles the least.   He has slowed down a little since we removed the wire, but he will get his speed back as soon as he is a little more sure of himself.  

Journey is now in Level 3 of his lessons.   We are really on our way.  Hard to believe, last year I thought my agility days were done.   I am so glad I am able to experience this sport with Journey - such a wonderful bond is formed and he loves doing this so much.