Escape The Cold Winter At The NW Flower And Garden Show

Fast Pup Dogs Sit In Front Of Fantasy Garden

Pacific Northwest Fountain Landscape

Dogs, People, Cameras Challenging Mix At NW Flower And Garden Show

Dixie is a star in the Fast Pup Dog Training Booth

Taking an informational brochure on dog training services

Taking pictures of the dogs in the Fast Pup Dog Training Booth

 The Northwest Flower And Garden Show is the biggest, most complicated venue the dogs and I have worked yet.  We are at the Seattle Convention Center, a sprawling complex famous for bottle-necking Interstate 5 through downtown because it was decided years ago to build this complex over and and around the freeway--preventing expansion of lanes in the future. 

Because of the unseasonal snow and ice, the show apparently has been unusually slow.  Yet there are so many visitors that walking through the isles is extremely challenging with the dogs.  Yesterday, upon arriving, I took the dogs out to the Freeway Park outside of the Convention Center for an airing.  When they were sufficiently relieved, we headed back toward the doors.  There were quite a few people coming in and out the doors to the park, so I sat the dogs down about 20 feet from the doors and began calling them in one at a time.  My focus is safety.  I don't want anyone to trip over several dogs underfoot.  When they were all indoors, safely by my side, I turned to figure out the best way to navigate through the halls back to our booth.  I was stunned to see a large and growing group of people with cameras--all taking pictures of my dogs.  They all had still cameras--not movie cameras.  I was amused--but puzzled at the same time.  I have heard that nearly 60 percent or more of households in the US have dogs--and certainly anyone who likes dogs has owned one.  So for people to take pictures of my dogs seems so strange.  When they get home, they are going to have a picture of a dog.  Not a dog doing a trick--or anything unusual--just a picture of a dog. 

A gal in the booth across from me told me that she thought the reason people gather to stare at the dogs is the same reason people gather to stare at and take pictures of street performers who go out in parks and strike a pose--like a statue.  It is so unusual.  And rare. 

Well--to anyone visiting the NW Flower And Garden Show, I hope Fast Pup Dog Training will raise the expectations people have of dogs.  Dogs can be well behaved around severe distractions and in crowds of people.  They can be off leash and under voice control at all times.  It does not need to be a "rare" performance by some unusual dogs.  With proper training, all dogs can be trustworthy around distractions. 

Fast Pup Dog Training At NW Flower And Garden Show

Fast Pup Dog Training Booth 2717

It smells like chocolate here!  Ummm.  Remember, chocolate mulch toxic to dogs.

Lots of plants for sale!

Seeds for planting

Its like a jungle in here!

Last Wild Wolves Part 3

The Pacific Northwest Wolves have a special relationship with Ravens.

Wolves In Pacific Northwest: Last Wild Wolves Part Two

Hauntingly Beautiful Video--Pacific Northwest Rainforest Wolves

Wild, protected environment.  Ghosts of the forest

Dog "Sings" Along With Piano

Such Talent!

Fast Pup Dog Training At Western WA Sportsmens Show 2011

The 2011 Western WA Sportsmens Show starts tomorrow, January 26th at noon.  Just some shots of our booth and some of the others in the hunting section. 

Congratulations to Fran And Disco

Hi Kate:

Just want to let you know how Disco did at the WRC picnic trial on Saturday.  Although she was noisy at the line for the first series, she wasn’t as bad as in the past.  As you know, Disco is not noisy when running blinds, but marks are always a challenge for her self-control.  But, in the last series, a triple with a retired gun, Disco was quiet as a church mouse!  I want to give the credit to your idea when we were training last week.   It was such a nice way to get her to understand what we want.  (no noise) 

Disco was also one of only a few dogs that took the cover all the way to the retired gun at the last series.  So, this is not only a big “thanks for your help,” but also a brag.   Scott’s “little elfin dog” did well!  

I’ve included a picture of me and Disco with her Qual reserve jam (a.k.a. 5th place).   See you at the Sportsman’s Show.

Fran

Bragging Rights: Skilled Handler Teamed With Well Trained Retriever

 Kate:

Colby may not be good enough for a callback but I'll take real hunting blind retrieves like this any time.  (Kate here:  Dennis is referring to our Washington Retriever Club picnic trial the day before.  Colby did an outstanding job on the marks in the Qualifying and had a more difficult time casting off the marks for the blind retrieve after.  Since he brought all the birds back, had I been judging, I would have called him back to the last series.  But this day, the judges thought otherwise. Colby is a great dog, Dennis--Saturday just didn't turn out to be "his day."  Looks like Sunday made up for everything!)

Jim and I were hunting at Ocosta yesterday and it was looking like a slow day when around 11:00am, I had a flow of geese come in range. It took 2 shots to down the first which landed 30 feet behind the blind. The third shot hit another goose which kept flying and dropped about 100 plus yards away.

Rainy went to retrieve the first bird but since it was huge and heavy--her buddy Colby helped her out, bringing it back to me.   Then we went to find the second bird. I spotted it about 150 yards away on the far shore--and thought what a great time to do a blind retrieve.

I sent him on a line across the water to land and then across water to the bird on the far shore with only 3 casts. He returned on the same line.

Again, all the training pays off.

Thanks
Dennis

Goose Hunting Season Coming To An End-Pictures From The Blind

The last geese were so big that a BIG dog was needed to retrieve them.  Good boy, Colby!

Colby and Rainy have had a great 2010-2011 goose hunting season.  Jim & Dennis posted these pictures from the blind on Sunday, January 23, 2011.  Congratulations on bringing home the groceries!

Rainy is ever vigilant for incoming birds

In all, 23 geese were harvested this season from the blind near West Port, along with many ducks.

A Beautiful Day To Be Outside With Dogs

Bob Morris getting ready to send his yellow lab pup for a bird

And pup is off and running

Pup searches for a bird

Pup delivering the poultry

This past Saturday, January 22nd 2011 it was 55 degrees out.  And it was reported that somewhere in Minnesota it was -44 degrees.  So, it was pretty darn close to 100' warmer out here in Western Washington.

WRC (Washington Retriever Club) had their first 2011 picnic trial for our retrievers.  What a beautiful day!

Almost summertime in January!

The "mountain" Mount Rainier was out in all her glory too.

WRC Picnic Trial This Weekend Jan 22-23

Washington Retriever Club will be holding our first 2011 Picnic Trial in Area 14 at Fort Lewis this weekend.  Sign ups for both days will be at 8:00 am on the runway paralleling 8th or Harts Lake Road just south of Muck Creek.  (See map, above)

Entry fees will stay the same as last year.  Cost for members $10 puppy, $20 Derby/Sr Gundog, $25 Qual/Master Gundog and Open.  Non members add $5 to each dog entered.
Membership for 2011 will also stay the same at $10 per person.

SATURDAY
Qual/Master Gundog
Judges:  Bob Crabb/Alice Ellis

Puppy stakes
Judges:  Matt Carlson/Michele Goans

SUNDAY
Open
Judges:  Harry Williams/Christine Robertson

Derby/Sr Gundog
Judges:  Dave Miller/Fran Seagren

Although our fun trials are competitions, we will carry to each series as many dogs as time allows.  This makes our trials also a great training opportunity. 

During training this past Wednesday, we watched jumpers descend to Area 14

Muck Creek Flooding Through Area 14 Fort Lewis

Muck Creek was out of her banks today

Today threatened rain, but while it looked menacing in the morning and the winds were relentless, we had a great dry day of retriever training. 

Late Season Pheasant Hunting Eastern WA

Friend and contributor Fran Seagren posted from her eastern Washington pheasant hunt yesterday:

Sarge "Finally" gets to retrieve a wild rooster

 

 We had such a fun time hunting.  It was REALLY cold (14-20 degrees), but one of the best days we've had.  We were dressed how you and I looked yesterday at Ft Lewis - but without the "white."  :))  Scott and I were laughing at ourselves with all our layers, but it worked and we weren't cold.  My fingers were cold at first - but then after a while, my blood figured out what it's supposed to do, because my hands warmed up for the rest of the day.

Late season roosters are usually the hardest to hunt.  By the end of the season they're pretty smart and tough to get close to.  But, it was so cold, we were hoping they wouldn't want to move much once they found some good cover.  And, we do have good dogs that know how to hunt them, so we got into a bunch.  Really fun and exciting.  :))

Sarge flushed about six roosters and four hens today.  He was a "Pheasant Machine"!  He hunted really nice.  His finds/flushes today just didn't result in us getting a shot.  Sarge doesn't look the same when he hunts as when we're training.  In training, I think he looks like a big puppy.  But, when hunting, he looks "serious" and he moves and hunts like a fully grown/experienced hunting dog.

Disco flushed two roosters today.  The one in these pics was Disco's find/flush.  And, she actually got a live "almost" grab on it!  Hardly EVER happens with wild roosters  I saw her jump the rooster and feathers flew.  It rolled away from her and as it took off, she jumped up and grabbed more tail feathers!  It gained altitude and Scott shot it.  Sarge saw it fall (he was hunting in front of me) and I sent him for the bird.  I knew Disco would let him have the retrieve.  She's like that.  Sort of cute in a high rolling dog like Disco.  But, she didn't mind at all.  He was SO HAPPY about finally getting a rooster in his mouth.  He works so hard - you should see how beat up he is.  He was in the nastiest cover hunting his heart out for two and 1/2 hours.  I wish I had a video of him hunting today.  But, that's why he found most of the pheasants.  They like the nastiest cover.  Not many dogs are that tough.  Sarge is like Jonz used to be - only Sarge stays within gun range way more than Jonz ever did.  :))

Earlier in the day, Ruby pointed two hens when hunting with Scott.  He said she held steady to the flush and did a great job.  I had been hunting with Robert and he was a kick.  He hunted hard, like always, but today he was a real "team player" - something that he hasn't always been real good at doing.  He went on one point - rock solid.  I kicked around the brush for quite a while.  He held his point - he was SURE there was a bird in there.  A few minutes later we saw a rooster flush out of gun range - maybe the same one? :))

PeTA Takes Aim At Sarah Palin (Of Course)

I don't agree with her on a lot of things, but I  like Sarah Palin.  I don't know her personally, of course, but from what I see and hear of her, I generally like the woman.

I don't necessarily think she should be president.  I don't think she has the experience or cleverness  it would take, nor do I think she has the leadership ability.  (But then, I don't think either our current president nor the president before him have the cleverness or the leadership ability to be president. )  I did love watching her rally the Republican troops last year to try to get support for presidential candidate John McCain.  It was moving to see a woman with such persuasive abilities.

I love the fact that she champions the outdoors, hunting and shooting.  I hate the fact that she is anti-choice when it comes to allowing women to make their own decisions about private matters.  But my views about hunting and gun ownership juxtaposed to the rights of women not to be forced to become legal equivalents of barn-yard animals owned and controlled by the state just because they become pregnant have always kept me from aligning with either political party.  There have been years where I actually donated both to the NRA and to NARAL.  And the fact that Sarah Palin is willing to set an example for other women who want to follow her philosophy makes me respect her for not being a hypocrite over the matter.

With her high-profile enthusiasm for hunting, of course, it was only a matter of time before PeTA, the notorious animal rights group (which is not really an animal rights group at all) would start making snarky remarks about Sarah Palin. 

Dan Matthews, president of PeTA, recently made this statement regarding the airing of her segment on caribou hunting during her new reality show, Sarah Palin's Alaska:

“Sarah seems to think that resorting to violence and blood and guts may lure people into watching her boring show, but the ratings remain as dead as the poor animals she shoots.”

I love the plucky response from Sarah Palin:"Tonight’s hunting episode of Sarah Palin’s Alaska ‘controversial’? Really? Unless you’ve never worn leather shoes, sat upon a leather couch or eaten a piece of meat, save your condemnation of tonight’s episode. I remain proudly intolerant of anti-hunting hypocrisy.”

"Proudly intolerant of anti-hunting hypocrisy."  That is a great statement. 

My husband is anti-hunting.  Yet he gets cranky if he can't have his steaks, pork chops and bacon.  My dad was anti-gun and anti-hunting but between his double Manhattens, Martinis, drunk driving arrests and accidents he always wanted his ham, steak and chops.

And there are my vegetarian friends who believe they are guiltless since they don't eat meat.  Hmmm.  How many animals are killed to preserve the crops grown for us?  They forget that in order to grow crops, animal habitat has to be destroyed and "pest" animals controlled, ( or exterminated.)

So while I certainly don't agree with all of Sarah Palin's politics, I continue to like and admire her as a person and for sharing some of her hunting adventures with us.  

What If We Had To Catch Every Meal

Like a fox, our domestic dogs have incredible abilities to sense the slightest change in their environments--including infinitesimal changes in the behavior of their "humans."   Our dogs know more about us than we know about ourselves, which is why they can make such great "alert" dogs to let us know when we are going to have a seizure, for instance.

For a great video





For more great footage click here

What Happened Christmas Eve circa 1903

Illustration from St Nicholas Magazine

 A family adopts a Mama cat and her kitten in a story published in the book "The Night Before Christmas And Other Popular Stories For Children."  Released through the Gutenberg Project to public domain.
***
It was Christmas Eve and the frost fairies were busy getting ready for Christmas Day. First of all they spread the loveliest white snow carpet over the rough, bare ground; then they hung the bushes and trees with icicles that flashed like diamonds in the moonlight. Later on, they planned to draw beautiful frost pictures on the window panes, to surprise the little children in the morning.

The stars shone brightly and the moon sent floods of light in every nook and corner. How could any one think of sleeping when there was such a glory outside!

Jessie and Fred had gone to bed very early so they might be the first to shout "Merry Christmas!" but their eyes would not stay shut.

"Oh dear! it must be 'most morning," said Fred; "let us creep softly down stairs and maybe we'll catch Santa Claus before he rides off."

Hand in hand they tiptoed to the dining-room and peeped out the big window;--surely, surely, that was something climbing up the roof of cousin Nellie's house; it must be old Santa. Fred gave a chuckle of delight; to be sure the reindeer were very queer looking objects, and the sleigh such a funny shape, but the children were satisfied.

The old fir tree, whose high branches almost touched the roof,
knew all about those shadows, but it was so old no one could ever understand a word of the many tales it told.

"There's something scratching on the door," whispered Jessie; but it was only a mouse, who had sniffed the delightful odors of the Christmas goodies and was trying his best to find a way into the
pantry and test them with his sharp teeth.

"Come," said Jessie, "we'll turn to icicles if we stay here much, longer"; so up-stairs they quickly scampered.

Papa had been to town on an errand, so it was quite late when he came home. As he was hunting in his pockets for his key, he heard a pitiful cry, and looking down he saw a big, white cat carrying a tiny kitten in her mouth.

"Poor thing," said papa, "you shall come inside till morning."

Santa Claus had been there with the nicest wagon for Fred and a warm, seal-skin cap that lay right in the middle of it. When papa left the room, puss and her kitty were curled up comfortably on the rug singing their sleepy song.

The sun was shining brightly in the dining-room window when Jessie and Fred made their appearance; then Fred just laughed with delight, for right in the crown of his new cap lay the cutest white kitten, with big, blue eyes and wee pink nose, while standins close by as if to guard her darling from danger, was good old mother puss.

"I never had a live Christmas present before," said Fred, "now I know Santa Claus read the letter I threw up the chimney because I told him to bring me a kitten and here it is."

Papa smiled and looked at Mamma, and then everybody said "Merry
Christmas" at once.

OLIVER HERFOLD.

That Christmas Franki Ate The Baby Jesus

Frankie:  Gone but never forgotten!

Fran Seagren posts this Christmas memory about her Brittany Spaniel, Franki
.
When Jessie, the youngest, was about five or six, she came home from school one year with a brown paper lunch sack.  As she took her coat off she proudly announced she had a surprise for us – something for under our Christmas tree.   As we looked inside the sack, I could see a little nativity scene.  She showed us “the baby Jesus” who had a little red felt cape with a fancy tiny gold ribbon tied around his neck.  She had painted a face on him with a marking pen.  He was lying in a cardboard and toothpick manger.  It was very cute; and we told Jessie how much we liked it.

Jessie had set the sack down as all the kids moved off and we started to fix dinner.  Suddenly, we heard Jessie shriek, “Franki ate the baby Jesus!”  As we rushed back into the living room where Jessie was, we saw Franki, our Brittany, scoot out of the room looking as guilty as she was.  I remembered “the baby Jesus” was actually a peanut.  We should have thought about this earlier – there was absolutely nothing resembling food that Franki wouldn’t eat if given the slightest chance.  The older kids also heard the alarm and when we were all together in the living room with Jessie saying over and over, “Franki ate the baby Jesus”, it suddenly struck us as hilarious  – well, everyone except Jessie.

A couple days later when I was outside cleaning up  dog poop, guess what I found with his red felt cape and fancy gold ribbon?  He was actually in perfect shape – just needed a little bath.  Scott said “no way!”  So, that Christmas we had a nativity scene without the main character.  But, after all these years, I can clearly see that little face with his red cape.   And if any of us that witnessed the crime utter the words, “Franki ate the baby Jesus”, it sends us into peals of laughter.      

 

The Perfect Christmas Gathering

Thanks to Adam Katz of Dog Problems for this post!