Owner: GollyLog URL:http://www.gollygear.blogspot.com Join Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:59:47 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Life and times of two sisters who share a love of dogs and own a small dog boutique. Site statistics:Click here
No need to bow before them 2008-03-03 14:56:00 I found a fun site that generates "Peculiar Aristocratic Titles." Roc: Grand Duke Roc the Innocent of Hopton GoosnarghDax: Her Grace Lady Dax the Haunted of Old YarkhillshireGolly: Venerable Lady Golly the Spurious of Old YarkhillshireCeilidh: Her Most Serene Highness Lady Ceilidh the Sublunary of Frome ValleyApparently Golly and Dax are related, even in the depths of cyberspace.
Happy Leap Day! 2008-02-29 10:56:00 It comes around every 4 years and makes Spring that much further away. But, we know that it's on the way because we listened to a Cubs game yesterday! Yes, it was live, not a recording from last season. Spring training games are great, because anything is possible. All the Cubs players will stay healthy, Ron Santo will travel to New York for playoff games, the Cubs will win the World Series, and the 100-year-old curse will finally be lifted! Wrigley Field will stay Wrigley Field. There will be no construction on the road I'm travelling, and yet there are no potholes. And last night's 2 inches will be the last snow of the season! I'm dreaming big! Read more:Happy
Worth forwarding 2008-02-28 11:29:00 An old college buddy of mine forwarded this to me today. I laughed so hard I almost embarassed myself at work. If you know any Chicagoans - pass this along!CHICAGO SLANG1. Grachki (grach'-key): Chicagoese for 'garage key' as in, 'Yo, Theresa, waja do wit da grachki? Howmy supposta cut da grass if I don't git intada grach?'2. Sammich: Chicagoese for sandwich. When made with sausage, it's a sassage sammich; when made with shredded beef, it's an Italian Beef sammich, a local delicacy consisting of piles of spicy meat in a perilously soggy bun.3. Da: This article is a key part of Chicago speech, as in 'Da Bears' or 'Da Mare' -- the latter denoting Richard M. Daley, or Richie, as he's often called.4. Jewels: Not family heirlooms or a tender body region, but a popular name for one of the region' Read more:Worth
Sapping our strength 2008-02-27 10:06:00 I'm so darn tired of writing about the weather. But there's nothing that's had more impact on our lives lately. You don't feel like going anywhere, doing much of anything, because it's just such a hassle. Boots, coat, scraping ice off the car, treacherous driving (the village ran out of road salt), and on and on.If I put on my PollyAnna hat, I'd say that it could be a lot worse. I love my job and my home. Even if it's been hard to find under all the snow this season. Read more:strength
The amazing flying Frenchie! 2008-02-23 10:31:00 We did it! Dax and I not only survived our first night in Intermediate Agility class - we had FUN!!! I was so nervous before class I was shivering, although the sub-freezing temperatures may have had a little to do with it.The nerves have way more to do with me than with Dax, or class, or anything else. I'm not an athlete - I have no instinct whatsoever about where I should move, or how, or even when. I am adept at listening to people who actually know what they're doing and practising until I can do it right. I call my condition "educable klutziness." When I started in Obedience training I spent hours "heeling" by myself, just to get the footwork right. Dogs really don't like getting stepped on!This class was the first time I've done any "courses" with Dax - multiple obstacles in sequence
Agility People are Nicest! 2008-02-22 16:31:00 We had Agility class last night - Ceilidh and me, Dax and Hope (I'll let Hope tell everyone how much fun they had in Intermediate class!). The big International Kennel Club show starts today at McCormick Place in Chicago - a huge dog show right here in town - and many of our classmates are entered. If they're not entered in Agility, then they're in Conformation, Obedience or Rally. And everyone wants everyone else to succeed. There's no sniping, no boasting, no superiority. I said it before and I'll say it again - Agility people are the best! Read more:Nicest
Moving on up! 2008-02-19 13:59:00 Last night our agility instructor had an open practise session for all of her students, so Dax and I went to play. Fran decided (wisely) that Ceilidh's little brain would explode if she saw so many dogs she didn't know playing on HER stuff, so they stayed home.Dax and I have been in Beginner's for about a year (with time off for poison recuperation). I used the practise last night to see if it's time for us to move on to Intermediate Class. Dax can certainly jump - if I'm too slow with the treats I get a French Bulldog hopping up to eye level to remind me of her presence. And while I'm a really, really short woman (5 feet), it's still an impressive sight to see Dax hopping to 4+ feet - straight from a "sit." She has no problem with the Teeter - although it was higher than she's seen it b Read more:Moving
All smiles! 2008-02-16 10:22:00 With six months off of agility class, I'd forgotten how much Dax loves it. We're still in Beginner's class, because I didn't know how much she (or I) would remember, but she's doing great! She loves the teeter, she's a weaving fiend, and jumping is a joy! If we can get the A-frame, we'll be all set. I'm trepidatious (if that's a word) about it, so I'm sure it's rubbing off on Dax. We just have to make sure she gets up a good head of steam on the approach. Like all Frenchies, Dax is top-heavy. But I think she can, I think she can, I think she can.... I've discovered that when she gets a bit nervous, it helps if I laugh! She loves laughter - her whole demeanor changes, her adorable Frenchie butt wiggles, those enormous ears rise back up, and she laughs right back. I know that I'm anthropomor
Patience is Not one of Ceilidh's Virtues 2008-02-15 11:28:00 Ceilidh loves Agility! She does not, however, love to wait. Since Hope is taking Dax to Agility this session, we figured that it would make sense to drive together even though Hope's class is an hour before mine. No big deal - Ceilidh and I can just hang out for an hour. It is impossible for Ceilidh to "hang out." She must be in motion, playing with her ball, wanting me to play with her and her ball, practice some obedience, do some warm-ups, and on and on... or she's whining in the crate. I don't feel that I can leave Ceilidh in her crate in a room removed from the lobby area (yes, waiting dogs are relegated to chilly "Purgatory") so I'm entertaining Ceilidh while we wait.
Lack of persistence of memory 2008-02-13 14:55:00 Remember when I went to that seminar and got all inspired for obedience training? It was just a week and a half ago. But class got cancelled last week because of a blizzard, so I couldn't share my new-found gung-ho-itivity with my fellow handlers. Now, because the memory is a whole 10 days old, I have to check my notes before class tonight. There were so many absolutely brilliant points I wanted to present. If only I can find my notes....
Nothing's easy 2008-02-12 15:42:00 Not easy to get to work Not easy to get homeWinter is HARD! I don't know what early ancestor thought it would be a good idea to populate the "temperate zone" but he was WRONG! He should have stuck to the Tropic and Sub-tropic zones. Now we're stuck and can't move because of all the essential trappings of life - silly little details like family, friends, home, business, clubs, and the entire network that makes life fun the other eight months of the year.The Chicago Tribune had a headline last week: "Shovel, Salt, Repeat." So we are. Read more:Nothing
A kick in the gut - Dax's gut 2008-02-09 12:51:00 Yesterday was Dax's appointment with Dr. Royal to try to find out why she's losing hair, cold and lethargic. The visit went pretty well - Dr. Barb fell under Daxie's magic spell and thinks Dax is the cutest thing ever, ever, ever. It could be that she says this to every client, but I've known Dr. Barb for about a billion years and she pretty much says what she's thinking. What she thinks is that Dax is pretty much malnourished. How's that for a kick in the teeth for a dog-mom who does her darnedest to do right by her pups? Oh well. When you know better, you do better.As a bit of an explanation - Dax has been on a prescription diet since she started developing UTIs and crystals at about 10 months old. As Dr. Barb explains it (and I love logical explanations), dogs are carnivores/scavengers.
It's No Wonder We're Grumpy! 2008-02-08 11:26:00 Walk into any public place around here and you'll be faced with snarls. Yes, from the people. Just try to strike up a pleasant conversation and you'll get an argument. And the dogs are no better. Last night at Agility Class there were a couple of minor spats. My Ceilidh will generally snarl at other dogs if she's being held and the dogs get too close but last night she almost started in on other dogs when she was on the ground, and the other dogs just looked at her!This morning I heard an interesting statistic that may explain things. Here in Chicagoland, during the month of February (granted, today's only the 8th, but still...) we've seen a total of 11 minutes of sunshine. Combine that with the 40+ inches of snow we've gotten this season so far and we've got massive cases of cabin fever!
Inspiration! 2008-02-05 15:01:00 Last Saturday I went to a seminar on Obedience (and Rally) from a Judge's Perspective. Every time I go to class, or training, or a seminar or fun match, I get all inspired to train smarter, better, and more productively.I can almost hear Dax thinking "Oh, no. She's at it again." It is Dax who bears the brunt of my enthusiasm - and thoroughly enjoys the extra treats it entails.Basically, the lessons of the seminar were valuable for life as well as competition:don't piss off the boss (judge)make nice to the people who can help you (stewards)if you screw up, take responsiblity (don't blame the dog, the judge, the venue, or your neighbor)pay attention to what you're doingwe do this for fun - act like it!I have to get one of those t-shirts I've seen advertised.Obedience Help Line: Dial 1-800-It Read more:Inspiration
Nap time! 2008-02-04 13:57:00 Just lately Roc has been snoozing on the back of the couch. Naturally, when he started climbing up there to nap, we put a nice, plush pad on the spot. Dog-forbid the little guy should have to lie on the un-fuzzy leather! This is my view of him when I look over my right shoulder when I'm watching tv. It's like he's turning prematurely gray just to highlight all the softest spots!
Too much snow! 2008-02-02 12:34:00 I woke up Friday to 10 inches of freshly-fallen snow. What's the first thing (OK, not quite the first thing) most dog owners do in the morning? Yup, take the dogs out. I opened the door, grabbed the snow shovel and started digging! Because a foot of snow is over my dogs' heads! The first few minutes were touch and go - the dogs anxiously trailing me, looking between my feet, around the shovel, and craning their necks to look over the top of the snow. But I finally managed to plow a path through the snow to the back yard, and a little way onto their usual area. My dogs like their habits - and I happen to like their habit of wanting to go in the back yard to do their thing!A little later I shovelled a much longer path into the back yard - around the tree and onto the wood shavings at the oth
A face any mother could love 2008-01-31 15:28:00 Sometimes I think Ceilidh looks like a cartoon character. And she acts like one, too. Read more:mother
As the calendar fills.... 2008-01-30 12:31:00 Have you ever noticed how life comes in waves? I wonder if scientists or sociologists have ever studied whether the pattern is the same for everybody, or if it's an individual thing. One day your schedule is wide-open, you're seriously contemplating absolutely nothing. The next, you don't have time to get everything done, your evenings and weekends are booked and you feel like you don't have a moment to breathe. I'm just starting a calendar-full of stuff. All good. And having a ball. Training classes, obedience seminars, trials, fun matches, visits to vets (not good, but necessary), dinner parties, vacation planning, the list goes on. And it's January! In Chicago! What happened to hibernation?
Party time! 2008-01-28 16:26:00 New Orleans celebrated yesterday with the Krewe of Barkus parade. Can't believe I missed it! Read more:Party
Below-Zero Agility 2008-01-25 14:53:00 Last night was Agility Class again, and it was really cold. On the drive to class, the meteorologist said it was 1 degree or something like that - actual temperature, not wind chill. The wind chill was 15 degrees below zero - fahrenheit. Brrrr. Even with the defrosters going full blast, the windows were icing over with two dogs and two people breathing. It was downright cold. Of course Agility class is indoors, but with the door opening it was chilly inside too. Hope and Dax's class is an hour before Ceilidh and mine, so we spent an hour waiting in the Lobby. Ceilidh can only tolerate so much "doodling" - little exercises practicing certain aspects of obedience or other training - before her brain says "enough!" While Ceilidh enjoys Agility drills - a sequence of obstacles practicing a spe Read more:Below
Call him "Mr. Spud" 2008-01-24 12:51:00 I've retired Roc from Obedience. It took me a while to admit it was necessary. And to adjust to the change.It took Roc no time at all. He LOVES his new career as Couch Potato. He's happier, calmer and altogether a joyful boy. He loved going to class and being with me, but the stress of competition was just too much for the little guy. As Dax and I head out for class, he sits there in his favorite bed; "See ya! Have a good time! Wake me when you get home." Of course he's Johnny-On-The-Spot when I practise with Dax at home. Cookies were always his favorite part of training. Last night when I actually had the temerity to ask him to do something for his treat he looked at me with outrage. "Work? Work? I don't think so!"When I insisted he "down" the indignation was palpable. I'd violated his ne
Mighty hunter girl 2008-01-22 11:57:00 Like most dog owners ( I imagine) I take the dogs out just before bedtime. Last night it was snowing - a really beautiful, light snow, enough to cover the ground. No pawprints showing, no wind blowing anything around, just lovely. There was one set of tracks already in the snow before the dogs went out. A nice, clear set of bunny tracks. I saw it, so I had a feeling things would get interesting.Golly, Roc and Ceilidh did their thing without even going into the back yard - they were tired, it was cold and the nearest sideyard comfort station was fine. So they went back in.Dax galloped into the backyard. I followed at a slower pace. And almost got run over by a bunny - followed in short order by a French bulldog. One of these days we're going to haveHasenpfeffer. That Dax can motor! Read more:Mighty
Back to School! 2008-01-18 11:00:00 Last night was Ceilidh's (and my) first night at Agility Class in a couple of months. She was so happy to be back and see all her friends - most notably Puddy the Boxer. Puddy loves other short-faced dogs and was happy to see Ceilidh back at school, too. I was a little concerned that Ceilidh wouldn't remember how to do the obstacles, but I should have worried about me! We did a long front cross drill, and on the last jump I forgot which way to turn! I can always say I was dizzy and had to unwind myself. But Ceilidh did great. She remembered everything and "hoovered" much less than I expected her to. Read more:School
Dax has a boyfriend! 2008-01-17 15:07:00 Daxie's in love!For the last two weeks, a dashing young Papillon boy has come to class. Smudge is 18 months old (a younger man!), about as tall as Dax and half her weight. He's a slight thing, but all swaggering confidence and joy.It's the first time she's tried to initiate play with another dog. She'll usually go up, sniff hello, and if the other dog wants to play, Dax's usual reaction is to roll over onto her back in the classic "I'm a puppy don't hurt me!" move. For the first time, she's got her adorable butt in the air, wiggling like mad, saying "Play with me!"Fortunately, Smudge is happy to oblige. It was wonderful watching them chase around and play after class last night. And, with some luck, he'll be a wonderful influence on her. Papillons are known as top-notch performance dogs. A Read more:boyfriend
Baby Destructo strikes again! 2008-01-16 15:22:00 Dax was very proud of herself yesterday evening. She managed to disembowel and shred her favorite toy in the whole, wide world - her Squeeze Meeze Elephant. It took some effort, but once the initial hole was made, latex and stuffing flew merrily around the room.From talking to all sorts of dog people, I know that most seem to look for "indestructible" toys. As the owner of dogs and a dog store, I absolutely guarantee there's no such thing. Given time and determination, any dog can destroy any dog toy. Ceilidh, Fran's Boston Terrier, is notorious for her ability to reduce any toy, of any material, to shreds.I'll also admit that the destruction doesn't bother me at all. I pick up the pieces and toss them out without a pang. If they were precious objects, they'd be in display cases. At my ho
Back to Agility! 2008-03-14 15:08:00 I tried new treats at Agility Class last night with Ceilidh. I've tried to be true to my store, but last night I used string cheese in a last-ditch attempt to keep Ceilidh's attention on me and not Hope or anyone else, or anything on the floor. Wouldn't you know - it worked better than anything else I've tried! The sets last night were quite long for our class but Ceilidh only tried one or two half-hearted sniffs. I reminded her that I held the cheese, and she was back at work! I guess the treats I've tried haven't been stinky enough to keep Ceilidh from being distracted by everything else going on. Or, maybe she knew that, no matter how delicious they were, they were still dog treats?
Home from Las Vegas 2008-03-15 11:01:00 It's been a very, very long time since we were in Vegas
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. More than 20 years. It's changed a bit since then. It's still just as much fun as I remembered and next week I will reveal the full extent of my geekitude (photos included) but it was a bit overwhelming because: The Bellagio wasn't there last time. Neither was Excalibur. MGM was - but it didn't look like this. New York wasn't there. Nor was the Venetian. Or Paris.How'd they do that?
Everybody needs a theme song! 2008-03-18 15:35:00 A friend of ours told us about a musician, Nancy Simmonds who writes songs for dog breeds - really! We just started exploring her site: Musical Tails So far we've only listened to the Brussels Griffon song, but it's right on target. So cute! A couple our dogs actually have their own theme songs, a silly thing we've done from puppyhood.Roc's is obvious - his registered name is "Wild Thing." Okay, so it doesn't exactly describe the dude, but I was hoping.Ceilidh's song is from The Sound of Music: "How do you solve a problem like Maria" (Miss Ceilidh) Read more:Everybody
Ceilidh in Agility Without Me! 2008-03-21 09:34:00 I'm sick. Not terribly, and not enough to slow me down much, except that I can't talk without starting to cough (what feels like) my lungs out. And it didn't seem like running would be like a good idea. So, Hope asked (because I would start coughing) our great friend Betsy if she would run Ceilidh in Agility class last night, an hour earlier than her class, and she agreed. So Ceilidh got the benefit of a handler who has a Mach 4 dog! Sure, the first few minutes Ceilidh was so happy to see her "Auntie" Betsy that she was dancing on her hind legs around the room! (I wish I could have gotten a picture of that!) She settled down (sort of) and really watched and listened. I held one of Betsy's dogs and watched the expert handler at work - now if I can only get the attention! A big thank you to
Practising the long down 2008-03-20 14:24:00 We practised the long down with the dogs in a circle. And we practised with the dogs in a line. And Dax watched me the whole time!
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