I know it's been awhile..

There's not much to update... We went camping this weekend, which was some much needed r&r. The pups were glad that we were back though! My little bro was watching them for me and since Ojoe has some weird fear of him, all of them were on edge the whole time. Well, except for Dakota - she'll wiggle her butt for anybody!! ( -:
We missed Wed. class last week so I'm hoping we're not too far behind. I just have to make sure that Nemo is RESTED, or else he has a.d.d.
Oh no new baby.. ) -: Cindy had her litter of pups but did not produce any black tri females. They are all very cute though! Four boys and one little merle girl. I will probably wait on her fall litter.
That's all for now!!

Isn't she cute?

That's Dakota Bear at 4 weeks old-ish. I just thought I'd post that picture because I was too lazy to download the new pictures from the camera this weekend. ( -:

The pups had fun this weekend helping me with yard work. Marcus and I uncovered the pool on Saturday. He dumped a bunch of chemicals and stuff in it yesterday, so hopefully between that and Mr. Sweepy, the murk will disappear. Dakota is thrilled that the cover is off, she loves to stand on the step in the water.

I wandered around the back yard and raked leaves, picked up sticks, bark, acorns, and other debris that's been collecting since fall. I love all of our trees, but holy cow it's never-ending work!! I also cleaned off the a/c units and swept up the patio. I'm trying to figure out what plants I can put in the back flower bed that are hardy enough to withstand three pooches.

We got to play about 13 holes on Saturday before we threw in the towel. It was too crowded and we were playing too crappy to continue. Sunday evening we hit some balls on the range. The weather was perfect and the grass on the range was pretty plush, which was nice to hit off of for a change.

I was so excited to go to class this Sunday. Nemo had been doing great in our little daily training sessions. He's attention has been improving and his stay's with distractions have been coming a long great. He's been loose-leash walking like a champ, BUT Sunday I learned TIRED PUPPY = ZERO ATTENTION SPAN! He got up very early with me to do yard work, and he and the other two ran wild all day. I could tell when I put Nemo in the car to go to class that he was one worn out pup. We had a good time though, I have to remind myself often that he is still a baby. ( -:

What a looooong week!

I'm SO GLAD IT'S FRIDAY! I think I've gotten a total of 10 hours of sleep all week. We've been staying up too late watching dumb movies. That's great, unless you have to wake up at 5:00 a.m. every morning, zzzzz.... I'm ready for the weekend!
Nemo did well in puppy class on Wednesday. He handled all of the distractions much better and seemed more focus. His stay is coming a long great, except when I march in place in front of him. He thinks that means "ok let's go!" for some reason. We'll work on it.. His also getting his "sphinx" down pretty well without much of a hand signal. We have class on Sunday, looking forward to applying our new skills. ( -:
Have a great weekend!!

Mondays...

I'm having a hard time coping with the fact that it's already Monday. What happened to the weekend? Where did it go? What did we do?
Chloe and I did have agility class Sunday, and had a blast! Dakota and Nemo both did pretty well in my opinion. Chloe's mom came and picked her up at our house yesterday, and Chloe just had to show her Dakota's "moves." Dakota must've hopped over her little jump 15 times, with Chloe saying ooooverrrrr... Chloe's mom must think we're weird, but oh well!! ( -:
I tried to talk Marcus into coming and taking some action shots, but he stayed home and watched golf. There wound up being a 4-way playoff, so I guess it was worth it!

Aussie type

So this is Leroy's (the sire of my potential new pup) profile... I'm learning what true aussie "type" is, in my continuing education of the breed, and apparently Leroy has excellent "type." "Type" is important above all else and you should never, ever, ever, ever breed a dog who does not have good type. See how much I'm learning!! ( -: Of course genetics, temperament, etc. are also of the utmost importance.

On another note, Nemo was evaluated the other day to see if he can "opt out" of Pre-Agility 1 class at Dallas Dog Sports. He did! We need some work on long stays, watch me's, and his toy drive, but otherwise did great! We start P2 this Wednesday. I'm excited to get the extra class time in besides Sundays. I need the incentive to get my tail off the couch. I'm also excited because there are three other mini aussies in my class!

Ugh...I have to get back to work. The entire market has totally tanked today because we got Shanghai'd overnight and the Taliban tried to blow up Dick Cheney. Hmmm... time to put the money under the mattress??

Class Pictures

Here are some pictures that Dori had taken in class this weekend. They crack me up!! I like the one of Chloe and Dakota, because the look on Chloe's face is because she is thinking that Dakota is going to have to jump that. ( -:

Dakota is doing great. She'll do anything as long as she knows there's a treat involved. Nemo is doing pretty well, but I need to be more consistent with his training. I can tell a big difference in his focus when I work with him everyday vs. when I'm lazy.

Nemo didn't have his Napoleon complex this week, so I was happy about that. ( -:

Puppy update

Cindy wrote me yesterday that Stella (Pockets Some Beach) had an ultrasound done and she is carrying seven pups! We're thinking that surely out of that many babies, there' s bound to be a nice little black tri female.

Pockets Some Beach X Southern Cross What's Your Alibi

I wanted to post our possible new addition plans. I have been in touch with a wonderful breeder, Cindy Shaykett of Boot Top Aussies http://www.boottopaussies.com. She is expecting a litter March 10 from a great cross of two Champions. We're hoping to get a nice little girl from the litter, who would be an excellent match for our Nemo.

Here is what she writes about the pair:
Pockets Some Beach (Stella) has been bred to Southerncross What's My Alibi (LeRoy) for early March puppies. These "Boot Top Babies" will be ready to go to their new homes in early May. The substance, athletic ability and intelligence of LeRoy can not be put into words! He has got to be the "happiest" dog that I have ever been around. I spent 10 days with him while getting these two Boot Top girls bred and he made me laugh every time I was around him. If his puppies have even a small amount of his personality and their dams willingness to please, they will be truly wonderful dogs that will fill the lives of their new owners with loyalty, companionship, and for those wanting to show, many championships! The pedigree of this cross has the making for a litter that will surpass what the breed has produced thus far!

Dam: Pockets Some Beach

















Sire: Southern Cross What's Your Alibi

Growing up...

Nemo turned 6 months old yesterday. It's amazing how these little guys grow right before your eyes. This is a picture from a few weeks ago of Nemo and Dakota wrestling as usual.

Nemo had some stitches removed on Saturday. He had a nice cut under his eye that, if I had to guess, was inflicted by Ojoe not feeling like being a "sheep" that day.

Ugh the trials of Nemo....

Anyhow, his coat is coming in beautifully. The vet weighed him in at 14.5 pounds. I need to watch his weight some, but I like his size - he has great bone structure.

Dakota and Nemo both are taking beginner agility classes, which are a riot. Dakota struts her stuff out there and Nemo seems to be enjoying it as well. Nemo is a little speeder and totally fearless, so I think he'll do pretty well if I get my stuff together and make the time to work with them regularly. Marcus and Dakota are soooooo cute together, I can hardly stand it! I'll have to take some "action" shots this weekend to post.

Our Girl

Name: Dakota
Born: 12/05
Features: Red Tri, 9 1/2 Inches, 7 Pounds

Dakota is Miss Wigglebutt! She is our tiny little dancing girl and the happiest dog I've ever met. She is all snuggles and kisses if you have a treat for her. She will be starting agility training, along with her brother Ojoe, in January.

Our Boys

Name: Nemo - CGC
Born: 08/28/06
Features: Red Merle, Blue Eyes, Son of ICAR Champion Mr. Pickles



Little Nemo is the newest addition to our family. He is a happy, energetic, and independant puppy. He loves to explore and is very inquistive, although he is just as happy snoozing on his back. Nemo earned his Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification in December at only 3 months of age. We are very proud of the little guy!

Name: Ojoe
Born: 07/05
Features: Blue Merle, One Blue Eye, 11Inches, 9 Pounds

Ojoe was our first Toy Australian Shepherd. We should've named him "Kisses," he has tons to give! Ojoe is our little guardian and my special boy. He is very intelligent and is eager to please.

Marcus, Chloe, and Ojoe - I love this picture!