Hokey Pokey
This week was celebrated by a trip to Petaluma for an archery shoot. I don’t normally do competitions as I’m just not very competitive. I went to spend time with people and see what the fun was they talk about. It was in fact, quite fun. They had novelty shoots like trying to hit a target from almost 100 yards out, speed rounds of attempting to fire as many arrows as accurately as possible in a 20 second time period, and a golf course for archery. The courses were broken into three sets of 20 targets each, with two sets completed on one day and the final set on the third day. That translated to a LOT of walking up and down the hills behind Petaluma. But we made fun of each other and joked our way through the 9.3 miles on the first day and about half that the next.
Where was Cardiff while I was out shooting my mouth off? She spent time with her Grandma, and laid the foundations for “shake”. We’re still working on it. The environment wasn’t very hospitable for doggos, with burrs, foxtails, ticks, and thistle everywhere (see images below). She had a much better time wrestling with her friend Gracie.
I brought the Casita, and spent two nights in it. I’ve decided the mattress is really not working; just too thin and uncomfortable. Everything else worked out well, and I’m getting better at figuring out how to pack and what to bring.
I definitely won’t do a wine bottle opener like this again. No one’s fault but my own: I’m apparently incapable of using this type of bottle opener. I shoved the cork down into the bottle and sprayed red wine over myself and the inside of the trailer. I was not amused.
A Boy and his Dog
Another week has flown by, and although I’m not super busy every day, I don’t seem to lack things to occupy my time. Training Cardiff has hit a standstill, as I haven’t spent enough time in different environments for her to be able to listen well when distracted. She’s awesome in any room in the house, but take her out where the wind is blowing, birds are flying by, and all her best friends (or soon to be) are walking and she zones out and just doesn’t hear me. Not her fault, but feels frustrating. I need to work harder and get her better able to handle it, which will be easier as she continues to mature.
On a totally different note, Princess A visited us and we discovered that she is Cardiff’s Favorite Person Ever. She spends all her time around me, and knows my parents very well, and meets new dogs and walkers daily. But Princess A was there the first day when she was picked up, and Cardiff apparently imprinted on her. They’ve spent a few visits together since, but not enough to account for the attachment and constant attention on her highness. Love ya, kid!
Plans for another trip are in the works, and I’m looking at a couple locations but still need to book. I’ve been dragging my feet and have to work connections for the water and drainage on the trailer, which I will likely need to know this next trip.
I also got a chance to visit where I used to work; I had lunch with a good friend and caught up with a few people there. It was fun being back at the old stomping grounds!
We still have the kiddy pool in the backyard, and she’s gotten very comfortable jumping in and out, as well as fighting and biting the water coming from the hose. Below, you’’l see us on a walk, her lounging in some iceplant, and then both of us looking down at the phone laying in the bottom of the pool.
Progress?
Cardiff is learning so quickly, you can see prime examples of “sit” and “leave it” below
She is really enjoying getting out on walks, and we’re working hard to get better and safer at it. She likes playing on people’s lawns, and checking out the different grasses. I’ve chosen to not water my front yard, so it’s dirt and weeds for the most part. But no foxtails. not all yards are created equal, however. We were just 3 houses away when she stuffed her snozz into a bunch of dry weeds faster than I could react. Looking up at me, I could literally see the foxtail hanging from her nostril. Everything went into slow motion and I jump toward her saying “Noooooooooooo” only to have her shaker her head and sneeze mightily.
And what happens after a sneeze? Big inhale.
Zoop, up it went, as I tried to grab the little trailers on the back. See the detailed diagram below for the complex calculus resulting in an Emergency room visit and $525 to remove said foxtail.
I can’t say the experience was an enjoyable one for either of us. After getting home after midnight and a lousy few hours of restless sleep for both of us, she was raring to go, but I’m dragging a bit. The big bonus was her scheduled vet visit to complete her vaccinations this morning. Yay!
This dog is going to bankrupt me.
In other news, the lifting of the in-house restrictions is going well. I’ve removed the stairs’ barriers and started to put some rugs back in place. I’m hoping the trend continues and things don’t suddenly get chewed or peed on.
On a completely different topic, I received a text letting me know my NT#FL!X:053356 Subscript!ons need to be renewed. Yeah, I’ll get right on that.
The Casita is mostly packed in anticipation of the upcoming overnight trip this week. I’m trying to figure out the bedding situation, which is crazy-making. The bed is full-sized, but there are cushions that take up needed space to tuck the fitted sheet in. Am I expected to just let the fitted sheet flop around like an animal? Do I just use flat sheets? Seems like it’s harder than it should be.
You’ve got mail
I lead an awesome life. I’ve had my share of want and lack, as well as poor treatment, but overall I have it pretty good. I tend to find or come across opportunities to enrich it on a surprising scale. This can be as small as just the other day I found a frisbee disc, when I just started playing. Typically anything found on a course has a name and contact info written on it so it can be returned. The one I found said “Keep me! I’m keeping yours!” Not life-changing, but still an unexpected bonus.
More importantly, as I get prepared for picking up my puppy in a couple weeks I’m looking for a local veterinarian, pet insurance, doggy supplies (although my mom is showering me with these like it’s her first grandchild), and I’ve been reading books — yes, actual books — on training as well as watching videos, and listening to podcasts. I decided on an online course since there’s not much in terms of IRL classes, and found one for a fair chunk of change: $280. It’s four months long, has a bunch of resources and support, and sounds worth the investment since I have the time to focus on dog training that many people don’t have. Unfortunately, the site has the course waitlisted on one page, and available for purchase on another. Unsure how that works since it’s online, I reached out and asked.
The response was unforeseen. Basically, they replied “It’s typically $280, but we periodically will reduce to $49 as a special promotion, and keep a short list of interested people to give it to at that price. Since you’re about to get your puppy and sound like you’re committed to training, we’re going to give it to you for the $49 price instead of the $280. Here’s a special checkout code. Hope to see you in the online class soon!”
To be clear, this isn’t a college kid trying to start a side-business, nor a pet store with a back room they have for doggy daycare. It’s an internationally recognized dog trainer with thousands of people rabidly devoted to it. Here’s the site.
So, I’m off to sign up. I’ll be sure to review the materials and how it goes with my training.