Project Go Dog: Grab Bag

Free to good home: many random thoughts bouncing around in my head.

Everything must go!!

Meaning...Yay random catch up post!

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First up- chiropractics!

Guess what- It works! It's not all broken spines and malpractice. I feel super. Or at least on the way to super. Don't worry, it's not like I've been duped into giving up my paycheck for the rest of my life as the chiro story goes. The best part about my Doctor (yeah, a Doctor! Not a "doctor") is that we have a PLAN. 1) Put everything in its place 2) Keep it there with a bit o rehab. "Rehab" involves this crazy muscle work (like massage in horror stories), then some movement correction. 1, 2, done. And I'm learning a lot. Very interesting stuff about mechanics.

Plus the actual adjustments are wicked. Wicked! I swear the doctor is a ninja. Or Chuck Norris. But he is crazy good and I feel so super!

Can you tell?

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I got to thinking that maybe this is what it's like for The Dog. Super feeling yay movement and jelly-like looseness. (Yep that was a sentence??) So when I noted some hinky moves from her when running the other day I made her an appointment with someone my vet referred.

Taadaaa! Now she is super. Vertebrae L2 through L6 OUT. Now back IN. Happy Dog prancing with jelly-like looseness. AND I learned a lot there too. This vet had some new thoughts on The Dogs musculature. And she wasn't Doomsday. She had great feedback on a few weaknesses and how to strengthen.

So now we both have homework on moving differently so we can get out of these phases of bad concrete-like stiffness and be only jelly.

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Whatelsewhatelsewhhhaaaaaatelllllssssse...

Frog Dog exists!!

So we are all rekindling our fun trick roots. I get to teach a super cool trick class for a bit so I need to run through the how tos again. The girls are quite happy with this arrangement. Many treats. Such a good work out too. Lots of core work involved (for them... Not so much me sadly) as we go though my impending lessons. Students are in for a fun class but it will definitely grow some skills and muscles! (Hm, note to self: class seems popular- next time be smart and sell spots for 5k to the highest bidders in my circle who have the best offers of free services and goods...I need someone to do my taxes- hint hint.)

I'd hoped to use The Pup to demo but it might be too mind blowing to come in and work without a warm up. She really can start focusing any day now in the face of excitement. (Though- big plus!- she worked around a person running their dog in a hovaround.)

To be fair though, she hasn't done squat for 2 weeks aside from some flatwork DAYS ago. Maybe once we put her back in business she will forgive me and chill out. She is cone free and not at risk for dumping her guts out so I'm thinking she can start in some tomorrow again.

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It's super imperative that she gets practice... Because... I registered her! Woowoo! As a 'canine partner.' (thhhhbt. I think it's lame that I had to claim her as an accident- like I don't know where she came from. They forbid you from using kennel names too. Pish posh.)

PROOF!! Ready for action with the Unknown Soldier.

Anyways, now she is all set for her first show which I will hopefully get into!! Three days after the 15th month mark!

(Please please I am a rock star worker!!)

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Including a possible debut, we have many a fun thing on the docket. Some shows coming up- our first UKI, then AKC, then USDAA. Oops. All in a row. How did I do that? At least we will have a stretch of dull following that (since we didn't get into an AKC show!!! Ga! May that never repeat!!)

For the UKI show we are experimenting. Time to let the cat out of the (grab) bag- I entered The Dog in 26". I really want to run her FEO at WTTO this year. Pending the outcome of the UKI show, we will start working on making that a sane decision.

I want to do this for a few reasons- first, it will make me accountable for continued working on The Dogs health homework. Next, challenge! New! Then, it will be really good to play with The Dog in that high stress environment.

After that, hmm, options. If its not a disaster I might see about keeping on with 26" in AKC. We will see. Just depends. She looks more comfortable at 26 than 22. In practice. A show setting though... Like I said- depends. I'm not sold on any one outcome.

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Other cool stuff- lots of Daisy action! A private for The Dog in February! Then a working spot for one of them in April when she comes back. We will be so smart! I am looking forward to her take on motivation and the mental game in regards to The Dog. And of course, assistance with handling and perfecting our dogwalk!

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That might be it for today. Definitely will report back with video after the 26" experiment. I will welcome feedback. Constructive feedback. No Haters!

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The Pup is a Hater BTW. She leaves stuffed animal parts around. As a warning. Apparently I'm never allowed to shelf her again. Or else.