HAPPY EASTER

The Test

Finally! The day that has been marked on our calendar was here , Shirley's first test. On stake was her passing the puppy obedience class and moving on to the next stage. At first, it was not looking that promising. At our warm-up, Shirley was not participating to her fullest and was being  very stubborn . I knew something was up, so I excused us and took her aside and sure enough Shirley had to do her business. With that out of the way ,I decided to move us away from the two brand new puppies distraction  in group. Shirley started to act better, which gave me more confidence. After our warm-up the final test was about to begin. We watched the older dogs finish their test, and it was our turn to take the stage and perform. Patriot was called first, then Clem, and finally Shirley. For her first part of her test she did pretty well; only a few minor mistakes were made by both of us. But that was the easiest part of the test. The harder part was coming right around the corner. After a quick break, Shirley, Patriot, and Clem were called back to do the final exercises. Sit and stay for one minute , and down and stay for three minutes is a daunting task for Shirley and I on any given day, so I was a little nervous . We were given the go ahead to sit our dogs and have them sit for one minute. Let me tell you, each second that past by was nerve racking hoping that Shirley would not get up or lie down . Ten.nine.eight.seven.six.five.four.three.two.one. YAY!  Shirley  past the sit stay .
Now the down stay, as much as we practice does not always go as planned in front of an audience on exposure and our living room. She's pretty good, but in the heat of the moment we average 50/50. We will work on this and I’m fully confident she’ll get this . Shirley has really grown in the past few weeks.And I was just commenting how she doesn't dump her water bowl anymore. Also, the alley way with the extra large barking dog is a breeze now, and overall she is just a lovebug  that is eager to please with a mind of her own . Check back in a few days, because we are going to start posting  some videos.

She's a swimmer

                                              Shirley

Shirley is 6 mos. old

 6 months old today ,we love you Shirley

I'm ready say ok- Please!!!!!!

                       

                   
          I would like to say thanks to Gatorland for posting the link to my blog to see the post about  SEGD( Southeastern guide dogs ) visit to Gatorland  I was shocked to see how many page views I have gotten today, it is over a hundred and counting within just a couple of hours .
If anyone would like more information about guide dogs please visit http://www.guidedogs.org/ or stop back here anytime to check in on Shirley.

THANK YOU GATORLAND !



Shirley

I was tasked to host the group with only one request from my AC - open stairs ,  I wanted to come up with something special and what better set of open stairs than  Gatorlands viewing tower . With the help of my parents I was able to plan our group meeting at Gatorland. I would like to personally thank Ms Bridgette for making this possible with all her hard work in the planning and Gatorlands generosity, we were able to tour the park .Their generosity made it possible for this dedicated group of puppy raisers to give the pups a wonderful exposure experience ,without great and unselfish partners to the community like gatorland and caring people like Ms.Bridgette this would not be possible, myself and the group thank you!



NO they are not water toys pups

 

Ms Genevieve and the staff made us all feel welcome



Go Shirley





Ms.Betty is a pro, Sarge is next you can do it.

hey pups we can teach you climb those stairs


The  view from the tower spectacular



Look at this huge male alligator ,when he was bellowing it sounded like a lion roaring ,you could feel the vibration and see the water dancing and rippling around him it was just amazing .



Is it Saturday yet?

Spring break is over :(

                                      

Study buddies

                 I had to study all day and Shirley had to work on her down stays.

Practice , Practice

           

              Back to  Spring Valley park for Obedience class this week!  Shirley has homework that she needs  to study for her first obedience test. Wish her luck and we're open to all words of wisdom or encouragement. We as a team would pass via web cam hands down from any remote location , only saying this because she has just been hit or miss lately in the group dog setting . Next week we host the group and we are going to Gatorland can't wait .

April fools