I See Dead People

While I rarely shy away from expressing what I think, I tend to avoid being overtly political because a blog is not a dialog and therefore not conducive to productive political discourse.

And further, this is a blog about dogs — sort of.

Okay — sometimes.

But I find the Political and the Canine have now converged because of one tiny virus.

My true feelings about the current administration’s handling of the pandemic...

WTF (1).jpg

The lies spewing from the White House are literally killing human beings. That is not hyperbole.

By telling people to go on with their usual lives, that the virus is contained and so on and so forth — I have no words for all that nonsense. Luckily, there is an emoji for everything.

Sparkle with emoji Dec 3, 2016.jpg

And to say coronavirus and hoax in the same sentence?!

Deep Breaths.jpg

Okay, regardless of whether you support the current president or not, we know he struggles with the truth — and if this is news to you, start watching more than Fox.

FYI — you can still think he is the Messiah and acknowledge the man is a pathological liar — knowing someone’s limitations is an important adulting skill that may — in this situation — LITERALLY save lives.

So we cannot look to the president or his minions for guidance or information because we cannot and should not trust that information.

Luckily, most state and local leaders of all political stripes are stepping up (with the possible exception of the Bozo Governor of Oklahoma) and they are canceling events, closing schools, and doing what they can to encourage people to help flatten the curve.

The CDC is also trying hard to regain/retain credibility, depending on how you see things, and has issued a recommendation that all events of 50 or more people be canceled for the next eight weeks in the US.

Let’s not split fur, people. If the event is a bunch of humans in a room — even if the room is big enough for social distancing and the number is 48 and not 50 — do the responsible thing and CANCEL IT.

And here is where the Canine and the Political merge.

Any dog group that fails to cancel events that clump humans together in a room, no matter how large that room, at any point in the next eight weeks is run by irresponsible (and a bunch of other unflattering adjectives that I just deleted) persons — and nobody should support said organization or event.

No excuses. No delays. No waiting for the virus to just disappear as a certain dangerous Liar-in-Chief suggested would happen. Cancel the damn event. Now.

Yes, I am so sad that this means the BMDCA National Specialty MUST be canceled. UPDATED: The Specialty IS canceled because we have outstanding people in charge. Kudos to them for making the tough decision.

But you know what is even sadder? Dead People.




Listening to the Nature of a Dog

Something I think is important to say about performance events with dogs is that it is okay to have individualized goals. In fact, we should have individualized goals because we are different people with different dogs and different circumstances.

Harper is a perfectly acceptable obedience dog but she is not a high scoring, precise obedience dog — it is not in her nature.

Harper on a wait.jpg

And I am a fan of listening to the nature of a dog, appreciating and honoring what she brings to the table.

LOVE this photo.

LOVE this photo.

Therefore, Harper will finish up a git ‘er done CD (the novice level obedience title) and be done with obedience. Her Super Power is tracking.

On the other hand, the Specialty revealed that Claire’s Super Power actually is obedience.

No hair, No problem.

No hair, No problem.

Assessment skills are a pretty important part of Life with Dogs. But an unprepared dog who did not actually know to sit on the finish (minus 2.5 points) and still scored a 196 (out of 200), placing second in a class of 50+ dogs is not exactly a subtle indication of potential.

Note extra cute collar, which is easier to see given that Claire had no coat to cover it up.

Note extra cute collar, which is easier to see given that Claire had no coat to cover it up.

In order to maximize that potential, Claire will not show in obedience again until Spring 2020. Different dog, different goals.

Claire with attention.jpg

Instead, we will train and train and in the process, have an awful lot of fun together.

Claire jumping obedience.jpg

Because if it isn’t fun — for both of us — why do it?

Specialty Draft Photos

I wanted to share some of my favorite photos from the Specialty draft test photographer.

Harper B for Be Going That Way

Harper B for Be Going That Way

harper draft.jpg
If you knew the work and time it took to get to this point — wowza. Harper’s NDD is one of my proudest dog accomplishments.

If you knew the work and time it took to get to this point — wowza. Harper’s NDD is one of my proudest dog accomplishments.

And her tail wagged the whole time. #win

And her tail wagged the whole time. #win

Isn’t Claire’s harness so fun?!

Isn’t Claire’s harness so fun?!

Without attention, you cannot do well with a dog.

Without attention, you cannot do well with a dog.

No Hair Claire through the narrows.

No Hair Claire through the narrows.