What a splendid day:>) Flyball with the border collies this morning was most excellent. Katie ran Sasha like the wind. Cricket is faster than the blink of an eye. We are struggling a bit with recalls – she seems to want to return the ball to the box instead of to me. But she’s getting better and had some great runs this morning. We are trying to get reaaaaaaaaaaaaady for a UFLI tournament in Canada at the end of August. Katie will race Sasha on the team and I will debut the Crickster in singles. The BC’s were bushed after practice – and it is hot. So frozen yogurt for all!!! This is just small cups of plain organic Greek yogurt frozen in their little containers. The dogs love it – and it’s good for them:>) Can’t beat that with a stick.
Brenda’s son and family are visiting and hanging this weekend. So for all the Cooper’s who follow the blog, here are a few family shots. Buddy is their dog. Nixie loves Buddy. Buddy also liked the yogurt treat:>)
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- Buddy
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- The Nix
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- The Crickster
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- Sasha
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- David, Brenda
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- David, Katie, Brenda
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- Back: Sage, Holly, Katie. Front: David, Brenda, Buddy
dog queen of the workshop. She now knows many new people and has been the subject of many stories. This us on the beach with h with other writers.
I am down in Lincoln City, Oregon, working at getting more emotion in my writing. Perhaps that’s why I like this picture of Nix looking so pensive.
Sometimes, on a special Sunday (like when I really need a break or have something to celebrate), I drag out the big pack. Two bottles of water (one for me, one for the dog), snacks for us both, a book and a journal, my phone and my iphone and my ipod (yeah, I know)) and Nix gets all excited and starts jumping around. That’s because she knows we are going someplace special. 
It is HOT. It is the 4Th of July. The dogs are HOT. The wading pool is full of cold water and ice. The big dogs are wet and lying in front of the fans. The baby dog has taken her frozen bone and retreated to her shady cool place in the garden. I see her peeking out every once in awhile. Mostly she is hidden from sight. We did some jump training early this morning before it got too humid. It is so warm, in fact, she hasn’t even been bugging me to train all day long:>) Fortunately, she does not notice fireworks. Neither does the Nix. Sasha will cower behind a toilet all night. But we’ll plug in the DAP (Dog Appeaser Pheromone) and put on some music and try to behave as if nothing bad is happening. DAP is the stuff that momma dog’s secrete in their milk to soothe their baby pups. It is odorless and has no impact on people or other animals besides dogs. I doubt it works on every dog, but our three zone out in bliss when we plug in the infuser.