Oh My

I need a list to keep tracks of all of my lists!

The Great Migration to Brainerd, Minnesota is underway. Not me — yet. But Dianne and her crew are traveling already, and Alison, Tom, Tristan, and Kiri are leaving today.

Our micro-community will be well-represented. Dianne and Alison, as I said, but also Marti, Lori, Toby, Aysha, Eden, and Tony is even flying in for a couple of days as well - who else???!

But we are inclusive and so anyone we know is part of our larger community — and so many will be in Minnesota!

I can’t wait!

Three more days.

Tracking Thoughts

All dog sports require skills in both communication and collaboration, but I actually think tracking might be the ultimate team sport in Life with Dogs.

Although the human guides the training, it is a dog that directs the activity.

Claire on a TEN turn track earlier this week.

Force and compulsion, too often part of the experience in other dog sports, doesn’t really work in tracking.

This means the human has to be more smart than bully in their temperament and their training. Sadly, that actually does not work for some in their personal Life with Dogs.

Team Sundance — they are READY for the Specialty Tracking Test.

Those types are missing out. I feel sad for them — and their dogs. They will never know the thrill of finding the end of a track.

Claire was well-rewarded for her long and complicated track with lunch.

And thrill it is — there is nothing like it.

Happy Sunday, Friends.

An Old Berner is Golden Indeed

Puppies are exciting and fun but an Old Dog is something so very special, and this is especially true in Berners.

Can you spot Cooper from the Glitterati?

Jennifer reports that Cooper is well and keeps her laughing, even as he approaches 10.5 years on this earth.

Miss Maddie (F Litter) is enjoying Spring in Washington.

She is now 10.5+ years and keeping Barb busy.

Our Super Senior is Levi from the E Litter.

Levi is 11 years and 9 months old! Erin reports that he has some creaky bones but is otherwise doing just fine. #blessing

We love our older Kaibab dogs.