Celebration

We have some celebrating to do, Team Kaibab!

Sparkle’s daughters got the memo…

In AKC obedience, there is just one Novice A dog in our lifetime. That is the first dog we title in obedience — our introduction to the dog sport of obedience. A Novice A team is just starting out, learning the ins and outs of training and showing. It is not easy.

Ruthie, one of the Sparklers, is Lori’s once in a lifetime Novice A dog.

Ruthie is the BMDCA’s Top Novice A Obedience Dog for 2021!

This is a Big Deal. A Really Big Deal.

It is based on scores for each of Ruthie’s three legs earned towards her Novice A obedience title (CD). To train and show a dog in obedience is such an accomplishment — to be recognized with your Novice A Dog in this way is flipping amazing.

I am so very happy for Team Ruthie. This award is a symbol of a life well-loved and well-lived. Thank you, Lori, and CONGRATULATIONS!

After Novice A, one’s future dogs are shown in Novice B.

(drum roll, please)

Ruthie’s sister, Kiri, is the BMDCA’s Top Novice B Obedience Dog for 2021!!

Alison and Kiri

How is that for fantastic?! Congratulations to Team Kiri for their lovely and happy work in Novice B obedience — this is a well-deserved award.

Their Uncle Tristan, one of the iPups, says, “Hold my Bone Broth and watch this…”

Tristan, an outstanding overachiever from a family of overachievers, earned TWO Top Dog awards in 2021.

He is the BMDCA’s Top Open B Obedience Dog and the BMDCA’s Top Master Agility Dog!

It is so wonderful to watch legacy unfolding — thank you Alison and Lori.

WOWZA!

Photo Update

The cats continue to entertain…

Capella continues to work on darker pigment across her Rudolph nose…

And when I am exercising, everyone is a critic.

Sparkle: You call that a plank?!

Claire: That was a definite 2.5 — terrible form!

Capella: You get extra credit for walking a dog (hint, hint).

I hope your extra weekend day is FUN!

McCovey

Before we get too far away from the birthdays, I wanted to share the Bright Star Birthday update that Valerie sent — when photos are available, I will share those as well…

Valerie shares:

“McCovey (Sirius) has been the light of our lives this past year. It's amazing how he seems to make the most mundane things better: shoveling snow is now a game... vacuuming is now hilarious... waking up to his wagging tail makes even the hardest Monday mornings wonderful. On that topic, McCovey needs at LEAST 20 minutes of cuddle time in the mornings. If I ask if he's hungry--a question that usually makes him bolt with excitement--he'll just drape more of his body weight over us and stare deep into our eyes.

His favorite activities are: hiking in the snow, swimming in the lake, stealing the second shoe as you're putting the first one on, and humping the leg of anyone that dares sit in the white chair in our living room. He has his favorite people and doesn't care to make new friends--and if a stranger tries to pet him on the head, he will absolutely let them know. He loves all dogs and is especially gentle and sweet with kids and babies. He goes out of his way on walks to say hello to any kid crossing his path.

McCovey is the most patient dog I've known. You can trust him with your dinner on the coffee table or a steak on the edge of the counter and he doesn't pull when my 3-year old niece walks him on leash. He has incredible curiosity, shoving his face in to see what's in the package you're trying to open or what's in the freezer you're trying to close. He likes to stand on snowbanks in our backyard and peer at our neighbors over the fence.

We couldn't be happier with our big, silly, kind, protective and loyal Bright Star. If he makes us this happy at year one, I can't imagine how much more our love could grow.”

Valerie takes beautiful photos of her Bright Star — when she is able to send them, I will post here and put (UPDATED) in the title.

I know McCovey is so loved by good humans — HAPPY BIRTHDAY, McCovey!