Blackfoot

Mary-Ann Sontag June 17, 2022

Blackfoot — one of my most favorite shows. What makes this year even more amazing is that some of most favorite people are also here. This photo from an 18th birthday is a hint about two of those people (and their dogs)…

And yes — that was a DOG’s 18th birthday party!!!! How awesome is that?!

I showed Claire in obedience yesterday — just for fun. She did well and won her class — thanks to Jennifer G for the photo and for being here…

Capella is showing in breed and doing well, but no points. She looks young still — her time will come.

Beauty pageant is fun — no question. But other things matter to me even more. Capella’s Super Power keeps being revealed. Her kind approach and regard for the man in the wheelchair. Greeting a woman recovering from a stroke with such respect that the woman said, “she has such a gentle soul.” And this today…

She stepped carefully through the tangle of kid legs to be close to everyone. SO touching.

In addition to reminding me of her calling as a therapy dog, Capella did a Fast CAT run and then — what the heck — we tried hanging out with sheep. Capella earned her first title today — she is now Capella HIC (Herding Instinct Certified). It looked like this…

I hope you are having a wonderful Friday — we sure are.

This, That, and Tracking

Mary-Ann Sontag June 13, 2022

One of the neighbor’s calves decided that the weeds are definitely better on the other side of the fence…

She ignored repeated instructions to come home…

…and sauntered around our yard, reminding me that cows have terrible reach and drive. You definitely do not want your Berner to look like this at a trot…

Besides contemplating the antics (and structure) of cows, we (the dogs and I — and the cats) recently entertained Moonshadow Merlin for a few days…

Isn’t he handsome?!

I have also been busy with the Montana Tracking Test. I was the Test Secretary and all the details were stressful but we did it. WHEW. The test was yesterday and it is held at the most glorious place.

The fields were perfect this year, and the weather was cool and cooperative.

Suzanne needed to be in two places at once and so I was very happy to step in and handle Sadie Rose at the test — that went well!

Sadie Rose did a great job — she is a wonderful tracking dog. SO fun.

It was not Pozy’s day — but that is okay because another day will be AMAZING for her.

I hope your week is on track to be awesomely great.

Last but Definitely Not Least

Mary-Ann Sontag June 8, 2022

Let’s finish up the Wildflower Birthday Celebration with Kjempe CGC CGCA! Marija sends us this happy update:

“Two years old and still turning heads! Kjempe is the ultimate charmer. So social ~ loves people, loves my nieces and family, loves other dogs, loves cats, loves to be the center of attention ~ and is ALWAYS the one getting the all of the compliments! This morning's compliment? "Your dog is 'stunning'!" (and he knows it...prancing along).

Kjempe still does not walk. It is always a prance/trot. We walk fast, or I have to kick it into a slow jog to keep up to his natural gate. We walk or hike every morning between 2-4 miles. If I'm not up at 5:15, his snout is in my face wondering what's going on...unless of course he's tired, then we all sleep in until 5:45 ha ha.

On his birthday we walked along the river and knowing he's not the fondest of water, I let him go up to the river to dip his feet in and get a drink. All of the birthday excitement must've been in the air because he RAN out into the river and looked at me all proud (I was having a heart attack because I haven't taught him to swim yet), and then he paddled his way back towards where he could touch and came running out with zoomies so excited! Despite my anxiety, we turned that into a "fun/exciting" experience - now he's a water dog :-) Swimming lessons are on board for the summer.

We started agility training this spring and are currently in level two with an instructor who's been teaching for over 20 years. Her mother has two Berners and she attends the annual show in Estes every year. Kjempe is in HEAVEN! He LOVES agility. He is an absolute rockstar, cannot wait to try new contacts/obstacles, is completely attentive and ready to learn, masters skills in 2-3 tries, and is THE fastest dog I've ever seen. Now I'm in training for sprints so that I can keep up on the course. The instructor cannot get over his fearlessness, and agrees he is extremely fast and surprising nimble for his size (104 pounds).

He works with me every day at the computer ~ well, as you can see, I work and he sleeps. Belly rubs and scratches are top priority, and if you haven't tried one yet, all of my animals love the hypervolt muscle massage gun. The second I turn it on (for myself), I'm surrounded by animals vying for a turn. I never get to use it...

Kjempe loves the snow and winter, he can't get enough. This year he got a skijoring harness and did some cross-country skiing with me. I was impressed by how well he mined the skies and harness.