It Was a Dark and Dreary Day

So I decided to make the most of it and take the dogs out before their dinner

Finn in centre

Trix has her (evil) eye on someone

Away at the races.  Sushi (tri in foreground) was funny, she was right by my side the whole time.  I think she wanted to make sure I was going to feed her!

There is always some snarly face games...especially with Stormy.  I could do an album with her showing her teeth at the others.  I never scold her, as it never escalates.  When she sees me she smiles and dances, you'd never know she was such a rip snorter!

Valerie and Cocoa, Finn and Eva and Miley on the right

Eva, the pack leader with a breakaway group

Finn and Miley...the snow making their coats look yellow in comparison

Wet sticky sloppy snow cleaned them up pretty well...

Mayer checking on Foo and Boo (LuAnne) left in the house while they were out

A few others come and see what the fuss is about...

The great thing about bringing them out for a run before dinner is they are quick to come in the door.

Mud Pups and Water Rats

Mr Miki starting off the walk in style...

Stormy struggling to get her groove back, while little Lola tries to get in on the action

It was the four older puppies first time out on a walk with the group...

Of course they quickly found the water

If you look closely you will also see spruce branches stuck to their fur...see Miki top right (it isn't poop, honest)

This picture cracks me up with Mayer seeing what is coming and putting on the brakes!

He waited for them to return and taunted them!

Shaking it off

Juno had several episodes of the sillies in the big puddle.  The pictures looked a little too wacky to publish, but this one looks much more serious than she was...

Eva the instigator leaping through the deep stuff

Paris following along fell into the trap!

And poor Miki got stuck on a piece of ice which gave away...it took him a second to figure a way out.  I thought I was going to have to rescue him, but he was fine.

Finn McMuddy

the Tub o'mud

Corbin and Eva in sync

Early herding instinct...Finn on left, Rehannah and Lola with the very wet Valerie and Miki

Exhausted after a big run...heading for home

Playing in the Dirt

I headed out with the gang knowing our neighbor had plowed a strip in the field. (Pete spend the weekend cutting this field in preparation). I wanted to have a look and see what the dogs thought of it.

No surprise, they took to it like ducks to water...or pigs to mud!

Mr Miki

"Smiley Miley"

Trixie even ventured down to check it out...
Here comes the Sheltie express!

Oh dear...

Trying to stay clear...

One more...

Little Trix sticking her tongue out! Phew...made it.

Sigh

Found something!




A fun place to play...

Oh Miki You're So Fine

Three weeks ago I dropped off Miki to handler Diane Biggar for socialization. He wasn't walking on the leash very well at that point, and strollers, clapping and other "oddities" bothered him. Well, the little fellow has come a long way...

Entered for fun at the Thousand Islands Kennel Club (TIKO) dog show, he did great his first time out. Winners/Best of Winners/Best of Opposite Sex/ Best Puppy in Breed for 3 points. He went on to win Best Puppy in Group!

I didn't go the first day, but went today. Just before Shelties were judged there was a downpour. I stayed in my car with the wipers going watching as the Hound Group was judged. The poor dogs wondered why they had to go around in the rain. It more or less stopped, but when the Shelties went in, it started up again. Miki isn't much of a mudder, but did well enough to win Winners Dog. I went in with my jeans and pink boots and handled him to Best of Winners and Best Puppy in Breed. So off to the Puppy Group!

The rain held off and he showed like a little trooper.

Judge June Penta awarded Miki Best Puppy in Group. She just loved him.

On to judge Gerard Penta for Best Puppy in Show.

Final look...

Best Puppy in Show! I said to her as she was leaving the ring that she was a rock star! She has handled our dogs five times in the ring and has won points all five times!

Diane and Miki; he just adores her!

Thank you Diane!

Addendum: Miki scores a hat-trick, winning WD/BW and on to Puppy Group the Sunday to finish!