She's Becoming Her Own Dog

The normal lineup has always been this...

Kate is always behind and to Bella's left. Why? Well, it's because Kate takes most of her life cues from Bella's heiny. Everything she needs to know can be gleamed off of Bella's butt.

She has, however, started to take baby steps out of her comfort zone.

She is finally figuring out that it's not only OK, but preferable to stare at things other than a brown bum.

Bella's heiny is taking full advantage of its new found freedom.

Now don't get me wrong. Kate is still Kate.

Just a more independent version of her cute self

And, we are all hating this dark before dinner time of year.

"Just keep staring at the ball. Pretend you didn't hear that lets go home business."

"I didn't hear a thing"

"What do you mean bad lighting"

Got (chocolate) Milk?

An Actually Nice DP Trip

I hate the dog park. To me, the DP is the canine version of the DMV. No one wants to be there, but you have no choice. The people (or dogs) are poorly organized and rude and not exactly a group who you'd pick to spend an afternoon with.

Last night, however, was an exception. Great little crowd. We usually hang out on the small dog side since it's usually empty and Kate is less likely to be maimed over there. The group that showed up was so polite and with well matched play styles, a treat to watch.

Kate, you got a little lint or something on your....Oh, my bad. Hi Shadow! This little Cav showed up. She was a pip! So fun!She even convinced the wall flower Shadow to go for a spinThe she moved on to bigger things. Look at her back legs. HAHA.We had to wait for the crowd to clear before we could get some real running in. Of course, I was losing my light by then. I only had little slivers of sun still coming through.

This is the How To Be Rude Because You Didn't Get The Ball sequence

by Bella
You didn't see that, did you?

4 Years, 7 Months and 15 Days Ago

I became a citizen of the good ol' US of A. You know what I got? Three things:

1) A 3 cent flag. Really. A little flag. They hand you a little flag. No cake, no pat on the back, no "thanks for your 16 previous years of taxes." Being the richest country on the face of the earth, you'd think they'd go a little over board. You know, a little party, jersey from your local sports team, your own oil well. A handgun, perhaps. Nope, little flag.

2) Jury duty. They waisted no time here. I think my jury duty post card was actually in my mail box when I arrived home from the ceremony. Like a true American, however, I got out of it. Sorry Phoenix, I'm moving. Haha!

3) The right to vote. I was very excited about this. Since it was 4 years ago, we all know how it turned out. I was, to say the least, a little bummed about the failure of my new-found power. So, folks, help me out this year, will you?

Get out and vote! You wont get a little flag...

But they do give out stickers! Yay, stickers!

You can get lots of other free stuff, too. Starbucks will give you a free coffee. Ben and Jerry's will give you free ice cream. Krispy Kreme will give a free donut.

(what is with us and the food!?)

And best of all, if you are in California and vote NO on Prop 8, Ellen DeGeneres will give you a pony!

Sweet, right? Equal rights *and* a pony.

I love this country!

Although, I think Kate is a closet Canadian.

Doing Their Part

In these trying economic times, we all need to make some sacrifices. Do our part for the financial health of the household.

Like, you know, eating Ramen.

"You want me to help you?"

"OK, then, little to the right""Hell yeah! Gimme! I'm helping!""God, I'm such a good dog!" "Economics is soooo satisfying!" "I'm not so sure this is going to help""I mean, I guess if you're giving it away the least I can do is take a closer look""I'll just open up, then, if you feel like it you can just put it my mouth, if not, that's OK too. I'll just wait...""Hold the phone! That's some good noms!""2 + 2 does = Ramen!"

Keep Your Sidekick Happy

I think we are starting to get the Successful Trial Weekend Scheme down.

The key is Kate.

The star of the show must never forget or ignore their trusty Number 2. I mean, what's Batman without a content Robin? Lucy with no Ethel? Shrek sans Donkey? Nothing, I tell you, nothing.

Kate's first bonus? Flys in the hotel room. She thought she died and went to neurotic dog heaven.

Non-stop with the darting and staring. I was a bit slow with the shutter, but this one is Kate nanoseconds after slamming her muzzle into the headboard. See the speck? The speck that is just natural coloring on the wood? Yeah? Not a fly, Kate. And, stop trying to act like you were just all sniffing the pillow. We all saw you.

She also had to keep checking Bella. I mean, that is a sidekicks job, yeah?Bella likes to fly hunt as much as the next dog, but after about a dozen of my OMGwillyoujustlaydownalready's to Kate, she tried to pretend she was deep in thought.

Umhmm

Bonus two...actually get encouraged to pester your sister.

"You gunna throw a ball?"

"No, Kate, go get Bella"

"Srsly?""K, weeee"Incoming!Swing and a miss!It's so rare for Bella to get the full-on zoomies...I love this face! And my handsome girl had a great weekend. 9 out of 10 Q's! I am not real fond of her new stopping-on-the-top-of-the-A-frame trick, but I'll take what I can get! Good girl, Belly!

Someone's Thinking...Woot!

Don't get excited, I'm not talking about Kate. Miss Bella was all about the sheepies on Saturday. I'm not sure what was different for her. It could possibly be the 3 hours we spent at agility before going to our herding lesson. Maybe that's the key...wear the shit out her beforehand. :-)

She was horribly impatient.

Is it just me, or is that cutest back-of-the-head ever?

Her tail is going down and much less dustShe's starting to look like her mom (Not her dad, 'cause, you know, he was an ACD!)

OK, it wasn't alllll pretty, but still, progress! Not a single bark!And Kate? Well, she's still good at this!

She's A Mutt, Already!!

Who "she?" This she...The next person that has the following conversation with me at an agility trial WILL be kicked in the shin.

Know-It-All: Whhyyy do you have your dog listed as an All-American?

Me: Because she is

Know-It-All: No she's not, that's a Border Collie.

Me: Well, her mother was...

Know-It-All: [cutting me off and speaking to me with eyebows raised and head tilted slightly to the side like I'm a 5 year old with brain damage] Ohh, and what do we think her father was?

Me: "We" don't "think," "we" know her father was an ACD.

Know-It-All: Well, [obviously not believeing the damaged 5 year olds answer] I still think she's all BC.

Good grief! Every. Single. Trial.

I actually had that conversation three times this past weekend. I think I should have a shirt made....

The front

YES...

I know they come in that color

I know they can be ticked

I know they can have smooth coats

I know they can have goofy ears

I know I could ILP her

The back

I also know her father was an ACD!

That way, when I get asked I could just twirl to get my point across and wouldn't have to get irritated at all. I mean, how irritated can you get if you're twirling in public?

Why do people want so desperately for my little dog to be pure bred? Why do they care enough to argue with me about it? Isn't she perfect just being who she is?