Envy Puppies at Four Weeks

Envy's puppies turned four weeks old on Sunday (9/28), and they've really changed a lot over the last week alone! They started eating puppy food last week, so the little pups who couldn't stay latched on to a prime spot on mom now have full run of the puppy bowl and food. Within two days, you could see the little guys get bigger and their whole attitude changed. No more little whiny wimpy puppies; these little guys are now barking and playing and taking no puppy 'tude from their bigger siblings.

All of these puppies are for sale, and they will be ready to go to their new homes in the next month. If you are looking for a high quality, strong working dog, hop on over to http://www.doggiedogblog.com/ for more details. You'll see my not-so-little Alfie there, too!

Happy Birthday Mom and Alan

Just 28 years ago...just kidding! Today is my mommy's 63rd birthday. She was born to John and Diane Norma (de la Plate) Condon in Culver City, CA (rumor has it...you never know with the Condons!!). My bonus dad, Alan, is only a few weeks older than my mom and it's neat they share September birthdays.

My mom is pretty cool. She's retired but still takes on secret shopper jobs. She's fiercely political and loves to play bingo. She has three grandsons, one granddaughter, and another grandbaby due in December. Funny thing about that - Ronnie, Johnny and baby-to-be all have December birthdays, and Jennifer and Michael have the same birthday in July - so, should mom start to lose her memory in 30 years, she'll only have to remember two months instead of what could have been six months for grandkid birthdays.

Happy birthday mom and Alan, from your kid and grandkids in Kentucky!

Happy birthday to my cousins Johnny and Kathy, too. They turned 39 on the 13th.

Catching Up with Gregariousred

Not much going on over here in the sunny Bluegrass. Here's a photo update of the goings on at Sea Hawk.

Envy's puppies are growing (and growling) quickly! They will be on to puppy mush this week. They already sit, climb, run, bark and growl with gusto.

David working Diesel on the sleeve

Anika's first time on the sleeve

Andy's bite work

Jennifer's new job - helper gofer

David at Ryder Cup

2008 Ryder Cup Golf Tournament

About a year ago, I started noticing signs around Louisville noting that it would be the home of the 2008 Ryder Cup. Not being a golfer, or heck, even a fan of golf, I had no idea what this meant. I thought it might be horse related, since signs for the 2010 World Equestrian Games went up around the same time.

I don't remember how I learned that the Ryder Cup was a golf thing. I think David probably had something to do with it. Anyway, I'm more educated now, so when my new company put the call out for Ryder Cup volunteers, I jumped on it. I'll be working AWAY from the Ryder Cup at the lovely Valhalla Golf Course, working at the Hospitality Suite for major customers. At first, I was disappointed, but one of the perks for volunteers was a ticket to Tuesday's opening day, Grounds only. I volunteered for extra duty and got another ticket, so yesterday David and I hung out at Valhalla!

I've never been on a golf course, let alone a golf tournament. I came close once with my friend Tammy, but her car broke down on the way there. I had no idea what to expect, so with an open mind and an unopened water bottle, I boarded the bus and rested my head on David's shoulder. zzzzz....

Wow! My first impression was how alike the crowd movement was to the crowds at, oh say, Disneyland. Lots of people moving in a general direction with no clear idea of where they're going. My second impression - I should have worn tennis shoes - fashion be damned! There's a whole lot of walking going on at a golf tournament, and my feet hurt before we even got to the green!

We followed the crowd and found the golf store. I've never seen so many men's shirts in one place. I've never seen so many men shopping for clothes in one place, either! I found plenty of Ryder Cup stuff that I would like to have, but David's better judgement led me to a shot glass, a long sleeved tee for Michael (who loves to golf), two sleeves of golf balls (I dreamed last night that David opened the "sleeves" of golf balls, and found - sleeves, no balls!), and a disposable camera.

It turns out that the golf store has a pretty good view of three holes - I think they were the 13th, 14th and 15th. We hung out here and watched three American teams play through. Furyk, some guy from KY and a guy whose name might have been Phil something...it was fun watching them play, even if I don't remember names and couldn't tell you anything about them anyway.

By this time, the crowds were getting HUGE and we decided that three hours was good enough to say we've been there. We headed back to the bus, watching the players pass within spitting distance while walking down the green to finish hole...17?...and laughing at a truly horrendous patchwork golf shirt some guy was wearing (spectator, not player).

So now I can say that I've been there, done that!!! Pictures to follow when we get the film developed (I'm so spoiled by digital!).

Alfonse's Brothers and Sister

Alfonse just turned eight months old! He's really a big puppy. He went to Michael's soccer game yesterday and decided that soccer's a game he can play. He was quite happy when the ball came to him, and the kids were just thrilled to get the slobbered-on ball back. :) BTW, Michael scored a goal!

Alfonse isn't the only pup up to big things - here are some pictures of his brothers and sister.

Here's Anisa - she was the first girl of the litter and now goes by Anna.

Here's Anders (Andy) - He's one of the pups that has big shoes to fill. His pack mate Sasha has her CD and is working on her CDX. Andy is tracking in these pictures, and since he's learning this vital skill early, he'll no doubt have an easier time earning his SchH titles. Note that Michael is in the picture, too. He's trying to become David's newest apprentice.

And here's Augustus (Gus) - hanging with his cat, Sammy, that looks a lot like his first cats Gus and Rex. I'm glad to see that his first experience with cats didn't traumatize him!

Dog Show/Trial Results

With all the excitement of Envy's puppies being born, I totally neglected to report back on David's training group's show and trial results!

Ron and his GSD Amadeus Johann von Steinberg competed in the Regional Schutzhund Trials in northern Kentucky. They competed at the SchH 2 level, along with only two or three other dog/handler pairs. They were the only ones to pass, so not only did Ron and Johann earn their SchH2 title, they also earned the title of Regional Champion SchH2! Congratulations, Ron and Johann!

Over at the Bluegrass Dog Show at the Kentucky Horse Park, Anita and her Chocolate Lab Max and Sally and her GSD Sasha were competing in the AKC Obedience rings, trying to earn the first leg of their CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) title. This level of obedience requires a few more tricks than the CD level. Dogs have to retrieve dumbells on the flat and over obstacles; they have to jump over a broad jump and they have to come when called, then down when told, then finish returning to their handler. All this is in addition to the off leash healing exercises. Both Sally and Anita had problems with their dogs, and neither team qualified for their first leg. Fortunately, both ladies know that their dogs have what it takes to make the cut, and they are not giving up.

Also at the Bluegrass Dog Show, Amy and her GSD Jax were competing in obedience. Both did well and earned another leg of the CDX. Congrats, Amy and Jax!! You can read about Jax and his experience with conformation judges in my archives.

Finally, Diesel the amazing Malinois and his handler Lee competed in their first ACK Obedience Trial, and in three days earned their three legs of the CD (Companion Dog) AND took High in Trial. Since Diesel is too young for SchH but old enough for AKC, this was a natural place for the two of them to get show experience. They've set a high bar for themselves, but I have no doubt that they will make it all the way through CDX and SchH3 in record time.

Congratulations again to all the of David's training group!

Puppies!

Envy had her puppies on her due date, August 31st. She had six boys and one girl, all of which are happy, healthy squirming little bundles of puppy love. She started having her pups at 6:20, and was done about two hours later. They came fast! Much faster than Hady's last litter (see Jan 08 posts).

As with Hady's litter, I took the first watch and stayed awake until 2:45 am. Mary, Envy's owner, stayed with me for most of that time. At switch time, Mary went home and I went to sleep. I came in at 5:30 am to relieve David, and didn't even notice there was one more puppy until he asked me to count them. I wasn't too surprised, since Envy kept having contractions long after the last puppy was born. So, add girl number 2 to the list! Unfortunately, there was one stilborn pup that came before girl number 2. She was born without her sac and had suffocated while poor Envy labored trying to get her out.

Overall, for a first litter, Envy did well. She's a very protective mommy, and her puppies are all filling out and look great.