Goofy dogs, and an awesome dog trainer

I have not posted in awhile...been super busy with Craft Fair, and lots and lots of studying. Tonite my mom sent me an email, and i thought it would make a nice post....a touching story about the Dog Trainer (who recently died) at Pawsabilities, and then some funnies about my parents German Shepherd Dog Samie. She is such a goob...but god, i love her!
Anyways, enjoy:

We just got back from the Celebration of Larry's Life at Pawsabilities. It was really something. There were literally 100's of people and well over 100 dogs! Samie went but she couldn't even make it inside. She was way too excited (and had to wait in the truck). They had a tribute from the FIDO drill team (First in Dog Opedience) which is sponsored by Pawsibilities. And at the end of their close order drill they did a 1-minute sit & stay in memory of Larry--all the people joined in the minute of silence. Joan was there with several of her friends from the Keeshond dog club. Dana spoke after the tribute, thanking everyone. And she said that Pawsabilities will continue--the new Pawsabilities with their daughter & son-in-law joining with her. That was so good to hear. And your Dad is starting Samie again this Wednesday evening! He knows she really needs it; she really suffers from not meeting with oth er dogs on a regular basis and going through her paces.

It was good to see all those dogs in close-order drill. You know Larry was career military, a Master Sergeant in the Air Force from '68-'88. He did dog training for many years before his retirement and has been teaching here since 1989.

Oh, another thing about Samie. She has now joined Fred's surfing club. She is a great counter surfer. I was telling you about having a great pork roast from Han's Deli--with sauerkraut & noodles? Well, I cut the chops and left them on the counter for Dad--he was watching the football game in the other bedroom. And when he went to get his plate full, he asked wasn't there 3 porkchops? Well, yes, there were--but only 1 small one was left for him. So Samie got a huge one, plus half of the one I had. (And she obviously loved that German food cause she didn't get sick or anything!) Your Dad was sick though; now for leftover of the sauerkraut, it'll just be hot dogs for the meat instead of pork chops. Well at least they are the German weiners.

I was telling Joan this story. She had a better one. Tucker is also a champioin counter surfer. He has helped himself to many a morsel over the years. But the worse was recently when Joan had been to the store and picked up lunch and also got some Copper River salmon fillets to fix for dinner. She left it in the kitchen while she delivered something to a neighbor. Gary was watching something on tv and came to get his salad to start on--and went back to watching his show. When Joan came back, the salmon was gone. And Tucker didn't get sick either. With the price of salmon, that is mighty expensive dog food!

I'm glad your Dad has decided to go back to dog classes. It will be good for both of them. I sure would love to see Samie composed enough to go to events like today and actually be able to join in, in a good way.

WOOOOOWHOOOOO!!

First ski of the season!! So the snow was heavy and wet, and not all that deep in a few places, i had FUN, and got the best workout i have gotten in a loooong time! The dogs are exhausted and very very happy. They loves them some snow. Henry thought the skis were pretty cool, and tried to pounce on them once or twice as i was zipping along on my freshly laid tracks. That ought to be interesting later in the season.

And by the way, how freakin pretty are my skis? I love them!! I have matching poles and boots, and they are just the prettiest little things you ever did see!

I MISSED my Husband on this inaugural ski.....he would love to be snow-shoeing right along with me...actually, he would probably be about 50 paces ahead of me, the man is a bit of an athlete.

Donkey

Here is a pic of "World's Most Pathetic Donkey-Dog"

Do NOT let this photo fool you. This is a dog who flips OUT in the snow. He loves loves loves it. I took this pic last night, just as the snow was starting.

yes, Henry REALLY has me wrapped around his paw-hoof. He is such a little manipulator.

Holy Crap....we got SNOW~!

Oh boy...now, i was ALL PREPARED to deal with snow AFTER Halloween, but hello, it is the 29th! It started snowing yesterday, and it snowed throughout the night...and we got this!

The houndies are pretty darn excited. I am actually going to strap on my new XC skis in a bit, and hit the fields! I am psyched....i will put the Vizslas in their Nana sweaters...see said pics of sweaters above in blog headline. My mom knit them those...and the Husband groans everytime i pull them out, but the houndies? The houndies bound through the house with GLEE!! They loves Nana's sweaters!!!

What i have been up to lately......

Well, Miss G asked me what i have been up to lately...and even though i have been blogging a lot lately, i have not really been saying what i have been doing. So....here is a pic (which i know is what she has been wanting to see FOREVER!!) of the Husbands Garter Stitch Aran Pullover. This is the front panel. Back panel looks the same, except has a few 'signatures' on it.

I should be starting on the 3-needle bind off today i hope, and then get to work on the sleeves. I am super excited to get this finished! My husband is so nice...he will wear it even if he hates it, or if it does not fit him. yup, he is a GEM!! The yarn i am using is Dale of Norway Freestyle. This is a washable wool, and feels so nice. I love working with it. There was another washable by Dale that was a little bit more industrial strength, but i did not like the feel of it. Husband would wear the itchy stuff, but why suffer? Oddly though, he thinks that the itchy stuff keeps you warmer...as in, the irritation actually heats you up. That is one way to look at it, i guess!

So, where does this lovely little sweater live while it is being worked on?

It lives here, in this adorable little project bag that Miss G sewed for me!! I think this was the first gift she ever gave me, and that was about 2 or 3 years ago? I love it!
It also contained a needle roll, but there is no room in it for the roll now! It is crammed full of yarny goodness, and pattern copies, my notions and what not.

Please excuse the interruption......

....these photos are strictly for the Husband:

Snow in the forecast...already!

Well, winter is REALLY on the way! We are under a winter storm watch here, as there is a Nor'easter bearing down on us. It looks like i will likely get only a dusting, but the areas east of me will possibly get over a foot! Ha, and the guy at Sears LAUGHED at me when i brought my snow tires in last week, and asked him to put them on my car!!
Henry is going to be SO thrilled when he sees the snow. He loves it, although last year he did get a little sick of it after a bit. He, along with Fred also loves to EAT GRASS. They are like a couple of little cows, and i think the lack of grass really bothers them.
Today i get to haul all the patio furniture into the barn. That ought to be fun. Not sure if i want to put the Adirondack chairs in the barn, or put them on the covered front porch? I think i will opt for the porch. At least when they are there, i still get to look at them all year!
All the geese have been flying south for the past few weeks. I have not seen the snow geese yet though, just the Canucks.