I finally did it!!

It has been a while since I last wrote.  In fact I've gone to 3 agility classes with Whispy since Rainy died.  I think we were all numb during the class on the 12th.  The next class on the 19th Marty cried and cried while we waited our turns to run.

Today all of us were happy.  It had rained all night and the weather felt cold.  Marty brought in one of our little heaty pads to lie on so Whispy and I would not shiver with cold.

Whispy was really fast today and our teacher gave Marty and Whispy lots of praise.  In the 1st course we ran there were the weave poles.  The first time I ran, I found the weave entrance perfectly but I missed a few of the poles though I ended up right at the end.  Marty was happy with my attempt.

Our teacher had Marty and me do the course again and this time I was really fast.  Marty had trouble keeping up with me.  I did the 2 jumps to the dog walk, two jumps to the tunnel, out of the tunnel over the jump and then right into the weaves.  I went in exactly right and with Marty going along side saying "Get it!" "Get it!" for every pole I made it through all 12 poles perfectly!!!  I nearly fell over as Marty gave me lots of praise as I ran for the tunnel, then over 3 jumps to the end.  I got lots of treats and lots more praise.

This was the very first time I have done all 12 weave poles perfectly in class. Marty is so very proud of me.  My teacher cheered and gave us lots of praise.

I knew that I could do the weaves in class and today I proved it in front of my whole class.

Then our class moved to the next training area.  Today the training room was divided right down the middle so our course was 120' x 45'.  Lots of running.  The 2nd training area had no weaves but it had the A-frame and the teeter.  I love to do both of those pieces of equipment.  Some of my class were amazed that I can do the A-frame at full height - the height the biggest dogs run.  Don't lower the A-frame for me because I am strong and fast and can do it at full height even at the end of a long course.

We had such a good day at agility.

Oh I forgot to mention, River the golden retriever that used to be in class with Whispy and Pin, turned 16 today.  Image.....16 years old!!  Marty made a present for River's mom in a community ed class on Monday.  It was a zentangle shrink art necklace with River and Rae, the baby golden, names on little tags and zentangle designs.  It was really neat.

What a good day we all had despite the cold rainy weather.

Rainy died today

This week has been very hard on Marty.  She took Whispy and me to agility on Wednesday but we had to hurry home so she could take care of Rainy.  A week and a half before Marty found two enlarged lymph nodes near Rainy's jaw, she said they were the size of a grape.  She was very sad.

Rainy's chiropractor came that evening and she noticed the two enlarged lymph nodes though they hadn't changed in size since Marty found them

I ran really well at my private lesson on Thursday.  I even did the weave poles out in the big training area.  First I did just the weaves and then Marty had me do a course and the weaves were in that course...I did them :D  Marty was so proud.  I ran a couple more courses and the our time was over.

Friday Marty took Rainy to her vet.  The lymph nodes had not changed in size.  Because predisone hadn't worked to shrink the lymph nodes back in February, Rainy's vet said he would not put her on it.  Marty was told that Rainy was now in palliative care and they came home.

Marty was doing the dishes and I heard her crying.  She had just bake salmon for Rainy and was getting Rainy's dinner ready.  Rainy was lying in bed and Marty fed her there also bringing her her water dish.  Rainy has a lot of trouble walking now.  She can't walk by herself any more.

We had a great weekend.  Marty stayed close, worked on laundry, cooked us good food while us Chihuahuas ran and played.  Whispy washed Rainy's face and Twig washed behind each of Rainy's ears.  Marty went to McDonald's and got a big breakfast with hot cakes.  Rainy got to eat most of it.  Lucky dog.  Rainy looked so happy.

Sunday night just as Marty was turning out the light Rainy decided it was time to chew on her bone.  She chewed and chewed.  She must have chewed for at least one half hour before falling back exhausted.  Marty turned off the light, patted each of us telling us good night and that she loved us.  A while later Rainy started panting very hard.  Marty turned on the tower fan but that didn't help so she got 2 tramadol and gave them to Rainy.  Rainy went to sleep shortly afterwards.

In the morning Marty talked to Rainy's vet telling him that Rainy needed tramadol for pain.  He talked to her about dosage and frequency. Rainy started panting and crying quietly.  Marty gave Rainy more tramadol and after two hours when there was no change change she put in a call to her vet.  Her vet talked with Marty and had her give Rainy 60mg quellin and told her if that didn't help in two hours to take Rainy to the emergency vet.  Rainy started to vocalize as is bark/howling.  Marty called the emergency clinic and they left immediately.

When they got home Rainy was having a lot of trouble staying on her feet despite Marty holding her up by the handle on her harness.  Marty got Rainy into bed and soon followed.  They both slept about 5 hours when Rainy woke panting and vocalizing again.

At 730a this morning Marty took Rainy.  She had told Rainy they were going to see Dr. Baker and Rainy got really happy.  Marty had tried to feed Rainy but she wanted no food at all so Marty had to put the medications down the back of her throat. They  got to the vet office an hour early, before Dr. Baker arrived, and Rainy lay on the lawn watching the morning, enjoying sniffing the air, hearing the wind whisper through the tree leaves, feeling the coolness of the morning.

Dr. Baker arrived and Marty told him it was time. 

Marty came home this morning without Rainy and she cried and cried.  Marty went back to bed and cried some more.

I don't know what to do to help Marty.  I don't know where Rainy is or went all I know is that Marty took Rainy's bedding off her bed, tossed on a clean quilt and crawled under it.  Poor Marty

Hope we go to agility tomorrow.

I am amazing!

On Wednesday September 28th Whispy and I went to class.  I know I frustrated the hell out of Marty.  She would set me up at the start, lead out and tell me "Free!" which is my word to start the course, usually jumping the jump directly in front of me.  Well for the second week in a row I decided that when Marty said "Free!"  I would hold my sit.  I would watch her try to get me to move, to start the course.  Marty would wave her arms and ask me if I could see her.  DUH!!  Marty would turn her back on me and run off.  So what!  Marty would return to look at me.  I could see the total frustration on her face.  She would reach in her pocket and pull out my baggie of treats and of course I would do the jump and we would do the entire course.

Marty's teacher on this most recent Wednesday told her not to do that any more.  That she was "baiting" me and Marty said that she knew that but couldn't figure out how to get me moving.  Jacque suggested that Marty should just run off and far away from me.  It didn't work.  I just sat and watched Marty run off.

Finally I decided to do the course.  All went fine until I got to the top of the A-Frame.  I decided to just stand there.  Again, Marty waved her arms, turned and ran away and I just stood there, on the top of the A-Frame, looking over "my kingdom".  Marty put a treat at the bottom of the A-Frame and I ran down to eat that and finish the course. 

Jacque suggested that she come up behind me, well along side the A-Frame while I was standing on it and see if that got me moving.  If not, then she would touch me and Marty and Jacque started laughing, knowing that I would certainly run down the A-Frame like I was on fire. 

I went up the A-Frame, saw Jacque out of the corner of my eye approaching from behind and to the side and decided to run down the A-Frame and finish the course.


Thursday September 29th I had a private lesson.  I started out doing 2 sets of 6 weaves with space in between the sets. I was great going 1 direction and missing poles going the other direction.  Finally I got them all and the spacing was removed.  I had the same trouble the first couple times but finally I was able to do all 12 going either direction AND finding the start correctly from different angles.

While I was working on my weaves, Janet and her doggie Shimmer were working a course in the training area right next to me.  I focused on what I had to do and didn't pay any heed to Shimmer or Janet.  I am AMAZING!!!

Marty was so proud of me!

We then moved to the training area where Janet and Shimmer had been.  Shimmer was once again crated so I was the only dog in the entire training facility.  Marty told Janet about my starts and standing on top of the A-Frame.  Janet suggested, after watching Marty try to get me to start the course...I just sat there looking at her, that Marty just continue running the course with an "invisible" dog.  Well when I saw Marty out there doing the course without me I ran to catch up.  She can't to that!  I am her dog.  I run agility with Marty! 

The next time I was waiting to start and Marty led out, turned and told me "Free!" I ran right away to begin and run my agility course with Marty.

I Did It!!!

I am a few days late in writing. 

Wednesday Whispy and went to class.  In one of the training areas the weaves were set up but Marty didn't make me even try.  I did most excellent in all the courses I ran.  Marty had some trouble with positioning and due to that I had to re-do a section several times until she got her foot work right.  That Marty!

On Thursday I had a private lesson.  I had heard Marty and our teacher, Janet, talking and I knew that I would be doing 2 sets of 6 weave poles out in the big training area.  There was a lady with two big dogs having a private lesson in part of the training room but because her dogs were noisy, as in barking, Marty waited until they finished rather than have me stress out.

Janet divided the weaves.  They were set up parallel to the open overhead garage door.  My first try I didn't even enter the weaves.  Marty walked me down to the opposite end and told me "Get 'em!" which is my cue to enter the weaves properly and begin weaving.  I did!  I did the first six with no problems but had trouble with the 2nd set of 6 poles.  We started over and this time I did both sets perfectly. 

Janet moved the weaves closer together and I did it perfectly again!  I did both sets a few more times then the gap between the sets was removed and....I  DID  IT!!!  Yes I did!  I did all 12 weave poles with no extra spacing and I was fast like I had been when in the way back training area.    I am very proud of myself.

Marty took me to McDonald's and I got a special treat for doing so well.

Next week during my private lesson, I will once again be working on doing my weaves out in the big training area only this time Janet will have her agility dog and they will be working quietly in another training area as a distraction for me.  I hope to do as well then as I did this time.  I can't wait to try.

Private Lesson was great!

I had another private lesson on Thursday 9/1.  I am still working on getting my confidence up to do my weaves in the big training area during class.  This lesson we started out in the little training area next to the big training areas.  The overhead door was open - fully screened with white lattice paneling to keep the dogs from running out. 

Janet, my teacher, divided the weaves into 2 sets of 6 with a spacing between. I did better running with my back to the screen door the first time out.  Then I figured out that I could weave toward the screen door.  It only took a few runs before I was doing all 12 weaves with no extra spacing.  Marty was very proud of me.

We moved to the really big training area that I ran in the day before, the one with the weave poles.  I was relieved when I got to run the same course I had already run minus the weaves.  It was really fun.

Then we moved up to the other training area that had the tunnels and A-frame.  Marty talked with Janet, telling her of her handling problems that caused me to run back out of the tunnel.  Janet suggested another way for Marty to move that wouldn't "pull" me out of the tunnel.  Marty listened then did as Janet suggested and it worked! I did that 19 obstacle course with no distractions this time. I did it perfectly!

Janet then talked with Marty about the next course which we would run without using numbers just Marty remembering what to do.  I did that perfectly too.  It is so much fun when I get to run fast and way out ahead of Marty.  All she has to do is tell me and off I go.  I know the names of the different pieces of equipment and with her support I can do it correctly.

Marty set up 3 more private classes on Thursdays.  I know that Marty is hoping that by the 2nd private I will be able to try the weaves in the big training area.  Then on the 3rd private lesson day I heard Janet tell Marty that while I am doing my weaves and the course that Marty and I will be doing, Janet will have her agility dog Shimmer doing a course in the other training area.  With Janet and Shimmer working in the other training area it will be my first really big distractions.  Marty and Janet want to be confident that I can do my weaves with that kind of distraction.  Shimmer and I will be the only dogs in the building.

I was so tired, mentally and physically, when Marty and I left.  I had my drink of water then slept all the way home.  

Masters Agility class was hard!

On Wednesday, 8/31 I was in Whispy's masters agility class for the first time.  It was hard!

In my previous classes I did the most obstacles but never ran a full course.  I was way ahead of the other dogs in that class as we were all learning agility.

In my private classes I've run full courses but I am the only dog in the building so I can concentrate as there are no distractions or things/dogs to scare me.

There were 19 obstacles in the first course I ran.  I so love the tunnels and we got to do 3 tunnels in that course plus the A-frame.  There were dogs in the other training area running their courses and lots of people with their dogs sitting on the side lines.  It was noisy with a lot of motion.  I am the only dog in that training area running the course.  Marty is there to give directions of course and the teacher is also in the training area watching both Marty and me.

 The bars were set at 8" for Whispy and a sheltie.  Then the bars went up to 20" to give Marty a rest while those dogs ran.  The bars went down to 16", then 12" and finally down to 6" and it was my turn.

I tried to do what Marty wanted me to do but when I got down to the far end the huge overhead doors were open .... the opening is completely screened to keep the bugs out and there are white lattice panels keeping us dogs in the training area.  Beyond the screen is a parking lot, a pond with tall cat tails and ducks.  There are noises and smells coming through the screen that I hadn't smelled before.  When the course took me close to the screen I looked out and forgot that I was doing agility.  Marty had to call me several times to get me to come back to her and get back on course, literally.

The teacher talked to Marty when I was finished about her positioning as she sent me into one end of the tunnel and her turning to move to the next tunnel so when I came out I would know if I was to do that tunnel or the dog walk.  Marty was stopping then turning as I went into the first tunnel.  I could see her as I went into the tunnel and I came back out because I thought that is what she wanted. 

We did 3 courses in that training area then we moved to the bigger training area.  In that second training area there were weave poles.  Marty didn't even ask me to do them.  She and other other handler changed the course slightly so that we avoided the weaves all together.  That was nice.

The training area was cool with the outside temps in the mid 70's and the over head doors open.  I still got hot from running so hard.

When we got into the van to drive home, Marty gave Whispy and me some water then we went and got a mango pineapple smoothie which we drank until Whispy and I were shivering.  Whispy and me both went to sleep and slept all the way home.  It was a hard class.

Blazing Fast!!!

Today was my last day of Intermediate Novice Class.  My teacher is really good.  She has Marty practicing different moves to get me in position and moving faster toward obstacles.  Next week we don't have agility because of an all day seminar but we will start back the following week.

Marty thought she had signed me up for my Intermediate Novice Class but when the class list was checked our names weren't there.  Oh what to do!  Then Marty asked if there were any openings in Whispy's class and was told yes but that she needed permission from our current instructor to move up to that class.  Without hesitation my instructor said yes, that I was far advanced compared to most of the other dogs in class.  She reminded Marty that before we started this block of lessons she thought we should move up.  Well it is now done!

Starting 8/31/16 I will be running with the "big dogs" the ones in a Masters Agility Class and I couldn't be prouder.

Today the weather was cool compared to last week and I felt squirrely. I ran each course correctly the first time.  When Marty wanted me to do it again from the top or to try some other part of the course I started out alright and then I ran off to do my own thing like running through the tunnel even though I wasn't told to do so.  I would run past Marty laughing.  I ran around and really enjoyed myself.  Marty just laughed, raising her arms in the air and shaking her head in disbelief.  She told me it was alright, that I am a puppy and I can do that every now and then.  I guess today was that day.

The last thing my instructor had us do was have Marty send me about 12-15' to the tunnel.  While I was doing that Marty was to turn and run past the next two jumps headed for the teeter.  Marty sent me to the tunnel and I ran fast.  When I came out of the tunnel Marty was running away indicating the jumps she passed.  I ran as fast as I have ever run in my life trying to and finally catching up to her as she neared the teeter.  I raced up the teeter to the end, riding it to the ground.  I got lots and lots of treats.

My instructor was clapping when I finished.  She said she had never seen me run that fast, that I was only a little blur.

Today was a most wonderful day, my last day in the Intermediate Novice Class.

Agility was really fun today!

The morning started off hot and sticky.  We left for agility at 0835am and Marty stopped to get a cold unsweetened ice tea, then we were on our way.

Marty had lined our crate in the van, just before we jumped in, with a cold wet cooling cloth.  When we got to agility she put another cooling pad in the crate that she sets on the tall table where I wait while Whispy runs her class and then Whispy waits while I am running in mine.

Whispy was really funny today.  In the first course she had to do some jumps then tunnel tunnel.  The second tunnel was set up along side the dog walk.  When Marty sent Whispy through the first tunnel she got in front of the dog walk and with a lowered left hand indicated the second tunnel.  Whispy came flying through the first tunnel as Marty was saying, "Tunnel!" "Tunnel!" but Whispy was determined to do the dog walk and actually ran into Marty's hand.  Everyone in the class started laughing.  Whispy had never been so intent on doing anything like that before and running into Marty.

Then it was my turn.  My teacher set up extra jumps and things for me to do that the other dogs were not going to be doing.  Marty says it's because I listen so well and do what she asks of me.  I so love to run and jump!  I got to do lots of jumps today, A-Frames, tunnels and even the teeter.  I will not be doing weave poles in class until I am doing them with confidence again out in the big training area during my private classes.  That's okay because the other dogs in my class aren't doing the weave poles either at this point.  Class was so much fun today with all the extra stuff I got to do.

Marty carried Whispy and me out to the van so we didn't burn our feet on the hot asphalt.  If I thought it was hot in the unairconditioned training center then I was greatly mistaken.  The air was thick and it sucked the air out of us...well not literally, but it made breathing harder.

We drank our water as Marty drove.  She got us a small strawberry banana smoothie.  Whispy and I shared and it tasted to cold and good.  We weren't pigs though, we left a little at the bottom, that neither of us could reach, for Marty.

When we got home Rainy was lying on the floor of the bedroom.  Seems she tried to get off the bed safely and didn't make it.  Marty had to wash the urine from her dog fur.  After Rainy went outside, Marty helped her back onto the bed.

Today Rainy has again improved.  When she went out this morning she actually noticed and alerted to a squirrel on the potting shed roof.  She hasn't done that since 7/22.  She played with me and Whispy too.  Then I went and got Rainy's new plushie which I'd taken to my crate and brought it up on the bed for Rainy to play with, she did.  Rainy let Whispy wash her face.  But the best thing Rainy did today was that she safely got off the bed by herself, walked to the kitchen and got a drink, then returned to the bed and got up all by herself with no help from Marty who was on the computer at the time.  She hasn't done that since 7/22 either.

All in all today was a really good day!

Today was a good day for Rainy

Before I start about the good day Rainy had, I need to update my weave pole practice.

On 7/26 I had a private lesson and we started out in the small training area and I aced my weaves!  I practiced for about 15 minutes before we moved to the big training area.  I was tired by this time and though I did everything Marty asked of me, I did knock down a record TWO bars!

I will not be doing weaves in my regular agility class until I can do them out in the big area several times during private lessons.  I will have my next private lesson on 8/4.

Now to Rainy.

On Friday 7/22 Rainy had to be rushed to our vet at 0830AM even before they opened because she struggled during the night to breathe.  This came on very suddenly during the night.

Our vet diagnosed Rainy with an infection in her left lung because of what he heard when he listened to her chest.  He did not hear any problems with her heart.  Marty brought Rainy home after she got a shot of an antibiotic and some of the same in pills.
Oh and because Rainy's nose was all clogged she got a giant can of nasal saline spray.

Rainy rested all that day but after she came in from outside her saliva was pink so Marty had to rush Rainy back to our vet.  Rainy by this time couldn't walk and was struggling to breathe.  Rainy got some IV fluids and Marty had to pick her back up at 545p because there is no overnight help.  Marty took Rainy up to the emergency vet.

At the emergency vet chest x-rays were done and it showed not only fluid in Rainy's left lung but fluid all around her lungs and heart.  Her heart was enlarged. Rainy had to stay in an oxygen thingy.  IV's were started on her too.

Marty went to visit Rainy on Saturday but didn't visit long because seeing Marty made Rainy breathe hard because she was so happy but weak.

Rainy had more x-rays of her heart and an ultrasound which was read by their cardiologist.  The cardiologist said that Rainy had dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) which is prevalent in Dobies, it seems.

Rainy came home on Monday and she was not only weak and couldn't walk without Marty holding her up but because the hospital didn't feed her the Rx food Marty sent along but rather a whole can of some dog food, Rainy had severe diarrhea.

Marty has done lots and lots of laundry because Rainy had many accidents on the bed.


Slowly Rainy is improving.  Today was her best day since the DCM diagnosis.    Rainy can now get off the bed without falling, can walk to the kitchen to drink, then walk unsupported outside.  She is still collapsing after she takes care of her business and Marty had to go outside and lift her back onto her feet.

Yesterday Marty gave Rainy a new plushie and she played for a few minutes.  I went and got the tiny elephant plushie and brought it up on the bed so I could play next to Rainy.  She took it away from me!  She played a few more times yesterday with the plushies.

Today Rainy did all of things she did yesterday but she is now sleeping like she used to, running and making noise while she is asleep.  She even did "trash dog" for Marty one time.  Her lungs sound clear and she looks bright eyed again.  I even played with Rainy for a little while this morning.  That felt good.

I hope Rainy sleeps though the night tonight.  Each night she wakes less and less.  As she is able to get off the bed by herself she is able to go get a drink of water when she needs to and only wakes Marty on her return so Marty to help her get back up on the bed.

Marty said that the DCM will shorten Rainy's life even more than the cancer.  This makes me sad but I am happy she is doing well now.

Private lesson July 7th

My private lesson went pretty well, all in all.  I started off practicing the weave poles.  We had to break them down to sets of two because gosh I just can't remember.  I can't practice these things at home so I am sure that Marty gets frustrated with me, but she stays upbeat and cheers when I do it right.  Then I get my yummy treats.

Then we went on to work on some "courses" in that training area.  Here is some of what I did:

Marty says that I am so fast that the cell phone has trouble keeping up with me so many times I am just a blur.

I had so much fun!  I got to do the teeter, A-Frame, weaves, tunnels and lots of jumps.  I am learning new directional words too like "behind" which means go to the back side of the jump and jump toward Marty not away from her like I usually do when she says "jump" or "out".

Novice Class today

 Whispy and I nearly didn't go to class today.  There was a big storm last night and we lost power.  Rainy was very upset and panted and panted.  That stress is not good for her with her being so sick with cancer. Having the house silent and dark wasn't a problem to us Chihuahuas.  Marty went and got some flash lights, she had to drive through the storm to get them and came home drenched to her skin.  She got the lights working, put new batteries into some motion sensor lights and all of this helped Rainy calm down and eventually go to sleep.  The house had gotten hot so Marty opened the window by her bed and I sat looking out at the changing colors of the sky and the drips of water running down the window screen.  The storm was over, at least for that night.  Marty was very very tired this morning, there were big branches down in the back yard - she would find the big lamp post in the front yard had fallen over and broken but that was after we'd gotten home.

Marty's neighbor Ron was out gathering fallen branches from his yard and placing them on his driveway when Marty suggested that because his city boulevard tree had split and the city was going to have to come to cut and haul it away, that he might as well add his other downed limbs to that tree.  He agreed.  Marty asked him if he would take her fallen branches to his boulevard and he did.  We then headed out for class.  I was happy we were finally heading to class.

WOW!  I had a blast at agility today.  Marty runs Whispy in the class before mine and gets to see and run the various courses.  They looked like they were having a lot of fun.  Marty's teacher had her try some different moves to get into a better position to "pick up" Whispy from the previous jump.  "Pick up" isn't literal, Marty has to get into a position to reach back or to the side to help direct Whispy from the previous jump or obstacle.

When it was my turn I couldn't wait, but I had to because they started with the tallest to smallest dogs.  We sat and sat.  Then eventually it was my turn and I did everything that Marty asked of me and I ran fast and happy.  We worked in 3 different training areas and except for the weaves in the one training area I did everything beautifully.  I even gave Marty the opportunity to "run" fast so I could do some jumps after the tunnel that the other dogs never got to.  I know Marty is very proud of me.

On the way home we stopped at Dairy Queen, that was a first, and Marty shared her triple berry Julius with Whispy and me.  It was cold, sweet and tasted so good.  We got as much as we wanted...I was even shivering before Marty closed our crate door for us to settle down and sleep on the long trip home.

In the different courses I ran today I did: jumps, A-Frame, teeter, tire, table, and many tunnels.  Tomorrow in my private class I will again work on my self confidence doing the weaves.  I know I know how to do them in the small training area but I have trouble out in the big training area.  I know I will work past that, I know Marty hopes it is soon.

It was a wonderful day!

June 4-5 Bittersweet

I don't think I've taken the time to explain June 4-5.  Saturday began like any other day.  We all had breakfast: Rainy, Whispy, Twig, Pinny and me .... oh and the two parrots ate too.  Marty did some chores then she set up two chutes that she made by using child size tunnels with 6' of rip stop nylon attached to one end of each tunnel forming a chute like we use in agility only much smaller.  Marty had made a chute for me like that earlier in the week only the nylon instead of forming a long tubular tunnel was just a flap over one of the ends I had to push though.  I got really good at that.

That Saturday Marty made two chutes, one to go into the bird room where Marty sits at her computer and the 2nd chute to go back into Marty's bedroom.  Marty called all us Chihuahuas and one by one we each ran through the first chute to get to Marty.  We each got a piece of kibble.  I was the last one through because I was worried.

Marty sent us out of the room through the other chute tossing us each a piece of kibble.  Then we turned around and ran back through the first chute to get more kibble.  It was so much fun!  I'd never seen Pinny have so much fun before, usually she was bossing someone around. We ran thru one chute then back thru the other so fast chasing each other.  Marty said that she could hear us giggling with joy.

When Marty ran out of the 1/8 cup of kibble she used for treats we had to stop running through the chutes.  Boy was it fun though.

Then the day continued like normal.  We ate dinner and watched some TV.  Marty went to bed at 10p and that is when Pin did something odd.  She got up on the top of the phone book steps next to Marty's bed and lay down, she didn't ask Rainy's permission and Rainy didn't growl at her.  That was very unusual. Marty asked Pinny if she was alright and Pinny wagged her tail then put her head down as if to sleep. This was very strange.  Then without asking Pinny got up on the bed and lay down on Rainy's comforter next to Rainy, Rainy didn't growl at her for doing that.  Marty covered Pinny with the comforter then lay back and fell asleep.  Later Marty would say that Pinny felt cold to the touch although she wasn't shivering. Because of Rainy's cancer Rainy needs the house colder with the A/C on and a fan blowing on her....it's a bit chilly for the rest of us but we have blankets with which we can cover ourselves.

After a bit Pinny snuggled in next to Marty and was covered with a down quilt tucked in close to Marty's side.  A while went by when Marty suddenly woke complaining about a terrible smell.  She got out of bed, got some paper towel and wiped up the liquid Pinny left in the bed.  It was clear but light pink.  Marty thought it was a UTI and told Pinny she would take her to the hospital in the morning.  Marty left the room and Pinny got off the bed.

Oh the next part was horrible.  Pinny had two large "accidents" of all blood, then she vomited clear and frothy stuff with bubbles,had another large blood accident then went to the couch and had still another blood accident.  Marty called the emergency clinic to let them know she was bringing Pinny in telling them quickly of the large blood puddles and Pinny being in shock.  Then Marty scooped Pinny up into some blankets and left the house in a hurry.  About 2 hours later Marty came home without Pinny and Marty sobbed and sobbed.  Pinny had died shortly after getting to the hospital.  She had bled to death.

Pinny was 8 years old, she lived here 6 years.  She ran agility until just before she beat up Cally, Rainy's mom.  Cally died 5 months after Pin hurt her.

Marty said that Pinny arrived with no socialization at the age of 2 years, wasn't housebroken and attacked Rainy and Cally.  Pinny was sassy to Marty.  If Marty caught Pinny doing something wrong she would tell Pinny to go to her house (crate).  Pinny would lower her body posture, raise her hackles and turn her head growling at Marty all the way to her house.  Pinny also bossed us other Chihuahuas around.  Rainy would have none of it and made Pin ask to get up on the bed. If Pin got on the bed without Rain's permission, Rainy would "roar" at her....that is real scary looking and sounding when Rain "roars".  Marty thinks that Rainy probably saved Cally when Pinny hurt her so badly because Pinny was more afraid when Rainy growled at her for trying to get on the bed before asking permission.

It is very sad that Pin is gone but us dogs and even Marty are happier and more relaxed.  We don't have to worry about who Pin would target next and Marty doesn't have to protect any of us any more from Pinny's sudden attacks.  Marty caught Pinny one time running after Rainy and actually biting Rainy's heels as Rainy walked down the hallway to get a drink of water.

Rainy had to go to our regular vet two days later for blood work and Marty talked to our vet about Pinny.  He'd gotten the medical report from the emergency clinic.  He thought that because Pinny had always eaten dog poo, had had intestinal problems since she arrived, that Marty helped Pinny with using TellingtonTTouch, most probably Pinny developed a severe infection of her small intestine which caused the bleeding and her sudden death. 

That last Saturday when we ran in and out through the chutes, all us Chihuahuas having so much fun, is my most favorite time and memory of Pinny.  I am glad that we had such a fun day.

Where does the time go

Well it's been a while since I last wrote.  I've been going to my novice agility classes and also had some private lessons.

One morning during class I did my first "fly off".  I started the course just fine, paying close attention to Marty and her directions but I didn't listen when she said "Teeter".  I just ran up the thing thinking .....well who knows what I was thinking...I was running full tilt when suddenly I was flying through the air.  I wasn't on the dog walk which has a plank that goes down to the ground.  I landed on the training floor, thank heavens it is totally covered with a mat but I landed hard.  I squeaked out of sheer surprise and jumped back up on my feet.  I limped a few steps as I checked myself over.  Marty was very encouraging, she didn't baby me with "Oh my!  My poor baby"...you know that kind of stuff that would make anyone afraid they were hurt.  Marty just started me at the beginning of the course and this time when she said "teeter" I ran out to the end and STOPPED! I rode the teeter to the ground like I should have done.  I got lots and lots of treats and that made me very happy.

This is a picture of me on the teeter

the other end of the teeter is off the floor as I am riding the teeter down to the ground.  Even at this point, nearly horizontal to the ground, I am still way up in the air.

At my next private lesson I decided that I didn't want to do the teeter any more and we had to work on it until I felt brave enough to go running out to the end.  The treats I get are wonderful.

I love doing the weave poles and I am very fast....in the smaller training room that is.

On my first private lesson out in the big training area I had no problems doing the weaves, finding the opening (the proper way to start the weaves) and worked at a distance from Marty.  But that was the last time because in class the weaves were set up next to the lattice divider between the area we were working in and the next training area where another class was being held.  Directly on the other side of the lattice divider, parallel with the weaves I was doing was a tunnel and I got scared when it began to move because a big dog was running through the tunnel as I was trying to weave.  It scared me a lot.

Marty is working with me during the private lessons to get me to be more confident about doing all 12 weave poles.  Last private lesson I did 10 before stopping.  I know I will be able to weave all 12 poles again, I just need more practice.

I love the dog walk

I love the A-Frame

I even love tunnels now

6/17/16
I had a private lesson in both the small training area and the big one.  I am having trouble doing my weaves now and I can't figure out why.  Back in the small training area I am a wiz doing the weaves but when we get out to the big area I seem to have a mental block.

Marty told me it is okay, that we will continue with private lessons working in both training areas so that I become as confident in the big training area a I am in the small one.  She told me that dogs do not "generalize" and I am beginning to understand what she means when she says that.  When I go out to the big training area it is as if I'd never seen the weaves before.  They are never in the same place like they are in the small training area.  I get frustrated but Marty keeps encouraging me and giving me treats when I try.  I know that I will be able to do the weaves correctly out in the big training area again.

I say again because during my first private lesson out in the big training area, I was the only dog there. The weaves were set up along the south end by the lattice rails.  Not only did I do them correctly every time but I could enter them from a distance correctly and from the weaves run about 20' into a tunnel way ahead of Marty.  I did real good that day.

The next time I did the weave poles in the big training area it was during my Foundations 3 class.  The training area was filled with dogs, running and doing their agility courses in separate training areas and there was lots of barking.  It was so noisy I got nervous.  The weaves were set up along the lattice divider between training areas and directly on the other side was a tunnel.  When I was trying to do my weaves a big dog was racing through the tunnel.  I could see the tunnel moving and hear the dog running through it. I could see the tunnel under the lower bar that held the lattice and I didn't even had to bend my head down.  This scared me and I've had trouble with weaves out in the big area ever since.

I had a wonderful private lesson.  I ran fast and happy.  For the most part I followed Marty's directions.  I got to do jumps, teeter, A-Frame, dog walk, table and whole bunch of jumps.  I even practice the chute in the small training area before doing it in the big training area. It was so much FUN!!!  Now I know why Whispy loves it so.  Whispy looked so disappointed when we left the house because it was my lesson and she wasn't included...poor Whispy.

1st day of Novice agility

Whispy had class before my class.  Marty put me in a small crate on top of a high table so I could watch.  I watched until Marty and Whispy left for the far end of the training area.  I started to cry and Marty came back and covered the crate.  I lay down and went to sleep. When Marty and Whispy came to the training area by me she uncovered the crate so I could watch.  I watched not saying anything. Whispy was fast and they looked like they were having a lot of fun.

When it was my turn, Marty put Whispy in the crate where Whispy went to sleep.  Our class started out at the far end of the training center. It had two tunnels, a table, an A-Frame, a dog walk and lots of jumps.  Everything is numbered.  I sat on a chair waiting for Marty to walk the course so she would know how we were going to run the course.

It started with a tunnel to a jump to another tunnel set up under the A-Frame to the table then up and over the A-Frame....I did it right and didn't run back into the tunnel.  Then out to a couple jumps back over the A-Frame to a tight turn into the tunnel and then some more jumps to the dog walk.  It was so much fun!

We got to do it twice so Marty could work on sending me from a further distance in different places.  I did good!

We did a second marked course there and I did equally well.

Then we moved to the south adjoining training area, unlike the first training area which was a slim rectangle, this training area was more square.  It was really tricky!  I had to pay attention.  I ran it one time doing pretty good. Then while Marty was getting some instruction on how to better do the course, I was supposed to be waiting, I ran up the teeter without permission.  I was so pleased with myself but when the teeter came to a stop I didn't get a treat and Marty told me I was not to do that on my own.  I love teeters!

I ran the course again and this time Marty and I did it perfect.  I even got my treat as I rode the teeter to the ground.

I didn't know any of the doggies or their people but Marty knew some of the people as they were running young dogs like me, new to agility.  I had a lot of fun and I want to go again.  Whispy and I slept all the way home.  Today was a good day.

Tomorrow I am going to have a private lesson in the afternoon.  I need to practice my weaves and I need to do the chutes that they have at the training center because they are bigger and the nylon is heavier than the chutes Marty has for me at home. I was afraid of the chutes at the training center but I love the chutes Marty lets me use at home.

I want to brag about Whispy

Whispy is my "mom" here.  She tells me the rules and scolds me when I do wrong.  She plays with me and she washes my face.  I sometimes sleep next to Whispy when she is in Marty's bed.  Most times though Whispy likes to sleep out the the couch by herself.

Whispy is a neat dog.  She was the first dog that Marty trained from her electric wheelchair.

Her wheelchair was very fast.  It could go 8 . 5 MPH!

Whispy was a year old before she went to her first formal obedience class with Marty. Marty was so afraid she would squish Whispy that she hung a piece of plexiglass down the left (non joystick side) to prevent Whispy from going between the wheels.  Then she hooked Whispy's leash to a rod that she held under her left leg.  That rod kept Whispy out away from the wheelchair.

Some of Whispy's training was done while Marty sat on the couch next to Whispy.  It was too hard for Marty to teach Whispy to "sit" and "down" if Whispy was on the floor.

Whispy told me that one day Marty got down on the floor and looked at her wheelchair to see what Whispy was seeing.  After Rainy helped Marty back up from the floor, Marty took down the plexiglass panel and from then on if Whispy had to be on leash, Marty would hold the leash in her left hand.

Whispy went to a couple training schools.  First was Canine Coach, C&E Dog Training, Stone Mountain where they trained outside and at the UofM livestock area in the winter and then where we are training now at On the Run Canine Training Center.

Here are some photos taken of Whispy as she learned in the different training schools:

                                    C&E Dog Training

                                                  Whispy doing the A-Frame

Whispy jumping 4"

Whispy doing the tunnel

                                             
                                               Whispy doing the weaves

Whispy coming out the chute

Whispy wore a mesh vest because Marty could put her fingers under the upper back of the vest to lift Whispy up on the wheelchair.  There is also a "D" ring on the vest to which Marty clipped a leash that went behind Marty's neck and back down her chest - it was Whispy's seat belt so she didn't fall off as Marty zoomed along or had to open doors to go through safely.

                            These photos are of Whispy at Stone Mountain:

                                     Here is Whispy coming out the tunnel

                                                   Whispy jumping 8"

Whispy doing the dog walk

Uof M Livestock arena as a part of Stone Mountain

Whispy racing along side wheelchair after jumping 8" 

 Whispy coming out a tunnel

Whispy running with the wheelchair

Here is Whispy at On the Run Canine Training Center

Running through the tunnel

Whispy was in a UKI (United Kingdom International) agility match

These photos were taken during that match

I get inspired watching Whispy run agility courses.  Now that Marty doesn't use a wheelchair and has learned to walk again Whispy is learning to watch Marty's right hand that used to run the joystick on the wheelchair.  Marty used to have to use verbal commands to get Whispy to move to the joystick side of the wheelchair and do the equipment (jumps, tunnel, chute, dog walk, A-Frame, weave poles, tire, teeter) by voice command only when she worked on Marty's right hand side.

Whispy is a fast learner and she really likes that Marty can now do the courses on her own two feet.  Whispy is faster and happier than I have ever seen her.

Marty takes Masters Classes with Whispy and she was really good with her wheelchair.  Without her wheelchair Marty had to start at square 1, that is why she got me, Cricket, so we could learn agility together with Marty using her feet.  Marty is learning hand signals using both hands, body positioning and how it affects the dog, turning, pivoting, side stepping etc things that weren't for the most part possible with a wheelchair.  I am having a lot of fun learning with Marty.

I already know that I am way faster than Whispy and I am already able to work at distance.