Still Growing

Our little Dragon Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari) is growing like a weed. I'm still amazed I haven't killed it yet. Sometimes I assume I have and forget it's still sitting in the window...this could very well be why my other plants have died.

Leafy in his new, bigger container.

Here is a picture of what our little Leafy will look like when he grows up. Pretty cool huh?

Previous posts on Leafy:

Post 1

Post 2

Violet's Session

Last night Violet and I had what I can only describe to be the best training session ever!

It wasn't so much that all the exercises went well, some were down right awful. But the energy was AMAZING!

I decided to work on V's confident with the articles. Before now I had been praising when she got to the right article. I noticed she was relying on my praise as a cue to pick it up. Last night I sent her and she worked the pile with enthusiasm until she got to the right article. She sniffed it, put her mouth on it then turned to look at me. I asked her again to "Find it" and she worked the whole pile over once more ending at the right article. She sniffed it looked at me and sniffed it again. I could she that she was almost ready to shut down so I decided to tell her what I wanted. She brought the dumbbell back and we took off around the room playing chase and tag.
I set it up and sent her again. This time after searching the pile she only hesitated for half a second before trotting briskly back to me with the correct dumbbell in tow. We took off again for a few minutes of play.

Go outs were a disaster but hey no need to stop the party. I got a little improvement and back to tag and chase.

By the time we got to signals and heeling Violet was literally jumping for joy. She was so engaged and enthusiastic it blew me away. I'm sure my enthusiasm and engagement blew her away too.

I'm pretty sure we both left the session exhausted and thinking "that bitch has been holding out on me!"

Sorry no pictures or video I was busy playing :)

Phlox's Session

For some reason I thought it would be a great idea to head out side for some training. I must have had a mild case of amnesia because I forgot we live in Houston. It's 93 degrees and sunny.

We had a little fun and I introduced him to the broad jump. I wanted my husband to film it but the kids were not cooperating and did I mention it was HOT!

These are the clips I managed to get myself.

This one was filmed at the end of our session and we both just wanted to go inside and get something to drink. It's been over a year since he was on a table so he was not on top of his game.

After a good drink we practiced or conformation skills inside. I think we have both improved a lot in the last few months. I'll have him back in the ring in the fall.

Meetings and Mayhem

My obedience clubs annual meeting took place today. Even though I have been a member for several years this was my first time attending.
It was your typical meeting with financial reviews, voting for officers and discussing upcoming events. The club is putting on a show and go at the end of this month and they asked for a volunteer to take charge of the rally ring. Designing the courses, answering questions, setting up and taking them down. I jumped at the chance since I am more than half way to qualifying to be a rally judge and this will be great practice.
I'm hoping to incorporate as many new rally signs for each level as possible.  I'll also be re reading the rules and regulations just to make sure I can answer any questions that come up.

During the middle of the meeting my husband called to tell me that my cars engine had seized. We had to leave to go pick him up and get my car towed home. The poor thing is absolutely dead with no hope of recovery.
This is my second Volvo station wagon that has died this way. They are great cars for dogs and large families but I'm sick of replacing them. I'm thinking of trying a small SUV next maybe a Pilot, Rav4 or older CRV. 

On a totally unrelated note we were given a swimming pool. It's 18x4' my son thinks it's for him but I plan on using it to get Violet back into shape. It will be good exercise for every one in the family.