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Saturday, February 12, 2011

There Will Be Zoomies!!

I've noticed this week that there's more daylight when I leave work around 5 p.m.  I guess we're getting to that time of the year, and it helped that we didn't have the immense cloud-cover to which we've become accustomed this week.  During the summer months, my favorite way to unwind after work is to grab my camera the second I walk in the door, and take the pups to the yard for some fun!  It's a real bummer when the winter months arrive and it's pitch dark when I leave the office.  So, when 5 o'clock finally rolled around today, I had a couple of things on my mind:  1.  The sun is shining, and 2.  Mike, who is normally home with the hounds during the day, was out of town today.  The dogs had been cooped up, and alone most of the day with the exception of about 35 minutes I had with them on my lunch break.  I knew one thing was guaranteed when I arrived home, there would be ZOOMIES!!!!  

(Pardon our scary-looking, winter grass.)






I love those instances in which I consciously notice specific changes around me that indicate a new season will be along soon.  In addition to more daylight, I saw two birds chirping and frolicking as I got out of my car at lunchtime, and I think I saw the first blades of Crocus pushing their way through the ground.  I know we have a way to go, but as the temperatures approach 60 degrees this weekend, I'm sure I will feel a little spring in the air.

This Saturday will be Zoe's third obedience class at Field of Dreams.  As I've mentioned, the primary focus of our class enrollment is to expose her to new situations, people and dogs, in hopes of easing her nervousness in new situations.  I was impressed with Zoe's participation in last Saturday's class; she really did better than I expected.  However, our second class was not impressive at all.  The class was almost at capacity, and there were four or five boisterous dogs in attendance.  Zoe was nervous, had no interest in her treats, and didn't participate in the slightest.  I felt sorry for her.  We walked around and took a couple of trips outside for breaks.  Despite her nervousness and lack of participation, the instructor said they've seen much worse, and some dogs that have to leave all-together.  We're certainly not going to give up after just two classes.  I'm feeling anxious about the next class, but hopeful too.  We'll be armed with an array of tasty treats to tempt her, and if we have a repeat of Tuesday's class, we'll deal with it as best we can.  Wish us luck!
Happy Valentine's weekend!!

We're excited to participate in this week's Saturday Pet Blogger Hop!  Thanks, as always, to the Hop hosts, Life With DogsTwo Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume.  Happy hopping, and happy weekend too!


17 comments:

  1. Love the photography - it really shows the motion. Do you have a fancy schmancy camera or are you just really skilled (or both)? I have to have a photographer friend come over to get good pictures of Jack or they just come out as a blur.

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  2. I love all those shots, but Zoe with the bear! Gush! She is just TOO stinking cute!

    I bet Zoe will do a lot better this time. For one thing, it won't be a surprise that it's loud and crowded in there and for another, you've got better treats! ;)

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  3. It's so amazing your zoomie pictures are so clean and clear. Mine is still fuzzy and shaky most of the time even when I just use everything AUTO. I think it's my problem not the camera, LOL!!!
    Those pictures are really beautiful and you caught the happy playful spirits of all of them.

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  4. Great zoomie photos! It's hard to get them without blurring--I take a ton and find a few.
    Good luck with the next class!

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  5. We call that "getting nucleated"... it's so much fun to watch all that energy!

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  6. We were excited to see your rabbit. Tanner has a similar one and, as with all his toys, it's one of his favorites! I guess you could say he doesn't really have any favorites. He just LOVES toys!

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  7. Love the "stretching" picture. Sooooo cute!

    If possible, try to get to class early (if your class is first) so it will be quiet when she gets there and the noise level builds up more gradually. If there's a class before you, then get there early so she can "watch" from a distance (if possible) and hopefully settle down.

    Some things just take time. If thy only thing you accomplish next class is get her to take treats from you, then you HAVE accomplished something. Something really wonderful! Everything else builds from there, and next week will be even better.

    Don't worry about participating so much as sitting quietly in a corner and waiting for her to relax and decide she safe with you and she can watch without feeling any pressure (and enjoy snacks).

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  8. Great zoomies! I had zoomies today too! It's beautiful here in L.A today! Happy Hopping!

    Opie

    P.S. I signed your guest book. :)

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  9. Rider, Lilly, and JackFebruary 12, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    FUN FUN FUN!!!! We want to run and play with you all!

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  10. Hopefully class will go better this week for Zoe! The good news is that she did well at the first class, so it's not that she can't do well. Riley gets very nervous around boisterous dogs too and if they approach her and get in her face she tells them off in no uncertain terms. It's hard to get her to focus in a full class of noisy dogs but I try to talk her through it and keep our communication going so that she's tuned in to me. Luckily, she turns to me when she gets nervous instead of totally freaking out. Better treats should hopefully help!

    Love the zoomies shots!

    Elyse and Riley

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  11. What a great time. That squirrel didn't stand a chance!

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

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  12. Love the photos!!! We found you on the blog hop today. It's nice to meet you!

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  13. I hope today went better for you and Zoe. We had a very aggressive dog in our class today that had not been socialized. I think the most important thing is for you to act like "no big deal" or Zoe will pick up on the fact that you are nervous. The lady with the aggressive dog today finally just sat on the ground and fed him treats, rubbed his belly and just got him relaxed. After about 30 minutes she was able to do a little bit of training. Patience will pay off I am sure. Your dogs are so beautiful in these photos. I hope to catch up with you soon and I will be on the lookout for you and Zoe. Happy Valentines! Christina and Lexi

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  14. It looks like we're all buzzing with spring fever. :)

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  15. Crystal clear zoomie photos are the best. It looks like Mr. Bear got a very fast ride in a greyhound mouth!

    I hope that class went well yesterday. Isn't it tough not being able to ask your dog what would make it less scary for them? That's how I always feel.

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  16. Fabulous zoomie pics!!! Good luck in class, hope it all goes well! And I agree, the first signs of a new season are so exciting, especially this year for the longer days that will provide more hours to play outside with our furbabies!

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