DRAGGED ACROSS THE FIELD......YET AGAIN!

Mr. Aloha & I were gone for technically eleven days. We left on a Friday night and got back Monday midday. 

Sophie had not "worked" for thirteen days. She was, however, played with the entire time we were gone for at least half an hour to an hour each day by the person who was feeding her. I also played with her upon returning. Did I do her routine? No, but, I did play ball & throw her frizbee looking thing. I can't remember what it's called but it's made by the same people who make the Kong rubber tug toy. She also had a blast with Harley running around the yard. Not to mention they tore up an empty bag of dog food. Which by the way, I was not happy about.

Anyway, today was her first day back at class. It's literally been two weeks since her last class. She was so happy to be there. She did her routine beautifully and very animated I might add.

Not knowing what Ted was going to do next, I asked if she was going to practice the jumps or work the dumbbell. You guessed it, the dumbbell. Once she saw what Ted had in his hands there was no stopping her. I planted my feet, shifted my weight, put her leash under my behind and was spun around and dragged five to ten feet. I just wish I had it on film.

After getting her somewhat under control, Ted was holding the dumbbell while trying to taunt her with it, except he was laughing. He said something along the lines of "Hold on to her now, (laughs a little) there goes Annabelle across the field" he's pointing his finger in some direction. I must say I laughed myself. She was just so excited & happy to be doing her job, once again.  

Sophie, Harley & The Cats, Not One But Five

I know this is supposed to be about training which mostly it is but I have to tell a few stories about my other pets.

TOOTSIE - Part One
As I told you before, we got Harley the week in December. What I didn't mention is we have a cat named Tootsie who at the time happened to be pregnant. I'm not an irresponsible pet owner, at least I try not to be. 

Tootsie about 4 months

We got Tootsie sometime between February & May of 2010. With all that happened that year getting Tootsie spayed was the last thing on my mind. 

December 2010 was, well,  interesting to say the least. About a week or two before Christmas, I woke up at, I want to say 4:00 in the morning with what sounded like someone saying hello. Mind you, it had been at least twenty years since I lived with cats, which were always outside. My first thought was, someone's in the house. So I shut my eyes really tight hoping whoever it was would just take what they wanted and leave. Of course Mr. Aloha was fast asleep, until the hello got closer. Once I realized he was awake I asked "What the hell is that" He replied "A cat, I told you Tootsie was going into heat".

Yes, it is true, he did happen to mention it. I just didn't believe him because his reason sounded so stupid to me. He said she was going into heat cause she lifted her tail and purred when he scratched her back. There was no blood, her female area was not swollen, which is what happens when Sophie goes into heat. So why in God's name would I believe him.

The meowing & cooing continued until Mr. Aloha had to go to work , he leaves at 5:45am. "Should I let her out?" he asks. "No!" I say, exasperated at the thought. What was he nuts. I said as much to him. "I don't want kittens! What will we do with them?" I said I would call the vet to make an appointment to have her spayed. To my surprise, she peed on his pillow. Oh Tootsie, I thought to myself, your Daddy is going to be very upset with you. I called the vet, they said it would cost more because she was in heat. That I didn't mind, unfortunately the earliest appointment would be a week away. That I minded! I know it's our fault for not having it done earlier. The thought of listening to meowing & cooing for an entire week was too much. 

And then it happened. It wasn't bad enough she peed on the pillow, she peed on me! I was sitting on the sofa when out of the corner of my eye I see her tail shaking. I looked down and I had pee on me! That was it, out she went. I called Mr. Aloha & left the following message. "I don't care if the stupid (not the word I used) cat gets pregnant, she just peed on me & I threw her out! I'd say it was maybe half an hour before he returned my call. When I answered, all I heard was laughing, hysterically I might add! After he was done laughing, I asked him what we should do. He said let her have kittens. I personally thought he was nuts, but then again, I would find homes for however many she had. Ya, right!  

DRAGGED ACROSS THE FIELD

Clearly, I'm going to be going back and forth with regards to training days!

THE DUMBBELL

Sophie is such a smart dog, that's not to say other dogs aren't smart. 

After doing her whole obedience routine. The next step is getting her used to the dumbbell. I hold Sophie on a 9 foot lead while Ted basically teases her with it. This is called loading your dog, when she give a good bark he lets her take it. This is all necessary for the Schutzhund I competition. Which I will explain later, when I get that far in her training.

Sophie sitting nicely with her dumbbell

Well, on this one particular day, we had just finished he routine. Before I knew what the hell was happening, I was being dragged across the field by Sophie. Ted was yelling for me to hold her back. My reply "I'm trying, do you know how strong she is????" He asked "What collar are you using? Don't you have her on the pinch collar?" My answer "NO, you told me to take it off of her" (due to her melt down).

There was no major injuries, just my pride. My dog is smarter than I thought. She knows the entire routine and knew exactly what was coming next and couldn't wait to get started. 

Clearly now, she is on the pinch collar until we get reach that area of the field.