All about love and life..

Valentine week saw my beloved Nuts turn 13, it is a continued source of joy that he still with us. Then I think of the luck and work that Marc and I are still together since we met 20 odd years ago.

Love is a transient thing it could last a day or a lifetime. That is the scary thing I guess it can make you feel 'top of the world' high or when broken 'the lowest of the low'.

 

The truth is no one knows why love happens as it does.  That gives it both strength and also fragility. The same is true of life spans, why some live long and for others it seems as if they were robbed of time.

Another joy of the Valentine week is Bear has joined our family. This puppy search has been long and hard, and I have had a few disappointments on the way. Even grief as one pup I really longed for died at just 10 hours old.  I lighted a candle for him and cried as so many dreams and hopes seemed to wither at this point.   I thought of giving up but friends rallied and a through a journey of unexpected turns I found Bear.

As soon as I saw his photo I knew, as soon as I met him I knew and most importantly he liked me.  It was instant and it would seem I am an instant kinda gal. What relief, what joy. The cliche of life being a journey so true in this case and so we are joined by a much loved and long wanted addition :)

Bear in action, playing and having a chew... puppy time



Whats in a name....Rivioli...?

Rivi by Watts Photography - June 12

This really made me chuckle to myself. Rivi's name I made up from Drive which is part of her KC name Nedlo Drives Me Wild. To me it is a great name and easy to create affectionate names such Rivioli, Beautyoli, Sleepyoli and even in time of crises we have botheroli! But Rivioli is the most frequently used and endearing.

But what did I know? As I have recently I have found out:

a] The Ritz Hotel, a renown and internationally famed hotel has a bar called the The Rivioli Bar. This bar is in Art Deco style which is a favourite of mine and heralds and age of elegance, romance, creativity, innovation, light and style. I hope that I go there one day, for wining, dining and romance.

Rivi and Me by Watts photography

b] Rue de Rivoli is apparently one of the most famous streets of Paris, with some of the most fashionable names in the world based there. Along with a hotel called The Hotel Paris Rivioli, I will have to get too Paris for a romantic weekend as I think I have found the right hotel to stay at.

So blimey indeed, my Rivioli is a bit on the posh side...rather ironic really. Named it seems after such fabulous places.

And just goes to show, when you think you have had an original thought, someone, somewhere has already probably had it!!!

These great shots are by Watts Photography . I luv the detail he picks up in the dogs, the intensity, colouring and character. They give great memories :)

Snow and Rest 2013

Snow brings both chaos and pleasure. But as always the guys have such a delight in the initial snow and Nut's new coat from Camddwr Canine has been a brilliant blend of providing him with warmth but so light and comfortable that he will come in the house and lay down in it and quite happily keep it on. Which for his comfort needs is perfect, otherwise it just would have been too cold for him to come out and play.

Snow will always be a chance to capture memories of the guys having a good time.

 

 

 

We have had a complete two month off from training, and next week will see us getting back into training. So glad to have the time off for various reasons and we really think it does us all good the canines and the humans.

Hello to 2013

The Guys New Years Eve 2012

Wow on Christmas Day, discovered this fabulous new walk for the guys acres and acres to be explored and hours can be enjoyed watching the guys having a great time. It is off the beaten track, so the guys can really let rip and we can walk to the walk - perfect. Since moving to the midlands we have found many lovely walks but this is the best so far :-)

So many things seem to be falling into place, just can't help feeling that frisson and excitment for what may be coming next. So time to say goodbye to 2012 and hello 2013...

Wow Christmas & 2012

Friday 21st December 2012 heralds the shortest day. And I always feel a little jubilation as to me it signals that slowly but surely daylight time will increase. It keeps me going whilst in December and January from Monday to Friday we walk in the dark and play in the half light of electric bulbs.

Time enough for reflection of the year, and it has been a darn good year. Marc, Dixie and Bigs have had such a terrific year, as I have too with Zev. With the agility the last 12 months have seen us start to metamorphosis  in handling style.  I have gained so much experience of handling Zev with his running contacts and it is such a thrill to run this way for me and for Zev and getting less 'oh crikey' and more 'game on we can do it'.

Then Rivi I am still retraining her contacts 2 fundamental elements that have hindered progress as I did not get my head round it till 12 months after I started retraining. Hindsight, wish it was foresight ;)

1. Deconstructing a static paw target is what I should have taught as the first element.. Thanks to Kamel Fernandez for his input. Gave me the confidence with an idea that I had been playing around with. Any future crossover 'hugger' of contact dogs I will incorporate this first.
2. Never withhold reward in a training context.  It fundamentally was wrong for me and Rivi no matter how nicely you do it to not reward is not to appreciate the effort Rivi makes.  Thanks to Silvia Trkman for 'RC that make you smile' DVD.  Always reward and jackpot, is the theme and this is the approach for me. It made me chuckle, when the DVD came out with the title as I did a smile posting in June...so great that agility is not only a competitive sport, but the sheer hard work pays off with moments of elation and smiling... the yes and yahoo moments even in training.

2012 draws to an end it has not been without heartache, but also many wonderful moments and so much to look forward to....all with Nuts still by our side...

I love the Christmas holidays and the time it gives us to be together.  So happy holidays and have a cracking 2013.