Busy Week...............

What a busy week (and a bit!) it has been.

Recently I've been thinking about doing a bit more with Reno but haven't been sure what. More formal Obedience work? Ringcraft? After scouring the Internet for classes near by, non of which fitted into my week, I decided to contact my old friend Madaleine to see if she was still doing anything in Nottingham.

As luck would have it she has a class on Wednesday nights 5 mins down the road from us so I took Reno along last week to see how he got on. He'd never tried any training at an indoor venue like this (a church hall) so I wasn't sure how he would take to it. Reno loved it and, as Madaleine hadn't changed what she did in class dramatically from when I trained Kiros and Ronnie, I found it quite easy to fit in.

No class this week, unfortunately, so I'm really looking forward to next Wednesday. We've already been promoted to the more advanced class as Reno's heelwork is quite good. I just need to work on his stays!

We went to Pen's puppy class on Saturday morning. Paul took the class as Pen has just had an operation on her Knee. I think the nice weather must have brought out all the Puppies. Paul's face was a picture as 12 Puppies turned up! We still managed to get quite a bit of work done by splitting into 2 groups. Reno is really beginning to get his confidence up with tunnels.

Sunday was the last Agility Nuts show of the winter season. I judged the Agility in the afternoon but was able to run my Dogs in the morning and also had a go with Brennan as Pen couldn't run her.

Brenn and I were eliminated in our first run as she broke her wait so I took her back to start again. Our second run was in Gamblers. I've been a bit annoyed with myself when running Brenn in Agility classes before because I've lacked confidence and she's picked up on it. I was determined to run this course confidently and it worked. She stopped on all but one of the contacts and only had one pole down.

Ann ran Ronnie and Kiros in the afternoon. She managed 3rd place with Kiros on a very difficult "Up and Over" course and 2nd place in my Agility even after forgetting the course! She really does handle my Dogs better then I do!

Kiros finished the season in 3rd place in the Large Senior League and was presented with a lovely trophy. He would like to point out the the worst thing about being a successful Agility Dog is having your photo taken with your winnings!!

Unfortunately, Nut's show clashed with another Agility show at Newark that Jo went to with Ronny, Zippy and the rest of her Doggies. I was very jealous to read that Reno has missed meeting up with his other brothers, Zippo and Speedy, and his sister, Eva. I'm hoping that we can all meet up at a show soon.

Reno was 5 months old yesterday so I've tried to take a comparison photo. I was too lazy to put up the old crate so I've got him to sit in front of the Tumble dryer. I think it does the trick? He now weighs 19kg.

Hope you like the funny photo of Kiros begging and barking at the same time.

Relaxing Weekend

I've just had a lovely relaxing weekend.

Kiros and I had a training session with Bob Sharpe on Saturday morning. It was lovely to do some work outside even if I did get severely teased about my front crosses. If you've seen my Agility run at Crufts you will understand why!

Sunday was spent trying to catch up with some paperwork and gardening in between playing with the dogs. Ronnie and Reno were delighted when I unearthed an old toy from underneath an ornamental grass I was cutting back.

I have to say I was very unsuccessful clearing up the remains of the grasses. It isn't easy using a rake with a puppy attached to it.

I've been trying to get some photo's that show how leggy Reno is. I hope you get the idea form these? At least you can see that he is almost as tall as Kiros already.

I'm looking forward to next weekend already. I'm judging Agility at Nut's and am busy making the finishing touches to my course plans. I hope the competitors enjoy them.

Kiros at Crufts.

The one thing that I always miss when going to Crufts is my Dogs!

Jokingly, a few years ago, I said to Lynne "One day I'll be walking into Crufts with Kiros of Final Fantasy".

As the owner of a rescue mongrel it seemed like an unobtainable dream but on Friday my dream came true. Kiros ran in the ABC Agility at Crufts!

Kiros is always great at big occasions and, despite my poor handling and running on carpet, managed two clear rounds. 5th place in the Agility and 7th in the Jumping.

Well done to Dave and Rusty who won the ABC Jumping in style then came 2nd in their breed class. Also to Grace and Kiah who also came 2nd in breed.

Mega congratulations to Lisa and Chase who won the Dog CC and became a Champion.

Reno would like to pass on a special well done to his Daddy, Ronny. Not only did he prove what an amazing action dog he is by coming 4th in the YKC Flyball but also picking up the Reserve Dog CC in breed. Well done, Jo! Reno has a lot to live up to.

Jan must be so proud of her Bonvivant dogs.

Reno's new trick.......

Reno has developed a love of water!

A couple of days ago he surprised Ade by climbing into the shower with him. Yesterday he did the same with me and this morning we discovered him in the shower on his own!

This will be a refreshing change. Bathing Ronnie and Kiros can be quite a battle.

Newton Heath, Nuts and More!!

Oh dear! I've got so behind with my blog updates I don't know where to start?

Perhaps I'd better start with the most exciting news?

Ann and Harley won out of Grade 3 last weekend at Newton Heath. I know the win was long overdue for Ann. She is an excellent handler and has been itching to have a go at some more complex courses with Harley. On the drive up to Newton Heath we had decided that she would move Harley up to Grade 4 on points for August's Scunnie but Harley had other idea's! He put in a excellent run that won Grade 3 Agility making him Grade 4 for April's Scunnie.


Not content with a win on Saturday, Harley also managed a 3rd place in Starters Jumping at Nuts on Sunday.

The least said about my performance with my Dogs over the weekend the better. All I can say is that I had a bad time leading up to Olympia and managed a 4th so I have high hopes for Crufts!!


Reno is now 4 months old and weights in at 16kg. He can no longer fit into the small crate so has to sit outside to compare his size.

Ronnie and Kiros are now very used to him being around. Unfortunately with Ronnie that means that he can now be put in his place a bit more and Reno has a couple of grazes on his nose to prove it.

On the plus side, Kiros has played with him a few times.








We've just spent another weekend in Dorset. I hope Reno and Ollie still get on this well when Reno gets bigger?