Woofstock

This past weekend Wilma and I traveled to Kalamazoo to compete in the Ultimate Air Dogs competition at Woofstock, a fundraising event for the SPCA.

Wilma wore her groovy bandana.

It was a hot 90+ degrees and sunny! But there were several Doggie Oasises with kiddie pools and plenty of water and even a misting station.

Wilma did much better with her diving this time....not in distance (she still only did 3 ft 10 in), but she jumped in much quicker. She ran up to the edge of the dock like she was going to fly in....but then she stopped and looked down, then looked back at me. I said "Go get it!" and then she jumped in. The secret is her new toy....it's a floating treat holder! She'll do anything for food!

Bark for Life

Last weekend was the first annual Jackson Bark For Life, part of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. The event was held in Cascades Park in Jackson. Kramer and I worked a booth for Therapy Dogs, International. We passed out TDI information brochures and testing requirements. We also had some doggie treats to lure the pups in, some dog stickers for the kids, and licorice sticks for the kids at heart.
























The event included a walk around the park with doggie games and contests afterwards.

Kramer was happy to see Jennifer and Flurry at the event. The bobbed for hot dogs

and tried their paws on the agility course.

Kramer's Fancy Do

Kramer's regular groomer was booked until mid-August and we couldn't wait that long. So we tried a new place where the groomer used to show standard poodles. She wanted to give Kramer more of a show look, so I said OK.

So here is the outcome....shaved body and puffy legs! I kind of like it. What do you think?

Harvard the Leader Dog

Another puppy from Wilma's first litter has a job! Harvard, Mr. Yellow, has graduated from Leader Dogs For the Blind. He is working as a guide dog for Susan.

Here he is as a fuzzy little pup......











.
And here he is all grown up!


Congratulations to puppy raiser Ron for giving Harvard a great start!

Chi Reunion

It's been 9 months since the Dearborn Animal Shelter rescued 105 Chihuahua's from a filthy home in Dearborn. And this Sunday at the Mutt Strut about 50 of those little dogs were reunited at the Chihuahua Reunion. Some were brown, some tan, some long haired some short haired, some young, some old...but all were looking great and happy and grateful to be in loving homes!

Carter is still too timid for an outing like this, but I brought a poncho home for him so he could dress up too. Ninety five of the 105 chi's have been adopted. The other 10, including Carter, are in foster homes. But I think Carter's foster days will be over soon. Wilma, Kramer and I have decided to adopt him!

Fun at the Mutt Strut

Hundreds of dogs with their owners + perfect weather + walking + diving + dashing + playing + shopping + eating = The 5th Annual Dearborn Animal Shelter Mutt Strut!


The Strut was a 1 mile walk with plenty of water stops along the way. Kramer and Wilma walked together accompanied by Kayla, my mom's dog who was visiting from Arizona. Kayla growled at most of the other dogs, Wilma started to drag her paws about 1/2 way through, and Kramer kept trying to get ahead of everyone. It was a fun walk!









The Ultimate Air Dogs were there and Wilma competed in 3 Splashes. Although her distance was only 3 ft 9 inches, she's jumping off the dock much quicker. I only had to lay on the dock and coax her in for 3 of her 6 jumps.
The Doggie Dash Du Lure was a new activity this year. The dogs chase a "rabbit" around a track. Wilma was a wild woman with this event! During Kramer's turn, Wilma pulled out of her collar and took off after the "rabbit". Then she had her own turn. Then she pulled away again and took off after another dog's "rabbit"! She was so intent on getting that "rabbit" that I had to leave in order for her to calm down.

After strutting, diving and dashing, all the dogs were tired.

Halo is Certified!

Halo has recently become a fully certified serivce dog working for Kimberly in Florida! She has grown and matured into a beautiful dog and has a wonderful new family with Kimberly, her husband and their 2 cats.

Halo is from Wilma's first litter, born on Leap Year Day, February 29, 2008. Wilma was supposed to have 10 puppies and then out popped Halo, number 11! She became Wilma's Little Miss Surprise.

Halo looks like she fits right into her new family. Snuggling with daddy

and blowing raspberries at the cat!

When Kimberly saw this picture of Halo at 5 days with the stuffed lamb, she immediatly knew why this new lamb fast became Halo's favorite toy!

Congratulations to puppy raiser Suzanne for raising Halo to become such a wonderful service dog! Wilma and I are so proud!