The Daily Q: Groomed

Mary-Ann Sontag April 19, 2020

I have been feeling a bit left out — I have not watched Tiger King, I don’t drink alcohol, and I cannot find yeast to bake bread.

But the other thing people seem to be doing is grooming their dogs — that I can do! And so yesterday I jumped into the Pandemic Activity Pool and gave baths to all four dogs.

Harper B is now 8.5 years young and doing just fine. She and her niece, Daisy, are BFF’s. It is interesting to see the family similarities and especially in their happy, friendly temperaments. I love knowing the many good things about Harper can carry on through Daisy.

I like this photo of Sparkle, although it makes her eyes look light and they really aren’t so please ignore that part. Sparkle is also doing well — do you realize that Sparkle will be SEVEN in June?! How did that happen??

There is so much to love about Miss Daisy. I am disappointed she will not have a chance to shine this year in the performance rings because she is ready — and she is good. Oh well. The path detoured and maybe that will be okay.

This is Claire and Sparkle — I love fluffy, clean dogs. You can see that Claire is significantly bigger than her mom, and yes — she is sporting her unicorn horn these days. I want it to grow enough for a bow.

I just can’t do Tiger King and without yeast readily available, I may need to make a sourdough starter — or start grooming the cats. Bread seems safer.

Happy Sunday to you and yours.

Harper B for ...

Mary-Ann Sontag October 14, 2019

We Did It!

Harper B for So Many Things completed her CD (obedience title) yesterday. She did this in three straight runs — the first leg was at the Specialty, the second was Saturday, and the third leg was yesterday (Sunday). She even got ribbons! Second place on Saturday and this yesterday!

Full Disclosure — the placements were based on a lack of qualifiers. Basically, Harper was the Last Dog Staying yesterday as the three other qualifiers who made it to the Stay Group all blew their stays. Bummer for them — but Harper enjoyed the gift certificate she won for first place.

This was a Git ‘er Done CD for a very specific purpose — to complete the requirements for the BMDCA’s Working Dog Award. And she did it — Harper B for BMDCA Working Dog Award!

At eight and with two Harper B for Bionic Knees, there were few sits involved in her obedience runs — I think standing is more comfortable for her, and so she did. Oh well — only lost points and who cares?! Not me. Harper B for Better Believe It reminds me that adversity is just a detour and not a reason to quit.

I am so proud of Harper. This was not the journey I expected her to have — but it became HER journey and we walk it together. She is done with obedience but not ready to retire. Her future includes more tracking and a new sport that will utilize her great nose — Scent Work!

Learning how to adjust to new and sometimes unwanted realities is another way that Life with Dogs makes us better humans. I am grateful to Harper B for Best Teacher for the lessons, even as I wish she had been blessed with an easier path in her lifetime. Two Harper B for Bad Knees plus pyometra seems like a Harper B for Bum Deal for such a kind dog.