Spring weather has found us for sure, and all the apple orchards that are around our farm are looking like this. It's a beautiful sight, but sadly it really only lasts about a week, and then the leaves come out and the apple peddles fly away on the wind...
I make a point of either driving slowly by, or actually pulling over to enjoy the view whenever I can. The bees and other such creatures are certainly busy at work now....
But, it also is a time for another wonderful event. Livy and I (along with Kathleen and Brutus) are in the four day "Coastal Cluster" dog show. We are working towards our Beginner Novice title and our first Rally obedience title.... this is a very first for Kathleen and Brutus.. and for me... a first in the sense that it's been a long.... long time, since I have been to a dog show. In fact... 11 years.....
This is a nice show.. it's close to home, very well run, and the fact that four days of showing makes it possible to pull off the title.... here is Livy and I, our first day out in the rally ring....
she's a good little worker and seems to enjoy being at the show. Which is important, because I had have puppies that don't enjoy dog shows... and when that happens, it really isn't worth being there.
Our run was beautiful... Livy had a great time, and I am pleased to think that I have another show dog in the works. My little Moxie was my last "grand" show dog and I truly hope that Livy is willing to step in that place. Not that I want to be at dog shows every weekend, but it would be nice to pull one off once in a while.
Kathleen and Brutus are having a good time as well. He loves to do anything that Kathleen asks of him, so no doubt that new titles will be added to his name...
and in fact, he placed first in his class and they earned an award for highest scoring first time handler/dog team... Livy earned a first in her classes too.. so day one of dog show... success......
Day two brought successes for both of us as well... and since you need to have three good runs for a title.. tomorrow is going to be "the day"... which would give us day four with bummer legs if needed....
Day three.... here we go again.... sometimes dogs are getting rather tired at this point, but Livy has kept her energy and spirits up, and is proving that showing is certainly going to be "her thing"....
I love this photo.. good eye contact, happy expression in her face... she's having a good time....
right with me...................
nice "circle round...."... (judge is looking happy in the back ground...)
heading to the "finish" and she's still there...
and we end the day with a third placing and a brand "new title" ribbon to boot.....
By day four of the show.. Livy did just as well... she placed in all of her classes, earning both the titles we were after... but I can see that she is ready to call it a weekend, and go back to farm dog status....
and here is our "loot".... placing in all her classes (two each day) and coming home with two new titles...
course it only means... we jump up to the next level.. but I'm back in the rings once again!!!!
(5/7)
such is my life at times... I feel like I go along doing nothing all that special and then in one short week, "everything" happens... Today it was a pet visiting day at the adult center. We met bright and early and as always the pups were very happy to see each other. I think they like visiting with their buddies as much as they do with the people.
Livy says hi to Attitus... this is his first trial visit and Livy's first "official" visit as a Pet Partner Therapy dog!!!
Joey, Otis and Attitus
Camille and Attitus
Some of the folks were heading out to their jobs, but the got to do a quick hello in the parking lot... Livy is happy to jump right in and wish them a great day.....
Joey is all about hugs.....
and kisses.......
Livy and friend....
Joey......
Camille.......
It was a fun visit as they all are... the morning zips by and the puppies all head for home....
group photo.. Otis, Attitcus, Camille, Livy and Joey!!!!
(5/9)
Then..it was dance!!! Abi was part of a dance company this past year, and of course, at the end of the year it's rehearsal time!!!
She was so happy and excited to see us sitting there waiting for her company to take the stage!!! and she looked so cute in her little costume...
These photos are so great, we didn't really have a good view.. but I caught some of her dance. She was very focused and did such a good job...
They all did.... it's such a nice thing for kids to do and Abi seemed to enjoy it very much....
Course you must bring gifts for such a nice performance!!!!
(5/10)
And then.. we celebrated Mother's Day. We went to our usual and favorite brunch.. and since both sides of the family meet.. we get our own room
It's an excellent brunch with lots and lots of goodies..from breakfast, to lunch to dessert... Reagan was a big fan of the chocolate covered strawberries.
They have a wishing well.... so you have to leave a penny or two...
My Mom and Dad joined us this year. Sadly Sadie was working and couldn't make lunch, but she came to the farm later in the day..... so I got to see both the grands and both my kids.... I feel very blessed.....
Abi and Sadie came to the farm and brought some friends. Little Kiera was quite interested in the horses, and it was such a pretty afternoon... we pulled Mocha out so the girls could play with her.
The weather is warming up and the ponies are shedding their coats big time.... they all look so ragged this time of year...
Mocha could have cared less as to what the girls were doing, having that first taste of green grass was her adventure....
Tonka took some time to have a good roll....
Twinkle and Duke....
I told Sadie once she began grooming, she couldn't stop until it was done... which is rather impossible right now!!!!
Everyone is looking for those first sprigs of green grass.. another few weeks and we'll open the pastures for them.
Little Kiera was not one bit afraid of the horses, and wanted to go in and pat Duke. He's so gentle there are no worries here...
But, when asked if she wanted to ride.. she didn't think so....
spring is here... everything is waking up and it's so grand to be getting outside once again.... it was a long winter and I am already enjoying these good days...
