News http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:05:00 GMT http://breederoo.com Arrival! http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=1736474      Yes, I am a little late on this, but I have been busy!!!  Spring delivered 4 healthy pups in the wee hours of Tuesday, Jan 17th.  3 boys and 4 girls!  Two of the boys are black and one has no tail, like Spring, and the other a full tail.  The third boy is a merle and has a full tail.  The 4th pup is a little merle girl with a short tail, about 1/3 length.  Pups are happy and growing like weeds!  It took Spring a little time to get into the swing of motherhood, but she is very good with them now.  She is very protective with the other dogs!!!!  I have them separated with covered gates so she can have privacy.  I am finally back to sleeping in my own bed!  Although, I did sleep well on the air mattress, but 3 AM puppy squealing doesn't do much for the beauty rest.       Spring had her first visitors on Sunday.  First, the Lipkins family came to visit!  Kirsten, Bart, a family friend, Zoe, Naya, and Astrid came to lavish attention on the little piggers.  Spring thought they were all there for her, of course!  She was very happy to see them and let them hold her pups.  I will have them back next week to see the difference one week can make!  The three girls are my official kid socializers, also!  Later in the evening, Auntie Mary came to visit!  Spring was soooooo excited!  I took her outside to greet Auntie and Spring was so happy, she did some zoomies around the yard and jumped straight at her (punching with her front feet, per usual).  Then, Auntie came inside and sat with Spring and the kids in the whelping pen.  No, Spring, Auntie doesn't want any licks after you have been licking butts!      Here are some pics of the pups.  The girl's name is Princess Buttercup.  She is easily recognizable by her wide black streak across her face, her left front black leg and her right rear black leg.  Merle boy is Vizzini.  He reminds me of a hyena!  The larger black boy with a tail is Fezzik and the smaller black boy with no tail is Inigo.  If you haven't realized it yet, these names are from the movie 'The Princess Bride', one of my favs.  So, we have a princess and the Brute Squad!      Spring had her first visitors on Sunday.  First, the Lipkins family came to visit!  Kirsten, Bart, a family friend, Zoe, Naya, and Astrid came to lavish attention on the little piggers.  Spring thought they were all there for her, of course!  She was very happy to see them and let them hold her pups.  I will have them back next week to see the difference one week can make!  The three girls are my official kid socializers, also!  Later in the evening, Auntie Mary came to visit!  Spring was soooooo excited!  I took her outside to greet Auntie and Spring was so happy, she did some zoomies around the yard and jumped straight at her (punching with her front feet, per usual).  Then, Auntie came inside and sat with Spring and the kids in the whelping pen.  No, Spring, Auntie doesn't want any licks after you have been licking butts!
     Here are some pics of the pups.  The girl's name is Princess Buttercup.  She is easily recognizable by her wide black streak across her face, her left front black leg and her right rear black leg.  Merle boy is Vizzini.  He reminds me of a hyena!  The larger black boy with a tail is Fezzik and the smaller black boy with no tail is Inigo.  If you haven't realized it yet, these names are from the movie 'The Princess Bride', one of my favs.  So, we have a princess and the Brute Squad!



]]> Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:05:00 GMT 38AC47C9032C179EF3DD316D14D02A01 wide load! http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=1709261 Yesterday, Spring had an xray done to confirm the number of pups and there are four! One is heading in the proper direction for its exit, but the other three are lounging partially, if not all, up under her ribs. This explains her large girth around her mid section! Spring's knees bow out when she sits and her most comfortable position is laying upside down. We have less than a week at this point. Officially, her due date is next Friday, but I am thinking Wednesday. Her whelping area is setup now and she is in there during the day instead of her crate. I did have to put an xpen cover on it to keep her in when we get home! She just gets so excited that she goes over the side. I have started taking her temperature as I want to have a good baseline for monitoring her drop. Yesterday, Spring had an xray done to confirm the number of pups and there are four! One is heading in the proper direction for its exit, but the other three are lounging partially, if not all, up under her ribs. This explains her large girth around her mid section! Spring's knees bow out when she sits and her most comfortable position is laying upside down. We have less than a week at this point. Officially, her due date is next Friday, but I am thinking Wednesday. Her whelping area is setup now and she is in there during the day instead of her crate. I did have to put an xpen cover on it to keep her in when we get home! She just gets so excited that she goes over the side. I have started taking her temperature as I want to have a good baseline for monitoring her drop.
]]> Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:39:22 GMT 436126ED36EB18F59F56E240BA4EB293 Puppies!!!! http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=1694096  Last week, tanner became a dad for the first time!   He was bred to a tank of a girl named Rory.  Rory is a malinois x French bulldog (don't ask).  She runs with Springloaded flyball as a 10" height dog, running sub 4 seconds.  Rory had 7 lovely pups, 5 boys and 2 girls.  Lots of colors!  We expect desire to work, athleticism, smaller statue and (hopefully) an off switch.  Pups are in Michigan.  Contact Linda at lssell@yahoo.com for more info on availability. Spring is due to have her puppies in less than 2 weeks.  She has gotten quite portly and her mammory glands are filling up. Spring is also becoming more uncomfortable.  Tomorrow, I am cleaning out the Whelping area and setting up the box.  Getting supplies together!
Spring is due to have her puppies in less than 2 weeks.  She has gotten quite portly and her mammory glands are filling up. Spring is also becoming more uncomfortable.  Tomorrow, I am cleaning out the Whelping area and setting up the box.  Getting supplies together!]]> Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:21:05 GMT 53CFCCCEB80AADC44050E5AFB31F7B37 Ultrasound http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=1643147 I took Spring in for an ultrasound today!  It was so cool!  She is pregnant and we saw 4 puppies on the screen.  They were moving around!  One more month! ]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:30:22 GMT 0C8A26F8D2359CAF726E46881C190697 waiting... http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=1556922 Spring had her surgical implant and trans cervical procedure done on November 18th and 19th.  If she is pregnant, she will be due about the 16th of January.  It has been 10 days since the procedure.  Spring has removed stitches once and staples once.  She is currently wearing a large soft cone AND a kong blow up neck cone.  I'll fix her!!!  Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:31:34 GMT D74435817E4264F696E16F845F51311A timing.... http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=1488624 Spring is in season!!!!!  She is on day 8ish and has had one progesterone test already.  When the numbers tell me it is time, I am packing her overnight bag and dropping her with Dr. Truesdale!  Here is a picture of our recent trip to the CanAm Flyball Nationals....... I am thinking this one is ready for next years calendar!  We had a major snow storm a week and a half ago......  Power outage for 10 days!!!!  Here is Hanna enjoying the new snow!  We had a lot of tree damage....
Here is a picture of our recent trip to the CanAm Flyball Nationals.......

I am thinking this one is ready for next years calendar! 

We had a major snow storm a week and a half ago......  Power outage for 10 days!!!!  Here is Hanna enjoying the new snow!  We had a lot of tree damage....]]> Fri, 11 Nov 2011 04:52:02 GMT C880734A771BE1FE1CDD650D471AD587 Puppy plans!! http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=1077312 &nbsp;I am officially announcing that there will be mudi puppies this winter!! &nbsp;See my 'puppy page' for more info! Sat, 02 Jul 2011 19:39:33 GMT 6B4231BFB46A7123FFDDD2546DC89CE7 Springtime? http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=852247 &nbsp; The calendar says it is Spring, but the snow flurries we had said otherwise.&nbsp; All is well at the house, save some basement flooding.&nbsp; Tela has now raced in TWO tournaments with Steve, doing just fantastic.&nbsp; She posts times of 3.9-4.1 and is just sooooo happy to be racing.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Spring is losing her hair and looks like a junkyard dog.&nbsp; This signals her heat cycle is about a month or so away.&nbsp; Hoping she will time it so as not to miss any tournaments, but we shall see.&nbsp; I have been looking for a stud dog for her and think I have found a very nice male in Hungary willing to donate is DNA.&nbsp; More on that later as I need to get the swimmers here in the USA before making concrete plans!&nbsp; If all goes as planned, she will be bred in November of this year.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Tanner and I took a little vacation to Florida in January to visit with mom and the dogs.&nbsp; At the end of our few days, he got a big surprise.......terrier racing!!!!&nbsp; He had a GREAT time!!!&nbsp; I think this video pretty much sums up the trip......&nbsp; <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=1844521639544">www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php &nbsp;&nbsp; Chase seems to have recovered from his broken food.&nbsp; He actually broke 3 out of 5 bones in his left hock.&nbsp; It took a while, but it is healed!&nbsp; He has graduated to the vets division in flyball after years of being a key height dog for us.&nbsp; He doesn't care....as long as he gets his cheese!!! &nbsp;&nbsp; Vegas is still crazy wild.&nbsp; What else is new.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Hanna is still trucking, even at 13.5yo.&nbsp; Her hips are shot and she hears very selectively now, but she always has a smile on her face! Especially when having a nice roll! &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;    Spring is losing her hair and looks like a junkyard dog.  This signals her heat cycle is about a month or so away.  Hoping she will time it so as not to miss any tournaments, but we shall see.  I have been looking for a stud dog for her and think I have found a very nice male in Hungary willing to donate is DNA.  More on that later as I need to get the swimmers here in the USA before making concrete plans!  If all goes as planned, she will be bred in November of this year. 
   Tanner and I took a little vacation to Florida in January to visit with mom and the dogs.  At the end of our few days, he got a big surprise.......terrier racing!!!!  He had a GREAT time!!!  I think this video pretty much sums up the trip......  www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php
   Chase seems to have recovered from his broken food.  He actually broke 3 out of 5 bones in his left hock.  It took a while, but it is healed!  He has graduated to the vets division in flyball after years of being a key height dog for us.  He doesn't care....as long as he gets his cheese!!!
   Vegas is still crazy wild.  What else is new. 
   Hanna is still trucking, even at 13.5yo.  Her hips are shot and she hears very selectively now, but she always has a smile on her face! Especially when having a nice roll!

 
 
 
]]> Wed, 23 Mar 2011 05:30:59 GMT 59A60E7998B205B86B20EF747A643A8D Boothbay Harbor, once again! http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=564548 Last weekend was the Maineiacs annual Boothbay Harbor tournament at the Y.&nbsp; It didn't snow, so that was a good thing!!!&nbsp; Tela made her debut in single dog racing for some lane experience.&nbsp; She was smokin!!&nbsp; Check out this link for some video!!&nbsp; <a href="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1567468600033">www.facebook.com/video/video.php Got a 'formal' picture of Spring, also..... www.facebook.com/video/video.php

Got a 'formal' picture of Spring, also.....
]]> Tue, 09 Nov 2010 23:45:00 GMT FE630D4DF9E9B67C8CB25CA99F5306DE Summer is passing... http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=410917 ....way too fast!&nbsp; We went on a fabulous vacation to Nova Scotia at the beginning of the month.&nbsp; The rest of our flyball team came too!&nbsp; AND we got to play flyball on vacation!&nbsp; The location was beautiful and we took lots of pretty pics!&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We have a foster puppy now!&nbsp; His name is Tumble and he is a pitbull terrier.&nbsp; He and his 7 siblings (and 3 adults) were seized from their home after animal control discovered them.&nbsp; The pups are about 6 months old and VERY ematiated due to improper nutrition.&nbsp; They were only being fed veggies such as carrots, beets and sweet potato.&nbsp; Because of this, their growth was stunted.&nbsp; Tumble is the size of a 3 month old pup and very thin.&nbsp; When he was seized, he weighed 10lbs, 4 oz.&nbsp; As of yesterday, he is up to 13lbs 6 oz!!&nbsp;&nbsp; Here are two similar poses&nbsp; for comparison.... &nbsp; Most of what tumble gained is in muscle.&nbsp; He still needs to put on several more pounds!&nbsp; he will never be as large as his parents (60lbs).&nbsp; Tumble has a great temperment.....he wags his tail and bum at people and is an easy going guy.&nbsp; He is still a little intimidated when meeting big dogs, but is happy meeting small dogs.&nbsp; &nbsp;    

     We have a foster puppy now!  His name is Tumble and he is a pitbull terrier.  He and his 7 siblings (and 3 adults) were seized from their home after animal control discovered them.  The pups are about 6 months old and VERY ematiated due to improper nutrition.  They were only being fed veggies such as carrots, beets and sweet potato.  Because of this, their growth was stunted.  Tumble is the size of a 3 month old pup and very thin.  When he was seized, he weighed 10lbs, 4 oz.  As of yesterday, he is up to 13lbs 6 oz!!   Here are two similar poses  for comparison....
 
Most of what tumble gained is in muscle.  He still needs to put on several more pounds!  he will never be as large as his parents (60lbs).  Tumble has a great temperment.....he wags his tail and bum at people and is an easy going guy.  He is still a little intimidated when meeting big dogs, but is happy meeting small dogs. 


 ]]> Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:22:23 GMT 6797FFC26B5975D8630A838D83BE0C8C Heat! http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=364848 Man, it's hot!&nbsp; But, then again, it is July.&nbsp; True to form, I have neglected my 'news' page, so here goes an update!!!&nbsp; Hanna is soooooo happy....we have our little Intex pool up and she just loves to swim around in it.&nbsp; She will actually stick her nose under the water and blow bubbles!!&nbsp; Vegas is the only other dog that will swim in the pool.&nbsp; Spring thinks of the pool as her own personal water bowl to get a drink from. &nbsp;&nbsp; Tela is growing up!&nbsp; She is 6 1/2 months old now!&nbsp; about 17&quot; and 26 lbs.&nbsp; She is doing awesome in her flyball training.&nbsp; We have finished with chute work and have just moved on to the fake box.&nbsp; Her turn is beautiful already!&nbsp; I think our 'trouble' spot with her will be bringing the ball back all the way!!&nbsp; She continues to make us smile with her happy, wiggly personality.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Tanner has turned into an earthdog agility flyball playing machine.&nbsp; He loves it all!&nbsp; He recently went to Farmcliff Funday and got to experience terrier racing for the second time.&nbsp; He certainly didn't forget and screamed his fool head off!!!&nbsp; He also kicked some butt!!!!&nbsp; He is in the lead in both pics..... &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Spring has matured in flyball over the last few months.&nbsp; She is passing soooo much better now!&nbsp; During our recent 'Girls Weekend' in OH, Spring actually started with a frothing Stingray!&nbsp;next to her on the track.&nbsp; She posted her best time of 4.0, too!!!&nbsp; I am still on the lookout for a male mudi to breed to Spring in the future.&nbsp; He needs to have plenty of drive and balanced structure.&nbsp; If you know of any, email me!!!!!&nbsp;    Tela is growing up!  She is 6 1/2 months old now!  about 17" and 26 lbs.  She is doing awesome in her flyball training.  We have finished with chute work and have just moved on to the fake box.  Her turn is beautiful already!  I think our 'trouble' spot with her will be bringing the ball back all the way!!  She continues to make us smile with her happy, wiggly personality. 
   Tanner has turned into an earthdog agility flyball playing machine.  He loves it all!  He recently went to Farmcliff Funday and got to experience terrier racing for the second time.  He certainly didn't forget and screamed his fool head off!!!  He also kicked some butt!!!!  He is in the lead in both pics.....
   

  Spring has matured in flyball over the last few months.  She is passing soooo much better now!  During our recent 'Girls Weekend' in OH, Spring actually started with a frothing Stingray! next to her on the track.  She posted her best time of 4.0, too!!!  I am still on the lookout for a male mudi to breed to Spring in the future.  He needs to have plenty of drive and balanced structure.  If you know of any, email me!!!!! 

]]> Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:42:13 GMT 388E6EE1723B49656223E3204F2A3494 April... http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=256890 Ok, so I admit it....I am bad at this blog thing!&nbsp; Dog updates..... We have a new puppy!&nbsp; Correction....STEVE has a new puppy!!!&nbsp; In the beginning of March, I (notice not Steve) flew up from Boston to Toronto to meet Margaret Lambkin from <a target="_new" href="http://www.rivalkennels.com">Rival Kennels.&nbsp; The pup that flew home with me is named Tela.&nbsp; She is from the <a target="_new" href="http://www.rivalkennels.com/litters_keshxdiego_lyraxstash.htm">Kesh x Diego litter.&nbsp; Steve decided he was ready for his own flyball dog to run.&nbsp; For the past couple of years, he has been an integral part of the team, running anyone's dog where needed or just taking times.&nbsp; Time to take the plunge! &nbsp;I looked for a dog that would be an easy one for him.&nbsp; Something that would have a bombproof temperment, drive to work and great structure.&nbsp; I found that in this litter!&nbsp; Tela will wiggle her way up to anyone and anything, 2 or 4 legged.&nbsp; Her early training is going well.&nbsp; In flyball, she does recalls to the tug with amazing speed.&nbsp; Tela is extremely food motivated, making obedience training fun.&nbsp; She is learning the basics with her other puppy friends!&nbsp; House training is going well.....she is the youngest pup I have seen that will go pee OR poop on command.&nbsp; Tela would be a very stylish herding dog, if we had the time!&nbsp; She watches the other dogs run around, does outruns on them and lays down naturally.&nbsp; Maybe down the road........ Vegas caught an adult rabbit in the yard the other night at 11:30pm.&nbsp; I was letting them back in, no lights on, and he dropped what appeared to be his toy at the door, as he is trained to do before he comes in.&nbsp; Spring immediately grabs it and runs back outside.&nbsp; My first clue.....she is usually the first to get into bed at night and doesn't loiter outside longer than she must.&nbsp; I let Vegas in and the puppy out to do her last pee.&nbsp; By the time I got outside, I hear Spring growling at the pup to keep her away from her 'toy'.&nbsp; Clue #2.&nbsp;&nbsp; Sooooo, I usher the pup inside and get a flashlight.&nbsp; And there is Spring licking at the bunny!&nbsp; It was a big one, too!&nbsp; I picked Spring up and went inside.&nbsp; I woke Steve up so he could do his 'man of the house' duties.&nbsp; While he did that, I had to clean vegas up from his exploits!&nbsp; The next morning, Spring vomited up a rabbit fur hairball.&nbsp; Just capped off the entire experience! Flyball continues to go well!&nbsp; Spring seems to be maturing in her play.&nbsp; She is getting better passing into other dogs and is much more reliable racing.&nbsp; Her fastest time was in single dog racing at 4.1 seconds!!!&nbsp; Smokin!&nbsp; Tanner has come very far, very fast.&nbsp; He is running well for Steve in practice.&nbsp; He raced in&nbsp;his first &nbsp;full time spot last tourney since Spring was still in heat and couldn't run.&nbsp; I was able to run him and he only goofed one time the whole weekend!!!!&nbsp; His fastest time was in single dog racing at 4.7 seconds.&nbsp; Not bad for a 7&quot; height dog!!!!&nbsp; Look for a killer multi team in the near future!!!!
Dog updates.....

We have a new puppy!  Correction....STEVE has a new puppy!!!  In the beginning of March, I (notice not Steve) flew up from Boston to Toronto to meet Margaret Lambkin from Rival Kennels.  The pup that flew home with me is named Tela.  She is from the Kesh x Diego litter.  Steve decided he was ready for his own flyball dog to run.  For the past couple of years, he has been an integral part of the team, running anyone's dog where needed or just taking times.  Time to take the plunge!  I looked for a dog that would be an easy one for him.  Something that would have a bombproof temperment, drive to work and great structure.  I found that in this litter!  Tela will wiggle her way up to anyone and anything, 2 or 4 legged.  Her early training is going well.  In flyball, she does recalls to the tug with amazing speed.  Tela is extremely food motivated, making obedience training fun.  She is learning the basics with her other puppy friends!  House training is going well.....she is the youngest pup I have seen that will go pee OR poop on command.  Tela would be a very stylish herding dog, if we had the time!  She watches the other dogs run around, does outruns on them and lays down naturally.  Maybe down the road........

Vegas caught an adult rabbit in the yard the other night at 11:30pm.  I was letting them back in, no lights on, and he dropped what appeared to be his toy at the door, as he is trained to do before he comes in.  Spring immediately grabs it and runs back outside.  My first clue.....she is usually the first to get into bed at night and doesn't loiter outside longer than she must.  I let Vegas in and the puppy out to do her last pee.  By the time I got outside, I hear Spring growling at the pup to keep her away from her 'toy'.  Clue #2.   Sooooo, I usher the pup inside and get a flashlight.  And there is Spring licking at the bunny!  It was a big one, too!  I picked Spring up and went inside.  I woke Steve up so he could do his 'man of the house' duties.  While he did that, I had to clean vegas up from his exploits!  The next morning, Spring vomited up a rabbit fur hairball.  Just capped off the entire experience!

Flyball continues to go well!  Spring seems to be maturing in her play.  She is getting better passing into other dogs and is much more reliable racing.  Her fastest time was in single dog racing at 4.1 seconds!!!  Smokin!  Tanner has come very far, very fast.  He is running well for Steve in practice.  He raced in his first  full time spot last tourney since Spring was still in heat and couldn't run.  I was able to run him and he only goofed one time the whole weekend!!!!  His fastest time was in single dog racing at 4.7 seconds.  Not bad for a 7" height dog!!!!  Look for a killer multi team in the near future!!!!]]> Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:49:27 GMT 817F8780A7441995939C4AA7B026FAEA back to work http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=154428 I will be honest....it stunk heading back to work after so many days off.&nbsp; But, back to routine for everyone.&nbsp; Tanner spent a few days at the house so I could do some box work.&nbsp; He is coming along!&nbsp; A few months ago, before he had been introduced to the box, he had a 'scary' encounter with it as it sat in the livingroom at his other momma's house.&nbsp; Since then, he has been reluctant with it.&nbsp; Well, at the end of his stay, he was doing a fairly nice turn for the ball in the hole, triggering the box!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Very proud of him!&nbsp;&nbsp; It is amazing was some cheese rewards can do!&nbsp; BTW, &nbsp;he really likes sharp cheddar!&nbsp; We have a scrimmage this weekend, so we will get to work him with distractions.&nbsp; Also doing some serious head to head racing practice with Spring at the scrimmage.&nbsp; She is going to be put to the test at the upcoming tourney in Maine.&nbsp; We are running a team of Spree (green dog), Chase (Steve will run him), Splat! (Spring's training buddy) and Spring.&nbsp; Spree is the newest dog on our team to race.&nbsp; Actually, she has only been thrown in for a random heat or two.&nbsp;&nbsp; She has done so well at practices lately!&nbsp; For Spring, this will be more real racing......at the last tourney, the way the seeding worked out, the team was always way behind in the race, so she virtually raced alone.&nbsp; It was a great training weekend for her!&nbsp; But, this tourney is a one day'er and geared towards the greenies.&nbsp; Should be fun!!!!&nbsp; Here are some pics from this past weekend......

]]> Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:57:17 GMT 9BA6D4155BC2599CC3F8506FB4A3C404 Happy Holidays!! http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=149650 Well, we have survived another year.&nbsp; Whew!&nbsp; Best wishes to all my friends in the new one!&nbsp; Not too much new.....dogs are well, Steve and I are well.&nbsp; What more could we ask for?&nbsp; Hmm...how about some warmer weather?&nbsp; It is ridiculously cold out there!&nbsp;&nbsp; Here are a few pics from the Jet Set tourney this past month.&nbsp; Yup, it was cold there too!&nbsp; The first&nbsp;pic I used as my holiday card&nbsp;this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Look at&nbsp;all the nice dogs sitting there....and then there is Vegas ready to launch on the other side.&nbsp;&nbsp;You see, the photographer&nbsp;was set up in a room off of the flyball racing......Vegas was ready to bolt for the lanes!!!!&nbsp;&nbsp; And here are a few actions shots of the pups.... &nbsp; Vegas managing to keep hold of the corner of the squishy ball..... Chase coming off the box And Spring driving off the box
Here are a few pics from the Jet Set tourney this past month.  Yup, it was cold there too!  The first pic I used as my holiday card this year.  Look at all the nice dogs sitting there....and then there is Vegas ready to launch on the other side.  You see, the photographer was set up in a room off of the flyball racing......Vegas was ready to bolt for the lanes!!!!  


And here are a few actions shots of the pups....
 
Vegas managing to keep hold of the corner of the squishy ball.....

Chase coming off the box

And Spring driving off the box]]> Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:20:00 GMT FFE4939DFF3A0A4FC7EC4F39176B299A busy weekend! http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=127059 Ok, Ok....I know....it has been a while!&nbsp; Let's see if I can make some updates here!&nbsp;&nbsp; Flyball.........&nbsp; Chase and Vegas both got their ONYX at the same tourney.&nbsp; Can't believe it!!!!&nbsp; Spring is still a work in progress.&nbsp; Her fastest time is a 4.1.&nbsp; We had a lesson with Aaron Robbins and he gave us some things to work with.....namely getting rid of the tug for now and play with the ball when she brings it back......so she HAS to bring it back!&nbsp; No more cheating!&nbsp; This seems to be working well and I will continue doing it for a while.&nbsp; At the last tourney, she ran one or two heats a race and then Chase subbed in for her.&nbsp; Don't want a meltdown.&nbsp; Went to the big Springfield Cluster dog show this past long weekend.&nbsp; I showed Vegas in Obedience.&nbsp; Yes, you read that right.&nbsp; He did pretty well, considering I think we practiced like 3x for it.&nbsp; He qualified the first day, dispite his wild off leash 'heeling'.&nbsp; He doesn't like the fact that I can't talk to him during the run, like in rally.&nbsp; He keeps looking around like 'WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO???'&nbsp; It is when he starts looking around for something to bring me that I give that second....and third....command.&nbsp; We didn't qualify the second day as he went down on the long sit.&nbsp; So, now he has 2 legs toward his CD.&nbsp; He DID manage to finish his rally novice title, tho!&nbsp; Yay!&nbsp; We even got a bumper leg of a 94 the next day, too.&nbsp; He likes that much better.&nbsp; Spring got to hang out on Saturday at the show with her 2 favorite mudi, Rumli and Matyi!&nbsp; She squealed and licked and pranced and jumped when she saw them......and Aunti Erika!&nbsp; She wasn't as thrilled to meet Evie, a 10 month old mudi girl.&nbsp; She had to tell that young thing that I was HER mommy....and to stop that silly behavior!&nbsp; She is a bitch and all!&nbsp; I brought more dehydrated animal parts from Bravo at the show than I know what to do with!&nbsp; Well, the dogs willl be happy!&nbsp; And Hanna got a special new blinky ball from Clean Run at the show.&nbsp; Her fav toy!&nbsp; She played with it for hours last night!&nbsp; Oh, Hanna turned 12 just a few weeks ago!&nbsp; Still as spry as ever!&nbsp;
Went to the big Springfield Cluster dog show this past long weekend.  I showed Vegas in Obedience.  Yes, you read that right.  He did pretty well, considering I think we practiced like 3x for it.  He qualified the first day, dispite his wild off leash 'heeling'.  He doesn't like the fact that I can't talk to him during the run, like in rally.  He keeps looking around like 'WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO???'  It is when he starts looking around for something to bring me that I give that second....and third....command.  We didn't qualify the second day as he went down on the long sit.  So, now he has 2 legs toward his CD.  He DID manage to finish his rally novice title, tho!  Yay!  We even got a bumper leg of a 94 the next day, too.  He likes that much better. 

Spring got to hang out on Saturday at the show with her 2 favorite mudi, Rumli and Matyi!  She squealed and licked and pranced and jumped when she saw them......and Aunti Erika!  She wasn't as thrilled to meet Evie, a 10 month old mudi girl.  She had to tell that young thing that I was HER mommy....and to stop that silly behavior!  She is a bitch and all! 

I brought more dehydrated animal parts from Bravo at the show than I know what to do with!  Well, the dogs willl be happy!  And Hanna got a special new blinky ball from Clean Run at the show.  Her fav toy!  She played with it for hours last night!  Oh, Hanna turned 12 just a few weeks ago!  Still as spry as ever! 

]]> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:55:56 GMT C97858CD66FEB4AB8618468ECC20E095 August http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=61690 It has been a very busy summer!&nbsp; Travel for work, travel for pleasure, flyball tourneys, house work.....We had a flood in the basement we are still working on, plus a tree down.&nbsp; Dogs are good.&nbsp; Hanna is chugging along at almost 12.&nbsp; Her favorite pastime lately is rolling on her back in the grass.&nbsp; Snapped this pic of Chase this AM.... &nbsp; Spring is doing well in flyball....she posted a 4.157 sec in single dog racing last weekend!&nbsp; She is going to be one fast mudi, Spring is VERY competitive.&nbsp; If the dog in the other lane is a little ahead, tho, she will spit her ball so she can go faster to catch up.&nbsp; We are working on this!&nbsp; Also passing......learning not to yell at the dog she is passing!!!!&nbsp; Right now, I am waiting for spring to go into heat for the second time.&nbsp; She needs to hurry!&nbsp; I was hoping it would fit in around our flyball schedule.....tourney Sept 5-6....Nationals in Indianapolis Oct 2-4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; REALLY want her to race at nationals!&nbsp; Can't wait to see fellow mudi, Moki, racing in the lanes!&nbsp; Here is a pic I snapped of her this AM...she is just coming back into coat (thank God....she looked like a street rat!)... Stay tuned....another update today, hopefully.... &nbsp; &nbsp;
 
Spring is doing well in flyball....she posted a 4.157 sec in single dog racing last weekend!  She is going to be one fast mudi, Spring is VERY competitive.  If the dog in the other lane is a little ahead, tho, she will spit her ball so she can go faster to catch up.  We are working on this!  Also passing......learning not to yell at the dog she is passing!!!!  Right now, I am waiting for spring to go into heat for the second time.  She needs to hurry!  I was hoping it would fit in around our flyball schedule.....tourney Sept 5-6....Nationals in Indianapolis Oct 2-4.    REALLY want her to race at nationals!  Can't wait to see fellow mudi, Moki, racing in the lanes!  Here is a pic I snapped of her this AM...she is just coming back into coat (thank God....she looked like a street rat!)...
Stay tuned....another update today, hopefully....
 
 
]]> Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:26:29 GMT 841990A2F0F52C35B5D4BA1629E606D3 video http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=46219 Yes, two postings in one week!&nbsp; Whew!&nbsp; Just wanted to share a video I shot today of Spring learning a new frisbee move.&nbsp; I must say I do love the Old Navy frisbees!&nbsp; Now, if only I was more consistant on my throwing..... <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlcKYcknEXA">www.youtube.com/watch
www.youtube.com/watch]]> Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:30:00 GMT E18770E83345D14B88F8C378F912BB29 Naked!! http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=46083 Spring is naked!&nbsp; She has blown her coat!&nbsp; To top it off, she is a little on the skinny side, so she really looks like a junkyard dog.&nbsp; Adding in more fats to her diet!&nbsp; This past weekend, we had a fabulous 'Going Away' party for Deb and Ben.&nbsp; Well, Ben was only here on visits, but we let him come, too.&nbsp; Deb was only here for a year for schooling purposes and hoped she might be able to play a little flyball with Indy while here.&nbsp;&nbsp; She started running open with us one tourney and that was it!&nbsp; Indy became an integral part of our 'A' team and helping run our fastest times yet.&nbsp; We will sorely miss her.......oh, and Deb too!&nbsp; Next year, I think we are heading out to Seattle for some flyball with our new friends!!&nbsp; Can't wait!!! Ok, if this rain doesn't stop soon, I am going to need an Ark.... This past weekend, we had a fabulous 'Going Away' party for Deb and Ben.  Well, Ben was only here on visits, but we let him come, too.  Deb was only here for a year for schooling purposes and hoped she might be able to play a little flyball with Indy while here.   She started running open with us one tourney and that was it!  Indy became an integral part of our 'A' team and helping run our fastest times yet.  We will sorely miss her.......oh, and Deb too!  Next year, I think we are heading out to Seattle for some flyball with our new friends!!  Can't wait!!!

Ok, if this rain doesn't stop soon, I am going to need an Ark....]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:36:45 GMT A4168CED1CBAA5A3284202B72F92DEC8 gardening.. http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=45041 ....and landscaping....it never ends!&nbsp; Spring has taken to helping me with the digging part, whether I want the help or not.&nbsp; She prefers to lay in the cool dirt and then come inside tracking said dirt everywhere.&nbsp; I had to block off a spot where she was going under the deck to hang out.&nbsp; I could tell she had been there as the room would suddenly smell very 'earthy' upon her arrival.&nbsp; And with her coloration, I can't tell she is dirty, save from the paw prints she leaves behind.&nbsp; Spring is now over a year old....where has the time gone?&nbsp; In our last tourney in Greenfield, MA, she ran her first heats in flyball.&nbsp; Very proud!&nbsp; This weekend, we have another tourney in Henrietta, NY.&nbsp; She will be put into the lineup for this one, too!&nbsp; Let's hope that the training we have been doing pays off.&nbsp; She knows the game, but we need to keep working on distractions and passing.&nbsp; With all that going on, she may drop her ball early or come out of the lane.&nbsp; Bad dog!&nbsp; At this point, just exposure and repetition.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Vegas just had a super weekend!!!&nbsp; Our border collie club sponsored a supported entry at the Greenwich show last weekend.&nbsp; So, I entered him in rally and regular obedience.&nbsp; We had done one other rally class and finished with at perfect 100 and 1st place.&nbsp; So, I wasn't too concerned with the rally class.&nbsp; Oh, did I mention this was and outdoor show??&nbsp; Kinda adds another dimension to things.&nbsp; Rally was first and he performed well, ending with a 96 and 2nd place.&nbsp; We had to redo one station, the about left turn thingy, as he didn't go around me as planned.&nbsp; He was so hyped up that he just got himself balled up.&nbsp; We also got a minus 1 for not being at the start line ready to go when they called us.&nbsp; I was over on the other side of the ring practicing still.&nbsp; They went out of order and I didn't realize we were on deck!&nbsp; Oops!&nbsp; After rally came novice obedience.&nbsp; Oh boy.&nbsp; I was a little nervous for this one.&nbsp; I put a CD on Hanna a few years back.&nbsp; Nothing like competing with a happy-go-lucky 9yo golden!&nbsp; Now, with Vegas, it is like trying to control a crazy sportscar.&nbsp; He heels just beautifully and has wonderful attention.&nbsp; It is such a balancing act with him, though.&nbsp; He is so high when he works that you must keep him from going over the top.&nbsp; This point came out during our off leash heeling exercise.&nbsp; Pattern was a forward right into a slow.&nbsp; We got to the slow (mind you, we had just done this pattern on leash fine) and he started to bark at me.&nbsp; Right there, I should have given him a second command, just to reassure him he was doing ok, but didn't.&nbsp; He then hopped around&nbsp; a little, barking some more and looking around as if to find me a toy to throw (his default).&nbsp; I got back to a normal pace and into a left turn and halt.&nbsp; Upon halting, I gave him several commands (no, none of them were swear words, though I wanted to).&nbsp; We continued on and I managed to get him back into position for the finish of the exercise.&nbsp; It seemed more of a disaster to me, living it.&nbsp; The judge came over after that and said how well I handled that.&nbsp; I could have crawled into a hole, but went on with the recall, loosing a point for a crooked sit, but at least he didn't punch me in the stomach upon coming in, per usual.&nbsp; We were the last dog to go and had to get right back into the ring for sits and downs.&nbsp; We did a few quick sit/stay tests outside of the ring and in we went!&nbsp; Vegas has a genetic disorder....it is called 'laying down on a long sit'.&nbsp; His brother also suffers from this terrible disease.&nbsp;&nbsp; I stared at my watch the whole minute and he made it!&nbsp; All in all, we ended up with a 186 and a second place. Holy crap.&nbsp; Not bad for cramming in some training the past 3 weeks!&nbsp; Once my ulcer has subsided, I will attempt another show entry!    Vegas just had a super weekend!!!  Our border collie club sponsored a supported entry at the Greenwich show last weekend.  So, I entered him in rally and regular obedience.  We had done one other rally class and finished with at perfect 100 and 1st place.  So, I wasn't too concerned with the rally class.  Oh, did I mention this was and outdoor show??  Kinda adds another dimension to things.  Rally was first and he performed well, ending with a 96 and 2nd place.  We had to redo one station, the about left turn thingy, as he didn't go around me as planned.  He was so hyped up that he just got himself balled up.  We also got a minus 1 for not being at the start line ready to go when they called us.  I was over on the other side of the ring practicing still.  They went out of order and I didn't realize we were on deck!  Oops!  After rally came novice obedience.  Oh boy.  I was a little nervous for this one.  I put a CD on Hanna a few years back.  Nothing like competing with a happy-go-lucky 9yo golden!  Now, with Vegas, it is like trying to control a crazy sportscar.  He heels just beautifully and has wonderful attention.  It is such a balancing act with him, though.  He is so high when he works that you must keep him from going over the top.  This point came out during our off leash heeling exercise.  Pattern was a forward right into a slow.  We got to the slow (mind you, we had just done this pattern on leash fine) and he started to bark at me.  Right there, I should have given him a second command, just to reassure him he was doing ok, but didn't.  He then hopped around  a little, barking some more and looking around as if to find me a toy to throw (his default).  I got back to a normal pace and into a left turn and halt.  Upon halting, I gave him several commands (no, none of them were swear words, though I wanted to).  We continued on and I managed to get him back into position for the finish of the exercise.  It seemed more of a disaster to me, living it.  The judge came over after that and said how well I handled that.  I could have crawled into a hole, but went on with the recall, loosing a point for a crooked sit, but at least he didn't punch me in the stomach upon coming in, per usual.  We were the last dog to go and had to get right back into the ring for sits and downs.  We did a few quick sit/stay tests outside of the ring and in we went!  Vegas has a genetic disorder....it is called 'laying down on a long sit'.  His brother also suffers from this terrible disease.   I stared at my watch the whole minute and he made it!  All in all, we ended up with a 186 and a second place. Holy crap.  Not bad for cramming in some training the past 3 weeks!  Once my ulcer has subsided, I will attempt another show entry!]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:32:01 GMT 0A0B317857869DB287C35ACDE33937D0 End of semester! http://springhilldogs.com/news.cfm?feature=485678&postid=40815 I am happy to announce that the end of the semester is near!&nbsp;&nbsp;Whohoo!&nbsp; It has been a busy flyball month.&nbsp; The latest tourney was in Hamburg, NY.&nbsp; It is so much fun to see the teams from out 'west' and meet the people you only know via the web.&nbsp; Teams did great and Fools Gold got a new best time of 16.44!&nbsp; Chase was also running fast at 4.5 seconds.&nbsp; Thanks to Deb for running him!&nbsp; Spring is teetering on the brink of being ready to run.&nbsp; We are just getting her used to running with another dog in the other lane.&nbsp; Big distractions!!!&nbsp; As it is her birthday TODAY(!!!!!!!!), she is legal to run now and will warmup in Greenfield.&nbsp; I am going to be a nervous mom!&nbsp; I have a 'new' dog that I am training in flyball.&nbsp; Tanner is a Parson Russell Terrier.&nbsp; I am his 'other' Mom!&nbsp; Tanner has already been to a few flyball tourneys and several practices.&nbsp;&nbsp;He is doing runbacks over puppy jumps at 5 feet apart.&nbsp; Tanner is starting on the chute!&nbsp; He is&nbsp;going to be a petite boy....at 5 months old, he is 11&quot; tall!!!!&nbsp;&nbsp; Enjoy these pics!&nbsp;
It has been a busy flyball month.  The latest tourney was in Hamburg, NY.  It is so much fun to see the teams from out 'west' and meet the people you only know via the web.  Teams did great and Fools Gold got a new best time of 16.44!  Chase was also running fast at 4.5 seconds.  Thanks to Deb for running him!  Spring is teetering on the brink of being ready to run.  We are just getting her used to running with another dog in the other lane.  Big distractions!!!  As it is her birthday TODAY(!!!!!!!!), she is legal to run now and will warmup in Greenfield.  I am going to be a nervous mom! 

I have a 'new' dog that I am training in flyball.  Tanner is a Parson Russell Terrier.  I am his 'other' Mom!  Tanner has already been to a few flyball tourneys and several practices.  He is doing runbacks over puppy jumps at 5 feet apart.  Tanner is starting on the chute!  He is going to be a petite boy....at 5 months old, he is 11" tall!!!!   Enjoy these pics! 


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