Mock UTD Test

Holding the glove

Yesterday we drove to Red Deer for Bond and I to do a mock UTD test to evaluate our skills. I was so proud of him. He started strong, taking in the odour of the unknown track layer and headed out nose down and on track. We made it to the first article, a block of wood, and then made a hard surface turn across the parking lot. He turned again and was pulled towards the building where the odour was pooling. We went by the final article that was about 20’ away on the grass. He ended up following the track layers walk out trail until in abruptly ended where she was picked up by a car. He then confidently worked his way back to the glove. I was overwhelmed with pride to see how hard he worked to solve the scent puzzle. For a 9 month old puppy he is always amazing me. He got to enjoy an ice cream cone with Brodie to celebrate his successful track. (Thanks to Donna Brinkworth for sharing these photos)

First article

Celebrating at the glove

Celebrating with ice cream

CQA 2024

I just got the exciting news that all of my submissions to the 2024 Canadian Quilt Association National Juried show were accepted (juried in). The best news is that the show is in Edmonton this year so I will get to see them hanging at the show.

He’s a Scent Detection Dog

So proud of my little man Bond. He attended his first official scent detection trial yesterday (3 rounds of CWAGS Ranger Level 1). He searched confidently and happily which is what is most important to me. He also did all of his searches off leash. In the first round he couldn’t help himself and ran over to visit with the judge but I was able to get him focused on searching again. 2nd round he started to go to visit the judge again but I was able to redirect him. The 3rd round he was all business. Couldn’t be happier with his nosework debut. They had a cute Valentine’s themed Photo Booth set up. Thank you to See Spot Run Doggy Daycare & Training Inc for hosting CWAGS trials, the judges and volunteers

Unbelievable Winter Weather

January 30th and an amazing +8°C (it actually got to 10°). I think we have a little spring fever happening in our backyard.

7 Months Old

I am 7 months old today and I am officially taller than my big brother. Survived my first polar vortex and was forced to quickly adapt to wearing booties and a jacket. My Mom has not been able to make any progress on improving my over greeting tendencies and jumping up on people. Sadly I am still experiencing some fall-out from my New Year’s Eve fireworks fright. I have some noise sensitivity now and anything that reminds me of that night gets me worried and anxious. I only gained 3 lbs this month but I grew 2 inches

6 months Old

Happy Boxing Day and happy 6 months old birthday to me. To celebrate, I ran my first 600+ metre urban track. There were some pretty scary, snarling dogs along the way but I worked through it and made it to the glove. I got to celebrate by enjoying my first whole frozen sardine with a knuckle bone chaser. Much to my Mom’s frustration, I’m still doing my best standing grizzly bear impression and jumping up on everyone I encounter. This past month has been all about having fun with my nose doing tracking, nosework and a little intro to finding shed antlers. I grew 1.5 inches and gained 7.8 lbs. Just to emphasize how I am maturing, this afternoon, for the first time ever, I lifted my leg to pee.

5 months and counting

I have officially made it to 5 months old and I’m still alive. My Mom says it’s only because I am so darn cute that she couldn’t kill me even if she really, really wants to. I am hearing less baby land shark (unless I am taking a treat then it is full on shark 😉) and a whole lot more “devil child”. I’ve learned that I can stand up on my hind legs like a grizzly and jump up on people. It’s really fun but I can tell Mom is not impressed. I attended my first CWAGS scent trial and found both hides but they were FEO runs because I am too young to officially trial. I am really rocking urban tracking. Unfortunately winter is going to put it on hold for several months. I grew almost 3 inches this month and I am almost as big as Brodie now. Just a couple more and look out big brother!

4 Months Old

I am 4 months old today and boy have I learned a lot in the last month. I have full run of the house now. Mom says that is the earliest any puppy has had that privilege. I’ve learned that having the mentals/zoomies in bed at night while the hoomans are watching TV means that I get put in my kennel for the night. Now I am as sweet as pie so that they forget I’m there and I get to spend the whole night on my king size bed taking up as much room as possible. I’m learning tracking, nose-work and the foundations of competition obedience. My brother and I really get along well and even my big sister is allowing me to snuggle close to her in bed overnight. I still hear the words devil child and baby land shark an awful lot but I think it just means that they really love me ❤️

3 Months and Counting

I am 3 months old today and I am ready to rumble. Mom was shocked to learn that I was 25lbs and almost 16″ tall. Got my second set of shots last Wednesday so look out world I’m coming for you. Got to experience a little of the performance dog trial world this past weekend. Spirit did CWAGS Friday night and Brodie did SDDA nose work all weekend. I got to hang out in the car and meet lots of people. Remember, if any of my Mom’s dog peeps has a fully vaccinated, puppy savvy adult dog that I could be introduced to, bring’em on. I’m ready to start socializing 😉.

I love my big brother

12 Weeks Old

I am 12 weeks old today and pretty amazing if I do say so myself. I thought my Mom had it too easy living with me so I figured I would inject a little spice into her life and start projectile vomiting and diarrhea. As a young, not fully vaccinated puppy she worried that I had the potentially fatal disease Parvo. I never saw her move so fast as she rushed me to the Vet. Surprise no parvo I just ate some green tomatoes which, who knew, are toxic to dogs. I’m fine now but my Mom aged 30 years.

At 8 weeks I was a retrieving machine but at 12 weeks I’m a “ it’s mine and I’m out of here”. I did manage to earn my second trick dog title in my spare time. I’ve started Perfect Puppy Classes where I get to check out new and exciting things and learn to listen to my Mom with other people and puppies in the room. Frankly I would much rather get loving from the people and play with the puppies but they won’t let me.

Bond’s First Titles

After a few weeks with your new puppy you start to question your sanity because you picked the most gregarious, bold, fearless and engaging baby land shark . But, when you get to play with them, they not only absorb everything like a sponge, they actively want to engage with you and do more. I feel so blessed to share my life with such wonderful dogs ( you too Don Ho).

Since it is now official, we can share that Mr Bond earned his NTD (Novice Trick Dog Title demonstrating 15 tricks) on his 10 week birthday. Then he went on to earn his NTD-M (Novice Trick Dog Master Title demonstrating 30 tricks) on his 11 week birthday. Big thanks to Carrie and her Clickety Trick Spark Team FB group for all her coaching, helpful suggestions and reviewing our video submissions. If you want to work on your trick dog titles I highly recommend Carrie. Big thank you to Pauline of Beaugoldens for entrusting me with this amazing golden boy.

11 Weeks old and 20lbs

Time is just flying by. I can’t believe I am 11 weeks old already. The belly loop on my harness used to hang down a couple of inches and now Mom is close to having to enlarge it. She already checks and grows my collar every couple of days. She wants me to slow down and stop growing up so darn fast.

10 weeks old and all teeth

I’m 10 weeks old and full of trouble. Mom calls me a baby land shark because I love to bite and I especially love to hang off of her housecoat. I’ve mastered most of the 15 tricks I need for my Novice Trick title. I am great in a kennel at night and in the car but I have no patience or tolerance for being in an x-pen or crate during the day. I can scream so loud that Mom is sure that the neighbours must think we are engaged in dog torture/sacrifices. Other than that, I am the greatest little boy ever, even if I do say so myself

Bitey-Face

I’m so happy that Brodie has started appreciating having a wild and crazy little brother. They are playing together more and more. This is their first sustained session of bitey-face.

Spirit is coming around

Spirit has not been overjoyed that we added a new 4-legged member to our family. She has been doing everything to avoid Bond and gives him a snarly face if he insists on entering her personal bubble. We have been giving her amazing treats whenever he comes near her which has helped tremendously as long as he doesn’t touch her. I have been taking them for short walks together and I think we have made a breakthrough. After today’s walk she even let him lie down beside her. 🤞🤞🤞

Land Shark

I’ve lost track of how many puppies we have raised between our own dogs and fosters. I have to say that I have never had a puppy quite like Bond. It’s a good thing that he is so darn cute because he is the worst land shark 🦈 we’ve ever had. In the blink of an eye he will go from sweetly snuggling with you and then just whip around and bite your face really hard.

9 weeks Old

It’s official. I am 9 weeks old today. Mom says I’m stinkin’ cute but a devil child. Last Tuesday I could sleep under the chairs in the family room, today only my head fits under there. I’m growing up fast, way too fast if you ask my Mom.

Bond – Your Chariot Awaits

I didn’t know how I was going to be able to give Spirit and Brodie their long walks each morning with a new puppy who can’t walk fast or far. And then it came to me…..a chariot. Both Brodie and Bond have really adjusted quickly to using the chariot. They did over 20km with it this weekend. Bond did a lot of sightseeing, stops for stretching his legs and quite a few naps. He quickly learned that when he had enough investigating/walking he could just hop up inside and chill out.

New family member

It has been a long year of 2 failed breedings, a cancelled planned breeding and a very disappointing breeding but all that is behind us now. We have found the perfect breeder for us and we have our little boy. We are so grateful to Eve O’Keefe and Shannon Flynn (Brodie’s breeder) for recommending Pauline Buchanan of Beaugoldens

Pauline chose cars as the theme for this litter. I would like to introduce you to Beaugolden’s Aston Martin Goldeneye call name “Bond”. Although his name is obviously a reference to James Bond but for me, it is more about the connection/bond that we will have together.

In our first 24 hours, I have learned that he is bold, fearless, and very confident. We can’t take our eye’s off of him for a millisecond or he will be climbing, scaling or investigating something. He is not your typical puppy piggy inhaling his food. He actually chews each piece. He slept through the night without a peep but if he is awake, he doesn’t want to be any more than a metre away or he will start vocalizing. He is definitely not a fan of kennels or X-pens and he lets you know, loud and clear, he is not a happy camper. He has already learned where he is supposed to go potty and has discovered the bell on the back door that hopefully he will soon start ringing when he wants to go outside. He has an amazing natural retrieve and carry and he happy follows me wherever I go. I am so looking forward to all the adventures ahead of us ❤️❤️❤️

Immortalized in Fabric

After completing 4 textile portraits of my big, shiny black girl, Brodie thought it was about time I did one of him. Yes my handsome, golden boy but that’s it buddy, one and only one for you.

There are over 132,000 stitches and 18 different thread colours in the decorative free motion quilting.

Fit as a Fiddle

Annual Vet exam today. Both got a clean bill of health. Titres showed immunity is excellent so no unnecessary vaccines were required. Spirit was especially thrilled to hear that she should put on a few pounds. She ate enough dehydrated liver during her appointment to help her start the process. When she got home she inhaled a huge frozen turkey neck for an afternoon snack. She is really going to enjoy getting all these extra calories. She now loves her Vet 😉😂

Scarlet Glory

Now that the 2023 CQA show is over I can share pictures of my quilts that were juried into the show. This is “Scarlet Glory” 35×23. It was inspired by a painting by Canadian Landscape artist Brigitte Gratton. I am so grateful that she generously allowed me to use her beautiful art as my muse. It was made with hand cut pieces of fabric and thread play.

Thank You Chris

We have the most wonderful and generous neighbour. We both have pie shaped lots with very small front yards so whenever I mow our lawn I just do our neighbours as well and when we have big dumps of snow we help shovel her driveway. No big deal just being neighbourly. She started sharing her lovely home cooked Chinese dinners. She was so thrilled that we enjoyed her food that she started feeding us every Friday. As grateful as we are, we have been trying to get her to stop feeding us. Groceries are so expensive now and a weekly mow or occasional snow shovelling doesn’t warrant weekly meals. Finally last week we got her to agree to only once a month.

I still felt that we needed to thank her for her generosity so I asked her what her favourite colours were. Soft blue, black and white. I made this lap quilt to show her how grateful we are.

Charity Quilt

Our guild makes baby and children’s quilts and donates them to a local women’s shelter. This is my latest donation. I wanted something colourful and cheerful. I hope the child who gets it feels comforted by it.

New Title for Brodie

This handsome super sniffer just got his CWAGS CW-SSSA Scent Super Sleuth Ace ribbon. Big thanks to Anneli Hilton (you have the most beautiful ribbons) See Spot Run Doggy Daycare & Training Inc and all the amazing Judges (Deb Proc Robbi Bitner Mark Eckley Christina) and volunteers. Not to be outshone by her brother, Spirit the photo bomber earned two Level 4 Q’s tonight.

2023 CQA National Show

Just got the news this morning that my 2 art quilts were juried into the Canadian Quilt Association National juried show. To say that I am excited and overwhelmed would be an understatement. Then, this afternoon I was told that when the Best of Canadian Quilts exhibit finishes at the New England Quilt Museum they want to bring the show to CQA in Halifax and hang it there. That means I will have 3 art pieces at the show. It’s unbelievable. As much as I hate flying, I really want to go to Halifax and actually see something that I made hang there.

Lamb-chop Love

I could watch him play all day long. He knows when he starts rolling around upside down it will entice me to engage with him.

Quilts of Valour

I started this charity quilt prior to COVID but put it aside when I started getting into online zoom art quilt classes with amazing instructors around the world. 2023 is my year of catching up and finishing outstanding projects. I am happy to say this is my 4th UFO finish

Lucy’s Journey

Through Lucy’s Eye

In 2021 I made this art quilt of Lucy and I entered it into the Canadian Quilters Association (CQA) national juried show. I was thrilled to learn that it was juried into the 2021 CQA Show. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the in-person show was cancelled and replaced with a virtual show so I never got the opportunity to see it hang on the show floor.

This summer I received at email from CQA informing me that they were compiling a selection of juried entries into a “Best of Quilting in Canada”collection and they wanted to include my piece. The quilts would be exhibited in the New England Quilt Museum (NEQM) in Lowell, Massachusetts, from January 17 to May 9, 2023. Needless to say, I was shocked and thrilled.

All of the selected quilts are also featured in the 2023 spring edition of Canadian Quilters Magazine.

Those who know me well know that the 5 years that I was blessed to be able to volunteer at the zoo were very special to me. Of course my favourite was Lucy. She has captured my heart and soul. The only reason I made this piece was so that I could see her face and soulful eyes everyday because COVID brought an abrupt and heartbreaking end to my time at the zoo.

If anyone knows someone who lives near the museum I can’t tell you how special it would be to have a picture of her hanging in the exhibit.

Happy New Year