Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Saber Does Dog Parks

In her down time, Saber likes to run and play at off-leash dog parks. Whenever we travel, we try to stop and visit different dog parks and make new friends. But Saber's favorite park is the one right here at home.

Freedom!!!


Hanging with the local pack:


The nice thing about our dog park is that many of the same people and dogs frequent the park at the same times each day. So on any given day we can predict many of the dogs who will be there, and Saber knows them and loves to play with them. There's quite a large fenced area: a couple of acres of open space to run and chase and just be a dog.



Saber's been coming to the dog park since she was five months old. She's known most of her 'friends' since then. Bitey faces!


I do not use tennis balls at home, but they always seem to be lying around the dog park. Saber enjoys this, even though I am not a fan.


Frisbees are fun, too.


In the spring and fall, Saber and I were going to the local dog park about four times a week, but in the summer when school's out we rarely go because kids are not allowed inside. We do go to dog parks that allow kids when we travel, and I will be sharing pictures of the various dog parks Saber gets to visit.

One last fun thing Saber does: the Pooch Plunge. The Dog Park Society holds this fun event every September and it is a blast! There is a temporary dog park fenced off in a different city park that includes a big wading pool. We had so much fun last year and we can't wait to go again!

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Let's Get Wet!

Summer is here and that means dock diving practice is in full swing! On Thursday I took Saber down to the docks on the river where we practice with our DockDogs club. Saber had a blast! I had to attach a long line to her because she "forgot" how to use the practice ramp and instead was swimming across to the shore. The long line reminded her to come back to me instead. This was our third or fourth practice of the season, but the first one using the ramp.




  

So fun! We went back to the docks today for a local event where Saber jumped a couple of times in a DockDogs demonstration. She met lots of new dogs and people and can't wait to get wet again!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Saber's First Title

Today Saber earned her first AKC title: the CA (Coursing Ability) title! In order to earn this, she needed three qualifying runs; you can read about her first two qualifying courses here.

We travelled to Spokane for this lure coursing test/trial and watched the sighthounds run first. Then it was Saber's turn to run. She did great!







Here she is with her ribbons:


After her run, we went back to the hotel and she jumped up on the Queen bed and crashed for an hour. Coursing is hard work!


Sweet dreams, Saber!