Fun Brag!

Kudo's to Henry....he got the "2010 Rookie Flyball Dog" award for our flyball team!  Some stiff competition too.  I love my flyball team and I am soooooooooooo addicted.  So's Henry!  :0)

Indy Bound!

Soooooooooooo excited!  Tomorrow we leave for the CanAm Flyball Nationals.  Woot Woot!  Ten hour drive to Indianapolis and then three days of flyball racing and the goal of making a new Guinness World Record for largest flyball tournament!

Here's a few sites for you.  First, follow along with all the action or just check out what flyball is all about by following an online LIVE webstream of the National tournament, Fri-Sat-Sun.  http://www.livestream.com

I'm also working on a new website for our flyball team.  It's a work in progress, and I still need photos of the team dogs, but check it out.  http://animalinnflyball.org/

And, a momma brag here, Henry ran his personal best time at last weekend flyball tournament....4.32!  Way to go Henry!

Hope it's a pawsitively wonderful day for all!

They ARRIVED -- Flyball Photos!

Finally!!!  In June, Henry ran his first flyball tournament (insert brag, he was AWESOME!).  One of our team member's husband is a professional photography and they took photos of the running dogs.  So here's a few snapshots of our Vermilion's Versatile Oh Henry, RN FDX.  We LOVE you Henry!!

The human team of Animal Inn. 

Henry, High Five!

Lots of kudos my way!  I earned my Rally Novice obedience title this weekend. Not sure why the big deal...I am a smart boy and sits, downs, heels, etc. are pretty darn easy if I do say so myself.  It was pretty fun, but my favorite night last week was flyball night. Oh yea! Just thinking about it gets me all jazzed up. Oh how I love it!! I guess I made Momma Mary proud by running a consistent 4.6.  Again, not a big deal....I always run fast when there's hurdles and a ball involved. Drive, yup I got it! Stay tuned, I'll be running an official race soon.

~ me, Henry  

Tennis Ball CRAZY!

"I just can't get enough of flyball!  So much so that I lose my mind with all those tennis balls around and totally forget all my discipline. But, when Momma Mary says 'Ready, Steady, PUSH'...I'm off!  Over the hurdles, hit the box, grab my ball, make the turn, and back thru the hurdles as fast as I can!  Wow, it's the best!!!  I can't wait for tonight!" says me, Henry.

Back in the Groove

Yes!!  We are getting back into the training mode!  I love this.  Sometimes it's hard to get motivated like last night getting out in the absolutely bitter cold weather and again this morning...who knows what the single digit or subzero temp is today.  I'm afraid to look.

Apple had a grand time in the class yesterday evening.  She looks at everything as a great adventure.  I love that about her.  No fear, no boundaries.  Most of the night was spent listening to blah, blah, blah.  Ok, that's mean, it's all good stuff but I really just wanted to get out there with my dog and do some training.  Finally, after an hour of lecturing, we did get about 10 minutes of real training.  Apple is going to be a blast...she's definitely an open slate with a huge eagerness to learn.  Fun times ahead.

Today is Henry's turn.  He's been off his training schedule for several weeks.  He sooooo needs a job to do!  I'm ecstactic he can get back out there and work his brain and get some much needed exercise.  He's doing dual training today.  We are going early to the training center to do some flyball box work before our regular obedience class.  He was making huge strides in flyball and then with the holidays things kind of stalled.  But it's back to work today.  He'll be one happy boy!

This weekend is the Land O'Lakes Dog Show.  Apple will be one week shy of six months at the time of the show so she is still too young to take on the conformation show ring.  Some day soon though!  The fun part is, Henry is entered in the Rally obedience.  We are hoping to pick up two legs towards his first obedience title.  He is more than ready...it'll be on my shoulders to get the course right and read the signs appropriately.  In Rally Novice, which is what we are in, the obedience is pretty basic it's more the handler putting it all together for their dog.  Can't wait to get out there with Henry.  He is such an awesome dog!!

Well, we are off....hope everyone has a pawsitively great day!

Fun Weekend Ahead

Henry and I are looking forward to flyball training tonight (woo hoo!) and attending a flyball tournament this weekend. It's been super fun learning a new sport...and good exercise for the both of us! Henry is a quick learner, and with his drive and athleticism, he is doing very well. :)

We do our training at Animal Inn but if you want to check out the tournament it's being held Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 8 a.m. at Twin City Obedience Training Center. Henry and I are attending but not participating...long ways to go before making any runs. Hopefully some day!

Flyball!

Yesterday was obedience training day for Henry and I. Hahaha...probably really should read training day for me! Henry is a quick learner and it is so, so, so fun! We are working towards our first obedience title..CD for Companion Dog. (What do they do for a CD...here's a link, Companion Dog Title) He's doing a great job! Me, I still have plenty of work to do.

It was while we were doing our sit-stays (duration 3 minutes) and the instructor likes to challenge the dogs and sometimes will walk by with a treat or a toy, providing distractions that hopefully don't entice your dog to move from their sit. Hmmm, we are not always successful. Well, yesterday, she brought out the tennis ball. I knew we were in trouble!!! Henry will do most anything for a tennis ball fetch! It only took her one bounce of the ball and Henry was off!!! I think there was only one thing going through his head, "Gotta get that ball!" So she says, "You gotta get that boy in flyball."

Funny how some things work...I have been reading more and more sites regarding flyball. I know Tollers can do very well in this team sport and what a fantastic outlet for the higher drive breeds. So, Henry and I are going to receive 1-1 training from our instructor next week to start training some flyball basics...our instructor is on a flyball team and said they're always looking for new dogs! :-) Jumping hurdles and fetching a tennis ball...Henry will think he's gone to heaven!

If you want to learn more, here's a link to the NAFA (North American Flyball Association). I'll keep you posted on our progress!