Obedience class

We went to Emporia tonight for class since the Tuesday class was rained out. I got to see the usual crowd AND some new dogs! We got there early so Deb could do some command work before class and I got to play on the playground equipment. The see-saw was fun and the climbing area was a blast. I did have a little problem once up top, but with TBG's help, I figured it out and made it safely back to earth.

Here we are up top.



and another pic far away to show how high I climbed!



If you look closely at the first pic, you'll notice another change. TBG (aka Sheepdog) is now a shaved Poodle. Thank goodness too, I was really getting tired of his whining. I'd wager Orella doesn't whine as much as he did....crybaby!

I Know! I Need Perspective! Still!

I understand that I have absolutely no credibility for the rant that is to follow--given what has happened to our neighbors in Reading and Joplin. I am one lucky dog. I KNOW! Still, in my world, this was not exactly a fun day. Educational, certainly, but fun....ummm..no.

So, I went to KSU with SWMBO today. Did I mention I woke up to rain? Did I mention that it was raining when I got out of the car? Did I mention that it was raining at about a Level 6 on a 1-10 scale?

Then, we walked to a neighboring building for a meeting. Still Rain at Level 6. walked back--Level 6.

Next, next! You will not believe this! SWMBO decides today is a great "training opportunity" and so we walked to Aggieville for a lunchtime meeting. Did I mention that it is now Level 7 Rain? So we are both soaking wet and I am given this little tiny space at a two-seater table with its feet sticking out everywhere and no place to go. SWMBO actually had to "back" me in as the space was too tight for me to do an under or a turn. I was there for TWO HOURS as SWMBO and her colleague "did business". Huh! Looked to me like SWMBO was getting too much enjoyment from her cup of hot chocolate to really call this work...but I digress!

We walk back--still Rain at Level 7--and, well, when you gotta go, you gotta go. So there we are, SWMBO and I, me soaking wet with beads of water rolling off my vest, and SWMBO trying to manage the backpack, the umbrella (that kept turning inside out) and me...and now clean-up duties right on Manhattan Ave!! Huh! SWMBO kept muttering something about "great ideas" and "TBG's dog" and "is it August yet?"

So, gentle reader, you would think this would be it, right? BUT NO! We get back to Justin Hall, attempt to dry off, collect a few things, and now we're off to another meeting at the College of Vet Med! Did I mention it is now Level 8 rain? Sheets-of-rain-rain? SWMBO just looked out the window before we left and laughed and laughed.

We arrived at the meeting literally soaked through. SWMBO had used up both of her towels that they keep in the backpack for me trying to dry me off, so she took me into the locker room and used paper hand towels on me to soak up the wet! Her plan was to have me lay on her coat during the meeting, but it ended up that her host colleague wouldn't hear of it!

AND! AND! Barstow was at the meeting and popped in---dry as could be! No traipsing across campus for him!

SWMBO tried to capture how wet I really was with the camera. The pictures don't do me justice-I'll tell ya THAT!





Oh, the life of an ADIT!

Fun day in the Little Apple.

Since it was such a nice day, we decided to go into Manhattan and do some outdoor training.

We were walking around Aggieville by the K-State campus and came across a new Donut shop that's almost ready to open. I noticed that they had the most delicious sounding donuts; maple bacon and triple chocolate!



Which reminded me of the video TBG had shown me of a fellow K-9 that was being teased about bacon. TBG (The Big Guy) laughs hysterically ever time he watches it.



We picked up some lunch and walked over to City Park. There were LOTS of kids around and you know what that means....lots of scratching, rubbing and, ahem...licking. I had TBG take a pic of me with this GIANT.



Then the best part of the day, I got to meet a Giant of the dog world. Let me tell you, she was a cutie!! She was 6 yrs old and didn't mind having a young pup around at all!



After we left the park we went to the large grocery store, then headed home. All the way home TBG and Deb kept talking about previous dogs they had and how much they missed the Great Danes.

There was Oscar, who they picked up in Florida and brought out to Kansas many years ago. They said Oscar was 180 lbs!!




and then there was Shades.





I wonder if CCI will ever offer Great Danes?

May Chapter Meeting

Went to Kansas City last night for this month's CCI meeting. Right off the bat we got to meet our newest arrival Orella (sorry if I spelled it wrong). What a little firecracker she was!

She challenged me to a Sumo match.



Mark and Deb's nephew came to the meeting too. I think he was trying to sneak out with a new puppy ;^)



TBG caught me trying to sneak a kiss :^0



After play time, we actually had to do some work and practiced our drills for the upcoming parade in Council Grove.



Finally, here's a pic of the newbie after everyone got a chance to drool all over her. Notice the cow lick on top of her head?

No rest for the weary!

Yesterday I went to work with Deb at K-State. Got to see lots of friends, had some great rub'n and scratch'n and also had to perform commands by multiple people. It was a long day, but at the end of the day I was treated to a trip to Hy-Vee. Deb and I strolled in and headed back to the meat dept. What a wonderful array of fantastic smells! There was steak and bacon.....ahhhhhh, BACON! As I was about to place my order, Deb says "Let's Go" and we walk on by. Come on, what do you mean I can't have any bacon? Sadly we continued on without any of that delicious meat.

We went back out to the car and headed home. All I could think of on the trip home was how nice it was going to be to relax for the rest of the evening and watch the "Dog Whisperer".

W R O N G

The house was merely a stopping point. We reloaded and headed out to obedience class! More listening, more watching, more training. We arrived at class and did the usual work. It's lots of fun, but very tiring. The best part was meeting a new friend. He was very interested in me and wanted to do some training, so I happily obliged!

Here we are working on "Sit"



Here we are working on my soft mouth



Lastly, I thought I'd post a pic of our class instructor...good look'n dog don't you think!

Culture, Baby, Yea, I Got IT!

Master Ansel here, reporting to you live from abroad! Just now aboard the Concorde on my way home; decided to spend the weekend perusing some ancients sites and culture. Wish I could say the food was fabulous, but we brought along my kibble as my inner workings are quite sensitive, you know. Had a fantastic time! Here's a picture from the plane window!



SWMBO, I do not have to...What? OK, OK! So, maybe I wasn't really there this weekend. BUT, I did receive international correspondence (Uh, OK! A postcard! Geez!) from there. And, if you don't believe me, here's the proof!



(I really like being called Master Ansel The Third. Beats out 'SWMBO' or 'TBG' for a nickname, I'll tell you!)

Well, after all that excitement, my weekend seems pretty tame. Anyway, I did go for a hike.



I also went to the nursing home. "Red" was one of Jeb's friends too. I understand she often tried to corrupt him by romping with him and encouraging dog-like behavior while he was at work. Red tried those same tricks on me today, and all I could say was... "I'm IN!"

Went to K-State today

Went to work with Deb today. Graduations are today, so it was a hopping place. Nothing new to report so I didn't break out the ole' Kodachrome!

Yesterday was a different story though...kind of. We went into town last night for dinner. Well, THEY had dinner while I laid on the floor. Seriously, when are they going to invite me to the table? I'm hungry too you know! It's always "down" "under" "good boy". You'd think just once I'd hear "table" or "scraps". I get no respect around here!



After dinner we stopped at the grocery and the Son of Flubber (TBG) worked me some more, walking next to the cart. I must say I rocked it last night. Even had TBG gawking! Got to see some of Deb's friends and received some very good ear scratching.

We headed on home and since the County is doing some bridge repair, we have to take a detour on some lesser traveled roads (didn't think there were roads LESS traveled than to our house) and came across some miniature Donkeys. Here are a couple pics that Dough Boy took.

A young pup like me!



and the proud Papa

I rode public transportation today!

TBG (the big guy) called up the Council Grove Senior Center and set up an appointment for me to ride the bus around for a couple hours.

We went in and met Peggy, who was quite excited to meet me. I got to meet a few other new people and then my driver for the day, Gary, arrived with my wheels!

I got to ride the wheelchair lift into the bus. That was a little scary, but I powered through it. Once onboard, TBG had me do an "under" so I would be out of the way of other passengers. You should've seen his face when I went all the way under the seat. I do enjoy surprising him!




Met a few more people along the way and got to tell them all about me and my Kansas City buds. I think they were impressed with how well I was behaving.




During one of our rest stops I tried to order a drink. TBG started laughing and told me to sit and wait.



We headed back out for the last pickup of the day, so I thought I'd take a couple pics of the bus.




I thought I'd drive the bus on the last leg, but alas....TBG shot that one down again. I've driven the tractor and the boat, how much harder is it to drive a bus??? I guess I'll never know.



I'd like to thank Peggy and Gary at the Senior Center and all the folks I met along the way today. I had a great time and hope to see you all again.

Ansel out

Ansel was by himself today

We had a lot of outdoor work to do today that involved removing old bushes, planting new ones and re-sealing the wrap around decks. Since we didn't want Ansel around the sealer, we thought it would be a great idea to leave him in the house all day, but not in his crate.

We had the windows open till it got hot, then closed them up and flipped on the AC later in the day. We kept a close eye on the little man, trying to be as sneaky as possible so as not to alert him to our presence. Amazingly enough, he was very well behaved all day. Everytime we would check on him, he would just be sitting...watching or crashed out somewhere in the house. We were quite impressed with him today, he's actually starting to act more like an adult than a puppy.

Sniff, sniff...our little puppy is growing up!

Went to the latest obedience class last night

We started my new class in Emporia last night. They hold class in Hammond Park and wow, did we have great weather! We had a good turnout too.

The start of class



We were paying close attention as to what would be expected of us!



After class we worked on the Jungle Gym.



Finally, I had a chance to get on some high ground to scope out the cute dogs in the Park!!