Sniffing weekend

This weekend we had a "local" trial.  It's a few hours away but I decided since I'm going to be gone a lot this spring I would just drive back and forth.  Friday Legend got to be the test dog for the elite trial, which was really run and then I volunteered.  Weather and views of the lake were great.

Sunday we competed in NW3.  Weather and views still great. Somehow we managed to get tripped up in interiors, and containers got me again.  What I've learned is that my gut is way more accurate than my mouth!  We nailed vehicles and took third place and had a solid outing in exteriors.  I'm not sure if I'll enter another NW3.  This has cost us a lot of time and money and heartbreak.  It's fun, but at Legend's age I may be better off focusing on some other venues for now, especially as my ability to travel and be gone long weekends will be a bit hampered for the next year (more info coming!).  I would like to get to Elite someday, but maybe that's a goal we will save for Epic!

Barn buddies

More cute goat pictures!

They are getting less afraid of me, especially Hansel, but we still have a ways to go. Hopefully soon they can go outside and play. 

Socks is a much cleaner stall keeper now that he’s alone. And looking skinnier when he’s wet! He also got his hair brushed out and looks much better. 

This cutie really isn’t from the barn yard, but she’s new to rescue and too cute not to share. She spent the night with us before going to her foster home. 

Cars, cars, cars

This weekend I took the dog to a UKC vehicle trial.  Saturday we showed in the rain all day.  Epic got one "almost" and one pass in novice.  He definitely needs more experience.  But since we almost never do anything with vehicles I was proud of what he did.  Legend nailed her first leg of master-7 vehicles, 2 hides, and i think two distractors.  By the time round two rolled around it was pouring, the parking lot was flooded and we got one of the two and then a false alert.  No one passed round 2 of masters.

Sunday was chilly and windy.  Epic got his second novice leg and picked up (barely) an advanced leg.  Legend knocked out the rest of her master title and almost got an elite leg (which I'm not sure anyone passed).

Now it's back to obedience class tonight for Epic.  Little man of many talents.  Legend will take the day off.

New additions

We broke down and got baby goats. Hansel and Gretel are 9 week old Nigerian Drawfs raised by my friend Barbie. They are still afraid of us butnsuier cute!

Bedroom remodel

This wasn’t as drastic as the bathroom, but still made a huge difference. We painted the walls and woodwork and did one wall a darker blue than the rest. We also added a barn wood accent wall, which we love. We changed some of the wall art, new curtains and new dog beds and new furniture hardware. 

After!!

Meanwhile

Frisco got adopted. Gus has returned to wait until his recheck cardio appointment. He’s doing great but still marking in the house. 

The cats have gotten involved in the bedroom makeover. 

More pictures once we get it finished! Almost done!

We got this mini project done as well. Things are moving right along!

Squirt

Squirt was my first horse of my own. He spent 19 of his 22 years with me and I knew him from the time he was just a scrawny weanling.   We had a lot of good rides and pleasant retirement years after his arthritis got bad. He’s been a constant in my life through a lot of changes. 

Last week he developed a vestibular/neurological condition. Despite treatment he continued to decline.  This morning his condition progressed to the point he was physically unable to eat and we made the obvious choice for him.  Run free Squirt 💙

Same story, different day

Legend and I went to and NW3 this weekend.  We didn't pass.  It wasn't our best try and it wasn't our worst.   I'll skip all the details this time around. Because that's not what really matters. 

Two of my friends lost their geriatric dogs this weekend.  Reading this news while spending the weekend trialing with my own older girl reminded me that passing or failing is not important.  What matters is I had the chance to spend the day doing what we love.  That I got to take her home with me.  That hopefully we get to try again someday.  Because in the end, it won't be more more Qs, or more ribbons, or more titles that I'll be wishing for.  It will be more time. 

Hug your dogs.

Bathroom remodel

We finally broke down and spent the money to remodel our bathroom. The shower was gross and the rest was, green. Also older and dated. It was a lengthy process getting things picked out and planned and finding a contractor. But we were overall happy with all our final choices. I wish the tub was a better shape as it’s not as comfortable as the old one. But otherwise we are happy. We did the wall paint and the cabinetry refinishing ourselves. The rest we had the contractor do. 

Before...

 After!

I haven’t gotten this posted yet because we’ve been working in our next project. Stay tuned!