Summer Solstice

We took a portion of last week off to attend some dog events in the Valley. Or at least that's what we planned. Alaska Dogs Gone Wild had their flyball tournament at the Palmer fairgrounds. While Kobe was not participating in the event, we thought it would be fun to camp out and let the dogs enjoy themselves. We had fun practicing and watching the races, and the after party had the best food. At 4 in the morning I decided I don't like camping so we drove back to Anchorage for some rest. Here is a picture of Kobe, at one of the flyball practices, taken by Jim Haga.

Cmon now, you know I look good! The ladies love an athlete.

On the weekend, we headed back out to Big Lake where my parents own a cabin. We were planning to attend the Alaska Dock Dogs' dock jumping event, which we missed. It rained on Sunday and I was in a crabby mood from sleeping on a roll-out sofa bed. I really need to buy an air mattress!!!!

While we didn't get to all the activities planned, I still think the dogs had fun. They got to socialize with other dogs, spend time with my nieces and nephew, get some exercise and enjoy some rib bones from a barbecue. Plus, Kobe got to play in Mirror Lake and Big Lake.

Kobe would not be able to enjoy these events if it wasn't for his foster mom, Tammie, and the Animal Rescue & Kare (ARK) of McCurtain County. You can read about Kobe's rescue and Click to Give to help fund food for shelters on the following page: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/ps/3/gazyebfq1vs3j9nr914kl. While you're there vote for your favorite shelter (hint, hint - the ARK).

Here's some more pictures of Kobe taken this summer.

I know I said I'm from Oklahoma, but it's soo hot here.

I can fit two balls in my mouth, really! I've done it before.

My little bad boy

I'm a bad boy!!!

Kobe has a lot activities--- from training, dog socials, flyball, to water events. This might seem generous. Kobe is a puppy full of energy so these things are done to wear him out. When he's not worn out, he gets himself in a lot of trouble. Recently, he ate my Steve Madden kitten heels, such a bad dog! I sprayed apple bitters on the shoes and gave them back to him. He thought that was a perfect waste of shoes.

At the end of the day, Kobe lays next to me while I read a book and all is good in the world.

The Saga Continues . . . .

Kobe (aka digger) has been digging holes in the yard. I'm having my husband check the perimeter to make sure he isn't trying to dig his way out. I think he knows he's got a good thing so I'm not too worried. I've bought a dig deterrent, which has garlic oil and clove oil and I'm supposed to spray it on the holes. How does that deter a dog? I was surprised yesterday to find Sage instigating a digging party!

I originally started writing this Mother's Day weekend, which was beautiful. The intense heat of the sun combined with an intermittent cool breeze; I love Alaska weather. Kobe had flyball practice that weekend. Here's a picture of Kobe in his gear; he wears a harness so that he can be held back just before the race.


We took Sage with us this time to see if she'd be interested in Flyball. It wasn't her thing, but I'm not surprised she prefers to be adored. *Diva*

Kobe is a natural to Flyball; he picks up the exercise quickly. He's learned to tap his paw on an X. In the relay, Kobe will tap the ramp instead of the X. This week, we worked on tapping the X and turning around and chasing the tug toy. We also ran through the hurdles, him following me with his tug toy screaming, "Kobe get your toy!" Yeah, by the end of the practice I'm worn out. After practice, we all hang out and let the dogs socialize. Kobe and Sage had a lot of fun.

The bulb eater saga

Kobe finds it entertaining to knock over my flower pots, drag around and tear them apart, and then eat the bulb. I . . . don't find it as amusing.

On Thursday, we attended the last dog social until the Fall and I brought my video camera. I don't think you can see it in this video, but Jeremy says Sage is so happy she highsteps it. Kobe is getting better at socializing with large groups of dogs he doesn't know. He becomes more playful as the group gets smaller as you'll see in the video.

We took the dogs to Petco today and bought Kobe a harness. He'll need it for flyball practice tomorrow.

Spring Breakup and Yodeling

The snow has melted, except for a couple of patches of snow. With the warmer weather, I'm finding the dogs laying on the deck or in the yard. I sometimes find them rolling around on the dead grass, which is a little gross since there's a fine layer of dirt and dried poop.

Each day I walk around the house looking for new pops of green. I like to see which flowers are growing back. I'm seeing the green of delphiniums, sweet william, poppies, tulips and iris, and a little color from my scyllas. In my backyard, I planted some flowers last year so I'm excited to see what's growing . . . and so is Kobe. I planted a hosta in my backyard and I see that Kobe has already yanked it out of the ground. I'll have to replant it. In the future, I'll have to keep Kobe in the house when I garden in the backyard.

I also pulled out some of my pots. I can see the container that I grow mints in has some new growth. I can smell the strong scent of mint on the twiggy old growth. I'm in a growing frenzy so I've started some terrariums.

The following is a video of the dogs playing in the yard. For awhile I thought it was Sage that was making all the noise, but Kobe is a little yodeler.

Thursday Night Playtime

On Thursday night, Arctic Tails hosts a social event for dogs. Instead of watching Bones, we took the dogs over. Kobe was nervous, but by the end of the hour, he became more confident. Sage was a crackup! She was very vocal, letting other dogs know when she wanted to play. It definitely gave us a better sense of what's going when they play. I sometime worry that Kobe is too pushy; I now know that Sage is no pushover.

Kobe has started Advanced Beginning training. Valerie Tompkins is the teacher. She's a really good trainer and understands what motivates dogs. He'll also start Flyball training in May.

Crazy weather

Kobe has his last puppy class tonight. I have him signed up for an agility class that starts next Thursday. Jeremy has been taking Kobe running. Jeremy says he's a natural. He was taking both the dogs running, but there are so many unleashed dogs on his run that he's uncomfortable with both. I'll start taking Sage for walks, which she's better at. Maybe in the summer I'll take her jogging.

It isn't unlikely to have snow in April, but it's been snowing continuously today. It's melting on the roads, but the yard has several inches of snow. The picture with snow was taken today and the picture without was taken earlier in the week.

This is a trailer from a movie filmed in Wasilla, Alaska. This is a scary movie and I'm not advocating see it, but if you wonder what Alaska looks like in the summer.

This is for the show, Dog Soup. The voice in the background is the publisher of Alaska Dog News.

Hopefully, summer weather will be hear soon. Before the snow, I could see my tulips coming up.