Saturday, April 11, 2009

Rainy Earthdog Fun

Hi all --

Mom had this bright idea, why don't we go do some Earthdog practice today, even if it's raining. Well I'm always up for anything involving RATS! Josie needs to get some practice if she's ever going to get that Senior title someday, but the real question mark was little Ollie. Mom wasn't quite sure if she should bring Ollie or not, he's just a baby of 4 months, but he needed an adventure so we brought him too.

It rained, and it rained and it rained. Hmpf - the weatherman promised it would stop! It didn't! He owes us a LOT of nice sunny days now here in the East. Hear that, Weather Channel???

Anyway, I got dirtier than Mom had ever seen me in the Master tunnel (she FORGOT to take my pic so just picture a pig in slop!). Inside the tunnel next to where the rats were was totally wet but I didn't care! Ollie and Josie didn't get near as dirty where they were. (MOM: Yeah!) She found a hose and washed me down; I couldn't get back in the car as filthy as I was. Now that was cold in more ways than one!!!!
(but Mom did dry me off and put a warm coat on me afterward)

Ollie had a good time. He's thinking about the whole scene here ("what are they doing here? What am I doing here???") All the doggies barking got him a little afraid but that didn't last long.


Now he's looking at the lady bringing the rat cage...


It took 3 separate attempts at getting Ollie interested in the rat, but he finally did it!


You can't tell by the pic but he was barking his little puppy bark and following the cage around. That's my little buddy!


Mom didn't take him any further, she just wanted to get him to bark at a rat for now. When Josie was little bitty, she was afraid of that rat. Now she's out there going nuts like everyone else. I was never afraid... (ahem!).


So we dried off and spent a few hours at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandma liked him! Ollie met Grandma and they had a great conversation. I think he likes her too!


I had to stay in a separate crate 'cause Ollie was pestering me so bad Mom thought I'd be better off getting some rest by myself. Whew what a relief -- Josie had to put up with him instead....


We'll get to do some more Earthdog practice and games next month in New Jersey. They have some GOOD Earthdog games! I just lose my brains out there!
But for now, Josie and I have back-to-back agility trials this coming weekend and next. By next month I'll be ready to get 'down and dirty' again. Josie and Ollie will come with me for some fun too!

Stay tuned --
Love,
Rudy

12 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Who WOULDN'T like Ollie?

Rain is grrrrreat!

I was being a Siberian Sponge on Saturday!

Hoppy Easter!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Noah the Airedale said...

What a shame it rained. Little Ollie sounds like he did well for his first time there. He'll get used to those rats in no time.

tailwags
Noah Willow Tess & Lucy

The 'splorin' Wolfies said...

ahh! hehehe! would love to have seen the mud pictures1 getting dirty is our specialty! happy easter beautiful Bedlington!

Joe Stains said...

That earth dog stuff looks cool. Glad Ollie is getting to learn it too, it must be a great way to burn off that excess energy!!

Molly the Airedale said...

We think you did a great job Ollie! I'm sure it takes time getting used to a rat! ewwwwwwwwwwwww
Have a happy Easter, guys!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Agatha and Archie said...

SHIVERING SHIVERING just looking at that rat kid....We saw that there are a MILLION trials in NJ this summer but that is a little far for us so we will go BOTH days to all the local ones and then try to get some practice ones in as well....WHO CARES of it was raining......YOU HAD A JOB TO DO!!!! proud of ya..( and Ollie in the making) Love A+A

Dexter said...

That rat hunting looks like fun. I bet they are extra stinky in the rain and the mud makes it more challenging.

I am glad we have the portable weave poles so maybe they will be "ported" someplace I don't have to try and force my large and unweavelike body through them.

Slobbers,
Mango

Gus said...

good luck next weekend

gussie

Linda Fleming said...

I heard that you had a visit with Mary this weekend. Love that picture of her. Ollie looks like a real cutie, but I bet he can be annoying. You're a wonderful big brother, Rudy, to put up with the little ones. If Ollie grows up to be just half the dog you are he will awesome ;)

Dewey Dewster said...

Ya know Rudy....

we musta missed somethin' cause we didn't know ya got another family member...where did Ollie come from???

Gee we need ta get ta the earthdog website 'n see when it starts here....we're pretty sure this month sometime....me, I'm tellin' myself ta get down ta basics....ferget about the girls (lost my bits so no use ta flirt anyway)'n hone my earthdog skills ta bits.....yep, can't let my Mom show me up like that fer sure...

Maybe we'll see ya at Woodside sometime this year....ya and yer whole family.....hope so....

Dewey Dewster here....

Fenway said...

You were honest to goodness face-to-face with a real rat! Oho, my man Rudy...what a spectacular opportunity. I'd go after tree rats, 'er I mean squirrels, if I were allowed to.

Isn't all this rain the pits?

Glad your mom got a taste of border collie mach speed. Ms. Alpha knows she has her work cut out and learn to send me and do crosses because there is NO WAY she's going to keep up with me.

So far, so good. I'm good with all the equipment except for weave poles and I'm learning them. I just adore that A-Frame and teeter now!

We're going to a trial at the end of May in Freehold, NJ. Is that on your radar?

Your bored friend (pray for sun!),
Fenway

Martha said...

That looked great fun and the rain would have made things good and muddy - that is the best weather for us hunting dogs, loosens up all those scents!
love
Martha & Bailey xx