Summer flies

Summer is always busy and it is difficult to post regularly

Elizabeth enjoyed herding yesterday. It’s been hot and hard on the animals. The Saturday morning crew has been working on some improvements to the large arena which we hope to have completed by the July trials. Fun!

Bing showed fairly good control with three lambs yesterday. The work was ragged and a bit chaotic but not bad for a dog who in previous year displayed a preference for eating lambs instead of herding them.

Kate displayed no control, no recall, sigh, no sit on the same three lambs. She didn’t want to eat them but found chasing delightful. I cornered her and leashed her.

So Bing will enter the AHBA HTAD trial today and Kate will stay home eating Bon bons. The sheep are light and Bing has never seen them. I expect it to be humbling but fun none the less.

Elizabeth is very mobile these days. She has a few words (dog, ola, gracias, mama, more) and is able to articulate her wants more clearly. She loves birds and her dogs. She dances when she hears music and will play happily by herself for brief periods of time.

She is a delight.

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No, no you’re not

If you have to announce it, it isn’t true

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Water baby

Elizabeth entertained herself with a bowl (many refills) of water while Scott and I gardened.

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Quick pics

We’ve been busy with the belated spring and onset of summer so it’s been awhile since we posted.

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Fundraiser David Jensens animal book

Sent to friends and family earlier today
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Hello all

I try hard to not spam my friends and family but today I’m breaking my rules because I want a book to be published. I hope you won’t be too aggravated .

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/itsimportanttopaws/its-important-to-paws

David Jensen has been our family and animal photographer for years. When Elizabeth was just a couple days old he talked his way into NICU and took some amazing photos of our new family, and we love looking at the photos he has taken over the years of Abby, Bing, Kate and their humans.

David has been working on his ‘Important to Paws’ book for ages and has reached the funding stage.

His ‘Kickstarter’ began May 8 and ends June 10. He has raised just over $15,000 from ~140 contributors. He needs to raise the remaining $10,000 by June 10th. With a bit more help this book will be reality soon.

Scott and I are supporting David’s project because he is skilled, compassionate and an exceedingly hard worker. He is very passionate about his work and it shows in his photography and writing. He has made many contributions to the local animal community over the years so it feels good to give a little back to David.

We think his book will be an excellent production and are looking forward to seeing the final print. Kate’s pups might even be in the book!

A $39 contribution gets you a copy of David’s book come fall and a warm fuzzy feeling knowing you are supporting an excellent project.

I really believe this is a great project and hope that you’ll consider supporting David’s book too.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/itsimportanttopaws/its-important-to-paws
Jenny

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Mobility

I’ll try to get some video to post, later.

Elizabeth took her first unassisted steps this week. ‘Dog’ sans the g is her first word as of this month.

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C’mon global warming!

Great day at the Craig Watson sheep herding seminar today.

The SNOW is out of season but it didn’t squelch anyone’s enthusiasm.

Bing’s back is much better and he has been cleared to resume herding – with the caveat that it be gentle and gradual and accompanied by continuing his core strengthening exercises. Four days of herding was going to be too much for my herding fool so Kate got to join in the fun.

Kate runs hot and cold on herding. When she is ‘on’ she is a delight. She usually remembers the difference between Away and Go bye, and doesn’t often split or go bowling. When she’s off she’s exasperating and it takes painful cajoling and happy talking to get her to work. And sometimes the poo is just delectable and overrides everything.

Today she was ‘on’ and we had such a great time working together. She did a lot of silly happy bouncing and got the sheep moving all over the place. Craig had some good suggestions for me to work on – hope I retain them with my crappy memory! There were 12 dogs and lots of weather. It’s great seeing how far everyone has progressed.

We saw some very nice herding today, despite the crazy snow.

Plus a random baby photo – just because.

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David Jensen book and Kickstarter

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/itsimportanttopaws/its-important-to-paws

David Jensen has been our family and animal photographer for years.

He has been working on a book for ages and has reached the funding stage.

We love David and admire his talent and compassion for people and their companions. We so hope this project is fully funded and succeeds!

Take a look and perhaps support David’s project if you are able…

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Bleeding heart

Bulbs in the background
Bleeding heart is happy and growing
Ditto for the rhubarb in the backyard
50’s today, overcast, kinda like spring

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Happy Anniversary, Elizabeth

Today is Cinco de Mayo.

Elizabeth came home from NICU one year ago today.

The year has flown even faster than cliche would have you believe.

We celebrated as a family today, including a trip back to NICU to deliver cookies and thanks.

We are so happy.

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