Saturday, April 24, 2010

Canine Freestyle Federation Retreat

It has been such a long time since I have been able to blog. Barbara has been very busy making lists and phone calls. She says that she will have some exciting news soon but bits of paper with all sorts of numbers on them don't look very exciting to me. Not that Ambrose and I have been neglected or anything. We have been going to the dog park, practicing, playing and being generally good dogs and getting lots of treats.

Last weekend Barbara and I took a trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee for the Canine Freestyle Federation Retreat (Ambrose went to K9 Kindercare). We went to it two years ago and this year it was even better. After a long, long ride in the dog-crate-on-wheels we arrived at a motel. I love motels. This one had a magic elevator room.



It is so cool to go in the magic elevator room and when the door opens you are in a completely different place!



I liked this motel room because it had a window seat. I sat up there to keep a watch on the parking lot.



There were about 40 dogs staying at the motel and we all behaved very well. The other non-dog guests were surprised to see us everywhere.



The Retreat started on Friday with a Freestyle competition. I wasn't entered because we haven't finished my routine. But my friend Lucky was entered and he and his person got their CFF Level III title. Their routine was excellent.



We had classes Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and Sunday morning. The instructors kept us very busy practicing our technical skills and helping our people to develop their artistry and creativity.





One of my favorite things to do is target to Barbara's hand.



Then I get to jump really high.



I think we make a really good team. We worked very hard together. The instructors asked us to show off some of our phrases in the show and tell part on Sunday.



There were all kinds of dogs at the Retreat. This is Segan and he is a Belgian Lakenois. I had never met a dog like him before. He is very good at Freestyle and makes lovely turns. We got to do a team routine together.



Of course I always like to find new boyfriends. Nova sat next to me during one of the classes and we did a lot of flirting. I think he is quite handsome.



I worked so hard that I was very tired when the classes were over. I needed a long nap to refresh myself.



It took me a whole day to recover from all my activities! Besides the physical activity, over course it was mentally stimulating to learn new things. That is exhausting too. But now I am back to my usual, active self.



Ambrose had a good time at K9 Kindercare. I was very happy when we left him there so I could have Barbara all to myself for a few days. As you can see he is doing very well. He is almost 16 months old and he is starting to get a bit of sense lately.



We have a busy week ahead of us but we will catch up with all your blogs. I know that you have been doing lots of fun things.

9 comments:

Clive said...

Lovely to catch up on all your news!

take care
Clive and the NSLM

Lorenza said...

Hi, Niamh!
I can see you have been very busy!
You are sooooo good!
Enjoy this week too!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Molly the Airedale said...

We've never been in an elevator before! hummmmm, we're not sure if we'd like it or not!
We love your ears in your jumping picture, Niamh!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

Hello Niamh! Your trip to TN sounds like a lot of fun: great activities, nice accommodations, new friends and time alone with your favourite person. Wow!

We're glad to hear that Ambrose is maturing too!

Woofs,
Tommy

BRUTUS said...

It's an epidemic - everyone is behind! I guess that humans go into overdrive in the Spring, and blogging takes a back seat to other important things (like dog trials!!). Good to see you, and we are impressed that you do freestyle! Mom trys to get me to target like that, but I never could be as enthusiastic about it as you!

Snorts-
Brutus the Frenchie

Deefor said...

Nice to see you having some fun. Nice bed they got for you in the motel. You look very happy.

Deefor

Dexter said...

A whole vacation with just you and your Barbara? That is much deserved and a long time coming. You sure do jump high.

Your boyfriend looks cute. Just a vacation romance, though, right? Good to see you again and looking so fine. Oh, and Ambrose too.

Slobbers,
mango

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Oh it sure looks like you had a great time... Time alone with mom is always awesome but you probably missed Ambrose just a little bit right?

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Unknown said...

HI Niamh,

I'm STILL waiting to see your routine!!!!! :-)

That sounds like the most awesome weekend! And isn't it funny - I've just come back from a doggie dancing camp too! I will be posting about that soon - you're right, it's awfully exhausting! And my human was exhausted too - especially with all the driving to and from the camp as well! But I didn't get to stay in a fancy motel - I would love to try that - we stayed in one of those cool dog-friendly cabins again, with its own little garden and I had an OES for a neighbour!

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane