Snow then Sun!

Hi everyone!!
We have a few things to update you on...Last weekend, we went to the Atlanta Terrier Club's earthdog event and we had a blast! We didn't ever go into the tunnels to find the rats, but we still had fun! It snowed the Friday before and that wasn't helpful for following the scent, but like we said, we had fun. Mommy and Daddy keep talking again about building practice tunnels...they've been saying this for like, 2 years now. Maybe since we didn't go into the tunnels at the event, they'll actually build us some!

This weekend it's like Spring!!! It's sunny and 63 degrees and BEE-UTIFUL! Mommy has taken us for long walks each day this weekend and we've had fun! Yesterday, we met a nice Welsh Terrier named Murray. He wanted to play with us, but we're still not sure about that so maybe after we see him a few more times, we can play. We also met some little kids yesterday and today. I'm always good with kids and Riley was surprisingly good as well...she even let 3 little girls pet her today! One was really small and the small ones worry her, but Riley was very good. Mommy kept feeding us treats and letting the kids feed us treats so that was awesome. She's also teaching us to heel (again) and gives us lots of Charlie Bear treats along the way and we REALLY enjoy that! Charlie Bear treats are great, if your dog hasn't tried them, you should get some. We get ours at Trader Joe's, but I think you can get them at PetSmart too. They are yummy and we border terriers love food!!

Until next time...Fin

Birds and Toys!

Boy, are we excited!!! The birds have been coming into the yard lately and we've been going CRAZY!!! We go nuts for anything that moves, flutters, runs, scurries, hops etc...and the birds are driving us nuts! Occasionally I see a leaf blow around and that gets me excited until I realize it's a leaf and not very fun to chase...

Finlay has caught 2 birds before, but I still haven't caught any. Mommy would like to keep it that way. She was really upset when Finlay caught those birds...I almost caught a rabbit, but those darn things are so FAST! I'm really fast, but those rabbits have shown me who's boss so far. Because Finlay and I are natural born killers (OK, only when it comes to rodents, birds or lizards - we don't want to scare you), we don't get cute squeaky toys anymore. We kill those in 5 seconds flat. After all, we are terriers. Mommy got one that was supposed to be indestructible, military-grade canvas and that took Finlay 15 minutes to destroy. We never saw one of those again...

The one thing we do have are these toys called Skinneez. They are stuffing-free dog toys and we love them! They do come with squeakers, but you can take those out and destroy them - that's what we did. The squeakers are gone, but they are still really fun to play with. Personally, I love to play tug with Finlay or the humans with mine. I also just like to run around with it and toss it around. That always makes the humans smile. We got ours at Dog.com and here's a link if you want to check them out:

http://www.dog.com/item/skinneeez-stuffing-free-dog-toy/490513/

Let us know of any toys you know of that could handle 2 terriers...We don't think there are many out there, but we'll test them for you!

I hear Finlay barking so I better log off and go see if we can bark at some birds!

Have a good day!
Riley

Misty Day for a Walk...

We just got back from a walk and had such a good time! It's cool and rainy, but like a misty rain, very much like being in the UK. OK, we've never been to the UK but that's where our breed is from...the border between England and Scotland. Mommy says this weather reminds her of England and Scotland and we believe her! We don't like going outside when it's a steady, harder rain, but today is kind of nice. Peaceful too, probably because there wasn't anyone else out, that meant no other dogs to bark at and I think mommy liked that!

Riley and I need to dry off and take a nap...here's a picture of us with our faces all wet from the rain!

Later, Fin

Just got spayed...

Riley here...I hope this post will be coherent because I was "spayed" on Tuesday and am recovering. I don't know why mommy and daddy did this to me, but they said it's a "good thing". What are they Martha Stewart now? All I know is I have a long incision down the middle of my belly and it hurts! Luckily I have pills that make me feel better. Mommy has been home with me and I've spent a lot of time in my crate. She gets all nervous when she takes me out and won't let me do anything! No getting on the sofa, or my favorite chair, and she takes me out on my leash...in the fenced back yard! I guess she's trying to help me feel better. I heard her tell the vet tech (a really nice girl named Laura, by the way) that I'm not going to agility on Monday, and probably the Monday after that, too. :( Oh well, I know she has her reasons for it. She also said that since this surgery, I won't have to wear my pants anymore, that's a good thing for sure! She said all dogs and cats should be spayed and neutered so we don't have so many unwanted pets who end up on those sad commercials with Sara McLaughlin and Willie Nelson singing sad songs...I just saw the Willie Nelson one today and it was so sad. I just wonder why some people aren't responsible...I think some of them are uneducated...we need to educate them; I know it's something mommy wants to do.

OK, I'm getting sleepy and am going back to bed...

Riley

Update from Fin and Ri...

Mommy gave us baths today so we've had a lot of energy! We go crazy after we get baths. We tear around the house and try to tackle each other...it's pretty fun, all except having to get bathed!

Last weekend Mommy invited a trainer over to the house. That lady is nice, but she's changing the way things work around here! We can no longer put our feet on people (we're just jumping up and saying hi!), we can't put our feet on any tables...kitchen, side, coffee...I think it's because Mommy told Anne (the trainer) that I stole some bread off the coffee table at my grandparent's house on Thanksgiving. Also, Anne wants Mommy to get us out of the bed!!! So far, she's just making us sleep at the bottom, but she might move us off of it all together! Can you believe that? I mean, especially in the winter when I get cold and have to burrow under the covers to stay warm! I'm hoping we don't get moved off, but we'll see. Mommy is also taking us on walks separately...I guess it's because we go nuts when we see other dogs...

Oh, Mommy and Daddy took us to the park on Christmas Eve (day)! We went for a hike and then watched the dogs in the dog park. That was pretty fun. I barked a bit at first but then just watched. Riley didn't really bark, she just watched the other dogs run and play. There were a bunch of them out there! Lots of big ones...Huskies and Goldens especially.

OK, time to see if I can get some dinner!

Fin

Agility = Fun!

Hey guys, Riley here. We've been really busy lately and I haven't been able to tell you about my agility class. We successfully finished the beginner's class and have gone through two weeks of intermediate. It is SO much fun! This time, there are a couple smaller dogs like me, one is a Jack Russell and the other is a poodle. We have a lot of fun. Cherin is in my class again (the border collie mix) and I'm cool with her. We're used to each other now. Mommy really likes her because she's really sweet.

In this class we mainly do sets of obstacles in a row and our "handlers" (mommy in my case) have to tell us which obstacle is next. Mommy and I are pretty good at it, but sometimes I'm not sure where I'm supposed to go. Mommy said she's not the most coordinated person, so we're working on that! Usually I'm really good at the A-frame, but this week I had a bit of trouble. Not really sure why...

I'm hoping Daddy can make it to a class to take some pictures so I can show you how we're doing.

Finlay says to say hi!

Bye...Ri

Agility Class #3

Hi, it's me Riley. Mom and I went to agility class last night and she seemed really excited to go. I found out later that her day was stressful and so she was looking forward to the class. I have to say, she did have a lot of fun. I think she likes seeing me jump things. I can really soar over those hurdles, though Anne (the instructor) said I'm jumping really early...I just get so excited about the food on the other side!!

Anyway, let's see what did we do yesterday? Oh, we started with the tunnel and a jump after it, that was fun. Then we did the a-frame. Sometimes I think mommy wants me to jump off of it, but I think I'm supposed to go all the way up then all the way down the other side. It's pretty fun. Then we did the tire jump and ended up on the table. Oh yeah, we did something called the "dog walk" that was new. Since I'm little, I sped right across it and Anne had to tell mommy to run! I don't think mommy thought I would go that fast having just learned it! That was fun.

It was really hot out, even though we were in the shade so mommy kept giving me water, then she sprayed me with a hose!! Can you believe that?? At first I wasn't too happy about it, but then it felt really good. In fact, after she did that, I rolled all over the dirt. It's like sandy dirt and it felt so good! Mommy just looked at me and laughed. At the end of the class, she hosed me off but wouldn't let me roll around...she said something about maybe getting a bath and not wanting to get the car dirty...I certainly didn't want a bath when I got home, so I didn't roll anymore!

I really like this class, it's so much fun!!! I'm hoping daddy can come see it so he can see how much fun I have. Plus, we want him to take video and pictures so I can show you guys.

Gotta go watch the yard for birds and lizards...Bye!