Sits and Stays

It's been four days since our last meeting. Are you remembering to do your sits and stays? How about a review:

Sits: Working with a lead, ask your dog to sit. Walk a few steps away from your dog and then turn to face your dog. You dog should remain in the sitting position until you say "okay" (at least one minute). Call your dog. Your dog should walk up to you and sit and wait, looking up at you. Tell your dog to "finish." Your dog needs to circle behind you from your right to your left and sit at your side. Say, "exercise finished." Don't forget to praise your dog!

Stays: Working with a lead, ask your dog to lay down. Follow the steps above.

Lizzie and I are working hard to fill in her dog declaration before we drop it off at the fair office tomorrow. As I reviewed Bo's shot records, I noticed that he does not need a new rabies shot until 2008, but he needs the DHPPC shot this year. When I called the vet, it became clear that I might not be able to get him into the office before Monday at 4:30. Time to come up with a Plan B.

Good old TSC came to the rescue. They carry the vaccination we need as a "Spectra 8" shot. Lizzie and I headed out to Lowell and we picked up a shot for Bo, one for Griffin, and a couple for the cats. We stopped by the Bragdon's house when we got back and Dr. Bragdon walked me through the process. First we mixed the contents of the dilution bottle in with the contents of the powder bottle and shook it up real good. Then we grabbed Bo by the scruff and poked him with the sharp. He yelped a little, but the sharp went in nicely and Bo is now vaccinated!

I went back home and repeated the process with the feline vaccinations. That cat scruff is a lot harder to poke, but I got the solution into their necks and they both are looking fine.

Bo's vaccination was $5.96 and the feline vaccinations were $3.99 each. What an economical way to take care of our pets! Thanks for your help, Dr. Bragdon!

Dog Declarations

Dog declarations for the Kent County Youth Fair due Monday by 4:30 p.m.

Can't show if you don't declare!

Knitting news: I made an adjustment to the sole of the pattern. It seemed a little wide, so I decreased that area by six stitches. Stay posted for pictures.

Hey guys, please comment. Do you know how to do that? At the end of each post is the word, "comment." Click on it to make a comment back on the blog. For example, if you have turned in your declarations, let us know in the comments. And tell me when you have practiced your sits and stays. How many times did you have to try before your dog could sit for a minute? What about lay down for a minute? When you get to the more advanced classes, you will have to do sits and stays with your dog when you leave the room -- he or she won't be able to see you but will still have to keep the stay! That's why it's so important to get it down correctly now. Good luck!

What fun!

Bo knew what day it was last night. While Lizzie and I hustled around packing up the dog bag with water, bowl, leads, and collars, Bo became increasingly suspicious that he would be involved in a car ride. We weren't leaving without him -- no way!



Dog 4-H kids met last night and practiced hard!

Coach Mona started them off with a little obedience work. How do you put on that choke chain again? Think about a "P".


















Then they moved on to a little "chutes and ladders."


















A hearty thank you goes out to our fearless leaders Gina, Randy, and Kim. Can you believe that Kim? Appendix surgery one day, Dog club three days later. Goodness. What a model of commitment. And what a great second meeting. Already these kids are showing they have the stuff.


And about that retro slipper. I'll stick the pattern on the sidebar for your knitting pleasure. I started knitting it myself, just to make sure the pattern makes sense and is doable. Mrs. Bragdon, we don't need to hear about your Chula experience here. Anyway, I am finding the pattern a nice little knit. I am using some Knit Picks Wool of the Andes from the stash and size US 8 needles.















Can you see in the photo how the purl stitches on the right side make the fabric "bend" a little? The wide section will be for the sole of the foot and the short sections are the sides of the slipper. I'll keep posting photos as I progress my way through the pattern so you can visualize what you're making.

A gun safety class will be held June 5, 6, and 8 at the Bertha Brock Park Hunting and Fishing Lodge. You have to go to classes all three days to get your certificate (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday are classes and Thursday is a shooting class outside. Dan and Ian are planning to attend. Contact Julie from Showboat Buddies (michknny@yahoo.com) if you're interested in attending.

Did Coach Mona give you guys homework for dogs? Sits and stays are always a good thing to practice.

Happy knitting!

Let's get it started in here!

Welcome to the blog. Mike and I (Sue) are planning to use this blog on a regular basis to communicate with all of you about your project areas. Stop by often to look at a recap of our meetings, remind yourself what paperwork needs to be filled out for the Kent County Youth Fair and when it's due, and get other exciting, useful information.

Dog Group: You should be filling out your dog declarations. Your dog's shot records need to be attached to the form. The declaration is due at the Kent County Fairgrounds in Lowell by May 1. Practice meetings are every Wednesday at 6:30 with Kim.

Poultry Group: First meeting is Thursday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. No chickens that day. We will talk about selecting poultry for show. Still looking for a bird? Let's discuss breeders and what breed of chicken is right for you.

Knitting: The website is still in the process of being published. When it is published you will find a pattern for "Retro Slippers." If you know how to knit (Emma and Leah, I'm talking to you and the moms and the Grandma), I am offering you the challenge of knitting these slippers. Use any worsted weight yarn and size US 8 knitting needles. Follow the directions and email or call me with questions.

Shooting Sports: If any of you are interested in becoming certified in shooting sports, there is a three day (evening) clinic. Dan is planning on attending and he would love some company!