My first haircut!

Yesterday, I took Gibbs to visit his breeder. He needed a good ear and foot trim. I had just bathed him a few days ago, so we skipped the full spa treatment! Gibbs was such a good boy, he sat on the grooming table like he'd been doing it his whole life. He stayed pretty still. Anne used a dremel on his nails, he wasn't even phased. I had been clipping him with the Miller's Forge scissor action clippers. In Janurary, I quicked his nail and made him bleed. That has been the end of the clippers since then... but I think the dremel is going to work. I just ordered one on Amazon.com for us to add to our grooming supplies! He'll have to get used to this grooming routine if we're going to hit the breed ring in a few months!

Here's Gibbs post groom, what a tired boy!

First Conformation Class

Yesterday I took Gibbs to our first conformation class. It was so much fun, I think I've been bitten by the show bug already. The class was 2 hours long, but it was so informative and a good experience for us both.

My little guy just loves food... bait- even better. He was incredibly good. Didn't mind other dogs crowding him or moving toward him while he was stacked. What a good boy! Our breeder, Anne, was there. She said he is developing nicely and he is quite the mover! YAY! Now, had she told me the total opposite that he wasn't going to make the cut for the ring, I would have been disappointed but wouldn't have gone home to cry. However, hearing that he is looking like a show dog has me on cloud 9. :)

I made show bait that Gibbs absolutely loves. I think that I am going to save it only for handling class and for shows. I want him to be motivated and 'up' when he needs to be. Maybe saving his new favorite tid-bit will do that for us.

Here is the recipe, thanks for a fellow member of GoldenRetrieverForum.com, LibertyMe.

SALMON BROWNIES

These treats are so great for training. They aren't
slippery.
They don't crumble. They toss really nicely.

1-14 ounce
canned salmon drained or 2 cans of tuna packed in water, drained
2 eggs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 ½ cups of flour (or more as needed to make
stiff dough)


Mix together. Press (or roll) flat on a cookie sheet to
about ¼" thick.
Spraying your hands with Pam® make pressing out much easier
Bake at 250° F for 30 minutes.
Cut into ¼" cubes and refrigerate or
freeze.


These freeze really well....however they must be used within
a day or two after thawing as they will spoil.

Ought-Oh

Daddy and Mommy took me to the park on Sunday. We had a great time running through the snow and playing. Daddy is so much fun, he lets me chase him and tackle. On Sunday, Daddy took his gloves off because they got wet and he was rough-housing with me and off flew his wedding ring....right into all of that snow! We couldn't find it anywhere. Believe me, I helped dig lots of holes in the snow! It's 5-6 inches deep, you know! Last night, we went back to the park with this thing that beeps. Beep...Beep...Beep... Mom called it a metal detector. Guess what?! We found Daddy's ring in the first 5 minutes. Lucky us! Good thing I didn't eat it when I saw it in the snow. Woof!

Gibbs

Look Out! Mommy has a new camera!

She keeps sticking this big black box in my face. It sometimes lights up when she does it. I don't really like it, but she makes me look at it. She uses treats sometimes to bribe me... but I like food so it's okay with me!

Mom says that I'm growing up. What do you think?

We Have a Visitor

Abby, our friend's wild and crazy golden-poodle mix has been staying with us. In total, it will be about 4.5 days. I have to tell you, she is so hyper and nuts (and a few bones short of the box if you know what I mean), it makes me so incredibly thankful for Gibbs. I can tell that this little visit is stressful to him. Abby is overbearing and dominant- he never gets a rest. For the first day, things are always ok when Abby comes to visit. They rough house and wrestle and have a great time. The problem is this... she doesn't know when to quit. Gibbs gives all of the correct warning signs. He walks away, he turns around and doesn't make eye contact, but she just doesn't get it. The poor good boy is getting clobbered. Abby has been spending a little more time in her crate just to give Gibbs some peace.

On the brighter side, we're just headed for a walk. I usually allow Gibbs off-leash at this park. Abby honestly doesn't seem to respond to verbal commands. I know that she's been taught, but like I said... she's a few fries short of a Happy Meal. She'll stay on a long line!

Merry Woof-mas!

I had my first Christmas this year, it was pretty darn cool if you ask me! I got to visit and play with my grandma's dog Bea. We played chase everyday in the snow. I love her! My other grandma's dog, Maggie, doesn't like me. She tries to bite me and steal my chew toys but I still try to chase her and play. I wonder why she doesn't like me?

I got lots of neat toys and treats. Mom says I'm spoiled- what does that even mean? My favorite toy is the Invincibles Snake. It makes this cool squeaking noise... I just love to do it over and over...and over. Speaking of that snake, where did it go, Mom?

I hope Santa was good to you, too.

Love, Gibbs

Casey's Memorial Paperweight

I contacted Lowell at Serpentine Glass in Oregon about making a memorial paperweight to remember Casey. The paperweights have Casey's ashes swirled inside. One is for myself and the other is for my parents. They are truly beautiful, magnificent---true artistry. I had tears streaming down my face when I took them out of the box and saw them for the first time. I know that my parent's reaction will be similar. These paperweights are a wonderful tribute to a dear and true friend, Casey.

Here are some photos...