Two training groups. One friendly....one not.

Last night the woman who runs the dog obedience classes called me about upcoming classes. She was friendly and encouraging. A week ago, the agility instructor made a point of discussing with me how to proceed with Trudy's agility training. I look forward to continuing agility and obedience with this group. They both made me feel as though there is hope for us yet.

After my horses death, I have transformed my horse-training obsession to a dog-training obsession. I started puppy classes with Trudy at a dog club located near my house that seemed, initially, very promising. I quickly noticed that even the beginner classes contained people and their dogs who had been doing this stuff for a while. I though "Oh great! Serious dog people - great place to start!" After a puppy class, an obedience class, an agility class, and half of a handler's class. I got the feeling that I was dealing with folks who were on the inside ... and I was definitely on the outside. My dog was too small to be (in their estimation) a "good" English setter (They refer to the bench type - she comes from a long line of field champions). She was much too distractible. So...mmmmmby by! I think that the exclusive attitude there is fueled by a couple of the officers who take themselves way too seriously.

Hmmmmm...funny..when I started taking the twerp there, I talked to the breeder, a well-respected field trial person, and his reaction was that they were "snobby.....very very snobby" - I said "nooooo - they are really....OK....I think....serious...you know?".

Because I needed a more convenient class time, I found another group, near my work, to continue agility and obedience training. They don't have a big fancy website like the other place, but they do compete as a group. I found the agility class very well structured and the obedience class motivating and progressive. All the instructors are serious, helpful, and encouraging. Even Trudy is more motivated to learn there. We really looked forward to going to class. Trudy was stellar.

I even toyed with the idea of taking classes at both places, keeping some ties open. I took a handler's class at the snotty place. Trudy was distracted and silly - thumbed her little black nose at the instructor every chance she could get (she's wiser than Mom, I think) and the instructor was so exacerbated, that I dropped out of class in utter shame. I never got a return call or a word of encouragement - (which I took as a "good riddance to bad rubbish on their part).

Soo, I will call the breeder and tell him about this other place. I will tell him that he was right and if any of his new clients want to try obedience or agility, they should avoid the first place and try the second with high recommendations.

...and leave the first place behind.......good riddance to bad rubbish.

Wicked, Juice-sucking Spider - Arrogant Fly Wrapped in Silk

People who know the story, know of whom I speak.

Here is the story and riddle:

Once upon a time a magic spider, highly talented in charming ways, came upon an arrogant little fly. She know that he would provide a sumptuous feast because his mind was small and only on himself, so easily lured and trapped in her poisonous clutches.

The fly was never completely happy with the his little piles of crap. He always felt that he, in his irridescent glory, should have more beautiful baby flies, bigger lumps of poop and the adoration of all of the other bugs in the bush.

The spider approached the swaggering fly, batting her many mascaraed eyes and wringing her 8 long legs. "Oh, magnificent fly, I have had a poor miserable life, I've been knocked around from pillar to post. I will carress your lovely wings and provide you with what you need if only you will allow me to take a bit of fly juice now and then!"

The fly was wary but the spider's spun silk and constant dancing mesmerized him and her occasional jab went unnoticed. His baby flies were happy to see him so content, even though they thought that she was a strange and somewhat frightening creature. The other flies in the bush warned him that the spider was dangerous, but her adoration and carresses were just too much for him to resist.

Soon, all the rest of the flies in the bush noticed that the arrogant fly was getting wrapped tighter and tighter in the spider's silk. The spider was also taking more and more jabs between her wrapping and dancing and eye batting. The arrogant fly's family was getting very worried, but every time they came to see that the arrogant fly was OK, the spider would hiss and bare her fangs. The true ugly spider face was now apparent.

There were times when the spider slept, however, and one of the little flies went to rescue her father and attempted to dispatch the wicked spider. The arrogant fly became angry and told the little fly to go away and never, ever, ever try to hurt his lovely spider again, then settled down in the strands of ever tightening silk, smiled and dreamed of his spider's mesmerizing eyes and silken carresses.

Well the little fly fluttered away. Her heart was broken, knowing that her father would be happily sucked dry by the wicked arachnid. He no longer cared for even his own well-being, let alone the bush fly family who watched with horror as he was drained and discarded, all alone, by his beloved spider.

The riddle is:

What can you do for an arrogant little fly who doesn't understand that the little fly's love would set him free and provide him with a long and happy fly life and lots of beautiful little fly grandbabies, all bearing his lovely irridescent color. That the spider's carresses would only leave him a dried up shuck and miserably alone.

Stupid fly.

Wonderful Families! Good Vibrations

We just got home from a family reunion. My nephew, who is hard working, lucky and appreciative, hosted it for the second year at his gorgeous lake house.

Everyone came except for my oldest daughter, dealing with contractors, construction and work, and my stepdaughter tied up with a hectic new job in Calorado. Hope they will make it next year.

Everyone had a loving wonderful time. Even baby boo, the disco princess, felt all of the wonderful vibrations in the air.

If God had a minute and came down, he would be smiling. He might have even had a Corona Light with a lime in it.