Seymour

Got an email Monday morning that I was not expecting that just broke my heart.  Seymour's Mom, Glenna, emailed to let me know that she had helped him over the Rainbow Bridge on Saturday.  He was diagnosed with bone cancer three weeks ago and he let her know that Saturday was his day to say goodbye.  

Seymour came to stay with us quite a few times last year and he was always a joy to have.  He really, really, liked food and he would run to the office and eat all his food and then he would race back to the living room to see if there might be some scraps of raw left over when Sidney was finished.  He fit in here wonderfully and was never a worry or concern.  He had quite the thunder phobia and would hide in our walk in closet and shake when a storm blew in, but would recover quickly to his old happy self when it was all over.  

When I was in high school I worked at the local vet clinic for an old Irish Vet named Dr. McCauley.  Every now and then we would have a dog come into the clinic that struck Dr. McCauley's fancy and he would lean in and give it a good scratch behind the ears and say "You're one of the great old dogs, aren't you".  Seymour was one of the Great Old Dogs.  

God speed my friend and we will see you on the other side.

Foster Dog Update

This fall has been pretty quiet for doggies since Olds College has been taking our Chinook Winds newbies to help out in the AHT program.  For November anyway, we have only had 6 dogs come and stay.  We started the month by sitting Britta and Whisper for the weekend of November 1st.  These girls are easy peasy and the kids think it is neat to have them come and stay because they are loved by a teacher from their school and Whisper is not a greyhound.  She is a Weimerhaner!

Whisper LOVES my bed!!

Then we had Darwin come and stay.  His people had a new baby and Mom just couldn't cope with two dogs anymore.  He has moved on to a foster home in Red Deer and hopefully will find a new permanent home soon.

Darwin

Then I had Billie Blue surrendered to me.  He came from Grande Prairie where he has been living outside chained to a vari kennel for the last two months, ever since his owner moved to a new place that wouldn't let her have dogs.  Now, he is supposed to be a greyhound cross.  Maybe Billie's great, great grandpappy was a greyhound, but that is about as close as he is going to get.  He is an absolute doll and just adored Claire.  When she went downstairs to bed at night he would lay at the top of the stairs behind the gate and wait for her to come back.  I would have to convince him to call it a night and head for his kennel when I went to bed.  Billie has moved to a foster home in Edmonton to learn to be a city dog again.  We miss him!!!

Billie Blue

We also had Molly come and stay when her people went to Florida.  We like Molly, we just have to supervise her as she does not understand that she is 9 and thinks that she can run with the young dogs and then she ends up limping!  She has to be put out with Sidney and trust me, she doesn't like it one bit!!

Last, but not least we have Ava baby.  She came to stay for 2 nights before heading to her permanent home in Grande Prairie with Maggie and her family.  You may remember Maggie, she was Wanda when she was here with me.  Lucky Ava, she has a great family to call her own.

We are foster dog free and putting away some crates as our next visitors are not until Molly and Flynn come to spend Christmas with us.  Seems quiet here with only 3 dogs, but it is nice to have the break too.

It's cold out!!  Sid is in his jammies full time now.

October Wrap Up

OK, I know that it is the 21st of November so, I think that it is time that I put October to bed for 2008.

Sometime in October, Daniel went to the Profiles Art Studio and did an art project called Lino Cutting.  I had no idea what this was and it is always fun to see Daniel interact with his classmates so, I volunteered as a parent helper.

The kids were all given instructions as a group and then they took the picture

they had drawn in class and they rubbed in onto their piece of lino.

THEN they were all given these KNIVES!!!

I am actually surprised that there was no blood.  You can see that D 

is very excited about the knife!

Daniel cutting his design into his lino.

Once the design was cut into the lino they took it to the inking station and rolled ink

onto their design.

Then they rubbed the inked lino onto a piece of paper.

And voila!  You have a print made from your 

original artwork!  The kids got to make several

prints that had to stay and dry at Profiles, but they got

to take home their original lino art the same day!

Halowe'en

As you already know, Daniel decided against Trick or Treating in order to take him BJJ stripe test.  While he and I were in Edmonton, Claire and Curtis were trick or treating in town.  The school the kids go to does not allow costumes on Halowe'en.  They just watch a movie in the afternoon and call it a day.  I told the kids that this year, I wasn't buying any costumes just for them to wear for 1 hour trick or treating.  I found a great website with homeade costume ideas  and told them to pick one or come up with something on their own.  Daniel had decided that he was going to use his new blanket and go as a warrior with one of his swords he won for karate and Claire wanted to be a ghost.  Off to Walmart she and I went to look for a white sheet.  GOOD LUCK finding a white sheet for less than a ready made hallowe'en costume!!!!  So, we found this awesome fabric shower curtain.  Worked like a charm and she was a happy camper.

BJJ Belt Walk

This is what happens when you get a new belt in Behring Jiu Jitsu. I had no idea that his tradition existed, but I have since checked out many such videos on Youtube and it seems to be common occurence. Daniel can't test for his blue belt until he is 16 so, he doesn't have to worry about it for awhile.

BJJ Stripe Ceremony

Here is the video of Daniel getting his 2nd BJJ stripe from Professor Behring (left) and Professor Mike (Middle) and Professor Chris(right). Daniel was extremely happy to get that piece of white tape on his belt and he even gave up Trick or Treating on Hallowe'en to get it.

Martial Arts Update

So, Martial Arts is again back in full swing.  Daniel took most of the month of July off from the Dojo this summer and has settled into a nice 3 day, 2-3 hours each day, schedule since September.  He does karate on Tuesday and Thursday, BJJ on Tuesday and Muay Tai and Children's MMA on Wednesday.  They have introduced a FAST (Flexibility and Strength Training) class that is basically yoga on steroids that he is allowed to participate in if they are not using the kettle bells or weights.  Sensie Mike says that the vision of Daniel lifting a kettle bell over his head almost makes him poo his pants.  Lots of heavy weight lifting is not good for developing bodies either.  Daniel is a bit of a bear come Friday morning, but unless he has a tournament on Saturday, he has the weekend to recover.

On October 10th and 11th he competed in his 1st tournament of the 2008/09 season and won 1st in kata and 3rd in Continuous.  He lost his 1st fight in point after getting a by in the 1st round so that was that for point.  He was quite surprised with the 1st in kata so that was good.  He is learning a new kata, Sanchin, from Sensei Mike and I think D has all the moves down now, just has to perfect.

D with the swords that were given out as

trophies for the October tournament

The week of Hallowe'en, Arashi Do Edmonton was lucky to have Professor Behring come from Brazil to teach a few classes and test everyone that was ready for their stripes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  To learn more about Behring Jiu Jitsu you can look here and here.  Daniel tested for his 1st stripe when Professor Behring was here in the spring and thought that he might be ready to test for his 2nd stripe this time.  The bummer part was that testing  was to happen on HALLOWE'EN!!!  Daniel was given the option of going trick or treating or going to the south Dojo and testing for his stripe.  Keep in mind that he could have just waited until spring to test for his stripe.   He decided that he would rather have the piece of tape on his belt than candy so, Claire and Curtis went trick or treating, Daniel and I went to the BJJ test.

Professor Behring and Professor Mike doing a

demonstration in class

Daniel and Scott practicing during Professor Behring's class.

Daniel waiting for his stripe on testing night.

Professor Mike getting a stripe on his brown belt.

See, even big boys are all about the tape!

Professor Behring, Daniel and Professor Mike

Daniel Turns 11

On October 22nd, our little Daniel turned 11 years old.  That is just crazy to me!!  In 5 years he will be driving.  In 6 he will be in University(because of his October bday, D will start University at the age of 17).  WAAAAY too soon!  

To celebrate we had spinach cheese ravioli and ceasar salad for supper on his actual bday and then the following Saturday he took some of his friends swimming and then had pizza and cup cakes afterwards.

Daniel got these awesome flip flops for in his karate bag for

at tournaments and for next summer.

The Heely's Daniel got from Claire AND

the Ceasar salad!

Thanks for the photos Claire!

Claire takes a Class Trip

On October 16th Claire's class took a trip to the St. Albert Museum to learn about the Metis and Peru's native people, the Inka, and learning the similarities and differences of the two groups.

Discussion with Museum Curator.  

Making Peruvian paper dolls.

After the Museum the kids and Mr. Dunn all went for a walk along the river.

This is Claire and her BFF, Shae.

Mr. Dunn leading the troups back to the bus.

I made AWESOME blankets!!!

I have to give props to my friend, Cindy M., she showed me how to make these awesome super easy blankets.  You just need two pieces of fleece, a yard and a half each.  Then you lay them bad sides together and even them up a bit.  They do not have to be perfect.  Then you cut out the 4 corners and then you cut 1 inch wide x about 3 inch long strips all the way around the blanket.  Once you have all your strips cut you tie the top and bottom corresponding strips!  Super, super easy.  If that was completely confusing, you can get the directions here, but keep in mind her directions are much more exact and she did her knots differently.   I felt like a pro making my blankets while I watched Project Runway last night.

Claire's blanket is being modeled by our new foster,

Tazzy Guiness

 (we are in the process of changing his name from Taz to Guiness)

Daniel found an interesting use for his new blanket today.  So, can also double 

as a midevil fighting robe if necessary!  Mom, now you know what was

under the sweater!

Last of the Goose Hunting Pics

I know that Curtis and Daniel have been back from Goose hunting for over a month, but I had the last of the hunting pics to post as well as D in his snazzy new sweater from Nana.  So, here they are!

Daniel in his rock'in new sweater from Nana!  Steph, we can start putting the boy ones away in 

hopes that you don't have to fight with Maddie!  You will also note that D's goose call has 2 bands on it.  It is customary to put the bands that you get from shooting banded birds on your call.  D and his Papa and Dad got two banded birds this year.

Our Spirit is Leaving Us

For the last couple of weeks we have been blessed to share our home with Spirit.  He was found running on the highway down south and came to our house to cool his jets and wait to be fixed.  Tomorrow he is on his way to Olds College to help with the Animal Health Technologist Program.  He will be altered, have blood work done and get to take part in the animal massage therapy program as well.  He will stay at the College for a month and then make his way to his new adoptive home outside of Calgary.

We are going to miss the big lug.

Greyhound Walk in Edmonton

On September 21st, Claire and I took Chester, Sidney and Molly to the Edmonton Greyhound Walking Club Walk.  It started at 10:00 in the morning, which I think is crazy!  Afternoon walks are soooo much better.  Claire took these pictures to all credit goes to her.

Random Dog Pictures

Today I have a selection of Random Dog Pictures for you, oh and Claire in her new sweater custom made just for her, by Nana!  There is a theme to these pictures and in case you think that while the kids are at school we are wearing holes in the lawn running around like a bunch of Jack Russell's, these shots will prove otherwise!

Tipper sleeping on her new water bed.  Really it is!

It is supposed to keep your dog cool in the summer.

It has an absorbent gel inside of it so, that when

you fill it with water it is cool to the touch.

We put an old crib sheet on it and all the dogs think that it is the

squishiest bed.

My foster girl, Molly.  She should go to her new home this weekend. 

She is a Christmas Day puppy and will turn 9 on December 25th.

This is the Polar Bear!  He came yesterday and doesn't

go to the vet until Thursday, but I would guess that he weighs 120lbs.

Claire came in from supervising turn out after school yesterday and

pointed at me and said "THAT is a good dog!"  We are calling him Spirit because

he looks like a ghost.

This is where Chester spends his afternoons.  He loves to lay

on a freshly made bed!

This is where Chester sleeps in the evening, on my Gramma Pollock's

Davenport.  He has always thought this was his couch and I am sure

my Gramma wouldn't mind.

I don't have a picture of Sidney today, but he is still here.  He spends the days sleeping either in the office or the bedroom by the bed.  He will be 12 in February and basically just sleeps and eats now with some bursts of old dog energy.  

And this is Claire's new sweater.  Steph, this is the yarn that

was purchased in Fernie.  Jenn, you should lay claim to this now!

It is very cute and Claire wore it to school yesterday including the hat.

Claire gets a New Kitty

So, the boys are goose hunting and admittedly, Claire and I took advantage of the situation and got a new kitty!!!  About a month ago one of our outdoor cats disappeared and has not returned.  Tracker, our older garage kitty, is a little lonely so, we thought we should get him a buddy.  Claire has never had a kitten and it has been about 15 years since I brought my last kitten home so we thought it would be fun!  It definitely is!!!!  Claire has named her Asia Moon, but we mostly call her Boobie Kitty!!  She has been spending some time in the house, but is happy to go back to the garage and doesn't hang around the door to come back in the house at all, which is very, very good.

She is soooo sweet when she sleeps.

Greyhounds have a Party

WE WANT TO COME TO THE DOG PARTY!!!

On September 13th, Claire and I saw the boys off on their way to MB for goose hunting and we got in the car and headed to the Chinook Winds Greyhound Foundation Edmonton Annual picnic. We had about 80 dogs registered and about 130 of their people attending with them.  I took Sidney and Seymour(they spend most of the afternoon in their xpen in the field) and Chester, who spent some time on leash and some time chilling out in the van.

Chester enjoying the sun during the auction.

Everyone had a great time.  Claire was in charge of kid's games and she also got to work our bidding card during the auction.  She made a new friend named Hannah and had a fun afternoon.  

Claire and her new BFF, Hannah

There was a bag auction (buy tickets and put them in the bag for the item you want to win) and a live auction.  There were kid's activities and also a Weiner bobbing game for the doggies. Chester took 2nd place only to be beaten by Bubba the weiner scarfing champion!!!  We also had a burger/hotdog BBQ so, that was good too!  

This little girl was feeding Chester sunflower seeds off a sunflower. 

 He was happy to help her pick them!

Bobbing for Weinies!

Everyone taking in the live auction

The field where everyone hung out for the day.

  Sidney and Seymour are out there somewhere in their cozy pen!

My favorite purchase from the live auction.

My greyhound friend, Vanessa, made this stuffed guy and I just love him and 

that he came with his own stuffed kong to play with!