My buddy Cooper came to stay with us while his family went to Honolulu for the weekend. I’ve known Cooper since I was a pup. Cooper is 5 years old but he still lets me play with him.
I like playing tug of war with Cooper because he doesn’t say “drop” like Alpha does. We can keep tugging as long as we want.
We did a pack walk on Walua Road. I wanted to run ahead but Alpha insisted that we heel.
The next day, we did a pack hike in Kaloko. Cesar would have been proud.
It was raining and muddy on the trail so Alpha gave us baths. I’m a wash, shake and go kind of dog but I had to wait for Cooper to get brushed since he’s sporting a longer do.
Time to rest.
Time to play again. Oh come on, Cooper, get up, you’ve slept long enough. Game on.
I’ll just have to go back to trying to get Banyan to play with me.
It’s hard to believe a year has gone by since my first conformation match. I was just a wee one then and don’t remember much except a nice lady named Melisa was my Handler. This year, Alpha decided to give it a go and be my Handler. Usually Alpha and I run, bike, swim, do agility runs, but lately, I’ve been having to practice standing still which is really hard for me.
This morning I jumped into the backseat of the car for another adventure. I didn’t know where we were going but I knew it would be somewhere fun. We went to the vet a few days ago and that was fun too. Even before I got out of the car, I smelled all the other dogs at the match. I got very excited to meet everyone. That’s my favorite thing to do – greet people.
The match started and my first time in the ring wasn’t that fun. It was just me because I was the only Vizsla in the match. The judge tried to look at my teeth and feel my balls. I was fidgety and couldn’t stand still as we practiced at home. I got Best in Breed anyway since I was the only V. Now we had to wait until all the other dogs had their turn in the ring. I had to sit in my crate. I don’t mind sitting in my crate because Alpha brought my duck to keep me company.
OK, it’s time for us to get back in the ring. This time, I am with all the best of breeds in the Sporting Dog Category. Alpha and I are ready and we have our game faces on.
I like it better when other dogs are in the ring with me, that way I can watch what they are doing and follow along. It’s more fun running around the ring with other dogs.
Here is a clip of my performance in the ring:
Alpha was so shocked that I got third place that he started to leave the ring and the stewart had to call him back. We got our picture taken with the winners. Here I am with my third place ribbon.
I don’t know how far I will pursue my show career. But I do know that I enjoy the victory lap and the applause.
This morning I did my traditional weigh-in and alpha plotted out the results:
I’m finally starting to slow down in my growth rate as an almost 9 month old “V”. I still have lots of energy to burn each day and not an ounce of fat on my body. Alpha seems to do this weight thing to predict how heavy I’ll be when I become an adult.
Today we went on a road trip to Hilo.
The Alpha’s wanted to see the dog show, but I couldn’t go because I was not 6 months old yet. I stayed at a nice persons house. It was fun anyway, because I got to hike Pu’u Hulu Hulu at the top of the saddle road.
I also got to stretch my legs on the way home by Volcano National Park.
Alpha holds this talking toy to his ear, and talks for hours…
I think he is talking to Grandma, but I can’t see her. Anyway, I wish he would stop so he can play with me.
But he doesn’t, so I’m going to chew on the basket, that will make alpha stop!
Thank you grandma and grandpa for my new personalized “Bodhi” collar, matching leash, and aloha flower name tag! I just grew out of my puppy collar and this one fits so well! See how handsome I am!
Every Friday I walk Kailua-Kona town. Sometimes we go by the beach. Sometimes we just walk by the shops. All these strangers come and tell me how beautiful I am. One time a police car stopped by the curb and pack leader became nervous (I can tell). I think pack leader was afraid he was doing something wrong… The nice police officer just wanted to tell me how good looking I was and if I had friends like me on the islands? I said I’m Australian. I like Fridays because we get to walk in town with all the nice people and I also get to watch tai chi class (it is slow and boring, but there are so many people who love to pet me). I also have met a lot of Hungarian people. They always know what breed I am.
Today I practiced pointing. Jack, my favorite neighbor with the delicious treats, teases me with a feather on a fishing pole. He thinks I don’t see the fishing pole, but I do. Don’t tell him, because he gives me yummy treats. Anyway, I follow the feather and focus on pointing. It’s a silly game, and I’d rather play fetch with the ball…
This evening, I met pack leader on Walua Road. He was wearing a strange outfit, riding on two wheels. At first I didn’t recognize him… He got off the two wheels and walked with me and alpha female for a mile. It was fun. Pack leader said he rides 32 miles to and from work as his exercise routine. I like exercise and can’t wait until my bones are strong enough to run next to the two wheels!
Pack leader said I’ve doubled in size! According to his weight measurements, I’ve gained over 15 lbs. Pack leader made a chart of my weight and applied a 3rd order polynomial trend line using a projected weight of 60 lbs when I’m 2 years old. We will see if his assumptions and math are right…
I also got stacked and photographed today for my AKC registration application. Here are my front and side pictures.
These endless stacking photos are tiring! Pack leader is always telling me to stand when I just want to sit down… I’m glad the photo shoot is complete because I just want to take a nap!
