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Turn up your volume and listen to my tunes..wooooof!

I am dog. I believe in unconditional love. I do not settle for infatuation or puppy love. I believe in true love to the end. I am a life-long lover who will lie at your feet, on the bed, by your chair, at your side. I am dog. I insist on your love. I will stay on a grave of a lover until my end. I believe in commitment. When we have chosen each other, I will be there for you with plenty. Out of my heart flows life and love. You fill my life with abundance and I am fulfilled. Unconditional love is the highest gift. I am committed to love.

Taken from Dog Psalms by Herbert Brokering





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Sunday, June 5, 2011

Dog Day in the Park

Kirby's mom here!


Yesterday, Kirby, myself, my sister and her kids went to Dog Day in the Park. It is held every year at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is sponsored by the AKC Grand Rapids Kennel Club. They have all kinds of vendors, rescues and events that you can do with your dog. I really wanted to go this year because they have a fun rally course. You pay 5.00 and you get to work on the course for 10 minutes. I thought this would be a great way to introduce Kirby to events where there will be lots of other dogs. I was very nervous about taking Kirby because he can be very dog reactive, but guess what? HE DID GREAT!!!!




We had rally class the night before and I talked with our instructor, who is involved with the AKC GRKC, about taking Kirby. She said it would be a great idea and that Kirby needs these experiences to help him learn that he will be okay around other dogs and that I will keep him safe. She said get there early, keep his halti on, let him slowly adjust, bring really good treats and lots of praise. So we got there early walked around the outside of the event and slowly made our way in and he did so good. Everytime we walked past a dog that he didn't react too, I praised him and gave him a treat...(STEAK!). He did GREAT!!!! Even my sister couldn't believe how well he handled everything.




We did really good on the rally course, which was on grass (first time for us) and it was getting very warm. Kirby really just wanted to lay on the grass towards the end, he just sprawled out on the grass, silly dog! This was just a fun match, so treats and redo's are allowed. On one part of the course some dogs walked past the fence by Kirby and he didn't react at all! He didn't have his halti on either at this point! There was tons of distractions, music, dogs barking etc.. So it was a good intro for both of us. The course had 20 obstacles, more than we are used too, and some we had not learned yet so I improvised with ones we knew. I have a video of it, but for some reason blogger isn't uploading it!!!! UGHHH!!!! Here is a picture of the course:





They also had a canine free style demo. It was so hot by this time of the day, the dogs really didn't want to perform well, but it was fun to watch. At the end, you could go into the ring and get some pointers from them, so Kirby and I did. The lady we worked with was dressed in pink because she was a cancer survivor. She danced with her Akita who also was decked out in pink. Their group is based in the southeast section of Michigan, about 4 hours from me, but we found out they are going to be opening a center in Grand Rapids in the fall and will offer all kinds of training for dogs, including freestyle!!! The lady in pink was very impressed with Kirby and what he already knew how to do. She also said to stick with rally as it would come in handy for freestyle. Here we are with the lady in pink, getting some pointers:



It was such a fun day, and Riverside Park is a beatiful park that I had never gone too before. I think Kirby and I will be going back to do some walking there. Here are some pics from our fun day:
We had a picnic by the water's edge. Actually, it was really flooded at the park and the water isn't usually up this high, but it made for a nice, shady place to have lunch:
This is my sister, Lori, and my neices Emily and Claire.
My goofy nephew Tyler:
In the pic below is Tyler being headlocked by "Griff". Griff is the mascot for the Grand Rapids hockey team. Lots of the mascots were there, and this one was having a blast with Tyler.
They had a doggy dash de lure course too, which I really wanted to do with Kirby. This is a course where they take a black crinkly bag and put it on a wire that runs an obstacle course and the dog chases it. This is right up Kirby's alley of fun, but the only thing containing the dogs was a snow fence and I just didn't want to take the chance of Kirby getting out. Maybe next year.
I brought Kirby a cute collar bandana there too, it slides around the collar, he was pretty happy about it:
Kirby and Claire, chilling out in the shade!
My sister and her "furry nephew". She is one of his biggest fans!
Kirby and me....HIS BIGGEST FAN!!!!
This Wednesday, I will have had Kirby for an entire year! Watch for a special post on our incredible first year together!



Loving Kirby,



Kirby's mom


12 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your fun day with us-looks like all of you had a great time:-) Kirby is so adorable! Congrats on your almost first year together!

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  2. What a great day out! And your Gotcha Day is coming up pal? Superb!

    Waggin at ya,
    Roo

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  3. What a great day!! And how cool that you to meet a professional dancing doggie and get some tips! Wow - a dancing Akita - wish I could have seen that!

    And I can't believe Wed will be a year already - how time flies!! :-)

    Slobbers,
    Honey the Great Dane

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  4. Kirby, you've come so far. I'm so proud of you for going to this huge event and behaving yourself!! And I love your mom's tactic of feeding you for not reacting.

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  5. I am learning so much from you and the work you are doing with Kirby. We are so proud of both of you as this was such a huge event and an even bigger stepping stone. Thank you for sharing and for both of you doing such a great job together. Love that team effort!! :)

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  6. Two of you had such a great day together, the event sounds so interesting and you got to get dancing tips from an Akita. Cool!!!
    Any plans for your Gotcha Day???

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  7. You got STEAK?? Wow, very impressive!! It sounds like you deserved it though - way to go!!

    Your pal Snoopy :)

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  8. It sounds like you guys had a great time! Kirby looks so happy in his pictures - glad he did so well around other dogs!

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  9. What a perfect day! We wish there would be an event like that near where we live!

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  10. It sounds like a really great day! So glad that you are learning so quickly.

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

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  11. What a fun day... looks like a great event and I'm so proud of Kirby! :) Happy one year! :)

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  12. Dod Day in the Park looks like such a wonderful time that you were able to attend. We enjoyed seeing all of the wonderful photos and the gorgeous weather you had that day. Thanks for the share. Have a great rest of your day.
    World of Animals

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