Training

My sister, Jewel, and I have started training together. I heard Dad say that Jewel was going to be the one to watch as she is super smart and will get bored even quicker than me. I cannot imagine that there is anyone smarter than me, but well, I suppose Dad would know. I'm just sayin'!

Watching Mom work Jewel through the patio door it looked like Jewel was having a good time. Mom worked Jewel a little with a lead on and then decided that she really didn't want to deal with that and worked her without it. Looked like it went well. Jewel can do the sit, down and walk with me by hand signal fairly well and it was only her first session! Mom's secret? When we were at the coast we picked up some blueberry organic dog treats and while I like them - Jewel is crazy about them.

While my job will be hunting, Mom is still thinking hard about Jewel and her doing agility. She said that Jewel can jump like nobodies business and she said she is really super quick. I know she is quick because she can get by me and big ol' long legged Moose hasn't been able to catch me, but Jewelly girl can! It is fun to get caught sometimes.

As soon as Mom catches Jewel up to me then they are going to start buck training. Dad said he thought it would be interesting to do tandem training and see how it goes. I don't know what that is yet, but I think it means Jewel and I get to run the field! What do you think?

Sounds like fun to me!

I am Hugh

Jewel Came Home

Well, Jewel came home. Yep, that is me and my full blood sister Jewel playing in the back yard on Wednesday. Jewel went to live in Reno, Nevada. Her new mom passed away, as did Jewel's playmate Indy. Jewel's former owner's daughter lives just down the road from my Mom. The daughter contacted Mom through her poodle rescue program. Mom said as soon as she heard the description of the dog that was or could be coming in she said every bell and whistle went off in her head and she knew it was Jewel.

It is all very sad and we imagine that the last few weeks for Jewel have not been very great. But, as Mom says, we are putting that all behind her and focusing on what her purpose will be. Dad told Mom that Jewel will fetch. He says that she brings the buck right back to him - so that is a great start for my sister. Mom has great visions of two maple poodles hunting in a field and blowing the lab competition away! Nice dream if I do say so myself!

Jewel and I recognized each other right away. Mom said she always wondered if it was possible. First Mommy said that she has a friend that is an animal behaviorist and that she said yes, we would recognize one another. Mom says we play the same. Jewel is a lot smaller than me and that gives her greater speed and she can turn tighter turns. Moosey cannot catch up with me when I focus on what I am doing, but Jewel sure can! She cannot play with me for the next 7 days though. She had an operation like the one I had but she has a lot of stitches and I was just glued back together and never knew I had an operation. Jewel knows. Mom said she is a really sweet girl. She hopes with the right food and exercise that Jewel will grow a bit. Mom said that she thinks Jewel will always be a petite Standard, maybe reaching 35 pounds if she is really muscled from training. Mom said that too many bones are very prominant on Jewel right now, but that will change quickly.

Jewel is really attached to Mom. Mom went running today and left Jewel and Dad told Mom that she sat at the door and cried for a good 5 minutes before she gave up and sat on the couch to look out the window. Marcus is not too thrilled with the attachment, but so far he hasn't tried to beat Jewel up like he does me.

Mom said that she has not had a poodle that is so cuddly since Jax died. Mom raised Jax from a little puppy, like me, and was always hauling him around. She tells me stories about him. She says that Jax was her laughter. I don't know what that means really, but I think he made her happy. Mom told Dad that while he was gone it was her and all the poodles on the bed and that Jewel and I got our positions (Jewel curled up against Mom's stomach and me against her legs) and then Marcus on the other side of her legs. A friend asked how she could sleep that way and she said that she loved it. She said she was in a pile of poodles and it was bliss!

I sure do look forward to when my sister can run with me again!

I am Hugh

Last week was a very good week for me! It was my Mom's birthday and she and Dad rented a house on the beach. I didn't know what on the beach meant, but I soon found out!!! It meant sea birds & crows to chase, it meant wind and wet paws, it meant water to chase with Dad, it meant climbing on rocks...wow, it meant ADVENTURE! They took me every where with them. I still don't really like other people much. Mom and Dad have been working hard to expose me to many different situations and people. They said they don't know what my problem is - but they are going to continue to work with Liz to get me going in the right direction instead of turning it into a bigger problem.

Dad was sick with bronchitis last week too. He had to sit up a lot so he wouldn't cough so much. At home I would usually follow him and stay with him while he watched t.v. or something. But while on vacation I decided to guard Mom when ever she was left alone. Mom said that I was taking advantage of Mom time because Marcus is always in my face if I try to spend to much time with Mom. She said I was trying to make sure not a second went by that I didn't tell her that I was there for her. Dad said he was surprised the first morning when I left him and got back into bed with Mom. I think Mom liked it though. She said she slept good - that had to do with my guarding abilities I am sure. Don't you?

I really think the ocean is pretty okay. I didn't get hit with any waves really because the tide was pretty far out according to Dad. I did have some water run over my toes a time or two that caused me to jump a little, but other than that it was just long walks to me. Mom said that I was doing typical poodle stuff though. What does she mean? Well, Mom says that poodles are picky about where they will go to the bathroom. I would not go on the beach. I would wait, even if it was a long time, until we got back to the house and I could go in the yard. I guess I am weird that way. I like to know where I am going?

I got to meet a crab! No, not my Mom, silly - a red rock crab. A fisherman caught one while he and Dad were talking crabbing and he set the crab down on the rock and I barked him good! I wasn't going to let him get my nose with those big pinchy things!

So we are home again. It is good to be home. My Mom has a few more days off to recoup (she says) from their vacation and Dad is out of town all week.

Remember when I wrote about my sister Jewel going to live in Reno? Well, it turns out her Mommy died unexpectedly and then her friend Indy died too. It was really sad. Mom got a call today from the animal search folks who call her if a poodle has been brought in or if someone is inquiring about rescue. Mom had a very weird feeling that it was Jewel. Mom said her name is now Gracie. Depending on what Dad says - Gracie Jewel may come live with us. Mom says we need another poodle like we need a hole in our heads..not sure what that means...but she follows it up with..now wanting another poodle to love and give good life to? Well, she says, that is another story entirely! Gracie Jewel may have some problems if she comes to live with us - but at least we know lots of people who can help us get the help she needs to be healthy.

I am off for a snooze with my friend Miss Moose and I am sure that Marc will tag along.

I am Hugh