Bloggers beware!

Yep that's right,

BEWARE!!! For photo overload that is ;). I now have my new DSLR. For those of you into photography... I have armed myself with a Canon 450D and two lenses... the basic 55-250IS and the 17-85IS USM lenses. Am very excited and can't wait to learn how to use it properly... until then, some photos to get you by....

Aint life grand?!

Isn't it nice just to have a lazy weekend now and again?

I haven't done much lately other than just enjoy myself, my dogs and life in general. Still haven't really started training (thanks to the weather) but done a bit of Scent and directional retrieve work with leo to re-fresh his memory. Kinta is aching to work again so we've been doing bits and pieces but basically taking it easy. The dogs are loving coming in to work with me a little more than usual and Leo is just a star pupil in demand - regular 'education' dog for the kiddies and this week is required as first aid dog - to get bandaged, muzzled, lifted and such like a dog that has been injured. It's so nice to have a dog that I can completely trust and know that he is capable of putting up with all of this with a smile and happy wiggle. I am sure Kinta would also enjoy this, but not without a bit more persuading and treats with mummy near by :p

Went down to watch the show at KCC on Saturday (some nuffy forgot to put her entries in) which was nice to watch and observe the dogs rather than compete. One thing for sure is that I am determined to take this year easier and just enjoy my dogs a little more - not so much competing (we'll see how long that lasts)... but I really have missed the lazing with them and enjoying their company, or simply going for walks around the city and different places with them.

Saturday arvo was spent with Kylie lazing about her place and playing around with her camera (photos to follow). Poor Kylie had to put up with me lamenting the fact that I shouldn't be buying myself a dSLR even though I really want to as I can't outlay that sort of money AND save for a house! She wasn't very helpful either telling me if I *really* want it then I should get one. I think everyone knew when I left that I was not going to say 'no' to an SLR and was finding it hard to say no.

So I came home and decided to see how much money I had left over from my training business (which basically is non-existent now... who has the time?!)... I counted.... paused.... thought.... counted again!!!! Yup - I had enough to buy me an SLR!!!!!!!!!! Am still jumping up and down now! So - I think I've pretty much decided on the Canon 450D camera but I don't want the basic kit lenses so am probably looking at these lenses - a good 'everyday' lens and a basic-ish zoom lens this should cover all I want and still give me good zoom to cover my sports shots for agility and such. I figure this is a good way to start out and later can improve the zoom lens as my photography improves.

Am very excited about my Greg Derrett seminars this weekend, but not so excited about the change in times thanks to the weather - 7am start, 1:30pm finish, no breaks :eek:! Hopefully I'll be able to remain awake!!!!!

Well - here are the piccies from the weekend... I can't take credit for them all as some are Kylies - actually I think most are Kylies :P

Love this photo! Makes it look like we are lost in the middle of the country :)

And how can you have a shot like that minus dogs?! LOL!

Of course what do dogs do when they have 2 acres to run on - go mad of course! (I might add they know exactly where the pond, other dogs, sheep and ducks hide too ;-)!)

Kinta focusing in the distance (I took this one)

Lazing with the dogs


And of course it was only a matter of time......
Before Kinta couldn't take it anymore and HAD to have a dip! Good thing we weren't showing!

Lastly some flower shots (my photos again)

On the whole - ain't life grand?!

Still waiting for Kinta to come into season though (looks at watch, taps fingers, reminds self that it's ok she is taking her own sweet time)

A trip to the Yarra

Well it's been AGES since I've posted pics of the dogs or any of our outings - I've sort of been put off a little - taking photos since I lost a whole heap from my EHDD crash.. and I guess partly because I desperately want a dslr, but figure a roof to live under might be a *wee* bit more important :p. Anyways - we had my dad's relatives down from QLD this weekend, so have taken them out and about.... today was a picnic down at the Yarra:


And what better backdrop to take some snaps of the pooches:

and a few closer up:

Our lunch was most relaxing - had a lovely BBQ followed by a stroll (dad and myself.... and the dogs of course!) around the Tan track. With me fast coming to the end of my c25k program (running program) I want to do a fun run and was going to do the 8km track around the Botanical Gardens.... what I *didn't* know was that apparently Anderson St is quite a struggle.... so we walked it to see what it was like :). Plans have changed slightly and I plan to do a 4-5km run now (end of Mar) and will try an 8 - 10km run later in the year :). The exciting news *today* is that I made my 5km/ 30min mark unintentionally today!!! YAYYYY!!!!

Some casual pics of the picnic:


Of course Leo wouldn't be Leo if he didn't try to stick his head in the photos :)



Some nice "random" photos. Want to try and brush up on my photography skills, but I still find I'm rather dismal at it..... guess I still need more practice, but I just don't have that 'artistic' eye :p



And some happy snaps of the dogs - can you tell that I think Kinta's improved on the eye - more and more pics of her now ;-). Either that or I've learnt to photograph her properly now! Only took 2.5yrs!!!!

Watching the runners/rowers/cyclers:
Happy little girlie

Need I say more - always turning it on for the camera *rolls eyes*

I just like this shot - no caption :p
And lastly - I took this photo *ages* ago - but it's so pretty I had to share (like I said - I think she's really grown up now!)

Ok - well I think that made up for the lack of photos! Not to mention I still have the Pambula shots to go through!!!

It's a sign....

I think it's a sign when your dogs are reeling out of control that it's time to get back into training :p

Kinta has gone mental - constantly pacing the fenceline waiting till our neighbours dogs comes out or pacing the yard waiting for a possum to magically fall down from the tree... with the help of her JUMPING on the fence too!!! One of my pet hates, as our last dog used to do it too... maybe it's the area we live, but gee it's annoying. Try as I might, management is ok, but it's getting more and more difficult not to get really evil with her even though I *know* it won't work. After finally losing it today, seeing that get me knowhere, then getting my thoughts back and switching to making it worthwhile for her *not* to change the fence, we then had huge success.... in short - the dogs are bored, and time to get out those training tools again ;-). I think I'm getting restless too :p

Leo on the other hand - well you can tell he needs to go back to training in one of 2 ways:

1- he gets rather eager whenever you do something that looks remotely like training
2 - he seems to get dumber by the minute (well you can't be that good looking AND have brains that think straight too! I think he does quite well!)
3 - a combination of both.

I'm sure the dogs will love the return to some work - I have a whole stack of work I want to do, but unfortunately, as always, the backyard is useless for anything other than tricks :-(. I also need to get some jumps too - I think 7 jumps (I have 3) a set of weaves (this I have) and a tunnel (or two) would be perfect.... so better start saving again for the rest of my equipment so I can start working on some Greg Derrett sequences and Susan Salo jumping grids!

So - what will we be working on - in short, i'm not sure with Kinta... just refining things and a lot of agility stuff (so, jumping grids, 270s, entries and exits from weavers)..... I'm just not sure about obedience :)

Leo has a truckload of work - I want to work on all the above (agility stuff) as well as refining some UD work so we can start entering the ring again soon!

Have a Greg Derrett Seminar at the end of Jan - I am sure that will inspire me further... I can't wait!

Can't wait to get started again - bring on 2009!! Gotta get Leo checked out again first though - he seems a little sore in the shoulder... see - more reasons to teach him how to jump properly!

It's all downhill from here

Well - we've finally done it and crossed the 'half way' mark. Kinta and I are now on the downhill slope towards her Aust CH title (insert cheering here!). Considering we don't show all that often, I'm really pleased with how we are going, as we are usually up against our breeders who are often difficult to beat :). We got a 10pt challenge today - up against her mum, younger sister and a few other dogs.

Yayyy - we might get there yet :)

Pics were kindly taken by Kristie on Sunday :)

Summer tricks

Well with a break from obedience and agility and not quite wanting to seriously start my summer projects yet (even though we are fast running out of time!) I thought I might re-visit/ teach some new tricks!

Enjoy!



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Hope your christmas and New year was good - ours was nice and relaxing :D... Dogs had a blast going down to the beach every day :)