Gemma's Zone of Destruction

G has become an absolute machine at shredding cardboard boxes of all types.  Big or small, they all turn into small spitty bits after a brisk chase around the room.

Moosed, again

Just in case you were wondering, Moose is still with us and absorbing abuse on a daily basis.  

First Show

Since everyone has been saying what great form and expression Gemma has, we are going to try out a few confirmation shows.  This weekend was our first one, three days in a row.  We won our uncontested female puppy class (6-9mo) every time!   But no further.  We need more practice and greater drive.  Most of the other dogs are local and related so G looks quite different.  I'm also brand-new to this rather than an experienced breeder or professional handler so overall we are working against the odds even if G is fabulously well put together.

Queen of the mountain

We went to an open agility practice time run by a local vet clinic today.  Gemma is very young to start training on the apparatuses but I wanted to see how she would react to the equipment.  The first time through, G didn't know what to do with the big A frame ramp, but after watching other dogs run up and over it, she roared right on over!  Then she went back up and wanted to stay at the peak, nearly my head height.  She has been playing queen of the mountain on the stairs at home as well.  She is still a bit tentative coming down.

The same technique of watch and learn was what finally turned the trick to learn "down" months ago - watching a friends dog do "down" a few times, and Gemma had it! 

Where is the puppy?

A new hanging out place has been discovered!  This fortress of solitude is under the bed.  Can you find Gemma?

Sun Dog 2

Summer sunbeam-bathing! This lounging pose demonstrates G's excellent hips.

Puppies are Carnivorous with a Little Greenery on the Side

Gemma had her first raw chicken back at 8 weeks old.  She eats a mostly raw and biologically appropriate diet laced with organic chow.  Her feed includes: raw beef liver, chicken hearts, beef ribs; cooked salmon (with skin and fat, no bones) and fish oil capsules; eggs, with or without shell, cooked or raw; yogurt; garlic, yams, pumpkin, and any non-nightshade veggies, especially spinach; most fruits and berries; molasses, olive oil, coconut oil, kelp, apple cider vinegar.  Big no-nos include citrus fruits, onion, rasins/grapes, chocolate, cooked bones, pork, turkey bones.