Hello 2016!

I'm not a big fan of new year's resolutions, but I thought I'd do a post welcoming the new year anyway. I have lots of plans and hopes for 2016 and it's probably worthwhile to put them down here.

Brisbane

Photo by Erin Koski

Briz will be turning 11 years old this April. He has developed some arthritis in his hips and front feet over the last year so he is now on a couple of different pain medications. We visited a rehab specialist and developed an exercise plan to help keep him fit and active as he ages. Now that his allergies are under control, I'm hoping his skin and coat continue to improve.

In 2015, Brisbane earned his Novice Trick Dog title, his Coursing Ability Advanced title, and attended his first herding trial. Our amazing herding instructor is hosting a trial next month where Brisbane will hopefully get at least a leg towards his first herding titles with the AKC and AHBA. I will be volunteering at this trial and am hoping to learn a lot!

A couple of days ago we learned that the mass on Brisbane's cheek is not a tooth abscess. The cytology report should hopefully come back on Monday and then we'll know more. If it turns out the be the worst case scenario, I plan to make his life as enjoyable and comfortable as I can, and enjoy all the time I have left with him.

Photo by Erin Koski 

Sisci Godzilla

Sisci joined our family in 2015 and earned her Novice Trick Dog title. She will also be participating in the herding trial next month and will hopefully be getting legs towards her AKC and AHBA titles. 

We started agility this fall and hope to continue attending practices and classes and possibly even trialing by the end of the year. We also started playing with discs, and would like to find a club or group to get involved in. Maybe we'll join Sisci's parents and sister at dock jumping, too. Really, there's nothing she can't do.

Photo by Erin Koski

Ru 

Ru will be sitting on my lap for much of the coming year, as per usual. After five years he may finally be starting to grasp the concept of a nose touch on cue, and I am currently failing to teach him to spin in a circle.

I bought some fleecy fabric recently, and I'm hoping to make Ru some four-legged super-warm pajamas this winter.

I am interested in trying out Barn Hunt with all three dogs in the coming year. Brisbane and Sisci both enjoy digging for gophers, and Ru might be willing to participate if the venue is warm enough. I'd also like to get into rally obedience, but not badly enough to do it on my own without the support of an instructor or training club.

We are currently in transition, about to move in with my parents for a few months in order to save for a house. I'm hoping to be out of there and in our own place this summer. I am currently learning Javascript, PHP, and MySQL in order to improve the Dog Food Wizard and keep it more up to date. So much to do!

Those are our plans for 2016, what are yours?