Noble Billy Ottaman July 1996 - Oct 2010 R.I.P

Although this is Chi's blog Billy was a big part of Chi's life so I thought it fitting to do a little tribute.

Billy came to me at 12 weeks thanks to Barrie James. We had 14 years together as unquestioning companions, including alot of success at agility:- Crufts 2005, runner up in the Eukanuba circular knockout & 2007 in the mini / maxi pairs. Dispite his 'queen ann' legs Billy acheived senior status equivalent to grade 6 in the mid noughty's.

His other talents included canoing, camping and bin raiding!

Run free Billy, remembered by so many, deeply missed by a special few. We love you special dog and will enjoy the memories you have given us for many more years to come.

Beautiful BC

There are many local interesting trails around Sayward. Yesturday we decided to try out this one. Don't be decieved by the 2km sign and the level pathway leading off to the right.....




The view was spectacular and Chi proved to be part Sheltie part goat! It's a good job he is so fit and body aware. He did a gr8 job of finding his way up and down the rocky bits we had to climb.

Dog Wash!

Look what I found right next to the Car Wash! Perfect timing as Chi is due a bath. He needs to be all fluffed up for his public performance debut at the end of the month. (We've been asked to join in an agility demo at at the Comox Valley Fair)
Notice the ramp for ease of getting ones pouch in and out.

Never mind the eyes in them there hills we got cougars!!

We are so lucky to have such amazing country-side to walk the dogs. Litrally at the end of our garden we have trails that go for miles through the rain forest and over the mountains.

But there are also predetors out there.....

Yesturday our neighbour across the street had a cougar in her garden for about 1/2 hour. She came over to let us know as she knows we have 'cougar snack' sized dogs!
Needless to say we are now strictly monitoring our dogs on morning & evening constitutionals in the back yard. Tony created a fenced area which adds a little security from Billy (who is a bit deaf and might not hear approaching cougar or frantic calls to get him to come back!) wondering off & the cougar from being able to just wonder straight into the dogs area.

Agility Canadian Style

Thank you to Jo-Anne and Dave at http://www.icdogagility.com for the opportunity to have a run on some Canadian equipment

After a lovely walk to Elk falls to tire out Billy & True we set off to Black Creek the home of Incredible Canines to take part in our first Canadian agility class.

The contacts are rubberised - HURRAH!! Chi had run on these types of contact at the Sheltie show in Germany and I was a convert as soon as I saw them. The dogs gain much more grip with no sliding about. Apparently it is quite a skill to get the surface right and Dave seems to have done the perfect job as you can see from this clip Chi did a cracking dog walk.

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Although we are a bit rusty - eg the left turn and right turn I was sooooo pleased that Chi had fun and no problems with the new equipment.

Container arrival

At last our container arrived on Saturday evening. We spent the whole day Sunday sorting it out. Thank goodness for evey box being numbered and a list of contents of each box! Luckily the stuff hadn't moved since packing & so far (touch wood) we havent' found anything broken..........



It's been 3 weeks since we landed and the scenery is as breath taking as ever! the best part is....it'll never change :) Just hope we don't get too use to it, would hate to take this place for granted it is after all sooooooo awesome!

Bear Luncheon

We drove to Vancouver early Monday to clear our container through customs. Once we had done this we decided to take the dogs for a walk up Cypress Hill, where they had some of the Olympic skiing. We stopped in a picnic area and keeping the dogs on their leads 'puttered' about so they could sniff, 'P' & streatch their legs. We then decided to proceed down the mountain and as we drove round the corner we saw a bear eating. The bear was situated right underneath where we had just been walking the dogs! Tony took this video on his camera, I love the way the bear watches the truck go by towards the end........

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