Rottweilers. Computers. Cameras. World Domination. Not necessarily in that order.
This particular Rottweiler, URO1 Sciroco’s Freya vom Viersen (Freybie to her family and friends) is working very hard to make sure that the comforter does not fly off the couch.
And this post about my hard-working Rottweiler successfully concludes my participation in Jenni’s NaBloPoMo 75% Challenge for 2009!
(NaBloPoMo | 75% Challenge: 274 of 274 – DONE!)
I may have failed spectacularly in completing NaBloPoMo for November ’09, but I am just a few posts away from completing Jenni’s unofficial NaBloPoMo 75% Challenge for 2009. I may not have accomplished as many things this year as some others, but at least I’ve written something readable (usually) on more days than I haven’t!
While I was failing to finish off the month of November in style, and procrastinating at starting the month of December (I opted to forego daily posting, seemingly a good decision so far), a few things happened that some of you might be looking for updates on.
First, I want to thank Di for keeping me updated on Mary Wild. For those who haven’t been visiting here long, Mary Wild is a Missouri dog handler whose criminally negligent actions in regards to her clients’ dogs’ comfort and safety caused the heat-related deaths of seven of them this past summer. I am sad to see the news that Ms. Wild’s trial has been postponed yet again, this time to June 3, 2010. The wheels of justice turn way too slowly sometimes.
The Dog Press is also posting updates, and it was most disheartening to see the rumor confirmed that Ms. Wild is still showing dogs.
The wheels of justice turn way too slowly for humans, too. A motion to dismiss reckless homicide charges will be heard on January 5, 2010 in another case that I’ve been trying to follow. Motorcyclist Anita Zaffke was killed in May when she was struck from behind while stopped at a traffic light by Lora Hunt, who was painting her fingernails as she drove. As I’ve said before: all for laws prohibiting texting while driving, but apparently due to the extreme stupidity and lack of caring of some humans, they are way too specific.
I know a motion to dismiss is just standard procedure in the legal process, but in a case like this, it’s so disgusting to even think that a death like this could be “dismissed” in any way.
In what is probably a final update to the office squirrel story, the building knocked down its nest while I was on vacation. JR yelled at the maintenance man about the murder of possible squirrel babies and such, which is somewhat out of character for him. I suppose it was inevitable that the nest was removed; it wasn’t very attractive from the standpoint of the building managers. It does not appear that there were in fact any squirrel babies, and the squirrel was spotted soon afterward building a new nest in a safer location (not to be disclosed this time) and being fed on the second floor deck. He? she? did have a full 15 minutes of fame on television and in the newspaper, something that many of us humans have not achieved so this is at least an okay, if not a really happy, ending.
Photos have been ordered for Freya’s new rally title. Very disappointed there were only a couple of action shots of our team and not looking very good either, might I add. One shot is like a “don’t do this, tight leash bad, loose leash good” poster. No reflection on the photographer, though! It’s all on me. Photos are also on the way for Axel’s latest points. As soon as I get the releases on all of the aforementioned pics, I’ll post them to our gallery. I’m all about protecting intellectual property rights and giving proper credit, and I will never be the one complaining about reasonably priced photos (emphasis on reasonable).
(NaBloPoMo | 75% Challenge: 273 of 274)
Rainbows are just prettier in Hawaii. Even in the city, in Honolulu…
…even over an industrial park.
In Rottweiler news, the lovely Freya turns six years old today. I still think of her as my “puppy” and always will. We are almost always in Hawaii on her birthday and Axel’s as well, a fact that makes me sad even though we enjoy spending Thanksgiving week with my human family. Party when we get back, though… promise!
In a technology failure (and eventual success) note, all of the posts that didn’t make it to light here over the last few days should now be visible.
(NaBloPoMo | November ’09: 21 of 30 | 75% Challenge: 266 of 274)
It’s so quiet here without Freya. We’ll be leaving on vacation ourselves tomorrow, so this afternoon Freya started her own vacation at Best Friends American Pet Motel. We have been using this “resort” for our dogs for many years, and it’s one of only a few places I recommend without hesitation when someone needs to board their pets.
Freya will be doing a board and train with her pal Allan Ross as she does every November. It gives her something to look forward to every day (she gets a nature walk on the days that training is not done) and it keeps her focused to do some obedience almost every day.
I don’t do board and train unless I’m going to be out of town, because I much prefer to work with my own dog in a group class or private lessons. This is a pretty good situation, because Allan leads our regular group classes, and I’m comfortable with his training methods. Freya also adores him. She may even enjoy her vacation more than we do ours!
(NaBloPoMo | November ’09: 18 of 30 | 75% Challenge: 263 of 274)
Back in July, Freya got the first of three legs needed for her UKC Rally Obedience 1 title. Today we earned the remaining two legs at For Your Canine’s trials. The lovely Freya is now:
URO1 Sciroco’s Freya vom Viersen CGC, TT!
Here she is, resting up after the stress of trialing with her clueless handler, and flashing some demon eyes at that clueless handler sticking her Q ribbons in her face.
We’ll have our official new title photograph to show off soon, and hopefully a few action shots as well.
It was not particularly pretty. Our score in Trial #1 was 87 (out of a possible 100 points) and 80 in Trial #2. Nowhere near good enough for placements, and most of the point deductions are on me, not Freya. But it was good enough to qualify (70 points is a passing score) and today, that is good enough for me.
I’ll go into more detail when I have a bit more energy. Hopefully that will be tomorrow!
(NaBloPoMo | November ’09: 15 of 30 | 75% Challenge: 260 of 274)