New Look

I kinda like it. Now I need to set to work on my website. I redesigned it but I don't love it. It's just okay. I'm working on another and also working on my newsletter. Just takes up a lot of time that I could/should be spending on other things. Went to a survey yesterday about social media marketing. I may try facebook again for my business and also twitter. I tried to get on twitter yesterday and had all kinds of problems. There is something called Linkedin that everyone uses so I need to find out more. So much out there and so little time.

On a good note, the park classes are doing great. Everyone loves it. I'm contemplating more classes out there at least till the time/weather changes. We have such a good time, there is so much more room and less noise. I love it.

What a week!

Wow, what a week! Storms, TV studio with Sage, three times to the Bass Pro Shop with classes (almost getting kicked out one time), humongus baby shower for Nicole, took my Therapy Dog class to a retirement home, and classes at the park on Mondays. Can't wait for some days off over the 4th to just chill although I try to take some time to do that every day for at least a few minutes between cutting grass, doing housework, taking care of and playing with my dogs. Just sat out in a chair and watched the storm come in. Pretty awesome. I hoped to see the space station (or was it a satellite?)come over head but the storm clouds made it impossible. Now I need to drum up some business as classes have been sparse. Probably the summer vacations and stuff. It picks up.

Fun in a TV studio with Sage

We got an invitation from Waycross Community TV to be in a video about dog training for their summer camp for high school and jr high kids. I brought Sage today and he did so well. I was just a little anxious because it was someplace he had never been before and would have lots of kids talking and petting him. He did very well and was even good in from of the camera. They will be showing it on a cable station sometime soon so I will let you know. It was soooooo much fun. I felt like I was on the Today Show or something. Maybe someday.......

Car Fail

Yep, it finally happened. Or should I say it happened again? I stopped for gas and went to turn the car on. Click. Click. Click. Waited a while and tried again. Click. Click. Click. Most miserable feeling ever. Waited yet a while longer. Click. Click. Click. Right at the pump at a super busy Speedway. I told the cashier and she came out and pushed me back into a parking spot. Well, almost. I took two. Many failed attempts later at banging at the starter with a hard object, I called AAA. They sent a help truck and tow truck. The guy banged on the starter a good one, then it started. SOOOOO, I guess I know what we're doing today. That's right, replacing the starter. Actually it's a really good car for being 16 years old. How old is that in human years? Probably like a hundred. Which is how I feel today.

This and That

Just sent out my newsletter yesterday. Wrote a little piece about people hitting their dogs. Nothing bothers me more than that. There is no reason to hit a dog. None. If a dog does not know what he's supposed to do, it's not his fault, it's ours. We haven't trained enough or proofed enough or rewarded enough. Generally people hit dogs out of frustration or stress. That's not fair to the dog. And there goes your relationship with your dog-right out the window.

DogFest is coming up this weekend. I hope to go and maybe take Mary. She used to be my training dog. She's 9 now and she might like getting out a bit. I walk her but the excitement of a new place and new people might do her good. I can only go Sunday at 11am as I teach all weekend.

I really miss having a doberman. I never thought I'd say that. I always swore I wouldn't own another one but I really miss Flame and Frankie. Maybe someday....

Three Things

I saw a blog today where people share 3 (or it can be any number) of things you never knew about them. So I'll share 3 things about me that I bet you never knew:

1. I used to lift weights. Bench press and all that. I had a gym set up in my family room and used to belong and attend gym frequently.

2. I used to sell Mary Kay. It was so much fun. I had parties at client's homes and made everyone look Beautiful!

3. I am terrified of tornados. One went over my house some 20 odd years ago and hit quite a few places after that. I saw all the destruction and am now terrified. If I hear a tornado warning or sirens, you will see me panic.

There you go. Feel free to tell me three things I didn't know about you. And as a side note to my last post: I'm going to bring some special treats for the horses next time. If it works on dogs, it can work on horses. They will think I'm the treat lady. Worth a try. Any suggestions?

"Riding" lessons

It should be more aptly called "Building Confidence Around Horses and Bonding 101". I never realized that I really didn't know horses all that well. I owned a horse some 30 odd years ago. A Palimino named "Billy Jack". I rode him some (in a ring) and groomed him and cleaned his stall. I can't really remember how long I owned him but it was maybe a year or so.

Now I find myself slightly fearful and not knowing how to bond with them. My daughter thinks it's funny that I will take on almost any dog without hesitation but I jumped out of the ring the other day because a horse came running too close for comfort for me. She is a beautiful Arabian like in the picture. I guess their size worries me. But I want to get to know them and all their body language and personalities. They are just so different than dogs both in size and species. It's fun in a big way but scary at the same time. I'm not sure what I think is going to happen but taking these lessons from a kind an patient trainer is really helping.

It's also embarassing in a way because little children come for their riding lesson and get right on and go riding. Me, I'm in the baby pool just getting my toes wet. Stay tuned for more horse tails as I really want to do this. Just takin' baby steps.