Doggy play date at Kelly's house

Zeke, Paco, Paprika and one of mine.

Kelly asked me if I would drop off Twinkie and Whizbee at her house so she could take more photos of them.  I said I may be able to do better then that!!  I also took Paprika (Hope) and Paco as well.  They live at Debbie's house and she said they could go too.  Paprika is from Chica and Pepsi and is now nearly a year old.

Zeke, Paco and Whizbee in the back

I also brought my family.  Girls swam in the pool, I took photos of all the dogs on the pool deck.  They had a great time with Kelly's dogs Bella and Zeke.

Whizbee jumping over Zeke!!

Kelly is already sending me cute photos she is taking of all the pups.  I can't wait to post them.  Have to wait until they are watermarked though.  

Zeke all dressed up!!

 Did I mention Zeke was not happy with Kelly dressing him up in this outfit!!!  Poor boy, and it got worse.  Later Kelly put a hat on him as well.  I did not post those pix because I really did not want to embarrass the poor fella!!

Training for Therapy

Twinkie in the bag

I am going to physical therapy 3 days a week and decided since I am there I may as well take the pups and get them used to the environment.  They are a big hit.  The trainers love them and so do the clients!!  First I brought one pup with me in the green bag.  I set the green bag on someone's lap and they would pet the pup.

Whizbee fast asleep

That worked okay, but I have decided not to use the green bag after speaking with Jo Mcginnis.  She is a volunteer therapy dog evaluator.  She advised me and I have changed my course of training.  I now carry the pup in and place them on the lap, or hold them when they are being petted.

Now I always ask permission before placing a pup on someones lap.  I also hold the collar of the pup so I have control of the head.

close up of Whizbee

Whizbee went today and he fell asleep next to the client.  They both seemed to enjoy the company.  I chatted my head off!  Most have remarked how calm they are for chihuahuas and well behaved!!  I am hoping Twinkie and Whizbee will be ready for testing when they turn one.

I asked permission of the clients to share their photos before posting to this blog

The new blue cat toy

Walt purchased an ingenious cat toy for the.... cats.  Yes, it was for THE CATS, but they never got a hold of it.  The blue ball had many holes in it and an opening to put treats in.  It looks very much like a hamster ball.  I put lots of cat food in it and made the holes smaller so not too many would fall out.

The dogs loved it... Yes I said... THE DOGS.  Chica loved it especially.  I think it lasted a couple of days when I found the lid was off and chewed into bits.  The rest of the ball was also chewed.  A very sad turn of events.

Whizbee was the first to play with it but when Chica discovered it no one else got another turn.

Another cool find

I had to take my dyson to get fixed in Sanford, Fl.  Decided to go around some antique shops while I was there.  I love hunting treasures.  I found the coolest little doggie bag.  Chica and Snickie are too big to fit.  Whizbee and Twinkie are just the right size.  I went with my good friend Ana, who later caught me using it when collecting my daughter from school.  She had to have known that I would use it right away.  Ana had a good laugh when she saw me and I was busted!!

Twinkie in the new bag

Stacking Table

Stacking tables are a must when it comes to showing.  It is important to practice with your little ones often so they know what to do.  They come in all different styles.  When at the dog show in Lakeland I met a lady who made a small one that fits on her stroller.  I can do that !!  So I did.

top

It is quite easy.  Just cut a board to the size you want.  Get shelf paper. I suggest the rubbery kind that is cream in colour with holes in it.  Wrap the shelf paper around the board and staple.  I also put duct tape on the back to cover the staples and to make it extra secure.  Voila... one very cheap yet practical stacking table.

bottom with duct tape

Now I place it on my lap and stack the pups!!

Twinkie 3 3/4 months

Guess who came to visit?

sniffing Whizbee

Paprika (aka Hope), was a naughty girl and escaped out of her garden.  Her human mummy was walking around the neighbourhood trying to find her with no luck.

Snickie in the background

   I happen to be in my front garden working on one of my flower beds.  I am removing the rocks.  Another lady comes to me and asks me if I have lost a chi.  No, but I do know who that chi belongs to!!

I left a message at her home saying she is at my house.  Gave her food, water and some love.  She had a nice time playing in the back garden with Chica and the gang.

Paprika with Twinkie

Ice cubes

We were in the garden and I decided to dump out the ice cubes.  Boy did they like playing with them.  Especially Twinkie who jumped around like a frolicking lamb!  It was fun to watch Twinkie and Whizbee chase each other for them. A nice treat on a hot day.

Whizbee's first dog show

I need to work more with stacking him

We were off to Lakeland for the chihuahua specialty.  It was lovely and warm.  Of course, in the hanger we were baking hot.  Travel was okay, but rather long.  I would have enjoyed sleeping over and skip all the driving.

He actually let the judge look in his mouth!!!!

Whizbee was looking adorable and got lots of compliments.  Twinkie also.  I got some help taping Twinkie's ears so they stand up.  They like to flop a bit.  Some other breeders told me Twinkie has a lovely head.

I do not like my ears taped!

First we entered in the puppy sweepstakes.  Whizbee one first in his group, 6-9 months.  Then we went against the winners of the other groups.  A very nice puppy won.

I stand okay for the judge.  Will continue to work on this.

Secondly, we entered the normal show.  We were again entered in the 6-9 month group and won first place in that category.  We went against all the other group winners and the same dog won.

This is the dog that won! He stands so nicely but he is older and his owner is a pro at handling!

Preparing for show

The last couple of weeks we have been going to the ring to practice all the skills necessary for showing.  I have taken my daughter and the little doggies.  Mattie and I take turns in the ring with Whizbee and Twinkie gets cuddled by lots of folks.  I decided it would be good for her to get used to the smells and noises as well.

Whizbee, of course, does not want to do what it takes... He will go around the ring but won't free stack nicely unless there is a treat at the end of his nose.

He acts worse with Mattie then with me, but Mattie did ok going around the ring.

When I stacked him on the table it was pretty bad unless I had the treat under his nose.  Then he did much better.  He doesn't like to be touched under his chin.  We will have to practice the best we can before the upcoming show in Lakeland.  I will have fun showing him off.  Mattie will do junior handler and gain more experience.

Professional Photography by http://kellyrichardsonphotography.com

Kelly Richardson has taken more beautiful photos of our babies!  Whizbee and Twinkie are visiting with Kelly and she is taking lots and lots of photos.  This is a small sample of her work.  They look so cute!!!  They will stay a little bit longer so Kelly can get some Easter, St. Patty day and spring photos.

Kelly told me today that they are so well behaved.  No whining or barking.  Zeke, her white dog, loves them and even slept the night in the kitchen to be near them.  He normally sleeps in a human bed!!  That says a lot when he was willing to give up his comfort to be near them.

Whizbee will be in the show ring very soon.  He is nearly 6 months old and will be entered in the puppy sweepstakes and the puppy class!!!  We are going to have fun, but hope he wins something too.

Here is Kelly's web address if you would like her to take photos of your pets.  She also photographs humans!!!

Preparing for show

Last night Mattie and I went to the fairgrounds to practice showing Whizbee.  He did very well.  Much better then expected.  He walked well and stacked pretty well.  We need to work on him showing his teeth!!! He doesn't like that much.

Mattie also got a feel for what it is like showing a dog.  The instructor gave her lots of pointers.  I was quite the proud mum of my 4 legged and 2 legged children!!

Twinkie also came for the atmosphere and to be held by folks.  She was quite the hit !!  She did quite well with all the new smells and noises.

Twinkie nearly 3 months old

Whizbee nearly 6 months.  Back feet are off. Head too a little

Here are some pix of stacking I took of them today with help from my dear friend Ana. 

I love my duck

Fizzing Whizbee just adores his duck.  Passed down from chi to chi it is absolutely disgusting.  The beak is hanging by a thread, it smells and it is so dirty.  So it is his favourite toy.  Just the other day I snapped some pix of him with his duck.  He hides it places and then returns to play with it.  He takes it in the garden and hides it.  He is the only one who can go in and out of the cat door which is very convenient when trying to keep other chis away from your beloved toy.

I lick my duck. It tastes good!!!

I stand guard over my duck

Even when playing I hold my duck tightly so no one gets it.

I just love my duck

I hide my duck in the dog bed

Paprika comes to visit.

Today Paprika paid us a visit.  She was Chica and Pepsi's pup born June 1st.  She looks a lot like Pepsi but is darker in her colouration.  She is 7 months old and full of energy.  Lucky for us she lives just around the corner so we get to see her often.  This is the first time I took photos of her.  She is very fast and runs around a lot.  It is hard to get a good photo.

I need to scratch!

Paprika and Twinkie