Last Bark

Kodee is the reason I fell in love with photography. She is also the reason I have come to love exploring, hiking, learning about dog health and training. It has been fun sharing our stories and learning experiences. Every now and then you read about a dog who has an impact on a family's life - they just seem to appear at the right time. Kodee is that dog.

Kodee was our first small dog and it was quite an adjustment I remember! Teaching a large dog to heel seemed easier. We also forgot she was there and the poor girl got stepped on so many times in the beginning. Kodee is very different from my mischievous numerous labs and my one, slightly off-centered doberman. Oh and I do not forget my parents miniature poodles or the hard to forget  "boxer" experience! She is one of a kind and I am so very lucky and thankful to have had her in my life. If none of that was true, I would not have gone on to get a second Cavalier. Enter Becky... ah my sweet, forever doting on me, little bundle of zip!

With the girls off at school I suddenly found myself with whole days to fill with new experiences.Cavaliers are very social plus they possess a way of winning over any "No Dogs Allowed" types very quickly. We started checking out conservation parks, new towns and took small overnight road trips. All that led to a acquiring a camera - then we fought over the camera so make that two cameras. I see a pattern of pairs here.

What did we all do before the onslaught of digital cameras? It has to be the fastest growing hobby this century. Sure the gear is expensive but choosing to spend my days behind a lens has really cut back on my spending habits. I swear, I'm ahead! Photography has given me a different view on the world around me. Since getting behind the lens, I have become more appreciative of nature, suddenly I am more aware of other people's moods and now no detail is too small for my attention. This hobby has allowed me to meet great people, spend more time with my family, helping to get me fit, and bringing out the Indiana Jones explorer in me. That little black box, packs a lot of power for my buck! I wonder how many people my rambling just helped to justify buying a new lens?

Keeping up two blogs is way too hard so I have decided one must go. I guess you could say this is my last bark. One day Kodee and Becky will be gone, but leaving Bark'n About here so I can relive the memories will help me through it. 

Keep reading about Kodee & Becky by visiting us at
 "Beyond the Dog Dish".

Howl-o-ween Escapades

Good Grief! Kodee took off last night. Found her having a serious talk with the moon. She was trying to "bewitch" the pretty ladies floating about on broomsticks. This HOWL-o-ween, she asked them to let it rain mini pumpkins.

The Moon said it is not that easy! We would have to prove ourselves by travelling very far and be brave. Not exactly a strong character strength of mine... Never mind that Kodee snuffed. Just muster up a brave front - pumpkins were out there ripe for eating!


I don't want to point any paws... but someone - cough Miss Kodee, kept stopping to eat a stick... or two... OK it might have been 3 Miss Piggy! I myself was biding my time chasing a chipmunk around a tree. Suddenly he squeaked STOP. If you leave me alone I will tell you how to get to the pumpkin patch! Then he snickered "Be careful where you decide to dig up a bone this HOWL-o-ween".

 Chippy said to take Werewolf Running Trail to Howling River. We would need a lot of courage to make it though our next destination - Dog Bone Valley.


This was not your usual dog friendly park folks. This woodland was assorted - with - err - dogs of the past. As in you know, dog ghosts! No time to stop for sticks now Kodee - RUN!


Oh My! Would you look at that! A glorious sight as we came over the top of the hill. There is was...


All the fiber a girl could ask for! The Pumpkin Patch keeper welcomed us in for a feast!


Hope your Howl-o-ween was filled with dreams and treats like ours!

Wet nose kisses <3 Miz Becky

Nov 1 Purple/Spooky

A "Blushing" Wordless Wednesday

Go Fetch!

The Scoop On UTI's: Be Wary of Acidic - Alkaline Foods

The Whole Dog Journal: Treatment & Prevention of Kidney & Bladder Stones

Monica Segal: Diet For Dogs With Bladder Stones

Dog Aware: Urate, Cystine, and Other Less Common Urinary Stones

[Read More... ]

The Great Cavsby Birthday Bash!

Miz Becky tells me she has grown up! 

She has traded in her puppy chew toys for big girl fun like sniffing out cute dudes while prancing over agility jumps.

 

That is where she met her boyfriend Jasper. He's a strikingly, handsome Tri Cavalier. I think he may have  hopes to one day ask for her paw forever.

She is also a superstar now participating in trick class with a bow here, a high five there, spins on a dime - heck she even sits pretty. Oh to be a frivolous teen enjoying the good times!


Ah Becky you look like maybe you still need to learn a lesson or two. Too much fun comes with a price.

Midsummer Ramblings

Does absence really make the heart grow fonder? Well hopefully that is somewhat true since I haven't posted here in a very long time!

My MIA excuse? Summer and the onslaught of camera fever that came with the warmer days! In my quest to get to know my camera better, I have been on the hunt for new adventures to photograph and have found myself with dirt flying in my face at the race track, dancing to Pretty Woman at the Polo For Heart Match, oh and can't forget sitting in the bush waiting for a hawk, and the not so dainty, tiptoe through a flower bed at the botanical gardens to capture butterfly on a flower. If you want to view a few of my summer adventure photos head over to my photo blog  Beyond the Dog Dish.

I didn't totally neglect the dogs though!

Meet Becky's niece! This little girl is the smallest of the litter but she takes no nonsense from her 4 brothers over at Embee Cavaliers! In fact, Lil' Miss was first to bust loose out of the puppy pen and climb over the wall!

We also got to have a visit with Becky's Mom at the Cavalier Fanciers of Southern Ontario Specialty Show. Reese maybe over 7 but she is in fine shape and looking HOT in the Old Timers Fun Match. Look at that smile - like Mother like Daughter!

Becky really enjoys training. So all winter we worked at learning Rally Obedience. I thought we were ready for our first Rally Fun Match this summer. Whoops, I learned a valuable lesson! Perfection at home or in class in no way prepared us for the high distractions a new location brings on.

Back to the training pad for us! Someone gave me good advice and suggested to train Becky at a busy park. When she had that down, go to a new location - keep practicing in new areas till she can focus right off the bat in a new location. So on that note, I guess I have my work already laid out for this fall.

Rally is not very popular where I live - actually, most dog sports are not popular where I live. So that means I have to be resourceful and seek out my own materials; books Click Your Way to Rally,  Yahoo Groups Attention  Games for Rally and Sport, blogs The Dogs Are Really In Charge, Leash Free Living and competition videos.

At the end of the day Becky got her favourite type of reward - nothing beats a post workout snuggle. My reward was watching her do that whole body wag (complete with a goofy grin) while doing the course - she really loves her one on one time with me.

~ Ramblings by Debbie
Go Fetch!
What Is Rally Obedience
Canadian Kennel Club 2012 Rally Obedience Rule Book
Canadian Association Rally-O
Cyber Rally-O - great resource if your area is like mine and NO ONE will teach Rally :( and I have been known to beg people too... so if your reading this and know I mean YOU, you know what I want you to do :)

Fall Pickings!

How perfect is this; a Blog Hop titled "Monday Mischief"!

Living with Miz Becky it's a good bet we will be regular participants!

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The Case of the Missing Gerber Daisy

*DISCLAIMER*

No Cavaliers Were Hurt In the Making Of This Story.

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

Gerber Daisy ~ Also Known As:

Transvaal Daisy, African Daisy, Veldt Daisy, Gerbera Daisy, Barberton Daisy

Scientific Name: Gerbera jamesonii

Family: Compositae

Toxicity: Non-Toxic to Horses, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Dogs :)

One Of Those Days.

One of those days... 

Do you speak up - even if your not 100% sure your right? Do you take a stand when no one seems to be behind you? Do you follow your gut? Are you OK changing your mind if someone can show you a different opinion? I hope so. I do. Being open, listening to others, not fearing debate and knowing it's OK to to let others influence me, is all good. That's right Kodee, you keep barking.

We Have A Birthday Girl In the House!

Look who is a big girl now! Miz Becky is 2 years old today! 

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We're Sad and Mad!

Doesn't Miss Kodee look scary? I hope so!
[Got to love these Iphone photo apps]

Who else is having trouble with Blogger? We have been blocked out of commenting on most of our friends blogs for over a week. It's random who I can comment on and who not! FRUSTRATING! I may have to commit myself soon. Since I am known to be somewhat *cough* opinionated, it's killing me having to be silent. Do you think Kodee's vampire imitation will propel blogger into action?

Anyone else involved in this "cluster" of affected bloggers unable to comment. If you are you probably can't comment here to let me know lol. In that case shoot me a twitter message. I did read some people got past this issue by clearing their history and deleting their cookies but it didn't work for us. If I log out, I can comment on ONE blog. Then have to log out again to post on the second. I know I have an abundance of time on my hands - but seriously, not that much! So, in the meantime, know I am reading and loving your stories none-the-less!

I guess it could be worse. I have one friend who can't even make a post. Consider this my test run to see if I still have that capability! Here goes.... pushing "PUBLISH POST" now..

Kodee VS the Frisbee

Yup I have been missing in action! Blame spring and technology. Gasp I have another love or is that obsession other than dogs, ok and photography. Gardening! If you want to take a peak at what my green thumb can produce look here
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Royal Wedding CKCS Style!

Crazy humans. Woke us up at 5:30! Then didn't even feed us till 8:30!!

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Meet "Miss Furry Couch Potato".

That's right. Kodee has been crowned "Miss Furry Couch Potato". OK so I exaggerate but she did win a prize! When I got home today I found a large package on our door step. Dad saw the parcel then said "It's from "Dog Basics what did you buy?" I squealed "NOTHING! Honest!"

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Why Does Spring Mean Home Invaders?

Oh yeah! Spring blooms are popping up all over the garden here! Sorry to my pals who told us they woke up to the shock of the dreaded white stuff haunting the ground this morning at their homes. Here is a peek at what your missing! Jealous? You know it!
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Pet Bloggers Challenge

So many blogs out there and not enough hours in the day to visit them all! I admit it. I am addicted to blogging. I take comfort in numbers; knowing more BlogAnonymous members are out there, tapping on their keyboard with me.

The Pet Blogger Challenge is about taking a hard cold look at why we do what we do. Bare our souls daily, share our personal photos, rant, or lend support. The answers I am sure will be diversified but probably hold one common interest. A love of communication.
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2010's 10 Top Posts

Has it really been 2 years since I started blogging about my obsession with my dogs? My kids call me the "Crazy Dog Lady". I keep telling them, I find that a compliment!

The past year has been a learning curve in writing, a fun time meeting other dog enthusiasts, and an educational experience reading other blogs. Here's to our best of 2010, ranked by your page visits at Bark'n About.

1. Beating Canine Cancer

The Ugly: 1 in 4 dogs will die from cancer. The Good: 50% if caught early are curable!

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Kodee and Becky Tinsel the Town

BECKY!! What are you doing... NOW.
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Kodee's 4th Birthday!

Party! On December 3 we celebrated Miss Kodee's 4th Birthday! I promised Mom I'd be extra good. Really, I did try. It's just her present looked so yummy. Oh the shame, you'll see in the video below what happened.

First we want to thank Holly our blog friend for stopping by and remembering Kodee's birthday! Holly also turned 4 earlier this week so be sure to go wish her a Happy Birthday too!

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Why Mom Why?!

Hey guys! I entered myself in a photo contest. It was titled "Dogs in Winter Coats". Seriously what was mom thinking! Dressing a dog in a parka! I will never live this down at the next dog event... oh the shame of it all! Take a peek at how silly I look!
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Who Do You Look Like

Our friend Honey The Great Dane stopped by and asked us to play a game called "Who Do You Look Like". Be sure to visit Honey and see the leggy gal they picked that looked most like her! Also visit her friend Golden Samantha because they choose a great photo also!

So who did Mom pick to be me? None other than Amanda Bynes! Well not exactly Amanda Bynes but close - her character in Hairspray; Jenny Pingleton.

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