Hi! It's Cinnamon.
Well, we have had a very busy couple of weeks. Firstly Mum was busy with her work. Secondly, Mum's uncle came to stay with us, and also Mum had to take him for some sightseeing, which she says she really enjoyed. Also, Mum had to put together Mint's new routine and film it for the Choredography Connection's first Paws N Music Video Competition. Yes! Mint has got a new routine!
As many of you know, Mint has his own "All Star" routine, which he performed at the NDOA (National Dog Obedience Assembly) last October. But, one of the conditions for entries to the video competition was that it's a brand new routine, which has never been performed in public or published before. However, Mint's "All Star" routine had been performed in public twice, so Mum and Mint had to make a new routine from scratch again.
Actually, when the competition was announced in December, they had two months to prepare for it. But, Mum left it untouched until the last moment, thinking that she didn't have to enter the competition this time. Then, two weeks before the deadline of the entries, Mum suddenly decided to enter it with Mint and finally got started putting together a choreography.
Anyway, because Mum and Mint were busy preparing for this new routine, we couldn't learn any new tricks this month for our New One Trick A Month Challenge. Although there are a couple of tricks that Mum has been trying to teach us, there is none that we have learned fully. So, for February in our One New Trick A Month Challenge, I would like to show you Mint's new routine instead of a new trick.
Here is the final product! What do you think?
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Friday, 24 February 2012
Human guests from overseas
Hi! It's Cinnamon.
Two weeks ago I did a post about our first canine guests. Last week we had our first human guests from overseas in this house! Of course, we had had human guests before, but they were all New Zealand residents. But, this time Mum's uncle and his friend visited us from Japan.
Before coming to New Zealand, they stayed in Fiji for a month to experience the local people's life, staying with local families and sometime helping their work. It would have sounded nothing remarkable, if the travellers were young men. But Mum's uncle and his friend are both retired. I admire their courage to try new things, which people often lose as they age.
As we dogs are not allowed to enter the airport, only Mum went there to meet our guests on their arrival.
When they arrived at our house, both Mint and I got so excited that we couldn't help barking. But, we calmed down after a while, and, once we settled, both guests gave as a lot of rubs and cuddles, which I enjoyed a lot :-)
This Kangaroo, made from wooden scraps, is a gift from Mum's uncle, who started woodcraft after his retirement.
Isn't he cute? All his joints are movable.
Our first guests from overseas stayed with us only for a night because they departed for the South Island the next day. I enjoyed having them with us so much that I can't wait to have more human guests, especially ones who like dogs like Mum's uncle and his friend!
Two weeks ago I did a post about our first canine guests. Last week we had our first human guests from overseas in this house! Of course, we had had human guests before, but they were all New Zealand residents. But, this time Mum's uncle and his friend visited us from Japan.
Before coming to New Zealand, they stayed in Fiji for a month to experience the local people's life, staying with local families and sometime helping their work. It would have sounded nothing remarkable, if the travellers were young men. But Mum's uncle and his friend are both retired. I admire their courage to try new things, which people often lose as they age.
As we dogs are not allowed to enter the airport, only Mum went there to meet our guests on their arrival.
When they arrived at our house, both Mint and I got so excited that we couldn't help barking. But, we calmed down after a while, and, once we settled, both guests gave as a lot of rubs and cuddles, which I enjoyed a lot :-)
This Kangaroo, made from wooden scraps, is a gift from Mum's uncle, who started woodcraft after his retirement.
Isn't he cute? All his joints are movable.
Our first guests from overseas stayed with us only for a night because they departed for the South Island the next day. I enjoyed having them with us so much that I can't wait to have more human guests, especially ones who like dogs like Mum's uncle and his friend!
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Our toilet training and a Beagle's nose tested!?
Hi! It's Cinnamon.
I hope you all had a great weekend whatever the weather was like in your place.
Firstly, I want to thank you to those who voted for Mint at Mango Minster. Although he didn't get any prize, I am sure Mint enjoyed entering the competition. I watched his entry too, and I thought it was a really good job.
On Saturday we went to our second agility trial this year. It seems that Mum was very worried because we hadn't started agility training this year yet. But, as you may know, Mum always worries too much! As long as she does her job as our handler well, we never fail to perform well!
This time we both entered two classes, Jumpers C and Starters. In both classes I went first and Mint next with several dogs between us.
In the Jumpers C I did really well, although, jumping excessively high at every hurdle, I was not as fast as usual.
I think I did well in the Starters too, but in the middle of the course I found myself deviating from the course, being called by nature. (I knew Mum was trying to make me do my business before the run. But, my stomach didn't act as I wished, and I missed the chance to do it before entering the ring for my run.) But, I suddenly realised that I was meant to run the course, so I returned to where Mum was and continued running and finished the course without any fault. At that time, I thought that I had made another clear round, but it turned out to be over-time.
As for Mint, he was running pretty well in the Jumpers C ... until he suddenly went off the course and ran out of the ring. What do you think he did then? He peed just outside the ring, and, as soon as he finished his business, he came back to the course and continued his run! Then, after running wonderfully for a while, his attention was drawn by something on the ground, and he stopped and ate the thing, before resuming his run again! Mum says that what he picked up then was a piece of food treat!! In fact, I am very proud of him, as he proved how good a Beagle's nose is!
In the Starters Mint again started running nicely, but he couldn't go through a collapsible tunnel in his first attempt, although he could in his second attempt. Also, he missed entering the weaves in his first try and in his second try he came out of the weaves too early, leaving the last two poles.
Although my first run was the only clear round from our runs on the day, both my humans looked really happy with how we had done. Mum said that at least we had proved how well we both are toilet-trained not to eliminate in the ring and how good a Beagle's nose is!!
On the way back home from the trial site, we enjoyed gorgeous views of Auckland city centre from the Northern Motorway. This is one of the shots Dad took from the car.
I hope you all had a great weekend whatever the weather was like in your place.
Firstly, I want to thank you to those who voted for Mint at Mango Minster. Although he didn't get any prize, I am sure Mint enjoyed entering the competition. I watched his entry too, and I thought it was a really good job.
On Saturday we went to our second agility trial this year. It seems that Mum was very worried because we hadn't started agility training this year yet. But, as you may know, Mum always worries too much! As long as she does her job as our handler well, we never fail to perform well!
This time we both entered two classes, Jumpers C and Starters. In both classes I went first and Mint next with several dogs between us.
In the Jumpers C I did really well, although, jumping excessively high at every hurdle, I was not as fast as usual.
I think I did well in the Starters too, but in the middle of the course I found myself deviating from the course, being called by nature. (I knew Mum was trying to make me do my business before the run. But, my stomach didn't act as I wished, and I missed the chance to do it before entering the ring for my run.) But, I suddenly realised that I was meant to run the course, so I returned to where Mum was and continued running and finished the course without any fault. At that time, I thought that I had made another clear round, but it turned out to be over-time.
As for Mint, he was running pretty well in the Jumpers C ... until he suddenly went off the course and ran out of the ring. What do you think he did then? He peed just outside the ring, and, as soon as he finished his business, he came back to the course and continued his run! Then, after running wonderfully for a while, his attention was drawn by something on the ground, and he stopped and ate the thing, before resuming his run again! Mum says that what he picked up then was a piece of food treat!! In fact, I am very proud of him, as he proved how good a Beagle's nose is!
In the Starters Mint again started running nicely, but he couldn't go through a collapsible tunnel in his first attempt, although he could in his second attempt. Also, he missed entering the weaves in his first try and in his second try he came out of the weaves too early, leaving the last two poles.
Although my first run was the only clear round from our runs on the day, both my humans looked really happy with how we had done. Mum said that at least we had proved how well we both are toilet-trained not to eliminate in the ring and how good a Beagle's nose is!!
On the way back home from the trial site, we enjoyed gorgeous views of Auckland city centre from the Northern Motorway. This is one of the shots Dad took from the car.
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Vote for Mint at Mango Minster!!
Hi! It's Cinnamon.
Do you remember that Mint did a couple of posts on this blog in late January. One of them was about his entry to the Bad Sports category of Mango Minster, a prestigious annual online dog show hosted my our great blog friend Mango.
Now the voting is open for the Bad Sports category at Mango Minster until approximately 5PM EST on February 15th.
Just in case that you missed Mint's post about it, you can check it out here. For those who just want to watch it without reading the post, here is his entry.
If you think Mint's entry deserves a vote, please leave a comment on this post at Mango Minster to let them know that you want to vote for Mint for the Bad Sports category!
Do you remember that Mint did a couple of posts on this blog in late January. One of them was about his entry to the Bad Sports category of Mango Minster, a prestigious annual online dog show hosted my our great blog friend Mango.
Now the voting is open for the Bad Sports category at Mango Minster until approximately 5PM EST on February 15th.
Just in case that you missed Mint's post about it, you can check it out here. For those who just want to watch it without reading the post, here is his entry.
If you think Mint's entry deserves a vote, please leave a comment on this post at Mango Minster to let them know that you want to vote for Mint for the Bad Sports category!
Monday, 13 February 2012
Our first canine guests
Hi! It's Cinnamon.
Today we had the first canine guests after we moved to our current house last March.
Mint and I were really excited when we saw my friends coming into the backyard, along with a adorable human pup.
We had met the doggies before, so we had no problem getting on well with them. Millia, a young Chihuahua and Toy Poodle cross, was a little shy and kept hiding behind her Mum at first, but, after a few hours, she also joined us to play together.
Now let me introduce our friends.
This is Kurosawa, Kuro in short. He is Golden Retriever and Poodle cross. About a year ago, we went on a weekend trip to Rotorua together. He is so obedient that his human doesn't need a lead or treat when she wants him to do something. I am sure he will do wonderfully if he competes in Obedience.
These are Marvi and Millia, Chihuahua and Toy Poodle cross. They are so little and cute that, wherever they go, they attract lots of attention and many people come to pat them, asking what breed they are.
After we had a short play session, our friends went out with their humans and our mum, leaving us behind at home. They came back about two hours later with lots of yummies. It turned out that they had been to Clevedon Village Farmers Market. But, why were we left behind? Mum says that we wouldn't have behaved if we had been there as there were many dogs as well as a wide variety of food, but nobody knows! I might have behaved well!
When they returned, Kurosawa told me that he had met a horse, ponies and even an alpaca at the market!! He also told me that the alpaca was all black just like himself and wearing a nice scarf.
Back at our house, humans had lunch that they had bought at the market. The food - seafood paella, antipasto, Hungarian Twisters, Churros, organic apple juice, and more - smelt so yummy that I watched closely to get any scrap dropped from the table. But, to my disappointment, nothing dropped...
After humans finished their lunch, we did some photoshooting and agility, followed by a walk together.
It was a great weekend!! I hope to meet the friends for another play date soon!
Today we had the first canine guests after we moved to our current house last March.
Mint and I were really excited when we saw my friends coming into the backyard, along with a adorable human pup.
We had met the doggies before, so we had no problem getting on well with them. Millia, a young Chihuahua and Toy Poodle cross, was a little shy and kept hiding behind her Mum at first, but, after a few hours, she also joined us to play together.
Now let me introduce our friends.
This is Kurosawa, Kuro in short. He is Golden Retriever and Poodle cross. About a year ago, we went on a weekend trip to Rotorua together. He is so obedient that his human doesn't need a lead or treat when she wants him to do something. I am sure he will do wonderfully if he competes in Obedience.
These are Marvi and Millia, Chihuahua and Toy Poodle cross. They are so little and cute that, wherever they go, they attract lots of attention and many people come to pat them, asking what breed they are.
After we had a short play session, our friends went out with their humans and our mum, leaving us behind at home. They came back about two hours later with lots of yummies. It turned out that they had been to Clevedon Village Farmers Market. But, why were we left behind? Mum says that we wouldn't have behaved if we had been there as there were many dogs as well as a wide variety of food, but nobody knows! I might have behaved well!
When they returned, Kurosawa told me that he had met a horse, ponies and even an alpaca at the market!! He also told me that the alpaca was all black just like himself and wearing a nice scarf.
Back at our house, humans had lunch that they had bought at the market. The food - seafood paella, antipasto, Hungarian Twisters, Churros, organic apple juice, and more - smelt so yummy that I watched closely to get any scrap dropped from the table. But, to my disappointment, nothing dropped...
After humans finished their lunch, we did some photoshooting and agility, followed by a walk together.
It was a great weekend!! I hope to meet the friends for another play date soon!
Monday, 6 February 2012
Staying in an unfamiliar place without our humans...
Hi! It's Cinnamon.
Today I am telling you about what we were doing recently.
Over a week ago, we were told to get in the car and driven to somewhere we had never been. When we arrived there, Mum told us to wait in the car for a while and went into a nearby building. After a while, Mum came back with two leads, put them on us, and told us to get out of the car.
Because it was a new place, we had to check everything and every smell. Then, a man came out of the building and guided us through a gate into the backyard where several dogs were barking at us over a fence.
Next, the man opened a gate to an empty enclosure and let us in. Again, there were so many new interesting smells that we got very excited exploring the place.
But, when we realised, Mum had gone. We didn't know what was happening.
At first I thought that Mum would come back to take us home soon, but she didn't. Then, I knew that it was a so-called boarding kennel or pet hotel. I had stayed in one of them with Cookie before, but Mint hadn't. Being an older sister, I decided to take the responsibility to look after my younger brother, Mint, until our humans came back.
In fact we had a great time, playing with a couple of Spaniels and a Border Collie in the daytime while we were staying there. I have to admit though that I missed my humans a lot especially at night.
Six days later, Mum finally came back and brought us home! Nowhere is better than home after all!!
This is me resting at home after a week stay at a kennel.
This is Mint.
When our humans saw us at the kennel on their return, they were smiling of course, but those smiles seemed to have a somewhat different meaning. What do you think they said to us, as soon as they saw us? They said "You both have gained weight!!" Hmmmph! How rude they are!! Yes, it is true that we had lost our beautiful waist lines, but let me tell you that I had them back as soon as the next day. We just had constipation, staying in a new environment... Hee hee.
Today I am telling you about what we were doing recently.
Over a week ago, we were told to get in the car and driven to somewhere we had never been. When we arrived there, Mum told us to wait in the car for a while and went into a nearby building. After a while, Mum came back with two leads, put them on us, and told us to get out of the car.
Because it was a new place, we had to check everything and every smell. Then, a man came out of the building and guided us through a gate into the backyard where several dogs were barking at us over a fence.
Next, the man opened a gate to an empty enclosure and let us in. Again, there were so many new interesting smells that we got very excited exploring the place.
But, when we realised, Mum had gone. We didn't know what was happening.
At first I thought that Mum would come back to take us home soon, but she didn't. Then, I knew that it was a so-called boarding kennel or pet hotel. I had stayed in one of them with Cookie before, but Mint hadn't. Being an older sister, I decided to take the responsibility to look after my younger brother, Mint, until our humans came back.
In fact we had a great time, playing with a couple of Spaniels and a Border Collie in the daytime while we were staying there. I have to admit though that I missed my humans a lot especially at night.
Six days later, Mum finally came back and brought us home! Nowhere is better than home after all!!
This is me resting at home after a week stay at a kennel.
This is Mint.
When our humans saw us at the kennel on their return, they were smiling of course, but those smiles seemed to have a somewhat different meaning. What do you think they said to us, as soon as they saw us? They said "You both have gained weight!!" Hmmmph! How rude they are!! Yes, it is true that we had lost our beautiful waist lines, but let me tell you that I had them back as soon as the next day. We just had constipation, staying in a new environment... Hee hee.
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