Agility dog Cinnamon is back

Yesterday, Cinnamon attended the agility class for the first time after she graduated from the beginners course in early December last year.

The agility school that Cinnamon goes to offers three different classes, beginners class, non-competing class, and competing class. Graduates from the beginners class usually advance to the non-competing class, but currently they join the beginners class as refreshers, because there are only a few of them in this term. Actually, it was good for Cinnamon to start as a refresher, as she had been away from agility training for more than three months.

Although I was not sure if Cinnamon still remembered what to do, she didn't only do jumps well but also did weaves much better than I expected, with the help of treats. However, she still couldn't figure out how to do with the tyre. I may need to set up something similar to a tyre obstacle in my garden to do some practice.

The photo above was taken before the class. Before and after the class, Cinnamon had a great time playing with her new friends.

Welcome to our street, Hamish!

We had a walk with Hamish this evening. Hamish, a three-month-old white westie, is the youngest canine resident in our street.

Just when I opened the gate to go out, Hamish's mum was coming across the street with Hamish in her arms. According to his mum, he was reluctant to walk, until he saw Cookie and Cinnamon.

When I saw Hamish, I was worried that Cinnamon might bark at him from excitement. But, to my relief, she gently greeted him without barking. Cookie also looked happy to find a cute puppy. He has always been very kind to smaller dogs since he was a puppy.

Cinnamon is back at racing!!

Cinnamon was finally back at Hound Racing today, six weeks after she was hospitalised for a mysterious illness. I was thrilled to see Cinnamon running at full throttle again! Now I am thinking about resuming agility training with Cinnamon soon.

As there were fewer dog at the racing today than usual, Cookie and Cinnamon's turns came around so quickly that they ran five races within just over an hour. Both of them must've been exhausted after those five races, but it seems it took Cinnamon a while to realise that she was tired. While Cookie fell asleep as soon as we got in the car to come home, Cinnamon remained awake for a while, looking outside from a car window, before she also fell asleep, having a gentle snore.

The beagle racing with Cookie and Cinnamon in the movie above is Chloe, who's been Cookie's racing mate for nealy seven years.

Dog street

Cookie and Cinnamon live on the corner of an arterial road and a short street with a cul-de-sac. The short street has so many canine residents, most of whom are Cookie and Cinnamon's friends, that no one would disagree that the canine population rate of the street is well over the average in Auckland. Furthermore, the number of dogs in the street seems to be only increasing! The latest addition is a three-month-old white west highland terrier called Hamish (He is so cute!! I hope I can post his photo here soon!).

Misty (female miniature schnauzer), Asante (male corgi), Manuke (female corgi), and Bertie (female standard poodle) are Cookie and Cinnamon's most frequent company for walks in the neighbourhood.

New trick - bow

I've been teaching Cinnamon some new tricks.


Cinnamon standing


Cinnamon bowing

It's so difficult to take photos, giving commands and rewards!!