I have come a long way!! ...in the last two years

Hi! It's Cinnamon.

Today I will show you video clips of our dance performances at NDOA 2011 Paws N Music, as I promised.

Here is a glimpse of the performances.

But, before showing the video clips, I want to look back the long way I have come in the last two years.

Perhaps the story began when my Mum found an online news article about a Great Dane becoming a national dog dancing champion. When she saw a photo in the article, she thought she recognised the handler as well as the dog. She remembered that she had met them several times in the neighbourhood and also in a big park called Waiatarua Reserve.

In fact it was a very strange situation when Mum talked to the Dane's owner for the first time. In one morning Mum was walking with my older bother Cookie, but Cookie stopped suddenly and didn't want to walk any further ahead, because a large fawn dog was wandering around without any human. Because Mum couldn't get closer to the dog because of Cookie, she didn't know what breed it was. But, later on the same day they met a Great Dane in a similar colour in Waiatarua Reserve. So, Mum asked the Dane's owner if her dog had escaped from their house that day. But the owner just looked puzzled, and it turned out to be a different dog. After that, they met several times on their walks, but they didn't get to become close friends because Cookie was frightened of the giant dog and also the Great Dane and her humans moved out of the neighbourhood soon.

Anyway, after seeing them in the news article, Mum visited the dog's blog and left a comment. That's how Honey the Great Dane's human and my Mum got known each other properly. A few weeks later we went to see Honey's dance demonstration at Devenport Dog Parade.

(See Mum's post about it here)

Then, a couple of months later we met up in a park called Shore Road Reserve. This time Cookie didn't get scared of Honey much and we had a pleasant walk together.

(See Mum's post about it here. Image by Honey's human)

Another couple of months later Honey and her human invited us to a One-Minute Busking competition. It was my very first attempt at dancing!! Look at this! I was so bad!!

My first attempt at dancing (August 2009)

Looking at this video clip, I am reminded how far I have come.

Finally, here is my performance at my second dancing competition, NDOA 2011 Paw N Music!!

My 'California Gurls' routine at NDOA (October 2011)

Comparing to my long, hard road, Mint's road was paved and easy. When he entered a One-Minute Busking at seven months old, he won it!!

Mint's one-minute busking (August 2010)

And, here is Mint's performance at NDOA 2011 Paws N Music, a year later.

Mint's 'All Star' routine at NDOA (October 2011)

I hope you enjoyed watching our dance!

Beagles rule!!

Hi! It's Cinnamon.

I am sorry about my slack blog posting. But, all the hard work that consumed most of our free time and prevented my regular posting has finally paid off!

You may not believe this, but I WON the Elementary class of the Paws N Music (Dog Dancing) competition at NDOA (National Dog Obedience Assembly), which took place in Porirua, Wellington!!!! Also, what I am even happier about is that MINT got the SECOND PLACE in his first ever dog dancing competition!!

It's been two years since I started dog dancing, encouraged by my wonderful friend and great doggie dancer, Honey the Great Dane. She has always been so inspiring. As many of you may remember, I was even given an honor to be a judge for her Dancing with the Doggie Stars contest earlier this year.

When I attended my first dancing class in October 2009, I just couldn't stop barking, as I was so excited doing spins and weaves. So, to start with, I had to learn not to bark when doing those exciting moves. It was not easy, but I couldn't do anything but stop barking, because my Mum was so determined and never gave in.

The second challenge was to keep my nose off the ground. When I joined the first Paws N Music summer camp in February 2010, I couldn't show other doggie dancers what I could do, because I just couldn't stop putting my nose to the ground. Look at this One Minute Busking performance that I did at the camp!! I was so bad at keeping my nose off the ground, someone even said to my Mum, who was preparing to welcome Mint to our family, "Are you sure? Are you really getting another Beagle?"

At the NDTA (National Dog Training Assembly) 2010, my first ever Paws N Music competition,  my nose couldn't stop working again during our performance in the competition.

Although I still find it most difficult, my Mum's determination and patience sometimes win. And, that is what happened in the latest competition.

Mum usually gives me some food reward after every two or three moves. So, I kept dancing, waiting for some reward, but Mum didn't give me anything even after halfway through the routine. I wondered what was happening, but I still kept dancing, hoping Mum would give me some of the food that I knew she had in her hand after I did the next move. However, when I realised, the routine had already finished!! Yes, that's right! I didn't get anything till the end!!! Mum tricked me indeed!!

Anyway Mum looked very happy when we were leaving the ring. So, I decided that I should be happy too. Also, when Mum and I were walking toward our car, some people came to us to say that it (our dance) had been nice, which made me feel even better. Then, Mum quickly put me in our crate and, instead, took Mint out and left with him. I don't know what happened after that, because I was in our crate in the car, until Mum came back in a different costume.

When I went back into the building with Mum, the organisers of the competition were preparing for prize giving. I waited for the announcement of the result with Mum and Mint. Then, my name was called as the winner of the Elementary class!! So, Mum and I quickly went into the ring and received a ribbon and a prize. Then, next, Mint's name was called as the second place getter!!

After all prize getters of all classes were announced, it was the time for the announcement of the overall winner for highest points in the whole competition. You won't believe this, but my name was called once again!! I was given a trophy with my friend Honey's name engraved among other past winners of the prize, and also I was asked to dance again to celebrate my win. This time I couldn't dance well, being unable to concentrate because we didn't have a chance to do any warm up. But, who cares!!!

I am going to post videos of our performances in the NDOA 2011 Paws N Music competition soon!!

Spring is here!!

My 4th Birthday

Hi! It's Cinnamon.

Yesterday my Mum made special birthday cake for my 4th birthday.

Mint also enjoyed the cake.

After finishing the cake, I became a bunny!!

My letter to Mango

Mango, thank you so much for taking me to such a memorable date!!

I am so sorry it has taken me so long to say thank you to you about the date. As soon as I got back home, I fell into a deep sleep and didn't wake up for the next several days. I must have been very exhausted, having experienced so many exciting things in a short time!

To tell you the truth I don't remember that I went after the fox! As I have no memory during that episode, I didn't know what I had been doing during my memory loss until reading your blog posts about our date. I hope I didn't annoy you by my rudeness to leave you at the sushi restaurant before you ate anything. I wish I could have introduced some formidable Japanese cuisine to you, a pure American! My favorite sushi is Tuna Rolls - It's simple but tasty :-)

Also, I have to apologise Agatha for forcing her to work for me. Again I don't remember anything about it at all. I am actually very embarrassed to know that I had such a bossy side!

Going back to the earlier part of our date, I enjoyed break dancing with you so much, Mango!! I had never seen such a type of dancing before, but, because you are such a natural break dancer, I could join you to dance together with ease. Also, I want to say thank you to Norwood, Khyra, Dexter, and Asta for joining on the dance floor!

Lastly but not least, Chrome and Denise, you were wonderful too. Without your help, we wouldn't have been able to be back home unscathed from such a thrilling adventure.

More than anything I was extremely impressed as well as touched by your hospitality during this date!! Mango, you are the man among men!!

It's been very cold here down under. I hear that the temperature has been extremely high and it doesn't get much cooler even at night in your place. Take care of yourself and stay healthy, Mango.

Sincerely with love,
Cinnamon the Beagle