Eddie Would Go - One Year Update!

Hey All!

I am updating the blog - I know, I can hardly believe it either.  Karen sent me updates and photos promptly and I have been very negligent in posting...so here goes.  

A note from Karen:

Eddie is currently 66.8 lbs but I don't have height info. He is being neutered tomorrow.

As you know, Eddie has taken obedience and games and tricks classes this year.

He also LOVES to LICK EVERYTHING! Especially hands and feet.

Eddie has enjoyed many new experiences like playing in dog parks, going to the Pacific Ocean and camping in the Mt. Hood National Forest. He loves the water.

He is a bouncy, happy, smart, sometimes selectively deaf but mostly eager to please boy.

He is, as promised, a very loved companion dog!

ME:  BOY, can I relate to the LICKING comment...sorry, but they get that one from their mamma!  Zoe is still quite the licker, but doesn't hold a candle (or shall I say TONGUE) to Finn!

Eddie loves to chew anything including rocks, sticks and tennis balls.

Here he is camping and chewing on his wooden cigar.

Relaxing with a Stogie!

Thank you Karen!  Keep the updates coming!

P.S.  Finn was 60.5 pounds at his one year mark.

FINNANIGANS!

Yes, I know; I know.  I owe everyone one-year updates!  Truth is I don't have mine together and have only heard from one other (well, two, but only one update thus far).  This is just a quick, "meanwhile" post I had to share.

Dateline:  September 12, 2012
Hubby (after being gone most of the day) came home and kindly gave Finn a break from his crate.  After about an hour in the home-office, he came upstairs to find this!  And this was after one pass of the vacuum cleaner.  Can only imagine the party that Mr. Finn had.

I think we'll be finding feathers around the house for a very long time!

Finn, Party of One!
 My living room floor...sporting the
after-party remnants.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY to the FAST-TRAXX PUPPIES!!!

WOW!  Can you believe it's been one whole year since the little rascals were born?  It seems like it was so long ago, yet they grew up so fast.  A lot has happened in the last year I know, and it seems like a blur to me.

I think it's time to (finally) update the blog again.  Seems every time I look to do a new posting, the Blogger site has new updates.  

I'll be sending out a "Happy Birthday" email to all the Fast-Traxx puppers and their families today.  I'm hoping that everyone will provide a little bit about what is happening in their world, along with some photos.  I hear from most of the families on occasion but need to compile a summary for each one and get it posted.  Uhm...I obviously need to do the same with Finn.

So stay tuned...hopefully those responses will be rolling in soon.  Meanwhile, here if Finn's reaction to "Let's go get some water".  I meant a bowl of water; I guess the boy had other ideas.  Note how gentle Eddie was with his kiddie pool experience.  Finn had other ideas....

Slacker! 
 Yep, that's me...well, today anyway.  Can you believe it is JULY already?  I've mostly been super busy, but things are settling down now at work, so I have no more excuses!  
Below is a short video I received from Karen (aka, mommy of Fast-Traxx Eddie Would Go).  He hadn't seen water since a wee puppy, and he apparently thinks it is "interesting". I love the way his coat looks!  He's a super cutie ... I mean, what a handsome boy, he is!

Where has the time gone??  Isn't that always the case?  Six years ago, Zoe was born!!!  Happy birthday to all the Lime Creek's Code of Honor (Cody) x California Sunny Girl (Kallie) puppies!  Hope to get in more updates soon....and some updated photos as well.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend to ALL!

Been awhile, I know!

So, it has been quite awhile since I've done an update...in fact, the blogger site has changed since I last logged in ~ really, they just go and change things on me?  Hmmm.  Hopefully, it works okay for me - not always the most savvy at this stuff you know.  Anyway, Karen sent me a couple of recent updates regarding Eddie and I wanted to get this up (ok, I was hoping to last week, but what can I say?).  So, here he is... Mr. Handsome, Mr. Well Mannered, Mr. Eddie:  (although "got the moves like Jagger") keep running through my head ;0)

Mr Handsome is right...I just want to hug this boy!!!  I guess I had it correct when I wrote, "SOME PUP!" in reference to him once upon a time... Although now I guess, "SOME DOG!" is more appropriate.  Thanks for sharing Karen.

Note from Karen:  This picture is so great I had to share it!  Everyone who saw this handsome boy at the park today complimented his looks, charm and manners. What a boy!

A Note from Karen:

Here's the latest photo of Eddie.

He's added to his repertoire of tricks. Besides shake he will spin in either direction on command. He is so smart and learns so quickly.

My favorite command he knows is wait. It is awesome to be able to open the back of the SUV and not have a Labrador burst out like a jack in the box!

Eddie starts intermediate obedience class on the 21st. Maybe he will be the "doggie push ups" champion once again.

Eddie is fearless, trusting and so loving. Thanks for raising such a great pup!

KP

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So if you're wondering what Doggie Push Ups are (like I was), they are a set of sits and downs in quick repetition.  Eddie was the "winner" with 15 sets in 30 seconds!  He's a rock star puppy in my book.

-Rachelle

Finn On Contacts-Woo Hoo and Rachelle Learns Something Too!

I've only done this 4 or 5 times with him - I'm only using kibble, but think I will start using higher value treats for the better contacts. 


Funny story:  A couple of nights ago, I realized we had tried the elevated plank only in the living room, so I thought we'd try a new location.  It was the dining room, just a few feet away, but still a little bit different environment.  Because it was on a hardwood floor, I took the rug from the front door and placed in under the end of the contact.  It stuck out about a foot and 1/2 on either side of the board.  Finn approached the board and promptly laid down on the rug next to it...hmm, that's odd.  I waited him out and he seemed confused.  More waiting...then he took the end position and received his click, treat and release.  Now usually he will hop right back onto the plank, but not this time...he laid down again and looked at me as if to say, "Where's the treat?".  So, by now I'm really confused and thinking, "Gosh, I thought he knew this better.  Does moving to a new location make such a difference?  How? Why?  And why the heck isn't he doing better?"...yes, all those thoughts ran through my head in about 5 seconds or so.  Ok, back on the board, click, treat, release and end of session.  


I then put the plank away and pick up the mat to place back in front of the door when the virtual light bulb goes off in my head (DUH moment approaching folks!).  About 5 or 6 weeks ago, I used the mat in the middle of the living room floor.  When Finn would go to the mat and lie down I would click and treat.  He caught on to that one VERY quickly.  And, it obviously stuck - good dog; too bad about the handler!  Well, at least I figured it out and will be careful about my props in the future.  Enjoy your dogs - they are smarter than we realize.

Just Hanging Out

Finn (L) and Zoe (R)  Yes, he is taller than his mama!

Update 02-29-12 It's LEAP DAY!!!

Hey all:
Just heard from Karen last night about Eddie...sounds like he is a real cuddle bug and doing well.  He gets to attend daycare a couple days a week at a great facility and has just passed his first obedience class - YAY!  Sounds like they are on the right track.


So, it seems all the puppies have completed at least one class with one exception ... that is Finn (and me)!  Well, we will start one on Thursday, so we'll see how it goes.  Below is a recent photo of Eddie.  I do have some photos of Finn I will try to get up later today as well.  Finn has also learned (learning) the end position of a plank.  Perhaps I'll remember to set up the video camera one of these days and see if I can get some footage.  Check out the puppy page for other updates!

Mr. Handsome Pants - Eddie

Simba Update

Hooray! I received an update on Simba today - Email and photo below.  Hoping to hear from all the other puppy families soon (hint, hint).


"Rachelle,
Simba has started obedience classes and is doing very good.  We laughed the other night because we told him it was bedtime and and ran and got his blanket out of his kennel and got on our bed as if to say "I'm a big boy and can sleep here tonight"!  Funny guy!  We are so in love with him he is awesome!"

Play Time

One of the last videos taken before Eddie flew off to his new home.

They're almost as tall as their mama!

For Karen

A couple of videos of "Eddie" - Taken Christmas Day.

This boy is flying home on Friday...he's such a good pupper

and I know he'll make a wonderful companion for Karen.

Ready or Not , There He Goes ~ To Portland that Is!

I'm heading off to Madison later today to purchase a new airline approved crate for Jag.  He's soon to be flying off to his new home in Portland, OR come January 13th.  Yes, it is on a Friday, but we don't believe in all that "Friday the 13th Stuff" here.  Good things are in the works for this awesome guy, I can feel it.  Admittedly though, I am a little sad to see him go, but I know it's for the best.  He is a really great dog with tons of potential.


Initially,I thought he was going to be "just" a companion dog for his new human mom, Karen.  I am so excited to learn that she has already signed up for an obedience class with him and is also considering the world of agility.  I hope she follows through with it.  It would be great to know that several of the Nitro x Zoe pups are out there competing in various sports.  Speaking of Nitro, Karen has already had a pup from him.  It was sad to learn she recently lost him, but hopefully she can find comfort and new beginnings with another one of his little boys.  


Portland is a great dog-friendly city with many dog parks and opportunities for fun!  It sounds like Karen is getting well prepared for her new puppy, who will now be called Eddie.  


I wish them all the best, as I do with all of the pups' new families; and, all the best to each of you as we start a brand new year in 2012!!!


P.S.  He will still be cheering for the Badgers today vs. the Ducks ;0)