Coach & Dexter

While I was wandering around Spruce Meadows at the Alberta Kennel Club Summer Classic a couple of weeks ago, I stopped to watch a very interesting Agility competition being held by NADAC (North America Dog Agility Council). It was different from other agility competitions I have watched, I was intrigued. There were dogs of all breeds, purebred and mixed, and people of all ages. The courses were different from your regular class seen at competitions, and the rules & regulations different as well. I saw two beautiful Dalmatians in the ring doing a Hoops, Tunnels & Weave Pole course. Speed wasn’t their secret weapon but accuracy was. I was lucky to meet Sandy and her two stunning boys, Coach & Dexter.

Sandy-with-her-beautiful-boys-Coach-&-Dexter

Sandy with her beautiful boys, Coach & Dexter

Coach is the black and white Dally and Dexter the liver spotted.
Coach

Coach

Dexter

Dexter

I liked the less rigid rules of this competition and the interesting classes (might be something Tashi and I may try one day). Sandy, Coach and Dexter are pros at this and after watching them compete you just know they all love it. Come on over to the 100 Pets and Their People page to read their story and see them in action.

Molly & Mark

Well, well…such a LONG time between posts. My biggest excuse is the flooding here in Southern Alberta and the fact that most of the parks and woods I frequent have been devastated by the flooding. Of course it hasn’t been safe to walk in these areas for awhile (still isn’t in some cases) with all the debris and contaminants flowing through but we’ve had more that a few heavy rains and that has helped. Southland Dog Park in Calgary is far from being repaired enough to walk, such a shame.

Mark-and-Molly-watching-each-others-back

You Watch My Back While I Watch Yours

I was happy to meet Molly and Mark out at the Black Diamond Off Leash area last week. We were out surveying the damage, as were they. Molly is such a sweet, happy girl. She didn’t want to sit still at first to pose for a photo, and who could blame her with all the new smells and changes to be explored at the park. Eventually she sat and was happy to pose with her person, Mark. Click here to meet them both.
Molly-in-profile-love-that-floppy-ear

Molly In Profile (love that floppy ear!)

Charlie & Baffin

Well, well…it’s been a little quiet on the 100 Pets and Their People project front and I apologize for the silence but I’m back to introduce you to a new, incredibly adorable pup, by the name of Baffin, and her person, Charlie.

Charlie-and-his-dog-Baffin

Best Buddies – Charlie & Baffin

We met at Southland Off Leash Park in Calgary and for the first time it wasn’t me who initiated the conversation about my project. Although Charlie didn’t know exactly what he was getting himself and Baffin into, he asked if I was the woman who was documenting dogs at the Park and wondered if I’d met his. I don’t think being wrangled into the photos too was what he had in mind, but nevertheless he was a good sport and gladly posed with Baffin for me and we chatted for quite some time. Baffin is a terrific dog, full of energy and enthusiasm.
Baffin-the-dog-and-her-person-Charlie

What a Happy Pup!

One of my dogs, Tashi, found a good smell and started digging a hole which Baffin gladly agreed to help out with, and…took over the task. You can see by Tashi’s face that she wasn’t quite sure what to think about the assistance and gave me a “mom….do something about this!” look.
My-dog-Tashi-Supervising-Baffin-Digging-the-Hole

My dog, Tashi Supervising Baffin

Tashi-and-Baffin

“Seriously Mom, it was my hole first!”

It was a real pleasure to meet them both and add them to our project. Check out their full story here.

Because the stories and photos from my Project are growing I have decided to divide the project into several pages so Baffin and Charlie, being Number 36, are on the newest Project page for Numbers 36 through 70.

Thanks for being patient and for stopping by! Cheers, Sheila

Zola The South African Princess

Zola is a beautiful South African Boerboel (pronounced “Burbul”), a rare breed in this part of the world.

Zola, she still has a 'puppy' look now and then

Zola, she still has a ‘puppy’ look (now and then)

I met Zola and her person, Priscilla, a lovely British lady, at the Southland Off Leash Park last week. I wish I got a photo of Zola that shows how impressive and strong she really is. I did however, capture some great shots of Zola’s connection with Priscilla, especially when we started chatting and they both kind of forgot I had my camera with me (as much as you can with a big DSLR being pointed at you).
Zola-the-Boerboel

Zola Knows We’re Talking About Her

Zola-and-Priscella

Zola & Priscilla

I find once we start chatting, I can get more intimate shots of their relationship with their pet.
Zola-the-Boerboel-Getting-Neck-Scratches-from-Priscilla

Zola, Loving The Attention!

I really enjoyed meeting both Priscilla and Zola and hope you will too. Click here to get to my 100 Pets and The People They Love page so I can introduce you to them! Cheers! Sheila

Rocky and Juno

We’re back to the Dog Park!

Patty-and-her-dog-Rocky

Patty and Rocky

Patty-and-her-dog-Juno

Patty and Juno

Meet Rocky and Juno, two beautiful, friendly mixed breed pups and their person, Patty. We met a couple of weeks ago at the Southland Dog Park. I’ve been looking forward to writing about them, they are awesome dogs; Rocky such a bold character and Juno more reserved and quiet. Patty is a City of Calgary Animal Services Officer; she sees it all in her job but is so very lucky to have these two wonderful dogs to bring her joy and balance at home.
Patty-with-her-hand-on-Rocky
Their bond is palpable and so incredible to see. Please check out their full story and more photos here.
Rocky-head-shot

Rocky

Juno-in-black-and-white

Oggie Doggie!

Oggie

Oggie

I daresay this special little guy, Oggie, closely resembles his namesake, ‘Augie Doggie’, from the Hanna Barbera (1959-1962) cartoon series (in character at least). Both are high-spirited, intelligent pups, just wanting to make their dads happy and proud. I met Oggie and his dad, Garry, at the Southland Off Leash Park last week.
Garry-and-Oggie-with-his-favorite-ball-in-his-mouth

Garry and Oggie (and Oggie’s ball)

Garry-and-Oggie-best-buds!

Best Buds!

What a fantastic, happy guy he is. He loves his ball and his Dad (not necessarily in that order), he is outgoing and social. You can read Oggie and Garry’s whole story over on my 100 Pets and The People They Love page.

Always remember to hop on over to the Project page to read all the Pets and People stories in full. Just click on the highlighted link! Cheers! Sheila

Beautiful Bella

It is with great sadness that I must report the sudden loss of a beautiful little soul from our 100 Pets and Their People community. Dulcie, the Cookie Lady of Southland Off Leash Park lost her partner, Bella, on Friday, April 12. The vet found that Bella had an abdominal tumour that was inoperable and Dulcie made the difficult decision to have her put down. This news will affect the entire Southland Off Leash community as both Bella and Dulcie are thought of so fondly and held in such high regard. Bella will be missed by us all.

Beautiful-Bella-the-Basset-Hound

Beautiful Bella

After a dog dies, her soul is released into the world around us.
Her soul is released to run in the world, run through the fields,
enjoy the earth, the wind, the rivers, the sun, the woods.
Bella, has been released.

Adapted from The Art of Racing in the Rain

Sakara the Sweet!

Sakara-the-great-pyrenees-border-collie-cross

Sakara

Say hello to Sakara, a shy, yet adventurous Great Pyrenees/Border Collie cross and her person, Karen. We met at the Black Diamond Off Leash Park. Once she figured out we were all friendly (both people and dogs) she made herself comfortable and had a good play. More on her story over on my 100 Pets and Their People page…click on over!
Sakara-going-in-for-the-kiss-with-her-person-Karen

Going in for the Kiss!

Cheers! Sheila

Oh Mandy!

Say hello to sweet little Mandy and her special someone, Irene.

Mandy-the-border-collie-and-her-person-Irene

Mandy & Irene

We met out in Black Diamond while they were out walking with friends. Mandy is such a friendly little dog and really so lucky to be here with us today. Come over and read her story on my 100 Pets and Their People page.
Mandy-the-border-collie

Mandy

She and Irene are No. 25 of my 100 pets and people! Woot! Woot! I am 1/4 of the way to my goal of 100 and just in case you couldn’t tell, I am having the time of my life! Cheers! Sheila

Foster & Maddie

It was so nice to meet this family at Southland Dog Park two Saturdays ago. (yes, I am behind!) Foster

Smiling-Foster

Smilie Foster

and Maddie
Beautiful-Maddie

Beautiful Maddie

are two wonderful dogs and Corinne and Brian their nice people.
Corinne-Maddie-Brian-and-Foster

Corinne, Maddie, Brian & Foster

Tashi loved them and gave her tough to earn ‘paw of approval’. Tashi, Bella and Buddah had a good romp in the mud with Maddie and Foster (the state of my vehicle will attest to how much fun they really had). Click on over to my Pets and Their People Page to meet them officially and read more of their story. I have three more great stories coming up this week! Cheers! Sheila