this place is for the birds

Does anyone recognize this scat? Whatever it was got into the laundry room. Squirrel?

It's all finished. Joey and I had a great time doing Silvia's class. Thank you dinahprincedaly for a fantastic Christmas gift. It really was a wonderful bonding experience for us. Joey was so good. Poor Matilda was mostly a watcher, but every once in a while I'd give her a trick to try, too. Here is the video.



We don't stand a chance to win the "likes" contest, but I may as well give it a try. If you like our video, please like it on the Graduation Page. Thanks.

http://www.lolabuland.com/puppy-november-2015/

The car is mostly packed. Everything in the back is packed. Those things will stay put for the whole trip east. Tomorrow I'll load up my overnight bag, my food, the dogs's food, my computer and a few other things and we'll be off.

Today is Matilda's 9th birthday. I got her at 4 1/2 months at the beginning of August. I had had to put down my 14 year old Akita, Tsuki, at the beginning of June. I knew I wanted another dog and since I worked long days as a teacher, summer was the time to do it. The summer before dinahprincedaly had been researching Australian Labradoodles since she thought she was allergic to dogs and suggested that might be a good dog for me, too, since I have asthma. So I looked for California Australian Labradoodle breeders. I talked with one breeder. She had a new litter of puppies. I went with some friends just to have a look. When I got there, the breeder said she also had two older puppies available. One of these older puppies would be perfect to start school with.


I decided to think about it, but I decided on the way home. I went back the next day to get Matilda.

Tonight we went to the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn to see the wealthy Italian neighborhood all decked out in Christmas lights. The houses are huge and many of them had signs saying which company had decorated the house. Here is a sampling.

My dogs are at home with my good friend taking care and keeping them company. Still I miss them. Here they are looking festive before I left.

Matilda and Joey are on the tree in Brooklyn! Looking cute!!! Thank you again Secret Santa!!!

Sunday morning Matilda, Joey, and I went to a show and go in Chino. Winning Edge Dog Sports is 20 minutes from my house. I love it! Both Joey and Matilda were happy and focused. The missed jumps were my fault, not enough support. The rear cross on the tunnel needs practice for Joey. This was the masters course. We did the novice course first, but I don't have video.



Matilda was so relaxed, none of the trial stress.

My ornaments arrived today. The artist did both Joey and Matilda. They're so cute! What a clever idea to create them clinging to a Christmas icicle. Thank you secret Santa! Mmmmmmm the return address was Vancouver, WA, but the postmark was Portland, OR.

Another short day today,380 miles, not very interesting scenery. We're in Effingham, Illinois.



The dogs are all settled in now. They're both are asleep.