October 2007

Hello fans and friends -

Great news on my front!  Dr. Julie gave me the go ahead to do a little agility.  Tracy's been setting up a couple of low jumps and some weave poles in the backyard and I've got to practice a few moves.  Then last weekend Tracy and I visited our friend Julie at one of her agility classes.  She let me run part of the course - I got to do jumps, tunnels and a teeter. 

We also do more exercises at home - on the treadmill at a 15 degree incline! And John built me a special thing that's kind of like a ladder laying on the floor.  I have to walk through it, lifting each leg (even my weak rear one) over each bar. 

Wow, it felt great to run some agility! I want to go to California again this December, so if all goes well I may be bound for Sunny S. Cal again!!   Better get my shades ready!

                                                                                                                                            Bianca

 

 

Calling All Costumes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bianca's Fourth Annual Costume Contest

It's October and you know what that means!  Halloween - time for treats and cool costumes.  There are a bunch of pretty neat ones out there inn the stores and I've seen some flying around on the internet that are pretty creative too. 

Don't miss out on the fun of the season.  Send me a photo of you in your costume.  This year's prize is a $25 PetSmart card!!  Judges are my brother Wesley, my 'sister' Mary, and my cousins Maddie & Collin.  Be sure to get your pictures to me by November 2.  Judging will take place on November 3. 

We've had some great photos in the past.. here's a look back at some of our past entries:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Grooming!

It's tough to find that perfect groomer out there.  You try groomers until you find one that matches your style.  Wesley and I went through a couple before we finally found our buddy and groomer Elaine (she's THE BEST with Westies!).  It's important to find a groomer that understands your sense of style.  Wes and I are pretty consistent.  But there are some pups out there that really like to experiment.  Push the grooming envelope and really stand out in a crowd. 

Well, Olivia is just such a dog!  She's got an awesome sense of style and being a standard poodle, she can really carry off anything - even FLAMES!  She's so lucky to have a great and very creative groomer that understands her sense of style:

How do you find a good groomer?  I have a couple of hints:

1. Are they familiar with your breed?  Have they groomed dogs like you before?

2. Ask a dog you know (if you like it's hairstyle!).

3. Have an idea of what you want before you go there.  A good groomer will ask your preferences before they even begin.

4. Check out their environment.  Is it clean and safe?

5. Tell your assistant if you don't like a grooming experience.  I did not like one of the groomers I had before Elaine.  I made sure Tracy knew.  The next time she took me to the 'bad' groomer, I threw such a fit she knew it wasn't a good thing to leave me behind.

 

 

 

Warm Up Before You Run!

Tracy is doing some terrible stuff to me before we do any exercises or agility - STRETCHING!  Before I begin any fun activity, Tracy takes me through a series of pulls and pushes to warm up my muscles.  With the weather turning a little cooler, it's more important than ever to ensure you're warm and limber before you begin running and jumping.  There are a variety of sources online for stretching, but Tracy insists on:

• Rear leg extension - it's kind of embarrassing, but she does both my rear legs at the same time - lifting my rear in the air and stretching my back legs up in the air.  It feels kind of good, but boy I hate to imagine how I look.

• Rear leg flexing - she then pulls the leg forward and then lifts it up to stretch the hip and leg.

• Front leg extension - stretching each front leg forward (one at a time!)

• Front leg flex - pulling back the front leg, kinda toward my belly.  This also stretches my shoulder.

• Nose-to-butt stretch - I hate this one, but it usually involves a treat, so I tolerate it.  Tracy holds a treat right above my hips on my back - this causes me to stretch my neck and back when I turn back to reach it.  She also makes me hold the stretch for a little bit!  Oh, and of course, it's not enough to only do it to one side, she makes me do both left and right sides.

We aren't experts at this stuff.  Be sure to ask your vet or a pet therapist for guidance.  My buddies at Integrative Pet Care are helping with my rehab and have taught Tracy the right way to do these warm up stretches. 

Stay warm and run hard!

 

 

 

Takin' It to the MAX!

One of the dogs I 'grew up with' in agility is my buddy Max.  He's very good and very fast (which can sometimes get him into trouble!).  But he has earned not just ribbons - but TROPHIES!  At the AMBOR Nationals this past summer, he won the Open 12" Veteran Dog and he also won another trophy for being the TOP AMBOR Open dog for the year.  Woo hoo!  Way to go Max (and mom Diane too!)! 

 

 

 

 

 

Pup Pics

 

 

Shelly's Babies are Growing!!!

 

Well, Shelly's babies are growing up and just having a bunch of fun.  Here's a couple at 4 weeks old!  How cute!!

Wes wants to visit them to play and of course, sniff Shelly (she's one of his favorites!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Salazar Clan Continues to Grow!!!

 

My assistant Tracy's friend Margarita is a push-over for a cute face!  You may recall she recently added another sweetie to their family. 

 

While Lola isn't thrilled with having a little sister - I'm sure it will grow on her.  And Nina takes after all the other girls in that family.... all the dogs sleep on their backs with their legs splayed out! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ab Fabs

Absolutely Fabulous Canine Accomplishments!

Please send your accomplishments to Bianca@2westies.com. 

 

Bella is running pretty!

 

 

 

Yellow lab Bella got her AKC Novice Agility title with a 1st place win at Illiana Collie Fanciers trial on 9/2/2007.  She's been have great results month after month (I'm glad she doesn't run against me at 12 inches!).

 

Congrats to Bella and mom Michelle!