I’m still getting used to it. Doesn’t quite look like my little wild child that I’ve grown accustomed to anymore. Honestly, I don’t know what to think. I kind of like all my shelties with their individuality and their not quite conforming to the picture perfect standard. But for now, Dare is a very pretty girl, and he ears look much more like they are supposed to look. No guarantees that it’ll stay this way forever though. LOL

On Friday, Raven finished her Open FAST title the first day. However, I wasn’t on top of things and I didn’t remember if it was her second or third leg, so I didn’t move her up. Bleh! Bad mom. She also Q’d in her Ex A Standard run that day, so she only needs one more leg for her AX. Here’s her Open FAST run.

Layla had her agility debut on Friday too. She started out really well in Nov FAST. Qualifying with a total of 75 out of 80 possible points. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw her score. Here is her video.

Next was Layla’s Standard run. It didn’t go quite as well. She decided that she needed to visit the jump setter really bad and then she didn’t want to weave. I think both things are just common green dog mistakes though and other than that, she did a good job. Here’s that run.

Last of all was Jumpers with Weaves. It was such a nice course, was really excited. Layla did the first two jumps and again the urge to say hi to someone was just too much for her, and she left me to go see the judge. The problem is that she took an offcourse jump to do it. Bleh. So, even though she then came back and finished the rest of the course under time, we couldn’t have the one wrong course and Q. She also seemed to get really sniffy at the end of the run. I didn’t know if she was stressed, but I don’t think so. She’s always been a real sniffer, it’s something we’ve tried to work on, but I think by the third run she finally decided that the arena dirt was just too interesting to pass up on anymore. LOL Anyway, here’s her last run of the day.

All in all, I was pleased with both the girls. Ricky you mentioned when you saw one of Layla’s videos that it’s nice to see a friendly Sheltie, and I have to agree. I definitely love that Layla thinks everyone is a potential friend. I just need to make sure that she understands that we visit our friends after we’re done running. LOL

We got to see Dare’s half sister Tennille again, and her “brother” Captain this weekend too. I couldn’t believe how much Tennille had grown. She is almost the same size as Dare already and she’s 7 weeks younger. Anyway, here’s a picture of them all together. Dare on the left, Captain in the middle and Tennille on the right.

Zoe earned her MACH, to become the first Sheltie in Utah to have that title. She also qualified to go to the AKC National Agility Championship in North Carolina in March, and we’re really looking forward to that trip!

Twist tried his paw at regular obedience this year, and in his first Novice Obedience class, took first place and earned the High in Trial at the Utah Sheltie Specialty! Woohoo, Twist. He went on to finish his CD in September. Now we’re working on moving into Open Obedience!

Raven took a break from competing in agility for most of the year, but she did try Rally Obedience at the Utah Sheltie Specialty, and she qualified first time out. She’s entered in an agility trial in Jan., so we’ll see if the break from competition and the training we’ve been doing have paid off. In the meantime, she says that she doesn’t mind just chilling out and chewing on a bully stick.

2008 was a great year for Penny! She got to try out for a tv commercial, and even though she wasn’t chosen, we had a great time! Of course, now she thinks she’s a star and we’re just staff that here to serve her. LOL

We said goodbye to Jessie this past August. It was an unexpected loss, and she is greatly missed!

Our attempts to help Rogue overcome, or at least manage more successfully her anxiety issues…continue. The last year has allowed us to meet some wonderful people. I feel really grateful to have found such great support and guidance as we work with Rogue. We hope that 2009 brings more progress for Rogue.

As for Lucy, she’s enjoyed another year of being Lucy. There’s really not much more you can say. To Lucy it’s not the end of one year or the beginning of another…it’s just a wonderful day to be alive!!!

Lastly, I guess it’s time to admit that the little foster girl, (formally known as Lucy), has found her permanent home, with us. I knew there was a reason we hadn’t done any fostering for several years! LOL For obvious reasons, we’ve changed her name. My husband got to re-name her, and he’s chosen “Layla”. I looked up the meaning of the name and it’s “dark beauty”, so I guess he did a pretty good job, for just pulling a name out of the air…he doesn’t overanalyze naming like I do. Hehe. I don’t know that I’d describe her as a beauty just yet, more of a cutie at this point, but I’m sure she’ll grow into the name.

So, I guess that about sums it up!