Argus Ranch Blog

Grandfather who plunged 40ft down ravine into river is rescued by his DOG who helped him to safety before running to pub and barking for help

2012-01-26T08:19:00.000-08:00

Pensioner lay unconscious in water for 'around 15 minutes' after ground gave way
Grandfather-of-eight suffered six broken ribs and a head injury
Monty the labradoodle barked until regular at nearby pub followed him back to where his owner lay in agony

By Rob Cooper
Last updated at 1:35 PM on 26th January 2012
From The Daily Mail Today

A pensioner who plunged 40ft down a ravine into a river owes his life to his faithful dog who led him to safety before running to a nearby pub and barking until he raised the alarm.
Maurice Holder, 73, says he was knocked unconscious when the ground gave way beneath him as he walked along a steep river bank with his labradoodle Monty.
When he regained consciousness 15 minutes later he was lying in water up to his chest with a serious head wound and six broken ribs.
But Mr Holder said 11-year-old Monty had stayed loyally by his side and helped him struggle up the ravine from the River Camel in Bodmin, Cornwall.

'My dog saved my life': Maurice Holder, 73, said his dog Monty led him to safety after he fell 40ft down a ravine into the River Camel in Bodmin, Cornwall
When they got to level ground Monty left his owner and ran to the nearby Borough Arms where he barked until he attracted the attention of a regular, who followed him back to where Mr Holder lay in agony.
Mr Holder, a grandfather of eight who lives in Newquay, said: 'We were walking along the river. I was literally standing still with my hands in my pockets listening to the silence and the sound of the river, when suddenly the earth moved.

'There was a tremendous rumble and the whole lot came down with no warning, nothing.
'I just went down - it felt like going down in a lift really fast. I fell about 40ft and landed on a great slab. I don’t know how long I was out for, it could have been around ten to 15 minutes.

Plunge: Mr Holder fell around 40ft down this embankment. When he came round 11-year-old Monty was still by his side and helped him struggle back up the ravine
'I woke up and the tidal water had come up to my chest and I was aware that I was bleeding from my head. I looked around and saw Monty sitting next to me.
'I knew I was in a situation, there was only one way out and that was the way I came in.
'It was very steep. Because all the ground had fallen it was loose, but Monty found a way back up on to firm ground.'
Mr Holder, a retired sales director, said he knew it was critical he got help quickly because he had suffered a head injury.
He added: 'I find it a nice area as you don’t get hordes of people there. But after the fall I had six broken ribs and I thought I could be here for hours or days.
'Monty got me to level ground and then I just lay down to get my breath back and as I did Monty ran away.

Help: A regular at the Borough Arms called an ambulance after Monty ran to the pub, barked until he raised the alarm and led the rescuer back to his owner
'He came back around 15 minutes later with a nice gentleman who helped me back to the car and an ambulance came.'
Mr Holder was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital where he stayed for two days and was treated for head injuries, broken ribs and cuts and bruises to his back.
He added: 'I was a bit of a fright with blood from my head down to my waist. I think the broken ribs were more painful than anything else.
'I have been back a couple of times and when I saw where it happened and how far I fell I couldn’t believe it.
'Monty is absolutely the perfect pet. I wouldn’t say he is always the best behaved but he is loyal and that is what matters - man’s best friend.'

Smile!

2012-01-23T08:59:00.000-08:00

4H January 21st Bunny show is canceled

2012-01-20T14:36:00.001-08:00

ALERT: The Bunny trial has been CANCELED due to flooding, road closures, and a power outage!!

Show will be rescheduled

Trial Canceled

2012-01-20T12:16:00.001-08:00

Extreme Agility Team
NADAC Sanctioned Agility Trial

January 20th, 21st, 22nd
Argus Ranch in Auburn, WA

ALERT: The trial has been CANCELED due to flooding, road closures, and a power outage!!

Argus Ranch is closed Today.

2012-01-18T06:23:00.001-08:00

February 18th Seminar with Earl Vaughn is FULL.

2012-01-17T12:16:00.001-08:00

No Obedience classes today due to weather.

2012-01-17T12:16:00.000-08:00

New Arena is open for practice .

2012-01-17T09:54:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

NO AGILITY CLASSES TODAY DUE TO WEATHER

2012-01-17T09:35:00.000-08:00

Agility classes are canceled for tonight because of weather and icy roads.

2012-01-16T16:57:00.000-08:00

Meet your therapist

2011-12-28T07:18:00.000-08:00

Last year Billy the terrier was saved by the kindness of strangers. Now he is repaying the debt by bringing joy to the desperately ill
By Philippa Tomson
Last updated at 8:32 AM on 28th December 2011

Billy Boy in his uniform , all set for his first day 'at work'
Fastening his smart little jacket — slightly baggy at the sides but comfortable — I stand back and beam at Billy with pride. This is his first day at ‘work’ and I’m willing him to do well. As he walks into the room, he is greeted with cries of delight. There are so many smiling faces ready to greet him, he doesn’t know who to approach first. This new boy obviously is a big hit.
Billy, my two-year-old Tibetan Terrier, is on his first official day of duty at St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham as a Pets As Therapy dog. He is there to provide people with terminal or life-limiting illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis, cancer and motor neurone disease with a much deserved and longed-for cuddle.
He is one of more than 5,000 dogs, and a select few cats, working throughout the UK, visiting hospices, hospitals, care homes and special-needs units, providing love and comfort to more than 150,000 desperately ill people, many of whom are missing dearly loved pets back home.
Yet according to Pets As Therapy founder and chief executive Maureen Hennis, these visits provide more than a bit of light relief and can actually help improve the health of patients.
‘The act of stroking a dog reduces both blood pressure and stress levels and brings a little bit of comfort and normality to a life which might be spent mainly in a hospital or hospice,’ she explains.
Maureen launched the charity along with a group of friends in 1983 after becoming convinced of the therapeutic benefits that stroking a pet could bring to patients.
And it’s a role that my dog Billy, I am proud to observe, is embracing with relish. He scampers over to the chair of retired civil servant Beryl Colquhoun, 76.
‘Aren’t you gorgeous!’ she cries. ‘The best looking lad in here, I can tell you.’
Beryl is here to give her husband, Stan, a break from being her full-time carer. Having lost her own dog, Bracken, three years ago, she’s delighted to have a pooch back in her life, albeit briefly.
And she’s not the only one: ‘Didn’t you see the change in people’s faces when he came in? They lit up,’ she remarks, looking about the room. ‘It relaxes you, it takes you out of yourself and it’s something a bit different, something wonderful.’
Soon I feel like we are on a royal visit: so many people are eager to meet Billy, it’s hard to ration out our time. Next in line is Joan Gallent, 72. Like everyone else here, it’s obviously a relief for her to have something else on which to focus and talk about other than illness. ‘I’m a retired nurse so I already know dogs love contact with people,’ she says.

Miracle: Billy after his accident. He escaped from the garden and ran across a dual carriageway, where he was hit by a car with such force that its number plate split
‘He gives you those lovely looks and my heart melts. He makes me feel wanted.’
Such is Billy’s impact that soon members of staff from other departments are popping their heads round the door to see what’s going on. ‘They’ll be talking about this for the rest of the week,’ says day hospice lead nurse Michelle Paris. Many patients are unable to keep a dog themselves, she explains, and miss the interaction.
So how did Billy land this role? As is often the case, it’s all down to me, his proud and pushy parent. I decided to get him approved as a Pets As Therapy dog quite simply because last year, on Christmas Eve, I nearly lost him.
As I’ve already described in this paper earlier in the year, Billy had escaped from the garden of our home and run across a dual carriageway, where he hit a car with such force that the driver’s registration plate snapped in half.
Having suffered two leg fractures, a broken tail, a nasty gash on his forehead and, most worryingly, a near-collapsed lung, no one knew if he would make it. I spent Christmas Eve bolt upright on the sofa dreading the ‘I’m terribly sorry’ phone call from the emergency vet. But that call never came.
In what I can only describe as a Christmas miracle, Billy survived the night and the night after that. We brought him home in a very sorry state on Boxing Day and he remained on full bed rest for six weeks while his fractures healed.
Many dogs fail to make the grade, however good-natured they may be, due to their boisterous behaviour and hyperactive tendencies
Come the spring, he was almost back to his normal self. Soon, his excitement returned whenever I came home and he’d jump up and down like a pogo-stick.
His daily play fights with his big brother, my other Tibetan Terrier, named BG, began again as did his ability to leap eagerly into the car boot for his walks. His tail, which I feared might have to be docked, was now proudly carried high on his back again.
Billy’s amazing recovery and our unbridled relief got me thinking. The fact that he was still here was down to the members of the public who tended him at the roadside in the aftermath of the accident, and the wonderful veterinary staff who nursed him back to health.
So wouldn’t it be appropriate if he gave something back? Plus, his temperament is so gentle and loving that it made sense to share him with others.
I had already done some charity work for our local hospice in my role as an ITV television presenter so it would be an ideal place to visit. I checked out the Pets As Therapy website, filled in the forms and booked an assessment.
No pet can join the register unless they’re assessed, so Billy had some work to do. Many dogs fail to make the grade, however good-natured they may be, due to their boisterous behaviour and hyperactive tendencies. I don’t think my other dog would pass for those very reasons. He would lap up the attention of patients but he would also lap up every crumb on every surface.
Billy, in contrast, is much less naughty so I thought him ideal for this volunteering role.

Philippa with Billy Boy on his first day, left, and Christine McGowan, right, gets a cuddle from the Tibetan Terrier
His assessor was a vet and the test would take place in our local veterinary surgery. Now I know that dogs don’t possess the memory banks of humans, but I know they learn through association. And this was the very place where Billy had been poked and prodded and wired up to all sorts of paraphernalia just eight months previously. No wonder he shivered in my arms as we sat in the waiting room and, for a fleeting moment, my confidence in him wavered.
This assessment was all about temperament and attitude. A nervous, anxious dog could never be trusted in a place like a hospice, with busy corridors and unexpected noises. What’s more, they would never sit still long enough to be patted and stroked by patients.

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However, once the assessment began and the vet spoke to him in soothing tones, backed up with titbits, Billy’s nerves evaporated.
Response to being handled? Loved it — tick. Response to a food treat? Gently accepted without mouthing or snatching — tick. Response to a tray being thrown on a floor? Ignored — tick. Behaviour on lead? — minimal command required.
This dog, whose life had hung in the balance not so long ago, ticked every box. Even better, the experience taught him that the veterinary surgery isn’t an intimidating place after all, especially when a few treats are on offer.

Placid: A dog has to go through a variety of tests to see if it has the right temperament to deal with people in a hospice environment
Six weeks later and here we are, or rather, here is Billy. It’s not about me. To all intents and purposes I’m just the driver who spends an hour a week or a fortnight ferrying him from A to B.
I’m not suggesting Billy, or indeed any other dog, can heal people, but he can help them forget their life-limiting condition if only for a few moments while they run their fingers though his soft, sweetly-smelling coat.
Christine McGowan, 42, who has visited the hospice for three years, agrees. She has a rare genetic condition which leaves her confined to a wheelchair so she comes along for a few hours every week and stays for a few days’ respite care every four months.
‘Everyone makes a fuss of a person in a wheelchair,’ she says. ‘It’s nice that I can reciprocate it by making a fuss of dogs like Billy.
‘He keeps people like me calm because he is calm. What he must think of us lot smiling and watching him, though, I’ll never know.’
But it’s Maureen, chief executive of Pets As Therapy, who sums up the valuable work these dogs do.
‘I once visited the same nursing home for 17 years,’ she says. ‘One lady always used to sit by the door every week waiting for my dog to arrive. All she ever said was: “She’s my ray of sunshine, she’s my reason for staying alive”. You don’t forget things like that.’
I only hope these ladies won’t forget their precious moments with Billy. A year ago, I nearly lost him. A year on, I couldn’t be more proud of him.
For more information, contact the Pets As Therapy website by clicking here.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079121/Meet-therapist-Last-year-Billy-terrier-saved-kindness-strangers-Now-repaying-debt-bringing-joy-desperately-ill.html#ixzz1hqJz0SvC

It's a dog's Life

2011-12-23T07:07:00.000-08:00

The golden retriever in a world of bliss at bath time
By Charles Walford
Last updated at 2:25 PM on 23rd December 2011
Most dogs see bathtime as something to be endured rather than enjoyed
But Casper the golden retriever loves nothing better than a nice warm bath - with a massage from a loved one thrown in for good measure.
And where other dogs would be inclined to leap from the water and leave a trail of bubbles over the carpet, Casper simply submerges himself in the soapy waters and lets his owner get on the task of making him shine.
And just like his human counterparts relaxing after a tough day at the office, Casper even lies with his head underwater, letting his troubles wash away.
Scroll down for video

Casper appears to be in a state of total bliss as his owner gives him a bath
Perhaps a day of chasing his tail, fetching sticks and generally acting adorably has taken its toll, or he needs to unwind from the pressure of being man's best friend.
Either way he appears to be in a state of total bliss as his willing owner washes his hair and strokes his tummy.

More...

The video was posted on Youtube by a user who said they got Casper from Y Rock Ranch in Arizona.
And to allay the fears of those who said that using human shampoo could hurt Casper, his loving owners reveal they use a specialist ‘oatmeal baking soda’ shampoo.

At one point Casper submerges his head, with his eyes fully underwater

The pampered golden retriever gazes up lovingly at his owner as he enjoys his luxurious bath

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077942/Its-dogs-life-The-golden-retriever-world-bliss-bath-time.html#ixzz1hN2gX5sc

Sorry, the airport's dogbound! Flights delayed as staff try to catch whippet on runway

2011-12-20T08:36:00.000-08:00

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 10:12 AM on 20th December 2011

A whippet who had escaped its owners forced a major airport runway to be closed, delaying flights while staff chased it across the tarmac.
Twelve flights were delayed and one passenger jet diverted 100 miles to find a landing spot after the dog strayed on to Manchester Airport's airfield.
The whippet escaped its owners while out for walkies nearby. Bolting past a guarded entrance, it fled into a cargo area at the international airport - the largest outside London.

Fast: With a top speed of 35mph, a whippet led Manchester Airport staff on a chase that left 12 flights delayed and one diverted 100 miles. (Library photo)
Frantic staff spent 40 minutes chasing the nimble hound across the the airfield, which has approximately the same area as Manchester City Centre.
Whippets boast a top speed of up to 35mph.
During the chase, airport chiefs took the decision to shut the runway for safety reasons, forcing 12 take-offs to be delayed and a Turkish Airlines jet to be diverted to Birmingham.

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A spokesman for the airport told MailOnline that the dog's owner had let it off the leash to put it into the car to go home when the animal bolted.
Gary Brown, the airport's duty manager, told the Manchester Evening News: 'It took some time to catch it. The airfield is obviously quite a big area.
'Because of the delay there was a build up of flights and we had to suspend a Turkish Airways flight from Istanbul. It was diverted to Birmingham, refuelled and has now made its way up here.
'Basically, if there is any lost animal on the runway, we have to stop all flights straight away.'

Shut down: The dog took 40 minutes to capture after it ran loose on the airfield at Manchester Airport - the busiest airport outside London
The whippet was eventually caught and returned to its owners.
It's the second time this year an escaped animal has sparked chaos at the airport.
A flamingo forced a runway to close in July after evading capture for five hours before flying off.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2076446/Beware-dog-Flights-delayed-airport-staff-try-catch-whippet-runway.html#ixzz1h5qIkRqV

Look who's all grown up!

2011-12-16T06:54:00.000-08:00

Puppies found abandoned in the snow last Christmas Eve reunited after surviving against the odds
By Richard Hartley-parkinson
Last updated at 1:22 PM on 16th December 2011

They were found after being abandoned in the snow last Christmas Eve. Lost, starving and alone, the tiny puppies had been left for dead during one of the coldest winters on record.
But a year on, the MailOnline has caught up with Brandy and Pudding, now fully grown and leading happy lives with their new owners.
The puppies were both aged around 12 weeks when they were rescued last winter and taken to the Dogs Trust in Newbury, Berkshire.

What a difference a year makes: Brandy (left) and Pudding (right) look a lot healthier after being rescued and adopted by caring owners

Cold, hungry and left to die: Brandy and Pudding were cruelly dumped by their owners and left to fend for themselves in the snow
Dedicated staff gave them round-the-clock care over the festive period and they were re-homed early this year.
Now Pudding and Brandy have been brought together for a Christmas reunion at the Dogs Trust.
Manager Maureen Iggleden said: 'Pudding and Brandy survived against all odds and they now lead happy and healthy lives with their new owners.

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'Not all puppies are so lucky and we urge anyone thinking of buying a puppy for Christmas to consider the responsibility as they require a lot of time and commitment and can live for up to 16 years.
'Puppies should never be given as gifts and Pudding and Brandy highlight the dangers of impulse puppy purchases.'

Brandy, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was severely underweight when he was rescued in Reading, Berkshire, while Pudding, a Boxer cross, was found in woodland with a distended stomach.
After being nursed back to health the puppies were found new homes - Brandy now lives with Mark Wright in Berkshire while Pudding is in the care of Kat Eighteen.

Dog carer Jess Ockwell with Brandy and Pudding before they were found new owners

Miss Iggleden said staff had been shocked at the way the puppies had been abandoned.
She said when they were found last year: 'We suspect Brandy and Pudding may have been bought as Christmas presents and dumped when their owners realised the work involved in looking after a puppy.
'Our centre looks after hundreds of abandoned and unwanted dogs every year but it still shocks us to think that someone could so callously abandon a puppy, especially in these weather conditions.'
Dogs Trust chief executive Clarissa Baldwin, who coined the slogan 'A dog is for life not just for Christmas', added: 'Sadly there are still people out there who think pets are as disposable as Christmas wrapping paper.'
Click here to visit the Dogs Trust

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2074926/Puppies-abandoned-freezing-snow-Christmas-Eve-reunited-surviving-odds.html#ixzz1gi3JbedC

Jills' 7:30 pm Agility Workshop class is canceled due to the cold weather.

2011-12-13T16:30:00.000-08:00

Two kittens stuffed inside cat food bag and dumped in road are rescued... by a dog

2011-12-08T07:19:00.000-08:00

Bag had been hit by car killing all kittens inside but two

By Wil Longbottom

Two kittens stuffed inside a bag and cruelly dumped in the middle of a road were heroically rescued... by a dog.
Tipper and Skipper had been sealed inside a Meow Mix bag along with the rest of their litter and left in the street in Des Moines, Iowa.
The bag had been hit by a car, killing some of the kittens inside, when a passing dog came to their rescue, picking up the bag and carrying it home.

Left for dead: Tipper and Skipper were thrown into a bag with several other kittens and dumped in the middle of a road

Saved: The vulnerable pair would not have survived if it were not for heroic dog Regan, who came to their rescue
Regan refused to stop whining to her owner until they had opened the bag, revealing the grisly contents and two seriously injured but still alive kittens.
Linda Blakely, from Iowa's Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary, told CBS: 'The instinct of the dog was to nurture and not kill the kittens.

'With all the blood some dogs would have responded to the scent. Reagan the dog is a hero.'
She added: 'When she reached in, the horror of these kittens covered in blood and guts quickly revealed that there were more that didn't make it.'
The two kittens were treated at the sanctuary and nursed back to health over three months. They are both now up for adoption.

Hero: Regan, pictured, passed by the dumped bag, picked it up and carried it home

Safe: The two kittens have been nursed back to health and are now up for adoption

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2071170/Two-kittens-stuffed-inside-cat-food-bag-dumped-road-rescued--dog.html#ixzz1fxNplOkJ

Romy the Irish Setter gives birth to huge litter of 15 puppies after eight hour labour

2011-12-05T08:46:00.000-08:00

Almost double traditional litter of eight or nine

By EMILY ALLEN

When three-year-old Romy went into labour her owners knew they had a long night ahead of them.
But when she started to give birth at their Coventry home she didn’t stop until an astonishing 15 Irish setter puppies were born.
The amazing feat was almost double the average of a traditional litter of eight or nine and not far off the UK record.

Proud mum: Romy with her litter of 15 healthy Irish setter newborns born after eight hours of labour
The record in Britain is 24 pups which was set in 2004 in Cambridgeshire beating the previous record of 13.
Romy spent eight hours in labour with just a few hours break before giving birth to the remaining five heaviest puppies.

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Owners and friends Alicia Copping and Natasha White, both aged 28, of Allesley, remained by her side.
They have had Romy and father Ruben, aged six, since they were puppies.

Tough going: Romy spent eight hours in labour with just a few hours break before giving birth to the remaining five heaviest puppies
The squealing newborns, a healthy 10 girls and five boys, weighed between 275 and 339 grams.
Within just a week they have doubled in size.
Despite not being able to open their eyes they have been gulping milk every two hours of the day.
Ms White, who specialises in breeding guide dogs, said: 'We did a scan when Romy was just four weeks pregnant and we thought we saw eight or nine. So you can imagine our shock when she carried on giving birth to more.
'She was very tired by the end of it. We gave her a walk round the garden after her 10th one. Then after two hours the others came out.
'The last one to be born was the biggest. It took Romy more effort to get him out than the others.

New arrivals: Owner Natasha White with two of the 15 puppies. Despite not being able to open their eyes they have been gulping milk every two hours of the day
'We were in shock when she kept going. We thought ''oh crikey'' how is she going to get the last few out but she did it.'
Exhausted Romy doesn’t have enough milk for all her offspring so Ms Copping and Ms White feed them a milk substitute in a bottle instead.
Ms White, a police officer based at Coventry Central Station, said: 'Between us we’re looking after the puppies 24 hours a day. Natasha does the day shifts and I do the nights because I’m used to doing night shifts for work.
'I’ve never helped a dog give birth - my work doesn’t prepare you for something like this.'
Ms White said being a mother has come naturally to Romy.
She said: 'This is her first litter but she’s such a natural. She knows exactly what to do, she’s a fantastic mum.

Tiny: The squealing newborns, a healthy 10 girls and five boys, weighed between 275 and 339 grams
'It’s a miracle how she managed to get them out.'
The owners were so excited by the birth they decided to set up their own website, www.rosarenosirishsetters.co.uk, to document their development.
Ms White said: 'There is a particular greedy one. She wakes up in between feeds screaming for more milk. Another of the girls is quite chilled out.
'One of the boys looks like his dad, he has a long body.'
The owners, who will keep one of the puppies, are inviting people to give the remaining 14 a loving home.
They are also looking to name the puppies after fairytale characters which begin with the letter R but could do with some ideas.
Ms White said: 'We’ve named the smallest pup Rosie but we would love some help on naming the others.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2070182/Romy-Irish-Setter-gives-birth-huge-litter-15-puppies.html#ixzz1fgCRfzYe

Origins of domestic dog in Southern East Asia is supported by analysis of Y-chromosome DNA

2011-11-28T08:34:00.001-08:00

Click here for the full article in the magazine Nature.

Origins of domestic dog in Southern East Asia is supported by analysis of Y-chromosome DNA

2011-11-28T08:34:00.000-08:00

Click here for the full article in the magazine Nature.

Info on Jill's December 3rd Workout

2011-11-21T07:56:00.000-08:00

Please re-confirm that you will be attending.

We have 8 dogs on each side, so this should be a great workout, with lots of brainstroming and plenty of time to reward and fix.

Greg left Heather and I (and many of you) with a very interesting jumpers w weaves course which has lots of skill sets and certainly exposed a lot of my weaknesses ... so Heather is going to lead and perfect that skill set. For those who were there, we will have time to do what Greg said

- Run it,
- Expose the weaknesses
- Train it out in sections ...
On my side ... I will have the "contact speed circle with handling options" set up and we will spend 1.5 hours powering up and rewarding, proofing, clarifying, etc., CONTACTS ...

The 2nd 1.5 hour will be a fun excel and decel drill Laura did with us. It will be a great way to spend the last hour + after obsessing on contacts !!!

If you have not already mailed the check, please do so (many of you have !! thanks)

Please be aware, CHECKS NEED TO BE MADE OUT TO ME ...

Gillian Crawford or DTS (Dog Training Services).
4609 - 152nd Street E.
Tacoma, WA 98446

Mail or give to me if you are helping or attending the relationship workshop!!

We will start at 10:00 am, but set up will begin at 9:15-30, please come and help us get ready !

10 to 1 pm
Break for Lunch - Hot Pizza anyone !!!
2 to 5 pm

Do we want to order PIZZA and WINGS for lunch. If we all put in $5.00 we can have a feast ... please let me know !!!

WEATHER ... make sure you check the line for weather ... too cold or even snow or wind.

Info line / question or concern line:

253.970.1248 - if it gets to that time, and we know its going to be too cold, we will be able to cancel ahead of time

Today from the Daily Mail

2011-11-15T06:40:00.000-08:00

I said fetch, not fish! Amazing moment golden retriever bounded into the sea… and came back with a COD

By Rick Dewsbury
Last updated at 12:32 PM on 15th November 2011

This golden retriever really is a salty sea dog.
Five-year-old Becky amazed her owner when she went bounding into the sea and returned with a catch that would make most anglers jealous - a sizeable cod.
Tony Smith, 71, had been walking Becky at Minsmere Sluice, near Aldeburgh, Suffolk, when she swam out to sea.
The retired painter and decorator expected his pet to return to the shore with a bit of old driftwood.

What a catch: Becky, a five-year-old golden retriever, clutches the cod in her mouth after plucking it from the surf at Minsmere Sluice in Suffolk

Salty old sea dog: Becky drags the cod through the sea. She occasionally catches jellyfish or picks up driftwood, but this is the first fish she's landed

But he was stunned when Becky came splashing out of the surf with her slippery victim in her jaws.
Mr Smith, from nearby Leiston, said that Becky sometimes catches jellyfish or picks up bits of driftwood. But until now she has never managed to nab a fish.

He said: ‘Becky loves the sea and she’s always in the water. She often brings back things like jellyfish.
‘On this occasion Becky went out and came back with the fish in her mouth.
‘I always have my camera with me so I took a picture.’

Proud owner: Tony Smith, 71, poses on the beach with Becky close to the spot where she made her impressive haul

Unfortunately the fish had been killed after being plucked out of the water, and couldn't be thrown back while it was still alive.
He added: ‘She dropped the fish on the beach and it was dead when it hit the ground. I believe it was a cod.’
Mr Smith, who has three dogs, said Becky’s catch was extremely rare.
‘I showed the photograph to the fishermen at Sizewell and they said they had never seen anything like it,’ he added.

Click here for Original article

November and December Workshops

2011-11-14T08:58:00.000-08:00

If you need a copy of Jills workshop newsletter and registration form click here.

Remember no Classes on the 22nd and 23rd due to Thanksgiving.

2011-11-14T08:52:00.000-08:00

Also ZAP NADAC Trial on the 25th,26th and 27th in the Argus Arena.

UKI trial in the Argus Arena this coming Saturday and Sunday

2011-11-14T08:47:00.000-08:00

Gregg and Laura Derrett are here this week so no Agility classeson Tuesday and Wednesday.

2011-11-14T08:45:00.000-08:00

A note for all current Agility students from Jill

2011-07-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

Here is the class schedule for the last of the summer months !

July 12-13 - last class session
July 19-20 - BREAK - 4th camp

Next Session - 2 questions all must answer -- if I do not hear from you, I will assume you will not be back for summer or for the fall session ... so PLEASE respond either way so I don't assume !

PLEASE RESPOND ASAP

1. LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE TAKING A BREAK FOR THE LAST OF THE SUMMER MONTHS (AS MANY STUDENTS DO) or COMING FOR 3 CLASS SESSIONS TO KEEP YOUR SPOT AND "HAND IN THE PRACTICE" ... ($55.00).

and/or

2. IF I SHOULD HOLD A SPOT FOR YOU IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER SESSION ... we have many requests to join classes, and we have basically been full for a while on Tuesdays / Wednesdays. Summer months, we are always down a little with people taking vacations ... and us allowing drop ins for persons wanting to "train" in the building.

No obligations from you -- just let me know your intentions ... I would really like to get a number for the Fall classes so I can let person(s) know about joining our session for the Fall, and also planning for whether we need two instructors for a day classes. Thanks in advance !

Next Session dates -- Summer session

Tuesday/Wednesday
#1 July 26-27
#2 Aug. 2-3
#3 Aug. 9-10
#4 Aug. 16-17
#5 Aug. 23-24

BREAK FOR CAMP * auditing is free for all enrolled students of A.R.F. $5.00 DONATION FOR LUNCH IF YOU ATTEND.

#6 Sept. 6-7

FALL SESSION WILL BEGIN* subject to some changes on

Sept. 13-14

Thank you,
Jill

Red Hot Rovers Reginal July 2011 Catalog

2011-07-06T17:30:00.001-07:00

Click Here

Red Hot Rovers Run order for May 27~29th 2011

2011-05-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

- Click Here -

2 Dogs Dining in a busy Restaurant

2011-04-24T08:43:00.000-07:00

Saturday Lurecoursing - Cascade Coursing 4-23-11

2011-04-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

Coursing Practice, Saturday April 23, Argus Ranch:

Special scheduling for this practice, please read carefully:

Signups for all breeds will be from 10.15 to 11.00 am.

Briefing-orientation immediately after signup period. If you and your dog are new to coursing you must attend a briefing to participate. This is for your safety and to facilitate the smooth flow of dogs to and from the field.

Sighthounds only will practice run from 11.05 until 1.00 pm. No back to back runs.

ALL "un-Sighthound" breeds for CAT practice/funruns will be able to register during the early
registration or between 12.30 and 1.00 pm. There will be a second briefing for the CAT and funrun dogs who are coming from the NADAC event just after 1.00 pm. with their practice runs to follow.

Remember, in order to provide everyone the most effective practice, you must attend a briefing/orientation.

Email belayawhippet@gmail.com if you have any questions.

CCC's goal is to provide a safe, quality learning experience for you and your fur friend.

2011-03-09T08:42:00.003-08:00

This is a shaggy dog story: Norman the hound likes to scooter round town

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:47 PM on 9th March 2011

As shaggy dog stories go, the one about Norman the very bright Briard who is a wizz riding his scooter ranks high on the list.
The clever canine, who lives with the Cobb family in Canton, Georgia, competes in many obedience competitions and received his Companion Dog Title at just 15 months of age after four first place finishes.
Scroll down for video

Norman gets his foot up on the scooter and prepares himself for the off

But it's his razor scooter that has remained the pooch's passion since he was a mere pup when his owner, Karen Cobb, took him out for his first spin.
'He began playing with the kid's scooter in the backyard and we thought it would be fun to give him a ride on it,' says Karen. 'Then we decided to teach him to push it, and now he loves riding his scooter.'
His scooting antics have already made him popular on the Internet, and his Facebook page has quite a following.

Let's get this show on the road: Norman puts his back into it

Off we go: Norman gets both feet on the platform and starts to build up a bit of speed

Norman, now 20 months old, has even attracted the attention of television show host and comedian David Letterman and last month made an appearance on Stupid Pet Tricks on The Late Show.
Briards originate from France and their recognised talents include search and rescue, police work, military work, herding, watchdogging and guarding, but they also also make excellent companions, finding favour with Napoleon and Thomas Jefferson.

2011-03-01T09:25:00.000-08:00

Britain’s saddest puppy cheers up! Hairless Princess makes incredible recovery and is now in search of a home

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:11 PM on 1st March 2011

She was branded Britain’s saddest puppy after she was abandoned by heartless owners and kicked out into the cold with a skin condition which left her close to death.
Rescue workers came close to giving up all hope for her recovery but Princess has now overcome the odds and has made a miraculous return to health.
Wagging her tail and bouncing through open fields, life is now a far cry from the days when she could only gaze longingly from a window.

'Saddest-looking dog we've ever seen': Princess, pictured in December, sits hairless in a cardboard box

Incredible recovery: She is now full of life, playing with Lucky, a ten-week-old Terrier cross

The forlorn puppy made international headlines after she was discovered suffering from a condition which made her skin so delicate that she could not go outside in any weather.
Even a warm jacket would irritate her beyond endurance.
At just six months old, she was pictured sitting in a cardboard box with a horrific case of mange which left her completely hairless.
Her heart-melting face laid bare the appalling levels of neglect and abuse she suffered at the hands of her owners.
Staff who took her in, at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, near Edenfield, Lancashire, feared the harsh winter weather would kill her and rescue workers said a course of drugs, costing a five-figure sum, was her only hope of survival.
But donations flooded in and now, only two months on, Princess has made a remarkable recovery.
She now looks the picture of health as she bounds about with other dogs, enjoying rough and tumble play with a shiny new coat.

Heartrending: The six-month-old puppy was found abandoned. She has now been nursed back to health

Healthy and happy: Princess, now eight months old, looks like a different dog. Pictured with carer Sallie Canroy

Sanctuary staff are looking to re-home her with permanent owners.
'She’s the saddest-looking dog we have ever seen,’ said manager Neil Martin.
‘Our staff are all in love with her but it’s only recently that she’s started learning how to enjoy a cuddle.
‘She didn’t even know how to play. We tried to get her to cheer up with some toys but she was scared of them.'
Princess, thought to be a bull terrier-greyhound cross, was found in Colne, Lancashire.
Her debilitating condition was caused by mites which burrowed into her hair follicles.

All OB Classes Canceled today - 2/24/2011

2011-02-24T08:44:00.001-08:00

All classes canceled tonight -2/23/2011

2011-02-23T16:22:00.001-08:00

This weekends Catalog USDAA Janary 2011

2011-01-27T12:21:00.000-08:00

Red Hot Rovers
January 28th and 29th 2011
Class schedule
Click Here to download PDf

Next Week Agility Classes(Jill)

2011-01-11T08:37:00.001-08:00

Make up classes on Tuesday The 18th and no classes on Wednesday the 19th

Contact Jill at 253.970.1248 if you need more info.

Agility Classes as Usual tomorrow the 12th

2011-01-11T08:35:00.001-08:00

No Agility Classes today Tuesday the 11th

2011-01-11T08:34:00.001-08:00

No agility classes this week and no practice in the New Arena.

2010-11-22T12:51:00.001-08:00

Obedience classes canceled tonight November 22nd due to weather.

2010-11-22T12:46:00.000-08:00

Contact Terri at allpets@skynetbb.com for rescheduling.

Dog Yoga coming to Argus

2010-09-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

Yoga with your dog coming to Argus Sunday afternoons in October and November in the OB Barn
Cathy Dormaier and Chris Offerdahl are the instructors.Click here for more info and a flyer for registration.

RED HOT ROVERS Agility Trial September 11th and 12th 2010

2010-09-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

Class Schedule and Running order - Click here-.

7th Annual TDAA Petit Prix National Agility Tournament Oct 08, 09, 10 2010

2010-09-08T14:40:00.001-07:00

Click Here for more info

Late September ASCA Agility Trial

2010-09-08T14:33:00.000-07:00

ASCA
Sanctioned Agility Trial

All Dogs Welcome!

September 24th(half day), 25th, 26th 2010

RAT is partnering with the Australian Shepherd Club of Washington to host this show.

Trial Will be held in Argus Arena (New Arena)

1 ring, indoors on dirt

Entries open August 1, 2010 (postmark date)
Entries close Sept 20th, 2010
Entries are limited to 350 runs per day
Accepting pre-entries only.

Judge:
Penny Winegartner, Pearland, Texas

Tentative Class Order:
Friday: 1 Gamblers, 2 Regular
Saturday: 2 Regular, 2 Gamblers, 2 Jumpers
Sunday: 2 Gamblers, 2 Regular, 2 Jumpers

Divisions offered:
Standard, Veteran, and Junior Handler

Click Here For Premium

EAT NADAC Trial September 17th,18th and 19th 2010

2010-09-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

Eat NADAC Agility trial in Argus Arena September 17th ~ 19th

Click Here For premium

Derrett seminars in November

2010-09-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

GREG DERRETT & LAURA DERRETT at Argus November 15-16-17-18
Contact Jill at arftraining@comcast.net for more info.

Conformation Classes News Flash

2010-08-08T06:14:00.000-07:00

Drop in Handling Classes

Tuesday Night at Its a Dogs World,
Will no Longer be held.
They are putting something else
in my time slot.

Wednesday Night

Argus Ranch
Classes are held from 6:30~9:00 pm

All Classes are cash only!!
Pay on the floor

Cost;
$10.00 for handler and first dog, $5.00 for each
additional dog same handler.

Junior handling Classes are now held
with my regular class.

CASH ONLY
Cost;
$10.00 for junior and 1 dog only

Any questions please call
Ronda

253-324-0819

2010-08-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

Why dogs and their owners are so alike

From NewsScientist.com

01 August 2010
Magazine issue 2771. Subscribe and save

DOG owners are said to resemble their pets - and perhaps with good reason. It seems dogs naturally match human gestures in a phenomenon known as automatic imitation.

People unconsciously copy the gestures of those around them. For example, a yawn will induce yawning in an observer, and a person looking skywards encourages passers-by to do the same. Friederike Range of the University of Vienna, Austria, and colleagues wanted to see whether dogs' actions, too, were influenced by humans. They trained dogs to open a sliding door with either their paw or mouth. One group of dogs were rewarded when they used the same method as their trainer, another when they used a different method to the trainer. The team found that the second group took more attempts to get the task right, suggesting that dogs are indeed subject to automatic imitation (Proceedings of the Royal Society B, DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2010.1142).

The findings support the idea that social animals automatically imitate others. However, Thomas Zentall of the University of Kentucky, Lexington, cautions that training is needed to bring out the trait. "It doesn't happen automatically," he says.

Original article here

Cocker spaniel survives 120ft tumble from cliff with nothing more than a 'little limp'

2010-07-31T07:54:00.000-07:00

Click here for story from the Daily Mail Online

Last Agility Classes for this Session

2010-07-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

Class #6 - July 27-28 - LAST CLASS

I WILL SEE U ALL AT CLASS THIS WEEK ... ITS THE LAST CLASS OF THIS SESSION ... WOW, WE MADE IT THROUGH !
I WILL HAVE SIGN UP SHEETS FOR U ALL, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SIGN AT YOUR APPROPRIATE CLASS TIME OR TALK TO ME ABOUT A BREAK .... THANKS, JILL !
Next Session - July/August/September
** PUPS = THE 4:00 PM CLASS ON WEDNESDAY WILL BE A FULL-TIME PUP CLASS !!

Class #1 * Aug 3-4
Class #2 * Aug 10-11

Class #3 * Aug 17-18
** FUN MATCH FORUM HEATHER WILL LEAD
-- I WILL BE AT MY LITTLE SISTERS 40TH BDAY !!!

Class #4 * Aug 24-25

*BREAK for CAMP *
August 31-Sept. 1
* 1/2 price auditing if you want to come for a few hours
... *more on this later

Class #5 * Sept. 7-8
Class #6 * Sept. 14-15

Jill

2010-07-21T15:10:00.001-07:00

Test

Argus Ranch Congratulates Heather Kaluza and Derby

2010-07-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

Argus Ranch congratulates Heather and Derby being the Performance Grand Prix Regional Champions....two years in a row!!

There are no classes this week due to 4H Dog Week

2010-07-21T12:31:00.001-07:00

Word Team Members Coming to Argus Ranch

2010-07-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday Afternoon ** August 14th ** from 3:00 pm until approximately 5:00 pm, you can come and cheer on the team ... watching them practice and run some international courses/exercises.

If you want to stay and support the Team, you can stay for dinner. Its great food, there will be some great stories of World Team Past, and really fun people ... great dogs.

See the best in the country -- this year's team and world team coach, Nancy Gyes at her best !

It should be a fun afternoon !

Click here for more info

Argus Ranch Blog

Grandfather who plunged 40ft down ravine into river is rescued by his DOG who helped him to safety before running to pub and barking for help

Smile!

4H January 21st Bunny show is canceled

ALERT: The Bunny trial has been CANCELED due to flooding, road closures, and a power outage!!

Show will be rescheduled

Trial Canceled

Extreme Agility TeamNADAC Sanctioned Agility Trial

January 20th, 21st, 22ndArgus Ranch in Auburn, WA

ALERT: The trial has been CANCELED due to flooding, road closures, and a power outage!!

Argus Ranch is closed Today.

February 18th Seminar with Earl Vaughn is FULL.

No Obedience classes today due to weather.

New Arena is open for practice .

NO AGILITY CLASSES TODAY DUE TO WEATHER

Agility classes are canceled for tonight because of weather and icy roads.

Meet your therapist

It's a dog's Life

Sorry, the airport's dogbound! Flights delayed as staff try to catch whippet on runway

Look who's all grown up!

Jills' 7:30 pm Agility Workshop class is canceled due to the cold weather.

Two kittens stuffed inside cat food bag and dumped in road are rescued... by a dog

Romy the Irish Setter gives birth to huge litter of 15 puppies after eight hour labour

Origins of domestic dog in Southern East Asia is supported by analysis of Y-chromosome DNA

Origins of domestic dog in Southern East Asia is supported by analysis of Y-chromosome DNA

Info on Jill's December 3rd Workout

Today from the Daily Mail

November and December Workshops

Remember no Classes on the 22nd and 23rd due to Thanksgiving.

UKI trial in the Argus Arena this coming Saturday and Sunday

Gregg and Laura Derrett are here this week so no Agility classeson Tuesday and Wednesday.

A note for all current Agility students from Jill

Red Hot Rovers Reginal July 2011 Catalog

Red Hot Rovers Run order for May 27~29th 2011

2 Dogs Dining in a busy Restaurant

Saturday Lurecoursing - Cascade Coursing 4-23-11

This is a shaggy dog story: Norman the hound likes to scooter round town

Britain’s saddest puppy cheers up! Hairless Princess makes incredible recovery and is now in search of a home

All OB Classes Canceled today - 2/24/2011

All classes canceled tonight -2/23/2011

This weekends Catalog USDAA Janary 2011

Next Week Agility Classes(Jill)

Agility Classes as Usual tomorrow the 12th

No Agility Classes today Tuesday the 11th

No agility classes this week and no practice in the New Arena.

Obedience classes canceled tonight November 22nd due to weather.

Dog Yoga coming to Argus

RED HOT ROVERS Agility Trial September 11th and 12th 2010

7th Annual TDAA Petit Prix National Agility Tournament Oct 08, 09, 10 2010

Late September ASCA Agility Trial

ASCASanctioned Agility Trial

All Dogs Welcome!

September 24th(half day), 25th, 26th 2010

RAT is partnering with the Australian Shepherd Club of Washington to host this show.

Trial Will be held in Argus Arena (New Arena)

1 ring, indoors on dirt

EAT NADAC Trial September 17th,18th and 19th 2010

Derrett seminars in November

Conformation Classes News Flash

Why dogs and their owners are so alike

From NewsScientist.com

Cocker spaniel survives 120ft tumble from cliff with nothing more than a 'little limp'

Last Agility Classes for this Session

Argus Ranch Congratulates Heather Kaluza and Derby

There are no classes this week due to 4H Dog Week

Word Team Members Coming to Argus Ranch

Extreme Agility Team
NADAC Sanctioned Agility Trial

January 20th, 21st, 22nd
Argus Ranch in Auburn, WA

ASCA
Sanctioned Agility Trial