Howl-O-Ween

On Saturday, I attended the annual Howl O Ween party at my local dog park. This was the coolest event I've been to. There were so MANY dogs there! I'd say well over half were in costume, and what costumes there were!
I tried to eat the scarecrow costume Mom got me, so I went nekkid, but there were so many doggies in costume! Mom counted over 65 dogs in attendance, WOW!

Before the big costume contest began, I did some strutting to check out who else was there.

Since I tried to eat my scarecrow costume, Mom didn't want to get another costume, so instead I sported this Halloween scrunchy. It has little bats all around it. I was very surprised no doggies tried to eat it.
There were so many cool costumes. Mom tried to get photos of all our favorites, but sometimes the dogs wouldn't cooperate. This little cutie won a prize. She is a picnic table. See that carrot on her side, I did some helpful removing once the contest was over. Her parents were not happy with me. I couldn't help it, it was a squeaky carrot. I love those!
This cutie reminded me of Bogarts pawsonal trainer Heidi. She was not too happy to be dressed up and quickly removed her tiara.
This being Chicago and all, there were several Cubs and Bears costumes. This little guy was Alfonso Soriano, and I tried to steal the ball off his neck. He he!
This little spider won a prize too.

After the costume contest, I found my neighbor Scarlett. We couldn't resist some wrestling.
I think a good time was had by all doggie attendees!
Best part of the pawty? Chowing down on my goodie bag once I got home. MMMmmmm pumpkin treats, now we're talking!
'Till next time,

Kirby

Agility Graduation

So, it's time for agility graduation, again. Not that I don't love graduation, but this is the second time I've graduated from this same class (Basic Agility II). Before I move onto a competitive class, I'll need to take this class up to six times, that means a lot more graduations to share with you all!

Best part of graduation, besides running the course, is getting to eat the treats! I ate all my treats, but still wanted more, so I started in on my plate. Oops, guess I got a bit carried away.
Now, if you are familiar with my blog, you'll know that mom has posted videos of my agility stuff before. Several doggies have commented that they would love to try agility, but they need to work on their obedience. So, I say, try it anyways! I totally don't listen during class. I was voted class clown, as I ignore my dad and do whatever it is that I feel like doing! Mom creatively edits out the several (six usually) starts I need to do before I get a clean run in. It's not that I mess up on the course, it's cuz I don't want to sit and stay to start. What can I say, I'm a proud disobedient dog! Mom has video to share, but it just won't upload. She is so frustrated, that she said she'll post it later. Whatever lady. I need my accomplishments shared with my pals, but alas, she's my typist, so I have to bow down to her on this one.

'Till next time,

Kirby

Prayers for Parker

I'm very sad today, as I just found out my best bud Parker has incurable cancer. Parker has not been 100% for awhile now, and his parents just found out that he has a large growth on his pituitary gland. It's hard for me to understand. He looks OK, has been playing with me like usual, so I just don't get how a 10 month old puppy could be so sick. His Mom and Dad want to make his remaining days as wonderful as possible, so this means plenty of play dates. Please keep Parker and his parents in your prayers.

'Till next time,
Kirby

Ouch, I just got hit by a blog snowball!

You have just been hit with a blog snow ball!~It's the start of.....Snow Ball Fight 2007!!& 2008!!One rule to this game....You can NOT hit someone who has already hit you! Now...go out there and get as many people as you can,before they get you!I got you first! and you can't get me back! Nanee - Nanee - Nanee! We do not stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing.Never Be The First To Get Old!!!!!

Chicago, my kind of town!

Today, we took a ride up to Montrose Harbor and did some walking. I've been here quite a few times as it is close to my Dog Beach. Mom and Dad first brought me here a year ago when I was just a wee pup. This is what I looked like then...
and here I am now. Do you think I've changed at all? He he he!!
Mom kept lagging behind as she is always trying to take the perfect picture. I've got to constantly give her that lets go look.
While it was warm (in the 80's) and sunny, the wind was fierce! Look how it was blowing my ears straight up!
I kept peering over the edge of the pier we were walking on. Mom was worried I would fall or be blown off. No worries Mom, I know how to swim!

Since I didn't get to go swimming at all, I had to climb up on a wall to get a better look at Lake Michigan.
Mom and Dad are always trying to get the perfect picture of me with the Chicago skyline in the background, so once again, I was posed over and over and picture after picture was taken. Here's one of the best (according to mom).
And here is Dad's favorite. The tall building on the left is the John Hancock Center and the tall one way back on the right is the Sears Tower! Mom says one day we'll walk around downtown and get better skyscraper pics. We'll see how long it takes us to do that.
OK, time to head home, it is getting way too windy!
'Till Next Time,

Kirby

Agility Jumps

I'm not sure what got into me tonight, perhaps it was the glowing eyes or something, but I ROCKED in agility class!

Usually, I'm all over the place trying to play with the other dogs and not paying to attention to what I should be doing, but tonight I was on fire! We did some speed circles to practice our jumps and I did the circle twice without knocking over one bar. If you've read my past posts, you would know that I've had issues with knocking over every bar on every jump in the course. Tonight, with my speed and my mood, I cleared everything. Woo hoo! Mom and Dad were so proud of me!

Let's see if this good behavior is still around for next weeks graduation class. It should be interesting...

'Till next time,

Kirby

Visiting with Grandma and Grandpa

On Sunday, I went over to my Grandma and Grandpa's house. I love to visit there. After years of suburban Chicago living, they moved out to the country. Now they live in a super cool log house on ten acres and they have their own lake! It is dog heaven out there, trust me! Whenever I visit, we go for long walks around the lake. Mom took this shot from the back deck, see how big their yard is! This city dog loves to get out and stretch his legs.
There's the lake I love. Nothing beats jumping in for a quick dip. Since I was just groomed, Dad said the lake was off limits. I'm not sure I agree with that.

Grandma and Grandpa have their own Airedale, Spencer. Spencer will be 12 years old on Halloween. I just love Spencer. I bark and lunge at him incessantly, but he still doesn't want to play with me. Grandma says it's because he's older and just doesn't want to play anymore, but I think if I keep trying, he will eventually give in and play.
I love to run through the yard over and over again. I'm always on patrol for natures little creatures and Angel and Jordan, the golden retrievers next door.
Hmmm, maybe no one will notice if I jump in and take a quick swim. Oh, what's that Dad, NO swimming? OK, I guess.
Whatever Spencer does, I have to mimic, so when he grazes in the lawn, so do I.
One of the best things about going to Grandma and Grandpa's house is the horses next door. I love to go over and say Hi to as many of the pretty horsies. Most were out in the pens since it was such a nice fall day. Hello, Mr. Horse. Do you have a blog? I do...

Spencer visits the horses all the time, so he's not as curious as I am. Now me, I want to know everything the horses do. Here I'm asking where those delicious apples they eat are kept.
Hey, what are you doing to my Grandma? She belongs to me, I'm her favorite. Grammy, do you need help?
Some horses were still inside, well hello there big fella. So very nice to meet you.
After the horse barn, it was back to the yard. Got to roll around and act silly. I don't usually have unlimited space for my daily rolling.
Finally, I was trying to interest Grandpa in a game of tug. I hope he doesn't mind playing with my broken Wubba.
I was so sad when it was time to head home, but fear not. I'll be back in two weeks for Spencer's birthday party. Now, that will be a GOOD time!

'Till next time,

Kirby

I'm all blessed now!

Today, I was loaded into the car and taken to St. Michael's Church in Old Town for the annual Blessing of the Animals.

I was pretty excited to be there. I had no idea what a blessing was, but I saw some other dogs, so I was good to go.
When we arrived there were only two other dogs already there, but as the service began lots of dogs and a few cats arrived!

It was a perfect fall day outside, so the blessing took place in the courtyard of the church. I had no clue what the priest was saying, but after the blessing he slipped me a dog treat, so he's alright with me.
Here's me as I am getting sprinkled with holy water. I turned and gave my rear end to the priest, so mom laughs and said my rump was blessed. He he he!
Now I'm a blessed Airedale! I'm not looking too happy in this picture since mom is keeping me away from the refreshment table.
Don't worry pals, moments after the picture was taken, I hightailed it over to the treats. Just like a good little doggy!

I wonder, now that I'm blessed can I cause all the trouble that I want? Hmmph, that's one to think about.

'Till Next Time,
Kirby

Got Groomed?

Mom felt that I was getting a bit shaggy, so off I went to get groomed.

I spent a few hours at the Bark Bark Club, where I was washed, dried, trimmed, clipped and fluffed. Yuck, yuck and more yucks! Below is a picture of the final product. Not too shabby, huh?

Today they gave me the traditional Airedale cut. Minus the goatee. Mom is adamant that I can't complete in Stanley and Maggie's beard growing contest.

Well, I'm off to bed. Grooming always makes me super sleepy. See you all real soon!

'Till Next Time,

Kirby