Mount Rainier National Park

Tristan and I went to Mount Rainier National Park today. It was an absolutely perfect day to visit. The sun was out, the air was crisp, there were very few visitors, the leaves are changing colors and it was glorious. The scenery is so stunning that it looks more like a series of postcards than being real. I was amazed at how manicured everything looks. I would not be surprised to find out that an army of gnomes scurries out each night wielding bonsai scissors to trim every twig to perfection.
Tristan met a lovely little friend, Marcella, who was about one year old. She toddled up to him and gave him several very sweet kisses. Tristan is very gentle with babies and somehow has always understood that he needs to be very calm with them.

Day trip

Scary accident

I went with Tristan to the Pike Place Market today. We didn't stay long but took a break before leaving. I sat down in a row of four wood vintage theater seats. Right as we got up to leave, Tristan stood with his front feet on one of the seats. I didn't even have a chance to think about it before Tristan's feet slid forward, the seat flipped up and Tristan's forelegs were caught in the crack between the seat and the back rest. Tristan's back feet were still on the ground pushing the seat back down and making the seat act as a vise on Tristan's legs.

Tristan tried to get out which only made it worse and he was screaming horribly. I grabbed his body trying to raise him up. Two men immediately dived in to help and somehow miraculously and suddenly it was all over. I really don't know how we got him out but it was certainly due to the two heroes who came to our aid. I was able to blurt out my thanks but both disappeared by the time I examined Tristan and recovered myself.

Tristan's okay and doesn't seem to have any residual effects. I think it was a very close call. His front legs easily could have been seriously hurt. I really hope the men who helped understand how wonderful they are and how much I appreciate their kindness. A woman sat down and talked to me to make sure we were both okay. It was so nice and I appreciate her kindness also.

Ready for a biker bar

OMG Tristan's tattoo is huge! I really had hoped it would be more discreet. I thought it was going to be smaller and further down in the ear. It will be less noticeable when the hair grows back in. I'm warming to it though. Now I can take him to biker bars and he'll fit right in.

The vet said his hip and elbow x-rays look very good. Next step is to send them off to OFA for their evaluation. I'm glad to have the tattooing over with so Tristan's registration will be complete. The most important thing though is that Tristan's hips and elbows are so good. He has the promise of a healthy life with no worries of hip dysplasia.

The downside of a smart dog

Check the time - 2:00 AM. I'm up now because Tristan wants a drink. He woke me with a series of increasingly imperious woofs and then proceeded to lead me to water. The drinking font lid is down because he's going the vet this morning for his OFA x-rays and tattoo. Since it requires sedation he can't have any food or water after the cut off time.

What a character. Tristan always is able to communicate to me what he wants even if it requires an entirely new behavior. Too bad I can't communicate as effectively to him. Of course, he's so smart I probably should just tell him the score and feel confident that he understands it. Damn, I love this dog.

P.S. Ditto, 4:00 AM and 4:30 AM. Tristan's charm is wearing thin.

Midweek training is fading

We're not going to have midweek training for much longer. Training was really short tonight: in at 6:00, out at 7:30. It's amazing how early it's getting dark and how fast it's coming on. It was overcast today so it got dark even earlier than normal. Luckily it didn't start to rain until right as we finished. I'm prepared, however, as I bought a three pack supply of my favorite $1.49 plastic parkas. It's hard to give up though on the glorious weather we have had all summer.

Tristan did great on his protection. We're both so full of ourselves now that we're working as a good team together.

Our own training day

The club didn't have training today so Tristan and I went to a local state park for a picnic and practice on our own. It's really fun to work with him now that he is getting so good at obedience plus it's so much easier now that I can let him off lead. It's alway been enjoyable but this is laugh out loud fun. Tristan is so funny because now that he "gets" it, he really seems to enjoy showing off how good he can fuss and platz and hier. He understands that we'll play lots of fetch between exercises. Since Tristan comes reliably when called I don't worry about him taking off to explore and I can relax and enjoy training and playing with him. It's all a big game now and we both love it.

We're definitely going to get our BH in November and I'm going to work really hard so Tristan can try for his Schutzhund 1 too. The SchH1 will be a bit of a stretch as we only have two months but it might be doable. The big things he has to learn is to indicate articles while tracking and to retrieve a dumbell over a hurdle and a six foot wall. (Actually the biggest problem is that I'm going to have to learn to throw the dumbell. What can I say? I throw like a girl.)

Matching tattoos

Tristan is getting a tattoo. He's been microchipped but since he's going to have dual registration in Germany, he also has to be tattooed. The requirement seems like an anachronistic remnant of pre-microchip days. I think it's an odd requirement since the owner can but doesn't have to use an assigned number. The owner can choose the tattoo which is a combination of 5 or more letters and numbers. If the tattoo isn't a unique number, what's the point?

If Tristan has to get one, however, we might as well have fun with it. Ergo, the opportunity for Tristan and I to have "matching" tattoos. I have a small very discreet star so Tristan is going to be tattooed with "star". I have to add at least one number so it will probably be "star1". It will be our own private joke.

He's having it done by the vet next Friday when he has his hips and elbows x-rayed for OFA review.