Sawyer's first solo gig

August 23, 2010.  Today Sawyer had his first solo modeling gig.  He got to participate in an interview with Victoria Stilwell, animal trainer and star of the Animal Planet show "It's Me or the Dog".  Due to the weather the location was changed to an apartment, which got quite hot with the size, number of people and lights.  Sawyer was a trouper but by the end of the shoot he was quite ready to go home.  Perhaps it was all the talk of neutering and shelters that was making him nervous :)

Sawyer waiting for the filming to start.  It was so much cooler out on the balcony.

Victoria filming her solo parts.

Victoria and Sawyer.  She was so pleasant and good to work with.

Canine Water Sports Class and Visiting the In-Laws

August 21, 2010.  It's our last weekend off for awhile as we start a dog show marathon next week.  Saturday was our 4th Canine Water Sports class and I was hopeful Sawyer would get in the pond to swim since he did so well in the pool last week.  But alas, Sawyer, like me, does not really like the pond and seems more comfortable in the pool.

But he still looks cute in his life vest.

We start on shore doing target practice and having Sawyer circle me.  If he ever gets in the water and we're swimming together, he needs to learn to circle around me.

We worked on getting Sawyer up the ramp to the platform.

The tennis ball helped to motivate Sawyer up the ramp.

The idea is to get the ramp lower into the water then eventually he'll be comfortable swimming to the ramp.

I'm guessing with Sawyer sticking his tounge out that he's not into the idea.

Sawyer was fine going up and down the ramp...just didn't progress to swimming.

Pretty soon he was going up and down the ramp like a pro.

We also worked on the boogie board.  Maybe surfing is more Sawyer's thing?

Sawyer dunked his whole head in the water, yet he won't swim.  I don't get it.  But still cute with his wet head.

Since Sawyer swims for the bumper when he's in the pool we thought we'd tried that in the pond.

So close!

Scott Scorsese changed some setting on the camera so the video is in a funky color.

He's so happy to get the bumper.

After class we went to Scott's parent's summer place in PA.

Sawyer was very good with our nephews and niece.  Curtis and Kayla helped to get Sawyer to stand up so he could be int he picture too.

 

Sawyer said "Wait, is that shrimp cocktail?  Looks good!"

Sawyer and Jared.  Later in the evening Jared had fun running Sawyer through his commands: sit, down, sit, paw.

Sawyer didn't spot that tennis ball behind him yet.

Mindy was a gracious host to Sawyer.  Until he found her tennis ball.  He was a guest in her house and didn't ask first :)

So he just hung out and chewed on his bone instead. 

The older nephews, Austin and Logan.

The boys playing a new game that Uncle Scott brought.

Sawyer was a little pooped from all his busy day.

UKC show weekend and Puppy Updates

August 14 - 15, 2010.  It was another busy weekend with four UKC shows, puppy visits and sleepovers. 

On Saturday the first UKC started out with a bang as Sawyer took Best in Show!  The picture turned out terrible (as usual) but he looked awesome in the ring.

Puppy Abby stopped by the show to visit.  She was the pink collared puppy in the last litter.

Abby got some play time with Prada.

My good friend Ralph also stopped by since we were in his neighborhood.

Sawyer had to rest up after his big BIS win.

In the afternoon Sawyer's dad, Dude took the breed and first place in the Gun dog group.

Prada posed for some pictures to show she's just as pretty as her big brother and daddy.

After the show Nadine, Dude and Prada came back to our house for the night.  It was great to have all the dogs together. 

Dude wanted to know 'what's for dinner' as we ate outside on the deck with our neighbors.

Prada was content to just hang out under the table.

Sawyer was happy to have all his toys.

Brooke's close up

Even though Prada is growing like weed, she still thinks she's a lap dog.

Later in the evening Brooke was letting me know it was bedtime and wanted to go in the house.  Even after I let her in she came back out the dog door and waited by the sliding door to make sure I knew it was time to go get some beauty sleep.

Prada was tired from her full day and playing with her family.

I thought it was funny how Sharon and Dude crossed their legs the same way.

Sharon and Dude were sleeping on the couch together with Sawyer in between but Sawyer moved before I could take a picture.

Sawyer though there was more room on his own bed.

Everyone got their rest and it was off to the dog show again on Sunday.

Xena came to visit on Sunday.  Xena was the purple collar puppy from the last litter.  Unfortunately I didn't get any good pictures of her.

The UKC shows ended well as Sawyer got another Best in Show and earned his UKC Championship title!  It was a great weekend!!

I also got an update on Tiki this weekend.  I was happy to hear how great he's doing.  He's doing well in school and gets along great with his siblings.  He is also getting homemade biscuits...I'm sure he's enjoying all the spoiling!  And Tiki is pitching in by helping out with the family business :)  Who can resist this spokesman!

I also received a card and photo from Wyatt's owners.  Looks like he's growing up fast like his littermates. 

Sawyer's 2nd Swimming Lesson

August 13, 2010.  Well Friday the 13th has been good so far.  We took Sawyer to his second trip to Showplace Farms for swimming and he did fabulous!  He was a little tentative at first but once he got going he looked like a pro.

Sawyer approaches the water.

He sees the bumper...will he go in?

He goes for it!

He's got it!

Returning the bumper and swimming so much better than last time.

Djebel's going to catch Sawyer.

Djebel's an excellent swimmer...glad Sawyer has her as his swimming buddy!

You can see the difference from the first video when he's not as comfortable.

To this video where he's having fun retrieving his bumper.

Djebel and Sawyer swimming together.  They were quite tired after all that swimming and slept soundly on the way home.