dog show galore

Hi all, I would like to say I write on my blog everyday, but of course that is not true, but something I aspire to do.  Its a time thing, we all know that.  So if I dint walk the dog each morning then I would have the time, guess that wont happen!!! So it was a big weekend of dog shows.  On saturday we headed over to Lara to a Flyball event, donated soe bags and sold lots more.
Sunday was the annual Million Paws Walk

Australia wide and we have been supporting the Geelong region for several years now.  The weather held out and the dogs walked.......all shapes and sizes. 

a nice note

I recently received this email from a customer in the UK and she was happy for me to share it with you all.
Dear Houndbag........There is nothing similar in the UK, my old one is frayed and I am desperate to get a new bag in time for our next guide dog puppy.  I can honestly say there is not a better bag for us puppy walkers, we can get to everything we need easily as we have to go into shops ect, We also have to carry id cards and treats/toys and poo bags and it is just so easy to separate everything.

Yours sincerely Janice

Where did that time go?

Life gets busy and sometimes I wander where I will find the time to get everything done in a day.  Probably like you I am a big multi tasker, having a finger in many pies and even as Im writing this I look down at Layla the 4 legged and I realise she has got it right....Lieing quietly on the floor doing nothing.  There is nothing stopping me from getting down there with her, except that she smells and Im getting ready to go to a meeting!

So today I am going to work at happiness in a slow cooker and maybe my whole family will feel nourished by the effect it has on all our souls.  Have a happy day to all.

dog are like children

Well this is the debate my husband and I had the other evening with 2 of our non children, but dog guardian friends.  Sid commented that my dog Layla is not obedient enough, and I agree.  Particularity after working with a puppy recently that is really well behaved.   Anyway I commented that we are not regulated or routine enough in our rules with either the kids or the dog.  He argued that we cant compare dogs and children.....I disagree.  Start the foundation strong, with love and boundaries - and continue.  I do this and have fabulous young adult children, its just that they like my dog dont always stop and let me through the door first, and would not be considerate of my hungry belly being more important than theirs.  I let that happen, and Im OK with it!  I will always believe we have the ability to learn and make changes where necessary which is why I always carry treats in my Houndbag and privileges up my sleeve.  Works for my kids and the dog!!!!!
Life well, live honestly, live with a big heart and much joy  XO

The price we pay

I usually use one of our old Houndbag "emergency" leads for our Layla and at Christmas time decided she really should be a little more upmarket, so bought her a very reputable branded lead and collar.  Matching, of course a beautiful purple.  So within 1 week the collar had disappeared.  I found it a week later when I hit it with the lawnmower.  It was in the long grass where it had fallen off with the clip failing.  So last week the lead clip decided that it was not going to work anymore either, completely corroded up and jammed shut.  Man Im going back to my functional but not so good looking Houndbag gear that doesnt let me down! 

walk well, walk long - dont forget to take your dog with you.  For that matter dont forget to take your Houndbag with poop bags and a spare lead attached.

scratch that itch please

Be mindful-whats for dinner, be mindful-did I turn the iron off, be mindful- dont forget to call my mum.  ahhh the bliss of meditation or mindfullnes, that which I am still learning sloooowly but surely.  My old meditation teacher talked about not having to scrath every itch I had whilst keeping my mind clear.  Not so easy.  I bet you just had to scratch some part of your body at the mere mention? Words like nits and fleas will bring about the same scratch reflex....see there you go again.  So if you didnt scratch do you now have a diploma in mindfulness.

I think dogs are pretty mindful animals, keeping themselves clear of an overabundance of thoughts, other than is it dinner time and why havent we walked this morning.  So how come my dog still scratches?

Its an allergy, of course....out of her control and sending her out of her mind.  I have tried just about every natural remedy known to dog and man and this week I couldn't bare to see her still scratching and have gone the hard core drugs.  My dog looks contented and relaxed again, not being disturbed while she practices mindfulness, thinks about a run, playing with other dogs, what part of the couch she can try to sit on and how much she can annoy the cat.  

So what does this all mean?  Who knows, but be sure to scratch when you need to, hang your head out the window of a moving car when you can and practice mindfulness as often as possible.

I hear thunder

Hey theres a storm on the way down here in Vic so call the dogs in.
I wandered how all the animals faired up in Queensland this week, I havent heard much about them.  Just now the birds are really making a racket no doubt in preperation for the allmighty thunder clap that is just around the corner.

I always think of animals before people, not that Im heartless, just a huge fan of animals.  Mum always reminds me of when I was about 12 and there was a huge storm banging down and all I wanted to do was get all the animals in.  Mum wouldn't let me out in it as it was so severe.  I wander where I thought the 1 horse, 12 goats, 1 Sheep, 20 Chooks, 5 cats and 2 dogs were all going to fit.  On my bed Im sure!!!!