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Monday, June 24, 2013

Sandbanks Weekend

This past weekend we went camping at Sandbanks Provincial Park; it's about a 3 hour drive away. It was the first time I had been to this park. You have to book well in advance, we booked in January to get these dates.

Friends of Sandbanks

The weather forecast wasn't promising, we even thought about what we would do if was raining the day we were to leave but Friday was a beautiful day so we took a chance that weekend would be fine and headed out.

On our arrival, we went to our camp site and got set up. My site wasn't too private but it worked out all right. There was a nice couple across the way so no kids right beside us to get Beckett and Keltic barking.

Our Sandbanks home.

After setting up we went to one of the dog beaches. This one was in walking distance of our campsite. It was quite crowded with people and their dogs so no chance of a game of Frisbee here for Beckett and Keltic certainly wasn't getting off leash. After our walk it was time for dinner and then for our first campfire of the weekend. The best thing about camping is just taking your time to do the things you want, no schedule, no rush.

The next morning after a nice breakfast, we headed out to find the farm that an another agility enthusiast and her husband recently bought. They aren't living there yet but hope to by the end of the year so right now it is probably the world's largest private dog park. Here Beckett got to play Frisbee and Keltic was allowed to roam freely.

A game of Frisbee

A view of one of the many fields

A little refreshment

Taking a break

Playing in the meadow

Afterwards we went to the other dog beach, this one was a little more remote from the campgrounds so there were not nearly as many people. Here would have been a good place to take the dogs swimming had it been a little later in the summer or had spring been a little warmer but we just walked along the beach. Again Beckett got to play Frisbee but a Frisbee covered with sand isn't as much fun.

Beckett on the beach

Lake Ontario

I think someone has treats!

We got back in time to have a little lunch before we got some afternoon rain but that was okay as the plan for the afternoon was relaxation including taking a nap. The dogs were pretty tired after a long morning, Beckett crashed in the tent for a nice long nap even Keltic was less busy. I played Mahjong, read a bit and napped as well. The rain let up in time to have supper and to have a nice evening around the campfire. It started to rain sometime after 10:30 and boy did it pour. I worried about having to take things down in the rain let alone wet but we were lucky and at about 7:40 am the rain stopped and the sun came out. I got up and had a leisurely breakfast and slowly packed things up. Most of my stuff was fairly dry before it was packed away.

We took the scenic route home by way of the Glenora ferry, then by way of a route that followed the shore line of Lake Ontario. It was very pretty drive.

Glenora Ferry

On the boat

The boys

The crossing

We got home a little after supper time, got the car unpacked and the dogs fed before relaxing for the evening. Today, Monday is a holiday in Quebec so I have the day off, bonus. Only two days at work this week then we head off for the Canada Cup. The camping gear is out of the car and the agility gear is back in the car ready for next weekend. Stay tuned!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Camper Dogs

This past weekend, we went camping with some friends and their dogs. It's the third summer in a row we've gone for a weekend and our second summer at Fitzroy Provincial park, which is about an hour away from Ottawa.

At our campsite sitting and relaxing with dogs.

We are currently in a level 2 drought in our area so there was a complete campfire ban. It wasn't so bad without a campfire but the water levels were also very low so we weren't able to swim at the boat launch like we did last year. There was a couple places where the smaller dogs could swim so Beckett got his second swimming lesson and Keltic got his first. When I was out in the water with Keltic, Beckett actually came in swimming on his own, he had his life jacket on so that maybe helped out his confidence a bit. Most places though,we could only wade.

Beckett, Keltic and I wading in the Carp River.

Keltic and Beckett on the dock near the boat launch on the Ottawa river.

The water should be two to three feet higher than in the pictures. Last year there were pools deep enough to cover you when you sat down in the Carp river and we could swim in the Ottawa river near the dock. Not so this year.

We did get close to nature though. We had squirrels, chipmunks, quail and many grackles but we also had this lovely lady come into the river bed just near our campsite.

A deer probably looking for water and food.

Lucy watches the deer from our campsite.

We also had some not so welcome visitors who put in a appearance at our campsite. You know those black and white kitties, also known as skunks. Luckily, they were just passing through and didn't stop by to grace us with their presence.

For Keltic, it was his first camping trip. He didn't mind sleeping in the tent at all. The first night though he was up at 5:40 am and after taking him out to do his business, he then just wanted to play but the second night he slept until 8:10 am, must have been all the fresh air.

Beckett and Keltic - afternoon siesta

We'll be going on another camping trip later this summer to Presquile Provincial park and before that we'll be going to stay at a cottage near the beach in Point du Chene, NB. I hope that I'll be able to find a spot where I can walk dogs on the beach.

We like camping but it's good to get home to a nice shower and soft bed. But I can't wait for the next camping trip either. Funny that!

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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother