Sport Obedience Seminar in Lagos - Don't miss !!!

3º Seminar of Sport - The official Portuguese team for Obedience of Portuguese Kennel is going to make its 3º seminar "Obedience 100 Secrets 2010" , on the next days 29 and 30 of May in Lagos with the collaboration of the, Clube de Instrução Canina de Lagos.

Sport Obedience Seminar
Days 29 and 30 May – Schedule: 9H - 12H30 / 15H - 18H

More information at http://portugalobedienceteam.blogspot.com/

Belém - First Agility experience

Monastery of Jerónimos - Belém, Portugal

Never before I had attended an official Agility trial and Caoguros gave me that opportunity,

Pasteis de Belem

participating on the organization of a trial. And what better place than the one of the most beautiful places of Portugal, Belém.



The stage was its gardens, in front of the unforgettable Monastery of Jerónimos and the famous house of the Pasteis de Belém. Everything there shows the story, tradition and true Portuguese culture.

42º Agility Trophy

Angel, on the competition break

For someone that only sees and participates on a trial, doesn’t see the effort, dedication, and in the end, pleasure, around the successful organization of such a trial.



It starts with the maintenance and checking the condition of the obstacles. Then we have to load the obstacles, transport then to the trial site, put together the track and help the judge to place the obstacles. Finally all the documentation must be very carefully made and it is necessary to support all competitors and the judge.

Angel, on the competition break

A lot of work, but that doesn’t take out the pleasure of seeing the several trials, some with success and other without success, but all made with lot of enthusiasm and joy buy the dogs and conductors.

Of course, on the lunch break, me and my Australian Shepherd, Angel, went to try the first level course and it went quite well. Hopefully, next time we are also in the competition.

Without any doubt an unforgettable experience of social interaction with people that work on one of the most enjoyable sports with dogs.

My thanks to the Os Cãoguros for this memorable experience !

Angel, on the competition break

Team Caoguros (image source: Caoguros Blogspot)

Other activities:

• Demos in VI Animal Show


• Herding with an Australian Shepherd SummerDogCamp 2010


• 115th and 116th Lisbon International Dog Show


• CNEMA 2010 - Portuguese Breeds and Agility !


• Spring Trophy – Agility Alenquer


• Obedience Competition in Lagos 2009


• International Dog Show of Santarém 2009


• Scruffts 2009
• 
  
• Lisbon International Dog Show 2009


• Portie and Aussies in Algarve Dog Show
• 
  
• Obedience 100 Secrets


• Obedience Seminar


• Agility Workshop


• Cookie achieved Excellent in Obedience Class I


• Dog Show Int Vila Franca Xira 2009


• Workshop in Dog Behaviour on Educacão


• Dog Show Int Norte 2009


• Dog show Sousel 2008


• Teco acomplished Excelent in Obedience class I


• International Dog Show of Estoril


• Australian Shepherd in Herding Training Curse by Educacão


• Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever in Sweet Fair at Lagos


• Lisbon and Mediterrânea dog show with our Aussies


• Angel and Teco, the two ambassador of our family


• Canine demonstration in Externato da Torraltinha


• Aussies and Golden in Dog Show at Elvas 2008
• 
  
• Herding with our Australian Shepherd in Montemor-oNovo


• Australian Shepherd, Angel and Teco, on the 5º Journey


• In school with our Australian Shepherd

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The big visit to Portugal – a moment to think

You know, as days go by and the “big visit” day to Portugal by the pope is coming closer we start hearing people speaking and exchange ideas.

Being Portugal a catholic country it is only natural that we catholic people feel that is a very important moment and start to think about that day and the even more important day of 13 of May, day of Our Lady of Fatima

Well I always had a superficial knowledge about the story of Our Lady of Fatima and as such I decided to do a little research and end up quite disappoint of what was publish on the Internet.

I always saw Our Lady as the protector of mother and children, because she was a mother and suffered a lot for her sun.
So if someone knows and understands what is to love and suffer for a sun/daughter it is her.

So, when I can’t be and protect my sun, I send a mental pray to Our Lady for her to watch over and protect my little boy.

It is with a great sadness that I read the publish story of Our Lady of Fatima that transmits an image of someone cruel that asks 3 little children to suffer by the sins of the adults … and frankly I don’t believe it ... and I choose to stand by the version of Our Lady that spoke with 3 little poor children, because she, as a mother, had pity of them, and wanted to comfort then and to give them a path in live (in a world without future) as prophets and visionaries.

Our Lady together with St. Francis of Assisi are the two saints to witch I send my prays.

St. Francis of Assisi was dear to my father and he always said that when he would dye it was to his heavenly garden he would go to help St. Francis of Assisi to take care of the animals over there, so it is where I imagine my father soul.

For those that don’t know St. Francis of Assisi, he was a man that was born in a very rich family and along his live path decided to dedicate his life to the church and animals. He defended the ideal of a brotherhood that would integrate men with nature and animals.
For him each living being was an expression of God kindness and to love an animal was to love God and his creation.

In conclusion … people won’t find me in a church or in any other place of worship, well maybe in a church when I visit one for its monument and history. I follow the words of Jesus that said that church, belief and devotion is inside of us and in the way we face life.
So in this date I will send my thoughts and prays to Our Lady of Fatima and St. Francis of Assisi to ask protection and happiness to the living, people and animal, and to ask for those who left us to be in the heavenly garden.

Alcochete - goldens and aussies

Alcochete is one of those Portuguese characteristic towns that put a mark in our heart. From the houses to the monuments and its proximity to Lisbon, all breeds tradition and Portuguese soul.

Charming is the best word to describe it.











Other trips and travel:

• Dog trekking to a museum


• Dog trekking in Almada


• Dog Trekking in Serra de Sintra


• Economic Trips with Dogs


• An Australian Shepherd in Salema Beach


• An Australian Shepherd in Armona Island


• Dogs in Meia Praia


• Silves, a visit to medieval times with Cookie, our Aussie


• Two Golden Retriever in Monchique


• A trip to the São Domingos Mine with our Australian Shepherd


• Taking a Golden Retriever to the fortress of Sagres


• A walk with my Australian Shepherd through Luz, Algarve Portugal


• A Walk with Brad, our Golden Retriever through Lagos


• Portugal Algarve, Amado Beach with our Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd

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Golden Retriever in Agility with a 8 year old child

My sun is training her Golden to Obedience, but since I love Agility and have the chance to take him time to time to my class, I decided that he could improve is relation with Bianca, by training on the obstacles.

Only Bianca, with her Golden Retriever, temperament show a never ending patient for everything my sun asks from her.

She is truly his best friend !

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Obedience Competition in Lagos

This weekend, me and my Australian Shepherds, went to the Obedience Competition in Lagos.

For Cookie first time, she surprised me and behaved quite well, ending with a GOOD classification. So a big congratulations is in order to her !

Teco, could have done better, but had also a GOOD classification.

Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, in class II

I was 3º place in class 2

Cookie and Teco, my two Australian Shepherd

Other activities:

• Demos in VI Animal Show


• Herding with an Australian Shepherd SummerDogCamp 2010


• 115th and 116th Lisbon International Dog Show


• CNEMA 2010 - Portuguese Breeds and Agility !


• Spring Trophy – Agility Alenquer


• Belém - First Agility Experience


• International Dog Show of Santarém 2009


• Scruffts 2009
• 
  
• Lisbon International Dog Show 2009


• Portie and Aussies in Algarve Dog Show
• 
  
• Obedience 100 Secrets


• Obedience Seminar


• Agility Workshop


• Cookie achieved Excellent in Obedience Class I


• Dog Show Int Vila Franca Xira 2009


• Workshop in Dog Behaviour on Educacão


• Dog Show Int Norte 2009


• Dog show Sousel 2008


• Teco acomplished Excelent in Obedience class I


• International Dog Show of Estoril


• Australian Shepherd in Herding Training Curse by Educacão


• Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever in Sweet Fair at Lagos


• Lisbon and Mediterrânea dog show with our Aussies


• Angel and Teco, the two ambassador of our family


• Canine demonstration in Externato da Torraltinha


• Aussies and Golden in Dog Show at Elvas 2008
• 
  
• Herding with our Australian Shepherd in Montemor-oNovo


• Australian Shepherd, Angel and Teco, on the 5º Journey


• In school with our Australian Shepherd

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Angel is finally at home !

Finally I have my Angel at home.

I am one of those persons that in reflection, I think I have being through a lot. More then that ...

Last year was a really complicated year, full of ups and downs. You know what is to have someone that makes you fell in love and then treat you like garbage ? then you know what I went through last year. But, even so, I think yesterday was one of the most difficult days of my existence.

There is some moments, especially when we deal with our babies, that it seems that someone is draining all our life and yesterday was one of those moments.

Well, let me explain,

My girl flight was schedule for 8:15 a.m. With my car out of service, I had to rent a car and since I didn’t know the car I decided to go early, just in case.
At 7:40 h I arrived at Lisbon airport and e decided to see if I could advanced some of the papers. I went to 3 places and got the some answer, must wait for the flight. The flight was late and its due time was around 9h.
At 8:40 h I went to the company representatives and they told me that the plain was landing and to come back after 30 min.
30 min after there I was, and they told me that the animals were still on the plain and to come back again in 30 min.
(I started to twitch my nose but I counted until 10 and waited 30 min)
30 min later I was going towards the elevator and a men from the company call me and gave me the papers (what a relief) and told me to go to another office.
And there I went, waited for my turn, and a lady took the papers, inserted the process number into the computer and told me “oh, they still didn’t put the process in the computer, you have to wait”.
I told her, it was concerning a dog, she call, no one answer and told me to wait.
(well, I started to see things clouded and decided to fetch the car to where I was suppose to pick Angel and make time)
After coming back, the answer was the same, she phone with success, and told me her colleague was putting the information in the computer.
(I started to count from 1000 backwards to see if I could stay controlled)
3 attempts later the lady could process and sent me to customs.
On customs office there were two ladies talking, and I call their attention, and they told me, I had to wait for their colleague to come back.
(I continue to count the numbers backward)
Ok, lost the patient and told then it was about a dog and the lady got up, saw the papers and sent me to the airport veterinarian office.
To enter the veterinarian office I had to go through a X-ray and a security officer (strange), but ok, I went through.
On the veterinarian they asked me if I want to see Angel (finally).
...
Well ... what can I say ... when I saw her cover in poop, I felt all my live being drained from inside, and start crying like crazy.
I took Angel out, great her and ask something to clean the box.
When the so call veterinarian saw Angel loose started shouting at me to put her back inside.
I was completely heartbroken and asked them to allow me to, at least, clean the box.
Answer, “did you ask permission to take her out ?”
I told him No and he demanded for me to put her back inside.
I held Angel and scream, shouted and told them I wouldn’t put her back in all that mess.
...
After a lot of yelling and the reach of the point where I told him that he wasn’t a vet, since a vet should take care of the animals health and got the answer that I was exaggerating, since she was just an animal and it was my fault since I decided to send her out, the so call veterinarian allowed me to clean the box, demanding that I took all the dirt out with me.
...
Do you think they allowed me to take Angel with me ? no … this is still not over
I had to put her back in the box, pay 25 € for the veterinarian papers and went back to customs office.
On customs after they had look and analyzed every single piece of paper, they stamp, sign and gave me more papers.
And there I went to the place where I suppose to pick her ... and ... more papers and I was sent to another office, treasure.
18 € later and a few more papers and stamps, I went to the pickup place and finally they allowed me to bring my poor dog.

After all of this, what to say ? How would you be ? I think there is no words to describe my fury, and state of mind ...

For the USA, with all the terrorism and problems they have there, the dog arrived in excellent conditions and the people that pick her up didn’t had any problems. Me, in my own country, in my dog birth country, spent 4 h on the airport and my baby was treated worst than a package.

Of course I had a 4 hour drive to the airport, a 4 hour in the airport and then a 6 hour driving back, since I had to stop a lot for Angel to stretch her legs, drink and relief herself (it was enough the time she was closed on the airport and aero plain).
The smell on the car was unbelievable and only after arriving home and giving her a warm bath I allowed myself to think “Finally Angel is home !”

New photos of Angel & Jake

Witch such Australian Shepherd parents, that have high pedigree, beauty and working capability, you can imagine what a amazing puppies will come out !







Photos kindly provided by Ami from Mercury Aussies

Happy Carnival 2010 with lots of Fun !

Happy Carnival 2010 with lots of Fun !

Angel and Jake playing

And there they are, the two Valentine Australian Shepherd, playing together.

Angel and Jake

Photos kindly provided by Ami from Mercury Aussies

Angel in Jake home

And there she is, my sweet red merle aussie, safe, happy and being lovely like only she can be !

And Angel is gone ...

Must be one of the hardest things I had to do with one of my dogs ...



My thanks for all the suport and help to prepare the flight goes to:
José Ferrão
Igacargo Ltd
Lisboa / Air Dpt
Ph:351.218686642/Fax:351.21.8686645/Tlm:351.966390161
email: jose.ferrao@igacargo.pt

Angel goodbye party

ANGEL is IN SEASON !

After a long waiting and almost desperation, Angel is finally in season and now is move move move to send her to the wonderful Jake !!







Photos kindly provided by Ami from Mercury Aussies

Misunderstood Dogs

Like everyone knows, I am planning a litter and some concerns with the future of the puppies that I am placing in this world, just keep crossing my mind.

Of course living in a country where people seem to consider so lightly the responsibility of marriage, having children and having animals, I keep worrying about my puppies future.

In the other day I was surfing the net, trying to find out which breeds are more commonly abandoned in Europe (Portugal), and I found this very interesting article that really shows some huge problems here and in USA (since I believe that we aren’t that different).

The Most Misunderstood Dogs in America
November 04, 2006, 12:0AM MT
By T V
A look at five breeds often left abandoned. Their worst offense? Their human owners never should have bought them.


For some dogs, their only crimes are unrealistic expectations. As a result, they're misunderstood, and some are downright hated. Some breeds have such a bad rap that they need a press agent. Others have such idealistic "Lassie" images that it's nearly impossible to live up to them.

The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 6 million to 8 million dogs and cats are relinquished to shelters annually, and about half of those are euthanized. We don't know which breeds are relinquished most often, but when I asked four dog experts which five breeds they think are most often abandoned, their picks were unanimous and mirrored my own hunches.

"My dream is that people would choose the right dog to match their lifestyles," says Ian Dunbar, founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. "Then, once you have that dog, understand what you're dealing with," adds Ledy VanKavage, senior director at the ASPCA.

Unfortunately, that doesn't happen enough, and it leads to this list.

Rottweilers
This large dog with a head the size of a small dog can grow up to 27 inches and exceed 130 pounds. "They're big, strong, and can be headstrong," Bradley says. "They're NOT for everyone."

Rotties that don't have good training when they're young may have behavioral problems as adults. These dogs suffer from bad press. Some insurance companies increase their homeowner fees for Rottweilers (and often other large breeds, including pit bulls), and people sometimes feel they have no choice but to give up their dogs.

"Pit Bulls"
(oh, and any dog that resembles one, such as a Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, or bull terrier).
"They're easily the most vilified, even hated, dog," says Janis Bradley, author of Dogs Bite but Balloons and Slippers Are More Dangerous. VanKavage calls it a witch hunt - and she ought to know.

She has three pit bulls: "They're clowns; they make me laugh." VanKavage says there are instances when pit bulls run up to kids to say "hi", the parent panics, the authorities arrive, and they deem the dog dangerous for no good reason. "If that dog was a golden retriever, nothing would have happened", she says.

Bradley goes so far as to equate these situations to a canine version of racism.

Many shelter dogs have a pit bull-type look. Rescuing a pit has become trendy, and the experience can go smoothly. "But understand what you're getting into", Dunbar warns. "Some come with difficult-to-deal-with behavioral baggage."

Labradors and Lab Mixes
Labs? Misunderstood? Really? YES REALLY!
People expect Labs to be perfectly trained, like the service labs who team with the visually or physically impaired. "Here's the reality: They were bred to work under difficult conditions and have the drive to swim through ice to get that bird", says Patricia McConnell, author of For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend.

That's not to say that with training and time they don't settle down, but they're not the instant soup people expect. "The expectations are so high, it's difficult to live up to", VanKavage says. "They're great dogs for a fairly active family, but not for elderly Aunt Tilda", Bradley adds.

"And because Labs are large, they can easily learn to drag Aunt Tilda down the street". Golden Retrievers can have the same problems.

Border Collies
"Exercise for Border Collies is measured in hours, not minutes", McConnell says. "They require a job and mental exercise to go with the physical exercise. An outlet for their intensity is important, or they can develop problems".

McConnell rescued a compulsive spinning and licking border collie. The previous owners were unable to meet the dog's needs, and they couldn't cope with what they had. McConnell named her Lassie. Today, Lassie is normal - normal for a border collie, that is. She has sheep to herd, and she gets plenty of exercise.

Terriers and Terrier mixes
Many are under 30 pounds, but don't let their size fool you. "It's a whole lot of dog in one package", Dunbar says. "They're dynamic, they're fast, they're tough, and they're actively telling you all about it".

Most aren't demure about barking. There's a reason they're sometimes called TERRORS instead of terriers. "Really, all they require is training", McConnell says. "It's true for all dogs. It's not the dog's fault if it has no training". Although their generally smaller size is suitable to apartment life, sometimes terriers' vocal nature doesn't endear them to neighbors.

Certainly, there's no reason for constant barking, but some people actually expect compelte silence - and that's just not the terrier way.

by Steve Dale

Source: http://www.usaweekend.com/06_issues/061224/061224animalsmart.html

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JUST MY DOG

JUST MY DOG

He is my other eyes that can see above
the clouds; my other ears that hear above
the winds. He is the part of me that can
reach out into the sea.

He has told me a thousand times over that
I am his reason for being: by the way he
rests against my leg; by the way he thumps
his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he
shows his hurt when I leave without taking him.
(I think it makes him sick with worry when he
is not along to care for me.)

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.
When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.
When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.
When I am a fool, he ignores it.
When I succeed, he brags.
Without him, I am only another man. With him,
I am all-powerful.
He is loyalty itself.
He has taught me the meaning of devotion.
With him, I know a secret comfort and a
private peace. He has brought me understanding
where before I was ignorant.
His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.
His presence by my side is protection against
my fears of dark and unknown things.
He has promised to wait for me...
henever...wherever--in case I need him.
And I expect I will--as I always have.
He is just my dog.

Poem by Gene Hill