What a day!

Mom and Dad went to an estate sale first thing this morning, since they were going to the Farmer's Market afterwards, they took me along.  But, they left me in the car, until I jumped out the window.  It was the back window, the one that only goes half way down.  Freedom was short lived, Dad told  me to sit, then put me back in the car, and raised the windows more.

I had a good time at the Farmer's Market, met people and other dogs.  Apple from Project Chance was there.  Ms. Christine, was there and Mom bought me some of her yummy treats.  She gave one to Apple's Foster Mom to give to Apple.

Ms. Christine's All Naturals Dog Treats

Woodbine, GA

After the Farmer's Market we drove by main beach where the inaugural Great Southern Tailgate Cook-off was being held.  Boy, did it smell good.

Then on to the dog park, boy was I a klutz today, but I had fun, Brinkley and I ran and played.  Brinkley's picture was in the dog park newsletter this month.  Brinkley is not in this photo.  I did go into the pool to cool off.

Then home to dry out, before going to class, today was the practice test for Canine Good Citizen test, I did OK, got a little mouthy in the Appearance and Grooming test and completely failed Staying In Place.  I have been rebellious with my stays all week.

At Groomer's today

Going to visit Ms. Laurie at Passion-4-Pouches, getting shampoo, hair cut, pedicure, and ears cleaned.  Will post pictures this afternoon.

Bouv's on Facebook

Check out Bouvier Des Flanders Appreciation on Facebook.

Dog Park this morning

Dad remembered that the cell phone has a camera, so I only got my feet wet, didn't want to look like a drowned rat. In the photo below you can see a little of the "chicken legs".

Ran with a 10 month old Weimaraner, until I couldn't run any more.  I did manage to look a little foolish when I ran through the temporary fence around a muddy spot and knocked the fence down.  Thankfully, nobody got upset and Dad and the Weimie's dad were able to fix it.

Espy's Car Mobbed By Fans

OK, one lady came up to the car, as we were making the turn onto 3rd street, and asked if she could take my picture.  I posed nicely, with my head out the window, but I look much more impressive at 50-mph.  Later a couple of nice young ladies posed  with me, for their mother to take a picture.

Mom and Dad met the owners of the 1-yr old Red Doberman, from the Amelia Island Dog Park, they were out walking off the dinner they had at 29 South Eats.   They have a neighbor who has a Bouv, maybe I will get to meet a cousin.

Amelia Island Dog Park, what fun.

Mom and Dad took me to the dog park this morning.  I was a little timid at first, but after spending a little time running along the fence separating the small dogs from us big guys, with the little guys running and barking at me I  decided to try running with the big boys.  I did OK until I tripped over my own feet and went head over heels.  I then went into the pool, fortunately Dad forgets that the cell phone has a camera, so you don't get to see my chicken legs.  I had some people worried when I went into the deep water, my head was barely above water, but I made it.  One lady threw a toy for me, Dad had to explain that I don't retrieve, I herd.

Today's command was HEEL

Today was training day (PetSmart, River City Marketplace), the new command was Heel.  I did OK.  This evening when we were downtown Mom and Dad met Mervyn & Brenda who wanted to know all about me.  They own a 1-1/2 yr old Wheaten Terrier, who was home in Jacksonville.  Dad invited them to join us at the Amelia Island Dog Park sometime, and told them about Dogwood Park.  Now that I am neutered, I get to go to the dog park next week.   Here is a picture of a Wheaten Terrier.  Dogs 101 video on Wheaten Terrier is here.

Mom had lunch with the teachers she assist.

Mom met Ms. Solis & Ms. Christianson for lunch at the Surf, Dad picked me up there and we went downtown to the Happy Tomato where we had lunch.  The Surf wouldn't allow me on their patio deck, the boys at the Happy Tomato brought me a bowl of water.

I'm going under the knife!

It's 8:00 AM Monday morning, Mom and Dad are dropping me off at the Vet's office.  They are having me NEUTERED, and having a micro-chip inserted.  They promise that, after recovery, I will get to go to the dog park frequently.

Got to Play with Ms. Layla

It's Bouvier, not Labradoodle, not Portuguese Water Dog

Here is my Sire, Surge is a full grown Bouv, he has cropped ears, I don't:

Surge

Here is a Australian Labradoodle, OK the breeds do look a little alike:

Labradoodle

Finally, here is a Portuguese Water Dog, I go to class with two of them, they are smaller:

Portuguese Water Dog

Rescuing a damsel in distress

Today Mom, Dad, and I drove to Tifton, Ga to rescue Dorrie.  See Krispy's Kapers for the background on the aborted trip out west.  The need to rescue arose after they drove by of the Atlanta bus station and confirmed that they were not going to get out of the car, thus, a bus trip home was out of the question, the train was via D.C. (a little out of the way) and last minute air fare was just to high.

Why didn't Dorrie just exchange her SFO to JAX airline ticket for a ATL to JAX ticket, lets see; $150.00 cancellation fee, $50 ticket re-issue fee (for an e-ticket) + plus the difference in airfare.

Thus, Kris drove her to Tifton and headed back to Atlanta to pick up his friend's car and head to California, for Xuan's wedding, then Seattle to deliver the car.  His plan is to make St. Louis tonight.

So my trip was -- Yulee to Tifton via Waycross, down I-75 to I-10 to Atlantic Beach, then up A1A to Fernandina, via the Mayport Ferry.  Got my evening walk downtown Fernandina and now we are back home in Yulee.

Blitz, my cat, was glad to see me, let's play, I have been in the truck most of the day and Blitz has been in the house.

Oh yes, I almost forgot -- Mom's cell phone did a perfect swan dive from the dash of the truck into her glass of iced tea on the center console, may it RIP.

Did our evening walk downtown - Why won't people believe I only 6-1/2 months old?

Had a pleasant walk downtown with Mom & Dad, they stopped at Amelia Island Coffee shop for a Coke and cheese danish.  I got a little of the crust, they hogged all of the cheese part.

Had the rare experience of meeting two people who recognized my breed, and as usual several who thought I was a labradoodle (not even close!).

Dad wanted a picture of me and the Pirate

He wanted me to sit and hold (my command to stay - since I decided stay meant "let's play"), but I didn't want to sit or hold, Mom managed to grab this just before I jumped down.

Location: Centre and Front Street, downtown Fernandina Beach, FL.

Rescue Bouviers & Breeders

If interested in a Bouv check out either American Bouvier Rescue League or American Bouvier des Flandres Club's breeders list .


Espy's breeder is Nancy Valaske at Valkin Kennels in Pine Mountain, GA.

Bouvier Video from Animal Planet

Learn about the breed, the Animal Planet Video provides a good introduction to the breed.

Espy's Pedigree

Espy is from Valkin Kennels in Pine Mountain, GA.  His Dam is Bunny (Obvious Energizer Bunny, CGC, HIC, TT) and the Sire is Surge (CH Obvious Storm Surge).  

Bunny

Surge

Bunny delivered the litter on January 12th, 2010.

Bunny and 5 day old puppies

CGC - Canine Good Citizen Certificate

HIC - Herding Instinct Certificate

TT - Temperament Tested by American Temperament Testing Society