Pineapple Express and other woes

"Rain, rain, go away..."  The Pineapple Express has arrived on the west coast...warmer temperatures and copious quantities of rain.  Living on an island formed in the river delta (they don't call us "Mudflatters" for nothin') on a soil of sand and clay makes it problematic when the rains set in.  The entire yard is "squishy" which results in plenty of mud for the critters to pack in on their morning romps.  Bolli is easy...just a quick dip in the sink to clean the mud off his feet.  The Pyrs?...well, they prefer to head either under the shed or up on higher ground in the shed itself (not their preferred choice as they can't guard from inside a building).  Alex is up to his neck in it (okay, so I'm exaggerating a bit...but not much...lol) while Holly is so well hidden under the shed I sometimes wonder if she is still in the yard.  Even meal times is not much of an incentive to leave her comfy confines.

Handling classes are going well.  Moved to a new building and new trainer.  First class there she ran us through all the patterns....the up and back, the triangle, the reverse triangle, the "L", the "T", running two dogs side by side....I'm surprised she didn't toss the "Z" at us.  Only did that once for a judge in Alberta, talk about throwing a lot of handlers in a tizzy!  More room to move in this building, more crowds, more dogs, more distractions.  Bolli did sooo well on his patterns, his gaiting though starts out well but he tends to drag more and more on the second time around the ring.  He's a puppy, and though I want him to be in perfect form for the upcoming shows, I have to be realistic.  Puppy classes are just for that...puppies and all their charms and inexperience.  Bolli will grow up soon enough so I don't push him too hard.  BUT, gosh, can I get him to stand still long enough to get a picture?  No...he's does the one foot shuffle.  This will be a challenge to keep him stacked for just a few more seconds, at least long enough for a judge to see him posed and/or the photographer to take his Best Puppy in Show photo....*smile* and *wink*