SNOW in SC!!!

We RARELY get snow in SC and I've NEVER had it on my birthday or more than a dusting. Well, we got over 8 inches of the fluffy white stuff!!! The boys weren't too sure what to think about it. Cosmo kept shoving his head under the spots he dig out and Leo looked like a gazelle hopping through it. Both were happy it was warm and dry inside the house =)

Leo's first BOB win!!!

This weekend was the show down in Ladson SC. This is where Leo got his first 3 pts last Jan, a major no less. Well, even though the weather was AWFUL. Not only was it freezing out, but the rain and flooding of the grounds was unbelievable. I stayed in soaked shoes and socks and wet clothing for 14 long hours. However, it was worth it. Leo won first place in his class, and for the first time he also won BOB!!! The kennel club handed out really nice rosettes and I was so proud of my little orange boy! Chelsea showed him for me and when we finished, we took him back to re-fluff him and wrap his ears. Then he took a little siesta until it was time to go in the group ring. He made me proud in there (even though he thought the judge had bait in her hand and had to jump up and check her out). He made the cut for a second look by the judge (the only small sporting dog to do so). Even though he didn't place in the group, I couldn't have been more proud of him! Leo took second place to his look alike in his class on Sunday. So, our point total is now 12 (with three 3 pt majors). Not too shabby with him having limited showing if I do say so myself =)

Happy 2nd birthday, Leo!

I can't believe it's Leo's 2nd birthday already! Seems like just the other day I was bringing the 10 lb furball home. I'm thinking that's the last time I ever get a puppy, or anything else that has to be walked at all hours of the night in Dec. That was one cold Dec we had, and I was the only one taking him in and out. I thought we were going to freeze to death! But, we didn't. We survived that, and we survived Leo's little incident last week, that apparently happened more than a week ago. I started noticing he had some stinky smelling breath, and it wasn't from the salmon/rice food he eats. So, I clippered his face thinking maybe that was where it was coming from. Then, I decided I'd brush his teeth and scrap the tiny bit of gunk that was on his canines. He was such a good boy and didn't fuss at all. Then I noticed later that even when he was sitting at my feet, I could smell his breath. So, he jumped up in my lap and I was loving on him and noticed the smell was even coming from the air that was coming out of his nose when he was breathing. I told my hubby, that wasn't a good sign, and that I was taking him to the vet ASAP the next morning so we could figure out what was going on. I had half of the going to the vet part out of my mouth, when Leo leaned his head back to yawn, and I saw what was causing the stinky breath. The poor boy had a broken off stick partially embedded in the roof of his mouth! He never acted funny, was eating/drinking normally, chasing Cosmo and the kids around in the yard... you name it and he was still doing it. I felt so bad! Thankfully, the vet was able to remove it without using general anesthesia. She gave him a little shot to make him a little woozy and got it right out. Two days into the ten days of antibiotics and no more stinky breath. Since Friday, the area inside his mouth is pretty much all the way healed, minus a small spot that was the deepest. So, lesson learned. Must make checking the mouth for foreign obstacles a more regular thing. I was lucky in that he'd not done more damage to his mouth, and possibly lost teeth. Also, that he'd not swallowed it and caused major internal damage that could have resulted in death.

So, tomorrow we're celebrating Leo's 2nd birthday with some extra special goodies, and are looking forward to many many more birthdays to come!

Happy birthday also to Leo's brother, Scotch. Hoping he comes back to SC sometime soon so we can see him again!

PS The vet gave me the stick she removed from Leo's mouth. I still have it and am pondering if I should just pitch it (well, it did end up costing me $85, which was reasonable considering) or turning it into a Christmas ornament, the most expenisve by far, on my tree, and having it be the inside joke that only my family "gets"......

Summertime + vacation time!

Leo says "let me out!"

Cosmo and Leo on vacation

The boys have had a long and slightly lazy summer. It was too hot for awhile to do agility. Leo was entered in a couple of shows over the summer and is now taking a break til January or there about. He needs to grow some more leg hair. Cosmo has had two iffy weeks in agility class. His nose hit the ground and I couldn't get it back up and his eyes on me. Thankfully, tonight he was back to "normal" and did a really good job. I was very proud of him tonight! I think it's because his gal pal, Jerri, was out on the field earlier today when I stopped by. Looking forward to these cooler "fallish" days and really hoping we get out and get to an agility trial sometime this upcoming year. Next week marks 3 yrs of classes/training and never having ventured out of the trainer's yard. My phobias definitely, and not Cosmo's!

Asheville shows in Fletcher this weekend

Blaze

Leo getting ready for the show!

I got a call from Betty yesterday telling me that Leo had placed second in his class. I told her to bribe him with a new dog bed. She bribed him and fed him chicken nuggets yesterday. Today, Betty called to let me know that my orange boy won another 3 pt major (that makes three 3 pt majors now) and BOS! Way to go team Leo and Betty! I'm so proud of Leo! It's been a mighty quiet 4 days at the house without him, and we can't wait to get him back later this week. Although, it has been nice not having to be on a vigilant watch for things that he will chew up/try to eat. The kids and I will be picking him out a new bed when we pick him up. I hope he likes it!

Cosmo said he enjoyed the mini-vacation. He got to hang out with his new boxer buddy, Blaze while Leo was gone. If the beds are still on sale, he might be getting a new one too.

Mr Cool Cosmo

Poor Cosmo! I found these pics on the camera today. Apparently, one of my little ones got hold of the camera and a pair of sunglasses and accosted Cosmo. He's such a good boy, that he actually sat still for it! I find it hysterical that she came up with this all by herself, and am loving finding pictures on the camera that my kids have taken, and of course, not told me about. I'm glad they didn't try this with Leo. He would've surely eaten the brand new Spiderman sunglasses, and my son would've had a fit. Maybe Cosmo is gearing up for his agilty premiere (whenever the heck that's going to be??!!)

WOO HOO at PKC!!!

Leo gearing up for his evil eye look because he wants off the grooming table.

Well, we had a great time at the Piedmont club in Charlotte this weekend. We hung out with our friends and tried not to roast to death in the building (which was easier today than yesterday). Leo won the Open class yesterday and today. Both days he also won WD and BOS for one point each day. We're now up to 8 points. Not too shabby since he's only been out a handful of times. I showed him myself, so I was ecstatic that we won. Needless to say, he got a new toy from one of the vendors.