A brief glimpse of the sport Canine Freestyle

I've had a lot of comments regarding my vlog - specifically on my zumba-ing Border Collie. Because of this I thought I'd take a break on talking about writing and, instead, talk about my other passion: dog training.

I didn't really know what Canine Freestyle was when, ten years ago, I signed up for a workshop taught by the master of the sport - Caroline Scott. Really, I was looking for another class I could offer but what I found was a whole lot of fun. Here's a glimpse of the master and her dog Rookie--who has since gone over the Rainbow Bridge-- (If you don't know what the Rainbow Bridge is, you can google the poem, but I'm warning you, YOU WILL BAWL LIKE A BABY!) at work:



Really puts me and my feeble attempts to shame. One of the things I like best about Canine Freestyle is how much fun my dogs have. I've competed in a lot of dog sports (obedience, agility, shutzhund, etc) and I always notice a bit of anxiety in my dogs behavior before we enter the ring - I swear they get as nervous as I do. This has never been the case with freestyle. My dogs seem to have a blast from beginning to end.

Another exciting thing about Freestyle is that the limits to what you can do are endless. If you really want your mind blown watch this:



Sure, it's a little dorky (I mean, the guy is wearing socks with his sandals, come on!) But there's no denying the level of training here pushes what we've thought capable of canine learning. Simply amazing. (Also, coincidence that this dog is a Border Collie? I think not. But, hey, I'm biased :) )

Check out my interview...

Over at Jared Larson's blog! If you do a baby ninja will get their first set of shuriken.

Please, don't deny the babies.

Blog Chain Post: How Do You Choose?

...Eriiiiiiic.... *drool*

Sorry, what was I blogging about? Oh, yeah! Blog chain time!

Sorry I missed the last one. I allowed myself to get weighed down by unnecessary stress. Boo stress! Luckily my vacation is less than a week away, I just dyed my hair magenta - the most stress reducing of all the unnatural hair colors (I totally made that up), and I've formulated a plan of action for my current situation. ONWARD AND UPWARD!

*ahem*

Today's blog chain was started by my Flux sister, Margie. Margie wants to know:

How did you come to write your YA genre
(e.g. contemp, fantasy, etc.)? AND (yep, it’s a 2 parter), if you weren’t
writing that, what genre would you be interested in exploring?

Oh, how I love to read. Now, it's purely for entertainment. But when I was a teen, I read to escape. I know I've posted before about the step-dad from hell, getting kicked out of the house at 17, having my stuff burned out on the lawn, and moving in with a stripper. Granted, this isn't your typical growing up scenario, however, kids still have it tough. I wanted to write a book that would have made 17-year-old-me smile and forget about all of the sh*t she was dealing with, if just for a moment. And if I can do that for a teen - then I've accomplished what I set out to do.

If I had to pick another genre I think I'd try my hand at adult paranormal romance. I know, I know. Ninja-writing Cole is a sucker for a sappy love story. I'm not ashamed to admit it, just keep it on the down low, would ya?

Check out the science fiction ya writing Abby on why she chose her genre. And tomorrow, check out Shannon's post to see what she's writing and why.

Seacrest out.

My Mom's Thoughts on Social Networking

Mom: So, I signed up for facebook today.

Me: Oh yeah? I'll friend you. *types in her name and scans list* I don't see you on here.

Mom: *smiling smugly* That's because I signed up as (insert really obscure name).

Me: Okaaaaay. But if you're signed up as (really obscure name) how is anyone going to find you?

Mom: That's the point. I don't want anyone to find me.

Me: All right. So, if you don't want anyone to find you then how are people going to friend you?

Mom: I don't want people to friend me.

Me: Then why are you on facebook?

Mom: Because...*...*walks away*