I’m super excited to welcome my new blog sponsor, the Dog Agility Shop!
The Dog Agility Shop is the perfect place for those of you who want to build your own set of agility equipment at a very reasonable price. From jump cups and pole placers to full package starter sets, they are your one stop shop for all of your agility equipment needs.
Not only that, but they ship all over the World – with free shipping to anywhere in the United States!
You might remember that I purchased some of their jump cups to use on my own set of DIY Dog Agility Jumps. They’ve worked wonderfully and saved Mom so much money by being able to build the jumps herself.
I hope you’ll swing by the Dog Agility Shop and check out their full line of equipment! Make sure you tell them your pal Ammo sent you.
You might remember that back in July the Painting Ponies and I began filming for the a brand new Painting Pony DVD. And while my Uncle Taylor still has lots of editing to do before we can release our big Trick Performances DVD, I just couldn’t wait any longer to share our new Intro Video for the website.
I know you are all on the edge of your seats in anticipation, so without dragging it out any longer, here it is in all it’s glory….
And to answer your question, yes, I did most of my scenes in the nude. You’re welcome. *wink*
You can check out all the wonderful artwork that the ponies and I created on the Painting Pony Website.
Until our new DVD is available for purchase, you can also check out The Trick Ponies of Chincoteague DVD which has my happy little face on it too.
Well just last week a package from Therapy Dog International came in the mail for me! I was so excited to see that now that all the paperwork is complete, I am an official certified therapy dog.
Not only did I get my own id card (complete with a photo of me), but I also got some super cool gear to wear during my therapy dog visits.
The bandana and id tag seem to be made for dogs much bigger than me, but I’m pretty sure what I can’t make up for in size, I can certainly make up for in personality.
I brought my binoculars with me, because I’m really hoping to see some Dinosaurs up close and personal!
Wouldn’t it be awesome if I saw a T-Rex? Did you know my mom and dad almost named me T-Rex (which is awesome by the way) on account of my stubby little arms.
I’m just as scary as a T-Rex too…just check out my ferocious growl! So don’t worry, should I happen upon any Dinosaurs I can totally hold my own!
I made sure to pack my flippers, and it’s a good thing I’m an excellent swimmer because I’m deep deep under the sea.
I haven’t seen any sharks yet, but if you spot any I hope you’ll warn me!
Just to be safe I rolled in the stinkiest thing I could find before going Under the Sea – so that I’ll be extra un-enticing to any sharks that come along. I hope.
Since Mom is away this week in Chincoteaugue, Virginia with Minnow the Painting Pony I’m having my own little adventure with my imagination hat.
I’m glad you decided to join me, because today I’m taking a trip into outer space!
There are so many stars and planets up here – it’s really quite amazing.
Mom called last night to check on me, and suggested I pack a lunch and drink plenty of water during my trip to space. Jeeze mom, of course I wouldn’t forget to pack a lunch!
I do miss my mom, but I am having a blast on the moon! I’m on the lookout for moon martians, because I’m in desperate need of a fetch playmate – it is a bit lonely up here. I’ll keep you posted should I find any.
Ok, so maybe I won’t really be seeing my name on a star in Hollywood (a dog can dream) – but in the World of Magical Painting Ponies, I am a movie star! (and technically I have been on National Television before via Animal Planet – check it out here)
Last week my Uncle Taylor came to visit from his home in North Carolina. Taylor is an uber talented videographer and editor – shooting weddings, commercials, documentaries, training videos, and much much more. And guess what…..he brought his video equipment with him!
The name of the game was filming some brand new videos for Painting Pony.
And although my pony friends did make a shining appearance on these new videos – we all know who the real star is…
…me!
I had some big important roles, and don’t worry, I totally gave it 110%.
I even got to do some serious action shots – with multiple takes!
I also got to perform on the video with my bestest buddy Trooper.
It was aaaaamazing!
And, incase you are wondering – yes I did my own stunts!
I can hardly wait to see the finished product, and as soon as it’s done I’ll be sure to let everyone know! And if you are counting down the days to see yours truly on DVD, you can check out The Trick Ponies of Chincoteague DVD which has my happy little face on it too.
Last week I had my regularly scheduled dog agility classes at DTCCC, only this time was special because my dad was home from work so he got to come watch me!
Of course I was super excited to show dad all the things I’ve been learning in class – and I went so fast that he could barely capture it on camera!
One of the things I have been learning at class is my agility contacts. Contacts in dog agility refer to a specific contact zone at the base of an object (like the A-frame, teeter, dog walk) that you must place a paw in during competition in order for it to count. Most of these contact zones are marked by a yellow strip at the base of an obstacle.
Being that I’m a small dog it is much easier for me to not miss a contact (because I’m not big enough to soar over it), but it is still best to learn how to do each object properly by entering and exiting it at the very base.
Below is a short video from class that dad took of me working on my contacts with the a-frame. You’ll see that I have a verbal cue (“mark”) that mom gives me as I approach the base of the a-frame, this cues me to pause at the bottom of the board until I get the ok to move forward. As I progress in my training my “mark” won’t be as obvious as I race around the course.
Looks pretty fun right?
Here’s some pervious posts from my adventures in agility training incase you missed it:
P.S. Don’t forget to vote for me in the 2012 Petties! I’m nominated for best blog design, and winning will earn $1,000 to one of my favorite pet charities!
My stay-cation last week may have you thinking that all I did was go paddleboarding and flying, but this super dog never gets to relax completely – and I had to mix in a little bit of work too (if you can call it that).
My bestest pony friend Minnow the Painting Pony and I got our photoshoot on and took some promotional photos for this year’s Chincoteague Pony Penning held at the end of July.
Each year my friend Minnow (aka Super Minnow) travels to Chincoteague Island, Virginia to perform for a week during the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim and Auction.
Not only does he paint original art during his stay on the island, but he also gets to show off some of his amazing tricks by performing a skit during the nightly shows at the Chincoteague Pony Centre.
Mom and I work very hard for months in advance to help Minnow learn a new performance each year before pony penning – and I think this year’s performance is one of the best yet!
This year Minnow is going to Super Hero Bootcamp – and as you can see by his rolly polly belly that he certainly was in need of a bootcamp!
The only way to see Minnow’s new performance is to visit him on the island at the end of July, but since I knew not everyone would make it I talked mom into having a new DVD made of the performance that will be available for purchase hopefully next month. (meanwhile you can check out Minnow’s other DVD featuring yours truly HERE).
I’m a bit jealous that I won’t be able to watch Minnow’s performance live either, as dogs aren’t allowed many places on the island and I have to stay home with Dad, so I’ll just have to wish him luck from afar.
It’s a shame really, because what’s a Super Hero without his sidekick?
I’m sure Minnow knows I’m his biggest fan though, and I’ll be cheering him on from home! Go Minnow!
To see more photos of Minnow during our Super Hero Photoshoot make sure you check out the Painting Pony Blog.
Last week I took a short stay-cation in my hometown of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. While I didn’t actually travel anywhere exotic or new I did get to have a whole bunch of brand-new adventures. I hope you’ll come along for the ride with me this week, as I have lots to share!
Visiting the lake isn’t new to me, as I’ve been known to zip around on a motorized row boat with my mom and dad, but SUP was something I have never done before.
I was so excited when I saw the paddleboard come out that I couldn’t wait to hit the water, especially on this super hot day.
I did end up swimming A LOT while I was on the water, sometimes by accident because I was standing too close to the edge while some turbulent water knocked me in, and sometimes because I wanted to take a trip over to visit dad in his canoe.
Luckily I do know how to swim, and my new life vest kept me even more afloat – and made it easy for mom and dad to scoop me back onto the board.
I’m pretty sure I was the talk of the lake that day and I enjoyed waving at all the other people out enjoying the cool water.
This may have been my first time paddleboarding, but it certainly won’t be my last! Especially if this heat wave in Pennsylvania keeps up!
Tips for Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog
Before visiting a lake rental spot make sure that they allow dogs on their rental boats and boards
Make sure your dog has a properly fitted life vest – keep a leash attached to it so you can quickly grab your dog should they go overboard accidentally
If you have never been on a paddleboard yourself, practice paddling on the lake without your dog first, it will be much harder to maneuver the board with a dog on it too
Allow your dog to get used to the board near the shore first with you standing in the water
Be prepared to get wet – very wet (but that is the point isn’t it?)
Don’t bring a dog paddleboarding that doesn’t know how to swim, it is pretty likely that at some point they will go overboard especially if it is windy out
If your dog has a strong herding instinct it is best to have only one “member of the pack” out on the lake at a time, otherwise your dog will be upset when his “pack” isn’t close together, causing him to jump overboard or panic
Have as much fun as possible!
And the icing on my cupcake…..according to Shape Magazine I burned 500 – 700 calories every hour I was out paddleboarding (although mom says she’s pretty sure they mean it’s her that’s burning those calories), but regardless it’s also apparently the new “celebrity trend” – with paddleboarders like Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson testing them out too.
So considering I’m probably just as famous as those big celebs (right?) then it must be the super cool new thing to do! Not to mention I look awfully sexy doing it! *wink*
So what do you think? Is your next big adventure going to be paddleboarding with your dog? Or do you just enjoy living vicariously through me? Or better yet – have any suggestions of new adventures I should try?
Make sure you stop by the blog tomorrow to hear all about my adventures on my very first airplane ride!
