The Doogles - 20/09: Batman and a red Rosette

[Emma & Kay]

The sun's been out, and so have I. Not my usual action-shots, as I tried something a tiny bit different. (Like, letting go of the shutter button when the dogs chase the ball.)

The three Dobes.

Star, enjoing the sun.

"Throw. The. Baaall."

The Old Dog.

Just casually standing around.

This way, ladies. And...Smile.


Shiny dog.

Grr.


The Dobes are in perfect sync.



Groupie! With names. Tippi made an appearance just behind Barney.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Emma, what a fantastic photo shoot!!! Thank you for tagging all of the dogs in the last photo. It helps this old gal.

I also thought the synched photos of the "girls" were amazing! They both look so fit.

Tippi is funny making a wee cameo in the pack at the end.

[Emma & Kay]

Goodness! The first part of this is a little offtopic, but hey. It's not worthy of it's own thread.

Me and my sister went away for a Fieldcraft oriented 4-day Easter Weekend with the Army Cadets on Thursday night, and got back yesterday afternoon. It was really good; we were constantly moving, marching everywhere. The first day was terrible, because our detachment was bad-mouthed by our own Potential Instructor for no reason. Apparently, the three cadets (me, sister and our friend) from our detachment had been extremely rude to her. Instead of telling us not to be rude when she thought we were, she simply went ahead and told another cadet from our detachment. So that was a bit of a bummer. We were also never told to bring certain things that we'd need to pass the tests on the weekend, so we were convinced we'd fail. (We ended up buddying up with people from other detachments to do those projects, though.)

But it picked up the second day and we all had a great time, then the third day was similar with a few blips, and the fourth day was just getting ready to leave.

We were on the move from 8AM (getting up at 6AM, ready for breakfast at 7AM after doing a head-count parade, then back out on parade in our companies by 8AM) to 5PM, learning everything from marching to patrolling and crossing obstacles. It was great fun, and we met some really brilliant people. However, I kept staring out a different PI, who's an ex-paratrooper. Did not mean it. He kept calling me on it, asking why I was glaring at him. I felt terrible, because he was so unnerved everytime I was in the front rank on parade, because I always ended up in the middle, right in front of him. My detachment commander commented a while ago that I have an "expression he's decked guys for" and has been calling me Smiler ever since I joined Cadets a year ago. The nickname is now set in stone and the Officer Commanding on the entire country of cadets said "You alright, Smiler?!" to me on the last day. Very disheartening.

Our friend carpooled with us to get there, and we carpooled with her to get back. As soon as her mum pulled up to our house, the door opened and out bounded the doggies! They all flooded onto the road, wiggling everywhere and making all sorts of excited noises. It was a really nice, fairly hectic way to be greeted! They don't miss us when we're away, which I'm glad for (I'd feel terrible leaving every time knowing that the dogs would feel down) but it's really nice that they get so excited to see us again.

They haven't left me alone, though. Kay's just been laying there, looking at me. I decided to take them up the field individually today, so that we could have a bit of a play and some one-on-one time. I took a squeaky ball, a dog and a camera. The results:










WARNING!

WARNING!

WARNING! Fluffy baby chicken ahead...

[Emma & Kay]

More to come...

[Emma & Kay]

When I took Star up last, the neighbours kids were playing in their garden. She's always been nervous of new people, since a bunch of very loud, squeal-y girls pounced on her as a puppy, and she was on edge as soon as she heard the neighbours' kids. I think she looks very edgy in all of todays photos.

[Emma & Kay]

I rarely take videos of anything, because I never have any luck with them. However, I decided to take a few videos tonight. No editing has been done. I was just casually playing with the doogles and decided to hit that little red button on my camera, and here were the results.



(Kind of a harsh voice in this one. I was like when I watched it back. No wonder the dog didn't want to do it, LOL.)

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Emma, I just LOVED the photos and the videos!!! Sweet Kay wanted to please you so badly, and Tippi didn't want to be "shot". So many of the photos are just gorgeous as well. I loved them all. The best part was hearing your voice.

I didn't realize you were in the Cadets! Good for you. While my Mum was not a Cadet, but was a "Sea Ranger" (don't know if they still have those), she too was nicknamed "Smiler" by a former Headmistress. She's 80 almost and it has served her well, so don't worry too much. There are worse names.

I thoroughly enjoyed your story, your photos and your videos.

[Emma & Kay]

I'm glad you enjoyed this round, Deb.

Tippi was the first dog. She's done obedience, agility, rally and doggy dancing in her 7 years of life. She's retired now, and sees no point in doing anything if there's not a food-based reward comin' her way. She's earned it over the years...I suppose. Kay's still at that sweet age where "Good dog" is enough to keep her going for hours.

I've never heard of Sea Rangers before. All we've got is Army, Air and Navy Cadet detachments. I'll have to ask my detachment commander tonight and see if Sea Rangers are still around. I'm going to be doing something or other with the Army in the future, which is why I joined the cadets - just to get a rough idea about all-things-army. I'd like to be a dog trainer with the army, but I'm not entirely sure of the canine units as everywhere I look says a different thing. Everyone is suggesting I become a dog handler, but I'm not even thinking about that. I want a job rather than wages for living, if that makes sense.

I was actually really disappointed when I first joined, as I'd expected the Army Cadets to be a more serious, get-out-and-do sort of thing, as it was originally started to train young guys to become soldiers to go and fight a war. It's not taken as seriously as I thought it would be, and there's hardly any physical exercises going on in the actual detachments. It seems to be just a bunch of 14 year olds playing soldier. Hardly anyone I've met is actually going to enlist in the army later on.

It's still pretty good, and I enjoy it all. It's just a lot different than I expected.

[iheartmydog]

Some gorgeous shots! The dobies are gorgeous, and man Star is a very good lookin' fit healthy gal!

[Emma & Kay]

Thanks Cel. Star is a bit weird for a Jack Russell...But as a Dog, rather than a breed, I think she's beautiful. Maybe that's a little biased.

My mum and sister went up the field today and hid in the woods opposite. I haven't done any scent work with Kay for around two weeks now, and this was without preparation. It took her about 10 minutes to get a solid track, but she found them in the end! I had no idea where they went either, so I was just stumbling around like a headless chicken after her.

Here are some photos...Because I handed the camera to my sister (because she's oh-so-trustworthy ) it's just photos of Kay relaxing after finding the family.

Happiness!

"No, Kay, don't run off the edge."

"Seriously dog, don't fall."

"Good girl." *smushes*


Bit of a sneaky-beaky pic here.

On the job...Sort of.


And some action shots!
Miss.

Hit!

Fly, Tia, fly! Star says: "OMG!"

Focus...

Win!

Hangin' on by a...Er. Piece of chewed up foam.

Awe, miss.

[Emma & Kay]

NEW LENS!
NEW LENS!
NEW LENS!

Kay's the only dog I have to play with right now. The JRT's are on an all-terrier walk, and Tia's pulled a muscle in her back leg. It was pretty nice just to play with Kayenne for a few minutes. I've been too busy to take her up the field for 1-on-1 training these past few months, and it showed today. I asked for a "Heel" and got a "Down".

I'll return later to bombard the thread with more photos.

This reminds me of a photo I took of her as a puppy. I'm not sure why.

B-E-A-utiful, IMBO.





Her intimidating face makes me LOL.

A near-perfect stand. Front feet are a little wobbly, but there you have it.




And, because it feels wrong not to post it, here is the very first photo I took with the new lens.

[kian]

Your pictures are breathtaking! I loved the videos, of course Americans love the British Accent. Kay had the look, you get the ball! Smart dogs, you have taught them well.

A cadet too, you are one well educated young lady. That is impressive.

You inspired me so much that I took my two out to the dog park. I managed a few shots before the battery went dead, I knew I should have checked it. So what new lens did you get? I love the portrait of Kay, stunning!! The little chickie, so sweet.

My dogs would love to play at your house, so much room to run. It's great you can let them out off leash behind the property, It makes for more fun in the sun!

[Emma & Kay]

Thank you, Kian, for making me blush!

My new 'baby' is a Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm. Pretty hefty lens. I'm very happy with it. Been 'squeeing' all morning about it.

[Emma & Kay]

Groupies will, hopefully, be captured tomorrow, weather permitting. We've got some really weird days, at the moment. Pouring down all day, with a couple really hot, sunny 15-minute breaks from lunchtime onwards, occuring every half-hour or so. I miss summer!

Until then, Star and Kay 'bonding'.






Pfft, and people say dogs don't "do" guilty.

I'm still figuring out the exposure. I'm pretty good going manual with the big dogs, but the little, bright coloured ones throw me off a bit.


Stars' old-man face.

Pretty girly.

Kays' old-man face.

Portrait, Take One: Fail.

Portrait, Take Two: Success!


Will they collide?!

Nope.


Just a little bit damp, 'ey Star? (She managed to make herself look fat.)

[remsleep]

I'm enjoying all your pictures!
I love Star, she has such a great smile!