Sunday, May 15, 2011

New house plus Cambodia & Singapore

Its been all quiet on the blogger front from me for the past month but far from quiet at home. First of all, we moved into our first home. Very exciting, I'd been packed for about a month before we moved. The house is a renovated three bedroom 1960's bungalow, its got awesome safe and high fences all the way around, including a double fenced area around the garage (so Pepper can't get onto the road when we open the gate to drive in/out) The yard isn't huge but is more than enough to throw a ball or Frisbee or set up weaves and a few jumps.



The week we moved in we went down to Hamner (in the middle of the south island, a few hours from Christchurch) for a wedding, was a fantastic weekend and a gorgeous location.






Then the next weekend we traveled over to Singapore and Cambodia for a wee holiday (which was planned way before we brought our house, not very fortuitous of us!) I was totally unprepared for how muggy and hot it would be! We had a great time, particularly in Cambodia.


Incredible temples in Cambodia.


Cute wee dog that lived in the hotel in Siem Reap (actually not all that cute, tried to bite me!)


Singapore sling - not really all it was cracked up to be, very sweet.






Ridiculously huge Marina Bay Sands


Ben getting a fish spa! (I couldn't bear to put my feet in there, too tickley)


Singapore Zoo - amazing!


Animal tricks show!




The concept for this show was apparently a new one, the set was really cool.
The dog tricks were pretty unimpressive to be honest - the three bigger dog were elderly and overweight, they each did only one trick. This one turned on a light.




This little one did jump tricks (but had very little focus, kept running over to the crowds in between jumps)


Hoop jumping border collie


On the other hand, the cat tricks were GREAT! The cats (4 or 5 different ones) would come out of one side of the stage, saunter over to the other side, climb a pole and then run through the cat doors. They had one even jump into a rubbish bin!


And some wee rats performing too!



Cute baby pygmy hippo













On the agility front, we're having big weave issues in competition, 4 out of 4 runs disqualified at the weaves. She's definitely getting more focus and drive though and has stopped skipping round jumps.





And as for obedience, we've only had one competition. I thought heelwork was decidedly average but only got 2 points off. Then the recall, little beggar ran and sat behind me! Stays were fine. So we've been training recalls religiously since and have decided for a new "word" for the present, so instead of saying "OK, Pepper come" I say "OK, In front" as I realised that when we're walking and I call her back to me casually, perhaps to avoid a person or another dog, I say "Pepper,come" and so had been confusing her. So far it seems to be working.


Now we need to get moving on DWTDS!!!!!

7 comments:

  1. I love your new house - it looks perfect! Your trip sounds neat and very exotic. Glad you're back in the blogging world!

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  2. Such cool photos!! Cambodia & Singapore look like they were amazing!

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  3. Wow, you've been really busy!! Your new house looks like a nice home. Where about it is? Near the house you were renting previously? My humans have been to Singapore but not Cambodia. The temple in Cambodia looks amazing!! We have been to an obedience competition just once this year. Are you going to any of the competitions this month? It seems my Mum is thinking about going to one or two of them.

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  4. That is a very busy month the three of you have had. I hope you are all very happy in your new home, and if you are doing any obedience this weekend that Pepper does well. Riley is so out of practice with his obedience that we probably won't go. Trying to train and wrangle the 4 month old puppy (when it is running around the garden chasing or jumping on Riley, who is suprisingly patient) has taken all my spare time.

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  5. Woohoo! Pepper - you're back!!!! First of all, congratulations on your new home - it looks fabulous!! It must be so nice for your humans to be in their own home at last and not have to worry about landlords & rental agents anymore! :-)

    And what fantastic holiday pictures!! My humans love Singapore Zoo too, although they also were a bit underwhelmed with the "animal talent" show...but I guess you often forget when you do lots of dog sports & training that most pet owners can barely get their doggies to do a Sit so anything a bit more than that is impressive! :-)

    Ooh - and I'm so happy you're going to start work on your DWTDS entry now!! I was so worried you might not enter! Can't wait to see what you come up with!!! :-)

    Slobbers,
    Honey the Great Dane

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  6. You have been busy!

    Congratulations on your new home - must feel great!

    Looks like you had a good time overseas, the pictures are great - even if the talent wasn;t spectacular!

    Looks forward to watching you dance!

    Licks and lots of slobber,
    Lexi and Jasper the Danes

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  7. Wow you guys have been busy, we missed you up at Club but Singapore and Cambodia sound nearly as exciting as cold nights up in a rainy wet paddock dont ya think!!! Your new house looks great, gotta love those wooden floorboards.

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