Nevapedia

Barkly Manor Tour on YouTube

2009-11-18T20:58:01Z

I remember Kim telling me about this when it happened... we cleaned up the night before so everything was clean and pretty. I just found it, thanks to Google. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojoYrQzR3vs

Kim and Kellie made Shawn do it. :P It's pretty corny, but yaaaay, that's where I work! They talk about the paintings in the rooms at the end... there are a few rooms that haven't been painted yet, and I'm going to ask if I can do a couple of them. :D

Fffff

2009-08-14T07:41:24Z

Truck stops are scary, even with firearms. Note to self: I HAVE STUPID IDEAS, DO NOT LISTEN TO SELF.

Laken and I are considering going and sleeping in the Walmart parking lot. We sure as shit ain't sleeping here!

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Gearing up for RMFC

2009-07-11T02:15:15Z

Unfortunately, I have no money - or any source of income, for that matter. I've got stuff lying around that I really don't need/use, so I'm selling some things!

I'm posting this in a couple of places, but I'll be sure to keep the lists up-to-date. I'm also willing to negotiate any prices. If I find more stuff, I'll add it. <3

Books

10,000 Dreams Interpreted by Gustavus Hindman Miller - $5 (pretty basic, covers tons of subjects from "love" to "needlepoint" to "shoulder", although several only have a sentence or so of description. Perfect/new condition.)

The Elves of Cintra (book #2 in the Genesis of Shannara trilogy) by Terry Brooks - $5 (soft cover, front cover slightly bent but otherwise in good condition)

The Gypsy Morph (book #3 in the Genesis of Shannara trilogy) by Terry Brooks - $15 (hard cover, perfect/new condition)

A Lifetime of Secrets by Frank Warren (Postsecrets compilation) - $10 - Like new

poemcrazy by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge - $5 - Like new

World of Warcraft Master Guide, Second Edition - $15 - Like new

Games

Mario Party DS - Nintendo DS - $15

LOST Via Domus - PC - $10

Dance Dance Revolution EXTREME - PS2 - $10

Misc.

~~Wacom Intuos3 tablet, 4x6, including pen but no box - $80, willing to go lower for friends~~~ (pending)

Dog nerdery!

2009-06-11T08:12:27Z

How many breeds can you name in 10 minutes?

No preparation, 126 breeds.

Affenpinscher, Afghan Hound, Airedale terrier, Akita Inu, Alaskan Husky, Alaskan Malamute, American Bulldog, American Cocker Spaniel, American Eskimo Dog, American Foxhound, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Water Spaniel, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Kelpie, Australian Shepherd, Azawakh, Basenji, Bavarian Mountain Hound, Beagle, Bearded Collie, Beauceron, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black and Tan Coonhound, Bloodhound, Border Collie, Border Terrier, Borzoi, Boykin Spaniel, Brittany, Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chihuahua, Chinook, Chow Chow, Clumber Spaniel, Cur, Curly Coated Retriever, Dalmatian, Doberman Pinscher, English Cocker Spaniel, English Foxhound, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Eurasier, Feist, Field Spaniel, Finnish Lapphund, Finnish Spitz, Flat-Coated Retriever, Fox Terrier, French Brittany, German Longhaired Pointer, German Shepherd Dog, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Spitz, German Wirehaired Pointer, Giant Schnauzer, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greyhound, Harrier, Ibizan Hound, Irish Setter, Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Wolfhound, Italian Greyhound, Keeshond, Kerry Blue Terrier, King Charles Spaniel, Komondor, Koolie, Labrador Retriever, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff, Miniature Australian Shepherd, Miniature Schnauzer, Newfoundland, Norwegian Elkhound, Norwegian Lundehund, Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Pharaoh Hound, Pointer, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Pudelpointer, Pug, Puli, Rottweiler, Rough Collie, Saluki, Samoyed, Schnauzer, Scottish Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog, Shiba Inu, Shih Tzu, Siberian Husky, Silken Windhound, Sloughi, Smooth Collie, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Spinone Italiano, St. Bernard, Standard Schnauzer, Sussex Spaniel, Swedish Lapphund, Tibetan Mastiff, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier, Toy Fox Terrier, Treeing Walker Coonhound, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Welsh Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Whippet, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon,

The only AKC recognized sporting breed that I missed was the Irish red & white setter, haha. Easy to see where my interests lie!
Five minutes of study + five minute break, and...

140 breeds.

Afghan Hound, Aidi, Airedale terrier, Akita Inu, Alaskan Husky, Alaskan Klee Kai, Alaskan Malamute, American Bulldog, American Cocker Spaniel, American Foxhound, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Water Spaniel, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Australian terrier, Azawakh, Barbet, Beagle, Bearded Collie, Beauceron, Bedlington Terrier, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bloodhound, Bluetick Coonhound, Border Collie, Border Terrier, Borzoi, Boston terrier, Boykin Spaniel, Brittany, Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chinook, Chow Chow, Clumber Spaniel, Collie, Cur, Curly Coated Retriever, Dachshund, Dalmatian, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Cocker Spaniel, English Foxhound, English Mastiff, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Eurasier, Feist, Field Spaniel, Finnish Lapphund, Flat-Coated Retriever, Fox Terrier, French Brittany, French Bulldog, German Longhaired Pointer, German Pinscher, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Spitz, German Wirehaired Pointer, Giant Schnauzer, Glen of Imaal Terrier, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Greyhound, Harrier, Ibizan Hound, Irish Red and White Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Italian Greyhound, Kai Ken, Keeshond, Kerry Blue Terrier, Kyi-Leo, Labrador Retriever, Lagotto Romagnolo, Landseer, Lapponian Herder, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Maremma Sheepdog, Mastiff, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Schnauzer, Mountain Feist, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Norwegian Buhund, Norwegian Elkhound, Norwegian Lundehund, Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever, Patterdale Terrier, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Pharaoh Hound, Pointer, Pomeranian, Portuguese Water Dog, Pudelpointer, Pug, Redbone Coonhound, Rottweiler, Rough Collie, Saluki, Samoyed, Schnauzer, Shetland Sheepdog, Shiba Inu, Shih Tzu, Siberian Husky, Skye Terrier, Sloughi, Smooth Collie, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Spinone Italiano, Standard Schnauzer, Sussex Spaniel, Swedish Lapphund, Tibetan Mastiff, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier, Tosa, Toy Fox Terrier, Treeing Walker Coonhound, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Wetterhoun, Whippet, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon,

I missed several really easy ones there, including some that I got the first time around, and I'm pissed at myself for it. >> I think I'll try again tomorrow. The game isn't perfect ("miniature siberan husky?" seriously? "toy bulldog?" nuh uh, thx) but it's still pretty fun.

Moar:

8/10 here
18/20 here
9/10 here - missed #5, freakin toy breeds >|
24/25 here
25/25 here \o/

More dogs than you ever wanted to see.

2009-06-08T06:28:24Z

Toy Group (I missed most of them... o noez. >>)

Havanese

It's staring straight into your soouuuul. (Chihuahua)

lol, wut (Pomeranian)

Working Group

Great Pyrenees

Samoyed

While showing in the group ring, he decided he was tired and decided to take a nap. :P (Mastiff)

Alaskan Malamute

Siberian Husky

Bernese Mountain Dog

Hound interlude! (Irish Wolfhound)

Tibetan Mastiff (with either the mastiff or bullmastiff behind him)

I AM TIRED AND NOT AMUSED (Great Dane)

Doberman

Black Russian Terrier

Interlude of PURE ADORABLE (Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and Brittany)

Working Group winners, minus the Doberman who was exiting the ring. #1 - Rottweiler (behind the Pyr.) #2 - Great Pyrenees. #3 - Tibetan Mastiff. #4 - Alaskan Malamute, who didn't fit in the picture.

Hound Group

PBGVs are so goddamn cute, seriously.

Whippet!

More whippet!

Greyhound

DELICIOUS COOKIE YOU MUST GIVE IT TO ME (Bloodhound)

More greyhound

Scottish Deerhound

Basset Hound

Borzoi

Irish Wolfhounds could fuck your shit up man, good thing they're so gentle. Imagine something as high-strung as a miniature pinscher being that size... it'd be a bull in a china shop. On crack.

Afghan Hound

Otterhound

Winners were... #1 - Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. #2 - Afghan Hound. #3 - Greyhound. #4 - Otterhound.

Herding Group

Rough Collie

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Belgian Tervuren

Bearded Collie

Border Collie

Australian Shepherd

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

More Cardi!

Winners were... #1 - Old English Sheepdog. #2 - Rough Collie. #3 - Cardigan Welsh Corgi. #4 - Belgian Sheepdog.

Terrier Group

Border Terrier, the only terrier breed I've seriously considered owning.

Because they dance!

And... look totally haughty. "Yes I am indeed ridiculously adorable, feel privileged that I am allowing you to gaze at the wonderous thing that is me."

Smooth Fox Terrier, another one of the cutest terriers IMO.

I strongly prefer a streamlined working APBT over the AmStaff, but as far as AmStaffs go this guy is very pretty. (American Staffordshire Terrier)

West Highland White Terrier

Shadowdog interlude! OOOooooOOOooo (Flat-coated retriever, another one of my favorite breeds. >w>)

I like this picture because, if you moved the handler a bit more to the left, it would look like the guy in back was studying the border terrier pensively. "Hmm, yes, nice scissor bite, moderately defined stop..."

And again! "Yes, I've seen many Skyes in my day and I must say, the topline on this one is fabulous." (Skye Terrier)

Winners were... #1 - West Highland White Terrier. #2 - Airedale Terrier. #3 - Border Terrier. #4 - Scottish Terrier.

Sporting Group

I can't remember if this guy was competing in the group or if his owners were just watching, but he was adorable regardless. (Sussex Spaniel)

HELLO HOW ARE YOU LOOK AT ME I AM VERY CUTE DO YOU SEE HOW CUTE I AM CAN I HAVE THAT LIVER TREAT PLEASE (Brittany)

This is the golden retriever that competed at Westminster this year (won best of breed, and then competed in the Sporting group.)

HEY BUDDY HOW'S IT GOIN' WANT TO BE FRIENDS CUZ I WANT TO BE FRIENDS

What. (Spinone Italiano)

Golden retriever again

German Shorthaired Pointer

This one makes me laugh. "Oh god Mom the sussex got a cookie can I please have a cookie too!!! Not fair!!!" (Sussex Spaniel and American Cocker Spaniel)

GSPs are more dog than I want, but man they're stunning.

This is the rare Serious Brittany. A Serious Brittany may only be spotted when hunting, or when promised a cookie.

Am. Cockers are not dogs, they're walking piles of fur molded into a vaguely dog-like shape.

I was taking a picture of the Chessie I swear, the Brittany just happened to be there too! (Chesapeake Bay Retriever)

Winners were... #1 - Golden Retriever. #2 - Irish Setter. #3 - Welsh Springer Spaniel. #4 - Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Best in Show

Rottweiler

PBGV

Tibetan Terrier (non-sporting group, which I missed completely)

"His sire is Ch. Charosmack Charisma and his dam is a giraffe."

TANGENT WARNING

The Pekingese and the people who show Pekingese piss me off. The Pekingese because it's aesthetically unattractive and is pretty much bred to be a conceited, bratty shit of a dog. The people who show Pekingese because as far as I'm concerned it's cruel to keep a dog in a coat like that. There is absolutely no way that dog can move comfortably, let alone run and play and everything a dog should be able to do. I've seen a few show Pekingese with more moderate cuts and it looks fine - definitely heavy/fluffy but the dog can actually function underneath it. The only reason to keep a Peke in THAT^ coat is for the glamour aspect/higher chance of ribbons/whatever. I love conformation, obviously, but the whole freaking point of it is that you love dogs and want to breed better ones. IMO people who show Pekes love ribbons more than they love their dogs and that's fucking wrong.

...anyway that's a Pekingese. Yup.

Treasure, the Westminster Best of Breed golden

Old English Sheepdog

And the winner waaaas... the sheepdog! Hooray, I guess. I didn't really care who won. What was more important was the fact that

the Spinone and his owner sat next to me, so I got to play with an adorable fuzzy dog for a little while. :D

I didn't watch the groups this time, just watched a few breeds I'm interested in. (I'm not getting a Cardi yet because, the more I read about it, the more I realized how much it would piss my dad off. Like, tendency to be barky, and to herd - not good with a crazy 6 year old in the house. I mean, it wouldn't be an issue, but it'd annoy my dad, like, a lot, if Austin didn't like being "herded". I will have a crazy, stubby little corgi someday, it just can't happen yet.)

This whippet was STUNNING. I wanted to steal him for myself, oh man. I found the website of the breeder that owns him. His page is here.

Bred-By-Exhibitor dogs

This boy was standing next to me before he went into the ring, and he thought that my hands were in my pockets because I was getting treats for him. >w> He kept poking me with his nose.

This little boy was showing his own Skye Terrier. >w< so cute. He was probably about 7.

This picture pretty much summarizes why I love goldens.

The lightest & darkest goldens competing that day.

Treasure, the Westminster golden, again

More color comparison! Lightest on left, darkest in middle, and Treasure on the right is about the average shade for a golden.

Again. I adore that darkest golden. >w> I saw her at the Flatirons show too, but didn't take any pictures that time.

I love the darker goldens. <3

More color comparison. The moderate gold (right) seems to be the most popular here. In the UK, the lighter goldens, like on the left, are preferred. Not sure why... it's my least favorite of the three shades.

My favorite girl again.

Sorry to post so much, but...

2009-06-04T03:33:19Z

One year ago today, I got the silliest, most ridiculous dog in the world.

He wasn't my first choice. There was Cosmo, the kelpie mix in Longmont. He had already been adopted. Then there was Tanner, another Brittany from NBRAN. When I put in an application to the rescue, it was with Tanner in mind. He was adorable, and his bio sounded perfect. I was really disappointed when I got an email saying that he had been adopted during the time it took to process my application. "We have another dog that might work. His name is Draco. Would you be interested in meeting him?"

I wasn't totally convinced - his bio was more focused on his flaws than his virtues. I don't have it saved (I wish it did) but it was only about a paragraph long and a few sentences were about how he liked to eat inedible things like fleece dog beds. But whatever, I was willing to give it a shot, so his foster mom (who happens to be one of the directors for the Skyline Brittany Club) brought him over.

They came in and I sat down on the couch. He hopped up right next to me and about five minutes later I knew that he was mine. :D

And yes, he's eaten plenty of things that are not meant to be eaten. Oh, Rowan.

raaargh, bored

2009-06-03T05:41:53Z

Anyone interested in doing something this week? I don't care what, I just need to get out. D:

nevayeh @ 2009-05-28T19:23:00

2009-05-29T02:38:15Z

5 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Nev

1) I hate centipedes and millipedes. Just seeing a picture of one freaks me out. D:
2) My real name is Kendall. I'm equally cool with being called Kendall or Nev.
3) In addition to my two dogs, I have a cat and two rats - Rosie, Juliet and Claire, respectively.
4) My dream is to have a small house on several acres in Vermont. Colorado is acceptable, too.
5) I have two brothers. One is 26, the other is 6.

Less than one month until I'm 18! I'm excited. Not being a minor anymore won't really make a difference in my life, but it's still kind of cool. Also, Mackenzie will be visiting over my birthday. 8D!! I plan on dragging her to the Aurora meet on the 27th. Oh, such fun times will be had.

The Flatirons Kennel Club show is this weekend. It kind of snuck up on me, so now I'm trying to get my shit together and figure out what day to go, when I need to get there, all of that stuff.

Okay, there are several breeds I want to see/meet/learn about, which is a pain because there are always a few on at the same time. So here's my tentative list:

Australian Shepherd - ring 9 at 10:35 Sat, ring 11 at 9:00 Sun
Bernese Mountain Dog - ring 12 at 9:20 Sat, ring 12 at 10:35 Sun
Border Terrier - ring 5 at 9:55 Sat, ring 4 at 9:00 Sun
Borzoi - ring 6 at 11:05 Sat, ring 6 at 12:05 Sun
Cardigan Welsh Corgi - ring 10 at 8:00 Sat, ring 5 at 2:40 Sun
Doberman - ring 11 at 10:50 Sat, ring 12 at 12:25 Sun
English Springer Spaniel - ring 8 at 12:35 Sat, ring 8 at 10:20 Sun
English Cocker Spaniel - ring 8 at 8:00 Sat, ring 8 at 10:20 Sun
Field Spaniel - ring 7 at 12:15 Sat, ring 7 at 11:10 Sun
Flat-coated Retriever - ring 7 at 8:00, ring 2 at 9:05 Sun
Fox Terrier (Smooth) - ring 5 at 9:55 Sat, ring 4 at 9:00 Sun
Golden Retriever - ring 7 at 12:15 Sat, ring 7 at 11:10 Sun
Greyhound - ring 6 at 12:50 Sat, ring 6 at 12:50 Sun
Ibizan Hound - ring 6 at 12:50 Sat, ring 6 at 12:50 Sun
Papillon - ring 2 at 9:15 Sat, ring 5 at 9:50 Sun
Shetland Sheepdog - ring 10 at 11:25 Sat, ring 11 at 11:35 Sun
Welsh Springer Spaniel - ring 8 at 11:00 Sat, ring 8 at 9:00 Sun
Whippet - ring 6 at 8:00 Sat, ring 6 at 10:10 Sun

Fffff. Okay, priority for the border terrier, Cardigan, ESS, SFT, golden, Ibizan, and whippet. Cardi & whippet would be a pain in the ass to get to on Saturday because it's in Longmont (ugh), so I guess I'll be going on Sunday. SFT is probably the least important of the bunch, but I'd really like to meet the border terriers because they're cool little dogs. Maybe I'll plan on getting there at 10 and hope for the best. You can usually find some breeds walking around even after they've been judged. Ugh, that means getting up early after staying up late at AuroraFurs. I guess I can leave early and be a bit short on sleep.

If anyone wants to meet me there later in the day, let me know. :3 Somehow I doubt anyone else wants to drag themselves all the way out to Longmont that early in the morning. The schedule is here if anyone is interested.

Texas

2009-05-27T03:49:16Z

fuuuck. One day is all it takes to remind me why I was so desperate to leave in the first place. We hit Oklahoma and - surprise! - 64% humidity. All the way to Texas. I was not made for the heat, especially not heat with humidity. ): Then the first night there (Saturday) sucked, because I was supposed to see Mackenzie but found out after arriving that she unexpectedly had to go to a different city to visit family that night.

Saturday was, um, wow. We went and had lunch with some friends. I tried fried alligator, and it was ~~delicious~~ okay. It actually does taste a lot like chicken, but kind of, I dunno, dry in comparison. Not bad, but not something I'd go out of my way for, as I'm not crazy about chicken to begin with.

I went over to Mackenzie's at about 3 and we talked for a bit and then went to Stonebriar, a mall in Plano. It was awesome. :D I texted Trin while there to wish her happy birthday and mentioned where I was, and she said hey, I was thinking about going to Stonebriar, and now I have incentive, be there soon! I've only met her once IRL, also with Mackenzie there actually, so we went into a weird little toy store while we waited. Eventually we started looking at items next to the cash register and the girl behind the cash register asked if we wanted jobs, which turned into a conversation. We left and I got another text from Trin asking where we were, so I told her just leaving (whatever the place was called.) "Was the cashier an indie-looking chick with black hair?" "Uh, yeah." "Yeah, that's Slater, good friend of mine." Small world! Well, not really, I guess, since Trin does live in Plano and all...

We went over to B&N to meet Trin and then she texted me saying that she was over at the toy store and we must've crossed paths. >>; Eventually we met up, talked for a bit, looked at books, and then Mackenzie and Trin started talking about work. Mackenzie mentioned that she worked at the movie theater and Trin said oh, yeah, I was just hired at one... which theater? Same one. Mackenzie just quit but they talked about the employees there and shit. I totally forgot - Trin had told me about her interview (and then getting hired), and I knew Mackenzie worked there, I just didn't put the two together. Mackenzie told her to avoid this one girl who has been our ~arch enemy~ since 7th grade, and apparently Trin has heard rumors about her being, you know, a bitch. Which we confirmed. It's so weird to know that Trin, who I met online (at SoA, in fact), has heard rumors about one of the few people in the world I can't stand.

Uhhh, let's see. Later that evening we went over to Mackenzie's boyfriend's house to borrow Fable II, because Fable used to be my favorite game but I have no XBox. He wasn't there so his mom got it for us, and when we opened the door to leave, a bird flew in. It was a little gray bird, not sure what kind, and it took about 15 minutes to catch it. The only reason we did catch it was because it flew into the fan and died. :/ Poor little guy.

We spent the rest of the night being dumbasses in lieu of really playing Fable II. I haven't laughed so hard, for so long, in a long time. Probably since I last saw Mackenzie, idk. I finally went home at 5 AM and went to bed, and the only reason for that was that we were so physically tired from laughing so hard that we couldn't do it any longer.

In other news, I found some American show-line GSDs that I actually like. Amazing! Keystone German Shepherds breeds pretty moderate dogs with back ends that are actually normal. The stack pictures - the dog's hocks aren't actually touching the ground. The leg is stretched forward, but they aren't built to do that... if that makes sense.

rrrgh

2009-05-21T10:38:34Z

I have an interview tomorrow(/today) at noon. It is 4:39 and I am not the least bit sleepy.

):

Memorial Day weekend and GSDs

2009-05-17T07:47:57Z

One week from now, I'll be in Carrollton, TX. Yay! Sort of. I actually can't stand Texas. I like cold weather - I do not do well in the heat. Bad combination for living in Texas. My best friend still lives there, though, so I'll get to spend the weekend with her. 8D I'm so excited. I think the last time I saw her was... August? September? Somewhere around there. My mom and are are driving down to ship the rest of her stuff up here.

Laken and I briefly talked shepherd earlier and it piqued my interest again (clearly Laken's fault, not my obsession with learning about dogs, nuh uh.) I'm in no position to have a GSD now, and have my heart set on a Cardi anyway, but I think GSDs are fascinating, and with all of the different bloodlines/types there's practically endless information about them.

I poked through my list of breeders that I have bookmarked and found a GSD breeder who has dogs that I absolutely adore. IMO, the dogs at Wildhaus Kennels are examples of the ideal GSD, structurally at least. They're soundly built and typey, clearly GSDs without the form being exaggerated. I'm looking at Kaiser in particular - his head is masculine and he has a strong frame while still athletic and able to, you know, work instead of just stand around and look pretty. All of the dogs are health tested and titled, several multi-titled. I prefer red and black over sable, but that's a personal preference - their dogs kick ass.

I'm a big, big proponent of showing dogs - you cannot objectively evaluate the conformation of a dog that you own because you own it. You're biased toward the dog for personal reasons. Conformation showing exists to evaluate the quality of the dog against other dogs. Unfortunately, some breeders are fucking stupid and are ruining their own breeds, and the GSD is a great example of that.

This dog won best of breed at Westminster. Not only does it not look anything like a proper male GSD, it's built more like a Malinois than anything. A female Malinois. That muzzle is way too narrow/pointy. Compare it to one of the dogs from the link above - there's a world of difference. I won't mention the slope of the back, because as far as American showline GSDs go, that slope is pretty mild.

holy fucking shit batman

That has a lot to do with the stack. When I was at the GSD show earlier this month, I watched the dogs standing around, and they had pretty normal backs. A bit slanted but not drastic or anything. I started to wonder if maybe it was all in the stack - if the dogs were built normally, just contorted to pose in the ring.

Hahaha, no. As soon as the dogs started moving, it was obvious that they were, well, messed up. The hindquarters drop nearly as low as the pictures above when they move, especially in a trot/run (although I'm half-convinced that they physically cannot run, only go at a fast trot.) It was sad.

Not mention the temperament of the dogs at the show! The GSD is a bold, outgoing, fearless dog. They exude confidence. You approach one and it should have the demeanor of "Who are you and what do you want? Are you good or bad? LET ME INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION FURTHER." You come at it with a big stick, they come at you with big teeth. There was one particular dog at the show that was using fearful body language the whole time. Her ears were back, her tail tucked, her entire body held low, even when she was just standing at her owner's side and no one else was nearby. That's horrifying, given that the purpose of a conformation show is to evaluate whether or not the dog is worth breeding. That dog was intact. She could pass on those nervous, flightly genes to her pups - and probably will someday, as long as she ~*~wins lots of ribbons for her beautiful hip dysplasia~*~

GSDs are an extreme example of the conformation ring ruining a breed, but there are definitely others out there. The bulldog (oh god, I won't get started on the bulldog, the lengthy post I made on the dogblog is enough) is in even worse shape than the GSD, and unlike the GSD they only come in one line: fucked up. Show labs are all obese because apparently that's the "in" thing in the lab show ring, despite the fact that they're working dogs created for a day in the field. Border collies should have never been recognized by the AKC because they're strictly working dogs, and now the most intense, hard working herding dog out there is being bred just to be a pretty face with no regard to actual working ability. Show beagles couldn't track down and pursue quarry if their life depended on it. And how many terrier breeders actually have their dogs go to ground?

I think conformation shows are a valuable tool and I definitely plan on showing my corgi, because someday I'd like to breed. I also plan on doing flyball, agility, obedience, and (hopefully) herding with the dog. If he did well in the ring but sucked at anything that actually made him think, I'd get him neutered in the blink of an eye. Breeding strictly for appearance kills what makes a breed a breed. A breed is the whole package - appearance, temperament, heritage. Not just one.

...this entry was really just supposed to be about shepherds. Damn, this is why you don't let Nev start talking about dogs.

To get back on subject, here are more breeders I rather like:
http://www.vomlinmarc.com/
http://www.vomholtzberg.com/
http://www.rokanhaus.com/
http://www.deancalderon.com/index.htm
http://www.vongrunheideshepherds.com/ (minus the stacked picture of Blue - WTF)
http://www.vondenhoehenluft.com/ (whoa, I LOVE these dogs)

Someday, when I have my little house on a few acres of land, I will have a GSD.

*steps off of soapbox* I'll be good now.

Going out with a bang

2009-05-15T01:55:59Z

Or a faceplant. That's just as good, right?

Last night was the last foundation flyball class. It was fun, and then I tripped. Onto my face. It was still fun, though.

I'm so frustrated about the lack-of-job thing. ): I'm starting to get bored, and it would be nice to have a source of income again, especially with RMFC coming up. The dog daycare I emailed said that they had an overwhelming number of applicants already, so that's out. I applied at King Soopers, although I'd really, really rather continue working with dogs (or at least animals in general). Just over a month until I can apply at Petco and other places like Barnes & Noble. @-@ I can't wait. Maybe my luck will be better then.

I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to hear back from the Cardigan breeder! I did get an email from her confirming that she received the questionnaire I filled out, but she said she's been busy with work and will reply as soon as she has time. I'm just excited to have finally heard back from someone. <3 I also spoke briefly to a Cardigan owner who lives somewhere in Colorado (I want to say in Elizabeth but I'm not sure) who will hopefully be at one of the Greeley shows this summer. It would be nice to be able to finally interact with some Cardis.

Whoo

2009-05-09T05:55:46Z

Bankai Babe (12:33:18 PM):	Goddamn
Bankai Babe (12:33:22 PM):	I'n only like
Bankai Babe (12:33:28 PM):	A hundred pages into this bloody fic.
Asoenix v2 (12:33:37 PM):	Hahaha
Asoenix v2 (12:33:44 PM):	And you criticize me for pokemon cards
Bankai Babe (12:33:49 PM):	HEY
Bankai Babe (12:33:54 PM):	THIS IS QUALITY LITERATURE
Bankai Babe (12:34:00 PM):	The girl's a published author.
Bankai Babe (12:34:02 PM):	Very popular.
Bankai Babe (12:34:05 PM):	Writes well.
Bankai Babe (12:34:13 PM):	Fun characterizations, I must say.
Asoenix v2 (12:34:15 PM):	yugioh fanfiction
Bankai Babe (12:34:23 PM):	IT IS NOT YUGIOH.
Asoenix v2 (12:34:29 PM):	sorry
Asoenix v2 (12:34:31 PM):	dbz fanfic
Bankai Babe (12:34:34 PM):	IT IS NOT DBZ.
Asoenix v2 (12:34:38 PM):	IT IS ONE OR THE OTHER
Asoenix v2 (12:34:42 PM):	THERE IS NO OTHER KIND OF FANFIC
Bankai Babe (12:34:43 PM):	IT IS NOT.
Bankai Babe (12:34:52 PM):	IT'S HARRY POTTER, YOU BLOODY WHORE.
Asoenix v2 (12:35:14 PM):	sirius x buckbeak
Bankai Babe (12:35:48 PM):	I wish I could hate you to death.
Asoenix v2 (12:35:53 PM):	hagrid x sorting hat
Asoenix v2 (12:35:56 PM):	ron x giant squid
Bankai Babe (12:36:08 PM):	I thought it was Dumbledore x Giant Squid
Asoenix v2 (12:36:18 PM):	SEE, YOU KNOW IT BETTER THAN I DO
Bankai Babe (12:36:21 PM):	FUCK
Bankai Babe (12:36:26 PM):	HOW DID I WALK INTO THAT ONE

I love Trin.

Also, is anyone interested in going whitewater rafting and/or camping this summer?

fyi: the Foxkeh theme for Firefox is the cutest freaking theme ever. The fox runs when the page is loading! >w>

So

2009-04-28T06:53:02Z

Guess who just put in an application for a Cardigan?

8D

So bored.

2009-04-27T02:40:06Z

Last week was great. I was out and doing something just about every day. Now I have nothing to do until Wednesday and am dying of boredom. I'll take Rowan out tomorrow, I guess, assuming the weather is nice. I should probably keep looking for a job, but I'm pessimistic and pretty sure it won't do any good until June. It's hard to find places that are hiring, let alone anywhere that considers people under 18.

I should start looking into taking a class or two at the community college. Business, probably - ultimately I'd like to open up my own dog boutique/supply store.

Anyone want to hang out this week? I don't care what we do, I just want to get out of the house. :P

God help me.

2009-04-23T07:06:56Z

I love flyball already - and I'm seriously considering going with the Cardigan Welsh Corgi instead of the clumber so that all of my dogs can compete. Clumbers aren't exactly... agile enough.

Cardigans would be kickass height dogs, and they have the drive...

Ack! Bad Nev! Bad! As if I haven't flipflopped enough on breeds! But I'd still get clumbers, just... after I get corgis...

Oh man, this is bad. I'll definitely wait until the foundation classes end to decide, probably until after Rowan and I take a few regular flyballs lessons, but...

I'm screwed.

One tired dog.

2009-04-22T06:05:47Z

Not me, really, but Rowan is. We had fun at the park. <3 Kaylee is adorable and Kolonel is... well, a lab. Big, silly and slobbery. It was fun hanging out with people outside the meets, too. :P I need to do that more! I'm still quiet, but getting there. Sort of. Eventually. Actually, my best friend should be coming to visit in June, and I plan on dragging her to a meet with me. She's not a furry, but isn't bothered - well, as long as I never say "hey, I love gay furry penis!", as she put it. I can safely say that I am in no way inclined to do so, so it's all good!

Flyball class starts tomorrow! I'm going to be able to buy Rowan a new tug toy after all, so I think we'll go to Petco tomorrow and pick up a rope toy or something. It will be flyball-class-only, because he likes to tear rope toys apart and eat them, but he loves them so it'll suit the purpose just fine.

I didn't make cookies today. I decided to make them and bring them on Saturday instead. 8D

We took my car into the shop on Sunday to repair the damage done by the guy who rear ended me a few months ago. Apparently, it's already done! This is good news, because I love my car and I miss it.

I'm frustrated with puppy applications. :/ I never heard back from the collie breeder (which ended up being a good thing, but still) and I haven't heard anything from the clumber breeder, either. Granted, it hasn't been that long since I sent the app - but still, it'd be nice to hear something, especially because I'm not sure if the email was correct or not. I think I'm going to fill one out for Avalea Clumbers. Their dog, Waves, is my idea of the perfect clumber. Not too wrinkly/jowly but enough to be different from the other spaniels, really vivid (Rowan-like) markings, coated but not profusely so...

Man, I want a clumber. But I won't be getting one until after Lucky's gone, and so I always feel guilty for being excited about my future clumber because it feels kind of like being excited about Lucky dying, in a roundabout way. I dunno. It sucks.

wheeee

2009-04-21T02:52:34Z

I've been in an unusually good mood the past few days. I'm not sure why.

Going to the dog park with Salem, Strill and Kaylee tomorrow! I'm so excited. >w< I'm hoping that Rowan and Kaylee get along well. It would be so nice for him to have a friend. I think I'm going to bake some cookies to bring along, because I haven't baked anything in a while (not counting failed cupcakes a few days ago), but I need to find a recipe first. Hmm. My cookie book is at my mom's house so hopefully I'll find something good online. And easy. I'd love to make the mint chocolate/white chocolate striped cookies again but it's so much work and frankly I'm just feeling too lazy.

The failed cupcakes were kind of embarassing. It was a box mix, not made from scratch or anything. I think I worked the batter too much or something because they didn't rise - which absolutely sucks because I made, for the first time ever, a good scratch frosting! Hmm... maybe I'll make sugar cookies or something and another batch of that frosting. I wonder if I could convert it to vanilla buttercream instead of chocolate? Chocolate would be fine too, but I like vanilla/vanilla... I've never really altered a recipe, though. I guess I could test it tonight. If it works, it'll keep until tomorrow, and if not, I can make the chocolate version tomorrow, with the cookies. Hmmmm. Decisions! It also might be kind of a pain to transport frosted cookies. I'll have to think about this.

I've been more interested in drawing lately. It better keep up. I hate art slumps. ):

Ooh, maybe I'll make chocolate cookies instead. Like sugar, but, you know, chocolate. Then I could still use the chocolate buttercream.

fff

2009-04-17T00:41:00Z

I hate to be that girl, but it would be nice to be... not... single, for once. :< Both of my best friends have been with their boyfriends for over a year now and I have no one. Still. Ever. Apparently confidence is sexy, but that's just not me. I rarely get down on myself like this, but I'm still the shy, introverted girl who doesn't say much. Seems like a pretty bleak outlook.

feels good man

2009-04-14T02:19:02Z

No, seriously, I am all caught up at SoA. 100%. Completely. YES. To celebrate, I'm... creating even more work for myself! But it's worth it, totally worth it. I'm holding a free giveaway for the Aali'makabila here and it would be really kick ass if anyone reading this entered. 8D Not that I'm, you know, biased or anything - but the Aali'makabila is awesome. Lions who live in mountains, hold rituals and festivals, and are extremely racist toward non-lion species? Come on!

I'll be coloring a few characters for a Kucha'ujamaa event tonight, too. It's a pride/group of all species (lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs and hyenas) based on the Dark Brotherhood from Oblivion. I'll add a link here once it's open. If you want to read about the Dark Brotherhood, look here. tldr; assassins o my!

I never thought I'd do this, but I started a blog. Like a blog blog, not a journal. It's about... well, take a guess. If you're wrong, then apparently you don't know anything about me.

It's about dogs! YEAAAH DOGS. I figured, instead of spamming up my journal with my dog obsession, I'd create a blog for ranting and what not. It's at least somewhat inspired by Fugly Horse of the Day, that is, it's mostly about dog-related issues and stuff rather than my own dogs. That stuff will still be here. (Oh boy!)

If anyone is interested, it's here. It's kind of ugly right now, but I'm not good with layouts, so it's going to take me a while to make it pretty. Oh well!

shit.

2009-04-11T08:08:01Z

I just accidentally clicked out of the page and deleted the whole damn entry I had typed.

Long story short - forgot about a concert tonight, therefore no dog show tomorrow because I'm up too late. Torn between collies and clumber spaniels, letting my dad pick since he has to live with it for at least a year. Collie breeder is here, clumber breeder is here. Very pissed at myself for deleting a really long entry.

Edit: bacon makes everything better <3

Whoa!

2009-04-10T00:49:07Z

There's a dog show in Brighton on Saturday & Sunday. I had no idea. o-o I knew there was something going on tomorrow, but I'm going to be busy and unable to go. But for Saturday and Sunday - well, assuming we don't do anything for Easter - I'm totally free. Yaaay. 8D

Personal schedule (so that I don't lose it, as I so often do):

SATURDAY
Rally - 11:00 (AM) - Ring 12
Obedience - 11:30 (AM) - Ring 15
Samoyed - 12:30 - Ring 6
Collie (rough) - 12:35 - Ring 11
Clumber Spaniel - 12:45 - Ring 5
Brittany - 12:45 - Ring 7
Welsh Springer Spaniel - 12:45 - Ring 7
Alaskan Malamute - 12:55 - Ring 10
Cardigan Welsh Corgi - 1:50 - Ring 7

SUNDAY
Collie (rough & smooth) - 12:30 - Ring 11
Australian Shepherd - 12:40 - Ring 8
Newfoundland - 12:40 - Ring 10
Siberian Husky - 12:40 - Ring 10
Clumber Spaniel - 1:05 - Ring 6
Cardigan Welsh Corgi - 1:10 - Ring 1

Anyone want to go with? :D Here's the schedule... I don't particularly want to be there at 8:30, but I'm cool with getting there at around 10 or so.

http://www.onofrio.com/jp/TERR1JP.pdf

edit: Looks like we do have plans for Sunday, but Saturday is still a go~

This freaking snow

2009-04-06T05:47:46Z

needs to stop. ): I'm ready for spring, and then... well, not summer, I don't really like summer, but then autumn. I'm tired of winter! On the bright side, it seems to be granting me super powers. That is, super-cold-resisting-powers. I went to King Soopers earlier this evening, at around 8, and it was snowing. I went in jeans and a t-shirt, no jacket or anything, and was fine. Perhaps it's from living in Texas and wishing for the cold for so long!

):

2009-04-04T05:35:42Z

My teeth hurt. My gums and cheeks hurt.

728 more days of this? Awesome.

(Yeah, I know it'll get better, but it's hard to think about that when it hurts so much right now. Feh.)

I bought Pokemon Platinum today. <3 I just can't resist new pokemanz. I might stay home tomorrow night and play Pokemon and Oblivion while eating ice cream, watching South Park and feeling sorry for myself. That's my kind of night.

Actually it's more that I don't want to be in pain at the furmeet - better to do that in the comfort of home. I want to go, but it's probably not a good idea. ): Blah.

I'm doing more dog research. I love goldens, want to own them someday, but 1) I never heard back from the person coordinating the agility event I offered to help at, OR from the lady that was supposed to send me joining info for the local club and 2) they're too fucking hard to get into, conformation-wise. There's a LOT of competition. I don't think it'd be good for a beginner like myself.

Back to the drawing board, I guess. :c I love flat-coats and they're much less common, therefore easier to start in, but... they have serious cancer issues. It isn't shocking to hear of a 5-7 year old dog dying of cancer. That's exactly what put me off of the Bernese Mountain Dog, so I'll probably stay away from the FCR as well. Sigh.

Emo alert!

2009-04-02T03:31:47Z

Waaah I get braces tomorrow oh nooooo.

Also, crushes suck. ):