Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!

Julie: can't you see he's stuck? Do something already! You're the one with opposable thumbs!!!

Ugh...

If I had wanted a loose-joweled dog, I would have bought a Mastiff or a Bloodhound...

Julie looks like she just robbed some poor squirrel of it's winter stash. This is allergic reaction number three to ????? in the last six months. First one was a yellow jacket. I was able to see it sting her because it stung me first and I inadvertently flung it on her. Fortunately, as I sit here with her, I can see the effects of the Benadryl we just administered. The swelling's going down and she's getting very, very sleepy. We'll check her again in a couple hours and she should be fine in the morning. Don't worry too much. Her breathing and appetite are both fine!


There's something lurking here in the air. Something that is.....that is just not right. More to come.....

Tales From the Tail

Stack: Is my nose really that big?

Julie: They say if your paw is the same size as your nose it means you're exceptionally smart and highly intellectual. Hold it up and I'll show you...

Stack: Oh boy, Ok.

*THWACK*

Money Shot

EDWARDS POINT - CUMBERLAND TRAIL

Stowe and Maria recently asked me about the main picture on my blog. I completely agree with them that it's a great picture. But, what makes it great to me is you can't drive up, point-click-shoot, then get back in the car. Depending on the direction you take it's a minimum six mile round trip hike, and the only flat ground is where you left your car. I took this picture while on a winter hike with my friends, Mike and Cooper.

This little slice of the world is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and is part of the Cumberland Trail. This past Spring, Jennifer and I went back there again. Jennifer wrote about our trip and included some of the pictures we took. On her post the first picture on the right is Edwards Point (uppermost rock formation) as it is seen from Signal Point. I personally love this trail and it's on my short list for my next overnight trip. The terrain can be classified as moderate to challenging. During the Spring hike, I wanted to push and make it to Edwards Point to recreate the picture. However, after the second suspension bridge, Jennifer decided that was enough for her dogs.

MIDDLE CREEK BRIDGE

I don't blame her one bit. Travis was on the cusp of his second MACH title and Reagan is the up and comer with lots of potential. The terrain is rocky and steep in a lot of places. Recent rainfall had also made the bridges rather slick. I think I enjoy hiking with my dogs more than anything else. The girls (Allie and Julie) seem to really enjoy it and can be rather ornery if we haven't gotten out in a couple days. Our trips are much shorter now as flare-ups from old coursing injuries make it impractical to attempt anything farther. I'd say that's my regret with coursing. I find myself tempering my desire for hiking everywhere with the dogs to cherry picking short, easy trips so they can come along, too.

The history behind this area is interesting as well. The "points" along the Tennessee River were used by Union forces to signal messages back and forth from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Bridgeport, Alabama. Earlier than that, Native Americans used these advantageous points to pick off settlers floating down the Tennessee.

Stand By Your Man

LISTEN UP!

I think I need to be the one to clear the air about my brother. You see, between Dad and I, we have invested the most time in trying to understand Stacker. First, let me say that Riley has it all wrong, I am NOT stuck in an abusive relationship. What would a teenager know about this? She wasn't even born when the one and only "incident" occurred.

I honestly believe that Stacker is bipolar. He's talked often about these headaches that he has and how he blacks out. Well, I've been keeping track of these blackouts and they coincide very closely with moments where his "darker" psyche steps out. His first incident with me was right before a thunderstorm. Did I mention he's FREAKED OUT (yeah, those ears are his trademark!) by thunderstorms? We were at Dad's old apartment getting our walk in before the rain came. There was an enormous clap of thunder that echoed perfectly through the complex. I was admiring it when out of nowhere a set of canines descended upon my head. OUCH! Fortunately, there was a little bite inhibition there. No scars. All was well. That was the only time Stacker has crossed the line with me. But, that moment opened my eyes to the fact that he may not know what he's doing when he acts out. I've seen it all. He's pretty bad when there's any kind of movement. Lure coursing was the worst! Dad had to muzzle him from the truck to the start. He had no problem on course, but get within five feet of him pre-course and watch out!! Stacker has mellowed a little as he's gotten older, but I know that evil lurks within. You can see it in his eyes, whether he knows it's there or not.

EVIL EYE GLOW

LOTS OF EVIL HERE - BOTH EYES GLOWING, AND MAKING ONE OF MINE GLOW THROUGH OSMOSIS...

Stacker doesn't know he's done anything wrong so please have compassion for the poor man, for he knows not what he does. He's a troubled soul. I feel pity for him and try to comfort him whenever I can. If he had known he ran right in front of Peanut he would feel HORRIBLE. So, on behalf of Stacker, I apologize to Peanut. Dad also wants me to let everyone know that he's going to update you on Stacker soon (even though mom kinda scooped the story!) and detail his progress. That's all for now!

No Passing Sones - Julie

No, no, it's not Stones. She wasn't named by someone with a fear of kidney ailments...

Julie came home with me the same day as Stacker. They were having a two for one sale ;-) She is probably my clingiest dog. She's usually at my side (or anyone else's for that matter) soliciting (demanding) an ear scratch.

She's also my zoomiest dog. I've worked with all my dogs and they have good recalls. We enjoy hiking on a private piece of property nearby. The trails are rather closed in on either side with overgrown bushes, trees, etc. We were hiking one day and came down to a clearing by the lake. Julie started doing laps around us, getting farther and farther out. Well, the real estate ran out and she went flying off the bank and into the creek! I'd like to point out that this location is the exception to the rule. In unfamiliar areas they stay on lead with me.

She really is a crazy dog sometimes. The apartment where I used to live in Atlanta had it's own driveway and garage. I drove a full-size truck at the time so it stayed in the driveway. It did fit in the garage, but I had to make sure I had enough clean laundry because it blocked the laundry room (and pretty much everything else). I would always back up to the garage so I could load the dogs when it was time to go out. I customized it specifically for them, adding a camper shell and carpeted bedliner. I took out the back glass and sealed the cab with the bed so I could heat and cool the back and keep them comfortable. I also built shelves and elevated the floor so I could haul everything I needed with me without hoisting it onto the roof.

So, I would call up to Julie and Stacker to have them come down the stairs, through the garage and into the back of the truck. Julie became so programmed that she didn't think through the process anymore. She took two steps through the garage and jumped into the truck. Well, one day I had pulled into the driveway instead of backing into it. I figured the dogs would follow me to the back of the truck and then jump in. Well, remember Julie's programming? She took two steps, jumped, freaked, then jumped again. End result? Greyhound on roof.

St. Louis, MO - 2003 - Photograph by Ken Standerford

Cartersville, GA - 2006 - Photograph by Shot On Site

I tried her at lure coursing and she did very well. However, during a run in St. Louis, Missouri, she hyper extended her front leg during a turn causing some soft tissue damage. That was over 5 years ago. That injury still turns up in the form of a limp if she's hiking for long periods or races around the yard for a long time.

Julie & Allie in the Narrows of Green River Gorge, NC - 2007

I like hiking with her because she doesn't get far away on our local hikes and she's generally easy to keep with me. However, with her recurring limp, I have to make sure the hikes aren't too long for her.

Signal Point, Chattanooga, TN - 2008

I've learned a lot from her and, because of that (and Jen-thanks hon!), it will only make me more successful with those that follow in her steps. If it weren't for Julie (and Stacker) I wouldn't be where I am now. Adopting these two introduced to me to the great people in the Southeastern Greyhound Club (SEGC). I ended up marrying one of those people and I couldn't be happier. I honestly can say that my life changed completely because of these dogs.