Westley the Spinone Dog

Squirrel woof woof woof

2012-01-13T18:06:00.001-07:00

Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! I got a dead squirrel! Woof! Woof! Woof! Today Russell and I had a squirrel trapped in one of our aspen trees by the back fence. Then our lady, tired of our incessant barking, came to drag us into the house. While she tried to catch Russell, who usually follows requests like that better than I do, I slipped behind the pottery studio.

Then, I pranced around to the grass to show my lady with a previously dead squirrel in my mouth. Yum! My lady was impressed by how strong and yet how soft my bite was. She had to use a broomstick wedged into the back of my mouth to softly pry my jaw open, and she was impressed when the squirrel fell out of my mouth that I hadn't broken or even dented the skin while holding it.

I was sad to lose the squirrel, but those 10 minutes were heavenly! And I got a tasty duck snack in trade for the gamey squirrel. Woof!

Reading night at the library

2012-01-10T20:57:00.000-07:00

This is me at Centennial Library waiting for another kid to read a book to me. Woof.

Russell nears sleep

2012-01-08T09:29:00.001-07:00

Nothing's cozier on a winter's day than a cardigan babushka and an armpit scratch.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T23:30:00.001-07:00

Russell rings the bell to go out

2011-12-07T16:17:00.001-07:00

Centennial Paws to Read

2011-11-14T19:57:00.001-07:00

Just got back from my evening at the Centennial Library Paws to Read event. Several young'uns read to me, and it was very fun evening. Now I shall sleep.

My Halloween costume: I'm a Yorkie!

2011-10-31T17:17:00.000-06:00

Spinone vs. Shark

2011-10-30T11:08:00.001-06:00

First snow of the season

2011-10-26T06:43:00.000-06:00

Isn't it awesome? Woof!

In which we get chased by Scottie puppies

2011-10-02T08:11:00.000-06:00

Paws to Read at Farr

2011-09-23T07:36:00.004-06:00

This is me and Moby the Newfie and Moby's Super Nice Lady With The Most Excellent Treats and my lady with the generally pretty good treats going in to Farr Library to let kids read to us. And below, that's me being read to last night. Fun. Woof!

Paws to Read at Centennial

2011-09-13T07:25:00.006-06:00

Here are a couple of photos of me in action last night at Paws to Read at Centennial Library. I like when kids read to me. Woof! Woof! Woof!

If I bark enough, maybe the pears will jump off the tree

2011-09-07T20:28:00.001-06:00

I spent a lot of time today barking at the pear tree. Like an hour. None fell off.

Russell and Bella play

2011-08-06T14:03:00.001-06:00

Meet Bella Spinone

2011-08-06T11:10:00.002-06:00

New neighbor Bella Spinone came to play. Bella is my grandniece, Russell's niece, and the dog daughter of our good spinone friend Gunnison, who has been a frequent visitor to my yard and blog. Eight-month old Bella lives nearby and we had a good time playing. Woof!

Library Day

2011-07-27T12:00:00.000-06:00

My first offical reading therapy dog visit to the great Farr Library. I met some girls. They read to me. I gave them my book marks. It was quite fun. I'll try to remember to take my camera next time...

Spinone vs. Pear, Part 1

2011-07-16T12:37:00.002-06:00

In which I work to knock a pear off the tree, but Russell grabs it before I do. Which leads to Part 2, below.

Spinone vs. Pear, Part 2

2011-07-16T12:35:00.002-06:00

...in which Russell plays with the pear I knocked down, so I have to go get another. And I get two for my effort.

Library Day

2011-07-13T21:19:00.002-06:00

Moby the newfie and I went to the library today and let the kids read to us again. One tiny prereader told me a really great story. And another young reader rubbed my belly. Good times. Woof!

New toy

2011-07-08T21:32:00.000-06:00

Sharing is hard.

Done with training

2011-06-30T13:41:00.001-06:00

Today I went again to the old folks home and visited the people, and I passed my final tests and did my final training. It looks for sure like I'm going to become a reading therapy dog. Woof! Woof!

Going to the library

2011-06-29T16:38:00.000-06:00

Today I went to the Farr Library and did the reading dog thing. I had a really fun time. It's going to be great to be a reading dog.

Happy Birthday Russell!

2011-06-24T21:06:00.001-06:00

Today is Russell's birthday. My puppy was born two years ago today. Happy birthday pup.

Do you like my bandana?

2011-06-15T17:39:00.008-06:00

Check out my new "Therapy Dog in Training" bandana! Woof! Woof! Woof!

To the nursing home

2011-06-15T15:06:00.000-06:00

Just got back from the nursing home, where I went to meet my therapy dog teacher Miss Karissa. It was me and my pal Moby the Newfoundland and our people. We banged around among older folks and their various walkers and hardware. It was OK!

To the mall

2011-06-07T15:44:00.001-06:00

I've just returned from the Greeley Mall, where I got to mingle with the people, and show off to Miss Carissa, who'll check me out to become a reading therapy dog.

Reading to me

2011-06-03T22:29:00.001-06:00

Here one of my new reading buddies, reading to me from a Dick and Jane book. I was pretty intersted in the dog Spot, but when she got to the part about the kitty Puff, (as you can see below), I lost interest.

Shopping

2011-06-01T19:28:00.000-06:00

My lady and my friend Mrs. Carver took me and Moby the Newfoundland shopping at Jax today. When they weren't looking, I ate snacks from the low bins.

Wheeeeee! Crime spreeee!

Amigo and Patches

2011-05-29T12:26:00.001-06:00

Amigo and Patches have come to play for a week or two. Welcome, fake dog cousins. Or are they my doggie aunt and uncle?

Happy Birthday to me

2011-05-21T10:26:00.000-06:00

It's my birthday. And no one noticed this time. I'm getting old. I'm seven now. Sigh.

My next quest

2011-05-20T20:59:00.002-06:00

My lady has signed me up for my first test to become some sort of certified reading dog. I'll let you know what it is and how it goes when she tells me more.

Russell isn't that tall

2011-05-07T13:51:00.002-06:00

Russell isn't really that much taller than me... it just looks like it for some reason.

Squirrels!

2011-04-29T13:48:00.000-06:00

With springs flowers and leafy trees comes the squirrells. It's driving Russell nuts, but I don't mind helping with the barking.

Bella!

2011-04-14T18:54:00.000-06:00

We went for a walk today and met a new neighborhood spinone named Bella. We walked with Bella and her lady for a while. It was fun. I liked Bella.

Waiting and watching

2011-03-27T09:01:00.001-06:00

That's Gunnison, Russell and I watching out the front window. Something's going to happen. We can sense it.

Breakfast at the OK-9 Corral

2011-03-27T08:57:00.002-06:00

Having breakfast last week, from left, Rosie, Me, Russell (in back) and Gunnison (front).

Gunnison has come to play again

2011-03-21T19:14:00.002-06:00

Hurrah! Our friend Gunnison has come for a visit. Photos soon!

Too cold

2011-02-02T18:24:00.002-07:00

We're bored. It's too cold to go outside, and it's too boring to say inside. All Russell and I can go is get in the way of the lady who lives here. And go in and go out. Sigh.

I've got a snowy white smile

2011-01-11T18:54:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T20:03:00.000-07:00

Russell and Gunnison, a photo series

2010-12-03T07:34:00.004-07:00

"My feet ARE on the floor."

2010-12-01T19:26:00.001-07:00

Gunnison tries to stay off the bed.

Russell offers his Scrabble advice

2010-11-30T07:13:00.000-07:00

Brothers on Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

Gunnison and Russell on Thanksgiving.

Studying up on my Scrabble words

2010-10-26T19:03:00.001-06:00

While Gunnison and Russell chase each other around the yard, I've been reading the Scrabble dictionary.

Gunny has come to play again

2010-10-20T19:40:00.002-06:00

Mister Gunnison has just arrived from Denver, to play with Russell and I for a few days. Hurrah hurrah!

In which I pick my own pear (a video)

2010-09-05T10:52:00.004-06:00

Fruit tastes better when you pick it yourself.

Amigo reads to Russell

2010-08-25T17:06:00.003-06:00

Amigo reads his AutoDography to Russell:

Second place and a happy DQ

2010-08-20T12:03:00.005-06:00

I got second place in my rally novice A group this morning, with an all-time personal best score of 87, even through I sat backwards in one spot causing a lot of people to laugh. Young Russell didn't do so well, getting asked to leave the ring at the second station because the nice judge told his guy that she could tell he Russell really didn't want to be there. The optimists outside the ring said it was still a victory, simply because the sometimes shy Russell at least got inside the buiding.

Plus, we both won cool neckerchiefs marking the Spinone Club of America 2010 Rocky Mountain Speciality event. Here's Russell, still proud hours later for winning something, modeling his bandana.

Rally day

2010-08-20T06:39:00.002-06:00

Big day in Westley the Spinone dog world today: Son Russell will be competing in his first-ever official AKC event: rally. It's a regional spinone speciality today, and Russell and I are both taking part in the rally event. Woof! Woof!

Episode 7: In which we eat the neighbor's apples

2010-08-05T21:12:00.002-06:00

My nose

2010-07-28T17:16:00.004-06:00

It's been awhile since I posted a picture of my nose, so, nose-fans, here you go.

Father and son run and play

2010-07-27T19:07:00.000-06:00

Tres Amigos

2010-06-28T17:19:00.001-06:00

That's me in the center, flanked by Gunnison, left, and Russell. We're laughing because Russell just farted.

Day 8 and still going strong...

2010-06-19T11:46:00.003-06:00

Gunnison and Russell are still playing hard, 8 days into Gunny's summer visit.

Anyone want to play ball?

2010-06-15T11:52:00.000-06:00

My daughter Daisy is ready for the World Cup

2010-06-09T16:19:00.002-06:00

Here is my daughter (and Russell's sister) Daisy, ready for the World Cup. The question is: Is she rooting for the Italians, or for the USA?

Gunny and Russell

2010-06-02T20:22:00.000-06:00

Gunny's here again

2010-04-28T22:07:00.001-06:00

Gunnison's come to visit! Photos soon!

Rally class weekend photographs

2010-03-09T19:07:00.011-07:00

We had a great weekend in Colorado Springs taking a rally class with a bunch of other spinoni. In the photo below, from left, are Fonzi, Me (Westley), my puppy Russell, Samuel, Stella, Aria, Marley, Sheldon, Rickey and Brooklyn. Oh, and their people. Thanks very much to the very nice teacher Kathy! Woof! Woof! Woof!

Here's me with my lady practicing the rally stuff:

Here's Russell learning to sit on the rally course:

I was so tired after the first day of work I got dinner in bed.

The best thing about staying in hotels is that I (finally!) get my own bed:

Off to see the rally wizards

2010-03-06T08:38:00.001-07:00

We're off to see the wizards and a bunch of spinoni at a rally seminar today. Russell and I are piling in the car and heading out soon. We'll post some photos when we get back! Woof!

Westminster Dog Show

2010-02-15T18:18:00.002-07:00

We'll all gathered around the tv tonight watching Westminster, and rooting for our Colorado spinone friend Miss Aggie. I've competed against Aggie a few times over the years. Spinones go tomorrow at 3 p.m., so tune in Tuesday night to see which spinone makes it to the group round.

Mr Peabody enjoys his futon

2010-02-10T18:53:00.003-07:00

My son, and Russell's brother, Mr. Peabody the spinone enjoys his futon.

Russell and Gunnison stand still

2010-01-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

Russell and Gunnison run and run

2010-01-26T18:11:00.003-07:00

Gunnison came up from Denver to play last weekend, and he and his half-brother Russell ran and ran in the snowy and frosty yard. Woof!

Izzy and Gus find the markers

2010-01-26T18:09:00.001-07:00

I'm just as proud of Izzy and Gus, two more of my puppies and Russell's siblings, who recently found the color markers. Woof! Woof!

Wrigley wins!

2010-01-26T18:06:00.002-07:00

Wrigley, one of my pups and one of Russell's sisters, took best of winners in her first show in the Seattle area. Woof! Woof!

Spinoni snow rolling

2010-01-12T13:25:00.002-07:00

Sunday morning in bed

2010-01-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning in bed, and young Russell is very good about keeping at least one foot on the floor....

Flying Idiot Brothers Play Time, Episode 1

2009-12-21T19:12:00.002-07:00

Russell and I have started a father-son barking idiot brothers play time each day. The big guy captured a bit of today's on video for your enjoyment. I expect him to post more in the future.

Russell's nose

2009-12-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

Meet Russell

2009-12-06T08:37:00.008-07:00

Meet Russell, my puppy son, who's come to live with us. Hip hip hurrah!

Monet's dogs

2009-11-29T08:44:00.006-07:00

A slightly impressionistic photo of Gunnison and I on his last day visiting Camp Westley. His people are coming to get him, and I think we look both wistful and slightly out of focus, dizzy from all the play. We had a grand ol' time being together this week.

The Five Dogs of Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T20:38:00.000-07:00

You've heard of the four horses of the apocalypse? Or the hounds of heck? Well, here are the Five Dogs of Thanksgiving. From left, Gunnison, Rosie, Patches (in her Carmelo Anthony jersey), Amigo and me, Westley.

In which we attempt to pose for a photograph

2009-11-26T09:25:00.002-07:00

Gunnison and me on Thanksgiving.

Manta Ray play

2009-11-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

Gunny and I tug-o-war with my squeaky manta ray.

Gunnison's come to stay

2009-11-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

My pal Gunnison is here! Here's come to stay with us for a week or two while his people go on some tropical vacation. Too bad for them, because I get all the fun of playing with him!

Gunnison came to play

2009-11-08T12:43:00.004-07:00

Gunnison came to play! We wrestled for a long time this morning...

Retirement

2009-10-30T20:21:00.002-06:00

Hello world, it is with some joy and some sadness I announce my retirement from the dog show ring. I walk proudly walk away from the conformation ring, but I'll miss seeing all the other spinoni. I'm going to focus on AKC rally and being a family pet. Life is good!

Rest in peace, Ruth Ann -- 1992-2009

2009-09-16T19:44:00.001-06:00

My fake sister dog Ruth Ann passed away, after living a very wonderful 17 years, July 1992-Sept 2009.

Rest in peace, Ruth Ann. We will miss you.

New record score

2009-09-06T14:45:00.003-06:00

I posted a new personal best score of 84 in the rally today in Greeley. Here's the video...

Greeley rally competition

2009-09-05T12:01:00.002-06:00

I scored a generous 82 in the rally competition today in Greeley. There were sooooooo many good smells in the first two or three stations that I had a hard time concentrating. But once I started listening, and we started moving, we did very well. I'm going to try it again tomorrow.

Rally in Greeley

2009-08-16T20:30:00.004-06:00

Here's a video of me doing the rally course today in Greeley. I scored 72 again. Woof.

A whole herd of puppies

2009-08-16T20:28:00.004-06:00

It's a herd of spinoni puppies.

Puppy!

2009-08-16T20:25:00.001-06:00

This is one of the puppies I met in Greeley this weekend. Woof! Woof!

Westley Spinone, RN

2009-08-16T11:06:00.001-06:00

I guess congratulations are in order, for me that is. I scored a 72 today in the rally, which isn't that impressive (I scored more points last time), but it's my third qualifying score in this event. They tell me it means I can now add an "RN" to the end of my name, for my new "rally novice" title. Now I'm a Canine Good Citizen, a conformation Champion and Westley Spinone, RN.

Puppies coming to Greeley

2009-08-14T07:05:00.001-06:00

I just heard my puppies are coming to Greeley. I hope to meet them!

Time for the Greeley dog show

2009-08-12T23:02:00.000-06:00

I'll be back in the rally ring this weekend in my hometown show. Maybe you'll come out and see me try to qualify for my "rally novice" title?

Puppy pile!

2009-07-03T13:16:00.002-06:00

My puppies!

Rally time again

2009-07-01T12:57:00.002-06:00

OK, you asked for it. Here's video of me doing the rally event last Sunday at the Buckhorn Valley Kennel Club show in Loveland; I scored a career-best 83. My vet told my lady with a laugh that 'we were brave to try rally with a spinone,' implying that we spinoni don't give a hoot and would rather be sniffing around. So here's proof I can almost pay attention long enough to do rally:

Best in breed

2009-06-27T20:47:00.004-06:00

Here's a short video of me running around today at the Buckhorn Valley Kennel Club show in Loveland, where I was named best in breed. Woof! Woof!

Puppies!

2009-06-26T21:13:00.002-06:00

Mom dog Fuz, pictured with the puppies born on June 24. Six girls (three brown and three white/orange) and three boys (all white and orange). Hurrah!

Come see me in Loveland!

2009-06-24T17:29:00.002-06:00

My people gave me a bath yesterday, which must mean I'm back in action this weekend. Yes, Buckhorn Valley show in Loveland at The Ranch, Saturday, Ring 10, 9:10 a.m. for conformation, and on Sunday, it's rally time again, Ring 15, Rally Novice A, sometime after noon...

Yes, puppies

2009-06-14T20:28:00.001-06:00

My people are pretty pleased... dancing around the kitchen and saying that Fuz is going to have 8 puppies? When I last saw the irresistible Miss Fuz, she didn't have any puppies. They even gave me a high five! Mysterious - but exciting!

In which I score a 72 in rally

2009-05-31T18:45:00.000-06:00

I had a grand old time at the Flatirons Longmont dog show today, in which I completed my first points-scoring rally run. I got a 72 -- not enough for placing or anything, but two points above the minimum for a qualifing score. Whatever it means -- and I don't know -- it was fun walking in circles and such. Woof. Woof!

Plus, Baba and Uncle Paul came to watch. Triple woof woof woof!

Fonzie wins

2009-05-30T13:41:00.001-06:00

Fonzie wins today in the conformation ring at the Flatirons show in Longmont, Colo. That's me inbetween Harry and Sheldon. Fonzie is over on the far left, getting looked at by the nice judge. I heard the one-year-old Sheldon won group on Sunday.

Dog show time

2009-05-30T06:42:00.002-06:00

We're literally walking out the door for an 8 a.m. conformation dog show in Longmont this morning. Tomorrow: rally! Full report later. Woof!

Happy birthday to me-ee-eee-eeeee

2009-05-21T10:04:00.000-06:00

It's my birthday. I'm 5.

Everyone sing me happy birthday please. I'll wag my tail.

Puppies?

2009-05-19T17:27:00.000-06:00

I've gotten some extra chin skritches and celebratory ear ruffles lately. My grand-dad told me "way to go, Westley!" but I don't think I've done anything different recently. Just my usual charming self... My people did get a phone call from my special friend Fuz's person, though. Someone is going to bring new puppies to Greeley this August. What does that have to do with us?

I like girls

2009-04-20T17:26:00.001-06:00

I just had the best week ever. I met the most wonderful girl! Fuz and I have been spending time together a lot, and then we met at Dr. Steyn's office in Ft. Collins. Definitely the best week ever.