I had my radio interview a few minutes ago. The guy was very nice and said he wanted to make sure he didn’t come off as making light of the whole thing. He asked some good questions, I hope I gave good answers.

We did the whole thing on tape. He will now take the sound-bites and make 3 news stories out of them. I got the club’s name and web site in too. He was interested in coming to the workshop himself, but couldn’t this time. I will let him know if we do it again! He has a rough collie, I said we won’t hold that against him.

Val

Some of you were asking about the article they did on me for our
local weekly paper…. go to www.scarboroughleader.com and it is the interview of the week.

Remember they took some liberties with the facts

As a side note to this, I got an email this morning from a local
radio personality who wants to do a phone interview with me, then use
sound-bites to create 3 news stories for the weekend!

Val

Ok, maybe not an Olympic event, but I may have stumbled on a new exercise routine.

Grooming is not the most fun thing to do, but face it, it has to be done. The challenge that we have is getting Traveler onto the grooming table, avoiding Mac as he tries to jump and grab Traveler out of our arms and off the table( because it has to be HIS turn) and then Maddie joins the fun (I use that term loosely) by barking and running around the grooming table. OK, first part done- Traveler is on the table. Now Breathe. Assemble the tools you will need( I have a few basics on hand- ok maybe more than a few ) and get the spray bottle with water ready. Now a quick lift and turn and Trav is
on his side. (good for the upper arms, strengthen those back muscles)

I start brushing in slow smooth strokes, using nice even arm movements. I use the spray bottle, letting a fine mist drop onto his coat. Now let’s increase the aerobic part of this…Maddie is now barking and has gone to find a bone that she drops under the table. In one clean leg movement, I kick the bone and it slides into the other room. (this way you use the large muscle groups) She’s off! She chases down the bone, brings it back and we do it all over again- as many times as she feels I need. Mac , meanwhile, has started scouting the floor for any stray hair that falls (I do not know why he likes to eat the hair, but we have to watch him very carefully! I do NOT like to find it later in the middle of my bed ) As a fluff of hair gently wafts it’s way to the floor, I bend and scoop and swing my body back to grooming position. Now I take a minute to do a few short cleansing breaths ( ok, I am really yelling at the other two to please go and lie down, but that doesn’t sound as nice) OOPS, Trav has taken this opportunity to spring up off of the table in hopes that while I am yell…er ..breathing, he can escape.

Not so!! I grab and turn and lay him down, and we start all over again. I have to figure out where I left off, since, as he made his move to leave, it messed his hair up and I lost my place. No biggie, there is plenty to work on.

By this time, I have worked up a nice sweat, and can really feel those muscles working. Let’s start to slow down, and get that heart rate down to a nice easy level…….it is finally quiet. Maddie is chewing her bone, Mac is sitting there , staring at me(or waiting for hair to fall) and I am almost done. A quick topknot for Traveler, bend and hold Mac back so Traveler can get off the grooming table(this is a nice stretch for those back muscles) and we are done! After a few deep breaths, we all go outside so Mac and Maddie can pick on Traveler and put him in his place.

Now don’t forget to stretch before you do any exercise routine and maybe check with a doctor to see if you need your head examined…your call.

Val
Table anyone?