Perry Pei Pack

2011-12-25T17:51:00.001-08:00

December 2011 Trip

2011-12-25T17:48:00.000-08:00

We've been busy!! We arrived in Orlando on Friday (16th) - we got settled at the RV Park at Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake -- it is a beautiful, peaceful place - we'll go back! We attended the Agility Banquet Friday night where Katie was recognized as the #1 Agility Shar-Pei for 2010. Jack and Katie performed at the AKC Agility Invitational on Saturday and Sunday -- not our best year performance wise, but we had a great time. We had family come over to visit and had a great time with them!
Cecil turned a year old on Saturday (17th) - now THAT is hard to believe! He has been a challenging puppy, but is turning into a GREAT dog! He is funny and keeps us laughing.
We left Orlando Friday morning and came to Ocala to spend Christmas with some of Chuck's cousins. It was fun to meet family members that I had never met. We had a great time with them and have eaten a lot of good food!!
Tomorrow we head back towards Texas. We'll end up in Amarillo on Thursday for three days of agility before heading back to Lubbock and back to work!!!

2011-12-13T17:07:00.001-08:00

We are on the road - headed to Orlando for the 6th annual AKC Agility Invitational!!

Jack's PAX

2011-04-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I never posted about Jack's PAX!! A PAX requires 20 Double Qs (2Q) and we did it in November at the Lubbock Trial. We started the weekend needing 3 2Qs which meant we had to run perfect all weekend (6 runs) and he did it! I can't begin to tell you how exciting it was! Jack is the first Shar-Pei to earn the PAX title and I am so very proud of him. He turned nine in December and is still running strong. He already has 7 2Qs towards a PAX2!!! He is officially: Harv's Apple Jack Be Nimble CGC RA MX MXJ MXP3 MJP4 PAX - GOOD BOY JACK!!!

He continues to be my perfect dog --- even dealing with a bratty puppy that wants to chew all the hair off his neck and bite his balls!!!

Puppies are a lot of work!

2011-04-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

Ok! Yes, I am still excited to have Cecil here, but I am also tired!!! I get up at 5:00 each morning to go to the gym and used to take a short nap after work --- those days are over!! He has a very dominant personality and I feel like I'm herding cats around here!! Katie is a very dominant bitch and isn't about to turn her alpha position over to him! He is learning!

Before I go any further, let me say that I am NOT perfect - anyone surprised?! I DO love my dogs more than life itself and the purpose of this blog is to share our experiences with others. I welcome any comments or suggestions, but am not looking for criticism! Now with that out of the way ...

Hubby is out of town this weekend and we survived two trips to Starbucks! Cecil tries to climb out the window and into the drive thru window --- he knows what they have in there and is already hooked!! He has NOT learned patience yet. However, it appears that he has learned to take turns -- J&K always get whipped cream at Starbucks and C has learned he is last when taking turns! Initially he would grab at the spoon no matter who's turn it was, but today he waited patiently for his turn!

He is growing like a bad weed and won't look like a puppy much longer. He starts Puppy Kindergarten tomorrow and I'm excited to get started on his formal education!!! So far he has just been learning the rules of the house. He is learning to wait and not just rush out the door when it's opened. He knows to go in his crate when we are leaving. He no longer stands on the shower door and screams when I'm taking a shower - I guess he has learned I do come back out, so he sits and waits! He is getting better about tormenting the cat!

I have rambled on this post because I'm trying to cover too much. As I stated earlier; we start our class tomorrow so I am going to try and do a better job of keeping up!

Cecil is here!

2011-02-21T08:21:00.000-08:00

I decided in November 2008 that I was ready for a new puppy and the wait is finally over! It turns out Cecil is a New Yorker and he got here last Wednesday!! Jack & Katie's breeders did a breeding and the sonogram was last Monday --- sadly she isn’t pregnant. A couple of weeks ago I started thinking about how sad I was going to be if she wasn’t pregnant, so started putting my feelers out. I have waited over two years for a puppy and just couldn’t wait any longer. So, I found this puppy in NY and was waiting for sonogram results to know whether or not he would be Cecil!!! It worked out perfectly because my vet friend Ronda has a friend/client that is a professional handler and she was in NY for Westminster (last Mon & Tues) – she brought him back with her on Wednesday!!! We haven’t had a puppy in nine years, so needless to say we are VERY excited!!

2010-08-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

Summer 2010

2010-08-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

This has been a busy summer - hard to believe it's almost over. We started the summer with an agility trial in Amarillo, followed by trials in Midland, Clovis, and then Cloudcroft. J&K's breeder momma (Deena) went with us to Cloudcroft. She has gone to a summer trial with us for the last five years. It's a fun time!

Katie has been running amazingly well - she even got her first Double Q in May! Jack is very close to his PAX title - he needs for 2Qs. It's very exciting because he will be the first Pei to earn that title! I was hoping it would happen in Fort Worth later this month, but he didn't get any at our last trial, so it's looking like it will happen in Midland next month. Cloudcroft was hot (for agility), humid, along with the altitude and high grass ---- well, he just wasn't crazy about the conditions and didn't run well!!!

Jack and I also took a trip this summer - we went to Dallas to visit my friend Barbara and then on to Arkansas to visit my sister. We had a great time. Jack was such a good boy - he was able to be off leash the whole time. We enjoyed hiking in the woods, but Jack is definitely a city dog --- came back with his coat all scruffy!!! He's starting to look better now!!!

Now it's almost time for me to go back to work --- I wish summers didn't go so fast!!! My goal is to update this more often - we'll see!!!

It's Supposed to be Spring!

2010-04-27T18:03:00.000-07:00

April is almost over and it's still too chilly for me to wear flip flops!!! Well, we all know what they say about Texas weather ---- if you don't like it just hold on, it will change! I'm especially sick of the wind - I hope that changes soon.

Well, we've had some success in our agility adventures. Jack competed at the National Agility Championship in Tulsa last month and even made Finals!

He now has 11 Double Qs and got his MJP2 this past weekend in Wichita Falls. Miss Katie finally got her MXJ! It was a good weekend for us.

There still isn't a Cecil, but I'm not giving up ---- hopefully in the before Christmas!!!!

Right now I'm just waiting for Summer Break . . .

Last Weekend - Crappy Ending

2010-02-13T12:29:00.001-08:00

Last weekend we had an agility trial in McKinney. As usual it was COLD! Katie started out with a crazy run - doing the Shar-Pei boogie around the ring. I guess if she had a handler that would actually train her it might make a difference! Jack had an awesome day and finished with a Double Q. I can always count on my boy! We didn't get any Qs on Sunday although Katie had two good runs. I made a mistake in BOTH of Jack's runs (he was perfect of course) so he didn't get any Qs either. All in all it was a good weekend and we had a great time. We finished pretty early, so went to lunch with friends. It was nice and cool, so we left the boyz in the car and went in to eat. The service was s-l-o-w, but not a big deal because we were visiting. You know it's slow when the manager brings you free appetizers and you haven't even complained! Anyway, great visit, great food (when it finally got there), and we're ready to hit the road. Deena wants to say "goodbye" to the boyz so we head to the car - open the door and OMG! Deena says "I think someone has gas" and I say "I think someone has shit"!!! Sure enough - Katie had diarrhea! Yes, in the car! Yes, it is everywhere! I won't go into all the shitty details, but we took everything out and did get it cleaned up. We are finally on the road when she starts puking. I have used everything I have cleaning up the shit, so we stop for paper towels. She finally gets it all out of her system and is then perfectly fine. Poor Jack was about to push himself through the side of the car trying to stay out of her way!!! The only thing I can figure is that the food I gave her as "treats" made her sick. Never a dull minute!

Royals Sir Walter Raleigh

2010-01-28T13:54:00.000-08:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Cecil

2010-01-28T11:43:00.000-08:00

Well, we are still waiting for Cecil (Harv's Celestial Firefly)! Kissez was bred on Jan 5th, if she's pregnant the due date will be March 9. The breeders should be able to tell soon whether or not she's pregnant. If she is, I won't know until they're born if Cecil is there! He is obviously a male, but is also a horsecoat and NOT cream! The only thing that worries me is that the daddy is a cream. I'm trying not to get too excited, but can't help it! If she's pregnant their eyes are developing this week and the paws start developing next week!!!! No, I'm not excited . . .

2009 AKC Agility Invitational - Long Beach

2010-01-24T11:55:00.000-08:00

Jack was the #1 agility Shar-Pei once again (4th year in a row). He has attended since the first Invitational in 2006. I'm so proud of my guy -- such a good boy. He finished #12 in his jump height at the Invitational -- one spot short of making Finals! That is pretty amazing considering he was competing against all breeds. You can see his runs here: http://www.youtube.com/paulapei

Katie was also invited (the 2nd time for her). She ran really well and didn't embarrass her mother (me!). She finished #64 in her jump height out of about 100 dogs. Not horrible!

The conditions were not great this year --- they had open entries for conformation dogs so they needed the space for them inside. We were stuck out in a tent. They tried to make it sound like it would be wonderful by telling us how it was not an "ordinary" tent - it was one used for political conventions, etc --- well, it was not nice at all. The only good thing was that they brought in sod for us to run on. Hopefully they'll do that next year also -- we'll be back inside and not treated like step-children.

Cecil is on backorder

2009-12-02T14:39:00.000-08:00

Well, still no baby Pei. They did a breeding in July --- AI, but it didn't take. We now wait for one of the girls to go in heat --- either Kissez or Hailey. It should be this month or next. We wait . . .

Not so fast . . .

2009-06-23T07:02:00.000-07:00

Well, so much for the excitement! Kissez may not be in heat after all. I guess it will happen when it happens. I'm trying not to be sad!

Cecil

2009-06-22T12:18:00.001-07:00

VERY exciting news: Kissez is in heat and Cecil should be conceived soon!!!! If you don't know - Cecil will be the newest member of our family and is/will be a Shar-Pei. His official name will be: Harv's Celestial Firefly ---- Cecil! It has been over seven years since we've had a puppy, so we are anxiously waiting for him!!!

Clovis Agility Trial

2009-06-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

We just got back from an agility trial in Clovis, NM. It was hot and humid, but successful none the less! Katie finally got that last, elusive AX leg and Jack got a Double Q --- his first since running in Preferred. He needs six to be eligible for the Agility Nationals, so has until the end of November to get five more!

Where are our April Showers?

2009-04-09T18:42:00.001-07:00

It hasn't rained here in ages! We are beginning to wonder if it ever will. I honestly can't remember the last time we saw moisture from the sky! It's about to be our "busy" time of year for agility. We have four three day trials between now and the end of May! I moved Jack to Preferred and he is doing great! He's 7 and running better than ever. I read a comment from the author of "Pigs Fly Dogs" -- when referring to this type of dog (untraditional agility breed) it goes something like - it takes 15 minutes to teach them the obstacles, 2 years to get their attention, and the first 9 years are the hardest!!!! I figure this suite Katie pretty good! She just turned 7, so maybe we'll get it together in the next two years!!! Hey - we're having fun!

Videos - Youtube

2009-01-05T14:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/paulapei

New Year - 2009

2009-01-05T14:15:00.000-08:00

JACK: I think I told you guys that I was going to move Jack down to Preferred for the new year. Well, we had a trial (Jan 2/3/4) and he ran in the 16” class (instead of 20”) ---- what a difference!!!!! He was SO fast – it was like a different dog! He has to start all over in Novice – it was so much fun. He Qed all three days in Jumpers and one day in Standard! He should have Qed in all, but on Friday the teeter was not set right and at least ½ the dogs flew off (that is a disqualification). I didn’t expect Jack to fly off because he is normally somewhat cautious on the teeter, but he was flying and became airborne off the teeter – it was scary and I was afraid he wouldn’t do it the next day but he was fine and never hesitated Sat or Sun. Then on Saturday he ran across the broad jump instead of jumping it!!! The only time you normally see a broad jump is in novice --- it is later replaced with the triple jump. He was fine on it Friday, so who knows? Everyone said that he looked back at it like “what the hell?”!!! Anyway, he did great and was having fun!

KATIE: Katie had an amazing weekend! I decided to try her in FAST (Fifteen And Send Time) ---- there is a “send” where there is tape on the ground for a small section of the course --- you have to send them to the obstacles and you cannot cross over the tape. She ran in FAST two days and Qed both days!!! I may have found her “thing”!!! She also Qed in Jumpers Sat and Sun --- she now has 7 MXJ legs (she needs 3 more). She came SO close to a Standard leg yesterday ---- the weave poles were obstacle #19 and a jump was the last obstacle of the course #20. She was clean until the weaves and then popped out at the 10th pole!!!! She ran really well all weekend though and I am so proud of her!

Now we are off until we go to McKinney in February, so we are all resting up. We left Lubbock on Dec 20th and didn’t get home until about 6:00 last night! We’re tired!!!

Where we are now!

2009-01-05T14:12:00.000-08:00

Jack is currently the #1 agility Shar-Pei and also #1 in the history of the breed. He is also the current #1. Katie is currently #2 and is #3 in the history of the breed.

Jack has been featured in several newspaper articles and has been in a local commercial. You can see their videos on youtube - including the commercial.

They are officially:
Harv's AppleJack Be Nimble, CGC, NA, MX, MXJ, VSP
Harv's KT Spoonful of Sugar, CGC, TDInc, RN, OA, AXJ, VSPX

Shar-Pei Agility

2009-01-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

Well, I've decided to try and keep up with our agility escapades this way instead of always trying to e-mail updates and forgetting someone and having to repeat myself!

First, I'll give a little background on how it all started!

In 1998 I decided to try something new. I just wanted to do something fun with my dogs and decided to try agility with Bailey. We started a class with Debbie Spence in Keller, TX. I had absolutely no intentions of ever competing! I took a couple of classes with Debbie (she is the best) and then we moved to GA and there wasn't really anything available for us in the area we were in. We moved back to TX in the fall of 2000 and I started practicing with a friend. Bailey competed in her first trial in Oct 2001 and got two Novice Standard legs! She competed one more day in Nov but didn't qualify. We lost her very unexpectedly in Feb 2002 from spleen and liver cancer.

I had just gotten Jack the previous month (Jan 2002) and started working with him that summer. We also got Katie in May 2002 so she started training in the fall. We don't really have much in the way of formal agility classes in Lubbock, so we would drive to Amarillo (135 miles one way) once a week for class.