End of 2011 Draft Training

On the coldest day of the month a few brave souls got together at Andy Meszaro's house to get in a few hours of carting. In attendance for the first part of the day were Gracie seen here in her nice blue harness, Danny with Bob showing us all how it is done and one of the newest memebers to the group Ursa seen here with the wilczek training wheels that Bob let us borrow. I would like to give a special thanks to Danny for giving us Bobs old harness that did not fit. I hope everyone had a great time. It was a great start to the season.
 - Norman

Out for a Walk

Thank you, Sherri, for sending the photo!  When the winter gets to be too much, we can look at this!

OH NO!

Think that'll be it for water training this season!  To think we were happily working in the water less than two weeks ago and then it SNOWED last night!  And it appears to not be a one-off.  Expecting up to 6 inches tomorrow.  So very sad.  May go from swimming, skip right over carting, and move on to the sled!  The summer was great and it was terrific that we could keep at it well into October even in New England!

Can't believe we were swimming here two weeks ago!

Boat is getting tucked away until next spring!

Trying to Work Out our Bug-A-Boos

Erin is trying to problem solve why Miss Brenna has suddenly become wary of the boat.  She has previously loved to jump and now she won't sit on the boat long enough to leave the beach.  Erin thinks that Brenna's change in attitude came when we went from asking her to retrieve a paddle to waiting on the boat deck to jump in and save Erin.  She may just be wary of riding out knowing that Erin is going to jump in and need her help!  So back to the basics.  Look, Brenna!  Your wonderful bumper is sitting on this platform!  Do ya wanna come get it?

Brenna is cautious but is having trouble resisting the call of the bumper!

OK, fine!  I'll climb up there for that!  Yeah for Erin for figuring out how to go about that with a positive approach!

Birdie has been jumping great for her bumper. . . but the paddle is another matter!

She didn't go when I told her to but she's still with me!

Whoa!  Look at that air as she leaps to the paddle sitting just off to the left of the frame!

And, yes, she did bring it back to me on the dock (with the help of that handy long line)!

Water training in October (in New England!!!)

We've had a couple of great weekends water training.  Who would've thought that we'd be in the water in October!  We can't lie, it was cold!  But in a couple of months, when it it is snowing out, we'll be longing for the days at the lake!  Baby Bob is no longer a baby!  Look at the big boy on the boat!  Brenna has decided she is going to beach that boat (she didn't like having it disappear when she dropped it prematurely!).  Birdie hasn't dropped the take a line in a while.  And Sammy remembers all of his exercises and is still a fabulous worker.  We thought we were going to be called on for a real rescue when the neighbor's boat wouldn't start while it was floating out there in the lake.  But they got it working and no real life tow a boat was required!

Newfie Fun Day in Maine!

I love this photo of newfie and bagpiper trying to figure out what they're looking at!  That hat makes him look a little like a newf! Click on the title to the post for more photos!  Thank you Anne!

Summer Ain't Over 'til the Newfie Says its Over!

more photos!

September 10 Water Training

With the hurricane gone and finally some nice weather, we were able to get out for some more water training this weekend.  The site was beautiful and the dogs continue to work hard!  Brenna's jump is simply amazing.  She and Birdie worked on swimming in a civil fashion with each other (no crocodile rolls allowed!), Birdie is getting the hang of beaching that boat (finally!), Fiona was making great progress on her take a line, Abbey did some really enthusiastic retrieving, and Mr. Sammy made it to the water for the first time in a while and remembered all of his junior exercises and even took the life ring out.  We're holding on to the last bits of summer for all we're worth!

Labor Day Mystic Seaport Demo

NCNE had their annual water rescue demo at Mystic Seaport this past weekend.  The demonstrations covered three days of the holiday weekend and were very well attended!  Here are some of the photos courtesy of Suzanne.  Thank you Suzanne!  You have an artistic eye!  And thanks to all the organizers and especially Lori for inviting us.  And thanks to our wonderful narrator, Donna, who tells the newfie story with style!

Donna explaining our newfie addiction to the spectators

The children find out how tough it is to tow the boat

Suzanne and Ellie Mae going out for the paddle retrieve

Ahhhh!  Litter mates Reese and Gus.

Reese taking a rest

Nemo is great at the under water retrieve

And he gets a smooch for his efforts

Donny showing off his carting skills (thank you Donny for helping us to the car with that load!)

Tally making an awesome jump (Lori is in the splash!)

Bumper races!

Who is this doing tow a boat???  Awesome job!

The best rescue under a capsized raft ever!  (Cedihl) 

Birdie rescuing Lori

That little girl just couldn't decide if she was brave enough to pet the puppy

Lovely view of the bay

2011 NCNE Water Tests

(Suzanne, thank you so much for the awesome photos!  Beth, I used some of the notes from your email.  You summed it all up so well!)

The MMN Group was well represented at the NCNE Water Trials this year.  Everyone of the teams did an awesome job and should be very proud of the great work they did.  Some really great wins came out of the weekend for everyone of the teams!

Big congrats to Kiko for her WRDX (wow, you make it look so effortless), may we all just dream to look like that!

Suzanne, you and Ellie May did an awesome job BIG CONGRATS on your WD!  Unbelievable control during the Obedience piece and great teamwork.

 Sandy, it is always so nice to see you and Xena working together, she is always looking to see what she is to do next, what a sweet girl.  Mark and I where so happy for the stewards when Xena jumped and the boat stayed afloat!  LOL!  Summer is still young and you will get WRD.

Erin with Nella in her very first water test ever!  We were all envious of the energy level!

Ahhh!  Is this the sweetest photo ever? 

It always rains on WRDX day!

Meet Gus!

Mark and Bruin, first water test!  You guys did great!  Bruin and Smokey did EXCELLENT and behaved during the down stay even right next to each other.  Bruin is such a beauty and you can just see that communication between the two of you!  You got this next test! 

This was so cool!  We are so proud of you and Smokey, Beth!  Horray for your WD!

 Sue, Great job with Sterling; you did it, you got Sterling to WD and almost WRD... Bear Mountain?  Of course you and Nemo are just a thrill to watch and everyone just loves seeing the love the two of you share!  It is priceless!

 Mary Alice.... I was so proud of you, you and Fiona have such a great love for each other and it shows.  What were you nervous about... you guys looked fabulous. 

 Barb, EVERYONE was amazed with your handling of Ozzy during the Obedience piece.  He started wagging his tail when he whiffed the girls and everyone held there breath, but you had it ALL DAY.  Full control, what a great job you did.  It really shows all the work you have put in this year!  YEA!  I have no doubt you will get that Title this year.

 Kathy, you and Birdie with your very first water test, now your feet are wet! You make the obedience piece of the test look like a walk in the park (great control) and teamwork.