Border Blog: The Life of Finlay & Riley

Snow then Sun!

2010-02-21T16:36:00.004-05:00

Hi everyone!!
We have a few things to update you on...Last weekend, we went to the Atlanta Terrier Club's earthdog event and we had a blast! We didn't ever go into the tunnels to find the rats, but we still had fun! It snowed the Friday before and that wasn't helpful for following the scent, but like we said, we had fun. Mommy and Daddy keep talking again about building practice tunnels...they've been saying this for like, 2 years now. Maybe since we didn't go into the tunnels at the event, they'll actually build us some!

This weekend it's like Spring!!! It's sunny and 63 degrees and BEE-UTIFUL! Mommy has taken us for long walks each day this weekend and we've had fun! Yesterday, we met a nice Welsh Terrier named Murray. He wanted to play with us, but we're still not sure about that so maybe after we see him a few more times, we can play. We also met some little kids yesterday and today. I'm always good with kids and Riley was surprisingly good as well...she even let 3 little girls pet her today! One was really small and the small ones worry her, but Riley was very good. Mommy kept feeding us treats and letting the kids feed us treats so that was awesome. She's also teaching us to heel (again) and gives us lots of Charlie Bear treats along the way and we REALLY enjoy that! Charlie Bear treats are great, if your dog hasn't tried them, you should get some. We get ours at Trader Joe's, but I think you can get them at PetSmart too. They are yummy and we border terriers love food!!

Until next time...Fin

Birds and Toys!

2010-01-29T12:03:00.005-05:00

Boy, are we excited!!! The birds have been coming into the yard lately and we've been going CRAZY!!! We go nuts for anything that moves, flutters, runs, scurries, hops etc...and the birds are driving us nuts! Occasionally I see a leaf blow around and that gets me excited until I realize it's a leaf and not very fun to chase...

Finlay has caught 2 birds before, but I still haven't caught any. Mommy would like to keep it that way. She was really upset when Finlay caught those birds...I almost caught a rabbit, but those darn things are so FAST! I'm really fast, but those rabbits have shown me who's boss so far. Because Finlay and I are natural born killers (OK, only when it comes to rodents, birds or lizards - we don't want to scare you), we don't get cute squeaky toys anymore. We kill those in 5 seconds flat. After all, we are terriers. Mommy got one that was supposed to be indestructible, military-grade canvas and that took Finlay 15 minutes to destroy. We never saw one of those again...

The one thing we do have are these toys called Skinneez. They are stuffing-free dog toys and we love them! They do come with squeakers, but you can take those out and destroy them - that's what we did. The squeakers are gone, but they are still really fun to play with. Personally, I love to play tug with Finlay or the humans with mine. I also just like to run around with it and toss it around. That always makes the humans smile. We got ours at Dog.com and here's a link if you want to check them out:

http://www.dog.com/item/skinneeez-stuffing-free-dog-toy/490513/

Let us know of any toys you know of that could handle 2 terriers...We don't think there are many out there, but we'll test them for you!

I hear Finlay barking so I better log off and go see if we can bark at some birds!

Have a good day!
Riley

Misty Day for a Walk...

2010-01-24T12:59:00.004-05:00

We just got back from a walk and had such a good time! It's cool and rainy, but like a misty rain, very much like being in the UK. OK, we've never been to the UK but that's where our breed is from...the border between England and Scotland. Mommy says this weather reminds her of England and Scotland and we believe her! We don't like going outside when it's a steady, harder rain, but today is kind of nice. Peaceful too, probably because there wasn't anyone else out, that meant no other dogs to bark at and I think mommy liked that!

Riley and I need to dry off and take a nap...here's a picture of us with our faces all wet from the rain!

Later, Fin

Just got spayed...

2009-12-31T15:34:00.003-05:00

Riley here...I hope this post will be coherent because I was "spayed" on Tuesday and am recovering. I don't know why mommy and daddy did this to me, but they said it's a "good thing". What are they Martha Stewart now? All I know is I have a long incision down the middle of my belly and it hurts! Luckily I have pills that make me feel better. Mommy has been home with me and I've spent a lot of time in my crate. She gets all nervous when she takes me out and won't let me do anything! No getting on the sofa, or my favorite chair, and she takes me out on my leash...in the fenced back yard! I guess she's trying to help me feel better. I heard her tell the vet tech (a really nice girl named Laura, by the way) that I'm not going to agility on Monday, and probably the Monday after that, too. :( Oh well, I know she has her reasons for it. She also said that since this surgery, I won't have to wear my pants anymore, that's a good thing for sure! She said all dogs and cats should be spayed and neutered so we don't have so many unwanted pets who end up on those sad commercials with Sara McLaughlin and Willie Nelson singing sad songs...I just saw the Willie Nelson one today and it was so sad. I just wonder why some people aren't responsible...I think some of them are uneducated...we need to educate them; I know it's something mommy wants to do.

OK, I'm getting sleepy and am going back to bed...

Riley

Update from Fin and Ri...

2009-12-26T17:34:00.002-05:00

Mommy gave us baths today so we've had a lot of energy! We go crazy after we get baths. We tear around the house and try to tackle each other...it's pretty fun, all except having to get bathed!

Last weekend Mommy invited a trainer over to the house. That lady is nice, but she's changing the way things work around here! We can no longer put our feet on people (we're just jumping up and saying hi!), we can't put our feet on any tables...kitchen, side, coffee...I think it's because Mommy told Anne (the trainer) that I stole some bread off the coffee table at my grandparent's house on Thanksgiving. Also, Anne wants Mommy to get us out of the bed!!! So far, she's just making us sleep at the bottom, but she might move us off of it all together! Can you believe that? I mean, especially in the winter when I get cold and have to burrow under the covers to stay warm! I'm hoping we don't get moved off, but we'll see. Mommy is also taking us on walks separately...I guess it's because we go nuts when we see other dogs...

Oh, Mommy and Daddy took us to the park on Christmas Eve (day)! We went for a hike and then watched the dogs in the dog park. That was pretty fun. I barked a bit at first but then just watched. Riley didn't really bark, she just watched the other dogs run and play. There were a bunch of them out there! Lots of big ones...Huskies and Goldens especially.

OK, time to see if I can get some dinner!

Fin

Agility = Fun!

2009-08-06T17:10:00.003-04:00

Hey guys, Riley here. We've been really busy lately and I haven't been able to tell you about my agility class. We successfully finished the beginner's class and have gone through two weeks of intermediate. It is SO much fun! This time, there are a couple smaller dogs like me, one is a Jack Russell and the other is a poodle. We have a lot of fun. Cherin is in my class again (the border collie mix) and I'm cool with her. We're used to each other now. Mommy really likes her because she's really sweet.

In this class we mainly do sets of obstacles in a row and our "handlers" (mommy in my case) have to tell us which obstacle is next. Mommy and I are pretty good at it, but sometimes I'm not sure where I'm supposed to go. Mommy said she's not the most coordinated person, so we're working on that! Usually I'm really good at the A-frame, but this week I had a bit of trouble. Not really sure why...

I'm hoping Daddy can make it to a class to take some pictures so I can show you how we're doing.

Finlay says to say hi!

Bye...Ri

Agility Class #3

2009-06-17T12:29:00.002-04:00

Hi, it's me Riley. Mom and I went to agility class last night and she seemed really excited to go. I found out later that her day was stressful and so she was looking forward to the class. I have to say, she did have a lot of fun. I think she likes seeing me jump things. I can really soar over those hurdles, though Anne (the instructor) said I'm jumping really early...I just get so excited about the food on the other side!!

Anyway, let's see what did we do yesterday? Oh, we started with the tunnel and a jump after it, that was fun. Then we did the a-frame. Sometimes I think mommy wants me to jump off of it, but I think I'm supposed to go all the way up then all the way down the other side. It's pretty fun. Then we did the tire jump and ended up on the table. Oh yeah, we did something called the "dog walk" that was new. Since I'm little, I sped right across it and Anne had to tell mommy to run! I don't think mommy thought I would go that fast having just learned it! That was fun.

It was really hot out, even though we were in the shade so mommy kept giving me water, then she sprayed me with a hose!! Can you believe that?? At first I wasn't too happy about it, but then it felt really good. In fact, after she did that, I rolled all over the dirt. It's like sandy dirt and it felt so good! Mommy just looked at me and laughed. At the end of the class, she hosed me off but wouldn't let me roll around...she said something about maybe getting a bath and not wanting to get the car dirty...I certainly didn't want a bath when I got home, so I didn't roll anymore!

I really like this class, it's so much fun!!! I'm hoping daddy can come see it so he can see how much fun I have. Plus, we want him to take video and pictures so I can show you guys.

Gotta go watch the yard for birds and lizards...Bye!

My First Agility Class

2009-06-03T20:38:00.005-04:00

Wow, I had so much fun last night! Mommy came home and changed into her "walking clothes" so Fin and I were so excited to go on a walk!!! However, she grabbed some new treats that smelled so good and took my crate to the car. My crate only, not Fin's crate. Wait, what's going on here?? We got in the car and headed off...poor Fin was crying and wanting to go with us, but mom got him a bone which I found out later so he was happy. He and dad got to lay on the sofa and watch TV. After a bit, we got to the place where mommy tells me to do things, I do them, then I get a treat - way cool! An American Eskimo dog ran towards me as we headed in and I just kept on walking...I thought mom was going to pass out since I didn't bark or anything! She was already proud of me! We got inside and I found out this class is called agility - whatever that means.

The first task was called a hurdle, I'm the smallest dog in class so all the rest of the dogs had to jump over the hurdle, I on the other hand was small enough to go under it on my belly! Everyone thought this was really funny and they all laughed at me. So, we did it again and this time I jumped over it, got some food and praise. OK, point taken, jump over the hurdle, don't go under it, I get it. We then moved outside, did more jumps and then went through a tunnel. Mommy got to the other end of the tunnel so I could see her, she called me, I ran through and got a treat. After a few times, we ran together and I ran through and got my treat at the end. Next was the A-frame. I ran right up it, got a treat at the top, then ran down and got another treat! Very cool! We did that some more, then moved to a hoop we jumped through and got our treat on top of a table. I think so far I like the A-frame best.

These are the dogs in my class: an American Eskimo, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Cocker Spaniel, Dalmatian, Border Collie (mix?), and a Golden Retriever puppy who I barked at because it looks like that dog on TV that always runs towards me - that dog is called Marley. He/she is some kind of movie star, but I just hate how she always tries to run through the TV at me! The dalmatian is also named Riley but he's a boy. His mommy kept telling him to leave me alone, but he didn't bother me...except one time when he spooked me so I barked at him.

Oh, our training place is called Alchemy Dog Training and you can see their website at: http://www.alchemydogtraining.com/. Anne is the lady in charge and she's a good lady to know because she always has yummy treats! If you can, go see her because she will share her treats with you and her classes are really fun!

Tonight mommy practiced with me, then Fin. Fin's not in the class but she practiced with him too. He took this class when I was a puppy so he kind of knows what he's doing. Personally, I think he just wanted the treats (like me!). Mom took some pictures of us tonight so you could see us in the tunnel. Can't you tell what fun we had?!

It's hot and humid tonight so I have to lay on the floor and cool off...

Bye for now,

Riley

Agility Class!

2009-06-02T16:34:00.002-04:00

This is Riley here and I wanted to let you know that I start agility class tonight and can't wait! Mom even bought some new treats today for me, yum! I'm not really sure what to expect, but I'll let you know how it goes. Mom says there are going to be other dogs there so I need to behave...I just see other dogs and bark like crazy...isn't that what I'm supposed to do? Hopefully we will get some pictures too!

Bunny Bonanza!

2009-06-02T16:30:00.002-04:00

OK, I don't know what's going on but in the past week when mommy and daddy take us for walks, we see at least one bunny, usually more! It's so exciting because sometimes they "unlock" our flexi leashes and let us run after them. We haven't caught one yet, but we'll let you know when we do. (Side note from mom: we won't let them get at the bunnies, don't worry!). Well, whatever mom says, we're still fast and we might catch one. We'll try to get a picture to show you. There are big bunnies and small bunnies, bunnies everywhere!!! It's so cool...

Our Photo Shoot

2009-05-23T15:54:00.003-04:00

OK, so we weren't in the mood to be our mommy's photography subjects and in retrospect, we should have been more cooperative because she only took about 3 pictures. She has started making pillows with dog breed appliques and she wanted to show us with her border terrier pillow. Isn't the pillow great?! It totally matches our family room. Riley and I kind of look like that picture of the old farmers though...We're really cuter and less serious than this. I guess we were just tired...I was so tired, I laid down!

Leapin' Lizards!

2009-05-23T15:11:00.004-04:00

Wow, we just had the most fun...Mommy let us outside and what did our little brown eyes see, but a lizard sun-bathing on the patio! We went NUTS! We raced after it and it ran under the gutter, so then we looked along the rock wall and couldn't find it, then, there it was, right back up on the patio!!! We ran after it, it juked and jived and tried to find a place to hide, but not so fast.....Wait, what's that now? Are there two of them? No, the tail came off!!!!!!!!!!! Mommy was screaming at us to stop and "leave it" (yeah, right!) but we were still going for it. The big part ran off, but the tail was there squirming all over the patio!! It was such fun. We tried so hard to get it but Mommy wouldn't let us. She grabbed us and dragged us inside, all the while saying how gross it was. Then she called daddy and told him about it. She must have been proud of us, that's why she called him. I just don't know why Mom won't let us get it and kill it. Now Riley is downstairs wanting to go out and get the tail, but mom's not letting us out any time soon!

One Exciting Weekend!

2009-04-19T18:52:00.002-04:00

Wow, we had the best weekend! We went to the Atlanta Terrier Club picnic and it was so much fun! The best part was the Earthdog practice area, I went nuts for the rats as usual...and as usual, I got so worked up, I was worn out! Riley went after the rats in their cage but didn't like going in the tunnel. I, however, ran right into the tunnel and started barking like mad at the rats. Dad tried recall and I did well until I backed into the corner and out I popped! I was so excited and hot that mom took me down to the river...aah, the Chattahoochee River, so cold, it felt great on my tummy!
Mom donated two packs of cards for the raffle and people really liked her designs (that didn't surprise us though!). There were a lot of people there this year, so we got to see a lot of dogs and we didn't give them too much trouble! I barked at a few, but that was it, nothing like when we're in our neighborhood. There were so many dogs that wanted to try the Earthdog, we had to wait a while which was frustrating! ;) At the end, Riley and Dad came down to the water and Riley went swimming! We weren't even looking and all of a sudden there she was, swimming around (on her leash of course, they can't trust us off our leashes)! Mom was upset that she forgot her camera - she really wanted to take pictures of us in the river. We'll have to go there again...
Oh, the one bad thing...we had to get baths when we got home. We love wading in creeks and rivers but hate baths! We were really dirty, but still! We're still pretty tired today...not too tired to leave the birds alone, but tired nonetheless!

Picnic this Weekend!

2009-04-17T10:39:00.001-04:00

We are so excited because we're going to the Atlanta Terrier Club picnic this weekend! We usually get to do an Earthdog practice which means...you got it, we get to see the rats!!! We can't wait...it will be so fun! Plus, it's near the Chattahoochee River and last year we got to splash around in the river with our friends Monty and Tizzy; they are borders too and really cool as well. We'll write more after the picnic and hopefully post pictures too!

Little Roo

2009-04-13T20:27:00.000-04:00

Hi, This is Riley and I want to tell you a little about me. I have a ton of nicknames and am really good at responding to them. I am beginning to wonder when my mom will stop coming up with nicknames before I get confused! I can jump really high so I got the nickname Riley-Roo (like a kangaroo). Then that got shortened to Roo which then was transformed into Rupee (I guess it's not so bad being nicknamed after a currency...). Oh yeah, I'm also known as "Little One" because I'm small (smaller than Fin, he's a big BT) and the youngest. I love to be petted and if you stop, I will paw at you so you keep going. I think it bothers my mom, but I pretend not to know what she's saying. I'm super-fast and hope to try lure-coursing some day. If you live in Metro Atlanta and do lure coursing, email us!! I'm not saying I could out-race a greyhound, but I'd love to try it! OK, so maybe I should stick with racing other terriers, but I really love to run...fast! Mom and Dad have introduced me to Earthdog and it's pretty fun, but I need more practice. I hear we're going to try agility soon too! Fin tried it just before they got me so I was able to watch a couple lessons, I think I'll really like it! Fin was pretty good at it, but he definitely prefers Earthdog - he's so good at it!!! He got his Junior Earthdog title last year and I was there too! I didn't go into the tunnel, I just rolled in the scent - I love to do that! Mom and Finlay think it's gross but I like it.

We went for a run tonight and that was fun, but I'm ready to chew on a bone and relax. Oh, we saw a schnauzer on our walk and he barks at us as much as we bark at him, it was crazy! I know Finlay told you, we like to bark...a lot!

Have a nice day!

Welcome to our blog!

2009-04-10T14:37:00.000-04:00

Hi,

We are Finlay and Riley and our mom owns Hound and Thistle (www.houndandthistle.com). She makes really cool cards that we like a lot...we like them so much, we sometimes eat them and she isn't happy. Some dogs like to eat furniture, we like to eat paper (and any kind of food of course!). We remind mom and dad that it's cheaper to eat paper than furniture so they don't get too mad unless we shred something important! Anyway, my mom makes cards and you can put anything on them, including any dog breed...they are pretty cool. Mom will personalize the cards with your name or initial in case you don't like dogs or want something other than a dog. Anyway, I digress...I wanted to tell you a little about me and my sister...

I'm Finlay and I'm the oldest, I'm 5. Riley(the smaller one in the red collar) is my little sister and we got her 2 years ago when she was a puppy. Mama Ellen is our first mom as she bred us. She's a super cool lady who lives in Florida and I got to see her again when we went to get Riley. Riley and I are border terriers. Everyone always gets confused when mom or dad tell them our breed because they think border collie, not border terrier. So, they tell people that we are the same kind as the dog from "There's Something About Mary" and they laugh...We haven't seen the movie so we don't know what's so funny, but I'm sure it's because we border terriers are a hoot! We get into trouble and are pretty funny dogs. Oh, we're cute too...Mom and Dad always say if we weren't so cute, we'd be in a lot more trouble...thank goodness we're so cute!! They also say we're "not a breed for everyone" and I think that's because we have so much energy, we're terriers after all! We're not the kind of dogs who sit around relaxing all day. We were bred to hunt foxes and small animals so we have tons of energy. We are curious and like to explore, oh, and our barks are made to be heard underground, so we are pretty loud (you should ask our neighbors about that and they'll tell you!). Oh yeah, we shed too and lots of people don't like that. Mom said some books say we don't shed, but that's not true, I'll often chew on a nylabone and have to stop because I have a hair in my mouth, that or I bite my tongue...

Hold on...I see a bird in the yard so I have to go bark at it...I'll write more soon...or Riley will...Bye!