Saturday, March 31, 2012

31.03.12

morning run:
Posey
Godzilla
Ernie
Lily
Molly
(5)

Southern charcos straight to the palapa road, home via the berm, swimming hole, Tuesday's crossing and the coco trail: ~7k. Left a little late and there are a lot of people around on weekends now so I only took five, if only so I could be sure they were under control on the way home. Everyone ran well and drank a lot of water. I had Lily on the hook early (speeding), Molly on at various places (preventative), and Posey and Molly on the hook on the trail home to cut down on the shenanigans upon arrival (there were none in spite of a truck being parked a few meters north of the gate).
GRADE: A

morning walk:
Luna
Mo
Linda
(3)

Alex and Alex took these out on the beach.
GRADE: A

Friday, March 30, 2012

30.03.12

morning run:
Ginger
Gracie
Osita
Frijolita
Truman
Chester
Elewah
Daisy
(8)

Southern charcos, road to no-man's land, palapa road to Au Soleil Couchant road, home via the trails behind the tortuga crossroads, the dead goat trail (partway) and the dirty road: ~9k. Everyone was really up for it and really good the whole way. I put Daisy on the hook a couple of times for roughing but she wasn't as bad as she was the last couple of times; I also had Gracie on the hook in her usual happy hunting grounds. Lots of salt workers out there.
GRADE: A

morning walks:
Otto
Bosha
Bette
Stella
Linda
Shirley
Twiggy
(7)

Alex and Alex took these out: (1) Otto, Bosha; (2) Bette, Stella, Linda; (3) Shirley, Twiggy. I ran out when I saw them coming back with Linda and grabbed her before she did her now-usual hunt-for-turds in the nearby brush... everyone was really good about walks, though, including the ones who stayed.
GRADE: A

morning swim:
Greta
(1)

I made her swim until she was really breathing hard, probably 10 "laps" by my old method of counting (at least 200m). She gave me a bit of a fight getting down to the water (I had to carry her from the gate) but was a good girl once we were in. Water is getting a little nicer now.
GRADE: A

evening walk:
Zasu
Miles
Henry
(3)

Roni took these three around the block for a spin. Naturally these three were all perfect and the ones at home were pretty good about her leaving and coming as well.
GRADE: A

Thursday, March 29, 2012

29.03.12

morning walks:
Archie
Ernie
Luna
Mo
Molly
Bosha
Linda
(7)

Alex and Alex took these out: (1) Archie, Ernie; (2) Luna, Mo; (3) Molly, Bosha, Linda. Everyone was good and had a good time.
GRADE: A

morning swims:
Greta
Lucy
(2)

I took these two out interstitially during walks. I made Greta swim more than she normally does and she was a good sport about it. With Lucy we swam and then ran up to the ducks, swam and ran back - not too much running but she does like to do a little.
GRADE: A

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

28.03.12

morning run:
Gowron
Monkey
Zoot
Mega
Lex
Petey
Steve McQueen
Amber
(8)

Hidden trail: ~8k. The tribe has been slowly getting more and more assertive and energetic on runs, so I decided today to try one of them on the leash while we were out there. The obvious choice was Mega, since he's always on point and jacking up the pace. At the turn to the hidden trail I put him on the bare leash (the new collars haven't arrived yet); predictably he did his best bucking bronco impersonation for a few seconds and was generally aghast at the idea but I worked with him for the rest of the run and he was doing well on the leash by the time we got home. As we got to doce a few soldiers were running south and four of the tribe saw them and gave chase for about 100m; I was not happy, but as I had Mega on the hook and still had the rest of my troops with me I just knelt down and called to them and they ran back. Sadly just as they were getting back to me a car came driving south on doce and two of them ran away from it in the wrong direction for a few meters. It passed, I gathered them all up and we went down to the beach, where Nicole, Xmul and gang were about 200m south of where we came out. Unfortunately Mega was freaking out when we got to the water because of the leash, and the sound of his voice brought Xmul and a couple of her buddies charging north to see us. There were some general hijinx and chasing back and forth but Nicole started walking south at that point and I called my charges north to me; I just let everyone swim in the surf for a few minutes to give her time to get far enough away and then we started towards Au Soleil Couchant, where we hit the monte again and came home via the coco trail. It was an eventful run but good for the most part and Mega turned out to be a pretty quick study on the leash. Five more to go.
GRADE: A

morning walks:
Henry
Bette
Daisy
Otto
Shirley
Bosha
Linda
Twiggy
(8)

Alex and Alex took these out for walks: (1) Henry, Bette, Daisy; (2) Otto, Shirley; (3) Bosha, Linda, Twiggy. They were just in the launchpad with Otto and Shirley as I was getting home with the tribe and getting everyone in and out went much more smoothly than I might've imagined. Everyone who went on walks obviously had a good time; Alex said that Bosha was even playing in the water and wagging her tail on the way home.
GRADE: A

morning swim:
Greta
(1)

I took Greta out while Alex and Alex were on their last walk; she swam until she was breathing heavily and had a good attitude about it... our little mermaid.
GRADE: A

evening walk:
Zasu
Miles
Henry
Alice
Reggie
Tito
(6)

Across the land bridge, over the road and by the tar-paper shack and back: ~2k. We left Alex and Alex with the rest of the pack while Roni and I took this bunch of for a stroll. Everyone did well on the walk and at home for the most part.
GRADE: A

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

27.03.12

morning walks #1:
Molly
Stella
Otto
Frankie
April
Bosha
(6)

Alex and Alex took these out in pairs as indicated. Everyone was good.
GRADE: A

morning walk #2:
Zasu
Miles
Lucy
(3)

Roni and I took these three out on the beach so that Lucy could swim and everyone could run around a bit. Lucy swam a lot and everyone was good.
GRADE: A

Monday, March 26, 2012

26.03.12

morning walks:
Bette
Otto
Linda
Henry
Frankie
Bosha
April
Twiggy
(8)

Alex and Alex took out three groups: (1) Bette, Otto, Linda; (2) Henry, Frankie, Bosha, (3) April, Twiggy. Bosha is always a bit of a bear to get ready to go but once she gets the idea she has a good time now. Twiggy got out of her collar at the gate and had to be tracked down but otherwise there were no mishaps and everyone was good.
GRADE: A

Sunday, March 25, 2012

25.03.12

morning run:
Alice
Eve
Godzilla
George
Maggie
Molly
Linda
Luna
(8)

To the beach at Au Soleil Couchant and back via the tortuga sign. Tuesday's crossing and the coco trail: ~6k. This is a good distance for Maggie and Linda; both George and Alice have slowly gotten in better shape and could probably go farther but they don't care and had a great time. The beach was nice and everyone swam a lot, especially Linda. I had Molly on the hook for most of the way because I kept hearing vehicles in the monte all around us (lots of salt workers). Everyone was good.
GRADE: A

morning walks:
Archie
Mo
Henry
Lucy
Twiggy
Otto
Bosha
(7)

Alex and Alex took these out in three groups: (1) Archie, Mo; (2) Henry, Lucy, Twiggy; (3) Otto, Bosha. Bosha is warming up to them already and was much better today than yesterday. Everyone else was good and had a good time.
GRADE: A

Saturday, March 24, 2012

24.03.12

morning walks:
Frankie
Daisy
Bette
April
Shirley
Bosha
Linda
(7)

Alex & Alex took these out in three groups: (1) Frankie, Daisy; (2) Bette, April; (3) Shirley, Bosha, Linda. Bosha gave them a little trouble at first but warmed up and had a good time by the end - good news, since we've been wanting her to start going on walks with our HelpX'ers for a while now. Linda was off the leash the whole way and did well. Everyone had a good time.
GRADE: A

Friday, March 23, 2012

23.03.12

morning run:
Osita
Frijolita
Archie
Rufus
Jack
Molly
Luna
(7)

Southern charcos, road to no-man's land, palapa road, Au Soleil Couchant road, home via the trails behind the tortuga crossing and the coco trail: ~9k. Rufus was a bit better getting out of the gate today and I didn't use the muzzle. I took seven because there are too many albañils hanging around close by on our trail; I wasn't sure if we would run into them or not and I already had Rufus and Molly. Both Rufus and Molly were on the leash on the trail home, so of course we didn't run into anyone (some corollary of Murphy's law states that you are always most prepared when it is least necessary). Osita rolled in something unspeakable in the woods near the palapa but otherwise everyone was really good.
GRADE: A

morning walks:
Stella
Linda
Otto
Twiggy
(4)

Our new HelpX'ers, Alex and Alex, took Stella and Linda out first and then Otto and Twiggy. This is their first morning so we're easing them in. All good.
GRADE: A

Thursday, March 22, 2012

22.03.12

morning swims:
Greta
Shirley
Bette
(3)

There were some actual waves on the shore and noticeable swells. The water is murky, a bit stinky and there are a lot of things that wriggle and squirm on the bottom. All three of them swam like champs but only Bette swam out to me and played with me in the water with gusto - yay Bette!
GRADE: A

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

21.03.12

morning run:
Posey
Eve
Blue
Godzilla
Truman
Lily
Daisy
Mo
(8)

Southern charcos, road to no-man's land, palapa road to the berm, the swimming hole and home via the dirty road: ~8k. I wanted a good group in case we ran into those albañils on the trail; we left before they got there but we ran into them on the way home and the dogs were all angels. I had Daisy, Lily and Mo on the hook at various points for the usual reasons (roughing, running too far ahead, showing too much interest in salt workers). It's starting to really dry up in the monte and there are more people working in the salt ponds near us now than we've seen for a few months.
GRADE: A

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

20.03.12

morning walk:
Bosha
Linda
(2)

Down the dead goat trail and home via the dirty road: ~2k. It turns out Bosha likes to run, so we ran most of the way. She is a goof and Linda is a sweetheart and had a blast running. We ran into a couple albañils on our trail, where they are supposedly building some kind of concrete gate/wall to mark a property, and both dogs were angels while I spoke to the dudes.
GRADE: A

morning swim:
Lucy
(1)

She swam her usual amount in shallow, chilly, stinky water. I had to haul her out there a couple times but she was a good sport about it and was breathing heavily by the time we were done.
GRADE: A

Monday, March 19, 2012

19.03.12

morning run:
Ginger
Gracie
Frijolita
Chester
Reggie
Ernie
Elewah
Daisy
(8)

Long and winding road backwards: ~10k. This was a fast group and it felt like we were flying most of the way. I put Daisy on the hook a couple of times for roughing - she's getting better about it but she has to be constantly reminded not to be so rough with everyone. Otherwise everyone was great.
GRADE: A

Sunday, March 18, 2012

18.03.12

morning walks:
Frankie
Daisy
Linda
Bette
Stella
(5)

M&J's final walks here as HelpX'ers: (1) Frankie, Daisy, Linda; (2) Bette, Stella. Everyone had a great time. Thanks Michael and Jagoda.
GRADE: A

Saturday, March 17, 2012

17.03.12

morning walks:
Ernie
Molly
Linda
Bette
Twiggy
Archie
April
Luna
(8)

M&J took these out in three groups: (1) Ernie, Molly, Linda; (2) Bette, Twiggy; (3) Archie, April, Luna. Everyone was good and had a good time.
GRADE: A

Friday, March 16, 2012

16.03.12

morning run:
Gowron
Monkey
Mega
Lex
Petey
Zoot
Steve McQueen
Amber
(8)

Hidden trail: ~8k. Incredibly fast today, we barely stopped at all. The tribe are beginning to get too fast for me and all need collars (on the way from the states already) and work on the leash. Mega is a nut, but at least he does listen. Everyone was good and had a good time.
GRADE: A

Thursday, March 15, 2012

15.03.12

morning walks:
Lucy
Twiggy
Tito
Archie
Tuesday
Linda
Otto
Shirley
(8)

M&J took these out in three groups: (1) Lucy, Twiggy, Tito, (2) Archie, Tuesday, Linda, (3) Otto, Shirley. All were good and had a great time.
GRADE: A

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

14.03.12

morning run:
Alice
Ginger
Rita
Osita
Godzilla
George
Molly
Luna
(8)

Hidden trail: ~8k. This was George and Alice's best run in a while. We left early enough that it wasn't crushingly hot and they all drank a lot of water; the ocean also cooled them down and made it easier on the way home. George was really up for it and never faltered or lagged. I had Molly on the hook for most of the way because there is a large chance of running into people on vehicles in the monte right now and I need her to reign it in a little; I'm sure she'll get it and stop needing the leash so much. We saw Nicole in the distance to the south when we hit the beach and were able to get down to Au Soleil Couchant and back into the monte before she was anywhere near us, even though we jumped into the ocean to swim several times. We ran into M&J with Otto and Ernie on the coco trail on the way home and everyone was good.
GRADE: A

morning walks:
Frankie
Stella
Linda
Otto
Ernie
(5)

M&J took these out in two groups: Frankie, Stella and Linda in the first one and Otto and Ernie in the second. All were good.
GRADE: A

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

13.03.12

morning walks:
Bette
Greta
Linda
Otto
April
Shirley
Twiggy
Henry
(8)

M&J took these out in three groups. First up was Bette, Greta and Linda, all of whom came back wet and happy. Next were Otto and April who also had a blast, although neither went swimming. Finally we had Shirley, Twiggy and Henry and again all of them jumped into the water at some point and everyone had a good time, although it was getting pretty hot by the end.
GRADE: A

Monday, March 12, 2012

12.03.12

morning walks:
Greta
Shirley
Linda
Henry
Tuesday
Gowron
Luna
(7)

M&J took these out in two groups. First was Greta, Shriley and Linda who all came back wet and happy; Jagoda persuaded Linda to let her cut all the xmuls out of her coat from yesterday's jaunt, which is a great victory, so we celebrated by letting her go out again right away. Next were Henry, Tuesday, PupG and Luna; Henry and PupG were off the leash and all were good and had a good time.
GRADE: A

swims:
Lucy
Gowron
Twiggy
Bette
(4)

I demonstrated how I usually take dogs swimming for exercise when the ocean is calm with Lucy as my foil; M&J got in the water with us and sort of teased and poked her into going out and coming back several times before she became irritated with us and we let her out; we let PupG be out with us and swim on her own which suited her just fine. After Lucy came back in M&J took Twiggy and Bette out for their own extended swims; PupG thought about staying out with them but decided to come back in with me instead. Both Twiggy and Bette chased M&J around in the water for a long time and obviously had fun.
GRADE: A

Sunday, March 11, 2012

11.03.12

morning run:
Gracie
Blue
Eve
Posey
Chester
Archie
Elewah
Lily
(8)

Long and winding road backwards: ~10k. This was a fast group to put it mildly. We caught a break with a little cloud cover on the way back or I would've been crushed by the time we got to the swimming hole. We ran into M&J on the trail home as they were heading out with Greta et al; everyone was really good and did the right thing.
GRADE: A

morning walks:
Monkey
Mo
Linda
Henry
Bette
Greta
(6)

M&J took these out in two groups of three. Linda's coat is now in xmul overload, which makes her a dangerous weapon. Greta was good and had a good time but it strarted to get too hot for her so they cut it short. Still, good that Greta went out with them.
GRADE: A

Saturday, March 10, 2012

10.03.12

morning walks:
Ernie
Molly
Linda
Frankie
Stella
Henry
(6)

M&J took these out for walks in groups of three: Ernie, Molly and Linda first and then Frankie, Stella and Henry. Linda bolted for the beach at the very end and Michael had to go round her up but otherwise everyone was good.
GRADE: A

evening walk:
Lucy
Buddy
(2)

M&J took these two out on the beach for a stroll at dusk. Buddy even ran a little to catch up to Lucy (he really likes the red-headed girls). Pretty amazing. Everyone had a good time.
GRADE: A

Friday, March 9, 2012

09.03.12

morning run:
Ginger
Frijolita
Truman
Rufus
Molly
Daisy
Luna
(7)

Southern charcos to the Au Soleil Couchant road and home via the trails behind the tortuga crossroads and the coco trail: ~8k. We left late so we tore through pretty much all the water, especially since every dog on this run likes to drink. I had Molly on the hook for two long stretches when we were near people or vehicle noises, both of which there are aplenty right now in the monte: lots of salt workers. Rufus was acceptable getting out once I had the muzzle on him, and I left it on until the shrimpery. He was on the hook for the first ~1km or so. Everyone was good.
GRADE: A

morning walks:
Shirley
Monkey
Linda
Bette
Twiggy
Alice
Otto
(7)

M&J took these out as follows: Shirley, Monkey, Linda (off-leash); Bette, Twiggy; Alice, Otto. Alice jumped in the ocean and had a good time with them; we would've sent Lucy but she had a little limp and a bit of a cough still so she sat this one out.
GRADE: A

Thursday, March 8, 2012

08.03.12

morning walks:
Otto
Archie
Lucy
Molly
(4)

M&J first took Otto and Archie and then Lucy and Molly. Lucy jumped in the ocean on her own when they were on the beach and came home wet and very pleased with herself. Everyone else was also good.
GRADE: A

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

07.03.12

morning run:
Gowron
Monkey
Zoot
Mega
Lex
Petey
Steve McQueen
Amber
(8)

Hidden trail more or less the standard way: ~8k. This is the first day that it was really possible to consider going for a run since this outbreak of kennel cough overwhelmed us. The tribe was mostly unaffected, and PupG/Monkey were two of the first cases, have completed 7 days of antibiotics and aren't coughing now. There was no coughing on the run and everyone had a blast. There are a lot of people working in the salt swamps right now, so we changed up a little to avoid some of them, but not in any substantial way. Everyone swam like lunatics and we ran all the way to the tortuga sign on the beach so that they could swim as much as possible.
GRADE: A

morning walks:
Frankie
Stella
Molly
Daisy
Henry
Twiggy
Linda
Luna
Mo
(9)

M&J took this bunch of dogs out in four groups. First Frankie and Stella went, followed by Molly, Daisy and Henry, then Twiggy and Linda and finally Luna and Mo. Molly got out of her collar at the very beginning and we ran into her on the trail as we were coming back on the run - fairly hilarious and everyone behaved pretty well (Amber barked a little). Other than that no complaints were lodged with the home office by dogs or humans.
GRADE: A

dusk walk:
Zasu
Miles
(2)

Roni took these two out to the land-bridge and back which made them very happy.
GRADE: A

Saturday, March 3, 2012

03.03.12

morning run:
Gracie
Posey
Osita
Lily
(4)

to the swimming hole via the land bridge and the ridge, to the beach at Au Soleil Couchant, south to the tortuga sign and home via the coco trail: ~6k. We're in the middle of this kennel cough outbreak and it was difficult to find some dogs that could go, much less get out and do it. We left late, it was hot and we ran into Weltin's vehicle turning onto the tortuga road as we were running towards doce but of course our dogs were angels (and I already had Lily on the leash because I knew what time it was and I thought that might happen). All good.
GRADE: A

Friday, March 2, 2012

02.03.12

morning walk:
Molly
Stella
Ziggy
Linda
(4)

M&J took Molly and Stella out on leashes and Ziggy and Linda off the leash in one big group. They were all good.
GRADE: A

Thursday, March 1, 2012

01.03.12

morning walks:
Ernie
Mo
Bette
Daisy
(4)

M&J too these out in two pairs for morning walks. All good.
GRADE: A