So .. I’m one of those Americans that has to go to the polls every 4 years and vote for the guy who I think will screw things up less than the other. I’m not a Democrat, nor a Republican.
This year, we had to vote either for a 72 year old grumpy, old, rich white guy that graduated almost last in his class at the Naval Academy and has supported George Bush since Day 1 (with a creationist god-nut as a running mate), or a guy that is highly educated from Harvard, seems to have some good ideas, speaks eloquently, but is new on the scene.
Neither is ideal, in my opinion. I really can’t stand many of the democratic party’s policies or ideals. However, the repulicans legislating morality, wanting to kill anything that isn’t waving an American flag, making up fairly tales about the terrorist coming to get you, and pandering to the corporations simply makes me want to puke.
That being said, I’m actually very, very proud of my country. For the first time in a long while.
I never thought, in my lifetime, I would se America elect a President who wasn’t white ( nor from an influential, rich, political family).
There may just be hope for us yet.
- Brian
So, next week is the beginning of November, and snow has recently started to fall in the mountains. Some of the ski resorts are starting to open, so Brian is going to be hitting the slopes next week. He got a new freestyle snowboard and is ready to head to the mountains. I made sure that our insurance was up to date. 
–Laura
Today I feel the need to vent about our favorite 4-legged creatures…dogs! As a dog trainer, I encounter a lot of different problems that parents face with their pooches, but one of the biggest challenges that I face is educating parents on myths that they have read on the Internet.
A lot of information is out there for everyone to read, but a lot of it isn’t reputable. Ever heard of biting your dogs ears to show them you are dominant? You must go out the door first or your dog is showing dominance? Don’t let them on the bed? Don’t let them walk in front of you? Alpha roll your dog to show you are the boss? The list goes on and on. I’m sure that anyone reading this had heard them all before, and then some. Every time I hear someone talk about these myths, it makes me cringe. None of these claims are supported by any scientific evidence at all and these myths need to be dispelled.
A few weeks ago I attended a seminar at the Boulder Human society, given by Jean Donaldson. She is one of the leading women in the dog training field who totally supports positive reinforcement (which is scientifically proven the fastest way to train a dog). One of the biggest points she made that stuck out in my mind is that “Big claims need big evidence.” That phrased has sat in my head ever since, and has challenged me to read what is out there and challenge those who are making claims that are unfounded. Those of us in the dog training field know that there are a lot of misleading information out there that does not have scientific evidence to support the theories spewed out of trainer’s mouths.
Dominance is such an overused word in our field. Another one is that needs to be put to rest is the term “alpha dog.” Are you a dog? No. So can you be an alpha? No. You can be a leader to your dog. One that provides structure and rules in their lives, but you are not furry and don’t have four legs; therefore, you cannot be an alpha dog.
So your dog walks out the door before you do. Ever thought that maybe the door is just open and they want to get outside where there are new sights, sounds and smells? I make sure my dogs sit before going outside the door, because I enforce rules with my dogs, but who cares if they go out the door before me?
My dogs still listen to me when I ask for behaviors, they still get off the bed when I ask them to, and they never challenge me for food, toys, or anything for else for that matter. They are well-mannered dogs despite the fact that I don’t bite their ears, alpha roll them, use choke chains on them, and I let them go out the door before me. They even sleep in our bed and have never once challenged me when I’ve asked them to move or get down.
Can you be a poor leader to your dog? Absolutely. If your dog growls at you when you try to get in your bed because they are on it. If your dog initiates petting by pushing your hand with its nose. If your dog jumps all over you when you pull out its bowl for dinner time. These are signs that your dog needs a little bit more structure and rules. These are signs that your dog rules the roost, and that means you are not being a good leader. Dogs are dogs, and although it is wonderful to spoil them, they need to have structure.
If you want to look at the word dominance, we as humans are already dominant to our dogs. We control their food, their water, their playtime, their potty times, their medical care…you name it. Doesn’t this make us dominant to them naturally? They depend on us for everything, which makes us their natural leaders.
A lot of people use the “wolf pack” as an indicator of alpha dogs. Scientific evidence has proven that alpha wolves are the mother’s and father’s of the pack of wolves, and they are alpha’s to their children. When their children grow up, they will leave the pack and become their own alphas. They are alphas because of their hierarchy as parents. That’s it.
For all of these claims out there, and the overuse of the word dominance, do your research and find the scientific evidence that supports what you are reading! If it wasn’t scientifically proven, then we can only speculate what others in this field are claiming as fact. There are many great resources of information out there regarding dogs and their existence with human beings that don’t involve harsh measures and myths.
It’s great to read and learn about your dogs, because it will help you and your dog lead a happier, healthier life together. Just make sure that what you are reading has merit and that the claims you are reading have supported evidence to prove it.
Ok, so for those who know me know I loathe winter. It’s cold…and I am just not a cold type of gal. Well, the other day Brian went to the Ski Rex, a sale for snowboarding and skiing stuff. It is an annual sale for last year’s demo stuff, as well as this year’s new stuff.
He came home with a neat new helmet, equipped with bluetooth and audio speakers, and a new board so he can try freestyle stuff this winter. He got a heck of a deal on everything. He kept asking me if it was snowing yet. To which I replied “no.”
Well, today, he took me to the Ski Rex. Wow. He bought me the new model of the snowboard I used last year and loved, a helmet, bindings, and a new jacket. All in all, saved about $200 total. Now I keep asking him if it is snowing yet. Of course, to which he replied…”no.”As you can imagine, both of us are getting pretty excited about the upcoming snowboarding season. I never thought that in my lifetime I’d look forward to snow. I actually am. 
– Laura
Happy 4th to everyone.
So … in Denver, fireworks are illegal. Period. As in, you can’t even buy sparklers.
Yes, Sparklers.
In fact there was even some moron official on the news pontificating the dangers of sparklers (They get hot, you could burn yourself!). Of course, so does my stove/oven, and last I looked I’m still allowed to own one of those. Oh, and I can buy a shotgun at any Walmart. THOSE are fine!
I think it’s rather ironic that on the day we’re supposedly celebrating our “Independence” we’re no longer allowed to possess a firecracker. Violators will be punished.
But I digress. Adams county (outside the city, where we live) does allow fireworks. As long as they don’t fly or explode. In all fairness, the fireworks manufacturers have actually done a lot to make these enjoyable over the last few years, and I’m quite sure many people are perfectly happy with them.
I am not one of those people.
Did I mention that Wyoming, on the other hand, will let you buy anything you want?
Enjoy the 4th. I will be eating, drinking, and blowing things up.
- B
So, I’ve been hating my Harley and it’s been sitting in the garage collecting dust. Brian and I have always enjoyed riding together, and the weather here is gorgeous, so we talked about me getting a new bike.
The problem for me with bikes is that they are always so tall. That’s why I thought I’d enjoy the Harley because the seat height was so low. Yea, it was low, but the bike weighed six times what I do!
So we’ve been looking around, and Ducati’s new Monster, the 696 just came out. Seat height is 30.3 inches (not too bad!) and it only weighs about 365 lbs with fuel…maybe a little less. Brian rode it home for me last night, and I’m going to take it for my first outing on the way to work today.
Here’s a picture of it, and I’ll take some pictures of my actual bike soon!
Happy riding!
Laura
Although this is a gorgeous bike, it just isn’t fitting my riding style. I am so used to sport bikes, I am having trouble getting used to the Harley style of riding.
The bike is a 2007 Harley Davidson Nightster (XL1200N), and only has 80 miles on it. Female owned. No accidents. Never been dropped. Pristine condition (no scratches or dings). Has been garage kept its entire life. No modifications.
Price: $8750
Contact info: laura at dcc-racing dot org
Sorry it has been so long since we’ve updated the site. Brian and I have been busy, but thought I’d post a quick update.Brian has been working on some large projects at work. There were a few weeks there over the last couple of months where he didn’t sleep too much and was working tirelessly on a work project. He enjoys his job, though, so it’s worth it.
I got a promotion at PetSmart to Area Trainer. In addition to training dogs, I am now training new trainers for our district. We have 16 stores in our district and I am helping to staff the stores with trainers and make sure they are up to par. I have been enjoying it, but I have been working a lot. It’s hard to juggle all of my new responsibilities while still being the primary trainer in my store.
Brian pre-ordered Wii Fit for us and we got it the other day. Whoa! This thing is so cool and addictive. It basically is a way to exercise that is more interactive than just working out by yourself. It has a pad you stand on and there are all sorts of activities. You can do yoga, strength training exercises, balance exercises and more. It is so much fun. Brian and I played it for about two hours last night and it was hard to stop!
The boys are doing well. Rocky had surgery a few weeks ago to remove two fatty tumors and get his teeth cleaned. He is all healed up, but they had to pull a tooth during his dental. He had a rare doggie cavity. Rocky also needs to lose a few pounds, so Brian and I have been trying to take the dogs for more walks. It’s hard because Brian and I have opposing schedules, but we get them out a few times a week. Now that the weather is getting nicer, we will start going hiking again (which the boys love!) Bruno is doing well, too. He is still a big goofy guy!
I bought Brian a new grill for his birthday back in January and he put it together a few weeks ago. He’s been grilling like crazy and we’ve been eating some yummy food! He is really getting good at it. The other day he smoked chicken and ribs for about eight hours and they were so good!Our freezer broke, so we had to go yesterday and buy a new refrigerator. That was painful! We got one with the freezer on the bottom, but it won’t be here until next week so we’re having to store our food out in the fridge in the garage. We are definitely looking forward to the new one getting here!
The other night Brian and I went to Red Rocks to see The Cure. Wow! Red Rocks is absolutely gorgeous, the weather was perfect, and The Cure was awesome. I highly recommend seeing a show there. The rock formations were unbelievable, the sound was incredible, and with the gorgeous weather, you couldn’t beat that evening. It was perfect. We are going to see Nine Inch Nails in September. Brian got fourth row tickets for us!
Other than that, nothing too exciting. Just working hard and getting ready for some warm weather! Hope you all are doing well!
–Laura
Ok, so we are both now becoming alive to the world again. It started with me feeling not so hot last Sunday. Well, by Monday I had a full-blown fever, aches, pains, chills…yup…the flu. This was the first year in a while I haven’t gotten the flu shot, and I think I jinxed myself and took my husband down with me.
Brian got sick, as well. And to top it all off, he got an ear infection and actually had to go to the doctor. For those who know Brian, you know that isn’t something that is normal. The last time I saw him go to the doctor was when he had surgery on his arm five years ago.
It has not been a fun week. I’ll be heading back to work tomorrow. Although no more fever or flu, I’m just feeling the blah’s now. Brian has another 24-48 hours before his antibiotics kick in start making his ears feel better.
The flu absolutely sucks. I’ve missed a lot of work, slept a ton, ate barely anything, and didn’t enjoy any of it.
Laura
WOOOOHOOOOO! That’s all I can say. On Sunday I took my third snowboarding lesson and I can tell you that the “three day rule” really is pretty accurate.
I made huge strides this time out on the slopes and I have to say I was so excited! Last time we went, I pretty much stayed on the easy slope and took one run on a slightly longer and steeper run. That did NOT go too well. I bonked my head, fell over and over again, and traversed all the way down the tough parts. For those who don’t snowboard, traversing is an easy way to keep your speed in check and basically crawl your way through parts you have trouble with. You just face one direction and ease back and forth from side to side.
This time, I made a couple of runs down the easy slope, and then we headed to the harder one I had trouble with last time. The first run down, it took me a few times to really get my nerves out. Once I did, I actually started linking turns and traversing less than I did last time. On my second run down that slope, I actually turned down most of the slope…even the steeper parts. I was soooo excited I can’t even tell you! I was like a little kid getting to the bottom throwing my arms in the air and cheering as if I’d just won the Olympics!
Ok, so I didn’t do anything that spectacular, but to me, it felt like it. After the first day of snowboarding (the pain I felt and the frustration that I couldn’t shake), I never thought I would have made it this far. I am, actually, proud of myself! (for those that know me, that’s a huge deal).
After one of my first runs of the day, I got to the bottom and said to my instructor “well, I just wasn’t committing to my turns enough.” She laughed at me and said “Umm, Laura, did you realize that was the first time you’d made it down the slope without falling once?” She then proceeded to tell me how silly I was for being so self critical. She was right, though. I was so worried about trying to get better, I never stopped to see the progress I had made. I think this is something in life that we can all tend to do, but yes, I’m pretty critical of myself.
So I think next time I am going to go back and try to do a day of boarding without the instructor. Just to practice what I have learned and see how it goes. They also have a women’s camp at the end of March that I might try, as well. Right now I feel proud, accomplished and excited to go again!
– Laura
