TMT #8

1. What blogging tip would you give other dog-bloggers?

Be authentic to yourself. If you want to whine, bitch and moan, do it. If you want to brag, do it. If you want to share training tips or be mysterious in how you train, do it. It's your blog.

2. If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island and could take five things with you (aside from the clothes on your back), what would they be?

1) My baby girl Josie

2) Diapers for Josie

3) My handy husband who is a chemist, is good at building forts and rafts and can carry heavy objects

4)  My dogs - all have unique survival skills (Mattie being the quintessential utility dog, master of all things)

5) My Russian Orloff chicken, Mergatroid.

3. How much pain are you willing to endure in the name of physical appearance? Do you have painful things done to enhance beauty?

I once had a professional stylist bleach my hair platinum blonde for a show. That HURTS! I won't be doing that again. I won't be getting tattooed eyebrows or botox treatments, nor will I ever get surgery to 'enhance' my features. I suppose the only painful things I do to enhance beauty is the pain incurred to my credit card after visiting the beauty counter at Nordstrom.

4. Speed limits... how fast do you drive? Do you drive Miss Daisy? Do you do the Indy 500 to work?

I tend to speed rather than go slow. On freeway, when the limit is 70, I will go 78 if I can. In a 25 zone, I go 25. In a 35 zone, it's usually okay to get into the 40's as long as the car you're following is also speeding.  I like to stay in the middle of a pack of speeders if I can; that way the cop will get the guy in the back. Never be the last in the speeder-pack.

5. What trial (that you go to) is your favorite, and why?

Of the trials I have been to, I've actually liked all of them for varying reasons. I love Judy Norris' Rocky Ewe trials and I really love her sheep (aka The Girls). I love the field and facilities at Susan Crocker's on Whidbey Island (she has nice Katahdins that are gazelle-like in running ability). Sue and George MacDonald always put on a great trial too (and I adore their Scottish Blackface sheep). Lacamas is pure awesomeness - wild lambs and excellent accommodations for handlers. Dirt Blowing has super fields and the elusive range ewes that challenge you. Joe and Heather Haynes' trials in Arlington are HARD with their crazy field and some pretty great sheep. I really enjoy the Highland Games arena time/points trial in Mt. Vernon each summer. And, the Calagary Stampede arena time/points trial was so much fun. I'm hoping that the National Finals this summer will end up being my favorite though :)  My goal this Spring and Summer is to get Jude qualified for that!