2019 journey start with Kai

2018 - I needed to have rest from online. As I was working everything by online, and taking online education courses,  online conversation with family. and fall asleep while looking at instagram, waking up with looking though Facebook...
it's just new generation, how it is in year 2000..  but It was nice to be away to not spend extra time writing online blog. 

Biggest event happened in 2018 was Niah's shoulder injury, and he spend about 4month wearing hobble. It was the most miserable year for him. He lost every muscle, enthusiasm, and started worried about environment ever than before, and he was very unstable, un predictable.   It was very sad and frustrating year.

But Great things also happened at the same time.
High light was going back to Japan, I had a great time with my family and catch up with beloved dear friends! Also we travel to Europe, did amazing hiking in Italian mountain, then went to Sweden to see Agility World Championship again :) 
And again, we host Zeljko Gora seminar in Australi, travel together to New Zealand was fabulous. I will write again when I am motivated to write a report of these wonderful experiences.

And 2019 - Here we come!
Brand new year started with full of hope and enthusiasm. 

First of all, Meet our dream puppy Kai.
We started a new year by driving 6000km along the coast to pick up a puppy from QLD. well, it took so long but Mr. Whitey (puppy name) is now called "Kai" (it means Ocean in Japanese)
The name "Kai" suits our life style. Dean used to surf and we love swimming, running in the ocean with our dogs. Kai has gorgeous temperament and he is very intelligent puppy with a unique-mostly white marking and very dark face – which is perfect to spend time in Australian summers and beaches - No sunburn and body stays cool!
Kennel name : RURedyfor Kai. 
He daddy is Kinloch Aaron, Mummy is Kinloch Genie.
I will start writing my blog again for our training record :)

Routeburn track South Island

I am so greatful that I can finally write and post hiking photos.

We landed to Queenstown, South Island. then suddenly weather changed!
At the night we arrived,  it started raining really really hard then and rain changed to heavy snow, and snow didn't stop until in the morning. 

Big surprise! when we woke up surrounding mountains are covered in deep snow, and information center people told us that alps peak is closed, due to too much snow.

We planned for 3 days hiking at Routeburn track.  It takes about 3 hours bus ride from central Queenstown to get to Divide, where we planned to start walk.   Routeburn track is not too difficult, the most accessible and popular journeys in New Zealand's hiking. 
Takes 3 days but it doesn't include hard climbing or long distance.  so it is rather beginner- and relaxing and enjoyable journey, but with deep snow - it is different story :(

So we decided to gave up on taking a bus to go to divide side, and stayed another night in Queenstown.  
Hartland hotel was lovely. very cozy and comfortable. 

I was a bit scared to buy a new boots and hike right away, but bought a best new waterproof hiking boots from Selwa to get ready for deep snow walking.  How great is this boots! love it so much.  Dean also bought a very warm down jacket, thermal inner top and tights.. so we finally ready for snow hike!

Resting at Queenstown

2017 Winter was so long, and I could hardly do any agility.  Worked every day all day.
But sometimes - this kind of winter is needed. 
 
Because of we worked so hard, out business is going well.  
Just one of the busy working year -

2017 is already nearly the end and summer arrived in Melbourne.  
We escaped from very hot Melbourne to South Island, NZ.  

We really needed fresh mountain air for quick rest.
The moment like these photos makes me realize we must do more hiking to learn more of the world.  
We took cable car, then hiked up to Ben lomond mountain near the central Queenstown.  Breath taking scenery.

Such a soft and gentle snow, hated walking on muddy icy river pass,- but what a experience!

Day is getting longer

Southern hemisphere is in the middle of winter,  Wet and cold Melbourne winter is not my favorite time and I always get homesick -  dreaming to go somewhere warm!! 
We are mostly driving around the area to area by car to walk..yes that's so wrong!  - Not much hiking or walking recently:( 
南半球はまさに真冬、得に南極から近いメルボルンは本当に寒いし雨も多くて、
本当にあの蒸し暑ーい日本が恋しくなります。 　週末も出かけるけど、殆どは車でドライブ山へ出かけて、ちょっと散歩するくらいで、大好きなハイキングにもいく気力が起らない。。そんな気分も体調も不調になりがちなのは私だけじゃなくて琴やニアもみたい。

Koto has been also not well :(  She had stomach virus and she has been really not well for the last couple of weeks. 
Malcolm did all testing and xrays check up - just in case of something not good.
but the result was all good, and she is almost recovered, but we can see she is still a bit weak-  Hope she gets fully recovered.  makes me nervous to see her getting older and little gray hairs around her face.  Winter make me think something I don't need to think :) 
At least -  Winter solstice is past and day is getting longer everyday　❤

琴ちゃんがちょうど3週間くらい前に　突然食欲がなくなって咳をしたり夜中に熱があったりとなんだか凄く体調が悪そうだったので、一時様子を見たのですが、元通りにならないので、2日間入院して血液検査やレントゲンを撮ってすみからすみまで調べてもらいましたが、異常は見つからず。
今は　もう殆どもとの琴なのですが、なんだかいつもより元気がない感じ。
最近　顔の白い毛も目立って来たし、琴が年をとっていくのはとっても悲しい。
冬だからかなー　考えなくていい様な事ばっかり考えてまいます　笑
でも冬至は過ぎたから、日がすこしづつだけど　長くなってきたこの頃。

Post smart phone zombie

2017 has already finished half way and I am finally sitting on my favorite chair and listening music.  Just realiased I have been 4 month of silence on my blog, I thought I willl never stop writing our little diary of Koto and Niah but this such a simple - daily routine can be break easily when I am so so busy,  and I feel like I am always always looking at my iphone when I am resting, Feels like I am getting like smart phone zombie.

I think I need to stop spending my time for just browsing people's mind... because most of the shared videos and notes are junk.  I need to spend more time with my dogs, and take more photos of my dogs and note what is happening to us!! 
あれ、2017年が半分終わってるってやっと気づいた私。
久しぶりに自分の好きな椅子に座って大好きなスピーカーで聞いてみたかった友達のミックスをゆっくり聞こうと思った時、そういえばブログ4ヶ月も更新してないと言う事にも気づいた。忙しくても琴とニアの写真を撮ったり音楽をゆっくり聞く事は欠かしたことがなかっただけに、最近は時間があればスマホをボーと見てるだけの　
スマホゾンビーになりかけてる自分に気づいて少し反省。

そういえば、仕事してないときは殆どスマホでソーシャルメディアの他人のつぶやきや投稿をブラウズしてるだけだったかも。　

もっと琴とニアと向かいあって、もっと時間を費やして、もっと写真を沢山　撮って　
トレーニング日記もちゃんと続けて行こう！と決心。
　

Extreme Fundation with Silvia

My second online class is Silvia's extreme foundation.

To be honest - I thought Niah and I will drop out from this class.. because the first lesson was verbal que proofing and teaching cik vs. cap,  In-in vs. Out..
it was the hardest thing to teach... 
Niah actually knows well about Right and Left command because I make him to spin to both direction so we became very good at it. 
but I gave up on using cik/cap command at trial already, because I always get confused and not telling right command to him.. so I have been only using cik cik for all tight turn, and mostly using my body que to tell which way to turn.

Of Cause_ Niah wouldn't know the command if I don't use it correctly. 

First 2 weeks was a bit too hard - I didn't enjoy the lessons at all.
but we are taking baby steps on verbals cues and we are slowly getting better every time. 
Looks like I just need to keep on practice and be consistent in que!!!


2nd lesson gets a bit more fun -practicing come to hand - obstacle discrimination!
such a fun exercise and Niah and I LOVEd this :D exactly what we needed to practice!!

2017 Our agility plan!

My 2017 started with full of training plans and I have now on going 3 online classes! 

Ambitious plan but so far, I am in control and enjoying little play with Koto and Niah. 

I am not a dog trainer or agility handler as I dream but I love playing with dogs and training Koto and Niah lift my life and I want to keep on learning even they are getting older.   We always have some topic to train, and when we crush on a problem, we just need to move on and try to fix that problem by happy training.  Most importantly, we need to keep on moving and never give up on those issues.  So here we have 3 lessons!!   

But started with a year with "a real life- training" at last weekend, I attend Australian agility instructor's workshop - and it was fun and made me think of a lot of detail of handling.  Megan gave me a great tips, especially for the fraction moment of connecting with dogs, and early que, handler's location, etc.. a lot of details to think about when I am running at the course. It was such a nice seminar. 

2017年は頭に中に入りきれない程の沢山の課題があるのです：）

ちょっと野心的すぎたかなと思いながらも、今　3つのオンラインクラスをやっています。

私はあんまり良いトレーナーじゃないし、夢に描く様なハンドラーでもなくていつも課題が多いのですが、前進するには本当に練習のみ。琴とニアはどんどん年をとって行くけど壁にぶつかったら一緒に、楽しみながら解決していくしかないんですよね、経験して覚えて行くいくしかないのですよね。諦めない事が一番大切。　

先週 オーストラリアのトレーナーのメーガンベルさんのワークショップに参加してきました。普段オンラインで練習しているので　こうやって細かいハンドリングの指導をして頂けるのは本当にうれしいし、勉強になります。犬とのコネクション、ハンドラーのロケーション、速めのクロス、一人の先生からずっと教えてもらうのではなく、色々な人に色々なセオリーを教えてもらうのはとても大切だとおもいます。いいとこ、自分に会う所取り！かなり勉強になったセミナーでした。

I am still taking handling class with Zeljko. 

He is the best instructor I have ever had,  we improved so much from his comment, thinking of handling, comparing handling choices-  I will definitely continue to learn from him until he is available.   Niah is awesome with Zeljko's course.  He can run most of very complicated courses. Here is one of the lesson from January.  

それから　まだジェリコとのクラスも続けています。彼はインストラクションは本当にはっきりしてて、ストレートで良い所はいい！良くないときは　もうぜんぜんだめ！！って感じで白黒ハッキリしてくれるので、本当に解りやすい。お陰でニアも私もかなり難しいコースも走れる様になってきたし、タイミングやニアの良い所、ダメな所、本当にはっきりしてきた。　相変わらず課題が多いけど、彼がインストラクターをしてくれるかぎり続けて行くつもりです。

First time ever on Boat at Lake Eucambane.

Our 5days of holiday at the Lake Eucumbane, near mount kosciuszko national park!

I remember, I was cooking constantly! most of the time and meal was delicious!! 

But I was expecting to cook BIG trout, because we were there for finishing and first time ever for Koto and Niah to be on a boat!! 

Unfortunately, we didn't catch anything in 4 days of fishing, because of the water temperature was too warm and all fishes stayed very deep in the bottom of the lake. 

so sadyly, after 3 -4 days of struggle - we had no fish for dinner,  No fishy treats for Koto and Niah. but we all really did enjoyed swimming in beautiful lake.

Niah was so scared of boat at 1st day, but he got used to it next day :D Silly boy.

Koto was like a little captain, she enjoyed Australian summer breeze whole time . 

nearly end of January, but HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017 :)

Super late happy new year 2017!! Hope you had great new years.

December and January was like a marathon, I had a so much work to do and I nearly forgot about my blog! I actually upgrade my accounting software, which is awesome, I feels like I have a good robot who can manage all the job that I was spending too much time.   To make this new good robot to work, I needed to do 6 month of data entry… which made my new year 2017 a little chaotic. 

My work is busier and busier everyday – so I am actually happy and right now, I do not worried about anything small.  Means No stress.

All I care at the moment is Koto and Niah are good and healthy, Koto is starting to swim, jogging and playing again ❤

I really hope you are doing well and having a good start of the year like us!  

o/e seminar in Sydney 2016.

As soon as I came back from Europe, I went to Sydney for agility seminar road trip.
It is just next to Victoria -  but Australia is HUGE country :) going to next state actually takes 8-10 hours by car! so it was big road trip for me to get out of jet lag and tiredness from the long long overseas trip.  

And ofcause .. Niah and I are both not fit enough to do seminar this soon. 
But we did it.   We had about 5 days to jogging, and condition our self.
But it was not enough !! it was just raining really hard and back yard was too muddy to do any grid work or jumping. 
I obviously had too much delicious pasta in Italy and amazing tapas in Spain :)

The o/e seminar was great as previous year.   I love how Isabelle pushes student's comfort zone and make every new moves possible.  I did enjoy a lot with Isabelle, but
Jouni set up fast running course and somehow I was really stupid and 
I walk the course wrongly, I couldn't remember the course anymore and.. all I just want to say is I looked so stupid!!  Niah being cautious and not running, and me being lost... 
I don't even want to watch the video ever again.  (Thank you Penny for video taping those painful runs...) but it sure became bitter and sweet memory and I actually learn so so so much. 

Most important things I learn this time: 
1)  I need to put myself "Oh shoot, I need to RUN" situation.  
     I am leading his motivation at race. Do not give up, Do not make him slow. 
2) NO backward stepping.  Feet is always showing future pass. 
3) Be more aggressive with my command. (lol) Que clearly and fast.

ヨー ロッパから帰って慌ててo/eセミナーへシドニーまで行ったのですが、隣の州！といってもオーストラリアはやたら広くて、私の住むビクトリアからは車で9 時間程かかりました。旅行の疲れも時差ぼけもとれていなかったし、もちろん1ヶ月の旅行中、ディーンのパパの家の裏庭のペット状態だった琴とニアはなんに もエクササイズをしていなかったし、私もイタリア料理やタパスを食べ過ぎて動きが鈍い。。でもAWC観戦したばっかりだったから　ヤル気だけはあったんだ けどね〜
でもやっぱりヤル気だけではダメでした。得にヨウニのスピーディなコースはもう、最悪。コース歩き間違えたし　覚えられないし、ニアはちんたら走るし、私も道に迷ってばかり。もうビデオも二度とみたくない。。でも色々と勉強になりました！

 今回イザベルから習ったとっても大切な3か条！
1）ヤバい　全速力ではしらないと！というような状況に自分をどんどん置いてとにかく
速く走る事。ニアのモチベーションは私次第。諦めずに走る事。
ニアのベストを出してあげられるのは私のみ。
2）後ろ歩きをしない事。Feet always facing to the future!!! 
3)   コマンドをもっとはっきりと強くアグレッシブに。

Browing in the wind

Since we are back from one month of Europe adventure, we had no time to rest, 
Dean and I just needed to work hard all the time to catch up.

The most unfortunate reality is Koto is back in injured again. 
We were expected her to be totally back in shape after the one month of break. 
but she torn her back leg tendon again.  Not just little one - required little surgery with ACP injection. It has been very emotional couple of month, driving to the vet twice a week. 

She is nearly 9 years old. but still handful and still crazy. she really is amazing and fun girl but we just want her to be healthy and happily run everyday.  So much frustration. 
Agility high season and training started november, so many agility seminars and competitions...but Niah is still not perfectly in good shape.  
This made me to think about having one month of dream travel also risk our dog's health and happiness.  My dogs are not in good shape, Feels down and exhausted from frustration.  But  I will always keep my self positive and focus on great and happy things we are doing right now :) Because I love my dogs and I love my life in Australia.

Busy October and November passed like a wind.  

Dolomite Hiking 3-4th day

2nd day became almost too long and we were extremely tired, We also learn the lesson that we need to keep up our walking tempo more faster. 

We've stopped almost every refugio for refreshment, and been taking photos every time the scenery changes (Yes! I have a typical Japanese soul) But at least I have amazing photograph that I can remember these magnificent moment, and I saw this absolutely beautiful moon from our accommodation's balcony.  
We stayed Munt de sennes refugio.  Staff was very nice, nice food, stunning location and we just needed to sleep there!!

3rd day - we needed to walk through the enormously large and quiet filed.  The field took us to the large stone/rocky mountain's valleys, we climb down the rocky mountain to get to our next destination, next to the lake. 

Walking down the lime stone, rocky track was very difficult and made me feel scared.  Small pebble are very slippery and I needed to concentrate on every steps.  
Being cautious made my walking speed so slow again, so again it took much longer than we aimed for but after 5 hours walk, we finally came down and had a homemade sausage and vegetable soup at the Refugio. 

Finally found the lake. Simply stunning and so rewarding. 
What a lucky cows, who lives here.