What a wonderful Okanagan spring,Β loveΒ this time of year!Β SuchΒ pleasant weather to go for a hike among the blooming Arrowleaf Balsamroots. SeeΒ 21-month-old Birdie among the yellow blossoms and hiking various trails in the area.Β
We went to see Daniel Champagne,Β an amazingΒ young percussive guitarist from Australia. ItΒ wasΒ a very smallΒ venue, packed full of people. WeΒ all enjoyed it immensely, including Birdie and our young grandson.Β Β
A few days later, we attended the Armstrong Cheese Festival, which was packed full of peopleΒ in search ofΒ free samples ofΒ yes, cheese,Β but alsoΒ wine, beer, spirits, and delicious foods to test or purchase.Β WeΒ also ran into PADS DK there with his raisers Fred and Nancy. TheΒ pups were so well-behaved among all the people in attendance.
My 5-pin bowling league ended this month. WeΒ hadΒ 2Β weeks of roll-offs (mini-tournament), and my team came in dead last. DuringΒ roll-offs, we had to change lanes after every game, so Birdie had to resettle in a new spot each time.
OneΒ weekΒ sheΒ received some love from the grandchild of one of our players (see picture).Β It was fun andΒ a greatΒ experience for Birdie, sheΒ was alwaysΒ soΒ calm and well-mannered.Β
Reading with the kids at school continued after their Spring Break. OneΒ weekΒ weΒ were entertained by the Black Dog String Quartet from Vancouver. TheyΒ wereΒ very goodΒ andΒ quiteΒ engaging with the audience. ItΒ was such an unexpected treat. BirdieΒ settled nicely during the performance among a gymΒ fullΒ of students and teachers.
ThenΒ anotherΒ week at the school, BirdieΒ got to seeΒ baby chicks up close that had just hatched that morning!
Our PADS pups participated in the βPaddles for PADSβ Pickleball fundraisers in Vernon and West Kelowna. PADSΒ Texas, Stellar, DK and Birdie were well-behaved as we mingled with the players and helped raise $5,600 for PADS.Β Β AΒ greatΒ event for the dogs and PADS.
We had four puppy classes this month where the pups continued to hone their skills. OneΒ week, we all went out in the parking lot and practised car loading with the pups. TheyΒ all stayed put in their respective vehicles with the hatches open, and Toast & Birdie did the same in our carΒ as well. AnotherΒ week, as the dogsΒ were lined upΒ in a down position, we took turns walking over themΒ one by one.
And lastly, Birdieβs breeding assessment went forward another step with her Penn HIP X-ray at a local Okanagan vet. IΒ had to drop her off for a few hours while they sedated her and took the X-rays. SheΒ now only has one more test to go. GoΒ Birdie!
Submitted by: Chris Buitinga
