Ooh La La Jam!!!

Jam behind the scenes with Coco.

Jam was back at work today and what an exciting day it was.  We arrived on set in Brooklyn, New York, to find that she was hired to be the co-star with supermodel, Coco Roche in a commercial and advertising campaign for a very special client.

This will be part of a 2012 Spring/Summer campaign and of course, we will let you know when it is launched and show the final product.

Coco and Jam in deep discussion behind the scenes during a set change.  

We loved working with Coco, who although a bonofide supermodel, was down to earth and a true animal lover.  She told me all about an amazing charity that she is involved in.  From her website,  Senhoa is a great charity that supports victims of human trafficking in South East Asia by providing income-generating opportunities, social reintegration and programs for self-empowerment. Some of the children they work with are as young as 4 years old.

This weekend I flew to LA to finalize jewelry designs which we hope to have available within a few months. The Jewelry ‘Coco Rocha For Senhoa’will be made in Cambodia by the older girls in the program, with all proceeds going back into the program.  

Weimaraner Wednesday

Jam, enthusiastic in the fields!

 Weimaraner Wednesday fun spent field training with our friends and their dogs.  The weather was a bit hot and muggy with little breeze, so challenging scenting conditions for the dogs.

Jam on point

 The girls found the birds and had decent retrieves, especially our little retrieving machine, Savi, who does it with such gusto and retrieved to hand, it brings a smile to everyone who watches her.

Savi, air scenting as scenting as she hunts for birds

The leaves are already beginning to change color, reminding us that fall is upon us.  I just long for some nice cool weather.

 And only in New Jersey would we have such wild distractions in the bird field!  The preserve where we train is said to have one of the best Halloween Hayrides in the state!

 The dogs are so used to these freaky figures that they pay no attention to them.

Happy Hiking at Harriman

 What to do on a perfect September day?  Go hiking of course at one of our favorite places, Harriman State Park.  It was cool in the woods and Jam and Savi were excited to run and run and run...

 Jam stopped to point a deer in the distance and we were thrilled to see Savi back her.

 Savi backing Jam...

Jam on a deer point!

 Smiling Savi, she sure enjoyed our hike.

And even treats, the girls think this is the best thing ever, especially doled out by Kellyann.

Fall Field Training!

Savi & Jam

 Even though the official start to fall is still a week away, with cool temps and rain, it sure felt like fall and we had our first day training in the field since Spring.  The dogs got to run in the field for fun to stretch their legs and get some of the excess energy out before getting down to business.

Savi getting ready for take-off!

Jam

 Jam was up first and we ran her with a German Shorthair Pointer, that is working on her Senior Hunter title.  Jam ran fine with this new dog, always good to switch things up as you never know what kind of dog you'll be braced with at a hunt test.  It began pouring during our run, which was not the most pleasant thing for the handler's and does effect the scenting conditions and birds, but hunt tests are run rain or shine and it was a good opportunity to challenge the dogs in not the most ideal conditions.  Jam then had a chance for a second run with our friend's Vizsla, who is very close to finishing his Master Hunter title. We ran the dogs in a mock hunt test and I was pleased with how well Jam hunted, backed the other dog immediately and was steady to wing and shot.  Her retrieve was passable, still something I'd like to improve to get her to have a better hold on the bird, but the whole run, if in a real test would have been a pass!  Amazing how the dog's remember what they are supposed to do and pick up where we left off.

 Savi, beginning her training for Senior Hunter, ran with the Vizsla, and we wanted to evaluate where she was at.  She hunted in her usual bold, independent style and held point until we got to her to flush the bird.  We need to work on steadying her more on the bird without holding her and while the bird is being shot.  She has an incredible retrieve and brought the bird to hand!  We wanted to introduce her to honoring or backing the other dog on point, and she did acknowledge the other dog.  I then collared her and she was not happy watching the other dog retrieve the bird.  In fact, she was hysterical, barking, jumping and whining....sorry Savi, life is not fair and every bird does not belong to you!  We know what our biggest challenge is going to be with Savi in training her for Senior.

A fun day for sure, even if we were soaked by the time we packed up.  We peeled off our rain gear, felt chilled and went out to lunch for some hot pasta fagiouli soup and Italian food....can't get much better than that!

Back to the Backyard!

After days of hurricane cleanup with the chainsaw, chipper and lugging wood, we could finally see grass in the backyard and the dogs could run around.

 There is still one giant tree left in the lower part, that as you can see has been cut into sections.  The dogs however, think it makes for a great new squirrel hunting ground as well as an outdoor agility course!

 Savi, Queen of the Log

Trixie & Jam on St. Louis Fox2 for Certifect

We found the link to a video of Trixie and Jam's appearance on FOX 2 St. Louis, when we were there for the Certifect product launch at the AVMA convention in July.

They were on the FOX2 Morning show as part of the PR team and did a great job!

Click on the link for the segment: Keeping the Pests Away From Your Pets
http://www.fox2now.com/videobeta/1c96e2c9-1b9b-4cb1-8f1a-36009202d4f0/News/Keeping-the-Pests-Away-From-Your-Pets

Don't rain on my parade

I love my knee high Bogs Boots!

 Mother Nature struck again this week with close to five inches of rain and more flooding in the Northeast.  We had just finished our cleanup from Hurricane Irene and no sooner was the yard clear, the skies opened up for the downpour.  It was disappointing to find out that the North Branch Park Cluster of shows this week, Big Apple Sporting, Tuxedo, Somerset Hills and Westchester, were cancelled due to flooding at the show site.  What is a girl and her dogs to do?  Go hiking!  So what if we get a little wet.  I donned my raincoat, waterproof baseball hat and Bogs boots and off we went...

 The dogs needed a good run to stretch their legs after being cooped up due to the bad weather.  We didn't see a soul and enjoyed having the woods to ourselves.

Savi

 The rain and mud didn't bother the dogs one bit and they looked like dappled Weims by the time we were done.

Trixie waiting for the girls to come back from chasing a squirrel...

 Jam and Savi find something interesting in the wood post.

 The girls checking out the base of this beautiful tree.

Savi, all wet from our hike but a happy camper.  The benefit of having a wash-and-wear breed!