Christmas greetings

A holiday update just before Christmas....

Kirra had her first visit to the Vet and did really well...although she did pee each time the Vet put the stethoscope on her chest. She was tagging along with Daisy who is showing signs of a Cushings' disease relapse...Kirra is peachy but Daisy needs to be watched for any more symptoms.



We tried to get Christmas pictures of all of us, but that was a hopeless cause without shackles...so we finally got pictures of the 'kids' (of course, mom is in there somewhere trying to keep them in one spot).

Being Italian, I decided that Brianna and I should try to be Lady and the Tramp...it sort of worked!!



Kirra and Brianna had their first walk in the park together and did very well. They both like playing in the snow, and Kirra likes to chew on it. Kirra found out that there are two pugs next door so every time she goes outside she heads for the fence, barking all the way. We hope to start manners training for both; agility for Brianna. Kirra loves to push Brianna's buttons until finally Brianna charges after her.

We all want to wish our friends a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Love, Ellen, Mike, Dad, Brianna, Kirra, Slinkie, Daisy and Hugs

Kirra plays soccer

Hi to all!

We just wanted to let you know that Kirra has decided that she wants to try out for the U.S. Soccer team!!! It's so funny watching her and Brianna playing with tennis balls; we're now using two tennis balls. When Kirra has the ball in her mouth and she gets to the second ball - and since she can't get it in her mouth - she plays with the ball in a soccer fashion trying to figure out what to do with it. It's so cute

We took both Brianna and Kirra to the CCSC (training center here in Columbia) to see 1) if Brianna was still terrified of the building (originally she wouldn't even go in!!!) and 2) what Kirra thought of the building. Brianna is not terrified...YEA! And Kirra - again - was so cute; at first she thought the chute was fun to run through, then she decided jumping over the tunnels was fun as she tried to find Brianna (who was in the tunnel). So our goal is next month to get both of them back in training. Kirra - basic obedience; Brianna - I haven't decided yet.

That's our news!! Hope you all had a great weekend.
Ellen and Mike

it's the Brianna & Kirra morning show

Every morning our two babies (BCs) have their own little ritual (to Michael's displeasure it's 6:45 am). Check out the two clips of their fun in the sun.
Ciao, Ellen

The Growing Wolf Pack

You'll never believe it....Michael and I had a new "baby." Our three little ones (Slinkie who will be 14 next month, Daisy and Hugs) form one "pack" which left Brianna alone. As we all know, Brianna is a very active Border Collie and she was quickly training Michael and I to be her playmates...so...we decided that she needed her own playmate. Fortunately I found this website (http://www.mokanbcrescue.org/) and searched for Brianna's sister. Of course, Michael and I had to be particular as we wanted her sister to be black and white + have the perky ears like Brianna. We found her!!!!!!

Little did we know....there is an extensive process to adopt a Border Collie (I am very impressed with the process they have established in order to insure that each and every dog is placed in a loving home that fits the dog's personality). Brianna's sister is Kirra, a 2-yr old purebred Border Collie and, of course, black and white with perky ears. Brianna's nickname is 'baby girl' and Kirra's is 'little minx.' They are so adorable together, and they play so well together....best of all, they get each other tired!!!!!

We decided Kirra's birthday is 11/7 since that was the day we gave 'birth' (i.e., picked her up from her foster mom, Laura). Brianna has definitely taken the role of big sister (aka alpha dog), and is in the process of showing her the ropes of manipulating mom and dad. Kirra has been with us almost two weeks and is pretty well "settled in." So...probably next week we will start with some training (she already does a perfect sit/wait at the back door before going out). Once Kirra learns the basics, she will start learning agility. Michael thinks that he and Kirra can beat Brianna and I in agility competitions (of course, we all know better than that!!!).

As you can see from the pictures, Brianna and Kirra love playing with the ball - any kind, the red ball as shown or any tennis ball. The Border Collie alone with the ball is Kirra.

The more that Brianna and Kirra's mom learns how to do this web/blog posting stuff (I'm so technical) there is no telling what type of info you will be seeing. So until next time...ciao!