The Niagara Region is, by far, the worst employer anyone could ever have. Employees are forbidden to express a negative view and this is off Government who wastes tax payer money like it is going out of style, clueless Council and Management – it amazes me that they haven’t imploded…
I met with a lady who does home boarding for dogs. We met at a local dog park that I had not visited before, I didn’t know it existed actually. Calgary had a lot of dog parks, quite a great city for that, for sure.
So, we met at 10am, I needs to get Blondie and Hera to meet her dog, a little chihuahua, a cute little guy (or girl). Her rates are excellent, $45 per day for the pair. They have a large three level backyard and take the dogs to the dog park every other day. For home care, I’m going for it, it is a better environment than a kennel. The kennel that I had previously taken Zeus and Blondie to was excellent, but, it is a kennel. They are in a cage for most of the day, that can’t be a lot of fun.
The dogs met some new dog friends. Blondie, of course, loves most other dogs and Hera was good with everyone as well.
We headed home, both dogs were a bit tired. I had to umpire at 1pm, there was, for some reason a shortage of available umpires this weekend. I thought, although I’ve only had Hera a few days, she hasn’t tried to chew on anything that doesn’t belong to her so when I left, I gave her run of the house. I was figuring, if she wrecked something, the experiment failed.
I was out for four hours and when I got home, no disagree, nothing. I was very happy with her and drenched her with praise. Such a good puppy. Blondie was good as well, of course, but I expected that.
We had a short nap and then went and watched part of a ball game. Both dogs are pretty tried. I’ve heard, a tired dog is a happy dog.
Tomorrow is our team party. I don’t think I’m going to partake in paintball. I think I’ll help the coach who’s hosting the bbq setup. Yeah, that’s a good excuse.
I’m off this week and am looking forward to it. Have a great week as well.
Hera has been with us for a little over 12 hours now. I must admit, she is a pretty good puppy.
Blondie has, more or less, made her feel welcome. There was the initial surprise when I opened the door and a dog wanted to come in of course, I think that is natural. They wrestled a bit, likely looking for dominance. Blondie seems to have won that battle which is good.
Blondie also doesn’t particularly care to share her toys and bones. She didn’t really like sharing with Zeus either but she is tolerating it. Right now, Hera is chomping away at one of the Nylar bones and although there are at least three others in visible range, Blondie wants this one… Sigh…
Last night was good. The rain let up enough for the three of us to go for a walk. For the last few weeks I had been making Blondie heel on walks which she does very well – not sure where she learned that, I did some training when I first got her, but that was over 4 years ago now.
Blondie wasn’t heeling, mind you, I wasn’t making her either. Hera on the other hand didn’t pull at all which is nice. She is a big bog now and is going to be a huge dog and pulling could be an issue. Hera did try to wrap the leash around me a few times by trying to go around the wrong way but I will get her out of that habit.
We went to bed around 10:30 and all three of us were able to share a double bed pretty easily. Blondie immediately went to the top of the bed, I don’t think she wanted to be pushed down like she was when we had a nap earlier in the day. Hera settled in around my legs and decided that my calf would make a good pillow. OK, whatever. Who am I to say no? Yes, my dogs are pretty well spoiled, what the heck.
Hera did wake me up around 1am. Not sure what she might have heard, it was short lived. I might get up early, not that early. We did get up at 3am for a pee break. That’s OK. I dozed on and off until nearly 5am when we got up. No walk this morning since it is pouring rain – again. It isn’t supposed to rain in July, didn’t the weather man read that report?
If there is baseball on tonight (Babe Ruth playoffs) we will drop by the park. If not, we will do something else – maybe just go for a ride in the truck. The two haven’t been for a ride together as yet. Saturday, the three of us are meeting with a lady who boards dogs in her home when their owners are away. She had pretty good rates and the reviews are top notch. We are meeting at a dog park, need to make sure my dogs like her dog. I am sure they will – Blondie likes every other dog she’s ever encountered and Hera is a pup and they like everyone by default. If it works out, it will save me some money. I don’t want Hera to be free in the dog park as yet since she still needs a rabies shot and kennel cough shot as well. Vet appointment for next week when I am off and it is covered by the Humane Society, which is nice. I haven’t decided if I am going to the vet I have used since coming to Alberta or a new vet closer to home – I am leaning towards the new vet.
Sunday will be Hera’s first time in the house without me – we have our team party for baseball. I am planning on putting her in the kitched (galley style) and using part of Blondie’s cage to barricade the open end – should work.
So, first day was a success I would say. Blondie and I (I will speak for Blondie) are happy to have Hera as part of the family.
I received a call last night that Hera’s surgery was complete (she had to be spayed) and she was ready to come home.
Today, I took the afternoon off (2 hours vacation time) and lefty place around 1215 to head to the Humane Society.
This is as Hera and I are waiting for discharge information from the onsite vet.
She was excellent heading home, rides in the truck really well. We stopped at the pet store in my neighbourhood to pick up a leash that matches the collar I got on the weekend. They staff loved her at first sight, can’t say I blame them.
We got home and I opened the door and Blondie’s reaction was far better than a little over 4 years ago when I brought her home and Zeus was completely insulted at her very existence.
I think they will be good friends. She’s been great, walked well and we all had a nap too.
Here’s to many years of a happy family.
Tonight we had our coaches meeting for the 2015 season wrap-up. Believe it or not, all seven coaches were in attendance. Good meeting, good food, good company as well. They are a good bunch of guys.
We discussed strengths and weaknesses of players who are likely returning next year. We are losing a LOT of AAA players due to ageing out – 19 is the maximum age. Our of 14 players on the roster, 8 are gone – 7 age out and one player is moving away. That leaves us with 6 which means we have at least 6 spot open for AA players to move up or for players to be signed to the AAA team next spring directly.
In looking at the AA players, we have three who are immediately ready. The math doesn’t add up… We might be able to draft one player who can move directly to AAA, two on an outside change, three? Never. So, that means we will likely have to move at least 2 players to AAA from the AA club who really aren’t ready. The AAA experience next year will be interesting – I think they are going to struggle, they will be a fairly young and inexperienced team.
We draft very well next year. Since we finished last this season, we draft first. We also have the Indians first, second and third round picks and they finished in the middle of the pack, 3rd, so we should have the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th, 13th in the first 3 rounds – pretty damn good.
5 of 7 coaches will return. Our senior coach is retiring. Our AAA Manager does not know where he will be going to school. We have at least three players who are ageing out that want to coach – that’s excellent. Next year will be a rebuild, after that, anything can happen.
Just before the meeting started tonight (7pm), I received a call from the Humane Society. Hera was spayed today and is doing well and is ready to come home. So, tomorrow, I am a dog Dad to a 50 pound, 6 month old German Sheppard. I am excited.
Off next week – looking forward to it. Have a good rest of the week.
Well, baseball is over – for now, but this is a busy week.
Tonight, presuming it stops raining, I will be going to the Stampeders game with one of the guys that I coached ball with this summer. I love football but I don’t like getting wet while watching it. I don’t mind cold and windy, but wet is awful. It can even be blizzardy and that it fine with me as well. So, we will see how the weather is, closer to 5pm.
Tomorrow, is the MLB All-Star game and I am renewing a tradition with a former co-worker of mine, we are going to watch the game and catch up at Boston Pizza. The bonus, it is Tuesday and Boston Pizza has Pasta Tuesday on Tuesday so that is awesome.
Wednesday, I have a coaches meeting with the coaches that were part of the 2015 Rockies. Again, this is at Boston Pizza. Hey, it is good food and it is fairly inexpensive. We need to discuss the 2015 season and what to look forward to with the Rockies in 2016, and beyond.
I will get Hera either Thursday or Friday – not sure as yet. I have not received a call about when she will be spayed as yet. I am looking forward to having her join my family and I am sure Blondie is as well.
Nothing planned for the later part of the week. I will be getting Hera used to her new home and new dog-sister. A trip to one of the dog parks will be in order – no water though, she will need to be kept dry. Hopefully her recovery will be quick.
Sunday, is the Rockies year end party. Paintball followed by a BBQ. Should be a blast. At this point, I have not decided if I am participating in paintball or if I want to stay alive. I guess I have until Sunday to decide.
I am off next week and Babe Ruth Calgary is hosting a week long baseball tournament. I have not helped out with a tournament in 10 years, since I was involved with St. Catharines Minor Baseball. I am sure it will be a blast. Will be a good week off, for sure.
Enjoy yours. 🙂
The Calgary Humane Society had an emergency adoption event this past week. They had a large number of cats that needed homes, they also had a lot of rabbits. I think they did some sort of seizure somewhere in the city.
There weren’t a lot of dogs, some of the dog kennels had cats in them. Most of the dogs had “adoption hold” signs on their kennels as well.
There were a few that did not. One male dog was only supposed to go to a home with no other pets and no young children. Some of the others just didn’t appeal.
I didn’t actually go with the intention of adopting a dog. I planned on making a donation of a bag of senior formula Iams, it was Zeus’.
In one of the kennels, there was a picture of a dog who was currently in foster care. I asked if she was at the shelter and was told she would be at 1pm. OK, I figured I’d come back to take a look at her.
The lines were long. A good problem for the Humane Society, a lot of animals were being adopted in, hopefully, forever homes.
I stood in line for about an hour and then saw one of the adoption coordinators. We talked about her history and what the foster home had said about her. She is on medication to prevent seizures, it has been doing a very good job. She hasn’t had a seizure since being on the meds. They aren’t expensive either, works out to about $15 per month, so not too bad. This may why she hasn’t been adopted as yet, some people get scared off with such issues.
So, I decided I would put a hold on her and made an appointment for this morning for Blondie to meet her. I wasn’t too worried, Blondie loves everyone and since Hera is a puppy, I figured she’d be open to another dog.
Blondie and I went off for our 930am appointment. The dogs met and it went well. At first, Hera tried to claim “ownership” of the pool in the yard but Blondie wanted none of that and took it for herself. She seemed to put Hera in her place and Hera submitted. After a few minutes, Blondie shared the pool and they had a great time splashing around.
I filled in all the required paperwork and the person helping thought I’d be mad because I couldn’t take Hera home today. I knew she hadn’t been spayed yet so I figured it would be a few days at least.
So, Blondie will soon have a little sister. Pick up is expected this coming Friday, July 17.
Welcome to the D’Arcy Clan, Hera.
Last night, both the AA and AAA Rockies teams faced elimination from playoffs.
The AA’s finished 5th in the league and had to play a sudden death play-in game – the winner moved to the playoffs, the loser’s season would be cut short.
We started out very well, scoring 6 runs in 2 innings and chasing two Dodger pitchers from the mound. We were not able to do the same to the third pitcher, the Dodgers ace. We ended up falling 17-7 in 5 innings, not the way that we wanted to end the season. We are a young team and on our way up, of that, I am sure.
The AAA’s had to play the end of a game against the Angels to start Friday evening. The game resumed, tied in the top of the 8th, with the Rockies at bat, with two outs. We were able to pull off a win. In a must win game, the Angels came out ahead and finished the regular season in 4th place, eliminating the Rockies who fell to 5th, out of the playoffs.
Both teams have bright futures with excellent draft picks in the 20165 draft. I am sure that February will be here before we know it.
For now, we have our year end party to look forward to and we have several players playing on the travel clubs who have Regional tournaments coming up. There is also Fall Ball starting in late August and winter training which a lot of players participate in.
The coaches will meet in the next week or so and go over the season, the players, who’s returning, who’s not and what we need to do in next years draft and what we need to focus on for next years indoor training.
I am in a much better position to commit to the 2016 season than I was at the end of last season. For some reason, although the teams played better than we did this year, I did not enjoy myself. It was a chore going to practices and games – this year, despite some ups and downs and some team issues (that we were able to deal with), I had a lot of fun. It was a good group of players, on both teams, great coaches to work with and a supportive group of parents.
All in all, I would call the year a success. Good things on the horizon for the Rockies Baseball Club.
Tonight is an important night in the world of Babe Ruth Rockies baseball.
The AA’s face elimination against the Dodgers in a rematch of last years play-in game. This year, the Rockies finished a distant 5th and will be visiting the 4th place Dodgers. I really don’t care about home versus away. Actually, the visitors dugout is facing east so the sun won’t be blazing down on us. That could be an advantage right there.
We had a practice last night which was well attended. Two of the AA players were called up to AAA to help out, one player is trying out for Team Alberta volleyball which left us with 12 players on the field. It was a good practice – I am hoping it turns into a good result this evening.
The AAA’s played their second last regular season game last night. I was not there, tough to be in two places at one time. I don’t know how the game went, the final was 10-0. Meanwhile. the 4th place AAA team, the Angels, beat the Indians which puts them ahead of us in the standings. We play the Angels tonight – twice. Well, we finish off a game from last week, tied in the 8th inning. We then play them again. If we lose one of them, I think we are done.
I sent an email to both teams yesterday about a year-end party. The date that I selected was not a good day for a lot of people – so, we’ve moved it to July 19. Neither team is playing so hopefully it will work.
On a non-baseball front, the Calgary Humane Society is holding an emergency adoption event through the end of the weekend – the shelter is full. Blondie might be getting a brother or sister. Not sure, naturally. There are some nice dogs available. I guess I will see. I am sure I will go and look. If someone catches my eye, I will need to introduce Blondie to him/her and go from there. Blondie loves everybody so it will depend on how this other dog takes to Blondie.
I am off today. We have a flex program at work where you work extra every day and then get every other Friday off. Not bad at all. It runs over the summer when it is typically a bit slower. I need to cut the grass, see the doctor and go to the dog park with Blondie. Sounds like a good day to me. I will cap it off with a playoff baseball game.
Wish both of my teams some luck, would ya? We need it. Happy Friday.
I am in the process of planning my baseball teams year end party. The players have decided that paintball would be fun. Sure.
I’ve played paintball with a baseball team before. It was fun. Sort of. It also hurts getting hit by paintballs, especially at point blank range, especially on the neck.
So, on Saturday, August 8, we are going to Bragg Creek Paintball for an afternoon of fun. It isn’t badly priced, for sure – way cheaper than it was 10 years ago when I last organized a paintball party. It is $30 per player which includes everything they need – paintball gun, 200 paintballs, mask and coveralls.
I doubt that I am going to participate. I don’t trust my players quite enough to give them a loaded weapon and then let them shoot me. I am afraid that even players on my team might turn against me. That all might not be true, I might just be paranoid. I am not sure. I would prefer not to find out.
I will stay outside and guard their stuff. Yes, I can do that.
After paintball, we are having a BBQ at one of the coaches houses. Pot luck style. The coaches will provide the meat and what not, parents can provide “other stuff”. Should be a good afternoon.
Hopefully, one or both teams will also be celebrating a league championship. That seems far off but anything can happen in playoffs.
Regardless of how the season ends on the field, it will be a good end with this party.
Kevin's Ramblings... 