Monday, August 6, 2012

Monday Mischief-Growing Up!

Weasley here.   Mom can't believe that just a few months ago I looked like this, a tiny baby.....

Now I am a big mature, young man pug!

Of course mom still thinks I'm a baby.  She is wrong though because I have gotten too big for puppy play group, now I'm ready for Basic Training: Obedience 101!   I go to training at Its Your Dog in Sussex County, its almost an hour and a half from our house, but they offer a puppy play group and Basic 101 class combo that mom wanted.....and Sunday was the first day of 101.

To get confident I followed my Pal Sid's advice on Confidence Shirts.  Mine are from Cafe Press, they use American Apparel t-shirts and they can put saying on your shirt.  They have a million pre-made shirts with sayings from movies and books that mom goes nuts for.   So to get my confidence up I put one of my new shirts on Sunday morning:

See, confident!



In case anyone's interested this is what my shirt says:


It is a reference to a silly character Freddie Threepwood from some stories written by one of mom's favorite author's PG Wodehouse the shirt is pretty cool, but I was dissapointed to learn that there are no actual Donaldson's Dog Joy Biscuits.

Mom made a special obedience class morning breakfast, Lemon Blueberry Pancakes (of course she really made the pancakes for herself and Dad) but I got a taste which sort of made up for the Donaldson's Dog Joy Dissapointment.

Lemon Cream Cheese Blueberry Pancakes from  Food 52 

Serves 6


1 1/2 cup flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 pinch salt

2 eggs, seperated

1 cup buttermilk, shaken

6 ounces cream cheese cut in small pieces

1 table spoon melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons lemon juice

zest of one large lemon 
1 1/2 cups blueberries



  1. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar baking powder, baking soda, salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks, buttermilk. Add cream cheese and mix until cream cheese has separated into uniformly small lumps, about the size of large cottage cheese curds. Stir in melted butter, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest.
  2. Add dry ingredients to wet, then stir to combine. Whisk two egg whites until stiff but not dry; fold gently into batter.
  3. Heat a griddle or cast iron pan over medium high heat, until a drop of water sizzles. Lower heat to medium; butter or oil pan. Drop batter into pan by 1/3 cupfuls. Once the batter has spread, drop in the berries. You might want to drizzle some batter to cover them. These need to be cooked a bit longer than you might expect; they won't bubble as quickly or as much as plain pancakes. Turn down the heat if necessary, to keep them from over browning, and let them puff up to their full extent after you turn them, which will take 2-3 minutes. Serve maple syrup.

    (Keep pancakes warm by placing a plate over a pot of simmering water and place the pancakes on the plate as you cook batches, this keeps them warm but prevents them from drying out as they would in the oven).




    After pancakes we got in the car to drive to class.  Unfortunately I had to take off my confidence shirt as mom thought shirts in class might not be the best idea, maybe she didn't want the other dogs to be distracted by my awesomeness.  I was excited when we got to class and already to get going.


    Basic 101 Here I come!

 I was the youngest dog in class by about 6 months and I was the only one for whom it was the first class.  So I studiously watched the other older dogs perform the exercises first:


I can do that, no problem!






The class was mostly on leash walking and I  totally nailed it.  After all the point of walking is obviously to get to all the exciting things as quickly as possible.   Mom seems to think I didn't do quite perfect and was saying some things about the need for more practice at home, and sighing a bit as she tripped over my lead.   The trainer lady fitted me for a front fitting harness.  I think this was because I am so super cool that the lady just wanted to get me a new cooler grown up dog harness instead of my old baby one, but mom says it is to stop me pulling.

Any way class was a blast and I managed to eat about 7 good size freeze dried tripe treats.  I can't wait until next Sunday!


19 comments:

  1. Those classes are fun because you do get lots of treats for just doing easy stuff, like walking, sitting, lying down, staying. I always liked going to class too! I have graduated now though and have started visiting people in rehab facilities. Hope you like your new collar!
    --Abby Dabby Doo

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  2. We loved you puppy pix. Hope your weekend was good and have a great Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  3. Awwwww sooooo cute! I love the last photo, my pugness that is one cute little smile, you really have grown from a little tiny puppy to a cute and confident little guy! Bless!
    Love, Licks and Hugs with Tummy Rubs from Frank xxxxxxx

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  4. You are indeed a young dog now, little Weasley. You look so cute with those wrinkles... Your mom and dad will certainly enjoy more years with you to come.

    Huggies and Cheese,

    Haopee

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  5. You did super! I could tell you wre really happy with that big smile..mom wishes there were classes around here but there aren't any so we are undisclipined, unruly pugs who won't walk on a leash except in the yard. Weird...we turn to stone statues as soon as our feet hit the sidewalk...except aunt truder she will walk...
    stella rose

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  6. Weasley you are so cute in your training shirt and harness! It is so hard not to pull when those darn humans are so slow on just 2 legs. I try not to show it but I do feel sorry for them sometimes...until they fix something as awesome as those pancakes and forget to share with their best buddy. That's okay, I just lay my chin on their knee to remind them. I'll bet you have your people well trained to share :)
    Your pal Toby

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  7. You sure are growing up right before our eyes. And yes you are still a big baby in moms eyes. Hope your training is going well. It usually means more treats
    Benny & Lily

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  8. Well Weasley you are a very handsome young man! We use to have a girl Pug but she went over the bridge two years ago, and we sure do miss her. Good luck with your training young man.

    I hope you and mommy have a blessed day :)

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  9. Weasley, you are growing up to be such a handsome pup. I bet those training classes are a big help and such fun.

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  10. How gorgeous are you, young man! Our Mum is cooing over all your baby photos :)
    We are loving your mum's recipes too.
    Well done for doing such good work at training class!
    Dip Bridge and Elliot x

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  11. What a fine strapping young laddie you are now Weasley, and yes, puppy class is the biggest blast ever isn't it? I just can't imagine why Gail goes round telling people she nearly had a nervous breakdown after our first ever puppy class. I mean, anyone could see that miniature dachshund Daisy needed to experience some ultra-dominant terrier behaviour, and the rest of the class appreciated hearing my voice at full volume for one hour non-stop...Happy days.
    Toodle pip!
    Bertie.
    PS Too bad about the biscuits.

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  12. Hi Weasley! You sure are becoming a fine-looking young gentlepug. I love your shirt - it's really cool due to the obscure P.G. Wodehouse reference (My dad said he just recently read that "Blandings Castle" book). Sounds like you are ace-ing your training classes. I hope you ended up with a bellyful of treats.

    -Love,
    Sid.

    P.S. My dad wanted to let your 'rents know that you don't need to get dressed up to go to the Lawn Party but it does make it a bit more fun - even if you just wear a hat or accessory or something). They have a pie baking contest, too, so maybe your mum would like to enter (Judging by all the great recipes she posts here). Here's the link for the event: http://dreamlandorchestra.com/calendar.php

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  13. Aw Weasley, you sure have grown hansome and manly! But you are always a baby boy for your mom :-) I love your confident look on your face!

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  14. OMG, I just want to give you a big kiss!

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  15. Weasley- my gosh,, you cannot get any cuter! I love that photo of you in your cute little tee shirt.
    I bet you are a star student- aren't you? And I am sure everyone is in love with you.
    Your momma must be so proud of you-- having all that confidence!
    love
    tweedles

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  16. Weasley,

    Dose pancakes look delish! What a cutie patootie you is, your smile just melts our mom's heart. :)

    Woofs and Licks,
    Maggie Mae and Max

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  17. Love the puppy pic! And we love puppy classes, but don't worry basic obedience will be just as fun (as I'm sure you already found out)!

    Take care,
    Colby
    PuppyInTraining.com

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  18. Weasley, you will be your momma's baby when you are old and gray. Good job on moving up to the beginner's class! We are sure you will do great in school.

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  19. I'm certain you were the brightest pup in class. All those other pups were luck to have such an awesome little guy in their class.

    Keep up the good work. Have you had to take the sit test yet? It's fun.

    Emma

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