#agilitydog – Pet Momma

Stanley’s New Trial Gear Just Arrived!

Guess who’s got a brand new agility accessory and could not be more excited about it?! Stanley just got his very own custom fleece martingale collar and leash set from Dream Dog Designs, and I am obsessed.

We picked out custom colors just for him, and they even personalized it — so it’s 100% one-of-a-kind, just like my little guy. The fit is perfect (seriously, martingales can be so finicky to get right, but this one is exactly right), and it’s so soft and comfortable for him to wear. The quality is excellent. The fleece is soft, the buckles are smooth and everything is so well put together.

The timing could not be better either, because Stanley’s got his first CPE trial coming up soon, and now he’s going to look as good as he runs. We’ve been putting in the work on our sequences and reverse spins in class, and honestly having gear this cute just makes me even more pumped to get out there with him.

Fake it til you make it… whatever happens at our first trial, Stanley will be looking good!

Zomisia Pet Carrier/Booster Seat Review

I recently bought the ZOMISIA Dog Car Seat for Small Dogs, and after a bit of a bumpy start, I’m officially a fan.

At $29.99, the price was hard to beat, and right out of the box the outer covering felt well-made — rugged, durable, strong stitching, and not at all cheap-feeling. My only hiccup: the listing says the cushions need 24-72 hours to fully fluff up after being vacuum-packed, but mine just weren’t puffing up no matter how long I waited. I decided to take a chance and exchange it for a new one. Amazon customer service was great as usual. I had a new booster the day after I requested it.

Best decision ever. The replacement arrived and the cushions started fluffing up almost immediately — a totally different experience from the first one. So glad I gave it a second shot! I will say a review I read said to put the cushions in the booster when they have started plumping up, but not gotten to full size to make it easier, and that was really helpful when putting it together.

Size-wise, this thing is not small, but it will be great for Stan to have a little stretch room. It takes up the entire passenger seat, which is perfectly fine when it’s just me and Stan riding together. Now that the cushions have puffed up properly, it’s incredibly plush and looks so cozy.

One thing I really dug into before buying: safety. I’ve learned there are very few dog car seats on the market that are actually crash/safety tested (I found exactly one), so for this purchase I mostly had to go with my gut — and I really like how this one attaches. There are three points of attachment: canvas straps on the back of the booster for the seatbelt to run through, a strap that loops around the headrest and buckles back to the booster, and another strap that clips to two rings on the back of the booster and wraps around the back of the seat. There’s also a buckle inside the seat that clips right to Stanley’s harness, so he stays secured in his little bed even once he’s settled in.

I love that the two exterior straps have an easy-release buckle in the middle, which makes it simple to attach each side to the booster and then clip it behind the car seat or headrest. The buckles also make it easy to cinch the straps snug so everything stays put.

Installation was genuinely fast — about 3 minutes. I set it in place, buckled the two straps around the back, and ran the seatbelt through the loops on the booster. Done.

Oh, and I almost forgot — there’s a giant pocket on the front that’s perfect for stashing a leash, treats, and other essentials. It also has two handles so that it could be used as a pet carrier.

Stanley is trying it out for the first time tonight, so I’ll be back to update once I see how he takes to it. He had a booster seat as a tiny puppy, but once he outgrew it, he’s mostly just ridden in my lap or on a blanket on the passenger seat. He’s a pretty good passenger already, but if this booster is a hit — and we start taking more road trips — it’ll be great for him to have his own safe, cozy spot in the car.

Super excited to see how tonight goes!

Sassy, Classy, and BadAssy!

That’s how I’m attacking this upcoming year! Thanks to Skye for the motivation.

I’ve added a bunch of stuff to my eBay listings, there are over a 100 listings now including handmade jewelry, crystal bracelets, and still lots of books. I’m hoping to add some pet products at some point, but still experimenting and learning how it all works.

Cats

The cats are doing well. I am always grateful for the everyday joy that comes with sharing life with them.

Bean’s fur is growing back quickly—possibly a little too quickly for my liking! I am hoping he makes it through the winter without needing another shave, but for now, it is nice to see his coat filling back in.

Puck is, of course, still Puck: sweet, lovable, cuddly, and always ready to make himself comfortable nearby. Some things never change, and that is one of the best things about him.

One thing I need to improve on is brushing their teeth more regularly. It is easy to let little routines slide when everyone seems happy and healthy, but dental care is important too. So that is my reminder to myself: make tooth-brushing a more consistent part of our cat-care routine. If I need motivation, remember the cost of a vet dental cleaning!

Hector

Hector is her usual cranky self. Yesterday, while I was on a Zoom call, she was screaming, whistling, chirping, and banging toys in the background. Thankfully, I do not think anyone else on the call could hear her!

First Agility Trial!

Stanley and I have been working hard, and I officially signed us up for our very first agility trial. I am so excited! My only real goal is to show up and experience what a real trial is like. If we actually finish a class, that will be a wonderful bonus.

It is a three-day trial, and on the first day we are doing three game classes: Jumpers, Colors, and Full House. We are entering the easiest level in each class, and little Stan only has to jump 8 inches.

Jumpers is a set course made up of jumps and tunnels. We will need to complete the course within a certain amount of time—hopefully without going off course, refusing obstacles, or knocking down jumps.

Colors has two courses set up in the arena at the same time. We get to choose which course to complete, which gives us the opportunity to find the one that works best for us.

Full House sounds like it will be especially fun. There will be a variety of obstacles set up around the arena, but no assigned course. Each obstacle is worth a different number of points, and we will need to earn a set point total within the allotted time. A jump might be worth one point, while an A-frame or weave poles could be worth five points. A tunnel or tire jump may be worth three points. We can choose the order in which we do the obstacles, so if Stan decides a tunnel sounds more appealing than a jump, that is completely fine—as long as we meet the requirements!

I have also signed us up for another Jumpers class on the third day. I am thinking it might be good to give Stanley a day of rest and then return to the trial atmosphere while it is still fresh in his little mind. Of course, I can always skip the Sunday class if he seems like he needs a break.

Back to agility class tonight! We will be doing lots of practicing over the next few weeks as we get ready for our first competition.

How’s your summer going? What are you doing to keep your pets busy and engaged? Let me know!

Exciting News!

It’s time to declutter! I’ve been going through my house and selling off a bunch of books and other items. It all started a couple of months ago when I had to pay for two cat dentals in less than two months. Needed some extra cash, and selling off a bunch of stuff I wasn’t using seemed like a good ideaand, I discovered that I’m enjoying reselling!

Finding items, photographing, listing, packaging and mailing. It’s been fun, so I’m going to keep doing it!

I’m mentioning it here because the name of my business is now PetMomma’s Picks! You can find me on ebay.

Right now there is a huge variety of books out there, Stephen King, horse books, and just novels. Feel free to take a look!

Sales are going to help fund my pet expenses and new obsession with Agility, and I’m donating part of my sales to my local animal shelter 😉 Hoping to add more pet related products as time goes on. What would you like to see me selling?

Spring Update

Old School Black and White photos this time as I just finished off an old, lost and found roll of film

Lots going on around here lately, so I figured it was time for a little update from the zoo.

Stanley is back in another round of agility classes, which just makes me so happy. Will he come when I call him in our own yard? Absolutely not. But get him in a training space and he suddenly remembers that I exist and that we’re a team. He’s really starting to get the agility thing, and he’ll stay with me and run a whole course, which feels pretty amazing. I’m really curious to see how he does when we can practice in an outdoor arena this summer instead of just in a small, closed room.

In other fun news, I found an old roll of black and white film in a camera I was thinking about selling. Of course I had to finish the roll, and I ended up getting some really cute pictures of Stanley doing jumps on our porch. His ears in mid-air are just the best — they flop in every possible direction. I kind of love the old-school film look on action shots; it makes him look like a tiny, dramatic movie star.

The big news around here, though, is that our local animal shelter had a fire last week. Thankfully, all the humans and all the animals got out safely, but the building needed some serious cleanup and repairs, which meant no animals could stay there for a bit. Since I’ve fostered for them before, my phone rang pretty quickly asking if I could help out and foster a bird. There was no way I could say no. Fast forward a few hours and somehow we ended up with two lovebirds and a Senegal parrot in the house.

I had forgotten what “real” birds are like at night. Hector doesn’t like to be covered, so I’ve gotten used to just leaving her be. The first morning with the foster birds, I was up at sunrise sprinting around and covering cages because they were up and ready to greet the day at full volume. We’ve settled into a routine now, and everyone seems a lot happier with a defined bedtime.

The lovebirds came from a recent hoarding situation. They are cute little things, but not at all tame, so they are staying safely tucked in their cage for now. They watch everything, and I feel like they’re quietly judging all of us, but at least they seem comfortable. The Senegal parrot is a totally different story. He wants to be out of his cage all the time, and when he’s out, he only wants one place to be: on my shoulder.

The first day, Stanley was not impressed. There was a lot of barking at the little parrot, and a lot of me trying to reassure Stan that he is still my number one little guy. Thankfully, everyone is adjusting. I don’t expect the foster crew to be here too long — hopefully they can go back to the shelter sometime next week once things are cleaned up — but the little parrot has been a very entertaining visitor.

If I put him on his cage and walk away, he immediately flies right back to my shoulder like, “Excuse me, we were hanging out.” He also tries to steal food directly from my plate, and yes, he will go for food in my mouth if I’m not careful. I’ve had to be very aware of what I’m eating when he’s out, because he is absolutely not shy about helping himself.

Not the best photo, but had to play with the black and white film

Hector, meanwhile, seems to be enjoying the guest. The little parrot flew over to the fence by her cage and she very clearly said, “Hi bird,” which kind of blew my mind. I’m guessing she understands that he’s the same species, or at least that “bird” means something specific to her. Another time she just kept saying, “Hi, hi, hi, hi…” on repeat, which was ridiculously cute. She also asked him, “What doing?” Apparently the birds are speaking English to each other now. I guess that’s the common language for birds and many humans in this house.

The Dragon is good and just finished a nice shed, so she’s looking extra shiny and pleased with herself. The cats are good. Stanley has been enjoying some trips to the dog park now that the weather is nicer. I love bringing him and watching him run and play with the other dogs, but I’m always a little petrified that a big dog is going to hurt him. I stay very close when we go, and I try to quietly feel out the vibe of the other dogs before I really relax.

The other day there was one big dog playing a little too rough for my comfort level. Stanley gave a couple of warning nips to say “back off,” but it didn’t seem to make much difference. I scooped him up and we left. It’s just not worth the risk of him getting hurt, no matter how much he likes to play. Today there were two big dogs at the park again, but they were very gentle with Stan and it all went fine. When it works, it’s so fun to watch him zoom around with friends. I’m still hopeful that we run into the little Doxy he had so much fun with a couple of weeks ago again.

That’s the current state of the Pet Momma house: agility, surprise film photoshoots, temporary birds, talkative parrots, a freshly shed Dragon, happy cats, and one small dog living his best dog park life with a very cautious chaperone.

How are you enjoying the nicer weather where you are — are you and your pets getting outside a bit more these days? Let me know!

Little Things Count

Stanley has been keeping me busy lately with agility classes, tricks, manners, and plenty of walks. Last week was the final class of this agility session, and we celebrated with agility games. The basic rules were simple and a little chaotic: race around the obstacles any way you want within a set time, but hit certain required obstacles along the way for points.

Some weeks, I can’t even take Stan off leash because the smells on the course and the other dogs around the room are just too much for his little brain. Other times, he locks in with me and we have a great run. Last week was one of those great nights. I was a little overwhelmed trying to plan a path that would both rack up points and play to his strengths, but Stanley absolutely rose to the occasion. He stayed with me, followed my cues, and even ran the weave poles. Tunnel, A‑frame, jumps, tire jump – he did it all, off leash and focused. I was so proud of him, and I really feel like all the focus training we’ve been doing is finally starting to pay off.

As thrilled as I am about his big “game night” success, I’m realizing how much the tiny, everyday moments matter just as much. The other day I came home, let him out of his crate, did the usual potty break, and then hit a wall. I just didn’t feel great and really needed a nap. Of course, as soon as I lay down, Stanley decided it was playtime. He bounced on the bed, nipped at my hands, and dug at the blankets while I silently begged the universe for twenty minutes of quiet.

I gave him a gentle pat and told him I needed to rest. A minute later, he hopped off the bed. I figured he’d found something else to get into, but instead he came back carrying a chew toy. He settled in next to me, happily chewed for a few minutes, and then curled up against me and fell asleep. Self‑soothing, respecting my need for a break, and still taking care of his own.

That tiny moment felt just as big as his perfect off‑leash agility run. It’s easy to celebrate the flashy stuff – the tunnels, the weave poles, the game nights – but the little choices he’s starting to make on his own are what really show me how far he’s come. I love this little dog so much, and I’m trying to remember that in training and in life, the little things really do count!

Bean also had a big day recently with a dental cleaning, and I’m so relieved that all went well. The vet did end up removing one tooth; the root was pretty badly damaged, so they think he must have injured it at some point and that it was probably causing him pain. He got injections of antibiotics and pain medication while he was there, which meant no meds for me to juggle at home – such a gift. He came home a little sleepy but comfortable, and I’m grateful we caught the problem and that he should be feeling so much better now. Hoping for a break from large vet bills for a bit!

Bean’s tooth for the curious:

Stanley’s Agility Joy (And a Few Training Bumps)

Stanley and I have been trying a little bit of everything lately: manners and obedience, some scent work, and now agility. Agility is, by far, the clear favorite. He lights up as soon as we pull into the parking lot, and even though he’s still distracted and wiggly, we can now get through a small course off leash.

We technically finished this round of classes last night. There is one more class on the schedule, but we’ll have to miss it because I’ll be traveling. I’m already counting the days until we can start again at the end of April.

What Stanley Loves (And Doesn’t) On Course
Stanley has strong opinions about obstacles. Tunnels are pure joy — he charges through them with his tail up like he’s on a mission. The balance board? Not his favorite, but he’ll tolerate it if there are good cookies involved.

Last night, for the first time, he decided he really did not like the A‑frame. He slipped a couple of times on the way down, and I’m pretty sure his slightly-long claws aren’t helping with traction. He has a vet appointment on Monday, so I’ll make sure we get those nails trimmed and then reintroduce the A‑frame slowly, with lots of encouragement.

The Zoomies Heard ’Round the Ring
The best moment from class last night might be one I wish I had on video. We were practicing having the dogs stay while handlers moved ahead to start the course. Stanley’s version of this was… creative.

He tried so hard to stay with me, and after a few attempts, he just couldn’t contain himself. He got the zoomies, took off, and started sprinting the perimeter of the room. He greeted every dog, did a few jumps, dove into the tunnel, and then did more jumps on his own. He was absolutely thrilled with himself.

Everyone in class was laughing, and of course he soaked up the attention. It was one of those moments where training and pure joy collide, and even though it wasn’t what we were supposed to be doing, it reminded me why I love this sport with him.

In the meantime, we’ll be focusing on some basic manners before the next session starts: staying, waiting, and learning that sometimes we watch quietly instead of doing all the things all at once!

Big Plans: A Local Agility Club
To keep the momentum going, I’ve applied to join a local agility club, and I’m super excited about it. My current instructor is on the board and says it’s a great group of people. They get together at different locations to practice and even go to competitions together.

I love the idea of being around more like‑minded dog people and having a community that understands why we get so excited about tunnels and weave poles. I’m really looking forward to meeting new friends — for both me and Stanley.

Real Life At Home: Crates, Poops, and Other Pets
Outside of class, Stanley is still very much a work in progress. The good news is that he almost never has accidents in the house anymore. The not‑so‑good news is that he still sometimes poops in his crate. It’s become one of those habits I’m not sure I’ll ever completely break, but we’re not giving up yet. Maybe once the weather gets less frigid?

I’m also really looking forward to some warm weather and being able to work with him outside. A little sunshine, more space, and fewer winter distractions will be good for both of us.

The rest of the crew is doing well. Hector is her cranky old self, happily destroying new toys and methodically deconstructing any cardboard box that dares to enter the house. Lizard had a lovely soak in the sink today, and the cats were very entertained watching the whole process.

So that’s where we are right now: a small dog who thinks tunnels are the best thing ever, a human trying to remember that progress is never a straight line, and a house full of pets keeping life interesting while we wait for spring.