NN GTG: Portland (Oregon)

Capri

New member
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I've just confirmed that I'll be coming to Portland for three weeks with my sister this winter (provided that I get the Visa from the US Embassy - which shouldn't be a problem).

Is anyone interested in having a get together sometime between 18th Dec - 7th Jan ?


I've offered to give Orka (Cascadians' newf) a grooming session during my stay, so if anyone's interested, you're welcome to join either with or without your own dogs :).
 

Cascadians

New member
Well I sure am! I think anybody with a Newf would be overjoyed to meet you and share in your knowledge. There are few ppl on the planet with as much training success as you've had, and accumulated learning about Newfs, and astounding experience with water working.

Do you have an idea yet what day/s and time of day would be really good for you?

Note to everybody: Orka has blown almost his entire formerly luxurious coat so his grooming will not take long. He's whole underside is almost bald and the rest is short, thinner and dries quickly. So there will be time for Bettina to handle other Newfs for grooming.
 

Capri

New member
No, not yet. But I assume it to be very flexible. Just see when most of you are free and cap that day then as full. Most likely weekends are going to be busy, so it'll most likely have to be a weekday/evening/morning.

I'm sure there're newfs in and around Portland, so hopefully we'll be able to get together :). And yes, you can pick my brain regarding training etc. LOL
 

Capri

New member
Great and great :)! I'll book the tickets during the next few days, call the kennels and then suggest a few dates. Do you have any dates in particular that might suit you guys?
 

2Paws

New member
How exciting for you guys!! Be sure and post lots of pictures for the rest of us that live too far away.
 

Cascadians

New member
I've booked Sunday January 1, 2012, from 1:45 to 3/p at the

Paws Aquatics Canine Swim Center
http://pawsaquatics.com/

Located in Milwaukie just off Hwy 224. It has by far the largest and nicest pool for dogs in Oregon: Indoor, 40 feet by 10 feet, heated to 88 degrees, ramp and bench. Plus a walk-in shower for after-swimming bathing.

http://pawsaquatics.com/The_Pool.html

I am thinking of keeping this appointment even if nobody else can come, just to have the experience and get a great start to the New Year. The appt is flexible at this point. It is hard to find a time this popular pool has an open space and when Lynn can transport us. Warm water in January will be a treat!

I will be going soon to check this place out. I already had Orka's vet fill out the paperwork for a swim therapy evaluation. This was when Orka was refusing to swim. Now he is swimming.

Here's the info on the therapist, impressive work:

http://pawsaquatics.com/About_the_Trainer.html

I thought that it might be very interesting to have a session where we go there, the therapist evaluates Orka's beginner swimming (her requirement anyway to use the pool), then somebody demonstrates teaching Orka 4 basic beginner water working skills. I can do it or Bettina who is very expert can do it, LOL, if her schedule allows it. Then I can use the shower to bathe him. Will have to take him someplace else for drying and trimming.

It costs quite a bit for the evaluation and pool time and I will pay for it. I got permission to have Newf ppl attend to watch and learn at no extra cost (but other dogs pay $40/hour per dog to use the pool and the evaluation is $54).

Tried to find a day / time when ppl would not be at work, during daylight in winter, and when the pool is not already reserved. This pool and therapist are extremely popular here in the dog world.

The weather during the holidays can range anywhere from balmy and sunny to totally covered in snow and ice to endless rain. Everybody wants a white Christmas and that's rare here. But it's another La Nina year -- last year was also and we had record mountain snowfall, record rain late in spring and crazy river flooding until August.

We will be busy practicing joring, carting, wagoning, kayaking, water rescue, backpacking, snowshoeing etc during the Holidays.

If anybody wants to join, let me know! Actually we're busy practicing something or other every day. The difference during the Holidays is Lynn has a few days off, not many, to transport us plus gear.

Right now Orka and I are going lots of places on the bus and Max.

When all are y'all free during the holidays?

 

Capri

New member
That's a fabulous plan Leska. I will still need to reply to your email (I was away for the weekend) but I'm all up for it :)!
 

Cascadians

New member
It would certainly be interesting and also more comfy than an outdoor water working.

The canine swim therapist said it would be a great time but that ppl might be at home watching a football game or being hung over from New Year's eve parties, so she's being flexible about the time / day.

Sure wish I had a weather crystal ball!
 

Capri

New member
We've decided to not come over this winter, but to move the visit to next summer when we can actually do more with regards to waterwork. This decision came about from changes in our future breeding plans (to put it vaguely :D). But summer it is! I'll post a new thread once dates are confirmed sometime during spring-time.
 

Cascadians

New member
Lynn, Orka and I are still going to the pool on January 1st. Even though Orka is swimming well now, I want to introduce him to an actual swimming pool. The therapist says dogs may take a session to feel comfortable in the warm water and humid air and get used to it.

The pool is awesome, has a long wide cement ramp for super easy entry / exit and resting, plus a bench for resting. The pool is 40 feet by 10 feet, 3.5 feet on shallow end to 5 feet deep end. 88 degrees.

Handler can wear bathing suit or wetsuit and swim / train with dog, and I got permission to videotape the evaluation so I don't forget anything.

I have not found anybody to train with here, so getting a video for critique / advice will be valuable.

It seems like a great way to celebrate the New Year!

Glad Bettina is coming in summer, hopefully very early summer before it gets too hot, instead of winter. Winter here is cold, bleak, stark, and wet. It drives lots of folks nuts and many move because they can't stand the lack of light. By February Hawaii looks really tempting.

Lynn was just diagnosed with a severe vitamin D deficiency. Common problem here.

Well, I'm about to go out in the dark, cold and rain and walk Orka a few miles!
 

LeahO

New member
Ooh, sounds like a lot of fun!! Ben has a mild sprain, poor little guy, but swimming was recommended. I'll pm too!
 

NewfMom

New member
That looks like a lot of fun Leska! We'll be doing move 2 of what will hopefully only be 3 moves this weekend so I'm glad Bettina will be coming in the summer instead. Let us know when you reschedule. I'd love to see pics after you go this weekend with Orka.
 

Cascadians

New member
Yep, all systems go for this weekend, will be taking iPhone 4S which has a much better camera. Orka was busy cavorting and swimming in the river today. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to an indoor pool. He tends to balk at new things, has to be convinced to try, then very proud and happy to show off his new skill.

We're about to switch to skijoring, going up to Mt Hood a lot to learn (for me) a completely new sport. Not enough snow up there yet. Driest December on record until yesterday which dumped inches of rain, repeat today.

We have a skijoring champ mentor who will hitch Orka up to an experienced husky team so he can learn the ropes before pulling me. I'll be lucky to stay upright in January, LOL
 
Wow looks like a great place and fun time. Wish I was closer because I would defiantly come out!! Take pictures and let us farther out NN's know how it was!
 

Cascadians

New member
Whew! Well that was really interesting and fun. Orka is fussy stubborn and cautious about new things. He's swimming like a fish in the rivers but has never been inside an indoor pool before. So of course he protested. Took all 3 of us to force him into the pool after the usual attempts with treats toys and cajoling didn't work. But by the end of the hour he was swimming like a champ, and learned what he can and cannot do in the pool, and was very proud and happy with himself.

All 3 of us spent the entire time in the pool with him so no photos or videos. The professional swim tech didn't need to do any evaluation, just an extra hand of gentle force -- he swims splendidly.

The pool is fabulous! Hot steamy air and new smells but as soon as he was swimming he tolerated it fine. The water is 88 degrees. It is so much fun in there. Orka is not interested in treats or toys but Lynn & I played with the toy chickens, LOL The ramp is cement and long with a gradual grade, perfect. The pool is long, 40', with a nice high wide bench at the shallow end, so we taught Orka to come in down the ramp, swim laps from end to end, not try to get out anywhere, swim to the bench to rest. We all swam with him and it was great. He ended up enjoying himself!

We're going back January 14th and as often as she can book us. After the 1st time it is not so expensive. The pool is very popular with dogs. We're going to do 1/2 hour sessions on weekends as frequently as possible since we both want to swim and it's ideal for teaching some water rescue skills. Plus I have a drysuit and will swim with Orka along shore in the rivers. I'm going to join the public swimming pool nearby for daily workouts. Orka cannot go in the water there but otherwise can stay with me. I'm in flimsy weak shape and need to be able to swim distances without fatigue. Get buff in 2012.

This was a great way to start off the New Year! Orka gets deliriously happy after living thru something new, LOL But at first he was terrified. Must have thought Loch Ness was there ready to devour him. Now he's just full of wiggles and licks.

Next time we'll be able to get in some pictures.
 
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