It's been awhile! First of all, please visit Annie's site and if you're interested contribute an 8" knit square to the afghan project that she's put together to honor the memory of Kerstin's dear brother-in-law, John. He was killed in a tragic car accident last Thursday and died at a way-to-young age. My heart was broken at this news as Kerstin and her family are very dear to me.

The only other news around my house seems to be "all dogs, all the time". I started teaching a "Family Dog" class at the end of May. The class covers all of the basics: sit, down, stay, come and loose leash walking. I use positive training methods with the "clicker" and would highly recommend this method to anyone who is thinking of training their dog. There's really no reason to hurt or annoy your dog to try to get it to behave! The training techniques that I use are based on the same philosophy used to train the marine mammals at Sea World - and they really work. (this is a soapbox subject for me - so I'll try to not get all riled up!)

I started a journal to log the work that I do with my dogs - and to document all of the new information that I've been learning and re-evaluating as I incorporate it into classes and into my own training. I'm sort of obsessed with dogs, but I'm really obsessed with learning theory and behavior modification. The journal is here, but you'll probably find it boring! Who knows though, there may be some good information in there somewhere for someone else who's interested.

I've been knitting, but haven't taken any pictures of it. I started a pair of Koigu socks for my niece. They are really pretty - blues, purples, pinks and greens. I'm going to take a picture after I finish the second sock.

I'm also knitting a Gansey sampler sweater from the Knitting Ganseys book written by Beth Brown-Reisel. I was looking for a project that was small but interesting. I'm glad that I decided to work on this because I learned about a new cast-on (to me). It's called the channel island cast-on and it creates a very pretty edge. I promise pictures in the near future.

And since I just can't post without including a picture. Here we have Katy. I was purposely trying to capture her while she was doing a very pretty, straight sit. This is not her specialty! Her sit normally looks more like this!