Limoncello’s Novice Trick Dog (NTD) Title
Home » Posts tagged 'tommy d’s limoncello'
Tag Archives: tommy d’s limoncello
If Life Gives You Lemons, Make Limoncello: Cello’s Early Retirement
If life gives you lemons, make Limoncello!
As the start of our 2018 Dock Diving season quickly approaches, we wanted to share the following with our family, friends and followers:
After some recent testing, Limoncello was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (a heart disease that causes dilation and poor contractility of the heart muscle). It was also discovered that Cello also has two leaky heart valves. After a long and difficult discussion with our veterinarian, it was determined that the best choice for Cello at this time is to retire her from dock diving.
Although we are disappointed that Cello’s dock diving career has come to an end, we are focusing our energy on celebrating her dock diving journey and how it has positively impacted our lives: her many notable accomplishments, the abundance of joy it has brought us, the amazing people we have met, the incredible dogs we have seen, the spectacular places we have visited, and the unforgettable memories we will continue to cherish. …We have SO MUCH to be grateful for because of Cello!
Without Cello on the dock this year, it will be an emotional dock diving season for sure. However, we are so thankful that because of the knowledge, expertise, and advice of Cello’s veterinarian and cardiologist, we were made aware of her condition before the season began. We are also looking at this unfortunate news as a positive opportunity to explore less intense bonding activities with Cello such as Barn Hunt, Nose Work, and Rally. We fondly anticipate learning new things, setting new goals, overcoming new challenges, traveling to new places, meeting more wonderful people, and building additional priceless memories. But above of all – we look forward to the many years of love and companionship we will treasure with Cello.
Even if we don’t understand why at this point, we are firm believers in “change is good” and “all things happen for a reason.” We are hopeful and eager to discover what new adventures will be had as Cello once again broadens our path. However, if Cello decides that in her early retirement she’d rather just relax, we welcome that change-of-pace as well.
Hooch and Lager will still be on the dock this year. We look forward to seeing our dock diving family this season.
The Dock Diving Diva’s Personal Bests:
•Big Air (on camera): 25’0”
•Extreme Vertical: 5’6”
•Speed Retrieve: 7.371 seconds
•Iron Dog: 2869.62 points
*2016 DockDogs #1 Warrior Iron Dog in the World
Photo credit: Precise Video Productions
Somewhere Over The Rainbow(s)
“Count your rainbows, not your thunderstorms.” ~ Alyssa Knight
We were lucky enough to see a DOUBLE rainbow from our porch this summer!
Limoncello
Barn Hunt at Tail Wagging Events
Rita and Limoncello have both earned their Rat I title (Instinct level), and both have one qualifying run for their Rat N title (Novice level).
We attended a barn hunt at Tail Wagging Events to see if we could both secure at least another qualifying run in the Novice level.
Unfortunately, neither team was able to do so, but we once again had a great time with our pups!
-
- Using her nose
-
- Completing the climb
-
- Executing the tunnel
-
- Siffing out a rat…or not!
-
- In the starting block
Barn Hunt Trial: Pawsable K-9 Events, Millstone Township, NJ
Our second Barn Hunt Association trial was held at Pawsable K-9 Events.
Both Limoncello and Margarita did very well this weekend! Both gals ran 2 Novice runs, and both secured one qualifying Novice score toward their Novice title. The Novice level requires the dogs to find the tube containing the rat, complete a tunnel, and have all-fours up on a hay bale (in no particular order) within two minutes. Cello and Rita will need two more qualifying scores to earn their Novice title.
Margarita
Instinct Run: Qualified! 13.53 seconds (new Personal Best!)
*For those of you wondering why we participated at the Instinct level when Rita is already titled at this level, you are allowed to still do an Instinct run to get your pup warmed up as long as the dog has not titled in Novice.
Novice Run 1: Qualified! 1:44.71 seconds
Novice Run 2: Rita completed the tunnel, and before she could attempt the hay bale climb, Jenny jumped-the-gun and called the wrong
location of the rat.
Rita’s First Qualifying Novice Score Ribbon!
Limoncello
Instinct Run: Brian called the wrong location of the rat.
*For those of you wondering why we participated at the Instinct level when Cello is already titled at this level, you are allowed to still do an Instinct run to get your pup warmed up as long as the dog has not titled in Novice.
Novice Run 1: Qualified! 1:50.82 seconds
Novice Run 2: Cello executed the tunnel and the hay bale climb, but Brian called the wrong location of the rat.
Brian and Cello in Novice Run 2:
Cello’s First Qualifying Novice Score Ribbon!
Overall, we had a fun day, and enjoyed Barn Hunt with our two little gals!
Quest for the Belt, Hosted by Three Rivers DockDogs: Cabela’s, Triadelphia, WV
Lager’s first official dock diving competition!
In less than 2 weeks after Lager joined our pack, we were entering him in his very first official DockDogs competition! Three Rivers DockDogs hosted an event at Cabela’s in Triadelphia, West Virginia.
LIMONCELLO:
Big Air:
21’5″ 21’2″
21’3″ 22’2″
20’4″ 20’7″
19’10” 20’9″
Extreme Vertical:
5’0″
Speed Retrieve:
8.489 Second Place Express
HOOCH:
Hooch was up on the dock when a gust of wind blew a banner off of the side of the pool, freaking him out completely . It was a tough weekend, as Hooch had a difficult time gaining enough confidence on the dock to run and jump at his full speed.
Big Air:
22’7″ 15’9″
21’2″ 22’11”
13’0″ 14’11”
23’0″ 22’3″ Third Place Elite
22’5″ 23’6″ First Place Elite
Extreme Vertical:
5’10’ Second Place Cadet
LAGER:
Big Air:
13′ 4″ and 13′ 11″ First Place Junior (with Brian)
15’7″ and 16’2″ (with Jenny)
16’9″ and 18’2″ Second Place Senior (with Jenny)
17’0″ and 17’5″ (with Jenny)
Extreme Vertical:
This was Lager’s first attempt at EV. Lager missed both times, but was very determined – we had no doubt that he will excel at this in the future!
None of the pups made the finals at this event – first time all season!! There were some HUGE jumping dogs here! We had a great weekend camping with friends, and enjoyed watching Lager have a blast on the dock at his first official event!
The Liver Killers on 6 ABC News!
The Liver Killers first time on the news!
Nora Muchanic visited us at our home to do a story on the Liver Killers!
See the full story, plus a video of the news segment – click HERE!
MEDFORD LAKES, N.J. (WPVI) —
Most people just walk their dogs. But Jenny and Brian Beadling’s dogs go for a flying leap.
The German Short Haired Pointers (GSPs for short) are two of the top dock diving dogs in the country and also rated internationally.
Brian says, “They are fun, happy, energetic dogs who really love competing and playing. And they think of all of this as play, which is really exciting for us.”
And Jenny tells us, “They need extreme exercise and what you would think of as your exhaustion point is just their starting point.”
The dock at the Beadling’s Medford Lakes cabin has become a launching pad as these two pooches practice each day. In competition they are judged on how high, long and fast they can jump.
A room inside the Beadling’s house is filled with ribbons and medals.
Hooch is the number one ranked GSP in the country for “big air”; Cello is ranked number one for “iron dogs”, the canine equivalent of a triathlon.
Jenny says, “They can run for hours and hours and hours on end. And they will keep going, they’re working dogs. They will keep going until you shut them down.”
The newest member of the family is Lager, a former bomb sniffing dog for the U.S. government who served in Iraq.
Now Lager regular leaps into the lake with his new companions.
He is clearly adjusting to his new digs.
They are highly trained and these dogs may be world class dock divers, but if you ask me they look like they’re just having fun.
Brian explains, “The humans involved take the competition seriously. The dogs just enjoy being out with the owners, jumping in the water. To see them just have fun and love life it’s really fun for us as well.”
Jenny a special education teacher and Brian a mortgage banker, travel with the dogs to competitions several times a month. The cash prizes Hooch and Limoncello win are turned over to a GSP rescue group.
Jenny says, “The amount of work that goes into it and the enjoyment you see in the dog is the best.”
Courier Post Newspaper Article
Limoncello and Hooch made the top story on the front page of South Jersey’s newspaper!
The Courier Post sent a reporter and photographer to our home to do a story on The Liver Killers. We had such a great time, and the story and video came out great!
Here’s the video:
And here’s the story:
MEDFORD LAKES – Limoncello — Cello for short — greeted this reporter with a kiss and then turned her laser focus to the turf runway her owners, Brian and Jenny Beadling, built for her and her canine sibling, Hooch.
Cello had a job to do, and she was serious about it.
She had to get that ball.
And she was just waiting for Brian to toss it from the Beadlings’ dock and into Aetna Lake.
The 4-year-old German shorthaired pointer watched, waited, and then, while the bright orange ball with the blue stripe was in the air, ran and flung herself to retrieve it, landing with a splash and a big doggie smile, the ball in her mouth as she paddled ashore.
Cello and Hooch are among the top dock diving dogs not only in the nation, but in the world, as ranked by Dock Dogs, the national group overseeing the sport. The Beadlings’ dogs compete all over the East Coast, traveling year-round to competitions measuring lengths of their jumps and how high they go.
The pointers, bred to be hunting dogs, are a high-energy breed, Brian Beadling said. “They’re in the same line as vizslas and weimeraners.”
That means their owners have to be high-energy, too. “Their vet told us, ‘They have no “off” button,’ ” he said.
Indeed, the Beadlings’ lakefront log cabin they dubbed “Windy Spot” looks as much like a retreat for the dogs as for the couple. There’s the runway which extends a few feet further into the lake, as well as a metal arm that swings out over the water for the dogs to jump and grab toys on their way down.
After buying the 1920s cabin in 2009, the couple worked to restore it and Brian Beadling, who works in the mortgage business, researched the home’s history. He found the home’s original owner had a German shorthaired pointer named Windy Spot, and that was the first the couple had heard about the breed.
Windy Spot — the dog — had won several field awards with a local dog club and so the couple, after more research, decided on the breed. They got Limoncello in 2011 from a Chatsworth farm and named her for Jenny’s grandfather’s special homemade Italian liquor.
Hooch — Beadling calls him the “goofy little brother” — is a year old and was initially reluctant to go into the water. But at 15 weeks, he decided Cello shouldn’t have all the fun and, as Jenny Beadling says, “We haven’t been able to keep him out of the water since.”
Kathy Parkin helps the dogs keep fit by working with them at Pinelands Dog Training Center in Medford. She’s been working with Cello and Hooch for about 10 months, she said.
“The dogs love it,” said Parkin, who’s been a trainer for 12 years. “We work with them to build their core and leg muscles, work on agility exercises, stretching, stability.”
The Beadlings travel two to four times each month with the dogs, loading them into their brand-new GMC Denali (which already has logged 20,000 miles since November). They choose campgrounds and dog-friendly restaurants when they travel, treating Cello and Hooch as full members of the family.
“If they can’t go, we don’t go,” Jenny Beadling said. “But they’re great dogs, very well-behaved.”
The competitions pay $100 for first-place finishes; $50 for second, but Cello is sponsored by Turbo Pup, a meal supplement for dogs.
All cash prizes, she said, go to the dogs: GSP Rescue of New Jersey, a nonprofit dedicated to the breed. Contents of their prize bags, like food, treats and toys, are all donated to the Animal Orphanage in Voorhees.
“They’re great people, too,” Parkin said of the Beadlings.
Phaedra Trethan: (856) 486-2417; ptrethan@gannettnj.com
Here’s the link to the online story and video:
Limoncello and Hooch in “The Bark” Magazine!
Cello and Hooch’s feature in The Bark Magazine!
About The Bark:
“The Bark is the magazine of modern dog culture—it speaks to the serious dog enthusiast. The Bark is the indispensable guide to life with dogs, showing readers how to live smartly and rewardingly with their canine companions. Founded in 1997, as a newsletter to advocate for off-leash dog parks in Berkeley, California, the magazine quickly grew into a glossy, award-winning publication acclaimed for its timely commentary and rich literary offerings. Today, The Bark has a nationwide readership of over 250,000. It is published four times a year, available by subscription and sold at Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods and PetsMart stores.
Claudia Kawczynska and Cameron Woo founded The Bark in their garage, shortly after adopting their first dog, Nellie, and discovering it was illegal to allow their dog to romp untethered at their local park. The couple tapped into Kawczynska’s experience in public policy and Woo’s skills as a graphic designer to craft a publication that addressed the burgeoning issues faced by a new generation of dog owners.
Taking the magazine’s slogan to heart—Dog Is My Co-Pilot—The Bark became the first magazine to tap into the exploding phenomena of dog culture and lifestyle, focusing on the growing bond between individuals and their pet companions. Over the past twenty years, The Bark has chronicled the America’s love affair with dogs, the evolving status of canine pets and their role in society, as well as the incredible rise in services and products. The Bark has become the recognized expert on the social/cultural world of dogs in America, and what they mean to us.
The Bark’s impeccable pedigree includes publishing many of today’s most acclaimed authors including Ann Patchett, Augusten Burroughs, Rick Bass, Amy Hempel, and Pulitzer Prize winning poet Mary Oliver. The magazine features the writing of noted experts in science, animal behavior and health—Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Donald McCaig, Mark Derr, and includes animal behaviorist Patricia McConnell and nutritionist Marion Nestle as regular columnists.
The Bark has been twice honored with an Alternative Press Award for Best Magazine (lifestyle category) recognized for outstanding achievement in independent publishing. The Bark has also been honored with an Award of Merit from The Society of Publication Designers and a Folio Silver Award for Best Enthusiast Magazine. In September, 2003, Crown (Random House) published Dog Is My Co-Pilot: Great Writers on the World’s Oldest Friendship, an anthology from the editors of The Bark. The Bark’s second collection, entitled Howl: A Collection of the Best Contemporary Dog Wit was published in October 2007. DogJoy, a photo book featuring the magazine’s popular “Smiling Dogs” submissions was published in November 2009 by Rodale.”
~from The Bark’s Website
Benmarl Winery: Marlboro, NY
After our awesome beer sampling at Rushing Duck Brewery, we continued along the Shawangunk Wine Trail to Benmarl Winery in Marlboro, NY.
The setting is a 37 acre estate that overlooks the historic Hudson River Valley. The grounds were stunning!
This winery had delicious wines, also was very dog friendly. The allowed Cello and Hooch to come inside to the tasting room – this was Hooch’s very first time INside of a winery’s tasting room!
The inside of the winery was really unique as well!
This winery was SO neat! So far, we are very much enjoying the Shawangunk Wine Trail!
Palaia Vineyards and Winery: Highland Mills, NY
We visited some great wineries on our Anniversary Camping Trip. The first winery we stopped at was Palaia Vineyards.
This winery is located along the Shawangunk Wine Trail in Highlandland Mills, NY. The setting is a 200 year old former dairy farm.
The winery and tasting room are located inside the 200 year old barn, which is really cool!
We enjoyed a tasting of their Traminette during our visit.
What a great sign:
This winery offers a menu of light bites and live music every weekend. Definitely worth the stop if you are ever in the Hudson Valley area!
Bark in the Park at Bay Creek, Cape Charles, VA
Cello and Hooch competed in a Wild Card event, called “Bark in the Park,” held at Bay Creek, in Cape Charles, VA. What a gorgeous and dog friendly community!!
We bought a new canopy – LOVE it!
CELLO:
Cello had an awesome weekend. What started out as an event to continue practicing, ended up with Cello taking first place in the Semi-Pro finals, and also setting a new Personal Best in Speed Retrieve!
BIG AIR:
17′ 11″ 21′ 00″
20′ 08″ 20′ 03″
21′ 06″ 21″ 06″
21′ 05″ 22′ 05″ FIRST PLACE SEMI-PRO FINALS!
SPEED RETRIEVE:
8.325 7.650 NEW PERSONAL BEST!
HOOCH
We entered Hooch in this competition specifically to see if we could get him an additional invitation to the World Championships in Extreme Vertical. Not only did he win First Place in Cadet EV and achieve an added invitation in Extreme Vertical, he jumped a new Personal Best (and on camera!!) of 24′ 2″ and made the PRO Finals (first time ever!)!!
BIG AIR:
24′ 2″ 22′ 5″
23′ 3″ 23′ 4″
23′ 0″ 22′ 11″
22′ 10″ 22’2″
23′ 6″ 23′ 9″ Fourth Place in Pro Finals – not bad considering it’s his first time!
EXTREME VERTICAL:
Starting Height: 5′ 4″
Ending Height: 5′ 10″ First Place Cadet (and an invitation to compete in the World Championships in Extreme Vertical!)
Happy Independence Day!
Hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July celebrations! Cello and Hooch had on their Independence BLING!
Cello:
Hooch:
Cello Earned a SECOND Invitation to the Dock Dogs World Championships!
Cello’s first invitation was for the Iron Dog Division. This invite is for Speed Retrieve! Go Cello!!!!!
Dog Fest of Zoar, Zoar, OH
Cello and Hooch added a new state to their States Visited Maps, and competed in the Dog Fest of Zoar dock diving competition in the Historic Zoar Village, in Ohio. We camped at the Canton/East Sparta KOA for this event.
CELLO:
BIG AIR:
21’10” 21’0″
17’1″ 19’2″ 4th Place Elite Finals
HOOCH:
We specifically came to this event so that Hooch could get another wave of EV toward his title. However, when we let him jump in Big Air, he earned a new Personal Best of 19’11” – which also earned him a spot in the Senior Finals! This would be Hooch’s first Senior Finals!
Big Air:
19’11” 14’2″ (New Personal Best!!)
19’3″ 19’11” First Place Senior Finals!
EXTREME VERTICAL:
Start Height: 5’2″
End Height: 5’10” New Personal Best, and 2nd Place Cadet Finals!
Overall, this was a fun event in a really neat historic town. We hope to visit Zoar again some day!
Cabela’s Presents DockDogs Wildcard Event, Triadelphia, WV
On the weekend of Hooch’s first birthday, The Liver Killers competed in a dock diving competition in Triadelphia, WV. This competition was held at Cabela’s. This was a very special event that we will never forget, because Limoncello won First Place in Warrior Iron Dog, and earned her invitation to the DockDogs World Championship!
We camped out in Cabela’s parking lot for this event, which was very convenient for our times in between jumps.
Limoncello competed as an Iron Dog. Here are her results:
BIG AIR
21’3″ 22’3″
22’3″ 21’10’
21’10” 21’3″
EXTREME VERTICAL
5’0
SPEED RETRIEVE
8.206 8.728
IRON DOG
Total Points: 2739.11
HOOCH
Hooch did very well this weekend, but wound up with a limp after his last jump. We noticed this as we were lining up for Speed Retrieve. Thank goodness Dr. Yurko of K.E.Y. Animal Hospital was there to evaluate Hooch.
It seemed Hooch had a strained muscle, so we scratched him from the rest of the competition. Here are his results from his Big Air waves:
BIG AIR
14’7″ 15’9″
15’0 13’0
9’6″ 15’9″
14’6″ 15’3″
Overall, this was a SUPER fun (and apparently an exhausting) event!
Cello Earned Her Invitation to the DockDog World Championships!
While competing at the Cabela’s Presents Wildcard event in Triadelphia, WV, Limoncello won first place in Warrior Iron Dog, and earned her invitation to the DockDogs World Championships! The World Championship event will be held in November, 2015, in Dubuque, Iowa.
Our good friends surprised us with the wonderful news!
We were SO excited!
So proud of this pup!
Brian could not be happier!
Cello and Brian’s invitation:
Congratulations, Team Cello !
Share the Light
Cello won a contest, and we are proud to announce that she is now helping to “share the light” with Charity Wick Candles!
Cello’s 16 oz Candle, “Red Hot Cello,” has the aroma of fresh-cut granny smith apples, smothered in butter and topped with cinnamon… YUM!
The candle is made with all natural, kosher 100% soy wax with a lead and zinc-free self trimming cotton wick. The burn time for this candle is approximately 150 hours.
…The best part of this candle? $6 of the purchase price benefits the German Shorthair Pointer Rescue of NJ !
All Charity Wick’s candles are produced from vegan friendly, kosher certified, soy beans grown in the USA. All candles are free of any dyes or coloring, and feature lead free, self trimming cotton wicks, as well as environmentally conscious fragrance oils.
Even more reasons to buy a Cello candle:
- Lasts up to 50% longer
- Burns slower and cooler which helps to better distribute the fragrance of the candle
- Melted soy wax will not cause severe burns
- Non-toxic
- Less likely to trigger allergies
- Clean up off of fabric and carpet with soap and water
- Produces very little soot compared to paraffin wax based candles.
- Made from American-grown soybeans, so it supports the U.S. economy instead of foreign oil conglomerates
- Biodegradable
- Manufactured here in the USA!
The positive attributes of Charity Wicks soy candles, combined with the fact that your purchase benefits the GSP Rescue of NJ, makes any
Shorthair Candle the best choice for any candle friendly household!
Help “Share the Light,”for the GSP Rescue of NJ, and order your Shorthair Candle Company candle today by visiting Charity Wicks website!
Charity Wicks is sharing the light on Facebook too! Visit their page by clicking HERE.
Cello and Brian – Filmed By Drone!
At our last dock diving event, Family Fun Day, this past weekend in Elkton, MD, there was a drone flying around filming the weekend happenings.
Cello and Brian were filmed during one of their jumps – how cool is THAT?!?!
We were very excited with this first-time ever view of Cello in action!
Virginia World of Pets Expo, Hampton, VA
What a fun and exciting Valentines Day weekend we had!
We took a 5.5 hour drive down to Hampton, Virginia, for Cello and Hooch to participate in the World of Pets Expo dock diving competition,”Lover’s Leap,” hosted by Tidewater DockDogs.
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, there was a Pawentine’s Box decorating contest.
Before we left, I built our Pawentine’s Box. Here are the pictures after I built the box with foam board and a hot glue gun:
Here is the final product:
There were many other great Pawentine’s Boxes in the contest as well:
We made Pawentine cards to place in the other boxes:
Hooch and Cello received lots of really cute Pawentines in our box!
The dog treats above were homemade by our friend, Mandy. Check out her Face Book page – her cookies are AMAZING!
We won the contest!
Although Cello has not been performing up to her last season’s standards, she had a great weekend! Cello competed as an Iron Dog, and participated in all three events: Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve.
In Big Air, Cello’s longest jump of the weekend was 21’11.” She made the Elite Finals, and placed Third.
In Extreme Vertical, She reached a height of 5’4,” and placed Third overall in the Cadet Division.
Cello set a new Personal Best in Speed Retrieve at 8.788 seconds:
…AND Cello placed FIRST in Iron Dog in the Warrior Division! Way to go, Cello!
Hooch also had a BIG weekend! He placed in every Big Air wave he jumped in, and earned his first First Place ribbon!
In just his second event ever, Hooch even made Novice Finals – and placed Second!
Hooch was once again, a crowd-pleaser, with his last-minute “pop” off the dock:
Hooch’s best jump of the weekend was 8’10”
While we were there, someone recognized Cello from our Instagram account — our friends, Cyndee and Lola – – How cool is THAT?!?!
This was a SUPER-fun event, and the best Valentine’s Day weekend ever!
Cello and Hooch hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day!
World of Pets Expo, Timonium, MD, hosted by Chesapeake DockDogs (Hooch’s Dock Diving Debut!)
World of Pets Expo, hosted by Chesapeake DockDogs, was Hooch’s dock diving debut!
As you know from previous posts, Hooch has practiced his dock diving at both Canine Spa and Mountain Trail Training Center. However, both facilities have docks that are only a few inches off of the water. Hooch had never jumped in from a height of an official DockDogs dock (2 feet). To make sure he was comfortable with this, as soon as we arrived to the Maryland State Fairgrounds, we took Hooch up on the dock for a practice run. As soon as I unleashed Hooch, he ran down the dock stairs into the crowd, and all around the pool (TWICE!!) The third time, he ran and dove in with no problem – so I thought I had this down pat, no problem. I was highly mistaken!
Hooch’s first official recorded dive was amazing! Although we had practiced nothing but the “chase method” (where the dog is placed in a stay or wait position at the starting point on the dock. The handler proceeds to the end of the dock, then releases the dog. The chase object is thrown at just the right moment to keep the toy in front of the dog’s nose all the way into the water. Thus, the dog is chasing the object! The advantage of this method is that the handler can control and optimize the launch angle to increase distance – it avoids the flat jump that is likely with the place and send method). After Hooch had run off the dock during practice, I let it get the best of me, and decided to last-minute change to the “Place and Send” method (the dog walks with the handler to the end of the dock and is held back while the handler tosses the toy. The dog is then returned to the start point and released or sent to retrieve the toy. Dogs that use the place and send method are generally just not trained to wait or stay on the dock themselves). Even with this last-minute change, Hooch jumped big!
Hooch’s first official jump was a whopping 16 feet! I was SO excited! Luckily we had some friends at the event that took a video to capture Hooch’s Debut!
Here’s another video of the same jump, in slow motion that another friend shot for us:
For Hooch’s second jump, I also used the Place and Send method, and he jumped 13 feet, 1 inch – again – a distance I was thrilled with! Hooch wound up earning 2nd Place in the Senior Division!!
After Hooch’s first wave, he decided he was not going to run and jump – but rather run, stop at the edge of the dock, then “POP” into the water. Although this frustrated ME, the crowd LOVED him!
Hooch (AKA “Big POP-pa”) continued to be a crowd pleaser, but jumped in the Junior and Novice Divisions.
Overall, Team Homemade Hooch placed in every wave we were registered in, and won FOUR ribbons in their dock diving debut! WOOT WOOT!
Getting ribbons was fun!
Cello also did very well in her first 2015 event – she won 2nd Place Iron Dog in the Warrior Division!
This was also Cello’s first time trying Speed Retrieve – having never practiced this competition before this event! Her time was 9.85 seconds…not too bad for her first time!
Here’s Cello doing Extreme Vertical:
And here is Cello doing Big Air – although she was still a crowd favorite, she was leaving the dock SUPER early, and did not perform to her usual standards.
Brian also volunteered to announce at this event:
It was an awesome weekend filled with great friends, good conversation, and lots and LOTS of laughs! We want to thank EVERYone for their advice and support during this event. I also want to personally thank everyone who took video and photographs of both Team Cello and Team Homemade Hooch. I was so preoccupied with being a nervous wreck, that I took not ONE picture or video with my own camera or phone!
Team Homemade Hooch also wants to thank Team Cello for celebrating Team Homemade Hooch’s dock diving debut by buying us a Chesapeake DockDogs shirt in our team color!
Our 2015 shirts were a big hit as well!
We had a super-fun weekend, and are very proud of our two dock divers. We are excited to compete in part two of the World of Pets Expo in Virginia in a couple of weeks!
Hooch’s First Dog Park Visit: John Connolly Memorial Park, Voorhees, NJ
Hooch had never been to a dog park yet, so we took Cello and Hooch to John Connolly Memorial Park, in Voorhees, NJ.
Hooch was having a blast chasing Cello and the Chuck-It ball – UNTIL a huge male Great Dane puppy decided Hooch looked like a cool dude to play with. The Great Dane wanted nothing but to run with and chase Hooch – but the size of this immense pup scared poor Hooch to death! He ran away barking like mad, and ended up running to his mommy for safety! The poor Great Dane had no idea why Hooch did not want to play with him! Hooch was pretty spooked at that point, so we left the dog park.
Hopefully visit #2 will go a bit smoother for the Hoochie Coochie Man!
Hooch and Cello in action:
Of course Cello wanted nothing but to chase her ball, so nothing or no one phased our ball-crazy gal!
Merry Christmas… Hooch’s First!
Hooch celebrated his first-ever Christmas!
He was a good sport as we dressed him up with Christmas props!
Cello wasn’t left out of the Christmas madness:
“Christmas, Christmas time is near
Time for toys, and time for cheer
We’ve been good, but we can’t last
Hurry Christmas, Hurry Fast…
…We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas don’t be late!”
~Alvin and the Chipmunks
Christmas morning proved that Santa Paws had Cello and Hooch on his “Nice List!”
This year we ordered German Shorthaired Pointer stockings from Pawsome Donations – each purchase helps out dogs in need, as 25% of all profits will go to rescue organizations, including the GSP Rescue of NJ. Check out the Pawsome Donations Facebook page HERE.
Merry Christmas, cabin style, from Cello and Hooch!
Happy Halloween! (Hooch’s First Halloween)
Happy Halloween! Hooch’s first Halloween began with a visit from the Great Pumpkin!
Cello and Hooch enjoyed their Halloween toys!
Hooch is loving that new toys arrive on his kitchen bed on all holidays 🙂
Jenny’s nephew James was dressing up as the Lion from the Wizard of Oz, so we stuck with the theme. The Lion, Dorothy and the Tin Man were off we were to see the Wizard!
Cello as Dorothy:
“There’s no place like home”
Hooch as the Tin Man:
Has anyone see my oil can?
James as the Cowardly Lion:
Cello wound up having some “wardrobe malfunctions,” so we had to fall back on Wonder Woman and Superman for the rest of trick-or-treating:
Happy Halloween!
We hope everyone had as much fun as we did on Halloween!
Cello and Jenny Made the Cover Photo for Super Fly Suits!
Cello and Jenny’s picture from Chesapeake DockDog’s Halloween Fun Jump was chosen as the cover photo for Super Fly Suits Facebook page!
Look Who Made the Papers!
Cello made the papers from her event at Pooch Palooza! Her picture was published in Ocean City Today:
Delmarva DockDogs Unleashed at Pooch Palooza, at Frontier Town Campground, Berlin, MD
This was the first time Cello has competed in this Delmarva DockDogs event, hosted by Delmarva Unleashed, and held at the Frontier Town Campground.
Unfortunately the DockDogs website is under construction, and I cannot post the exact results for Cello at this time. However, I can say it was a great weekend for Cello! She won several medals, made the Big Air Elite Division (23′ to 24’11” range) Finals, finishing in first place, earning herself a cash prize, big ribbon, and gift bag! Our good friend, John, and his dog , Storm, finished in second place, so it was a very exciting Big Air Elite Finals competition!
Cello gave it her best at Extreme Vertical again – this time finishing in third place in the Cadet Division, earning herself a cash prize, big ribbon, and gift bag!
Here is the first video I have of Cello doing Extreme Vertical:
Hooch is still too young to go off the dock, but we did show him the pool and gave him a chance to fetch his toy!
GO HOOCH! …Look out, Cello!! 
Good Boy!
So proud of himself!
Here’s to a great weekend…Cheers to Tommy D!
Delmarva DockDogs Jumping Into Jersey at the 2014 Ocean County Gunning and Decoy Festival, Tuckerton, NJ
This is Cello’s second year in a row competing in Delmarva DockDogs “Jumping Into Jersey” event at the Ocean County Gunning and Decoy Festival, held annually at Tuckerton Seaport in Tuckerton, NJ.
Unfortunately the DockDogs website is under construction, so I cannot post her exact results, but Cello did win several Big Air medals during this event, and even made the Big Air Finals, finishing third in the Elite (23′ to 24′ 1″ rage) Finals Division, earning a cash prize, bit ribbon, and a gift bag!
Big Air Divisions:
Novice: 0’1″ – 9’11”
Junior: 10’0″ – 14’11”
Senior: 15’0″ – 19’11”
Master: 20’0″ – 22’11”
Elite: 23’0″ – 24’11”
Super Elite: 25′ and above
Brian giving Cello a pep talk…looks like she is giving him back some sass!
Hooch watching his big sis…
Hooch and Cello hanging out under the Team Cello canopy between jumps…
Cello also tried Extreme Vertical (high jump) for the first time! is a high jump contest. Dogs are released by their handlers, and launch upward to knock down a bumper, which is suspended over the water eight feet out from the end of the dock. The current world record is 8′ 11″ . Cello did really well for her first time, and placed 5th in the Cadet Division Finals, earning a big pretty ribbon!
Extreme Vertical Divisions:
Cadet: Up to 5’11”
Top Gun: 6’0″ to 6’11”
High Flyer: 7’0″ and above
Here is Cello in action during one of her Big Air waves:
Cello in Slo-Mo:
As always, the weekend was filled with great people, lots of fun, and many super-cool pups!
We were very proud of our little Dock Diving Diva!
GSP Rescue of NJ at Valenzano Winery, Shamong, NJ
Hooch and Cello volunteered for the GSP Rescue of NJ at Valenzano Winery‘s Wine Festival.
Fellow GSP Rescue volunteers Jen and Grace made Hooch his very own personalized donation vest!
EVERYone wanted to know if Hooch was available for adoption!
Hooch was exhausted from all the attention!
The wine was delicious , and Cello and Hooch were a big hit, recruiting several people to fill out applications for volunteering, and even adopting!
Good work, All!
Featured on Zuke’s Performance Pet Nutrition Instagram Account
Featured Dog on Gundogs_huntingforever ‘s Instagram Account
Featured Dog on PointingDogs Instagram Account
Cello was the featured dog on PointingDogs Instagram account today (her second feature of the day!!)
Featured Dog on Gundogs_huntingforever Instagram Account
Earlier today, Hooch was featured on gundogs_huntingforever Instagram account. Now Cello was featured also!
Brotha from the SAME motha… Windy Spot’s Homemade Hooch
See Hooch’s Canine Parents HERE!
Watch Hooch Grow HERE!
—————————————————
Windy Spot’s Homemade Hooch
“Hooch”
German Shorthaired Pointer
Birthday: May 24, 2014
“Our Little Nugget”, “Hoochie Coochie”
When we found out that Limoncello’s mother had another litter, we could not help but go visit her, and see the puppies.
On May 24, 2014, Cello’s Mom, Shoal Branch Ladybird (“Lady”) gave birth to 10 puppies… we are now the proud parents of one of them!
Cello and Hooch’s mom, “Shoal Branch Ladybird” (Lady)
Hooch’s Dad, “FC Sky High Regardless”
Introducing “Windy Spot’s Homemade Hooch!” (Hooch for short!):
Why “Windy Spot’s Homemade Hooch?” When we bought our log home, Brian was able to search back to the original deed of the home and find the first owner of our cabin, which was built in 1927. Brian google-searched the man’s name for the heck of it, and his search brought up a link for the English Setters Club in Medford, NJ. The first owner of our home owned an award-winning GSP (which is how we ended up wanting a GSP), and Windy Spot was the name of that first dog and award winning GSP that lived in our home. We named our cabin Windy Spot, after that GSP, before we even met Cello. Read about our story here!
Hooch climbed right into Brian’s lap…and the rest is history!
Puppy Kisses:
The name “Windy Spot’s Homemade Hooch” … Incorporates the name of the first dog/GSP that lived here, and also refers to Limoncello being the “Hooch” that we make here at our cabin, Windy Spot… AND connects his name to Cello’s too 🙂
Welcome home, Hooch!
Tommy D’s Limoncello: Our First GSP
Tommy D’s Limoncello (“Cello”)
Why a GSP? …Brian and I bought our dream home in April of 2009. A log cabin on a lake… only it didn’t quite “look” like a log cabin – – and, it wasn’t quite in “dream-home” state when we bought it (see Cello’s Cabin page). Our goal is to restore this historic log cabin to its original state, and to fill it with decorations and mementos of the great town we live in, as well as items that would be relevant to the cabin and it’s history. Brian works in the mortgage industry, and was able to research back to the original deed of our home. Brian was able to find out that the log home was built in 1927, and also discovered the name of the original owner. Out of curiosity, Brian Google-searched the man’s name. Low and behold, he came up in the search! The search result that came up was linked to the English Setters Club, a local and nationally known club that conducts field trials that are open to all pointing breeds. The original owner of our home owned a German Shorthaired Pointer, named “Windy Spot,” who won many awards at the club for field trials. I called the club to see if I could get more information on this dog and his owner, or a picture of them that we could hang in our cabin. When the man from the club called me back, and I explained my story, the other end of the phone was silent. When I asked if he was “still there,” he asked me to repeat where I lived – what street – what house, etc… come to find out, this man I was speaking to was a direct family member of the man who built our log cabin back in 1927!! Needless to say, it was quite an interesting conversation! Brian and I immediately researched German Shorthaired Pointers online, and fell in love with the GSP breed, and all their characteristics. We knew a GSP would be the perfect addition to our lifestyle, our family, and our log home. We have named our log cabin “Windy Spot,” after the first dog that ever lived in our home!
Brian and I were visiting a family member in West Creek, NJ on Memorial day weekend 2011, when they mentioned that they saw a post at at the local hardware store that there was a litter of German Shorthaired Pointers available not far from us. This litter was born on March 14, 2011, on a South Jersey farm in the town of Chatsworth. Brian and I became lucky parents of Cello on Monday, May 31, 2011 (Memorial Day), when decided to stop to talk to the man about his litter and knowledge of German Shorthaired Pointers. When we pulled up to the property, the owner opened up the barn doors, and out came 3 of the most adorable GSP puppies! One of them jumped right into Brian’s arms – we knew immediately she was coming home with us!
Can you pick out Cello in this pic?!
Cello is the ultimate water dog! If there is water in site, Cello must find her way into it…! Her entire body shivers with excitement with the site of water to jump into or lay in! Luckily we live on a lake, so she gets plenty of swimming and dock-diving time! We also keep a baby pool in the yard for her to lay in when she is not in “lake-mode.” She is also obsessed with soccer balls!! She has an outstanding personality, bringing smiles to people’s faces everywhere we go!
Why “Cello”? (pronounced CHELLO) …Cello’s full name is “Tommy D’s Limoncello.” Tommy D was my Italian grandfather (my mother’s father), who passed away in 2007. He was quite the character to say the least, and was “famous” among his family and friends for his homemade Limoncello, with his “secret” recipe. Before he passed, “Pop Pop Tommy,” revealed his “secret” recipe. Brian, as well as other family members, have been carrying on the tradition of making homemade Limoncello ever since. Read all about Tommy D’s Limoncello HERE!
Tommy DiRenzo
Jenny and “Pop Pop Tommy”
Cello’s first day home:
Capitol City Brewing Company, Arlington, VA
In honor of both Cello and Millie earning a new personal best, Team Millie invited us out to celebrate at Capital City Brewing Company in Arlington, Virginia.
Capital City Brewing company first opened in 1992 in our nation’s capitol as Washington DC’s first brew pup since prohibition. We visited the Arlington location, located at the Village of Shirlington, on Campbell Avenue in Arlington, VA.
We enjoyed some of Capital City’s signature beer and some delicious food from their menu, as we toasted to Millie and Cello!
Cello, Addison, and Millie hanging out at Capital Brewing Company:
