Posts Tagged ‘ammo
Champion
We’ve all taken to calling little Ammo the Dachshund “Champion” this week. Because last Sunday we took him to the annual Keystone Dachshund Races. We didn’t have high hopes for him in the racing department – because the last two years he was sort of a racing dud. Not that he didn’t try, but he was just way too excited about being able to play with a bunch of puppies his size!
But this year Ammo decided to kick it into warp speed – as he flew past his competition in the heavy weigh division. Ammo weighs a hefty 20lbs – but he’s far from over weight – in fact he’s got some mean muscles and he’s in great shape. But most of the dachshund that attend the races are considered mini’s weighing 15lbs and under. And at 20lbs Ammo doesn’t qualify to be a standard dachshund (weighing more 25-30lb) so he’s what is called a “tweenie”.
Ammo finished first in 3 out of his 5 preliminary heats, earning him 3 spots in the semi-finals. And in an almost-to-close-to-call finish Ammo narrowly won his last chance race in the semi-finals. This earned him a spot in the Final race. Ammo went head-to-heat with lean mean mini-dachshund Dudley! It was a close race, but Dudley snuck across the finish line a nose ahead of Ammo.
We were super proud of our little Reserve Champ! Perhaps next year he’ll bring home the gold!
Racing wasn’t the only reason we were at the Keystone Dachshund Races, Ammo had also been invited back again to perform during the lunch break.
This year his best friend Trooper (my mom’s dog) performed with him. This was Trooper’s first performance ever – and there were a little kinks – but we all had lots of fun!
We look forward to visiting again next year!
Read all about Ammo’s big race and performance on his blog.
June Events & Sitting Ponies
Well June is officially here – and thus begins our countdown to pony penning! The pressure is on for me to think up a new skit for Minnow to perform while we are down there. I have a few random ideas floating around my head – but suggestions are definitely welcome!
I do need to come up with a plan though, so I have an idea of what new tricks I need to teach Minnow this year. In the hopes that working on some new tricks might spark an idea for me I started training both Minnow and Boomerang to sit.
We’re at the beginning stages right now, (although Boomer has had some previous lessons on it last year with me – I just got a bit distracted before finishing it) but I’m sure they will both get it soon. I’ve been training them together – something I only sometimes do – but working them at the same time is really helping them to learn faster. Boomerang I think might catch on a bit quicker than Minnow, as he’s less concerned about touching his butt to a rustling bean bag chair. Minnow would much rather prefer to pick them up and throw them. haha.
I’ve also been having Minnow watch me cue Boomerang to lay down – and I’m just waiting for the opportunity when Minnow offers this trick to me so I can reward him. Any day now….I can just tell!
Amongst the pony training, Ammo has also been getting ready for his big performance at the Keystone Dachshund Races next weekend.
I swear he’s really excited! 🙂
Ammo will be performing around lunchtime with his pal Super Trooper (my mom’s Australian Shepherd/Labrador). This will be Trooper’s debut performance and he’s been working really hard! Let’s just say I’m off in search of a doggie sized tutu today – it’s going to be epic.
So if you are in the Lewisberry PA area next Sunday June 12th around from 12pm – 6pm – be sure to shop by to watch Ammo race for charity & perform with Trooper. We’ll also have a booth set up where ammo will be selling some of his artwork- with perhaps a few pieces from the ponies as well. It’s definitely a fun day with the profits benefiting the Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue. We hope to see you there!
P.S. Ammo says that anyone who sports a “Go Ammo” t-shirt on Race day to support him will get an extra slobbery kiss!
Blitz and Minnow grazing at home at Iron Horse Farm
Trick Pony Update (part 2)
Hopefully you got to read part 1 of our big Trick Pony Update. Well, part 2 was supposed to come way sooner than now! Sorry! But better late than never. So here’s a little bit of what we’ve been up to lately….
Right before our big school visit I decided to teach Minnow a new trick. He now has a bright beaming smile, just like his brother, Boomerang.
I’m not really sure why it took me so long to get around to teaching him this trick – but whatever the case, in a matter of a few minutes he was a smiling fool!
Meanwhile, Minnow has picked up a new training buddy, Trooper! Trooper has graciously agreed to perform alongside Ammo the Dachshund at the Keystone Dachshund Races this year.
Ammo has been helping Trooper to learn his tricks, and before we know it “Super Trooper” will be ready for the big show!
Minnow had a break-through in his laydown training a few weeks ago. Those of you that have been reading the blog for a long time might know that Minnow has not been trained to laydown yet. Mostly because he’s extremely sensitive and up until now, putting himself into a vulnerable position like laying down was not something he was comfortable with. Typically he will wait until no one is around before he will even roll in the pasture, and he’s never let me even get close to him while he’s on the ground. I’m a strong believer in letting my horse tell me when they are ready and comfortable. I was in no hurry to teach Minnow to laydown, and I’ve been patiently waiting for the past 8 years until he’s ready.
And now I think the time has finally come. It all started with a bath a few weeks ago. Miraculously he decided to roll right after I turned him out in the pasture – about a foot away from me. I took it as a cue and crept up next to him to feet him grass. He stayed down for about 30 seconds before he got up. I then began to give my cue for laydown that I use for Boomer (which I have been making Minnow watch for the past several weeks) – and by some miracle Minnow went down again. I could kick myself for not having a handful of treats in my pockets – but I did my best to verbally praise him & feed him any bits of grass I could find.
I’m so excited that he finally seems ready to master this (difficult for him) trick. When the day finally comes we will have reached a huge milestone in our relationship. From the scared & untrusting pony I met 8 years ago – to a pony that will trust me to be around him in his most vulnerable moment. I’m honored that he’s chosen me to go on this journey with him. 🙂
Usually our travels involve performances and competitions, but this month our travels led us in a different direction. Boomer, Blitz, and Ammo recently took a trip with us to Delaware – not for a performance – but for saddle fitting!
Blitz is going to be a Western Pony! Doesn’t he look cute in his new western saddle? Meanwhile Boomerang & I are trying out treeless saddles! I’ve had the same multipurpose saddle since I was about 12 -so it’s high time I upgrade (specifically to something that isn’t too small for me!) So, to make room for our new saddle, we’re also selling off some of the ones we don’t use anymore.
So if anyone is interested in a 16 1/2″ Dressage Saddle in excellent condition let me know! You can find out more details here. Once our new saddle is here, we will also have a great multi-purpose saddle for sale.
Blitz is really liking his new western pony role, and Boomer can hardly contain his excitement for his new saddle to arrive. We’ll be sure to post details once we’ve made sure it fits him & given it a good test ride. You can find out more details about treeless saddles here.
Well I hope you enjoyed our little update on life with the trick ponies’. As we approach Summer more exciting things will be happening – as we gear up for more performances and our yearly trip with Minnow to Pony Penning!
Minnow and Ammo go to school
Today was a big day for Ammo the Dachshund and Chincoteague Minnow. Together they went on their very first Elementary School Visit to the Renaissance Academy in Phoenixville PA. The older kids had been reading Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry and the younger kids read My Chincoteague Pony by Susan Jeffers.
"It's so hard to wake up early"
Ammo was a little unenthusiastic to be up at 4am – I literally had to drag him out of bed and plop him into the car. He had had a very busy day the day before, so I think he was a little extra groggy.
Ammo & Cricket helping to pack
We gave two talks/demos while at the Renaissance Academy. Most of it was geared around Misty of Chincoteague – since that’s what the kids had been learning about. I talked about the real life Misty, and how she also went on school visits, and into libraries, and even rode an elevator once. We also talked about how Misty had a sidekick named Alex the Dachshund who liked to jump through a hoop, climb ladders, and dress up in doll clothes (the kids got a chuckle out of that one). I also had pictures of Misty and some of the pony swim and auction. We even had a special picture of Minnow and Misty’s great-granddaughter, Black Mist.
The kids had some great questions for me too. Like is Minnow afraid of anything? To which I replied – his biggest fear is flash photography, he believes that the flash is lightning – so perhaps when he was wild on Assateague Island as a foal he had to live through a terrible storm. And can Ammo do a back flip? Sadly no. But we also had some interesting questions about Misty, and the kids seemed very interested in learning all that they could.
Eventually we transitioned into performing Minnow & Ammo’s award winning Super Pony vs. Super Dog skit. Minnow was a star as usual – and he won every time in their little super hero battle of tricks as the kids clapped the loudest for him each performance. Ammo didn’t go unnoticed – as the kids broke out into laughter as soon as Ammo’s stunt helmet came out. Ammo was still a little groggy (he’s such a baby), so although he performed all of his tricks – he was in sort of a slow motion. No spur of the moment hole digging like he normally does (he always gets a big laugh on that one), but he was still just as adorable as ever – even if he was a little tired.
Minnow painted a fabulous painting during his performance, which is now hanging at the Renaissance Academy. The kids helped name it “Misty’s friend Minnow”.
Along with my fabulous mom, who never fails to drop everything and assist me with the boys (thanks mom!), I also brought my brother, Taylor, along – who’s home for a short time from his home in North Carolina.
Taylor is an amazing videographer/editor – and I was thrilled when he agreed to film our performance. I’m so excited to see what he comes up with, because all of his stuff is amazing! Seriously, check out his website! But since talent cannot be rushed, we will have to wait several weeks until he gets home and has a chance to edit it all together.
Taylor also edited and filmed (even recording his own music) the main video on our website (check it out here) – which he amazingly shot in one day! (oh and P.S. don’t let the height difference fool you – Taylor is my younger brother)
After the performances I walked Ammo and Minnow around so all the kids could have a turn petting them. Each kid also got a trading card that had a different picture of the ponies and ammo on the front.
Ammo took the opportunity to take a nap, while Minnow wanted the kids to get all his itchy spots. I love seeing all the kids smile and laugh and seeing them all petting Minnow reminded me of this Photo of Misty.
Photo from : Life Magazine
Ammo passed out immediately on the way home, you have to remember he’s only 2 years old – and he only just began performing in front of audiences last summer. He still has many years ahead of him! Minnow on the other hand didn’t want to go home!
We had lots of fun on our school visit, and I hope there will be many more in our future!
You can see more photos of the event on the Renaissance Academy Library Blog, and a short video up on the Phoenix Newspaper (an article will be accompanying it shortly).
The Super Pony goes to School
The past few weeks we’ve been busy practicing and practicing. On Monday, Minnow & Ammo the Dachshund will be making their very first Elementary School visit.
The kids have been reading the book Misty of Chincoteague, and they are very excited to meet Minnow and Ammo. I still remember my first “pony” visit when I was in Elementary School. We had Gawani Pony Boy and his horse visit our school – he talked about his book and we all got to sit inside a real tepee. It was definitely something that stuck with me through the years.
Minnow and Ammo will be performing their famous “Super Pony vs. Super Dog” skit, and showing off their amazing painting skills. I’ve also *gulp* agreed to give a talk about Misty of Chincoteague. Public speaking is not my favorite thing (is it anyones?) – but I know it would mean a lot to the kids.
So I’ve been busy collecting photos of Misty and even HER Dachshund sidekick, Alex. I thought it would be great fun to learn about the similarities between Minnow and Misty and even Ammo and Alex. How ironic that each of their names start with the same letter? (Minnow had his name when I got him, and when Ammo came in to my life I didn’t even know there was a dachshund in Misty’s life).
Alex was a performing pooch just like Ammo. He jumped through a hoop, climbed a ladder, tolerated dressing up in doll clothes, and even enjoyed riding on Misty’s back.
We’re all very excited for the visit – and I know Minnow and Ammo will be in their element getting to meet all of the kids. Ammo has even been inventing new tricks in practice, as he always has to be such a ham. Just seeing him in his little stunt helmet and cape makes me laugh – no child could resist him!
After our visit I’ll be sure to give a full recap of the event on the blog. And we have lots more performances being scheduled for this year, so make sure you check out our calendar to catch us at an event near you! More dates will be listed shortly – we are even working on a few new skits – with a special new “performer” who’s never been seen before!
“It’s not who you are underneath, it’s what you do that defines you” – Rachel, Batman Begins
