Stinky Scat

Posted on March 10, 2011 by John Heffernan

On one part of our daily run on snowmobile trails in the woods, we pass a large wetland area.  There’s a spot where I noticed beaver activity in the snow.  The beaver(s) cut down  and was eating a tree and you could see their path in the snow.  Very close by, an otter left a scat pile.  Otter scat is very “flagrant” with a very strong fishy odor.  The dogs picked up the smell a good 15 feet away and starting searching for it.  After they found it, they both wanted to rub their necks into it.  I have always found this behavior interesting and am not clear on its purpose.

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Too Old To Fly?

Posted on March 6, 2011 by John Heffernan

I went for a (rare) long run today.  As I was coming close to home on the last of 3 very long uphills, I noticed I was shuffling along.  When I was in my 20s, I would fly along at 5 to 6 minute pace even on long runs with a nice high stride.  I literally felt like I was a flying.  As I was feeling a little chagrined at my slow, shuffling pace, I scared up a beautiful red-tailed hawk.  That hawk reminded me that now it the time in my life to fly in mind and spirit and to be thankful I was still strong, healthy, and active.

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The Great White (and Fawn Brindle) Hope

Posted on February 28, 2011 by John Heffernan

I have been working with Patriot much more in obedience, taking him to a local class on occasion.  I should be taking him to class more often because I saw that he could use more proofing even though practice at home has been improving.  He is great at heeling and has a good, though not immediate, drop on recall.  Main issue is lack of confidence/desire on retrieves and stepping on the boards (only at trials) on the broad jump.  He will also sometimes go down on the long sit.  I have been working on increasing the desire for the dumbbell.  I see improvements but can’t throw too far at the trial.  Not sure what to do about the broad jump except use different boards and take him to class and put some pressure on him.  He is a much slower learner than Wyatt but a much more confident dog.  So when he “gets it”, he is much more likely to perform in the trial setting.  We are entered in Open A in March.  I have Wyatt entered too but more for fun at least point with something like 15-20 NQs in Open A.

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School IT in the Dark Ages?

Posted on February 19, 2011 by John Heffernan

I went to a meeting of local school IT managers last week and some of them appear to be in the dark ages.  They talked about blocking Google Docs because a teacher could possibly post kid’s contact info there.   “We provide everything they need here so they don’t need their own laptops or smart phones.”  Everything meant Office and typing programs.  They wanted to store all data locally with nothing in the cloud.  Seemed to be all about control and sticking with the Microsoft only vision of the world.  There are issues with having data in the cloud but it is already very common.  For example, our SPED data is in the cloud.  They seemed to forget that the power of Google Docs is in the collaboration features (and the cost) and that it is not the same as using Office locally.  They seemed to not know kids are bringing powerful computers into school with them everyday and don’t even need our networks.  We can’t teach kids how to be responsible 21st century citizens by trying (and it never works) to prevent every possible way they can get into trouble.  There was even a suggestion that we introduce jammers to block their cell phones!  We need to model, teach, guide them into the positive, educational, and collaborative uses of technology, both the technology we have and the technology they have all around them.

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NADAC Whippets 2010

Posted on February 18, 2011 by John Heffernan

This dog Hugo must be awesome.  I think they live near Kansas City.  I was happy that Wyatt was first or second in most of the games.

2010 NADAC Agility  Whippet Standins

Rank    Points   Class                   Dog                   Handler

1 100         Chances                Hugo                  Kiely Grundahl

1 90           Hoopers                 Hugo                  Kiely Grundahl

2 40           Hoopers                 Wyatt                  John Heffernan

1 100         Jumpers                Hugo                  Kiely Grundahl

2 60           Jumpers                Wyatt                  John Heffernan

3 50           Jumpers                Kyro                   Victoria Damant


1 210         Regular                 Hugo                  Kiely Grundahl

2 100         Regular                 Wyatt                  John Heffernan

3 40           Regular                 Kyro                   Victoria Damant

1 60           TouchNGo            Wyatt                  John Heffernan

2 50           TouchNGo            Hugo                  Kiely Grundahl

1 170         Tunnelers              Wyatt                  John Heffernan

2 160         Tunnelers              Hugo                  Kiely Grundahl

3 30           Tunnelers              Pippin                Barbara Lentz-Gattignolo

1 110         Weavers                Hugo                  Kiely Grundahl

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Little Boy Warriors

Posted on February 5, 2011 by John Heffernan

It’s a challenge to know how deal to deal with some of this “boy” stuff.  I am sure it’s the same with girls and princess stuff.  I do believe that there is something in our genes going back to our days as aboriginal people (not very long ago really.)  That something is a warrior component to our makeup as boys and young men.  Later – with age –  we learn how to make peace.

So I don’t come down hard on Aidan when he gets into warrior play in its various forms – superheroes, fantasy fighting.  I do draw some lines – no toy guns except squirt guns in the summer or weapons, toy or imaginary, shooting at people or animals.  I also try to introduce the idea of being friends instead of enemies in our fantasy castle play.  But we do rough house and buy Spiderman books but try and avoid some of the stuff (that Aidan asks for) that seem to be too much for a 4 year old (like Transformers.)   I don’t think it would work to try and outlaw any warrior stuff.  Like most things in this life, it seems to be a question of balance and attracting people to what you know is right rather than being overly controlling.

Would love to hear what other parents, especially fathers, do.

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Busy with Snow

Posted on February 4, 2011 by John Heffernan

I’ve had a number of good blog ideas but have been very busy with snow plowing, shoveling, and ice dam removal not to mention the normal activities of daily family life.  I am having some snow plow issues after a good stretch so that’s my main priority now that we have a couple of more storms forecast.

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Wyatt 9 Years Old

Posted on January 28, 2011 by John Heffernan

Wyatt turned 9 today.  He celebrated with a bully stick and a one day agility seminar tomorrow.  Happy birthday, Wyatt! 

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Primal Fear of Predators

Posted on January 26, 2011 by John Heffernan

Where does this primal fear of large predators that we have in this country come from?  Big bad wolf stories?  Fear of the unknown?  I see many posts on various dog lists and social network sites expressing a deep fear of wolves, coyotes, bears, and mountain lions.  I can understand a fear of grizzly bears and mountain lions, which are capable of killing people.  But I recently read a post by someone on a dog list who said that she should shoot coyotes just for being on her property.

If you spend time in the woods tracking these predators, you see that they have rich lives of their own and avoid people.  Why would you shoot a wild canine and be fine with domestic canines?  What’s the difference?  I can see if you were respectfully using the animal for nourishment or for warmth.  Also, if you had livestock, I could understand a concern though my understanding is that, in the case of wolves, it’s cheaper to compensate the rancher than to try and eradicate the wolf.  I am sure the threat to livestock is also exaggerated.  Also, people fear for their pets and themselves. However, if you actually look at real data, the woods is one of the safest places you can be.  You biggest threat to you by far is other people, following closely by domestic dogs.  Even bees and snakes are much more likely to kill you than bears and coyotes.  Our fear is way out of proportion to the reality of wild animals.

That does not mean it is zero and I am always aware in the woods, keep my dogs leashed, and carry pepper spray.  But we have seen many bears and coyotes and they have never been a problem.  However, off leash dogs come after us in an aggressive manner all the time.

As a species, we have become very out of touch with the wild.  A connection to the wild and the wild within, as Paul Rezendes calls it, is crucial to our survival as a species.  Let’s learn how to appreciate these animals and not fear them.

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Don’t Put Away Childish Things

Posted on January 17, 2011 by John Heffernan

I heard a quote on the radio yesterday in a song about maturing that references the quote (from the Bible) about “putting away childish things.”  While that may be referring to something different, I was thinking that I never want to put away childish things such as juggling, playing music, and being around children.  As Aidan and I were walking home yesterday afternoon from a walk in the beautiful and snowy woods, he stops and laid down in snow.  I remembered when I used to do that.  So while my initial thought was to encourage him to get up and get home, I decided to just wait and watch.  And he started to talk about what he saw in the trees and clouds.  So I laid down too.  What a comforting feeling to lay in the snow – so quiet and protected.  We moved on eventually and I also tried eating some snow after I saw him do that.  I remember eating lots of snow as a kid!  So I hope I never put away your childlike wonder and fun loving spirit!

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