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Saturday, August 29, 2009

Ball Practice

These shots were taken last week when Addie and I warmed up before class by playing with a ball in the yard, like we usually do. We practiced "catching" the ball.

Okay, my bad... still getting used to this whole "Hold camera. Keep dog in frame. Aim. Throw ball. Follow dog. Focus shot." thing.


Keeping her eyes on the ball at all times was Addie's strategy, for the most part.

Sometimes it worked

Other times...

...not so much.

And this is what happens when Addie stops watching the ball to look at a butterfly flying by... (sorry it's blurry)

Addie isn't always the beautiful, elegant Poodle that she seems to be. Sometimes, she looks like this.

And whenever there's a ball, we get this.

I've discovered how Addie can roll over so quickly. She goes face first, mouth agape. Every time.

Shakin' off

Looking beautiful

17 comments:

Miss Muddy Paws said...

GREAT PICS! She's really got the hang of catching the ball (for the most part)! I'm impressed! I wish my Golden Retriever could do that!

Natalie said...

Thanks!! It's a lot of fun to photograph her when she's catching a ball. It's taken a lot of practice and she's still not great at it (as you can see, ha) but she loves to play catch. Does your Golden fetch? She could probably learn pretty quickly.

Sam said...

What a funny girl. I say it all the time to people who think of poodles as stereotypical foo-foo dogs.. they are FUN, they can be MESSY, and they have a sense of humor!

The only thing Marge will catch in her mouth on a reliable basis is food.. she doesn't find anything else to be worth her while!

Natalie said...

It's so true... spend any time with a Poodle and you'll see that they're goofballs at heart! I haven't had anybody make any bad comments about Poodles when they meet Addie - usually they say something like "they're really smart, aren't they?" or "I didn't know Poodles were so soft!"

It took Addie some time to learn to catch the ball. For a while she'd just stare at it as it went by her after I threw it. But she got the idea.

Laureate said...

She is a beauty...and you can see her sense of humor! My next one is going to be black!

Kim

Natalie said...

Thanks Kim. You're going to get another while you've got those two crazy girls to take care of? Just kidding, the more the merrier! While I love the elegance and classy look of the white and black Poodles, I'm really hoping my next will be a parti color. They are equally as stunning.

But then again, with any luck, I will be showing and breeding Standards in the future, partis included. I'm not at a point in my life where I can do it now... but I will continue to dream!

Sue said...

It sure would help to have a third hand when trying to balance dog, ball and camera. I still don't have the knack.

Mollie Jo and Bobo said...

You got some wonderful shots! Mollie loves her tennis balls too. I think you have inspired me to do some tennis ball shots.

-Kaite

P.S. Love the nails ... Very stylish!

Laureate said...

Hi Natalie, I'm definitely not ready for another just yet. But down the road if Barbie finishes and then passes all her testing; then I'll think about breeding her to a black male...maybe by then all the bathing, trimming etc will be a piece of cake. Right now it is all new and my hands wobble when I have the scissors!
Partis eh??? That would be fun!

Cheers, Kim

Lucy-Fur, as typed by Dr. Liz said...

Heehee! My big brother (who is no longer with us, sadly) was never into the whole ball thing - he was too much of an 'aloof-adoodle'. It's so cool to see poodle playing catch! (And are those painted nails I see? Addie, you are quite the fashion plate!)'

*kissey face*
-Fiona

Astrid Keel said...

what great photos! I am not good at ball catching, but I love retrieving!

Carrie Anne Johansen said...

addilicious definicious....
<3

Natalie said...

Hehe now you can still get your Addie updates even while at school! Just what you wanted, right? Bible study was sad without you. But I bet you're having a lot of fun. I'm going to try to call you tonight. Peace!

Kasha said...

Beautiful indeed! Your home is gorgeous, your dog is adorable, and your layout is fantastic! Thanks for the great tip for Africa! That is a marvelous idea!
Kasha
http://trainingboerboels.blogspot.comr

Natasha said...

Great photos, I'm terrible at taking action photos! :)

~Nat

Amber-Mae said...

Hey Addie! Those are some very kool action shots. I love playing with tennis balls too. I think we both will click very well together. Hee! I hope your Agility practice is going very well too.

Smooch,
Saggy Gold Dancer

Anonymous said...

I just read thru your blog and love all the stories and pics of Addie. I've wanted a standard poodle for about 10 yrs but have had other dogs and just couldnt add one more. (not to mention a basset again lol)

Im hoping to get a black standard girl in the future. I did check out your breeder and really like her dogs too. They have the look of standards that Im interested in.


Hope to see many more pics of your girly :)