Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Tag Archives: Penny


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What’s new in the new year?

I have a bunch more bird pictures to edit. There are probably some good ones in there but I’m just not motivated. And if I don’t hurry up and get them done I’m pretty sure I’ll never do it. That would be bad because I have this rule that I can’t go out on a photo hunt if I haven’t even processed the ones I’ve already taken.

Silly rule.

From the ice storm we had last week.

Meanwhile, Penny and I have started back to school. It’s been almost a month since we’ve been in a class. I was concerned that she’d forgotten everything I’ve learned (she says she hasn’t learned anything other than how to manipulate me) and that I would have a wild child on my hands.

Turns out she was very happy to go do some Rally with me last Saturday morning at a scheduled fun match.

At the Saturday fun match.

She got to see other dogs and do some fun stuff (her favorite thing is to fly over the jumps) and get treats and she especially likes it when people come by and tell her she’s beautiful.

I guess mom and dad don’t do that enough.

Lots of shelties were there Saturday.

She did four runs on Saturday, 2 of them off leash. We’re still working on specific stuff, especially the no treats in the ring thing, but we both had fun. It felt good to get out together.

Monday night we started back at our regular Rally class. Two runs, both off leash, and she was a very good girl. She mostly focused on me instead of what was going on in the ring next to us, or within our own class members at the gate or coming or going out the back door.

And there was that jump she REALLY wanted to take, and we had to heel right past it. SO HARD!! But she did it both times. I was proud of her.

Impatiently waiting her turn.

Today she did the cutest thing. I realized during school that I hadn’t worked with her in our basement at all during the weeks long holiday and that we could have been even better in class if I had spent that time with her. So this afternoon while I was out in the kitchen and noticed her treats, I asked her if she wanted to work.

Yesterday we trained at Home Depot.

She immediately grinned and ran to the top of the basement stairs, looking over her shoulder at me. We haven’t worked down there in over a month but she knew exactly what she wanted to do. So down the stairs we bounced and we worked on heeling and figure 8s and waiting and sitting and staying and coming and some other stuff. She’s very focused until she figures out mom doesn’t carry any treats.

Her favorite place to be.

The hardest thing for her was when we were heeling back toward the jackpot treats sitting up on a cabinet. I hadn’t intended to jackpot her then, we just happened to be going that way, and she broke heel to run to the jackpot and I said “no, come here” and she reluctantly did. And then we turned around and heeled away from the jackpot! OH NO!!!! But she stuck with me and at the other end of the room I released her and we both went back to get her jackpot.

Yesterday’s walk at Katie’s park – with SUN!

That was really hard for her. I told her she was a good girl. I should probably tell her she’s beautiful while I’m at it too.


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Send me some Christmas!

Penny here. I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you all Happy Holidays! And I would have done that sooner except my mom holds the keys to this blog and she’s pretty stingy with them.

And it’s not just the laptop she’s stingy with. I noticed a pile of Christmas presents over by the fireplace last week. I just knew they were for me. After all, who else in this household deserves presents more than me?

So I was very excited as we approached the magic day to find out what was inside all those boxes.

And do you know what? Not one, not ONE was for me! They were all for mom and daddy. Can you believe that?

Mom said I didn’t need anything, that whenever I did need something they went right out and got it for me so I didn’t have to wait. Well, she’s not wrong about that.

Still….

Mom did take me to Katie’s park on the one day that the weather was nice and she and I had a wonderful time. Most of these images are from that walk.

Don’t tell mom, but that was a pretty good present, all in itself. I’m ready for another walk at one of my parks, but mom says we have to wait until the sun comes out to melt all the ice around here. She says she’s afraid of falling, and she’s not sure I’d do a Lassie and go for help.

Well. If I got Christmas presents I might. Mom doesn’t always think about the larger picture.

Anyway, I hope you had a wonderful time and lots and lots of presents from the people and pets you love. And I hope you have a wonderful New Year too!

I don’t suppose I can expect presents for New Years Eve…


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It’s my birthday and I’ll nap if I want to

Penny here, Happy Birthday to me! Today I turn the big THREE, and mom says she doesn’t know how that could have happened already. She says I don’t act a day over one. Maybe one and a half.

January 2025

I like to keep my girlish ways, you know?

February 2025

Mom says now that I’m beyond my terrible twos I’m supposed to settle down. Don’t tell her but I’m planning on going into my tasmanian threes.

Starting today.

May 2025

Anyway, I had a very good year, and I can’t wait to find out what I’m going to do next!

July 2025

Meanwhile today I will be expecting cake and ice cream with candles and gifts wrapped in pretty paper.

October 2025

Or extra kibble for dinner. I’m good either way.

November 2025

See you all later, your birthday girl, Penny.


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Happy Thanksgiving

This morning as I’ve been fixing the big dinner I’ve been watching my birds out the window and my Penny-girl napping inside and feeling grateful that I’m in my warm house looking out at a windy cold yard. It’s 32F here (0 C) and it feels, because of the wind, like 19F (-7.22C).

Nom, nom, nom.

I know the birds watch me as I fill the feeders every morning. Every day, before I’m back in the house they’re usually fluttering around picking at their favorite spot. This morning I somehow missed the goldfinch feeder and as I was walking to the shower later I noticed a big bunch of them all huddled around the very bottom of their feeder.

That’s all the seed there was left, just a bit at the very bottom.

I thought about going out and filling it after my shower. But they were hungry now. So I ran out without a coat and hurridely filled their feeder with thistle. Then I went inside to watch. No finches. I waited some more. One finch dropped down onto the beech tree, contemplated the feeder swaying in the wind.

“Come on little guy,” I murmered, “it’s right there for you, all fresh and nice.” He waivered and clung to his branch. “Come on sweetie, I whispered.” He tentatively flew to the top of the hook and looked around. Then he hopped down to the feeder and began to greedly eat. Suddenly finches came from all over, and swarmed the feeder.

I smiled.

Happy Thanksgiving little ones. Happy Thanksgiving.

And happy Thanksgiving to all of you. We hope you have a wonderful, warm and belly-filling day. Penny added that last bit about the belly. She has her priorities.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! from you gal Penny.


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Walktober Recap!

First was Robin who took us back to look at Octobers past with her beautiful photographs of places she enjoyed taking Walktobers over the years. She always takes such luminous photographs, you’ll enjoy going back in time with her. https://breezesatdawn.wordpress.com/2025/10/10/a-different-kind-of-walktober/

Then along came Jo, who is from Portugal but who took us for a walk in Torun, Poland! I love when people from all over the world join us for Walktober! Most of us would never see these places without wonderful people sharing them with us. https://stillrestlessjo.com/2025/10/06/jos-monday-walk-torun/

And then Karma decided a beautiful, warm, October weekend was just begging for a trip to Maine, so she and a friend went! Talk about the perfect couple of days! After reading this you’re all going to want to go to Maine for the weekend! https://karmardav.wordpress.com/2025/10/12/an-impromptu-getaway/

Penny the sheltie-girl wanted to make sure you all had a chance to see one of her parks, so she took you to Davis Lake Overlook Park, not far from our home. It was a beautiful October Sunday and she and I had a wonderful time. https://dawnkinster.com/2025/10/13/penny-takes-a-walk/

Penny here, I made my mom include a picture of me here.

Barbara took us to The North Carolina Museum of Art, where she found beautiful asters and goldenrod and a few pretty insects as well as a larger than life resident of the park surrounding the museum. https://www.ingebrita.net/2025/10/sunlight-over-the-meadow/

Debbie took Walktober to a new level, the epitome of ‘walk, drive, skip, boat, or ride!” She took us to a train museum and then we get to ride the train! https://domermom.com/2025/10/19/walktober-2025/

Mike took us to Calloway Gardens, a very special place in Georgia, no matter the season. He’s from a Northern state, so fall in the South is a bit different for him, and it’s probably different for a lot of us, so let’s go see what he found! https://mlcreationsphotography.com/2025/10/19/walktober/

For me, well, I was lucky enough to spend a week in upper Michigan, in a home along the shore of Lake Michigan itself. I shared the cats I was hanging out with and took a stroll in the small village up there. https://dawnkinster.com/2025/10/19/cats-in-northport-and-other-tales/ But after I did that post I decided it wasn’t really my official Walktober.

Eliza Waters found some beautiful color on her walk. She and her dog Wren took a lovely walk on their very own land. You can see for yourself here just what a beautiful place it is they live: https://elizawaters.com/2025/10/21/walktober-2025/

My personal Walktober was at one of my favorite places in the whole world. I debated quite a bit while I was up there whether to do my official Walktober on the beach. In the end, how could I not? https://dawnkinster.com/2025/10/23/dawns-beachy-walktober/

Mike got the chance to visit Calloway Gardens in Georgia again, during their pumpkin celebration and he takes us all along with him to marvel at the sights. https://mlcreationsphotography.com/2025/10/26/pumpkins-at-callaway/

Lisa took us for a walk around her neighborhood. From the pictures I’d say she has a pretty big neighborhood! There’s a bit of everything there! https://dailymusing57.com/2025/10/28/walktober-2/

Monkey, a very special sheltie-boy, took his mom out to see what there was to see, and you’d be amazed at the color he found! https://domermom.com/2025/10/27/walking-with-monkey-2025/

I, Monkey, taking my mom on a walk!

Natalie shows us some beautiful images from her October. She sure got a lot of beautiful images throughout the month! Go check them out: https://natalietheexplorer.home.blog/2025/10/31/october-2025-highlights-and-favourites/

Deb and her little schnauzer went on a beautiful walk for their combined Walktober. There’s nothing like seeing the trail from a little dog’s point of view: https://widowbadass.com/2025/11/02/the-sunday-schnauzer-walktober-glory/

Linda took us on a walk and found some very festive holiday color along with her regular friends at her park: https://lindaschaubblog.net/2025/10/26/a-walktober-stroll-that-was/

Carol literally takes a plane to show us a place far from her home and then she takes you back home again. Explore with Carol here: https://cjvl.wordpress.com/2025/11/01/walktober/

Penny and I hope you enjoyed all these Walktober adventures. She said I should include a picture of her and since I’m a mere sheltie servant I will.

I have the worrisome feeling I missed somebody’s Walktober. I’ve checked and double checked but I still feel like somebody got left out. So if you did a Walktober and I didn’t include it here, comment on this post and I’ll do a quick edit and get you in!

Meanwhile, enjoy all the October adventures!


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An update from Ms. Penny

Hello world!

As you read before Mom scheduled us to participate in rally trials (dog stuff) for two consecutive Fridays in a row! Oh wait. Mom says “consecutive” means the same as “in a row.” Whatever, mom.

Anyway, last week I got two legs (I need 3 to title) with a couple of sloppy runs. Mom was hoping a week off from training would help me settle down. That maybe I was just overtired last week.

Hmmmmm. Interesting theory.

Waiting in my crate for another rally trial!

So yesterday, October 31st, we went to the place I go to school to do 2 runs. Mom thought I’d be more comfortable there and hopfully earn one run and thus my Intermediate Rally Trial title. Mom had high hopes when I seemed happy and bouncy as we were waiting.

And she was happy that the course for the first run didn’t look too difficult.

What could go wrong?

Is it my turn yet mom?

We warmed up in a little room off to the side. I sat and downed and fronted perfectly. At the end of the warmup mom gave me one measly treat.

Then it was our turn.

We walked into the ring and I refused to sit next to mom. She walked me around in a little circle and tried again and I sat. Reluctantly. Mom knew right then she was in for trouble.

So around the ring we went, I’d do any sign that didn’t include sitting or going into a down. There were a LOT of signs that asked me to sit. Eventually I would concede and sit, but mom would have to ask me multiple times. And the down? Not happening, nope, not at all. There were supposed to be two of those.

The lady following behind with the clipboard kept making notes and mom got increasingly sad.

Mom says this quote was at the park just for her.

When we got out of the ring mom gave me my jackpot because, she said, I had done the best I could. We ended up with a 79 (you need 70 to qualify) which is my lowest score ever.

But we got my title, even though mom said she wasn’t proud of the way we did it. Then she elected not to do the second run cause I always do worse on my second run, and besides she was exhausted and sad.

So she took me to a park on our way home and we walked around a loop to remember that we loved each other and tomorrow will be another day and we’re going to keep working on stuff together.

Cause we’re a team.

Most of the pictures here were from our post-trial walk at the park.


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Only the sheltie (that’s me) knows

Penny here.

I’ve been very busy, and let me tell you, mom says it’s been a roller coaster ride. I don’t even know what a roller coaster ride is, but I’m pretty sure it’s exciting. Right? I thought so.

My park trying to scare me. It’s not going to work.

Anyway, many of you know that I’ve been training in this thing called Rally. Frankly if you ask me there’s not much to it and I don’t know why mom needs all this training. If she paid better attention we could move on to something more fun a lot sooner.

Me in my basement with all these Rally signs to figure out.

Basically, she heels around a course and there’s a lot of signs with writing and yellow arrows and red stop signs and stuff and she’s supposed to follow the signs. I go along too, just to make sure she does it right.

Sometimes she reads the signs all wrong. This is not my fault.

Mom? Can you just concentrate more?

Anyway, on Friday we went to a thing called a Trial. I guess it’s a big test to see if mom has learned anything. We were entered in two runs. Mom said she hoped we’d qualify in at least one. We need three qualifying runs to earn a title at whatever level we’re working on. Right now we’re in Intermediate. At that level mom still has to be on a leash because she isn’t reliable yet.

We’re working on it but she’s pretty unpredictable.

There sure were a lot of dogs there!

Well, Friday we had to wait hours and hours for them to get to Intermediate. No exaggeration. When it was finally my turn I was pretty tired of hanging around and I didn’t want to supervise. In the ring I didn’t want to sit when mom asked me. So I stood and stared at her for awhile while she stared back at me and asked me again. Several times. Then I s.l.o.w.l.y lowered my behind. To make my point, you know, that I was in charge.

We ended up qualifying but mom said it wasn’t pretty and the judge lady was very generous. No matter, I was happy, I even got 2nd place!

These are my ribbons. I am not sharing them with mom.

The second run was similar to the first only there was more of me staring at her, pretending I had no idea what a ‘sit’ was. A couple of times I decided not to sit at all and mom sighed and moved on. We still qualified, but had an even lower score.

Mom was just relieved we had two legs toward my title.

That was Friday. Mom and I were exhausted. Saturday we were signed up to do a ‘fun run’ at another dog training facility. This is the place I go to school, so mom figured it would be OK.

Seriously, mother?!

And even though we were both tired mom packed me up and we went there and did two more runs, during which I showed my displeasure at having been rousted from my bed to follow mom around some more. I mean, if she hasn’t got it by now, I don’t think making me work on it more is going to help, do you?

Enough is enough, mother!

THEN, Saturday evening is our normal Rally class, and mom packed me up AGAIN and we went to do what is usually a fun class. But I wasn’t having it. I refused to sit AT ALL at ANY SIGN no matter what it or mom said.

Even when she pulled up on my collar or pushed down on my behind, or both.

Today mom is worried because we’re registered in a trial this coming Friday. Mom thought the hard stuff was over because we only need one leg of the two runs we’re scheduled for, and she figured, since it is in my own school, I’d do better.

Now she doesn’t know if we should even go.

I’m not worried.

Everybody has advice and it’s all different. Mom is just tired. I’m tired too. Mom says she’s going to work on repairing our relationship cause I was pretty mad at her during class last night. She says we’re not going to train this week, we’re just going to hang out together so that I remember I love her. And she loves me.

I’ll think about it.

Don’t tell her, but as she was typing this I got up off the sofa where I had been napping and came and went back to sleep on top of her foot. That’s because I already know I love her and she loves me. But I’ll let her be nice to me this week. It’s important that mom thinks she’s in charge.

As for what I’ll do next Friday? That’s the mystery, isn’t it.


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Penny takes a walk

Hey guys, it’s Penny here! Guess what? Mom and I had the best walk ever yesterday! I’d been asking for attention for awhile.

Let’s go on a walk, mom!

Mostly she told me to go lay down cause she was busy. So I gave her my big pathetic eyes and it worked!

Mom! Hey mom!

Suddenly mom was packing me up into the back of the car and we were off to parks unknown!

This is at Davis Lake Overlook Park, or as we call it Katie’s Park II.

We went to one of Katie’s parks. I had grand plans of taking you somewhere different, somewhere you’d never been before, but mom said I needed to check reality and until I got my own drivers license I was stuck with where she was willing to take me.

Whatever mom.

Mom got all sentimental. She said Katie sat right here in a beam of light a few years ago.

Anyway, this is a very hilly and fun park that I love to explore. And we had a beautiful day for it, so I was happy to be there.

This is a pretty big hill, mom. Are you sure you’re up for it?

We were looking for autumn color. At least that’s what mom said. I wasn’t at all sure I knew what autumn color was.

Mom said the early evening light made these leaves on a brand new baby oak tree glow.

Eventually mom said I shouldn’t worry about it, that she’d find the color for me this year. But she, of course, reminded me that Katie was very good at finding beautiful things for her Walktobers and next year, when I was three, I’d be responsible for my own color search.

There might be some color over there, mom!

We’ll see mom. I’m sort of into good smells and not so much into pretty stuff. I’m a different girl, and sometimes mom forgets that.

An aster blossom just unfolding.

Anyway, we walked up and down the hills into the deep woods. Mom even tried to turn around once, way before I was ready to go back and I told her no way!

Mom wanted to turn around, but I vetoed that idea. It’s MY Walktober!

So she smiled and said, “whatever you want, sweetie,” and we wandered further into the woods. Isn’t my (um, Katie’s) woods beautiful?

I had such a good time I couldn’t stop smiling!

There wasn’t much color, but mom figured that’s because of the drought we’ve had. Most of our color is brown. I don’t really see a problem with that, cause most of my color is brown!

Look! I match!

On our way back to the car I took mom on a little diversion. A path out into the marshland that’s closed all summer was open and I wanted to go down that path real bad.

Mom dropped the leash and let me go at my own speed.

It leads to a small lake which is part of the Shiawasee River (it’s only a stream here) and on the other side of that lake is the backside of our little town. Maybe someday mom will take me on a walk downtown. I know, it’s only got one block, but you never know…right?

It’s hard to see our little town, way over there.

Anyway, mom let me walk all by myself down that grassy path toward the lake. Then I figured out she wasn’t attached to me and I lost my confidence. I’m not quite ready to wonder too far from mom yet.

Mom says that’s a good thing.

I’ll wait for you, mom.

So that was my unexpeted walk on a beautiful October Sunday afternoon. I’m calling it my official Walktober and I hope you enjoyed Katie’s park and our walk there.

After my walk. I am a happy, happy girl.

We look forward to seeing all your Walktobers when mom puts together the recap post in November. In the meantime, link your posts to the Official Walktober Post just like me! You’ve still got plenty of time to get a Walktober in! Walk, skip, hop or drive somewhere, take a picture or two (or more!) and write up a post. We all want to see where you’ve been!

Talk later,

Your park explorer girl, Penny.