Alayne and I were taking photos of Snuggles last weekend, just before she left for Colorado, for use in our spring 2011 print newsletter (hey, you have to plan ahead in this business!). After taking a lot of shots for a potential cover photo, Miss Snuggles was growing tired of the modeling thing and beginning to droop. So Alayne went to get some dog treats to perk up Snuggles' interest in the job at hand.
I had asked Alayne to hold a dog cookie out in her hand, over Snuggles' head, to get Snuggles to look up. Alayne was holding the cookie higher than I initially planned, and that photo above is Snuggles looking at the cookie. Then, suddenly, Snuggles leaped into the air, all four feet off the ground, spun around, and came down in a perfect landing. Just in a flash like that, she had pulled off this amazing acrobatic stunt.
Alayne and I looked at each other, somewhat astonished. Snuggles walked back across the floor to Alayne, and when Alayne didn't immediately hand her the cookie, Snuggles leaped into the air and spun again. She got the cookie.
As you can imagine, I started taking photos, and every time Alayne would hold out a new cookie for her, Snuggles would perform her little trick before getting it. She moved so fast I couldn't get a complete set of photos from one entire trick, but this series gives you the idea. She went from sitting, like you see above, to straight up:
Notice in that shot how she's already beginning to spin as she goes vertical.
Then she begins to twist ... and she's a full foot off the ground at this point and still climbing:
Now she's turning around to position herself for a landing:
And here she comes on approach:
Just like a jetliner, she touches down on the runway with main landing gear first, nose wheel to follow:
I could never get a decent photo of the instant she had all four feet on the ground because she'd spin around on the floor and start walking in a millisecond. It was one fluid motion.
But here she was, heading back to Alayne ... she was beginning to wear herself out with her repeated acrobatic manuevers by now:
She's thinking, "Jeez, these people are really making me work for those dang treats!"
I had emailed Snuggles' new Mom, Ellen, last weekend, told her about this little trick and attached one of these photos. I had also told Ellen we had discovered a couple of weeks ago that Snuggles loved slices of apples as a treat, too. On Wednesday, Ellen emailed us to report Snuggles had arrived safe and sound, and she added: "She did her jump and spin for apples yesterday, too." Have trick, will travel.
---
Still 2nd place!
Please keep voting for the sanctuary in the Shelter Challenge -- the votes are adding up! And remember, you can vote every day, so consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.
You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
Please note: Use Rolling Dog Ranch for our name and NH for the state and our listing will come up.
It was thanks to all of your amazing votes that we won the $20,000 Grand Prize in the final Shelter Challenge of 2009, and we came in fourth nationwide in the first Shelter Challenge earlier this year, winning $3,000. So this is serious money and can really make a difference for our disabled animals! Please help us win this round of the contest by voting every day, and by encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to vote every day, too. Thank you!
The stories of Suzi and Snuggles are sweet as Cockers are near and dear to my heart. I have a Maine Cocker Rescue love @ my feet and he is the 4th Cocker to allow me to be his companion in the last 20 years.! The last 2 were/are seniors,..my favorie.! Keep up the good work Steve/Alayne,..check forthcoming. Also, voting everyday and gotten dozens of others to do the same.! Best, Jim (and Copper)
Posted by: Jim Collins | December 15, 2010 at 09:22 AM
Miss Snuggles looks like a sweetie!
Posted by: J | November 23, 2010 at 06:35 PM
Another great blog post, Steve. It brightens my day! Way to go, Snuggles!
Posted by: SarahP | November 19, 2010 at 01:31 PM
What a beautiful and happy looking little RDR acrobat. Go, Snuggles.
Posted by: Angela | November 19, 2010 at 11:39 AM
..and I thought only cats could do that! Brilliant, Snuggles.
Posted by: Shelagh | November 19, 2010 at 11:08 AM
Snuggles needs to compete for the US Olympic Gymnastics Team. She's a shoe-in. I give her a 10.
My dogs love apple slices. Carrots, of course, but also cooked green beans and (of all things) steamed broccoli slaw. That last one is a particular favorite of my finicky Border collie, Jenny, and was a big hit with Jack... but then Jack ate anything! Broccoli slaw, a couple of spoons of unsweetened apple sauce, and some cooked chicken as a treat. YUM!
Posted by: Linda | November 19, 2010 at 10:57 AM
Wow, Snuggles has some hidden talents! And, how neat she did it w/out having to be asked. Guess the power of a cookie has more power than a human asking. And, she can now perform for Ellen for all the apples she can eat. Love all the action shots! She is quite talented!!!
Posted by: Colleen & In Memory of Sweet Kitty Erin | November 19, 2010 at 10:30 AM
10 10 10 10 10 10 10
(and the crowd roars!)
Posted by: Amy A | November 19, 2010 at 08:48 AM
Thank you so much for a great laugh this morning! I find it so amazing the little secrets you discover about a pet's past when you engage in seemingly simple activities.
Posted by: Glenn | November 19, 2010 at 08:42 AM
I never did agree with those who claimed cocker spaniels are dumb...quite the contrary!
Great work, Snuggles~
Posted by: Glenda | November 19, 2010 at 08:21 AM
Didn't I see that series of photos in an issue of Sports Illustrated?
Posted by: Lynne Parker | November 19, 2010 at 07:41 AM
Her name is perfect! She is so precious. My dog Annie loved apples too, the Granny Smith sour ones!
Posted by: Cheryl Kovalik | November 19, 2010 at 07:22 AM
If only they could all talk and tell you what wonderful skills they've learned prior to coming to RDR. How cool that Snuggles initiated the trick for the cookie without being asked. Smart girl.
Posted by: Ev | November 19, 2010 at 12:37 AM
PLEASE KEEP VOTING, TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW...THIRD PLACE IS STARTING TO CATCH UP!
Wow, Snuggles has quite the talent and is so full of energy for a "mature" gal! Those pictures are wonderful. Enjoy life in your loving new home, Snuggles!
I could just see Alayne trying that same thing on Widget and getting the "you've got to be kidding me, I don't do tricks for my minion, I trick you into doing everything for me" look! :)
Posted by: Ann | November 19, 2010 at 12:02 AM
That Snuggles is one sprightly pup for an "older" dog. And all that with one sorta good eye. I know I can't do that at my age! You go girl. It sounds like you and your new mom will have great moments together.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | November 18, 2010 at 08:57 PM
LOVE THIS BLOG....Love Snuggles!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | November 18, 2010 at 07:33 PM
Now you can also call your sanctuary Twirling Dog Ranch ;)
Posted by: Julien Sharp | November 18, 2010 at 06:56 PM
Definitely an aerodynamic dog!!! Maybe you should try that "trick for treat" thing on Widget. Let us know how that goes! lol
Posted by: Cathy Silvestro | November 18, 2010 at 06:13 PM