I – and my dogs –  are looking forward to building the agility course featured in this month’s This Old House.

Not only will it give us some quality bonding time, I’m hoping the workout the course will provide will be great for all three dogs’ health, behavior, and weight. (or happiness is a dog tired from exercise <G>)

To get you started:

3 pounds of gravel

Overview

Clean the printing off the pipes using clear PVC cleaner (optional). Mark each section of pipe to length using the cut list below. Cut all the sections using a pull saw. Write the length of each section at the end of the pipe where the marking will later be covered by a connector or end cap.

Cut List
(All 1½-inch pipe, unless otherwise noted)

Agility Jump (download plan here)
8 @ 12 inches
2 @ 48 inches
2 @ 5½ inches
2 @ 6½ inches
2 @ 15¼ inches

Weave Poles (download plan here)
4 @ 18½ inches
2 @ 12 inches
2 @ 24 inches
6 @ 40 inches

Teeter-Totter (download plan here)
8 @ 3¼ inches
8 @ 19 inches
4 @ 14½ inches
4 @ 12-inch
1 @ 12 inches (2-inch pipe)

Complete directions can be found here; pictures will soon follow.

Related content:

Dog Day

“What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

My Souvenir from Puerto Rico…

This is what he looked like when he first arrived in Seattle, in early May 2008, after an unknown period of time of being a stray in southern Puerto Rico:   This is what he looks like now:

Three Dogs’ Lives …

Like Dog, Like Owner?

There’s a school of thought similar to people hire themselves, which is at least some dog owners choose their dogs since they resemble themselves. I hope this isn’t true since I own three dogs, all mixed breeds.  They don’t resemble each other; and I hope they don’t resemble me either, but since …

Marymoor Park, May 2009

One of my dogs turns 17(!) in July, and I am trying to take her to her favorite place (Marymoor Park’s Off-Leash area) as much as possible this summer – even though she’s only able to walk small pieces of it these days,  it gives her great joy to go. …

I hope this isn’t true since I own three dogs, all mixed breeds.  They don’t resemble each other; and I hope they don’t resemble me either, but since there are pictures of all of us on this blog – you be the judge.

However – this weekend one of my dogs (Rico) and I both have respiratory infections.

Thursday night he came down with “infectious tracheobronchitis,” formerly known as “kennel cough.”

If your dogs have never had this, lucky you.  Infectious tracheobronchitis is really loud. Rico has a mild case which still entails many dry hacking coughs sometimes followed by dry heaves; and - oh yes - honking sounds.  During the day.  And throughout the night. 

Who needs sleep?

The only reason I know his is a mild case is he is energetic and – take your pick – as mischievious/troublemaking as ever.   Just today he’s streaked across the house carrying rolls of toilet paper; one of my shoes; and one of the other dog’s beds.

His veterinarian suggested I give him 1 tablespoon of Robitussen DM two times a day.  For the first dose, I mixed it into a some left over clam chowder.   While he loves clam chowder, he’s no fool; once he tasted the Robitussen in it, he high tailed it away, hacking and honking as he fled.

Now twice a day he now gets his Robitussen spooned into his mouth. I had to up the dossage since delivered that way, more than a little of the Robitussen ends up on me. 

Which, as things turn out, is fortuitous, since I woke up this morning with a surprise cold – complete with a dry hacking cough.

Maybe he and I look – or are – more alike than I first realized…