I can’t believe it’s been two weeks since I last blogged!  It’s not like there’s nothing happening around here…it’s been beyond crazy!  Here’s a recap of the last two weeks:

Spring has arrived!

It has been an absolutely gorgeous Spring and Spring fever has hit hard!  Here’s Steve trying to encourage the snow to melt faster by shoveling the lawn.

Learn To Return

Steve and I took a bear safety and awareness class at Learn To Return Training Systems.  It was four hours of classroom time, learning about the different ways to manage a bear encounter and then four hours at the shooting range practicing with a shotgun.  I was OK during the classroom session but as soon as we started to drive out to the Birchwood Shooting Range, the nerves kicked in.  I had never held or shot a live gun before.  I am terrified of them and the power they hold; they scare the you-know-what out of me.  The instructors were very understanding and helped me get over some of my fear.  I was even brave enough to try the last test of the day: firing off 2 rounds at a “charging bear” (a photo of a bear on a wagon that was roped up to a runner, in order to make it “charge”).

Half-Time Drama

On a not-so-good note, I found out the job I love: working as an elementary school counselor is being cut into a half-time position.  This means that in order to fill the other half of my full-time job, I would have to be at another school half time: two schools, half-time.  I have a lot to say about working as an elementary school counselor, at a very high needs school, only half time but am going to refrain…I am very grateful though, my principal has decided to use Title I money to fund the other half of my position so I am able to stay at my current school full time.

Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan-KABOOM!

Steve is preparing to be out in the field this Spring and Summer, in the company of bears.  He purchased a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan and is shown here shooting the “kind of big bullets” for the first time.  This isn’t even the ammunition he would be carrying while out in the field–those are even BIGGER!

Preparing for May’s Nose Work trial

May 12th is the big day: Pongo’s first official Nose Work trial.  We are working hard at having him alert without destroying the hide, which is a fault in the trial.  He is getting better and with a little more practice, I think he will be ready to rock that Nose Work trial!