Ammo the Movie Star is Here!

Ammo the Dachshund - Painting Pony Video Shoot - Filming

Ok, so maybe I won’t really be seeing my name on a star in Hollywood (a dog can dream) – but in the World of Magical Painting Ponies, I am a movie star! (and technically I have been on National Television before via Animal Planet – check it out here)

Ammo the Dachshund - Painting Pony Video Shoot - Filming

Last week my Uncle Taylor came to visit from his home in North Carolina. Taylor is an uber talented videographer and editor – shooting weddings, commercials, documentaries, training videos, and much much more. And guess what…..he brought his video equipment with him!

Ammo the Dachshund - Painting Pony Video Shoot - Filming

The name of the game was filming some brand new videos for Painting Pony.

Ammo the Dachshund - Painting Pony Video Shoot - Filming

And although my pony friends did make a shining appearance on these new videos – we all know who the real star is…

Ammo the Dachshund - Painting Pony Video Shoot - Filming

…me!

Ammo the Dachshund - Painting Pony Video Shoot - Filming

I had some big important roles, and don’t worry, I totally gave it 110%.

Ammo the Dachshund - Painting Pony Video Shoot - Filming

I even got to do some serious action shots – with multiple takes!

Ammo the Dachshund - Painting Pony Video Shoot - Filming

I also got to perform on the video with my bestest buddy Trooper.

Ammo the Dachshund - Painting Pony Video Shoot - Filming

It was aaaaamazing!

Ammo the Dachshund - Painting Pony Video Shoot - Filming

And, incase you are wondering – yes I did my own stunts!

Ammo the Dachshund - Painting Pony Video Shoot - Filming

I can hardly wait to see the finished product, and as soon as it’s done I’ll be sure to let everyone know! And if you are counting down the days to see yours truly on DVD, you can check out The Trick Ponies of Chincoteague DVD which has my happy little face on it too.

And if you’re looking for some video work make sure you check out Envision Event Media and Depthink Productions!
Ammo the Dachshund

Practicing Contacts on the A-Frame at Agility Class

Last week I had my regularly scheduled dog agility classes at DTCCC, only this time was special because my dad was home from work so he got to come watch me!

Ammo the Dachshund at Agility class

Of course I was super excited to show dad all the things I’ve been learning in class – and I went so fast that he could barely capture it on camera!

Ammo the Dachshund at Agility class

One of the things I have been learning at class is my agility contacts. Contacts in dog agility refer to a specific contact zone at the base of an object (like the A-frame, teeter, dog walk) that you must place a paw in during competition in order for it to count. Most of these contact zones are marked by a yellow strip at the base of an obstacle.

Being that I’m a small dog it is much easier for me to not miss a contact (because I’m not big enough to soar over it), but it is still best to learn how to do each object properly by entering and exiting it at the very base.

Below is a short video from class that dad took of me working on my contacts with the a-frame. You’ll see that I have a verbal cue (“mark”) that mom gives me as I approach the base of the a-frame, this cues me to pause at the bottom of the board until I get the ok to move forward. As I progress in my training my “mark” won’t be as obvious as I race around the course.

Looks pretty fun right?

Here’s some pervious posts from my adventures in agility training incase you missed it:

Extra Curriular Activities

 Tuesday Night Agility

Beginner Dog Agility Classes

 DIY: Build your own Agility Jumps

 Agility with Cows

Ammo the DachshundP.S. Don’t forget to vote for me in the 2012 Petties! I’m nominated for best blog design, and winning will earn $1,000 to one of my favorite pet charities!

Super Heroes Unite – Chincoteague Pony Minnow gets ready for Pony Penning

My stay-cation last week may have you thinking that all I did was go paddleboarding and flying, but this super dog never gets to relax completely – and I had to mix in a little bit of work too (if you can call it that).

My bestest pony friend Minnow the Painting Pony and I got our photoshoot on and took some promotional photos for this year’s Chincoteague Pony Penning held at the end of July.

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

Each year my friend Minnow (aka Super Minnow) travels to Chincoteague Island, Virginia to perform for a week during the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim and Auction.

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

Not only does he paint original art during his stay on the island, but he also gets to show off some of his amazing tricks by performing a skit during the nightly shows at the Chincoteague Pony Centre.

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

Mom and I work very hard for months in advance to help Minnow learn a new performance each year before pony penning – and I think this year’s performance is one of the best yet!

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

This year Minnow is going to Super Hero Bootcamp – and as you can see by his rolly polly belly that he certainly was in need of a bootcamp!

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

The only way to see Minnow’s new performance is to visit him on the island at the end of July, but since I knew not everyone would make it I talked mom into having a new DVD made of the performance that will be available for purchase hopefully next month. (meanwhile you can check out Minnow’s other DVD featuring yours truly HERE).

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

I’m a bit jealous that I won’t be able to watch Minnow’s performance live either, as dogs aren’t allowed many places on the island and I have to stay home with Dad, so I’ll just have to wish him luck from afar.

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

It’s a shame really, because what’s a Super Hero without his sidekick?

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

I’m sure Minnow knows I’m his biggest fan though, and I’ll be cheering him on from home! Go Minnow!Ammo the Dachshund

To see more photos of Minnow during our Super Hero Photoshoot make sure you check out the Painting Pony Blog.

2012 Petties Finalist – Best Blog Design

petties-2012-finalist-design-badgeHey Friends! I’m dropping by the blog this Saturday to let you all know that I’ve been chosen as a 2012 Petties Finalist for the Best Blog Design. How cool!

I’m honored to have been chosen by Dogtime as a finalist, but the very best part is that the winners in each category get $1,000 to donate to their favorite pet charity.

As you know I donate funds to my favorite pet charities each year through the sale of my artwork and the paintings made by my Painting Pony Friends. It would be oh so wonderful to donate more funds to a pet rescue in need, but I need your help!

ammo the dachshund watercolor artist

I’m up against some great blogs for the category of Best Blog Design, but you guys can help me win by visiting Dogtime and voting for me!

And I’d love to hear what pet rescues you think would be a great place for me to donate the $1,000 to should I win! Thanks friends!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE Ammo the Dachshund

 

Putting Workout Barbie to Shame

Today my bestest pony pal Minnow is putting Workout Barbie to shame. See Minnow is training for a new performance for this year’s Chincoteague Pony Swim down on Chincoteague Island at the end of July.

workout pony

I’ve seen it first hand and trust me, this:

…is way cooler than this:

And if that weren’t enough, Minnow is even letting me be his workout partner!

workout puppy

You can call me Workout Puppy!

workout pony

So me and Workout Pony here are going to be spending the next couple months working on our muscles. You probably won’t even recognize us by the end of it!

workout pony

So make sure you head over to the Painting Pony Blog to keep up to date on our workout progress. Minnow even promised to show me how to do push-ups soon! Yipee! 

Friday Fetch: PonyPup Beds

This brand-new product was immediately on my wish list as soon as I saw it. It’s the perfect blend of “pony” and “pup” for me!

ponypup beds

These dog beds created by PonyBeds are built to resemble classic horse jumps. Their beds come in small, medium, large and extra large and will be hitting their website soon. And if you can’t wait until then, you can check out their Facebook page for more super cute puppy eye candy – and some PonyPup Beds too!

ponypup beds

ponypup beds

ponypup beds

ponypup beds

PonyBeds also makes super adorable children’s beds and accessories. Check out their line of products here. 

St. Patrick’s Day – Breaking out the Green

I know technically it isn’t St. Patrick’s Day yet, and I’m really not Irish (although I do have pretty red hair), but I just couldn’t wait any longer to break out my green!

ammo the dachshund st. Patrick's Day

I was also secretly hoping that my “holiday spirit” would entice the Leprechauns to come out and play!

ammo the dachshund st. Patrick's Day

Remember last year when I came soooo close to getting my paws on some of the Leprechaun gold?

ammo the dachshund st. patrick's day

Well, this year I decided instead of hunting down the Leprechaun “den”, I’d let them come to me.

ammo the dachshund st. patrick's day

I have a feeling those Leprechauns know how to party! And maybe, just maybe, they’ll come party with me at my house.

ammo the dachshund st. patrick's day

And if they happen to bring some of their gold along with them – I definitely wouldn’t complain.

ammo the dachshund st. patrick's day

So come join the party Leprechauns! I’ve got kibble for everyone! 

My New Office

Being a Blogger (and facebook celebrity) pretty much means that I spend a lot of time locked in my office writing away. Only up until recently my blogging space wasn’t really up to my amazing design standards. So after some begging and pleading, and a few sad puppy faces, Mom and Dad agreed to give my office a makeover.

ammo the dachshund new office

Welcome to my new office, won’t you join me for the tour?

ammo the dachshund new office

ammo the dachshund new office

ammo the dachshund new office

ammo the dachshund new office

Fabulous right? The best parts are in the details, because it’s quite obvious that my personal style (and overall good looks) have taken over the space completely….

ammo the dachshund new office

A is for Ammo and everything that is awesome!

ammo the dachshund new office

My Reserve Champ ribbon from the Keystone Dachshund Races last year proudly hangs on my cork board along with my favorite photo of me and Minnow the Chincoteague Pony.

ammo the dachshund new office

Everything about my new office is happy and bright….just like me!

ammo the dachshund new office

ammo the dachshund new office

ammo the dachshund new office

ammo the dachshund new office

ammo the dachshund new office

At the end of the day, the most important thing is the function – and after taking it for a test spin, my new office passes the Ammo the Dachshund standards test.

ammo the dachshund new office

ammo the dachshund new office

ammo the dachshund new office

Suddenly I’m inspired to be way more creative – building more rocket packs, digging more holes, and painting more pictures.

ammo the dachshund new office

There’s adventures to be had right outside my window!

ammo the dachshund new office

Just as soon as I finish my afternoon nap!

Happy New Year!

Wow, I can’t believe it’s 2012 already! This year I decided to celebrate the incoming new year with a bang. And what better way to do that than with a PARTY!

happy new year from ammo the dachshund

I was the best dressed of course, but aren’t I always?

happy new year from ammo the dachshund

I’m excited you’re here to celebrate the new year with me, having friends like you makes blogging so much fun!

happy new year from ammo the dachshund

I can’t see into the future (despite my super cool specs) but I do think 2012 is going to be a great year!

happy new year from ammo the dachshund

I’m going to try even harder this year to make each and every one of you giggle with delight when you see my happy little face on the blog.

happy new year from ammo the dachshund

Happy New Year Friends!

2012 New Year Goals

Last year I made my list of New Year Goals, so I thought it would be fun to check back and see how far I got with them – and also come up with a few new ones for 2012!

ammo the dachshund new year party

P.S. this may look like my Birthday hat, but right now it’s doubling as my new years party hat!

LAST YEARS GOALS:

1. Take another agility class or maybe even COMPETE in agility. Sadly since my last agility class at the Dog Training Club of Chester County I haven’t been able to attend any new classes. Not because I didn’t want to, but because the training center hasn’t been offering any new agility classes that fit my busy schedule, so mom’s been looking into finding a new place for me to test out my agility skills this year, like this place. But I did try my hand at an agility course while I was at the Dog Days of Summer Event and I even tested out some moves at the dog park this year.

Ammo jumping through hoop

2. Actually win a race at the Dachshund Races this year. I did even better than win just one race this year, I won 3! and I even qualified for the Championship race, bringing home a respectable reserve champ ribbon! Go me!

3. Make MORE artwork. This year I created and shipped all over the World nearly 20 original pieces of art. Not bad for my first full year of being a real life artist!

4. Visit some nursing homes. I made several trips this year to visit the nursing home – HERE, HERE, and HERE. I even made some undocumented trips too! It’s great when I can make someone’s day a little bit happier with my happy wagging tail.

ammo the dachshund nursing home

5. Perform more with the Trick Ponies. I added lots of new performances with the Trick Ponies to my calendar this year. I visited a school and made appearances at the Ludwigs Corner Horse Show and The Dog Days of Summer event to name a few.

6. Learn at least 10 new tricks. Ok well I might not have accomplished this “10 new tricks” goal, but I did add a few new ones to my repertoire. Which reminds me….I never shared them with you guys! So that will definitely have to be a future post.

7. Dress up more often. This one I have totally accomplished. I was a dressing up fool this year with my 12 days of Christmas, my rocket dog costume and even my Valentines Day outfit to name a few.

ammo the dachshund rocket dog

8. Go on vacation. Admittedly I don’t really go on vacation much, it’s hard to get a way when you have such a busy working calendar like me! But I did get to take a special trip this year to Assateague Island to visit the sand and surf (and some new friends) with my pony pals.

assateague island

9. Try something new. This year I took my first trip on a motor boat at the Marsh Creek State park, I built a super fort while mom was away in Chincoteague, and I even did some relaxing by the pool for the first time. Oh yeah, and I watched a movie in the park this summer!

10. Giggle more. I giggle everyday, what about you?

2012 Goals:

1. Learn a new trick with my favorite pony, Minnow.

2. Compete in my first agility trial or take an agility class with a new club.

3. Make more home movies, featuring me!

4. Get more creative with my costumes.

5. Master some new tricks and share them on the blog.

6. Take pictures every month for my 2013 Calendar!

7. Make more DIY projects.

8. Paint more.

9. Dig more holes in the backyard.

10. Smile everyday!

So what about you? What are your goals for 2012? Do you think I can accomplish everything on my list by this time next year?

P.S. Don’t forget there is still time to enter my giveaway to win my 2012 Calendar!