I feel a bit better..She is just really immature. I thought she was older. She should have been directed better.

As for Daisy, we are at the real theater as of today. No guests backstage and we will be assigned a dressing room of our own tomorrow. It was so wierd being on the stage, since usually I am on the other side as a subscriber. Daisy went exploring on her own while they were setting up the stage with the props and scenery. She walked to the edge of the stage and looked out and was trying to figure out how she could go explore the "house" (guest seating). When she couldn't see where the stage stairs started, she went back to the main stage. They said once the lights go on, she won't be able to see past the first two or three rows. My fear is that she will walk out, see the audience and bark a greeting to them. We rehearsed a bit and then the director wanted Dorothy to spend a night with Toto again. She pretty much said she didn't want to because she doesn't sleep well at our house. I would never let Daisy go sleep away for the night. I hope that it will not come to pass, since, I did that two weeks ago and Dorothy did not wake up with enough time to play with Toto or work her in her own environment. And I left work very early to get her to her rehearsal. Anyway, show opens on Friday. Very excited about it. The scenery and costumes won an award. I hope I can take some photos.

Kathy - Friday will be here before you know it. Too exciting!!!!! Daisy is going to shine and you'll be more proud of her than ever!! Hope all goes well this week leading up to the first performance. Can't wait to see it myself.

Tonight is our opening night. We did full dress rehearsal and we all cried when we finished the bows (I am in the wings - Dorothy has to take Toto on for her bow and everyone applauds both of them). It's really come together. Daisy did EXACTLY what she was supposed to do, even in light of the pyrotechnics going off on stage while she was there. Of course, as soon as they go off you hear "Run, Toto, Run" and she said - gotta go, mom is waiting to cuddle me in the wings, which is exactly where she does go. It helps that I have converted a tiny shoulder bag to a treat bag. How would like being carried around by a flying monkey who is "eeking" at you? or a Wicked Witch who puts you over a caulderon with Dry Ice that lookes like a boiling pot of water or in a big canvas bag (Daisy said no basket to Miss Gulch - we improvised - and her head pops up out of the bag)?

This was my very first foray into theater. I am so amazed at what it takes to make things happen on stage - the littest details. it's so intricate. Just the littlest change of a movement or a placement of a prop.

I'll have more to tell you later. I am so proud of that little dog.

Hope Daisy has a wonderful debut! Cheers, Anne

Cousin Daisy - Go, go, go, girl!!! And feel free to bite that bitch, Dorothy, if she is not nice to you. After all, the dog is the star of this production, no?? Cheers, Katyusha

Kathy....best wishes to our star and to you. What a great job you've done. You both deserve a bow in front of the stagelights. Applause from all of us! :app: :app: :app: :app:

Absolutely! I'm still hoping for photos!

Masaki

We're not allowed to take photos of the actual production. The Non Equity actors will let me take photos in costume but not near the stage. It's the rules. And of all things, I forgot my camera. We have 8 more performances.

But it went off without a hitch. Daisy was perfect and did steal the first scene. She was crossing the fore stage (called the Passeral - a curved platform over the orchestra pit) that becomes the Yellow Brick Road. She follows Dorothy in the first scene and they walk over the passaral - Daisy stopped right in the middle and shook (like a wet dog might) and turned to the audience, wagged her tail, and proceeded to follow. The audience went crazy. At the end, the final bow is Dorothy coming out with Daisy in arms Again, the applause was incredible.

I will always think it was for Daisy, but, Dorothy is extraordinarly talented. Margo, when they applauded, I had a big flow of tears from the excitement. We've worked so hard to make this happen. I wish that you all could have been among the 1800 people who saw the performance tonight.

What a ham!

Wish we could have been there to see her strut her stuff.

Congratulations!

Cheers! Ray

Oh Kathy,

Congratulations to you and to Daisy!! I too, wish we could have been there to see the show.
Good Job!

I went to this set eagerly awaiting news on Daisy. Congrats. We have been without cable, power and telephone (hit by lightening) and it is so great to connect and hear good things happened for Daisy.

BRAVO, DAISY! (Sorry, I seem to have BRAVO on the brain these days!). Good hearing all went well.

Kathy, Daisy gets the:

:app: :app: :app: :app: Congratulations Daisy (and Momma Kathy). What an exciting time. I got goose bumbs just reading your post.

Thank you all so much for you good wishes. I have 30 people coming today for brunch before we go to the matinee. I've arranged for a few little ones to come back stage and meet the principals - Dorothy, lion, scarecrow, tinman, Glinda and The Wicked Witch and of course the Munchkins.

I went out on the patio last night - there is a portico there where I thought we'd just see what was up - during intermission where the audience can go. A few people spotted me holding Daisy. I let all the kids pet her - she loves it - and most of the people are amazed at how well she does and they have told me they think she is the star. Me too. When she goes on for her final bow in Dorothy's Arms the applause is huge and the ovation standing. Only 6 more performances

This is so wonderful Kathy.
This is for Daisy!

Kathy,
This might be a good contest for Daisy to enter.
She could appear on the box of Milkbones!
http://www.milk-bone.com/mydfs/index.aspx

Thanks, Marcie. I entered. Maybe we can get free milkbones! :p

We're just back from today's show. I had 30 people here for brunch today. The show keeps getting better and Daisy did incredible today. Only 5 more left. Next week is LCT day on Sat. We'll have Cyndi and Michelle in the Matinee and Freddie and Island Cruiser for the evening performance. Show was sold out today.

I love when we come out of the show and there are still kids there. They get all wide eyed and want to pet my Daisy. People can't believe they are seeing Toto. I let a few people take pictures of Toto with their child. I hope it will be a great memory for someone of a special day they spent with their kids/grandkids etc.

Glad to hear that things are going so well! Too bad we can't find a way to come and watch the show ... :(

Masaki

Masaki,

If you and Amanda (and little Fish!) come out this way, we can give you your own private show!

Kathy,

What excitement!!!! You are always going to remember these special moments with your little star, Daisy!!! You have every right to be so very proud. She is amazing!!! Can't wait to see the performance this Sat!! Maybe I can get a picture of me with Daisy :) :)

Thanks for taking the time to keep us updated!! See you soon.

Hey Kathy, so glad it's going well. Wish we could be there to see it. Have fun on Saturday, Cyndi and Tom, Fred and Pat.

Yes, Cyndi, we can post some photos of you and the little star. Wendy, yes, sorry it's too far to share it live and in person with you.

Kathy - if I could figure out a way to make it happen, I'd take you up on it! :)

Masaki

Kathy,

How's our little star doing? Only 3 more days until I get to see her in action. What fun! See you soon (and Michelle & Don and Fred & Pat too!!)



Run Toto, run!!


Editing to say: This graphic didn't work out quite like I'd hoped. Where I found it, little Toto was running back and forth under the picture with a caption saying "Run Toto, run!!" The running Toto didn't show up when I posted here. You'll just have to take my word for it. Really cute!!!

Yep, Don & I are looking forward to seeing the little star also! That's a cute picture, Cyndi, even if it didn't load the Toto graphic. See you Saturday! - Michele

Yes, Saturday of LCT/ Wiard of Oz Day! Can't wait to see you all!

Here is a review of the play - the newpaper has a huge picture of two scenes.

http://www1.venturacountystar.com/vcs/on_stage/article/0,1375,VCS_253_3976150,00.html

The reviewer must have missed the whole half of the 2nd act because Daisy was in the entire half of the 2nd act! But she does give her a good review. or click here for the review directly

Cyndi, I fixed your running Toto for you, How cute!!

Karen - you are a genius!!! :app: :app: She got a GREAT REVIEW!!!!!!!! (all except the apparent lapse of attention to Daisy's participation in Act II) I'm so impressed. Now I'll read the rest of the review with my morning cup of coffee!!

Hey, I want that little Toto on the bottom of my posts ! Karen - how can I do that?

Kathy, cut and paste this code below in your signiture:

[ IMG] http://www.camillescollectibles.com/anidog2.gif[/IMG]

You must remove the space right after the first bracket for it to work. I added the space so it showed up as code instead of a picture :)

Kathy, I don't see the little Toto below your signature. Just the URL. Is it just me? I knew you would like that. I thought of you and Daisy as soon as I saw it.

Kathy, you have to cut and paste the whole thing, with the [img] brackets, too. Make sure when you paste the code that I typed in the above post, that you remove the space right after the first bracket ( right after the first "[" ) that I inserted so we could see the code instead of the picture.

There was another review in the other local paper to share! It said that Daisy sometimes steals the show. Or you can read it for yourself!!!! She was perfect after worrying me because after a few days off she was so excited to go to the theater. She barked so much and was so peppy I thought she could go to the end of the stage and bark at the audience. When we got back stage she was in professional mode and did perfect!

or click here to read about Daisy\'s shining moments! We had a ton of people at the stage door tonight. Every one wanted to pet Toto. One woman came in a T shirt that said Toto, your are the real star of the Wizard of Oz!

http://www.toacorn.com/news/2005/0804/Community/029.html

Kathy, thanks for sharing the reviews. Wish I could be there along with the other LCT'ers to see your star in action!

Hi Kathy,

I'm betting that after this is over, you will want to find some kind of structured activity for Daisy, so that she can continue with this. I'm sure I asked you this already, but have you thought about obedience trials, or agility? Or maybe we can get more work as an actress or model? :cool:

Kathy,

Love your little running Toto on your signature - Perfect!!!! Thanks for posting this second review. Daisy is obviously the hit of the show!!! Was there any doubt? :) That T-shirt must have been fun to see.

Wendy - I agree about the work as actress or model. Daisy is a natural!

Donna - wish you could join us, too!!!

What great reviews, Kathy! You must be having FUN now that everything has gone so well! Can't wait to be there..... tomorrow!
....the Daisy graphic running about is SO CUTE!!
michele

The graphic is all due to Karen and Cyndi! Thanks.

Actually, having Daisy as an actress is too much work for me and time away from my regular business. It's been stressful to do both.

I thought of getting her Canine Good Citizen award next and then maybe volunteering at a hospital with her. I also heard of a local agility class. Cairns are not known for obedience although I do know one. Downstays are a problem if there is activity. With the play, we actually got her to do what she wants but not what we always want her to do! I do know that I will have to keep up some kind of special activity just for her, even if it''s just a dog class. Maybe we'll repeat the clicker training class at Petsmart.