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Friday 30 September 2011

I'm sorry to say

I'm very sorry to have to tell you that Isis is having a false pregnancy. We are all extremely disappointed by the news. Anyone with a deposit in needs to contact me regarding your options.

Sent from my iPhone

Thursday 29 September 2011

Isis

I still don't know what's happening with Isis in regards to having puppies. She continues to get ready to nurse but there is no sign of any bulge in her tummy. Our vet appointment is tomorrow afternoon. You'll know when I know!

Sent from my iPhone

Isis

I still don't know what's happening with Isis in regards to having puppies. She continues to get ready to nurse but there is no bulge in her tummy. My appt. at the vet is tomorrow afternoon. You'll know when I know.

Sent from my iPad

Monday 26 September 2011

Isis

I'm very sorry to have to tell everyone that Isis may not be pregnant.  She is either having a very small litter, (1-2) or she is having a false pregnancy.  She is obviously getting ready to nurse as she has some mammary development but I don't see the tell-tale sign of her getting fat.  She always waits until near the end to get big but this is just too late into the pregnancy to have nothing showing.  I will have her ultrasounded or x-rayed this week to know for sure. 

I will let you know as soon as I know. 

Wednesday 14 September 2011

The Other End of the Leash

I was tracking with Merlin last week and decided to try recording it.  My tracking coach records hers quite frequently so I thought I'd do the same. (Thanks Donna!)   Maybe I'll learn something.

And just so you know, we are both beginners.  I'm up close so that I can help him if he gets off track.  It also gives him confidence to keep going. 

So here it is. Tracking from my perspective. 



As you can see, he didn't need me!  He followed the track without any problems.  We are working on 40-50 metre tracks at this point.  I'm very happy with how he is proceeding.  His tracks are getting longer and twice, I've introduced him to corners.  The first time he did awesome.  The second he was totally perplexed and I had to show him where to start.  But that's all normal I guess.   I was reading a book about tracking the other day and it said it would take 12 months before a dog was ready to compete to attain his Tracking Dog title.  I guess I have a minimum of 8 months to go! 

But this time there were no corners and he did very well.  He kept his nose to the ground at all times and casted back and forth from footstep to footstep.  AND he found the article at the end!  I couldn't ask for more!

I hope you enjoyed our little tracking session as much as I did!

Sunday 11 September 2011

K9-11 Heroes

During the chaos of the 9/11 attacks, where almost 3,000 people died, nearly 100 loyal search and rescue dogs and their brave owners scoured Ground Zero for survivors.

Now, ten years on, just 12 of these heroic canines survive, and they have been commemorated in a touching series of portraits entitled 'Retrieved'.

The dogs worked tirelessly to search for anyone trapped alive in the rubble, along with countless emergency service workers and members of the public.

Traveling across nine states in the U.S. from Texas to Maryland, Dutch photographer Charlotte Dumas, 34, captured the remaining dogs in their twilight years in their homes where they still live with their handlers, a full decade on from 9/11.

Their stories have now been compiled in a book, called Retrieved, which is published on Friday, the tenth anniversary of the attacks.

Noted for her touching portraits of animals, especially dogs, Charlotte wanted 'Retrieved' to mark not only the anniversary of the September 2001 attacks, but also as recognition for some of the first responders and their dogs.

















The unfortunate thing for me is there isn't a picture of "Timber".    Timber was owned by an Irish soldier temporarily stationed in Canada for training.  Both Timber and Patrick were on the scene in New York within 24 hours.  Rest well my friend.  You deserve it. .

Tuesday 6 September 2011

Proud Mothers

I just wanted to share a really nice story I heard from one of my puppy owners.  This family owns two of my dogs; one black & tan, the other all black.  I may not have all the details exactly right but I know I'll have the jist of the story correct!

The couple that own the dogs like to go camping fairly frequently.  They were camping with some friends/family who had children.  One of the older children decided to go to the river and take his younger sibling as well.  The youngster I believe was approximately 2 years old.  As what can sometimes happen with children, the older child was distracted by something and left the youngster by himself at the bank of the river. 

Kokoda (the B&T female) was playing fetch with a stick, not too far down the river.  When the dog realized the child had been left alone and close to the river, she dropped the stick and ran to the child.  She stood with the child until an adult came to take charge of the little one.  As soon as the adult was there, she ran back down the river, grabbed the stick, and continued to play! 

How's that for a smart dog!!  Both Olivia and I are the proud Mothers!!  Their picture is below.

Kokoda, Olivia, Onyx

Thursday 1 September 2011

Vancouver, Mystique & Life In General

This past weekend involved a whirlwind trip to Vancouver.  I delivered Mystique to her new family, took 1 day to tour around Granville Island Market and then rushed back home.  Although it was very rushed, it was good to get away from routine. 

Mystique travelled very well.  Her biggest problem was she wouldn't go pee!  We stopped every two hours enroute but nothing.  The days were hot and she was drinking a lot so I knew it was going to have to come out sometime!  I realized that she probably had seldom, if ever, peed on leash.  We would go for walks but never more than a few hours.  She always waited to go until we got home I guess.  Up until now, I hadn't even thought about it.  She only went once/day!  She had lots of opportunity but I guess she just wasn't comfortable with the whole "being-on-leash" idea. 

She behaved herself like an Angel in the hotel room.  Not a sound through the night, (and no accidents!).  The following day was the same as far as relieving herself.  Just once!  We were there to give her praise and recognition but it obviously didn't make an impression on her. 

We arrived in Vancouver just at Friday afternoon rush hour.  Instead of fretting, we decided that we would put some good music on the stereo & just enjoy the sun.  We travelled most of each day with the roof off of the Jeep.  I LOVE my Jeep!

We eventually arrived at our destination where Mystique's new family were waiting anxiously.  A family of 5 had been counting down the days until she arrived.  They own a beautiful, monarchal, older German Shepherd  by name of "Jack".  He will be a very good influence for Mystique.  I decided they should meet on neutral ground so we met at a park a few blocks from their home.  The introduction couldn't have gone any better.  Before long we were all walking side by side towards home. 

Mystique was a little shy around the new people but I knew she would come around quickly.  She was the perfect dog for them.  You could tell that Jack, even though he was in his senior years, would have been a handful.  A true working line German Shepherd that knew he was King.  This time, they wanted a more easy going individual that loved kids, was gentle but would protect when necessary.  That is Mystique in a nutshell.  All she ever wants to do is please.  When she's excited, she runs around looking for something to bring you.  She's just a wonderful girl.  As you can probably tell, I do miss her. As does her yard mate Cruise.  They would chase each other around and around for hours at a time.  Mystique now has more than enough kids to keep her busy!  I'm afraid Cruise doesn't think I make a good Mystique double!

After all the initial introductions, we sat down to a WONDERFUL dinner.  Everyone made us feel so welcome.  Thank you Ann!  We swapped dog stories and even one or two horse stories.  But time was marching on and we had to get to where we were staying for the night.  I was pretty much a wreck when it came time to leave.  I didn't want to say "good-bye" and upset the dog so I suggested Ann take her for a walk.  I watched them walk down the street, knowing I'd found each of them a good partner.  We waited until they were out of site, then left. 

"I'm such a cry baby!" I said.  My husband said "You're not a cry baby.  You have a soft heart."  I love my dogs with all my heart.  When you've lived with a dog for 18 months, she becomes part of the family.  However, I knew that Ann & her family could give her a wonderful home.  She even gets to go to work every day!  Then come home to play with three kids!  Does life get any better than that?!


So here she is, just a few days after arriving, looking like she's been there her whole life.  Not a fairy tale ending... a fairy tale beginning...