That's it, I'm putting in for three day weekends!!! I don't wanna go back to work, especially after the Friday that we all edured. Let's just say I can't wait for someone to go to the jail cell he deserves for a very very long time! UGH.
But the weekend was perfect. Sun, breeze and finally done planting, nope wait, one more set of bushes to remove and four more to plant. A load of mulch to spread and then we should be done. I think. Maybe?
Oh well, the garden is doing great. Everything is up, weeding is under control and my mouth is watering for the first picking.
Moo has a case of rain rot. Treating that, which means lots of medicated bathes, topical sprays and he's just not thrilled about any of it. Old age is catching up with him. But I did get him all trimmed up, had to roach his mane though-someone is eating it, again.
Let's see, found a new snapper in the bog by the creek. Hoping that it will hang out there till next weekend when I can catch it and release it far far away. Stuffing it in a vari kennel this time. Please refer to one of my earliest posts about that adventure.
Otherwise, new puppy photos are up. Everyone is doing great and have doubled their birth weight. Even my little itty bitty runt.
Ugh, Monday. Oh well, could be worse, no weekends at all. Almost forgot, looks like I'm going back to the land of the suburbans!!! Mom wants my tahoe, so Dad asked if he could swap me when he finds me a new burb! Just in time, two more client dogs to show this summer.
Later gators....
C
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Good one for Friday...
To celebrate growing older, someone once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25 No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27 Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Remember that I will always share my spoon with you!
Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.
Later gators....
C
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25 No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27 Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Remember that I will always share my spoon with you!
Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.
Later gators....
C
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday thoughts
I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. The same goes for true love.
I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
Lator gators....
C
I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. The same goes for true love.
I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
Lator gators....
C
Breed question
Well, dewclaws are done. Only glued one pup to another and one vet tech to a pup. Doc uses surgical glue to hold the wound shut and well if we are assembly line doing the puppies, ie, I pick one up, hand to tech, Doc does the dewclaws, tech hands pup back to me while I hand her another, sometimes the glue isn't dry when I stick them back in the crate. This started off as a joke when doing the one and only collie puppies, we had one leg glued to a siblings head. Anyway, all went well, they all checked out fine and Shoobug had a snit that we were doing things to her puppies.
First off, I always take momma dogs with me. Left one at home(it's only 5 mins to Doc's) and when we got home 20 mins later-had attempted to destroy a door. 2nd, Doc can then look mom over to make sure she's doing okay. But we made it there and back without issue. Too funny, once I got the pups back in the whelping box/pool, she had to count and make sure there were still 6.
Now here's the question I have for breeders out there---what's the deal with pigment? As noted by our national specialty judge this year, Jon Kimes, we are really having issues with pigment. He had a few that were not dark black, but had a dilute quality to them. Granted I understand the ee / clear reds or what ever you chose to call them, but what about pigmenting as babies?
Many people, cardigan and pemmie alike, have litters right now. I am a firm believer in watching puppies as they grow to see how they mature. That goes for pigment. I've been noticing a lot of puppies that at 3-4 weeks are just starting to pigment, have speckled or even weak coloring-not strong black. Here's the question-is this something that we as breeders should be noting and adding to our list of things to evaulate for? Personally, I think that the answer is yes. Strong dark pigment is a part of our standard. If we don't make note of those pups that pigment late or have weak coloring and use that as another evaluation marker, then I think we are setting ourselves up for an issue generations down the road. Our breed does not call for chocolate or dark brown, it's black. I do believe that's the same for pemmies. Year's ago, a lab breeder friend of mine said that because people didn't make note of this issues and bred without care of pigment, blacks and yellow labs were ending up with chocolate noses and even pink ones. Took a long time to fix it and eliminated some nice dogs that otherwise should have stayed in the breeding pool.
I have never had an issue with puppies not having pigmented noses and eye rims by 3 weeks. Heck Marg's last litter had boys that were starting to pigment the day they were born(Alec claims that's because Marg cooked them too long:0) But seriously, 3 of the 6 current pups are already starting to color in. I have no doubt that by the time eyes and ears are open in another week and half, they will be well on their way to full pigmentation. One thing I pride myself on.
I will note here, I am talking about the reds, brindles and b/w cardigans. Blues are a whole 'nother ball game. Eddie for example, yes dear Edweirdo, came to us with a beautiful butterfly nose. I loved it, but now at 2 1/2, his nose is completely filled in with only white on the inside of his nostrils and you have to really look to see it. BUT--his pigment is true black-not diluted at all. So what's your opinion on this???
On an Eddie note, I swear Joann, you need to help me clone him. I have a huge waiting list for Eddie babies, including two of the techs at the office. For all his weirdo traits, his pain in the ass quirks, he really is a doll. Disregard his hair, which per 4 well known breeders is not fluff but glamour coat---dna test is in the mail to get proof on paper, that boy is so well built it's scary. Now the poor boy gets told he drives the slow bus and his dad sits in the front seat, but he actually is smart, just chooses not to use it most times. Anyway, got a couple of years to wait on his first babies, just enough time for him to win the hearts of a few more people.
Well, the week is almost over, dryer will be fixed tomorrow and I guess I get to spend the weekend doing laundry--yippee!
Later gators.....
C
First off, I always take momma dogs with me. Left one at home(it's only 5 mins to Doc's) and when we got home 20 mins later-had attempted to destroy a door. 2nd, Doc can then look mom over to make sure she's doing okay. But we made it there and back without issue. Too funny, once I got the pups back in the whelping box/pool, she had to count and make sure there were still 6.
Now here's the question I have for breeders out there---what's the deal with pigment? As noted by our national specialty judge this year, Jon Kimes, we are really having issues with pigment. He had a few that were not dark black, but had a dilute quality to them. Granted I understand the ee / clear reds or what ever you chose to call them, but what about pigmenting as babies?
Many people, cardigan and pemmie alike, have litters right now. I am a firm believer in watching puppies as they grow to see how they mature. That goes for pigment. I've been noticing a lot of puppies that at 3-4 weeks are just starting to pigment, have speckled or even weak coloring-not strong black. Here's the question-is this something that we as breeders should be noting and adding to our list of things to evaulate for? Personally, I think that the answer is yes. Strong dark pigment is a part of our standard. If we don't make note of those pups that pigment late or have weak coloring and use that as another evaluation marker, then I think we are setting ourselves up for an issue generations down the road. Our breed does not call for chocolate or dark brown, it's black. I do believe that's the same for pemmies. Year's ago, a lab breeder friend of mine said that because people didn't make note of this issues and bred without care of pigment, blacks and yellow labs were ending up with chocolate noses and even pink ones. Took a long time to fix it and eliminated some nice dogs that otherwise should have stayed in the breeding pool.
I have never had an issue with puppies not having pigmented noses and eye rims by 3 weeks. Heck Marg's last litter had boys that were starting to pigment the day they were born(Alec claims that's because Marg cooked them too long:0) But seriously, 3 of the 6 current pups are already starting to color in. I have no doubt that by the time eyes and ears are open in another week and half, they will be well on their way to full pigmentation. One thing I pride myself on.
I will note here, I am talking about the reds, brindles and b/w cardigans. Blues are a whole 'nother ball game. Eddie for example, yes dear Edweirdo, came to us with a beautiful butterfly nose. I loved it, but now at 2 1/2, his nose is completely filled in with only white on the inside of his nostrils and you have to really look to see it. BUT--his pigment is true black-not diluted at all. So what's your opinion on this???
On an Eddie note, I swear Joann, you need to help me clone him. I have a huge waiting list for Eddie babies, including two of the techs at the office. For all his weirdo traits, his pain in the ass quirks, he really is a doll. Disregard his hair, which per 4 well known breeders is not fluff but glamour coat---dna test is in the mail to get proof on paper, that boy is so well built it's scary. Now the poor boy gets told he drives the slow bus and his dad sits in the front seat, but he actually is smart, just chooses not to use it most times. Anyway, got a couple of years to wait on his first babies, just enough time for him to win the hearts of a few more people.
Well, the week is almost over, dryer will be fixed tomorrow and I guess I get to spend the weekend doing laundry--yippee!
Later gators.....
C
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
pupdates
Everyone asks for updates on puppies, so we started calling them pupdates awhile ago. It's actually a blast to get public involvement in the raising of the puppies. The first litter Marg had was 6 puppies and we were using an alcohol theme(dad was Royal Crown, Marg is Margaritaville-go figure) anyway, someone termed them the Six Pack and it stuck. Last year we got help naming the 8 pups out of the Marg x Boo litter-so many great ways to take a Jimmy Buffet theme. So this year as noted in the previous post, it's a Patriotic theme. Here's the short list, with one extra. Partly because I also like to make the name fit the puppy and right now they all just look like little squishy rats.
Rosie the Riveter
Rocket's Red Glare
Lest We Forget
I Want You(think of Uncle Sam pointing at you from the poster)
Liberty Belle
Reflect & Remember
United We Stand
How's that to you? Looks good to me!
As far as the pupdate, we head to Doc's today for dewclaws. As always, should be interesting. One litter, we ended up gluing a puppy's foot to a siblings head, so now I get kidded about that at every dewclaw session. Then I usually have to go find a puppy, who has been slipped into a tech's pocket and is now wandering the office. I know lots of people like to do their own dewclaws or in pemmies-tails, but this gives me a chance to have Doc give them a once over and look at mom to make sure she's doing well.
For those of you who have been there, done that, isn't it interesting how each mom is different in her care of her puppies? Phoebe laid on top of them, always battling to keep her off them. Tuli-never an issue at any point, Marg was pretty cool with them but always has that look of "is it over yet?" Now Shoobug, she's a corker. I use a heating pad vs a heat lamp. Too many scary stories of lamps breaking. With the pad, they can squirm off to one side where it's cooler, or on to it to warm up. I have it inside a double pocketed Yoda Pad cover--it's super perfect. But here's the issue, Shoobug is paranoid when they start moving off it! She corrals them on it and then pulls the whelping pad up around it, like a barrier. I think I might have to put the heating pad in one of my PetSakes dog beds, just so they stay in one spot. Oh and heavens, take one out to weight it and you get the super evil eye. Won't go out of the whelping box except to pee, won't get out to eat or drink-so the bowls are on one side of the box. And talk about clean-I've never ever had a mom so picky about clean. Herself, the box, the puppies. I swear she's going to lick the hair right off them if she doesn't stop fussing. But that's good and means I don't have too much to clean when I do get her out of the box.
Here's photo from this morning. Yes it's a pink wading pool. Boxes are great but the pools work so well for me, I just can't see changing. I can sterilize the heck out of them, it fits in my whelping room, aka the master bath and once they scale the sides, then it's time to send them to the xpen and general population. I usually move them to a double xpen, with litter box and sides at about 3-4 weeks. They can regulate their temp by then, they are all over and need more room. The nosies of the house-vacuum, dishwasher, slamming doors, thundering paws and the like are all around them. Only issue I have is that most of them get too used to the carpet cleaner or vacuum and there are reports of attacks on those items in their new homes ;0) The rest of gang gets to meet the newbies, Clairee and Eddie can go over the small gate and play at will and Mom can escape the hunger hoard as needed. AND, with summer here, the rugrats have quick access to the outside yards.
Anyway, here's today's photo, notice how she's got them all tucked in and on the heating pad-go figure! Oh looking at them again, we might have one more red rather then a red brindle, but if she does show her stripes, she will be even brighter then anything else in this house!
Later gators.....
C
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day 2009-never the same again
Okay so remember how I had huge plans to get tons of stuff done this weekend? Well I got tons done, just not what I wanted to do in the first place,
Nope the Goodwill trip didn't happen. I took apart my dryer attempting to get to the bottom of that noise. Alas, Lampe's will be called and asked to come look at it on Tuesday. So I instead used the green method of doing laundry and line dried many a load. It was great sleeping in those clean blankets with that wonderful smell.
Garden-done and planted. Things are looking great. Landscaping-tons done. New flower beds in, planted. Weeds pulled, mulch applied. It looks awesome. Got stuff moved, agility equipment in new location and worked a little on the duck house.
House cleaned, ducks to their testing. Worked in the arena some -Moose has had some great workouts lately.
But the highlight, at this point in the day it's not really a highlight as I seriously need some sleep is that we have puppies. Shooter decided not to wait, which is okay as now I don't miss any work.
The litter was officially born on Memorial Day so of course the theme is Patriotic or Memorial Day. If you have any great suggestions, please post them here. There are 2 boys-1 red and 1 red brindle, 4 girls--THANK GOD! 1 red, 1 red brindle and 2 brown brindles. All are well marked, very unique and robust. Check out the website for updated details.
Here's a pic to hold everyone over till I get individual photos next week.
Later gators....
C
Nope the Goodwill trip didn't happen. I took apart my dryer attempting to get to the bottom of that noise. Alas, Lampe's will be called and asked to come look at it on Tuesday. So I instead used the green method of doing laundry and line dried many a load. It was great sleeping in those clean blankets with that wonderful smell.
Garden-done and planted. Things are looking great. Landscaping-tons done. New flower beds in, planted. Weeds pulled, mulch applied. It looks awesome. Got stuff moved, agility equipment in new location and worked a little on the duck house.
House cleaned, ducks to their testing. Worked in the arena some -Moose has had some great workouts lately.
But the highlight, at this point in the day it's not really a highlight as I seriously need some sleep is that we have puppies. Shooter decided not to wait, which is okay as now I don't miss any work.
The litter was officially born on Memorial Day so of course the theme is Patriotic or Memorial Day. If you have any great suggestions, please post them here. There are 2 boys-1 red and 1 red brindle, 4 girls--THANK GOD! 1 red, 1 red brindle and 2 brown brindles. All are well marked, very unique and robust. Check out the website for updated details.
It was even more fun that the Winjammin Crew was coming over with their gang for BBQ--ummm good food including butterscotch bars! So they got to see the babies, we talked forever and came up with the new litter theme. Thanks for putting up with us sleep deprived hosts.
So I am now heading to bed. It was a long night with 1/2hr power naps as Alec called them. My contacts have been in for 48 hours and are in need of a good soak.
Here's a pic to hold everyone over till I get individual photos next week.
Later gators....
C
Friday, May 22, 2009
Outta here!
The office is closing early! I am so outta here--take care everyone, have a great 3 day or 4 day weekend! Stay safe and get some sun, 'tis the start of summer!!!
Later gators...
C
Later gators...
C
radioactive, again
Darn it, just didn't work the first time, so Mom is back today getting radiation. A double dose. Hoping this fixes her but if not, she's going to have to have surgery. Bummer, wanted to go over and help her out this weekend with some projects but been told to keep my distance-ie, stay away from the glow. Keep her and Dad in your prayers---he's getting sick and tired of making his own lunches and she's just sick and tired.
Later gators......
C
Later gators......
C
Is it the weekend, yet?
I know it's early on Friday but honestly, can I go home yet? It's casual day and 1/2 the office took today or Tuesday off. Wish I could but considering ShooBug is ready to whelp next week and I will need to take a couple days off, should work on my closings now.
So, what's everyone got planned for their three days? I was hoping for a little down time-not going to happen at all. It's a Goodwill weekend-couple of couches, lots of clothes and yes, Meredith will be parting with some of her old toys-lots of her old toys. Then it's clean house, set up whelping room, paint dog room, move dog crates, mow, mow, more mowing.
Last of the transplants arrived from SeedSavers-will get those in tonight barring rain. That means just one empty row in the garden-thinking spinach? Will stop and get that tonight on the way home.
Tomorrow besides the above chores, it's duck day. The entire herd is going up to the pullorum testing in the morning. We will be testing all of them, including the turkeys, then filling our application to be a tested clear farm. The new ducklings come from a certified clear farm and will just need to be in quarantee for awhile. You know, with all this hub bub about testing this and that, I just have to comment that it's kind of ironic to set one standard for one breed or animal and yet, have a totally different one for others. Yes you have to pick your fights but when it comes to health, there should be only one winner-the animal. Testing is a tool. Just because you ran a test and it came back clear or good, doesn't make it a superior animal. The most important thing I've learned is that you have to question the testing too.
Animals have genetic junk. It's not just a simple cut and dried, they passed, they are healthy and worth breeding. All it tells you is that that particular animal is fine, for now. I think it's so important to know not only about that animal, but it's brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nephews, well all relatives. I got burned bad once by taking a person's word about the health of an animal, only to find out that a sibling had horrible issues and that that genetic junk affected the animals I produced. Ended up cutting my losses, ending the line right there. Unfortunately there's still one out there and God I hope that it never reproduces, but I have no control over that. I only tell you these things to make you think, I don't dwell on them but other's can learn from my mistakes. Hoping that it makes you wiser and yes, ask those questions, don't just take things for granted!
So back to this weekend. UGH-testing should take most of the day, even though it's a super simple cut and dried test. Just that last year they had to test over 250 birds! That's a lot of feather plucking. While I'm waiting, will have lots of time to work the dogs at the training building. Do some agility, work some rally, and more open work. Which I might add, we had a breakthrough night at class!
Yes, Moose is "getting" it and Melinda gets a kick out of my "little brown dog" . He's only little compared to the rest of the class. With only 3 days work on the dumbbell and in all honesty, we have not seriously worked on it, he's taking it! If only for a split second, but hey, he's having a blast with it now. He needs to get his lazy tail up when he goes over the broad jump but he's the star at the drop on recall. We did a lot of proofing last night, something that you can't do when all you do is train at home by yourself. We rolled balls across the floor during long sits and downs, had them retrieve their dumbbells from strange places and positions. Tried to break each other's sits and did some really cool drop and figure 8 exercises. That's the real reason to take a class, learn from other's, talk it through and get your dog over it all before they enter the ring. I think the funniest part was during long sits when it was too quiet, all the dogs started to fall asleep. They were all so much better the more action that went on around them. Go figure, must be training them right then.
So with that note, I guess it's 1/2 way through the day. Still a few hours to go but it's going fast.
Don't get too much sun, enjoy the long weekend and please, remember why we have this long weekend--those that gave their lives and served our country so that I can type anything I want on this blog, deserve it. Thanks to my Grandfather and Grandmother-Navy, my little brother-Marines and my cousins-Army and Navy.
Later gators....
C
So, what's everyone got planned for their three days? I was hoping for a little down time-not going to happen at all. It's a Goodwill weekend-couple of couches, lots of clothes and yes, Meredith will be parting with some of her old toys-lots of her old toys. Then it's clean house, set up whelping room, paint dog room, move dog crates, mow, mow, more mowing.
Last of the transplants arrived from SeedSavers-will get those in tonight barring rain. That means just one empty row in the garden-thinking spinach? Will stop and get that tonight on the way home.
Tomorrow besides the above chores, it's duck day. The entire herd is going up to the pullorum testing in the morning. We will be testing all of them, including the turkeys, then filling our application to be a tested clear farm. The new ducklings come from a certified clear farm and will just need to be in quarantee for awhile. You know, with all this hub bub about testing this and that, I just have to comment that it's kind of ironic to set one standard for one breed or animal and yet, have a totally different one for others. Yes you have to pick your fights but when it comes to health, there should be only one winner-the animal. Testing is a tool. Just because you ran a test and it came back clear or good, doesn't make it a superior animal. The most important thing I've learned is that you have to question the testing too.
Animals have genetic junk. It's not just a simple cut and dried, they passed, they are healthy and worth breeding. All it tells you is that that particular animal is fine, for now. I think it's so important to know not only about that animal, but it's brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nephews, well all relatives. I got burned bad once by taking a person's word about the health of an animal, only to find out that a sibling had horrible issues and that that genetic junk affected the animals I produced. Ended up cutting my losses, ending the line right there. Unfortunately there's still one out there and God I hope that it never reproduces, but I have no control over that. I only tell you these things to make you think, I don't dwell on them but other's can learn from my mistakes. Hoping that it makes you wiser and yes, ask those questions, don't just take things for granted!
So back to this weekend. UGH-testing should take most of the day, even though it's a super simple cut and dried test. Just that last year they had to test over 250 birds! That's a lot of feather plucking. While I'm waiting, will have lots of time to work the dogs at the training building. Do some agility, work some rally, and more open work. Which I might add, we had a breakthrough night at class!
Yes, Moose is "getting" it and Melinda gets a kick out of my "little brown dog" . He's only little compared to the rest of the class. With only 3 days work on the dumbbell and in all honesty, we have not seriously worked on it, he's taking it! If only for a split second, but hey, he's having a blast with it now. He needs to get his lazy tail up when he goes over the broad jump but he's the star at the drop on recall. We did a lot of proofing last night, something that you can't do when all you do is train at home by yourself. We rolled balls across the floor during long sits and downs, had them retrieve their dumbbells from strange places and positions. Tried to break each other's sits and did some really cool drop and figure 8 exercises. That's the real reason to take a class, learn from other's, talk it through and get your dog over it all before they enter the ring. I think the funniest part was during long sits when it was too quiet, all the dogs started to fall asleep. They were all so much better the more action that went on around them. Go figure, must be training them right then.
So with that note, I guess it's 1/2 way through the day. Still a few hours to go but it's going fast.
Don't get too much sun, enjoy the long weekend and please, remember why we have this long weekend--those that gave their lives and served our country so that I can type anything I want on this blog, deserve it. Thanks to my Grandfather and Grandmother-Navy, my little brother-Marines and my cousins-Army and Navy.
Later gators....
C
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Country living
I once again shake my head at the "new" neighbors and boy are they new. City folks who decided that they wanted to live out in the country and honestly have no idea what they got themselves into. It's a good chuckle to see them drive down the very edge of the gravel road in their SUV-white of course, at 15 miles an hour. Heaven's forbid they get it dirty or scratched. Don't even get me started on the whole dog thing either--I have a gun and have the law on my side if they chase my livestock again.
On that note, might I add that some people do well with the move. Some understand the rules, but some just don't get it. Here's a few of them for a refresher for us all:
Tractors get the right of way. They are big, they move slow, turn wide and they cost a lot more then your lexus. They are meant to get dirty and if you drive too close behind them, you will get a clod of mud on your windshield at some point.
Farmers respect the land, it's how they make a living.
Cows-steak on the hoof. Pigs-walking hams. They smell funny, but that's the smell of money. They make noise and no, they aren't pets, they are income. Don't name them unless you like a name tag placed on your dinner plate.
Good fences make good neighbors. Keep your animals on your property and I'll keep mine on my land.
The ditch is not your personal trash dump. I don't come by and drop unwanted bags of leaves on your sidewalk, don't do it on mine. Same applies to appliances, couches and tires.
Wave. It’s called ‘being friendly. Try to understand the concept.
College and High School Football is as important here as the Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch. Add in NASCAR, local softball leagues and horseshoes. Sports are played on an old worn out field, with advertisements from the local bars on the back fence. There's no half time performer, it's the high school band. BYOB and the kids are free to run amok and play all over the bleachers, the outfield and the sand box next to the batting cage.
Colleges? We have them all over. They are called State Universities and Community Colleges. They come out of there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at everybody when they come for the holidays. They get hands on experience as well as knowing exactly what they want out of life. They don't take yoga for beginners, art appreciation or pottery 101. The classes are diesel mechanics, agronomy and advanced accouting.
We have more folks in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. So don't mess with us. If you do, you will get whipped by the best. That's why we have yellow ribbons on our mailboxes, we march proudly in the 4th of July parade and the American Legion's fish fryers, tenderloin dinners and flag raisings are standing room only.
Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump crap isn’t music, anyway. We don’t want to hear it. We listen to country music, enjoy Sunday morning with Leo Greeko and everything grinds to a halt at noon when the news is on, so we can check the markets-ag markets that is.
TWO inches of snow & ice isn’t a blizzard - it’s just an excuse to get out the snowplow blade on the tractor. Drive in it like you have some sense, and DON’T take all our bread, milk, and bleach from the grocery stores. This isn’t Alaska, worst case you may have to live a whole day without croissants. Be prepared at all times. That's why we can our veggies from the garden in the summer, have used milk jugs full of water in the pantry and kerosene in the lanterns.
Here's the scoop folks, mind your manners, respect the fences that are in place, keep your livestock-including your dogs-on your own property, and don't assume that just because you are now in the "country" you automatically know how to do everything. Honestly, some people just need to stay in town, it's much safer for all of us.
Later gators.....
C
On that note, might I add that some people do well with the move. Some understand the rules, but some just don't get it. Here's a few of them for a refresher for us all:
Tractors get the right of way. They are big, they move slow, turn wide and they cost a lot more then your lexus. They are meant to get dirty and if you drive too close behind them, you will get a clod of mud on your windshield at some point.
Farmers respect the land, it's how they make a living.
Cows-steak on the hoof. Pigs-walking hams. They smell funny, but that's the smell of money. They make noise and no, they aren't pets, they are income. Don't name them unless you like a name tag placed on your dinner plate.
Good fences make good neighbors. Keep your animals on your property and I'll keep mine on my land.
The ditch is not your personal trash dump. I don't come by and drop unwanted bags of leaves on your sidewalk, don't do it on mine. Same applies to appliances, couches and tires.
Wave. It’s called ‘being friendly. Try to understand the concept.
College and High School Football is as important here as the Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch. Add in NASCAR, local softball leagues and horseshoes. Sports are played on an old worn out field, with advertisements from the local bars on the back fence. There's no half time performer, it's the high school band. BYOB and the kids are free to run amok and play all over the bleachers, the outfield and the sand box next to the batting cage.
Colleges? We have them all over. They are called State Universities and Community Colleges. They come out of there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at everybody when they come for the holidays. They get hands on experience as well as knowing exactly what they want out of life. They don't take yoga for beginners, art appreciation or pottery 101. The classes are diesel mechanics, agronomy and advanced accouting.
We have more folks in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. So don't mess with us. If you do, you will get whipped by the best. That's why we have yellow ribbons on our mailboxes, we march proudly in the 4th of July parade and the American Legion's fish fryers, tenderloin dinners and flag raisings are standing room only.
Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump crap isn’t music, anyway. We don’t want to hear it. We listen to country music, enjoy Sunday morning with Leo Greeko and everything grinds to a halt at noon when the news is on, so we can check the markets-ag markets that is.
TWO inches of snow & ice isn’t a blizzard - it’s just an excuse to get out the snowplow blade on the tractor. Drive in it like you have some sense, and DON’T take all our bread, milk, and bleach from the grocery stores. This isn’t Alaska, worst case you may have to live a whole day without croissants. Be prepared at all times. That's why we can our veggies from the garden in the summer, have used milk jugs full of water in the pantry and kerosene in the lanterns.
Here's the scoop folks, mind your manners, respect the fences that are in place, keep your livestock-including your dogs-on your own property, and don't assume that just because you are now in the "country" you automatically know how to do everything. Honestly, some people just need to stay in town, it's much safer for all of us.
Later gators.....
C
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Free time?
No this is not a question of what do with all of it, 'cause I have very little, but what now?
The garden is all in but one empty row. We have mostly heirlooms veggies in this year. The tomato and pepper starts are supposed to be here by Thursday from Seed Savers. Currently there are two huge rows of pole beans, 3/4 of a row of herbs, 1 row of dragon heart carrots, 1 1/2 rows of mixed heirloom beets and then 1 hill of butternut, 2 of sibley squash, 3 of zucchini and 3 of lemon cuks. Oh and Meredith's broccoli plants and the row of mixed lettuce. Any suggestions for the empty space?
Oh and just got word-the rest of the ducks are arriving in a week! They got delayed on hatching out the show quality ducks so thats why they are so late. More anconas, cayugas and some off color and non recognized runners. I think I told him to throw in something unusual too, just for fun. The roof is on the duck house, will be siding it this weekend and also putting up dividers in the runs. I need to work on finishing the flooring, adding in the watering system and putting in the last door. Right now it's got a temp one in that just has to go! Last but not least, it's time to dig the new pond or make that extend the current one so that I have more pond then marsh.
Not like I don't have anything else to do:0)
Later gators......
C
The garden is all in but one empty row. We have mostly heirlooms veggies in this year. The tomato and pepper starts are supposed to be here by Thursday from Seed Savers. Currently there are two huge rows of pole beans, 3/4 of a row of herbs, 1 row of dragon heart carrots, 1 1/2 rows of mixed heirloom beets and then 1 hill of butternut, 2 of sibley squash, 3 of zucchini and 3 of lemon cuks. Oh and Meredith's broccoli plants and the row of mixed lettuce. Any suggestions for the empty space?
Oh and just got word-the rest of the ducks are arriving in a week! They got delayed on hatching out the show quality ducks so thats why they are so late. More anconas, cayugas and some off color and non recognized runners. I think I told him to throw in something unusual too, just for fun. The roof is on the duck house, will be siding it this weekend and also putting up dividers in the runs. I need to work on finishing the flooring, adding in the watering system and putting in the last door. Right now it's got a temp one in that just has to go! Last but not least, it's time to dig the new pond or make that extend the current one so that I have more pond then marsh.
Not like I don't have anything else to do:0)
Later gators......
C
Monday, May 18, 2009
Stupid people
Oh I have other names for them besides stupid, how about idiots? How about scum? How about I do to you what you did to your dog?
Went over to drop the truck off at my parents so we could work on it later in the day-had errands to run first. My father has a couple friends who frequent the shop and have little rat terrier mix dogs, so it's no unusual to see one darting across the drive when you pull in. So I ask Mom, who's here, didn't recognize the little terrier in the drive. Well, guess what, no one is here, it's a stray.
Now over the years living on the farm, we have had our share of strays-the scottie, the golden with a litter of puppies, even the rogue rottie, but this one takes the cake. Mom said that a blue van drove up to the end of the drive, opened their door and dropped the dog out on the road. Shut their door and drove off. Oh now come on people, what do you honestly think is going to happen to this dog?? That he will be more then happy to come up to a stranger's door and that just because it's a farm they will take the dog in? Seriously you need a smack up side the head if that's what you think. In all honesty, you have now just dropped a dog off in unknown territory. It has no clue about avoiding farm equipment, the farmer's own large dogs, livestock or even the bigger then itself wildlife roaming around. It can't fend for itself, is scared out of it's mind and well, in all likelyhood, will end up as road kill, lunch for a predator or die of starvation.
So here's the question, I know the answer, but still have to throw it out there. Why do we allow this to continue to happen? I understand that some people just don't like animals, some feel they are disposable, so just can't handle them, but we have a responsiblity. Having domesticated these animals over thousands of years, they rely on humans for their basic needs. We did this to these creatures so we are now responsible for them. I totally understand the economic state we are in, but there is help out there. Then again, people are abandoning their children, elderly and each other, why shouldn't that pass right on to a helpless animal?
Oh and let me add, just because it's a farm, doesn't mean it has a room for let sign at the end of the driveway. A dog on a farm isn't free to run(say that as though you are letting an injured bird go or a wild animal is set free from a trap). Dogs on farms usually have a job and are trained as such. They are usually well cared for as they are a valuable part of the workforce on the farm. No lots of times they aren't house dogs, they aren't given the super premium dog food but they are treated humanely. More so then that poor terrier dropped at the end of the driveway.
So now what am I doing? Setting live traps and hoping that the barn cats stay out of them and I can catch this poor guy. It wants nothing to do with humans, runs anytime someone appears, has almost been hit by passing cars as it runs along and across the road. Scared out of it's wits because it's in unfamilar territory. Ugh, just what I wanted to do this week.
Later gators....
C
Went over to drop the truck off at my parents so we could work on it later in the day-had errands to run first. My father has a couple friends who frequent the shop and have little rat terrier mix dogs, so it's no unusual to see one darting across the drive when you pull in. So I ask Mom, who's here, didn't recognize the little terrier in the drive. Well, guess what, no one is here, it's a stray.
Now over the years living on the farm, we have had our share of strays-the scottie, the golden with a litter of puppies, even the rogue rottie, but this one takes the cake. Mom said that a blue van drove up to the end of the drive, opened their door and dropped the dog out on the road. Shut their door and drove off. Oh now come on people, what do you honestly think is going to happen to this dog?? That he will be more then happy to come up to a stranger's door and that just because it's a farm they will take the dog in? Seriously you need a smack up side the head if that's what you think. In all honesty, you have now just dropped a dog off in unknown territory. It has no clue about avoiding farm equipment, the farmer's own large dogs, livestock or even the bigger then itself wildlife roaming around. It can't fend for itself, is scared out of it's mind and well, in all likelyhood, will end up as road kill, lunch for a predator or die of starvation.
So here's the question, I know the answer, but still have to throw it out there. Why do we allow this to continue to happen? I understand that some people just don't like animals, some feel they are disposable, so just can't handle them, but we have a responsiblity. Having domesticated these animals over thousands of years, they rely on humans for their basic needs. We did this to these creatures so we are now responsible for them. I totally understand the economic state we are in, but there is help out there. Then again, people are abandoning their children, elderly and each other, why shouldn't that pass right on to a helpless animal?
Oh and let me add, just because it's a farm, doesn't mean it has a room for let sign at the end of the driveway. A dog on a farm isn't free to run(say that as though you are letting an injured bird go or a wild animal is set free from a trap). Dogs on farms usually have a job and are trained as such. They are usually well cared for as they are a valuable part of the workforce on the farm. No lots of times they aren't house dogs, they aren't given the super premium dog food but they are treated humanely. More so then that poor terrier dropped at the end of the driveway.
So now what am I doing? Setting live traps and hoping that the barn cats stay out of them and I can catch this poor guy. It wants nothing to do with humans, runs anytime someone appears, has almost been hit by passing cars as it runs along and across the road. Scared out of it's wits because it's in unfamilar territory. Ugh, just what I wanted to do this week.
Later gators....
C
Friday, May 15, 2009
training
I teach 4-H classes for our county. It's hard but rewarding work. But last night, I became the student myself and well, enjoyed the heck out of it. Moose and I are training with what I feel is one of the areas best obedience trainers. She has mostly herding breeds so understands what it takes to keep these guys interested in training.
I must admit, I am a little behind in working dumbbell exercises, but with what I have seen in two short sessions with the boy, we should be right up with those fetching fool goldens by next week. Our broad jump is pretty sloppy too-no, really sloppy. Got some good tips on getting lard butt a little more graceful over them.
But what I was so happy with was the rest of the class. Our heeling is so much better then a month ago. Attention games-oh he's got those down and faster then the happy happy goldens. We worked some drop on recall games and well, again, not an issue with him at all. He played the games, did perfect recalls, drops and recalls again. Long sits and downs were great-he's got a little work to do at the 2 min mark but not bad for his first real try at it. Everyone laughs at his long downs.
I got some great pointers to take back to my 4-H open class kids, so watch out guys--it's going to be a work out.
Next week, it's Merlot's turn in to start her novice level competition class. Should be interesting to see if she decides to pout or be a smarty pants puppy.
Later gators....
C
I must admit, I am a little behind in working dumbbell exercises, but with what I have seen in two short sessions with the boy, we should be right up with those fetching fool goldens by next week. Our broad jump is pretty sloppy too-no, really sloppy. Got some good tips on getting lard butt a little more graceful over them.
But what I was so happy with was the rest of the class. Our heeling is so much better then a month ago. Attention games-oh he's got those down and faster then the happy happy goldens. We worked some drop on recall games and well, again, not an issue with him at all. He played the games, did perfect recalls, drops and recalls again. Long sits and downs were great-he's got a little work to do at the 2 min mark but not bad for his first real try at it. Everyone laughs at his long downs.
I got some great pointers to take back to my 4-H open class kids, so watch out guys--it's going to be a work out.
Next week, it's Merlot's turn in to start her novice level competition class. Should be interesting to see if she decides to pout or be a smarty pants puppy.
Later gators....
C
Ms Manners
This topic is kind of stuck in my head. I was talking to my mother a few days ago and this kind of came up in the conversation. She has commented in the past about where she works, the lack of respect that happens, the rudeness. So here's my part on this: where did all our manners go?
When growing up, we were always told that anyone older then yourself or in a position of authority was called by Ms, Ma'am, Sir, Mr or Mrs. I got chidded at my last job for calling the senior member of the ownership sir or Mr. , he would go-is my father around? I was always taken aback by that because he is an older gentleman himself.
Okay, how about please, thank you, may I, your welcome, may I be excused? I was drilled to say those things growing up and totally expect my own kids to do the same. The looks of "oh my" I get when I say those phrases, shocks me. Why should people these days be shocked at politeness?
Holding the door for a lady or for someone who needs help. Letting someone go ahead of you in line or up the stairs. Gentleman-walk between your lady friend and the street. Hold the umbrella for her while she gets in the car and open the door for her to the car so she can get in and out. Picking up something when it's dropped, saying I'm sorry or not talking with food in your mouth. Oh elbows off the tables, knowing how to set a table correctly and do something kind without expecting acknowledgement.
Writing a hand written letter not just a short email. Returning something borrowed in just as good or better condition. Offering to help a neighbor, picking a dandelion bouquet for your mother and learning how to do cats cradle. Okay so it's not just manners but where did the time go when being a kid, was being a kid? Parents were authority figures and roll models? And we were taught to respect our elders?
Man, I don't think it's just global warming that is going to be the downfall of mankind.
Later gators...
C
When growing up, we were always told that anyone older then yourself or in a position of authority was called by Ms, Ma'am, Sir, Mr or Mrs. I got chidded at my last job for calling the senior member of the ownership sir or Mr. , he would go-is my father around? I was always taken aback by that because he is an older gentleman himself.
Okay, how about please, thank you, may I, your welcome, may I be excused? I was drilled to say those things growing up and totally expect my own kids to do the same. The looks of "oh my" I get when I say those phrases, shocks me. Why should people these days be shocked at politeness?
Holding the door for a lady or for someone who needs help. Letting someone go ahead of you in line or up the stairs. Gentleman-walk between your lady friend and the street. Hold the umbrella for her while she gets in the car and open the door for her to the car so she can get in and out. Picking up something when it's dropped, saying I'm sorry or not talking with food in your mouth. Oh elbows off the tables, knowing how to set a table correctly and do something kind without expecting acknowledgement.
Writing a hand written letter not just a short email. Returning something borrowed in just as good or better condition. Offering to help a neighbor, picking a dandelion bouquet for your mother and learning how to do cats cradle. Okay so it's not just manners but where did the time go when being a kid, was being a kid? Parents were authority figures and roll models? And we were taught to respect our elders?
Man, I don't think it's just global warming that is going to be the downfall of mankind.
Later gators...
C
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Courtesy
Okay, just to get this out in the open--I want to say that I totally agree with you, Sarah. Yes points are broken, yes sometimes life gets in the way and yes, we can't always controll the events of a day-and it bites. BUT in today's world, we have the technology to make everyone's life a little easier. Judging schedules are available 2 weeks before a show. We have email, cell phones, snail mail, chat groups and word of mouth. As a courtesy to exhibitors and to abide by the sportsmanship pledge that the AKC has, we should be courteous to other exhibitors. That means if you can't make or just don't see that it's worth coming for, just a short line-one dog absent, that's all we ask. Yes some will be mad even if you do say something, they'll get over it and there are other shows with other majors or points. It's just a dog show for goodness sakes. It's not brain surgery.
This weekend for example is was a major on the nose for one day. One dog had finished two weeks previous and we asked the owner to show to hold the major for everyone else. That exhibitor didn't have to do it, but other's had done it for her in the past, so she was more then happy to return the favor. Ended up not needing her to show her dog as another dog didn't show. She was a little upset that she brought the dog and no one told her that it had broke and she didn't need to show him. I apologized - wasn't my dog that was absent- but apologized for making her do all that work for nothing. What I'm trying to get it is that it can be an extreme inconveniece to other's. Where has our society come to that we have lost so many of our manners?
Murphy's law says if it can go wrong, it will. We all have that happen, we can't prevent it and most people after the fact will know you couldn't help it. Weather, tires blowing, sick kids, hurt dogs, work, life and bad luck, all contribute to things not going the way you plan. Heck, I've offered to come to the ring puking just to hold the points, but no one wanted to run me to the ER after the show ;0)
Apologies out if the situation is such that you haven't had a chance to connect with anyone yet- again, life happens. Hope that everyone is safe and sound though.
So back to the point of this all---where are your manners? Common courtesy, if you can't say anything nice-don't say anything at all, don't put your elbows on the table and no white before Memorial Day. Cover your mouth when you sneeze, ladies-sit properly when wearing a skirt, hold the door for someone else and men-walk between the street and a lady. Ms Manner's would be appalled to attend a dog show!
Later gators....
C
This weekend for example is was a major on the nose for one day. One dog had finished two weeks previous and we asked the owner to show to hold the major for everyone else. That exhibitor didn't have to do it, but other's had done it for her in the past, so she was more then happy to return the favor. Ended up not needing her to show her dog as another dog didn't show. She was a little upset that she brought the dog and no one told her that it had broke and she didn't need to show him. I apologized - wasn't my dog that was absent- but apologized for making her do all that work for nothing. What I'm trying to get it is that it can be an extreme inconveniece to other's. Where has our society come to that we have lost so many of our manners?
Murphy's law says if it can go wrong, it will. We all have that happen, we can't prevent it and most people after the fact will know you couldn't help it. Weather, tires blowing, sick kids, hurt dogs, work, life and bad luck, all contribute to things not going the way you plan. Heck, I've offered to come to the ring puking just to hold the points, but no one wanted to run me to the ER after the show ;0)
Apologies out if the situation is such that you haven't had a chance to connect with anyone yet- again, life happens. Hope that everyone is safe and sound though.
So back to the point of this all---where are your manners? Common courtesy, if you can't say anything nice-don't say anything at all, don't put your elbows on the table and no white before Memorial Day. Cover your mouth when you sneeze, ladies-sit properly when wearing a skirt, hold the door for someone else and men-walk between the street and a lady. Ms Manner's would be appalled to attend a dog show!
Later gators....
C
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Where is my head?
I got so excited about Russ, that I forgot that yes indeed we did show a few other dogs this weekend. Duh.
Well the short and sweet of it in obedience is that there was none. I swear, the scheduling god's must have it out for me. 8:30 ring time for cardigans and novice b obedience both days. By the time I get done with cardigans, they are on long sits and downs already. Oh well, a nice donation to the club. Melinda and I had a good laugh about that-she was all ready to have a nice relaxing weekend with Phoenix and play in novice since he's not ready for open yet. But no, gotta get up at the butt crack of dawn. Said-see you at class on Thursday!
Dove and Fred were entered on Saturday. I already knew the judge didn't like Frank from a previous judging experience but no idea what he would do with the Pogo Stick. Well I guess he likes her ;0) Dove took WB, Best Puppy and on to a Puppy Herding group1. Fred was just warming up for the veterans and Alec had wanted to just play with him. Many asked who that was that he was showing as both of them were having so much fun. I knew the judge wouldn't do anything with him but it was really heartwarming to see those two out in the ring again. Bear took WD and is now securely singled out. We have a nice picture with the both of them on the stand coming.
Saturday night we went to Princeton and ate at Go Fish. Cute little place right on the river. View is awesome and we watched the barges go up and down all night. Back for corgi frapping in the living room and great conversation. Thanks once again for the Gibson's opening their home to the cardigan crew. Left over ribs were awesome and everyone, including the cats were well behaved.
Sunday-well, you know what Ruff Ruff did. Nothing for Frankie or Dove(well a RWB). It was a shame that the major broke. Now, if someone can't come -family emergency, broke down vehicle or such, I totally understand and well, most people will call afterwards to say sorry. But when we all made the attempt to get all the dogs there and one doesn't show up, no call, no nothing, we all get kind of peeved about it. Especially when one dog just needs a major, one finished a week before and came just to hold the major and all the rest could have used the major, well, inconsiderate. Lots of wasted time on the other exhibitors part. The judge understood why the last minute pulls of the present dogs-actually she was cool with it. Some would consider it rude to have their entry cut like that but she was pretty good about it.
Fred was showing veterans with Breechie. Lots of clapping and hollaring for those two old dogs. The judge told Alec later-she loved Fred but wanted to spread the wealth a little ;0) Tell you what, I will show to Mrs Penta any day!
Let's see-oh Nicky was there with Deb. Got his first point then went on to show in juniors with Louis and win their class. He's such a good boy, can't wait to see more of them out in the show ring.
Last but not least, The Ms and her little blue dog. He was full of himself-barking, playing with the aussie, bouncing off of everyone. They won their class! Nice entry too.
So there's our weekend recap. It's a few weekends off now for us. No shows, lots of gardening, house cleaning and this weekend, the infamous Goodwill Run to clean out the basement a little.
Later gators...
C
Well the short and sweet of it in obedience is that there was none. I swear, the scheduling god's must have it out for me. 8:30 ring time for cardigans and novice b obedience both days. By the time I get done with cardigans, they are on long sits and downs already. Oh well, a nice donation to the club. Melinda and I had a good laugh about that-she was all ready to have a nice relaxing weekend with Phoenix and play in novice since he's not ready for open yet. But no, gotta get up at the butt crack of dawn. Said-see you at class on Thursday!
Dove and Fred were entered on Saturday. I already knew the judge didn't like Frank from a previous judging experience but no idea what he would do with the Pogo Stick. Well I guess he likes her ;0) Dove took WB, Best Puppy and on to a Puppy Herding group1. Fred was just warming up for the veterans and Alec had wanted to just play with him. Many asked who that was that he was showing as both of them were having so much fun. I knew the judge wouldn't do anything with him but it was really heartwarming to see those two out in the ring again. Bear took WD and is now securely singled out. We have a nice picture with the both of them on the stand coming.
Saturday night we went to Princeton and ate at Go Fish. Cute little place right on the river. View is awesome and we watched the barges go up and down all night. Back for corgi frapping in the living room and great conversation. Thanks once again for the Gibson's opening their home to the cardigan crew. Left over ribs were awesome and everyone, including the cats were well behaved.
Sunday-well, you know what Ruff Ruff did. Nothing for Frankie or Dove(well a RWB). It was a shame that the major broke. Now, if someone can't come -family emergency, broke down vehicle or such, I totally understand and well, most people will call afterwards to say sorry. But when we all made the attempt to get all the dogs there and one doesn't show up, no call, no nothing, we all get kind of peeved about it. Especially when one dog just needs a major, one finished a week before and came just to hold the major and all the rest could have used the major, well, inconsiderate. Lots of wasted time on the other exhibitors part. The judge understood why the last minute pulls of the present dogs-actually she was cool with it. Some would consider it rude to have their entry cut like that but she was pretty good about it.
Fred was showing veterans with Breechie. Lots of clapping and hollaring for those two old dogs. The judge told Alec later-she loved Fred but wanted to spread the wealth a little ;0) Tell you what, I will show to Mrs Penta any day!
Let's see-oh Nicky was there with Deb. Got his first point then went on to show in juniors with Louis and win their class. He's such a good boy, can't wait to see more of them out in the show ring.
Last but not least, The Ms and her little blue dog. He was full of himself-barking, playing with the aussie, bouncing off of everyone. They won their class! Nice entry too.
So there's our weekend recap. It's a few weekends off now for us. No shows, lots of gardening, house cleaning and this weekend, the infamous Goodwill Run to clean out the basement a little.
Later gators...
C
Monday, May 11, 2009
You always remember the first time...
There are moments in time that you remember for ever. Your first boy or girl friend, the first kiss, the first time you see the sun rise as a married person or this.....
Yes that's right, Rosario had his A game on. He and his handler were so perfect yesterday, it was like magic. I've never been happier, not for me, but for a well deserving owner, who is seeing that the sky is the limit with her dog. Thanks Kim for letting me join the ride. What a Mother's Day present-thanks to Alec for doing such a great job! I think the whole bunch of mom's in our group got a great present watching that yesterday.
Funny part is, we drug the boy out of bed where he was sound asleep, feeting waving at the ceiling. Left his humans in bed snoring-lucky people. Trooped off the show at Oh Dark Thirty, not really that early but the conversation and wine the night before made it seem that way. You know, he just knew it was his day. Not a reaction to anything or anyone. He spent most of the day wanting to play with Connie's terrier or frapping with his favorite girl-Pam's Journey, outside the ring. Inside the ring, he was nearly perfect. As soon as the judge moved the slower moving dogs to the back of the line, Russ -as the judge said-was trucking. Out at the end of the line and showed everyone what a cardigan is supposed to move like. The BOB win was enough for me-lots of great dogs in that ring and the judge made them work for every placing. The big ribbon is just icing on the cake. It was made even more perfect to have spent the day with great friends. Thank you to the cheering section and to everyone who's supported us along the way. Here's to those doubters and those who can't see what really lies under those stripes:
Impression-A handsome, powerful, small dog, capable of both speed and endurance, intelligent, sturdily built but not coarse.
AKC Standard for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Yes he is just that and more-a very correct dog with moderate proportions, perfect movement and oh yes, attitude.
Later gators........
C
Yes that's right, Rosario had his A game on. He and his handler were so perfect yesterday, it was like magic. I've never been happier, not for me, but for a well deserving owner, who is seeing that the sky is the limit with her dog. Thanks Kim for letting me join the ride. What a Mother's Day present-thanks to Alec for doing such a great job! I think the whole bunch of mom's in our group got a great present watching that yesterday.
Funny part is, we drug the boy out of bed where he was sound asleep, feeting waving at the ceiling. Left his humans in bed snoring-lucky people. Trooped off the show at Oh Dark Thirty, not really that early but the conversation and wine the night before made it seem that way. You know, he just knew it was his day. Not a reaction to anything or anyone. He spent most of the day wanting to play with Connie's terrier or frapping with his favorite girl-Pam's Journey, outside the ring. Inside the ring, he was nearly perfect. As soon as the judge moved the slower moving dogs to the back of the line, Russ -as the judge said-was trucking. Out at the end of the line and showed everyone what a cardigan is supposed to move like. The BOB win was enough for me-lots of great dogs in that ring and the judge made them work for every placing. The big ribbon is just icing on the cake. It was made even more perfect to have spent the day with great friends. Thank you to the cheering section and to everyone who's supported us along the way. Here's to those doubters and those who can't see what really lies under those stripes:
Impression-A handsome, powerful, small dog, capable of both speed and endurance, intelligent, sturdily built but not coarse.
AKC Standard for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Yes he is just that and more-a very correct dog with moderate proportions, perfect movement and oh yes, attitude.
Later gators........
C
Thought for the day
After this weekend-heehee, yes this fits so well!
I have no trouble with my enemies. But my goddam friends,...they are the ones that keep me walking the floor nights. ~~Oscar Levant
Lator gators.........
C
I have no trouble with my enemies. But my goddam friends,...they are the ones that keep me walking the floor nights. ~~Oscar Levant
Lator gators.........
C
Friday, May 8, 2009
Say what you mean
Or mean what you say? I was surfing at lunch and started thinking about a radio show I listened to this weekend--they were joking about the old sayings that their grandmother used. Here's a few I found-I think many of them still apply today.
~You can fool people some of the time, but you can't fool them all of the time. - Aesop
~You can't fit a square peg in a round hole
~You can't sew buttons on your neighbor's mouth. - Russian
~Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth
~A job worth doing is worth doing well
~Warm the cockles of the heart
~Beware of burning your bridges when you cross them
~A man is known by the company he keeps
~Busier than a one armed paper hanger
~A place for everything and everything in its place
~A tree is know best by it's fruit
~Cattywampus or caddywampus
~Actions speak louder than words
~After all is said and done, usually more is said than done
Got any good ones your grandparents used???
Later gators...
C
~You can fool people some of the time, but you can't fool them all of the time. - Aesop
~You can't fit a square peg in a round hole
~You can't sew buttons on your neighbor's mouth. - Russian
~Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth
~A job worth doing is worth doing well
~Warm the cockles of the heart
~Beware of burning your bridges when you cross them
~A man is known by the company he keeps
~Busier than a one armed paper hanger
~A place for everything and everything in its place
~A tree is know best by it's fruit
~Cattywampus or caddywampus
~Actions speak louder than words
~After all is said and done, usually more is said than done
Got any good ones your grandparents used???
Later gators...
C
Lazy morning
It was very foggy at home this morning. I love the way it plays off the sun.
Later gators....
C
Life, love, happiness
Since I won't be close to the computer much this weekend-let's see painting, gardening, road trip with hubby, I wanted to drop my best wishes to all the mom's out there for a wonderful day! Most people know my opinion on greeting card holidays, but you know, moms of the world deserve this day.
I love the fact that for the last 12 years I haven't had to work on Mother's Day. In the landscape/garden center industry that I was part of for a decade, you worked that day. I always got visits from my kids and a quick lunch with them, but now--it's all about doing what I want-which is usually just having fun.
We celebrate the holiday in many ways-gifts, dinners, trips, but here's the best one for you today---and I know my dog family will love this one~
Brenda who is the senior bookkeeper here, got flowers today. Hint-she's single too. A beautiful arrangement....from her dog :0) The card--"Life would be ruff without you." Syd, her dog, is a rescue with lots of medical issues. Don't you all wish we had friends like that--I know I do and you know who you are!
A few quotes on life, love and friendship for the weekend...........
Brother David Steindl-Rast :
Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more.
Elbert Hubbard:
Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.
George Washington Carver:
How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.
Matthew Arnold:
Is it so small a thing
To have enjoy'd the sun,
To have lived light in the spring,
To have loved, to have thought, to have done...
Oscar Wilde:
To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.
haha--love this one..........
Tom Lehrer:
Life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it.
Leo Buscaglia:
What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.
Lao Tzu:
When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
Franklin D. Roosevelt:
Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.
One of my favorite women of all times:
Eleanor Roosevelt:
I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived. Curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.
Arthur Rubinstein:
Love life and life will love you back. Love people and they will love you back.
Bertrand Russell:
The good life is inspired by love and guided by knowledge.
Later gators......
C
I love the fact that for the last 12 years I haven't had to work on Mother's Day. In the landscape/garden center industry that I was part of for a decade, you worked that day. I always got visits from my kids and a quick lunch with them, but now--it's all about doing what I want-which is usually just having fun.
We celebrate the holiday in many ways-gifts, dinners, trips, but here's the best one for you today---and I know my dog family will love this one~
Brenda who is the senior bookkeeper here, got flowers today. Hint-she's single too. A beautiful arrangement....from her dog :0) The card--"Life would be ruff without you." Syd, her dog, is a rescue with lots of medical issues. Don't you all wish we had friends like that--I know I do and you know who you are!
A few quotes on life, love and friendship for the weekend...........
Brother David Steindl-Rast :
Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more.
Elbert Hubbard:
Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.
George Washington Carver:
How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.
Matthew Arnold:
Is it so small a thing
To have enjoy'd the sun,
To have lived light in the spring,
To have loved, to have thought, to have done...
Oscar Wilde:
To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.
haha--love this one..........
Tom Lehrer:
Life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it.
Leo Buscaglia:
What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.
Lao Tzu:
When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
Franklin D. Roosevelt:
Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.
One of my favorite women of all times:
Eleanor Roosevelt:
I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived. Curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.
Arthur Rubinstein:
Love life and life will love you back. Love people and they will love you back.
Bertrand Russell:
The good life is inspired by love and guided by knowledge.
Later gators......
C
Monday, May 4, 2009
Rhubarb-Dawn's fault
As I catch up this morning and see that Dawn over at Daybreake is tempting fate by mentioning the word rhubarb, my mouth started watering. My patch is now in duck central and yes I have some coming on but it might be another week. I can't wait for farmer's market and yes, I will be purchasing some additional plants on the way home tonight.
But I digress to the mouth watering recipe I got off the Open Line many moons ago-Rhubarb Pudding. Can't be easier and more um um um. Right out of the oven, little ice cream or heavy whipping cream-that's it, Dawn--you are so in trouble.
BUT.......... in my search for other rhubarb recipes I stumbled upon the greatest website. Many of you might remember but many won't, a radio show here in Eastern Iowa called the Open Line, followed Saturday's by By-Sell-Trade. It was on WMT 600 am and of course, there were cookbooks(Mom has a couple), monthly bulletins and news letters and loads of fun! As many things it ran for what, 40 years, has changed hosts and been off the air for a short period. But it's back. I remember Jim Loyd being a host as well as Jerry Car, Sharon Reeves and Gary Edwards? So here is the infamous Open Line with a great cache of recipes and tid bits.
http://www.n-connect.net/lynxy/open.html
Oh and my Rhubarb Pudding recipe is here: http://www.n-connect.net/lynxy/radioapril1999.html#apr26-30
Enjoy!
Later gators.....
C
But I digress to the mouth watering recipe I got off the Open Line many moons ago-Rhubarb Pudding. Can't be easier and more um um um. Right out of the oven, little ice cream or heavy whipping cream-that's it, Dawn--you are so in trouble.
BUT.......... in my search for other rhubarb recipes I stumbled upon the greatest website. Many of you might remember but many won't, a radio show here in Eastern Iowa called the Open Line, followed Saturday's by By-Sell-Trade. It was on WMT 600 am and of course, there were cookbooks(Mom has a couple), monthly bulletins and news letters and loads of fun! As many things it ran for what, 40 years, has changed hosts and been off the air for a short period. But it's back. I remember Jim Loyd being a host as well as Jerry Car, Sharon Reeves and Gary Edwards? So here is the infamous Open Line with a great cache of recipes and tid bits.
http://www.n-connect.net/lynxy/open.html
Oh and my Rhubarb Pudding recipe is here: http://www.n-connect.net/lynxy/radioapril1999.html#apr26-30
Enjoy!
Later gators.....
C
A little calmer weekend, but not by much
After last weekends chaos, which of course happened just at the end of the weekend, I was so hoping for something less exciting-nope. At least this time it was planned and something we all were looking forward to- a wedding.
Spent the week cleaning house, figured Rus, Sherilyn and Bekka might not be able to find their way around, amind the piles of stuff that was sitting around from the last dog show. Didn't help the rain last week made my carpets a mess and the linoleum a nightmare. Darn dogs! So clean we did-except the basement, which is anothe project all together.
Saturday we hit the plant sale at the Nature Center. Having worked in landscaping and garden centers for about 10 years, I get the plant bug bad each and every spring. Traveling south to KS didn't help at all as I got it earlier this year. So with check book in hand, I spent way too much but for a good cause. Got some super nice perennials and woodland plants. Yes woodland and no I don't have any trees, but I do have a couple very nice shady beds that these will go into. Then it's off with the hubby for the annual garden center tour-gotta go here for this, there for that and come home with a lot of stuff. Boy do I have some planting to do. But gotta get home before the guests arrive.
Rus, Sherilyn, Bekka and corgis 8 rolled in mid afternoon and their crew got a great run out in the yard-they were tuckered out. Emmy was showing everyone all the good places in the yard, Boo was strutting around like he owned the place and the rest of the gang including CM just had a blast. Seems Bekka has made their yard even smaller at home, reseeding parts of it, hoping for more grass. We all get our best clothes on and with a gazillon dogs in my poor little house, we all head down to Le Claire for Kim and Kathy's wedding.
The day could not have been more perfect for a wedding. The breeze was soft, the sun was out and Kim and Kathy looked wonderful. We were wrangling the corgis 4 for the ceremony and other then Shaker barking at a few squirrels, other dogs and what ever, they were well behaved. Ella sat on Meredith's lap, I had Russ(Rosario was no where to be seen!), Sherilyn had Music(who really just wanted to stay on her dog bed after the whole pink bow crap started) and Shaker, decided to dig a hole next to Rus' chair and root around with his nose.
We had a great time with Kerri and Tom too. I think many of Kim's other guests figured out about us rowdy dog people! I lost my hubby off and on during the night, ever the man to converse with but did find him when it came time for champagne-he even called his shot and got the cork into the pond, via a couple bounces off the tree and the ground. We called it early and headed home. It felt good to get in to our own bed and yes, the dogs let us sleep in.
Rus, Sherilyn and Bekka headed home about noon--never had such wonderful house guests! The dogs had a blast, went home a little dirty but they all had fun. Emmy told her humans that she was staying! When Rus and Bekka were wranging dogs at the gate, Emmy turned and walked down the path, to the front door and was ready to go inside with Meredith. Refused to come when called and they ended up carring her to the truck. Too funny and Emmy's always welcome-she's the perfect house guest.
So after they left, what did we do but Moose, Meredith, David and I piled in the truck and headed out for more plants. Meredith and Ellie spent part of the afternoon doing stuff and poor Moose spent his in the truck. Anyway, we came home with more shrubs, roses, perennials and annuals. This year's theme is purple and white. I replanted the hanging buckets, the hanging baskets, the terra cotta pots and the hibiscus that I overwintered, five total, got big pots with lots of annuals in them. Can't wait for them to start leafing out and flowering again.
Started a new perennial bed around the coupula in the day lilly bed. Also got more daylilies(with more bareroot on order) and should have that whole area mulched and filled in this spring. Can't wait for them to all bloom-it's a HUGE bed out by the drive way. Photos to follow this afternoon. Then we worked on Meredith's rock garden with some new succulents-hen-n-chicks, etc. Should be cool in a few weeks with some warm weather.
Last but not least, garden! It's not planted yet, one more tilling this weekend. Then it's heirloom veggies-beets, tomatos(seed savers to arrive in two weeks), lettuce, butternut squash, cukes, zucchini, beans and pots of Tom Thumb peas. Will add some carrots if there's space and maybe a melon or two.
So there's my weekend-quiet for the most part. Didn't realize that quiet would be so tiring! I'm searching for some new fencing this week, more plants(about 6 roses) and then it's time for two nights of obedience, wash dogs and get ready to head to Kim's for the weekend. Hoping everyone else had such a productive weekend!
Later gators...
C
Spent the week cleaning house, figured Rus, Sherilyn and Bekka might not be able to find their way around, amind the piles of stuff that was sitting around from the last dog show. Didn't help the rain last week made my carpets a mess and the linoleum a nightmare. Darn dogs! So clean we did-except the basement, which is anothe project all together.
Saturday we hit the plant sale at the Nature Center. Having worked in landscaping and garden centers for about 10 years, I get the plant bug bad each and every spring. Traveling south to KS didn't help at all as I got it earlier this year. So with check book in hand, I spent way too much but for a good cause. Got some super nice perennials and woodland plants. Yes woodland and no I don't have any trees, but I do have a couple very nice shady beds that these will go into. Then it's off with the hubby for the annual garden center tour-gotta go here for this, there for that and come home with a lot of stuff. Boy do I have some planting to do. But gotta get home before the guests arrive.
Rus, Sherilyn, Bekka and corgis 8 rolled in mid afternoon and their crew got a great run out in the yard-they were tuckered out. Emmy was showing everyone all the good places in the yard, Boo was strutting around like he owned the place and the rest of the gang including CM just had a blast. Seems Bekka has made their yard even smaller at home, reseeding parts of it, hoping for more grass. We all get our best clothes on and with a gazillon dogs in my poor little house, we all head down to Le Claire for Kim and Kathy's wedding.
The day could not have been more perfect for a wedding. The breeze was soft, the sun was out and Kim and Kathy looked wonderful. We were wrangling the corgis 4 for the ceremony and other then Shaker barking at a few squirrels, other dogs and what ever, they were well behaved. Ella sat on Meredith's lap, I had Russ(Rosario was no where to be seen!), Sherilyn had Music(who really just wanted to stay on her dog bed after the whole pink bow crap started) and Shaker, decided to dig a hole next to Rus' chair and root around with his nose.
We had a great time with Kerri and Tom too. I think many of Kim's other guests figured out about us rowdy dog people! I lost my hubby off and on during the night, ever the man to converse with but did find him when it came time for champagne-he even called his shot and got the cork into the pond, via a couple bounces off the tree and the ground. We called it early and headed home. It felt good to get in to our own bed and yes, the dogs let us sleep in.
Rus, Sherilyn and Bekka headed home about noon--never had such wonderful house guests! The dogs had a blast, went home a little dirty but they all had fun. Emmy told her humans that she was staying! When Rus and Bekka were wranging dogs at the gate, Emmy turned and walked down the path, to the front door and was ready to go inside with Meredith. Refused to come when called and they ended up carring her to the truck. Too funny and Emmy's always welcome-she's the perfect house guest.
So after they left, what did we do but Moose, Meredith, David and I piled in the truck and headed out for more plants. Meredith and Ellie spent part of the afternoon doing stuff and poor Moose spent his in the truck. Anyway, we came home with more shrubs, roses, perennials and annuals. This year's theme is purple and white. I replanted the hanging buckets, the hanging baskets, the terra cotta pots and the hibiscus that I overwintered, five total, got big pots with lots of annuals in them. Can't wait for them to start leafing out and flowering again.
Started a new perennial bed around the coupula in the day lilly bed. Also got more daylilies(with more bareroot on order) and should have that whole area mulched and filled in this spring. Can't wait for them to all bloom-it's a HUGE bed out by the drive way. Photos to follow this afternoon. Then we worked on Meredith's rock garden with some new succulents-hen-n-chicks, etc. Should be cool in a few weeks with some warm weather.
Last but not least, garden! It's not planted yet, one more tilling this weekend. Then it's heirloom veggies-beets, tomatos(seed savers to arrive in two weeks), lettuce, butternut squash, cukes, zucchini, beans and pots of Tom Thumb peas. Will add some carrots if there's space and maybe a melon or two.
So there's my weekend-quiet for the most part. Didn't realize that quiet would be so tiring! I'm searching for some new fencing this week, more plants(about 6 roses) and then it's time for two nights of obedience, wash dogs and get ready to head to Kim's for the weekend. Hoping everyone else had such a productive weekend!
Later gators...
C
small pet peeve
We all have things that kind of rub us the wrong way, I certainly have my share, but since this is my blog and well, mostly about my dogs, here's one.
Yes I do breed my dogs and yes I do sell them, not place them, with people. Yes I do consider those people becoming part of my family and expect them to keep in touch with me for the life of their dog(s). Most do and I thank you. In order to get one of my four legged kids, I ask that you follow some simple rules. First fill out the questionnaire on my webpage and email it to me. Pretty darn easy if you ask me. I need to get to know you and you me. Ask to see my contract, I'll gladly send it to you. I don't publish it as I have obtained private permission from the creator of the contract to use and amend as needed for my use, though many will say I scammed it from them--hello, give credit where credit is due--okay another pet peeve for another day.
BUT-when you fill out a questionnaire, if I get back with you-acknowledge me! If you have found another dog or breeder in the mean time, let me know. I will recycle your form into the shredder and make it horse bedding. It's totally inconsiderate in this day and age to ignore someone, or mislead or to play them on. Actually it's just childish and we are all grownups here.
Also, if in the mean time you find another dog-tell me. I won't hate you, I'll be disappointed but won't hate you. In all reality, that just tells me that you were not meant for one of my dogs and that someone else will get the chance. Which is my real beef--be considerate and if you have sent me a questionnaire, let me know to take you off the list so that I can tell someone else yes.
Now-if you do send me a questionnaire and are not willing to wait-say a breeding didn't take or I might not have anything in the future, I will ask you before I send out your private information to other breeders, who might have something available. I try to do right by all who cross my path. I though will also be thankful as a couple people who just couldn't wait, ended up being people who I wouldn't in the end, provide a dog to. I must add here, thank God those people turned down Marg-3 different people. I smile and think, they just don't know what they missed out on!
I have been burned by two, now three, breeders in the last few years. I always ask those that inquire who else they are talking to, don't give them any reason not to buy from me over them but if asked for an honest reference, will give it. I also make sure to contact that breeder and let them know who's contacted me.
So be kind, considerate and for heaven's sake be a sane human being--keep me up to date on what's going on so that other people might have a chance.
Later gators.....
C
Yes I do breed my dogs and yes I do sell them, not place them, with people. Yes I do consider those people becoming part of my family and expect them to keep in touch with me for the life of their dog(s). Most do and I thank you. In order to get one of my four legged kids, I ask that you follow some simple rules. First fill out the questionnaire on my webpage and email it to me. Pretty darn easy if you ask me. I need to get to know you and you me. Ask to see my contract, I'll gladly send it to you. I don't publish it as I have obtained private permission from the creator of the contract to use and amend as needed for my use, though many will say I scammed it from them--hello, give credit where credit is due--okay another pet peeve for another day.
BUT-when you fill out a questionnaire, if I get back with you-acknowledge me! If you have found another dog or breeder in the mean time, let me know. I will recycle your form into the shredder and make it horse bedding. It's totally inconsiderate in this day and age to ignore someone, or mislead or to play them on. Actually it's just childish and we are all grownups here.
Also, if in the mean time you find another dog-tell me. I won't hate you, I'll be disappointed but won't hate you. In all reality, that just tells me that you were not meant for one of my dogs and that someone else will get the chance. Which is my real beef--be considerate and if you have sent me a questionnaire, let me know to take you off the list so that I can tell someone else yes.
Now-if you do send me a questionnaire and are not willing to wait-say a breeding didn't take or I might not have anything in the future, I will ask you before I send out your private information to other breeders, who might have something available. I try to do right by all who cross my path. I though will also be thankful as a couple people who just couldn't wait, ended up being people who I wouldn't in the end, provide a dog to. I must add here, thank God those people turned down Marg-3 different people. I smile and think, they just don't know what they missed out on!
I have been burned by two, now three, breeders in the last few years. I always ask those that inquire who else they are talking to, don't give them any reason not to buy from me over them but if asked for an honest reference, will give it. I also make sure to contact that breeder and let them know who's contacted me.
So be kind, considerate and for heaven's sake be a sane human being--keep me up to date on what's going on so that other people might have a chance.
Later gators.....
C
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