November 8, 2007
Part two
Here are some of our most recent testimonials.
10/11/2007, Lexa (Imo/Gerta, 2006, Litter F)
Well since everyone is bragging, it is now my turn. Lexa has had to step in very quickly to take over the vacuum that losing Gunny has created. Shame on me for not starting her training earlier, but I was waiting for her to shadow Gunny on the bomb work and I was just remiss on tracking. It has been a very busy year and I just didn't start her until Gunny died. Nevertheless, the OPOTA ( Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy ) requirement for a tracking certification is a 300 yard track on vegetation, with at least two turns, and 30 minutes old. Lexa knocked that off with less than 7 hours of training. She is a tracking machine! She is just 14 months old and doing great. I expect her to be ready for bomb work by 11/1. We did our first demo yesterday for a Criminal Justice class at a local Jr College. She was in the classroom with me during the 45 minute discussion and then demonstrated a two leg track out on the campus for the students. She did it perfectly. We are delighted with her working ability and she has a really sweet temperament which is great when you have 4 grandchildren at the house several days a week, all under 8 years of age. Have a great day, Bill, Ohio
10/12/2007 Angel (Imo/Bree 2006, Litter G)
Hi Elizabeth: Just wanted to touch base with you to let you know that Angel is growing and learning everyday. Thanks for a wonderful companion, and friend. I love her so very much. You chose the right dog for me. She is by my side all the time. Angel is full of energy and at times, wish she would settle down, but all and all she is the best. She is almost done with her obedience training, and she is doing very well. Thanks again. Sherry (Sherry manages a daycare in her home),
Virginia 10/30/2007 Annie (Tag/Dagger, 2004, Litter A) Annie earned her Rally Novice degree. It's a start. Robin (my sister) Atlanta, GA
Congratulations Robin!
11/05/2007 Clue (Tag/ Dagger, 2005, Litter C)
I'm dying to see your new gal and pictures of Wessa's puppy that you kept. You're really going to keep this beautiful long hair line going. Of course, I'm always all about the look, but you have not only produced a good look, but such a strong healthy constitution. I just can't believe how healthy Clue is. Of course her personalty is beyond compare! Send lots of pictures! Hugs, Pat and Clue, Dallas, TX
11/06/2007 Thayer (Max/Wessa 2007 Litter J) and Tuck (Imo/Bree, 2006, Litter G)
Thayer is doing well as is Tuck. I still need to get you a picture of her. She is absolutely beautiful and such a vertical dog, I have never seen anything like it - it is almost like she has springs on her feet. When we go upstairs (which isn't that often because it is white carpet up there) and go into the master bedroom, in one upwards jump she pops up on our sleigh bed (not an easy feat) to see if my husband is up there. They aren't allowed on any of the furniture but it comes so naturally to her I can't help but laugh. I then "growl" at her and she scampers off. They both love their frozen drumsticks (or wings) and frozen beef bones, I spoil them often. They also play fight a lot - I think Tuck will retain his alpha dog position but I'm not 100% sure, once in awhile they really get into it but he's still so much bigger than she is. My guess is he's 90 lbs. or more and she's probably around 55 lbs. or so. She definitely stayed small for awhile, but in the last 6-8 weeks has really started growing. She's not very lovey-dovey, not that she doesn't love me I know she does, she's just more independent (I don't know if that is the right word or not). She is also always very busy, digging into the toy bin (theirs), chewing a bone, unstuffing a stuffed animal, etc. She loves to pounce on Tuck whenever he lies down in her vicinity - I think she sees it as an open invitation and they both love to go outside, run in the yard and play. Sometimes it is hard to get them in! Tuck is very special, he will rest his head on my knee or my foot, sometimes in my hand, he loves to give me his paw and have me just hold it like we are holding hands. I used to rub his paws when he was a pup to soothe him before bed and I think he just feels that special connection, so cute. He gets jealous of Thayer but I try to really make sure he is greeted first and knows that I put him first which seems to help. Things have been so chaotic here that I haven't had the trainer over but generally they are really good. Tuck tries to understand what we are saying - he'll really focus and cock his head from side to side! Sometimes he watches television, he likes the popping sounds or bright flashes on some of the commercials - hilarious! He is so intelligent. Thayer is smart too but I think her world revolves around Tuck so much that sometimes it's hard for me to get her to focus on me - but Tuck sort of takes over and trains her for me, it's wonderful! Thayer is absolutely in love with my husband! She always wants to climb up on him and give him kisses. Sometimes in the mornings I go outside with them and we have about 9 steps down to the yard so I'll sit on the top step, she gets so excited that she runs up the steps puts a paw on each of my shoulders and tries to lick my face off. I know I'm not supposed to let her do that but sometimes it is so funny, so charming I can't help it! Nicole, Illinois
For those of you who are having trouble picturing which litters Thayer and Tuck came from, here are some photos of their littermates which we kept. Both were born in May and are now six months old.
First is Chinook, sister to Thayer. Her personality is that adoring "with you" temperament that we have see in Tag and Max. Hannah, who is raising her remarked the other day, "Mom, I know why you adore this line: they always come back when called." This is the line that Pat, above, writes about. She, like several others of you, are determined that I keep this line going forever! Laura, from Virginia, who has the third female from Chinook and Thayer's litter, told me that if this year was the last litter out of that line, even though she doesn't need another dog for twenty years, she is sending in her deposit because she doesn't want to miss out. Not to worry, we have just added another female DDR longcoat out of Lord Gleisdreieck to keep you all (and me) satisfied with puppies for years to come. We'll introduce her in the next email. Below is Chinook:
Next is Indy, sister to Tuck and Angel, but from the next litter of Imo and Bree, 2007.
Uh, this one--she has a bit of drive! Like the rest of Imo's pups, her courage for work is substantial. She is one high powered dog, but one with an amazing balance in her ability to think. She is pure delight to train in schutzhund sport. This is one powerful female.
Thank you to each of you who stay in contact and write in. My husband has suggested that your writing in may be a more efficient way of keeping track of what we are producing than my keeping a pup out of every litter. Awww, c'mon.
Have a good night,
Elizabeth