February 29,
Updates On K Litter
Greetings from Candle Hill!
Last fall, Litter K was born on October 5, 2007. Most of my puppy families are not on email and prefer the phone, making it a little more difficult to report to you, but the updates have been glorious.
First, we have Knicky, short for Knick Knack Paddy Wack Give Your Dog a Bone. She is the puppy I had planned to keep myself, but even as we neared eight weeks, I was torn between her and Kindra whom we kept. Knicky, even then, had incredible focus. She was the pup who would sit back and take it all in, snuggle on my lap, and be relatively calm. So when Lee from Arizona called, one who had called before wanting a special service dog to help him with a health condition, I knew Knicky would be the right pup. Away she went. Kindra, who is far more independent stayed.
Here is Knicky's recent photo. I wish I could print all Lee's updates. When placing a pup where the specifics of temperament are as important as in this placement, I care so much that the choice is a good match. Lee, you have been fantastic in keeping me informed on her progress. Read below for Lee's comments.
Four months old
Knicky, two months old
1/6/2008 The vet cleared Knick Knack (final shots) for the dog park. She and Boomer (very special and HUGE mastiff who is a service dog) went there this morning for about 90 minutes. Our local dog park is three miles away and 3 acres fenced. There were about 40 dogs this morning on kind of a gloomy ( cloudy) day. Everyone had a great time. It was tough on me at first, with Boomer carrying my morning oxygen to a bench. Then we unleashed them and let them run. Boy Howdy! At three months old she (KNicky) is amazing, ears straight up, and willing to take on anything! After all, she's been playing with Boomer! She owned that park, no matter what dog addressed her. One decided to rough her up. She nipped at his heels for the next five minutes begging for more! Everyone asked about her. People do understand breeding, and we had many, many questions. I'll say this a million times to myself, but will try to keep it to a few hundred times to you folks. May God Bless You for this little sweetheart. As we left the park folks watched as Boomer 'geared up' with my oxygen equipment. Play time was over. The respect from the dog owners was overwhelming when they realized his task. Then came Knicky, confident and proud. There's no question that everyone assumed that Knicky will be the greatest service dog ever. Lee, Arizona
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We had our second 90 minute session with our clicker trainer Shannon from Kokopelli Saturday. We had practiced the initial command structure (just basics) from two weeks before. Shannon was immediately impressed by Knicky's two week growth in height and length over two weeks (much like Kindra's pictures in the snow!). She was very happy with her thin but athletic profile and demeanor. She offered that it's all about genetics, and many times removed (many generations). She is sold on Knick Knack Patty Wack Give a Dog a Bone, who in 90 minutes progressed to hand commands for sit, down, stand, and wait (at a door), with good progression on verbal commands such as 'off', "fetch', 'drop', and 'ignore the woman'. She is SMART, she is a DELIGHT, and I really believe that she will have her sit, down, stand hand commands perfect a week from this Saturday. We'll then start her on 'come', leash work, vehicle loading, etc. WHAT A SPECIAL GIRL. Even in a house with Boomer (the Mastiff), she wins everyones hearts. That says a lot. I hope that I can live to put her to work. Again, my thanks forever, Lee, 2/5/2008
Lee, your appreciation and thoughtful updates have meant so much! People like you are what makes breeding quality dogs worthwhile.
Kindra, 4 months old. You already know Kindra. She's the one we kept.
Next is Kokapelli:
Kokopelli, two months old
12/25/2007 Rebecca writes: Dear Elizabeth, I have never been so impressed with a GSD puppy in my life. I keep trying to find a flaw in our Kokopelli, but his nature is steady and sweet, his structure and coloring are absolute perfection, and he is sitting and laying down and staying in the car like a two year old. He loves the snow, particularly scenting out buried toys. He and Biff, the lab, are the very best of friends. They play constantly, and the competition is making training a blast. Thank you so much for this precious boy. The moment I laid eyes on him my heart did somersaults, and it still is. Merry Christmas! Rebecca
Zettle, seven weeks old, Ranch Companion
Robin wanted a very specific sort of puppy. We talked quite a bit. When this pup came along, he was so right: Calm, noble, clear thinking and especially connected, and sable like Jake, his sire. Robin wrote shortly after he arrived home, "Elizabeth! Hot-Off-The-Press-News!!! Zettl just RAN to the back door and whined. (He'd been playing with one of his toys). I opened it and he ran out and piddled and pooed!!! He's such a smart boy! *He already knows his name. *He comes galloping to me when called (even from a distance). *and he knows "Sit". Spectacular for one week living here, Eh?!!! *Also, he's "held court" for all the many visitors who've come to see him. Big hugs and Many, Many Thanks! Elizabeth, he's a phenomenal puppy and so gorgeous! " Robin, Washington
Zoey, Ranch Companion, Utah.
David reports, 2/29/2007, that Zoey is a wonderful pup: very obedient, beautiful with a far reaching trot and perfect German Shepherd stance, a very devoted companion. He says that he couldn't be more pleased.
You all have been absolutely fabulous puppy families. It means so much to us to have good homes for our puppies. We are so fortunate to have the very special quality people that make up our Candle Hill Shepherd families. You all make breeding quality dogs worthwhile!
Thank you for keeping in touch,
Elizabeth