June 2011
It’s Spring in Idaho! Finally!
And with Spring, everything happens.
We had dog trials, with Hero working towards his AKC CDX in Open. He earned two legs and two first places! Wahoo! There are so many things that can go wrong, from coming in at an angle on the Broad Jump, to neglecting to jump over the return jump in the retrieve over jump, to crunching the dumbbell when the handler says, “Aus”. Oops, did the judge here that? He sure did, but fortunately Hero did finally give me his prize and completed all the exercises well. Jake also participated with Hannah, but hurt himself on the return high jump, causing Hannah to wisely pull him from the trial. He is fine now. Though he did not finish the class, for Hannah, the fact that he would have qualified was huge, being that she had struggled with his heeling all through her teenage years and now, she was able to handle him such that he was heeling well and performing each section of the Open routine. What is really fun about these dog events is that now we have the pleasure of seeing more and more of our puppy families competing with their dogs as well. Locally, we have Phoebe (Max and Wessa 2008) who achieved her CDX at age two!, Anna (Drago and Indy, 2010) who is an upcoming star, and Vashti (Max and Sara 2009) who earned two legs in Rally Novice, with one being a Second Place. We heard that on the other side of the country Hank, (Dagger and Tag 2005), won first place in all three legs towards his Agility title of Novice Jumpers Preferred, AKC. Congratulations All!
Here we are receiving our ribbons and prize from
the judge.
Then we had puppy, that’s singular for “puppies”. Sara had one, only one, and a whole lot of body fat. Here is Jake and Sara’s one puppy, now ten days old, a male red sable.
Next we drove before dawn last Saturday to Enumclaw WA for an IABCA Dog Show. The International All Breed Canine Association typically has two day events, but as we were only able to attend one day last year with Max, Rubicon, and Hero, we needed one more show to complete their championship titles. Complete them we did. Here are Hero, Max, and Rubicon looking their best.
The return trip was long, but in time for Wessa to have her pups. She made up for Sara, by having eight puppies Monday night into Tuesday morning, seven of whom are boys. This is good news for those of you waiting for one of their pups as some of our puppy families will be holding out for a female from another litter, meaning there may be a pup or two available.
There is something else I have to tell you. This is bitter sweet. Do you remember Knick Knack Paddy Whack Give Your Dog a Bone, the precious service dog called, “Knicky”? Sadly, we heard that her owner who had struggled for years with a congenital disease, passed away this winter. The family made the difficult decision to let Knicky come home to Candle Hill, allowing us to find her a family who could give her the love and attention she needs. Within one week, just such a family emerged, a family where both parents love dogs, the mother is home, there are two young boys, and their dogs are part of their family, going wherever they go. The report is that Knicky has been playing lots of fetch and settling in well.
Knicky
During Knicky’s time here, we were all so impressed by her. We made a decision that Knicky would be the model for our breeding program. She is out of Jake (brother to Max, sister to Kindra) and Dakota (daughter of Strongheart, V Imo Vom Werraufer SCH III,FH) and so her bloodlines represent much of our breeding stock. There is a sensitivity that we saw in her, a loyalty, an intelligence, as well as drive to play – the whole picture is a dog to love forever. We are so thankful that she has a forever home.
Amazingly, shortly after Knicky moved on, there came another request: one of Knicky’s sisters, from a later breeding, was going to need to come home as her owner is facing a serious health condition and he is no longer able to care for her. This week, Sundra came home to Candle Hill. She is still looking for her forever home. Sundra is two years old and well trained, with many of the characteristics of Knicky. She adores tug and fetch. Much to Piper’s chagrin, Sundra has adopted my husband Michael as her own.
Sundra
You have watched over the last year as I’ve gone back and forth on our two dogs, Charlie and Bentley. They are both great dogs and both have merit for keeping. However, we are so busy training and competing with the others, that I feel it is best for these two young males to have a home where they can get the focused attention they deserve. If we keep Bentley, I will train him as a service dog as he has what it takes to provide much comfort to others. We originally imported him to breed to Piper and may continue with that plan should he stay here. He is such a love. Charlie is meant for sport, suitable for either advanced training or the companionship of a fun loving active family who wants a handsome, even tempered dog, a Hero Jr.
Bentley
Charlie
It is such a privilege to be involved in caring for the dogs that bring so many families joy and companionship. When someone is forced to give up a dog to us, we are deeply touched by the trust they give us. Each animal tells its own story. You can tell a much loved pet. They look to you with trust and hope, coupled with a faint uncertainty as they take this next step in life’s journey. Life can be hard. I just marvel at the Creator’s compassion who gave us the dog, a being who really likes us, needs us, wants to be with us, and makes us get up and out the door into His beautiful creation. They give comfort when we are down and encouragement when we are up. I hope each of you are enjoying your four footed friends. Thank you for the trust you give to us.
Elizabeth
208-818-3099