Juni's all grown up

It's hard to believe that almost a year ago this gorgeous dog

was ever this small!!

Phoenix is coming along in leaps and bounds!

So Phoenix is definitely one smart cookie.  Just this week she passed her Novice Trick Dog Title and became on of the youngest to have ever done this - at 7 weeks!  To do this she needed to demonstrate she could do 15 tricks from the Easy list in front of a witness with no more than half needing to be lured still.

She did:

Sit
Down
Come
Stand
Touch (Hand)
Chase Lure
Puppy Push Ups
Follow Finger
Ramp
Thank You (Drop It)
Fetch
Head Tilt
Jump Over Bar
Kisses
Paws Up
Table (Pedestal)
Wobble Board


But she is also showing a more independent side now as well as a bit more of the Hound type personality comes through.

She is proving to be good with all sorts of dogs and people and training with her is a joy!  Plus she LOVES to play!

Better Lives & BFFs

At any given time, we will have 7-8 permanent residents, 2-3 boarders and 1-2 foster dogs.  We do this because we can, we have the space and the time and because I have wanted to help dogs since I can remember.

I know I can't save them all...and I know I am making but a small difference in the overall scheme of things - but you know, that drop in the bucket most definitely ripples out to other things.

We help these dogs have a better life, learn new skills that keep them out of shelters and in homes and they in turn they help their owners have a better life...and sometimes they go on to help other people have a better life by doing therapy or assistance work. 

Anytime I think - why am I doing this again - I remember dogs that just need a second chance like Luka and those that are tossed aside like Paige.  Not all rescues are horror stories but all the dogs rescued need a better life...and I love being a part of that.

Paige is doing beautifully.  She and Phoenix have paired up like long lost siblings even though at Paige is at least a month older.  They are most often seen by each others sides - very cute.  

Paige is taking a note from Phe and is becoming more confident and steady every day.  We just took all the guys out to the lake - even though the water was freezing cold and Paige had a blast!

Early Puppy Development - Phoenix

Phoenix has been doing so well...she has met tons of people to ensure her socialization is where it should be, has played with several of the dogs in my classes - both large and small and is really developing into a confident and bright pup...

Sophia Yin recently released an article that I think sums up my feelings on how important it is to get your pup out and about in a safe way.  Sequestering them until they are 4-6 months old will not only make it harder for them to relate to people and other dogs but greatly increases the chances of them having fear based issues in the future...


Here are a few highlights of the past few weeks!

Our Newest Addition - PHOENIX

Welcome back!!  I hope your holiday season was all you wanted and more.  Sorry for the delay in updating...after everyone returned from their holidays and all of our Board & Trains went home - Jinx, Blizzard, Sophie and Ellie - I took a break and headed up to see some friends for the new year and visit my Step-mom in VA.  

It can be hard to get away at times and this was just the trip I needed.  I was looking forward to some well earned R&R.

But then, just as I was heading out - I got confirmation about some pups that I had been checking on for a while.  A momma dog had wandered onto a ladies property pregnant and had delivered a litter of 8 pups.  The lady took her and the pups inside, made her comfortable and began looking for a placement for them all.  

Mom looks like a Pointer mix to me and Dad is unknown, but there are 2 red merle, 2 blue merle and 2 with bobbed tails which means that Dad must have had some Aussie in there somewhere.

And you know how I am about Aussie mixes, so when she said she needed some help with the litter, I was delighted to help!

Like the J's - this little one has come to me to finish weaning at only 3 weeks old.  I picked up our newest member on my way through to VA and from Day 1 she has made an impact. The timing worked well as I had all this time off to dedicate to her and make sure she was off to a great start.

 She is a darling little thing and I really look forward to watching her grow!

Jinx is back for the holidays

So Jinx is back with us for the Xmas holidays while her new owner is home...she came back like she had never left - she jumped in and played with her siblings and has fit right back in.  Blizzard LOVES her - a little too much - but other than that she has settled in nicely.

Trip to Hickory

After Thanksgiving, Taylor and I packed up a few of the dogs and headed out to Hickory, NC for a few days.  We used that as a central point to head to the mountains and to do some work with the J's - Jett & Juniper.  

The trip itself was pretty uneventful, but we got plenty of chances to let the dogs work offleash including at Bunker Hill Covered Bridge.  We worked on recall past squirrels, walking nicely past excited children (which for two 7 month old pups is not the easiest) and just enjoyed the trail.

Later that evening we headed out to Boone and Hanging Rock to catch a sunset and were well rewarded.  I think we will be revisiting Hickory soon!

Group Trip to Jordan Lake

Today we took part of our crew as well as Coco and Charlie out to the lake for a little R&R.  Everyone practices their WAIT with the van door open.

Good dogs!

Then we hit the beach and most of the dogs even swam - Bbbrrrrrrrrrr!

Jinx Gets Adopted!

I hadn't said anything yet as I wanted to be sure but it is now confirmed - Jinx has been adopted!  Her new owner has had her on trial for the last few weeks and she is doing beautifully.  I will still be seeing her for class and boarding over the holidays so it isn't as hard for me as some have been to let go.

I really like her new owner and I think Jinx will truly flourish there.  Congrats to you both!

Jinx's New Favorite Toy

It was Jinx's day at work today and while I was working up front she entertained herself with a tasty rawhide treat!  Gosh they are growing like weeds!

Pawtential Profiles: Archie & Bella

Names:  Archie & Bella
Breed:  Lab x
Sex:  Male & Female
Age: 7 months

Duration: On trial week then possibly 4 week Board & Train

Reason for B&T:  Recall, Loose Leash Walking & General House Manners

Archie and Bella are with us until the 11th on a trial Boarding basis.  Like any young large pups, they are full of enthusiasm and manners like not door dashing and keeping all paws on the ground are a bit lost on them.  But that is what we are here for!

Initially a little shy around the Pawtential Pack - they have warmed up nicely and their favorite is Luka, a rescued Giant Schnauzer x and the newest additions - the now 4 month old Australian Shepherd x Border Collie pups.

Boarding at the Pawtential farm can be quite exciting with all the farm animals next door.  Archie especially is interested in the guinea fowl making a ruckus this morning while we were out on the porch.

Bella meantime was finding out that the glider seat was not such a stable bench after all...

And then it was a case of Monkey See, Monkey Do as Luka and Piper decided to give it a try...

Archie was not too sure about Piper who has a bit to learn about doggie communication...

In the end, everyone had a good play session but were more than happy to get in out of the wet and settle down with some breakfast and a good bone.