Stolen show dogs in CA, Please pass on!

ALERT!!! 4 show dogs were stolen today 11/30/10 including the one shown above from the parking lot of Motel 6 in Bellflower CA. 2 Akitas and 2 corgis.
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FMI: http://akitasdreamhi.com/StolenDogs.html
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Please pass this information on. I can't imagine the fear the poor owners are experiencing right now. Let's try to help get them all home safe.

Selthofer Family Christmas, 2010

Enjoy!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A surprise visitor

Remember this sweet face? His name is Jack and he went though the K-9 Corrections program with his sister Patty back in the spring. He came for a surprise visit today.


He is almost all grown up. Check out how handsome he is now.

Here is another photo of him partway through the program.

And another of him now. He got a lot bigger than we expected he would. More photos and videos of him from today can be seen on our facebook page. Go take a peek. (Does anyone else think he looks like a borzoi in the face?)

I managed to keep his pending visit a secret from the handlers and let me tell you it was NOT easy. It was a great surprise and nice for them to see how well he turned out. He recognised his handler before Joe recognised him and wooed at him. It was so cute! It was a great day and I think everyone was very excited to see Jack again. I'm so glad he got such a great home and is doing so well. Score one for us!

You had me at woof

I know they say don't judge a book by its cover but..........

how could anyone resist this face? Must. Read. Now.

(Updated 11/20/10 Bought on my Kindle. Read in one sitting of about 3.5 hours. Made me laugh out loud and cry. Loved it. Just saying.)

Let's Make Christmas about Love

I have made a grand decision that this year, and from now on, Christmas will be about LOVE not presents. Children being the exception! I certainly don't need anything and most people I know don't either. Some small token of love is always nice, hmmm...chocolate anyone? Christmas cookies?

But, this year, think about sponsoring a needy family, giving to charity, donating to the SPCA or dog rescue, and ask others to do it on your behalf as a gift. Do it for others, and send them a note and small token instead of a big gift!

I sponsor this little boy in Mongolia named Bulkankanghai. Yesterday I got an email from World Vision telling me what kinds of things they are doing for the people in his area. I felt so good about it! Please take your money and do it this way. It's not just about the money - it is about RAISING CONSCIOUSNESS to a higher vibration.


Here is the link to see how they are doing in Mongolia - http://www.worldvision.ca/ADP/Mongolia/Arkhangai/Pages/Updates.aspx



When we all start to live this kind of love, and bring love to people through action, the World will become a better place. In fact, World Vision has a catalogue and you can even choose how your donation will be used - and give everything from a small donation to buying a goat for a village!



https://catalogue.worldvision.ca/Gifts/Forms/Category.aspx?name=animals

Please check it out and think about how you can make a difference in the World this Christmas. And remember, love starts at home. Make Christmas about love.

Girl Power - ME

A few posts ago, I wrote about girl power. Well that extends to me too! I am so proud of myself about how I single-handedly manage my house and yard. I just love this house, my renovated church...Spiritdance Church. I love the open concept, studio feel, and I love the church stuff still in it. It is perfect for me, and has such an awesome big yard. I was really lucky to find it. It is inspiring to keep it looking cute. Pretty soon I'll post some updated photos of the inside, because I have moved furniture and changed the colours so that it looks like a Morrocan caravan tent, it is so funky and fun, in oranges, golds and purples.



This picture was taken last Christmas, before shoveling, but it looks about like this now, except it's shoveled.

There are days I fight feeling overwhelmed, but I get'er done (Alberta phrase) and am always amazed with myself. I shovel, bring out garbage, keep the house maintained, car maintained, tackle problems that are always coming up - and finding out just what an amazing person I am. Sorry - I just had to say that. Now I must say, I did a lot of this in northwestern Ontario too, but it's different when you KNOW you are the only one to look after things. If you haven't been there, you can't really understand it. It is a little scary but also makes you feel so grateful each day, for each little thing.

On top of it, the dogs have a great life and are happy and busy. I take care of them, and me. I can't believe it some days! Happy. It is possible to start a new life somewhere, and time does heal.

I took this photo of my little deck Buddhas a few days ago. They now live in a corner in the main room. I am still a bit in shock that a few weeks ago I was on the beach in Maui and it was 90 degrees, and now it is minus 10 C and there is so much snow! Not much has been going on - get up, go to work, come home in the dark, shovel snow, feed dogs, go to bed. My dog runs are nice this year - metal roofs and nice new doghouses, plus all that new gravel. Mind you, River is getting older and she won't ever be left out this winter. She is officially a house dog now. She says it is about time! Ten is the magic age. I give a lot of credit to the dogs for this new life of mine, since it is through them that I've met some great people - and because of them that I kept going some days when I didn't think it was possible.

OK, I'll admit that I get some help and support from a few special people - but mostly it's me (just in case they are reading this...)

NFL = Epic Fail

I read this article recently and it sparked a conversation on facebook when I shared the link. The frustrating part of it is that so many people seem to think because Michael Vick served time for the crimes he committed that it means we should move on and forget about it. We can't control what he is doing now and he has the right to make a living. Because he paid his debt to society. Yeah right. I cannot disagree more. He served time in jail yes. Paid his debt to society? I think not. When there are victims still left living with the memories of what he did to them the debt will never be repaid.
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I like the line in the article: "Cruelty to animals isn't something somebody does, it's something somebody is." This is exactly why dog lovers will always hate this man. Let's remember that he LAUGHED while he killed and tortured dogs. (by strangling, drowning and electrocutions) And not just 1 or 2 dogs either, as if that mattered, but repeatedly. He admitted it! I also think this of some other criminals as well. Do child molesters and rapists ever really pay their debt? They serve time and hopefully it is a punishment that makes them think twice about doing it again. But I doubt their victims would agree that anything has been paid. They live with that trauma forever. I have a problem with anyone who hurts defenseless people and animals. Would you trust someone who did that? What does that say about their character?
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Does he have the right to work? Sure, he can pump gas or flip burgers. Should he be allowed to become a role model for others playing football? I find that sickening. If anything he is an example of having enough money or talent means if you get caught doing something horrendous it won't impact your life very much. You can still become a super star and make oodles of money. Shame on the NFL for not having a morals clause. They have only proven that the all mighty dollar is the bottom line for them. People who are in the public eye SHOULD be held to a higher standard, at least in my world. Because they are watched and emulated whether they should be or not.
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Would I feel differently if he stood up and took responsibility for his actions? If he volunteered his free time at a local shelter to help out? (that was not court ordered) If he voluntarily pledged a percentage of his "earnings" to other former fighting dogs? Maybe. If it were done with sincerity I might consider it. I haven't seen any of that yet and I'm not holding my breath.
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The whole topic makes me angry and sad. Angry because it is an example of how unfair life can be. That a monster is worshiped by some merely for having talent at a sport. Sad because there are still thousands of fighting and bait dogs still out there living horrific lives daily. Put yourself in their shoes and just imagine that kind of life for a few minutes.
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Michael Vick is an example of how celebrity gets you a pass and how sorely lacking our society is when it comes to ethics.

Whoa momma!

Congrats to our friends at Weskeag Kennels and momma Cassi on her whelping 11 healthy puppers. (yes you read that right ELEVEN!) Now that is alot of puppy breath!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Rally Edition

Photo by John Woolley Photography.

Link share tuesday

Just a few links that are floating around facebook these days I thought I would share. First is an interview with Karen Delise. She wrote the fabulous book called "The pitbull placebo". Unfortunately some people still don't get that BSL simply doesn't work.

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The next is an article by Jean Donaldson asking "Are dogs really pack animals"?

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Then a look at the results of a study that looks at the questionable training techniques as seen on tv.

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And to finish on a happier note check out the story of how they made the amazing video "OK Go" by the White Knuckles.

Puppymill rescue

Looking for a pug? Consider rescue! Why? To put puppy millers out of business!

Green Mountain Pug Rescue took in the above 20 pugs recently. They were being sold by a puppymiller because they passed a law in that state to limit the number of dogs a "kennel" can have. Sadly they can still have up to 50 dogs. They sold 10 others to another "breeder". Fortunately this group was taken by rescue so they will all be altered and adopted into homes. Yes rescue did give money to the "breeder" in order to get the dog released to them. It is a tricky thing. Do you let them get sold to another breeder or step in and pay a fee to keep them out of a breeders hands? At least this way they get taken out of the cages they lived in to go in a real home and be normal dogs. Plus they aren't being bred over and over again to be used as a cash crop.

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How sad is it that there are people using dogs in that way to make money? The sadder part to me is that clearly people are still buying dogs from pet stores. How else can you explain why a breeder would have so many dogs for their "business"? If they weren't making money on the dogs they wouldn't have them. They only feed as many as they can support in order to make a profit after all. It's not rocket science people. If you buy from a pet store you are keeping this kind of person in business. You are contributing to dogs living in cages instead of cuddling on a couch and running on grass. Is that any kind of life for a dog? Don't do it. Adopt from rescue instead.
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Bravo to GMPR for stepping up to give these dogs a better life. For more photos and videos of the pugs and their rescue story check out their Facebook Page.

Dogs need more than just enough food and fresh water

Love is their mental nutrition!

One of the most frequent excuses that I get to face regarding keeping dogs in the backyard is that they The argument I most often hear regarding dogs in backyards is that they are most lovable member of the family and they need fresh oxygenated air, sunlight and enough open space. These are just mere excuses from irresponsible dog owners, who have never succeeded in maintaining and training their dogs. In almost all circumstances of dogs spending times in the yards, the major reason is that they behave weird, which is not the dogs' fault. Lack of training and exercises makes them behave like idiots. Dogs are after all not human beings, although they have intellects which can be put to use while training them to behave well in houses.

Dogs are social creatures. They need your companionship. They would behave better indoors with their pack, if they are well trained. Honestly, responsible dog owners would walk their dogs in the morning for fresh air instead of keeping the beloveds away in the yard unsupervised. Leaving them outside cannot be the solution. They will develop more undesirable behaviors like digging holes, chewing herbs, barking, whining, running behind cats and rolling on mud. The biggest misconception about dogs is the belief that they stay happy if they are kept in backyard.

Backyard dogs are problematic dogs! Let me repeat... Dogs are social creatures. Keeping him isolated from his pack (which includes every single member of your family) put extra stress on your dogs, which results them to exhibit hyper activities. Mental stress in dogs often leads to health issues along with behavioral problems. They may even try to escape. Well now, another funny excuse from the so-called responsible owners is that they keep their dog outside, but in an well fenced area where they cannot escape from. Poor fellas! They have not studied dog psychology. Let me unearth a fact here. Dogs staying outside in a well fenced acreage and away from their pack mates for a long period of time are bound to develop more behavioral problems over time. Fencing will trigger their territorial instincts, when they can sense activities of stranger human beings and other animals outside the fence. This will in turn increase their tendencies of barking and often these animals develop territorial aggression. For every little activity outside the fence, the dog will start barking. Over the time they will develop a tendency of continuous barking and even biting in the rage of undesirable aggression in worse situations. It becomes harder to train them further. Now what?

Another fact to be disclosed here is that keeping a dog continuously outside your house is a torture to the animal and is an illegal offense. Before bringing the puppy home, decide on how much time can you devote to lovely little pooch. People who keep their dogs away from home - in the backyard are considered irresponsible, although they insist that they are very responsible owners because they feed them good food. Dogs need more than just enough food and fresh water! Love is their mental nutrition. They need your touch, no matter what breed he is.

Spending a couple of hours a day is a big thing for your dog. Giving them good food and making water always available for him to drink in the backyard do not make him an inseparable part of your family. Training him, teaching him good behaviors and sometimes sharing him your bed, apart from giving him commercial food are very much needed. Give him a happy life!

If you are a GSD lover, get well researched information on German Shepherd Dogs

No SchH pics today, but it's another funny evening, in my insane household

Another ordinary evening at home

River and Ted are sleeping after a busy day...

Right after I took the above photo, Caden was climbing all over me to get my attention. You can see his ear in the bottom of this photo, and I just cracked up when I saw Jet pop up in the background, saying "FINK!"

Caden is very disturbed about something...please, get off the computer and help me out, he says! Where's your teamwork woman?

I go around the corner to see this...

"Whaddup?"

Jet's Balls - 2

Caden's - 0

Peace is the Way, even for dogs. A Dog Fable.

I am the witness of the events below, capturing it on my camera. I never interfere, or set things up. These are just the way things happen, and my interpretation!

This started out as a funny story about how the girls rule over the boys. Jet agrees! River loves to lie and guard a ball. I have the power, she says.

It all started when I wondered why Ted looked so dejected, and what River was up to around the corner. I grabbed my camera.

It turns out she has a ball. You can see Teddy's ear just over the edge of the bed.

Ted pops up to have a look. Nope, he says, I'll just let her enjoy it and bide my time.

He knows better than to mess with River. He's such a sweetie. But, he has his ways, keep reading...

In the meantime, as I was paying attention to River and Ted, Jet and Caden started to get silly. Jet gives Caden 'the eye' over her favourite ball

Caden makes a grab for it. He is young and brash, unlike Ted.

Caden tries to twist it out of her grip.

TUG! He weighs twice as much, but she will not let go. She is so tough. I call her a Wolverine. Or maybe a badger.

And look who wins. Don't mess with me, says Jet. Caden looks to see if Ted is having better luck

Ted smiles at me. I don't need no stinkin' ball, says Ted.

But as I was working on this album, I looked over, and there was Ted with the ball! I guess River got bored, and he simply moved in peacefully.

Nice dogs win, says Ted. My hero! Says Caden.

Jet thinks they are all idiots, but that is a story for another day.

Post Script

As I was finishing this up, I heard a thump from the bedroom. Ted had nudged the ball off the bed, and it landed beside River's nose. She is fast asleep, snoring away. He is just too much, my Teddy. Such a kind dog, he gave the ball back!

The Fureys - Green Fields of France, Young Willie McBride

A friend shared this link with me. It is so beautiful, by an Irish traditional band called The Fureys. I simply had to capture and post it here for everyone to enjoy. Be prepared, I cried when I first watched it, because the words are so touching. The song is about someone sitting at the graveside of a 19 year old fallen soldier from WWI. He imagines who this young boy was, and how he lived and died. And as you might know by now, I am a soft touch for anything Irish... the lyrics are below so you can read along. Enjoy.



LYRICS - you can slow it down or stop it by rolling your mouse cursor over this display.

The Fureys lyrics

Remembrance Day memories and family stories

Never pass by a senior citizen without wondering what kind of life they have led. This has been a century of war and movement around the Globe. Canada and America are populated by people who came from other countries looking for a better life. My family was no exception. I am so proud to be a Canadian and so proud of my family!

I knew all of my grandparents until well into my 20s so was blessed to hear about their lives and experiences. A lot of kids find family stories fascinating and I was no exception. Whenever Remembrance Day rolls around, I do remember a lot about how wars shaped my family history, and brought both sides of my families here to Canada. Above is a photo of my Grandma Kahara on one of her birthdays (84, I think). She was such a well-loved lady, and always had her photo taken on her birthday so she could send it to her family members who lived all over the World, thanks to how war sent them scattering - to different parts of Europe, Canada and even Australia. I have this picture framed in my bedroom, and smile at her every day - she gives me a lot of strength and was an amazing woman.

Sadly there are still wars and families in strife around the World. One would think that we could learn and move on. I hope that the last century of warfare with technology will pass and go down as an embarrassing blink of an eye in human history. In the meantime I do what I can to bring peace to my home, friendships and whatever is in my life.

If each one of us tried to bring more peace and higher awareness to our relationships and beliefs, it would go a long way because these compassionate vibrations tend to spread like a positive virus, spreading peace to others. As Mother Theresa once said, she would never march against war, but if there is a march FOR peace, she'd be there. 

The Journey of the Kahara Family, from Estonia to Alberta, then Thunder Bay (and here I am back in Alberta!)

My mom's family, the Kahara's, come from Narva Estonia, on the Russian border. Estonia has been repeatedly occupied by Russia over the past century or more. When other parts of the World were busy with WWII, Russia moved in on Estonia again. My Grandpa was very nearly sent to Siberia when some suspicious Estonians were rounded up. His kindness was good karma. Earlier, he and my Grandma had shared food with a Russian, who was there that day and spoke on Grandpa's behalf. Grandma's sister and her husband who were teachers, had already been sent to Siberia and were never seen again.

Johannes and Dagmar Kahara, my grandparents. Strong people, kind people, remarkable journey.

A group of Estonians decided it was time to leave. The night before leaving by foot, Grandpa shot all of their farm animals including his prize horse - a retired race horse on which my mom and her siblings rode to school. How sad that must have been! He told the kids the dog ran away, and I always wonder if it did, or if he was being kind and sparing their hearts the death of their dog. They moved by foot across the frozen bay and past a border guard to Finland. From there, they kept moving, living in Finland, then Sweden. Eventually, they bought a boat and sailed around the frozen sea as far as Cork Ireland. What a miracle they survived that journey! Last year at a Women's Retreat, I met a lady named Rose who is from Cork, and one of her friends married an Estonian who came there during the war - we think it was from this same group. Small world.

The Estonians were taken into a Red Cross camp in Cork for a year. During that time, my mom and her family loved Ireland and learned to speak Irish Gaelic. They thought they were learning English and didn't know they weren't until they arrived in Canada. They sailed to Canada in an ocean liner, and with many other immigrants were sent to Coaldale Alberta to live as tenants on a sugar beet farm. They picked sugar beets there for two years, as a way to pay back the Canadian government for taking them in. After that, they moved to Port Arthur (Thunder Bay) because of the large Finnish population there. In fact, the Finnish language was so commonly spoken (and still is) that my Grandma never did learn to speak English very well, and I always communicated with her in Finglish, a common tongue in Thunder Bay!

The family home in Estonia has always remained in the Kahara name and recently my Uncle Eero and my cousin travelled there to see it, and check things out. There could be a lot of red tape, but apparently there is a possibility it could be brought back into our family name. My grandmother's brother lived there until he died - as a caretaker for the Russians. He was not allowed to cut any wood for warmth and slept in the barn with the animals to stay warm. Unbelieveable, but true. We need to remember these things - not to hold grudges but to make sure it doesn't happen again and strive to be better.

The Brinkworths and the Bonds - Soldiers in the families

My father's family also had military history but further back. His grandfather was a career soldier who was in the British army and stationed in India, though he also fought in the Boer War and in Afghanistan, being one of the men who survived the Khyber Pass crossing which was the subject of the famous poem by Rudyard Kipling. Kipling called the pass a sword cut through the mountains (1919) and a British soldier said every stone in the pass was soaked with blood. Imagine - there is still war in Afghanistan today!

My mom and dad, and my Nanna and Pops (Doris and Charlie) ... and me! Nanna and Pops lived with us as I was growing up, so I was close to them and got to know them very well - the way a family should be. They had a separate apartment upstairs in our house - but moved out when I was a teenager so I could have it (sweet).

My great-grandfather was away more than he was home. Because my grandfather (Pops) was the only son in the family, he was not allowed to enlist and had to stay home to look after his mom and sisters. When his dad retired from the army, the family moved from Yorkshire to Canada - to Port Arthur. The old soldier, my great grandfather Brinkworth, became a gardener in retirement, at Stanley Park in Vancouver, and lived with my great aunt there. My sister owns his watering can. My father has his pocket watch. There are notches engraved in it, and we don't know what they represent. Pops was a grain inspector in Thunder Bay and was also Grand Master of the Masonic Temple there (I always wondered about that...).

My Grandma (Nanna) was originally a Bond from Belfast. Her family moved from Leeds, England to Port Arthur and she met my Pops here in Canada. Her brother Bob Bond was killed in WWI in a training mission in the Maritimes. He was her only, baby brother. He had married a girl there, who the family never did meet. In her old age, Nanna got Alzheimers and was obsessed with her baby brother for the last year or so of her life. It came back to her - as with so many Alzheimer's patients who remember their youth but nothing about present life. What sad times then when communication was so difficult, unlike today where the World is brought together by technology. I always think of some woman who married Bob Bond, who could have been in our family but moved on with her life after WWI.

Another member of my father's family had an interesting military history. He joined the Northwest Mounted Police (now RCMP) and ended up coming west (like me). There is a 'Brinkworth Park' in Regina and there are some Brinkworths around here - there is even one here, in Edmonton. We have no idea if they are related but it is interesting to know about this. Brinkworth is a rare name, and running across Brinkworths is always a jolting experience for me. How I wish I had children to carry the name on, but I will do it through my writing.

I know that everyone has family stories that mean a lot to them at this time of year. Thanks for letting me share mine. I've spent Remembrance Day alone for decades now (as the "ex" always visited a friend on this weekend) and have many memories of visiting my Grandma on this day, then walking to the Cenotaph in Port Arthur with one of the dogs. Bagpipes were always playing at these ceremonies.

The women, my Grandma and Mom, Nanna and Aunt Lea

(my Mom's sister, who I visited in Thunder Bay last May - see the archives for May 2010)

I used to live in an apartment attached to my Grandma Kahara's house, which was such a blessing - I am honoured she was not just my Grandma but a great friend too. I miss her them all every day.

I often would cry on this weekend feeling a little lonely and overwhelmed by family history. I still find it a very emotional time, as my grandparents are all gone, along with my Mom and one of her brothers. The family really has fallen away over the years as we've got older. I always felt very lucky to know my grandparents so well, and am so glad I knew all of the many war stories, including some really hair-raising stories my Grandma Kahara used to tell. For example, when she lived in Finland - she said that Jewish people were not allowed to walk on sidewalks. Can you imagine? My Grandparents were good, Christian people and she said they would sneak food to a Jewish family they knew. It could have got them in trouble, but did not.

The next generation of women - my sister Lori and her daughter Rachel, with me and my Grandma, back in Thunder Bay. Rachel is a beautiful teenager now! She comes from a lot of strong women in her background and I know she will be one too.

My Grandma Kahara really is one of my heroes and I can only wish to have some of the qualities she had in her lifetime. I think I inherited the farming gene from the Kaharas. Back in Narva, Grandma and others in the village tended a village flock of sheep. When I got sheep in 1999, Grandma was so surprised! We sat in the field together and she would tell me everything she remembered about caring for them. It was such a wonderful time.

I wish I had children to share these stories with, but hope one day that my niece and nephew will want to learn more about their family history, and be proud of it as I am!

As part of my dedication to peace, I sponsor a little boy in Mongolia through World Vision and hope that with my small donation, his family can stay together and forge a future.

Dedicated to my niece and nephew Rachel and Alex Lehtonen. Rachel looks so much like my Mom and I think she has the strong Kahara independent streak too, plus a love of animals. Alex is such a smart kid, he inherits the intelligence of my Pops, who was such a well-read and classy man, and the curiousity of my Uncle Eric Kahara, who spoke so many languages and travelled around the World. Alex has the name Brinkworth as one of his middle names, to carry on the tradition of his family, a typical Canadian family, from other parts of the World, blended and proud of our history.

LEST WE FORGET

Semper Fidelis!

In honor of todays 235th United States Marine Corps birthday (and tomorrows celebration of Veteran's day) I share the following:

In case you can't read the text it says: Listed as missing for three days during front line action at Guam, Peppy, a Marine dog made his way back to camp and was treated for a bullet wound in his head. His handler's face is a study of emotion as he comforts his four-footed pal.
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There is a wonderful book with the title Always Faithful that is about the Marine Dogs of WW2 and talks more about dogs like the one above. For those that don't know Semper Fidelis is latin for Always Faithful and is the motto of the Marine Corps.
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And this is one of my favorite cartoons saved from my own time in.

Text: "He said I was the most intelligent girl he'd ever met, and that was the last I ever saw of him."

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I served as a jet mechanic on A4 Skyhawks in seatshop and was also a watchstander on Marine Security Guard duty at embassies overseas. May we never forget those that didn't get to come home from their tour of service in all branches of the service.

More on Jet and our daily line work.

This is Jet's comment to me, about the line work. That's her butt, as she hides out under the bed.

"Someone wake me up from this bad dream," she says.

"I don't know this lady anymore. She makes me do stuff I don't particularly feel like doing."

This photo about says it all.

Line work and Schutzhund musings

I am fascinated by the work I've been doing with Jet and Ted, AND Caden, for the last couple of days. It is hard to describe, but is basically line work letting them know I am indeed the pack leader. Yah, I know. It's embarrassing to admit publicly that I need to work on this, but a good reminder to everyone that we all lose grip on our roles if we are not vigilant all the time, with all of our dogs, no matter how wonderful they are.

Baby Jet just turned five. Hard to believe! Don't be fooled by that innocence, LOL. Even as a puppy she was figuring out how to get what she wanted. Check out the photo below...

Below is a picture of baby Jet with my boy Thorn. Notice who has the toys...

I am using a little line and nothing else. It is kind of a variation on lunge lining, but not really as you never really do the turn and run or lunging I remember from my old obedience days in the 70s and 80s. It is super-effective. The goal is to set things up such that I am clearly in charge and I can walk the dogs offlead, minding me, wherever. I know, it's a basic. I admit, I am a softie with my dogs. This all has to be in order before we can really get back on the field with the sheep. Poor Jet is all a-quiver when she senses sheep nearby. She is a hothead, so we can't let her lose her mind before we even get near them. And Ted just needs to reign in his happy feet, and get his brain in gear with his legs (as Scott Glen put it to me).

Big brother Ted runs with baby Caden (back in Thunder Bay). Both are intact, and are now 5 and 2, and get along so well. Caden is bigger than Ted now. They still play ball and hang out.

Needless to say, this is amazing work to do with Caden. I have a horrible time getting from my car to the field with him at Schutzhund training. I have been working him on this little line with no food, no toy, no tug, no pinch, no choke, nothing. Yesterday I walked him for 30 minutes on his little line and mostly in silence. He was all ears up trying to please me. I had that giddy floating feeling you get when you know you are onto something. Today showed it was no accident. Again, he is pacing himself beside me and not even forging. I believe that removing the conflict makes the difference. I always feel like I am fighting with Caden and I get very worn out by it. He has so much drive, he doesn't need lures or toys. He is very smart and really wants to please me. I am thrilled with this work. I love when things come together like this. And I find it so interesting when I learn crossover training - herding stuff that will help Schutzhund work!

Jet, the dog who usually thinks I am an idiot, now thinks I am the meanest owner ever. She is giving me the hairy eyeball and goes into hiding in the house. When I call her she creeps up wagging and smiling at me, but I know in her heart she is thinking she's losing her grip on dominance, poor thing. She's doing fantastic in her walking though and is, as always, such a bright little dog.

Ted just loves me more. I can do anything with Teddy. He tries so hard and is a very, very honest boy.

River is just looking on and going for normal walks. She says she is ten years old and she can damn well do what she wants. And she is co-pack leader with me, as far as she is concerned. Below is another photo of the dogs back in my sheep field in Thunder Bay. I didn't blog a lot of Caden's baby pics, so thought I'd post a few here.