Getting ready....SUCKS

Once a year I take a few days and head up to the house in Traverse City, MI. We usually go up the week of the 4th of July but we are heading up later in July this year.

It takes me about a month to get everything in order so I can leave. I am usually a nervous wreck the whole time I am gone.

I have two people coming to check and care for the sheep/chickens and 2 other people coming to take care of the dogs. I have to make sure there is PLENTY of clean beds, (not that they do not know how to use the washer) but Iwant it to be easy for them. I need a stock pile of food, treats, instructions, ect.

I make sure everything is scrubbed down and cleaned, including the house. I hate coming home to a dirty mess. So in this heat getting the farm ready for me to leave really sucks right now.

It's always about the weather

You will never hear me complain about it being to hot. The hotter the better for me. But, you have to understand I am 5'2" and about 110 lbs. So not much there. It also works the other way as well, no insulation and i am always freezing.

Today was very pleasant and comfortable. I decided to open the windows and doors for the dogs and just have the fans on. The last few days the air has been struggling to keep all the kids cool. I think they are happier and healthier when they get lots of fresh air and can come in to cool down after a tough day of being a dog.

So today is a nice break for them

Bow Wow out :)

Burns my butt :(

I will be the first to admit when i am bored I do lurk at other people's websites. Like breeders of dogs and sheep. Sometimes cats and horses but mostly dogs. One thing that really gets me hot under the collar is when people use AKC Championships as their selling points when their dogs are either 1) not even AKC registered 2) Not an AKC Champion 3) not even out of 1st or 2nd generation AKC Champions or 4) uses someone else's accomplishments to promote them because they own a 4th cousin once removed of an AKC Champion dog. UUGGHHH

And the reason why I get so upset is I have a DROP DEAD GORGEOUS PUFF female named Sable who has been out showing for 2 years now. She is the correct puff cresteds but just needs a major to get her AKC Championship. Now a Major is when you beat at one time 10 dogs or more. So in order to beat that many dogs there has to be that many entered. So you don't know how many until you enter. This is what we call in the dog show world chasing a major. I counted and I have entered 34 shows that I did not go to because there was less then the 10 dogs I needed so at $30 a pop that adds up.

Now i have Sable this weekend with Mary at $75 a day plus boarding plus mileage at the MI shows and as far as I knew the major held. Until I saw 2 people did not show up. HOW frustrating. Unless you are a true show person you have no idea how much time, money and effort goes into an AKC Champion and for others to use them like candy when they are not even earned is sickening.

Bow Wow Out :)

New Chinese Crested Puppies Born

There has been lots of buzz and anticipation of this litter just born today. Lyric who is a red hairless female (the full litter mate to "FEZ") just had her litter. So far there are 4 cute little babies.

The dad is the Shambala male "Boeey" who I use often on my girls since he produces very nice puppies.

Lyric started in labor around 7 am and had her first puppy around 9. I am not sure if she is done But if she only has 4 I will be OK with that. I would like to see healthy puppies even if it is only 1 over a lot of unhealthy ones.

The run down is Black and tan hairless female, black spotted hairless female, black and tan puff female & black and tan puff male.

I will post more info and pictures soon.

Bow Wow out :)

Winnie the non-crested

Most of you know I have a Pyrenean Shepherd to help with the sheep. She is 15 months old so still pretty young. Until she matures in the head we figured go ahead and get her AKC Championship and have some fun with her in the ring.

She has been a Champion since Memorial day and went this weekend with my handler Mary Norton-Augustus. Mary and I share the handling of both Winnie and Sable the Crested. Depending on the show and location. Winnie kicked some herding behind by so far taking a GRP 2 over the # 13 overall all breed dog an Australian Shepherd. SO I am crossing my fingers for today in hopes for another big win.

When I brought Winnie home, not ever having this breed, I questioned what I was doing. But now having been with her since September I have no regrets. Her breeder has done a wonderful job on her and I Hope years down the road I can produce a PS as nice as Winnie.

Bow Wow Out!!

The Dog days of Summer

Today is the same as any other day. Lots of work to be done. Even though it is nice and warm outside I still have tons of things that need done everyday.

I do dog laundry everyday at least 2 to 4 loads. I have my own washer and dryer just for the dogs. Each dog or puppy has its own bed or pad to sleep on and there is always accidents in the morning so i try to keep up on it, but sometimes it gets backed up. My washer can only hold so many dog beds :)

Floor is swept and mopped, everyone gets breakfast, played with, brushed out, ect. That is a daily thing 365 days a week.

Today they will have to go "night night" early since I have my foot surgery and will need to rest the remainder of the night. I am sure they wont mind. The air will be on and so will the TV so they can relax the evening away. Sorry i have not posted in a while just been super busy and my blog seems to get pushed farther back on my list of things to do.

I have new puppy pics and videos I will be uploading on the website so check them out later today.

Bow Wow out :)

Scoop on the Poop

Been a few days since I blogged. I guess I have been too busy :) Also not feeling all that well. Tim came home from the house in Traverse City with the flu and I got it, but not as bad. He is still really coughing and sounds horrible. I just got the nose, eyes and throat of it. So far.

Dogs are enjoying the nice days. I love when they can be out laying around just being dogs. We had our Donkey's hoofs done on Sat. and I tossed the cut hoof pieces to the girls. They love things that are stinky and gross to chew on. So they chill outside knawing on thier treats.

I got Winnie's AKC Champion Cert. In the mail yesterday. She is now official. I guess work on her Grand CH and get her ranked. She is going out with Mary most of the summer since it is hard for me to leave the farm for days at a time. Mary loves her and really enjoys showing. I will take her out to the local shows but anything over an hour she goes with her.

Other than that not much happening. It is a raining drab day today and I should be working on my book. I am about a third of the way done. I need motivation :)

Bow wow out !!