4-23-09 - All the Page pups are gone to their new homes now except the little girl (Sprite) I kept for myself. I would consider placing her in just the right home if the right situation came along. She is pretty high energy and loves to work. She already knows to come when called, sits, spins, drops and stands. Housebreaking is progressing very well and she runs to the back door to go outside. She would need to have a home that wants to do some obedience or agility work. She is a lot like her gramma, Ruffian. She does everything FAST.

I have added a new picture of the little red collar girl (Salsa) who is now named Page. She went to some new friends in Amarillo to do agility and obedience. Two of the boys and one girl (Tiger - now Boomer; Sailor - now Eli; and Blush - now Ellie) went to homes in Nebraska. Sunny (now called Kirby) stayed here in OKC and I hope to see him soon at puppy kindergarten classes.

4-20-09 - Just got back from a WONDERFUL grooming seminar presented by Eric Strickland. The seminar was hosted by the Wheatland Golden Retriever Club in Goddard, Kansas (just west of Wichita). I wasn't sure this seminar would be worth the time and the weekend away from home. However, it was amazing. I learned so much! Although I didn't have all the right tools to work with, I still was able to do a lot of hands-on work with Ruffian. Of course between grooming sessions we went out an ran blinds in the big field behind the facility. I highly recommend attending one of these seminars, or purchase his DVD. Although it is primarily directed toward show grooming, there is plenty of information there for anyone with a Golden (and the DVD quality is perfect!). Eric's website is www.stricklandsensations.com

4-6-09 - The first of the Page pups went to their new homes this past weekend. The only thing that makes it possible for me to let them go is that I know they are in great hands. I still shed a tear or two as each one leaves, but the pictures and updates make it better! I do still have a boy and a girl not spoken for. Feel free to contact me for more information.

Last Thursday and Friday we went to the Wichita, Kansas shows. Exciting stuff in the conformation ring as my friend Sharon Bolton finished a Championship on her girl Nessie. It has been a long time coming with this beautiful girl! I showed Tally in Open B and Utility B in hopes of adding a UDX leg or two however, one little glitch in Utility each day and that idea went out the window! These were her first shows of the season so hopefully in the next few weeks we will see some legs coming her way. Cedric was shown by his new friend Kari Smith at the Specialty and was a little too happy in the ring on the first go-round. He was leaping up in the air and trotting WAY too fast to look good. Once he settled down he looked much better, but by then the judge's opinion was made. The following day he did place 3rd in a very competitive Open Dog class of about 20 dogs.

3-9-09 - Exciting news from one of the "Ruff" pups (Sinclair x Ruffian). At the Garden City shows Pam Lyford and her boy "Guess" qualified in Novice B all three days to earn their CD title! They even won the class on Sunday. Congrats to Pam & Guess!

3-6-09 - Bunch of new photos of the page pups on their page!

3-6-09 Last night I introduced the page pups to the concept of drinking water from a bowl. Well – really I introduced them to the concept of there being a bowl of water in the pen with them. Drinking will hopefully come in the next day or two.
First Sunny stepped three of his four feet into the little bowl and stood stock still. Frozen. In shock (probably) from the cold water. Then he lifted the one foot that was not IN the bowl and shook it. Nope. That didn’t help anything. You could literally hear the little wheels grinding. How to solve this dilemma? Finally another puppy pushed their way into the bowl and once he had a 2nd foot on “dry land” he was able to move out of the water.
Meanwhile Sprite had walked over and dunked her entire nose into the water – trying to touch the bottom of the bowl, perhaps? Of course snorting and headshaking followed the dunking. She did eventually lap at the surface of the water instead of trying to drink from the bottom of the bowl.
Tiger was fascinated by the side of the bowl – perhaps seeing his reflection there. He laid down next to it and licked at it. Eventually someone stepped on his head so he had to move.
Nearly everyone ended the experience with at least one limb (or their entire muzzle) soaking wet too. And I think a little water actually got consumed.
Up into my lap for a cuddle (and a towel dry) and trim some toenails while I am at it (Shelby really appreciates that!).
This afternoon we will try some soft food (real food made into mush!).
Ah, what fun!

2-3-09 Shelby had 6 beautiful babies today. Three boys, Three girls. Pretty big heads, blond coats. All are healthy and happy. Shelby is being a great mom. Took her a bit to figure out what was going on, but now she has settled down perfectly.

I have given them puppy names according to their collar colors: The boys are Sunny (yellow); Sailor (blue) and Tiger (black). The girls are Salsa (red); Blush (pink) and Sprite (lime green).

2-2-09 - Shelby is expecting pups any day sired by Cedric. I didn't think she would have very many as it seemed like FOREVER after the breeding before she started to look pregnant. However, now she looks like a little burro with a big belly. She is not a very big girl and is very "great with child". Bless her heart she only sleeps in short periods now because she can't seem to get comfortable. Of course that means I don't get much sleep either - we are up and down most nights and every time she even pants I wake up! I look forward to seeing what she will produce - this litter has me excited! Shelby has the best hip rating (PennHip) that I have ever had and is a really neat little girl. And one of the reasons I brought Cedric to live with me was because of the possibilities of breeding him to her!

2-2-09 - As you can tell, I am a terrible "blogger". Tally's litter of spring 2008 didn't take either and for her own health we spayed her. Disappointing for me as I didn't keep a puppy out of her one and only litter and she is my only breedable Target daughter - I guess it just wasn't meant to be.

3-4-08 - Just updated my plans for Tally's upcoming litter. Since last year didn't work out for her, we are trying again with Tate. Look for the information under the "Puppies" category.

12-17-07
More title updates

9-24-07
Added some updated titles to some dogs and some updated photos too.
Also added the information on Tally's upcoming litter under the "Puppies" category. Added pictures of Tate (the sire) as well.
A few months ago I wrote a tribute to Target who died June 19. However, something happened when I tried to save it and it was lost to cyberspace. I just haven't been able to re-create that. I am sure one day I will, it still just hurts too much to go there.

2-9-07

First time back on the site in awhile. Just added a new photo on the Ruff pups page. I took a few snaps of Kamper and added one of his pictures to the site. Enjoy!
I would love to add other pictures as my pup people send them to me. One of my favorite things is seeing my babies with their owners enjoying life.

11-20-06

Whew - the COGRC 2-day Specialty show is over. Lots of work but loads of FUN! I am always so proud of my litle local club for putting on such a wonderful event.

Target gathered another 2 RAE legs. He had 2 perfect scores of 100; 1 score of 99 then I screwed up and we scored an 89 (his lowest ever). He had a great time hanging out in his x-pen with his cushy bed visiting with passersby. He spent some quality time loving on his best friend Dee Wright while I walked course. Dee was very instrumental in Target's early training and he is drawn to her like a moth to a flame!

Tally heeled beautifully but had issues with the drop and the jumps in Open the first day. She improved the second day but still NQd in Open because she went around the high jump. Sigh. In her debut in Rally she earned a first with a perfect score the first day and was second with a 95 the second day.

After all the loading up and taking down was finished on Sunday I went over to temperament test the Bee Babies. I hadn't seen my girls in a few days and enjoyed the time with them. They are such characters and at such a cute age! I will be glad to have them back home with me for another week before they go to their new homes.

The temperament tests are always an interesting window on the tendencies a dog will have later in training. They are not hard fast rules, but rather generalizations about social attraction, retrieving, willingness and forgiveness among other qualities. We have used a slightly modified "Volhard" method for years. Despite having run a marathon earlier in the day, Sharon Bolton was kind enough to host our little group and be the tester for the event.  Thank goodness there were only 3 pups because we were all exhausted!


11-14-06

Newest Additions to the Website include this page - I won't promise daily updates but think of it as my blog - or something like that!

I added "The Bee Babies" page under Dogs We Have Bred. Look at those cute little puppy pictures!

I have decided that no new toys need to be purchased for my puppies. They have more fun playing with things like my empty cottage cheese container and last night's newest addition - the 1/2 gallon soy milk carton (rinsed and dried of course). It is such fun to watch them go from cautious (oooh what is dis strange thing) to crazy (look - if I pick it up and swing my head, the carton whacks my sisters! Fun!).

Monday night was the last night of COGRC's obedience classes until after the first of the year. I have had a great group of students this session and have enjoyed watching them progress. They all took their CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test and all passed!!!! I was like a nervous mother watching that! Congrats to Shelly & Rusty, Angela & Opal, Mike & Maggie and Jan and Lauren!