Long-Dangerous Tails

Photos taken by Tiffany with her little point-and-shoot camera

Duluth Ariel Lift Bridge

Canal Park

Bike Rentals along the Lake Walk

Diving off of “Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum.”

Ariel lift bridge at night

Fountain at Lief Erickson Park

The entrance to the beautiful St. Scholasticia Campus

The Norse Nook

Julenisse

Girls

Boys

Honor Guard at Dad’s Funeral

Family Picture

Nephew Forrest and the baby, Jill.

Chopper passed the ATTS “Temperament Test” this morning at the Falconhurst Police K9 Corps in Saginaw, MI under Sergeant AJ Slaughter III. Sgt. Slaughter said this was the first time he has done this test and had only working breeds show up (yikes! pressure). Chopper was the only dog not a “working” dog (all the others do SchH and/or police work) and not part of Sgt. Slaughter’s club. I may be biased, but I think she blew most of the others out of the water! Especially the “footing” test where the dog has to loose leash walk (with NO command given) over a long strip of plastic and some weird metal grating on the ground. Several of the other dogs either leaped off the material or simply refused to walk on it. She followed me across with no commands or coaxing, never flinched, and even sniffed the material, which Sgt. Slaughter scores highly because the dogs are supposed to show interest in the objects being tested. She also took the gun fire like a champ even though we had to stand with our backs to the gun in the blind only a few feet away. When we finished and she did her “platz” to wait for our score, I looked back at the gate and this guy with big tough Rottweilers gave us a big thumbs up. Several club members commented on her temperament and obedience. One member in particular mentioned knowing Mos and told everyone how taken he was with Funny (said he saw her at MSU?). He affirmed that Julie is a very reputable breeder with top quality dogs. We already know that though!!

I am very, very pleased with Chopper. This is a big accomplishment for her because unlike our obedience titles, this test was ALL on her. There was no obedience involved and no real training that could have been done. I was not allowed to look at her, touch her, talk to her, or command her in any way during the test. Sgt. Slaughter said she is calm and reserved, but not at all nervy or aggressive. She investigated on her own the objects she was supposed to show interest in, she approached the friendly strangers in a friendly and attentive manner, she stood her ground during the noise tests and did not spook, and she remained alert and controlled when I was approached by an aggressive stranger.

So now she is U-CH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop RA RN HIT TDI (3x)CGC TT

She likes Sgt. Slaughter

I’ve had Chopper for almost a year now and she has earned six new titles/certificates. Our new goals are the RE in Rally, CD in AKC obedience, FO in UKC Dog Sport, and the big bad BH in Schutzhund. After Julie’s agility trial next weekend, we will be taking a break from training and shows but I hope to pick up again in the fall and work on those titles in that order.

This is Rudi! He is the first Jimmy x Funny pup to go to his new home, owned by Peter and Julie of Naples Florida. These pictures were taken by professional photographers Jen and Mark Shepard of Shephard Image Works Elkhart, IN. These are two amazing photographers!

photo by Mark Shephard Shephard Image Works

photo by Mark Shephard Shephard Image Works

photo by Mark Shephard Shephard Image Works

photo by Jen Shephard Shephard Image Works

photo by Jen Shephard Shephard Image Works

photo by Jen Shephard Shephard Image Works

photo by Jen Shephard Shephard Image Works

Help they are conspiring against me! I believe they are telling me I need to loose weight and or get in shape, this is why.
Last night they discovered a new way to bite, grab a hunk of flesh and let the muscles slip through and chomp on the fat left over. Just as if you were measuring how much fat you have. This, I discovered, is much more sensitive then say simply biting muscle and all. After they tired of tormenting me, they were on to the next thrill. Climbing stairs. After all three pups were upstairs I had to follow them up, we went and visited Mos for some Iams biscuits. When it was time to go to bed. I carried two down, at their size that is all I could carry. Put them downstairs ran up and get the third. Up come the first two, so I run down and put down the third pup run up to get the other two…yes you guessed it - the lone puppy charges back up the stairs. This became the game. I was running up and down as fast as I could trying to end up with three puppies downstairs and the puppies were running up the stairs as fast as they could so that would not happen!
I was determined to win and so they were they! After getting winded and sweaty, I decided we played the game long enough, so instead of putting them in the room at the bottom of the stairs I put them back into their room with some yummy treats.
Of course I knew from the start that the pups were playing with me—but went along with their game to see how it would play out. I am also saying that as my own personal affirmation that I am smarter then these puppies…..so I want to think.

I almost need to start a separate category for Charlene and all of her wins, brags, and titles.  here is the latest news from Charlene and her menagerie:

NADAC agility trial in Ohio: Schipperke Luna finished her versatility NATCH, the biggest title of her career!

GSD Ostara earned her first agility Q June 28 at NODT, 1st place Q in L1 jumpers.

Monday was Coke’s second birthday so Phil got off work to come to our agility classes.  This meant I could finally take some pictures of the dogs riding in the car.  Chopper LOVES riding in the car, I’ve always wanted to get pics of her smiling.  Since it was Coke’s special day, we let him keep his head out the window, even though he keeps his eyes shut!

V Jimmy von Arminius 2000 SchH3 IP3 FH1 RH1 KKL1a CGC - Hips and Elbows Normal ZW 74