I heard from Bev at Leader Dog today, Kodiak (Hoss-Funny) was assigned to his blind person today. For the next 28 days Kodiak will be preparing for his new home, person, and job. Please keep Kodiak in your prayers and thoughts for success.
From Katherine with Future Leader Dog Wilson (Gorbi – Allie):
Hi. As I’d hoped Joan (class instructor) is delighted with Wilson and uses him for demo in class. The new question we’re getting everywhere we go is that all insist he’s going to be the size of a Newfie, because his paws are bigger than my adult Shepherd’s paws. Typically Shepherds are somewhat scrawny and gangly looking at this age (at least what I see at the shelter) and Wilson has such a healthy build. Could you provide me an intelligent response as to his build and how big he should get for when I’m out and about? Somedays I can’t get 10 feet at a time:) I’m still trying to come up with a winning Christmas card photo idea for him…
From Gail Roderick:
Ike finished his CDX in Kalamazoo this past weekend! We’re 1/2 way to utility….hope to finish that in the fall. I was showing with a nice lady with one of your dogs…Rinny. Rinny qualified on Saturday, but Ike was the only one who finished his title Sunday. Rinny is a nice worker. Ike is a hoot…he works like a puppy in training and classes, but get him to a trial and he puts out exactly the bare minimum to qualify. I had both the judges in Kalamazoo in stitches….Ike heels nicely, bolts from my side on the retrieves and then returns to me like he’s walking through quick sand. Then, he fronts and looks up at me like he’s a star! Kudos to Ky for Ike’s beauty and soundness at 9 1/2 years of age.
Best of training to Kodiak! I am sure he will do well and soon be leading his new human around by the nose! These darn 24K dogs tend to be able to do that you know!
On Arwen – Julie send her out to me!!!! I need some more hair in my house that color, poor Bronson is getting a bad rap with my two girls that help clean the house! It seems they can single out his dust bunnies… How is that for a reason why I should have her??? Judy – ya got a problem with that??? I did not think so.
Congrats to Ike on the CDX and ya you go Ike for that UD!
On Lucy – Thank you to everyone for the wonderful comments on her, she is a very special girl in so many ways. Some one asked what do I use on her coat? Not much other than a lot of brushing and combing. It took me a month of every day grooming section by section to remove all the spay coat, basically just combing her with a fine tooth comb with a rubber band weaved through the teeth and a little use of a coat king. I did trim her underline so that she would have leg but the rest is all natural minus the normal ears and feet.
Bronson started a clicker training class Monday night and is the biggest puppy in the class! Not the oldest but the biggest, for now we do have a English Mastiff in the class. Bronson also has the biggest mouth too. Why is it Julie that the ones I get always have a mouth???? He and George are both learning, it was fun to watch them – Bronson keyed on the treat hand very fast and consequently got fewer treats than any of the others in class in the beginning but by the end of the class he figured it out. The goal for George and Bronson for this class is for them to be able to work as a team happily and be ready to start a rally class this summer. Just easy baby stuff for Bronson this spring and summer… George too.
Well that is the this and that from here in Oregon where it’s beginning to rain again…
It is a great gift that you give to folks by donating pups to be future Leader Dogs. Pups from Alta-Tollhaus have the Right Stuff to become Leader dogs. It starts out with a conscientious breeder who knows what she’s doing selecting intelligent, healthy breeding stock and ends with some fabulous puppies. In between, there is a lot of love and dedication.
I’ve followed Kodiak’s path so far, I’m certain that he will be successful—no problem keeping Kodiak & Wilson in my thoughts and prayers.
Congratulations to Gail & Ike and Elaine & Rinny for continuing to compete with their boys. Ky was a handsome and intelligent GSD. I have no doubt that his kids follow in his footsteps.