Broadband Brodie and Tori's new e-mail

Broadband Brodie the high-speed Beagle sent his installation crew to my house! Therefore, I have a new ISP and a new e-mail address. That would be Eloika_vic@q.com so please update your address books!

Recent Graduates!

Congratulations to our recent grads from beginner and intermediate levels!
Marley the GR, Toby the mini-aussie and Magi the GR are proud graduates of Intermediate level! Next step is Advanced and working toward that CGC!


Andrew and Magi have worked hard to conquer intermediate skills!

Ike is one of those little heelers that you just gotta love! He's headed for intermediate class next!

Bandit is just as cute as a button and smart too! He'll be moving up to Intermediate in March!
Congratulations for all your well-spent time in training, everyone!

Godspeed, Duke

Duke, Good Ol' Boy
Duke came to us from WAMAL/CAMEO malamute rescues in 2005. We renamed Prezzie, Karma because we hoped she would bring good karma to my last remaining malamute, Hunter. He was suffering lonely after his mama Gypsy died. Karma was probably 5 or 6 when we got her, so she was a good companion for our old boy. Hunter enjoyed his last couple of years in her care and company. Over time, Karmie's nickname became Duke. "Duke ol' boy's a good ol' boy", I'd tell her. One day I accidentally called her "good boy", and she really liked that. I guess the other dogs all got called "good boy" and she only ever got called "good girl". So the day she finally became a "good boy" was huge for her! Her name and gender was always fun to joke about, we'd sing "Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke's a girl, girl girl" to her and she'd wag and dance.
She was one of those dogs that never even once needed reprimanded. Just a good dog. One summer day I was floating around in the pond in a 1-man inflatable raft and she was so concerned for my safety that she waded out, grabbed my oar and pulled me to shore. She went to the extra length to pull me behind a clump of grass so as not to float out there again! She would also rail at Turbo for swimming. Duke didn't swim, she waded. Anyone who went out beyond good solid footing was crazy in her book and she would tell you all about it. She loved her pond though.
Six weeks ago she was rippin' around playing and healthy considering her 10+ years. Four weeks ago she started limping and a vet visit diagnosed her with an osteosarcoma on her upper arm. Nothing could be done. Her bone cancer was aggressive and took her from us quickly. All we could do was control the pain and get ready to say goodbye.
She went sweetly Tuesday morning. Monday she told me as plainly as she could, "it's just not working for me anymore mom." She enjoyed her ride in the truck, she got to eat half a bag of her favorite treats, her friend the vet came outside for us and administered to her as she lay with her head in my lap, in the pickup bed her aunt Jan on the other side sharing love and stroking her brow.
She's buried out by her pond, next to her buddy Hunter. I chipped out a foot of snow and built a fire to thaw the ground enough so Dennis could dig out her grave. This summer I'm going to plant a pair of holly trees over them (fenced of course so Cody and Turbo don't decimate them).
Cody and Turbo are quiet today, not quite sure how to act without ol' Uncle Duke around to ride herd on them. Dennis and I are sad and we miss her but we know she is not in any more pain.
God bless ya Duke. You were a good old boy. Have fun now, running with the rest of the Lupine Spirit pack and I'll see you when I get there.
Hunter and Duke sharing the love seat
Duke's Happy Duke Face

Hidden Danger: Keep Your Pet Safe from Electric Shock

ASPCA Newsletter Reports:
Winter’s chill may have settled in your neighborhood, but your energetic pooch still wants to go for walks in the great outdoors. Take it slow and steady, pet parents. According to our experts, the danger of stray voltage on city streets can turn a simple stroll into a devastating event for our furry friends.
Most common in northern climes and urban areas, stray voltage occurs when dormant utilities leak excess electricity. Combined with wet streets and salt-based ice melts, this current can shock, injure or even prove fatal for those in its path. “Since salt used to treat icy streets is a great conductor of electricity,” says Dr. Louise Murray, ASPCA Director of Medicine and author of Vet Confidential, “the risk of shock from stray voltage is that much higher during the winter months.” The ASPCA offers the following tips to help you avoid potentially hazardous areas, and advice on what to do if your pet has suffered an electrical shock:

Keep your dog away from metal fixtures, such as lampposts, grates or manhole covers. While these spots may be your pet’s favorite place to relieve himself, they may also conduct hazardous electricity.
Your dog's snazzy, rubber rain boots may look good, but they won't protect your pooch from a strong current. Don’t depend on them to keep your pet safe. Some boots—those with metal studs, for example—may even make the situation worse.
Observe your dog’s behavior. Is he skittish, frightened, angry or upset for no apparent reason? These sudden behavioral changes could be an indication of electric shock.
If your dog is incapacitated due to shock, don’t try to touch or move him without protective gear. Your pooch may pass the current to you, rendering you both incapable of seeking help. Instead, call your local fire department immediately.
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagen...wsalert010909#1

Congratulations, Gretchen & the Boxer Boyz

What a fun class this was, three boistrous boxers; Athos the Mighty, Pugsley, and Brinkley along with Miss Gretchen the German Shepherd. Congratulations to all, and keep up the good work! See you in Intermediate!

Congrats, Grads!

Good job, Lola the Dane, Teddy the Poodle and Buddy the Shepherd X! Hope to see you all moving on into Intermediate soon!

The Winter of 09

Wow, snow, snow and more snow! I want to be sure all my students know that they are welcome to re-start their class if holidays, colds, flu and or weather have kept you home. What with snowstorms, icy roads, holidays, more ice roads and more snowstorms (not to mention that awful cold/flu that's raging around), some of you haven't been able to make it in for weeks! Please don't hesitate to check out the January and February calendars and choose a new date so you and your pup can get the instruction you need and paid for! There is no charge to start fresh, it is my pleasure to offer you the opportunity!
Looking forward to seeing YOU soon!