MY PUPS
Koda- My Old Man
Koda is my sweet, old man. He is a shaded sable, Shetland Sheepdog, born, approximately August of 1998, and weighing about 21#.
He came to me, finally, in February of 2000. I was working at a boarding kennel in May, 1999 when I first meet this cute, bouncy, 10 month old pup. His owner said they just found him wandering the streets, and no one had claimed him. They wanted to place him in a more appropriate home. I had another Sheltie, Trixie, at the time, and thought they would be perfect together. Unfortunately, his owners backed out at the last minute. After my initial sadness, I tried not to think about him. Then, one day out of the blue, eight months later, my boss told me his owners called and wanted to know if I would still wanted him. Of course I did! We set up a meeting, and I took him home for a day to see how he would do with Trixie. They got along fine, as long as Koda realized Trixie was the boss. Within that first meeting I realized there was another issue. Koda wasn't quite the same... He was just much more guarded. I made the mistake of hugging him, and the contact was just too much. He bit me on my ear. Totally my fault! The rest of that day, we realized he was also scared of men. Every time my father would get up or even raise his voice (not directed at Koda), the poor pup would run to the corner. If you so much as raised a piece of paper, Koda would cower. We called his owner, and she said her husband is "a bit hard on the dog, especially when he barks". That was an understatement... We were also told he was generally crated for 10 hours a day. At that point, I never wanted Koda more, and from the day on he was mine.
We all worked on his issue, especially my dad. Over the years, Koda's issues diminish. He blossomed in to a confident, tolerant, polite, "nanny" dog. He was respectful of my older girl, Trixie, up until I had to have her put to sleep in 2002. Koda helped raise my kittens when I got them, always making sure they were clean, and didn't wander too far out of sight. Koda and Odin retained this special relationship. It's not unusual to find the two laying together, even in an open dog crate. Since then, Koda has helped me raise two puppies, Rylee and Pacey. He now gets along with everyone, animal or human. This boy loves being outside. He'll lounge on my deck for hours, only rising to rid the yard of squirrels. He has taught me how much patience and persistence pays off. Now in his golden years, deaf, and requiring medication and special attention , he has never meant more to me!
He came to me, finally, in February of 2000. I was working at a boarding kennel in May, 1999 when I first meet this cute, bouncy, 10 month old pup. His owner said they just found him wandering the streets, and no one had claimed him. They wanted to place him in a more appropriate home. I had another Sheltie, Trixie, at the time, and thought they would be perfect together. Unfortunately, his owners backed out at the last minute. After my initial sadness, I tried not to think about him. Then, one day out of the blue, eight months later, my boss told me his owners called and wanted to know if I would still wanted him. Of course I did! We set up a meeting, and I took him home for a day to see how he would do with Trixie. They got along fine, as long as Koda realized Trixie was the boss. Within that first meeting I realized there was another issue. Koda wasn't quite the same... He was just much more guarded. I made the mistake of hugging him, and the contact was just too much. He bit me on my ear. Totally my fault! The rest of that day, we realized he was also scared of men. Every time my father would get up or even raise his voice (not directed at Koda), the poor pup would run to the corner. If you so much as raised a piece of paper, Koda would cower. We called his owner, and she said her husband is "a bit hard on the dog, especially when he barks". That was an understatement... We were also told he was generally crated for 10 hours a day. At that point, I never wanted Koda more, and from the day on he was mine.
We all worked on his issue, especially my dad. Over the years, Koda's issues diminish. He blossomed in to a confident, tolerant, polite, "nanny" dog. He was respectful of my older girl, Trixie, up until I had to have her put to sleep in 2002. Koda helped raise my kittens when I got them, always making sure they were clean, and didn't wander too far out of sight. Koda and Odin retained this special relationship. It's not unusual to find the two laying together, even in an open dog crate. Since then, Koda has helped me raise two puppies, Rylee and Pacey. He now gets along with everyone, animal or human. This boy loves being outside. He'll lounge on my deck for hours, only rising to rid the yard of squirrels. He has taught me how much patience and persistence pays off. Now in his golden years, deaf, and requiring medication and special attention , he has never meant more to me!
(Bottom) Toujours Jeune Photography 2011
Rylee- My Baby Girl
Rylee is my little lap dog. She is a sable, Italian Greyhound, born on August 17, 2004, and weighing about 9#.
I got Rylee in the worst way ever. I was actually wanting to get a Whippet, a breed more comparable in size to my Sheltie. But, I found an ad in the local paper for IG pups (first mistake). Then decided to just take a look (second mistake). When a friend and I arrived at the house, we should have ran immediately (third mistake)! It was a somewhat run down, old, farmhouse. There were a handful of pit bull type dogs tied to trees and posts in the side yard. I instantly felt bad. Once inside, there was a little puffball in a crate, ready to kill us! Her owner said she was a mini Sheltie (NOT a breed, but a genetic oops), and she was NOT nice, but her owner was going to breed her... Again, I should have just left (fourth mistake), but I hadn't even seen what I came for. This woman then brought out this tiny pup and her mom. Rylee was about the size of a soda can, but that wasn't the first thing I noticed. I saw this geriatric, toothless, skeleton of a dog. It was Rylee's mom... The lady told me her litter was an accident. Rylee's mom, Peaches, was 14 years old. They didn't think Peaches was able to get pregnant at her age, so keeping her with an intact male, seemed fine to them. That was another clue to just walk away (mistake #5). I finally got to take a look at the pup. The back of her neck was covered in scabs. The owner said it was from Peaches picking her up and moving her constantly (with the 3 K9 teeth she had left). I felt so bad for this pup, I just couldn't leave her there at that point. I paid a small fee, and we headed out to the car, only to be stopped by the woman's crying daughter begging me not to take the pup. Really?! No way was I leaving without her, and I got my way (sixth mistake).Rylee was covered in fleas, full of worms, never been to the vet, and the scabs on her neck were so awful looking. My vet could not guarantee the hair on her neck would ever grow back, or that she wouldn't have health problem throughout her life due to her bad start to life. Today Rylee is flourishing! Her neck healed, and the hair did grow back. I did not go about getting a puppy in the right way what so ever. My emotions got the best of me, and though I would never go about getting a dog this way again (nor recommend it to anyone), I'm so glad I made all of those mistakes, and would never take my actions back.
Rylee was an ornery pup! The breed is notorious for being hard to house train, and she lived up to that! Ry was my first puppy I raised on my own. I know I could have done some things differently, but I loved how much I learned from her. Rylee is everyone's best friend, especially if you have a warm lap! She has to sleep under the blankets, and loves playing and running with her little brother, Pacey and the cats. She even takes it upon herself to clean everyone's face, dog or cat. She loves "her" kitties! Especially Simone, the newest addition. They groom each other, and snuggle up together when it's chilly. Unlike most of this breed, Ry is a tough little girl that can really hang with the big dogs! She's got a big personality, but is quite respectful of the furry company that come to stay with us.
I got Rylee in the worst way ever. I was actually wanting to get a Whippet, a breed more comparable in size to my Sheltie. But, I found an ad in the local paper for IG pups (first mistake). Then decided to just take a look (second mistake). When a friend and I arrived at the house, we should have ran immediately (third mistake)! It was a somewhat run down, old, farmhouse. There were a handful of pit bull type dogs tied to trees and posts in the side yard. I instantly felt bad. Once inside, there was a little puffball in a crate, ready to kill us! Her owner said she was a mini Sheltie (NOT a breed, but a genetic oops), and she was NOT nice, but her owner was going to breed her... Again, I should have just left (fourth mistake), but I hadn't even seen what I came for. This woman then brought out this tiny pup and her mom. Rylee was about the size of a soda can, but that wasn't the first thing I noticed. I saw this geriatric, toothless, skeleton of a dog. It was Rylee's mom... The lady told me her litter was an accident. Rylee's mom, Peaches, was 14 years old. They didn't think Peaches was able to get pregnant at her age, so keeping her with an intact male, seemed fine to them. That was another clue to just walk away (mistake #5). I finally got to take a look at the pup. The back of her neck was covered in scabs. The owner said it was from Peaches picking her up and moving her constantly (with the 3 K9 teeth she had left). I felt so bad for this pup, I just couldn't leave her there at that point. I paid a small fee, and we headed out to the car, only to be stopped by the woman's crying daughter begging me not to take the pup. Really?! No way was I leaving without her, and I got my way (sixth mistake).Rylee was covered in fleas, full of worms, never been to the vet, and the scabs on her neck were so awful looking. My vet could not guarantee the hair on her neck would ever grow back, or that she wouldn't have health problem throughout her life due to her bad start to life. Today Rylee is flourishing! Her neck healed, and the hair did grow back. I did not go about getting a puppy in the right way what so ever. My emotions got the best of me, and though I would never go about getting a dog this way again (nor recommend it to anyone), I'm so glad I made all of those mistakes, and would never take my actions back.
Rylee was an ornery pup! The breed is notorious for being hard to house train, and she lived up to that! Ry was my first puppy I raised on my own. I know I could have done some things differently, but I loved how much I learned from her. Rylee is everyone's best friend, especially if you have a warm lap! She has to sleep under the blankets, and loves playing and running with her little brother, Pacey and the cats. She even takes it upon herself to clean everyone's face, dog or cat. She loves "her" kitties! Especially Simone, the newest addition. They groom each other, and snuggle up together when it's chilly. Unlike most of this breed, Ry is a tough little girl that can really hang with the big dogs! She's got a big personality, but is quite respectful of the furry company that come to stay with us.
(Bottom) Toujours Jeune Photography 2011
Pacey- My Sensitive Shadow
Pacey is my cuddle bug. He is a bi-black, Shetland Sheepdog, born Mach, 22 2006, and weighing about 21#.
Pacey was the puppy I was going to get from a breeder "the right way". I met with his breeder at her home to see the pups, looked around her kennel, met the parents, and so on. I even took a friend to be an unbiased opinion. My mind was made up as soon as I saw this little boy at 6 weeks old. A few weeks later, he was mine! Physically, Pace did not turn out how I had hoped and been told he would. I made different mistakes in getting him, ones that I have learned from again, and will hopefully never repeat.
As a pup and young adult, Pacey lived up to his name... The boy never sat still! He was also shy with most people, and really acted the opposite of my past Shelties, despite constant socialization. This boy may not be perfect, but every day I feel a stronger connection with him. Over the years, Pacey kept all the good qualities, and the less desirable ones just seem to fade away. Pacey and Rylee had a close connection from the start. They play together, sleep together and even eat right next to each other. He loves chasing his sister around the yard. Pace is great with cats, but his favorite is Izzy. She actually picked him after only being here for a couple days.
Pacey has matured into a wonderful dog, that I wouldn't give up for anything. He has become a calm, love bug. Recently, we've started taking obedience classes, are we both are having so much fun with them! He loves curling up on or by my feet, and just seem to know when I'm not feeling my best. Pacey is the best companion and friend I could have asked for.
Pacey was the puppy I was going to get from a breeder "the right way". I met with his breeder at her home to see the pups, looked around her kennel, met the parents, and so on. I even took a friend to be an unbiased opinion. My mind was made up as soon as I saw this little boy at 6 weeks old. A few weeks later, he was mine! Physically, Pace did not turn out how I had hoped and been told he would. I made different mistakes in getting him, ones that I have learned from again, and will hopefully never repeat.
As a pup and young adult, Pacey lived up to his name... The boy never sat still! He was also shy with most people, and really acted the opposite of my past Shelties, despite constant socialization. This boy may not be perfect, but every day I feel a stronger connection with him. Over the years, Pacey kept all the good qualities, and the less desirable ones just seem to fade away. Pacey and Rylee had a close connection from the start. They play together, sleep together and even eat right next to each other. He loves chasing his sister around the yard. Pace is great with cats, but his favorite is Izzy. She actually picked him after only being here for a couple days.
Pacey has matured into a wonderful dog, that I wouldn't give up for anything. He has become a calm, love bug. Recently, we've started taking obedience classes, are we both are having so much fun with them! He loves curling up on or by my feet, and just seem to know when I'm not feeling my best. Pacey is the best companion and friend I could have asked for.
(Both) Toujours Jeune Photography 2011
Dharma- My Part Time Pup
Dharma is my energetic, intelligent, "baby" of the pack. She is a bi-black Border Collie mix, born June 13, 2008, weighing about 40#.
Dharma is my boyfriend's dog, and does not live with me. She is the reason he and I started seeing each other over three years ago. I actually felt bad for him because he was somewhat clueless when it came to such and energetic and intelligent pup, and offered some advice and help training her. Dharma was quite a stinker at times when she was younger. She destroyed countless items, lacked any manners and was toy crazed. Through the years, and hours of work, her demeanor has greatly changed. She is so intelligent, and learns new tricks with ease. She also knows many of her toys by name. She gets along well with other pets, but thinks she's too good to play with them. She is very much a "people dog". Even though Dharma doesn't live with me, she is very much my dog as well as my boyfriend's. She does come to visit some days for the socialization and extra attention. Dharma has made me realize how hard work and persistence can bring out such a wonderful dog!
Dharma is my boyfriend's dog, and does not live with me. She is the reason he and I started seeing each other over three years ago. I actually felt bad for him because he was somewhat clueless when it came to such and energetic and intelligent pup, and offered some advice and help training her. Dharma was quite a stinker at times when she was younger. She destroyed countless items, lacked any manners and was toy crazed. Through the years, and hours of work, her demeanor has greatly changed. She is so intelligent, and learns new tricks with ease. She also knows many of her toys by name. She gets along well with other pets, but thinks she's too good to play with them. She is very much a "people dog". Even though Dharma doesn't live with me, she is very much my dog as well as my boyfriend's. She does come to visit some days for the socialization and extra attention. Dharma has made me realize how hard work and persistence can bring out such a wonderful dog!
(Bottom) Toujours Jeune Photography 2011