well we sorta all knew THIS would happen!
 BUT not the way you all think!  Our hearts were sunk last August (viewtopic.php?f=16&t=34519)  We knew when Amber would retire lovely Virginia, Mady's mum, if she was interested in rehoming her, she'd have to come live with us. SO...  Virginia has moved in with us: She is already settling into her new digs   Having fun with Mady  Now I know many of you will be disappointed, you were hoping and expecting us to finally succumb and get a puppy.  Someday we'll get a baby sister or brother for Mady, 2012 is just not the year for it. Mady still plays so well with Virginia, and the thought of Virginia moving to some stranger's family, we just couldn't stand it. We had to have her, and at 6 years old she still has a lot of life and fun to, er,  What's that? I think I see something by Virginia's legs  It's all blurry I can't really... OMG   A PUPPY!!!! WHERE did that come from? Why the little devil, it must have been a stowaway in mum's coat!!!   Well what are we going to do with this little stowaway? It's too far to Amber's...  I guess we will just have to keep it and give her a name!!    So, introducing Mady's new baby sister, Blueshire's Amazing Grace!!!  (a puppy from Virginia and Fritz, same parents as Mady)   Mady checking out her new baby sister:    Gracie checking out her new home  Virginia and Gracie  Yeah ok ok, she had me at "woof" at Amber's     And in retrospect, I should have looked more closely at that new fuzzy "steering wheel warmer" on the drive home...   She is so freaking cute!!!     It's been a VERY long day!   WE have tripled she sheepdogs in our house!!! WE are now outnumbered by sheepies!!! MY GOD WHAT HAVE WE DONE????  ("WE ARE SHEEPIE, YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED")  |
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| O. M. G. Ill come up with a more articulate comment later  , promise! |
 yea gads! It's a two-fer!! It's a BOGO! Love the Subaru fuzzy wheel cover option! Taking Virginia made perfect sense to me......nice adult dog who knows where the door is for pee breaks. But a puppy too? Insanity?? Probably but sometimes that's a good thing. I hope Mady accepts this HUGE change in her lifestyle.......did you really consult her? |
| WOW!!!! I am soooo happy for all of you!!!  Mady must be over the moon. Her mommy gets to live with her, and she has her very own baby sister!  You guys are the best sheepie parents a dog could hope for. Congratulations on your new additions!!! We need more pictures!!!! Daily pictures at least, hourly would be better.  |
| WHAT??? Congratulations! How wonderful Virginia gets to be part of your family! And sweet Grace, oh that face. David, you are not only outnumbered by sheepies, but by girls too! So happy for you all, peg & howie |
| AMAZING~~~~ (BUT...not surprising) I am so happy for both of you!!! And Grace and Virginia~~~AND MADY!!!! I cannot wait to meet Mady's mom and little sis AT SHEEPIEPALOOZA!!!!! AND~~~  don't even THINK about NOT coming this year!!! It is your duty to bring those 2 beautiful sheepie and the sheepie baby so they can meet ALL of their 'people'......!!! hugggs to ALL............................................  |
| I had a suspicion you two were up to something this last month or so! Congratulations!!! Pretty special to have mama and two of her babies! |
| CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm so envious; you got TWO new sheepies!!! I'm so happy for you guys!!!! |
| OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was shouting out to dh what you did. I am in total SHOCK! I knew eventually Mady would get a baby but....Wow...first time no words will fit....Just WOW!!!!!!! |
| WOW WOW WOW WOW Let me re-read first. I need to make sure I wasn't imagining things. Man, you sure know how to tell a story!!! Congratulations on expanding your family! Mady must be thrilled to have new furry family members. You must be in heaven surrounded by all these beautiful girls~ |
| Oh WOW WOW WOW is right. I so did not see that one coming. Congratulations! You are now officially outnumbered. The only thing left is the new kitchen! |
| Aahhh thats sssooooo awesome!!! congrats you two! |
| WOW WOW WOW! I am so impressed!! That is huge and awesome and incredibly well-told. Hilarious to see her little legs peeking from behind Virginia. AMAZING. |
| I second Laurel's OMG!!! There's no one here to shout to, so I'm fair bursting. Probably a good thing, I'm at a loss for words. |
Just looking at the pics AGAIN.  And thinking lucky you bought that nice spacious car for Mady. I bet it ain't so spacious now when all the family pile in. |
| Oh you little stinkers!!!!!!!!!! And the best part............. Triple the sheepies means triple the pictures!!!!!!  |
| Hahaha! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post! I've checked through Ru's hair... definitely no puppies in there Please take more photos! |
       no words here |
| You have been nominated for "Sheepie Daddy of the Year" |
| We made it through the first night. No accidents so far in the house. Crate training started and is going well. Virginia seems a bit miffed that we bought a new bed since she was last here and it is too high to jump on. I am quite happy NOT to share my bed (I let David sleep there out of pity ) but what do you bet that David goes out and buys her some stairs soon? One thing that we did not expect was the honour guard escorting us outside for every pee and poop break. They don't play, they seem to know that it is serious business. They just supervise. I tried to tell them that we HAD done this before.  An aspect that I am enjoying immensely is that I am so much more confident this time. With Mady I was a nervous mama (she had the hiccups on the drive home and I thought they were seizures-I don't know how Amber coped with my phone calls in those early days-she was so kind and respectful but she must have been giggling when she hung up. Breeders are a special, err, breed.) With Gracie I just feel confident. I wonder if it is the same with mothers of human babies with the second child. You all know how much thought we put into this decision (probably too much thought, really). Thanks to Dawn for her quiet sneaky support as we decided-her responses to my concerns helped put my mind at ease. HUGE thank yous to Amber. We spent the weekend with her and Steve and their kids (and dogs and cats, of course). I wish they lived closer, they are very easy to spend time with. I also wish that they would have let us take their kids in addition to Virginia and Gracie but they said no. |
| Congrats!!! It looks like you have a very full and fuzzy house now |
| Well...... You two have certainly jumped in with both feet, into the deep end, into the polar bears swim... Congratulations... I think.... So, now it is time to start growing out Virginia's coat and getting Gracie to grow hers as well as keeping Mady's up to its usual standards... How much will Kim take on? Or is David now the full time designated groomer???? And you are going to have to get a better tub.... more brushes combs.... an industrial vacuum cleaner (On EACH FLOOR of the house) and.... Seriously though congratulations and enjoy the new phase of your Bobtail journey guys. Keep us updated on how things are going with both Gracie and Virginia. Enjoy lots. Carl |
| This is the best news ever. |
| I figure they'll just take their dogs to the groomer now, Carl. |
| ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, you weren't sure if you could handle TWO OES, so you figured THREE would be better??!!! Absolutely, makes perfect sense. Actually, three is a great number. Loved the way you sprung this on us and great pics! Haven't laughed this hard in I don't remember! Have fun!! Oh, wait... are we SHOWING this one...? Kristine |
SheepieBoss wrote: I figure they'll just take their dogs to the groomer now, Carl. And just what might you be implying Susan? |
rdf wrote: I had a suspicion you two were up to something this last month or so! Congratulations!!! Pretty special to have mama and two of her babies! Well, I admit we had been planning all along since September at the latest to get Virginia IF Amber decided to find a new home for her. So that was a done deal unless Amber changed her mind (which would have been fine, and Amber, you can still change your mind, we'd understand, it must be so hard to give up your babies like this, and we hadn't realize that Virginia was only the 2nd of your dogs you retired to a new home). But the puppy... That was the agonizing part, we had no intention to get one of Virginia's pups (except the occasional wishful thought "wouldn't it be nice to have one of Virginia's pups...?). The lists of reasons against a puppy were legion: The timing is terrible for a puppy. We were confident we could handle Mady and Virginia, but three dogs is a LOT (which we experienced with Morgan and Virginia in August). Money is tight after our trip to Europe. Our car is great for 2 sheepies, 3 will be a squeeze. But, the heart wants what the heart wants If this puppy was a puppy from ANY other of Amber's, i.e. not from Virginia AND Fritz, we wouldn't have gotten a puppy. Because I've met enough of Amber's dogs now, she breeds stunners, so I always knew that 2-3 years down the road, we can always get a wonderful puppy from Amber. The difference is, this was another Virginia-Fritz girl, same as Mady, and from the LAST ever Virginia-Fritz litter. Our last chance for a baby sister for Mady from Virgnia-Fritz. Still we agonized, after the litter was born, many calls and emails to Amber saying "we just don't know, we just don't know". Amber was very patient with our paralyzed decision making, and up to a week before Christmas, I was still leaning 75-25 against it, the puppies were almost 6 weeks old, and Amber said we had to decide. I was about to call Amber and say "no, it breaks our hearts, but no". And I couldn't do it. Just couldn't. Called her and said YES! Once we decided yes, we have just been feeling so happy, deeply happy. We knew if we passed up this chance, we would regret it and be sad for a very long time. Hell, what's another sheepie right? (just 2 more hours of grooming per week, more $$ for vets and food and activities, more poop to pick up etc. etc. <hyperventilating, breathebreathebreathe!>)Several other interesting things about Gracie. We are "co-owning" Gracie with Amber, and we will look at showing her! Hopefully with a lot of help from Amber!  So her training will be a bit different than Mady's, and it means I gotta be good about the grooming from the get-go! ( ) And she wont be spayed then either obviously.We love her! She's a complete doll! She also reminds us so much of Mady! But I know she will be her own dog too! |
| O.M.G.!!!! Congrats!! Your house is even more full of Sheepie cuteness |
| WHAT A FANTASTIC INTRO!!! HOLY Congratulations!! |
Baba wrote: [So, introducing Mady's new baby sister, Blueshire's Amazing Grace!!! (a puppy from Virginia and Fritz, same parents as Mady) Okay this one might be more for Amber than David and Kim but.... This photo shows Gracie has an almost identical splash on her right stiffle to the one that Virgil Tiberius does. A splash which is very typical of Tarawood dogs. So, does and if so where in Gracie's pedigree does Blueshire cross with Tarawood (or just possibly Barvan as Tarawood and Barvan were so closely intertwined)? Diane hasn't bred for a number of years now so it must be at least 2 generations back - probably more. Couldn't help but notice and therefore wonder. Thanks and Cheers Carl |
| HOLY BUCKETS!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Amazing Grace is a great name! That too, was my Gracies name. How is Mady handling all the attention being given to Virginia and Gracie? I am very excited for all of you! At least with 2 bigs and a small, you will grow into the 3rd big |
Baba wrote: Hell, what's another sheepie right? (just 2 more hours of grooming per week, more $$ for vets and food and activities, more poop to pick up etc. etc. <hyperventilating, breathebreathebreathe!>)Several other interesting things about Gracie. We are "co-owning" Gracie with Amber, and we will look at showing her! Hopefully with a lot of help from Amber! So her training will be a bit different than Mady's, and it means I gotta be good about the grooming from the get-go! ( ) And she wont be spayed then either obviously.Oh David showing is a whole other "kettle of fish" that you have yet to learn! Gracie is going to need more than 2 hours per week as she gets older to build and maintain a good show coat - grooming technique are a bit more fussy so as not to tear out the undercoat. You have to be even more diligent to prevent eye discharge and beard staining... Start on stacking training as soon as possible, ie yesterday, and as soon as she has dependable bladder control and accepts a leash pick up a show lead and start pattern training. Watch closely who she responds to better on the leash and for being held and guided, whoever she accepts more should be the one to take her into the ring unless you plan to use a professional handler (mucho dollaros)... Find a show training class and attend just as much for yourselves as for Gracie.... A lot of different work but it can be fun.... sometimes.... Well after all of yours and Kims vacilating I have to admit that when you do make a decision it is certainly an "in for a penny in for a pound" decision and attitude!! Good Luck and in the end I have to admit that yes I am a bit jealous of this development. I suspect Michele might be as well. Carl |
| It will be Kim who shows her (and possibly Amber). I stated from the beginning that I did not want to be the one who shows her! Grooming will be the big challenge, especially since I do not want to sacrifice Mady's beautiful coat for Gracie, that's not fair to Mady in my mind. We will see with Virginia, it has grown out a lot since it was shaved in the summer, but I wont be surprised if we end up keeping Virginia in a shorter coat. Mady and Gracie will get priority for grooming. |
| CONGRATULATIONS!!!! How exciting for all of you!!!! Can't wait to "watch" Gracie grow! I sure hope you still have some time to share pictures of your three beautiful girls!  Be prepared for all the comments from your neighbours. We've actually had some of them pull over in their cars when they've seen us walk "our" three to ask if we have gone completely insane! |
Oakley's Mom wrote: Be prepared for all the comments from your neighbours. We've actually had some of them pull over in their cars when they've seen us walk "our" three to ask if we have gone completely insane! Pffft! Never mind the neighbours! I still haven't told anyone in my family or most of my friends! We've been thinking how we can just hide this from everyone!  |
| I also say OMG!!!! That's is awesome news! Your little Gracie is way to cute! I can't wait to meet Virginia and Gracie at Sheepiepalooza this year! And as Val said, you had better be coming!....lol Now you two will have to watch out for the puppy napping! Congratulations again! Cindy & Teddy |
| How wonderful, wishing you all the best of luck with your lovely family |
| Congratulations!! |
| And their hearts grew 10 times bigger! Congrats, there is going to be a lot of sheepie love in your house. |
| Great news Congrats. We will have to get together very soon so that I can meet the new members of the family and get my fix of puppy breath. I need to hear all the details Thanks for putting a huge smile on my face this morning. |
| Congrats!!!!!! Mady finally got her lovely Amazing Grace puppy And Mady's mother too.......what a lovely and happy OES-family What a cutie, way too cute - a little new show girl in your house. Good luck - looking forward to more pics. |
| OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW I am so happy for you 3 sheepies really really jealous. You will have so much fun. Love from Debs, Geoff and Cloud xxx |
| Oh, I wish I was younger, really jealous of all the fun in your house. |
Baba wrote: Oakley's Mom wrote: Be prepared for all the comments from your neighbours. We've actually had some of them pull over in their cars when they've seen us walk "our" three to ask if we have gone completely insane! Pffft! Never mind the neighbours! I still haven't told anyone in my family or most of my friends! We've been thinking how we can just hide this from everyone! Well, in our experience, the general public has never been able to tell ours apart, despite very different markings and sizes, so if you don't actually walk all 3 together (btw: entirely possible. I am less than 5'2 and when we had 3, I walked all 3 simultaneously, usually holding the leashes in one hand) you may never have to actually tell anybody. I am frequently asked how I can tell them apart, despite vast differences in size, marking and coat. |
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw, don't tell your family and friends.  Just let them be SURPRISED!!!!!!! |
Carl Lindon wrote: Baba wrote: [So, introducing Mady's new baby sister, Blueshire's Amazing Grace!!! (a puppy from Virginia and Fritz, same parents as Mady) Okay this one might be more for Amber than David and Kim but.... This photo shows Gracie has an almost identical splash on her right stiffle to the one that Virgil Tiberius does. A splash which is very typical of Tarawood dogs. So, does and if so where in Gracie's pedigree does Blueshire cross with Tarawood (or just possibly Barvan as Tarawood and Barvan were so closely intertwined)? Diane hasn't bred for a number of years now so it must be at least 2 generations back - probably more. Couldn't help but notice and therefore wonder. Thanks and Cheers Carl Hi Carl....While my first dog was a Tarawood/Lynterra dog from Diane 25 years ago, the only Tarawood left in my lines is one dog 6 generations back in Gracies pedigree, which is Ch. Raffles' Queen of the Colony's mother, Ch.Tarawoods Classic Keepsake. I do own a Barvan stud who has Tarawood on one side 5 generations back. |
Carl Lindon wrote: Baba wrote: Hell, what's another sheepie right? (just 2 more hours of grooming per week, more $$ for vets and food and activities, more poop to pick up etc. etc. <hyperventilating, breathebreathebreathe!>)Several other interesting things about Gracie. We are "co-owning" Gracie with Amber, and we will look at showing her! Hopefully with a lot of help from Amber! So her training will be a bit different than Mady's, and it means I gotta be good about the grooming from the get-go! ( ) And she wont be spayed then either obviously.Oh David showing is a whole other "kettle of fish" that you have yet to learn! Gracie is going to need more than 2 hours per week as she gets older to build and maintain a good show coat - grooming technique are a bit more fussy so as not to tear out the undercoat. You have to be even more diligent to prevent eye discharge and beard staining... Start on stacking training as soon as possible, ie yesterday, and as soon as she has dependable bladder control and accepts a leash pick up a show lead and start pattern training. Watch closely who she responds to better on the leash and for being held and guided, whoever she accepts more should be the one to take her into the ring unless you plan to use a professional handler (mucho dollaros)... Find a show training class and attend just as much for yourselves as for Gracie.... A lot of different work but it can be fun.... sometimes.... Well after all of yours and Kims vacilating I have to admit that when you do make a decision it is certainly an "in for a penny in for a pound" decision and attitude!! Good Luck and in the end I have to admit that yes I am a bit jealous of this development. I suspect Michele might be as well. Carl We had a big training session this week-end. I showed Kim the proper way to brush out a show coat. We used my girl Lila as a practice dog since she is in full Specials coat. Kim did great! Gracie already knows how to stack, stand and stay. Kim is going to continue this training with Gracie daily, and handling classes are already set up as soon as she is old enough. We all really need to support Kim on this! There are just not enough people showing anymore and I am so excited and proud that Kim has taken an interest. I am really, really hoping she becomes addicted to it like I did |
| Congratulations!! I'm SO happy for you. |
Blueshire wrote: Hi Carl....While my first dog was a Tarawood/Lynterra dog from Diane 25 years ago, the only Tarawood left in my lines is one dog 6 generations back in Gracies pedigree, which is Ch. Raffles' Queen of the Colony's mother, Ch.Tarawoods Classic Keepsake. I do own a Barvan stud who has Tarawood on one side 5 generations back. Thanks Amber. So the Tarawood link is pretty tenuous now, just coincidence more than anything else that Gracie has that splash. To me at least it is desperately sad to see the once great Tarawood line slowly dwindling with time. We had hoped to keep at least one small thread of it going with our Dawn Eline. Michele had thought that one of your boys (can't remember which particular one now) would have been a great match for her but circumstances conspired against us.... Nevertheless, I will always count myself blessed to have had Diane's last Can. Ch. in our Virgil Tiberius and more fundamentally just to have had one of her dogs period. Thanks and Cheers Carl |
| HOLY SHEEPIES!!! CONGRATS!!! |
Blueshire wrote: We had a big training session this week-end. I showed Kim the proper way to brush out a show coat. We used my girl Lila as a practice dog since she is in full Specials coat. Kim did great! Gracie already knows how to stack, stand and stay. Kim is going to continue this training with Gracie daily, and handling classes are already set up as soon as she is old enough. We all really need to support Kim on this! There are just not enough people showing anymore and I am so excited and proud that Kim has taken an interest. I am really, really hoping she becomes addicted to it like I did Well I can and will certainly offer my moral support for what it is worth. And I will try my best to attend any reasonably local shows they might enter come summer. I know that it isn't easy and can be very frustrating so good luck Kim, keep up a good attitude and here's to seeing some ribbons coming in before too long. Thanks and Cheers Carl |
| Thanks for the support, Carl. I am inspired by the folks on this forum who have taken up showing. They all seem so positive about it. I am lucky to have a mentor in Amber, support from experienced folks like you, Carl, and other forum folks, and that David is willing to back us up. I am not sure how we will balance herding with Mady, which we still are going to do, and showing Gracie, but we will find a way. We still want to do agility with Mady, too, as we have been having a blast with that. We don't have human kids (since Amber and Steve wouldn't give us theirs, dangit!) so we do have more time than most. Really, it is about being a bit less lazy on our part. I see an end to my couch potato ways. |
Mady wrote: Thanks to Dawn for her quiet sneaky support as we decided-her responses to my concerns helped put my mind at ease. Dawn's quite good at being sneaky about puppies, it seems! |
| I just re-read the whole thread; I'm so stinking happy for you guys!!!! I think you're in for a really wonderful adventure!!! |
Darth Snuggle wrote: I just re-read the whole thread; I'm so stinking happy for you guys!!!! I think you're in for a really wonderful adventure!!! You know a funny thing though about this puppy? THIS time I DO know what I'm getting into. And that has scared me more! When we got home last night, I had my own panic attack because I knew I wouldn't get any sleep for the next two months! And yes, she woke me up on the hour every hour last night...And today at work (I didn't have enough leave to take the whole week, have wed-fri off), I am a useless bag-of-toys, I am so exhausted, I ache with exhaustion (Kim will probably pipe in here some snarky comment on how the real reason I am so exhausted is because after we drove 4 hours to Toronto Friday after work, I went out with her brother Don and didn't make it back to the hotel until 5a.m. when I knew we would be getting up and on the road to Amber's by 8a.m. for a super long day, but don't listen to her! Kim's just unreasonable!)  However, I can't wait to get home and hug my large fuzzy family!!! |
 Nigel, my "Blueshires Plans for Nigel" has that stripe too. Congrats on all the new additions!!!! I am soooo jealous!! |
Baba wrote: However, I can't wait to get home and hug my large fuzzy family!!! makes it all worth it, doesn't it? *sigh* still so happy for you guys!!! |
| ...so I have a stupid question does Mady KNOW Virignia is her Mom? do dogs know when they are related? I feel stupid asking, like I should already know the answer.... but I don't! and I personally can't wait to see what Kim has to say about David's all-nighter!!! |
| Just saw this when I got home from work. Congratulations What a wonderful adventure. Just more sheepie hugs and kisses every day. |
| Well, aren't YOU the sneaky ones?? Congrats! Mom Virginia can keep everyone in line, and Mady and Gracie can test her just like human kids! What fun you're in for! Seriously!! |
| CONGRATULATIONS!!! Bte you will be tired in the next few months...but waht fun! Outnumbered by sheepies |
ruforgvn wrote: ...so I have a stupid question do dogs know when they are related? I feel stupid asking, like I should already know the answer.... but I don't! Absolutely they do! In our pack Virgil has always been the self appointed and self enforced alpha male who has never taken any "backtalk" from any of the other 4-footers. Until Dawnie arrived home that is.... After one "asserting his authority" posturing Virgil has and continues to allow her to do things he would have virtually eaten Martin for even thinking about let alone doing or the Afghans for that matter. And Virgil is especially attentive and playful with Dawn knowing exactly how tough he can be with her and even when "putting her straight" he exercises an awful lot of restraint he never did with the others. Oh yes dogs know their relatives. I bet anyone else on this forum with parent/child Bobtails will attest to that and be able to give lots of stories showing the differences in how they treat direct relatives from adopted brothers and sisters. Dogs are also very aware of their own breed and will react accordingly, even if they are not directly related. Not long after Martin Zephram first came come we took him to PetSmart and as we were in the checkout line we noticed that there was a Bobtail in the grooming salon. We picked up Martin to let him see and on theother side of the glass the Bobtail leapt up onto his/her back feet and tried to kiss Martin through the glass. Not one of the other grooming salon clients reacted in the least bit. If you haven't experienced this sort of thing Lori, it is most certainly not a foolish question. Thanks and Cheers Carl |
| Not only do they know there own breed they also can in my opinion & experience know also it is a relative as well. Congrats on the new pack of hairy ones too Adorable there all family and great age space also in the pack. |
| There is not a doubt in my mind that Mady knows who Virginia is. I have just had the most lovely day with my girls. This seems so much easier this time around. I hope that I don't end up eating those words! |
Mady wrote: I have just had the most lovely day with my girls. I'm so happy to read those words, Kim, a long time coming!!! We couldn't be happier for you and family |
| Wow! I am away from the board for 24 hours - and look what happens! Congrats! You are going to find out that three is the perfect number! |
| CONGRATULATIONS Good things come in 3 you know..........well, you do now |
| WOWEE!! I am out of town at a conference! Finally had a second to pop on the computer tonight and SAW THIS!! How exciting for you all and Mady too! Virginia has the sweetest expression and Gracie is over the top adorable! CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL EXPANDED FAMILY! SO MUCH SHEEPIE JOY AT ONE TIME! |
| This is the best news ever!!! Congratulations! You guys are the best sheepie parents and will have a wonderful family. And David, you should be a writer...the way you told that story was incredible! |
Darth Snuggle wrote: Mady wrote: Thanks to Dawn for her quiet sneaky support as we decided-her responses to my concerns helped put my mind at ease. Dawn's quite good at being sneaky about puppies, it seems! Hey, I was PRETTY DARN PROUD of my secretive self!!!! Of course the ONE day that I'm not online ends up the day the surprise gets sprung, but hey, I'm not complaining |
| Yeah!!! |
| WHAT? My gosh, my gosh, my gosh! I am so happy for you guys I can't believe it! Can I say, I'm just as happy for us because we all know we get to see lots of great pictures and stories. Loved the intro. Virginia is so cute and to get to live with her two daughters. Love the new puppy, Amazing Grace is quite appropriate. I bet Mady and you guys are in heaven. So so lucky. Congratulations! |
| Well Kim and David If your going to show Gracie and we all need help and support than Ziggi and I will be happy to find some room on the weekends when you need a doggysitter for the other girls. Just call and I'll make room on the couch for two more. |
| this is just the best news ever Sorry I missed it when first announced but WOW!!!! |
| Welcome to the 3 sheepie club!!! So happy for you and loved loved loved the pics accompanying your story. Marianne |
| ummm I think a day has passed with NO PICTURES!!! we need PICTURES!!!! Please???? |
| yes where are those pics!!!! I am glad to hear that Mady is going to stick to the herding. I heard lovely things about her and am thinking that it would be great to have another sheepie like Mady who loves her sheep. I was wondering if you go to Tea Creek to sheep trial. It would be perfect to see Mady there and maybe her mum and sis would be kind enough to come and cheer her on. Bella and I would love to see your expanded family Now you to have me thinking maybe three dogs isn't as bad as I am thinking. I was considering waiting but now you to have gone and done it. Whole HOG in to the SHEEPIES |
sheepiegail wrote: yes where are those pics!!!! I am glad to hear that Mady is going to stick to the herding. I heard lovely things about her and am thinking that it would be great to have another sheepie like Mady who loves her sheep. I was wondering if you go to Tea Creek to sheep trial. It would be perfect to see Mady there and maybe her mum and sis would be kind enough to come and cheer her on. Bella and I would love to see your expanded family Now you to have me thinking maybe three dogs isn't as bad as I am thinking. I was considering waiting but now you to have gone and done it. Whole HOG in to the SHEEPIES Do you go to TeeCreek (Kathy Warner)? I was there this summer for Herding Instinct/Temperament testing. That is only a 15 minute drive from my place. |
| Bella and I are going to trial this year and that is one of the sites my trainer has recommended. I am not sure of the trial dates yet but am planning on going to it. We should be ready for or JHD test or so my trainer tells me. She thinks we can skip the cone test since we are really already doing it regularly. Mady's reputation at herding precedes her and her video David posted looked great so I was hoping to see her up close and personal. Plus it would be great to see another sheepie out there strutting her stuff. |
| Ok, David and Kim...this sounds like a date and a great excuse to come for a visit! I also want to see Miss Mady in action! I am going to see if I can look up when the trial is. |
| Yahoo I am going to email my trainer and get all the info. I can send it on to Mady so she can get herself entered. Cappy Pruitt is also coming to the Buffalo area in June if Mady is interested (hint, hint) David. LET'S GO GET THEM SHEEPIE MADY!!!!!! |
| Wow!!! What a fantastic surprise! Overjoyed for you all! Gracie is beyond adorable! She reminds me so much of my Sammy. Amber: Is Gracie related to Higgins from Raffles? My Sammy was a daughter of the great Higgins. Congratulations Kim and David! |
poolmom wrote: Amber: Is Gracie related to Higgins from Raffles? My Sammy was a daughter of the great Higgins. Yes, Gracie is a Higgins Great-Grandaughter. |
| No pictures today so far because it was David who was home from work with Gracie, so no time for him to post, I imagine. He is out at the dog park now with Mady and Virginia. Virginia is doing GREAT at the dog park. I swear she remembered it and Kee-va, the Irish Setter, from her time here this summer. You would think that she had been going to that park her whole life. I am so proud of how she is adapting to life here. I know that she misses her first two legged family, the kids especially, so my sister is bringing her three kids over tonight to give Virginia some kid snuggles. As for herding and a trial at Tea Creek, I will absolutely be looking into that. We would get to see Amber, she would see Mady in action (Amber you will be so proud of her you will just bust with it!) and we would get to learn again from Kathy Warner. I would dearly love for Mady to get more points for her Herding Tested. I just wish that there were events that did herding AND showing, so that David and Mady could herd and Gracie and I could show. I don't know what the HECK I was so worried about with three dogs. It is going so well. Yes, Mady has shurtled Gracie a few times (and I listen to the little Amber I keep on my shoulder telling me to let the big girls teach the little one) but Gracie seems to pay attention to her big sister and respect her wishes. Mady and Virginia, as expected, get along incredibly well. David is absolutely fantastic with his three girls. He never complains about getting up in the wee hours for potty breaks. He is so patient and loving with his girls that it melts my heart. But don't tell him I said that, he will use such information to get out of doing chores! I know that there are others out there pondering this or even agonizing a bit over it. I am so so very happy that I listened to my heart and not my head. Yes, I am tired and my house is a disaster right now, but I am so happy and watching the interactions of my little family makes my heart happy. |
| I knew it!!! Who is related to Higgins, Virginia or Fritz? |
| It would be Virginias' side. Frits is a male I imported from Belgium. Can't beat those Higgins' kids! A female I bred and co-own in New Mexico is about to be bred to a Higgins grandson from Madeline Erickson. We are very excited about that breeding. |
Blueshire wrote: It would be Virginias' side. Frits is a male I imported from Belgium. Can't beat those Higgins' kids! A female I bred and co-own in New Mexico is about to be bred to a Higgins grandson from Madeline Erickson. We are very excited about that breeding. Oh geez, I wonder if I can have FOUR dogs.... |
Mady wrote: Blueshire wrote: It would be Virginias' side. Frits is a male I imported from Belgium. Can't beat those Higgins' kids! A female I bred and co-own in New Mexico is about to be bred to a Higgins grandson from Madeline Erickson. We are very excited about that breeding. Oh geez, I wonder if I can have FOUR dogs.... Well, if I can have 7, you know what my answer would be!  |
got sheep wrote: Mady wrote: Blueshire wrote: It would be Virginias' side. Frits is a male I imported from Belgium. Can't beat those Higgins' kids! A female I bred and co-own in New Mexico is about to be bred to a Higgins grandson from Madeline Erickson. We are very excited about that breeding. Oh geez, I wonder if I can have FOUR dogs.... Well, if I can have 7, you know what my answer would be! I keep having crazy thoughts. I work for the federal government and there are going to be layoffs coming soon. I had a brief fantasy that I got laid off, we sold our urban house and bought a hobby farm. I could get my own llama! |
| If there are Summer puppies in New Mexico you must let me know. I may be taking my daughter there in the Summer. |
| I keep having crazy thoughts. I work for the federal government and there are going to be layoffs coming soon. I had a brief fantasy that I got laid off, we sold our urban house and bought a hobby farm. I could get my own llama! I love it! ...well, don't forget those free range chickens and fresh eggs too! |
| The litter will be in New Mexico. |
Mady wrote: Blueshire wrote: It would be Virginias' side. Frits is a male I imported from Belgium. Can't beat those Higgins' kids! A female I bred and co-own in New Mexico is about to be bred to a Higgins grandson from Madeline Erickson. We are very excited about that breeding. Oh geez, I wonder if I can have FOUR dogs.... Oh Kiiiiimmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!! |
| What a wonderful way to let us in on your secret additions to your home!! HOW CLEVER, I LOVED ALL OF IT, the pictures, captions, story just cool Congrats, lots of fun things going on in your home! Thank you for sharing. |
Baba wrote: Hell, what's another sheepie right? (just 2 more hours of grooming per week, more $$ for vets and food and activities, more poop to pick up etc. etc. <hyperventilating, breathebreathebreathe!>)Seems to me David that you forgot about the budget-busting kong-filling PB. Tripled your household consumption at a time when it's price is likely to double Or.... maybe Kim had a premonition and that is why she bought such a huge stock a couple of months back Thanks and Cheers Carl |
| Carl- that's it! We SHOULD have known when she made the HUGE PB purchase!!!! she is SO sneaky!!!! |
| Gah, I should never look at Amber's website! One of Gracie's sisters that was to go to Edmonton is no longer going there (something about sudden health issues with the person in Edmonton). I need to get laid off NOW so that we can buy that bungalow in the country NOW! Damn Ottawa and its 3 dog limit. Mind you, would people really clue in that we have 3 dogs? Won't they figure all bobtails look alike?? I wish David would get home... |
| With 3 you get Sheepie. The Subaru will need growth hormones. |
Blueshire wrote: The litter will be in New Mexico. I will take a boy with one black ear please. |
Baba wrote: What's that? I think I see something by Virginia's legs It's all blurry I can't really... OMG A PUPPY!!!! WHERE did that come from? Why the little devil, it must have been a stowaway in mum's coat!!! I guess we will just have to keep it and give her a name! Somebody, get the mop! This story is so heartwarming, I've melted! |
| Just now saw this I need to get on the computer more than once a week or I will miss things. Congratulations to the new family!!!!! I don't know who will be running this household but I am fairly certain it won't be David or Kim. Have fun you guys!!!! |
| This is such wonderful news! Can't wait to see all at sheepiepolooza! Congrats! |
oesmom2 wrote: This is such wonderful news! Can't wait to see all at sheepiepolooza! Congrats! We have been thinking about Sheepiepalooza. How on earth would we get 3 sheepies in a hatchback all the way to St. Louis? I told Amber today that she and I should rent a schoolbus and go down together! |
Mady wrote: oesmom2 wrote: This is such wonderful news! Can't wait to see all at sheepiepolooza! Congrats! We have been thinking about Sheepiepalooza. How on earth would we get 3 sheepies in a hatchback all the way to St. Louis? I told Amber today that she and I should rent a schoolbus and go down together! Our first Sheepie Palooza with Tonks and Luna they were only 6 months old, and we went with them and another couple of friends joined us. We rented a big SUV for the 10 hour drive. Problem solved! |
| Explain this huge sheepie event please Where How long Agenda Anything else I need to know Thanks!! |
| One year we also rented a car - 1st time. It was me, LeAnne and Keith, 2 OES and one basset! Only a Focus wagon, so we were still packed in w/ all our stuff. I know Val (who followed/led us around town) was laughing!! Lori - it's a purely fun and social event In St Louis, MO. We have done some dog sport educational stuff, but all in pursuit of fun and learning (Obedience, rally, agility, herding). Most often it's a Friday thru Sunday event, over the Memorial weekend. Most arrive sometime Friday, and settle into motel, hit some tourist sites if you are early. The 1st actual activity is Friday evening. St Louis downtown and surrounding area is dog friendly and numerous shops are set up to have us visit. People have come from New York and the entire east coast, and west in Colorado and California, north to Canada and even a family member in (help???) Central America?! PS - if you topic search "Sheepiepalooza" you will get tons of info and tons of pictures! |
| Lori, we drove 18 hours EACH WAY last year and it was worth it. But we only had Mady last year. Gah. Do SUV's hold crates? |
Mady wrote: Lori, we drove 18 hours EACH WAY last year and it was worth it. But we only had Mady last year. Gah. Do SUV's hold crates? Kim--I'm not real SUV savvy but I know that in many of them the seats fold down to provide a large cargo area. I would think three crates would fit in many models. Maybe others can give you more specific info. I just wanted to say--I really hope that you all can make it! We really want to meet Gracie and Morgan-- and see Mady again! The reunion wouldn't be the same without you! |
| Well this post brings back so many happy memories. Hard to believe it but that puppy Gracie turns ten years old today. The years have flown past. She is still going strong, doing competitive agility, bossing her little sisters Kasse and Beatrice around. I love her beyond measure. Happy birthday darling girl! |
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