(no subject)
I don't think I ever mentioned before what my "hopes" are for considering not just Shi and Ri, but any dogs I have from here on in.
My dream at one time was to have a small (4 dog ) team of sled dogs to go motoring around with as recreational thing or perhaps, someday, go into four dog sprints. The more I think on that idea - the sprints - the more I like the idea of it so a definite four dogs at least will be sled dogs.
But as well I had hoped for a GSD and a BC to add to my dog activities. However I think that's changing.
Honestly, I'm thinking of dropping my desire for a BC - for now - and just stick with my Seppalas and a GSD. Personally I think these dogs will be enough for me to handle and throwing a dog like a BC into the mix will be too much for me (trying to recognize my limits here :P).
That said, I do have some good news on both those fronts.
I am adding more people to my FB, as my fear of adding the same people that swsnbn also has is pretty much gone now. At this point, should anyone question me about the half-truths or lies that she might spread about me, enough people know me now that I'd be likely more trusted over her, plus her own actions of late to me prove that really she'd have no room to talk crap about me at all. So with that fear gone, I'm happily adding people I've wanted to add and am enjoying it, too.
In the course of the new people added is one I had contact with before I got Ri and Shi. She is a lady in Ontario who has Seppalas and contacted me to keep in touch with. Since there's few Seppala breeders in Canada, she thought knowing them would be a good idea and, too, she informed me she is purchasing a puppy to help her own kennel out for breeding, she hopes. If the pup works out and he's good for breeding, she mentioned a possible chance of selling the pups to working homes (ones that I assume she won't keep of course). While it's probably not good to look too deep into it, to me it seems like she's suggesting I may have a chance for one of her pups, which would be great.
A second opportunity at a pup has come from another friend who has a service siberian, a service seppala/bc mix and also trains other dogs for service dogs. For herself, she has her dogs to alert for anxiety attacks and diabetic issues. Currently she is training a GSD puppy named Nymiria and her brother Atticus to be therapy dogs as well. They are a cross of German and American line GSD's and while Atticus has that typical blanket/saddle-tan GSD look, Nymiria is a blue-tan bi. Nymiria's owner has mentioned to Katie (the trainer) that if Nymiria passes her health exams and seems good for breeding, she will be looking at breeding her when she's 2 (she's nearing 5 months now). to a health tested male. Their intent is to "... breed for service dog candidates" and the lady who owns Nymiria has said "In my shepherds I will be striving health tested straight backed correct looking German dogs." Katie has already mentioned to me that if this does take place that I will be kept in mind for a pup.
Both of these opportunities won't happen for a few years yet, but that's fine, to me it will be worth the wait just for a chance. I think Michelle (Seppala lady) would like to help see more Seppala kennels in Canada (which I'm all for) and as Katie put it to me about the GSD: "I'm watching for people I feel like would be able to provide good homes for the pups." To hear that is part of what made me no longer afraid, and honestly I am so... humbled by that comment. Though it's likely the pup from the GSD breeding would be pet quality, that's fine, although I already have ideas/plans.
So after that bit o' background, just what are those plans???
Well, in no order:
Having Ri and Shi has shown me just how much I LOVE working with dogs. I love how quick Ri is to get things. I love Shi's enthusiasum to work. I love watching her being so excited to train that she almost trips over herself to figure things out. I love Ri's patience in how he thinks about stuff (sometimes XD) before doing it.
I really, really wish I could get more into training, take lessons myself and learn how to do it right so I could do this myself, as a side profession like some do. Someday I will, I know it. I think my passion for it will just keep growing especially with the awesome people around me to inspire and help me along the way.
<3
My dream at one time was to have a small (4 dog ) team of sled dogs to go motoring around with as recreational thing or perhaps, someday, go into four dog sprints. The more I think on that idea - the sprints - the more I like the idea of it so a definite four dogs at least will be sled dogs.
But as well I had hoped for a GSD and a BC to add to my dog activities. However I think that's changing.
Honestly, I'm thinking of dropping my desire for a BC - for now - and just stick with my Seppalas and a GSD. Personally I think these dogs will be enough for me to handle and throwing a dog like a BC into the mix will be too much for me (trying to recognize my limits here :P).
That said, I do have some good news on both those fronts.
I am adding more people to my FB, as my fear of adding the same people that swsnbn also has is pretty much gone now. At this point, should anyone question me about the half-truths or lies that she might spread about me, enough people know me now that I'd be likely more trusted over her, plus her own actions of late to me prove that really she'd have no room to talk crap about me at all. So with that fear gone, I'm happily adding people I've wanted to add and am enjoying it, too.
In the course of the new people added is one I had contact with before I got Ri and Shi. She is a lady in Ontario who has Seppalas and contacted me to keep in touch with. Since there's few Seppala breeders in Canada, she thought knowing them would be a good idea and, too, she informed me she is purchasing a puppy to help her own kennel out for breeding, she hopes. If the pup works out and he's good for breeding, she mentioned a possible chance of selling the pups to working homes (ones that I assume she won't keep of course). While it's probably not good to look too deep into it, to me it seems like she's suggesting I may have a chance for one of her pups, which would be great.
A second opportunity at a pup has come from another friend who has a service siberian, a service seppala/bc mix and also trains other dogs for service dogs. For herself, she has her dogs to alert for anxiety attacks and diabetic issues. Currently she is training a GSD puppy named Nymiria and her brother Atticus to be therapy dogs as well. They are a cross of German and American line GSD's and while Atticus has that typical blanket/saddle-tan GSD look, Nymiria is a blue-tan bi. Nymiria's owner has mentioned to Katie (the trainer) that if Nymiria passes her health exams and seems good for breeding, she will be looking at breeding her when she's 2 (she's nearing 5 months now). to a health tested male. Their intent is to "... breed for service dog candidates" and the lady who owns Nymiria has said "In my shepherds I will be striving health tested straight backed correct looking German dogs." Katie has already mentioned to me that if this does take place that I will be kept in mind for a pup.
Both of these opportunities won't happen for a few years yet, but that's fine, to me it will be worth the wait just for a chance. I think Michelle (Seppala lady) would like to help see more Seppala kennels in Canada (which I'm all for) and as Katie put it to me about the GSD: "I'm watching for people I feel like would be able to provide good homes for the pups." To hear that is part of what made me no longer afraid, and honestly I am so... humbled by that comment. Though it's likely the pup from the GSD breeding would be pet quality, that's fine, although I already have ideas/plans.
So after that bit o' background, just what are those plans???
Well, in no order:
- Have my four dog Seppala team - one of these dogs will be an older dog to train Shi, Ri and the third dog which hopefully will be said puppy above, if not another one.
- All my Seppalas - save the oldest dog likely - will be able to work in harness but hopefully will have their CGC cert at least. To me a CGC cert is still important to get even for a dog that might never be around people that much. But I'd like to get more, like a WPG, an Obedience or something as well with them; find something they can do other than working in harness. Show that huskies - no matter what "type" (but yes, Seppalas specifically) - are just as versatile as many other dogs. (Admittedly I not only want to help prove Seppalas as good sled dogs, but good other dogs as well, and get their names out there a bit more not in the fan "OMGMUSTHAVE" way but in that appreciative respect from other dog owners way.)
- To breed one litter of Seppalas of my own to replace the older dogs. As Seppalas a lot of the time have "small" litters - Tabby's two bitches this fall had two and five respectively - I wouldn't expect a seriously overlarge litter, but if it did happen, the dogs that would be the parents should be proven enough to add to someone elses kennel.
- GSD - I don't want a GSD just to have a GSD, either. If I'm able to have one, I really intend to put the work in for this dog to go not only Obedience and Rally, but if they've the right temperament for tracking, their CGC, ATT, Herding (again, right temperament) and anything else possible. I have always, always wanted a "do something" dog and have always wanted a GSD or BC to do it with.
Having Ri and Shi has shown me just how much I LOVE working with dogs. I love how quick Ri is to get things. I love Shi's enthusiasum to work. I love watching her being so excited to train that she almost trips over herself to figure things out. I love Ri's patience in how he thinks about stuff (sometimes XD) before doing it.
I really, really wish I could get more into training, take lessons myself and learn how to do it right so I could do this myself, as a side profession like some do. Someday I will, I know it. I think my passion for it will just keep growing especially with the awesome people around me to inspire and help me along the way.
<3