Thursday, March 31, 2011
Article on spay/neuter, how it affects Bone
Behavioral and Physical Effects of Spaying and Neutering Domestic Dogs http://www.caninesports.com/SNBehaviorBoneDataSnapShot.pdf
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Red Tri Female
Takes me a day to bath / blow dry pups and do pictures. While one pup is getting done...there seems to be a team effort in dragging some ole heavy winter chore boot across the kitchen floor....little nubs wagging....seem pretty pleased with each other. Everyone was pretty good about their first baths and blow drys. They dont really care for the blowdryer but when it's someone else's turn they all line up beside me on the floor to watch...so not really 'bothering' them. Nails get trimmed every few days with planned wkly baths from here on. They've met one other adult dog ' Derby' who is a gentle around pups. He's in his element to play with kids of any sort. At 4 wks this crew is pretty darn nimble on their feet, all trot to get 'there' where ever 'there' is ( I like to see pups trotting over galloping at this age...which tells me they are pretty balanced to themselves ) Pups all following me readily which makes it hard to set a pup down and move away to hunker down for pictures without a pup in your lap before you get anything in focus. Sounds familiar doesnt it? Next few wks will be spent watching/interacting so they can be matched to homes. One female is available on co-own to an approved home. 
Monday, March 28, 2011
Are we there yet?...
Past several days still reminding us winter isnt leaving any time soon. Roads all black ice or snow covered ice patchs leaving many folks in the ditch...either on their wheels or flipped over. Snow plows going down the roads twice in a day to help with the conditions. Packed snow drifts through out the yard as well plugging the gates...more shoveling and pushing snow added to the chores. Bull season now...selling 'our pen of bulls' and purchasing a new one for our heifers. Spring is in the air as they get into shoving matchs. Also the season they start cocking their heads with a challenge when you bring in their feed. Dog fixes that ... as well creates a walking space to pack pails in. One ewe left to lamb...should be any day soon by the looks. Rt rear wheel speed sensor fried on my truck , need to get to a dealer for warranty work this wk ( wanted to hook up and do a portrait photo session while in same 'town'..so will see if that falls together ) Trade show coming in a couple of wks, still trying to trade my night shifts so I can book a table. The SPCA Dog 'Show' ( fundraiser/awareness ) booked for May 14th in neighboring town, need to organize supplies/design a couple of easy courses. My Belly casting kits arrived for Maternity Photo Sessions, decided to have a few on hand to give away for next few customers as well to see if there is interest in retail. Maternity Portraits is a growing niche market I really enjoy doing.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Progesterone Testing Article
http://www.oldefashion.com/PROGESTERONETESTING.html
An interesting article for those that Breed dogs.
An interesting article for those that Breed dogs.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Lists seem to keep growing...
Catch up day aka getting organized before the wkend arrives and I'm back to work ( the paying job ) Actually getting a few things crossed off my to do list inspite of phone calls ie ) a last minute request for looking after a small dog for 10 days while family fly to the states, was able to accomodate them.
Dog Class inquiry....advertising / referrals paying off.
A request for borrowing some of my agility equipment for a fundraiser for the SPCA in next town over. 'Sure will even haul it up for you if I can set up a display booth'. Offered to help judge and donate to the prize list...might even have left over ribbons from years ago dog events put on to further donate to the cause.
Which reminds me the school wanted me to come in on Career day in April...another project to pull together....list doesnt seem to have a bottom on it :)
Next couple of days will be spent grooming client dogs and janitor work at the building.
Pups are growing. Hale'n hearty....will need to move them out of the swimming pool as coming over the edge looking for mom who spends time out of the pool. Nails have had several trims, food starts this wk.
Cattle are done calving. One ewe to lamb. Sheep feeder moved and area cleaned up with the tractor bucket.
Found a Photography seminar in Toronto area that I really want to attend 'next' April ...for me to get away takes major planning to get away.
In the mean time will be hooking up with fellow photographers for 'mentorship' photo sessions...kinda like 'jam sessions'.
Life is good.
Dog Class inquiry....advertising / referrals paying off.
A request for borrowing some of my agility equipment for a fundraiser for the SPCA in next town over. 'Sure will even haul it up for you if I can set up a display booth'. Offered to help judge and donate to the prize list...might even have left over ribbons from years ago dog events put on to further donate to the cause.
Which reminds me the school wanted me to come in on Career day in April...another project to pull together....list doesnt seem to have a bottom on it :)
Next couple of days will be spent grooming client dogs and janitor work at the building.
Pups are growing. Hale'n hearty....will need to move them out of the swimming pool as coming over the edge looking for mom who spends time out of the pool. Nails have had several trims, food starts this wk.
Cattle are done calving. One ewe to lamb. Sheep feeder moved and area cleaned up with the tractor bucket.
Found a Photography seminar in Toronto area that I really want to attend 'next' April ...for me to get away takes major planning to get away.
In the mean time will be hooking up with fellow photographers for 'mentorship' photo sessions...kinda like 'jam sessions'.
Life is good.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Snap shots of Shea x Sting kids
Quick snaps shots taken of the kids today. Not color processed or stray hairs removed. Eyes opening and busy bopping around looking for the milk bar. For those on the waiting list...know it's hard to not pick 'favorites' but a reminder 'not to' as they change so much every wk :)
Pups are matched to homes not by color and markings.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Rabbit holes...
Just nicely coming off an ugly stretch of night shifts ... feels like a person falls into some dark rabbit hole and the world goes on regardless.
A person misses chunks of time/events and seems to take literally days to catch up to speed on so many things....let alone sleep. I think only people who work shift work really get it.
Did a maternity photo shoot last Sunday for family, love doing those. Have a couple of photo projects to turn in that I need to set up and finish.
Need to find Belly Casting kits that dont cost an arm and a leg for maternity clients to offer as a package.
Income tax / books....hate doing paperwork and of course procastinate ... which results in a job becoming a bigger job to tackle.
Sun shining here in central Alberta....such a welcomed 'good for the soul' feeling. Worked on alittle precision work with Quade since we've both gotten sloppy with chore work. Thinking ahead to when the cattle pens are empty in April ( cow/calf pairs go to pasture ) and setting up skill stations Ie ) center pen
Need to get the sheep worked for June trials by different dogs ... might have to set up a mock trial day with my herding buddies.
'Stella' better get her groove back / get back into a training routine and get the dogs here tuned up for the trials this year..since it's looking like trials in the future for this area will be even more *limited given 'who' puts them.
Shea x Sting litter growing well..... eyes opening. Now to make time to photograph them later this wk.
A person misses chunks of time/events and seems to take literally days to catch up to speed on so many things....let alone sleep. I think only people who work shift work really get it.
Did a maternity photo shoot last Sunday for family, love doing those. Have a couple of photo projects to turn in that I need to set up and finish.
Need to find Belly Casting kits that dont cost an arm and a leg for maternity clients to offer as a package.
Income tax / books....hate doing paperwork and of course procastinate ... which results in a job becoming a bigger job to tackle.
Sun shining here in central Alberta....such a welcomed 'good for the soul' feeling. Worked on alittle precision work with Quade since we've both gotten sloppy with chore work. Thinking ahead to when the cattle pens are empty in April ( cow/calf pairs go to pasture ) and setting up skill stations Ie ) center pen
Need to get the sheep worked for June trials by different dogs ... might have to set up a mock trial day with my herding buddies.
'Stella' better get her groove back / get back into a training routine and get the dogs here tuned up for the trials this year..since it's looking like trials in the future for this area will be even more *limited given 'who' puts them.
Shea x Sting litter growing well..... eyes opening. Now to make time to photograph them later this wk.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Build it. They will come...
Yesterday marked the first year anniversary of being handed the keys to an old Church I had purchased.
A long time dream of having a 'go to place' to train my dogs instead of traveling distances and dealing without door training in our typical Canadian winters.
First obstacles for the building was to generate income to pay the monthly bills / renovations. It's moderate size ended up being suitable for a couple of recreation businesses starting up. With that comes additional jobs of landlord and janitor. Abit of juggling to ensure people classes and dog classes had enough separate time so both were not in the building at the same time.
As well to ensure the place was kept spotless with no dog hair/odors ...first image with the public was important to me and not all public share the same dog sentiments as 'dog' people. At first there were skeptics, (as well people dropping in out of curiosity ) that people classes and dog classes could be held under the same roof.
So far it's worked, the 2 recreation business are not only thriving in this little rural town but steadily growing.
Second obstacle was 'me'...certainly alot of business learning curves and looking at things from a different angle.
The hardest for me was to change from a life time in dogs 'volunteering' / fundraising etc to being a business person and running a business. I had to find a value ( price ) to not only my time but a building rate...that was tough. Was I stressed with this business adventure- yes more times than I want to count....but I seemed to have survived :)
The third obstacle and one I'm still problem solving is carving out enough time for 'my dogs'. The first year was spent marketing ,building maintence/renovation projects on top of farm / home / work. Over the big hump of learning curves and the work week has fallen into the best rhythm that fits the building schedule and mine.
Classes are going good. Many rewards in seeing other dog/handler 'bloom' and accomplish much. Grooming is seeing repeat customers
over the year with more dogs being booked in.Photography growing by word of mouth as I journey there..
On the bucket list is to spend a day at another Grooming Shop ( a person never stops learning ) , Get to a Dog training workshop/seminar. Finish the one distance Photography course as well get to a couple in person workshops.
I've already signed up for a couple of Herding clinics as well am currently organising a couple of trials...goal is to trial as many
dogs as I can get ready for summer.
A long time dream of having a 'go to place' to train my dogs instead of traveling distances and dealing without door training in our typical Canadian winters.
First obstacles for the building was to generate income to pay the monthly bills / renovations. It's moderate size ended up being suitable for a couple of recreation businesses starting up. With that comes additional jobs of landlord and janitor. Abit of juggling to ensure people classes and dog classes had enough separate time so both were not in the building at the same time.
As well to ensure the place was kept spotless with no dog hair/odors ...first image with the public was important to me and not all public share the same dog sentiments as 'dog' people. At first there were skeptics, (as well people dropping in out of curiosity ) that people classes and dog classes could be held under the same roof.
So far it's worked, the 2 recreation business are not only thriving in this little rural town but steadily growing.
Second obstacle was 'me'...certainly alot of business learning curves and looking at things from a different angle.
The hardest for me was to change from a life time in dogs 'volunteering' / fundraising etc to being a business person and running a business. I had to find a value ( price ) to not only my time but a building rate...that was tough. Was I stressed with this business adventure- yes more times than I want to count....but I seemed to have survived :)
The third obstacle and one I'm still problem solving is carving out enough time for 'my dogs'. The first year was spent marketing ,building maintence/renovation projects on top of farm / home / work. Over the big hump of learning curves and the work week has fallen into the best rhythm that fits the building schedule and mine.
Classes are going good. Many rewards in seeing other dog/handler 'bloom' and accomplish much. Grooming is seeing repeat customers
over the year with more dogs being booked in.Photography growing by word of mouth as I journey there..
On the bucket list is to spend a day at another Grooming Shop ( a person never stops learning ) , Get to a Dog training workshop/seminar. Finish the one distance Photography course as well get to a couple in person workshops.
I've already signed up for a couple of Herding clinics as well am currently organising a couple of trials...goal is to trial as many
dogs as I can get ready for summer.
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