For my own sanity I really need to document this breeder Drama, but I hesitate to make this public for the time being. Mainly because there are too many idenities to protect and since it is happening in real time, I don’t want to offend or color someone in a certain direction.

Breeder #1:
This was the first breeder I contacted and admittedly I was really new in the process. I am sure i came off as a dumb ass many times so the fact that she emailed me back at all is a miracle. That said, she was always very illusive and never fully answered any questions. I was fairly focused on her in the beginning but that was because she is close by. I finally got to meet her in person, and she was just as unfocused as ever and not too interested in talking to me. It turns out, she isn’t going to be breeding for several years, so I wouldn’t be able to get a dog from any way.

Breeder #2: Breeder #1 recommended two breeders back east. I was later to learn that both are “breeder’s breeders.” I went to the second one’s website and saw the person had very particular stipulations on whether someone could have one of his dogs. Curious, I emailed him a letter asking for more information and he wrote back a very combative letter telling me I could go somewhere else. He later apologized but after learning more about him, I decided his views and mine would definitely not gel.

Breeder #3: I got a tip from some new friends about a particular pair up. It sounds perfect and I am really excited about it. But after talking to the breeder, although super friendly… it seems hardly unlikely he will choose me as a possible prospect. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed. He won’t even consider thinking about possible match ups until the dog has an ultra-sound in 3 weeks.

Breeder #4: Brian is going up to Portland next week and because I got discouraged about Breeder #3, I contacted another breeder who we were interested in the start. She responded right away and has invited us to visit. She has two gals breeding to the same male and it sounded like a good prospect.

So a whole of stuff for a whole lot of nothing.

We are officially at the half way mark. GO TEAM!!!

I should add… if you ever wondered what is in the bottom left hand corner? That’s the kids’ list. They made their own and are checking it off accordingly..

I don’t know who you are
But I can see you run
I don’t know where you are
But i hear your Breath
I don’t when you’ll Live
But i feel your Love
Because you are meant to be
With me

Now I’m writing stupid poetry. Will the madness ever end?

just in case

In lew of the earthquake that hit Japan, it got me thinking about preparedness at home. One Father’s Day the kids got Brian a four person emergency kit. You can buy them on line at all different levels: 3 days, 6 days, 3 people, 100 people.. Inside it has a store of food, emergency blanket, medications and all sorts of things one might need in an emergency. They say you should store kits like this in a place that is away from the house that is easy to get to.

What about for your pets? Well, they sell kits for your pets as well. I remember thinking it was kind of silly when I first saw the offers. But now that we are planning to add a dog to the family, I think its a great idea. If you have never thought about creating an emergency pack and plan for your house, this site is fantastic for walking thru every disaster imaginable. And they even talk about how to prepare your pets.

You can’t prepare for everything.. but having some kind of plan might just save a life.

(Doesn’t he looks like he’s ready for the Alien Invasion?)

***later edit****

I’m friends with my local SPCA on my Facebook and they put out this GREAT PAGE for disaster preparation for your pet; whether it’s four-legged or two.

This is a blog about dogs but I just wanted to take a day and give an homage to Japan. There was a massive earthquake and tsunami and lots of people lost their lives last night. The country is in a state of emergency and to make matters worse, they have to worry about some of their nuclear reactors. I spent the morning trying to explain to my daughter why she DOESN’T want to be in earthquake… and me who has the worst earthquake phobia in the world after suffering two big ones.. well. Its a bad morning. My heart is aching for all those people. I send them peace and hope the can get thru this with their courage intact. I’ve been to Japan. The people there are resilient and more than any other country i’ve visited, i believe they can pull together for this. Be strong Japan. Ashe.

That’s what I feel like tonight. A STALKER.
I swear, word is going to get out and people are going to start questioning if I’m missing the Queen on my chess board.

I’ve been hesitant to talk too much of the process finding a breeder because
1) I just started.
2) I have a habit of sticking my foot in my mouth. . Mmm.. yummy toe fuzz.
3) What if somebody i am trying to impress reads my blog and then walks away feeling offended.. or worse. Doesn’t feel like i’m worthy to own one of their dogs. Goodness that would suck!

But how can i document this process without talking a little about all that I’m doing to FIND my puppy.

So let me outline this process.
1) You go and find reputable breeders on line through the GSMDCA or the AGSBA.
2) You talk to people who have used said breeders.
3) You go their websites and read about their practices.

Lets say you get a good word about a breeder, or someone tells you about a pairing of dogs that might be a good match. Let’s just say you get interested.

Time to SELL YOURSELF.
How do you do this affectively, be completely sincere and truthful about your intentions? How do you convince someone to trust you when ultimately… you want something from them?

Honestly, it’s just not possible. At least for me. I feel like a complete dweeb trying to sell myself.. mainly because I’m a person of action. Not of words. I am excited about this so I come off as hyper and nervous and obsessive. (Which i am. The obsessive part. ) I can’t convince someone I just met that i’m a trustworthy animal lover who is proactive and devoted and really wanting to do this right. They’ve heard it all before; why should they trust me? I don’t know how many of their dogs they’ve had to rescue from bad families because the kids didn’t get on with the dog or they had to move. People are smart and they learn all the right things to say when they are trying to win someone over. If I was in their shoes.. i’d be skeptical too.

Hopefully I’m going to be talking to a breeder this weekend and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we hit it off because it would be lovely to stop talking hypothetical and really start planning for the puppy. This particular pairing, so far sounds lovely. I talked to the owner of the Papa on the phone and she was fantastic. Completely patient and forthcoming. And her dog sounds like the exact kind of energy i want to bring into the house.

Ugh. But its hard! I want to be spending my time, learning about how I want to RAISE the dog and figure out training methods and supplies I’m going to need. We have to find a new vet and I had gotten some feedback from the gs.com about what kind of questions to ask when interviewing. Brian has been asking for those questions for a week and half so he can start interviewing.. and i’ve been preoccupied with breeder questions. I so wish this part was settled. I think this part is going to drive me crazy. But hey! This is the process I signed up for. If I wanted instant gratification we could have just gone to the pound, right?

In the last week I’ve met some new swissy friends. I joined the lovely ladies of Love of the Dog. Its a small message board filled with all sorts of dog topics and it is administered by Melissa of Swiss Lick Swissies. She lost one of her dogs to cancer so I thought I would give a litttle shout out to her Swiss Lick Canine Cancer Fund.

It’s a really nice little forum and everyone there has been really helpful. I got some good advice with breeders and also thinking about future expenses.

That all said, not much ACTUAL progress this week in terms of getting anything on the List accomplished. But is IS only Tuesday. 😀

Image taken from Caveat Actor GSMD

I have been reading up on the history of the GSMD, to understand more of what breeders are attempting to go for. I found this lovely little history lesson at Cathy Cooper’s site at ShadeTree Kennels. Not only is Cathy Cooper the president of the GSMDCA club and an AKC judge, but she’s been running a reputable breeding facility since 1981.

There’s a quote in the article that really struck me:

“But the GSSH is a dog for the weekdays, not for Sunday. And for the time being, we have six weekdays and but one Sunday.” by M. Magron

This speaks to much of the personality of the Swissy. These dogs are velcro dogs. From everything I’ve read, and through the antedocal experience of owners, these dogs are the kind you can’t leave at home in the back yard or in the house. I keep hearing this over and over from people, and it got me thinking: “what dog can you just leave in your backyard? ?” I don’t think it’s good for any breed.

There are a lot of people who invite a dog into their life and then really are only dog owners on the weekends. I know people like this. They stick their dogs in doggie day care or they leave them at home during the day when they go to work and the animal spends most of their time alone. And then they wonder why their dogs have behavior issues?

People have their reasons. I get that. But more than ever it solidifies the idea that I really don’t want a weekend dog. I love the idea that Swissies want to be with their people 24/7. I’m sure it will be a drag once in awhile and I know it will make going out more difficult. But as long as the family is willing, I think it will add a lot to our Life.

watercolor done by Rachel Parker at Rachel’s Studio.

Trying to finish up the little bit of work I was given on Kung Fu Panda 2 so in lew of a real post, I found this watercolor of a swissy I liked.

I have been dealing with a lot of drama talking with my first breeder and discovering a new list forum called Swissy-L. But I have no time to talk about it today. Soon…

Oh, and another item on the list got checked. We’re getting closer…

Puppy photo from Great Swiss Mountain Dog Blog