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BREEDER OF QUALITY MINIATURE DACHSHUNDS &
SHETLAND SHEEPDOGS
We run a small hobby kennel located in northwest Ohio. We are just 5 miles east of Indiana & 3 1/2 miles south
of Michigan. We raise smooth and longhaired miniature dachshunds in various colors. We also have some with the
brindle and dapple patterns. We have shelties in sable, tricolor, blue merle, and bi-blue.
We strive for healthy dogs with sound temperment and excellent conformation in our breeding program. Good health
and sound temperment is of the utmost importance because no matter how gorgeous and conformationally correct the dog is, if
it isn't healthy and doesn't have a temperment you can live with, the dog is of no use to you as either for a pet or for breeding.
We show in agility and obedience and are starting in conformation. We have titled several dogs in obedience and
different agility organizations including NADAC, USDAA, UKC, and CPE. On June 30, 2007, we finished our finished
home-bred dachshunds to their UKC conformation championship. Dachshunds are probably the most versatile breed as they
can also compete in agility, obedience, tracking, field trials & earthdog events all offered by AKC.
Dachshunds are wonderful companions but they need a job to exert their energy whether it be in a field trial or just
running through the field with you chasing rabbits. But then when they are done, they are perfectly content to go home
with you and curl up on the couch & snuggle.
Shelties also make wonderful companions and they also need a job to do or they get bored. Boredom can cause any
pet to be destructive.
So whether you compete in agility trials or just go outside and play ball with your dog, give it some kind of job to
do. Let them know how pleased you are with them as pleasing you pleases them. After they have done a good job,
be sure to let them know with lots of hugs and kisses then go in the house and snuggle up on the couch. There is nothing
more than this that is good for your soul as well as your dogs.
IMPORTANCE OF A PEDIGREE
When looking for a puppy, champions in the pedigree show that thought and planning was given to the
resulting puppies and breeding adults. It also is a reflection on temperment and trainability. No breeder
or show person is going to invest the time, research, and thousands of dollars in expense on an inferior dog. Nor will
they invest the time and expense in a dog that is not healthy and won't live a long life to help improve their lines.
When shopping for a puppy, choose a puppy with a good champion bloodline even if you aren't interested in showing or breeding.
This should result in many years of companionship and enjoyment with a happy, healthy, good tempered dog.
Request a 5 generation pedigree to study of the puppy you are thinking of purchasing.
MICROCHIPPING
Microchipping is the best form of permanent identification. This procedure was developed by
a vet and is permanent, safe and only takes a few seconds. A tiny computer chip is inserted just under the skin between
the shoulders. The microchip can not be lost, altered or removed so your pet will be protected for life. The microchipping
procedure is not painful. It is as simple as getting an ordinary vaccination. The microchip number is registered
for life in the National database and is recognized worldwide. A special scanner is used to read the microchip right
through the skin of the dog. Any strays taken to the pound or vets can easily be scanned for a microchip. If a
chip is found, with a quick call to the National registry, the chip can be traced back to the individual that registered
the number and the dog can be reunited with its family.
BEFORE YOU BUY A PUPPY
Ask yourself if you're home enough to properly care for a puppy and give it proper housetraining.
Be sure you can afford good nutritious food for your puppy, not bargain brand food. Ask yourself if you can afford
to properly care for your puppy and can afford to take him/her to the vet for all scheduled wormings, vaccinations, spay/neuter,
or can afford the expense to take him/her to the vet should he/she become ill.
Make sure you have picked a breed that will fit into your family and environment. Think twice
before getting a large dog if you have small children, a small yard, or live in an apartment. A large dog can knock
small children down even if it doesn't mean to. It also will be more important that a large dog get obedience training
early so that it will be able to be handled without tugging on the leash. A small dog needs obedience training also
but at least it won't drag you all over if you wait too long to start. An obedient dog is much more pleasant to
live with.
Don't think about how cute and small the puppy is now but think about the size that it will
end up. Also think about what the breed was developed to do. Ex: Herding breeds may tend to herd small children.
Terriers are very active and inquisitive.
Shelties and Pembroke Corgis are from the herding group. They are very active. They need
some "job" to do to keep them happy and from being destructive. They may tend to herd small children. If
your sheltie or corgi gets a lot of exercise, takes long walks with you, plays fetch, or does agility, it will be totally
content and happy being your house dog.
Dachshunds are from the hound group. They were bred to hunt. They like to get out and
explore the yard, a wood pile or go through the brush but they also enjoy snuggling up to you in a warm home and just being
a lap dog. Dachshunds are naturally free from "doggy" odor. Miniature dachshunds make
loyal companions
I breed first for myself to hopefully produce a conformationally correct dog that I can show to attain
its championship title and also be used in my breeding program to improve my line. There are always some exceptional
pets in the litter that need good loving forever homes. They will be gorgeous healthy pets with excellent temperment
that should bring you many years of enjoyment.
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HOW COULD YOU?
By Jim Willis, 2001
When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number
of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your
finger at me and ask "How could you?"- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a bellyrub.
My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together.
I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life
could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the
cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end
of the day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career,and more time searching for a human mate. I waited
for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped
with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.
She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed
her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by
their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I
spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate.
Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They
clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses
on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch--because your touch was now so infrequent--and I would've defended
them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we
waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.
There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and
told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your
dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city,
and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets.
You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about
the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out
the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand
the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers."
You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!"
And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility,and
about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar
and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.
After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to
find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?" They are as attentive to us here in the shelter
as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago.
At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind-that
this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I
could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner
and waited.
I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate
room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in
anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my
nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I
knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in
the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the
sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could
you?"
Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it
was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for
myself--a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey
to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you,
My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue
to show you so much loyalty.
A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote
it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in American & Canadian
animal shelters. Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial purpose,as long as it is properly attributed
with the copyright notice. Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office
bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve
our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane
society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the
killing, and encourage all spay and neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals. - Jim Willis
Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad, but it could save maybe, even one unwanted pet.
The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and
hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and
our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are
restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them
in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss
someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly
stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run
from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your
special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon
your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone
from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...
Author unknown...
Taking on the responsibility of a pet is a LIFE LONG
committment and should not be taken lightly. This is a LIFE that you are accepting the responsibility
of caring for so do not take on this responsibilty if you are not whole-heartedly committed to caring for it properly and
for its entire life.
I do not knowingly sell to puppy mills, wholesalers, or petstores. I will be asking
questions to screen out these types of buyers. Please understand why I am asking you these questions. It is for
the well-being of the puppy. |
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