Campers of the Week!

The Groeninger Pack!

Mister, he's so photogenic!


Lila and
Charlie with Our Izzy




We hit a few of bumps in the road with these guys in the beginning; not human nor canine error, but rather mechanical malfuntion. I would like to thank the Groeninger family for their sense of humor, and understanding.

When Lisa dropped the entirely adopted pack on Friday, I mentioned my plan to cut the grass. That got put off for days, it's tough to spend five hours on a lawn tractor without A/C to retreat to afterwards. If you're a facebook friend you know the hellish weekend I had here at Sit & Stay. It was basically a comedy of errors. All of which ,I'm convinced, due to the heat wave complication; again, the dogs were the easiest part of my day!

Mister, a three year old Mini Aussie, was adopted from a breeder. He's very cute, and can really cover some ground; it's a blast to watch him running with the others! This little guy is athletic, a typically Aussie trait. He's also got a common Aussie scepticisim of a particular type of people: strangers, men, women, etc.
I'll put it this way, Mister loves the ladies. He's not really fearful of me, his dad, or other men; he'd just rather listen to, and be around women. I can't say I blame him...lol! He's got no issues with other dogs, and I often find him cuddled up with his siblings.

Charlie is a three year old Papillon Mix, and the ultimate cuddle bug. He shows no signs of a problem rescue dog, an a joy to have around. His thing is to sneak (so he thinks) up to me on the sofa. He'll inch his way up, as close as I'll let him, but does understand if I draw a line. It's fun to watch him test that imaginary line. Charlie's little, but he can hang with the big kids. If I'm not paying attention, he and his larger sister compete for the sofa.

Lila's a two year old Border Collie; if you know me you also know I'm partial to the breed. I'm always amazed to hear that a dog a great as she, was in a kill shelter. The Groeninger's adopted her about three months ago. I'm guessing she got comfortable in her new home quickly, because she settled in here within the first hour.

In addition to the boarding services, I'll be evaluating Lila's obedience level; Lisa would like to get involved in some volunteer work with her. So, when that re-uniting excitment level wares down, we'll do a little mock CGC with Lisa and Lila. I love to see clients as dedicated, and active as I have lately.

Well, we've all survived that first week inspite of all of the obstacles. The last few days have been a rip. Lots of running, playing, along with some instruction and bonding as well. Lila, Titan, and Izzy are great running partners; that's not to say Mister and Charlie just watch, they're in the field working their little lungs and hearts to the max too.

So the field is freshly trimmed, the A/C is pumping, and all is well in my tiny sliver of world I call Sit and Stay The Villages. Oh yeah, Mister is starting to warm up to me, a man; he got crazy excited when I greeted him this morning. In fact, Guess who's hanging with me right now?

Off Season; What's That?

Here in Central Florida, Summer is considered our off-season. So why are we having the best month since we started here? I know it's been a while since my last entry , but I spent last week on Long Island in order to bring my Dads cremains to the family burial plot. Besides the Fathers Day connection, we thought it would best to handle these family functions when business is light.

I left my assistant, Amanda, in charge of the facility; she did an excellent job! The amazing thing to me is the calls and correspondence must have tripled over the last month. As recommended by law enforcement I didn't make my absence public, and handled the transition as seeming less as possible. That said, I came home to more bookings than I'm accustomed to, what a rush!

Yesterday was no exception, the usual inquires, some long term boarders went home; our day campers came and went, and a couple of tours with perspective clients. Then the highlight of my day, an intro-session to a new clients training program.

Carson a ,Border Collie Mix, and adopted rescue dog and his Mom Joan showed up a little late, but no demerits were issued as they traveled over an hour to get here- I'm flattered! Carson and Joan are the first recipients of our re-vamped training manual; Amanda and I are very proud of it.

Joan adopted Carson from The DogLiberator. He was then known as Carter, "Mr McDreamy", first of all 'cause he's beautiful, and secondly for his loving and gentle presence. Gisele was spot-on when she saw his potential as a service dog, and Joan is running with it!

Together Joan and I are preparing Carson for the Canine Good Citizen Certification; he's a shoe-in. He's got a great calm about him, but is very attentive. In reality Joan and Carson will be doing the work, I'm just here to point them in the right direction; when we first spoke a couple of months ago she asked all of the right questions as well. Since then the two have built an incredible bond.

The first meeting can be a little overwhelming to the handler and dog, so we try to keep it casual and fun. Dogs learn so much quicker when they enjoy themselves, and so do we. Next week the review/testing begins; the biggest advantage to one on one training is in the Q&A time, and I'm certain Joan with have tons of questions- she's a great student.

The question I'm asking myself is "can I keep up with the off-season?" The answer is, hell yeah... and loving it!

Quotation/Poem of the Week

Why own a dog? There's a danger you know,
You can't own just one, for the craving will grow.
There's no doubt they're addictive, wherein lies the danger.
While living with lots, you'll grow poorer and stranger.

One dog is no trouble, and two are so funny.
The third one is easy, the fourth one's a honey.
The fifth one's delightful, the sixth one's a breeze,
You find you can live with a houseful of ease.

So how 'bout another? Would you really dare?
They're really quite easy but, oh, Lord the hair!
With dogs on the sofa and dogs on the bed,
And crates in the kitchen, it's no bother, you've said.

They're really no trouble, their manners are great.
What's one more dog and just one more crate?
The sofa is hairy, the windows are crusty,
The floor is all footprints, the furniture dusty.

The housekeeping suffers, but what do you care?
Who minds a few noseprints and a little more hair?
So let's keep a puppy, you can always find room,
And a little more time for the dust cloth and broom.

There's hardly a limit to the dogs you can add,
The thought of a cutback sure makes you sad.
Each one is so special, so useful, so funny.
The vet and food bills grows larger, you owe BIG money.

Your folks never visit, few friends come to stay,
Except other "dog folks" who live the same way.
Your lawn has now died, and your shrubs are dead too,
But your weekends are busy, you're off with your crew.

There's dog food and vitamins, training and shots.
And entries and travel and motels which cost lots.
Is it worth it you wonder? Are you caught in a trap?
Then that favorite one comes and climbs in your lap.

His look says you're special and you know that you will
Keep all of the critters in spite of the bill.
Some just for showing and some just to breed.
And some just for loving, they all fill a need.

God, winter's a hassle, the dogs hate it too.
But they must have their walks though they're numb and your blue.
Late evening is awful, you scream and you shout
At the dogs on the sofa who refuse to go out.

The dogs and the dog shows, the travel, the thrills,
The work and the worry, the pressure, the bills.
The whole thing seems worth it, the dogs are your life.
They're charming and funny and offset the strife.

Your life-style has changed. Things won't be the same.
Yes, those dogs are addictive and so is the dog game.

Unknown Poet