Guardian Angel Shepherds News

NEWS & EVENTS!

Be sure to scan down to the bottom for the most up-to-date info!!

HINT - You can click on any picture to enlarge it!

January 12 '10 - We are excited to start a new page here at Guardian Angel Shepherds! We are expecting
Indy/Diesel pups here any day now. Indy showed her tummy later than usual this time. I'm expecting either a
smaller litter or the pups maybe a little smaller. I've been trying to organize a vet appointment to get her
x-rayed but the timing is not working out. Hopefully today! Check back often for updates!

January 14 '10 - Still waiting... X-ray appointment is for 3:00PM today. From there I have to teach at Olds
College but I will update the website when I get home as to how many puppies there are. She's getting bigger
everyday so my previous thoughts that it was going to be a small litter, no longer applies. I'm guessing 7-8??

Jan 14 '10 - So here it is. The best I can reproduce it, that is. It is very difficult to get good pictures of an x-ray.
Can you count the skulls and backbones? I'd make you count and keep you in suspense if I had been able to get
you a better picture. The vet says 7 puppies! So we'll see. One thing for sure is that there is at LEAST 7.
Sometimes there can be a shy one or two. But 7 puppies is just fine with me. Please send good thoughts and
prayers for a quick and safe delivery. It is 9:30 PM and she's panting. Nobody else is... hmmm...

Jan 17 '10 - 12:30AM - Nope! Still no signs... If you think you are having a hard time waiting... think of what I'm
going through! Checking every couple of hours through the night, not leaving the house, just in case. It's got to
be soon!

Medical Kit:                                                                                                         Whelping Kit:
Stethoscope                                                                                                            Thermometer
Lactated Ringers Solution                                                                                                 Thermometer covers
French Tube (7 or 8)                                                                                                        children’s safety scissors
3cc syringes                                                                                                    dental floss, tied in loops
(plac ein
plastic bag)
20 cc syringes w/20 g. needles                                                                                         bulb syringe
                                                                  Betadine diluted in spray bottle (or
squeeze bottle)
                                                                          alcohol (in squeeze bottle)
4” x 4” sterile gauze                                                                                                 sponges tincture of iodine
surgical sponge                                                                                                                 latex gloves
chlorhexidine towelettes                                                                                                      20 hand towels
veno-set                                                                                                                                      KY jelly
oxytocin
calphosan                                                                                                                         Puppy Box :
dopram                                                                                                                                 Heating pad
atropine                                                                                                                 flannel receiving blankets
                                                                                                  hand towel
Whelping Table Equipment:
kleenex                                                                                                         Whelping box equipment:
paper towel                                                                                                         whelping box
small trash bags                                                                                        20 3’ x 3’ pad for under box
large trash bags                                                                                                         old blankets
handi-wipes                                                                                                 3’ x 3’ lambskin mattress pads
laundry basket                                                                                                         room thermometer
zip loc bags –                                                                                20 small and large incontinence pads
blanket for cage
mattress pads for x-pen                                                                                 Feeding Supplies:
spray bottle of quat disinfectant                                                 cans evaporated milk (or goat’s milk)
spray bottle of self-rinse shampoo                                                                 whole fat yogurt
slicker brush                                                                                                                 eggs
wash cloth                                                                                         bottled/sterilized (baby) water
heating lamp                                                                                                         Pedialyte
water bucket
                                                                  Forms: (Placed on Clipboard)
Human Supplies:                                                                                         Litter Medical Records
Video Tapes                                                                                                 Birth Record Sheet
Books on Tape                                                                                         Puppy Info Sheet
Coffee/Chocolate                                                                                         Weight Record Sheet
Champagne                                                                                                 Record of Litter
                                                          Any records from previous whelpings

Jan 17 3:00 PM - Indy is following me everywhere and won't let me out of her sight. I believe this is one of the
beginning signs. I think things will start happening within 24 hrs.

I just thought I'd let you know what kind of things I do to prepare for the whelping. Below is a list of things to get
ready before the whelping gets started. I cut and pasted it from a file so the format is a little off, but you get the
idea. This certainly is no "under-the-back-stairs" litter!

Jan 18 '10 - It is 1:00 AM Sunday night/Monday morning. Indy is in the first stages of labour. It's going to be a
long night. I will check in when I can...

Jan 18 5:00 PM - 7 PUPPIES! 4 Boys, 3 Girls! The last puppy was born at 2:00PM so I THINK I'm done. I have
had them 6 hours apart so you can never be 100% sure. I've even heard of a last puppy being born 2.5 days later!

though. It was a good whelping with only one pup having a hard time breathing to start with. But it only took a
minute and the little guy figured it out.

Below are links to some quick clips of Indy, before, during and after whelping.

Indy - First Stages of Labour

Indy - Mid-Whelping

Indy & All Her Puppies!

I've been up for 34 hours now and was debating on whether I should go to bed now or just hang in there for a few
more hours. I know I'll be up several times through the night with the little guys, just checking to make sure
everything is okay. The first 48 hours are very critical. If they survive that, then the next critical time is getting
them to the 2 week mark. If they make it that far, they're generally good to go! So please continue to send good
thoughts and vibes our way. Every little bit helps!

January 20 - Everybody is doing well! Yahoo!!! There are two that need a little TLC because they are not gaining
as fast as the others but that is normal for a litter of this size. I am amazed at how much they change in just 48
hours.

Enjoy the pictures! I will have more soon. Please email me with your thoughts. And thanks to all those who
have sent congratulations and good wishes! It is very much appreciated!

5 of 7

Protective Mother

3 of 7

A Well Deserved Rest

REALLY Protective Mother

January 22 '10 - Everybody is doing well. All the pups are growing like weeds! Its amazing how fast they grow.
One of the reasons I use the blankets with the squares is so that you can get an idea of their size and how
quickly they grow! Compare the pictures after they were just born to the ones below. And that is just three days!

January 21 '10

Click to enlarge!

Born @ 2:00 PM
Weight 1 lb 4.8 ounces

Miss Pink
Born @ 10:30 AM
Weight 1 lb 5.4 ounces

Mr. Red
Born @ 10:40AM
Weight 1 lb 1.7 ounces

Mr. Blue
Born @ 11:00AM
Weight 1 lb 5.3 ounces

Mr. Dark Green
Born @ 11:50AM
Weight 1 lb 5.3 ounces

Miss Purple
Born @ 12:45PM
Weight 1 lb 0.7 ounces

Mr. Light Green
Born 12:05PM
Weight 1 lb 4.3 ounces

Here is a short video I took yesterday. I call it Miss Pink Goes Walk About!

Jan 23 - I've had a few people call and tell me my Email Money Transfer link is no longer working. It should be up
and running now. I guess they changed their website address and didn't tell me!

I appreciate people letting me know when there is a problem on my site. I did the site myself and it becomes
very difficult to keep up with all the things that can go wrong. And WHY they go wrong, most of the time I have
no idea. I just went to the Jan-March09 page from my NEWS page and half the pictures on there are grey for
some strange reason. So if you are going through the website and find problems, typos,grammatical errors,
whatever, please let me know. I found a typo on the very front page just a couple of days ago. Do you have any
idea how many times I've read that page!! So if you all could be proof-readers for me, that would be great. I can't
promise to get everything fixed immediately but at least I'll have a list I can go through little by little.

The pups are doing great. Only a few more days and their eyes and ears will open! They all have blue eyes to
start with and they will slowly change to dark brown. It's an exciting time!

Jan 29 - I know it's been a long time since the last update but there really isn't a whole lot that goes on in the
early stages. All have doubled their birth weight and then some. Some have almost tripled! And now that they
are 10 days old, their eyes have started to open. There is a short video HERE

9 days old - waiting in a laundry
hamper while the whelping box
is being cleaned. Tomorrow
they'll graduate to TWO laundry
baskets!

Feb 1 '10 - (My Birthday!) - Two weeks old already! How time flies when you're busy! All pups eyes and ears are
open now. For the first time, they are starting to acknowledge someone coming into the room. Their eyes can only
see movement, no clear pictures. And their hearing, I would guess it comes in gradually as well. They will be all
sleeping when I come in and if I start talking to them now, they will lift wobbly heads to try and see. They are
trying to walk as well but more often than not, will fall and do a complete roll over. It doesn't seem to phase them
though. They just get up and try again. What can we learn from that!

Now that they are two weeks old, the next instalment is owing. $1000 now and the remaining $1000 when you
come to take the cute little critter home. Thank you to those that have already sent their payment.

At three weeks old, we can start having visitors. You must wear clean clothes and not come in contact with any
dogs between here and there. There are strict rules of conduct when you are with the puppies. All of which will be
explained to you when you come. Appointments can be made by emailing me. Visits are kept to one hour
maximum so we don't wear out the puppies.

TWO WEEKS OLD

THREE DAYS OLD

Feb 4 - 16 Days Old! Their eyes and ears are all definitely all open now. They see Mom come and go out of the box
now and they do their best to try and follow her. They're not successful yet but give 'em another week! They are
now just realizing that they have brothers and sisters. It's so funny to watch them try and play with each other at
this stage. It's kind of like watching two pups play in slow motion. It really is quite funny. I'll try and get some
video footage but it's really hard getting good video of black dogs. I promise I'll try though.

I want you to go back up this web page to Jan. 22. On the left you will see pictures of the individual pups at 3 days
old. On the left you'll see what they look like today at 16 days old. I thought it would be neat to see them

individual weights right now. Just so you have an idea, they are anywhere from 3 - 4+ pounds. I love to hear from
you so let me know if you think they're cute or not!

The last puppy was sold several days ago but I just got around to changing the home page. Here is a quote from
someone who owned a GUARDIAN ANGEL SHEPHERD in the past. "`I wish I could apply for that last pup from Indy
and Diesel but I can't. I just know they are going to be special dogs... ...Anyway whoever gets that last pup should
feel very fortunate." Thank you Brian F. That means a lot to me.

SIXTEEN DAYS OLD

Feb 5 - So the pups had a full day yesterday. Each one was taken out of the whelping room and allowed to crawl
around on a different surface. In this case, a cold leather couch. Each one had a different reaction to the cold.

toe nails trimmed for the first time. It was easy to do with my helper Lee-Ann holding them and I was able to
quickly snip their tiny toe nails. They are tiny but MAN are they SHARP! Indy was very glad to have them gone!

Feb. 8 '10 - Things are happening quickly around here now. The pups are now on a combination of soaked kibble,
raw hamburger and formula. The hamburger and kibble are fed separately but both are mixed with the formula. I
give my dogs both raw and kibble dog food so that they get the benefits of raw and I get the benefit of kibble which

raw is balanced. I can just tell whoever is looking after the dogs, they get x number of scoops in the morning and
x number at night. It keeps things a little simpler. If you are thinking you might feed raw, be sure to do LOTS of
research on it because it isn't just a matter of dumping a pound of hamburger into a bowl. There needs to be
things added to it to keep it balance and to make sure the dog is getting the required nutrients. Also, if you want
to feed both raw and kibble as I do, you have to feed it separately. Raw and kibble digest at different speeds
which can cause stomach aches and all kinds of problems for the dogs. I feed raw in the morning and kibble at
night.

It's always fun to see which puppy figures out how to get out of the whelping box first! This time it was Mr. Light
Green. Not only is he out of the box but he has mastered it! I put him in, turn around, and voilà! There he is, out
again! He is teaching his brothers and sisters to do the same now, so I've decided to remove the whelping box.
Indy doesn't like it much as she can't get away from them anymore. Her only refuge is on top of the Futon.

I've put two new videos up on youtube. You can do a search for k9trainergsd and all of my videos should come up.
If you can't access them, please let me know and I'll paste and copy a link for you.

And speaking of k9trainer! Look what I just got!

COOL HUH!

Feb 11 '10 - So I'm a little sad today. DON'T WORRY! All pups are well! However, I found out today that I have
already gone over my limit for my Internet connection. Last month it ran $257 over! I was watching it carefully
this month, bound and determined that Telus was nuts and that there could be no way I could go over like that.
After all, I've had this "air card" for 3 years now and never went over before! What I found out was, although I
am spending about the same amount of time on the Internet, this new and improved air card transfers data at
10X the capacity of the last one! DAMN! So if anybody out there knows how us rural bumpkins can get high
speed Internet for not too much money... I AM ALL EARS! It seems so unfair to me that so many people can
have unlimited Internet access for about $30/month when I'm paying $350 per month and that's not even
unlimited! Where's the fairness in that?? So, like I said, I'm all ears if you have any suggestions!

So I bought these fancy new bowls for the puppies to try. The purpose was
to try and prevent the amount of mess there is to clean up after their meals.
Well...consensus is, they work a LITTLE better. I think as the pups get
older, it will help a lot, but at the moment, they continue to walk right
through, oblivious to the mess they leave behind. OH! And by the way,
those of you who are coming in the next couple of weeks; don't expect
nice, clean, fluffy puppies. It's more like running your hand over sandpaper
with all the food that gets stuck to their coat. Well, not that bad I guess,
but not totally fluffy either! You've been warned. Please wear clean clothes
that you don't mind getting dirty because depending on when you come, it
could be at meal time!

And I wonder what my daughter and son-in-law will think when they see I'm
using my fancy, expensive present to heat water for my puppies! For that
matter, I wonder what Keurig thinks about it!

Poor Mark and Adrienne! I practically FORCED them to drink coffee so I
could show off my new machine. But I think it's safer now. The novelty is
wearing off. Water it is next time!

Feb. 13 '10 - I have been corrected (twice) for my previous statement of saying the pups feel like "sandpaper".
Apparently I should have use the word "crunchy" or possibly "crusty". And I should have mentioned that it was
just small areas on the puppies bodies and not all over. My apologies for misleading you (GRIN)!

As I was talking to some of the visitors, I realized that there are a few things I do that I may not have mentioned
before. They are small things for sure, but I believe that the small things can add up to a big thing!

The pups (and actually all my dogs) are under full spectrum daylight bulbs. I feel it is healthier than the regular
incandescent or fluorescent. When I wash the floor in the puppy room, I never use harsh cleaners, but instead a
steam cleaner. It sanitizes without using chemicals. I also wash anything that touches the puppies, with natural
cleansers, without added perfumes. I believe this will help prevent allergies and sensitivities later in life. Once
the pups reach 5 weeks and over, I start using regular detergents so their senses won't be overloaded in their
new home environment.

The pups are now getting around fairly well. Spending more time up on their legs than they are tumbling. They
are starting to establish their pecking order already. I wonder who will be "Top Dog"?! I have introduced
classical music and the distant sound of a vacuum cleaner. Tomorrow I will add some toys for them to check
out.

Until next time...

Feb 23 '10 - Hello everyone. Sorry I haven't been updating much. I've been trying to lay low with all this Internet
overtime stuff. The pups are doing well. They have spilled over into the rest of the house now. It won't be long
and they will outgrow that as well. I will be away for a couple of days on business but I promise I'll get pictures
and videos up for you when I get back. I will be starting the next month's billing cycle so can go wild again for a
little while!

I will be away for two days on business. Home for sleeping only and then off again so I won't be answering
emails for a few days. And don't worry about your puppies. They are in good hands with Mark.

Feb 26 '10 - It's Friday! But for me it feels like Monday. I was away at a 3 day seminar and they usually happen
on the weekends but this one was Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. And I am beat! Not only did I go to the
seminar but after I was finished for the day there, I taught at either my obedience club or at the College. When I
got home, I still had to do all the usual chores so I didn't get to bed until 3:00AM and had to rise at 6:30AM. For
three days! I am BEAT! But, when you have animals, they don't care how many hours of sleep you have, so
today was a day like any other. Except today was BATH DAY! I only have a few pictures because I was doing it
all with no help so it's hard to hold a wet, squirming puppy and take a picture with wet hands. Sorry, but I did the
best I could! The pups were also introduced to some of the rest of the pack. Diesel & Isis got to hang with the
pups for a few hours today. It's great for the pups to learn that not only do they have to listen to Mom but to
other dogs as well. Both Diesel and Isis are great for keeping them under control but they are also very gentle
about it.

Aw, Mom! I've had a hard day.
Won't you share your bone
with me?

I still hate Bath Day and I'm
still pouting!

Leave me alone! I'm pouting!

I hate Bath Day!

I hate Bath Day and
I'm going to pout!

I hate Bath Day!

Light Green

Purple

Dark Green

Pink

Blue

Yellow

Red

Feb 27 '10 - Can you believe the end of February is here!! It just blows me away! If all my puppy people would
please send me emails to confirm all dates and times for viewing and/or picking up your puppy, that would be
great. I want to make sure I haven't forgotten to write it down. (I'm a great dog person. Secretary? Not so
much) If you haven't made an appointment to pick up your little bundle of fuzz, please do so asap as time slots
are getting further and further away. You need to plan on 2 hours here for paperwork and for me to go over what
you need to know about your puppy. It doesn't always take the full 2 hours but sometimes it does. You can
email me at k9trainer@dogwhisperer.ca

PS If you are wondering what to do while waiting for your puppy, you can read a book by the Monk's of New Skete
called The Art of Raising a Puppy and Cesar Millan's How to Raise the Perfect Dog. There are a few things I
disagree with Cesar about but for the most part, it is an excellent book. You can order them on line on this
website by clicking the Bookstore dog tag.

A shiny black Isis enjoys the sun

and other large moving machines. Their world has expanded exponentially! Soon there will be walks and lots of
new things to explore. Each puppy will be brought into the house individually twice a day for socialization and
more learning experiences. Hmmm... that's 28 trips up and down the stairs! I've posted a few videos on youtube
March 1, 2010 - Moving Day! The pups have moved outside to larger quarters. They will now learn about tractors, for you. You can subscribe to k9trainergsd to be notified every time I post a new video. That way you'll never
miss a video again!

Both indoor and outdoor areas
allow more room for play. A
bed up off the cold ground is
available for those who like to
sleep in the fresh air.

A heat mat inside the crate will
keep the pups warm. It sits at
101 degrees (the temperature of
Mom) and all the pups can fit
inside to sleep. A cozy blanket
has been added since the
picture was taken

Outdoor Puppy Enclosure
The pups have access to
both indoors and
outdoors during the day
but are locked up safely
inside for the night.

March 8 '10 - Testing Day! Today is the day to test the puppies! We will find out where their strengths lie and
which puppy is suited for a particular job. The test is scheduled to start at 2:00PM and will take approximately 5
hours. Once the testing is done, both the puppies and I will collapse in exhaustion. Tomorrow I will go through
the results and hopefully have the results for you by Wednesday. I need all my puppy owners to go through their
questionnaires and let me know if there are any things on there you want to change. eg you are more interested
than before in therapy work with the dog, or you need me to know more about the dog you currently own so I can
match temperaments, etc. Any and all information plays a role in the puppy you get. The more information you
give me, the better the match will be. Wish us luck!

Mr. Light Green
Bryan, Matt & Alicia
"MAX"

Mr. Blue
Tammy & Mike
"PLATO"

Mr. Dark Green
(What do you think the wink means?)
Sandy & Lea
"DANTE"

Mr. Red
Peter & Joanne, Jason & Ashley
"JAKOB OF OLDS" aka "Jake"

Miss Purple
Mark & Adrienne!
'LEXXA"

Miss Yellow
Mary Ann
"MYSTIQUE"

Miss Pink
Freya & Marc
"LEYNA"

March 10 '10 - So there you go! Thank you everyone for being so patient. For me, this is the most stressful
part of my program. There are so many variables between families and puppies, I need to sit down and think
long and hard about each and every factor.

Just to give you an example of my thought processes. This person is looking for a Search & Rescue Dog, has 4
teenagers, is high energy, has 2 cats, an insecure Cocker Spaniel and wants a dog to chase the wildlife out of
the yard and protect his family if necessary. My first question would be, how devoted to SAR are you? I ask
because a dog that is very good at SAR is not as good at protecting. A SAR dog has to be extremely social and
show no signs of aggression to people. So, what's more important, protection or SAR. My SAR dogs will
protect if necessary but I need to know whether the dog will be spending more time at home protecting, or on
the mountains doing SAR.

The next issue is 4 teenagers. You will need a dog that is tough as nails to wrestle and play with four
teenagers. It cannot be touch sensitive and it must be high energy to keep up. So that takes care of the high
energy portion however, if the dog is tough as nails, it will be more difficult to train. I need to ask if this
person is capable of handling a tough, working line GSD or would a softer dog be better for them. If a softer dog
is chosen, how will the teenagers change their play techniques? A softer dog does not mean wimpy. A softer
dog is not always testing for Alpha position. A softer dog is more interested in pleasing than dominating. A
softer dog will take little or no physical corrections whereas a hard or "sharp" dog will most definitely require
the owner to be on his toes at all times. Personally, I like the hard dogs that keep me honest! The good thing
is, everybody is at different levels. Matching the puppy to the owner is SO CRUCIAL.

The next consideration is prey drive. The desire to chase things. Working line GSDs all have high prey drive.
However, within the litter, it will vary. You want a high prey drive for SAR, chasing wildlife out of the yard but
not for the cats. Are these cats the kind that will run, or will they stand their ground? If they stand their
ground a dog with high prey drive will be the perfect match. However, if they are "scaredy cats" and run, a
high prey drive dog will chase. Is the owner knowldegeable enough to have a high prey drive dog and still keep
the cats safe? Or are they better with a lower prey drive to help the cats but then the SAR aspect will suffer.

Now there's the issue of the insecure Cocker. If you bring in a puppy to your home that has an insecure dog,
more often than not the puppy will cue on the older dog's behaviour. The only puppy who will not, is a
dominant, independent dog who will by-pass the older dog's fearful behaviour. But that puppy will have to be
hard as nails (back to the 4 teenager scenario and the difficult dog to train for a beginner).

So, you can see why it is I took 2 days to sort out all the variables and select the right puppy for you. And
that's just the human side of the equation!! Then there's everything that needs to be considered from the
canine side!

So, there you go! The decisions have been made. I hope you are all happy with my decisions. Please email
me with your thoughts.

Enjoy dreaming of your puppies!

March 11 '10 - Vet Check Day! - You will all be glad to hear that all puppies passed their vet checks! Yippee!
The last hurdle has been overcome! Dr. Kurt was here today and vaccinated, dewormed, vet checked and
microchipped the puppies. He just LOVES my puppies. Every time he comes here, he compliments me on the
quality of the puppies and the care that they get.

This is Dr. Kurt with some of my previous puppies. I just love this
picture because it eptomizes Kurt. He puts his heart and soul into the
care of animals. I am extremely grateful I have a vet like him. Thank
you Kurt!

On the day you pick up your puppy - No collar or leash is necessary. Remember, your puppy has never been
restrained (for a good reason!) so they do not know how to walk on a leash. That is something you will have to
teach them with love and patience. Not on the day they go home though!

You will need a clean up bag of supplies for your vehicle. The motion of the car will make your puppy feel sick.
She may throw up. Be prepared!   Have a second person in the vehicle. One will be in charge of driving, the
other in charge of the puppy. Both jobs are crucial! The driver may think " but why does he/she get to cuddle
with the puppy and all I get to do is drive?"   The answer is "because that person is going to get puked on!" So
now that you know that, figure out who's going to drive and whose going to get to cuddle the puppy!

They will be very frightened. They have been "abandoned" by their family and "unknown predators" (that's you!)
have him in their control. Are they going to eat me?   Although this is somewhat of an exaggeration, they do
believe they have been abandoned and feel alone and scared. I am not telling you this so you will feel sorry for
them. Far from it! What I hope you will learn from this is patience. Patience when the puppy cries through the
night. Patience when she is locked in a crate without her littermates for company. Patience... This puppy is
alone for the first time in it's life. It does not understand that you will be it's new pack.   Do not feel sorry for
them as this makes you appear weak. You are leaders! You are not weak! Weak and Leader does not go
together. Instead you must lead by example. Put your fingers in the crate at night and tell them they are safe
and not alone. If they need to go outside (which is a certainty at least 2 times per night), take them out,
minimize the interaction and put them back to bed. This intensive care period will only last a few weeks. Hang
in there and you will have the best dog possible.

And speaking of that, you need to download my Service Dog Puppy Program You don't HAVE to follow it but if
you do, you will have a phenomenal dog beyond your wildest expectations. My job of building the pups up to take
on the world has ended, however, yours has just begun. Take the pertinent things from the program and discard
the rest. If you are not doing protection and security work with the dog, then don't worry about doing the "bag
work". If you are not going to show your dog, then don't worry about teaching the dog how to "stack". Just take
the things that pertain to your life and work on those. For obvious reasons, the pups have not gone swimming
and I didn't have time to take them in the car. Other than that, everything you read up until week 8, has been
done. Your ideal time to have your dog learn about new things is between week 8 and week 16. That is a small
time frame in the scheme of things. We'll talk more about it when you pick up your puppy. Allow 2 hours here,
just in case you have a lot of questions (or I have a lot of advice!) and there's a lot of paperwork to do.

You will also need to have THREE names for your puppy. The CKC requires three names on the registration
papers in case two have been taken already. Regardless of your dog's registered name, you may call it whatever
you wish. "Marcellus' I Am Canadian" is the registered name of Diesel.

Last thing I can think of at the moment is the final payment. You need to bring cash, a certified cheque or have
sent an email money transfer prior to leaving with your puppy. My favourite is the email money transfer. It's
quick, easy, and uncomplicated. However! I will take any of the three payment choices. The remaining owing
on your puppy is $1000 unless other plans have been made.

Well I must dash out and do chores before it gets too dark! If I think of anything else, I'll let you know. Feel free
to email me with any questions!

March 12 '10 - A new, short video. Introducing... The Pack!

Their new playground equipment. I'm working on the video of their introduction to it. I'll post it as soon as I can!
I have some "must do" things to take care of first.

So the video has been posted HERE

March 17 '10 - And then there were three! It's so sad around here I don't want to even put up pictures with just
3 puppies left. It looks so EMPTY! However, I don't want anyone to feel badly. I cry every time a puppy leaves
my care. I just do. I can't help it. They are such wonderful little creatures and I love each and every one of
them. But, I've spent countless hours on the phone or by email carefully checking out potential owners. I
know that each and every one of you will take care of my baby as well, if not better, than I do.

How will they go help people if they stay here with me! I don't have time to take each dog and find it's true
potential. I can't do SAR, therapy work, protection and still have time for all my other dogs. I was even told a
tear-jerker of a story how one of these puppies has already helped an abused child. And the puppy is still here
with me!! Figure that one out! It makes me so incredibly proud to hear things like that. It brings tears to my
eyes just thinking about it.

I love my dogs very much. I love them so much, I let them go.

I am looking forward to hearing all your stories and getting lots of pictures!

Plato (aka Mr. Blue) in his new
home. He looks very happy
with his new tags on!

March 17 '10 - Seems my email system is down temporarily. I haven't received any emails since 6:30PM
yesterday. If you've emailed me and I haven't responded, that's why. I will post when I get it up and running
again. Thank you for your patience.

March 17 in the late evening - They tell me they've fixed the problem of my lack of emails but I'm doubting it.
Two emails came in and that's it. I usually get 40-60 a day. If you tried sending a message before, please try
again. If it works, I'll respond!

March 27th - the good news is my emails seems to be working now so anyone holding off emailing, I should be able
to receive updates and pictures now.

The bad news is there is A GUARDIAN ANGEL SHEPHERD MISSING! He went missing last Tuesday night from his
yard in Cold Lake. The owner is a member of the Armed Forces, so all you current and retired Armed Forces
Guys/Gals, one of your own needs your help! The dog's name is Ares and he will be two years old in July. Anyone
and everyone you know, needs to know this dog is missing. His owner is heartbroken. He had to leave for a
course in Quebec and left the dog with his girlfriend and sister. They put the dog out in the yard to go to the
bathroom and when they went to let him in, he was gone. We must band together and help out! This could happen
to anyone's dog. I will be receiving a picture and more details and when I do, I will post them on the website. For
those who don't know how to help. Say a prayer for his safe return.

Ares 110lbs german shepherd missing out of the casino dene/beaver creek area since tuesday
the 23rd of march. Phone # 780 813 4273 or 780 594 4273. Email at stpatty145@msn.com

Ares & Friend

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE SEARCH FOR ARES. SO FAR WE
HAVE THE MPs FROM THE COLD LAKE BASE, SOME RCMP, SOME NATIVES FROM THE RESERVE AND SOME
SHAW INSTALLERS, NOT TO MENTION SEVERAL ENLISTED MEN AND WOMEN, AND CIVILIANS. IF ARES IS
AROUND SOMEWHERE, WE'RE GOING TO FIND HIM. MY HEART GOES OUT TO DOMINIC WHO HAS LOST HIS
PARTNER.

IT MAKES ME SO PROUD THAT SO MANY OF THE GUARDIAN ANGEL FAMILY HAS COME TOGETHER TO HELP
HIM. WHAT A GREAT GROUP YOU ARE! WHEN I GET INFORMATION, YOU'LL GET INFORMATION.

April 6 '10 - Well it's been two weeks since Ares went missing and no news. We will continue to look until there is
no stone unturned. I want to thank everyone again for their efforts in this. It is such a sad story that could happen
to any of us. Please do not give up hope. We actually located a Labrador that had been stolen from Calgary and
found in Florida! So don't stop looking just because it's been a long time. Miracles do happen!

I am really behind on my phone messages and emails. Mark had surgery done on his eyes at the end of the week
and I've had a couple of "emergency" calls to take care. I also have two extra dogs to train that I hadn't allotted
time for and to top it off, I'm sick, again! So please bear with me while I get caught up with everything.

Some good news is, it looks like Liberty will be leaving us to do a very important job. She is needed on the
Esquimalt Armed Forces Base for Search and Rescue and possibly as a bomb dog for Afghanistan! It's going to kill
me to let her go but she was meant for bigger and better things. She has been with me for 2 1/2 years so I'm going
to be a wreck when it comes time for her to go. But she will be happy having a job, and a partner she doesn't have
to share with other dogs. Man! I'm crying already! I'm going to be a wreck! I just have to concentrate on how
proud I will be that she will be out there saving lives. A true Partner.

April 12 '10 - Oh the joys have having a puppy! Let's see, just today so far... Mark and I were trying to have a 15
minute coffee break when there was this HUGE crash.   He went running one way and I went running the other. We
both ended up in the bathroom at the same time. Here was Mystique, looking oh so innocent! Lying in the bathtub
surrounded by "stuff".   She had found a bath scrubbie and decided she should have it. She grabbed it and ran but it
was attached to a shelf unit. Well the whole unit came down around her. But apparently that didn't bother her any
because she was busy chewing on a shampoo bottle and there was shampoo everywhere! Can't imagine it tasted
too good but it didn't seem to bother her! Since we didn't have much time, we coaxed her from the bathroom and
closed the door (I'd have time to clean up later after Mark went to work). We were just sitting down to our coffee
again when Mystique was doing her usual "thunder paws" impression (running up and down on the hardwood floor).
Thunder paws became strangely quiet when all of a sudden I heard "shhhhhhhhhhhh".   There was a box of Coke
cans sitting on the floor beside the fridge.   I looked over the counter to find she had bitten through the box and into
one of the cans. She was happily licking the fountain of Coke she had made! Oh the joys of having a puppy!

Mystique with her "sheltie" ears!
11 weeks old

April 22 - I want to apologize to anyone who has been trying to reach me lately. I am in Vancouver due to a
terminal illness and subsequent death in the family. The funeral is on Tuesday and I hope to start to return emails
and phone calls on Wednesday. I apologize for the inconvenience.

the Doc said but we're waiting for x-ray results. I've had this cough for 7 weeks! Good grief! But I think Vancouver
sent it spiralling downhill. Along with a cough I have a fever and night sweats. Oh what fun. I'm not complaining
(well, a little maybe) but more I'm explaining why I haven't returned emails and phone calls for ages. I just haven't
had the energy. Which sucks for all you guys who are waiting on me.

An explanation of my Vancouver relatives. I've told some people it was a death in the family and others that it was
the mother of a friend of mine. Well, it's actually one and the same. Our families have been intertwined through
three generations now. It started with my Grandparents and their Grandparents arriving as newcomers from
Europe. Mine from Switzerland, theirs from France. As you would expect, they formed close bonds with people
from "the homeland". Their children (our parents) grew up knowing 2 languages which set them apart in British
Columbia. They went to all the same functions and events. When their children (myself and my best friend) went
to school, we went to a private school where we could learn French and religion. We have been best friends since
Grade 1. That was about 45 years ago! So you can see, that even though we are not related by blood, there are a
lot more connections and they are just as strong. I just thought I would clarify myself as to "family" or "friend". In
this case, it's one and the same.

Now onto a better subject!

Above is mischief maker "Mystique"! The very beginning of changing from her "Sheltie" look to that of a regal

last day or two. It should be quite comical watching her ears go from one side, to the other, to down again, to
sheltie, etc. Hopefully I'll get lots of pictures. Because of my trip to Vancouver and then getting sick, she hasn't
had the socializing I would have hoped for at this stage. She still has a couple of weeks of "prime time"
socializing so I'm hoping I feel better real soon so I can get her out and about.

I'm also scheduled to go to s Sarah Kalnajs seminar on the 8,9,10 of the month. She is an expert behaviourist
and will have lots to teach me! I'm really looking forward to it. I better be feeling better by this weekend!

So, signing off for now. Thanks everyone for the well wishes regarding the sudden illness and subsequent death
we have had to deal with. It's nice to know there are people out there for you.

Mystique's version of a
rubber ducky!

Well, I'm WAITING!

Did somebody mention they
were going to have a shower?

Apparently Mama deer was stamping a warning but Lexxa was not deterred!

PS. I have a new short video on youtube called Bouncing Mystique!

was. Apparently it was an infection that was growing in my abdomen and the only way to stop it was with
emergency surgery. I have survived the surgery but there is potentially two more to go. Only time will tell.

I am sorry to all those who have been trying to contact me. I'm afraid I just can't concentrate on work for now. If
you have emailed or phoned in the last 3 weeks, there's a good chance I've not responded. I am still planning on
having a litter in the fall but the deposits/waiting list is on hold for the time being. Please watch for updates as
to when I can get back to work. I appreciate your patience and understanding.

The dogs are all being taken care of by family and friends and are feeling no ill effects. (unlike myself)

Thank you again for your patience.

Mary Ann

June 30 - Well I'm home but have tubes and machines attached. One successful surgery has passed. They took
out approximately half of my stomach. I don't actually mean THE stomach but the skin and tissue that you and I
would call stomach. I have a hole that is 12 cm long by 10 cm wide by 7 cm deep. Like I said, half my stomach.

It's looking like I will have to go back for more surgeries but that won't be determined for sure until after the CT
scan on July 8th. I have a nurse visiting me everyday here to help me with dressings etc.

I appreciate all the cards, phone calls, emails and prayers from everyone. Please excuse the fact that I have not
returned each one individually. I hope this is enough to say thank you.

For those of you trying to contact me regarding puppies and classes, I'm sorry but I'm just not able to think about
working yet. I will definitely be having puppies in the fall and I expect dog classes will start up again about that
same time. I'm so sorry to not be able to help you with your problems right away. I appreciate your patience.

I can't believe how thoughtful you all are. It literally brings tears to my eyes. Thank you from the bottom of my
heart.