Top 10 Reasons Not to Get a Barbet

When I'm out with my dogs I encounter a lot of curiosity about the breed and I try my best to answer questions in a straightforward and matter of fact way.  Lately it seems I've been getting a lot of the same questions such as; what is a Barbet like to live with?  What's the grooming like? It seems that most people underestimate the potential mess and grooming that living with a Barbet entails (especially people that haven't owned a dog before).  I decided to write it all down and in the process came up with my  Top 10 Reasons Not to Get a Barbet  So if you're thinking that you might like to live with a Barbet I invite you to read my top 10 list and if you still think they sound like a good match for you...wonderful.  It's better to make a decision with as much information as possible than to find out that you've made a poor choice ...after you've brought your new puppy home.  

Sophie Earns a New Title...Canine Good Neighbour!

On Saturday January 14^th, 2012 Sophie and I headed out to Richmond Hill to participate in the Canine Good Neighbour  (CGN) test that was being offered at 4 Paws Training .The CGN is a title that is offered by the Canadian Kennel Club to all dogs, mixed or purebred that successfully complete all 12 exercises in the evaluation.   It is designed to assess the relationship between the dog and handler and how they behave together in situations that mimic everyday life.  You can read more about this test here CGN Program - Exercise Description 

I highly recommend that all dog owners work towards mastering these 12 steps with their canine companions.  You and your dog will have fun together working towards these goals and in the process you’ll strengthen your bond with one another and set a good example for other pooches and owners in your community. 

Thanks to our evaluator, Lorraine Wilson at 4 Paws Training for helping us to feel comfortable the minute we walked through the door. She carefully went over all of the exercises with the participants making sure we understood what was required and her calm demeanor during the testing helped to put all of the participants at ease. 

Happily Sophie is now CH Neigenuveaux Fleur D’Northrock WC CGN*

*pending CKC confirmation

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone! 

I am so filled with gratitude and joy today.  Our family has so much to be thankful for and it has been such a happy celebration of Christ's birth.  I am so glad for the love of family and friends at this special time of year but I am also so very glad to have my beloved animals in my life.  Daphne and Quincy have been with us the longest and we have lots of memories of Christmas' past with them.  Sophie and Coco are our more recent additions and we are enjoying making new memories with them.  I had a wonderful walk with the dogs this afternoon and they are all resting most contentedly and enjoying an afternoon nap now.  Here are some photos of Christmas' past below. The photo above was taken this afternoon upon our return from our walk.  

Dinner is going into the oven soon.  Tonight we are having a yummy tourtiere homemade by yours truly and leftover blaukraut from last night (thank you Oma).  A tossed salad will round it out.  Our big feast was last night so tonight is a little more casual.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from all of us here at Northrock.

Christmas is almost here!

It has been quite a while since I last posted!  But with Christmas almost here I thought it was high time I post an update as to the going ons here at Northrock.  To start with I would like to introduce Bayport Coco Chanel.  She is the goofy brown barbet in the photo and we have all fallen very much in love with her.  She has been staying with us for the last few weeks and is getting along great with the gang. 

It's a very busy season for most people and our family included but I really wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! 

Just A Dog

Just A Dog

From time to time people tell me,
"lighten up, it's just a dog",
or "that's a lot of money for just a dog".

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog".

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog".

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog", but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my sadddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog", and in those days of darkness,
the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you too think it's "just a dog", then you won't understand phrases like "just a friend", "just a sunrise", or "just a promise".

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. 

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks, and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

 I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human".

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog", just smile, because they "just don't understand!"
 
- author unknown

Sunny Sunday Morning

Sophie found this deflated ball in the park the other day.  She was so proud to have discovered it abandoned by the school children.  She carried all the way home wagging her tail the whole time.  It has now become a great toy for the dogs.  It won't last forever but while it does they will certainly get lots of joy from it. 

Throw it! Throw it! Throw it!

Fabulous Fall Weather

My dogs are tired now and sleeping legs up in the air on their backs.  We have been having such wonderful weather these last few days but the forcast calls for rain and showers for the next several days :0(  I decided we would take advantage of today's sunshine and after I dropped the kids off at school the dogs and I went for a long walk in Sunnybrook Park.   It was warm and sunny, we hiked along trails, over bridges and ran across the fields.  I brought my camera but the batteries had no more life left in them so I have no photos to share with you.  I do however, have some photos I took yesterday when the dogs were keeping me company while I raked leaves.  I love the fall!

Quincy in the leaves - Tollers look great in fall photos.

My boy looks good for a 10 year old no?  His Grandma just turned 16.  I think Quincy has got a lot of life left in him yet :0)

 It's hard to take photos of black hairy dogs but here you can see Sophie's eyes! 

My two treasures....Quincy always looks like he is smiling....