I guess it's time to post again. Okay, it's waaaay past time. :o We've had a busy winter, spring and now summer. Ziva and Jeb had a find this spring on a search for a missing man. That was exciting! Ziva has done some neat search work, including historical work on the Oregon Trail just this past weekend. The history is fascinating! Jeb, now 12 1/2 is doing well. Suzie is 9 and hasn't slowed down yet. She is ready for action! I'd really like to get Ziva ready for the ring, so I've got to get busy!!! Business has been fantastic in 2011. I am grateful for all my blessings!
Here are some pictures from the past few months. Enjoy! Suzie in Feb being cute, Jeb at his best, lol and Ziva indicating on a known grave on the Oregon Trail as well as playing in the snow over Christmas in North Carolina. While these three keep us busy, we still miss our Jack of Hearths.
We lost our beloved Jack to bloat last night. Rick and I headed out camping with the other hounds and the pointy eared one, Ziva. Jack stayed home. Saturday a friend came and took him to stay at her house. He got to romp and play and be as spoiled as he is here. Unfortunately, by late evening, it was evident he was in great distress and we got the call they were taking him to West Vet. Jack had some recent problems and I was a bit worried about his health and because of that I had spent some extra time snuggling with him in front of the tv last week (I am so glad!). Once at West Vet, they took xrays and Jack's stomach had twisted. Torsion. Ugh. We knew what that meant. Because of Jack's age and health we had talked that putting him through a risky expensive surgery would not be in his best interest. What was heart breaking is we could not get home in time to hold him. Our friends were there and held onto Jack as he peacefully passed away. We did rush home and were lucky enough to see him about an hour or so later and say our good-byes even though he was already gone.
Jack was a lot of dog and will be greatly missed. A gentle soul, yet a handful of hound that sometimes had an attitude. He was an absolute kick in the pants!!! We are so glad he finished out his final years with us. Godspeed Jack! We love you!!!! The best bloodhound ever--our big brown!!
PS: We were so happy to find out that Friday night the person taking care of Jack and the cats, didn't leave him at home, but took him to her house where he not only charmed his way onto her sofa and partially on her lap, but on her bed! He got to romp, charm and be Jack. He was excited to come home Saturday morning to get fed and get his chewy. Later he was picked up to do more romping. So we are happy that his last weekend here, even though we left him at home, was a fun adventuresome time. He deserved that and more. :) Miss you Big Brown JackJack!
We went camping last weekend and while on a short hike with Jeb, Suzie and Ziva we went down to Cascade Res. and let them get a drink and play. Ziva had played with the ball. Suzie got the zoomies in the sand and the old man had a bit of fun himself. We cherish these precious moments with him! He'll be 12 on Dec 8th! Bless his heart, what a silly boy!
Jeb, Suzie and Ziva enjoyed a weekend of hiking in Sun Valley with Rick and I a few weeks ago. It was hot and the hikes weren't short. I was pleased with how Jeb held up just fine. The girls had a BLAST being doofuses. Suzie enjoys being a trail dog. Ziva loves everything, lol. Enjoy the pics!
A lot has happened in the last year. I've reflected quite a bit on the last 10-12 years and the journey I've been on. This wasn't a planned journey, but it has been the journey of a lifetime.
It all began in March 1999 when that bluetick puppy I'd always wanted arrived via Northwest Airlines from Chicago, IL. I wanted to name him Blue, but one look and it was Jeb. I had already decided to give SAR a try with him....trailing. He was 12-13 weeks when I got him. His training began at 16 weeks. I still remember his first runaway for trailing and how great he did that day.
I was in heaven, I had a bluetick coonhound. :) The border collie mix I had at the time didn't appreciate him at first, nor did the cats. :o I was in love with that puppy. Who knew what all we would do together, where all we'd go, all we'd accomplish and how much my life would change because of it all.
Jeb and I have driven and flown all over the US together. We've met many people through SAR, competition obedience, professional training. The adventures are endless!!
In the above pic Jeb is in the creek on a hike on Father's Day. At 11.5 he's still my best trail buddy. We'll be doing some nice hikes this weekend....I will post pics.
Stay tuned for more on Jeb, Suzie, Jack and Ziva. For now....below is what hounds do when bored (other than sleep). :p
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone! May you find peace and contentment this holiday season. Paula, Rick and the zoo (top to bottom: Ziva, Paula, Jack; Ziva; Jack; Suzie; Sir Jeb)!
I was stunned when I received an email on Saturday, November 28th informing me that Larry Kurpiewski had died at a Kart race in Sonoma, CA. I must have read that email 10 times hoping I was not seeing it right, hoping there had been some mix up. It was unbelievable, unimaginable.
Larry and his wife Barb are students of mine. Larry and his GSD Nigel also joined our SAR group, Treasure Valley Search dogs. He and Nigel passed their certification with NAPWDA back in August in Billings, MT. Those two had come so far. I wasn't sure they'd make it in the beginning, but they did! Not only that, but Nigel was doing some really impressive work. I loved Larry's refreshing attitude. He was honest, hard working, caring. He loved that dog!
To loose a person like Larry is devastating. He is the kind of person the world needs more of. The more I learned about him, the more I admired him. And now, as I read comments from others that knew him, it's obvious that they all had the same experience. What a huge loss to us all.
Please keep Barb and the rest of Larry's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. Services are Monday, December 7th:
