White Shepherd Stories

Our Emergency Shelter

Not only is our small RV a wonderful way for our pack to travel, it can and has served us well as an emergency shelter.   I keep reminding myself that it can only do that if I keep it stocked and ready for use.  I particularly do not like to go into winter without it being well prepared for whatever!   I have made promises to myself to always stock it as I return to town, so that it will always be prepared if we need it.  I have enough to do packing it, so important to have the basics ready.  It seems if I go home without filling the tanks (gasoline and propane), and emptying the others (sewage), I often don't get to those jobs.  I am better at washing bedding and towels.  I make sure all dishes are washed and put away; refrigerator cleaned and dried out.  

Well, this year I didn't do it.  Somehow I kept putting it off.  Of course this time I really needed it.  It was not a long period of time and there was enough of everything to keep us comfortable.  I vowed that immediately when the wind died down I would take the RV down and take care of all the things I should have done.  So the very next day after the big winds, I loaded the dogs in the RV and we headed down to town to take care of those things without postponing another day!  I planned a big loop.  The sun was actually shining when we left. It did not last long though.  It began raining while we were headed down from the mountain. No problem though, it was in the 40's so would not get icy.  First in line was the gas station.  I filled the tank, and we headed to the next stop.  By this time it really raining and by the time I pulled into the place to dump the sewage, there was thunder and lightening.  As I connected the hose to dump the sewage, I was reminded that I really need to get a better and longer emptying hose.  The one I have was too short to reach the pipe, and when I tried to stretch it, the connector kept popping off.  Well I struggled with that and could not find a screwdriver to tighten the connector.  I did find a chisel, which helped a little.  The thunder was roaring and it crossed my mind that of all places, doing whatever, this was really not a place I would choose to be struck by lightening.  

I hurried as best I could and managed to finished my most unfavorite job.  It was pouring down rain.  I got into the RV driver seat and sat there drying my face and my eyes.  I had the weirdest sensation - kind of a vibration of sorts, with an odd noise accompanying it.  Thunder rumbling?  Not sure... I turned my head to look behind me and I met Andi's tongue.  He was graciously licking all the raindrops from my hood.  What a sweetheart.  

Okay, on to the next stop.  I went to the Uhaul place as they have propane.  What they don't have is an office close to the propane tank.  I had to wade through huge shallow lakes of rain water to get to the office.  The guy in there had to dress in his rain gear and I followed him out to the RV.  After recovering from being startled by the dogs barking at him (he was wearing a hoodie) he filled the propane tank.  The dogs didn't trust him.  My first White Shepherd, Spirit taught them all to never trust guys in dark hoodies.  They have always remembered his lessons and passed them on to new puppies.  Andiamo is very brave and he has become much more serious since his experiences with Santa.  So all three of them were telling the propane guy what they would do to him.  I think he believed them.

Propane tank full!  On to our road which was very wet and messy with fallen branches from the wind storm.  I did not pull into the RV garage yet, though I would have liked to do so.  I needed to fill the water tank.  So with ice cold hands, I attempted connecting the hose, turning the valves and finally filling the water tank.  I had to load wet dogs back into the RV so that I could back the RV into it's garage.  Since I cannot always know where the dogs are when backing the RV I always make them either ride in with me or go in the house.  They always think I may be leaving without them, so they would prefer to ride with me.   Just in time, it was almost dark.  I got it safely in the garage and plugged in so the batteries would be charged when necessary.  Now I have a fully outfitted emergency vehicle (or shelter).  And I think I am sufficiently reminded that it is much better to do those chores when we return from a trip, not a day after the emergency, when I needed it.  

I went inside and decided that after the afternoon I had spent, I would really enjoy a vodka martini.  I have not had a martini in at least a year, so you might guess how taxing my afternoon had been to make me even think of it.  Then I could not remember exactly how to make it, so I called my daughter and she told me the ratio.  I was drinking it by the time we hung up and I really enjoyed it.  I did not wake up until about 9:30 PM.  The dogs were staring at me wondering when they would get dinner.  I fed them and me; did a couple loads of laundry and was ready for bed by midnight or shortly after.

Really feeling more secure now that everything is done.  It is very foggy and has been snowing all day.  Nothing is sticking on the ground though.  Journey came in a while ago, after playing outside.  He went directly into the shower, which he normally does when he has mud on him.  He was mud free - but it must have felt like mud on him (I guess).  Pirate and Andiamo decided a wrestling match was in order.  All the rolling on the carpet helped dry them off.  

We do Christmas morning (opening dog presents) on either our New Years Eve party or on New Years morning. Number One White Shepherd, Spirit, was born on New Year's Eve.  So because we had his party then and we stayed home on New Year's Day. It was a much better time to celebrate.  On Christmas we go to my daughter's.  I prefer to stay home on New Year's Eve, so it all works out better for me with this schedule.  Unlike children, my dogs are very content with whatever I plan for them. We have appetizers, treats, and a wonderful New Year's Eve cake in memory of Spirit.  The dogs open some gifts on New Years Eve and maybe a couple more on New Year's day.  So here is to a wonderful celebration to all, family and friends and a safe New Year's Eve. 

Andiamo Has Big Problems With Santa

To most of us, this Santa represents a happy character decoration for the season.  We think of toys, homemade cookies, gifts, maybe even snow and all the play that happens when we have a snow fall.  To Andiamo, this is a huge, evil, scary character that suddenly appeared on our neighbor's lawn.  Just as he was all barked out, and sort of resigned to it, one of the many storms we have been having, came in with strong winds.  Instead of standing, (still threatening) but apparently calm, Santa began performing some ritualistic dance.  His gigantic body jerked and twisted seemingly trying to break free of his tether.  This was so much worse than the calm Santa, Andi just lost it.  His barking took on a higher pitch that almost approached hysteria.  But because Andi is a very brave young dog, he still faced this creature head on (from across the road).  Rocky, the dog that lives with Santa came racing to the edge of his property, barking at Andi.  Rocky did not seem to realize that Andi was barking at his Santa.  Rocky almost matched Andi's hysterical barking and that caused Pirate and Journey to run down to the fence and give Andi some back up.  All in all it was a mess.  No one except Andi really knew what he was barking at.  

Andi had done everything he could think of to warn us and no one seemed worried.  Pirate and Journey went out to see what he was barking at, a few times, but they did not even bark.  Apparently this job was left to Andi.  Mom simply looked out the window a few times, patted Andi and told him he was a good dog, ... very brave.  He decided he would just have to keep a close watch on this monstrosity.  At least that way, if it broke its leash and headed our way, he could try once more to warn us.  

 

The following day, everyone was outside playing, while mom took pictures.  Suddenly Andi noticed that Santa seemed to have fainted.  He was laying in a crumpled heap on the ground.  Andi stared and stared and tried to detect any movement, but nothing happened.  Santa was apparently dead.  Maybe it was all the fierce barking that just frightened him to death.  

Santa is definitely not moving, maybe we will have a good Christmas after all.  Whatever Christmas is....  Andi decided to just sit and watch Santa for a while, to be certain he was not moving.

Eventually Andiamo grew comfortable with Santa resting in a heap on the lawn.  The next day we went to Journey's agility class and Pirate and Andi waited in the car until after class, so we could go for a walk in the woods by Mary's barn.  Next we went to Trader Joes.  It is located in Vancouver and is the closest one to our house.  We often stop there after class.  

Next I had to stop at another store when we got back to Kelso.  This is where our good little Andi decided to be not quite so good.  I have been able to leave bags of groceries in the car with the dogs for years.  I know there had to have been a learning period, but I had honestly forgotten about that.  Andi is such a perfect little guy and he acts so mature most of the time, I trusted Pirate and Journey to keep him out of trouble.  Well, we have been telling him he had to be good if he wanted lots of gifts from Santa.... I guess he figured Santa was not watching, since he was in a heap on the lawn.  

When I got back to the car, Pirate and Journey were sitting in the front seats, pretending they did not know Andiamo.  I guess Andi just thought he would have a little snack.  He had opened a container of  Spicy Pumpkin Biscottis.  About a third of them were gone.  Next he had opened a container of Chicken Breast Medallions with Coconut Red Curry Sauce.  He had apparently enjoyed about a quarter of that package. Perhaps by that time the heat from the curry sauce reached his taste buds, or maybe that is when he saw me coming back to the car.  Maybe he had worked up an appetite chewing my cell phone charging cable into tiny bits.  That happened either before or after he dismembered my binocular case. He didn't hurt the binoculars, they just no longer have a nice leather case in which to reside.  Journey and Pirate were very ashamed for him.  He was not ashamed... not in the slightest.  He was just full of love and kisses to welcome me back to the car.  It was hard to believe I was gone long enough for all that, but I knew I was pushing it a bit to make another stop when they had been in the car so long.  

There was no punishment.  Just a short lecture about those things having belonged to mommy.  I did tell him Santa may have seen what he did.  But since I was the one at fault and it was plain to see he felt no guilt, I just resolved to work on those things after the new year.  My car is not big enough for a crate that is big enough for Andi now.  I tried thinking outside the box and realized his puppy crate would fit, and would hold the groceries just fine in the future, until I manage to train him as well as I trained my other guys.  Hope I will remember how I did that, because they are really good.  They got extra praise.  I checked their breath and they had not even sampled the Red Curry Sauce.  

One good thing happened.  While washing dog bed covers I found the lens from my glasses that I thought Andiamo lost.  I had found the frame in the bed, with one lens missing.  I did a lot of searching, but had no luck finding it.  So this was a plus, for sure.  Guess I should tell Santa that bit of goodness.  

I will not mention that I have had to wash Andiamo and Journey three times in the last two days because they found some mud in which to conduct their wrestling matches.  Even Pirate is disgusted at that.  If I could ask Santa for one thing, it would probably be to please, please, please stop the rain.  It has rained every day for 18 or maybe 19 days now.  Our weather man says that our rain total for the year went from half of what we should have for the year - to a record of the most rain ever, in December.  There is flooding and mud slides are every where.  Enough already!

 

 

Andiamo In His First UKC Conformation Show - Longview, Washington - November 27, 28 & 29, 2015

Andiamo was in his first UKC show that counts for points.  (He was in a Novice Puppy Class previously, for practice.)  This show was a three day event, with two shows per day.  It was local, so I was able to leave the big dogs home - much to their dismay.  I felt very guilty, but it was so cold they were lucky to be home in a cozy house.  Temperatures in the barn were mostly in the teens or low twenties.  Andi had a coat and his soft crate with blankets.  I was dressed for it - so not too bad.

I showed Andi in the first show on Friday.  He got a First Place, blue ribbon for his class (White Shepherd Puppy).  Then he got a Best Male White Shepherd.  Next he got a Best of Breed.  He went on to get a Group Second in the Herding Group Class.  

He followed up with the same wins in every show except the second show on Saturday.  Judge Mark Golden awarded Andi a Group One in Herding Group.  All six Judges commented on his beautiful movement in the ring.  Several noted that it would only take him a couple more shows to get the experience he needs.  

I was so lucky to meet a wonderful young man, ("C.J.") after the first show on Friday.  CJ is a Junior Handler who was showing his own pretty Great Dane Puppy.  He agreed to show Andiamo and he did a wonderful job. He was so good with Andi and was able to run Andi, to show off his movement.  Andi liked CJ a lot and they looked good in the ring.  

 

CJ showed Andi in the second show on Friday.  On Saturday CJ showed Andi in both shows.  The second Saturday show was when CJ and Andiamo won the Group One!  They looked so good.  It was difficult to get pictures without distracting Andi from focusing on CJ for his instructions.   

I am so proud of Andiamo.  He is only six months old and this was his first real show for points.  I think he got 150 points toward his championship, over all three days.  My timing was probably not too good in having Andi in a class for Canine Good Citizenship title.  He will be taking the test tomorrow.  He is doing so well in that - every time  CJ stopped with him he sat down, just like he was being trained to do in his CGC class.  

Above are CJ and Andiamo in the Best in Show ring.  They did not place, but Andi sure looked good in there. I believe he was the only puppy in the ring and probably the only dog showing for the first time.  

CJ was not able to show him on Sunday.  It was kind of sad because Andi had really warmed up to him and was comfortable in the ring with him.  We were sitting with a new friend, Lavena, and she offered to help me with him on Sunday.  Lavena is very good at showing, but Andi was a little nervous.  We had an idea and asked the Judge if it would be alright to share handling him.  I would take him in the ring and stack him as best as he knows how.  Then when it was time to move him out in the ring, Lavena took his leash and just kept going with him.  The Judge told us that she and her husband show that way with their dogs.  It worked so well, Andiamo hardly noticed when Lavena took his leash and moved on around the ring.  I don't show very well.  (I have back problems and the cold was not helping).  Anyway everyone did the best they could and Andi was such a good boy!  The picture in the opening of this post shows Andi with his entire collection of ribbons from the three days of showing.  

Below are a few more pictures of Andi & others in the show:

Andiamo in the Group ring.  He is showing in front of a Dutch Shepherd. He is with CJ and this is when he got his Group One.  

 

Above are photos of Lavena showing Andiamo.

Below is a picture of Lavena and her Standard Poodle, Summer in the Best in Show ring.  

Andi sharing his crate with Summer.

A pair of Dogo Argentino dogs.  

A beautiful Silken Windhound.

There were many beautiful dogs at the show and I just took a few pictures of some of my favorites.  We had a nice time visiting between our times in the show rings.  When we walked outside a few times, it was actually warmer out there than in the barn.  The beautiful sunshine helped to warm us up a little.