Can you believe it?!
We are picking up Echo on Friday at 1pm! Less than 3 days at the time of this post! Yikes, it's becoming a hard reality now that we're going to be dog owners in a matter of a couple of days. It feels like so long ago that we decided to get a dog (November last year), but now that it's here, it's like, holy crap are we ready??
On Sunday we sat in on a puppy training class held in Kitchener. I think it was only the second class as they were just introducing "come", "heal" and "stay". We also found out that they use clicker training with the puppies. It was something that Marnie and I had discussed about doing, but we both didn't really know much about it (I've done some reading online about it, but other than that had really no idea). We're also sitting in on a class from a different person tonight who uses the same facility as the other one and who was trained herself by the same person as the other trainer. So we're expecting the classes to be very similar, if not exact, so it will be just a matter of who we like better. Their training philosophy is all positive reinforcements and no harsh corrections which we like. Marn didn't like the facility that much because there was a lot of echo and it was hard to hear the instructor (especially with the little mini pincher dog yapping at all the much bigger dogs when they got near him and his owner), so we might try and find some others to do some good comparison shopping.
The cool thing about this class was there was another dog from Dantry Danes there! It was a black female named Guinness (male?). So it was nice to chat with them a little about Danielle and their experience so far with her. Everything was positive about the dog and Danielle, so that's great to hear. Guinness was so cute! I didn't bring my camera, sorry...
The McCann dog training school that we mentioned in a previous post we figured is just too far to travel for training classes. When I think "travel times", I still think in terms of "Cambridge to...", and 10 years ago before it took 20 minutes to get from Mom's to the 401. So, McCann's being outside of Cambridge near African Lion's Safari is about a 45-minute to 1 hour commute for us -- too far. These other classes are about 20 minutes -- which, when you live in the sticks, is pretty good!
PS: we played Golf on Saturday at Paris and I shot an 86!! And that was with a 9 on the first hole and an 8 on the 18th! Way to start and Finish, but I'll take it. Much better than the 100 I shot on Fathers Day at Savannah.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
dantry.ca
Well, it's official: I'm creating our breeder's website, and we'll settle up after everything is done.
I've already registered the two names that we discussed on the weekend, dantry.ca and dantrydanes.ca, purchased a site hosting service, asked affiliated website's to update their listings, submitted the site to Google, and put up a basic page with a picture of Angus (that I took and edited) and Danielle's contact info.
View it here and check back in a few weeks while I get it going:
www.dantry.ca
It's going to be pretty basic to begin with, as she just wants information and pictures of her dogs, as well as upcoming litters. When we pick up Echo on the long weekend, she's going to give me a CD with pictures and some text about the dogs, and we'll discuss the layout a little more. She's pretty vague about it when I asked her last time, so I think I'll end up just doing most of it how I think it should be done and then she can tell me "yes" or "no", or whatever.
She does want it to eventually evolve into something where owners can submit photo's of the dogs they bought from her, and I might even add a forum page where people can chat to each other about their experiences with Dantry dogs. Danielle could even post little write ups about feeding, caring for, or whatever.
I'm still in the brain storming stage and determining what I can and can't do with this and how to do the layout, so bear with me. Anyway, it should be be fun (and hopefully not a pain...)
I've already registered the two names that we discussed on the weekend, dantry.ca and dantrydanes.ca, purchased a site hosting service, asked affiliated website's to update their listings, submitted the site to Google, and put up a basic page with a picture of Angus (that I took and edited) and Danielle's contact info.
View it here and check back in a few weeks while I get it going:
www.dantry.ca
It's going to be pretty basic to begin with, as she just wants information and pictures of her dogs, as well as upcoming litters. When we pick up Echo on the long weekend, she's going to give me a CD with pictures and some text about the dogs, and we'll discuss the layout a little more. She's pretty vague about it when I asked her last time, so I think I'll end up just doing most of it how I think it should be done and then she can tell me "yes" or "no", or whatever.
She does want it to eventually evolve into something where owners can submit photo's of the dogs they bought from her, and I might even add a forum page where people can chat to each other about their experiences with Dantry dogs. Danielle could even post little write ups about feeding, caring for, or whatever.
I'm still in the brain storming stage and determining what I can and can't do with this and how to do the layout, so bear with me. Anyway, it should be be fun (and hopefully not a pain...)
Friday, June 16, 2006
2nd Puppy Visit (6 weeks old)
Only 2 more weeks to go! Wow, it's really flown by the last few weeks since Echo's birth. We kind of knew that it would, but now that it's just around the corner it's like, Wow this is really happening now!
The puppies have grown SO MUCH in two weeks! They feel like they're nearly twice the size since the last visit. The puppies are out and about running around a lot now - they *just* started to walk the last time, and their personalities are really starting to come out. We think Echo is a good one as he was cuddly with us and social with the other dogs, but not too social (wasn't pushy), and not too much of a loner either. A nice balance of both traits. Danielle said to us as she was explaining their personalities from what she's noticed so far pointing to Echo and saying he's a real snuggler. I knew this would please Marn as I look over and she has the happiest face on about the observation. I hope he grows out being a snuggler to be honest. I can just see him wanting up on couches, beds, etc, just to get a little human contact in. I don't think Marn has the will power! She tells me she does, but we'll see. I'll be the bad guy and as soon as I turn my back, the dog will be in Marn's lap (all 160lbs, yeah right!)
We also noticed this week that Echo is the only puppy with a little patch of white on his chest. Maybe he'll grow out of it, maybe not, but it's kind of cool.
There's another puppy, Mr. Magoo, that Danielle bought for future breedings who is 10 weeks old, I think? Look at the difference in size between 6 and 10 weeks...
...and then 10 weeks to 7 years (Gracie leaning in for her own snuggles)!
The puppies have grown SO MUCH in two weeks! They feel like they're nearly twice the size since the last visit. The puppies are out and about running around a lot now - they *just* started to walk the last time, and their personalities are really starting to come out. We think Echo is a good one as he was cuddly with us and social with the other dogs, but not too social (wasn't pushy), and not too much of a loner either. A nice balance of both traits. Danielle said to us as she was explaining their personalities from what she's noticed so far pointing to Echo and saying he's a real snuggler. I knew this would please Marn as I look over and she has the happiest face on about the observation. I hope he grows out being a snuggler to be honest. I can just see him wanting up on couches, beds, etc, just to get a little human contact in. I don't think Marn has the will power! She tells me she does, but we'll see. I'll be the bad guy and as soon as I turn my back, the dog will be in Marn's lap (all 160lbs, yeah right!)
We also noticed this week that Echo is the only puppy with a little patch of white on his chest. Maybe he'll grow out of it, maybe not, but it's kind of cool.
There's another puppy, Mr. Magoo, that Danielle bought for future breedings who is 10 weeks old, I think? Look at the difference in size between 6 and 10 weeks...
...and then 10 weeks to 7 years (Gracie leaning in for her own snuggles)!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Marn's b-day party
Marn's birthday party on the weekend was great. A lot of people showed up which was nice to see -- we weren't sure how many were coming, but estimated that it could have been anywhere from 20-40 people. I think at one point I counted about 35! None of my friends or neighbours showed up, which would have made it almost too busy. There was a good amount of people, and almost everyone fit on the deck (and it didn't break!) It's too bad most of Marn's friends had to leave early because of another event that they were committed to, but we're glad they were able to stop by at least.
Here's a shot of the deck with finished stairs,
and at night showing off the pot lights we installed in the steps. We love them!
I had to take Wednesday before the party off to get the steps finished, and then Dad came over later in the day to help with (read: build) the steps up to the sliding door. I wasn't sure if I should use stringers again or build "boxes", but after talking with Dad boxes worked out nicely with the size of wood we're using. I also managed to finish the 2nd section of fence that morning before the party, but these pics don't show that off. We're going to have to go back to the Mennonite to order more fence boards because we'll be short for the 3rd stretch of fence.
Aunt Sue, Uncle Mike, Sarah and Kristi also came to the party which was nice - we don't get to hang out with them as much as I'd like, but hopefully their pool-side bbq will work out this summer. It was Sarah's first visit to the house and it was nice to catch up with her.
Here's a shot of the deck with finished stairs,
and at night showing off the pot lights we installed in the steps. We love them!
I had to take Wednesday before the party off to get the steps finished, and then Dad came over later in the day to help with (read: build) the steps up to the sliding door. I wasn't sure if I should use stringers again or build "boxes", but after talking with Dad boxes worked out nicely with the size of wood we're using. I also managed to finish the 2nd section of fence that morning before the party, but these pics don't show that off. We're going to have to go back to the Mennonite to order more fence boards because we'll be short for the 3rd stretch of fence.
Aunt Sue, Uncle Mike, Sarah and Kristi also came to the party which was nice - we don't get to hang out with them as much as I'd like, but hopefully their pool-side bbq will work out this summer. It was Sarah's first visit to the house and it was nice to catch up with her.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Meet Echo!
Today was our first visit to see the new puppies, and we got first pick of all the blue males. What a tough decision! They all look the same at this age (two days shy of 4 weeks), and pretty much do the same things... stumble around, whimper until you pick it up or pay attention to only it, and sleep.
My god are they ever CUTE!! and NO, I didn't photoshop these pictures. They really are that colour! (they don't look so blue in the other photos) It's amazing to think that they'll double in size in another 4 weeks, and then see them full grown in about a year. How do you pick? I had read a few things online about the process, but you would have to have a pretty keen eye to catch anything at this age.
We went into the pen where they were all sleeping on top of each other and they all woke up pretty quickly and came over to see what was going on. So we just sat and played with them all if they came over, picked them up, had a look at the jowls for any that might be smaller than the others.... (Marnie's only criteria). It was a lot of fun. But how do you pick!? We held them upside down to see if any would fight more than others -- the same reaction. 'Oh, that's nice. I think I'll sleep now'.
Some came when we called out "puppies, puppies, puppies!", others paid no attention, but there were ALWAYS two that came over to both Marnie and I whenever we were near the pen, or sat down if they weren't busy. Light blue collar and Black collar. So that's how we narrowed the pick - they consistently came to us both, so we decided that it had to be between those two;
...and the winner is, BLACK COLLAR!
We decided on him because Danielle told us he's little bit smaller (which could totally mean nothing) and has a smaller head, and Marnie noticed that he seemed to have a shape of head similar to his father where the other one had more of a shape of his grand dad Angus.
Whatever, they looked the same to me?
Anyway, after we picked, we went for another walk with the adults and hung out with them for a while. Angus nearly took me out when he was playing with the other dogs. He was running at me and must have misjudged his distance because he stopped too late and with his bum, bounced me back a few feet. yikes! We'll have to watch that...
So at the end of the visit and after seeing the puppies once more, I asked Danielle if she had email and a website or was thinking about putting one up. She said that she did try to get one up a while ago, but it didn't go very well with the guy who was doing it, so it never got online. Then she asked, Why do you know someone?
Marnie and I had discussed a while ago about me asking her if we could work something out if I did a website for her, but we never really discussed it any further. When Danielle said she didn't have a website but wanted one, and tried in the past, I just jumped on the opportunity. I said that I could do a simple website (which is all she wants), and gave her our wedding website as an example to have a look at. Anyway, she's going to look at the site (I guess, because she seemed pretty interested?) and then call me to discuss the payment and maintenance of it. I figure I'll get more than half the money back for the cost of the dog! Pretty good deal. If you've seen breeder websites, you'll understand. They are quite basic. So I need to do some research to estimate my costs a little better, but I think it's going to work out great!
My god are they ever CUTE!! and NO, I didn't photoshop these pictures. They really are that colour! (they don't look so blue in the other photos) It's amazing to think that they'll double in size in another 4 weeks, and then see them full grown in about a year. How do you pick? I had read a few things online about the process, but you would have to have a pretty keen eye to catch anything at this age.
We went into the pen where they were all sleeping on top of each other and they all woke up pretty quickly and came over to see what was going on. So we just sat and played with them all if they came over, picked them up, had a look at the jowls for any that might be smaller than the others.... (Marnie's only criteria). It was a lot of fun. But how do you pick!? We held them upside down to see if any would fight more than others -- the same reaction. 'Oh, that's nice. I think I'll sleep now'.
Some came when we called out "puppies, puppies, puppies!", others paid no attention, but there were ALWAYS two that came over to both Marnie and I whenever we were near the pen, or sat down if they weren't busy. Light blue collar and Black collar. So that's how we narrowed the pick - they consistently came to us both, so we decided that it had to be between those two;
...and the winner is, BLACK COLLAR!
We decided on him because Danielle told us he's little bit smaller (which could totally mean nothing) and has a smaller head, and Marnie noticed that he seemed to have a shape of head similar to his father where the other one had more of a shape of his grand dad Angus.
Whatever, they looked the same to me?
Anyway, after we picked, we went for another walk with the adults and hung out with them for a while. Angus nearly took me out when he was playing with the other dogs. He was running at me and must have misjudged his distance because he stopped too late and with his bum, bounced me back a few feet. yikes! We'll have to watch that...
So at the end of the visit and after seeing the puppies once more, I asked Danielle if she had email and a website or was thinking about putting one up. She said that she did try to get one up a while ago, but it didn't go very well with the guy who was doing it, so it never got online. Then she asked, Why do you know someone?
Marnie and I had discussed a while ago about me asking her if we could work something out if I did a website for her, but we never really discussed it any further. When Danielle said she didn't have a website but wanted one, and tried in the past, I just jumped on the opportunity. I said that I could do a simple website (which is all she wants), and gave her our wedding website as an example to have a look at. Anyway, she's going to look at the site (I guess, because she seemed pretty interested?) and then call me to discuss the payment and maintenance of it. I figure I'll get more than half the money back for the cost of the dog! Pretty good deal. If you've seen breeder websites, you'll understand. They are quite basic. So I need to do some research to estimate my costs a little better, but I think it's going to work out great!
Friday, June 02, 2006
Steps and Fence update
OK so it's amazing how fast we got the deck up and put together in two days with 6 or 7 people helping, and sad how long it's taken Marnie and I to get from that point to where we are now, but hey, it's progress!!
Keep in mind that we've only worked on it between rain and after work for 2 or 3 hours/day (not every day). The steps are the hard part. Maybe the hardest part because of how we're doing them -- they wrap around 3 corners that are slightly off from 45 degree angles, and slightly different from each other.
After these pics were taken, I cut the last stringer and we started getting the back panels of the stairs on. We're doing those so that we can install the LIGHTING (!) in them before it gets too dificult to get at them with the steps in the way. We decided to NOT cut the left side of the stairs back into the deck near the end of where the benches will go because it was too difficult to figure out. That side will be square to the deck instead, and have a railing for those who might need that.
It's looking good if I do say so myself!
Keep in mind that we've only worked on it between rain and after work for 2 or 3 hours/day (not every day). The steps are the hard part. Maybe the hardest part because of how we're doing them -- they wrap around 3 corners that are slightly off from 45 degree angles, and slightly different from each other.
After these pics were taken, I cut the last stringer and we started getting the back panels of the stairs on. We're doing those so that we can install the LIGHTING (!) in them before it gets too dificult to get at them with the steps in the way. We decided to NOT cut the left side of the stairs back into the deck near the end of where the benches will go because it was too difficult to figure out. That side will be square to the deck instead, and have a railing for those who might need that.
It's looking good if I do say so myself!
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