Photo by Alaine PoelstraThe two new pups are growing like weeds! Cruise (the male) seemed to have a sore throat this morning...but is better tonight. He may have eaten a bee...not the worst thing he has gotten into so far, but the most painful! Raven, (female) is the puppy on top. She is quite a character as well as being athletic, sweet and very loving. They are both extremely intelligent, and good at figuring out things...it's fun to watch their little minds at work! Still able to let them free run while we walk an adult dog. They like other dogs, and seem to enjoy spending time with the various sled dogs in the kennel. Goose, Hunter and Heidi seem to be the favorite "uncles and aunt" though. Probably because they aren't as rough on them as some of the others. Both of the pups are very vocal and sensitive...if an adult rolls them or accidently bumps them, they scream like little banshees! Penny only had to give them the "mom look" to correct them, she never used her teeth or growled much...so if they get a physical correction from an adult, they think the world is falling down on them. Raven is more mature than Cruise...but he has learned not to jump on me, and Raven just doesn't seem to "get" that yet. Cruise is more aloof...though he is very affectionate on his terms. Ted still seems to frighten him a little. He reminds me very much of Q-Ball, his sire. I cannot wait to start training them in harness this fall...
Damien...who shall be recieving a new name as soon as I come up with one that fits him...is really doing well. Tonight, RJ and Alaine walked right up to him and petted him. No showing teeth or any signs of aggression, just a welcoming wag of the tail! I am so encouraged by the progress he is making! We have had him here for 4 months...Ted says that he is now our dog. (He is the dog we took in for some people who bought him as a puppy, but they were looking for a house, and couldn't keep him, so asked us to watch him for a couple of weeks to a month.) Well, it has been 4 months and they haven't called once to see if he is doing o.k., so I guess he is ours now. I have been taking him out with the other Seppala males and Fiona on the neck-line only gangline for 1-2 miles and he is so good. He gets along with the other dogs, and they accept him as well. Even though he doesn't understand much of the other dogs language, he has his parents accepting temperment and shows no aggression or desire to fight. I am very happy that he is getting over his defensiveness when on his tether. Our grand-daughter Nicole is trying hard to help with his rehabilitation...and has made progress with him too. She is deciding if she wants to be a musher or not...she certainly has a great deal of love for the dogs! If we can just get her confidence built up, teach her how to handle the dogs and stay safe on a sled, she will be great at it! I keep telling her if I can do it, she certainly can!
It's been a good day. RJ and Bethany were married...my mother was able to be there...my beautiful daughter Alaine took some good pictures...Ted and Beth's children also witnessed the union, perfect summer day and we had a nice dinner together. Oh..we did sneak in to peek at LeeAnn and Steve's new pups and Keesha too. They are growing nicely, and look healthy. Keesha looks good, and is a very good mom. We said hello to all of their dogs, and Alaine took some photos of the newlyweds in their beautiful yard. Heehee.she's going to send some to LeeAnn and Steve with their house in the back-ground to surprise them!
