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April 2003 - "...We love her so much and are so very glad Maggie and Willy parented her. She has taken to hunting in the back yard and in the park. Especially, if there is a treat involved. She runs in figure 8's all over the yard until she finds her target and then she trots back to my feet. Natural hunter - retriever we were floored the first time she did that. She has an independent streak, and that is why Len calls her Princess Tess, she is the Princess. Thank you again! We could not have asked for a better pup!"
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July 2006 - "Good morning, Loretta!" "Wow! It's hard to believe that it's been 2 weeks already! I'm still working on trying to transfer files from the old pc to the new one - I need to take new pictures. Maybe tonight or tomorrow - I will send you copies." "Tigger is doing amazing. Growing like a little weed. I was noticing this morning that I think he looks bigger than he did when we went to bed last night. He has a fabulous, agreeable temperament." "The big thing we're working on these days is respecting kitty cats. Each day, he does a little bit better with that. I've got him to the point where you can see the struggle in his little brain as he walks past them without chasing them. It's very very hard for him, and once in a while he succumbs to his inner urge to chase. But, really truly, for only being 10 weeks old, he's doing very well." "The Shih Tzu are very funny with him. If they know that my mom and I are watching, they let him know that they don't want anything to do with him. If they think we're not watching, we'll I've caught both of them playing with him more than once. So I think we're well on the way to positive, lasting bonds." "He's doing much better with his crate training. I noticed this past weekend, when I would stick him in his crate for short periods when I couldn't watch him (like to take a shower), he was back to screaming. I finally asked my mom if he did that all week when I was at work. lol, she said no, the second you walk out the door, he lays down and goes to sleep. So it turns out he's just like any baby - when mom's around, he's going to try to make her feel bad for not playing with him every second. On the other hand, most of my time these days is spent playing with Tigger. He is in his crate when I'm working, but I'm home at lunch and we go outside and potty and play a quick little game of chase, fetch or just investigate. (I never knew we had so many ants in our yard. ;-) ) Then, after work, the entire evening is usually devoted to Tigger and playing Tigger games. In addition to just "fun" games, we are working on walking nicely on a leash. We work on baby games like come and sit. I put the teeter board flat on the ground and we're learning to walk on strange surfaces - and in a straight line. We run between the jump uprights - no bars. (I want him to be able to walk when he's older, so jumping will be extremely limited until his growth plates close.) We do the tunnel. He would like to do the dogwalk, but I have not encouraged it - he's still not great with walking in a straight line, and I don't want him to fall. Lots and lots of just running around. That little tail goes just non-stop and there's always a grin plastered on his face."
"I think things are going really well. We go tomorrow
evening for our second set of shots." August 2006 - "We have a new trick at our house. Run and jump into Polly’s chair. Then sit like a perfect gentleman, and beg her to pick us up and cuddle and play. He’s a good boy. J This picture is from early this morning. Isn’t he handsome?" "Hope to get pictures of him tomorrow with one of his pigeons. He is SO cute. Ever since he met "real" birds, when we go for our walks, he wants to pounce on anything that moves. Tonight, we stalked, chased and hunted a grasshopper. I can’t remember the last time that I had so much silly fun. Looks like Bird Lesson #2 will be next week. Need to get a whistle ordered."
November 2006 - "We’re starting to get busy with training. Hopefully, we’ll keep his mind as busy as his body. J We will start a beginning obedience class Tuesday. Then, in probably December, a friend of mine who has conformation springers and is an obedience judge, is offering an introductory competitive obedience class. Sandy has a soft spot for my boy. (I keep trying to convince that she should get a “real” springer. ;-) ) She’s limiting the class to 3-4 dogs, by invitation only. She asked if Tigger would like to participate. I said of course we would. We went yesterday for our first real Agility lesson. He did very well. He’s still very much a puppy, so we’ve got a lot to learn. We’re going to go to Gerianne’s the day after Thanksgiving for Obedience and Agility." We’ll start an Agility class in January. We’re going to be very busy this winter! "More importantly, Tigger is a good boy. He’s well-behaved in the house. Always agreeable and willing, happy and good-natured. Never met a stranger. He’s goofy and funny and entertaining. He never fails to make me laugh. We have our little routines. When I get home from work, we either go play in the backyard, or go to the park and play. Then, we go in/home and do dinner. After dinner, we do a few minutes of training. Then, comes the fun part (or so Tigger tells me). He makes a mad 100 mph leap for the recliner. He hits it so hard, a few times, he’s nearly tipped it over backwards! He sits in the chair, just as proud and handsome as he could ever be – waiting for me. He gets in my lap – puts his head under my chin, curls up and we cuddle. We say we’re watching tv, but usually, we both fall asleep. I think that’s my favorite time of each day." "I’m the first to admit that I’m not a particularly religious person, but I have to say that when I think of Tig, the one word that always comes to mind is blessed. I just feel blessed to be able to share my life with him. He is a very special boy. Thank you for giving me the opportunity."
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August 2002 - "...This past winter we... purchased "puppy #8" from the litter of Jake & Maggie. When we got her home in mid-March she stopped being "puppy #8" and became "Lady Victoria of South Hills" - or "Tory" as we call her." "We couldn't be happier with her. She is a wonderful dog! I am working with Jeff to train her. My goal is to take her as far as her ability will go. At the ripe old age of seven months, it is way too soon to tell how far that will be. I can tell you, however, that she is a quick learner and a very enjoyable dog to work with. We have a 19 month old springer as well (Lady Virginia of South Hills or "Ginger") and the two of them get along perfectly." "I hope you don't mind getting a little update on Tory, but we just had to tell you what a great dog she is."
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