Well, Merry Christmas darlings!  As you can see, I've been terribly busy putting out the velvet bedspreads, decorating the trees, hanging the lights and doing my best to live up to my queenly lifestyle.  I took the humans by such surprise when I posed ON THE BED that the camera was immediately retrieved and photos taken before being ordered OFF THE BED never to be ON THE BED again...blah blah blah.  I do look beautiful, don't I?


Well, some great news--I officially weigh 89.2 lbs having gained 11 lbs in the past several months.  My hair is gorgeous, shiny and no longer leaving mountains of weave-able hair in every corner.  My Mom has turned mealtime into a connoisseur's dream with sardines, freshly ground turkey, bison bits and a dollop of yogurt.  She does, however, burn a lot of holiday candles when I'm eating but it only adds to my festive atmosphere during this lovely season.  I just seem to have an enormous amount of energy which leads me to chasing cats and dragging the short dogs around by collars, necks or other body parts for entertainment.


Well, that's all for today--I heard I might be getting a sister when the weather warms up.  I hope she doesn't have long ears and short legs--one can only tolerate so many basset-type canines in one family.  Hmmm...sleigh bells, elves, squirrels and slow cats...

TEXAS TWO-STEP

Saturday, my humans got us up real early and put me back in the 'touring' car and headed for someplace called Texas.  Mom suggested we go the way she had gone before (even though she still got lost) but Dad said, 'No, we're going the fast way, through Oklahoma City.'  Well, 5 1/2 hours later we finally got there and I don't think that was one of those 'as the crow flies' shortcuts.  Anyhow, we pulled into the Plano Centre, found my cousins, BJ, Leo and Kyrie, and all heck broke loose.  Not only were there dogs barking everywhere, there were donkeys, bunnies, cats, squirrels and people everywhere. 

Now, knowing me as ya'll do, being a pup and all, even though I do weigh 80+ lbs and appear quite queen-like, I was a bit shaken by all these sights and smells--especially these short humans that kept coming right up and poking around on my face!  At first, I let some little yellow-headed human know I didn't want any part of it and I kind of grumbled under my breath.  Mom told me to BEHAVE GIRL so I put on my best act and let the next short, old, tall, fat, skinny and did I mention strange humans pet me and tell me how beautiful I was.

After about two hours of this constant doting, however, I truly had had enough.  You sit in a vehicle for 5.5 hours, get poked and stroked on for another two hours and see how you feel!  I'm a bit sorry to say, I just got downright cranky.  I just turned my back and my head away from everyone and refused to accept anymore attention.  Could we please just go home now before I really act like a bad puppy?  Dad said he thought it would be a good idea to head back to T-town and that's just what we did. 

Maybe someday, I will be a gentle lady like BJ and Kyrie or a lovey giant like Leo.  Their humans said I did fine and just need some more experience.  All I know is I was sure glad to get home and even this time, take a nap with Bob Barker.

Dr Phil, Can You Help Us?

As you may recall, The Basset and The Bagle (Beagle/Basset) were joined in matrimony last summer.  Agnies of Pississi was the blushing bride, radiant in her Italian lace veil, adorned with freshwater, dollar-store pearls and eau d'bone Parfum.  Bob Barker, the studly groom (although he is a full 2" shorter and wider than the bride) showed his eagerness to 'tie the knot' so to speak with an enthusiastic howl and waddle wearing the latest Barka Bow Tie to  match the formality of the affair.










Although the honeymoon was short-lived, the couple did seem to be headed for the usual and customary tolerance of married life in the Midwest.  In recent days, however, Mrs. Barker has become increasingly intolerant of her husband's constant growling at Queen Lily, referring to him as 'a Walrus Beast!'  As is usually the case, Bob is oblivious to his wife's mounting annoyances.  "He never listens," she said.  "He just barks that irritating Basset bark when I try to talk and he never shares his toys or food anymore!"



Alas, things seem headed for Doggy Divorce...butt-to-butt...as it were...

Dr. Phil, can this marriage be saved?

ELVIRA AND THE HAUNTED HOUSE

Happy Halloween, fellow cadavers, ghouls and canine creepies.  As you may suspect (or come to expect as I do), my humans do some pretty strange but always fun things around here.  They really get excited about this holiday called Halloween.  I heard stories about big, masquerade parties in the past and lots of scary goings on around this old house (my Aunt says it's haunted because she hears funny noises in the night...nobody else does, but hey, she's the human, not me and sometimes, pictures have ghost-like images in the background...ewwww!).  Legend has it the doctor who built this house performed surgeries in the basement and hid the money there.  Dad says thats probably b.s. (Boxer snot) because he said he's been all through the floor and walls just to validate it, of course.  Anyway, this year was no different--no party, but lots of decorating and dead body parts laying around...unfortunately, no raw meat, just plastic. 

Well, as you recall, Mom just LOVES to dress me up for any old ocassion and this was no exception.  Loaded with treats and lots of bribes (ya'll know what I'm talking about...more walks, new collar, a new puppy, blah blah), she thought Queen Lily should be a Fairy...now I had no say in this shopping extravaganza but being her best dog in the pack, I, of course obliged.  As you can see, I am just a darling Fairy, whatever a Fairy is (and don't say I look ridiculous--word will get out on the ISSR Shiloh forum and we will find you!) 

Well, you will not believe who showed up at our house during the photo opportunity.  We had just started taking as many pictures as Dad could snap and I was doing my best to not get tangled up in the spiderwebs, pumpkins and snakes when this really beautiful lady appeared.  Mom and Dad were whooping around telling me it was ELVIRA, Queen of the Dead.  Well, I'm here to tell you, I'm the QUEEN OF EVERYTHING.  Nuff said.  Besides, she just stood there like a piece of cardboard staring at I don't know what. 

I guess that was a pretty funny trick because the humans were sure having a big time. As you see, I was regal, as usual, and fairyish waiting for another treat.  A dog just never knows what to expect on a day like today.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, YA'LL

FROM OUR CRYPT TO YOURS

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH

On the road again...well sisters, after 15.5 hours of strange-looking prairie, pees along the highway, volcanic valleys and some mighty strange-looking creatures with trees on their heads, we finally arrived in Crested Butte, Colorado. My humans brought me here to see my favorite Aunt (and her Huskies), do a little shopping at the dog spa and do some more of this socializing business.

Well, first of all, in my people's land, we don't have no stinking Huskies--at least I've never seen any!  What's with those different colored eyes?  Why would anyone expect me, the Queen Lily, to accept as my equals such smallish, foxy-looking canines as my tour guides?  (snap, snap)--'I DON'T THINK SO!'  And, did I ever let them know I wanted no part of their tailwagging, coy, mountain dog society. 

My Mom was pretty upset that I almost took her arm off trying to drag myself in all my bigness towards these unfamiliar dogs but I let her know in no uncertain terms I would have no part of them...well, until they left, that is.  Then Mom took my cranky rear end back outside and everytime I decided I would be a big, bad Shiloh, she just sat me down and stood right in front of me and told me to more or less shut-up and stop acting like a fool (in her nice way, of course).  

Hey, I'm only trying to do my job. I have no idea where we are or even why this was such a great idea to leave my dog buddies at home but that's what we did, so I finally gave in to the plan and pretended to enjoy myself.  I did not appreciate Mom cooing and oohing over those other dogs, though.  She even said she missed the Mauja one...by the way, those dogs don't bark they just 'woo woo'??? 

I kept guard though from the deck upstairs and barked as much as I could get by with.

It was sure good to get home.  Talk about road rash...I don't know if I ever want to 'go for a ride' again!  Even Agnies and Bob Barker were glad to see me but being the slugs that they are, they just took a nap on the deck while I played with all my toys.

No More Slimfast

I gained 6 pounds.  I'm a big girl at 78 lbs.  I don't know why everyone is so surprised--you wouldn't believe the stuff I eat THREE TIMES A DAY!  Raw meat, kibble, sardines, tuna, chicken wings, sweet potatoes and anything I can snatch out of the short dogs' bowl.  Only 25-40 lbs. to go...

BEWARE! CAT ATTACK!!!

Watch out for these evil, giant black cats--they are armed and dangerous.  Scared the bejeezies out of me and the stupid things just sit there.  What's with that?  Cat got your tongue?  Stop staring at me!!!!

The Mystery of the Blue Paw

Not too long ago, something very strange was going on...everywhere I went, a sinister blue madman was behind me.  It was a hot, summer night and I began to think, "Who better to find this intruder than the super-snoops, Agnies of Pississi and Bob Barker, Beagle and Basset Extraordinaire.

We began our search in the garden--it was dark and damp and smelled of rotting wood and overly-sweet hibiscus.  The grass had a strange odor...Mr. Lift-a-Leg had already staked out his territory.  Blue Man Beware!

Agnies led the way but our trail turned cold.  Who was this evil that lurked within?  Where was our path leading to?


Suddenly, in the darkness, a wolf-like presence appeared.  She was striking in the moonlight.  A real beauty.  Who's reflection in the cold, dark water was I seeing?  I should bark.  I should bark a lot.  I feel as though I know this girl...

As the evening went on, more and more blue blood appeared.  What was it?  Where did it come from?  Could we be saved?
Was it aliens?  Was Mom planting flowers on the sidewalk?  Was the porch growing some type of blue fungus?  The fear grew to immense proportions...UNTIL

Well, what the heck is that blue stuff on my paw?  Honestly, I have no idea where that came from?  That gallon of paint by the garage?  What gallon of paint?  The blue puddle, by the gallon of paint?  Oh, right...I thought you wanted the lid off being that you humans left it there.  It's a very nice color especially on the black concrete.

Well, such a relief.

Hmm...blue paw...BLUE PAW SHILOHS...where canine genius is born.

No Dog, Dog Show

I know, I'm beautiful.  Here's the deal--I'm blowing my coat and skinny so I brought my humans to this Oklahoma City Dog Show to see all my cousins.  They all won Best in Breed, Best in Everything--except for some stinking Corgi that's 3rd in the nation, but who cares--he's short like Bob Barker and it doesn't count.  Anyway, it was only about 100 degrees IN THE SHADE and all my dog relatives had to go run around in this ring and some lady poked and prodded on them.  Yeah, looked like a lot of fun to me if you don't mind a dental/rectal exam.  They got ribbons and their humans were real happy about it.


We hung out most of the day and I minded my own business.  I heard we might be going to Texas next for a Pet Expo so hopefully, I'll fatten up a little and my hair won't look like Britney Spears after a nervous breakdown.

The Hobo Dogs

Charles P. Eisenmann, the owner of London and the Hobo Dogs, passed away recently.  These are my distant cousins and they gave me and my fellow ISSR Shiloh Shepherds great intelligence and beauty.  Thank you, sir for everything you accomplished. 

Drop Box

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN!
Well, I turned one year old on Saturday and of course, out comes the party props...ribbons, tiaras, candles and balloons. I told Mom you only get one shot at this and that's it. So, here it is. Now give me my food!

I've been feeling a lot better lately (except when Mom gives me too much food or something new that my enzymes don't seem to mush up). I got spayed and something called gastropexy which left a really, big scar on my gorgeous belly. But you can hardly see it now so I'll give the humans a thank you for taking the extra step in trying to prevent bloat. I don't seem to be gaining any weight but I'm feeling so much better and I'm growing really tall so maybe I'll fatten up when that slows down. Anyway, Bob Barker keeps barking and Agnies keeps us all in line and CC Cat is still the most fun to chase.

Heading to Oklahoma City next weekend for the dog show. Can't wait to see my cousins.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

I just had my 10 month birthday.  I got special food (see earlier post) and Bob Barker didn't. 

Dad thinks he's a strong man.  Doesn't it look like I'm having fun?  Ya think?

EPI--CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

It's been awhile but a lot's been going on around here.

Well, everyone, I've got some bad news and some good news.  It seems that all that bitchina stuff was worse than I thought.  There's a disease out there called EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) that can be triggered by stress and I'm tellin' ya, being on your period for three freaking weeks is pretty darned stressful.  Come to find out, all that cow-patty poop was being caused from my pancreas not producing enough enzymes to digest my food.  Warning--this is gross--I was literally starving to death so being a dog (even Shilohs act like dogs occasionally), I was eating that nasty stuff and dirt and mulch and anything I could put in my mouth.  I lost about ten pounds while this was going on--made me cranky and tired and that Basset, Bob Barker, was as useful as a fur coat in summer with my needin' a stud--really, what dog (fixed or not) could resist my beauty and twitching tail?  Like I've said in the past, he's not the smartest wiener on the stick. 

Well, anyhows, my human Mom and Dad knew something wasn't right and after some e-mails and talking to my first Mom, Laura Kathryn, off to the vet we go to start some tests.  First, we needed to rule out Giardia--negative.  Then, Laura recommended a fasting TLI test.  My wonderful vet sent my blood off to Texas A&M University.  (Clemson University has taken over research but TAMU still tests for EPI.)  Normal ranges for the test are 5.7-45.2 pg/L and mine was <1.0!  Mom and Dad were just about as sick as I was when they got the news because they were afraid I wasn't going to make it.  They just didn't realize what a determined girl I am!  EPI dogs have to have enzymes added to all their food and the food has to 'incubate' for 20-30 minutes before it's ready. Up until now, I've been eating Canidae All Life Stages so we switched to Canidae Grain-free kibble (grains are a no-no with EPI).  Mom and Dad grind it up in the blender, add the enzymes, some coconut oil which is a MCT (medium chain triglyceride) and top it off with some good ole' smelly tuna and I'm happy as Lindsey Lohan with a Martini.  EPI, according to the experts, occurs in 52% of German Shepherd dogs...unfortunately, there are a few of us Shilohs that have it, too but with all the information we have from the forum, all of us are being very well taken care of and expect to live very long, normal lives.

The bad news about this is I will have this forever and I can't breed as planned.  The good news is, EPI is manageable and doesn't have to break the bank.  I weigh 75 lbs again (I gained back 8 lbs) and I'm full of energy, my coat is gorgeous and you'd never know anything is going on in that pancreas thing.  Some other important things Mom and Dad were talking about is how glad they were that they took everyone's advice on the ISSR forum and bought pet insurance when they got me back in October.  It has paid for itself and it even covers my enzymes and they're not cheap. 

So, please everyone--keep me in your thoughts.  I'm one lucky girl to have all these smart humans around...Bob Barker's  another story.

Bitchina Monologues

Well, something weird is going on down there.  I'm not even going to tell you the bloody details, but I've never felt quite like this before and I'm not so sure I like it.  The Humans are all sweet and mushy about  'their little girl growing up' but Dad is all protective saying there had better not be any big (or little) studs sniffing around.  Just a reminder that the only stud anywhere in this vicinity is that numbnuts-I-don't-have-any, Bob Barker, the Basset and the only sniffing he would do is in a bowl-full of food.  I sure don't feel normal...not  hungry, tired and pretty darned disgusted with whatever this is.  I overheard discussion about me breeding next year and puppies which I think would be a lot of fun having little puppies around but I'm not sure where I come into the picture.   I sure hope I get to go to the Oklahoma City dog show but I might have to wait until the fall to see my cousins and other Shiloh friends.  I'm pretty tired so I'm heading upstairs for a nap. 

Summer's Here

Here I am, sitting pretty in all this soft, green grass.  I LOVE being over here especially when Bob Barker and Agnies have to sit on the other side of the gate and I'm in my secret garden all by myself.  I think the pink gate shows off my gorgeous coat, don't you? 

Toys Aren't Us

Do you ever wonder what your human parents were thinking?  They do some really goofy stuff.  I'm 8 months old now and my teeth are really getting big.  I have the constant urge to chew on anything in sight.  Anyway, I don't have many toys left since I ate them all...stuffed toys have been gone for quite a while and plastic toys are great fun to chew into little pieces and spit all over the floor.  Anyway, last Saturday, Mom and Dad came in with a bag from PetsMart.  They pulled out all kinds of 'tuff' dog toys.  This must be a contest I'm thinking.  Anyhow, I get the first one--it's a great big orange-looking bone with little bumpy things all over.  Yessiree Bob (and I'm not talking Bob the Basset), it took me less than a minute to rip the end right off that thing.  What's next?  Cool, a hard toy for treats.  Let's see...yep, that one was pretty easy, too.  Oh yeah, give me the hard hippo--head came right off.  How about the kevlar tug toy?  Shredded. 

Everyone just stood there staring at me with their mouths open.  Mom said thank goodness they were all on sale and it must be a record--five toys in under five minutes.  Poor Agnies and Bob didn't even get to smell the toys much less taste them.  

When we got through, we all went to sit on the deck.  The deck step was looking pretty good so I chewed off the end.  They said I must be Lucia's sister because she chewed on the other end when she was little.  I think lumber is better to chew on than mulch but that's just my opinion.  The bar stools and hutch looked good but I got in real big trouble for that.  The tree over there is going to be a bit of a challenge but...

THE IRISH GO TO THE DOGS

Erin go Bark and Happy St Paddy's Day!  Being from an Irish human family, we celebrated The Day with more head accessories and green treats.  I'm a wee bit big for a leprechaun but I believe green may be my new color.  Dad had a really big green hat and a yellow beard and kept saying some funny stuff like, "O'Lily, do ye know where we come from?  IRELAND, of course!"  I really like it when they are laughing a lot and taking pictures of their doggy clan.  Agnies and Bob got in on the wearin' of the green, too--Bob sporting a shamrock tie and Agnies was the bowhead.  For some reason, the cats never have to participate in these shenanigans...

It's really hard to sit still when Mom's telling us to pay attention but we knew if we did, we'd get another Doggy O'biscuit.  I wonder what the next party day will be?  I heard something about bunnies and chicks--not sure what those are but I bet I'll either be wearing them, eating them or chasing them.

My Dog Family

Oh yeah, here I am (pre-birthday party) with my paws on Bob Barker and Dog Mommy Agnies acting coy.  Pretty exciting--we rock...party on.

HAPPY 6 MONTH BIRTHDAY

I'm six month's old today!  Mom and Dad blew up balloons, took pictures and gave me a special chew treat.  Of course with my big, new teeth, it only took about five minutes to take care of that dinky thing.  I'm not sure why it's called 'giant'...and look at that silly collar!  OK, I'll wear it this once just for them.  It does match my Diva bling, though.

Anyway, I'm 65 lbs and 24" at the withers...sounds like a really short pony.  I finish puppy class next week and have to decide what more could I possibly need to learn?  I already know how to stand up and put my paws right on top of the counter (I just keep getting into trouble but I HAVE to know what's up there); I can run and fly over just about anything, I only bark when I think I should bother--with two Bassets, it's not very necessary but I do help out now and then; I love love, love CC Cat but she doesn't like it much when I put my foot on her head; Bob Barker and I love to chew on each other but Dog Mommy Agnies always breaks it up because she thinks he's hurting me! ha! 

Mom told me I'm really beautiful and every night when she puts me to bed, she rubs my tummy and talks to me in my crate.  Pretty cool, huh?  Ciao, for now.

Beauty and the Bully

There I was waiting for my dinner when Mom started the "Wanna go to puppy class?  Do ya?" business.  Oh, man, not again.  Treats are packed, on goes the leash, into the truck and off we go...you know, I thought we were done with that.  So, the class was really big and there were a lot of puppies there and some new ones from other classes.  So, I listened to Mom, the instructors were ga-ga and then they asked me to go with a couple of the Charmin puppies AND the new, black, throw-myself-upside-down-I'm-so-mad-at-this-leash-thing puppy to the off-leash playroom--the instructor wanted ME to show HIM how to play.  All he'd done so far was bark and lunge at everyone.  We got to our play place and as soon as the leashes came off, he got in my face and barked like some bangee demon dog, then he jumped at me and on me and hey, I'm willing to play with anybody but he didn't seem to get it--Buddy, you are messing with the wrong puppy here!  A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do so I gave him my bitchy scary snarly Back Off Jack look and they put the leash on him and took him out.  End of playtime, jerk and told me what a great girl I am.  The Charmin puppies are sweet, smaller than me and a lot more fun to play with.   I just hate to be ugly when I'm such a beautiful Shiloh.  Peace out Mr. Pit Bull.  Chill.

Well, I have to work on my loose leash walking--it's pretty boring but I do have my reputation to maintain.

Super Bowl Saint? Nope

Well, just a short note since I'm in the proverbial doghouse.  I just figured out how big I am because while Mom and Dad were watching the Super Bowl, I went into stealth mode--so fast they didn't even see me coming.  It was very simple--walk up, stand up, grab sandwich off plate, swallow really fast and...WHAT THE HECK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING LILY?  I couldn't help myself, really.   (Don't tell them but I can also stand up at the kitchen counter and almost reach the backsplash with my foot--hey, I'm just trying to share with Agnies and Bob since they're about as tall as my kneecaps).  Crate time. :(

Riverwind Road Trip

 

 We hit the road around 9:30 this morning--Grandogma, Dad and Mom piled in with our stash--treats, camera, water and of course, me!  At first, I wasn't sure if this was going to be another trip to the vet or puppy school but I figured it out real quick--this wasn't going to be short ride to just anywhere--we were headed someplace called Riverwind and there was talk about Lucia, her Mom, Katie and sisters, Junebug and BJ.  I took a nap and before I knew it we pulled into the long drive at Riverwind...and man were there some BIG Shilohs!  I was letting them know as soon as they came up to the truck that they'd better step back.  Mom and Dad had never heard my new, bad-girl bark before.  Well, Deb and Jan (Batman's Mom) came out of the house and put the big dogs up.  Now, I'm not too sure if all my barking was going to save my furry rear if they slipped back out so I decided maybe I would just stay in the truck afterall.  But no, out I came and into the house.  

This Deb lady is really nice.  She asked permission to give me treats (thanks, Mom for saying yes) so I did my 'sit' like I've been taught and got several treats and lots of hugs.  Well, introductions began and Junebug and BJ did the sniffy-butt-noselick-what are you doing in our house-tolerate-you thing.  Katie didn't come in though--she was really barking and I think had her 'I'm the Mom around here and you'd better behave' attitude goinig on so I stayed clear of her.  

Everyone went to the puppy place and played with the puppies while Grandogma and I sat and waited. (Mom said she'd get some puppy pictures up here very soon). Well, I was pretty scared that Katie was going to come right in there and who knows what! So, I kept getting closer and closer to Grandogma and before I knew it, she  let me get right up on the couch and I got to sit right next to her.  Well, I've never been on furniture before and when Dad came in, he was NOT happy about it.  Grandogma told him 'What happens with Grandogma, stays with Grandogma' so that was that...bet I'd better not do that again.

It was time to go 'cause we had more people to see.  Thanks Deb for a super visit and for all the treats and hugs.  Oh, Happy 1st Birthday BJ, Junebug and all of Lucia's other brothers and sisters.

After another stop, we headed back home.  It's a lot of work being good and keeping my humans safe.

Happy Birthday, Lucia

(from Lily's human family)

Happy 1st Birthday Lucia...do you have birthdays where you are?  We miss you so much.  Your sisters and brothers are all so big now--we saw your Mom, BJ and Junebug yesterday and they are beautiful as always.  I hope you found Juneau and you are taking care of each other...he really isn't grumpy when you get to know him. 

Lily says she knows you would have been the best big sister but for now, she's letting Agnies take care of her and she chews on Bob Barker's ears because he likes it.

Run free with the wind, Lucia.  You will always be in our hearts as our forever Shiloh.

Road Trip Comin'

OK, so we were all laying around doing our thing and Bob the Brilliant isn't smart enough to find the right-sized dog bed...ANYHOW, Mom said to ME, we're going to visit your cousins in Oklahoma City on Saturday--new puppies, (Yikes I have to be good) and Lucia's Mom and sisters who I've heard so much about at Riverwind Shilohs.  Grandogma is coming, too and I really like her because she pets me all the time.  So, Agnies and Bob are all sad they aren't going but doesn't matter cuz I'm the Baby and I'm Special.  Not really sure what this Road Trip business is all about but I'm game!  Get your engines running...Head out on the Highway...Born To Be Wild...

My Forever Home

When I got to my forever home, there were lots of toys, and people with their dogs waiting to meet me.  I soon found out that Agnies and Bob were my new roommates--actually, Agnies was my adopted, new Mom and Bob Barker was more like my dork brother.  I think I'm already smarter than he is.

In a few days, Mom and Dad took me to Home Depot and were very careful I sat on a clean towel so I didn't get any bad germs.  Everyone thought I was a German Shepherd but they got that straight right away that a Shiloh Shepherd was NOT a German Shepherd.  I bet if I had brothers and sisters, a lot of these people would want one the way they were oohing and aahing about how beautiful I was and how soft my fur felt.

Well, It wasn't long until the holidays were coming so Mom put some stuff around my neck called garland and was so excited because my ears were both up.  I'm not sure why they were that day, but it must have been a big deal (even though Mom said something about a pyramid).  It didn't last long, though 'cause it's really hard holding them up, so I didn't do it again for a while.

 

Last week I started Puppy School.  I'm not sure why 'they' think I need to learn anything since they always tell me how smart I am but I go just to make them happy.  I was NOT too sure about all those little Charmin-looking puppies and what's with the little, tiny one that would fit in a shoe?  I could carry that around for a toy but I really didn't think about it too much (I'd really rather chase the cats at home).  The cool part at school is all the treats.  I play stupid, they start giving me treats and when I think they're going to stop giving them to me, I do what they say.  This is going to be really easy.  Mom didn't seem too pleased because I didn't act interested in doing all the stuff we always do at home.  Maybe next week... 

Wow, there's this cold, white stuff coming down outside.  I can't wait to check it out.  Bob Barker hates whatever it is because he barks as soon as he goes out but that's what he does all the time anyway.  Agnies and I can't wait!  Here goes...

Last night was my second night of Puppy School and I rocked!  I sat still when the instructor AND the guy in the funny chair came by, then I walked on a loose-leash, then I did a 'Down' over and over and I waited forever for them to hold a treat up high and slooooowly bring it to my drooly mouth.  I also stopped jumping!  Yippee!  I probably don't have to go back I'm so amazing.

It all began...

I am a Shiloh Shepherd, breed quality puppy. That may not mean much to someone who doesn't know how amazing we are so I will help you fall in love.

I came to my new family because of my sister's tragic ending to her short life. So this journey is in memory of my sister, Lucia.

It all started about a year ago when my human parents began their search for another dog but not just any dog--they wanted a large, protective, intelligent dog that loved everyone it should but was smarter than the average four-legged kid. That's how they found the Shiloh Shepherds www.shilohshepherds.org. We Shilohs are a rather new (1974) breed and our founder, Tina Barber, has made sure we are the smartest, biggest, best, healthiest Shepherds on the planet. Boy, it's a big responsibility to be so perfect!

My family found my sister, Lucia, at Riverwind Shilohs www.riverwindshilohs.com, visited with the breeder, met Katie, (Lucia's Mom) and placed their order right then and there to be added to the list for one of Katie and Big Jake's (Lucia's Dad) puppies.



Katie is a beautiful sable plush coat

and Big Jake is a black, smooth coat.

Well, you don't just pick-a-puppy by the way. The breeder wants to know everything about what your human family is looking for so they can match up the perfect puppy (not that all of us aren't perfect) to the perfect family. When the puppies are eight weeks old, the breeder and a helper conduct an LER (Litter Evaluation Report) to determine temperament and conformation. It's a very hard test for us little guys. I mean really, we have to run through a maze, play with a tug, follow the leader (or not) and run back and forth so the humans can fill out some papers! Anyway, after all that, a very intense and sometimes lengthy process takes place where each puppy is placed with the right human family. It's kind of like winning the lottery. You don't know how much you're going to win but you definitely hit the jackpot. Lucia went home with her new humans and that's exactly who she wanted to be with (and they were very happy about it, too). Our human Dad and Mom also brought Grandogma (who makes some kind of fabulous cookies) and she held her all the way home. (I understand she wasn't nearly as good about the trip as I was but that's later).

Lucia tried to fit right in and was welcomed home by Agnies of Pississi ,the Bagle (Beagle/Bassett) and Juneau, the Akita/Eskimo bad boy of the house. Juneau had no patience or desire to like the new addition and let Lucia know it from the git go. Agnies, who never had fur children of her own, became the instant doting, protective Mommy. Several weeks after Lucia arrived, Juneau became sick--he was fourteen years old and he crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It was pretty hard on Mom, Dad and Agnies but Lucia stepped right up and helped them through it. Puppies are like that--who can be too sad for too long when a puppy has the heart of an angel and the energy of a Tasmanian Devil.

Lucia and Agnies were quite the co-conspirators from what I hear. When Mom forgot there was a puppy around, they reminded her not to forget again with their ingenuity and sheer brilliance! It's exhausting tearing into a 25 lb. bag of birdseed and spreading it around just so.










When Lucia was five months old, tragedy struck. There are some pretty stupid and/or evil humans in this world and without all the gory details, someone poisoned her and she died. A necropsy from the veterinary school at the university determined her death was caused by ingestion of rodenticide; i.e., D-Con. If anyone reading this uses rat poison, please stop and use traps only--your poison rodents can travel to your neighbors and kill their pets.

Of course, Mom, Dad and the entire family were devastated. They immediately started a search for another Shiloh. They knew their lives were changed because of Lucia and were determined to never be without another one. If you believe in Karma, then keep reading. If you don't, we're sorry.

Solace Shilohs www.solaceshilohs.com is another wonderful Shiloh breeder in the state of Washington. It so happened that several litters were being born and would be available around Halloween (that's where I come in). Mom and Dad put their money where their mouths were and got on the waiting list. When my dog-Mom, Pica






and dog-Dad, Zeke







did their thing, a whole lot of us came into this world. Mom and Dad flew to Seattle and after the LER, I spent the night at their bed and breakfast. I was exhausted but I still had time to show-off and play with my new toys.









I cried all night so Mom (and Dad) lay in the floor with their hands in my crate to let me know everything was going to be just fine. The next day, I flew home with Mom and Dad and that's where MY story begins.