My yard is a mud pit and I hear we are suppose to get more snow!!  I am so ready for the snow to be done and the grass to be green.  It is starting to turn green now but of course more snow.  I want everything to dry out.  I spend an hour everyday washing, scrubbing, vacuuming, disinfecting their dog room and kennels.  They are all going to get baths this week.  They are all sooooo muddy and muddy turns into dusty.  Mini and SoBe did great out in the field this morning.  I ran them and gave them retrieves.  SoBe listened very well and her control is coming along as well as her response to the whistle.  Mini did not bark which I was having problems with but not today.  I am waiting for pills from a vet in the cities to get her out of her false pregnancy that has her hormonal and barking.  Trixie and Tyrael were out and were sleeping in their normal places in the house.  Tyrael and the top step and Trixie in the office on the futon.  She was all snuggled in and was not moving for anything.  Maddie Sue ( Mini x Sonny puppy) has been a joy to have; I know that I need to return her but, I would really like to keep her!!  All the other dogs have been enjoying the warm weather.  

I miss my puppies!  The house is so quite and there is no puppy paws to clean off of anything.  I did get a couple updates from families that welcomed new puppies into their families.  I recieved a great phone call from Swamp Water’s Family ( her name is now Lady Jenna).  They said that she was doing great and were enjoying having her.  I love to hear from the families that did purchase dogs so, please write me or call me.  I would especailly love to hear what you all named them and how the transition is going from my home to yours.  I also recieved a message from Pina Coladas family in the cities.  They said that she is doing great…I believe that they named her Indy.  Please keep me up to date.  Send pictures!  I will add them to the online photo album on the website.  Don’t forget to use your whistles and all the fun advice.  If you want your dog to hunt please train them!  Don’t expect to put them down in the field this fall and have them go….I mean there is A LOT of natural talent but still even the most naturally talented athletes need to train some.  I decided to keep in touch with Harvest Hunters Springer owners that I am going to send out birthday cards to the dogs on their birthdays.  I think people will get a kick out of it and will encourage them to write/ stay in contact.  

Well, the house is empty. It took a little getting use to and a little sad. Slammer (liver & white, Trixie) and Spritzer (liver & white, Kahlua) went together to a great home in Winstead. They surprised me by wanting Slammer as well when they came to pick Spritzer up. The whole family came. I know that the boys are going to have a blast and that the family is in for an adventure. Pink Lady (liver & white, Trixie) went to a great family in Maple Grove.  They have a Springer already named Sophie so, I know that Pink Lady will not be lonely.  I guess that is always my concern; that the puppies will be lonely when they go to their new homes.  I will have to say that this time around I did not feel that way with any of the families that bought a puppy/puppies.

There is some advice that I would like to extend to the families who just welcomed home a new Harvest Hunters Springer:
-Please watch them when they are out playing; make sure to learn their potty signs so potty training can go well; every puppy is a little different so, pay attention.
-Make sure to keep up the retreiving.  Make sure to make it fun .  The babies really only need3 to 4 retrieves a day.  Remember it is all in consistency.
-Make the rattles (water bottle with pennies in it)  this will re assure that they will not be gun shy because the toy is very loud.  Loud noises/ toys help them with not being gun shy down the road.
-DO NOT give them squeak toys; this encourages them to have a hard mouth.  This can occur with the squeak toys because every time they bite down they get a reward from the squeak.  Take the squeaker out or puncture it in the toy.
-Consistency is the key to a puppy/ dog.  If you do not want the dog to do it when it is grown up then do not let the puppy do it.  Dogs/ puppies are a reflection of their handlers/ owners.  This puppy is mold able/ pliable.  They are putty in your hands so mold them to how you want them to be / act.
-A schedule is very important and it will help with training, eating, and potty training.  Stay again consistent.
-Get the book “Hup” by James B Spencer.  There is a lot of good advice/ training information in the book.
-Keep in touch with me and Tim.  We will help you anyway we can.  You can utilize your relationship with us anyway you would like.  Just remember we are not mind readers so, if you are having problems we can’t help you unless you communicate with us.
-Keep checking the website; I will have lots of more information and advice for you over the next couple months.

Let me know what you named your new puppy; I would love to know so, I can update my files for the future.  I hope to see you all at the Game Fair this summer.  I will be sending out mailers with information regarding the Game Fair.  Stay in touch!

What does being an Army Wife mean? Well, there is actually a handbook for Army Wifes and it is 392 pages long. It has all the vital information that a woman could need or does need being married to a man in uniform (don’t they look good in that uniform ladies?). It has instructions about meeting and greeting all the way to military funerals. Yes, there is a specific manner at which an Army Wife is to expected to act at all of these specific events and functions; you would not want to embarrass your husband would you? What the handbook does not cover is everything else that comes along with being the other half to a man in camo. The deployments; especially the waiting and the loneliness. The feeling that your life is on hold until he comes home safe and sound. No one can understand the emptiness that awaits you when you go to bed every night wondering if he is ok. You miss the pillow talk and everything intimate in your relationship. You miss the fact that something as simple as coming home every night is not an option. We pray that the guys in class A’s never come knocking on our door with bad news. There is a feeling of helplessness when they are gone; no way of knowing if they are safe. There is no way to prepare another Army Wife for the emptiness that comes when the one you love is taken away with a fellow swoop. The Army does not care what might being going on in your life at the time or, what events he might miss. When he gets back the rewards and medals await but, for us who were left behind, we get nothing, no medals, no parades, no pay….nothing; just the satisfaction that he made it home safe and sound. There is no vacation during war.

I am married to a man in uniform; actually he is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. He just celebrated his 10 year anniversary this last month. I have to say that I am very proud of him. I was there when he received his commission as an officer and most importantly I was the one that pinned on his “bars”. The ceremony was very special to both of us; Officer Candidate School was long and hard but, he made it through with flying colors. Right now Tim is gone; he was activated for training and will be deployed for 6 months. All of a sudden the household that took two people to run is now down to one, me. Sometimes I wonder what did I get myself into. I did not sign up for this; he did. I am the one left behind with everything to worry about and take care of; it is not that easy. I have done it before and I will do it again. I know that my husband is very good at his job; he is great in the Army and he has lots of medals and achievement awards to prove it; even a Bronze Star.  He is one of those people you want defending our country and protecting us at night while we sleep. He takes his Army responsibilities very seriously. I can not count how many times the Army has come first and our marriage second. I was there when he raised his right arm for the second time to re-enlist and there were tears of joy, pride, and fear in my eyes. I thought to myself he had made it though a deployment over seas and made it back safe; why were we doing this again; why risk it? Tim is a lifer. He will be in the service until they kick him out. I have a great sense of pride knowing that but, a great sense of fear knowing that he can be taken away with one phone call and then gone forever with a bullet or a road side bomb. I know that it is the ultimate sacrifice to die for your country but, I am not quite ready to give my husband up for it yet. The Army can throw some sucky things your way and you can either be bitter or proud. Like, when I had major surgery at Mayo and Tim could not reschedule his drill so he could be with me…that really sucked. For the first year of our marriage he was deployed; I never got to be a bride or even a newlywed. That really sucked. For the first 2 years of our marriage I was bitter about the Army but, now I am proud. You can be bitter and resentful or be proud and supportive. I am proud all the way from my house covering American Flag to my “Army Wife” tattoo. Sometimes it is hard to suck it up and put on a smile but, it has to be done; I am the only person he looks forward to coming home to. The house is lonely, quite, and my bed is empty at night but, I know that it is for a good cause! Please support our Troops!

Nothing new happened today.  The weather was great and the yard looks like a moster truck course.  It was in the 40′s today.  The dogs crates look like a mud pit so, I spent most of the day keeping them clean.  I mopped and vaccummed a bunch today; it is enevitable with spring coming.  The puppies were outside most of the day and while I slept they played on the kitchen floor.  They got baths this morning.  Mini slept with me today.  Maddie Sue did ok on her walk “hupping”.  She did good with retreives; I took her out to a big field and she loved it!  Mini and SoBe played in the snow out in the field; I let them run for a bit before their training.  The snow is finally melting…I am excited to get rid of the white stuff.  It will make training easier and the birds will fly better. 

I would like to recommend some reading for you who bought a new puppy the book “Hup” by James Spencer.  The book is full of wonderful information and great knowledge. 

On the way home from work this morning I saw a group of 30 pheasants in the field.  They looked great; very colorful.  There was both hens and roosters.  The puppies got baths this morning and did a great job of behaving.  They played in the kitchen most of the day while I slept.  They are so rambunctious; you would think that they would not be as noisy now that there is only 3 but, not so much.  Their little teeth are so sharp; they are like little needles.  The puppies are at the age were they want to tug and play with pant legs which, is all fine until you take a face plant to the floor because you tripped over one of them.  Slammer( liver & white, Trixie) loves to carry around his rattle.  He runs and it makes all kinds of noise.  Pink Lady (liver & white, Trixie) has a new game.  She crawls up on the bottom stair and then launches herself like a big fuzzy bullet on top of Spritzer (liver & white, Kahlua).  She waits for him; it is so funny.  I feel sorry for the little guy.  Maddie Sue is doing great; I clipped her nails.  We are working on her “hups” and comes.  Mini and SoBe gots lots of exercise today.  They did retrieves and got to run in the field for as long as they wanted.  The weather was great today; it was in the 40′s.  The only bad thing is that everything is melting and making a muddy mess also making it very difficult to keep the dogs clean.  When they get up out of their crates there is a little beach waiting for me to vacuum up. Everyday crates and the floor get washed as cleaned.

Last night I had friends over.  Andy played with Slammer last night, it was cute; Andy laid on the ground and the puppy played with him.  I should of taken a picture.  The puppies had their schedule mixed up a little last night because, I was up until 4 am trying to get my sleep schedule back for working nights so, essentially they were up all last night as well.  Today I got a wonderful call from the owners of Lady Jenna (formerly Swamp Water) they said that she was doing great and are so pleased and ecstatic with her. I am so happy that they lover her and are having such a good time with her.  I love to hear from people that have bought dogs and, I especially love to hear that the new puppies are settling into their new homes.  Stinger (liver & white, Trixie) went to his new home today.  He went to a gentleman that just lost his Springer not to long ago expectantly.  I think the new puppy will give him something positive to focus on; plus it is always awesome when you get a new puppy/ member of the family.  I have one puppy left to sell so, keep your fingures crossed.

Well, today was busy!  The puppies received baths by Tim this morning.  A family from souther Minnesota came and picked up Cosmopolitan (liver & white, Trixie) this morning.  They already had a name for her…Daisy.  I think that it fits her perfectly!  A gentleman from the St. Cloud area came a got 2 puppies: Gin Fizz (black & white, Kahlua) and Gin Rickey (black & white, Kahlua).  I know that he is going to be very happy with them.  It sounds like he is an avid hunter who, will be taking the boys out to South Dakota this coming hunting season….I am jealous! Talk bout getting them intot he birds right away!  I also sold Martini (liver & white, Kahlua) today to a great family from the Nisswa area; they have small children.  I think that they made the right pick; they named her Annabell.  I think that is a precious name.  She is going to be a great hunter along with all the rest of them.  Maddie Sue is here with me while I type.  She is having a fit in front of the mirror.  I worked on “hups” with her along with comes (trill on the whistle) she is doing great.  I am building the base of yard work and commands that she will need in the field.  Mini and SoBe are still in heat and are still a little irritated with me because they are in crates in the kitchen.  I trained them today and they did great.  Just a little whining from Mini but other wise all is good.  Mini has the habit of wanting to eat snow while we train; it gets a little frustrating but, what can I do?  I know that she is not thirsty; she just likes to eat snow.  The puppies played in the fresh snow today.  Slammer (liver & white, Trixie) stretched out and laid down and started to eat the fresh flakes….it was adorable (I know everything puppies do is cute but, this was especially cute).  Stinger (liver & white, Trixie) got lots of play time in the living room this morning.  I see that my couch did not make it with out a  “battle wound” but, that is my fault I was not paying attention to what they were doing under the couch while I was talking.  It still amazes me that with all the room that they have in the kitchen and the living room they chose to sleep right on top of each other….I know it is a security thing but still, I think that it would get hot.  I can’t wait until spring gets here…I am tired of the snow and using four wheel drive!  I know the dogs love to play in it but enough is enough; bring on the sun and green fields.  Remember those of you that just added the newest member of your family……You must watch them and if you don’t put them away or they will go pee in a corner and you will not find it until it is to late!  You have to catch them in the act or scolding them afterwards does no good.  Pay attention to their potty signs…they all have them!!  Also remember they need to go out as soon as they wake up from a nap or for the day and also right after they drink and eat.  Their bladders and tummys are small.  Keeping them on a potty schedule will help as well.  Don’t let puppy out of your sight until you can trust them!

Tim and I had our cousin Sean over today.  He played with the puppies and the big dogs.  He is a dog lover.  The puppies received lots of extra attention from him.  The puppies were outside most of the day; it was nice out.  They got a little deterred from their schedule but, that is ok.  We worked on individual retrieves (pheasant wing) with the babies.  Pink Lady (liver & white, Trixie), Martini (liver & white, Kahlua), and Slammer (liver & white, Trixie) all did excellent.  Martini brought the wing right back and so did Slammer; it was great!  A little tear came to my eye.  The others did good.  I trained Mini and SoBe on “backs” today.  I gave SoBe some rapid retrieves…over and over again throws to really gave her a good work out.  I worked with Maddie Sue today.  I gave her some retrieves with a frozen pigeon; she tried eating it a little but, I put a stop to that.  I also worked with her in the house on “hupping” on the whistle and, coming to me on a whistle trill.  She picked that up real fast.  She is a very intelligent dog!  We will work more tomorrow. I hope that all the new puppies in their new homes did not have too rough of night; let me know I would love to hear!

The day started with baths for the puppies.  They enjoyed it.  Then into the Jeep they went.  Tim and I went down to the cities to drop off puppies and for a buyer to pick his out.  Dreamsicle (liver & white, Trixie), Jelly Bean (liver & white, Trixie) and Swamp Water (liver & white, Trixie) all went to their new homes today.  A gentleman picked out Pink Lady (liver & white, Trixie) for his puppy that he will be acquiring in the future.  I also picked up Maddie Sue (liver & white, Mini) to puppy sit for a couple of weeks; it should be fun!  Shae and Brooke are playing so hard; I can hear them up here with the door closed.  They are seeing who can bark the loudest.  Maddie is in bed with Tim right now and that is were I am headed.  We both drove back in the snow.  I wish that it would stop snowing…I am ready for 40 degree weather!  Mini and SoBe are a little crabby at me because they did not get to go out and train so, I will get them out twice tomorrow.  The puppies are also playing; I hear the unmistakable voices and barks of the babies tormenting each other.  I hope that all the babies that left me tonight sleep tight; don’t let the bed bugs bite! (I know that they will cry tonight but, it is just a part of getting use to a new home and a new family.  Remember if you don’t want the dog/puppy to sleep with you when it is older don’t let it into bed tonight or that is all she wrote!)