The Holidays are here and I have a house full of guests; friends from near and far along with my little brother Aaron.  The house if full and we will be expecting more.  Dan, Andy, Aaron are here now; Laura and Sam will be joining us later in the week.  My little brother Aaron received a hat identical to my husbands as a Christmas gift from Tim and I.  I ordered it because Tim was tired of Aaron taking his hat when he would stay with us…now he has is own. Gene and his Pit Bull puppies stopped by for a visit; they are such happy beautiful dogs.  I will post more pictures of the festivities as they occur.

I was asked at the Game Fair what is a good dog food….I posted a new article under History/Info tab of the website that I would encourage you to read;  “How to Select a Quality Dog Food,” by: Peter Andersen.  After reading it here are some numbers that I found on Metabolized Energy (ME):
Native Level 2: 4078 Kcal/kg  or  1850 Kcal/lb
Native Level 3: 4409 Kcal/ kg or 2000 Kcal/lb
Native Level 4: 4850 Kcal/kg or  2200 Kcal/lb
Joy Dog Food: 30-20 Mix: 4170 Kcal/kg  or 1895 Kcal/lb
Pro Plan All Stages: 4406 Kcal/kg  or 2003 Kcal/lb
Diamond Performance: 3982 Kcal/kg  or 1810 Kcal/lb
Dog Fuel High Performance: 4133 Kcal/kg  or 1879 Kcal/lb
Eukanuba Spaniel Breed: 2653 Kcal/kg  or 1206 Kcal/lb
Iams ProActive Health: 3711 Kcal/kg  or 1686 Kcal/lb
Nutrisource Super Performance: 4050 Kcal/kg  or 1841 Kcal/lb

I have also done some research and Native has the best ingredients as far as no corn, soy, or wheat is concerned.  This is what I feed my dogs; I am part of the Native breeder program and have found this food to be the best quality for the money.

I  have had many requests to set up a way for Harvest Hunters owners to communicate with one another about their Springers which they welcomed into their families from us.  I set up a Yahoo group for everyone to join who would like to chat with one another.  Here is the link: yahoogroups.  Once you get there click on the : “join this group” button and follow the instructions on how to join.  If you have any questions let me know and I will answer them the best I can!  Hope you all join!

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD ( 1872-1918) Canadian Army

I have heard this poem many times when I was in high school.  I played in the marching band that would follow the VFW color guard to all the cemeteries where their fallen comrades had been laid to rest.  The poem and the tribute did not mean much to me when I was in high school; yeah sure, I got a tear in my tear when I heard the majestic echo of taps from a far by a hidden trumpet player; I was just a ungrateful teen that needed the extra credit for band: I had no idea the sacrifice that was made to keep me free.  Now, the tributes ring deep in my soul and wrenches the tears from my heart, because now, I am an Army wife. I understand the sacrifice; the hot tears roll down my face as I write this now thinking of the families of loved ones that paid the ultimate sacrifice.  Those soldiers stand on a wall and take arms and say, “I will keep you safe tonight; nothing is going to hurt you on my watch.”  They provide the blanket of freedom that I sleep under; I no longer take for granted “Flanders Fields.”  The 15 x 10 foot flag that drapes my house is a tribute to all those soldiers that have volunteered to defend my freedom from foreign and domestic threats.  I not only have Old Glory enveloping my house but, also the “Lest they be Forgotten” flag designed for the fallen heroes of  Operation Iraqi Freedom; the war of my time.  I present these flags for all who drive by and, see a blur of red, white, and blue with the utmost pride and admiration for “my” troops and my husband.  Sacrifice is not only made in with flesh and blood by our soldiers but, also in irreplaceable time that their families miss; it can never be restored, a babies first steps, a daughters graduation, or the opportunity to say good bye to a sick loved one; all these precious moments in time are given up for my ability to write this, or to laugh, or to own a gun.  I am grateful for the ultimate sacrifice the men and women of this country have made for me; they have picked up a gun when few others would to defend my liberty.  My country is mine because of them;  so, now when I go and see the color guard give tribute on Memorial Day with their 21 gun solute and with a shakey voice reciet “Flanders Field,” I am no longer the naive teenager who stupidly took the moment for granted; I stand proud and tall and realize that some day they will be paying tribute to my husband and his service that he unselfishly gave for me.

Ticks & Fleas

There is a few things to keep in mind with the summer months approaching fast when it comes to the care of your favorite poochie.  The wood ticks are on the move and, to prevent this from being a problem I would suggest Frontline Plus.  I apply Frontline to my dogs once in the spring; this carries me past the wood tick infestation and right into the summer months when it does not seem to be such a big problem.  I prefer Frontline over flee and tick collars because, the collar can fall off or the dog can maneuver out of it; not only that but, if a dog decides to snack on it that can cause a big problem from them….those collars have neurotoxins on them…..dog eating it = very sick dog.  Frontline is applied between the shoulders where the dog can not lick it so, digestion is not a problem with this application.  The only thing to keep in mind with Frontline is that the poochie needs to stay out of water for 48 hours after the application so, it does not wash off.

Parasites & Worms

The next thing to keep in mind with the warming months is that the mosquitoes are waking up and are hungry.  Mosquitoes carry and infect dogs with heartworm.  It is important that you give your dog heart guard medicine to prevent/ kill heart worms in their blood stream.  I use a brand of medicine called Virbac, Iverhart Plus.  This is a cheaper brand of Heartgard; it works the same but, is easier on my pocket book (remember I am treating 9 dogs for 6-7 months a year). Iverhart also controls and treats hookworm and ascarid.  If you would like more information on ordering the cheaper brand of heartguard send me an email and I will get you to contact information.  Another thing to keep in mind is that heartguard is a poison; it kills whatever little larva that are in your dogs blood stream; heartguard ios NOT a preventative.  Heart worms take 6 months to grow from larva to adult worms that attack the dogs heart; that is why heartgurad works, it kills the larva.  I also encourage with the warming of the weather that you consider deworming your dog after it has a nice juicy treat of dead animal or rolls in it ( the scent of dead carcus is lovely isn’t it?) .  I suggest this because, dogs contract intestinal worms from dead animals.  If you notice that your beloved poochie is having problem keeping weight on or is losing weight in a noticeable manner I would suggest having them dewormed.  This treatment should not cost more than 15 dollars at your vet; if it is send me an email and I will help you get some cheaper medication.

Water

Now that I have covered all the medical aspects of dog care for the warming months, I would like to cover basic care strategies.  Here is a no brainer, it is getting warmer even hotter out; your dog will need a more continuous supply of fresh water, fresh being the key word.  (Note:  the bucket that sits outside and still seems to be full of water needs to be changed; algae can grow in stagnant water and make dogs VERY sick.)  In our yard, the dogs have 2 five gallon buckets full of water that are dumped, scrubbed clean, and refilled everyday.  They also have a one-foot deep by six-foot diameter pool to jump in and out of at their liesure.  The pool is dumped, cleaned, and filled about once a week.  We have the advantage of having so many dogs that the pool gets dirty fast and the buckets empty quickly, however you may need to keep an eye on the quality of the water if you don’t go through it that quickly.

Shelter

You might consider giving your poochie a hair cut; it will help with keeping him/ her cool.  Shade is important in the summer months as well; if you have a great big yard that your dog spends the day in or just a tiny yard, make sure there is shade for them to escape from the sweltering rays of the sun.  Shelter is important not only for shade but, also for protection against mother nature when she is cranky (ie: rain, wind, hail and anything else she throws our way).  Some important features for a good shelter are: a sloped roof, insulation, well ventilated, and big enough for the dog to stand and turn around in.   Make sure you place the shelter is a shaded area as well, it won’t do them much good to lie in a dog house that is 10-30 degrees hotter then the outside temperature.

Travel

Summer months also bring travel; who does not want to bring Fido on the family vacation….right?   I have a concrete rule that I follow no matter where I go or whose dog I have with me; they MUST be in a crate.  I would feel horrible if I was distracted while driving and hurt someone else, me, or my dogs because I was paying attention to the dog and not the road.  Having your poochie crated means they are out of the way and not a distraction to you or anyone else; never mind that most dogs want to sit in your lap, or prance around on the gear shift, or the ever common blocking the rear view mirror.  Another benefit to having your dog crated is that if you were in an accident the dog is more likely to stay in the car/ crate…..it is safer to have them in a crate; think of it like a doggie seat belt ( actual dog seat belts are an option too).  Poochie can get more comfortable in a crate anyway; it is flat and they are able to lay down and get comfortable and join the rest of the snoozing passengers in the vehicles.  Another good thing about crates is that when you open the car door the dog does not bolt for the nearest interesting object which, I am sad to say, could be across the road; you have more control over a crated dog than a free floating dog.  Something to keep in mind if you must have your dog out while driving, don’t let them hang out the window…..they are distracting to other drivers (which the road doesn’t need any more of) and there is a strong possibility that debris could strike them in the eye. Along with debris that could harm your beloved poochie keep in mind that if you have a free range dog in the front seat the air bags could harm them when deployed. I guess my bottom line is: Children belong in seat-belts; Dogs belong in crates!   When you leave the vehicle with your ” crated guard dog” make sure that you roll the windows down and so there is good ventilation.  Vehicles have a tendency to turn into ovens when sealed up so, don’t cook your dog!   Remember it does not have to be 90 degrees out for it to be dangerous for a dog to be sealed up in a vehicle; 50 – 60 degrees and be very dangerous as well, especially if you have a dark vehicle.  If you need to leave poochie in the vehicle for a longer length of time park in the shade; this will help with over heating also leave poochie with a travel bowl of water (they are the snap on dishes that come with a crate that I seem to collect by the dozen) and roll down the windows at least 2-4 inches and go check on your dog….(he might need to go potty).  Now, if you are like me and are even more paranoid about my dogs overheating in a well ventilated vehicle, with water, in the shade, and after a swim (the dog is soaking wet) you can get crate fans that clip onto the crate dog and cool them down.  The ones I have even have thermostats on them.    If you want to put Fido free running in the back of a truck………………….DON”T!  Talk to any Vet about how many dogs come in with severe injuries from jumping from the back of a moving truck.  Torn pads, shattered hips, broken jaws with half of their teeth left on the pavement……and don’t think that tying him in the back of a truck is any better.  I have heard more than once of a dog hanging himself from his own lead over the edge of the truck.  This is simply incredebly dangerous and is an accident waiting to happen nevermind the increased distraction to others.

I headed back to the U.P. (the Upper Penisula of Michigan) to go pick Mini up from her randzevous with Amos.  I am hoping that I brought more than just her back; I hope she has at least 4 passangers aboard.  Amos’s owners took excellent care of my girl and had wonderful hospitality!  Mini was excited to see me and was even more excited to get home; she threw quite the fit when she got into the house in Cyrus.  Here are some of the pictures from my journey.  Tim and all the dogs were intact when I got back so, I can now breath a sign of relief.  I am not a big fan of leaving my house or my family.

New puppy owners I would like to inform you that there is a great deal on crates at Mills Fleet Farm until May 9th.  There is Remington crates on sale for 32.89$ ( 28 ” x 21″ 22 “); this crate will last the remainder of their life; it is the perfect size.  Crates are a great tool for potty training and safe haven for them as well.

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!

The length of a springers tail is important. It can tell you a lot about the dog. If it is short and stumpy it means that it is a bench cut dog. Bench cut dogs are the ones that you see in dog shows like The Westminister Kennel Show.  If it is a long tail that means that it is a field cut dog; it is bred to hunt and work in the field.  My dogs are field cut dogs with long tails and, hopefully with a little white tip on the end.  The tail tels you a lot about what the dog is feeling and what they are thinking.  For example if a dog has its tail in between its legs it might be scared, unsure, or uncomfortable.  When a dog has its tail up and wagging it might be happy, comfortable, and self assured.  When out in the field you will learn to read your dogs “tail talk.”  You will know when it is working a bird or excited or frightened.  It is important to pay attention to your dog and its tail when in new situations so you know how the dog is reacting.  Every dog is different but, all remains the same, their tails convey their emotions and thoughts so, pay attention!

I had the pleasure of learning how to change my transmission fluid yesterday in the COLD!  I needed to change it because my Jeep was shifting weird; I know that the cold has a lot to do with it but, I did it anyway with the help of my trusty friend Andy.  No, my husband was no where to be found.  When it comes to vehicle repair he is about inept about it as I am at cooking.  I do most of the vehicle repair stuff myself, grease under the fingernails and all.  We pulled the Jeep into the barn and used the pits to change the fluid but, it was still soooo cold that it took us a while to do it; we went up to the house to take much needed breaks to warm up.  I could not feel my fingers most of the time which, I might say makes it difficult to hold onto the bolts.  Now, the Jeep is shifting well and I feel a lot more confident in it; I just wish we would of done it the day before when it was 38 degrees instead of -20.  Thanks Andy; I appreciate you sticking it out in the cold with me to get the job done!