Category Archives: Holidays Travel & Vacations
How It Began
This Fall Marks Two Years
~ Here is that first Christmas photo for Cliff and Shela
Here is the photo captured for Cliff and Shela
Two years ago this fall Holly (unknowingly) arranged an event that would lead to our monthly play dates. Holly & her Mother (who is a professional pet photographer) set out to get as many Owyheestar Weims together to take a Christmas photo for Shela and Cliff.
One Crazy December
Support, Sharing, and So Much More
We’ve lost some dogs, seen several humans go through surgeries or illness, used each other as sounding boards and support. The family that we have formed through the Weimaraner breed is priceless. Our family very open and welcoming, we all come from very different beliefs and backgrounds but we all have Weims in common and that has been enough to support our family!
Play Date turned Camp Out!
~August 26 – 27th
You are Invited to Join in the Fun
If you wish to join in the fun, contact me via text, email, or on Facebook to get the details. We are very excited about the upcoming camp out. ~ Nancy
(503) 930-6226
Breeder Comment
What can we say? We cherish the photo–all but one of those Weims originated from OwyheeStar. We have been privy to other photos and stories. There have been connections made and Weimlovers helping Weimlovers. Isn’t that grand? Thank you, every one who has graciously remembered us in any way. We truly appreciate the recommendations, referrals, and your endorsements.
We are happy so many of you can participate. Nancy and Bill are gracious hosts. Thank you, every one who has graciously remembered us in any way. We truly appreciate the recommendations, referrals, and your endorsements.
Fireworks Sensitivity
From Steve Snell
~ Gundog Supply
Be Careful with Your Dogs and Fireworks!
Fireworks can screw up a dog faster than anything.
Everybody needs to be careful with fireworks around their young dogs and older dogs that have not been properly conditioned to gunfire (see video).
Fireworks are unnatural. You don’t have a lot of control over when or where the noise happens. Fireworks can screw up a dog faster than anything. It’s a lot harder to fix a gun shy or noise sensitive dog than it is to prevent gun shyness in the first place.
This year, only one of my dogs is showing a little gun sensitivity, so Loretta is going to stay in the house over the holiday while the neighbors are shooting off fireworks.
Here are some tips to prevent fireworks sensitivity in your dogs:
- Keep your dogs as far away from fireworks as possible.
- If possible, bring your dogs inside in a closed-off, interior room.
- Block out the noise with a TV, radio, or white-noise maker.
- Check with your neighbors about their fireworks plans.
- Ask for a phone call before they start.
Sometimes the fireworks start before New Year’s Eve or the 4th of July and run a few days after the holiday.
There is NO REASON for a dog to be around fireworks, and I do everything I can to keep my dogs away from them. Usually dogs conditioned to gunfire can handle the noise of fireworks, but there really isn’t anything good about them as far as dogs are concerned. We sell a couple of products that are designed to help dogs get over the fear of fireworks, but I really prefer NOT to have to sell them.
CONCERNS
My biggest concern is that a dog will hurt themselves trying to get away from the noise. My second concern is that exposure will create a gun shy or noise-sensitive problem where there doesn’t have to be one.
NOISE-SHY DOES NOT EQUAL GUN SHY
Just because a dog is noise-sensitive to fireworks, does NOT necessarily mean that will translate into gunshyness, but why take a chance?
My best gun dog ever, Em, never had a problem with gunfire, but she was so afraid of thunderstorms that we had to build a special top for her kennel run so she couldn’t climb out or hurt herself trying.
HOW NOT TO EXPOSE A NEW PUP TO FIREWORKS
I was at a party a few years back and watched a new dog get exposed to fireworks completely the wrong way. The dog was in her kennel but still in full view of everything that was going on. Once the fireworks started she became more and more upset and wanted out of the kennel. To calm her down they let her out of her crate and she made a break for it. They didn’t find her for two days.
The volume and brightness of fireworks is just too much for most dogs and nothing good is going to come from it. Please take the time to protect your pets while the possibility of unexpected explosions are around.
I do my best to keep all my dogs away from any kind of fireworks. Even dogs that have been properly conditioned to gunfire can become upset or nervous when exposed to fireworks. It just isn’t worth it.
Fireworks happens twice a year with New Year’s and Fourth of July. You might want to condition your dogs to fireworks, especially if you live where your dogs will be exposed a couple of weeks out of the year. It never hurts to check with your neighbors about their fireworks plans. Give them a heads up that you have a young dog and ask them to give you a call before they start.
People don’t think about fireworks until it’s too late, so think about it a little now. The majority of dogs don’t have a problem with it, but some do. Why take a chance? No point in stressing your dogs out.
Remember, if you want to shoot fireworks, be safe and have fun. Just keep in mind that unexpected noise and stress could create a problem where one doesn’t exist.
— Steve
Breeder Comment
We talked about fireworks yesterday; however, we thought it was good to hear from someone who is intimately involved with the sporting dog industry. Steve makes a living advising and selling supplies that help canine enthusiasts. In all his great tutorials and bits of information, he provides there is a segment on introducing a dog to gunfire. His advice might prove helpful to some of our OwyheeStar Weimaraner News readers. We hope you find a nugget of truth that helps you get through the next two weeks without incident. Most of all, prepare, plan and make provision for what is about to come.
Be Safe and have fun!
Click Here to go directly to Steve’s article.
Atticus Update, Part Three
On the North Island
~Atticus and I have been exploring the north island.
In case you missed part one and two
Hiking Mt. Te Aroha —- Enjoying the sun and sand at Raglan
Finished the Mt. Te Aroha hike —- Swimming at Lake Ngaroto
Visiting kiwi fruit vineyards —- Camping in Northland
He was great in the tent. There was a huge rain and wind storm that had the tent whipping back and forth all night. He just snuggled closer and slept the whole night.
Lounging in the sun —– Trying his paw at dog modeling
Some of the pictures don’t show it very well, but Atticus is quite furry on his sides and they are a light grey/silver color, compared to the darker blue on the rest of him. It’s not visible when he is wet, and the difference is more striking when he’s in the sun, like the above picture.
It’s getting close to a year since they’ve arrived. Atticus and I will continue exploring the surrounding areas and getting to know our new home. If anyone is going to be traveling this way, let us know. We have some pretty good tips so far.
Breeder Comment
This third blog concludes the three part update from New Zealand featuring the adventures of Atticus and Marika. We greatly appreciate the effort and the details Marika provided outlining their transition and the new lifestyle down under. We know so many of you enjoyed the share too!
Snow Angels
Henry
~Making the Most of What We Have
Opportunities to make something ordinary into extraordinary surround us. It is all about perspective. Happy New Year Weimlovers. Let’s make it a great one!
Traveling and Whatnot
With Roy
~First a Question!
Just wondering if you know of any websites that would be posting stuff about local Kennel Cough outbreaks?? Roy has had all his pup shots and is scheduled to get his kennel cough nasal drips at 16 weeks and will be getting his rabies around 22 weeks.
Breeder Reply
Hello, Megan! No, I don’t know of any online resource that posts pet viral outbreaks. I think mostly, dog professionals stay up on this — Vet offices, Dog Trainers, Boarding Facilities, and those associated with the task of Dog Park Management. Maybe if there is such a thing in and around the Pacific NW someone will leave a comment.
We feel you are doing the shots the way they should be done for the Weimaraner. If you are going to be out and about, getting the kennel cough protection is wise. Since it is not a long-lived protection and the problem seems to rise in the late fall to winter time frame, getting one later in the year seems to be a wise choice. We are happy to see Roy is doing well. Thank you so much for taking good care of him.
Progress
He’s doing great, we learned to “shake” this week. He is eager to please 😉 (more like get a biscuit!)
The Social Butterfly
We went on a road trip through Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. We’re actually just heading home. Roy is a social butterfly, in fact, he actually seems really offended if someone walks by and doesn’t acknowledge him. So funny the compliments we get one lady said he was “… Kinda of an iridescent color if you will”
He is my little shadow, I never go anywhere and don’t feel his eyes on me. Nick is jealous!
Ready for adventure!
~Wyoming mornings are cold!
Here he is in Idaho at Anderson ranch reservoir. I didn’t get a picture with him wearing his yellow life jacket. Turns out he loves swimming, just not in the pool at home!
He loves the Water!
We have taken him on another adventure since the three state roundabout. Above Roy is pictured with me. It was a lot warmer on the Pontoon Boat in Portland. 
National Dog Day
Lucy and Luigi
I just heard on the news today was national dog day. I thought I would send you this pic of the kids. We had some photos taken at a studio this past May. We had met these people at the Pet Expo we went to in April. We have about 30 different shots. We also have this beautiful book that was made for us that was included in the photo shoot!! Bob and I are in about 5 of the pics with the kids but all the rest of them are of the kids. I’m sure I’ll use some of them for my Christmas cards this year. As you know Lucy turned 10 this past July and Luigi will be 10 in October. The year is going by so fast!! I hope you and Cliff are well. I enjoy reading your blog every day. Take care and give all your Weim kids an extra treat for national dog day ok!! LOL!!
For the Weimlover; it is Every Day!
Red, White, and Blue
Stylish Arliss
There is nothing that draws more attention or comments than the well-behaved and sleek-looking Weimaraner. Doesn’t Arliss look great for the holiday weekend?
All of us at OwyheeStar, wish you the best of holidays. 
Summer Fun
SUP — No Problem!
Luna had a vacation packed with fun and firsts! Bill and I just got Stand Up Paddle boards (or SUP as those of us in the know say ;)!!) thinking it would be a great activity that we could do with Luna. We set out for the lake for a few days so we all could learn. Luna never disappoints, her “Auntie Linda” (Maizie’s mom) described Luna pretty well she said “Luna is so agreeable … such a good sport …always the best of companions” I was warmed by that comment, that is Luna. I never question “if” she will do something, I just ask her to do it and she does!
Quick Learner
Luna went from shaky on the board one morning to jumping on the board on her own by the next. She also started enjoying the water a little more, she would swim on her own with just a little coaxing.
5 Hour Float
We spent our last day of vacation back on the water only this time it was a 5 hour float, again Luna had a ball, this trip out she learned to step from board to board and if mama’s board got too far away she would just (after she vocalized her displeasure) jump in the water and swim to me. At the end of that float I was waiting by the (in) the water with the babies (Luna & my grand kids:) and Luna started willingly swimming, I had to call her back a few times because she got a little far for my comfort!
Traveling Hank
Boise to North Idaho
~Part Two with Hank
Happy Hank—Read Part One
Hank travels a lot, mostly around the beautiful state of Idaho. Highway 55 and 95 have become familiar to him, as we travel frequently between Boise and north Idaho, with many stops along the way.
I am always hoping to do the best things for my sweet pup. That’s one thing I forgot to mention: he is such a sweet, sweet doggie. Thank you!
Breeder Comment
Thank you for all you do with and for Hank. It is great he is well-received downtown Boise and throughout the beautiful state. Making him an integral part of your life creates an atmosphere whereby he thrives.
Kissing Santa
A Girl Must Do What She Must
“Let’s get this right Santa. The package has my name! You spell it G O L D E E –(double “e”) got it? Love you Santa. Yes, we cannot have any mistakes or misprints– the toys, cookies, and laundry are for me.” With a bun in the oven I cannot be sharing with Autzen you understand? Like they say, what is mine is mine. What is Autzen’s is also mine.
Breeder’s Comment
We want to say thank you to Terri and Santa for their work behind (and in front of ) the camera. Holly and Joe are more than great sports. We appreciate all the photos. Each one is amazing! Maybe we should say breathtaking.
Pet Photos with Terri is a must for those who live in Western Oregon. Check her out sometime! https://www.facebook.com/TerriJacobsonPhotography/
