Category Archives: OwyheeStar Gray Ghost
What a Beginning
Macey
~Friends for Life
I got a Weim a number of years ago from Cliff and Shela. They passed on and every since I have been trying to get another Weimaraner from OwyheeStar. As it happened, we now live in Tennesee; however, right when the puppy was old enough to fly as it would happen, we were in California. Cliff and Shela shipped the puppy to me — a direct flight. The next day we boarded the flight with our new family member (as our carry on) to fly back home. It could not have worked out better.
Our Son and Macey
My son wasn’t too fond of dogs before meeting Macey. This disinterest was because he was never really attached to any we have had; probably because they never came to him. Then, there was the Cocker Spaniel who was outright mean to him. Thank you, for putting a huge smile on his face.
The puppy was amazing on the flight home. There have been no accidents in the house. She is great, we couldn’t ask for anything more. Tonight will be her first journey on the boat and maybe she will get in the water. Thanks, again–Don
Breeder Comment
Don, we are so happy to hear that your son has a dog. There are so memories being made even as I type this note. A boy and his dog. Isn’t it fabulous? Cliff and I wish you all the best with Macey–we hope she shapes up to be a fabulous versatile hunting companion. May she live long and bring in the birds, too! We look forward to hearing about your adventures as they unfold. Drop us an update whenever you find the time. We appreciate your loyalty. People like you make what we do worth all the effort. Thanks ever so much!
On the Water
With Berkley
~in the Canoe
We took Berkley on her first canoe ride today! She was so funny!!! I set her in the water to swim and get some energy out and she followed us around. Then I lifted her back in and she just hung out with us. As we were approaching the beach we let her swim again.At first, she swam really funny…. Like our other Weimie did before he got the hang of it. But then she got the hang of it.It was so very fun.She’s doing really well on all fronts. I just had sinus surgery a week ago and she’s been my cuddle buddy as I’ve been recovering and resting.She’s becoming quite the guard dog and is more and more used to being off leash. We practice a lot, so she learns to come immediately. She still likes the bike rides, too.How are you guys!? Any new puppies? How are you feeling?!Thanks, Amanda
Breeder Comment
On The Snow
Training for Avalanche Rescue
Loki and I have spent much of the last few months frolicking in the snow. We’re training for avalanche rescue which means at this point that we’re spending as much time as we can on the mountain. Loki loves schmoozing the skiers and boarders around the main lodge, and yesterday he had his first ride on my shoulders while I skied.
This weekend we’ll be riding the chairlift. It’s hard to say what Loki’s favorite thing is about the ski hill, but riding down in a gondola filled with ski patrollers has got to be near the top of the list. As we say on the hill, he’s a real little powderhound.
When we’re not on the mountain, I’m working on developing his toy drive with short little breaks of fun, fun play throughout the day. We’ve also started some simple tracking drills and hide-and-go-seek games.
All the best, ~Erica
Breeder’s Comment
Biking
With Berkley
I have a little clip of Berkley on the bike attachment. She loves it. It’s funny, when we are on more remote trails we will let her off leash and she still prefers to run next to Stephan.
Breeder Comment
You might remember Berley last September. She looked like this. Her family is very invested, and they stay in touch. We love it! She does a lot of things very well. Like a lot of Weim; however, there are challenges. She still wants to be mouthy, but this family is smart. They won’t settle for that behavior.
Maybe you didn’t know that dogs gain power with their feet and their mouth. They like to show their acceptance and gain control by putting their mouth on you. They choose to gain control by using their mouth–snipping and snapping are only a part of it. That is often a form of play you want to eradicate. It is typical for a dog to play with other dogs in this manner and their engagement with them involves this kind of thing.
Jumping up is another behavior a lot of Weim folks struggle to control. All these things are challenging even with the best of Weims. Some are more high energy types that push the envelope. Nonetheless, you never know what will come with the package. Most true Weimlovers are entertained and love the challenges. Other folks not so enamored with the breed don’t get it.
We all Know her
But Do We Really?
~Can We Comprehend the work she does? Probably not!
Jan and Willow we know them. Willow’s official Name: UKC Best-In-Show and High-In-Trial Champion Sunstar Willow of OwyheeStar, AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Novice Trick Dog, UKC Rally Obedience I, UKC Agility I, Therapy Dog International certified!
When Jan isn’t showing Willow, she can be found out and about the community where she works for Des Moines Police Department as an Animal Control Officer. In her spare time, she teaches obedience classes, visits her mother at a care facility, and volunteers. We are honored to know her and to call her a good friend. Our Weim business has factored into our relationship. We have joint-ventured on a couple of things. All of this might be of interest to you, but did you know she is a local town hero? I am sure she would blush at that description–forgive us Jan. The only bigger hero here is Rex, the German Shepherd. What a heartwarming story. Thank you, Jan, for your service. We are all blessed indeed to share the love of the Weimaraner with you.
Q13Fox News Reports
Hero dog Rex reunited with officer who saved his life
SEATTLE — Rex, the German Shepherd who was beaten and shot three times while defending his teen owner, was honored Tuesday at a ceremony in Seattle.
PETA presented Rex with a Heroic Dog Award and a get-well care package, “for going above and beyond — at great personal risk — to protect his family from armed robbers.”
“In risking his life to protect his young guardian, this brave dog demonstrated how intelligent and sensitive animals are,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA encourages anyone with the time and resources to care for an animal to adopt one from a shelter and reminds everyone to treat dogs like the loving family members they are.”
Rex was reunited with Des Moines Police Department Animal Control Officer Jan Magnuson, who saved Rex’s life by rushing the critically injured dog to a veterinary clinic.
Click here to read the whole story.
Now
Hemi
~ Joins Turbo and Sophie
Happier Times — Turbo, Hemi, and Sophie
I haven’t talked to you guys in quite a while and I thought I would drop you a line or two. Hope guys are doing well. We are doing pretty good here but tomorrow will mark 2 weeks since we had to put our Hemi down. She was 13.5 years and pretty lumpy and bumpy. Her arthritis was getting pretty bad and she developed a chronic cough with sometimes bloody phlegm.
Peaceful Exit
Our vet came out to the house and she went peacefully over the rainbow bridge.
Zoey and Magnum
From the Archives — Zoey and Magnum enjoying life on the sofa
Zoey and Magnum are now settling in with the new adjustment. Who will be the boss now? They are saying. Zoey still drags Magnum around by the collar at times. Do I think she might be the boss? They are very much like siblings.
Final Thoughts
Putting Hemi down was such a hard thing to do but I knew it was time. She still ate well and did her business outside and still wanted to go on walks, short ones. She was on pain pills 3 times a day and Rimadyl twice a day. We wanted to say thank you for such beautiful blessings in our lives.
Breeder Comment
What can we say? The passing of Hemi is a huge loss, but we all knew it was only a matter of time. You gave her the best of everything. Of course, she endured the new whipper-snapper crew of Magnum and Zoey. It is good those two had each other. I am sure it gave Hemi a bit of relief.
Thank you, Monica. You folks are more than OwyheeStar clients. It is like extended family to us. We have a lot of history, and I still chuckle at the stories of Turbo’s antics. All the joy and fun and yet it has to come to this. It is how the world works. Anyhow, we sincerely hope that Zoey and Magnum live a long and healthy life. Thank you, again, for being loyal and so much more.
Loki
The Basics
~Part Two– Off to a Grand Beginning
- Learning
Now that Loki’s had a solid start on the basics (potty and crate training), we’re adding some simple commands. He’s beginning to learn the house rules that my roommate’s dog is expected to follow—sitting and waiting before charging out the door, not jumping up on furniture and being respectful at mealtimes. For the last few days Loki has had to work for his food—he is now responding to “sit,” “down”, “wait”, and “ok!”. When he’s doing well I add something new, and if he’s having a more difficult time I go back and do something easy. I’ve noticed that he’s been more positive and respectful since I began this new meal routine. It also slows down his eating! More importantly, he is learning to settle and look to me– we began with that before I added any verbal commands.
- Training
Loki doesn’t know it yet, but there are some big plans for him. Right now he’s focused on being a puppy, but I’m learning and preparing for training a search and rescue canine. Loki’s formal training will begin once he’s passed the CGC test. For now, we are working on socialization and doing as many new things as possible (that are safe for him at this age, of course). He voluntarily walked for most of a two-hour hike in the snow, had a blast playing with his toy and riding an elevator up and down, and observed the other dogs during an HRD (Human Remains Detection) training. His best-behaved days are the ones where we’ve done something new and exciting, so I’m doing my best to keep him busy!
Breeder Comment—Watch for Part Three. Coming Soon!
Jaeger
Breeder Comment
Just when you think you have seen it all, along comes something well, not new per say, but unexpected.
Jaeger (pictured at five-weeks here to the left) doesn’t have young photos of him sticking out his tongue. We all know; however, I have shown you some of my favorite such pictures with the same gesture. Who doesn’t laugh?
Not long ago, he was using the Cat Tree–as well as doing some field training. You have to admit he is entertaining. Oh, and pretty darned cute. However, did you get such a snapshot of Jaeger?
Taking It Too Far?!?
~ Ed Writes
Jaeger is sticking his tongue out at me, I know he can be stubborn, but this is taking it too far lol.
The Balanced Weimar
He also ended up standing totally on that bota with all four feet.
And There are Two
Winnie Meets Colt
Here are a couple of pictures of Colt’s first interaction with Winnie.
Breeder Comment
We are not sure what her first impressions were.
“What is this?” “We drove all this way to meet this little blue upstart?” “I don’t think so.”
Despite what she is feeling at the moment, they will become inseparable.
Tips
- Meet up in a neutral location. Don’t just show up home with the new Weimaraner.
- Don’t let your emotions run amuck. If you are concerned, then the Weimaraner will be equally worried.
- Monitor things and give it time. The adjustment is tough.
- Make sure the resident Weimaraner gets as much if not more attention than the new baby. Bringing home the new puppy and displacing the original will not go well. They have been at the center of the universe for a while. Why should it change now?
At Six
Our Beloved Zeus
~ Celebrating Six Years (December 10th)
6 years ago yesterday we brought Zeus home! I just want to let you know how thankful we are to you and Cliff. He is such a wonderful dog! We love him so much! He has a personality like no other dog we have ever had.From the moment I saw him, I fell in love with him, and my bond with him grows even stronger every day. He’s such a silly boy… always keeping us entertained. He is also a perfect companion for me and enjoys doing things with me. Hiking and swimming are his favorite things!
I have him enrolled in a class now called “Obstacle Course.” He loves being in school again! In it, he learns to go over and through all sorts of obstacles. He has to learn to go through it slowly… ha-ha that’s funny! Zeus go slow?? He thinks it’s an agility course and buzzes right through it!In the last class, we had he learned to stop in between each obstacle and stand and wait before he moved on. He was such a good boy! Another challenge for him is to wait his turn while the other dogs have their turn. He loves it so much he doesn’t want to wait. I bring lots of stuff to keep him entertained while he waits and that seems to work well. The teacher has been very impressed with him!Thank you again for 6 years of happiness… I am looking forward to lots more!Have a very Merry Christmas also!Jeanne & Zeus
Breeder Comment
Dear Friend and Weimlover–we are thrilled to hear from you. We remember the day you picked up Zeus (as well as Gibson). Gib need a ride north because of issues that with his families travel from Canada south. It was so gracious of you to help out another family.
We have enjoyed the many updates on Zeus life, and your Facebook snaps too! It warms our hearts to know he has brought you so much joy and is so loved. Of course, we hope he lives a long life–so we wish you many more birthdays to celebrate. Thank you, for all you do with and for him. We are indeed blessed to know you!
