Category Archives: OwyheeStar Gray Ghost
Love
What Does It Look Like?
It doesn’t require an explanation if you know what we are talking about–such a loyal friend is not one you come by every day. Maybe you are blessed indeed. We sincerely hope it is true.
Birdy Girl
First Hunt
~For Milly
Just wanted to share some pics from Milly’s first hunts as requested. Her first hunt was at a release sight, and she did fantastic. Pointed a few, didn’t range too far and listened well. She had her first wild bird hunt this weekend and did amazing. Pointed several birds, worked methodically, and most importantly had a blast.
Chris and two others hunted behind her and both couldn’t believe how well she performed, especially for being so young. Chris and his hunting companions are looking forward to many more hunts behind this extremely birdy girl! 😊
Breeder Comment
We are happy to get this update with the photos. Thank you, ever so much for taking the time and effort to record her first hunt. You are off to a fabulous start. We could not be happier. Go, Milly!
Winston
It’s been about a year since I last wrote and man, has it been a hectic year for Winston. Last November, he got sick and after being rushed to the vet, underwent an emergency exploratory laparotomy as his tummy was full of lots of gas and bile and they believed something was causing an obstruction. In the end, they did not find anything but relieved the pressure and some of the ickiness that was in his belly. He recovered very nicely, but it was a major surgery and really hard to see his body put through so much. The entire family slept downstairs on an air mattress for 2 weeks to avoid the stairs in our house as he healed. I think the biggest effect of the surgery was the psychological toll it took on myself and my husband. For about the next 8 months, if Winston would so much as burp weird and wake up in the middle of the night, we’d find ourselves stressing overly much about it. Thankfully, that hyper-awareness has really mellowed out and we worry about him a more healthy amount.
We’re expecting our first child in early May of next year (strange time to be looking for a puppy, I know!), but what we finally decided is that there is no perfect time to have a Weimaraner puppy join your family – they’re always a ton of work and drive you near insane sometimes, no matter what. We figure it’s better to get a puppy before we have a toddler also running around the house, destroying things. One bringer of destruction at a time!
Our Year in Pictures
The first trimester was very rough on my body and I was bed-ridden for most of it. Winston was a great snuggle companion but had to wait for his dad to come home for walks. He didn’t always like the wait and found this subtle way to remind me that he usually gets a lunchtime walk as well as his long evening walk.
Winston is no worse for wear after his surgery, Winston still loves to romp in the park. Even if you examine him really closely, you can barely see the incision scar. The vets did an amazing job with him.
My husband got me a pregnancy panda bear to help cheer me up during my weeks of bed-rest, however, an unintended consequence is that Winston hates the bear as it takes a small portion of my attention occasionally.
For Winston’s 9th birthday, we spent the whole day doing Winston-friendly things. He’d never had one of those silly doggie beers, but we decided to buy into the kitsch and get him one at the pet store when we went with him to get a new birthday toy and he actually loved it.
Breeder Comment
Thank you for thinking of us and especially for taking such fabulous care of Winston. With you move to the UK looming large, we sincerely hope all things go according to your plan.
Macy
First Hunt
~Birds are Great
First time out hunting with Macy today she did great. She was a little slow at the start but picked it up and had a great day. Very proud Poppa. Thank you so much.
Around Home
Yes, Indeed, I still have to share her with my son. They are still the best of friends–which is a good thing. She is very well behaved outside can’t say the same for the inside. She loves the food that she thinks we leave for her on the counter.
Breeder Comment
We are happy to hear that Macy is in the field successfully. We love to get hunt testimonials. Bernie is an excellent hunter. Boone comes from solid working hunt lines–but he has not had as many opportunities to hunt as Bernie. The offspring have proven to be excellent hunting companions. Thanks for remembering us, Don.
We also appreciate your loyalty. It has been a long time as well as a long distance relationship. Of course, the fact that you had to fly to the West Coast and somehow this all converged was outstanding.
In Tennesee
Our Macey
Not a person goes by that doesn’t say she is the best looking dog they ever saw.
Macey and our son are best friends it could not have worked out better. Thanks for your hard work. ~ Don
Breeder Comment
Don, we appreciate your loyalty. After your first OwyheeStar Versatile Hunting Weimaraner passed, you could have gone anywhere. The long distance and the logistics of making this all come together make this all the more amazing. We look forward to hearing about her antics as well as her success in the field.
Tikka
Encounters
~Of the OwyheeStar Kind
Yesterday when we were paddle boarding we stoped along the river at rouge brewery to have lunch. While we were there a family stopped me to talk about the dogs (this happens all the time!) and it turns out that they also have two of your dogs! They live in(or near) Jackson hole & have two longhairs. They were very excited to see Luna because “she’s a legend ” ; Bill and I called her Luna the Legend the rest of the day 😂 We were with my son and his family and later (totally joking) Justin said to me “I wanted to tell that lady, ‘did you know she has actual kids too?!'”It’s amazing the people we meet because of the girls!
Well, there was This!
Tikka’s first paddle boarding trip, she was a little nervous but by the end of the day she was getting the hang of it! Then there was Luna the pro
Breeder Comment
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.
