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Milestone
Happy Birthday Dusty
Yesterday, February 2nd, 2019, (Groundhog Day) our Dusty celebrated 14 candles. Well, he didn’t actually get the candles, but he would gladly eat birthday candles. (OMG) Cliff says the pictures look photoshopped–they were not. (Haha) The hat is too small–but cute.
Thank you, Dusty, for all you have done for so many. We are blessed to have had your company for so many years.
New Year Resolutions
~ The Weimaraner Kind
As explained by OwyheeStar’s Boone
The New Year brings thoughts of starting fresh. “Woof”
We fur folks are not a whole lot different. We put down the best-laid plans. So, I want to share my ideas for 2019 with you. Well, you might notice these are more for my human’s entertainment–or let’s say these are suggestions–the kind that accompanies a strong wag.
Diet
I like my kibble just fine–Cliff, Mama says I need more calories because I burn more than the average dude. So, I am thinking a few extra add-ins are coming for 2019. I like that high-calories topping, the NuVet, and the occasional chunk of steamed pumpkin. “Woof” I, like a lot of guys don’t need to watch my waistline unless we are talking about getting too skinny. I need a little fat right by my tail. I think it gives that hubba-hubba-look the girls like. Feel free to throw in the occasional cookie–thank you!
Exercise
As you might know one of my favorite exercises is chasing the girls. I also like to run around and play with Manfred–you know, the new Longhair Stud guy. Cliff, I think we ought to include more stick-fetching work as well as a few more birds. You are getting lazy, my friend. Mama says I need some stellar photos–whatever that might be. It sounds like work to me. Let’s skip and go for walk to the sanctuary.
Cash
I must admit I have heard about the Puppuccino. Other OwyheeStar Weims rave about their parents driving through Starbucks to get a treat. Let’s add a little more pizazz into my life (relieve you of some weight of your pocket change). You could use a little more fun too. We could drive up (leaving the farm once in a while) for the occasional treat–it would not hurt you to let go of your wallet once in a while. “Woof”
Behaviors
I am a good boy. I don’t jump up. I don’t pull on the lead. I can sit, etc. I think I have it pretty well down–so I don’t need to brush up on my manners. Maybe we could fix you Cliff–it seems you bring the occasion clump of mud. “Woof” I should say you and Stackhouse do, and Mom doesn’t always find it endearing, so you see I have one paw up on you, dude.
Deja Vu and Boone
At the Nielsen Farm
Maybe you know about Boone–several of you have a Boone-sired pup. He is a gorgeous Blue Stud. We love him loads. A couple of days ago we took him and Deja Vu out for a little run–or a walk around the farm. We wanted to capture their journey. We got several snippets and stitched them together.
You might remember seeing a previous blog that featured Boone–here is the link if you want to review it or in case you missed it altogether–click here.
Celebrating
Boone
~The Birthday Boy
We had planned to try to do a Blog Featuring Boone this week. He celebrated a milestone–his second birthday. He was born May 1, 2016. Can we just say we could not be happier with him? His temperament, health, and overall all performance is everything for which we hoped.
Here are a few of the photos we took a few weeks back. You might remember Boone appearing on the Blog (March 14th), then. If not, or you wish to review that information — click here!
Our Blue Stud
Meet Boone
Many of you are aware we have a new Blue Stud Dog–Dusty was our first and then we had Blue. Unfortunately, eventually, they are too old to produce litters. Long story made short–we found this lovely boy and we named him ‘OwyheeStar’s Boone’.
I’ve been bemoaning the lack of photos so we went to the sanctuary and captured a few.
What’s Not to Love?
‘Boone’ is unflappable, loving, happy and intelligent. He has already sired a couple of litters. Prior to using him, we did some health checks. More recently we got health certifications. These certified examiners submitted their tests to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
- Preliminary Hip Rating was Good with good elbows.
- No evidence of thyroid disease was recognized.
- No indication of congenital cardiac disease.
- He was found to be free of observable inherited eye disease.
We also sent off DNA to AKC to get him on file as a frequent used Stud as well as to DDC Veterinary to check to see if he carried the Longhair (or fluffy coat) DNA marker. He did not–which means no litter he sires will ever produce Longhair puppies.
To answer your question–no all these tests have not been completed on our females. Most of them we have owned for generations. Secondly, while this testing is beneficial, it doesn’t always prevent things from happening. Honestly, we have purchased two Weimaraners from parents with both excellent OFA ratings only to find their offspring had the worst hips ever! It was extremely discouraging. Twice this happened. Regardless, it is essential to have our Stud Dog tested. We are thrilled with the outcome for our beautiful ‘Boone’. Thanks to the Idaho Veterinary Hospital for making this possible via their Breeder’s Day.
Age
Your Weim’s Age
~ in human years
Dusty at 12.5 Years still looking cute
We’ve all see the charts that convert the canine companion’s age to the equivalent in human years. Recently, the last couple of days, I received one in my Email from the Farmer’s Almanac. You would think they would have it right; however, I knew it could not be accurate because they lump all dogs into the same chart. The AKC has a chart that breaks out the age according to the breed size–anything over 50 Lbs is considered Large Breed. Without a doubt, the Farmer’s Almanac is based on a small-sized dog. Here is the chart showing how to convert your dog’s age to human years compliments of the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Dusty and his littermates–Cesar’s Mom shared this with us.
Time flies by so quickly. It is hard to realize they will only be with us for a decade or more if things go well. (OMG) A few Weimaraner live to see sixteen years. I believe this is due to the luck of the draw and extraordinary care. Nonetheless, sometimes things don’t go as planned. We just learned that Dusty’s brother (Cesar) passed on in 2013 due to an issue with his spleen. I have heard of this happening in other breeds (mostly with the German Shorthair Pointer), but it could happen to any dog. I am going, to be honest, I am glad I didn’t know about this before now, for I might have worried way too much. That is a silly thing to do because all the pups in a litter are unique.
We all hope for sixteen years. It is not realistic. A few will get the extraordinary gift of sharing their lives for more than 14 years. What can we say? It is hard to talk about this topic and to realize that to love eventually means to let them go when the time comes. It is beyond painful for the reasons you understand. I am hoping Dusty will be around for a while longer.
I also learned that Cesar’s Mom was able to get a female (that they call Daisy) from Dusty’s lineage from a Midwest breeder that we have worked with over the last decade. Sometimes life is kind even when things don’t go as expected.
The End of an Era
First, it Was Dusty,
~Then it Was Blue
Acquiring the Blue Stud at OwyheeStar spoke to the future of our breeding program. Not just any Blue Weim would do. Thank you, Blue for the extraordinary performance.
It is hard to believe that Blue is nearing the end of his Stud Dog career. We may get a few more pups with him, but nothing is for certain. He is nine years old, and the era doesn’t go on forever. So many of you have a pup from a litter sired by him. He brought a lot to the mix. His body structure is perfectly balanced. His temperament is mild and manageable. He wasn’t the outstanding hunter that we have in Stackhouse; however, he could hunt well. If you have a Blue-sired pup, you will appreciate him in the limelight.
A Decade of Dusty
Thank You Dusty for bringing so much joy to our lives; and for sharing your wonderful looks (and temperament). It makes so many possibilities for us, as well as for dreams to come true! You are a super star!!!
