Blog Archives
Not Peas in a Pod
Our Yahoo Dogs
We love animals–that includes dogs. Here is a little bit about our two yahoo dogs.
Bodhi and Murray are as different as night and day.
Bodhi is our gentle, quiet therapy dog. I got him as a puppy for my husband who was having health issues at the time. He spent every day keeping my husband company while he recuperated. When Bodhi is in the house we sometimes forget he is there, he goes to a quiet corner and lays down and you never hear from him unless he needs to go out or you open the refrigerator. In fact, we have gone looking for him outside only to come back in and find him still sleeping in his corner.Murray, on the other hand, is a ball of fire and is always on the go. Murray loves to hunt, dig gophers get muddy, filthy dirty, jump in the water and roll in the pasture. He is always on guard for anything out of the norm around our place. He is Mr. personality and is so stinking smart. It is so funny to watch them together, they will be standing in the barnyard, turn to look at each other and it is as if they read each other’s mind saying “Gophers!!!!!” then they race off to dig up gophers.They both enjoy working with us doing our daily chores, irrigating the pastures, feeding and watering the chickens, digging ditches, building a fence, cutting the lawn or standing guard in the pasture. They are excellent guard dogs and wary of strangers coming onto our property. I have no doubts that if someone tried to harm us these guys would make sure we were safe.I have had Weimaraners for over 30 years and they all have different personalities and quirks. Weimaraners are my choice of breed and I love them all. Bodhi and Murray are my first long hairs, for me, they are quite different from the short hair weims I have had in the past, but they are still weims. They love to be with their people and are hurt when they can’t be with you every second.— Rebecca
Breeder Comment
We are thrilled to share our love of the breed with you. We truly appreciate your update, Rebecca. The photos of Jerry and the two are a treasure. Thank you to the both of you for giving them such an excellent life.
About the Second Longhair
Murray
~Our Mud Boy
Murray loves to hunt, dig gophers get muddy, filthy dirty, jump in the water and roll in the pasture. He is always on guard for anything out of the norm around our place. He is Mr. personality and is so stinking smart.
When digging up gophers he will rip chunks of soil up and end up with a mouthful of dirt.
Crazy dog, good thing he doesn’t live in LA
Breeder Comment
Thank you, for sharing about Murray and his affiliation with mud. He comes by it honestly, Stackhouse can be going along at a good pace; however, should he come upon a mud puddle flopping in it is essential.
For those who don’t remember Murray, he lives near Baker, Oregon. He has several fur family members who reside and work the ranch with him. The list includes another OwyheeStar Longhair Bodhi. Watch for the lengthy detailed report (coming soon) featuring the two Longhairs who live the excellent ranch life with Rebecca and Jerry.
Shared Status
I Think
~ We’re done here!
Like you (who have added a second to the mix), we need Stackhouse to embrace the new upstart. Does he want to move over and make some room? I think not! Isn’t it adorable? Cliff just brought Manfred in on the lead to join us in the living room. Stackhouse wasn’t sure we needed him–but, he was polite and tolerant. Nonetheless, he was growing weary of the need to pose for us. Manfred was plotting his escape; however, there was one problem. Cliff brought him in on the lead. Life with the Weimar is complicated. It is unique. We are sure there will be many adventures with the two. Stackhouse doesn’t mind him–he just doesn’t see the need. (Haha)
Home
With Indi
Well, we finally made it back safe and sound to Minneapolis. Indi was such a trooper on the 25+ hour drive home. Admittedly, she did not want to be in her kennel at all when we got home – we figure that is the same as us not wanting to get into a car again! Nevertheless, we have committed to getting her crate trained and while she has been protesting she eventually calms down and goes to sleep. We are also abiding by the “freedom is earned” motto! Having gone through this 3 years ago with Olli, we know that this is a marathon and not a sprint and there will be setbacks.
Meeting Olli
Olli and Indi had a good initial meeting. Olli was not that thrilled but at the same time he was curious and wanted to play. Today, they were chasing each other around the yard and playing. Olli loves to be chased and he finally has a sister that will do that!!! We were so happy to get a sneak preview of what this brother/sister duo can be together and we think that it is filled with great promise.
Thanks for all of the information, support, and check-ins! As we have never had a female before, we appreciate your insights and advice. From our perspective, we came back to you for a second dog because we trust your program and yours and Cliff‘s commitment to rewarding relationships.All the best and we will be sure to keep you informed of their escapades!Mary and Ralf
Breeder Comment
Typical Weimar Puppy
Hello!
Here is an update on Mr. Tilman.
We have been home for almost two weeks now and as with everything with him, we have advanced out of the honeymoon period early! It’s hard to believe he is only 10 weeks old as he is super smart and eager to please (for a treat, of course.) He knows how to sit and just learned to shake. He is also sitting right away when we get on the elevator like a good boy and loves meeting new people and other dogs. He is, like any Weim, headstrong and wanting to decide things for himself. He takes direction really well 90% of the time. He certainly does like to argue that 10% though! And scream like I’m torturing him when I’m simply holding his harness and making him stay. Little stinker!
He is the sweetest cuddly little bear cub when he is just waking up. My favorite is waking him up in the morning to go outside because he is such a little sweetie. He has been sleeping through the night since day two which is amazing and he really likes his crate. I have the life stages crate and have had to adjust it for him already. He is so tall and at our vet appointment last week, he weighed 17 lbs!
I have been keeping him in a 3.5 ft metal fence type playpen during the day but yesterday he figured out he can climb out of it! So we are now crating during the day also. I think the playpen made him anxious anyway. He also figured out how to jump on and off the couch within just a few days of being home.Otherwise, he is a typical puppy. We are working on potty training which is proving to be a lot of work in an apartment! He knows right where to go when we get outside so I’m not worried about it. Once he gets a little more bladder control he’ll be doing great! A quick explanation about the potty training. He does awesome in his crate. Absolutely no messes and has never pooped in the house. But occasionally when he’s playing he will just stop and pee without warning and not long after we were out. A schedule for him has made a tremendous difference and he’s getting better every day! And of course, positive reinforcement works wonders!He is doing great and everyone comments on how beautiful he his and how nice he is. He is perfectly happy entertaining himself if need be and likes to observe everything! Sometimes he just lays out on the lobby floor of my building and watches people come and go.
I’ve attached a few pictures of him for you. I love him so much and am looking forward to seeing what this boy can do! My little Chihuahua, Nara, could do without him but luckily for her, he can’t get on the bed yet so she at least has a “safe place” for now.
Our Longhair
Chloe
Chloe will be 2 in September and has been doing so well lately with obedience- the key seems to be exercise and planning for variety in her routines. She definitely is prone to the concrete thinking so we make sure to mix it up.
Photos: Chloe trudges through any river, puddle or lakeshore she encounters- but does not freely swim. She can swim and will if we are also in the water but she seems to mostly prefer wading in up to her chest. And at the Oregon coast-Chloe’s happiest place on earth. She will run for hours chasing birds on the beach and especially enjoys climbing rocks.We’d really love to add a puppy before Chloe gets too much older and too set in her ways.
Breeder Comment
Tucked In
Weimar
~Goldee Style
Goldee has been news-worthy over the last few years. She made her modeling debut. She tried to teach her little brother (Maverick AKA Meatball) how to win friends and influence Grandma. There is the pool time, the garden time, and just hanging around the house time–sometimes this involves the hair styling. More often than not though, Goldee is tucked into bed.
She seems to love to be wrapped in the luxury of the blankets, sheets, or whatever. This bedtime we find her head buried beneath her pillow. It is as if she hiding from the disturbance to her beauty rest. OMG–we all need our rest and recuperation, right? Please come to bed Mama and quit talking.
Stackhouse
Helping Cliff
Cliff needs a sidekick. Shela is otherwise engaged, and therefore Stackhouse is pretty much always on the heels of Mr. Cliff. He has been patiently waiting for Cliff to complete the current round of greenhouse additions. Stackhouse is ready to go.
While He Waits
I love finding him sitting in the Gator. To be totally honest, Mr. Stack sometimes wants to escape and explore. You might not think this is a problem, but he bothers the kitties and gets into stuff. (oops)
This sweet boy is like all other Weimars–all about the relationship; but the universe surrounds him. The world as he knows it (at OwyheeStar) is complicated. Before long the time change is going to rock his routine. How will we explain that?
Supervisor
Stackhouse
When projects happen, Stackhouse goes to work. He is not quite sure Cliff has it right, but he is doing as told–staying in the Gator. Since Dad is distracted it would be a great time to sneak off and check out any number of things–the bird pens, the cats, or to dig in search of a gopher.
Good Boy, Stackhouse!
The Depth of it All
Olli
~ He has never known life without Rudi
Yesterday we made the difficult decision to put Rudi down. He was 14 and his back arthritis was worsening. It was the right thing to do and one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make. It was our turn to love unconditionally and he is now stalking rabbits with his buddies.Olli has not yet figured out the permanence of the change. He knew something was going on and that Rudi was not doing well. He wanted to snuggle with him on Rudi’s bed but Rudi was not having any of it. Re picture below is one we took several months ago in the distillery. Two very different temperaments and we love both of them dearly for their personalities and joy that they bring.Hope you and Cliff are doing well. ~Mary
NuVet
PS – when we got Olli we started both dogs on Nuvet. Rudi had horrible allergies but they steadily improved over the last 2 years to the point of not needing any medication. Coincidence? I think not. We are sold on the benefits.
Breeder Comment
Eventually, something is going require us to let them go. This gut-wrenching experience is a personal one. A loss is never easy–it affects each of us differently. We process it in our way–honor them in a way significant to us. Some folks grieve for a long time and cannot entertain the thought of getting another. Others feel free to move forward. They are almost driven to find another and begin a new journey. Their take is the departing Weim would want nothing less for them.
Most of us want to extend the journey together as long as it is feasibly possible. With insurance knee replacements, hip replacements, and other major surgical procedures are within reach.
How Long Do We Have?
That is a good question. No one can guess. There simply is no guarantee you will get 14 years, or even 11. The only way to approach this risky relationship is to count every day as a special blessing.
From Our Side
If you sat where I sit you would feel what I feel. I read notes from people all the time; ………not always OwyheeStar people. In fact, these are usually not from our clients but people who are seeking and searching for other than what happened to them. They look to avoid whatever health issue took their fur baby away. I am quick to tell them that anything could happen. It scares me when we place a puppy with someone who writes me that they lost their last Weimaraner to a rare form of cancer. I secretly fear that rare cancer could strike again—even many years ago when it had never happened. Honestly, I only remember once it happened –cancer of larynx took a client’s six-year old Weimaraner. She got another from us, but it didn’t replace the first OwyheeStar in her heart.
This concern of someone having an untimely loss is only one of the many stressors in my life—I do care. I think when you adopt a rescue anything can happen. Also, when you bring home a puppy things can happen as well. The risk of loving our beloved Weimaraner is huge but worth it.
