Blog Archives
From Jan
How old do you think Willow is? Most folks who see her, cannot believe that she will be NINE years old in December! Other dog owners, and also my “dog friends” are amazed and impressed with her health and condition. Taking wonderful care of our dogs is key to their mental and physical well-being, and their longevity. Daily exercise is SO vital, and mental stimulation with training and games is essential too. Also, premium quality food and fresh water are necessary (we need to make sure to not allow our dogs to become overweight!) Also, we need to groom our dogs, which includes bathing, teeth cleaning, ear cleaning, toenail clipping, brushing (and trimming if needed.) Routine and preventative vet care is best, and of course having them treated by our vets if they become sick or injured. I am looking forward to many more delightful years with Willow- let’s remember that it is not only the quantity of life that matters, but also the quality!—UKC Best-In-Show and High-In-Trial Champion/Altered Grand Champion Sunstar Willow of OwyheeStar, AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Novice Trick Dog, UKC Rally Obedience I, UKC Agility I, Therapy Dog International certified!
Jan Magnuson~SUNSTAR All-Breed Dog Training http://sunstardogtraining.com
Des Moines, WA 98198
Breeder Comment
Thank you, Jan, for the excellent care you give Willow. We never know for sure how long our beloved fur family members will be with us–but for every day they share their life, we hope it is a good one. She is vibrant as well as radiant. Thanks for earning all the titles together and loving her so much. And thank you for the gift of sending me this to share–as always, I am desperate.
All Too Familiar
–Willow on Lookout
I can’t believe Willow is almost 8 years of age, she is still very healthy and strong and smart. We do lots of fun activities together every day, especially now that I am retired from 30 years in Law Enforcement. She has so many show titles I have almost lost count (…not really, LOL!) and best of all, she is a wonderful family pet and certified Therapy Dog, where we do therapeutic visits and she makes everyone smile.
Here she is doing one of her favorite activities- watching the birds and squirrels on the bird feeders! She likes to stare for the longest time, and when she is outside, she will stand and often point, her patience amazes me!
She is the best girl EVER!
Jan MagnusonSUNSTARAll-Breed Dog Training
http://sunstardogtraining.com
Breeder Comment
There is little we can say other than together you have written a fantastic story–what a journey. May she live on, and continue to thrive.
Cypress
All Muscle
November 27, 2017 — Cypress and Willow
~Veterinary Visit News
(November 14, 2017) — I weighed Cypress at the vet today, she weighs 31 pounds!!! OhMyGoodness!!! And there is not a speck of fat on her…
(December 1, 2017) — Cypress had her sixteen-week titer and it came back fabulous so she won’t need another DAP right now. We did her rabies vaccine, so she is set for a while. I plan to do the two-vaccine Lepto in a bit, as we do have Lepto in this area, it is not a combo vaccine (I did that with Willow too). Cypress is very healthy, no signs of parasites and she is gaining weight. Her condition and coat are beautiful. She is very clumsy, she is like a foal or a fawn, she trips over her own feet and legs sometimes! She is around 35 pounds now at four months.
~At Class With Jan
I took her to obedience class this week, she is just learning her basics and I was able to use her for demos. I am happy now that Cypress’s immunity is in full swing, she can meet more (safe) dogs. She is kinda shy and reserved at first with people and new situations, she is more that way than Willow was, but she is coming around. With that type of temperament comes the very positive aspects where she stays close to me and doesn’t wander off, checks for my approval constantly, and is VERY bonded with me. She is VERY biddable.
~Cypress and Willow (with Daisy)
Cypress and Willow and Daisy adore each other, they all play and play, and they all have similar gentle play styles. I chuckle that at first Daisy was unimpressed with a new puppy in our family, but within a very short time, they became fast friends! Willow is the best big sister ever, she is so gentle and patient with Cypress, I am so happy. I always make sure to give each dog their separate, special time with me, while I leave the other two outside or whatever- I feel that is one of the reasons I have always had multiple dogs that get along.
Talk to you soon, Hugs, Jan
PS: I am always happy to be a reference as you know!
Jan Magnuson
SUNSTAR All-Breed Dog TrainingP.O. Box 98072, Des Moines, WA 98198 (206) 241-2908-Home of “Willow”- UKC Best-In-Show and High-In-TrialChampion Sunstar Willow of OwyheeStar, CGC, TKN, URO1, UAG1, TDI
I love her so much ❤️ Jan
Breeder Comment
Willow
Jan at the UKC Dog Show
~ Tigard, OR
Beautiful Willow won two Altered Reserve Best-In-Show awards at the UKC dog shows in Tigard, OR this weekend, Yay Willow! Thank You to NW Silken Windhound Society for putting on the wonderful shows, and a special big Thanks to Julie Lechuga who is the hardest working dog club member anywhere!
🙂
Lexi’s Photo’s
Here are a few pics of Willow and me in the ring last weekend, Thanks to photographer Lexi Darienzo !
Breeder Comment
Many thanks to Jan Magnuson for all she does including the competitions. Anyone who has competed realizes the cost on every level. Anyone living within driving distance of Des Moines, WA would be well-served to use her Sunstar All Breed Training Services.
Willow and Jan
Winning Again
~ Jan writes
Willow is amazing!!! She won TWO Altered Best-In-Show awards yesterday (Saturday June 3rd) at the UKC shows in Chehalis, we are all so excited! Big Thanks to judges Judy and Jim Jones for the wins and the nice comments, to Julie Lechuga for putting on the wonderful shows, and to Hillary Tregillus for the fabulous pro photos!
Willow is such a gorgeous, sound girl, and is so sweet- she enjoys visiting with everyone at ringside, getting petting and giving kisses to little kids!
Breeder Comments
Congratulations to Jan and Willow. They continue to net ribbons and titles as well as to make friends wherever they journey. This is most certainly not the last of their adventure. They have competitions slated for this summer.
Willow and Jan
How Willow Spent her Weekend
Jan Reports–Willow with her two Altered Reserve Best-In-Show ribbons from the UKC dog shows at Argus Ranch today (October 10, 2015)– Thanks to NWSWS and PSK9’s for the great job on the shows (as always), so much fun!
Willow is a regular on the OwyheeStar Blog. She is very accomplished and busy about the business of life. What doesn’t she do? Regardless, we love to share the OwyheeStar news–big and seemingly insignificant. The everyday routine of a Weimaraner is anything but the canine norm. If your pup’s antics would seem pale in comparison, don’t hesitate to send us something we can share. We need two or three good length sentences to have enough to share. Otherwise, we are grasping to find content. A photo is lovely; however, we need more than a picture to make the blog. Yes, we need at least one snapshot for any blog. If you love reading about everyone else’s Weimaraner, imagine how much they would enjoy hearing of yours and seeing a picture.
Speaking of Willow
She and Jan have brought home three Best-In-Show Ribbons over her short career. The United Kennel Club (UKC) now allows her to continue winning even though she has been altered. Jan Magnuson has thirty-five plus years experience with the Weimaraner. She is an accomplished all breed dog trainer. You can follow Jan as SunStar All-Breed Dog Training on Facebook. We highly recommend (if you live near Jan) you take advantage of her classes. This training opportunity is unprecedented chance to train with an accomplished Weimaraner advocate. We sincerely hope you would capitalize on this opportunity. Finally, we thank Jan and Willow for all they do to promote the breed in a positive manner.
Bath Time
Willow Sings a Tune
I have to brag on what a good girl Willow is- when it is time for her bath, I point to the bathroom and say “go kennel” and she walks in and gets into the bathtub all on her own! While I bathe her, she talks to me, I tell her that she is “singing in the bathtub”! Such a wonderful Weimar!
The finished product…beautiful Willow! 
Lyra comes of Age
Hello from Lyra’s Family
Best Friend
2 and a half years ago, I received my best friend from you. I named her Lyra from a book series I love. Anyway, Lyra is from Lacee X Dusty 2012. Here are some photos for you to share; and as you can see she’s grown into a lovely girl. She is so beautiful and such an amazing dog/companion.
Another Blue Please
I’m ready for my second Blue. I want a large, strong male this time. Also Blue, and with similar characteristics as Lyra. I’d like him to be playful and curious, very intelligent and confident, and strong, athletic, and agile. A while ago, there was a police officer that had a female from you. She was a canine good citizen. Square face, strong legs, etc. I would like our boy to be a runner and hiker and adventurer, like that, like me and Lyra.
The ideal timeline for us will be late February or early March if it’s possible. Thanks so much, and I look forward to working with you both again.
Breeder’s Comment
Referrals and return clients are our bread and butter so to speak. We value our relationship with each of you and hope you will stay in touch with us on a regular basis. We hope you share the good as well as bad things that happen along the way. We certainly hope the OwyheeStar pup bring you joy and more positive than negative experiences. That being said, we try to set up each puppy for success. We are not raising these magnificent creatures to meet an unfortunate outcome. We realize that all our work can be undone in very short order; however, we believe when a person follows our recommendations things can go extraordinarily well. Much of what the OwyheeStar becomes depends upon your follow through and a bit of knack. Each pup is unique. We keep saying this is a journey and recommend that you let it unfold. With the unfolding, you must stay on track and grasp the breeds tendency toward separation anxiety and its concrete-thinking mentality. Understanding those two traits along with you being in a right relationship (based on respect) make all the difference. Honestly, each person has a different level of leadership skills. You have to work with your skill set too! We are so proud of Lyra’s achievements, and we are equally thrilled she delights her family.
Florian speaks of “Willow” who has been featured many times on the blog. Champion Willow and Jan Magnuson have achieved some pretty amazing things together. Yes, they earned the Canine Good Citizen Award early on. Since then, they have earned Best of Show, a Therapy Dog Certificate, and more. Click here to read about Willow’s success. Lacee (Willow and Lyra’s mother) is coming near to the end of her first career; when she retires it cannot be said what she will be doing.
May 31, 2015 –UKC Best-In-Show and High-In-Trial Champion Sunstar Willow of OwyheeStar, CGC, UROI, TDI
Back to School with Willow
…… at Steven J. Underwood Park
We wish Jan and Willow had come to our elementary school or school events. Jan and Willow are regulars in and around their community. We cannot thank Jan for all she is doing and has done with Miss Willow. The titles are beyond wonderful; however, the work they do with the public may well be the most important facet of their achievements. The rest is pretty fabulous window dressing.
