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New Fish Tank Photos
Posted by jennifer on October 27, 2008.
Here is the on going progress to my 90 gallon salt water fish tank... If anyone wants the best in Aquarium & Reptile Services, Check out Aqua Imports in Boulder, Colorado: www.aqua-imports.com. Thanks guys!
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Life On A Mountain
Posted by audra on July 19, 2008.
Hello everyone~
We're really enjoying living on a mountain! The dogs are having a blast running around checking out the new area, and we've already found some great trails to explore since Gross Reservoir is so close by, as is Walker Ranch. Kona loves the mountain air-- it's MUCH cooler without New Jersey's humidity and it keeps him young. :) The scenery here is absolutely incredible and every day I can't believe I live here. Having grown up in NJ I'm accustomed to a certain amount of vibrant greenery when the warmer months come around, but the mountains of Colorado hold a different sort of breathtaking beauty for me. I've been coming to Colorado my entire life and I've always felt this way about these mountains.
I've already done a lot since arriving here. I've had the opportunity to observe quite a few different cases, as well as get experience with various breeds and personalities. It's definitely been a broadening experience! I look forward to meeting more and more challenges in the months to come. The clients I've had the pleasure to work with thus far have made the time fly by for me, which has been great. This is what I love doing, and everyday is a step closer to being the best dog trainer I can be. For now, I'm off to bed as Elvis and I have a busy day of Schutzhund training starting early tomorrow. Until next time, stay cool and take care!
~Audra
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Dylan
Posted by jennifer on March 18, 2008.
Hello Friends- Just wanted to let you know that Dylan was put to sleep yesterday morning in his favorite bed at home. Dr, Tammy Wilson here in Colorado and her vet tech. were unbelievable through the entire process. Dylan died in peace and fell asleep in my arms. He was on his way out and ready to go. I feel truly grateful to have had such a wonderful and kind dog in my life and his spirit will be greatly missed. Thank you for all those that have known him and have sent out your warm wishes and condolences- I truly appreciate it. In rembering Dylan, here are a few pictures of him at home and at work:
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The Final Frontier
Posted by jennifer on March 14, 2008.
I wanted to write a blog tonight like I’ve never written before. I kept going over what I would say as I passed the produce section at Target. So many thoughts ran through my head but how could I convey the feeling of watching my dog’s health slip through my fingers like quick sand? How could I express all the memories that pass through my mind like a slide show? I feel helpless right now. Almost like a person that just lost their sight. I can’t see my way out of this no matter how hard I look- there’s nothing I can do. The answers just are not there. I’m fighting an uphill battle and I’m slipping swiftly down mud. My dog Dylan is 10 and a half years old. He is my heart and my soul and a part of who I am as a person. Recently after my trip to Los Angeles, I came home to see that his health had rapidly decreased. I’ve been through this before- all the signs are there. Frequent trips to the vet, blood in his urine, straining to use the bathroom, hips are almost gone and arthritus painfully striking his every move in his back. His teeth are worn down from the bite work he loved to do most of his life but he looks like a strong, handsome old boy from all those days on the Schutzhund fields- like an Olympic Athlete in his geriatric days. I know it’s time. I know what’s happening- everything is shutting down. The whinning and feeling uncomfortable when he lays down, pacing to look for a spot and getting up again and again. I spent an hour laying in his dog bed last night just petting him until he fell asleep. I called my Mom for a second opinion but I know in my gut what I have to do.
My boy Dylan has reached for every last day he could spend with me. The sweet brown soulful eyes still reach out to invite me into his heart. He is and will always be my dog that never leaves my side. He is a dog that loves children and gets along with everyone and his best friend at one time was a horse. My duty right now is to act like nothing’s wrong, keep him comfortable and send him off to sleep where he can run and play with dogs in the mountains of heaven and look down on me here on earth. This blog is for you old man- you’ve made me proud, you’ve made me strong and you made me into a better person then before you ever entered my life. I love you with all my heart, Jennifer
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Mosquito Magnet
Posted by jennifer on June 19, 2007.
I thought I would be highly adventurous yesterday so I went out and bought a Liberty Plus Mosquito Magnet. Have you ever heard of one of these things? It's a 40 pound contraption that has a butane tank (whatever you use for your grill) that blows out a plume of Co2 from a nozzel. The idea is that the breeding female mosquitos are attracted to this plume and hence, get sucked into a net and die. I know it sounds complicated but it is working slowly. HOWEVER, this device has caused me much anguish as to where to place it. I've researched the website, figured out where the mosquitos are nesting but I'm not quite sure if it's really working to it's full potential. I had someone set it up for me and let's just say that there wasn't much instruction on the part where you have to change the net or put in more mosquito attractant. I don't even know where that goes! Hmmm. So, needless to say, a few mosquitos have fallen to their death in the magnet but tomorrow I will be spending my lunch time wheeling it around the backyard hoping to place it perfectly near the breeding ground, upwind from the bugs and take it apart to figure out where and how to refill the mosquito attractor fluid. Let's hope it works! Isn't this exciting? Ah, life in the country... Ha!
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Happy Memorial Day!
Posted by jennifer on May 28, 2007.
I hope everyone is having a fantastic long weekend and whether you're having a BBQ or doing something outdoors- don't forget to take along your furry friends as long as they stay cool and have lots of water :-) Socialization and exercise are key elemets to a well behaved dog....
Some of you may know that I like to run. I run for fun but secretly, I'm planning on running my first marathon next year. Currently, I run on a tread mill because it's air-conditioned in my gym and I can see exactly how far I'm running- although the scenery isn't that nice. Also, because I work outside- it's wonderful not to have to wear sun screen. I think I'm reaching that point though where I must take my running out onto the streets. Right now, I'm at 9 min. a mile but I'm working my way towards 8. This in comparison to other runners here is easy. In a place where Olympic athletes train, it definetly keeps you motivated. In Florida I used to run with Elvis at night but during the day here, it gets too hot. We go on hikes, walks, play ball and of course their favorite activity- chasing away the bunny rabbits and prarie dogs.
Next Sunday I leave for L.A. and have lots to do to prepare for my trip. Be safe, have fun and don't forget the many men, women and dogs who are fighting for us over in Iraq...
All my best,
Jennifer
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In the Living Room...
Posted by jennifer on May 14, 2007.
Thank God for Cannon. I can't believe I actually figured out how to get my photos from point A to point B! I just got a professional camera to take some good shots of wildlife here in Colorado, the dogs and wolves for you to see. I've always had a fascination for photography but haven't had the time to learn how to properly use a camera so now I am. I'm going to start taking some classes here in Boulder and I'm very excited about it. The thing that's always frustrated me is never having enough zoom to get the shots I want so now I have that capability.
On my first experiment tonight, here are some shots I took in my living room. Many people ask me about my cat Mitten so here she is lurking across the living room floor... I hope to be showing you more this year of training, clients and life with the dogs right here on my blog!
Be well,
Jennifer
