Well "warm" is a relative term, and although it was "warmer" than it has been, the puppies huddled together- so we didn't stay out too long. Just enough for them to feel the sun, get a breath of fresh air, meet a friendly person, and for me to take a few pictures.
Their birthday was yesterday- Valentine's Day- which I reflected in their names- Valerie- whose registered name is Acadia Sweet Emotion, and Molly, who is Acadia Color of Passion. Both of these girls live in Sunny Calf. with my good friend, Pam. Pam sent me an email saying that they girls were enjoying the day and soaking up the sun.
I am so happy that these girls are still doing well and enjoying life. Those two have always been very special to me.
Their sister, Acadia Zion Candy Kisses, went back east as a young puppy and has lived in my home state of Connecticut her whole life. 15 years ago, when Candy was a puppy, she had a young girl named Megan to love and play with her. Now, all these years later, Megan has grown up and moved away from home. To me, that is the sad part of kids getting dogs- I just know that eventually they will break the dog's heart as they move on in life. Candy is also doing well, and still gets up and runs around occassionally, but mostly spends her time napping.
Happy Birthday Girls!
U-Ch. Linden Acadia Stacked Deck, HXAd, HIAs, HSBd,*UD* turned 12 years old this month. Penny called to say that a few weeks ago he completed the coveted Utility Degree in obedience. Utility is sometimes called the "futility" class because it is very difficult and demanding. It begins with the dog following hand signals (no verbal). The dog then has to preform a series of exercises at a distance from the handler, and not leaving the spot in which it was placed. This class involves jumping, scent work, and retrieving. It seems there is always some place for a dog to make a mistake.
Show Low had gotten the first 2 legs a while ago, but then he hit a dry spell where he would make a different mistake every time. Penny knew that he knew all of the exercises. She decided to enter him "one more time" to support her local club- and it PAID OFF!!! Show Low finally put it all together again to earn the final leg and attain the UD title.
Getting a new puppy is exciting. Dogs are such a great part of a family and puppies represent so much promise of the things to come, but they also have a lot of needs. I remember bringing my first puppy home. I had waited so long and I was SOO excited. I had cut a cardboard box and put a pillow in it for the puppy to sleep in. I am not going to recommend that today :-) but I am going to make some recommendations that can make bringing a puppy home go smoothly.
In the store, the “small” collars may seem small enough, but for an 8 week old sheltie, a 3/8” wide, 6-10” long adjustable collar is about right. Experience has shown me that it is very difficult for new owners to have a concept for how small their puppy is going to be when they first pick it up from the breeder, so I send the puppy home with its first collar. I usually have leashes available for purchase. Shelties are not a breed that pulls on the leash and they don’t require a big heavy leash. I sell a ¼” thick, 6 ‘ long leather leash. I like these leashes because the snap that is small enough to fit on the ring of the little collars I send home with the puppies, the snaps are not really heavy, and puppies have an easier time with the leash training if they are not being pulled down by a lot of weight. 
Baby gates are also a wonderful tool to help house train a puppy. By keeping the puppy in the same room you are in, you are more likely to see if it is having an accident. This will enable you to respond and to get the puppy outside where you can say, “go potty”, or some other “potty” command. By staying in the same room, the puppy will not be able to sneak off and find a different room to use as a potty. It that important to insure they do not develop the habit of going into a different room to go potty where you might not see it for a few days. That can be a very difficult habit to break once it has started. Now that you have gotten all of the items you will need for the puppy, you have one more thing to do before you pick up the puppy; schedule a Vet appointment. 
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