Zoey is actually our daughter Kelly and son in law Nate’s dog. (from our blood lines) She lives in their home except when she is in her heat cycle or having babies. Kelly and Nate have two children, Isaac and Avery. Yesterday they came to see the babies and Isaac was so in love with them! He did not want to leave them, and Zoey was so good about letting him handle her babies! It is so sweet to watch Isaac with his dog. Zoey adores him and is so gentle. When he first came into the puppy pen, Zoey walked between Isaac and her babies, then she laid next to the pen with a proud look as if to tell Isaac “look what I did!” Avery was not as sure about the puppies, as they squirmed and squealed, she was happy just looking at this point!

Dear Barb,

While I am downloading some pictures, I have to send one to you.

Leo is a charmer, lover and people dog. He has lots of loving from Larry, Luke and I and can’t decide who he likes best. His new challenge is staying in the yard with his Pet Stop invisible fencing. We have had to turn it up several time and the neighborhood dogs and kids still are too tempting some times. Mostly he stays, though.

We love him and I am looking forward to better walking weather.

Greetings to Russ,

Cindy

Hi Barb,

I hope you and your family are doing well.

Emma competed in her first ski-joring race at the City of Lakes Loppet on Lake of the Isles. We have been practicing on the Central Lakes Trail near Evansville where she pulls at a relaxed trot, however when the gun went off in the race she pulled with all her strength. She pulled hard the entire race and only tired near the uphill finish in the deep snow. Every time we passed a dog she set her sights on the next one. I taught her not to pull from the time she was 8 weeks old, and yesterday I think she realized this was her day. We had a blast!

Dan

Hi Barb- This was Greta’s big social weekend. At 8 weeks old she greets everyone with a tail that wags triple speed. Thank you for all your work in raising a confident dog. We had our first dinner party and she got passed around to nine people after dessert, likely the only time that will happen. We went off to puppy kindergarten and she focused well to follow directions. During the last 10 minute social hour, slept in the middle of the floor while a 12 week old Great Dane walked over her. She was allowed for the first time in the living room for a football party and the Vikings win. Lots of noise, lots of friends, lots of petting and playing. We all laughed out loud as she watched the TV for the first time. She likes Joe Buck and commercials. With our first week together history; she sleeps through the night without problems. We have our crate routine down with no messes during the day. She sits on command with ease and likes to fetch all things. I am living in a puppy parallel universe, having the time of my life and grateful for such a wonderful puppy.  Karen

We had a wonderful Christmas with our children and grand-children. Maddie’s litter was five weeks old and so fun to hold! We are very thankful for a blessed year in 2009 and talked about the things this year that were significant to all of us. We are very fortunate to all be healthy, and have had three new girls added to our family this year…our new daughter-in law, Missy, and our two grand-daughters. January 6 was Russ and my 31st wedding anniversary! I still remember the first time I met him, when I was 13…he came over to hang out with my brother Glenn. I thought he was so cute, but never dreamed he would ever be my boy friend. When I was 15 he asked me to go to “Jaws” and held my hand for the first time. I can’t explain the feeling, but when he held my hand, I felt like melting! I had never felt that way before, or since…I was so young and had no idea what real love was, but I knew what I felt for him was unique. As time went on, I knew Russ was my soul mate. I couldn’t live without him. By the time I was 18 I couldn’t resist marrying him! We had been married for a year when we went on a mission trip to Haiti with Glenn. Two days before we left on the trip, I found out I was pregnant with our first baby, Christie! That trip to Haiti was life changing. It was just like you see on TV and magazines. So much poverty. So many hurting people. I thought about the child I was carrying, and how she would never go hungry, always feel loved, never know a night without a warm place to sleep. When we came home, as we turned a faucet and hot water came flowing out, or we opened the refrig, or laid down in a soft, warm bed, we couldn’t help but think of all the people we had met, and how they survived on little or nothing. I learned to be thankful for a roof over my head, no matter how big or small it was. I became thankful for the smallest things. Now as I see the Haitians suffering even more through the after math of the earthquake, I can’t help but remember the people we met, and the look of gratefulness in their eyes as we handed them penicillin. We shared the truth of God’s word, and told them of the love of Jesus Christ. We left everything we had brought, except for the clothes on our backs. 30 years have passed, and that trip is still impacting my life!

Barb and Russ,

Thought that we would send you some pictures of Ruby”s first solo hunt. She really gets excited when the vests and the guns come out! Does she look excited in the field???!!! She looks very proud over her birds. It’s so fun to be out with your own dog! We have the potential to be a good team.

Merry Christmas,

Bob

Barb;

This is Reagan again this year. She is beautiful. I am going to get her involved as a therapy dog after the first of the year. I have many compliments on her. She continues to be a wonderful puppy (Jasmine/Captain). She has the run of my house, never jumps on furniture or destroys my belongings. She is a little tough on soft dog toys however.

Marlene and Reagan

Hi Barb - I hope you had a most enjoyable Christmas and will have a Happy New Year.

Attached is a picture of Moxie when we were playing in the woods during Christmas. We were up at the cabin where we had approx 20″ of snow and what you are seeing is a tired little girl. She just loves the snow, however, when there is so much of it, it’s even too much for her.

Happy Holidays
Greg and Brenda