Gracin, ever the intellectual, was quite busy in his corner of the kitchen last night, scribbling away on a scrap of paper. Later, this is what I found ... a thoughtful poem no doubt reflecting the feelings of all Casselcreek doggies.

Here in this house ... I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs "out there". I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed. I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat. I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat. I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose. My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house ... There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level. I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words. I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many. My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house ... I will never be a substitute for anything I am not. I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves. I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be. I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity. I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all. If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house ... I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch ... knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me. If I am ill, I will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be cheered. No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and known to be of value. I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough. My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought. I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house ... I belong. I will be home. I will be loved.

(Okay, so Gracin didn't really write it but I hope it's how they feel all the time). Thanks for sharing that, Annette.

Happy Trails ... Theresa

Cujo No More

In February 2009, a very special litter of puppies arrived at Casselcreek, the Hannah x Quake litter. Beautiful babies, big, bone, coat, healthy, playful, and content. Well-behaved, easy little puppies, too. Well, except for one, blue merle puppy girl #5. She started out as Shiloh but her behavior quickly earned her the nickname "Cujo". There was no stopping this puppy. Very independent, very determined, inquisitive, brave, strong, and STUBBORN. The first puppy out of the pool, but also the first puppy to scale the ex-pen, the baby gate, or the wooden barricade and flop on the floor to freedom. There was no keeping her contained so I gave up and stopped trying. She was always happy to snuggle in a corner by herself and snooze away from her siblings. She was never an unsocial puppy, never standoffish, just determined to explore the world on her own, impatient to wait for the others to follow.



I knew this little girl would require a very special home with dog-savvy owners, familiar with Aussies, and able to keep her challenged. Thank goodness for Annette and Dave. Annette has successfully trialed Aussies in CKC obedience, and I knew this puppy had likely found her match with Annette. Pretty little puppy soon lost the Cujo handle, and was affectionately named Zoey, by Annette & Dave, registered as Casselcreek I Totally Rock -- and ROCK she does!

In the nearly seven months since Zoey has headed to her wonderful home, I have been the very proud recipient of multiple updates on this incredible little girl. Zoey sailed through puppy classes and has gone on to basic obedience classes, and is now enrolled in classes geared toward the performance puppy headed for a career in the obedience ring. Here's what Annette has to say about Zoey ...

"After just four competitive classes, our instructor gave Zoey and I a really nice compliment after class. She told me that I have a “natural handling ability” and that Zoey is “an exceptional dog” and that she “sees us in the top percentile in the ring”. That was music to my ears! She is a very picky instructor and I love that…I’m picky too. Her classes combine Novice, Open, and Utility skills which is great. Zoey learned the “Stand” command in about two minutes last week. I was delighted! It’s a very positive, upbeat, and fun atmosphere. Zoey loves it there and has a ton of fun learning…sometimes too much! She’s such a clown. She gives me 100% while we’re there and then she has a nice little snooze on the way home. If I haven’t said it recently, thank you so much for our little Zoe-Zoe! She is the perfect fit for us."

In anticipation of a long, cold winter, Dave and Annette purchased a treadmill for Zoey and each morning she has her routine. "Wake up, race downstairs (last one down is a rotten egg!), eat, drink, potty, treadmill (while we have breakfast), play with dad before he leaves, potty, hang out with mom until she leaves, practice obedience stuff for 10 minutes, potty and finally expen for naptime. She is a great little doggie. We love her so much. It’s so funny in the mornings, if we take too long to turn on the treadmill she stands on it and starts squeaking. She cracks us up…sooooo much personality".

Zoey and her family are also very lucky to have Mike and Val and Jenna close by in Edmonton as well. The "girls" get together a few times a month with their "parents" for hikes through the river valley and rambunctious play sessions only other Casselcreek kids can truly appreciate.

Casselcreek Pop Rocks, "Jenna"
Casselcreek I Totally Rock, "Zoey"

Happy Trails ... Theresa

Casselcreek Hot Rocks -A Day In The Life

While "flipping" through the blog the other day, one particular puppy popped into my head and prompted me to send his owner a quick note to see what puppy "Deke" has been up to recently. Terry returned with such a nice, newsy email I've just decided to share it here. If all doggies could only be so lucky. Terry says,

"Deke is doing great. He loves his morning runs. I drive out to the main road before we start. On the way out and on the way back he whines, yips, and shows all kinds of excitement. Not much of a run for him, the more I think about it. As I age, I try to keep my heart rate lower. I love to run but my pace has gone from a run to a jog and at times now it feels like a walk. Deke still gets the opportunity to scamper up and down the road. He doesn't go far from me. Probably because of his protective dad. Always on the look out for cars, deer, and now these funny things with prickles all over the place.

He found a porcupine the other day in the early morning darkness. I think Deke thought it was some garbage to go sniff. As he approached, I noticed him walk around this dark object. Luckily I was right off to the side. I gave Deke a quick call and he left it. No harm to either party.

Deke has found out how to lift his leg. On the morning runs he lifts his leg on everything. After a while he has nothing left to urinate on but he tries anyway. He now has to check out my tires to see what new wonderful smells may be on them or under the back end of the truck. Around the yard he will wander a bit more as he knows his way around everywhere. It may pose a problem down the line as I do not like a wandering dog. I will probably install that invisible fence next year. I don't like it when he gets out further than I can see.

Deke barks very deeply at wildlife. Deer, moose, squirrels, and coyotes. I have been able to call him off deer on three occasions. He is beginning to understand that they should not be chased. We had a young bull moose around daily in early September, before the rut started. He would eat crab apples out of the bird feeder daily. He and Deke became well acquainted each day. Deke would run out barking and attempt to chase him off. Moose, for the most part, are not afraid of dogs and he sure wasn't afraid of Deke. At times they would chase each other back and forth.

Deke's only bad habit is how he loves to jump up and purposely run into you (note from the editor/breeder, must definitely be a Casselcreek trait). We are working on this daily and hopefully will have it resolved down the line. We found the more we swat at him or lift our leg up to protect ourselves, the more he likes it and thinks of it as a game. When I come home, I find its best to make him sit or get on his mat. That way I have some control. He gets his very excited loves and pats.

How is everything with Deke? Just great."

Happy Trails ... Theresa