The Right Choices

Daiquiri with Rocky

So a number of you have been too kind with your comments on the blog or sending private emails and Facebook messages. How is Dacky doing? How are you?

Because of this, I thought I would update you. We're both doing well. Why is this?

The aggressive "I WANT THAT PUPPY" home I mentioned before is clearly not the right home for her, the more this woman says to me. They need an older, started dog and while I am not sure they realize it yet, I do. I'm still not quite sure why the woman wants Daca and not any of the nice Aussies listed on Working Aussie Source or Tracey's website (Tracey being Fury's breeder - she has a couple puppies by Fury's brother Ice-T available), except perhaps that well . . . let's face it, Daca is flipping adorable. But if you're serious about needing a stockdog for your cattle operation, I'm not sure that should be your deciding factor. It wasn't an accident that my litter is cute cute cute, but it shouldn't be someone's priority. It's just the result of my personal taste being able to match up with what I want to contribute to the stockdog/Aussie genepool.

I do have another home inquiry (that was a bit too late in finding us and still out of state) whom I love, and she's started reading this blog, so hi there. She so clearly gets Daca's personality and likes her because she shares my personal taste on all fronts - working style, looks, and lines. I've enjoyed meeting her and have a feeling that we'll be good friends before long.

Some of you guys wrote to remind me that the decision wasn't entirely mine - Yishai was supportive of the Sibleys and the Sibleys so very clearly know what they have and it was their idea to take her home in the first place. Everyone has a choice here, so yup, I'm happy now. I called them up yesterday and we had a discussion and the Sibleys say that barring her deciding to become truly aggressive toward people, she's staying there. I think between Shelly, myself, and her training program Daca will be fine.

Also, look up - who looks happy? Who likes her new big sister? 

So yup, I'm fine.

The funny thing about this is I keep telling ya'll that I don't think I'll breed again because I am way too neurotic. But placing the blame squarely where it lies - with not enough home placement and screening experience - is important. I did Aussie rescue for four years when I was in college, but that was a while ago, and even then, it wasn't a lot of Aussies coming through my hands. A lot of "I live three hours away and if you don't come get this dog, I am putting it down tomorrow." (And my reaction, because I am not a bleeding heart was, "Well, I haven't met the dog, so right now, it's just a dog. You wanna be like that, fine. Your friend's blood is squarely on your hands.") Not so much in the way of matching homes up.

So this has got me to thinking that (1) in honor of having contributed more dogs to the world, (2) because I recently got a request from someone in SLO for a rescue dog, (3) there is a way to get more experience  . . . I am seriously contemplating becoming a rep for Aussie rescue again. I don't know if my time schedule can allow that right now, but the thought of running for the ASCA Board again with a new goal in mind keeps coming to me and really, I need to stop thinking about that one.

The reason is this - the interactions I've had with people since the beginning of this tell me something: that breeding this litter was the right choice. I know my dog and my lines are not popular locally for the most part for a few reasons, but I also know that there is a market for what I'm producing. It's why I did it. And that in that market, there isn't really anyone out there working on what I am. My mentor, Terry Martin of Slash V, is certainly producing nice cattle dogs still (as are others with lines similar to mine), but my particular style of dog is stamped all over this litter - their looks, their temperaments, what I wanted to see in the pedigree, etc. In having to say "no" to people for whatever reason, I always try to help them find a dog, but most people don't want what I'm offering to them as a consolation. They want what I have, and I actually feel bad about not having any more puppies to offer. That's cool. I still hang on to the fact that there was some healthy interest from respected stockdog judges and breeders, but that either the price was too high (shipping plus my puppies weren't cheap as making them wasn't cheap) or the color not right, or whatever . . . but that they liked what I produced, the pedigree, and the way I raised them.

So yeah, I updated my website today - Daca's no longer available and the litter page says I'm taking names for a waitlist. If it fills in two years, I may repeat the breeding (If, God willing, everyone stays sound and wonderful and if Ben's around and Anne will have me). I don't plan on trying to breed Rippa until she is much older (5-7 seems like a good age), and even then, Yishai is not sure he's keen on doing it. Pregnancy was hard on Fury - a lot of grumbling and grunting. I am not too worried about that, though. I pointed out that after she's been totally revitalized, likes playing with dogs (and that hasn't happened since she was 2 years old and got dog piled a couple times), is a fabulous mother, etc. He also still regularly says that raising the litter with me is one of the best things he's ever done. I may have even started fantasizing about who I'd go to . . . and no, I am not telling you. :)

Anyway, today I am pretty clear, now that everyone is in loving homes that are bringing out every ounce of potential in the best way they know how (apparently Piper got a free ride to a third puppy kindergarten - Bekka says the other classes don't have play time and Pipes loves her playtime), I think they're aces, and I think I have done right by everyone on a micro level and right by the breed on a macro level.

Yup, we're happy.