Well although we have been trying for going on 5 years...there is not a real babe in our future (at least currently) but there is a new addition to our family.
Meet Lena Wegener
I knew that someday...when Bijou is gone. I wanted an Australian Shepherd. Bij has had some ups and downs this year and so I just started talking to breeders. I found a couple I didn't necessarily feel comfortable with (too much breeding) and then I found Pam Watson in Missouri. I told her that we were not ready for a pup but I had lots of questions for my someday. She was great...always willing to answer my silliest questions. Then she had two litters (her max for a year) pretty much back to back and one was 11 pups! She was faced with 17 pups to find homes for. She mentioned that she had some and I checked out her site. I immediately fell in love with Lena, but...I had always said, "when Bijou is gone." I didn't know what to do. We thought and talked and thought some more and finally I said, "I want her or nothing." Well, she was already spoken for...so much for that.
Then after the 4th of July we got a call from Pam. The people that spoke for her had a change in family situation and could not take her anymore...did we want her? Oh my...never a harder decision to make.
We had a family meeting, gave up eating out, and everyone agreed that she is their big b-day present, everyone agreed to certain chores, we all agreed to some sacrifices and she is going to be my physical trainer. :o)
We brought Lena home on Saturday after a 5 1/2 hour drive to get her and 5 1/2 hours home. We got to see her mom and dad and remaining brothers and sisters who were being shipped to Oregon (or Washington State) the very next day. It was exciting as you can see from the laziness that happened on Sunday.
She turns 8 weeks today!
Lena is a Red Merle Australian Shepherd...It will be no surprise to some of you that I only wanted a Red Merle or Red Tri Aussie...RED!!!
She has only made two small accidents in the house and both were totally preventable but on her first morning here, Scott forgot how small their intestines are and how fast food goes through. And I was on the phone canceling an appointment and was just about to take her out. Should have before I got on the phone. Both accidents were solids... :o) and the one I was responsible for was literally at the front door on the mud mat. She knows what and where to do it, but needs to learn to vocalize.
I started a very short clicker training session with her yesterday with touch...(more on this to come in the following days). She did well, but I kept it really brief as everyone has instructed that I have talked to (dog trainers).
Aussies are highly intelligent, and we hope for tons of tricks to share in the coming months. I am going to get her enrolled in a puppy class sometime the first part of August, and Harrison wants to learn so he can get involved with Junior Handling and run her in agility competitions. What an exciting chapter...almost as exciting as a real baby!
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