I’ve had numerous dogs in my past. These are a few I have included on my website that have taught me a little something different in my life of “Karen’s Canines”.
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Bridget: This picture is of Bridget. I had her picture taken at Kmart. I stood in line with all the mother’s and their kids waiting for our turn (remember I was only a kid, ha, ha). She was a German Shepherd. Not a purebred but a champion to me. She was a gift when I was fifteen, and she was my start in obedience. My father would see that Bridget and I attended all the lessons at the Monroe County Sheriff Department’s public classes. I was eighteen when I noticed a dog obedience class offered by the Monroe Community Education Program. I contacted another admired person in my life, the instructor of that class, Thora (Schneider) Wendt. When Bridget and I attended this class we were the demonstrators of the lessons. After working with Thora for a couple of years she gave me the program to teach at Monroe and Bedford schools. Bridget was my partner to start our own “Karen’s Canines”. |
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Sootie: Sootie was a small dark gray Poodle. She was my model to practice dog grooming. Poor
Sootie, she never looked the same twice. I never really became a “dog
groomer”, but Sootie never complained with the many “different” looks she wore. The picture of her here – of course Kmart! |
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Nikki: Then came Nikki. She was a beautiful dark sable Sheltie. The most devoted dog I’ve ever owned. She was my first certified therapy dog and best demonstrator in anything we ever did. Nikki was known by my friends, family and class attendees to always wear a red bandana around her neck. She didn’t think she should be without that bandana either. Every morning she would retrieve it from the night stand and wait for the completion of her “wardrobe”. The picture of her on our website...no not Kmart, we progressed to Fine Arts Studio! |
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Ounze: One of a kind friend. He was a Fila
Brasilciro. A very large dog, weighing 205 lbs. When I sent for him from Arizona, he arrived at 9 weeks old and weighed 40 lbs. He was the most affectionate and loyal dog. He was definitely an attention getter. He was petted and hugged by half of Monroe County. He was a certified therapy dog that played my reindeer while I was busy being Santa at Christmastime. We visited the pediatric department at the local hospital and handed out candy canes while the kids were just amazed at his size and gentleness. He helped with my development of “Kids-N-K’9’s”. Teaching dog safety to children as well as being a “Karen’s Canines” obedience demonstrator in class. He knew when I wore the “Karen’s Canines” shirt and carried my briefcase that he had a job to do. A gentle giant and true friend I will never forget. |
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This is just a brief summary of some of my wonderful companions. The stories of my memories could go on and on. I hope you got a chuckle or two from some of my stories, and maybe someday I can hear your dog stories too.
“Enjoy Your Dog” ,
Karen.
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