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Holiday Letter

Winter cold seemed to arrived with Christmas 2006 and snow followed soon. January saw enough snow for big snowmen to appear and my guys to ham it up with multiple photo shoots… the good news is I got a great shot that was destined to become my Christmas card for 2007.

Living with two Dobermans has become routine and sleep deprivation due to hot flashes and dogs hogging the bed have become the norm. I wouldn’t change it really, but I wouldn’t mind a king size bed! Charlie, in show weight is 83 plus pounds. Zelda, in I’m retired and spayed weight is 75 pounds… I refuse to tell anyone what I weigh, however, both Zelda and I plan to diet to regain our bikini figures.

Owner-handling a Doberman is exciting and at the same time, it sucks. How many times did I feel like Charlie would be done and in the can, if I had sent him out with a handler???

In the mean time, we decided to try for the German Fit for Breeding title and Charlie received his 1A rating (that’s good)!

Finally, in August, Charlie finished his breed championship and Zelda attained her bikini weight goals. As for me, I’m not talking.

We visited SC and my brother’s family. Charlie learned to swim.

Charlie and I turned our sights to Schutzhund and the Working Dog Trial (in October 2007) and Charlie was awarded both his TT (AKC equivalent to BH) and his BH the following weekend. Whoo hoo!!

Back home, we continue to train for our Schutzhund titles and tracking is now on the fast track. Charlie is in working weight, not show weight and guess what–he eats! No more Mr. Finicky… maybe not in the same league as his Momma, but a different dog than when he was in show weight.

Baltimore has seen it’s first significant snow of the season and Charlie loved it!

Finally, the year is coming to a close. Christmas is just two days away and already the doggies and I have had a wonderful holiday season. Our year has been exciting, busy and productive. Our friends have been supportive (Aunt Mariann was always there and was our most steadfast cheerleader while Charlie was trying to get his breed championship under his belt)… Aunt Helayne made sure we got to places we could not have gone without her, Carl and the motorhome. Some of my funniest stories involve Helayne, Carl, the motorhome and our four silly kids!

Peace, joy and happiness to all. May you never sleep or drink alone.