Kimberly J Egan
Bio
Welcome to LoupGarou/Conri Terriers and Not 1040 Farm! I try to write about what I know best: my dogs and my homestead. I'm currently working on a series of articles introducing my readers to some of my animals, as well as to my daily life!
Stories (109)
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Not Even Just a Little
Dear Mom, I'm certain it's no surprise to you, since we've barely shared 100 words in the last 10 years, but I don't like you. I don't love you, not even just a little. You don't know how much I've wanted to love you. How much I needed to love you when I was younger. How much I craved your approval. I wish it could have been so.
By Kimberly J Egan4 years ago in Families
In Life, as with Dogs, the Only Constant is Change
The Puppies! It's been just over a week since they were born, and the puppies have more than doubled in weight. Tumbleweed, the white and tan, is now 10.7 ounces and Sarsaparilla, the black tricolor, is 10.8 ounces. Yuma is becoming annoyed with them, because they are no longer staying where she put them! That's right: they're crawling like little speed demons and disrupting Yuma's orderly world. She likes it best when they are nursing and in one place, even if it means she has to stay still. The video below was taken on April 11, when the puppies were six days old. Yuma still wasn't certain how she felt about me leaving the door open and possibly letting Leela or Yaddle in.
By Kimberly J Egan4 years ago in Petlife
Changing Times
Remembering Millie We knew she was coming to an end, but it was hard to see old Millie declining. She was a special girl: a long-coated red Dachshund who had wandered up Dan's driveway almost six years ago. At the time, she was in a great deal of pain, with half-healed wounds caused by the boiling-hot liquid that had been poured over her back. We were obligated to advertise a "found dog," so we did--in the most half-hearted manner possible--while we treated her wounds and filled her starving belly with venison and fresh eggs and goat's milk. She was scared to death of us, fear-biting at us whenever we tried to clean her wounds and even when we tried to feed her.
By Kimberly J Egan4 years ago in Petlife
Lightening the Mood with Trick Training!
In the Beginning . . . I own terriers, so naturally I'm a glutton for punishment. For that reason, I'm not going to be trick training Widget. I will instead be trick training Widget, Sassi, and Badger, Heaven help me. All three Toy Fox Terriers are at different stages of training. This fact will allow me to share more of what is involved in the process ad how trick training can be used to build a dog's confidence and skills. We'll also be building skills from Bella's Trix "Manners Matter, primarily for Widget and for Sassi. Sassi is, at this very minute, demanding that I get up from writing and feed her, so yeah. Manners . . .
By Kimberly J Egan4 years ago in Petlife
What on Earth is a Toy Fox Terrier?
If the Airedale is the "King of the Terriers," then the Toy Fox Terrier (TFT) perceives itself to be the Emperor of All Terrier Kind. TFTs are typically slightly larger than a Chihuahua, with show-quality dogs not exceeding 7 pounds or 11.5 inches at the shoulder, so they need to pack all of that confidence into a truly tiny package. They can be fun, exasperating, loving, exhausting, sweet, and challenging dogs. When someone comes to me looking for a puppy, the questionnaire they are required to fill out asks if they have previous dog experience. TFTs are small dogs but they are not beginner dogs. They are still terriers, with all that being a terrier implies.
By Kimberly J Egan4 years ago in Petlife
Preparing for Obedience, Part 3
Doing Things Differently I learn something new with every dog I train for competition. Beau was the hardest dog for me, because he was the first one I ever put in competition--save for the Doberman Pinscher that preceded him by a good decade. I'd entered Carnelian into a match show many moons ago, but never pursued more training due to his horrible car sickness. Glitter, my late rough collie, was a joy who worked for all the cookies and praise I could dole out. Our trainer actually used her as a demo dog more than once! My sweet, distractable Badger has been a challenge from the word "go." He will continue to be a challenge until I cry "uncle."
By Kimberly J Egan4 years ago in Lifehack
Fulfilling a Dream
The Texas Classic! I've already talked about the bad time that Widget had at the Texas Classic. Now it's Badger's turn! When I learned that the show would have conformation, Rally obedience, AND traditional obedience, I jumped at the chance to bring him. If he had a successful weekend, then he would come away with at least two titles and, quite possibly, that coveted Total Dog title that I'd been questing for over twenty years! (Read more about that quest in the embedded link!)
By Kimberly J Egan4 years ago in Petlife
Preparing for Obedience, Part Two
Getting Back to Basics As I stated in a previous article, it is my belief that every dog should have some very basic obedience training. Even for a dog that is "just" a pet, like Joy, can enjoy life more fully when they are able to ride quietly in a crate, walk quietly on a leash, and demonstrate their ability to be good companions even away from home. Even mixed breed dogs can show off their accomplishments with their Canine Good Citizen (AKC), Socialized Pet Obedience Training (UKC), Canine Good Neighbour (Canadian KC), and the Good Citizen dog scheme (UK). While the registries obviously would like these to become gateway events to more advanced training, they also serve a stand-alone purpose: to teach humans and dogs to interact better with the non-dog owning public.
By Kimberly J Egan4 years ago in Petlife
The "Sandwich" Method
I have a dear friend who is a retired dog show judge. The final time he renewed his license, he was required to attend a judging seminar. At that time in my life, I wanted to be a judge, too, so I offered to drive him there. We would both attend the class. Afterward, while he was completing his judging assignment at the host show, I would be competing with Beaudog in agility. It was a win-win situation for both of us. It also turned out to be an eye-opening experience.
By Kimberly J Egan4 years ago in Petlife
Preparing for Obedience, Part One
Widget's New Goals A little while back, I mentioned that Widget would have new goals. I would love it if he could be a conformation show dog. He's turned into a stunning teenager. His side gait is amazing, with lovely angles and smooth motion. His color is brilliant. His markings are so well-placed they almost make me cry. He might be a bit big for UKC conformation competition, but he's bang on for AKC and can still compete in UKC companion and performance events. Still, there's that barking/growling/biting thing. He needs time to get over it and a diversion for his mind to help him do it.
By Kimberly J Egan4 years ago in Petlife
Little Hot Pink
What I do! I spend a lot of my leisure time with my dogs, on my homestead. My hobbies include training, competing with, and occasionally producing a well-bred litter from my dogs. In order to make my living, however, I work outside the house and off the homestead. I'd love it if the homestead were completely self-sufficient, but it's nowhere near that yet.
By Kimberly J Egan4 years ago in Petlife
Widget Tries Again
Did he show? No. Widget's experience back in November was terrible. For whatever reason, his little brain could not take in the activities at the Classic, even though he had been to a large show hall like that one on a previous occasion. It will be at least a few more months before he goes back into the show ring to compete for points.
By Kimberly J Egan4 years ago in Petlife
