Merry Christmas Everyone!
Hard to believe that it is already December! This year flew by! I want to thank everyone for your continue support and trust in Braveheart Dog Training. This business and community of dog and bird lovers is nothing without you. I am so grateful. I have had a few people ask about the Point Isabel Christmas Eve Walk this year. As most of you know, we have had a rough year with animal losses. Three of our dogs, Chico, Billy and Winnie and four of our birds, Oliver, Nemo, Thistle and Iris have passed away this year, three of them in the past month. The Point Isabel is something we cherished with Billy and with him gone, I think Rick and I just aren't ready for it. We encourage you all to do it and would be happy to announce it and share it for those of you who would like to do it, but I think for us, right now, it would be too painful. I truly appreciate you all understanding this.
I wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season. I hope to see all of you very soon.
UPCOMING CLASSES
Classes are coming to a close, but I am offering a few more things for this month to keep you and your dogs busy for those that want classes to attend!
Strength, Balance and Body Awareness, Pleasanton, Fridays, 7-8pm, starting 12/5, 3 weeks, $100
Living Room Agility Flash Class, San Leandro, Monday, 12/15, 6-7pm, one session, $20, limited space, please RSVP to join.
Who Knows Flash Class, San Leandro, Monday, 12/22, 6-7pm, one session, $20, limited space, please RSVP to join. Okay, so this was scheduled to be a Turkey Time (holiday manners) flash class and it might be, but I am keeping it open depending on who signs up. I will do whatever class is appropriate for that group and what everyone wants to do! Whatever we do, it will be fun!
RAPTOR CLASS WITH JENNY PAPKA OF NATIVE BIRD CONNECTIONS
I am super excited to be co presenting this class with my mentor in raptor work, Jenny Papka. Jenny is an amazing, inspiring and engaging speaker. She has a wealth of knowledge about raptors and our native wildlife in general. We will be bringing several (not one or two), live raptors to share as well as an impressive collection of artifacts. This is a wonderful opportunity for people to learn about some of our native birds of prey, learn how you can help them, learn what raptors are in your area and when and how to identify them. This class is a steal at $45 for two hours! This class will be held at Dodger's Paws Dog Training in Pleasanton on Sunday, December 14, from 1 to 3 pm. Please contact me to register. You won't want to miss this!
DOG OF THE MONTH
Bogey is a sweet Leonberger puppy bred, owned, loved and handled by Cheryl Hawthorne. Bogey's mother Roxy was a Braveheart student and Bogey started in our conformation classes right away to prepare him for the show ring. As you can see, he is well on his way. We just love having this guy in class.
HOLIDAY SAFETY
I just wanted to give you all a few reminders about Christmas Safety with our animals.
- Regarding both dogs and birds, be sure to take extra precautions with open doors, particularly when having guests over. Some people, particularly those who do not have animals of their own, may not realize that a dog or bird could easily slip through an open door. Use pens or baby gates to ensure extra safety around doors.
- Take extra precautions to make sure that garbage cans are kept up high or somehow out of reach when you have very tempting items in the garbage.
- Be careful about leaving dogs with very tempting food items within their reach. Our late cattle dog Billy never stole food off the counter, until a prime rib was left on edge of the counter. I am pretty sure that once he pulled it onto the floor the Dachshunds didn't let him have any while they ravaged it and luckily no one got very sick, but they can.
- Keep candy up high and put away. No one needs a trip to the emergency clinic on Christmas Eve because their dog ate box of candy.
- Make sure if you have a young dog or a curious parrot that they can't get to decorations that may be dangerous. Glass ornaments can look like a ball!
