First Post...

Hello All -


This is going to be my Blog concerning my pets....and for a good long time will be taken up with information regarding my new puppy :) First let me tell you a little about myself. My name is Cate...I am a student at Virginia Tech studying Animal Science with an emphasis in Equine Production. I am also a member of the Virginia Army National Guard, currently a Cadet though I will be an Officer in less than a year. My other organisations include the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and the Regimental Band of Virginia Tech the Highty Tighties.


I have alot of interests including music, vehicles, horses, animals, drawing, quilting, knitting, making video's and reading; but my passions are animals (especially dogs) and photography. I have alot I want to do in the future.


I am earning a dog trainers certification and I want to learn advanced training; I want to breed Berger Blanc Suisse (White Shepherds) and perhaps have a couple of DDR German Shepherd Dogs; I want to get a Masters of Science in Canine Genetics; I want to go to Med School and become a Orthopedic or Opthalmic Doctor; I want to have a great big house in the hills of Virginia with my kennel and a husband and kids and horses. I know this is all somewhat ambitious, but I figure I have a long life to live...I might as well fill up every second of it.





My father lives in MoCo Maryland with my brother, the Bartleby and Dashi the cats, and Jay the dog. He manages a Vespa Shop in Georgetown. Dad is, well...he's Dad...can anyone really describe the bond between father and daughter? I dont really know how too...but he is a wonderful father. Jay has a cute story...Jay was our first dog. After visiting Switzerland last year I decided I wanted a dog after meeting this gorgeous white creature in the mountains. We thought the dog was a husky-shep mix, so we decided to look for that...and after much searching on petfinder.com I located him and drove the three hourse south to adopt him.


Jay is the love of our lives..and an angel sent in canine form. He is the happiest, most energetic, cheerful dog I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I think he can heal hearts...I think it is a gift of his. He was adopted by myself, but he really became my Dad's dog...and he has made me feel more comfortable with being away at school...knowing Dad has the little monster (because he chews EVERYTHING) at home to love him and give him kisses.


My mother works in a hospital...the same hospital I worked summers in for seven years. She lives in Southern Maryland with her boyfriend and an old Aussie-Beagle cross named Deedee. Mother has always been my best friend, and I have always been able to talk to her about anything...even if just to gross her out :).


I also thought I would share Deedee's story as it is a good one. I was driving back from Drill and was a little early. I had planned on meeting my boyfriend at his house, but he wasn't home. I stopped in the Fredricksburg Petsmart to grab some things for Jay when I saw Deedee...it was an instant click...I knew. I proceeded to call my mother and her boyfriend...and Deedee became ours. Deedee has been wonderful for Mom just like Jay has for Dad. A calming prescence who loves you no matter what happens, always at home waiting for your return.


I also mentioned my boyfriend...his name is Andrew, and he is right up there on the list of most wonderful things that have ever happened in my life. I like to hang with him, I can talk to him, we can just relax together or watch a movie. I love him very much...and I could ask for nothing more in such a wonderful man.

(Andrew and Myself at his Ring Dance)

Now...I thought I would go into the dog portion of my adventure. Of coarse I have Deedee and Jay, who will most likley be constants here, but they belong to my parents at this point (though Jay will always be my little happy boy...no one could ever replace that dog for me...not anyone...I think he is one of those soulmates that comes along once in a generation, but his soulmate needs to be Dad right now I think).
Well, remember that white dog I mentioned in Jay's story...well that dog was the catalyst for all my Canine love. It took me a year to find out what kind of dog it was. I discovered the dog was a Berger Blanc Suisse or White Shepherd. I set about looking at breeders, seeing what I could find. I finally settled upon a wonderful woman in the Netherlands named Dolly Harmsen whose kennel was called Vivid Daydreams. Her bitch, Daisy, was about ready to go see this wonderful Stud Cumano...and after exchanging emails I decided to go with one of her pups.
A month later I found out that Daisy was pregnant and another month later she gave birth to nine squirming, healthy pups; 6 females and 3 males. One of those females is mine, and her name is Vivid Daydreams Dionna; her nick name is Ruby, and this is where the background of my story ends.
Ruby will be a show dog in all liklihood...and if her genetics prove strong enough she will be the first dog in my breeding program. I have joined the UWSC and the AWSA and WS Genetics Project. I am also very interested in doing some working with her...I think she may have the potential to do SchH or BH or one of the basic SchH titles, though I think I am going to stick to herding. I believe that these dogs should have some work ethic in order to breed as they are working dogs.

I will post many pictures of Jay and Deedee here, because they are an important part of my life; Dashi and Bartleby as well. But alot of this Blog is going to be devoted to Ruby and her birth, growing up, homecoming, and life. Here I will post her updates as she goes though life.

I will also post tidbits and pictures in all liklihood because it is what I do. I am an avid forum-watcher, and will occasionally be inflamed by soe topic, or find something interesting enough to share. I am researching genetics on my own as well, so that information is likley to pop up.

I hope anyone reading this enjoys :)

~Cate