Nolan earns his HCT Title

On March 28, 2010 Nolan earned his HCT-Herding Capabitlity Test title Under Judge Rebecca Bechman at Kim Schneider's Farm.  Nolan now is Mari's Little Man AHBA-HCT.

For a dog that was "checking out" of life 2 years ago he has found something that gives him Quality of Life.  He was one of the original CastAways that came from an Ottumwa IA puppy mill.  The conditions were so deplorable the local officials who raided the puppy mill had to wear full body suits and gas masks.  The dogs were in wire cages with holes in the floor.  They never walked on a flat surface, the ground or grass.  They never saw the outside world or had human contact.   His ears have pieces missing and his face and eyes are scared from his battles.   The dogs were raised 10 per cage.  Nolan had to fight for everything and had almost given up on life IE: checking out of life"".

Two years later Nolan is doing what he loves  - herding sheep - he has the natural ability for it  - all at the young age of nine.  Once so shy he hid behind me when meeting a stranger, Nolan can be seen approaching people by touching their leg with his nose.  He wants people to pet him.  We love you Nolan-way to go.

A Bed of Her Own

I think I will sit on it this way, maybe I will fit better and Mom will get the idea to get me a bed of my own

Natalie thinks it is only fair to have a Wrought Iron Doggie Bed. Since it is not being used by Ms Ghillie why not sit on it

Friends - Holiday Cheer 2009

Friends come over to share some Holiday Cheer. This of course included their 4 legged companions. Cinda, Carol and Lois all enjoyed a wonderful potluck holiday meal.

Winter 2009

Minnesota and the Midwest have been hit with 2 to 3 feet of snow. My yard is only part of it. My vehicles were buried one morning

The name of my rescue has changed

As I have down sized in the number of dogs I personally own and no longer breed German Shepherds I thought I wanted to only rescue Corgis & Corgi Mixes but my love of the German Shepherd Dog is too strong. Due to tough economic times, three German Shepherd Dogs have been surrendered to rescue.

So it is with LOVE that I have changed the name of my rescue to include the breed that won my heart over 40 years ago. For anyone who has owned a German Shepherd Dog, you know they are your best friend, heart dog, loving, intelligent, kind, funny, regal and so much more.

My goal, when I began raising the German Shepherd Dogs was to start a line that was healthy, intelligent, balanced in structure and the best temperament anyone could want. I have placed puppies and dogs with families, individuals, young folks and older folks. Over the years I often heard "Your temperament is the best we could find". Even though I have no children of my own, I have managed to socialize my puppies and dogs to fit into any type of home.

Over the years folks have returned to purchase/adopt a 2nd, 3rd or even 4th dog which paid me the highest compliment a breeder could receive. To go from breeding to doing rescue seems like the right path at this time of my life.

Two of the three German Shepherd Dogs I have taken in as foster Shepherds have been adopted to previous adopters homes. Thank you for giving these dogs a Forever Home.

Pilots N Paws saving dogs

Pilots N Paws Exciting things on the horizon us! Michael Samstag has been filming our flights for over a year now we look forward to seeing "Tails in flight"

Tails in Flight TV Trailer

There are over 400 million dogs in the world, each deserving a loving family and home. But not every dog is so lucky. Every day, tens of thousands of dogs and puppies are lost or abandoned. They are destined to be one of the 4 to 6 million animals euthanized every year in the U.S.

That ís where heroes from above step in. Pilots who donate their time, planes, and fuel to rescue dogs and transport them quickly and comfortably across the many miles to their new life.

The story of Tales In Flight follows the incredible journey these dogs take, from their tragic starts in life to their amazing transformations when they reach their new homes. It also tells the story of the very special people that realize how amazing these creatures are and go above and beyond to save lives.

The dogs shown in this film were rescued by Pilots N Paws. Please visit their website and donate money or just buy some merchandise to support their cause. http://pilotsnpaws.org/

Ghillie makes her 100th Therapy Dog Visit

August 1, 2009 Ms Ghillie, who is 11 years old and my first adopted foster Corgi made her 100th visit at a nursing home/assisted living facility. She is an amazing little Corgi that has transformed into a wonderful pet, companion and a therapy dog. Ghillie has been making therapy dog visits since August 30, 2008. I am proud of my little girl who won my heart 6 1/2 years ago.

Thank you Lynn Stoltzman for putting me in touch with Ellyce Thompson. Ellyce was fostering Ghillie and could not continue taking care of her as she was having knee surgery. ForPaws Corgi Rescue wanted a quiet home where she could heal and have a chance at becoming a real Corgi.

After inquiring what was involved in a Foster Home for a dog, I decided to give it a try. Immediately I was hooked on this little dog. She waltzed into my life and never left!

Ghillie's new family had one Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Little John who was 3 1/2 yrs old. The other family members were German Shepherd Dogs. There was Mr Hoover, Emmy, Annie, Tifany and Zack(shown in the photo next to Kathy). They became her mentors and helped in her healing through the years.

Ghillie was so shy that when you looked at her, she bolted away. My heart strings were pulled as I fell in love with her. Over the years, she went everywhere I went and attended every dog function there was. Whether it was a Conformation Dog Show, Rally Trial, Obedience Trial, Herding Class or the Conformation Class I taught weekly for over 3 years, Ghillie was there. In fact, once I announced I was adopting her, everyone gave me a blank look. They had assumed she was mine all this time!!

Now 6 1/2 years later, she is an incredible good judge of character. She is calm, relaxed, happy to sit or lie quietly beside the people we visit. She smiles all the time and is one happy CORGI.