This is the story of how we brought home not one but two dogs from the Camp. It had been six months since saying a tearfull goodbye to my dog Jacko. The most extroidinary Boarder Collie in the known universe (I think)! He was always one minute away from saying his first word! I had Jacko for 13 years and was not prepared for the effect that loosing him would have on me or my husband. I had hung up my hat as the residential “Zoo Keeper”. Jacko was the last (with the exception of our outdoor cats) in a long line of mice, fish, reptiles, rabbits, cats and dogs. I was depressed and grieving. I spoke to my husband and the agreement was that I would start to look for another dog, but what kind? A black lab! We’d had a yellow lab before and it was a rescue. Yes, a black lab would do just fine. I searched the internet for lab rescue sites and there was lots of dogs but not quite what we were looking for. Then one day a black lab named Ace of Spades popped up on a site, “CampLotsADogs”. I scanned all the dogs on the site and one other dog looked interesting, HoneyBaby. But she was not a black lab, far from it but cute so I filled out the application and noted the two dogs we were interesting in seeing. I’m on a mission! Sue Steiner who runs CampLotsADogs amongst other dog related endevours called me and within 2 days were on our way to The Camp to see some dogs. We looked, we talked with Sue and Dave, we walked a couple of dogs and then there was HoneyBaby. She choose us, it was a done deal. A Rotti/Blood Hound mix, she was something else. Now we had to wait 24 hrs to think about it, that’s Camp policy. HoneyBaby is now HoneyBear with the cutest wiggle nub in place of a tale. She also answers to Mrs. Wiggles!!! Around 2 yrs old and solid dog! We immediately signed up for the John Wade 1 day seminar on dog behavior and training. The day was a success for us and HoneyBear did very well. All signs pointed toward a very trainable dog with a good disposition. Very quiet and friendly, plays incredibly well with other people and dogs! Crate trained, house broken and full of love and laughs. We could not be happier with what we saw at the camp in terms of how the dogs are kept and treated. The amount of information you get and the support offered by Sue and her staff. We were so happy on all counts. We decided to continue on The Raw Food Diet that Sue developed and serves all her dogs, which you can read about at Sue’s web site. It all made sense to me.
A month or so into our new family set up and we receive the urgent e-mail desparately calling for Foster Parents at the Camp. Before you know it we have a foster dog named Petunia, a 5 year old Boxer/Lab mix. Sue thought she would do well with HoneyBear who could teach her to play and work through her shyness. Miss Petunia has turned out to be the most lovable lady. As Sue put it, most definitely an observer of others. She likes to watch Honey play with her friend Tundra and will join in occasionally but would prefer to play one on one. She is a kisser and loves to cuddle on the floor or in a chair or on the bed, but, will get down when asked. She loves to walk and will go anywhere you go. Well behaved and house broken she will go into her crate with a little nudge and a cookie when I go out. She has an expressive face with big watery eyes that will melt your heart. She loves to play with her rope knot over her kong but will also chase a ball with some encouragement. I just know that Petunia would be a best companion for anyone single, married or family with older children (above 7 or 8yrs old). Miss Petunia is just so happy to be around people you can’t help but love her. She has opened up over the last 3 weeks socializing with other dogs, and people. She has more than the basics down pat. Sit, Stay, Wait, Corner, Down (all the way), Owww!, No Touch, and loves to hear “What a good dog”. The right “forever home” is out there just waiting for her, we know it!
A huge thank you to Sue (Steiner) for always being there on the other end of the phone, her honesty and integrity when dealing with canine care and welfare.
Liz & Ray and Crew!
