Big Announcement #2: The Resident Golden Retriever

Top 40 APBTs (that is to say, my tiny little "kennel") is going to be adding a Golden Retriever to our family in about 8 weeks. This is a completely different breed than our beloved terriers, but it's a move that I'm excited about.

A very good friend of mine breeds and shows Golden Retrievers, and while they were never "my breed", I've learned to love them and admire them. The litter was born on January 6th, and we're happy to report that 8 healthy puppies have been born - 5 girls and 3 boys.

We will be adding a little girl to the home - GSR Top40s Keep 'Em Talkin' - who will go by the call name of "Rumor".

Naturally, we have a lot of goals in mind for this little girl. Golden Sunrise Retrievers is the home of the first Golden Retriever to earn a UWP, the first title in the sport of weight pulling. Golden's aren't known for their pulling abilities! Of course, the high hopes for Rumor are to earn a Super Dog title, and of course, this requires us to earn a UWP.

In the meantime, if you're wanting puppy pictures, keep watching us! We'll be posting a lot in the next 8 weeks as we watch this litter grow!

2013 Big Announcement #1: Team No F.E.A.R.

Now that the official announcement has been made, I can make my own!

To start the year off right, I have accepted an offer to be a member of a fantastic group of dog people. I feel honored, privileged, and flattered that Clay of Team No F.E.A.R. would think that I have enough talent to be a member of their group, and I hope that Jax and I can live up their expectations.

Team No F.E.A.R. is a group of dog trainers based out of Houston, TX - all of them are talented and accomplished in their own right. All of them owning and competing with working American Pit Bull Terriers. Clay himself has the two youngest UKC Super Dogs - dogs #75 and #76. I met Clay at 2012 Premier and he's been a source of encouragement this past year, helping me move past Howie's death and continue working with the dog I still had. We met up again during NAPBTA Nationals, where he gave me pointers and encouraged me to continue, even though Jax and I racked up 3 NQ's in formal Obedience.

When Clay asked me to join his well-accomplished group, I was thrilled. I didn't view myself as anywhere near as talented as this group of guys. But, Clay has faith in me, and I will use that as motivation to keep moving forward with my goals.

So, thank you, Team No F.E.A.R., for having faith in Jax and I. We hope that we can live up to - and exceed - your hopes for us!

In which, I am a horrible blogger.

My last post here was in August of 2010. That was a long time ago.

Since then, Howie has gone on to earning a couple legs to his first C-WAGS rally title, the first two legs of his AKC Rally Novice title, and the first leg to... some other title. And then he became a couch holder-downer. Howie loves training and learning things, but when it comes to competing, he'd rather cheer from the sidelines.

Also, since then, we added a new member to the family (actually, two new members, but that's another story!). His name is Jax, and as of last month, he's been a member of our family for a year now. And, in that year, he and I have earned his UKC weight pull title and his first UKC rally title, and also his show champion title. This past weekend, with a little help from our friends, he finished his grand champion title. He's also finished 30/100 points to his weight pull champion title. So, he is officially:

UWP URO1 Intl/Natl CH UKC GRCH'PR'Cross's Home Run Hitter

He is a great little dog, from a wonderful line of wonderful and accomplished dogs. And now, he and I are on our way to accomplishing the Super Dog title together. To do this, we need to earn a show champion title (check!), a weight pull title (check!), a rally title (check!), an agility title, and his United Companion Dog title. I suppose this blog will turn its focus to our adventures down this road together.

And I will do my best to keeping up with the blog!