Fourth of July is Coming

July 4, or Independence Day, is my least favorite holiday. I totally respect the reason we are honoring Independence Day, but I do not like what it has become: a day for crazies to shoot off illegal fireworks. Most dogs don't like fireworks.

My dogs don't mind them, but I have had many dogs over the years who were so deathly afraid of them that I had to create a sound-proof fortress to protect them. So no, I don't like the 4th of July holiday.

The other reason is that I basically go to bed before it gets dark; therefore by the time all the yahoos are shooting off their fireworks, I am asleep, or attempting to be asleep until they wake me up and create what sounds like a war zone. Sometimes the noise gets so bad the dogs do bark and want to go outside which only makes it worse, but they don't understand that.

So this Independence Day, celebrate our freedom, stay safe and especially, keep your pets safe!

Where's my Beach Umbrella?

You wouldn't know it was summer in the Pacific Northwest. Rain and temps in the 60s around here, but that doesn't stop Steffi from jumping on her lounge chair and looking like she's ready for her fruity drink and sunglasses!

This is where she likes to spend the sunny days while Anika races around the yard hunting for any furry or feathery critter. When she can't find a critter, she'll settle for a rock or a stick or some unidentifiable thing to chew on. I have to keep my eye on her for fear she will end up with some kind of bowel obstruction. Life with Weimaraners is always exciting!

Welcome

Ever since I left the corporate world (or it left me, however one looks at it), and I got my first Weimaraner, my life has revolved around my dogs. Mostly because I soon found out how difficult it is to leave a young Weimaraner at home under the supervision of an aging Greyhound. Much love, devotion, destruction, and hilarity followed as I have become Barking Mad (AKA Weimsforme).


These are my Weimaraners. I got my first Weimaraner, Coco, Silver Rain's Horseback Rider, in 2004 from Leslie Like, Weimaraner breeder extraordinaire. Not only is she the most responsible breeder I've ever met, she runs Oregon Weimaraner Rescue. She is a true devotee to the breed. As they say, she talks the talk and walks the walk.

Coco came home and immediately fell in love with our rescue Greyhound, Bella. She LOOOOVED Bella.

Sadly, Coco developed a cancerous tumor in her mouth and crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on December 3, 2010. She was 8 years old. Bella followed her in November, 2011 at the age of 12.


Steffi joined our household about a year after we got Coco, because if one Weim is good, two is better, right? Steffi and Coco loved to play together when Coco wasn't snuggling with Bella.

Steffi--Gould's Silver Rain Slingshot by NFC FC AFC Grau Geist Lil's Gust V. Westend DC MH from FC AFC Gould's Jus Call Me TJ

Steffi distinguished herself as a puppy winning a few field trial titles, so Leslie reserved the right to one breeding before she relinquished her completely to us. Steffi had a litter of 8 puppies in 2007 with Silver Rain's Rodeo Rider (Zypper)--Coco's brother.

Shortly after Coco died, Leslie contacted us regarding another tiny Weim we might welcome into our home. We went to her place for "just a look" and of course brought her home.

Anika--Silver Rain's Eight Second Ride by AFC Silver Rain's Rodeo Rider from Waltz Ember V Regen

These days, our canine family is Steffi and Anika. Anika was 8 months old when we brought her home and is now 2. Both Steffi and Coco were 18 months old when we got them, so I had no experience with true Weim puppyhood. My journey with Anika has made me Barking Mad, as every day is new whirlwind learning experience.