TuckerCreek Ballad'O'SallyRose DNA-VP STDd x Ruff Stock Power Stroke STDsdc DNA-VP

Date of Birth ~ September 2, 2004

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And now a few notes about Raine's first few weeks in Missouri...

...when they finally got back home Laurie wrote...

We made it back a couple of hours ago. Raine finally fell asleep in my computer chair so I have a chance to write you a note.

Last night we renamed her "Mikatura's Noise Maker". Once she realized you were not with us she started howling and I believe she called all the coyotes in the area to follow us back to Calgary. She finally settled down when we got back to hotel and played with her toys. She fell asleep on the bed with Colin and I seized the opportunity to grab a couple of hours sleep before our flight.

She was absolutely great today never made a noise on the planes. But I did find out that if you have an adorable Aussie puppy in an airport you can't get away from people who want to pet her. Colin and I were trying to get to our gate this morning and even the TSA security agents wouldn't let us leave so they could pet her. They just kept saying wait a minute until so and so can see her. Anyway we finally made it to the plane. Colin fed her part of his breakfast sirloin this morning and she loved it. She licked our fingers for the next hour. We ate at Lion's Choice tonight so she got roast turkey and a baby carrot to chew on. She loved that also.

When we picked our other guys up at Jennifer's Raine got to meet the rest of our gang and all of Jen's dogs. Raine just marched up to them all. Everyone got along fine. Ellie just seemed delighted. Autumn has already taken on the responsibility of puppy mentor (She is great at that). As I expected Rained latched onto Lupus as her bud. Puppies love him. She curled up next to him in the van and slept. She walked right up to him tonight and took his ice cube. He growled at her and she dropped it. He licked her face and she got all wiggly. Anyway she played tag with Domino the cat and hide and seek with Brownie and then drug all the toys out into the great room by the fireplace. So I guess she finally got tired and when I picked her up and put her in my chair she just fell asleep.

She made it all the way today with no accidents. We were impressed. She didn't get to go outside from about 7 this morning until about 5 this afternoon. We fed her and gave her water in Minneapolis so by the time we got to St. Louis she really had to go.

Thank you guys for everything. We had a fabulous time. All your dogs are great, and I don't think I've ever seen a more genuinely happy group of puppies. I know it takes a lot of patience and love with those pups. Most people kick them outside by the time they are that old (most much younger).

Gee, do you think this is going to be one well loved (and spoiled) little girl? :-)

After the first few weeks of life in her new home, Laurie had this to say...

Raine is totally unafraid of anything. She just climbs on all the baby agility stuff like its not there. Last night I was in the yard with them and I sat down on the middle of one of my teeters and Raine just climbed right up there to get in my lap. She has started jumping and twisting in the air when playing. She has stairs mastered both directions. She isn't scared of strange people she just acts as if she isn't interested in them playing with her unless its her idea. If she sees something she doesn't like she stands and growls at it and doesn't even think about running away.

We have been out socializing at all the pet supply stores and pet bakeries. Today at Doggie Emporium Raine made friends with the baker (he had anchovy paste dog cookies). She also made friends with a girl with Down's syndrome at Petco. I don't have to coax her to go anywhere she just leads the way. I've never had a puppy quite as bold as she is. I just love her personality.

She certainly keeps things hopping around here. She loves playing with Domino the cat. He taught her how to climb stairs. He entices her to follow him to his secret lairs where he can attack her. She loves it. Ellie, Autumn and Brownie all play with her and take turns so the others can get some rest. Raine just adores Lupus. She gets all wiggly and goofy and steals his heart.

and a week later, after their first dog show...

"Well. Little Miss Mischief took FIRST PLACE in her class tonight There were 4 puppy bitches (2-4 month). She was not at all bothered by the sights and sounds of the show. She won a Zanies Moose that giggles and she is tearing around the house with it right now. While most people were coaxing the pups around the ring I was hanging on as she pulled me around the ring. Running out in front just like an old pro specials dog. The only thing she didn't like was the judge opening her mouth so he let me show him the bite. The judge was Wayne Fessenden from Oklahoma City, OK. Anyway he really liked Raine. He pulled her right out and put her up front. I think she would have taken best puppy if not for her training (or lack thereof). He put up the older puppies for Best and Best Opposite (they did actually stack). I got a lot of positive comments about the little devil. She is burning off all her stored up energy now. Most people really liked her color and head. One lady was sure she came from Arizona because there are no washed out colors on the dogs there.

She is growing like a weed and getting more independent everyday. I swear those two tuffs of hair on her head are the nubs of little devil horns she is starting to grow. She got on the tilt board the other night and Ginger was amazed that instead of walking slowly and being intimidated, Raine was jumping up and down on it to make it wiggle more!

Watch for Laurie & Raine in more conformation, obedience & likely agility & herding as well!

'Moon' & 'Raine" ~ enjoying a treat