It has been busy around here. First, we took an amazing vacation to Alaska for two weeks. Keith had to make a trip for military reasons, and our family decided to make it a combined work / vacation. Visiting the state has been on my list since I was a child watching nature and NOVA with my family on PBS. I doubt this will be our only trip, because the state is just so massive it screams revisit.
On a more local news front I am happy to report that classes are now being taught by none other than myself at Hampton Cove Equestrian Center in Hampton Cove. The owner, Candace Claburn, and I have been friends for 17 years. When we lived here in 1999 I was driving around looking at different areas and stumbled past her barn. There was this sign that said “Horseback Riding Lessons”. On a whim I decided to pull in and see what it was all about. I could have kept on driving, but something made me stop. It was one of those bucket list items I had. I wanted to learn how to ride a horse correctly and with some skill. After attending my first lesson, my beginner instructor pulled me to the side and says “You simply must meet the owner. You two people are exactly alike!!”. The rest is history. I hooked Candace up with my Search and Rescue dog team where she became an active member, and she taught me how to ride and care for horses. We have been friends ever since.
For over a year Candace and I have been mulling over and tossing around the idea of starting some dog classes. Finally, this spring she pulled me aside and told me the time was right. They had the funds to fence some areas for dogs and she had the time to teach a few classes if I could also teach and help her get this entire thing off the ground. With that said, we hammered out the details and the first basic obedience class started 2 weeks ago. We have some big plans to add in barn hunt and lure coursing practice, which will be nice as neither of those sports have drop in practice available in North Alabama. If you want to visit the website, please do!
The website layout and design were mine. Let me know if anything looks funny or doesn’t work right on your browser, tablet, or phone. It is ‘mostly’ done, but things can be tricky like the information form. If you have enjoyed my little videos and would like to sign up for a class, let me know or contact us on the website. I’m thinking of doing both a morning class for basic and advanced once it cools down in September, and an evening advanced class starting next month if the weather doesn’t get to insanely hot. We also have a facebook page. Like it, if you don’t mind.
On a puppy note, looks like Jazz and Tag will not have their litter until this winter. I’m sorry if anyone was hoping for something sooner, but the timing is really bad for both the stud owner and myself. Likely she will be bred around Dec / February time frame, pups born Feb – April, ready for homes April- June, right before we move.
I’ll leave you with some photos from my trip to Alaska!
