The Gems are SIX MONTHS!

It is time celebrate the Gems’ Half-Birthday!

Starry G had a fun party with Santa!

She went right up to Santa and attempted to steal his glove 😂

A tiny human was also there to meet Santa — children are Starry’s most favorite!

You can get free Santa photos at Cabela’s/Bass Pro Shop — who knew?! You reserve a spot online — it was easy peasy.

We cruised around the store while we waited for Santa to arrive.

Starry is confident, friendly, kind, smart — all the good things 🩷 And pretty!

EW!!!!!!!!! But Starry was fascinated.

And now the boys 💙💙💙 (still waiting for a couple but will add later).

Jennifer shares: Tommy is very thoughtful and quiet.  He regularly sits with people during meetings at work and just enjoys loves while never being disruptive. 

His new favorite place is laying under one of the Christmas trees.  I think he's just hoping something will fall out of it for him to play with because he's such a good boy that he won't grab something for himself.  

He's won Lupine over and the two of them love to spend time outside together and wrestling in the kitchen. 

Lupine is a Wildflower (Major x Daisy)

He also really loves Flynn and they spend a lot of time together. 

Tommy's fit seamlessly into our family and gets along really well with all of our other dogs.

What he really loves, and I'm having so much fun with as well, is tracking.  He learns things so fast and he really enjoys figuring out tracks. 

He's very food motivated and it's hard for me to keep up with teaching him new things as he's quite a bit smarter than I am.  I have to be a better trainer for him :)”

I can tell you that Jennifer is doing a GREAT job with Tomy and his tracking. And yes, he is really good at it! Thank you, Jennifer and family ❤️

And now this from Alison about Jasper…

“Six months old and four months of complete joy here in our home. Jasper is engaging, playful and has his PhD in cuddling. He is a sponge for learning, eagerly absorbing all offered options.  This puppy truly knows how to think and problem solve.

Tom has declared him an Earth Dog because his every foot lands with deliberation.  When he is headed down the hallway we hear the rhythmic thump, thump, thump of his footfalls coming our way. We smile every time.  He may be firmly grounded as he passes through this life but he will always have his star to guide him.

Jasper received 6+ inches of snow for a half birthday present and has reveled in burrowing, bouncing and zooming around the yard. He even pauses occasionally to survey his newly frosted domain.

He has reached his adolescent, longer and leaner stage.  When stretched out he is amazingly long and when asleep he achieves rubber puppy mode.

In the evenings he can usually be found lying against Tom's feet or beside me on the couch - such a super soft, cozy, glowingly warm presence by my side. Cuddler deluxe.”

SO FUN!!!!! Thank you, Alison 💙

Han Solo Sapphire is doing so well and also enjoying snow. Here he is with his Aunt Halley.

Look at the floof!!!!

Thank you Tricia 💙

HAPPY HALF-BIRTHDAY GEMS 💎🎂

Starry Gushing and FYI

Starry and her brothers are almost six months old — amazing. I love this age. There is nothing that Starry does that I don’t find charming.

Countersurfs to find random things to bring to me? Clever Girl!

Doesn’t come the first time when I call her from the yard? Love the confidence and independence.

The other day at the park she snuffled in a pile of leaves before emerging to present me with a dead squirrel. She has a great nose ⭐️

Starry G loves everyone and everything. I wouldn’t change a thing about her. She is beautiful and smart and kind.

Her tracking training — all hard surfaces, no vegetation — is blowing my mind. Starry is a fast learner and a great problem solver. She is also an amazing retriever, which is a promising behavior that portends a strong working dog.

I am having a blast with her.

A couple of things I want to mention. First, Capella’s ultrasound to see if she is pregnant is the week of December 8. I will, of course, let you know.

Second, please don’t worry if I do not post much right now. I promise we are all just fine. As some know, I am in the middle of a writing project — I even have an official book coach! I am spending most of my available time right now working on it, trying to finish up the first draft before the spring semester begins 🍀

Happy Saturday and look for the Gems’ six months update next week 💙💙💙🩷

Sunday Update

This is Bright Star Xeena (Ferguson x Claire). Isn’t this a gorgeous photo of a beautiful girl?

Thank you, Kim!

And speaking of the Fabulous and Famous Ferguson, here he is with one of his daughters from another litter and our very own Ferguson grandson, Han Solo Sapphire.

The Gems are all going SO WELL. Tommy Topaz is building quite the reputation as a Therapy Dog and his tracking skills are excellent. Han Solo Sapphire is also a superb baby tracking dog. As expected, Genius Jasper is a quick, motivated learner and packing his toolkit with all kinds of new skills. The boys have such wonderful and interesting lives — thank you, Gem Families.

Starry G tracked at an elementary school this morning — all concrete/hard surfaces. It is amazing to see what these dogs can do. Here she is with her bestie, rePete.

And here is Pozy demonstrating her most excellent pick-up skills — that is a tiny little leaf.

She is a very helpful girl!

Happy Sunday, Friends ❤️