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My husband, David, and I
live between Powassan and North Bay, Ontario. We share our
lives with six special dogs, one ancient cat, and a unique horse, on
a picturesque and quiet 100 acres. The front third of our
property is a hayfield, making it perfect for all our dog activities.
Our house is situated on a small hill in front of the forested area,
consisting mainly of white birch, hence, our name of "Birch-Bark
Hill". We especially enjoy walking the dogs through our
forest trails. An abundance of wildlife on our property
often makes these walks a little more exciting at times than we would prefer!
From
1975 to 1986, we raised Toggenburg Dairy Goats on a nearby hobby
farm, with the registered herd name of "Wits' End".
Our girls, as they were affectionately known, earned milking titles
as well as numerous Best of Breed, and Best In Show throughout
Ontario. When Davids' workplace moved to Quebec, our family of
goats, horse, dogs and even the chickens relocated, and then we all
returned to Ontario only a year later. We spent 10 years
near Orillia, before being fortunate enough to finally come home to
Northern Ontario.
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"The Pumpkin
Patch Kids" ~ Spook, Storm & Jack |
While
in Orillia, and after sadly losing 3 elderly dogs very close
together, we adopted a little rescue puppy. We named him Jack,
and he introduced me to obedience classes. Jack was the
smartest dog we ever had, but being a mixed breed (Lab/Shepherd
cross), he wasn't eligible to compete in CKC trials. Inspired
by Jack, I began my search for "the perfect" registered
German Shepherd. I found Spook, a very special girl.
Everything that I'm now involved in with dogs is because of
Spook. Spook earned her CD, CGC, became a St.John Ambulance
Therapy Dog, and had her TD by the time she was 14 months old. |
All
training with our own dogs, and in all of our classes, is gentle and
motivational; taught with praise and reward. We want our
dogs to WANT to learn. Teaching the dogs, and the owners, to
PLAY & HAVE FUN is important to have a happy team that loves to learn.
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He is
your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true,
to the last beat of his heart.
You
owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
~ Anonymous.
Susan
Coutts ~ susiec@thot.net
Canadian
Kennel Club
Muskoka
District Kennel Club
Cross
Country Tracking Club
Canadian
Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers
Founder
of "keepers"
Evaluator
for the CKC Canine Good Neighbour Program
CKC
Jr. Tracking Representative for Zone 4, Northern Ontario, 2007 |
Markgrafler Pali CD
TDX CGC St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog and Best Friend
(Photo taken on Spooks' 12th
birthday) |
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2007 Good Dogs Play Susan Coutts ~ All rights reserved.
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