Best European Doberman puppy for protection, Guard, schutzhund or sport Please visit our sister site at http://www.familydobes.com

   We have had a very fortunate summer here at FamilyDobes with the production of some world class Doberman puppies for sale. One of our most Noteworthy Doberman litters this year was produced with the help of some very respected people in the Doberman world both here and overseas. Escada Vom Excalibur who has both her Schutzhund 1 and an AD as well as her ZTP where she was V rated was bred to Casa Di Oro Gregory who is currently a Schutzhund level two dog working towards his VPG-3 He also has his ZTP. A litter of 7 outstanding puppies in structure and drive was produced from which we kept one of the red girls, “Family Dobes Prada.” She is stunning to look at, and has great temperament and drive even at a very early age, and we are deeply indebted to Cornelia and Dagmar for helping this dream come true.

   Other notable litters of champion bred European Doberman puppies for sale this year include a first time breeding from Athena Raiden Sky who earned her ZTP with very high ratings. She is a working girl who prefers to lounge around the house and be loved on unless someone is willing to put on a sleeve and go to work! She loves her protection work. She was bred to our Champion Red Male Uragan Best of Island who is also a Schutzhund level one dog now (we are working on his 2 and 3) and also earned his ZTP. They produced a mixed litter of both red and black Doberman Puppies for sale that bring together some of our favorite lines in the world with such legends as Eko Royal Bell, Fedor Del Nasi, and Una Betelges. These puppies have correct structure and very nice heads and we expect them to be outstanding working family companions.

  Casa Di Oro Donna Delana “Ruby” who earned her ZTP was also bred to our Champion Red Doberman male Uragan Best of Island. Ruby has had other successful litters producing Doberman puppies with stunning conformation and exceptional working drive just like hers. You would never know what power lurks behind her kind eyes when she is quietly hanging around the house babysitting my one year old or laying at my feet as I work on my computer. Send her outside though for a bite sleeve or bite suit and you will see those kind eyes filled with fire and fury as she very effectively handles threats to her family or property. This litter of all red Doberman puppies for sale should prove just like their other offspring to be ideal working Dobermans that are still welcome in any home.

   We have also enjoyed this year the addition of our PuppyCam! The Puppy Cam streams live video 24 hours a day for people to check in on their new Doberman puppies for sale. This way they feel more a part of the process of their growth and development and can see their personalities develop. It is a great way to connect with your future Doberman puppy!

   This year is off to a great start at Family Dobes, and if you are looking for the best European Doberman puppies for sale and have not yet found yours, you certainly found the right place! Watch for more exciting things to come from FamilyDobes this year!

Just a few weeks ago we were lucky enough to welcome a new four legged member into our family, a Red Doberman.  At a little more than a year and a half old, she is a beautiful red female Doberman.  However, her looks are only one of the things that make her special.  She is one of the most affectionate, mellow, sweet natured Dobies that you’ll ever meet.  Everyone that gets to know her is immediately jealous that we share our home with such a great girl. 

Because of her gentle nature, she has gotten along famously with our other 3 dogs.  She and our Madde are especially fond of each other.  What they say about opposites attracting evidently carries over to dog as well.  Don’t get me wrong, Madde is our princess and we couldn’t love her more.  On the other hand, she is definitely the boss and what she says, goes.  She’s not always polite about it either.  Despite this, the new Red girl and Madde play together like they were raised together.  Their favorite toy is a terribly beat up old 4 legged squeaky toy who has lost 2 of its legs with the other two not far behind.  They tug to a chorus of vicious sounding growls but it’s all just a game.  If one happens to let go, the other is right there shoving the toy in their face like “C’mon we were just getting started!”

We noticed right away that she seemed to prefer soft, cuddly toys.  This is something we no longer have many of at our house because of the other two Dobies.  They think the reason we give them stuffed toys is to make stuffy murder scenes all over the house and back yard.  In contrast, she is not a shredder at all.  She would much rather take a soft floppy toy and bounce around like a bucking bronco, shaking the toy up as she goes.  Then we noticed that’s not the only reason she likes soft, cuddly things.  The first time I saw her do this I laughed so hard I nearly cried.  It was bedtime and our 3 Dobes were settling into the king size mattress that they graciously let my husband and I share with them.  We were trying to get comfortable but the bed kept giggling in one spot.  Looking over, we see her with the corner of our comforter fluffed into a little mound in between her two front paws.  At first I thought she was trying to shred the blanket just as the other two dogs would have been doing in the same situation.  But no, there she was with the mound of comforter in her mouth sucking away on it while she kneaded the outside portion with her front paws!  This went on almost every night as her way to fall asleep.

 It didn’t stop there though.  One evening I was relaxing on our Lazyboy with a light fleece blanket over my legs.   Oftentimes one of the girls will climb onto the recliner to cuddle and she was acting like this was what she wanted to do.  She got her front half on my lap but instead of hopping up the rest of the way she started pawing at my legs.  I tried to coax her up to get comfortable with no luck.  She just kept pawing at my legs like she wanted me to move so I started to scoot over.  When I did this she leaned over, grabbed my blanket in her mouth and started dragging it off of me.  Once she had gotten it down she gave me a look like, “Thanks! That’s all I wanted” and went on to do her bucking bronco routine shaking the blanket all over as she went.  After it was sufficiently shook up to her liking, she plopped down in the middle of the living room and pulled a tuft up in the middle with her mouth.  Sure enough she went to town, sucking away and kneading like a nursing puppy.  We have now gifted this blanket to our Red girl and named it her “Binky”.  Some people have children who carry a blanket and suck their thumbs.  Evidently we’ve got the canine equivalent living at our house!

“Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear.”

        Dave Berry

 “No animal should  ever jump up on the dining room furniture unless absolutely certain that he can hold his own in the conversation.”

    Fran Lebowitz

 “Of  all the things I miss from veterinary practice, puppy breath is one of the most fond memories!”

Dr. Tom Cat

“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.”

unknown

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
Anonymous

Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.
Ann Landers

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
Will Rogers

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
Ben Williams

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
Josh Billings

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
Andy Rooney

We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best deal man has ever made.
M. Acklam

Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate.
Sigmund Freud

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.
Rita Rudner

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.
Robert Benchley

Anybody who doesn’t know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.
Franklin P. Jones

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.
James Thurber

If your dog is fat, you aren’t getting enough exercise.
Unknown

My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That’s almost $21.00 in dog money.
Joe Weinstein

Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul — chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we’re the greatest hunters on earth!
Anne Tyler

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
Robert A. Heinlein

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.
Mark Twain

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!’
Dave Barry

If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them.
Phil Pastoret

The Live Puppy Cam

Have you heard about the New Internet sensation? People all over the world, 4 million users logged on last summer to watch a litter of puppies live on a video stream. Articles on MSNBC and Today told the world about the sensation. People were taking a quick break from work to watch and get a lift for the day, as Ben Williams once said, “There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.”  I couldn’t agree more. There is something magical about puppies, and there has been for thousands of years. The bond that was formed between man and dog has outlived most relationships, and I suspect always will.  The Puppy Cam is one way people can feel like they are part of the growth and development of a litter of puppies without the accountability and responsibility that comes with raising puppies and finding them qualified forever homes. No one is allergic to enjoying the puppies on the puppy cam either. There just are not many things in the world as cute as puppies, through all their stages. The helpless sightless and deaf newborns cuddled and nursed by their mothers to the older puppies who roughhouse with reckless abandon until they collapse in a dog pile for a nap. The moment they wake the games are on again. It is fun to watch the puppies grow live on camera with real time streaming video. It is a good way to escape whatever is going on in the world at the moment and join a different world with unconditional love, quick forgiveness, wild play, and peaceful rest. The thrill of the sneak attack, determination, and the value of companions for everything from sparring partners to pillows Watching young puppies live on the Puppy Cam reminds me of all the essential elements in a life of joy and happiness. Watching puppies live on the puppy Cam gives me an injection of goodness. It is almost as if you are there, and you can even communicate with those caring for the pups via Email or phone if there are concerns. We hope bringing the puppy Cam to you brings a piece of our joy into your life. Feel free to share it with family and friends, and feel free to share your feelings with us!

Our live puppy Cams are specifically broadcasting live streaming video of our Champion European bred Doberman puppies for sale. We feel we raise some of the finest European Doberman Pinschers around, and we are proud to both show them off and share them with you. Sometimes some of the puppies you are watching will be available to new forever homes. If you are ever interested, the first step is to fill out the puppy application and email it back to us.  If you are an approved home, we will talk about the type of Doberman puppy that will fit your lifestyle, and tuning in to the Live puppy Cam will let you follow your Doberman puppies progress as it grows and learns. You will get to see the Doberman puppies interact 24/7 which gives a clear sense of what the puppy is overall, much more so than a short one time visit to your breeder. You get to see them when they are tired, and when they are playful, and how they interact with other dogs, as well as the people that interact with them daily.

Many people ask us all the time about some training resources, and our forum is one great place to start, we also have phone and email which many people have taken advantage of, and now we have partnered with a friend of mine that I used to train with (I have trusted him even with my own dogs in the past) who offers some online training courses many of you may find very helpful. His courses are much cheaper than private lessons, and you will see some good results. Try it out and see what you think!

Online training Now!

Well it has been a while since we have posted, it seems like time has flown right by! It is already triple digits here in Phoenix and slowing down our training goals. Elsewhere in the world people are seeing spring and it will roll right into summer. We have kept very busy here at the kennel but wanted to pause and Share exciting news about our newest litter. Escada Vom Excalibur was bred in Germany to Casa di oro Gregory to create a very special litter with high drive, steady nerve, correct structure and great health traits. This is a pedigree not often found in America and we are thrilled to be bringing it to America. So thrilled we are keeping a pup for ourselves to become part of our program in the future.  She had seven beautiful puppies a mix of reds and blacks, and we are thrilled with their quality. Escada thankfully is a careful and caring mother and we expect big things from this litter.

We are also excited that Ramon and Questo Betelges just earned their ZTP rated V1A (in Europe) which of course we knew would happen, but makes us all the more excited that we have bred to these outstanding males.

American vs. European

 Dobermans

It is time I weigh in on the debate since it is the question I get asked nearly every day in phone calls and emails. Everyone wants to know which is better American bred Dobermans or European Dobermans. By American bred I don’t necessarily ,mean dogs just born in America,  I mean dogs bred to the AKC standard, or dogs in America not bred to any standard. Nice of me to lump them into that category huh? European Dobermans to me are dogs bred to the FCI or international standard or their direct descendents as long as they continue to be bred to the FCI standard. It seems funny to me that we call them European since the FCI standard is used even in central and Southern America. But the first thing is to understand that there is a difference between the two standards.

 The second thing to understand is that it doesn’t make one better than another, it creates preference. It does mean that one group will be suited more to what you are after than another group. Contrary to what most people think about me, it does not mean that I don’t like American Bred dogs. In fact two of the people that dislike me the most have the most amazing American bred Dobermans I have ever seen. I can appreciate their beauty and their closeness to their standard, the same way I can appreciate the beauty and grace of Arabian horses while still preferring Quarter horses. I like to train Quarter horses, I like to ride them, rope off them, cut with them, I like to be with them. It is the same with Doberman Pinschers. The Arabian horse wins most every endurance event, that is what they were created for. They are graceful, efficient and correct in their movement, but a quarter horse is like the American muscle car, it is just raw power waiting to explode. So is this about Cars, or horses or Doberman Pinschers? It is about Doberman Pinschers of course!

The point I am trying to make is that the American Doberman was bred by fanciers and breeders to evolve into a different type of dog in type, structure and temperament than the original Doberman from Apolda Germany was. What most people fail to understand is that the “European Doberman” or those bred to the FCI standard also evolved to a different form than the original Herr Doberman dog. Today’s European type Doberman Pinscher is larger and more heavily boned than it’s ancestors. It’s temperament is still adequate for “Work” (by this we mean dog sports, personal protection, Police work, Search and rescue, etc.) but it is considerably less “sharp” than its predecessor. I don’t think I would have liked the original Doberman Pinscher very much, they were small compact muscle bound dogs with very sharp temperaments, fiercely loyal to their owners but wary of anyone else. Many judges and handlers were bit at shows and otherwise by these “Devil dogs” as they came to be known by the US military when they were pressed into service with the Marine corps. They provided a more than valuable service to our country and our soldiers, and they were perfectly suited for their job. They saved lives, they protected lives, but they were loyal to their handlers alone for the most part. The European Doberman Pinscher of today is still very protective and loyal, but much less suspicious. The American bred Doberman on the other hand as a generalization (naturally there are exceptions) has had the working temperament bred out of them, as a “job” was not part of their standard. In Germany the dogs were not allowed to be bred unless the dog met the breed standard of conformation, passed hip examinations, passed a temperament test, and at least one parent had to have a working title such as a schutzhund title.

 This is why the working traits have been preserved. Now there is also indiscriminant breeding going on over in Europe and elsewhere but the dog remains fundamentally different. In America I see two basic groups of Dobermans evolving in the last 100 years. The first group is the result of the Dobermans incredible popularity in the early 70’s when they were literally mass produced. The AKC did not have any breeding regulations, nor does it today with regards to health, temperament or structure. They have a standard that constantly gets revised but it is voluntary to adhere to. This first group of people are the group I call backyard breeders. Not because the dogs are actually bred in the back yard as I like to joust with so many people that pass out that label, but because they don’t have a clear goal and standard in mind in their breeding program. Their motive is only to produce puppies. These are different than the group I label as puppy millers. Puppy mills to me are people who on a large scale produce puppies with only a profit motive, no standard to breed to or clear program goals, and most importantly the condition the dogs and puppies are kept in. This one point gets me in more arguments than any other. But between the Back yard Breeders (often abbreviated byb’s) and the puppy millers often abbreviated (pm’s)  they ruined what the Doberman was as well as what it became. They produced dogs that now range from 45 pounds on up to over 120 I hear people boast from time to time, and there is not a set of traits that really identifies them as a group other than their coloring and the fact that they are registered as Doberman Pinschers. There is too much variability in the group and fails the fundamental definition of a breed which is that “parents produce like offspring.” There is now so much variability in structure, temperament, marking and even color that I would not call the offspring “Like” meaning the same as the parents. There was another group in America that was breeding dogs with a goal in mind, they are the show people. They were breeding dogs for the conformation ring. Now I will say something here that likely will offend many people, but it doesn’t make it any less true. The goal was the structure alone of the dog, temperament was not fussed about, nor were health traits. I know there have been some big changes in the last few years with very good health testing, but one of the most talked about and bred to studs not long ago also had a history of very bad temperament, but he was gorgeous so they kept breeding him. One of my favorite kennels despite their lack of appreciation for me had wobblers in their lines and now the whole line has been retired in favor of healthier lines now that health testing and genealogy has become more important.

The American Doberman Pinscher is a beautiful dog and I can appreciate their elegance and grace. In my opinion they lack the structure and power to do their original job. The Doberman Pinscher was the only breed of dog ever bred specifically for personal protection. There are many breeds that do this job well, but they were bred as multi-purpose dogs. The Doberman was created by Herr Doberman specifically to be a companion and guard to it’s owner. I have not met any American Champion Dobermans that could adequately perform this job and if someone has one please bring it over and shut me up as I put on the bite suit. This to me is why I prefer the European Bred Doberman Pinscher. They still can do the original job they were bred for. I love the story of how the Doberman came to our nations aid in time of war not many years ago, but if the same call came out today for Doberman Pinschers to be war dogs, the ones America could send would be predominantly European dogs. The AKC champions would fail us, the Back yard Bred dogs would fail us, and the puppy mill dogs would fail us. I now understand very clearly what it takes for a dog to actually do this kind of work, and so much of it is bred in to them.

Let’s be specific about some generalizations in the breed standard. American bred Doberman Pinschers are typically smaller over all, they are shorter at the withers and lighter than the European Doberman. They are also finer boned. Those physical traits make them less suited for working dog sports that I enjoy. If they were slightly smaller and still had adequate bone they may make better ring-sport dogs than the standard European Doberman. Very few Dobermans do well in French ring primarily because of the palisade wall they must scale and jump off. The typical Doberman is too heavy to jump 7 to 9 feet with all his weight on his front end and not sustain injury. The American bred Doberman lacks the drive and temperament and is too fine boned also for this task.

Although health testing occurs with most reputable American Doberman Breeders now, it wasn’t always the case and in my opinion we see higher frequency of many maladies, and some others that typically do not show up in the European dog.

So which dog is better American or European? You can see now it comes down to what you want the dog for. They both can make great family pets, which is what the majority of people getting Doberman puppies are interested in. Generally the European Type Doberman Pinscher is going to be better suited for working dog sports, but an American bred dog can still do great with obedience, agility, flyball etc. Some even track well despite their lack of selection for it. I did Search and Rescue with American bred Doberman Pinschers, one was a grandson of my favorite show kennel. But doing SAR with my European Dobermans has been much more rewarding and easier to train. I used to pheasant hunt with my American bred Doberman Pinschers back in 1998 but I have no doubt whatsoever that Ruby and Athena today would hunt faster with more desire, drive and stamina. But I never did have a good protection dog from American lines. I had some that learned the job, but none were as powerful or as driven for the work, and if I found dogs that were, they were not as stable in my house with children.

Both the American bred Doberman and the European Doberman are good dogs for their intended purposes, it really does come down to preference. You even have some people crossing the two which although not my goal, since the gene pool is very shallow anyway, it may save the genetic health of the breed in the long run.

Naturally my preference is and remains the European Doberman Pinscher because of the jobs I do with them. I prefer the health, temperament, size, structure and working ability of a European Doberman that is why I have them, and that is why I breed them to share with other people.

We have some special offerings right now of great young adult dogs looking for forever homes Please check out the website to find out more about Jinx, Lexi, Anika, And “Dobie”

Went and saw Marley and Me last night with my oldest son who has been begging me. I had read the book so I was really dragging my feet. I loved the book mind you, and the movie was well done we just love Owen Wilson, but it was very hard after having lost Zenka and Oxa just a month ago. So when someone shared this “Just a dog” thought with me, I felt I needed to pass it on as well, since “Just dogs” have contributed to who and what I am. They give me purpose and determination, but they teach me about love. They love me unconditionally, even if I am unlovable. “Just dogs” know more about being a good person than I do, and I have been so blessed to spend my life with them. So here is to all the “Just dogs” that I have shared my life with. Wish I could write something as powerful as this.

From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,”
or, “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.”

They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog.”

Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.”

Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,”
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,”
and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you will probably understand
phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.”

“Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust,
and pure unbridled joy.

“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of “just a dog”, I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away
from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a dog”,
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
“just a man or woman.”

So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog”
just smile…
because they “just don’t understand.”

by Richard Biby

Steve Parsons

480-993-9797

http://www.familydobes.com

http://www.dobetalk.com

You know I have given a lot of thought the last few years about how dogs along the way have shaped me into what I am. I have realized that no matter what, boys just can’t grow up into men without good dogs to point them along the way. Naturally I believe Doberman Pinschers are those good dogs J They love us unconditionally, and every boy exploits that, asking dogs to do things they probably shouldn’t, to go places they shouldn’t go and even to take the blame and wrath of mom and dad when we have done something wrong. That unconditional love I think teaches us about forgiveness. Not one of my dogs ever held a grudge for something stupid I asked them to do, and most of the time they would love me enough to do the stupid thing and let me learn a tough lesson. I remember “Teddy” a purebred “Heinz 57” (I was sure that was a breed until much later in life, my parents had convinced me so!) Teddy was my first exposure to protection dogs. I was only 8 at the time and mom had just given me a brand new winter coat, we lived in Midvale Utah at the time, and I was going to need that coat to get through the winter. We didn’t have much growing up, but I had Teddy. I can’t tell you what movie it was or tv show that inspired me to teach a dog to bite my arm, or why I thought that coat would do me any good, but Teddy and I worked on it all day one cold Saturday. Thanks to the terrier genes he had in his family tree, he was happy to play the game once we got started. He shredded that new coat, and with it my arm to some degree J But he would quit when I asked him to, and I think it was that moment that changed the rest of my life. I had no idea how to train a dog, I just knew I loved him, and we did everything together. His training paid off one day as we were coming home and some neighborhood dog made a beeline for me while Teddy was pulling me down the street on my roller skates. Before that dog got close enough Teddy took care of it. I don’t know how he didn’t get hurt or killed, but we had love and loyalty between us. He learned to pull me on skates or sleds and stop when I asked him to, he would sit and shake, and sometimes he would stay until I turned my back J We just worked things out, it is a magic that happens between a boy and his dog. Teddy went through two broken legs and surgeries to boot, he survived a patio roof collapse in a storm, he lived on love heaven knows as I wasn’t the best at feeding and cleaning. He taught me to swim and chase sticks and run through fields. There were many good dogs in my life like Teddy, and the most influential was of course Gretta a Doberman. Those stories will have to wait for another time though… The point is I am what I am for good or bad in large because of the dogs along the way. A boy just isn’t a boy without a dog. I had a sad call today from someone whose boy had just lost his red female dobe yesterday and his parents knew what it meant to that little boy. I reflected with sadness on those times I felt the same pains. I came in from that call back to the family room to see this:

Naturally I started crying and remembering naps just like that one. You can see Coco is wide awake but doesn’t dare disturb her little boy. Ethan has always been like that, when he threw tantrums as a one year old, it was always on Zenny’s bed under his watchful and concerned eye:

And with Texa’s new puppies, you guessed it, the dog that won’t even let my wife in the puppy room:

I sat and thought a long time about all of this today and I was so filled with gratitude that we get to share our lives with such special dogs. I am so grateful my three year old son has found what I found, a true friend. So here is a tribute to all those dogs along the way that shaped us into what we are, it must be similar for girls, as Grace loves the dogs every bit as much as Ty and Ethan, but where the red fern grows helps us to cement it into our boyhood minds. I hope this sentimental moment finds all of you well and enjoying your lives with these special friends, I hope you too are learning from them and slowly learning to love and forgive like them. I hope you shamelessly ask for what you want and need instead of beating around the bush with hidden agendas and I hope you enjoy a nap in the soft grass under the warm sun. Chase things in life you want with enthusiasm, and hang on to what you catch with all your might until it is time to let go. Smile for no reason, and wake up knowing each day is just your favorite thing. Try new things and be loyal to your friends, and fiercely defend your loved ones. Enjoy mud and swimming, and chewing on your favorite treat. Finally although Cliché, may we be the people our dogs think we are. Life is too short not to share it with a friend. J thank all of you for sharing yours with us.