Update on Audacity.

I keep hoping she will get back to “normal” but in reality I think we are just going to have to get used a new normal. She’s not anywhere close to her previous athleticism and the healing journey is an extremely long one. While she is improving, it’s just so slow and it still hurts to see her slip, lose her footing, and limping around.

She’s still her usual happy self and she loves her housemates, deeply enjoys helping out with puppies, loves training and playing even though her capabilities are limited now and she tires quickly. She’s been really enjoying getting back to hiking, but now she stays on a leash because it helps her to use the leg more if she’s going at a slower pace.

She’s mentally not in the best place and she’s become more selective with dogs and has a harder time being “left out”, like when we are working with other dogs, and it seems like she’s having some withdrawal symptoms from coming off such high doses of medication.

It’s not easy and it is requiring such patience to get through this. It’s hard trying to envision the future and what it’s going to look like for Daci. But we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

This puppy has been very special since the moment he was born, and of course, he's been a fan favorite. When he was born, I said "another black and white male" and started wiping him off. But as I dried him, I realized that he was not indeed another black and white! Calypso surprised us all and saved the special prize egg puppy for last.

Although my husband has been saying he would stay from moment one, I kept telling him we'll see how he turns out, he has to grow up some, I don't want a boy. But as he grew up, he kept showing me little moments and glimpses that I loved. He has been the most confident, self-assured, cool headed puppy. He's got the same sweetness as Velvet and Denim but also something different. When I was hopeful that Velvet would be my keeper, I was considering holding 2 back to see how Corduroy continued to mature because behaviorally, he has stood out to me a lot.

As I have mentioned before, temperament is my first priority in my program, and it is the thing that affects our day-to-day with dogs the most. When evaluating the best dog for me and for any of their future homes, I consider each puppy’s temperament and fit for each home's goals first, and everything else follows—so Corduroy is staying! His stunning looks are just a bonus.

Daniel has been really hoping for a big Border Collie boy to use as a demo dog for our training business, as well as a dog for him to handle in herding. I have been a little nervous about keeping a boy, but the more time I spent with him, the more I was so happy with the choice. I am hopeful for a service dog prospect, trick dog, and agility dog who won't have to go off season for heats and pregnancies. So far, I already am feeling a really deep connection with him, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds. I have such high hopes for this toasty little marshmallow of a pup to carry on the legacy of his amazing parents.

Meet Jean-Luc Picard, affectionately known as Jon. Old Hemp’s Make it So.