2021 Reflections

Here at Nordsternstaat we had a year filled with learning and adventure. We started the year off with some life changes that were in our circle. We grew from that and surrounded ourselves with people who love and support us. I can never thank Maris and Mary for always being in my corner. I’m so happy we were brought together for our love of dogs, and we always have each other to bounce ideas and methods off of. I also started a dog gear business with Kay. We did some light traveling this year due to Covid we mainly just traveled for the dogs. I got to travel with Maris to help with the breeding that produced Isa and learned so much about that process and really grew closer as a team. I also attended my first SV show. Omen was supposed to be competing in the ring but I was unfortunately very Ill and couldn’t get her ring ready in time. So we will be holding out to get her IGP1 and get her adult rating as well as her breed survey. Soon after the show Maris let me know that the “R-Litter” was born. I cried when she let me know. My puppy was finally here. We also changed up who we were training with at this time so it really felt like a new beginning for us here at Nordsternstaat. All while this was going on my relationship with Taylor really flourished, we may be into different sports and different breeds but we bring so much education to each others lives. Im proud to call her my partner for dog powered sports! I wouldn’t be where I am today with out her help and helping me train my off breeds to participate in these sports for when we want to take a break from IGP. I’m so happy I have someone I can trust to watch and work my dogs when I’m out of town or have a million things to do. I cant wait to see what the future brings us. I’m also very thankful for the support and love my grandparents gave me throughout the year. They listen to me talk about my dogs for hours at a time, let me bounce ideas off of them and are always willing to spot me for obedience.

Mid summer we brought Isa home, and let me tell you we just clicked right off the bat. Doing engagement and obedience was just a walk in the park, It really helped me feel like I was turning over a new leaf and found my passion for training again. I went back to using my own methods and started from scratch with Omen and Styx as well. As much as it sucked to do it needed to happen! But let me tell you all my dogs have made so much more progress in the past couple months then they did in a year. I feel comfortable in what I’m doing and I’m a firm believer in if you’re confident your dogs can read that and are more willing and eager to learn. We’ve worked with our IGP trainer a couple times, at this point and he just tells me to keep doing what I’m doing because it’s working for my dogs. Taylor and started meeting together about once a week to train dogs and just talk about dogs and our goals for ourselves and our dogs. We also had a few friends join now and then which started the talks of some things we will announce at a later date!

We then went into winter, I took my first dog free vacation in two years and I missed the dogs more then anything and came back more motivated then ever to get my dogs out there and worked. I also ran Omen for the first time on a dog sled team and had tears of joy seeing my dog do something she really loves. We spent lots of time with family, Isa got to come be an office dog for my grandpas land surveying company. All the guys love seeing her, and it was wonderful socialization for her. Styx has shown she might have some characteristics of a lead dog so maybe you’ll see her running more often with Taylor as she continues building her team. Taylor and I also chatted and have started a little Obedience club where like minded individuals can get together and work on some skills, motivate each other, offer encouragement and eat some good snacks all while bonding over our dogs.

Here’s to a year that had so many ups and downs, but was filled with memories that will last a lifetime!