I have four happy, healthy and well-trained dogs. A simple statement, but also a powerful one. Not an easy thing. I think there are several ways to get good dogs. One, my favorite, is through a great breeder like Gretchen Pinkel of Argyle, N.Y., Lenore’s breeder. If you need to know the temperament, health and background of the dog you get, this is a wonderful and satisfying way to go. Another way is to rescue a dog – as Maria did for Frieda. Frieda is not the kind of dog I would have chosen for myself, yet I have come to love and appreciate just as much as my other great dog. Training her was harder, as she had a checkered and mysterious past.

I am celebrating our life with Frieda tomorrow night at the Red Fox Bookstore in Glens Falls, N.Y. I still probably wouldn’t choose Frieda outof a shelter, yet I truly appreciate the strength of her working lines, her intelligence, loving nature the hard work she is willing to do with me to fit into our lives. Everyday we do something new – hang out with strangers, ride to a mall, sit with donkeys and sheep. She has a tremendous amount of prey drive, and if she sees an animal moving, you better be prepared. But I am much looking forward to talking about  training and to giving Frieda her first reading/come out, something I feel strongly she is entitled to. The even is full up, and then some, but if it all works out, I will try and do it again.  As part of the event, we will be discussing my feelings about the popular training books (I like very few of them) and some good training books, the ones I like and the rest, can be purchased at Red Fox.

I am blessed to have four beautifully, happy and healthy dogs. They get raves from the vet. They are obedient, responsive and a joy to me. Frieda has added a whole new dimension to my dog life, and I am grateful for her.