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Athena's Page
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Fern Hill Athena SR262975/08
Sire: AFC AFTCH Rosehill's Mr. Speaker MH OS FDHF CCA
Dam: Adirondac Hilfy of Fern Hill CDX OD CCA TDI CGC ASCA-CD SR017085/01
Born May 28, 2005
Height: 22" Weight: 60 pounds
Athena Looking Regal, Fall 2007
Athena was the last puppy born in our May 28, 2005 litter. She was probably last
because she was too busy doing something else and forgot to get in line! She's the most
adventurous puppy from this litter, full of energy, loves to talk, and was always getting into things while living
at our house. She's ultra brave -- loud noises don't phase her a bit -- she just barks back. She's always been
a climber -- climbed onto a side-turned laundry basket at 4 weeks, was able to climb out of the 30" high
dog pen using the sides like a ladder at 8 weeks, and the first thing she did at her new house was climb onto
the table.
Because of her indomitable personality, we were very pleased that she was purchased by Quincy Vidauri in Seattle, Washington,
as a future Search and Rescue (SAR) dog. It's appropriate that our most
adventuresome puppy went the longest distance away -- the trip didn't bother her a bit! See updates below.
Athena's puppy name was "Lemon" for her yellow collar.
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News and Pictures -- 2007
Athena fence walking, Fall 2007 |
Athena climbing the ladder, Fall 2007 |
December 18, 2007
I am still working with Athena on the Urban Search and rescue. I have
had a lot on my plate. We took a preliminary test and she did good but
did not pass. We need more work on the down stay out of sight, and the
directionals. She is getting the hang of climbing the ladder. We know
she likes to be up on things and still gets on the table if she can get
away with it while I am gone. She is a wonderful addition to our family.
I love her so. We will try again to pass the fundaments skills assessment
this spring. Until then I am just building her confidence and letting her
have fun as a good dog.
On the test, apparently, in ATHENA fashion, she sat up, stood, looked around,
lay back down, stood, lay down and rolled and played on her back, then stood
and waited. However, she was more than a body length from where she began.
July 16, 2007
I really will get the photos of Athena on the ladder
out of my camera and to you... She is also doing really great on her
search work.... Feeling pretty frisky (which I totally encourage),
although I expect she would be like Penny if ever I get serious about
her CD (she is so social, and loves to visit too.) I am glad, I have
been taken my time, because lately she has so much more confidence. I
think if I would have rushed her she would not feel so confident (She
has started marking over everyone she can). But is still the sweetest
thing you ever could ask for.
May 29, 2007
Athena is a kindred spirit as far as the water, mud & wet grass...
She says bring it on. When going for a walk she will take herself for a
dip in any kind of water, to her mothers dismay. Remember we are in
the northwest & the water sits in creeks that are not flowing that fast,
so she comes out thinking she smells great, rubbing her ears in the
dirt, looking like a drowned rat.. I love her so....
I have been taking it slow with her, so glad I did. This weekend
Athena & I visited a friend who is an obedience trainer, Athena & I
both got schooled. Athena is very good at getting folks to engage, and
getting quite sassy in with her adulthood...(which I am happy, as it
goes hand in hand for search)... My friend advised me on how to be firm
with her, yet not break her great spirit.... Oh, she takes a verbal
correction so hard.... so I just pump her with sweet talk, and give
matter of fact physical corrections..
She is going to make us all proud. I did get some pictures of her
climbing a ladder that I will get to you soon (she is not afraid of getting
up on things). I still occasionally see signs that she has been on the kitchen table.
April 2007
She is a strong happy girl, really starting to
enjoy search work!!! Now that we are getting to go on the rubble and she is walking the
ladders, I will get some action shots...
March 26, 2007
Athena is coming along wonderfully....I will make it a point to get some
photo's of her training...
She is a lot like hilfy, not to worried and very trustful.. (so nice)
especially since my Chessie, is constantly on alert...
February 20, 2007
Athena is doing great, she is
such a love, I am taking all training with her slow, she is doing very
well with her bark work and really starting to use her nose....
She is such a love and brings great Joy to our life.. I am glad you do
what you do, keep doing it, the joy you bring to those of us fortunate
enough to get a puppy is amazing...
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At Quincy's -- Seattle, Washington
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Pictures of Athena and friends at Pooch Play dog day care,
May 2006
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News About Athena, November 2006
I am starting obedience training with Athena this Wednesday (really it is for me
so I can learn ring form.) With the Chessie, I was just happy if he
heeled near me and happened to listen at the same time.
The run away game is: The "victim" takes the dog's toy, and teases them
by running into a barrel or box (to contain the scent). I then send Athena
in to find the victim. When she barks, the barrel opens and her toy
appears, ready to play a game of tug...... She is really progressing...
I am working on getting her to engage in the tug with others. She would
rather just jump and play and wiggle her cute little butt...But she is
maturing and starting to really enjoy tug and barking. (Soft toys
like the one she came with are her favorites.....) So we just move
those skills on to rubble until eventually you do not run away or call
the dogs name. They learn to use their nose, and find the human scent
that is hidden. It really is incredible how they progress. However,
this is simplified and it takes many many repetitions in many different
environments.
We will see how getting her CD fits into my schedule too. With the dog
group training, and obedience, and Military, and a 40 hour work week,
time is precious....
News About Athena, October 2006
Athena and I are well....I have not been working with her as much as I
have wanted as I had 4 years invested in my Chessie. Just this Sunday I
certified with him in the FEMA system. So now I can put the same time
and energy into ATHENA (although I know with her it will be much
easier). She is always so happy to please!!!
That is not to say Athena & I have not been progressing. She has
learned how to bark,(thanks to your helpful beginnings) at barrels and
run away problems and does well on the rubble, and her basic obedience and
manners are great (after my Chessie this is such a great pleasure for
me!!) I will definitely provide more updates on our progress as we
continue, and now that my goal with her brother has been accomplished.
I want to show her in the ring too, and I think that is were we will
focus the beginning of the year. I would love to get her CD, as I need
the experience. I have never done ring things and I now she is ready to
take me to that place. She is oh such a love and joy to our family!!!
I am so fortunate she came my way....
News and pictures from Quincy and Athena, May 30, 2006
Birthday news: She is So sweet, she still loves to climb on anything. While visiting
my sister she went up the wall climbing wall and down the slide, with
the kids, not once but three times, we were not even coxing her, she
just wanted to be with us. Here are some pictures from her doggy day
care. She gets picked up once a week and taken to this place to play,
then they bring her home tired out. The bus she rides on has paw prints
and says "We let the dogs out." It is a great place. Of course, she
has befriended a Great Dane. That's my girl! I am being very gradual
with her training, still focusing on her brother. In July I will focus
more on her. She has completed thru rally obedience, we have a ways to
go before we compete, but I am confident she will do fine. Tuesday
nights we go to a nearby barn and do agility. She is finally swimming
in the deep end, previously she would always wait in the shallow end for
brother to bring the toy back. Now she will swim on her own and has
even retrieved the toy.
She is been an amazing addition to our family, I can not thank you
enough. Belly rubs are her favorite!!!
I took her to the vet and she was 57lbs, I have not measured her at the withers
but guess she is about 22-25.
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News and pictures from Quincy and Athena, November 21, 2005
Here are some fun pictures of my growing Athena. She is very well adjusted, sweet,
and very willing to please. She is doing fine in her obedience classes, we are going
to intermediate beginning of next year. She is also doing great, with her bark, and
exposure to many different surfaces (although the top of the table is her favorite).
She likes to run in the water, but has not taken to plunging in for toys (like Penny).
She would rather have her big brother go get the toy while she waits standing in the
shallow part then taking the toy from him when he gets close to me...
I think fall is her favorite time of year. Always a leaf to catch.....So funny watching
her scamper for the leaves.....not able to decide which one to let get away....nor how
long to hold on before she goes after a new one...
I can't thank you enough she is such a wonderful addition to our family... I will keep
you posted on her accomplishments. At 5 months she was 35lbs. I think she is about 40 now..
Our dog group is doing a theme about family and hats that describe our pups for our
Christmas party. This little hat describes her. Cute & sweet as a button...
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Athena in profile
August, 2005
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Athena in her new home
with all her toys
August, 2005
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Athena riding in the car, all strapped in
August, 2005
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Athena with her new owner Quincy Vidauri
August 8, 2005
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Athena with Christina, Quincy's daughter
August 8, 2005
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At Fern Hill -- Lenoir City, Tennessee
Lemon's face, July 15
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Side view of Lemon, July 15
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Lemon, July 2
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Lemon in the grass, June 22 (3 weeks, 4 days)
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Lemon, June 21 (3 weeks, 3 days)
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Lemon, June 10
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Lemon, June 10, with McKenzie (13 days)
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Lemon, June 1 (3 days)
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254 Babbs Road, Lenoir City, TN 37771
Tel: 865-300-7607; text or leave message for callback
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E-Mail:
edwardskc@gmail.com
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Fern Hill Farm All rights reserved.
Revised April 10, 2009
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