Valentine Kennel

04/16/2025

Better late than never. Reporting on Finn’s Conformation Title Run. He earned 4 points; 2 each on 4/4 and 4/5, in Alabama., going BEST of Winners.

He was successful in the NOHS and BRED BY groups also, winning a G 4 on 4/3 (NOHS), a G 1 in the Bred By show on 4/4, and 2 more G 4s on 4/5 and 4/6 (NOHS).

Most importantly, he’s showing very very well each time out with limited show experience.

02/25/2025

Another smarty pants passed her CGC exam at the tender age of 8 months!
Congratulations to Millie, the lab and her amazing mama, Sam. Such an enjoyable team.

02/25/2025

02/11/2025

I have CGC class forming now. If you have a dog of any age ready to learn how to behave, please come join.
Call for details and get your preferences for days and times for training noted.
217-840-1419

11/11/2024

I’m so happy to announce two new CANINE GOOD CITIZENS: Jordy, trained by Lily the horse/dog whisperer and
Linc, the aspiring Therapy Dog, trained by Kay and her supportive parents. Phew…was that a run on sentence?

Help me congratulate these two lovely training teams. It was a real pleasure having them. I look forward to seeing Linc back for Therapy and Trick titles and Lily may bring her weiner dog, Joey back for CGC training.

11/04/2024

Doing a bit of dog food research and here is how I feed my dogs.

First, to understand why I do this, you can listen to this Long and informative infomercial.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/Pd9dQxo7UdWp5MHt/?mibextid=WC7FNe

I feed mostly home prepared people meats (not pork) that we eat.
I add organ meats. Planning to start feeding that raw.
Add in veggies and fruits-avoiding corn, wheat, barley, and soy.

And I buy “Badlands Ranch” freezes dried dog food to use exclusively for their treats. This food is similar in formula to Dr Marty’s but cheaper.

I recently began raising rabbits for meat that I will be adding raw to their diet.

10/29/2024

Perfect autumn day.
Drive my new (to me) car to visit the 101st ARBA convention show. 27,000 rabbits at the Expo Center. It was quite a sight.
Enjoyed the colorful trees- especially in my own back yard. Bun buns are loving the cooler temps and breezes.
The dogs are still swimming in the closed pool. An hour and a half of running, jumping, swimming and chasing balls. Our buddy, Scout came to play too.

10/17/2024

This little girl needs a playmate. Pearl is starting STAR PUPPY classes in Tue 10/22 at 11 am all by herself.

If you have a young pup that would benefit from puppy play, and socializing with dogs and people, (and what pup wouldn’t?) come join us. It’s 6 sessions where we play and have fun and learn how to communicate and teach our puppies.

Pups under one year welcome. Your dog needs Parvo and Distemper shots only to get going. You’ll earn an AKC certificate and be on your way to years of joy with your new bestie.

Call for info at 217-840-1419

10/11/2024

Just cute bunnies to brighten your day.

09/29/2024

When mama is your “person,” and you ignore dad and wait for her to come back. Terry was highly insulted.

09/29/2024

Look who’s a new THERAPY DOG? A Valentine’s STAR, CGC, and CGCA grad, Winston. Congratulations to Winston and his team captain, Adrian Beckett Hughes. They qualified for even “complex” settings. So proud of you two!

09/26/2024

Finn’s big adventure at English Springer Nationals at Purina.

3rd in Sweeps class for a big green ribbon. We like big ribbons.

Earned his CGC, CGCA, and Novice Trick titles with ease.

Way to go baby boy!

09/14/2024

I have STAR PUPPY and CGC (canine good citizenship) classes forming now.
One spot left for cgc (dogs older than a year) and 3 spots left for pups under a year.

09/13/2024

These peeps and pups did PAWSOME…and graduated from AKC STAR PUPPY classes tonight.
It’s great to have owner handlers describe how much their dogs have changed and benefitted from class. Our pit bull mix pup went from being feared by extended family to being loved and appreciated for the sweetie he is. The other two are very sound dogs too, but they didn’t have the breed-bias to overcome.
I’m excited that they’ll all be returning in Oct for CGC classes.
Please, help me congratulate these training teams:
Kay and Link, the Dalmatian
Alyson and Tatum, the Pit mix and
Halle and Beau, the Australian Shepherd.

09/09/2024

It’s rare to find someone local to dog sit. I have a previous student that has begun house and dog sitting. I HIGHLY recommend her. She is a true dog lover and a great and patient trainer.

Photo for interest.

Call me for her contact info.

08/25/2024

When you are “ga ga” for your dog, it’s tough to be objective.
Just finished his head and neck for shows this weekend. He’s matured physically a bunch since our last show. Can’t wait to see what the judges think of him.

08/25/2024

Amen to that!

The species may be different, but the recipe is the same.

08/17/2024

Love it.