Newfound Retrievers

04/28/2024

The NFR traveling shed hunting team of Wrigley, Abby, and Autumn, ventured to North Judson, IN to the Indiana Crossroads Dog Club's Elite Shed Dog trial. My Uncle Herb and his wife, Mary Louise, lived in North Judson so it's almost like a 2nd home to me with so many memories from the times I visited them over 30+ years. They now reside in the local cemetary so I stopped by to honor them with a short remembrance on my way home today.

Saturday was pretty successful overall for the team as Wrigley placed first in the Champion class with a time of 4:07:27. This is his second first place in Champion class out of just two weekends of competition. Abby placed first in the Working class with the fastest time of the weekend of 1:32:07 to earn her Working Shed dog title. Autumn also had a solid time of 3:02 in the working class to earn her 3rd pass.

On Sunday, Abby moved up to the Champion class to beat brother Wrigleys' time of 4:14:05 with a 3:35:90. Both dogs had nice runs but did not place in the class. Autumn struggled on the difficult Working course and we only found 3 of the 4 required sheds before I pulled her off of the course.

Congratulations to Paige and Leland for their 3rd place in the Champion class today.

This morning's drive was pretty hairy with all of the rain and huge hydroplaning puddles in the road. We managed to make it there and back safely so I'm always grateful for a safe and successful weekend, especially when we have to do so much traveling. It was also fun to meet a new group of people at this event and talk about dog training and our dogs. There were some interesting breeds there including mini aussies and malanois.

04/28/2024

Last week I found out Autumn earned High in Trial in Trial 2 on April 14th at the Paws Unlimited event at the Kalamazoo Kennel Club. We just received her ribbon in the mail today.

It's really cool because she was running at the Master level which has more complicated exercises than some of the lower levels. High in Trial is based on score (hers was a perfect 100) plus the fastest time. She's a character but such a good girl when it comes to working.

04/14/2024

This weekend we had a short jaunt to the Kalamazoo Kennel Club for the Paws Unlimited UKC Rally and Obedience Trial. On the traveling team were Honey, Abby, and Autumn. Abby and Autumn showed in Rally 3 on Saturday and Honey showed in Rally Master level.

Results for Saturday:

Trial 1:
RO3 Autumn scored 100 out of 100 for a 2nd place
R03 Abby scored 100 out of 100 for 3rd place
ROM Honey scored 100 out of 100 for 1st place

Trial 2:
RO3 Autumn scored 100 out of 100 for 1st place
R03 Abby scored 98 out of 100 for 3rd place
ROM Honey scored 99 out of 100 for 1st place

On Sunday, I had some trouble following the signs correctly in Trial 1 resulting in a few point deductions.

Trial 1:

R03 Autumn scored 99 out of 100 for a 3rd place, earning her Rally 3 title
RO3 Abby scored 98 out of 100 for a 4th place, earning her Rally 3 title
ROM Honey scored 98 out of 100 for a 3rd place, earning her Rally Master title

Trial 2 I redeemed myself somewhat with the mother/daughter duo of Honey and Abby as I moved Abby and Autumn up to the Master level:

Honey scored 100 out of 100 for a first place in ROM
Abby scored 100 out of 100 for a 2nd place in ROM
Autumn scored 97 out of 100 (due to my messing up a sign again!!) for a 4th place in ROM

Overall, it was a very successful weekend and we will surely all sleep well tonight!!

Thanks to the Paws Unlimited Club for another nice trial and Judge, Kim Smith, who replaced our friend, Arlene King.

04/09/2024

Banks attended his first puppy class last night.

04/08/2024

Wrigley, Abby, and Autumn were on the traveling crew this past weekend as we competed at the Southeast Michigan Shed Hunting club's first event in Adrian. This event is held at an beautiful and interesting facility, the LISD Center for a Sustainable Future.

The crew had an awesome day on Saturday! It was Wrigley's first time at the Champion level and he placed 1st with a time of 3:04:56! Autumn had her first run in Working and earned a third place with a time of 3:03:31. Wrigley's sister, Abby, also ran in Working placing 2nd with a time of 3:02:37. You couldn't get any 3 times on different courses closer than that!! LOL!

They all ran again on Sunday. Wrigley ran a respectable time of 5:39:13 after I insisted on having him search the blank area for too long!! Just another reminder to trust my hard working and honest dog!! Autumn and Abby both had nice runs again just out of placement of 3:36:63 and 3:35:60 respectively.

Overall, Wrigley earned 46 total points toward his 100 needed for Championship, Abby now has 4 out of 5 passes needed for her Working title and Autumn has 2 of 5 passes needed for her Working title. So it was really a very successful two days of runs.

Congratulations to my friend, Bridget Carver and dog Kali, for their Championship win on Sunday with a blazing fast time of 2:20:22! And to Paige Spitsberg for her 3rd place in Working on Sunday with dog, Leland, with a time of 3:17:72. And to all of my other friends for their passes and placings over the weekend.

Thanks to the workers and host club for a great weekend and to my kennel staff, Paige, Rachel, and Becca, for keeping things going while I was gone.

03/25/2024

Cedar passed her Upland Hunter test at the Great Lakes HRC hunt test on Sunday. The old gal can sue hunt birds and she was nice and steady on the flush though her walk ups need a little work!! LOL!

Brandon Nimtz did a great job as hunt chairman and the Great Lakes members and friends all pitched in to make things run smoothly.

03/23/2024

Happy National Puppy Day!!

03/21/2024

Oakland County Deputy Chadd Coe will be working with Brick to see if he has what it takes to be a narcotics K9 for their department. Brick is being donated in honor of K9 trainer, Deputy Robert Loken, who made it his life's work to help develop successful K9 teams through their training academy at Oakland County Community College.

02/29/2024

Honey was back at the Cancer Center spreading good vibes today after tsking a break to raise a litter of happy, healthy pups. She was so excited to see everyone and I think the feeling was mutual with those she encountered today.

02/21/2024

Ollie is staying with us while his family is on Spring Break. He's having fun with brothers, Brick and Scout, and grandma, Cedar.

02/14/2024

My three gals, Autumn, Abby, and Honey all qualified for this year's AKC Rally Nationals! Autumn qualified in Intermediate, Honey qualified in Advanced, and Abby qualified at the Novice level.

Now if I can just get there this year!!

02/06/2024

Miss Abby

01/21/2024

Congratulations to Amber Lynn Chrysler and Dr Karen Wroblewski on their new Honey X Dino pups!

I'm very excited to see how these two boys develop as potential service and therapy dogs and sport dog prospects.

01/13/2024

The puppies started going to their new homes this weekend! This is always a melancholy time for me. My heart is happy to see them go to their loving, new homes as I I reflect on how quickly the 7 weeks goes by. I look forward to seeing them learn, grow, and develop in their new homes.

Congratulations to Dave and Adrianna Elzinga on their new girl, Sunday. And David and Vicky Catt on their new boy, Louie. May they bring you years of love and new adventures.

01/09/2024

Dino, the sire to my litter of pups, just earned his AKC Conformation Championship!

01/06/2024

With the help of Paige Spitsberg, we got some nice photos of the pups today. They were pretty good about stacking for us excpet Orange boy who just wants to do stuff!!

01/05/2024

Pupdate: Week 6

The pack had a big day today. They had their 6 week testing exercises outside, were weighed and had their nails trimmed, and received visitors tonight.

Weights:

Red - 9lbs 5oz
Purple - 9lbs 6oz
Blue - 9lbs 6oz
Green - 11lbs
Orange - 9lbs
Pink - 7lbs 14oz

We do have one male available.

01/03/2024

Happy 5th birthday to our first Cedar and Niko litter. Honey, Aspen, Daisy, Blue, Ruby, Annie, Tan, and Nero.

12/28/2023

Pupdate, Week 5:

Pups were moved to their bigger play area, got nail trims, and met some new people at their first socialization session last night. We also did their first confidence and drive tests. It was a big day for them!

Updated weights:
Red - 8lb 4oz
Blue - 7lb 14oz
Purple - 8lb
Green -8lb
Orange -7lb 8oz
Pink - 7lb 4oz

Still looking for the right homes for a few of the boys. www.newfoundretrievers.com/litters

12/24/2023

A cool memory of our boy Tan starting his new career with Dale.

K9 Tan (Newfound Retrievers) & Dale Keddie, Bucks County Detectives/DEA Philadelphia - Narcotics Detection K9

12/21/2023

Autumn and I visited Bronson Cancer Center yesterday afternoon to pass out candy canes, Christmas stickers, and to share her special kind of canine caring. It never ceases to amaze me how Autumn has developed into such a competant partner in my therapy journey.

Yesterday's visit was rewarding yet difficult. Rewarding as we were blessed to create smiles and provide a moment of relief to staff and patients during their often emotional and trying day. It was difficult as we ran across a client/friend who was just diagnosed with multiple myeloma after being 10 years cancer free. The cruel irony is that the radiation treatments used to cure her previoys cancer may very well be a contributing factor in the development of the current one. Her prognosis is good and she has a treatment plan, so she and her husband have a positive attitude despite the shock of it all. Cancer is a formidable foe so we must always be diligent in our fight against it. And we must appreciate the good in each day even through our trials and struggles.

May you have a Merry Christmas full of Love, Blessings, and Cheer.

M

12/20/2023

Pupdate: Week 4

Today the pups got weighed, had their 2nd round of dewormer, and they all got nail trims. They are eating gruel 3 times per day and Honey is still nursing them. This week will be weaning time and they will move to their bigger play area.

We still have a few males available. Message me for more info or visit: www.newfoundretrievers.com/litters

Weights are really getting up there!

Red: 6 lbs 13 oz
Purple: 6 lbs 9 oz
Blue: 6 lbs 7 oz
Green: 6 lbs 6 oz
Orange: 6 lbs 2 oz
Pink: 5 lbs 11 oz

I'm going to schedule puppy meet and greets starting late next week so please PM me if you are interested.

12/16/2023

The pups had their first meal of gruel today. They loved it!

12/13/2023

Pupdate, Week 3:

The pups eyes are wide open, they are toddling around, and beginning to interact with each other and their environment. We still have a few males available so please share this post with anyone who is looking for a very nice pup.

Weights:

Red - 85 ounces
Purple- 85 ounces
Blue - 80 ounces
Green -75 ounces
Orange -70 ounces -
Pink - 70 ounces

The pups have all gained about 20 ounces or more since last week🥰. It won't be long until they will be moving to their bigger play area and starting to eat gruel.

12/10/2023

Happy Sunday!

12/07/2023

Pupdate Week 2: Honey X Dino litter whelped on November 22.

The pups have finished their Early Neurological Stimulation, and Early Scent Introduction exercises. They've had their second nail trims and first deworming. And now their beautiful eyes are opening.

"Big red" is still topping the charts, weighing in at a whopping 65 oz!
Purple weighs 60.5 oz
Blue weighs 58.5 oz
Green weighs 56.5 oz
Miss Pink weighs 53.5 oz
Orange weighs 51.5 oz

This is a really nice litter of pups and we still have a few males available. Get litter and health clearance details at: www.newfoundretrievers.com/litters

12/05/2023

Happy 3rd Birthday to Autumn!

She spent part of her birthday evening at LIFE EMS showing our support to some hard working EMTs and Medics. I only realized it was her birthday today when someone asked how old she wss and I said, "she turns 3 on December 4th". Oh and today is December 4th!