Anonymous Commenters, This Is For YOU!

Dear Anonymous Commenter's,

PLEASE stop trying to use my blog for your advertisements! Comments are approved by me first, before I publish them. 

I WILL NOT BE PUBLISHING YOUR ADVERTISEMENTS
SO PLEASE DON'T LEAVE THEM IN MY COMMENTS AREA.

COMMENTS ARE RESERVED FOR PEOPLE WHO READ MY POSTS, NOT ADVERTISING.

Your cooperation will be appreciated. Your Advertisements will be deleted.

THANK YOU,

Karen Thomason
Blog Administrator & Owner

GMO'S - No Good For Pets, Either

I'm sure by now you have heard about the dangers of GMO's in our food.

GMO - Genetically modified organism, is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. Crossing genes in plants or animals.

One company, Monsanto, owns the So-called “Bt corn” that is equipped with a gene from the soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which produces Bt-toxin—a pesticide that breaks open the stomach of certain insects and kills them. That's what they have done with corn, soy, cotton, and canola. If you eat corn, or feed corn, you have it inside of you, and it's inside your pets. Apparently, GMO'S have been invading our food and animal feed for about 20 years.  And apparently, our government is okay with that. I almost got sick, literally, when I read that.

For more:http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-dangers

 It's known to cause all kinds of health problems in dogs, goats, pigs, mice and cows, including sterility, miscarriages, intestinal problems, liver and kidney problems, aggression in pigs, eating problems, itching, allergies, and death.

Rats fed with GMO Corn, grew massive tumors

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM), believes that GMO'S are so dangerous to our health, that they recommend non-GMO diets for all people and all animals. I agree.

Recently, we have started buying organic and non GMO, wherever and whenever we can. Very little processed food, natural sugar and flour. We are also planting our own vegetables and herbs. Not an easy thing to do in Northwest Montana.  It's impossible to get away from GMO'S completely. They claim that about 85% of corn and 90% of soy, is GMO. Soy, and even corn is in a lot of processed food products in one form or another. Just check the labels. You may be shocked. And most states don't require labels to show that it is GMO.

Organic and GMO free, are more expensive, and harder to find. But I think it's worth it if you can afford it. You might find that you feel better, have more energy, and are healthier in general. Not sure what I'll do with my dog's food yet. I want to change that too. One step at a time! 

And one last note, I don't remember where I read it, but a farmer did some experimenting with GMO food, and non-GMO food with his dog and pigs.  He would place two food containers down. One GMO food, one Non-GMO. EVERY TIME, whether it was the pigs, or the dogs, they would choose the NON-GMO food. Think about that!


Don't forget to hug your dog!

 

Opening Day of Grouse Season - Montana 2012

Opening day today. We have had three cold wet springs in a row and the Grouse population is as low as I have ever seen. I have not shot a bird for two years and probably won't shoot any this season either. It's that bad.
 
We did go up Elk Creek this afternoon and found a bird in the road. Mickey had fun and enjoyed a bit of bird scent in the nostrils.

Surething Sweet Mickey on point

Grouse

 I ran Blackie  at the upper end of the canyon and he never even got birdie. Not even a hot spot. We had a grouse streak across the road in front of the van and put Mick out again to get a little experience. I ran her downhill from the spring area and she never found a thing.

We did see a flock of turkeys on the way home. The weather does not seem to effect the turkey hatch like it hurts the grouse. We often see hen turkeys with 3 different sized chicks. I'll get Sport out over on Fat Man Mountain tomorrow. He needs some work and I can always use the exercise.

Wild Turkeys we saw coming home.

                      Hope you all had a better day than us! DWT

R.I.P. NEM

R.I.P. NEMESIS......You will be Missed.

A Good Day! ..........Nem in South Dakota

Nem came from our kennel, Sure Thing Gordon Setters, in 2000. Tim Coleman chose her and fell in love with her. He gave her a wonderful life on a farm in Michigan and she hunted faithfully for him till the end. 

Tim & Nem in Montana - 2001

 

Tim, Gordon and Tad with their Gordon's - 2001

A Good Day in the Field!

From Tim: 

The Birds’ Nemesis GGGSS, started her spirit journey today, 3 days shy of her 12th birthday.  She showed me birds from Michigan, through the Great Plains, and on to the mountains of Montana and Idaho.  A great companion, she loved her family and our friends, and taught me to trust my bird dog, as she knew where the birds were, and held a tight point.  Words can’t describe the love she had for us, and us for her.  Find us some good hunting spots Nem, we will be along soon enough.  We love you Nem.  I know I will hear your beeper collar in the back field and the woods.  ROOSTER!!!!
 

Until We Meet Again.........Hunt on, my Friend. 

Clifford & Rocky River Seniors - A Perfect Match"Clifford"

If you haven't heard about "Clifford" and the Rocky River Senior Citizens, you're going to love this story!

"Clifford"

http://www.woio.com/story/16973751/rocky-river-senior-citizens-help-neglected-dumped-dog 

I'm proud to say that Sure Thing Gordon Setters Kennels, made a small donation to help Clifford. We received a thank you card and an invitation to his "Welcome Home" party. Unfortunately, it was in Ohio. But we're sure it was a great party! We love you Clifford! And we love the seniors at Rocky River Senior Home.

Clifford also has his own web page: Clifford's Adventures @ http://www.cliffordsharborcourtadventures.com/

 And a Twitter act: https://twitter.com/#!/cliffordhcourt

Originally posted at 19 Action News http://www.woio.com/

Panhandle Animal Shelter: A wonderful Experience - BY:DWT

 I spent the past two Fridays working at Panhandle Animal Shelter and want to  let all our readers know what a wonderful experience it was. The shelter is extremely clean and well organized. I met some great folks who are dedicated to dogs in need. Pat,  in the office, is a very friendly lady who loves dogs as much as I do. Brian Welch, the Kennel Technician, hunts grouse and ducks with his Pointing Lab. We obviously hit it off immediately.

Brian with "Ian"

"Ian" was found wandering the streets of Sandpoint, Idaho, and was never claimed. Brian said when they first got him in, he tried to bite him.

Brian had a little talk with Ian and they came to an understanding.

It's all about love.

 Not only did I meet some great people, I met some wonderful dogs. Tikka is a black lab who was left at the shelter because she chased deer. Lady chases cars and Robby is a pit bull who was used in the fighting ring. Robby's ears are shredded and someone surgically removed his lips so his opponent could not get a grip on him. It's very sad.

"Robby"

 Panhandle Animal Shelter, is a "No kill" shelter and has provided a home and care for Robby for the past seven years. Robby has won my heart and I never thought I would be sitting on the road during our walk, hugging a pit bull and letting him lick my face. Tucker is a yellow lab mix who was adopted by Panhandle from another shelter to prevent him from being euthanized. He is very friendly and has a tail that wags from the neck on down.
  

Many of the dogs at the shelter are there because of behavior problems that were caused by owners and can easily be corrected with proper training. Many others are at the shelter because of the current economy. Owners have lost jobs or homes and can no longer care for a dog, and the problem is escalating. Our canine friends need help as much as many people do.

Volunteers walking "Belinda" & "Boomer"

Panhandle has a sponsor program. If you can't adopt a dog, you can sponsor a kennel. I was surprised that it was only $150 per year. The donation is tax deductible and a plaque is placed on a kennel naming the donor. It was a no brainer for us. We sponsored a kennel and the plaque will read, "Sponsored by Surething Gordon Setters, Dan and Karen Thomason, in memory of Peat and Happy".  A good way to help if you don't have time to volunteer.

Each kennels displays information about the dog, along with their age, breed, and name

If you should choose to adopt a dog, there is a small fee which covers the costs of neutering and vaccinations. The cost is insignificant, compared to the love one receives in return from a rescued dog. If you can't adopt a dog you can always stop by your local shelter and take a dog for a walk. I walked four dogs each visit. The walks were a mile long, so I got in four miles myself which is good for my heart condition and high blood sugar, A  win win deal for both me and the dogs.
 
Stop by your local shelter and lend a hand. I mopped the floor and washed windows on my first visit. (Please do not tell Karen I am capable of such tasks. She might expect me to do this at home!) If you have skills as a carpenter or electrician make yourself available. Or just stop by to give a dog a walk or a hug. It will do you heart good in more ways than one.

To see their adoptable animals, (dogs & cats) Click Here : Panhandle Animal Shelter List

Attention: Calling All Dog Lovers

 If you're a dog lover, or especially a Gordon Setter lover, there is a way for you to volunteer to help with the Gordon Setter Rescue Program, with the Gordon Setter Club of America. The G.S. Rescue sets up adoptions all over the country. Sometimes a dog is matched with a person who is 2 or 3 or more, states away from the dog who needs to be rescued. Being responsible and caring, The GSCA doesn't like to ship or send a dog into a home that they have not had an opportunity to visit. 

The G.S. Rescue Program needs people to be available, for their area, to visit a possible Gordon Setter home. They would like to know that the person who wants to adopt, has the facilities needed for a Gordon Setter and that the person would give the Gordon a good, safe home, before shipping a dog so far. 

They are always looking for volunteers to assist with the home visits. 

If you would like to sign up to volunteer, help with adoption, or if you'd like to adopt one of these amazing dogs, please contact: 

Wendy Abelman at :gscarescue@hotmail.com

For more information:

You can also visit the Gordon Setter Club of America,  and  Gordon Setter Rescue Program

 Have a great day and don't forget to hug your dog!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy New Year Everyone!

Wishing you all the best in 2012 ~

  Happy New Year!

Gordon Setter Stud - Looking to Breed

Grimm Storli and his Gordon Setter, "Trouble"

I was recently contacted by Grimm Storli, from Kalispell, Montana. He and his family run the Blue And White Motel, there in Kalispell.

Grimm has a beautiful male Gordon Setter, named Trouble. He's very proud of Trouble and would like to breed him to a qualified female, possibly in exchange for a puppy.

This is what Grimm wrote:

I have a beautiful hunting Gordon Setter. He is 7 years old and has a wonderful personality.  I was hoping to breed him.  I am willing to work with you as far as fee's go.  If you need a new dose of genetics, or if you know of a Gordon that is looking to get bred, please keep me in mind.

My dog Trouble is a very good hunter.  He stays pretty close, maybe to close for field trialing, but perfect for a person who is not hunting on horseback.  I have been around Gordons my whole life and Trouble is one of the nicest "people dogs", I have ever seen. He is sure everyone loves him.

I have trained him, but since he loves hunting so much, and I thought I might be able to field trial him, I had a professional finish his training.  Penny Jo Wagner, out of Spokane, would be happy to comment on Trouble's abilities, and is also trying to find a breedable bitch for him. I would love to get another puppy for the breeding fee.

"Trouble" is AKC Registered.......

 "Trouble's" Petdigree.........

If you are interested in breeding your female Gordon Stetter with "Trouble", or would like to know more about "Trouble", please contact Grimm Storli at :

mailto:grimmstorli@yahoo.com

OR Call : 406-261-1394

When Life Throws You A Curve Ball......

Dear Friends, Family, Followers, Clients, and all the Wonderful People who visit my blog........

After 2 1/2 years, and nearly 500 hundred posts, it is getting more and more difficult to post something that is new or interesting or useful,  to you. I am not a Veterinarian, nor am I a scientist, or an animal behaviorist. (and I've never claimed to be) I am however, a dog lover, dog trainer, and bird dog breeder. My heart is devoted to the Gordon Setter, and will continue to be, always.

With hunting season being only 3 months of the year, and being so dismal the past two years, there are no hunting stories to share.  We only breed our Gordon's once a year, and will continue to do that, posting pics and stories about the puppies. As for the rest of the year,  I will try to post anything interesting, or helpful, or just entertaining, for anyone who still follows me. My blog will stay in tact for those who refer to the blog when they get their first Gordon, or for those who'd like to learn our training techniques, or opinions on bird dogs and puppies. I will also post information concerning breeding, with our Gordons, or other breeders, and adoption info, for anyone who'd like to post it.

But what I can't do, is continue to do 2 posts a week. I feel like my blog has somewhat, run it's course.

As you all know, sometimes life throws a curve ball,  when we least expect it. And when this happens, we must take a look at our life, and sometimes reorganize, shuffle around, and pay attention to new priorities. This is where I am today.  I need some time to deal with a situation that demands my full  attention, time, and total devotion. I have to step back for a while and take care of these priorities.

Those of you who have become my "blogging buddies", thank you for your friendship, devotion, time, and comments you leave to let me know you were here. You'll never know how much it has meant to me, and still does. Thank You All!

You may see me make an appearance on your blog, when I can find the time, because frankly, I miss your posts and pictures and stories that have entertained or enlightened my knowledge of so many subjects and places. Through you're posts, I have blog traveled to Ohio, Texas, The UK, Alaska, Canada, Colorado, Maryland, and many other interesting places, that I have never visited in person. I have connected with people in my own state of Montana, as well as made friends in my home state of Tennessee. I have even had the pleasure of meeting one of them, LEIGH, in person. You have all enriched my life in some way or another.

I Thank you for that, and I will be back.

I'm not saying good-bye. I can still be reached through my blog, by email, or by comment. If anyone needs us, we will reply.

Veterinary Orthopedic Surgeons Use Human Technique To Repair Canine CCL

Veterinary Orthopedic Surgeons have developed a procedure to repair the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) problems in dogs, that is used in humans. Adapted from human ankle surgeries, the surgeons clean up the joint tissue and meniscus of the knee, stabilizing the ligament. With a small incision, they insert a device into the leg that ultimately replaces the function of the ligament. The surgeon drills a hole through the bones to anchor it in place.

This is an X-ray of a CCL repair

Every year, about 1 million canines undergo surgery for torn ligaments in their knees. I suspect most of these are the working breeds and bird dog breeds.

This surgery is quicker and it's an easier way to ease their pain. The procedure has less potential for serious complications with a quicker recovery time than traditional surgery that actually involves cutting the dogs bone.

The surgery costs $2200.00 - 2400.00 and the dog is back on his feet in about 12 weeks with little sign of injury. The dog must be healthy and weigh more than 40 pounds, in order to have thick enough bones to endure the drilling for the connection.

IF you'd like to read more and see a little film clip explaining the surgery, please click here:

Science Da1ly Orthopedic Video

Leroy's Little Freak Accident

I'm sure you all remember Leroy Brown and that I had mentioned in another post that he had an accident which sent him to the Vet for 4 days.Well....Here's the story of Leroy's freak accident.

Dan and I let the puppies out of their kennel to take them to the back yard to play. This was when they were 9 weeks old and there were still 4 puppies here. Everything was going fine until they all decided to go back around the other side of the house. So of course we followed them. But, as you might guess, they made it all the way around the house before we could get to the back! Well, the next thing we know, Leroy and a sibling are standing on our 4 ft. high retaining wall. Dan and I start toward him to head him back, away from the edge....... and off the wall he goes! Our concern was the growth plates puppies have in their joints. He could have crippled himself for life. So, when he got up and took off running across the yard, it was a big relief.  He didn't yelp or cry, he didn't make a sound. All we heard was a thud, like the breath being forced out of him. He kept playing and was running around the yard having a great time with his siblings. When it was time to go back to their kennel, about 15 minutes later, we notice something protruding from under his tail. And he wasn't going poop. It looked like a small hemorrhoid and was about a quarter inch long, and smaller around than a cigarette. It was really scary. Dan called the Vet and he told us to bring him in right away. This is when we learned about the sugar and honey treatment for wounds. I did a post : Honey & Sugar Great For Your First Aid Kit. When Dan called our Vet, he was told to cover the exposed tissue or whatever it was, with sugar or honey. So we did.

Dan took Leroy in to the Vets and Dr. Moody examined him. He said this was a very rare occurrence and usually only happens if they get mashed, like being ran over by a car. Apparently Leroy had a really full stomach and when he jumped off, his legs gave out from under him and he landed on his belly. Hard enough to push out something that was suppose to be inside. I don't remember the scientific name, but it was part of the inside of his rectum. The Vet sedated him, put it back in place, put one little stitch in and kept him for 4 days. Food and water was limited, for obvious reasons. When he came home he had white rice and hamburger for a week. After a week, we took the stitch out and everything was fine. We kept Leroy a little longer because we wanted to make sure he was totally healed and healthy before he went to his new home. We took him back for a check up and Dr. Moody says he is "good as new"!

So, you can see why it was easy to spoil him while helping him to heal.  I felt responsible, even though I know it wasn't our fault. It's like with kids. You can watch them every minute for days and the second you turn your head, they get into trouble!

Last I heard from Kim,  Leroy was doing really good. He goes to work with her and lays by her all day. The patients love his company.  Good Dog Leroy, Good Dog!