A Little About Us…
It all started with Cindy…
When I was 23, I learned of a 9-month-old Lhasa Apso that was severely abused. The parents got Benji for their 6-year-old son who loved him when he was a cute little puppy but soon grew tired of him. The dad hated the dog and began to beat him severely. When he was allowed inside, he was kept in a windowless, cold, unfinished room in the basement. Usually, however, he was kicked outside and had to fend for himself and it was an insane -40 degrees at that time! He was in pretty bad shape when I learned of him.
I was in the process of packing up all my belongings and leaving my home town in Idaho and moving to Utah within a month but before I could go, I made it my mission to somehow get this dog! I thought about just stealing him but felt too guilty doing that so I went to their home and lied and said I had heard through the grapevine he was for sale and offered to buy him. (Apparently stealing wasn’t ok but telling a big, fat lie was!) 🙂 They didn’t want him but didn’t want their little boy to “be sad” so they told me “No” several times and then one day he made one too many mistakes and I got the call.
I gave him a bath and wrapped him in a blanket and he loved being warm so that little black nose peeking out of the blanket was something I saw often. Thus began a love affair that lasted 13 incredible years.
I saw first hand a damaged little soul and made it my mission to help as many as I could. I took my first training academy in 1983 and have been doing it ever since.
I had a full-time career for the next 35 years and trained dogs on the side, but when the shift in training moved more and more towards eCollars, it upset me and so I quit and decided to do this full time. This has been the greatest ride of my life but now it’s time to retire for good.
Three years ago I talked Jessie, my niece and business partner, down from Idaho to come and learn it all and eventually take over the business.
I taught her everything I know, and coupled with everything she already knew, she is the perfect fit. You will love her!
About Jessie, our very own dog whisperer…
I grew up in a small town in Idaho. We always had dogs. LOTS of dogs. I just assumed every family had at least one. They were my best friends, but it wasn’t until I was 22 that I got my very own.
I had an opportunity to go to Skagway, AK and jumped at the chance. I hadn’t been there two weeks and was lying in bed one night and heard this hideous howling. Being new to the area I didn’t dare do a lot of investigating on my own. On the 3rd night of listening to those forlorn howls I decided to go track it down. It was late at night and I came upon him about three blocks away. I couldn’t see much but he appeared to be a Husky, but he was literally shoved into a crate several sizes too small! He had no shelter, food, or water. I made my mind up then and there that no matter what, he was coming home with me.
I knocked on the door and a woman answered. She was pregnant and said she had little kids and couldn’t deal with him so she just “put him in a crate”. I asked her if I could take him and she eagerly told me I could. When I opened the crate and he stepped out, he was gigantic! I’ve never seen a dog that big! He was a Husky Malamute with one blue and one brown eye and he was simply regal. I named him Mullet.
After the summer was over and I was going back home, I had one small paycheck, a 180 lb dog and a ticket for a 4-day ferry ride to Washington and then back to Idaho. Talk about a journey!
We did everything together. I knew I had a big love for dogs, but Mullet taught me what real love was. We had a son and a daughter during the years we had him. I often think he taught me how to be a parent because he taught me what unconditional love was. I had no idea what we were signing up for that late night in Alaska, but it was hands down the best decision I ever made. Our love story lasted 7 and a half years and losing him was one of my greatest losses. I knew from then on that I was at my best when I had a dog and I’ve had one ever since.
Many years later, in January of 2020, I lost my 11-year-old son, River, in a tragic accident on the playground. Again, my dogs have helped me begin the long healing process. I knew I wanted to have a career with dogs because of the joy and healing they have brought me and I wanted to help others but I didn’t know how to start.
Then in 2021, I got the call! My long, lost aunt who I lost contact with 20+ years ago called me out of the blue and offered to bring me into this business. What’s the saying? “Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life” – Confucius.
I’m a walking example!
Give Us a Howl
(801) 599-9146
