"Death Wobble"

So apparently my Jeep has the "Death Wobble".  Who knew?!  I'm driving down the road at 90km/hr and all of a sudden the steering wheel is vibrating so badly I thought I'd lost a wheel!  Scared my half to death!  I pulled over and no, all the tires and wheels are still there.  I tried to shake each tire but they seemed to be on tight.  I was in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception so I got back in and very slowly proceeded down the road.  Everything seemed fine.  A little faster... a little faster... and nothing happened.  I attributed it to some holes in the road that sent me bouncing around.  A few days later, BAM, it did it again.  This time I took it right to the dealer.  I have the "Death Wobble".  Check it out on You Tube if you don't know what it is.  The unfortunate part is nobody knows what causes it.  Sometimes its the track bar, sometimes it's the shocks, sometimes its the tires.  The bad news is, any Jeep can get it and any Dodge truck.  So BEWARE owners of Jeeps and Dodges!  In my case, it is caused by the tires. But that was found out after they changed the shock on the steering column, put new shocks on the front end and a wheel alignment!  $$$$!

After 5 days in the shop, they finally got me a loaner car but not before I had to cancel all my dog related activities.  They don't like dog hair in the loaner!  No dogs to classes, no tracking, no swimming at the river!  I didn't realize how convenient my Jeep was.  Alas, it won't be back to normal until I can get new tires put on it.  More $$$!  This is getting very expensive!

On another note, my Puppy Kindergarten course is now over and I have 2 weeks left of my Beginners course.  Almost all the puppies signed up for the next Beginners which starts November 1st.  How time flies!  Seems like I just started those courses 2 weeks ago!  I'm still looking for a suitable indoor area to hold my classes in.  If anybody know of one in the Bowden, Sundre, Olds area please let me know.

Tata for now!   

The Next Litter

Since Isis has fooled us and she will not be having any puppies this year, the next litter will come from Indy.  Indy is our Alpha female here at Guardian Angel Shepherds.  She is one of the sweetest dogs I've ever owned.  Although she's Alpha female, she rules with patience.  I've seen time after time, any of the dogs steal her toy, her bed, and she allows it.  Only when there is something of extremely high value (like a raw bone) will she growl or threaten with a snarl.  And once that happens, everyone just backs away.  I truly cannot remember a time when she actually went after anybody.  For some reason, once she's displayed her intent, nobody challenges her.  Even the boys who outweigh her by 30+ pounds won't try and take that bone.  She is a perfect Alpha.

I've taken Indy to live with a male she does not know for a little while.  I'm hoping this will entice her to come into heat soon.  I have no way of knowing exactly when she will come in.  Dogs only come into heat once every six months.  And just like people, there is some fluctuation.  She was in heat last October, so theoretically she should be coming into heat again this month.  If everything goes according to plan.  Believe me, you'll be the first to know when it happens!

I'd like to thank the upcoming puppy owners for rolling over their deposits to the next litter.  That means a lot to me that you put that much trust in myself and my dogs.  I am honoured. 

Mary Ann

Indy

Merlin  (Indy's husband to be)

Problems with telephone messages

I apologize to anyone who has left a telephone message in the past week.  Telus is having problems with their answering software.  If you have left a message that I haven't returned, please try my email address instead.  k9trainer@dogwhisperer.ca

Sorry for the inconvenience.