A Dream and A Promise

 

rone was the first step to building a foundation of training and offspring for our business

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but little Rone puppies were never to be...

 

“Here’s the deal,” said the dad to the 12-year-old girl. 

 

"If you save half of the cost of the dog that you would like to purchase, I will match that amount.” 

 

That was absolutely already done in Megan’s mind. She was a 12-year-old girl who from the time she was 2 years old, had a room full of stuffed animals, generally smothered our non-compliant Shih Tzu (LOL!), for hours upon end hung out with our own family German shepherd, and persistently worked to get her hands on any form of dog possible. The research began, the Chick-fil-A job was obtained to save that money, and...

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the journey began

 

As a family, we began to explore what arenas might be available for opportunities for Megan to learn, train, and compete in some sort of sport work with her dog. After much research, conversation, and thought, we collectively decided that adding a specifically bred, working-line German shepherd to our family would be the right choice for us. 

 

Unknowingly, these events set the stage for our family to move down a path to becoming something we never imagined:  

A Family Business that would have the privilege of Producing and Training Our Very Own

Brave and Faithful K9s!

 

We were not totally unfamiliar with the amazing aspects of the breed since our family pets for the previous 20 years had always included these incredible canines. We had even chosen to allow one of our family German shepherds to have a one-time litter.  We loved this experience and spent much of our time with our little fur balls.  We had just never considered entering into the sport-work arena that is available or becoming professional breeders.

 

We finally found the puppy of all of our dreams...

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After close to two years of researching and searching, we found... Platon z Jirkova Dvora (Rone)-An amazing, attentive, interactive, little fluff ball German shepherd imported straight from the Czech Republic. 

 

Rone would become our joy and sadness all in one

 

The purchase of Rone came with our first introduction to the sport of IGP/Schutzhund (Obedience, Tracking & Protection work). In order to obtain breeding rights to Rone, the contractual requirement was put in place to obtain a BH an IGP1 (IPO1) title. We agreed to set the course for this goal as a family, and the adventure began. (AS A FUNNY SIDENOTE: So we thought, "Sure, NO Problem, we can all learn about the sport of IGP/Schutzhund; we are a dedicated people; Megan has a natural love for dogs...we aren't afraid of a "little IGP" work!"....LOLOLOLOL!  Those of you who have trained/competed in this sport understand the absolute hilarity of this thinking!) 

 

So, at the age of 14, Megan ordered her entire world around learning to take care of this new little puppy’s needs, train him in the basics of obedience, and relentlessly learn about the IGP/Schutzhund sport through reading, videos, blogs, websites, and private training; really, anything that she could get her hands on. And we, Greg and Janie Clouse, began our new life of "The Road Trip Dog Mobile Life"...LOL!

 

Our Heartbreak

 

The moment came for Rone to have (what we thought would be) a routine hips and elbows exam.  It was not routine at all.  Our conversation of future plans and hopes for Rone and all that we would do with him were quieted and crushed when the veterinarian stepped into our room to inform us that Rone would NOT pass his hip exam; his left hip was mildly dysplastic.  We were stunned.  Tears immediately began to run down Megan’s face along with sobs on our 2 hour ride home.  It was a devastating time for all of us.  The questions of what the longevity of Rone’s joint health and comfort would be ran through all of our minds.  The excruciating feeling of loss of the exciting dreams that had been in the process of developing for over 3 years, and the dedication to the hundreds and hundreds of hours of training that Megan had literally put her whole heart into-gone in a moment.

 

Learning to Persevere

 

Much was learned from this difficult time and healing has taken its place. We all refused to set aside our dreams despite some of the heartbreaks and adversities that have been experienced along this journey. It was still important for Megan to finish the goal that she originally committed to with Rone regardless of the fact that Rone would never get to be part of our breeding program. 

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they did it!!!

november 23, 2019

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Megan & rone IGP1 trial pictures

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