SmartyPants Jeepers... My Main Man, from Ripley's first litter out of Melissa Kidd's Little Spot of Red Man. Born on New Year's Day, 2004!
I wasn't planning to keep a pup. I was in love with them all, but I already had 4 dogs, and I was busy enough with them. But Jeepers... he tugged my heartstrings from the day he was born. He's a natural bobtail, which is why his tail is about 2/3 length (natural bobs can be anything from no tail to almost full tail). My mother-in-law, who was staying with us, was captivated by the pup that she called "Nokta", Turkish for "Dot" and referring to the black spot above his left eyebrow (which has since merged with the calico markings). He was the one who was most excited to greet anyone who came by the whelping box, as soon as his eyes opened. After all the other happy pups were placed and somehow, little Jeepers was still there, I was soooo distressed (NOT!). OK, I admit it... I was holding him back. I CONFESS! And now he's my rising agility star, best pal, and bed buddy.
What a sense of humor this boy has!
I was more interested in an agility career for Jeepers, and his bite is less than perfect, so he is neutered. Sorry, ladies!
Date(s): December 30, 2006. Album by Sue Kocher. Photos by (c)Sue Kocher and (c) Diane Lewis. 1 - 17 of 17 Total. 4481 Visits.
1 Jeepers embodies the word "ENTHUSIASM"! Here he is leaping 3 feet in the air to clear a small ditch with his toy. Just for fun. Diane Lewis was there to capture the fun.
2 Here's Ripley with her first litter... and there's Jeepers, little "Nokta" (dot) grabbing the best siphon at the milk bar.
3 Look... here's why he was originally "Little Dot".
4 "No thank you, posing for photos is a DRAG. I'm only 6 weeks old, for heaven's sake!" Is that not the cutest little flag of a natural bobtail you've ever seen?
5 Jeepers at one of our socialization parties... Kristen and her mother own two other SmartyPants pups, Trapper and Skylar, and are competing in Junior Handling, Conformation and Agility.
6 My niece Lauren, a beautiful girl with my beautiful pup. She and her mother own two SmartyPants pups, Mackey and Milo.
7 Whutt a butt!
8 Jeepers makes a public debut at 6 months, with his mama Ripley in the background, at an SPCA Dog Walk to raise money for our local shelter. Photo by Diane Lewis.
9 Trip to the Appalachian mountains with Jeepers and Chahla, one of our Kangal puppies.
10 At a weekend seminar with the great Susanne Clothier, I vowed to teach Jeepers a special trick overnight. Here he is, swearing for Susanne on "the bible"--her wonderful book, "Bones Would Rain from the Sky."
11 Jeepers gave our Kangal girl Lule no end of grief, and it was adorable to watch. He'd grab her scruff and she'd let him "throw" her to the ground, then they'd chase each other at warp speed around the yard.
12 The tire is tricky with a small dog. It's tempting for them to run under the tire, or in the gap between the tire and the bracket. Jeepers learned to jump the tire completely hands-off, no luring, with a clicker. It took all of 3 clicks and he GOT it.
13 Here's Jeep at his very first agility trial. He earned his UKC Novice title in one weekend. No sweat. Er, no panting. Photo by Diane Lewis.
14 Jeepers is like a marble sculpture...
15 Jeepers is a poser... he is totally into self-discipline and, frankly, comfort. He is easily motivated, and just as easily calmed. A lively tug game and a warm soft lap are both tops on his list of Favorite Things.
16 Michelangelo would have sculpted Jeepers if he was into dawgs.
17 Jeepers at his 2nd AKC agility trial.1st place double Qs both days, and he won his Novice Agility title. He's always had great style, but you can see he's a bit more efficient than he was at his first *UKC* trial (above).
