Visiting the kennel

Dieter at 8 weeks old

My cousin Jan has had 3 GSDs, and since her current dog is in failing health, she's been checking out several kennels. She knew I preferred sable GSDs, and after visiting Trinity Ranch Kennels in Long Point, IL, she sent me some pictures of a fantastic male puppy she'd seen there. She had gone to check out a certain female puppy (picture below right), but was also  taken with the male puppy's calm termperament (and amazed at his enormous paws).

Dieter (l) and a female pup, 3 months old

Trinity Ranch Kennels' breeding lines were developed to produce strong working shepherds with great bone and conformation, superior intelligence, and beautiful temperaments. Many of their dogs are in police, fire, military K9 units (drug/bomb/gun/body/live find), search and rescue, disabled assistance, epileptic seizure alert, pet therapy, pet rehab, as well as in competition and show. 

Lloyd and I were enamored with the pictures of the little puppy, so one breezy, but mild, January day we drove down to Trinity Ranch Kennels. There, four bouncy little puppies each tried to vie for our attention, but the little sable male was really the only one we were interested in. We also met his mother (Anya) and father (Hunter) and got to see their calm and friendly temperament. It didn't take long: we were sold and so was the puppy...to us. We didn't take him home with us that night as we hadn't puppy proofed the house or laid in essential puppy suplies: we didn't think we'd be as smitten as we were. We bid Puppy Boy (who would eventually be named Dieter) a fond adieu and headed home to prepare for our doggie destiny.