Things that My Best Friend Obedience has done

SEPULVEDA BASIN OFF-LEASH DOG PARK

10^TH ANNUAL DOG FAIRE and PET ADOPTION

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2007

9:00 AM until 4:00 PM

(SOUTHEAST CORNER OF WHITE OAK AVENUE AND VICTORY BOULEVARD IN ENCINO)

FREE ADMISSION FREE PARKING FREE ADMISSION FREE PARKING

ALL DOGS ENTERING THE PARK MUST BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED, CURRENT ON VACCINES, LICENSED AND MUST REMAIN ON-LEASH(NO LONGER THAN 6 FEET)DURING THIS SPECIAL EVENTNO AGGRESSIVE DOGS

OVERFLOW PARKING EAST OF DOG PARK LOT AT ONE GENERATION (FARMERS’ MARKET PARKING LOT)

DOG LICENSES:BRING PROOF OF RABIES VACCINE and SPAY/NEUTER CERTIFICATE IF APPLICABLE

PET ADOPTIONS SAVE A LIFE~ADOPT A PET! LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER VOUCHERS

AGILITY DEMOS (10:15 am, 11:15 am and 12:45 pm) COURTESY OF WEST VALLEY DOGSPORTS

DISC DOG DEMOS (at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm) COURTESY OF DISC DOGS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

LEARN WHILE YOU PLAY COURTESY OF J9’s K9s DOG TRAINING (THROUGHOUT THE DAY)

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN TESTING (10:00-3:00) COURTESY OF MY BEST FRIEND OBEDIENCE

VACCINES MICROCHIPS DOGGY CLOTHING PET BEDS PET PHOTOGRAPHERS

T-SHIRTS DOGGIE BANDANAS SAFETY FLASHERS FOOD SHAVED ICES BEVERAGES

JEWELRY FIRST AID KITS COLLARS LEASHES SEAT BELTS FOR YOUR PETS TOYS

ALL SECTIONS OF THE PARK WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12thNO OFF-LEASH ACTIVITY ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13th

ALL SECTIONS OF THE PARK WILL RE-OPEN TO OFF-LEASH ACTIVITY ON THE MORNING OF SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14th

ALL DONATIONS BENEFIT THE SEPULVEDA BASIN OFF-LEASH DOG PARK

For further information, please visit our website at:www.laparks.org. Click on Dog Parks

Scroll Down to Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park then Click on 10^thAnnual Dog Faire and Pet Adoption

For vendor information or to volunteer please e-mail: sboldp@lacity.org or call: (818) 421-3484

If you are interested in boarding with us and you are a former or current client, WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING BOARDERS, but we are having our open house on January 7^th from 1pm until 4pm. We will have refreshments. Friendly leashed dogs are welcome as long as they are in your control. There may be some opportunity for off leash play if all parties are willing. Please, if you bring your dog, bring a copy of his current vaccine record. If you think there is even a remote chance that your dog may be sick or have a skin issue or fleas or ticks, please do not bring them. Come into the side gate when you get here, call or email for directions, we will be in the back. The front gate just rolls open and closed… please remember to close! You don't need an opener. If you've been here before you know all that. Sorry it took so long to put this together but we had to recover from Chance's passing and we want to wait for a large dog gathering until our new pup is 6 months at least! Please do not show up unless you RSVP!

Private boarding again for our clients' quiet, dog and people/child friendly dogs, only. An evaluation will be required for each dog to test the dog's ability to be alone (and quiet) in a kennel, as well as their sociability, no jumpers please. Fees will start at $45 per night. There is an extra charge for special services such as medication and training. Please bring your dogs own food, toys and bedding for their comfort. The kennel area is air conditioned and heated and they will have loads of cage free play time. We only have space for a few dogs at a time and they will be hand picked by me to ensure a good time is had by all! Dogs that board here must come when they are called, not jump up, not bolt out the gate and sit for feeding. Consider this obedience training gratis (that means we will make sure they do these things for us)!

Remember if your dog is not a candidate for our boarding, there are many other wonderful places to choose from and it is no reflection on your pet… some dogs just don't do well in a crate and some don't play well with others! We hope your dog is one of the chosen few.

Our favorite Tarzana Grooming Shop, Waggin' Tails, on Ventura just east of Van Alden and Tampa, is hosting a pet portrait day! Hurry and sign up it is Wednesday, December 6^th and I have the 10:30 am time slot already! Don't forget they do Daycare and are serving as a pick up and drop off/grooming location for our Boarding facility, just in case you and I can't arrive at an appointment time for you and your pet! Crash just did daycare there on Friday and had a blast!

Here's our new puppy, CRASH, he has some big paw prints to fill so we hope he can step up to the leash! At 4 months he is a sharp rough collie pup from a rescue and has a non-stop personality.

If anyone wishes to send a donation in Chance's memory, please send to AKC Canine Health Foundation, P. O. Box 37941, Raleigh, NC 27627-7941

Ask them to send an acknowledgment of the donation to Karen Taylor, 18600 Ingomar Street, Reseda, CA 91335.

If you would rather send a donation to PET ORPHANS do so thru the justgive.org website

On this overcast Sunday Morning, I unexpectedly lost my very best friend. He always did what I asked no matter how ridiculous he felt it was. He helped me learn how to be a positive reinforcement dog trainer. When he was a pup he and his buddy Frodo were the only dogs at the John Rogerson instructor's Seminar in Irvine. Everyone else said they knew I was a glutton for punishment when I brought a puppy with a food aggression issue to a Rogerson seminar (really I did not want to pay for boarding)! Thanks for helping me solve the food aggression, John, I still use a modified version of that technique for my students today.

Chance got attacked by some older dogs at the dog park who just wanted to play, but that began a dog aggression issue that helped push me to learn the much needed skills to curb dog-dog aggression. I was able to cure chance to the point of being a pretty awesome example/test dog for my client's dogs with dog aggression issues. Chance's “dog aggressive” therapy dog skills helped many of your dogs learn to be more accepting of other canines. His tolerant personality was a key factor in the rehabilitation of aggressive dogs for My Best Friend Obedience. Even after he was attacked by a German Shepherd due to a horrible equipment failure, he returned to work with gusto; albeit with a little extra reserved attitude toward the pointed eared breeds of German descent.

Chance learned to swim in the ocean and got pummeled by a wave. Needless to say, he preferred lakes after that! So much so that when he was around water we could not get him out. Being a frustrated Gun Dog (this owner won't hunt) he learned to water herd ducks by swimming after them! Even a frigid lake in the mountains did not stop him! He never quite liked the swimming pool because it made him scared that he had to find steps to get out. So we taught him how to find the steps and enjoy games of ball fetch in the water as a reward. He became so good at finding pool steps in any pool, that I use those same swimming pool escape techniques to teach your dogs! After that he taught many of your dogs to enjoy ball fetch in the pool because his zest for it was so infectious!

Chance helped many of your dogs pass the Canine Good Citizen test by being a demo dog at CGC class, helping with the dog/owner greeting and being a dog in the crowd at testing. He helped me show many of you how things “should” look when you do obedience by being the best darn demo dog on the planet. He could do a two hour down-stay, heel off lead, drop on recall, fetch and carry anything, roll over, wave and speak! He could do agility and hike better than his mom. Even the compressed disk in his back did not stop him. None who knew him can forget his wooly coat of brown curls…. When shaved he was affectionately known a “Lamby”… thanks Millie.

This morning I woke to his prancing around the room at 2am. I said, “let yourself out, silly.” When I woke up at 6am to go to work he was not in the house. I searched everywhere and found him behind the pool ladder, in some shrubs up against the block wall. I rushed him to the vet, thank you Dr. Drummond for your help, and I was told he had abdominal bleeding. After x-rays and an exam the verdict was an aggressive form of abdominal cancer that often just becomes detectable when it is already too late. The blood in his abdomen was probably the bursting of the tumor. He had been to the vet a few weeks ago because he was acting sick and not eating and all they could find was a urinary tract infection, an enlarged liver, and a possible painful back from his compressed disk. After some homeopathy, vitamin c, and amoxyicillian, plus some methocarbamol for pain he seemed to improve. Things started going wrong again at our hike Friday, he had some pain upon exiting the car but he kept going due to his love of the hike and his friend Tweak, and Ellen's dogs Charlie, and Riley. Even in his death he will be helping the cause of American Water Spaniels since he is a part of an AKC sponsored Canine Health Study. Thanks again Chance!

Doug, Bryce, Tweak and I said our good by's at McClave veterinary hospital today, and let our best four footed friend go to become an ANGEL today (although to us he already was one). I am sure that he will visit us in our dreams, on our hikes and at the CGC tests! He is missed and I know he knows how much!

Love,
Your family, friends, My Best Friend Obedience, and most of all me
Karen Taylor, Owner of My Best Friend Obedience and Chance's pet!

ARE YOU AND YOUR DOG THE BEST DUO IN AMERICA? What makes you and your dog standout? Can your dog do tricks? Sit? Fetch? Catch a Frisbee? Play dress up?

Swim? Dive off a high-dive? Walk on two legs? Back Flip? Jump rope? Dance? Sing?

IF NOT, CAN HE/SHE LEARN? Looking for dogs that are obedient and listen off leash!

What makes you and your dog extraordinary? Are you and your dog twins? Opposites? Best Friends? Look-a-likes?

What's the dynamic between you two? Who wears the pants? Is your dog fluffy? Sleek? Punk? What about you? Designer dogs, purebreds, mutts … ALL DOGS WELCOME!

If you and your dog are in the SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA area, have unique, interesting and even over-the-top personalities and your dog exhibits talents or has the capacity to be GREAT … we want to meet you and your dog! We're looking for a colorful cast of dogs and the owner behind them for a reality television show.

All dogs must love other dogs; love people; and love children! Dogs must not require muzzle when around others. No dogs trained for fighting welcome. Dogs must be flea free and tick free and have all shots and vaccinations (proof will be required at casting audition). If your dog has what it takes to Be America's Top Dog please send a bio, photos of you and your dog to:

Although your submission creates no obligation on our part, all materials and information submitted by you become the property of Renegade83, are not confidential and may be used in accordance with our sole discretion.

This is just a note to remind you that upcoming spring class in Studio City starts on the 12^th of this month (this Sunday at 9:15 for beginning and 8 am for intermediate/canine good citizen. In April we will begin our Tarzana and West Van Nuys classes. The Wednesday night Tarzana Park class begins on April 5^th at 7:30pm for beginning and the Saturday morning Tarzana Park class begins at 9:40am for beginning and 8:30am for intermediate/Canine Good Citizen class. The West Van Nuys classes begin on April 6^th at 7:30 at Tams Pet Food. The balance of the WVN classes will be at my property in Reseda unless the outdoor lights at Tams have been repaired. As a reminder our classes are only 8 students and our graduation from intermediate level is an actual AKC sanctioned Canine Good Citizen test. This test can often help you maintain your homeowners or renters insurance if you own a breed on the “list.” This test is also a precursor for most therapy dog programs. Summer classes will begin in June and July!

If your dog can already pass the test criteria (go to www.mybestfriendobedience.com under the “what's new” section for details or www.akc.org/events/cgc) come to the public testing on April 1st from 10am to 3pm. We will sponsor our annual Canine Good Citizen testing at the Sepulveda basin off leash dog park fund raiser at White Oak and Van Owen in West Van Nuys. See the details at our website www.mybestfriendobedience.com at the “what's new” heading. Many of our graduates have gone on to become animal actors, therapy dogs, assistance/therapy dogs for the ill or incapacitated, Paws with a Cause dogs, Guide dogs for blind, and, last but not least, a Westminster winner!

I want to take this opportunity to thank a very important person with My Best Friend Obedience, Anne Craig. She has been a devoted CGC helper, Friend, Bookkeeper, Secretary, Kennel cleaner, Intern/Trainer liaison, Accountant liaison, Pet Sitter, Supply clerk, etc. Since 1996 she has been a crucial part of this organization and we could not do without her! We love you Annie!

Letter to My Pets:

When I say to move, it means to go someplace else, not to switch positions with each other so there are still two of you in my way.

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. All other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note that placing your paw print in the middle of MY plate and food does not stake a claim making it YOUR plate and food.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help in your quest to reach the bottom first, because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think that I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort.

Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to one another, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob, or get your paw under the edge of the door and try to pull it open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Honest.

Also, I have been using the bathroom by myself for quite some time -- canine or feline attendance is not mandatory.

I can't stress this one enough -- kiss me, THEN go smell the other dog's/cat's behind.

To pacify you, my dear companions, I have posted the following notice on our front door:

Rules for Non-Pet Owners Who Visit and then Complain About Our Pets:

1. The pets live here. You don't.

2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. *****I loved this one!!!*****
(That's why it's called "fur"niture.)

3. To you, our pets are just animals. To us, they are an adopted son/daughter who happens to be hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

4. Dogs and cats are better than kids because:
---- they don't ask for money all the time
---- they are easier to train
---- they usually come when called
---- they don't hang out with drug-using friends
---- they don't need a gazillion dollars for a college education, and
--- if they get pregnant, you can sell the children.

It has been a relatively quiet year at the Taylor house, in spite of the goings on in the world. Our hearts go out to all the Katrina victims, and others who have been similarly affected by natural (and not so natural) disasters. We send our prayers to all the helpless animals as well. And hope that they are at least warm and somewhat settled this Christmas season. I had a couple of very dear friends, Lynda and Tony, and Cheri and Erica, who were directly effected by these horrible hurricanes. I am glad you are safe! We are thrilled to see gas prices coming back to normal, now if the housing market follows suit maybe we can do a little property flipping again. That was a fun project a few years ago, and relatively profitable too. It's all good though, Doug managed to finish enclosing the porch before the prices of building materials sky rocketed. Just in time for Bryce's first birthday bash! It was a small affair pulled together with one day notice because we felt he really wouldn't appreciate it until he was 2 years. But Mom and Dad really needed to celebrate and buy presents. Bryce was recovering from a cold but held up like a trooper and humored us all!

I still feel the loss of my father constantly and am truly sorry for those of you who have also lost loved ones. I feel your pain. To that end, Doug's dad continues to decline. There is nothing we can do for him, Alzheimer's disease is so consuming and he is so young! He isn't even 70 yet and has been affected for over 7 years now. Thank you Lubie, for taking care of him, we know he's in good hands. If you, or a loved one, are somewhere out there in Iraq… Thank you for putting your life on the line for our (and their) country.

I am truly thankful for the friends that have stuck by me this year, through good and bad and thick and thin (literally). It is not easy to be friends with a couple who has a baby. Everything is different! We have people over when ever possible, it is easier than going out. Often we have to cut things short and/or impose on friends and family to baby sit. Bryce is growing so fast, a photo of him with Tweak our pug is attached. He is walking (running) and talking now, for those who haven't seen him lately. Thanks to mom Zee who watched Bryce so we could do our first overnight to Inn on the Beach in Ventura without the baby! And of course thanks to countless others who we imposed on to baby sit so we could get away for dinner, Sharon, Aunt Lulu, Auntie Allie, Savannah, Casey, to name a few. We have found a wonderful daycare right around the corner and that is very reasonable. Thank you for all your help Miri and Alma!

Speaking of friends, I have had the pleasure this year of reconnecting with some friends that meant a lot to me and were huge parts of my life in the past. Thank you Mike Castle, a former Harley buddy who is now in North Dakota, and Mike Reidy from Maryland, where I grew up, who formerly played in a band called Hyway with Geoff, an ex boyfriend of mine, for getting in touch! I was in touch with Geoff and Mike Milstead, through a friend Bobby T. (now Jorma), who were also in the Band Hyway. I connected with Ben Ball, a friend who worked at a radio station in Raleigh, North Carolina. My friend, Christy (formerly Buscher), in Ohio, who lived behind me all through elementary school it was great “catching up”. I finally found Madeline in Rochester just in time to see her beautiful wedding photos (see Madeline's ex is the reason I got into Harleys in the first place). I seem to have lost touch with a few dear friends also, Heather, Gina, Lori and my ex husband's family. I have been trying to connect with my ex-husband, so I can reconnect with his family, whom I miss very much, especially Sarah who should be 18 now and used to call me Daddy-Auntie Karen (I was Colleen's Lamaze coach and held her first). I haven't seen her since she was four. Thank you to all of you who never lost touch with me. I appreciate your diligence and value every correspondence we have. It is so important stay connected and remember why you became friends in the first place. Don't be afraid to try to connect, what is the worst that could happen? They may not want to? Oh well, can't blame a person for trying! There are reasons why we stay in touch or lose touch. I have fond remembrances of all our good times together and want to keep you in my life. Thanks!

Last year we went to Maryland for Christmas and Utah for Thanksgiving. We enjoyed showing off Bryce and have great pictures of Bryce with his cousins Madison, Hannah and Maia. We looked at property in both places and would love to have a paid in full house and be closer to our families in either place (which would be possible if we get out of LA). But we have it good here and are staying put for now. The grass always looks greener… as they say, we found out it is plenty green right where we are.

We really enjoyed the wine festival at Lake Casitas (thank goodness zee came out the motor home to baby sit for awhile) with Danae, Casey and Jim. My mom visited for my birthday and we all went to Ojai, Zee included. Zee's friend, Marti, met us up there and we had a ball at the Hummingbird Inn. Back then Bryce was a bit much for my mom who could not pick him up too well with her bad knees and hips, but he wasn't totally mobile then either. She had a much easier time when she came out at Thanksgiving, no lifting from floor level now, but he kept her running, she had lost weight when she returned home!

We also had a great time in the desert on the dirt toys and Doug had a great time with his friends at the poker run in California City, he expected it to be a few people, not a few thousand, I am sorry I missed it. We also enjoyed most of our three day trip up the coast to Carmel, even though we were a little under the weather, thank you Suzanne and Jill (Danae's Mom & Gran) for your hospitality and for mailing Bryce's coat back. We enjoyed the Hearst Castle and the coast line of Big Sur, as well as a stop over at Morro Bay and the Monterey bay aquarium. Of course no trip up the coast is complete with out stopping at off track betting at Ventura. We also I attended the Ventura county fair on that trip and enjoyed the all girl cattle roping teams! Doug got food poisoning, and Bryce threw a ball and won a fish (with a little help from mom), of course it was two for one! So the fish got an unexpected trip up the coast to Monterey and Carmel! We are happy to say that Flippy is still with us, and has new buddy Floppy II who we saved from the jaws of death as a feeder fish.

Thank you Bodi for getting Doug back into “jamming,” he really missed singing and playing instruments. It has been an emotional release for him that he really needed.

Having a baby means needing to get back in shape and I have been attempting to do that these last 15 months. I have lost a total of 35 pounds, only 35 pounds to go. Thank goodness for the wonderful people who helped. My personal trainer Ann, Curves, Weight Watchers, and the “Y” for water aerobics, yoga and strength training, get the credit for getting and keeping me on the right track. Sandra thanks for the massages and introducing me to Dr. Curcuruto(sp). Dr. Kim the Acupuncturist rocks! My mom has not been able to find an acupuncturist even close in Md., so every time she comes for a visit she visits him too.

Business has been slowing down, which I appreciate because it gives me more time with Bryce. Lately all of our classes are full in advance. I appreciate it when I don't work everyday, even though I usually do. Barbara Schwerdt always has my back in spite of her busy schedule and we have done lots of Canine Good Citizen testing this year. Thanks to Barbara's continued dedication, My Best Friend can still offer Sunday Studio City classes and Wednesday night Tarzana classes. I hope our newest trainer, Shelly, decides to stay on and pick up the Tarzana classes on Saturday and Wednesday and some private basic obedience stuff. Shelly has some pretty cool organizational materials we are hoping to incorporate also this year. We are now offering Canine Good Citizen classes as graduation for Intermediate group class. We really miss our former interns who left the area Jeanine, Lori and Rebel. Thanks to Tiina, Cate and Jillian, our long time valedictorian training clients, turned assistants who have helped us in a pinch when we had huge groups!

Thank you all for a wonderful year(s) and we love you very much. As always, obediently yours,

Thank you all so much for being patient the last few months while I have been out having Bryce. He was born on June 18, 2004 weighing in at 8lbs and 6oz. Unfortunately he ingested meconium in the womb (that is baby's first poop). They usually don't have their first feces until they come into the world, but my boy wasn't about to wait. It is dangerous when that particulate stuff got deep into his lungs, he had pneumonia and his body is still trying to reabsorb whatever could not be removed at birth. He also had the cord around his neck and it was knotted but the knot had not pulled tight so he was able to still get air and nutrients in the womb in spite of it. After 6 days in neonatal intensive care he was able to come home to us! His 3 week picture is below:

We have all kinds of space in all levels of obedience class for Saturday (7/24) and Tuesday (7/27) night so if you are debating joining us…don't! Come on over we will be happy to have you! All the class locations and times can be found on the When n' Where page.

Our AKC Canine Good Citizen testing went well at the Hang Paws fund raising event for Pet Orphans Fund in Malibu on Saturday, July 11, 2004. We did not raise a ton of money but every little bit helps the cause. Barbara has been completely holding down the fort while I was gone, with some help from Lorie and Rebel, and, frankly, I don't know what I would have done without their expertise! Barbara also did most of the CGC testing on the 11^th. We also had some help from Jill Kessler, host of “the Dog Dish” on 590 am radio KTIE News Talk. She was fun person to test with. We enjoyed her company and truly appreciate her help! We are truly sorry to be losing the assisting expertise of Rebel and Lorie in September. They are both off to greener pastures…Lorie is heading to Texas to be with her dad and Rebel is moving to Arizona and the wide open spaces! We wish them both luck! I am back at work but our hours are limited to after 4pm on weekdays Monday through Thursday, or Saturdays. Barbara will still be available some Sunday afternoons after class. If I have some notice I can occasionally do daytime during the week appointments when my sister-in-law or mother-in-law is available to come over and sit with Bryce. I cant wait to see you all again, but I don't mind telling you it will be hard to leave my baby! Hey, but you and your dog are worth it!

I think I speak for all of us at MY BEST FRIEND, when I say that we are all looking forward to what the New Year will bring! This past quarter of 2003 was extremely trying for all of us.

Rebel's Mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor and she and her mom could use all the prayers we can offer. Rebel's horse may have a brain tumor too, but the MRI is too costly and the horse is aging so nature will just
have to take its course. She lost her 6 year old Doberman to "Wobbler's" disease, a neurological disorder earlier in the year. Then she had to dash off to Sedona over the holidays because her pipes froze in her condo
there! She told me she's just happy that her maniac Maggie dog has made a 180 degree turn around from last year behavior wise. Even though she did not pass the CGC test in October (there's always May)!

Barbara has had her share too! First her cat, Dean, dying suddenly, and then her dog, Jeremy, being diagnosed with a rare prostate cancer and given a virtual death sentence by the doctors. Luckily the dog is improving with the prayers and help of all who cared about and sent their love to Jeremy. Even the doctors are amazed, so keep those prayers coming!

Doug and I were blessed with a new dog in July. She's a biter, especially with children, but I'm a dog behaviorist with no kids; what better home for her? Then in August Karen's family came out for her sister Allie's wedding at King's Canyon in the Sequoia National Forest. Then Doug and I bought a used motor home and some used Quad's to ride (real cheap too) and thought we'd enjoy in some recreating. I guess we enjoyed some procreating too, because in October Karen found out she was pregnant and due in June. Oh well, we'll see what's up with the dog when the baby comes. I guess the ATV's will be retired temporarily, at least for Karen! Then I was sick (not to mention pregnant) over thanksgiving, so Doug went to the desert to ride. I was in no mood to cook a turkey anyway! I thought this was the worst of it. So it was off to Maryland for Christmas vacation and on 12/28 my father died unexpectedly of kidney failure, one of many complications of Diabetes. I, and my family, was devastated! On 12/19 Doug and I were at a restaurant having early dinner with my parents! Things change so fast! My mom's dog, formerly one of mine, started having seizures at 6.5 years old, the day after my dad passed, but at least the MRI showed no brain tumor. Luckily the same day as my dad's funeral my sister, Tracy, found out her in vitro fertilization took and she is pregnant too! We were all thinking "sticky" when we were visiting! Unfortunately Doug's step dad was diagnosed with some small brain tumors too, we just found out on 1/1. He has lung cancer but is in remission, so we are praying for him too! We also found out via a preliminary test there is a stronger chance than usual that my baby may have Downs (sp) syndrome. I hope the preliminary tests are wrong. I could sure use some prayers for my baby this Friday when I have my amnio!

Anyway, far as I can tell the New Year will be awesome, it has to be! I will have a baby mid June and the baby will be fine. Doug's step dad will recover and respond to treatment. Tweak will be fine with the baby. Radar will respond to the phenol barbitol and the potassium bromide. Jeremy will get another year or better, and so will Rebel's mom, and maybe even her horse. Insurance will cover Rebel's condo, Maggie will pass the CGC, and maybe Rebel will even get a new dobie!?

Accentuate the positive this year!

Thank you so very much for letting us serve your dog training needs, in
the past, now and for the future!

Happy New Year
Karen Taylor
My Best Friend Obedience

We are pleased to report that Karen and Doug's baby will be fine, is a boy, and is due June 17th. Karen's mom (and her dog) is moving in with them toward the end of this year. This will not only help with the new baby, but it will be less lonely for mom!

Rebel's mother passed unfortunately in March and Jeremy, Barbara's dog, passed at the end of January. We are truly sorry for their loss.

What an amazing year! There are so many new things going, and thanks to give for a wonderful year, that I don't know where to start.

It means everything to us that you have chosen us for your dog training needs, but this is a personal "thank you" to your DOG(S)! Our goal is to help you teach your dog "human." But for all my education and experience in dog training and behavior, my most valuable lessons are from the animals.

I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to learn from such amazing creatures. I have never regretted one day since I chose to do this as my life's work!

Every day that I stress, worry, fret and wonder about being broke, stuck in traffic, my health, my family or the troubled world in which we live, I ponder: how would my dog handle it?

I know my dog is always faithfully waiting for me to come home, patiently waiting for me to walk with him. He love me even on the days that I only have a half hour to spend, listens to all I have to say even though it makes no sense to him, and trusts that I will provide with he needs to live each day. Plus, he is always happy, does something silly everyday, and believes that he can do anything!

My conclusion? I have decided that god must have given dogs the answer to the meaning of life so that only those who take the time to know, love and understand them may share in their secret wisdom. But only very special humans learn to "live" by the teachings of "dog," and that is what I aspire to. So the next time you are with a dog you love, be very still, watch and listen very carefully, and you too may be enlightened!

Starting in 2003 (is it really 2003?) we will have a few new class locations, start dates and times for you. We will have a Tarzana class (see details below) and have some daytime classes at the My Best Friend facility. We will also have some during the day, during the week, price breaks for you so stay tuned. Better yet, join the e-mail list! Make sure to check the "when and where section on the website at http://www.mysbestfriendobedience.com/ for updates and changes. If you are planning to graduate with the 6:30pm Thursday group on January 2nd, call to see if it has been pushed back to the following week , January 9th, due to rain! If you are planning to join into one of the January classes make sure you go to the website, print out the pre-registration form and mail it in with a check for at least half the class fee. If you want to repeat a class then indicate that on the form and mail it in. Although we do want you to call at (818) 996-3647 and let us know if you are planning to attend class in January, just calling does not guarantee that there will be a space for you. Pre-registration also puts you on the e-mailing list for your desired class so that you will be notified of any changes of date, time or location.

The first one is in Tarzana at Tarzana Park just east of Tampa on Hatteras. We will probably be holding at least one of the evening classes, now taking place at TAMS pet food & supply, at the new location. Since it is a public park we will have to pay a small fortune for permits, but you and your dog's comfort are worth it! Worse case scenario we may have to charge $5 more of classes at that location. But it is a small price to pay for grass and shade trees in the summer and good lighting at night. The only negative is the cost and the curfew. We must be done by 8:30pm and can't start until 8:30am. We are working out all the details and hope to have schedule updates for you in January.

The second is an "old" location with a new name. Zip A Dee Doo dog, website address http://www.petguardian.net/, is now know as Paw Play. It is located in Toluca Lake on Camarillo where Camarillo, Riverside, and Tujunga intersect. Although everyone loves the location at the North Hollywood Medical Arts Building on Vineland in North Hollywood because it is clean and fenced, they do not have outside lighting and use the parking lot six days a week, sometimes into the evening, this makes evening classes difficult at that location. Ann Lieber at Paw Play has graciously invited us to have class there in the evenings but we need to figure out the lighting in the parking lot (the indoor area is rather small for a full obedience class). Thanks Ann! We will keep you posted on class start days and dates.

We keep working on getting a Malibu location up and running. Our friends Jenny and Leslie at Canine Connection are anxiously awaiting our arrival. Thanks Jenny and Leslie! We just don't have enough dog trainer bodies to fill the bill! We are working on it though and hope to be bringing you a Malibu class just in time for summer! Look out Jeanie, here's your chance to instruct! Check ou their website at http://www.canineconnection.org/.

We would like to personally invite you to visit the CITY DOG Web site at http://www.citydog.net/home2.php and check out what Fox 11 News calls "a Zagat for pups." This dog-centric, Los Angeles-specific guidebook is packed with 165 pages of listings, reviews and helpful dog-parenting information. And CITY DOG is perfectly sized to fit in your pocket or pocketbook so that wherever you decide to go you can take it with you. To place your order, visit the CITY DOG web site.

Order by 12 noon, December 19th for free wrapping, shipping and Christmas delivery. Their store is just a click away, and we promise you won't have to fight the crowds or wait in line. Of course we are listed! Thanks for the great review, Cricky! You can also find details on Paw Play, Tams pet food, also. An oversight caused the omission of Barbara (and Gerry) Schwerdt's Pet Sitting Company, Safe at Home Pet Care, but we are certain you will find details on her company on their website listed above! For those of you who haven't bet her, Barbara is one of our instructors! Check her out on our website or at http://www.safeathomepetcare.com/

This is the time of year to reflect and give thanks! Boy o'boy do I have a lot of that still to do! Thank you all again for trusting Barbara and I with your dog training and behavior modification needs; and for telling your friends about us!

I owe tremendous thanks to Barbara Schwerdt, who has officially topped my list of people who have the ability to successfully accomplish the most stuff simultaneously! Without her help, support, and generous giving of her time, as a trainer as well as administratively, we would not have been able to serve so many happy customers, especially in the east side of the valley!

OBEDIENTLY YOURS,
Karen Taylor, owner of My Best Friend Obedience
(818) 996-3647

My thoughts and sympathies go out to all those who suffered, and continue to suffer from the acts of terrorism on September 11th. Each of us has the power to change the world. It starts with the man in the mirror! Be one with the earth and it's creatures, treat them well. Spread the word.....Give your love to all creatures great and small now, while there is still a world to change!

December 2001
It's good to be back from traveling! If you have been waiting for me to return to set up an appointment, Thank You! Please call me at (818) 996-3647 and we can get something scheduled. If you have not yet signed up for classes you may do so now by filling out the pre-registration form and mail it back to me with a deposit check for class. This is how space in class is reserved, and it is limited, so mail your deposit check in as soon as you know you want a particular class to insure you get into the class you desire.

Tams Pet Food and Supplies
I am so glad to see a pet store open in the neighborhood again. Tams, is connected with the former Discount Pet Food, is carrying on in their honor (they closed at the end of 2000 after a rough year! If you have not yet visited Tams Pet Food (just opened Labor Day Weekend) it is located at 17635 Vanowen St. in Van Nuys..at White Oak and Vanowen! This is where old store was for years. You'll see a lot of familiar faces and of course you'll see MY BEST FRIEND in the parking lot teaching class again. We are planning for Saturday and Thursdays again in January 2002 (see the updated schedule on the Where and When Page.

Canine Connection Doggie Daycare
Will be going through some changes and will be stopping their daycare services in the near future. They just did not get enough regular business to pay the rent! We will be sad to see this service lapse, as there is no other reliable dog daycare in the west end of the valley that we have heard of! Of course they still have their Malibu location. We will be finishing our classes at this location by the end of December 2001. Due to this closure our indoor classes in the west valley will not be available until I can come up with another location.

Puppy Class
We will be having puppy class at the My Best Friend Obedience Location starting in January 2002. The actual start date has not been decided. Most people use this class to simply socialize their young puppies with other puppies, dogs and people, and discuss puppy issues that have to do with grooming, housebreaking, mouthing, and teething. We are also adding an indoor puppy class to our Zip A Dee Doo Dog location in January that starts on Tuesday evening January 8th.

The Trip(s) and Boarding
Due to the tragedy that occurred in New York, Barbara cancelled her trip to the annual APDT Dog Training conference in September. Doug and I took a driving trip across country, to take in the scenery plus deliver a few dogs to my family on the East coast (I just hate to put dogs on planes). One week before we planned to leave my father, who was here visiting, had a heart attack. He was hospitalized here, had some surgery and they said he could not drive his own car back to Maryland. So we were elected to drive the van back instead and departed on September 8th. Dad was scheduled to fly back on September 11th at 7am, obviously he did not get on the plane, the terrorist attack occurred at 6am our time. Doug and I, however, were already on the road in my father's van, and on our way to Yellow Stone National Park that fateful day, with two dogs and a van full of luggage. We just figured we'd make our return air arrangements from the road, who knew! And I would certainly have packed lighter if I had known about the security nightmare we were to encounter trying to fly back by way of New Orleans/Pensacola. We only changed a small part of our trip, and we get to stop to visit Jeff Campbell, former dog trainer to the stars with My Best Friend, now transplanted North "Carolinian". He is well, and happy! Knuckles and Radar now live in Maryland and they are happy too! Doug and I are rested and we are back to the daily grind. Andrea has a new job now, and I am on my own in the office. Barbara is handling her own classes and clients now, in addition to running a pet sitting business with her husband, and working a full time job as a hospital administrator, whew! Once a week Ann still helps me with the bookkeeping and other office stuff. Thank goodness.... cause it gets lonely around here. Since I am not boarding dogs now, I am able to spend more time with my family (four and two footed), and that makes me a happier, and I hope better, dog trainer! I am still doing boarding with training for those of you who need it. We will let you know if we decided to offer boarding and day care again in the