November 5, 2001 – This week's DaDane is a head study. I met this lovely 10-month-old black boy at the 2001 GDCA National in October. Ashes (Believer's Me N My Shadow V. Ebon) took second place in The Futurity's 9-12 Month Puppy Dog class. He went on to win first place in the Open Class, 9-12 Month Black Puppy Dogs – and then he made the cut in Winners. (I'd say this young fella has a bright future in the show circuit!) Ashes lives in Lockport, New York, with proud owners Kathy and Sarah Blakeslee. He was bred by Julie Ford and Janet Whitmore.

Other News
I am happy to report that everything here is running smoothly. My husband is making a speedy recovery from last weekend's spinal fracture. He came home from the hospital on Tuesday. Since then he is much improved. His back pain is minimal and he's now able to get around the house easily without using the walker. Hopefully he'll be completely back to normal in another week or so – provided the dogs don't knock him down.

Jabber is about the same. I am still trying to decide whether or not to take him to University of Georgia's School of Veterinary Medicine for a complete neurological work-up. He seems pretty happy without medical intervention – he hasn't been to the vet clinic in over a month – but he isn't getting any better. Too bad we can't teach him to use that walker!