"What beautiful litters Rosie and Belle have been having. It almost makes me sort of wistful that maybe two (ISDs) just isn't enough!!!! (just kidding) I wanted to share with you a few pictures of Mischa and Avari since they are one year old tomorrow. They are such incredible dogs and bring our entire family so much joy every day. Their personalities are so different. Mischa is consistently very spunky and very active. She would have been a great herder, however we do have to work on her listening skills since she likes to make her own decisions a lot of the time. Often we work her out separately from Avari since she is so high energy. She loves to be the center of attention and is very loveable. Avari is a real sweet lovey-dovey. He loves to cuddle and get individual attention. He is very content and loves to play with Mischa but often just lets her have her way because it's easier. Avari really suprises us at times because he is a very fast runner and can often out run Mischa if he has the desire to do that. He loves the one kitten that came to us in October. We are so happy that we have them together since Mischa really motivates Avari and he teaches her to settle down. What a pair!"
"I wanted to let you know that Vinna earned a HUGE HURRAY yesterday. We had already let the sheep back on pasture so I was dreading trying to get them all back in the barn again (for the shearer) and wasn't sure we would be able to even do it! So, I took Vinna with me but kept her on the leash. At first the sheep just stood and looked at us like, "yea, right, I'm gonna leave this pasture when I just got here an hour ago" Then I started running towards them with Vinna and she immediately went into action, barking and running at them. They scooted out of there SO fast I couldn't keep up with them!!! We ran them all the way into the barn and that was all she wrote. Vinna got LOTS of lovin' and praise which she loved but wanted to do some more "because it was so much fun." We were so happy and thankful she was with us and thrilled she will be so good at her job! Once the lambs are bigger we will start doing more work with her. I really don't think we could have done it without her."
On this page I am going to highlight some correspondences from families who have given Lavandel puppies wonderful homes over the past few years. It's easy for me to go "on and on" about what a wonderful breed the Icelandic sheepdog is, but I thought people might like to read what others have to say about living with these dogs, and in particular ones that have been born here. Above and at left are "first birthday" photos of a brother & sister combination who went to live with a wonderful family in Ontario (Their dam is "Rosie" and their sire is "Gloi.). We had named the female tricolor "Saga" and the male's name was "Andvari." His family has nicknamed them Mischa and Avari respectively. Following is an email from their "mom" - what I especially liked about this note was the comparison between the male and the female of the breed.
Some Testimonials
about Lavandels
Icelandic Sheepdogs...
The note at right is about Lavandels Vinna, out of Chisick Farms Lisa (Ginger) and Gloi. Vinna lives on a sheep farm in Ohio and is about 7 months old at the time the note was written.
This note is about Lavandels Vinur, after he'd been at his new home for a week:
"Vinur is so darn smart! I think I told you that he watched Cassie and learned to come over and sit to be petted. Well yesterday we went to the vet and she walked into the room and he ran over wagging his entire rear end and sat down right in front of her! I was proud of my baby. He's so smart!!!! He wasn't much of a jumper to begin with, but now I'm actively teaching him not to jump on people and generously rewarding him with hugs and kisses when he comes over and sits down. I'm really impressed with him, and the difference between his attitude and Cassie's is unbelieveable! (Cassie is an Australian Shepherd). She could care less what we want her to do; he is all about "What do you want? What can I do to make you happy? Anything you want..." He's doing really well with the crate. He now goes to bed at night pretty much complaint free. He woke up at 4:30 this morning and Adam took him out, then put him right back in the crate to go back to bed and I think I heard two whines and that was it. He knows that is where he sleeps at night and it's all night and we'll let him out to go to the bathroom but that is it until we get up in the morning. He adapted so quickly... another thing Adam is really impressed with. His face is so incredibly expressive, and those eyes! You can just see the brain working behind there when you look in his eyes. And he's such a happy puppy. He is so well loved. I'm so glad we got him and I think Adam is actually glad I talked him into another dog. Cassie seems pretty happy about it too and now she has someone to play with. I had a chocolate lab who was the perfect dog. She would do anything I wanted her to do and adapted to anything I asked of her. I've been wanting another dog like Bailey and I think Vinur is going to be that exactly. (I've already got plans for the "retirement dog." You know, the dog that replaces your kids and goes everywhere with you, never leaves your side, becomes the kid you always wanted but never had...the one who follows directions! Now that's where you want a Rosie. The dog that only wants you and loves you forever but is independent enough that she can live without constant attention. Yep, the retirement dog is going to be a female ISD...maybe one of Rosie's great-great-great granddaughters!)
The following note is about Lavandels Vorros (a.k.a. Kweeba) who had been at her new home (on a farm in Oklahoma) for about a week:
"And I have already decided that come time to get another dog, t'will be an Icie for me. Did I tell you the litlte ditty that Wayne sings to her? "Kweeba, Kweeba, she's the Queen of Sheba." Does my heart good to see him wrapped up in a girl of his own. She tries to climb in the bath with him at night -- the hilarity that ensues has me in stitches. She's absolutely super around the current livestock. She tries to lick Ms. M-ah's snout (the pig who is getting bigger and bigger as the days pass -- she's due any day I think), and she (the pig) is not too sure what to do about that -- she has decided that Kweeba is different so she's willing to be friends. Kweeba has also had a very calming affect on the boys (the other dogs), especially Sug -- he's far less combative with Rogue and not as fixated on the livestock. Kweeba is game, bold, brave, gives as good as she gets andis responsive. Wayne had her in his arms while I was busy feeding and watering the birds last night, and she was calm as could be. I think I may let her sniff one of the goslings when I pick it up and see how she does on the ground with the little ones."
Lavandels Gunnar lives on a sheep farm in the Pacific Northwest. His "mom" wrote:
"I've been meaning to write to you about Gunnar. He is such a little joy. I have always noticed that he loves music, but the way he expresses it is becoming more and more engenius. He wags his tail in time to music! All kinds of music. And on some songs that he likes (when I play the piano), he will go find his squeaky toy, and squeak in time to the song. He especially likes "Let it Be." Can you believe it? I put on some Scott Joplin the other day and he just loved it. He got his toys and started throwing them around and playing. He just loves the music... everyone gets a kick out of him wagging his tail in time."