House of Hoytt
Orphaned Dobes

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September 11, 2001 took so many lives, changed even those who live in small towns like Dandridge on a beautiful lake as well as those who died or those who were part of their circle of friends and acquaintances by that evening, found us all GUILTY of simply living the American Dream. The millions of us today and for the most part even our grand children’s children will, one day, realize something that happened to others on that date changed their future and the future of the generations to come.

So has this too changed the lives of many non-humans, especially our best companions in the animal world who also were effected the day the Towers went down, so were some of our own found themselves in our relocation program. Until this writing thirteen 'Hoytt  kids’ had been effected, in all but three pairs, while the single Dobe up for relocation was placed usually with only one call.

Today once more 'innocents'' have lost their family. On this note let me introduce you to Alpha formally known as Hoytt’s Bad Moon Rising CGC CD and Shasta, Hoytt’s Slim Jim CGC CD.

Over the last three plus years we have talked many times with their family about re-homing but each time at the very last moment their people could not give up the “the girls”. Regretfully their owner’s fight to recover failed and here we are with two outstanding girls originally developed under the Presidents Program and with the Grand Victor refinements and titles-both five years old.

These two have been together from their initial placement; I do not want to see them split up. So for those who read this and are established clients please consider “The Girls” and lets talk about life at your end of the world. Oh yes these girls are wonderful and if I were not the daddy of four Hoytt Dobes already this would not have had to be written, they would not have to leave my side.

Now think of every great quality, every best habit and this has not begun to approach their level of understanding how to live in our world, under MANS rules. For most ready to welcome "the Girls" it will be a wonderful experience for all. But for a few the situation will be wrong so please understand as with your own Hoytt Dobes we have to be selective based on environment so keep an open mind. So in ending all I can add. These are "The Best of the Best" with the education and experiences to match. And if you have not read about our re-location program - all you have to do is cover the cost of their delivery if they can not be personally picked up from the kennel and be responsible for their needs from the day they are welcomed into your life.

 

                                                                                                                                              Barrie Hoytt
  Follow-ups To Alpha & Shasta

June 26th 2006

Barrie and Staff,

Alpha and Shasta arrived at their new home in Colorado following an uneventful road trip. The girls are splendid travelers, both in SUV and motels.

Unfortunately, we did not prepare ourselves fully. Inside our fenced property we opened the rear SUV door and out they jumped and proceeded on the run to our western fence where our neighbor's two cows were feeding. Oh! the poor cows-they were terrorized by the girls' barking. Now the cows tease the girls!

Following Barrie's advice, we introduced the Girls to our Chow mix (Bear) on leads in our home. The girls were real ladies and Bear turned out to be a gentleman. They tolerate each other and have learned where to go and not to go in the house. Incidentally, Shasta is sleeping in our bed already-it took her only one night. Daily, we walk our crew in designated county open space areas. We have surmised that the girls had little or no close contact with outdoor animal life, i.e., squirrels, birds, ground squirrels, rabbits, chickens, horses, etc.

They are cautious with people, other dogs, bicycle riders, ATVs. Also, they have become protective of our residence and grounds, and when in our vehicles.

They have been to the Vet, received all vaccinations necessary for this area and were found to be in good health. Our Vet commented on how well behaved and friendly they are. They have an appointment next week in our Pet Spa for grooming.

You may want to pass on to their first owners that we will insure that they are well-taken care of in all aspects of their daily lives.

In summary the girls coming into our lives has been a rewarding experience. They are the "best of the best" and we love and cherish them. Thank you, Barrie, for making this possible.

 Again thank you,

Don and Marilyn

Barrie,

Attached are pictures of our dog pack on their first mountain trek.

The elevation was 8000 to 9000 feet, and the temperature in the high 60's and sunny.

This particular trail eventually ends at a ghost town at approximately 10,000 feet. We did not venture all the way as it is a 3 to 4 hour one-way trek. Also, the trail is narrow, steep and rocky at various places and sometimes smooth as it goes thru meadows, snow melting creeks, etc. Of note, the trail can be used by bikers, hikers, and horse riders. On this particular day, we only crossed paths with bikers and other hikers, with or without dogs- no horses- thank god as I do not know how the girls would have reacted on such a narrow and at times a steep trail. On this trek we did not encounter any wildlife. We plan on going again next week.

Our girls are behaving themselves much better when confronting other animals, bikers, and hikers. We walk them also everyday in open space areas where they can confront other distractions.

Signing off for now. Oh! if you are ever in our area, you are always welcome to visit and/or stay with us.

Don & Mari


April 18th 2007

Barrie,

It's been almost a year since the girls stepped into our lives, both have adjusted to their relocation and surroundings remarkably. Their regimen to our everyday activities and schedule become more phenomenal each day. Their sense of when we are leaving and returning takes the form of taking us to the door & waiting our return at the door/window. If we return early or late, they are elsewhere.

When they are praised for being good girls, they sit and wait in the kitchen for their "tendon" treats which they thoroughly enjoy. We walk them almost everyday on what we refer to as our farm roads. When we meet other walkers, bikers, animals, etc, we command them to sit/stay as they pass us on the narrow pathways-often comments are made on their beauty and obedience. Daily on our property, they chase squirrels, rabbits, and an occasional prairie dog or fox. They have also become quite protective of our property boundaries to strangers, visitors, etc. We rescued Prue cat that Alpha likes to chase in the house--that is all right as Prue cat needs exercise to loose a few pounds!

You were right on all three counts: they should not be separated; although Alpha appears to be the dominant Dobe, Shasta is; and most importantly, they "will be a wonderful experience" and will "enrich your lives" (which they have). Daily, they shower us with their love and devotion. We feel extremely fortunate to have the "angel girls" in our lives.

Thank you Barrie, for making this possible.

Don & Marilyn

 
 


His daddy has passed away and he needs someone to love him. Flash  was well known in his community and everywhere his owner went flash was right at his side even was getting comfortable in the hovercraft.  From trips to the farm to morning walks around town Flash from the first day was always right at his dads side. Because he was a child in a single parent environment we prefer a retired individual who seeks  full time companionship or a family where one of the adult members are 'stay at home' types.

 

Regretful Advisory

June 15, 2005

Two weeks have gone by since we were first contacted by the person  who called to inform us that Flash's owner had passed. Experience tells us that because so much time has passed since that call there is a better than even chance we will never see this boy again. More than likely, he'll end up on some chain as a second rate guard dog because first and foremost, his owner only told one person that if anything happened to him, Flash should be returned to the kennel.

We advise our clients to issue a formal directive to those who will be the executor. The Hoytt Dobe is to be returned to the House of Hoytt should the owner be incapacitated or die, unless of course there is family who truly will welcome a canine in. It is imperative that we are sent a copy of that directive. For even as we sit by and wait for the call to come from Alaska, if we knew an agreement existed and who to contact, we would have Flash with us already and probably  have a home for him lined up. Situations like this usually mean a dog ends up being sold to someone with a smile and a buck because it just may be too inconvenient to take him to the airport and fly him 'home.'  And what could be even worse, he could be sent to the local Shelter.

Understand many well-meaning folks who think on Monday they are ready to become parents to a dog find by Friday they made a big mistake.  Since they usually do not want to own up to their mistake, they ultimately do not call the people they acquired the dog from. Now the dog starts being moved from situation to situation until ________.
We leave you, the reader, to fill in the space.

A few added comments. If you ever have to give up your dog call the seller first. You might have to do all the delivery arrangements and usually cover the costs, but a responsible breeder/seller will better know how to judge who should be allowed to adopt the kid.  And when possible, be good enough to offer your breeder some financial assistance for helping. After all, it is your kid. 

So readers, please understand our current state of mind. We have left word that we would pick up the $1000.00 in varied costs to fly him to Atlanta and have a handler waiting to bring Flash home. We had hoped we covered a loose end and this was the reason for no return calls.  We wanted to make it clear that we would incur the cost of his return to us in case funds were not set aside for the boy's future care and/or travel back to us. We wanted to ensure that money should not be an issue in delaying his return.

Last but not least. If you have to leave your dog at Rescue or a Shelter, help them out with a donation. Their cost of operation is lightened quite a bit if one will also leave $100.00.  But give what you can.  And if you can, don't stop at $100.00. They are, after all, taking a major responsibility off your shoulders.

                                                                                              Barrie Hoytt

 

Late July 2005

Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Easterly

We all enjoy "Happy ever after" stories and I am pleased to let all those folks who offered their heart and home to Flash as well as letting all who prayed that this situation would have a happy ending know the boy has a family. 

Once more I remind our clients as well as all who dearly love their canines to make sure there is a written directive in case one day their companion finds itself without family. Remember to be sure a copy of the directive is sent to all who will be part of the transfer process.