Recently Lisa Lemberger (Business Mgr, Numbers Wizard, HR guru) and I traveled to Wenatchee, WA to visit the good people at Dogwise. Several years ago we partnered with Dogwise such that they send out all orders that come in through our website. It’s been a great arrangement–as the “Amazon of Dog Books” [I mean that in the best of all possible ways, not in a take over the earth kind of way] they are set up to mail packages all over the world to individual buyers, to big book distributors, like Ingram and Baker & Taylor, and to Amazon itself. But unlike Amazon, they are a small, family-run business that has staff that’s been there for decades, and considers Dogwise part of their family too.
Here’s the pack in front of their dog friendly office:
That’s Nate (VP & son of founders), co-founder & President Larry Woodward (Charlene Woodward couldn’t be there that day), Ben the “Shipping Hound”, Kristy the “Author Shepherd” and Social Media Queen (my title), Jon the “Author Hound” and Jason the “Book Trolling Retriever” and customer service rep extraordinaire.
Speaking of members of the family, here’s Kristy’s dog Puppy Pants, who was rescued from the Republic of Georgia by Allen, a soldier who fell in love with her and contacted the Puppy Rescue Mission to bring her to the states. She spends her days at Dogwise now, along with Kristi’s Lucy Lui, gainfully employed as Director of Product Testing.
I threatened to bring Puppy Pants back to Wisconsin in my suitcase. She’s an absolute love bucket, and has the best dog name ever. But she looks pretty happy with Kristy.
Sending out orders is a far more complicated process than one might think–just filling Amazon orders is an adventure unto itself–and Dogwise does it seamlessly. And we’ve heard nothing but praise for their customer service (I’m talking to you Jason!). But I’d never been out to visit them and I thought it was high time to see their operation in person and to meet some of the folks that we talk to on a regular basis. It was a great visit, and we left inspired by the work that they do at Dogwise for people who love progressive, positive dog training.
One of the fun things about Dogwise for me is that both their business and mine started at about the same time. I was just starting to do a little speaking beyond talking to 20 people in a local dog club, and Dogwise was moving past co-founder Charlene Woodward ordering books for a friend. Larry sent me this image of one of their early catalogs:
Any of you remember the first APDT conference? Florida 1993? Larry tells a great story about being talked into going by conference organizer Katy Sai, and to their amazement, selling out virtually everything they had in hours. That was a pivotal time for their business, when they decided to focus on dog trainers as their primary market. And what a great job they’ve done. Okay, I’m not objective here, because I consider many of them my friends, but still, they do great work and we’re lucky to have them.
Speaking of a family business, here’s Henry, the founders’ grandson, doing inventory.
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: Jim and I continued to be touched, overwhelmed and heart-swellingly grateful for all the kindness that we have received about Willie. I am just sorry that I can’t answer them individually. (170 comments here, 565 on Facebook . . .holy moly!) I have read every single one, some three to four times, and they are full of so much wisdom and grace. Thank you.
We are all entitled to some good news, and here it is:
This is Willie Sunday morning–
Did you notice how Maggie is looking at Willie? She is one of my worries–she’ll be gutted when Willie dies, and is simply not equipped to live without a playmate. But that’s another chapter, right?
But Willie is doing great. He had his second chemo on Friday, and although his breathing is clearly compromised, is still a happy guy. Side effects aren’t due for a day or two, so our paws are crossed, but today–the only day that counts–he’s doing great. We have no idea of the effect of his medicines (including Rimadyl–pain, and Cerenia–nausea) and supplements (including Coriolus mushrooms, Respicalm among others) and diet (he’s been on protein and fat, very low carbs for a long time actually), but right now, he’s good. So we’re good.
Tootsie, our ancient puppy-mill abuse survivor, (we’re guessing she’s 15), also known as the “Eveready battery bunny dog,” is doing fantastically well. She is almost deaf, but she still gets the zoomies, loves food of any description and is very grateful that there is soil to sniff instead of ice and snow. Here she is telling me that her upcoming grooming appointment is not soon enough.
Spring is busting out all over. New lambs in the barn (girls white tag, right ear), boys (colored tags, left ear)–
Daffodil buds teasing us–
Lady Baa Baa, aka “Explodo Ewe,” teasing us even more (she’s not due for quite a while). Anyone want to venture a guess of 1) date she lambs, 2) # of lambs and 3) sex of lambs? The first correct answer gets a free For the Love of a Dog book, but you have to guess by this Friday the 12th.
Chris from Boise says
Go, go, go, Will! “today–the only day that counts” – YES!
So glad to see an update on Miss Tootsie.
Lady Baa Baa: April 28, twins, one girl, one boy. “Shear” guess!
And how lovely to meet the people behind Dogwise! Thank you for introducing us to them.
Miki says
The photo of Willie and Maggie reminded me of the photo of Lassie and Willie playing tug of war. When our dog died of cancer at the age of six, our other dog, Luke, was utterly heart-broken. They used to play a lot when they were younger, but rarely played with each other once they grew up. I expected him to mourn for her for a week or two, but he did for three months. It was very hard to see him like that. He has close friends and that helped. But it seems he needed time … We needed time.
So glad to see Willie and Maggie running together so happily!
lak says
2 girls!!! So glad to see Willie enjoying a run with his pal, hope this continues and the chemo does its’ job!
lak says
Also, I guess April 28, 2 girls!
Deborah Graber says
I learned about Dogwise from you and I love, love, love them! I have orderd so many books from them I should be embarrased but I am not….:) I alwasy have a wish list going of what I want to order next.
Prayers for Willie and you too!
Kelli gilliss says
I am new to your blog but have read your books! I’m truly sorry to learn of your boys illness. I’ve been in the veterinary industry for over 20 years and it still breaks my heart to watch dogs and their people go through this. You have a legion of support here along with a huge club of willie fans that are along with you in your emotional journey❤️ It looks like lady baba has twins in there for sure! Im going to guess there’s boys in there ….
Tricia says
Lady Baa Baa’s babies will be “born this way”: Earth Day (April 22), twins, girls.
Good luck and happy spring to all!
chris says
https://dogcancervet.com/
Not sure if you have ever heard of him but I subscribe to his newsletter and have his book.
Molla Braunstein says
We had three Cavaliers. We adopted one that I was told was seven but was nine. We had him for four years. He loved the other two. The two boys spent a lot of time kissing and running side by side. He loved our girl, licking and chewing her ears. She looked terrible but enjoyed his salon techniques. Now she has long gorgeous ears, but I would trade those beautiful ears to have our Bubba back. The two don’t do much of anything. I would bring in another puppy but I made a promise that we would take a break for a while. I don’t take them to dog parks because they are small and I am afraid. I even put in an add in our neighborhood online group for play dates but when other dogs visited, mine were not really interested. Wishing you the very best for Willie. I have always had border collie mixes and then King Charles. I waa so happy to find your blog! I am hoping for another border collie mix in my life in a few years. Thank you for the great work you are doing!
lin says
I’m really bad at guessing, but here goes. Lady Baa Baa will give birth on April 25 to two lambs, a boy and a girl.
Happy Spring to all!
Barbara Martin says
Two boys and one girl. April 24th.
Sending love to you, Willie and the girls.
Jann Becker says
Hmm…guessing only: The same day as the Duchess of Sussex, 2 lambs of which at least one is the same sex as the Royal Baby.
Cris W says
Hi. Dogwise sounds very interesting!! Sounded like a rewarding trip. Glad to hear Willy is enjoying the day. One at a time, right!?
My guess for the ewe is May 24, 3 lambs. 2 females and a male. Boy, she’s getting big. i create lambs from clay. Wish there was a way to send you a picture. Take care.
Silke-Ryka says
It is inspiring to all of us that you are able to live in the moment and take each day at a time. I try to do that by learning how to meditate ( 30 seconds already- yeah) and by watching my dogs play ( just now they scarify the lawn by chasing eachother). Hope you can enjoy a lot of good days with Willie and of course also with Maggie and Tootsie.
My guess for the lambing is April 26th, two lambs, one male and one female.
Jenn D. says
Love the introduction to the team at Dogwise! Also really loved “today–the only day that counts” … something I need to keep in mind with my Tucker boy, who also has terminal cancer. Today is a good day, and that is indeed what counts!
My guess on the lambs … May 23rd, 1 boy and 1 girl. 🙂
Emily Williams says
I’ll guess. 3 girls one boy on Sunday the 14th, though it sounds as if that is why earlier than you expect!
Trisha says
Quadruplets! Holy moly, I hope not!
Trisha says
Oh my, May 23rd would be a loooooong time from now! Much sooner!
Trisha says
Hope not so long from now, she’d be way overdue! Triplets might not be crazy though!
Trisha says
So sorry about Tucker. Here’s to today!
Barbara Bellows-TerraNova says
Lovely to see the picture of Willie and Maggie.
I was an avid listener to Calling All Pets, and always turn to your blog when I have any questions or need recommendations, and I’d read your major books, so when Will came out I got it, but set it aside, mostly because of changes in my life that required more attention. But when I saw your recent post about his cancer, I got the audio book so I could listen early in the morning while working on a huge photo-shopping project.
Thank you. This kind of introspection and communication is so important for all of us to comprehend more fully our own lives and the truth that we are not alone, whether it is the sorrow and embarrassment when the dog we love deeply behaves badly, even dangerously. Fortunately, I finally decided the only way things were going to get better (including getting better with my husband, who watches too much Cesar and thinks the only way it’s going to get better is to expose my little 3/4 mini doxie to more dogs and go to dog parks) was to find a dog trainer who used the principles you’ve described. I found a Karen Prior certified clicker trainer and live is getting better, slowly but steadily. No pressure.
Thank you so very much.
Anna Hassan says
Puppy Pants looks like an adorable member of the team!
Ginny in WI says
OK, now I know where I’ll order my dog books from forever more.
I did a web search for “Puppy Pants” on the off chance that I might come across the story of her rescue. No such luck, but this definition from the Urban Dictionary is sure to bring a smile…
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=puppy%20pants
Molly says
I was an avid listener to Calling All Pets, and always turn to your blog when I have any questions or need recommendations, and I’d read your major books, so when Will came out I got it, but set it aside, mostly because of changes in my life that required more attention. But when I saw your recent post about his cancer, I got the audio book so I could listen early in the morning while working on a huge photo-shopping project.