4Feathers RosiePosiePuddinPies & Jessica Wittenbach- Owner/Handler

Often times, people say to me... It must be so much fun raising puppies and playing with them everyday... IT IS... I will be the first to admit, that is absolutely ONE of the best parts of being a breeder... BUT, having a successful story to tell is the most rewarding part of it all! Rosie was born here at 4Feathers, she is a Stella and Rowdy (IQ Farms Australian Shepherds) offspring! She was a beautiful, confident puppy who was the smallest in her litter, but had the biggest personality, and didn't take anything from her siblings. Jessica, a stay at home mom, is married to Matthew, who is a USMC Veteran, and they have a little boy and a little girl. Jess reached out to me because she had seen Rosie and fell in love. She indicated they had purchased a Aussie puppy from another breeder, brought it home and it died days afterwards. Her family was devasted. She took some time, but continued to look for a replacement. When Jess contacted me about Rosie (who we called Diva here at 4Feathers) and her words to me was she couldn't stop looking or thinking about her! She asked ALL the right questions, and she wanted alot information, not only about my program, but Rosie in great detail! I was very impressed at the research she had done since she had not had an Aussie previously. Even though Jess was a stay at home mom, she is very much on the go, traveling with her family back and forth to Oregon from Kansas... so both, she and I wanted to be 100% Rosie would be a fabulous fit! A few days later, Jess called me and told me it was their decision to make Rosie a part of their family. Fast forward to approximately three months from Rosie going to her new home, I received a call from Jess, very upset and not knowing what to do! I was actually taken by surprise, because I knew Jess loved Rosie very much. Rosie had become very "AFRAID" of everything, people, dogs, sounds, pretty much anything and everything, so much so, it was making Jess's life very difficult with her day to day routine with her family, she couldn't leave Rosie unattended without her having anxiety to the point she made herself sick. It sounded as if Rosie had took a terrible turn and I could hear the desperation in Jess's voice. The more she talked of the course of events, we put together a timeline. Simply put, a veterinarian and a chain store trainer Jess met with played a very big role in decisions they thought would benefit Rosie, of course Jess wanting to do what was best for Rosie listened to the advice of the professionals...not knowing the circumstances of her sweet confident puppy was going to change and be detrimental to not only Rosies personality but her well being. Doggie Daycares are not high on my list, I explained to Jess I would happily take Rosie back, but knowing how much she loved her I was willing to help in any way I could to just let me know! Jess sprung into action, she questioned people at the facility Rosie had visited, they initially attempted to dismiss her, but she stood her ground and found Rosie had actually been put in with much older dogs and they had jumped on her several times. The facility never let Jess know this was happening. When she discussed with the veterinarian this was not a good option to recommend to clients with puppies, she again was dismissed. All this being so new to Jess, she researched everything, she joined classes, she did everything she could possibly think of to help little Rosie. Not only did this help Rosie, but it started Jess on a path she was not expecting! Although Stella, whom I think everyone knows I call my Beastie, and Rowdy, out of my matriach Chaney, have done 4Feathers and IQ Farms Australian Shepherds a great service by not only being our personal pets and producing outstanding, biddable, loyal and beautiful puppies, neither Katie or I take recognition for Rosie, although we appreciate Jess always including us with Rosie's achievements and recommending our Aussies, we both feel this duo have each other to thank and certainly want them to continue doing what makes them happy and we will cheering from the sidelines! Jess has worked incredibly hard and went above and beyond as a Aussie owner. She has researched, met with professionals, took classes and spent countless hours to help Rosie in ALL situations. She has implemented skill to regain Rosie's confidence and divised training exercises to not only help her mind, but her body. This is not something that happens one hour out of the day, this takes so much dedication and complete understanding. Repetion has become her life, all the while of being a wife and a mother of small children, but it has certainly paid off! Jess has now trained and started Rosie in AKC events. She has competed the last few months in FastCAT, which is a timed 100 yard dash, chasing a lure. She has earned her FCAT CGC FITB, which lands her @ #10 in the top 20 Australian Shepherds with AKC, running an average of 27.13. She is now working in Disc and Doc diving, along with showing in confirmation. I am so incredibly proud of Jess for giving Rosie her confidence back, her time and effort in properly training her, for not giving up and making her the perfect puppy! I am equally as proud of Rosie for her desire to please, her willingness to try new things, and mostly how she allowed herself to trust Jess and working hard to be the perfect puppy I knew she was! I have been fortunate enough to see with my own eyes, the love and admiration they both have for each other! They are a team, partners in everything they do and when they aren't trying to attain the next big thing together, Rosie is the family pet, who helps Matthew when he needs it, takes care of the kiddos when they are out and about, keeping a watchful eye of her surroundings for her family. Unfortunately, alot of people give up and surrender their pets... shelters are full of loving purebred and mixed breed dogs from folks who didn't want to take the time to help regain what was lost. The economy doesn't help those situations. I am so grateful for the Aussie families I have, breeders and clients, I am so proud of each and everyone of the dogs that leave here for whatever their purpose may be in their future, and I am overwhelmed with joy when I can watch it all unfold! Congratulations Jess and Rosie.... I look forward to continue watching you rise to the top! I know FastCat is just the beginning of your adventures.