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Hey everyone, If you’ve been following along with my posts over the last several months, you know how much this blog has meant to me. Whether we were chatting about photography tips in Beyond the Frame, diving into the lives of biblical figures in Saints and Sinners, talking about writing drafts in Words from the Heart, or sharing the deep bonds of the barn and trail in The Halter and the Heart and The Rural Dog—this space has been an absolute joy to create. But as the saying

Hello, Rural Dog friends! Over the last few weeks, we’ve spotlighted some incredible purebreds—from the hardworking German Shepherd to the loyal Alaskan Klee Kai. But today, I want to step away from breed standards and pedigrees to talk about a group of dogs that hold a truly massive piece of my heart: Rescue Dogs. Whether they come from a local animal shelter, a foster network, or a rough situation like a breeding facility, rescue dogs are some of the most resilient, loving

Hello, Rural Dog friends! We’ve talked about the friendly Lab and the royal Shih Tzu, but today we’re looking at a breed that is the definition of "intensity." If you live in a rural area, you see these dogs everywhere—usually perched in the back of a truck or patrolling a fence line. We’re talking about the German Shepherd Dog (GSD). As I’ve been diving into my dog training course, I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for this breed. They are the "straight-A students" of the

Hello, Rural Dog friends. As we continue our journey through different dog breeds, today’s post is a bit more personal for me. We often talk about the "jobs" dogs were bred to do, but sometimes the most important job a dog has is simply being a loyal, steady presence in our lives. Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about a very special dog I lost—an Alaskan Klee Kai named Sky . She was the definition of a "productive" dog; she always had to be doing something, helping out, o

Hello, Rural Dog friends! After a nice Christmas and New Years break we are back and better than ever! After exploring the hardworking German Shepherd and the ever-hungry Labrador, it’s time to talk about a breed that is very near and dear to my heart. If you’ve been following along, you already know the star of my household: Harley ! Harley is a Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise mix, and today I want to shine the spotlight on the Shih Tzu (pronounced Sheed-zoo ) side of her family

Hello, Rural Dog friends! Last time we kicked off our breed deep dive by examining the sharp, demanding German Shepherd. This month, we're pivoting to arguably the most popular family dog in the world—a breed known for its easy-going nature, love of water, and insatiable appetite: the Labrador Retriever! And yes, I have a special affinity for this breed because I have a wonderful, slightly chaotic Chocolate Lab named Cocoa ! She's the perfect example of everything that makes

Hello, Rural Dog friends! In my first post, you met Harley, my wonderful Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise mix. She's living proof that sometimes, the most amazing dogs are a mix of surprises! But one of the things I love to do is delve into the world of pure breeds—not just to know their history, but to understand what they were bred to do. If you're thinking about adding a new dog to your family, knowing a bit about breeds is crucial. It’s like reading a user manual! Why Understand

We’re back! This month I want to look at the basics of how to train a dog, and maybe I'll even introduce you to another of my friends...

Hello! Welcome to The Rural Dog. My goal with this blog is to share personal stories about my own dog, offer training and grooming tips,...