Heather Blakeman on Dogs, Training, and the Passion Behind the Sport

Speaker 2 (00:00.142) So today our guest is Heather Blakeman. Heather is a trainer, a dog trainer that I worked with years ago when Elizabeth and Grace were young dogs, and I did CGC classes and I also did an agility class with Heather. And I recently reconnected with Heather at a dog show. Heather, welcome to the show. Thanks so much for having me. I'm excited to be here. Very excited to have you. Yeah. Yeah. So Heather, tell our audience a little bit about yourself and your dog experience. boy, well I really don't know where to start because dogs have been in my life as as long as I can remember. my parents actually were taking AKC obedience classes and and planning to compete with their golden retriever and Weimarotter when I was crawling around on the floor. So wow. Yeah. Yeah. Speaker 1 (01:02.722) But I kind of got into it as a a younger kid through rescue organizations. And there was a wonderful lady who did agility who invited me out to her house and kind of started dabbling there. And here we are twenty something years later and I'm trying kind of a little bit of everything, performance. I've been in confirmation as a a part time professional handler for many years, but it's been a whirlwind. Yeah, very exciting. So do you show your dogs or other people's dogs? So I have not stepped into the confirmation ring with one of my own dogs for almost, I want to say, ten years. I show primarily other people's dogs. once upon a time I I had time and resources to show my own dogs, and that was wonderful. But these days I'm truly blessed to have just some incredible. clients and friends that I work with and get to show their Bernese mountain dogs and a variety of other breeds professionally. Speaker 2 (02:19.158) So much fun. Yeah. So so your parents had Wymaraners and what else did you mention? Yeah. Speaker 1 (02:28.042) they had a Wyme Runner and a Golden Retriever. and then we got into herding breeds and that's what I had throughout my junior showmanship career was Australian shepherds primarily. Got it. So w what do you have now? You have a Burney's mountain dog, right? I actually have one single Australian shepherd and he is my beloved pet. He is a a show dog failure. His bite went off. But Yeah, we love him dearly and he has given me the opportunity to get back into some performance events. So he's done a little bit of barn hunt and fast cat, agility, rally, obedience, and getting ready to try him out in herding. So Speaker 2 (02:59.539) no. Speaker 2 (03:17.336) That'll be fun. It will. Hopefully. So so do you still teach classes? Yeah, so since I moved back to Louisville, I haven't been teaching quite as much because I've taken on a new role, as you know, with with TruPanion, but still do some private lessons here and there for clients on an individual basis. The last time I taught and instructed regularly was at Jody's wonderful facility, the the doghouse spa and resort, and they still are doing the Louable Kennel Club classes there. Speaker 2 (04:01.418) Okay. Gotcha. I dearly wish that you were still here at Brighton because it's so close to me. it was so nice to be there in ten minutes. It makes it a lot easier when you have a multiple dogs and can get there quickly. Yeah. I loved teaching there and they are starting their program back up again. So I'm so excited that the program that I I founded and know was in for like eight years there is still going strong. So maybe reach back out. I just checked their website and they didn't have anything for classes. So maybe it's Hired a new trainer, so check back in. that's exciting. Yeah. Heather, I Karen has sung your praises for forever. or at least in the last three years that I've known, three or four years that I've known her. But I had gotten my puppy Winnie right before, like right as the pandemic had started and was so excited to do classes at Brighton. And of course, like everything else, that just went out the window. But I I was very excited at the time. Speaker 2 (05:11.276) Yes. Yeah, COVID. So we we are very excited you're here today. Can you tell us a little bit more about some of your certifications? I know you you have quite a few letters behind your name and I'm interested to kind of hear about some of them. Absolutely. Yeah. So I'm a a big proponent for what we we're calling professionalism in dog training. So currently there is no requirement for becoming a dog trainer in the state of Kentucky and really I think every other state out there, there's a couple of states that are thinking about putting through legislation that has some minimum requirements for dog training. Yeah. So I'll just shout out the Alliance of Professionalism in Dog Training, which I am actually the face of. My dog Strider and I are on the home page. If you if you go there, you can see us. but it's it's a united effort between the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, which is what one of my certifications is through, and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. I was briefly on their marketing committee, but they are two wonderful organizations that are seeking to have some kind of minimum level of education, experience, and a code of ethics so that we can kind of standardize the approach to dog training in an effort to make it a more safe and effective profession to be in. So So that's actually a lot like the horse industry where there are incredible professionals, but there is no requirement except in certain areas of the horse industry. So if you are in thoroughbred racing, you have to be a licensed trainer, etc. But in general, you can hang your shingle out and give lessons and call yourself a trainer or riding instructor. Speaker 2 (07:22.376) And the dog industry is very similar. There are a lot of people who have interests but perhaps no more advanced knowledge. So I'm really thrilled to hear about this alliance and the other organizations. Kinda helps keep the wild can of worms at bay when you go to look for a trainer. You know you might have an idea of what you're gonna get. And also, you know, dogs. have become such an important part of our lives and we expect more and do more with our dogs. And it helps if you have someone who you, you know, who has more knowledge than you who can serve as a mentor when when you're you know running into problems training or or whatever. Yes. So so tell us a little bit about How long your certifications took, and maybe a a rough idea of cost? So there are many certifications out there. I mean, just so many really wonderful, great ones. I happen to have the certification council professional dog trainers certification called a certified professional dog trainer, and I'm the knowledge assessed. So that means that I met their minimum requirements of, I think it was like a set number of hours. hours of training experience in various situations and had to have letter of recommendation from a veterinarian as well as a client as well as somebody in the field and then had to take a test and get a minimum score so they have a a standard body of knowledge that you have to be able to perform up to that standard. Speaker 1 (09:20.088) To achieve that certification. And I think that that is a wonderful and very financially feasible, which is one of the reasons that I looked at it. one to achieve and to keep going. And to recertify, so I'm in my kind of I think second round of recertification with them. I just upped it. you have to achieve, I believe, 34. CE hours each year and have that documented so that you are proving that you're continuing your education, which I love. Yeah. And then so that one was only I want to say, you know, before you count in CE, only about 300 to sit for the exam and then an application fee. Whereas there are other wonderful programs out there, but they're like Seven thousand dollars. yeah. Yeah. I mean 300 is like this what a you know a really good class might cost for your dog to go to. So that's not so bad. I I might have found myself on the very expensive website that was what I could have found. So I was like Well, and so the difference is the the C P TK is an assessment in an application, but you provide your own learning journey. So they have a recommended reading list. So by the time you're done buying all of the textbooks, you know, probably going to be looking closer at those other courses a little bit as well. but it worked well for me. Speaker 2 (10:58.198) Right. That's cool. I mean that just 'cause I'm a nosy little thing and I like to know things. I might look into the at least the reading list and see if there's anything of interest on there. That's pretty Yeah, yeah. And I'll I'll call out my other letters for fun real quick. So the SFCP veterinary trainer, that is the fear-free certified professional. and that is a really neat new movement in the veterinary community, which I've been a part of so all along my my dog career, I've worked inside of veterinary hospitals as as a trainer and as a behavior professional. And It's so neat to see the veterinary community embracing the behavior side of things and trying to create an environment that is more I guess friendly for the animals as well as the people by just using basic behavior knowledge to make a happier experience for pets and pet parents. So It's really neat. I love that. Are there any examples that you can think of that are obvious flags in veterinary settings that are, you know, our ideas of how it works are changing? Speaker 1 (12:21.334) Yeah, for sure. So we're seeing a lot more, not even just the fear-free hospitals, but just it as a like I I'm in about 300 hospitals a year in my current role. And in so many of those hospitals, I'm starting to see more treats and like high value treats so that we can, you know, distract and reward and reinforce the pet participation in their medical care. So for cats. They'll have cheese whiz, they'll have whipped cream. for dogs, they'll have licky mats and spread peanut butter on it. And it it kind of is the difference between, you know, you going to the dentist and you're all scared and worried about it versus, you know, it's a kid in the candy shop when they've got a lot of there. So yeah, that's an easy one that you'll probably see at a lot of vet clinics lately. Yeah. Yeah, no kidding. Speaker 2 (13:19.038) That's really neat. I wish people doctors did that. I know like when I went to the dentist, their fear-free alternative was to put numbing gel on my gums because I don't like to go. And and that is part of our fear-free. So that's another great thing we're seeing is use of they call them pre-visit pharmaceuticals. So they might give your cat or dog a little chill pack to take home and come back with a little trazodone or gabapentin on board so that they're feeling good. Sometimes you know. That's pretty cool. I like that. That's I'm I'm I hope more places move towards that. I'm loving it, yes. It's really nice to see pet parents embracing higher levels of training you know, in general and having higher expectations for their dogs. And I'm hoping that at some point we start seeing dogs being accepted even more places because I love to take my dogs out. And I think part of the reason that dogs are not always welcomed is that dogs are not always well behaved. So Speaker 2 (14:32.562) it's nice to see dogs that, you know, having a a general audience that understands, you know, that a CGC is kind of a basic requirement for their dogs. I agree. And I will say that I used my own dog's CGC and resume to get her accepted into a rental situation when I was a young young college student. I was like, here is my dog's resume. She has a best in show and a CGC. And I know you don't accept pets, but please She's a very nice doggy, please. That's good. How exciting. I think I've had the opposite. I was using my mechanics extra car while he was working on mine. And you know, as people know, this show is poodle people. I have a show poodle. And he spread this big tarp in the back of the car and I was kind of like, my dog's spotless. It doesn't shed. Speaker 1 (15:40.44) Beauty is He just won't laugh. That was that was kind of him to just be like, you know what? Just in case I'm just gonna leave this here. Don't mind me. And it was nice of him to let you use your use's truck. We had never talked about my dog, but I just thought it was kind of funny when I got home and and saw that. And I was like, I love it. This is why my goodness. Yeah. So Heather, do you have any recommendations for I know we talked about your some of your qualifications, but do you have any recommendations for people that may be interested in following a pass path of dog training professionally? Yeah, I think we did lose her. no. Yeah. So we're at 1815 when we lost her. no. wait, are you there? there she is. Speaker 1 (16:42.19) I did hear your your question. Can you hear me okay? Yep. We can hear you. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, okay. So Elise, you were asking what people should do who are interested in kind of exploring that more. Yeah. So I'll share what I did. So I think one of the the best ways to find out if it's something that you're interested in is to ask to shadow a current trainer and then shadow several more because they are all Yes. Speaker 1 (17:17.026) So different, and there's so many different applications of training that you can get into. And I have found that networking and getting to know all of the different opportunities out there is just an incredible way to find out A, if it's right for you, and B, if it is, what niche you want to get into. So we have some really wonderful communities of trainers out there. And I think a fabulous place to start is. even just like a Facebook group. So we have the Force Free Trainers of Kentucky is one of my favorite little networking groups locally here. and that's a wonderful place to reach out and say, hey, I'm interested and there anybody who needs a an assistant in their classes because we always like to have extra hands. So that's that's my first recommendation. And then second would be just to look into some those Yeah. Speaker 1 (18:15.448) programs out there and some of those certifications and see what might fit you. Okay, cool. Well thank you. I I appreciate you sharing that 'cause I know I've talked to people who are into it but they're not sure, you know, how to really get into it if that makes sense. 'Cause I know like the animal world can seem A kind of cost prohibitive and B network prohibitive. So I appreciate you sharing those resources. I I hope that helps somebody who's listening kind of get into it. Mm hmm. I also was just checking websites recently, partly in preparation for this conversation, and partly because of my own interest. And I think that in some ways COVID did do us a favor because there are tons of videos that can be used for education now. So I'm I have a feeling that as in many different industries, people started recording things and offering them. so it may be easier now to to break into it and have a base of knowledge. It's just a guess. but that's kind of my gut feeling. Absolutely. And I've I've actually got my own courses out there. So those are where my confirmation courses have lived since COVID because it disrupted things so much. So Speaker 2 (19:37.73) Yeah. yeah. Yeah. That's cool. I didn't know you had your own courses that I didn't either. I'm gonna go check them out after this. I'll tell you that. Yeah. Yeah, so I'll definitely give you links. Really? So what are you looking forward to in this coming year? How many shows do you expect to go to? And how do you manage showing with having a full time job and a family? Yes, well, right now, as you can imagine, I've I've cut back dramatically. Once upon a time, I would do 20 to 24 shows a year, about two a month. Yeah. and that was still part-time. A lot of my full-time handlers are out, you know, 50 weeks a year. but this year, last year, really just focusing on supporting some of my longtime Bernice Mountain Dog clients. Speaker 1 (20:36.894) At the national. So very much looking forward to that. And we have some really exciting prospects as well as specials that we'll be taking to the national this year, as well as just some local shows that I'm helping some kiddos get started up at. And then at this point, I'm honestly referring to several of my wonderful full-time handling friends. So I'm just helping the younger dogs get started, get trained, begin their conditioning, and then we get them handed off to a full time handler who's out on the circuit, you know, every weekend. So yeah. Have you been on the show circuit full time ever, or did you kind of bypass that? I was as an assistant for for about one year and it was hot. It was a lot I was gonna ask if it was as grueling as it seems, but obviously. Speaker 1 (21:40.986) I and yes, I have never been more tired in my life, even I think as a a newborn parent tired than I was when I was an assistant on the circuit, so yeah. That's quite a comparison. Yeah. Professional handlers are some of the hardest working, dedicated people that I know and they just do incredible work and it truly is a 24-7 job when you have other people's beloved family members in your care. You know you literally can't sleep on the job without knowing a hundred percent for sure that those animals in your care Using. Speaker 1 (22:27.079) are you know being taken care of to the best of your ability and and it's a lot. I am always amazed that there are handlers for poodles because you take your regular dog and then you add the handlers. Those are specialty handlers most of the time that specialize in that breed that by far that is the most specialized breed. I will never touch a poodle if I can help it, I think. I I certainly have had people say, poodle? No, thank you. Unfortunately there are but there are good w handlers, but it i it it's not a a garden variety at all. No, it's a lifestyle, I think, is what it is. Speaker 2 (23:16.65) It ha it has to be. There's no other option with that much. You have to be dedicated to it. man. So what do you like about showing and y you obviously you have a passion for it if you're still doing it part time. So it's it's something that you still like doing. I do. and I think about that all the time because it just keeps drawing me back in, you know, no matter what I have going on in my life, professionally or personally, I I always have dog shows. and for me it's it's the dogs, of course. It's the amazing, wonderful, beautiful quality dogs that we get to work with and to to better the breed. But for me, even beyond that it's the people and I have met some truly incredible, amazing individuals and made strong, you know, lifetime friendships that have blossomed into actually, you know, like family closeness with the people in this world. And I'm just blessed to continue to be part of it and so thankful that even when I get busy they they pull me back in. It is really special. I I have not shown that much, but you do see the same people, you see the same vendors, you see the same handlers, you see the same assistants, and you know, you get to know people in your breed, in other breeds. and you know, I've been to shows by myself and I've just asked the person next to me, do you mind watching my dog? You know, that kind of thing and it's it's almost like you're camping in a sense. Yeah. You know, because you show up with everything you own basically. It's in your car and then you get it somewhere and set it up. So you set up your little campsite and then occasionally, you know, you just entrust all of your belongings to someone else and it works out. And people are so kind and so generous. Speaker 1 (25:11.47) Kitchen thing is going to meet. Speaker 1 (25:31.318) Yes. Yeah. And we're all there for the same reason. because we love the dogs, we love the breeds, we want to preserve the history and better the health and welfare of the animals. And that's just I think a really cool thing to have that meeting of the minds. Yeah. It has been I think some of the things that have meant the most to me are when someone comes who doesn't really know me but just knows me from a show and will watch me handle my dog and you know, tell me what I did, like that looked good, try this, you know, it just helping me become a better handler. And that is a real generosity that you see in these kind of specialized y you know, you would see a similar thing at a war show, I think. But in the dog world it's really nice. It it's just heartwarming to get that kind of affirmation. I'm so glad that's been your experience. That really warms my heart. I think that, you know, we need more people who are are willing to kind of welcome and and mentor people and just so, so glad that you found that, like I was able to as well. Yeah, I totally have. I do think that there are barriers and you know, I belong to a local club and I think that we have to be realistic in a lot of industries and I think the horse industry as well, where we do face competition attracting young people who want to enter the sport, whether it's dog showing or horse showing. Speaker 2 (27:10.028) when there are so many other things that occupy their time and a lot of that is, you know, electronic time. Yeah. Yeah. I I think you know we are all of an age where at least perhaps not so much, but still you are not gaming for hours and hours a week and That is time that we are able to devote to our dogmanship or our horsemanship. And I think that that is something that we need to nurture and make sure that young people understand how cool it is and also understand that, you know, form follows function. Or sorry, I just said that wrong. Function follows form. and that is why we have confirmation shows as the primary accolade for dogs to become breeding specimens. and it's easier to perhaps cheer or understand duck diving or something like that or fast cat, but confirmation is a really important part of the industry. And I think sometimes, I mean I'm sure I had no awareness of it, you know, earlier in my career or before I started showing dogs. Yeah. and I lost you there for just one moment. So hopefully I heard all of that. But yeah, I I am we're seeing something locally lately that's a little bit concerning with regards to youth and and these sports. I'm an AKC Albreed Junior Showmanship judge and also Yeah and also a 4 H State Fair Judge for the four H Dog program. Speaker 2 (29:06.718) Woohoo. I love 4-H. I was a 4-H kid growing up. Although my projects was ragit, was rabbits instead of dogs. But yeah, there is still a confirmation. I can't. That's my only level of you know being able to relate when Karen is telling me what's happening. I'm like, I had rabbits. I had to train mine to sit a certain way. I get it. Right. Same thing. that's awesome. I'm glad you're involved with. the youth that way. I think those programs are so wonderful. So so wonderful. So are you are you seeing a a drop in attendance or participation? Unfortunately, we're seeing a huge downward trend in recent years to the point of having to really cut the budget and cut, you know, with yeah, because we once had a a strong and healthy program of, you know, several hundred kids participating at the state level from various counties. And this past year it's dropped to there were 17 entries. And My goodness. three counties participating and there are currently no dog clubs in many of the counties that used to have dog clubs, including Louisville, like Jefferson County, one of the biggest, you know, used to be kids, there is nobody. So I'm really passionate about helping and and working with these organizations to try to figure out, you know, how we can get them reignited and Speaker 2 (30:26.668) Yes. Speaker 1 (30:43.08) and going again so that we can, you know, lead more kids to these very, I think, rewarding careers and opportunities and just yeah, you know, this is an incredible program for youth development that I I don't want us to lose. I couldn't agree more. I wish they did like 4 H programs for young adults. I think that would be so fun. Yeah. Like I that was that was easily one of my favorite parts of a really weird period of my childhood. I don't we had a lot going on, but that made it so bearable and I loved it. I loved showing my rabbit. I loved my project. It was so fun. It was it was fantastic. You should think about volunteering, Elise. Yeah. You really should. Thank you for the suggestion. I really should, 'cause that would that actually be a lot of fun. I hadn't even I didn't even think about that. But I'm sure The dark program might that all of your bunny knowledge would translate very loosely. Hopefully, yeah. I'm sure Maricopa County has hopefully an extensive 4-H thing. Arizona has lots of kind of rural areas and Maricopa County is our big metropolitan. That's where Phoenix is and that's where like the majority of people are. So yeah, I should I really should look into that. Thank you for the suggestion. Yes. I will take that and research it. Thank you. I I have to admit that I I can't remember why I was checking, but I just assumed that Speaker 2 (32:08.3) Say it County had a dog, a four H dog club, and they do not. and I was really quite surprised. Yeah. I actually believe they're restarting the Fayette Club. So stay tuned. that's I I did see recently that somebody's gonna try that and and if I can be of any help in any way to any of those programs and as my daughter gets older, I guarantee you I'll be restarting the Jefferson County program if it's not yet by then. Yeah. Right. Yeah. So does your daughter have a dog yet? She has a stuffed Bernese mountain dog in her house. Speaker 1 (32:49.602) Yes, that's wonderful. They have the plush class. So they let the kids go in with the little stuffed animals and run around the ring and do a down and back and put on the ramp. And she's done that twice now. So she wakes up every like Saturday morning and says, Are we going to the dog show? That is fabulous. Yes, yeah. I love it. I was judging at the the local Shelty Club regional and she went with me and she was like, Is it my turn? Is it my turn? Do it today, sorry. That is so cute. Really sweet. Yeah, she's right. It sounds like you have a good future member of your clubs there, Heather. Dude, do you belong to the li the Louisville club? I can't think of the formal name of it. Yeah. Speaker 1 (33:36.558) Ha ha ha Speaker 1 (33:44.396) the Louisville Kennel Club and Louisville. I do not currently. I have maintained a membership in the past and that is on my list. So I will definitely be reaching out because they have some wonderful people putting on you know great programs there right now. Panel Club, yes. Speaker 2 (34:03.512) I've actually thought about joining it in addition to Lexington Kennel Club just because I know Louisville has a handling class, I think more regularly and I thought it would be a good experience for me to kind of mimic a show by driving somewhere and really pretending rather than just going to the park. Which is still valuable of course, but you know. Absolutely. And I would also be on the lookout for bee matches. Have you ever encountered those? No, actually I I don't know much about B matches. Tell us. Yeah, so a sanctioned B match is a really great way to practice. so they only allow owner handlers and non-major pointed class animals to participate. So it's a very kind of low pressure way to get in the ring, get a judge to to give you a hands-on experience, simulate the atmosphere, but smaller than a a big time show. So it's a really great kind of way to to desensitize a new puppy to that show environment with less pressure. Speaker 2 (35:14.712) That's a great thing. Yeah. the Kennel Club is also just sharing a different bit of information. Someone in the Kennel Club has been putting on a fast cat event a couple of times a year. If you don't know about that, I'd be happy to send you information because that's kind of a nice thing to not have to wait for a big show. It's usually just a Saturday afternoon and they are sanctioned. Yeah. Speaker 2 (35:44.072) but it's an easier way than going to a big show, you know. So the small stats are I I actually just went to the one locally and those are the coursing ability trials. So they kind of set up like a shoot and let the dogs run and get timed. But I actually brought one of my confirmation dogs that I've been working with out there and trained him around the showgrounds because it's a great place to kind of There's lots of there's lots going on at a fast cat. Yeah. They're allowed. There's dogs galore. Yeah and it's a lot of there's a lot of energy there. It's fun. We were supposed to be at one this weekend, actually. but we had a change in plans. My my Winnie got a little bit injured, so we didn't want to it was a whole thing. she's fine, she's totally fine, but it was one of those deals where it was like, Yeah, maybe just skip out on it, it's fine. We don't need to We need to put pressure on that. They're so fun though. And you're right. It's a great training opportunity, especially for the old focus. Yeah. The look at me's, the watch me's. There's a lot happening. So if you can nail it on one of those, you're doing great. yeah. Yeah. Speaker 1 (36:56.354) Yeah, 'cause you will have dogs screaming in the background trying to get That that would be mine. Mine is the one screaming in the background. She's forty-two pounds of yelling. That's all she has at those. Speaker 2 (37:12.568) So when you were competing, what would be your favorite sport? Would it be agility, obedience? If I had all the money and time in the world, right. I would I would live at agility trials. They're just phenomenal. I mean, just and it really is down to you and your relationship with the dog and the conditioning and time and training that you have put in and then how you perform on that day. And I that's what I love about it is it's really just there's Yeah. Speaker 1 (37:49.162) absolutely nothing subjective about it. so yeah, agility is my favorite, but because time and money are factors, confirmation is where I live. Yeah. Fair enough. I have to say I just bought kind of a deluxe agility set. I mean, it's not that deluxe, but it's a very nice starter set. And I am so excited because my dogs have been playing with the tunnel like crazy. Everyone goes through the tunnel. You you might remember that Grace did not really succeed in agility when I took it with you. So I'm trying with other dogs and everyone else is much better at agility than Grace. I don't know why I thought she would be good. she was not. I went to one of those classes, Karen. I remember. Yeah, you know, you can't always tell. Maybe she would have been better at obedience because she likes to look at me and be told what to do. but she she definitely perceived the things as one thing at a time and was not having fun. Yeah. Speaker 2 (38:57.686) So I will be practicing and we'll see how I progress with agility training. Yes. So much of it is about the handler. So it is a team event for sure. Yeah. Well, to be honest, now that you've mentioned that Brighton has a class, I might be calling to see, you know, who I can enroll and how soon. Yeah. Agility's cool. It's it's really fun to watch. I mean, all all dog sports are cool to watch the relationship between handler and dog, but that one ha everything happens so fast. It's so impressive. And the dog would love it. Yeah. Speaker 2 (39:38.338) Love it. It's their favorite thing. It is so cool. but yeah, I Karen, I hope you're able to get at least one or two of yours in there because I think they would all like it. I'm sure Grace would like it if it was one by one. Grace just amuses herself and that's enough. Yeah. The butterflies and leaves are plenty for her. My neighbor's dogs are in my yard, which is why my dogs are barking. It happens. It does. We love that. Well, cool. I don't think I have anything else, Karen. Do you? No, but it was been it's been so good to reconnect with you. And I'm thrilled that you were able to be on the podcast. We wanted to end this season with you and I'm really glad it worked out and we're so grateful for your time. Yes. I've learned so much in forty two minutes. I'm I thank you. I appreciate that. Yeah. Yeah. Well I am an now an excited and and I'm an avid listener, so you guys keep this going and enjoying it. We certainly will. We'll have lots of plans for season two. Yes, so stay tuned. We'll be back probably sometime in January is the plan. So if you're a frequent listener, don't be surprised when there's a bit of a break. We're going to take a little bit of a break to plan. But awesome. Well thank you. Speaker 1 (41:07.096) Sounds great. Thank you all. You guys take care and I hope to see you at the next show. Yeah, me too. Have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas too. Thank you. Bye. Thanks. Bye.