Last, lightest, and loudest, the puppy we called
Orange waited for nearly two hours after Banana was born to make his appearance. He was
a scrapper and loved to tussle with his brothers, but he was also very sweet and cuddly with people. He
loves to lie on his back, and he LOVES to eat. He's very self-confident and likes to explore. He
is extremely birdy, crazy about the water, and likes non-stop activity. He is making his new home
with Tom and Katie Thagard and their three sons from Birmingham, Alabama, where he is known as
Fern Hill Johnny Cash (Cash for short). Tom goes hunting almost every weekend at a nearby lake, so
Cash has an ideal life!
News from the Thagards, Summer 2007
July 7, 2007. Here are a couple of quick pictures taken this weekend. You will notice that one is taken in the same
location as one of the puppy pictures on his website. Shows how much he has grown. We love him a lot.
June 9, 2007. Cash is doing great. He is a wonderfully bright and gentle family dog. He is
very big as well. He is a bright spot in our life. Katie will try to send pictures soon.
You will not recognize him, but he looks like his pa.
Cash at the Thagard's lake house
News from the Thagards, December 2006
12/18/06: Cash went on his first dove hunt this past weekend and made a fine showing. He was well behaved. He
sat by me the entire time. Showed no fear of guns (I had not exposed him to guns yet) and made two fine
retrieves. Once he found the birds, he was VERY excited and VERY aggressive but has an exceptionally soft
mouth and did not damage the birds at all. Finally, he has exceptional social skills and interacted well
with the 8-10 other dogs on the field. All in all, a very good day!
News from the Thagards, November 2006
11/18/06: We could not be happier with Cash. He is completely housetrained. He will go to the backdoor
and scratch to be let outside. He is completely crate trained. He is retrieving dummies effectively. He
sits, stays and comes on command. In fact, last week I got him to sit from 40 yards away and take commands.
He is working on heeling. That is his biggest challenge due to his enthusiasm. He is a wonderful outside
dog and a wonderful inside dog. He is calm and gentle with the kids. He only chews on his toys, and he
really loves all of us. He is growing like a weed, already more than 30 pounds. As you can tell, he is a
Thagard 100%. Thanks for sharing him.
News from the Thagards, October 2006
10/6/06: Thanks to Katie's efforts, Cash is now sitting, staying and coming. He is fetching a retrieving
dummy for fun when he wants to. He is about 90% leash trained. No more house accidents. He is very
communicative, and he and Katie now speak to each other fairly fluently. Boys are learning LOTS about dog
training and puppies! It is good for everyone involved.
It's a long way down!
Cash and friend
Cash at the lake, 10/1/06
On the dock 10/1/06
10/1/06: It has been a wonderful week with our puppy. He is fairly well crate trained. Has only relieved himself
in the house 2 times. Amazing. He slept 8 hours in the crate last night.
He is about 85% leash trained, having attended 4 football games and 1 soccer game (at which he was
swamped in love and attention by the children). He is socializing well with children, adults and other dogs.
He began sit, stay, come kindergarten today. I will let you know how that goes.
