The Hood Canal Bridge, our lifeline to Bainbridge Island, will be closed starting on May 1 through June 15, 2009. We are hoping these dates are the maximum number of days the bridge will be closed and hope there is a chance it will be open earlier. There will be a foot ferry from the Peninsula to Lofall (near Poulsbo) but there will be limited ability to transport a dog on the boat. You can drive around but it's an all day excursion. David and I are still working on a plan so we can continue to service our loyal customers. As soon as we know more we will let you know. In the meantime if you've got any great ideas or want to discuss your needs during those dates, please give us a call or drop us an email!!!

Hi everyone! I feel like a department store putting out my Christmas decorations in September! But the reality is that the holidays are just a few months away. The other reality is that we are almost full for both holidays and we're filling up quickly for Spring Break 2009! So if you need to board your pup with us during those holidays, please let us know as soon as possible so we can let you know if we've got space available. Enjoy the rest of this lovely late summer!!

BeauJes will be closed from October 27 through November 9, 2008. We will be open for business again starting on Monday, November 10, 2008.

One year old Mops and her trainer, Darlene, competed in Rally Obedience at the Hurricane Ridge Kennel Club and the Olympic Kennel Club Trials and completed her Novice Rally title on Saturday, August 16th. Below is their story...

Mops is a 12 month old black pug girl. We have owned pugs for 20 years and I showed in conformation before my children were born. My children are 12 and 14 and they have only known pugs when they are old. This past Thanksgiving, on an impulse, I purchased Mops, who at the time was a 15 week old puppy. She came from a litter of 8 and was the runt and the last puppy that needed a home. This puppy was beyond timid and shy. She cowered at being touched by strangers and at 15 weeks would growl if people approached her. I have only known pugs that are super social and see people as access to food and constant attention, so I was shocked at this puppy's behavior. I signed her up ASAP for puppy classes with Judith Bell (whose reputation as a trainer and for her stellar boarding facility is legendary here on Bainbridge Island). Mops began a 6 week puppy classes in January of 2008. She worked so hard in these classes. We practiced the skills we learned in class daily. After the first class, I practiced with Mops in our dining room on a corner of an area rug. It just happened to be where we started. Mops spent most of that night and the next week sitting near that rug. When a family member would come into that area she would run to that corner and sit so intensely as if to say, "See, I'm sitting." She loved to work with us all. She loved the praise.

After our 6 week puppy class we took a 6 week teenage puppy class. Then we signed right up for CGC. After finishing CGC in early April of 2008, my children and I were trying to decide between Judith's advanced classes and trick classes. We chose the advanced training classes and I am so glad we did. Judith had another trainer in the area teach this class with her. Mary Hager started the very first class explaining Rally Obedience to us. I was hooked before she set up a sign. This sounded like so much fun and it was. I loved the challenges of the courses that Mary set up every week for us to practice on. My 12 year old son came each week and worked with a black lab from another family. We were hooked.

By the end of May 2008, I knew I wanted to compete with Mops. That motivated me to send her AKC papers in. I planned to enter her in the Hurricane Ridge Kennel Club shows on July 26th and 27th. We began seriously training but I promised myself this would be about having fun and spending quality time with my pug. I bought a bunch of rally books and watched a bunch of rally trial videos on You Tube. Mops and I worked together most evening after dinner. She loved to work on her Rally skills.

Mops' registered name is The Glamorous Mopsy Flopsy. We call her Mops (which is Dutch for 'pug'). I have never trained in obedience before though I have shown in confirmation about 18 years ago. Mops earned her Rally Novice title in 4 shows. Hurricane Ridge, July 26th she scored a 91 and placed 5th that day. At Olympic Kennel Club on Saturday the 16th she scored a 96 and placed 4th. On Sunday the 17th, she earned her title with a score a 92 and placed 5th. I was so proud.

I really love Rally. Rally allows me to spend time daily working with my dog. It is so rewarding to work with her and see her happy. Mops loves her rally time. So my timid and shy puppy has a title. She is well-behaved and socialized. She loves the ring and can't wait to perform. We plan to keep training in rally and work our way up to a RAE. I can't wait.

Below are the classes for the 2008 season. Our classes are held each Saturday morning 9:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. at the Bainbridge Island Grange Hall on N. Madison Ave. If you are interested in training classes with your dog, please email Judith at judith@beaujes.com or call Judith at 360-797-7979. We'll help you figure out which class will fit your dog's needs the best. If any of you are interested in the Tricks class, I HIGHLY recommend it!! Mary Hager, our tricks instructor, is a fabulous teacher and students and dogs have so much fun!!! It's becoming one of our most popular classes!! If you decide to join any of our classes, just print off the application below. You can drop your completed form with your check in the mail to Judith Bell, 124 Sunshine Rd., Sequim, WA 98382. Classes are six weeks long for one hour each week. The cost is $145.

Wednesday classes are available upon request.
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Class type dependent on enrollment.

Saturday, August 9 thru September 13
Saturday, September 27 thru November 1
Puppy classes only will be available in November and December. Please call for details.

Puppy Kindergarten (lots of socializing with puppies and people!)
Adolescent puppy class (we'll help you control that rowdy teenager!)
Canine Good Citizen class (get your dog certified by the AKC!)
Advanced Class (instructor permission required)
Tricks class (fun for you and your dog!)

Click here to download the application

Thank you for visiting www.beaujes.com. We have redesigned our website to make it easier for you to find information about us, our boarding and training. Feel free to browse the new pages, or contact Judith at judith@beaujes.com for more information.