Last week, Lisa Lemberger and I had the pleasure of visiting Dogwise in Wenatchee, Washington. For several years, Dogwise has been our trusted partner, handling all order fulfillment from our website. As the “Amazon of Dog Books,” they are exceptionally equipped to ship globally to individual customers, major distributors like Ingram and Baker & Taylor, and even Amazon itself. What sets them apart is their identity as a small, family-run business with a dedicated staff who have been with them for decades, viewing Dogwise as an extension of their own families.
The team at Dogwise is truly remarkable. Pictured here in front of their dog-friendly office are Nate (VP and son of the founders), co-founder and President Larry Woodward (his wife Charlene couldn’t be there that day), Ben (the “Shipping Hound”), Kristy the “Author Shepherd” and Social Media Queen, Jon the “Author Hound,” and Jason, the “Book Trolling Retriever” and customer service representative.
Among the cherished members of the Dogwise family is Kristy’s dog, Puppy Pants. Rescued from the Republic of Georgia by a soldier who fell in love with her, Puppy Pants was brought to the states through the Puppy Rescue Mission. She now spends her days at Dogwise, officially employed as the Director of Product Testing, alongside Kristy’s other dog, Lucy Lui. Puppy Pants is an absolute sweetheart with a name to match, and she seems quite content with Kristy.
Fulfilling orders is a more complex process than one might imagine, particularly with Amazon orders, yet Dogwise manages it seamlessly. We consistently receive praise for their excellent customer service, especially from Jason. This was my first visit to their facility, and it was a valuable opportunity to see their operations firsthand and connect with the people we regularly communicate with. The visit was inspiring, and we left impressed by Dogwise’s commitment to supporting progressive, positive dog training.
It’s fascinating that both Dogwise and my own business began around the same time. I was just starting to gain recognition beyond local dog clubs, and Dogwise was evolving from co-founder Charlene Woodward ordering books for a friend. Larry shared an image from one of their early catalogs, showcasing their growth.
[Many of you may recall the first APDT conference in Florida in 1993. Larry recounts being persuaded by organizer Katy Sai to attend, and to their surprise, they sold out of nearly all their inventory within hours. This event marked a turning point for their business, leading them to focus on dog trainers as their primary market. They have since built an impressive business, and while I admit to being biased due to my friendships within the company, their work is exceptional, and we are fortunate to have them in the dog training community. Henry, the founders’ grandson, is pictured here assisting with inventory, further illustrating the family’s involvement.
[Meanwhile, back on the farm, Jim and I continue to be deeply moved by the outpouring of kindness and support regarding Willie. I apologize for not being able to respond to each message individually, given the sheer volume of comments on both the blog and Facebook. I have read every single message, some multiple times, and they are filled with immense wisdom and grace. Thank you all.
We all deserve some good news, and here it is: Willie is doing well. He received his second round of chemotherapy on Friday. Despite his breathing being compromised, he remains a happy dog. While side effects are anticipated in the coming days, today—the only day that truly matters—he is doing great. We are uncertain of the precise effects of his medications, including Rimadyl for pain, Cerenia for nausea, and supplements like Coriolus mushrooms and Respicalm, as well as his long-term protein and fat-focused, low-carbohydrate diet. However, for now, his well-being is our priority.
Tootsie, our cherished 15-year-old survivor of puppy mill abuse, continues to be a source of joy. Despite her near deafness, she still experiences bursts of energy, eagerly enjoys any food offered, and clearly appreciates the opportunity to sniff the soil now that the snow has melted. Here she is, communicating that her upcoming grooming appointment cannot come soon enough.
Spring has truly arrived. We have new lambs in the barn: the girls are identified by white tags in their right ears, and the boys by colored tags in their left ears.
[Daffodil buds are beginning to show, offering a tease of the blooms to come.
[Lady Baa Baa, affectionately nicknamed “Explodo Ewe,” is also teasing us, as she is not due to lamb for quite some time. We invite you to guess the date she will lamb, the number of lambs, and their sexes. The first person to guess correctly by this Friday, the 12th, will receive a free copy of For the Love of a Dog.
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