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At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter
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Hi Reader,
Yesterday, I said goodbye to one-year-old Maremma pups, Romeo and Pele, as they loaded into their airline crates for the flight to their new home in the Bay Area. As I watched them go, I couldn't help but think about how this perfect placement didn't happen by accident...
Nine months ago, Noelle contacted me looking for livestock guardian dogs for the new farm in the Bay Area she was moving to with her husband and young children. Here's the thing—she wasn't ready for dogs yet. Her fences weren't built, her facilities weren't prepared, and construction was happening all over the property.
But Noelle understood something that many people miss: the right dogs aren't available when you need them—they're available when you plan for them.
The Smart Approach That Made Everything Work
Instead of scrambling to find any available dogs when she was desperate, Noelle:
✓ Reserved her spot 9 months before she needed the dogs
✓ Chose older pups so they'd be ready to work immediately
✓ Worked with me to select dogs perfect for her family and busy farm environment
✓ Invested in extended training so the timing would be exactly right
While Romeo and Pele waited for their perfect home, I provided extra months of boarding and specialized training. We arranged for Pele to be spayed and receive gastropexy surgery through my vet, completed all their one-year veterinary care, and worked on socialization for their busy farm environment with lots of visitors.
When Noelle arrived to pick them up, Romeo greeted us enthusiastically at the gate. Both dogs took to her immediately. They were exactly the right dogs at the right time and perfect for her situation.
Waiting for the Perfect Family
Other people have expressed interest in Romeo and Pele over the last year, but they passed on these amazing dogs. I'll admit I was disappointed with each false lead that didn't pan out. But I kept telling myself that the perfect family was waiting for these special pups—one that would love and appreciate them as much as I do. And it was. Noelle's family is exactly the family these wonderful pups deserve.
What Really Made My Day
As Noelle was about to leave, she handed me a check "for a little something extra" to thank me for the extended time and training I gave the pups. I was honestly shocked—this wasn't just a tip, it was a generous recognition of the value she received.
But here's what made me even happier than the unexpected bonus:
Noelle truly understands what goes into raising, training, and preparing these amazing dogs. She values them as much as I do, and I know Romeo and Pele will be loved, appreciated, and properly cared for.
That's exactly the kind of home every one of my dogs deserves.
The Reality Most People Miss
Here's what I see happen all too often: people wait until they desperately need a livestock guardian dog, then get frustrated when they can't find the right match immediately. They either:
- Settle for whatever's available (wrong temperament, no health testing, inadequate socialization and training)
- Wait months longer than necessary because they didn't plan ahead
- Lose livestock because of unexpected predation
- Miss out on the perfect dog because someone else reserved it first
- Struggle with their dog because of a lack of breeder support
The families who get perfect matches—like Kristie and Matt with Kavax and Petunia, Glenn at his beautiful Napa vineyard, and now Noelle with Romeo and Pele—all share one thing: they contacted me before they desperately needed dogs.
Don't Wait Until You're Desperate
I'm currently working with several other families who understand this principle:
- Milo reserved his pair in November for spring sheep arrival
- Mary's family has been preparing for months for their family's companion dogs and future homestead guardians
- Sarah is planning months ahead for the complicated requirements to bring her puppy, Caia, to her home in Hawaii
Each of them will get exactly the right dogs at exactly the right time because they planned ahead.
If you're considering adding a Maremma to your farm or family—whether that's next month, next season, or next year—the time to start that conversation is now.
The perfect livestock guardian dog doesn't just appear when you need one. It comes from planning, patience, and working together with a breeder who will go the extra mile to identify exactly what you need.
Don't let predator losses or a poorly matched livestock guardian be your story. Instead, let's start planning for your Maremma success story.
Ready to reserve your spot and start planning for your perfect Maremma?
Reserve Your Spot on Our Master Waiting List →
Schedule a Free Maremma Consultation Call →
I love working with families who understand the value of planning ahead. Reply to this email, and we can discuss your timeline and needs.
Talk soon,
Kim
P.S. You can read the full stories of Romeo & Pele, plus several other recent client success stories, in my latest blog post: Why Smart Planning Makes All the Difference: Your Guide to Maremma Success→
P.P.S. Romeo and Pele's departure means I now have space for extended training and boarding for the next family who needs it. If timing flexibility could help you get your perfect dogs, let's talk about how we can make it work.
