AUTUMN CAMP TAILS
About Autumn N. Ritchie
My obsession with dogs started early. As early as I can remember I was watching Animal Planet and any movie or show involving dogs ... Every year I'd check out the Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds and read it cover to cover. I missed a friend's birthday party to watch a dog show on TV once as a preteen. But as a child with undiagnosed and unacknowledged ADHD that grew up in a poverty stricken household with absent parents, I didn't have much opportunity to nurture this interest until I reached adulthood.
In high school for my volunteer hours I worked at a friend's mom's groom shop doing reminder phone calls and cleaning kennels. I didn't interact much with the animals but it was my first experience in the "dog industry". After a few positions in retail, customer service and food service, I landed a position at a dog daycare in my hometown. There I was trained with the Dog Gurus Knowing Dogs 101 and 201 video module series that is pretty standard staff training for dog daycares. After that position ended, we made the choice to migrate our family in 2015, which by that time included Camo and Chai, my previous female Aussie, to the Seattle region.
In 2016, after working for a few different daycares, I ended up at a long standing facility in Seattle, and one of the services they offered was "Adventure Park". A supervisor and staff member would load up <30 dogs in a box truck outfitted with crates and drive them about an hour north to a rented private dog park. There we'd spend 2 hours just running around several acres, playing, practicing obedience and just enjoying nature, rain or shine. That service left a lasting impression on me and I've been hunting for that same feeling ever since. I've continued filling my resume with different dog daycares and grooming facilities around Seattle since then, learning what I could about handling dogs in a variety of settings and becoming an expert on reading dog body language, behavior and breed characteristics.
We moved our family to Shelton in 2021 and acquired our two youngest Aussies, Rand and Xayah. After spending countless hours enjoying the quiet solitude of Mason County's forests with my personal pack, I just knew I needed to share this great resource with other dogs.
Meet Our Pack Rangers
Our personal pack of dogs we use to help evaluate and train Cubs and Campers!
Camo
12 years old
Neutered
Camo is the patriarch of the pack. My first Aussie, Camo came into our lives in 2013 as an adult off of Craigslist. He's a grumpy, deaf old man that enjoys treats, hikes and outings with Mama, even if he has to put up with other dogs to get them.
Skittles
7 years old
Intact
Skittles came to us in 2019 as a retired breeding dog after the sudden loss of Chai, my heart dog. A sensitive soul, it took several months for Skittles to open up to us and get used to city life. She's my go to dog for evaluations because of her nonconfrontational but take no fuss attitude. You'll usually find her at the back of the pack walking alongside me unless the youngins are rough housing, then she has to tell them what's what.
Rand
2 years old
Intact
I've wanted more than 2 dogs for as long as I can remember but it was never the right time. Until the end of 2021 when things finally fell into place and we brought Rand home as a co-own after becoming friends with his breeder. Rand is joy personified. He doesn't know a stranger but he's also not a pest about it. If your dog has issues with adolescent males, Rand is the dog I use to help change their mind. I have plans to title him in Parkour, Barn Hunt and Lure Coursing.
Xayah
2 years old
Intact
Xayah is my BOGO puppy. Rand's full sister, but 6 months younger, she is a spitfire where her brother is far more easy going. Xayah has strong herding and movement control instincts and is showing great aptitude at splitting and helping me manage play in the pack. A strong swimmer and tugger, I hope to pursue herding, dock diving, bikejoring and maybe dabble in bite sports in the future with her.
Chai
July 3, 2013 -
July 6, 2019
Chai was my dream puppy, a cowdog fresh off the farm. My heart dog, she accompanied me to most of the dog daycares I worked at in Seattle as well as by my side as we both learned the ins and outs of the big city. Camo and her adored each other and she was a perfect dog park goer. I will forever be grateful to everything I learned from her and about myself because of her.