05/28/2026
Tonight’s Pawz In Time Idol Night got me thinking about someone who truly inspired my journey… and that person is Joan Andreasen-Webb / Framheim German Shepherds. 💙🐾
I first met Joan in the early 1990s — our first communication consisted of snail mail (way before computers and cell phones) … way back in I believe it was 1989! I still have that letter. I should go look up the postmark !!
I was young - just beginning my journey … and didn’t know much about German Shepherds, training, breeding, or the dog world in general.
Long before “positive training” became popular, Joan was already leading with kindness, understanding, patience, and connection. She taught me so much — not only about German Shepherds, breeding, and training… but also about people, relationships, and seeing the bigger picture.
What always stood out to me was the way she made both dogs and people feel understood. There was never ego. Never a need to impress. Just quiet knowledge, deep experience, and genuine love for the breed.
Some people leave a lasting mark on your life simply by being who they are. Joan is one of those people for me.
When I look back now, I realize how much of my own heart-centered approach to dogs, training, and connection was shaped by the people who led with compassion long before it became a trend. Joan helped plant those seeds years ago.
I am incredibly thankful for everything she has shared with me over the years, and even more thankful that she is still part of my life today.
A lifetime of German Shepherds, friendships, memories, lessons, and love 💗 🐾
Some idols don’t stand on stages.Some quietly change lives one dog, one conversation, and one lesson at a time. ✨
* I just went and pulled out my envelope with some of our communications over the years… 1988 are very first letter!!.
She said in that first letter:
“Once you own a dog of real quality, the dog ‘bug’ will probably bite you and you will want to train and exhibit your dog!”
Reading that now honestly makes me smile, because she was absolutely right. 💜🐾
What started as admiration for beautiful German Shepherds became a lifelong passion, a career, friendships, lessons, heartbreaks, joy, and a life deeply connected to dogs and the people who love them.
It’s amazing how one person’s encouragement, wisdom, and belief in you can quietly shape the direction of your entire life. ✨
Thank You Joan.
You will always be my idol.