Leather & Lace K9 Academy

04/15/2025

Hey mom,… whatcha doin?
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04/09/2025

Say hello to Gus… he’s settling in and learning how to coexist in our human world….. which isnt easy for a guy like Gus.. 🦊 🫏 🦈

And he’s an absolute bull in a china shop,…. With shark teeth, and springs built right in his little legs….

Annnnd he’s just the spice i need 😂🙋🏼‍♀️

however- his humans are new to this world…. And they are freaking rockstars

They didn’t ask for Gus, he found his way to them…. Luckily - they are willing to commit the time, energy and money this dogs lifetime will need.

They’ve researched his breeds and their needs- learning dogs needs in general- they’re finding classes that suit his genetics and are willing to do all the things we ask, to make his life fulfilling.

Not everyone should have a Gus…. But if you do, you dang better commit to training him 🥊

(May put together a blooper reel of why pet parents don’t need dogs like this,.. until then- enjoy this cute pic of a dog who clearly can’t hear me 😂😍)

03/31/2025

🐾 it takes a long time to grow an old friend,…. 🐾😍
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🐾😍❤️👌💩🎁🐾

03/24/2025

Just boys being boys…. Auntie life and dogs… the best parts of my days
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This big guy has done outstanding at his training… he came with some nice foundations- he just needed to learn how to properly mingle with humans
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03/13/2025

Missing her extra ….. watching the old man, doesn’t help.

Below a pic of one of our many adventures, on the road to a life as a canine behavior specialist! (Funny, still learn so much from each and every dog I meet)

Not sure how anyone else deals with losses. Feel free to share below!

For us, I’ve taken my time to be sad, then started swimming with dogs again. Didn’t dive right in, pain hurt. Took the time we needed. Work dogs and personal dogs get different parts of me. Often the personal dogs get the broken part, they need to mend. Work dogs get the functioning part of me. It’s a job, must get done. Personal dogs- maybe more likely to lay in bed sad, tending to our own needs, not thinking of the dog first.

Yesterday was 2 months. Still cry every day, but im ok. Living in gratitude, of everything she gave me, helps the most.

Now. I’m looking at Caesar, aging quickly. He turns 10 this year and just lost his best friend too! As we prepare for his senior years along with his isolation anxiety issues, thought I share some of what has helped with us.

How are we dealing?

First - I allowed myself some time, but understand he needs to live life too. Each dog is different. Just as humans, each dog processes life and situations in their own way. Caesar has been amazing to share this road of grief with. He’s taught me so much.

He has been allowed his time to grieve. And now we look at him again as well. He’s been more naughty- and I’ve been allowing some of it. What we allow, we condone. The weaker I am, or the weaker my leadership is, the more the dog will take advantage.

Recently, I’ve been leading with rules and boundaries again. Simple things like door manners and food boundaries, that often matter more than we care to admit.

We are waking him again. Routinely- The walks that he needs - not a potty break. a few miles, lost in the woods.
Sometimes with and sometimes without other dogs. Exercise and fresh air are important to healing.

We grabbed our treat pouch and have done some good old fashioned training sessions. With lots of slobber and jowel towels. His food drive is crazy and we’ve put it to some use lately.

We grabbed his favorite tug! We have trained and played, like we sometimes forget how. It’s good exercise for him and for me! It’s also fun- competitive and releases those endorphins!

Lastly, he’s here by my side. Nice and cozy, cuddled on the couch beside me. He wasn’t always allowed on the couch. Even when Azzura would be, he would not. He was a jerk who I would fight for hierarchy. So clear boundaries for many years this dog had. Anyway, he’s getting more of that too. The pets, the couch time….

Feel free to share your thoughts or pups pics or stories here - we love to see and hear them!

03/13/2025

Forever ⭐️🌗🌎❤️🌈🪽🙏

Forever by My Side

Through every step, through every mile,
You walked with me, tail wagging, a smile.
Through storm and sun, through joy and pain,
Your love was steady, never in vain.

With gentle eyes so kind and true,
No friend on earth could match you.
Through lonely nights and brightest days,
You stayed beside me in countless ways.

No words were needed, yet you knew,
My every joy, my sorrows too.
A paw, a nuzzle, a playful cheer,
You made each moment bright and clear.

Now time has passed, and you have gone,
Yet in my heart, you still live on.
My loyal friend, my soul so true,
Forever, I will cherish you.

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03/07/2025

Made my day so sharing the happiness it brings
. Say hello to Cody- 🐾 😍😍😍

Met his mom at the gas station… 🙏

Had to express my love and gratitude for Cody and she, as they drive around sprinkling smiles and sunsine 🌞 🥰🤩

02/23/2025

Working on some go home notes, while the old man keeps company…

Gosh, we really have so much to learn from them…

He’s been needy. And whiny. And not wanting to be alone….. like at all. FOMO is strong and he’s destroyed two beds.

He cried the second and third night after she passed. Sobbed like me- nothing I ever heard..

Now he’s like us- learning how to be in a world, without your best friend(s).

Grieving from an animal, as intelligent as a well bred corso, is something to see.

He’s still funny. And wants to play more. And cuddle more. And walk more. (Not on the treadmill he walked off after trying to lovk it with his foot 🤣) he wants to work more, and eat more.. he’s been more loving. And more of an as***le. Yet he’s so strong and habitual.
Much more for his own advantage than azzura, but still love and loyal like no other.
Hes definitely the best protector as hes social and funny but man, hes my f**k around and find out dog. 🤣😉 Im safe with him .. (unless you have a meatball- then maybe im safe when hes done his sammich) 🤣🤷🏼‍♀️ He still humbles me, thats for sure.

Anyway, dogs are magical creatures. Each bringing your lives something very different and unique. Some way better than others, some wayyyy harder than others. Each and every one of them leave lessons and footprints.

If you and your naughty dog need some work, reach out. Miss Noelle is back to helping dogs and humans live a better life together. More grateful than ever for the lessons they teach. 🙏🌈

(Also, if your dog is an adorable, cute, squishy face, puppg breath little schnuppie puppy, and you want some puppy training and socializing OR if hes an as***le,.. either way, give me a call maybe I can help 😉)

02/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EZfTSEgb7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Dogs are my people …..

When I am old...
I will wear soft gray sweatshirts...
and a bandana over my silver hair...
and I will spend my social security checks on my dogs.
I will sit in my house on my well-worn chair
and listen to my dogs breathing.
I will sneak out in the middle of a warm summer night
and take my dogs for a run, if my old bones will allow...
When people come to call, I will smile and nod
as I show them my dogs...
and talk of them and about them.....the ones so beloved of the past
and the ones so beloved of today...
I will still work hard cleaning after them,
mopping and feeding them and whispering their names
in a soft loving way.
I will wear the gleaming sweat on my throat,
like a jewel, and I will be an embarrassment to all...
especially my family...
who have not yet found the peace in being free
to have dogs as your best friends...
These friends who always wait, at any hour, for your footfall...
and eagerly jump to their feet out of a sound sleep,
to greet you as if you are a God,
with warm eyes full of adoring love and hope
that you will always stay,
I'll hug their big strong necks...
I'll kiss their dear sweet heads...
and whisper in their very special company....
I look in the mirror... and see I am getting old....
this is the kind of person I am...
and have always been.
Loving dogs is easy, they are part of me.
Please accept me for who I am.
My dogs appreciate my presence in their lives...
they love my presence in their lives...
When I am old this will be important to me...
you will understand when you are old,
if you have dogs to love too.
-Author Unknown

01/13/2025

Today is the first day of whoever I am now… the girl who woke yesterday, will never be the same… -the gifts and lessons this dog left me, were more than any human…

For all the people this dog left their mark on,…. You were lucky to have met her… but the blessing of her soul, was mine.

Thank you to all those who have loved and supported us, for the last decade, but especially this last two weeks…

If you or your dog has been helped my me, then you too can thank azzura for that. She taught me everything I know.

Thank you girl- for saving me from myself.

I love you so 🌈💔💔💔💔

Please understand - I’m going to need a minute. I’ll be ok, but half my heart and a piece of my soul went to sleep…

Olympians Azzura Pietra -
4/13/14 -1/12/25

until we meet again my girl- I know you’ll be there looking for me

12/22/2024

Tell me you’re a happy dog,…
…..without saying you’re a happy dog …
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12/19/2024

Did we just become best friends??
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10/14/2024

To all the humans who have been patient and supported me during this journey in life,… I can not thank you enough. Sometimes life gets overwhelming and I’m so blessed to have all the family, friends and clients (who mostly are friend too) who have made this process a bit easier.. I love and appreciate all of you.

Thank you for your patience..

These two ladies are the biggest part of who I am.. My mamma and my soul dog.

Time can be cruel,….

Life it seems is a balance of aging with illness and dignity,… while fighting it every step of the way..

This is me learning to live with no regrets, and to be a better human.

These two great teachers still bringing me life’s lessons…. It seems the hardest part is yet to come 💔💜💙 😭

Love you both more than my heart can carry 🩵💙💜💕

06/21/2024

We added some stones today to our rainbow bridge of loved ones wishes
🌈 🐾 ♥️🐾🌈

05/01/2024

😍😍☺️ practicing puppy recalls are the best days

04/29/2024

Maybe I’m biased- but I have some of the prettiest girls here right now 😍

04/13/2024

All I’m saying is if today is your day… you’re either a king or queen - 👑 🎁

Happy birthday to my boy Debo- he’s my guy who has taught me a lot- of course if he shares this great day, it’s a sign and you know he’s on miss Noelle’s favorite list

04/13/2024

10… Ten… TEN!! 😳🤯

Seems like a minute and a lifetime -
-at the same time…..

Not sure what I’ll be when, you’re not..

For today- I’ll be grateful. For all the times this bitch has done the thing she does….
Be my 🌎☀️🌖 ⭐️ ✨ and my everything

1:3,197 sharing this pic, as it’s just one of the 3,197 on her my camera role 🤣-
(Not a joke hahahah, I searched by her face😂🤣♥️🤷‍♀️)

Happy birthday girl- 🎁🦖🎉thanks for all that you’ve taught and given to me this past decade …. Now keep doing your job, and listen to mamma who says we need 4 more of these celebrations