Meet Howser. Doggie Howser. Get it?

He's an adorable soft-coated wheaten terrier, one of the new students in the puppy kindergarten class at Smarty Paws. Trainer MaryKay Grahn has moved into her fantastic new indoor location in northwest Las Vegas. There's room for agility (we had our first class of the season Monday night) and obedience classes to take place at the same time. We enjoyed watching the younger pupils go through the basics.

Miss Congeniality!

Lovely little Gracie certainly earned the title during her recent visit to the Petcast Studio. Our friend Jeri Muntis, a local schnauzer owner and professional handler, joined us for Episode No. 124, which will be available online soon at www.thepetcast.com. While older sister Katie charmed Steve (and kept his lap warm), 9-week old Gracie showed us the beauty of natural, uncropped ears. Jeri's dogs have earned top honors in conformation, obedience and agility. Her oldest dog Steeler is Archie's half-brother.

Archie has new nieces!

Meet Journey and Cassie, black-and-silver miniature schnauzers who are just six weeks old in this photograph. Their mom is Katie, who is the sister of Archie's half-brother Steeler. Cassie (near right) has a potential future ahead of her as a show dog, and Journey is likely headed for life as an agility and obedience contender and pet. We'd take them both, but Archie rather likes being "top dog."