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January 1st, 2010

January 1, 2010…..Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!

A long time ago, one of my favorite instructors suggested that I make a habit to take some time at the beginning of each year to really give serious thought to what my training and trialing goals are for that year. She went on to say that once I set my goals, I need to plan how to work toward them.

I have tried to follow that advice and as each New Year begins decide who and what I need to focus on. In 2009, my plan was to focus on obedience with Stormy, and completing the OTCH quest. I truly feel blessed to have been able to reach that goal! Looking forward to what 2010 will hold, I am very excited about Britt’s upcoming litter; I really hope there is something great there!!! After the puppy duties are done, we will be busy training in obedience with both Britt and Robbie, and of course trailing with Robbie in agility……they have both waited “in the wings” very patiently, now they each deserve their turn to shine!

May you have a wonderful New Year, filled with Health, Happiness, Joy, and, of course lots of fun with your four legged friends too!

Robbie is looking forward to getting out to the agility trials in 2010 to work toward his MACH!

Posted in Agility, Bitti, Criterion Agility | Comments Off

December 20th, 2009

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…..

and snow it did, we had a bit over a foot of snow overnight. After we spent several hours digging out, the dogs got a chance to play in the new fallen snow and they really enjoyed it!

The snow was chest deep for Stormy……..

He and Britt, acting very proper, looked on………

while Robbie was gleefully dashing through the snow…………….

it wasn’t long before they could no longer contain themselves, they just had to join in on the fun….

they all had a great romp in the snow, running this way…….

and that way…………….

Britt is so light, she can practically run on top of the snow…….

Stormy, looking slightly windblown, but, dashing as always……..my very handsome

“Storm Man”

see more pictures of the snow day

Posted in Bitti, Robbie, Stormy | 1 Comment »

December 7th, 2009

Our final trial for 2009…..

We had a great time this weekend at the Oriole Dog Training Club’s Agility Trial, held at the Carol County Agricultural Center in Westminster, MD. We went south, hoping for some warmer weather, instead we had 3 inches of snow! Anyway, Robbie did a great job, had I not driven him off the road we would have come home with 3 double Q’s! Instead, we came home with 3 more MXJ legs…..and…..an agility dog looking for a new handler who can steer him through an Excellent Standard course <ggg>! So, we end the year with 9 MXJ legs, and will have to wait for 2010 to earn the title!

Posted in Agility, Robbie | Comments Off

November 19th, 2009

Britt finishes her first performance title!

A rare treat on a show day, we actually got to sleep in today. Well not really, I was awake at 5am, thankfully, we didn’t need to leave home until 10am! Britt was entered in Rally Novice today, hoping to get the third leg and finish her title. The rest of the day’s plan was to set up crates etc. for the agility trial tomorrow. The doors opened for agility set up at 3:30pm and by 4:30pm there was not a crating spot left! PHEW am I ever glad we were there at 3:30! Our Rally class was just wrapping up then, the class had an entry of 28, there were only 3 or 4 that did not show. It was a big class, that seemed to go on forever! When all was said and done, Britt had a very nice class, our score was 99 (1 point deduction was no doubt a handler error) , she qualified, finished her RN title and earned 2nd place too!

: Britt earns her Rally Novice title!

click link below to watch the class:

Posted in Bitti, Rally-O | Comments Off

November 17th, 2009

The Biggest Show on Dirt!

The Thanksgiving Cluster starts this week; these shows run over the course of 5 days and are held at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds in West Springfield, MA. This Cluster is one of the biggest shows in our part of the country, hosting 4 days of Agility competition, and 5 days of competition in Conformation, Obedience, and Rally-O. There are many canine health screenings available, and the BEST doggie shopping you could ask for in one place! I am really looking forward to these shows; we will be attending all 5 days, Thursday through Monday. Britt is entered in Rally-O on Thursday, and Robbie is entered in agility Friday through Monday

This is a picture of the logo that was on the T-shirts given to the Agility exhibitors last year, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Agility being offered at this cluster of shows- the agility trials known as “The Biggest Show on Dirt!”

Posted in Agility, Obedience, Rally-O | Comments Off

November 14th, 2009

Tri State Shetland Sheepdog Club presents a seminar on breeding and whelping!

This weekend I attended a seminar on breeding and whelping given by Myra Savant Harris. Myra has a tremendous wealth of knowledge, both from her work as a labor and delivery nurse and from her experience as a long time breeder of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

This is the second time that I have attended her seminar, Myra is a wonderful speaker and really funny too! She has a great way of presenting her information, she makes the time fly by and leaves you wanting more

Britt is due in season soon and I am planning to breed her on this upcoming season, so this refresher could not have been timed more perfectly for me!

Posted in Seminar, TriState SSC | Comments Off

November 11th, 2009

Happy 6th Birthday Indy, Gibs and Belle!!!!!!

I can hardly believe it has already been 6 years since my first litter was born!

Indy, Belle and Gibson 12-27-03

Indy, Gibson and Belle were born on Veterans Day, 11/11/03 and the first puppy arrived at 11:11am! We tried to come up with litter names that would be relevant to this day. Indy’s name came from Independence, Belle’s from the Liberty Bell, and the very handsome Gibson after one of my favorite actors Mel Gibson for his movie “The Patriot”. Though it does not usually happen, their new families all kept the litter names that the puppies were given.

Belle went to live the life of luxury as a much doted on family pet with a wonderful family in Massachusetts. She joined an older Sheltie “brother” named Jasper.

"Belle"

Gibson and Indy both joined Carol and Gary Weiner here in CT. Soon after starting puppy classes both Carol and Gary were bitten by the “agility bug”. Not long after starting agility training, Gary’s fancy sport car was traded in for a more dog friendly SUV. Eventually they were knee deep in agility trials and a motor home joined their fleet too! Carol and Gary, along with Indy and Gibs, have been familiar faces at the agility trials in the North East over the last few years.

Gary has done an amazing job with Gibson; he is a very fast and talented agility dog! They are such fun to watch on course

Gary and Gibson

Not to be out done by her dynamic big brother, in September 2008, Indy (and Carol) went all the way from Novice A to earning a MACH!!!! Indy is Carol’s first MACH dog and she is the first Champion for Wyndridge too! We are so proud of you and all that you have achieved together!

Carol and MACH Indy!

Happy 6th Birthday, Indy, Gibson and Belle!!!!!! And Happy Veterans Day too! Especially on this day, we should say a special prayer and give thanks for all of the men and women who have sacrificed so much to ensure the freedom that we all enjoy!

Posted in Agility, Puppies | 1 Comment »

November 9th, 2009

The rough life of a retired Obedience Trial Champion!

Even though he is no longer showing, Stormy always travels with me when I go away to a seminar or a show. We have made the long trip to and from New Hampshire 3 out of the last 4 weekends, and he really needs a break! This is his opinion of what a Monday after that trip should be….

Stormy's new versions of the obedience exercises include; The High Jump=getting on the couch, Scent Discrimination=using your nose to decide which pillow is the best to rest on, and finally the Long Down= settling in for a well deserved nap!

Posted in Stormy | 1 Comment »

November 8th, 2009

Robbie’s QQ#3!!!

This weekend Robbie and I went to the ABA Agility Trial at American K9 Country, in New Hampshire. Robbie really had a great weekend! On Saturday, he finished his Novice Fast title, and earned another MX leg! Sunday, he moved up to Open Fast, and earned his first leg there by winning the class! Then he went on to qualify in BOTH his Standard and Jumpers classes earning his 5th MXJ leg and his 3rd double Q!!!

The courses were very nice both days, they seemed to work equally well for both the big and small dogs. Below are the maps from the Sunday courses. Sunday’s theme seemed to be about pinwheels and both courses started with either the tunnel or chute too! Unfortunately, my camera was not cooperating so there is no video of our runs

Sunday course maps

Posted in Agility, Robbie | Comments Off

November 5th, 2009

An opportunity to train with a World Team member!

Jenn Crank and her mom Susan have had amazing success in agility. Among Jenn’s accomplishments are 11 MACHs on 4 different dogs, she has also been on the world team several times earning both Bronze and Silver medals! We attended the seminar they gave at Criterion Agility in August this year, and were lucky to have a private lesson with Jenn back then.

Jenn was back on the East Coast for another seminar this week, Robbie and I were very fortunate to have our second opportunity to train with her again today! We shared a 3 hour lesson this afternoon with our instructor Monique and another friend Joyce. We all had a lot of fun working together, and the time seemed to FLY by! We ran several courses with a lot of focus on fine tuning forward and lateral sends. After 3 hours of running, I am sure everyone will sleep well tonight!

Posted in Agility, Criterion Agility, Jenn Crank | Comments Off

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