Giving Thanks & Happy Thanksgiving

I have so many things for which to be thankful- good health, a warm home, a beautiful farm, a wonderful husband, a great family, and of course my shelties and the friends I have made because of them.

Today I am reliving a "gift" I both gave, and received. In October I reported that I had handled Belaire's Little Bit Country, Lola, to a 5 pt. specialty major. I am thankful to be able show dogs successfully. I love showing dogs.

When you win with someone else's dog, you both give and receive at the same time. I got to feel the exhilaration of winning, and then I get to call the owner and share the excitement with them. These are the win photos. Lola is the 3rd dog I have shown for Ken and Gloria Hansen, Belaire Manor Shelties and Corgis. The other two, Breckon and Lainey are also pictured on this blog. They have comments about this win on their blog http://www.belairemanor.blogspot.com/

I am thankful for dogs, friends, and Wins (among many other things).

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Emine- the Livestock Guard Dog

Emine is a Turkish Kangal. The Kangal is the "Royal Dog of Turkey". These dogs are on coins, and there are statues in tribute to these wonderful guard dogs. On our farm, Emine (pronounced Em*in*a, the Turkish word meaning "trustworthy") is the Royal Guard Dog of Ewe Win. Here she is pictured on her "throne" as she surveys her Kingdom.

Or talking to her "subjects" who are no doubt complaining that all they would like to do is "chase the sheep for a few minutes, please, please, can we, huh, huh?" No- is the final answer. Sheep herding is a civilized and important activity not undertaken by unruly puppies!

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Images from Today

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Amish Cemetery

How else would you keep the grass short with out lawn mowers?

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Margie and the pesky pups

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Acadia Catcher In The Rye, CDX, NAJ, TN-N, WV-N

Speed demon Rory has added some NADAC agility titles to his name. Dr. Amy reports that they (she and Rory) had plans to compete in more AKC events this fall in hopes of completing some of the titles he has begun, but that Rory suffered a severe rotator cuff injury and is "out of commission" until the spring trials. Poor guy. Dr. Amy is a DVM. Between her and her colleagues, Rory has had the best treatment and is expect to make a full recovery. In the meantime, he is not happy about his new sedate lifestyle.

He is the brother of Nicky (Acadia Cierra Like A Rock, OAJ, NA, HT, RN).

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"Puppy Check-In"

I have had a very good week with a number of "puppy check-ins" as I sometimes refer to them. I LOVE to hear from "the puppies". Here are bits of some of the messages sent. Anything in italics is a comment from me.

From Deb about Belle
"Belle is as close to perfect as a dog can be…
We absolutely love her…
She is sweet and kind to everyone.
She hangs out with us and sleeps on or near the bed.
She loves to play and she loves to get pets.

She is a princess at bath time and has never offered to chew anything…. (Cameron- did you read that? )
The only time she has ever growled was at a campaign worker for Barack Obama when he came to the door.
He was actually afraid of her.
We decided she was clearly a republican! (Well she did spend a summer in Alaska)
The girls are planning to start Canine Good Citizen and then Therapy Dog training with Belle in January. The local hospital has a pet visitation program and she and the girls will do that when she has her certification. I am sure that will be a slam dunk. My cousin is confined to a wheelchair and has cerebral palsy, she can only make sounds and swing her hands.
Belle went to her and sat next to her wheelchair and let her pet/thump her (not hard) on the head. She never moved away from the wheelchair.
We can’t thank you enough for sharing this wonderful dog with us.

From Cindy about Briar Rose
I think I may have told you I lost the man I was dating to cancer ........
I just cannot tell you what it means to have her here. I had taken a photo of Bob (my friend) and Susie (Cindy's 1st sheltie) right before she was put down in April. I had given a copy of that photo to Bob's brother who used the face portion to put in the obituary when Bob died. I looked at it the other day & could not believe I lost two treasured friends within months of each other. It just doesn't seem possible. Then.....I look at the beautiful little girl that gives me the look of adoration and my heart just takes a leap......it's almost like God knew I would need her. In fact, in a card a neighbor gave me she wrote "I think God sent you Briar Rose as a blessing...." She's right!! He did!!!!
Take care......know that this little bundle is hugged & kissed so much!!!! I can't get enough of her!!!
Thanks again for letting me adopt her.......she is my heartbeat!!!!!

Sometimes the messages are not so sweet.
This was sent from Pat about Cameron
Hope you are enjoying the beautiful Fall weather. I just love this time of year...pumpkins and falling leaves and just all the beautiful colors. Still warm enough to be outside, too. Need to ask you about a problem with chewing we are having with Cameron. He is fascinated with our couch and has destroyed one pillow and chewed the skirt on it several times. No amount of Bitter Apple or Bitter Cherry or telling him "no" seems to work. ..............

Pat and I emailed back and forth a number of times discussing Cameron's chewing behavior. As I told Pat- often chewing is about the inherited behaviors of chewing and which behavior is being satisfied. Anyway- here is a message Pat sent today.

He has been happily playing with a cardboard box all day yesterday and part of today. Thanks again for all your diligent help.

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National Spotlight is currently on dogs- lets promote responsible breeders

Forget about "What Breed should the Obama's get" for a moment. Lets focus on "where should the dog come from".

We have an opportunity- Lets not Waste it!

All eyes are on the issue of “where will President Elect Obama get the family dog”. This is a GREAT opportunity for all of us (yes, even HSUS) to plead our cases. Lets not WASTE IT.

Here is what I am doing, and I am encouraging you to do something similar.
1. Write to your CONGRESSMEN/WOMAN. These are the people who will be proposing new legislation to limit breeding. Tell them the following:
A. Buying from a breed specific “hobby” breeder provides lifelong support. Hobby breeders are interested in making sure the dogs they produce are loved and cared for. This means that when a purchaser has questions about care, behavior, needs, etc, they have a person to ask.
b. Buying a purebred dog from a “hobby” breeder means that you are more likely to be able to “see” the expected temperament, size, look, etc. of your dog. Most hobby breeders are selecting for certain traits that are greater than just “the resulting dog is such-and-such a breed”. We know that behavior is genetic. We know that certain characteristics are genetic and we select for these.
c. Remind them that Purebred Dog clubs sponsor RESCUE and relocation programs because we CARE about our breeds and we UNDERSTAND the physical and behavioral characteristics of these breeds. If someone is interested in “providing a home for a dog in need” they can still get a purebred.

2. Once you have written your thoughts down in a logical manner that you are going to send to your Congressmen/women- then POST them ON LINE.
a. This is a GREAT way to increase your audience.
b. Add it to a facebook page, a blog, a website, anything to get the information OUT THERE.

We need to work EXTRA hard to promote ourselves as people who LOVE DOGS and CARE about the puppies we produce. HSUS is targeting “breeders” and proposing anti-dog legislation right and left.

With the national spotlight on the President-elect’s choice for a dog- LETS WORK HARD to get a positive message out there. Once he has made his choice- our opportunity has been reduced (but not lost).

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What Breed of Dog should the Obama family get?

I big question for sure. Contrary to what many believe, there is no such thing as a Non-allergenic dog, but breeds of dogs that are single-coated have a decreased tendency to cause allergies and are often refered to as Hypoallergenic breeds. Of course poodles are the most popular, but my choice for the Obama family is the Portuguese Water Dog. These dogs are good with children, medium size, fun, obedient, loyal and protective. This family appears active (and intellegent) and the PWD is too. If the Obama family prefers to resuce a dog, they can still get a purbred. Breed clubs always have rescue and relocation programs for their breed. He can achieve the goal of geting a breed with known traits (such as hypoallergenic) and also provide a home to a dog in need.
My vote for 1st Dog- The Portuguese Water Dog

(and you all thought I was going to suggest a sheltie )

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Friends Helen and Spice at the herding trial

My friend Helen Smith and her Samoyed, Spice, went to the herding test this past weekend too. The herding trial/ test was in Bangor, PA at a farm called Raspberry Ridge. Helen was entered with Spice (pictured) in the herding tested class and I was entered with Rincon in the Pre-trial class and Rocky in the Herding Tested class. I already mentioned that Rincon completed the PT title, but both Spice and Rocky got one leg (out of the required two) for the HT title. Spice comes to our farm to train and it was really nice to have someone there to share the experience. We both look forward to more herding to come for Spice and Rocky. One of Helen's goals is to complete the HT title and be ready for the PT title in time to compete in the Samoyed national specialty herding test. I know she and Spice can do it.

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U-Ch, U-CD Linden Acadia Stacked Deck, HIAd, HSAsd, CDX, HTAD1, HRD1

Show Low, Belle's father, was at a herding trial this weekend too. He placed 3rd in Started B Course Ducks (HSBd). I think that was his first of three legs, so no new title yet- but a successful start!
The B course is much larger than the A course. The extra space can really mess a lot of dogs up and we don't usually see shelties running on the B course. Congratulations Show Low!

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Belle's kids represent her well!

This past weekend 2 of Belle's children were successful. Belle is Acadia Sweet Necessity, HT, RN. Her daughter, Peggin Wheelin Jennie Sweet La Reve,HT, bred by Peggy & Robert Crawford and owned by Becky Gay, was Best in Sweepstakes at the Shetland Sheepdog Club of Anchorage. Way to Go!

Belle's son, Acadia Sweet Home Arizona (Rincon), completed the PT herding title. Pictured is Rincon waiting his turn to herd, and then the final step - putting his sheep away. He did a wonderful job. Woo Hoo Rincon!

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Judging Sweepstakes for Northern California SSC

I have finally gotten one of the pictures from my sweeps assignment for Northern California Shetland Sheepdog Club. I had 15 puppies followed by 6 veterans. It was a lovely bunch of shelties and I was so pleased to be able to evaluate so many truly nice dogs.

My Best In Sweeps was a 9-12 month dog, Sea Haven Etched In Silver. He was bred by Yvonne Samuelson and is owned by Karen Hase. Runner-Up to Best in Sweeps was a 6-9 month bitch, Harmony Acre Arenray's Anatalia (pictured). She was bred by Jeanine & Kimberly Harman and is owned by Karen Coombs.

My Best in Veteran Sweepstakes was Ch. Penelane's A Promise Kept, UD. She was bred by Penny McCausland and is owned by Linda & Michael Bianco. Runner-Up to Best Veteran was Ch. SevenOaks Molly B Good. She was bred by Roger & Pam Sadberry and is owned by Rori & Nancy Skellenger.

Congratulations to all of you, and thanks to everyone who brought me such nice puppies. I really enjoyed the assignment.

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New RE- Acadia Aquilegia, *RE*, AX, AXJ, CD

Amy emailed me to report that this past weekend she and Quill completed the Rally Excellent title (RE). Congratulations! Amy reports that the Vallejo Dog Training Club had two rally trials in one day. At the morning trial, Quill placed 1st out of 21 dogs that qualified. In the afternoon trial, Amy and her other dog, Sophie, were 1st in the Advanced class. Way to Go Amy!

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Pam, Jessica, Molly and Valerie (and the BC Quest)

I also got to meet Pam's daughter, Jessica, for the first time. I feel like I have known her for a long time because I have known Pam for almost 9 years now. I always see Pam at dog related events, and Jessica has not attended those events, so on very last day of my trip, I finally met her. I spent the last night at Pam's house. The three of us went out for Sushi and Coldstone Creamery ice cream. YUMMMMM. Then in the morning, Pam took me to the airport to come home. It was a VERY fun trip. It wouldn't have been Nearly as much fun if it wasn't for my friend Pam making so many arrangements for me- Thank you to Pam, Jessica, Amy, Lorrie, Donna, Ingrid, Sharon, and Yvonne for having me out to Calf.

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My Trip to Calif- Part 2

I had never met Quill's owner Amy, but I got the opportunity to do so a few weeks ago when I went out to San Jose, CA. to judge sweepstakes for the Northern California Shetland Sheepdog Club.

I was scheduled to judge on Saturday, and my friend Pam suggested that I come out for the whole weekend of dog shows. She picked me up at the airport on Thursday afternoon and we went right out to the show grounds. Pam works for ABBA Dogs who was in charge of 4 full days of agility trials. There were also 4 days of breed shows at the same location.

Pam thought I might like to sleep in a "real" bed and take a "real" shower, so she had pre-arranged for me to stay with Amy on Friday and Saturday nights. I first got to meet Amy at the agility trial on Friday. Of course we recognized each other right away. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to spend time with her (and Quill). Amy is lucky to have been able to keep her house because she has one acre in an area that is rapidly developing and most houses are on small "lots". She still has space to do some training, and enjoy her dogs.

Pam kindly let me run Valerie in agility on Friday, Sunday, and Monday. Saturday I was judging sweeps.

On Friday we had the standard course before the jumpers course. Valerie was WILD-needless to say we didn't Qualify (or Q). I got LOST in the jumpers course- so of course we didn't Q. Sadly, up to the point I got lost, Valerie was doing quite well. She had just completed a very speedy weave pole set. I had been so mesmerized by her perfect entrance, speed, and complete execution of all of the poles, that I lost focus on the course. I looked up following her exit from the poles, and had NO IDEA where we were going next- DARN.

Sunday I chickened out of running her in the standard course (it was the same judge whose jumpers course I had gotten lost on)- so Pam and I split her runs. Then Monday I had the MOST WONDERFUL jumpers run (except for the fact that she popped out at the last pole- so no Q), but it FLOWED, and it was FAST, and if FELT GOOD. Then her standard course was a wreck! Oh well. At least that dog is FUN.

Amy fared much better than I did in her attempts at the excellent level course. She qualified in her standard run that day.

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My Trip to Calif.-Part 3- Amy and Quill Double Q

I was SO Happy to have witnessed BOTH runs the day Amy and Quill got their FIRST double Q. Just look at the judge Smiling in the picture at the weave poles!

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My trip to Calif - Part 4- Total Devotion

Quill loves Amy so much. Pam recounted the story of taking Amy to the airport to pick up Quill. She said that when they opened the crate door, Quill walked out, looked at Pam, looked at Amy- and very clearly said, "oh I hope she is mine". Luckily, she was. He has been devoted to Amy ever since and it is so obvious when you get to see them act as a team.

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