Amy's 94th Birthday- and she is running Agility!

 Amy turned 94 today, and she ran Joy at an Agility trial to celebrate.   Twelve years ago my friend Pam called and said her 82 year old friend wanted a sheltie to train in obedience and agility.  Pam said that she would be the co-owner and take the dog should anything happen to Amy.  I sent her Quill, who became Acadia Aquilegia, UD, RE, MX, MXJ, MJB, MXP, MJP2, under Amy's guidance.   Last month, at age 12, Quill passed away.  So much for worrying about an 82 year old owner.

Joy

Five years ago Pam called me again and said that Amy wanted a "faster" dog- and did I have anything for her?  Quill was steady and consistent, but Amy wanted speed.  Since Pam was the one on the phone and not Amy, I know that I laughed.  Not a condescending laugh, but a "what a great request from an 89 year old women." sort of laugh.  I sent her Joy.  Amy worked her magic again and now Joy is Acadia Essence of Joy, UD, RE, AX, MXJ.  Joy only needs 1 more qualifying run for the MX.

Joy is fully trained and she and Amy are on "auto pilot" and Amy's only other dog is a retired Border Collie.  She is ready for a new training challenge.  Why not. I think the dogs, the mental challenge of training, the physical activity, the responsibility, keeps her young.  I will send her another sheltie and look forward to writing about Amazing Amy for years to come.

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New *MXJ* Acadia Essence of Joy, UD, RE, AX, MXJ

This is Amy's birthday week.  She will be 93!  This weekend she had ALL Qualifying Runs.   In February Amy and Joy earned two back to back UD legs with 2nd placements in classes of over 20 dogs.  I am so proud to have been chosen by Amy for her shelties.

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Happy 93rd Birthday Amy!!! You are MORE than an inspiration!

I am So Proud of Amy Brastad and Acadia Essence of Joy, CDX, AXJ, NA, RE.  This video (from ABBA dogs) is her winning run in Excellent Jumpers with Weaves.   Amy turned 93 this month.  She is such an inspiration and I am so proud to claim her as part of the family.

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New *CDX* Acadia Essence of Joy, RAE, *CDX*

(Acadia Essence of Joy) Joy has her CDX Title !!! All three first places !!! Joy was in 4 trials = Goofed one for not coming back over the high jump. Joy's lst leg was at the Santa Clara DTC Jan 19, 'l4,  2nd was Mar 20, '14 3rd was yesterday the 22nd.. The last two trials was at Vallejo and my very good friend gave me a ride. We're celebrating with a large cake at the two classes we train at.

Joy does 80 % of the Utility exercises now

Joy sends her hello. Love, Amy

 

Amy is the AMAZING owner/trainer of both Acadia Aquilegia, UD, MX, MXJ, RE and Joy and I am so proud to claim her as part of our family. CONGRATULATIONS AND  THANK YOU Amy!

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New *UD* Acadia Aquilegia, *UD*, MX, MXJ, RE

I just found out about this TODAY- but Amy and Quill completed the UD title on JUNE 26!!!!
Amy reports that his scores were 192 1/2, 198 1/2, and 187 1/2. Amy is such an inspiration- she is 88 years old, and still trains, competes and loves her dogs and life!

In that same email, Amy reported that on July 13th Quill took 4th place in the 12" Jumpers class (agility). 18 competed and 7 Q'd. Quill's time was 34.88 sec. and standard course time (STC) was 46 sec, 149 yards. I am so amazed by this team.

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New *CDX* for Acadia Aquilegia, RE,MX,AXJ, *CDX*

From Amy: "Quill did well at the obedience trials last weekend at the Santa Clara fairgrounds. Three trials in one weekend. San Mateo DTC (28 entries) AM Saturday, San Francisco DTC (28 entries) PM Saturday and Santa Clara DTC Sunday (26 entries). There were a few absentees but couldn't get the exact count. Quill took 2nd place at all 3 trials. 197-1/2, 195, 195-1/2. Quill had one leg at the San Mateo KC show several weeks before with 189. Several people had photos taken and I had one taken also so if it should come out I'll send you one. "

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New MX title: Acadia Aquilegia, CD,RE,*MX*,AXJ

Amy and Quill have just complete the requirements for the Master Agility (MX) title. This past weekend, Pam called to tell me about Amy and Quill's big day. They got another Double Q (which means they qualified in both the standard and jumpers classes on the same day). When you are competing at this level of competition, the dog is not allowed to have ANY mistakes and still qualify. A "mistake" is something the DOG dose wrong- not the handler. The handler can have all of the mistakes they want- AS LONG AS the DOG dose it right! Pam called to tell me that the courses were very complicated, and during one of the runs, Amy forgot the course. Quill came over and sat down next to Amy while she gathered her thoughts and remembered where to go next. Amy was able to remember and the two of them continued on - completing the course in under the time allowed! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

I must admit, last year I was out in Calif. judging a specialty sweepstakes and visiting Pam and Amy. Pam had asked me if I wanted to run Valerie in agility- which I accepted. I got lost on one of the courses and there was NO WAY I was going to recover. Valerie had just completed a beautiful set of weaves and I looked up and all I saw was a sea of jumps. So...... Amy- I am SO IMPRESSED that you were able to figure it out- KUDOS to you!

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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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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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