Families- People's and Dog's

 In 2006 the Kuszyk family was looking for a sheltie puppy and found Acadia.   They purchased a puppy whom they named Acadia's Promise of Tomorrow- aka, Piper.   That promise turned out to be years of tomorrows- loyalty and family.     

In 2018 the Kuszyk's came back for their second puppy, whom they named Koda. The family had grown-up and we thought it would be fun to do "the same photo" :-)   I LOVE this happy, playful and creative family.  I thought it was so whimsical of them to agree to do this picture 12 years later.  

It is SO rewarding to have families come back.  It is also so rewarding to be working with the same family of dogs. Piper was a litter mate of Ch. Acadia Peace of Mind- aka-  Dove.   

Koda's  great-grandmother is Dove.  Today, Kuszyk daughter, Taylor, came to pick up a puppy of her own.  Her puppy's great-grandmother is Dove.    I am so excited to be a generational member of the Kuszyk family through the love of a great furry family member.   Congratulations Taylor (and boyfriend Jordan)- I look forward to seeing how Oakley grows up.

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Proud Breeder Moment - Acadia Trusted Opinion wins under respected breeder-judges, and Cassia gives her blessing

Tristan went to his first dog show and had a Great Day! The Colonial Shetland Sheepdog Club held 2 shows in one day. 

 The morning started with a Puppy Sweepstakes.  A fun competition open only to puppies and it is a great way to get them in the ring and "loosened up" before the "real" show starts.  Tristan began the day by winning Best In Sweepstakes.  The judge, Linda Loring, said, "he is the total package".  :-)

The AM show had Breeder-Judge Ellen Worthington. She has bred many top producing and top winning dogs including an ASSA National Best of Breed winner, many important and influential ROM's and dogs that I have long wanted to incorporate into my pedigrees. One of the many traits I have valued about her tri-color dogs is the truly black pigment most of them have. 

 I have shown to Mrs. Worthington before. The last time was when Gregory and Warren were in the 6-9 puppy class. It was the weekend they were both turning 6 months old- so they were "Babies". There was one other puppy in their class, and he was closer to 9 months. He won the class, but before handing the 2nd and 3rd place ribbons to Gregory and Warren (in that order) she said, "these are both really beautiful baby boys". That meant a lot to me. We didn't win, but it was so nice that she thought they were worthy of being at the specialty show. 

 The time before that I was showing Cassia- GCh. Acadia Presence of Mind in the Bred-by Exhibitor class and Mrs. Worthington awarded her Winners Bitch for a specialty major. I was on Cloud 9! Yesterday, Mrs. Worthington awarded Cassia's grandson Winners Dog at a specialty. When we were taking pictures she asked me if he was related to "those lovely bitches of yours". I am SO Proud that Yes! He is!. She told me that she felt Tristan "favored his mother's side"- What a Wonderful Comment! Such a Proud breeder moment. 

 The PM show had Breeder-judge Lyn Leininger, also a breeder of top producing and top winning dogs. Her dogs have also won big awards at the ASSA National including Winners Dog (more than once). I love the distinct family traits of her shelties. She has not been judging long, but she has fast become a respected judge and has had assignments all over the country. For example, just last weekend she was judging in Minnesota. Just before she handed out the final ribbons, she told everyone how lovely the entry was and how she enjoyed the assignment. Again, really nice to hear that the judges felt they had good dogs to choose from. I was so honored that she awarded Tristan Winners Dog and Best of Winners! 

 In one day Tristan won both majors for a total of 8 points. Pinch Me! That never happens (to me)!! Not only is the hard part over (winning the majors), but he won them under breeder-judges that I really respect. That just makes me feel so good. I sure had a "Proud Breeder moment" yesterday.

Addition:  GCh. Acadia Presence of Mind, Cassia, passed away 6/2/2022- exactly 1 year ago on the day that Ellen Worthington awarded her grandson WD.   Sometimes things occur that make my heart skip a beat, my eyes tear up, and I say an Extra Prayer of gratitude. 

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Fun Time pictures with Tecla, Trestle, Tristan 6 weeks, 4 months, 8 months

Tecla and Trestle

Tecla, Trestle, Tristan- 8 months

Teddy, Tecla, Tristan, Trestle- 6 wks

Tecla, Trestle, Tristan- 4 months

Trestle, Tristan- 8 months

 

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FAST CAT- Gregory loved it!

 

I had wondered (in a different blog post) what Gregory would enjoy doing next.  The Shetland Sheepdog Club of Hawaii offered the first Fast CAT competition in Hawaii and Guy took Gregory to see if he would enjoy it.  Boy did he!!   He racked up a bunch of points, but with limited opportunity, he might not get to do it again for a while.

CAT is short-hand for Coursing Ability Test.  It's a timed 100-yard dash where the dogs run, one at a time, as fast as they can, chasing a lure.   Sounds like a fun way to just release some energy and earn titles too.

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Mother's Day- don't bother sending flowers or cards- but bones or dog treats would be nice

 I Love my MOTHERS!   I currently have my 9th generation of young girls growing up- they are:

Daughters of Acadia Opinion Provided "Chica"

Tecla

Acadia Popular Opinion, "Tecla"

Acadia
Everyone's Opinion, "Trestle"

Daughter of GCh. Acadia Light Up The Stage, "Lolo"

Acadia All Aglow, "Granby"

GChS. Acadia's Stage Presence, CC, "Liza" is the mother to both Chica and Lolo.  When Chica was delivering the litter of puppies that had Tecla and Trestle, Liza was in the room too and as Chica was having contractions and delivering the next puppy, and I was putting the already delivered puppies into the warming box.  Liza was drying them off by licking them.   I was busy with the task of delivering the litter and I didn't think about pictures at the time- and now I sure wish I had taken the time to think about how much it would mean to me later.

Liza

Liza kept wanting to get into the warming box with them, but it is not big enough for that, so I made her stand next to the box for her self imposed duties.  She was 11.5 years old at the time.  I was so impressed, and of course I anthropomorphized that she knew these were her grand-puppies and she wanted to make sure they had the best start in life.   I don't really know if she understood they are her grandchildren, but I do know that she is a a Super Mom.  

Chica takes after Liza as a Super Mom and it is my hope that Tecla and Trestle will one day take after their mother.  The saying good mothers, make good mothers has held true for me so far, and I hope to continue and celebrate Mother's Day every year for many more to come.

To my own mother, who passed away 6 years ago- You
were a Super Mom too and I miss you more than tongue can tell.

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Tecla- Acadia Popular Opinion

Tecla- I just love her!! 

She is 8 months old.

She is one of the GCh. Solange Ultravox X Acadia Opinion Provided puppies.  

 

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*New CH* Acadia Peggin Iced Latte

So Happy for all involved.  Susan and Alain Lamoureax have been wonderful co-owners.  They live in Alaska and have made the commitment to completing the championship by traveling to Connecticut so I could show her.  Lucky for all of us, she had a very good win percentage and made the process relatively easy.  

Latte loves to show and is so fun because of it.  Latte is from Chica's first litter and she is her second Champion offspring - Ch. Acadia Gregarious being her 1st.  

Latte also has 2 Herding Tested (HT) Legs, but they were under the same judge, so she needs 1 more under a different judge for the HT title.  I am looking forward to her having titles at Both ends of her name!

The next day, Latte won Best of Breed over many other champions.  It was a large entry, and an honor to be recognized.

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