Keeper (7/12/2016- 6/23/2026)

Keeper is Our Keeper

Keeper, so perfectly named

Is no longer with us 

Our hearts break and cry 

We are alone No snuggles 

No coy nudges 

No outright loving chortles 

Telling us to pay attention 

Sharing with us her inexplicable communications 

Understood by us, subliminally 

But, now… so absent in the air 

Keeper 

We never have enough time with our pets 

Who are our family, our vital organs 

Our mini selves 

We outlive them, but 

We love them, on our time, in our time 

Knowing their time is shorter than ours

But our time, with them, is the shortest 

The pain of our loss 

Is immeasurable 

We know that we will never replace them

Ever 

That soul that was Keeper’s 

Keeping us grounded 

Showing us balance 

Giving us joy 

Showing us how to be 

Nancy and Dale Ahlum June 23, 2026

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New *MACH* Acadia's Celestial Mystery, MX, MXJ, MXB, MJC, NF

 Congratulations Carol and Mysti on achieving the Master Agility Champion title.  This title is difficult and takes a lot of time to achieve.  Luckily Carol loves the challenge and has successfully piloted multiple dogs to this title- including another Acadia sheltie, MACH4, PACH2 Acadia's Direct Energy.   I really love to report on all the successes- Congratulations again!

Mysti is a daughter of Chica- Ch. Acadia Opinion Provided, ROM and the littermate to GChB. Acadia Gregarious and Acadia October Skye, RA, ACT2, ACT2J, TKI, CGC 

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Back-to-Back Specialty Wins for Nora!

 The Shetland Sheepdog Club of Anchorage held 2 specialties in one day.  The husband and wife judging team of Al & Liz  Bianchi came out from Virginia to judge. They are dedicated to this breed. They both have been very active sheltie breeders and judges, and more importantly they have been active members of the ASSA for decades, including holding the prestigious positions of President.      Al Bianchi just judged at the ASSA National this year (see Windsor's win photo) and Liz judged at the ASSA National last year.  They are knowledgeable and well respected.  

It was with great honor that Nora won Winner's Bitch at both shows.  The entry was large enough for 5 points each show, and at the end of the day, Nora had a total of 14 points, 3 majors.   She is now at the "dreaded last point" spot.   For some unexplained reason, that 15th point can be a bugger.   It is so common that I have gotten to the point were if I have a dog that wins a 1 point win to start, I say, "well, that is the 15th point- now we can begin."   I am keeping my fingers crossed that Nora will finish this weekend, but she didn't win the day following the specialties....... *sigh*  if only last weekend's show had been 5 points instead of 4.......   

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Congratulations Renee and Nora

 Congratulations to Renee Morgan!  She purchased Acadia Trust Me, "Nora", to show and today they won a 4 pt major under judge Mr. Gordon William Hayburn at the Tanana Valley Kennel Club show.

I had Nora for sale a year ago and Renee contacted me right away, but we had a hard time connecting.  This year I brought Nora with me to the ASSA national and Renee came to watch for 1 day and pick up Nora.   I am so glad that it is working out.   I really like Nora and I am proud to be able to share her with someone interested in showing and I am proud they were successful today. 

Acadia Trust Me  (Ch. Acadia Trusted Opinion, FDC x Ch. Laureate Meiomi)

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New *RACH* Ch. Acadia Independence Day, CD, PCD, BN, RM3, RAE, RC, TKI

12 year old Mason, and Anita completed the Rally Advanced Champion title at the Blue Ridge Dog Training Club.   Congratulations on this huge accomplishment!  

To earn the RACH, the dog and handler team must earn 300 RACH points from the Excellent B and Master classes, at least 200 of which must be earned from the Master class, and earn 20 triple qualifying scores.  That means they must qualify in Advanced B, Excellent B. and Master class at the same trial, 20 separate times (separate events). 

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Puppy love

 Yesterday we went to a park with mom and 3 puppies to meet people and socialize puppies.   One boy asked, "where did you get them?"  I replied that they had been born at our house.   It dawned on me that people don't have puppies and kittens anymore, so this is a foreign concept to kids- that an individual might have litter of puppies born at their house.   

The boys really enjoyed meeting and playing with the puppies, and the puppies enjoyed them too.  Their own mother apologized for her kids disturbing us, but I told her that her kids were welcome and that the puppies were not for sale, so she was not in danger of having to be the one to say, no, you can't have one.  I think she was relieved to hear that.   

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Leash Training

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  From an early age we put collars on the puppies so they get accustom to the feel.  After they have adjusted to that, we add tabs so they learn to feel the weight of a clasp and also so they can pull each other around.   It's a wonderful passive way to begin the process of leash training. 

The "tabs" are a result of leash abuse ;-)  Leashes left in the wrong places get chewed.  Over the years I have lost the original function of many leashes, but no worries, they gain a new function- puppy leash training.  I have many leather leashes of various lengths.  Those different lengths serve different purposes.  Even the clasp itself is useful as it introduces weight and something dangling. 

 I have a favorite leash type- 1/4" leather, braided, not stitched or riveted, small clasps, 6' long.  There was a wonderful vendor who made her own leashes of this style in many leather colors.   She would vend at dog shows and I bought leashes from her on a regular basis.   For a while I would also sell her leashes (at cost) to puppy buyers.  Most commercially available leashes are not appropriate for sheltie puppies.  The claps are too big and heavy as are the leashes themselves.   Sadly for me, she retired.  Happily, I was able to find this style of leash available from a company that has been around for awhile.

J&J dog supplies is a company that specializes in supplies for obedience, agility, rally and many other competition sports.  Their leashes only come in one color, but they meet all of my criteria.  They suggest the 1/4" is for dogs up to 15lbs, but that is the size I have always used and will continue to use.  My dogs don't pull while walking, it fits well in my hand and softens to a pliable feel and use.  Leather is not as slippery as nylon and when you clamp down on the leash, it won't keep slipping in your hand.   

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