Blue Chevy Astro Van (2004-2026)

 When I lived in Tucson in the 1990's I traveled to the shows by myself.  There was a wonderful group of sheltie people from Phoenix who all traveled together.  They welcomed me into their circle and I loved this group.  Many of them had RV's and would stay at the show grounds.  I had a Honda Civic hatchback which could fit 3 shelties and my stuff.  I stayed in hotels, but would set up with the Phoenix group.

Moving from PA to ID- PA Plates: Acadia

At the time, the Phoenix group were mostly couples in which showing dogs was the hobby of the women and the men enjoyed the camping, the comradery, cars, and being helpful and fun, and yes, sometimes showing.  One time my civic developed a flat tire and these guys changed my tire as I prepared and showed my dogs and they got it patched and ready to go by the time I was ready to drive back to the hotel.   This whole group made dog shows fun.  

When I was ready for a new vehicle they strongly recommended the Chevy Astro Van.  It was a popular dog show vehicle and I listen.  I got my first Astro in Arizona.   It was a gray rear wheel drive (RWD), which was fine in sunny and dry Tucson.   I did agree it was just what I needed.   That van moved to Pennsylvania with us, but being RWD, I found myself "sledding" down icy hills and needed to get a different Astro.  I did have it for many years and I have a funny story about that gray Astro which I will tell in a different post.  I don't think I have any pictures of that van, which is too bad.  

Chevy made an all-wheel drive (AWD), which was perfect for my needs.  I got this (2004) van in August 2005 for $17,500 and it had 16,293 miles.  It took me to shows all over the mid-Atlantic.  Every time I got in it, I was heading to a dog show, which is exactly where I wanted to be and the association made me happy to drive it.  This van was heavy and safe, easy to drive, and had all the room I needed.  It loved to drive on the highway, and I loved to drive it. 

It made the move to Idaho with us (photo on the road is from that move) and then it traveled all around the Idaho, Montana, Washington and Oregon to dog shows.   Idaho was not very good to this van as I didn't get to as many shows, most of the driving was not highway as we think of it here in the east and the van was not as happy on those roads, it lived in our workshop which had mice, and those mice did damage including peeing on the carpets (a smell I never could really get out) and nesting material would come out of the air conditioning vents.  One trip it broke down (a hose blew- I bet it was the mice), not far from home, but far enough it required friends to come rescue us and the dogs.  The mechanic tried to tell me that they couldn't get the part for it because of its age and Chevy no longer made the Astro.   Mike saved the day by finding the part at a junk yard.  

Moving from PA to ID

After that experience I decided I needed a "parts van" and purchased a 2003 Astro just to ensure the blue 2004 would never be "unrepairable" again.  Hindsight- that was a waste of money.  We never needed any parts from it and when we moved to Connecticut, the blue van made the move, and the "parts van" ended up back at the Pennsylvania farm-  not a very convenient place if a part was needed. It's still drivable. 

I had a really hard time with smell from the mice and found myself not wanting to drive the van. I tried scrubbing the carpets- but Wow, the smell was relentless. Of course I had so many positive associations with this van.  Over the 21 years I had it,

it transported many generations to shows.  It transported my most important dogs. It was a staple and it took me a while to mentally divest myself.   As you can tell from this overly long post about a van, I still love that van and everything it meant.  

This week, I donated it to charity.  I hope that it still had enough value to contribute to a cause I care about.  Thank you Chevy for a great Astro Van.   

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Happy 250th Birthday America

 Thank you Bunny Guido for a beautiful picture of Skye celebrating a huge milestone in our nations history.  Surprisingly it was quiet last night.  I expected there to be fireworks since it was a Friday night, but thankfully there were only a few random ones.   Tonight will be different.  

I am staying home and my dogs will be safe in their crates with a fan and a radio.  The shades have been drawn all day in an effort to keep the house a bit cooler and assist the air conditioner, but they will be down tonight to keep the light flashes to a minimum.    If you are going to a celebration tonight, leave your dog at home and safely inside.  Do not leave them outside even if you yard if fenced.  Frightened dogs may dig or climb out.   Hopefully your dog is microchipped which may help should they become lost.   

Tonight will not just be a lot more fireworks than normal, it is also hotter than normal.   Crating your dog is the safest thing, but put a fan in the room to help cool them and also to provide a consistent noise which will help dampen the boom of fireworks.

Stay safe and Happy 4th of July! 

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Safety Tip: How to Handle the Heat. And Happy 4th of July

Tomorrow I will write about the challenges of the 4th of July.  These past few days, heat has been a big news story.   Of course NEVER, NEVER, EVER leave a pet, child, or any living thing, in vehicle unattended.  The main recommendation is to stay indoors, use air conditioning, and stay hydrated.    For those without air conditioning, the recommendation is to find a cooling center.    Of course we know that wildlife don't have these options and most will survive this discomfort.  When hot days come gradually, it is easier to acclimate, but when they come on suddenly, the health risks are much greater.   Air movement, shade, water are the keys to survival.   

Even with air conditioning, stagnant air can feel hotter.  Air circulation helps the skin dissipate the heat.  Many animals sweat and air movement helps to wick that sweat away or cool it, but dogs don't sweat, they pant.  Fans are still valuable, even in air conditioned spaces.  Some people shave their dogs thinking that a shorter hair cut will help keep them cool, but long coats can act as a buffer zone between the hot air and the skin.     The temperature of the top of the coat is much hotter than at the skin level.  I don't recommend shaving, but I do recommend fans!

Water should be available and cool so that it assists with cooling the core body temperature.  Like people, dogs also need electrolytes.  If you feel your dog is becoming dehydrates, you may want to provide some electrolytes in the form of Pedialyte unflavored.  

Be Very Careful walking dogs on pavement or asphalt.  Driveways, Sidewalks, parking lots all retain heat for a significantly longer period of time than the air temperature and in full sun they can get hot enough to burn the feet.  Even mulch gets really hot so stay on the grass as much as possible when going outside to potty.  

Not all shade is the same.  Natural shade such as trees are much cooler- mostly because of the air flow and the movement of the leaves which assists with air movement.   Tents, shade cloths, other man-made shade certainly is better than no shade, but sometimes fans are also needed to assist with air flow.  There are many good portable, battery operated fans on the market for such occasions.  

A dog's normal temperature is between 99 degrees to 102.5   You can take the temperature using a rectal thermometer,  If your dog begins to hyperventilate, it is a sign they are not able to dissipate enough heat to regulate their body.  They should be offered additional water, wet them down, and increase the air flow around them.  Most of the time that will be sufficient.  If your dog is confused, weak, has dry gums, they might be experiencing heat stress.   

Body temperatures above 105 degrees Fahrenheit is dangerous and can be life threating.  Most dogs won't experience this sort of distress in a normal environment, however, Heat Stroke can occur VERY quickly in vehicles and other closed environments.  

How to Cool a Heat Stressed Dog

1. Apply ice or cool packs to the a) armpits  b) groin area c)the neck

2. Increase the air movement by fanning, blowing, or better yet, move to an air conditioned area or use fans

3. Immerse the dog in tepid (not really cold) water bath, or pour cool water in the armpits, groin area, and over the neck

4. Seek Veterinary assistance  

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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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