Liza's puppies are 3.5 weeks old

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Trying something New- "litter training"

I have never done this before, but a friend said she did with just one litter of puppies, and it worked with them.   I have put out a tray of pellets for the puppies to potty on.  It is not working yet, but their feet are small and I can tell it is a little tough for them to walk on these pellets.   I have been putting them directly on it when they wake up so they pee there.  It has been hit or miss.  Some of them walk off the tray and then pee.  I will continue working on this and hope that they eventually get it.  I think it could really be a nice way to begin the process of teaching them "where" to go potty. 

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Christmas Trees and puppies- what could be better?

This past weekend Cassia and I were entered in the Eukanuba show in Florida. This is the first Christmas Mike's mom is selling the Christmas Trees alone.  She anticipated that this weekend would be busy, so we decided to go help sell Christmas Trees instead.  Maybe next year I will get to Eukanuba.

It was a great weekend for the puppies.  We took Liza and her babies with us and they got to meet Mike's family, and many Tree customers.  On Friday they were just starting to get up on their legs, and by Sunday they were wobbling around.    

When we got home I moved them into a larger pen with a toy.

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Linda and Xena are Back and Running!!!

Linda Hall and Xena were going at a back breaking pace....  and it turned out, that statement was almost the truth.  She had gotten Xena spring 2010 and I was beginning to think that they were going to MACH by 2 years of age (keep in mind you can't start trialing until 15 months of age).  But then,  in January 2011 Linda needed back surgery. 

 

Linda had a long recovery- but finally, she is BACK!  I am so glad that she has recovered and I sincerely hope that she feels like a new person!  This weekend she went to a NADAC agility trial and Xena qualified 5 out of 6 runs and placed 1st 4 times and second 1st.

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Acadia Catch Me If You Can, RN- 16 months and starting agility

Lucy had a great start to agility.  Dogs must be 15 months before they are allowed to enter an AKC trial.  Lucy is 16 months old and her owner, LeaAnne decided just to enter her in Jumpers With Weaves for her start.  LeaAnne reports that Lucy's weaves are "amazing".   She even pulled off a 3rd place !   Way to go Lucy and LeaAnne.

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Liza's first litter

Acadia Stage Presence, "Liza" had a litter of 6 a few days after Thanksgiving.  Mike and I hosted Thanksgiving at our house.   My mom came down from Connecticut and she stayed in our only guest room.  My sister, her husband, 3 kids and 2 dogs came from Philadelphia.  Cadence and the dogs stayed at our house, but the rest of the family stayed in a local hotel.  Mike's mom, sister and her son came from Washington, PA.  They also stayed at the hotel.  My niece, Cadence, who is 9, stayed at our house "just in case" Liza had her puppies.  Unfortunately Liza didn't deliver until after everyone had gone home.  She had 4 boys and 2 girls.  She was bred to Can. Ch. Grandgables Travon Track Star, "Travis".


Can. Ch. Grandgables Travon Track Star



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Great Dogs and Great Friends!

Many VERY successful “Acadia shelties” live in Tucson.  I am so lucky to have such great friends who share my love of dogs- and who share my dogs with me.

 The group picture are all dogs I bred that live in Tucson and each one of them is a star.

Left to right we have:

“Cache”  Acadia’s Hidden Treasure

“Tryk” Acadia’s Perfect April Tryk

“WIT” Acadia Whatever It Takes, HXAsd, AX, AXJ

“Kai” MACH, ADCH, NATCH Acadia’s Candidate, MX, MXJ, HSAs

“Mike” Acadia’s Microburst, AX, AXJ

 Cache and Tryk live with Lori Gregor.  WIT, Kai, and Mike live with Morene Brown.  Lori invited me, Morene, and Leslie Carle, my very good friend who I am staying with while in Tucson, over for breakfast so I could see all of the dogs before I went home.  How nice!  She had a wonderful breakfast set up, and the 4 of us had a great time, as did the dogs.  Thank You – each of you wonderful ladies, for making my trip (and my life) such a pleasure.

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"Welcome Home, Cadie"

Last Thursday I had the honor to judge sweepstakes at the LAST specialty show the Shetland Sheepdog Club of Greater Tucson was hosting.  This club has been in existence for 40 years, but for the last two it has been struggling and decided to end.

I was the President of this club back in the ‘90’s and we had great shows, fun meetings, and we even hosted the ASSA National in 1998- for which I was the Local Show Chair.  We hosted 2 specialties a year in conjunction with the Phoenix sheltie club.  Mike and I would bring chicken to barbeque and club members and show attendants would bring side dishes, and after the show we would have a dinner in the park.  I always loved that because the dogs could be taken care of, yet the people could socialize and enjoy each other and a meal.   I always loved those shows. 

Back then we had good entry numbers and the shows were always majors.  People would come from as far as Oregon, California, Nevada, and New Mexico to attend.  Over the years not as many people took the trip to Arizona and the entries went down.   This year the entry was not enough for a major. 

When the club decided to do one last “hurrah” they invited me to come back to judge sweeps.  I was SO excited.  When I got here, it said, “Welcome Home Cadie” in the catalog.  That was very sweet.   I sorry this club is folding, but I am happy to have been a part of it.

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Genetics are a mystery: Acadia Italian Ice, aka. "Bianca"

As a “reputable breeder” I would like to think that every one of my dogs is, and will produce, “Perfect” puppies. Genetics are a mystery in many, many ways and we know that even in the best of families genetic “flaws” appear. No matter how hard someone may try, no living being is an “engineered” product. Most people who are willing to take a “less than perfect” dog look to shelters or breed rescues, because that is where most dogs with “issues” end up. That is not the case for me. I have produced my share of dogs with “issues” and I am devoted to the dogs I produce. I keep all the dogs I produce until I have found the right home for them- no exceptions. I have been very lucky to have found WONDERFUL homes for each of them so far. It takes a special person to decide to take a dog with a disability and this weekend Bianca met her new person.

Bianca is deaf. The man, Dave, who purchased her says that “Deaf people (and dogs) can do everything except hear”- and he is right. Bianca is a “normal” dog- and in many respects, even healthier than many dogs that are without disability, because she was raised to be confident and well-adjusted. The only “special needs” Bianca has is a fenced yard to insure her safety. Because Bianca cannot hear someone calling her, most people whom I discussed her with said they would be afraid that she would get out, and get lost. I did fear that I had “lost” her one time, but I also knew (or expected- although I was beginning to wonder) that she was in the fenced yard. I did start to worry as I went about the yard looking for her, only to find her curled up under a bush, fast asleep.

One of the aspects of having a deaf sheltie that I enjoyed the most was her complete lack of “sound sensitivity” that can plague this breed. Bianca never reacted to the vacuum cleaner, never reacted to the doorbell, never got upset during thunderstorms….. obviously, if it was something that dogs react to that involved sound- it didn’t affect Bianca. I must say, that was very nice.

I am very excited for both Bianca and for Dave as they begin their new life together. I know that they will be great company for each other. I know that Bianca will enjoy being the center of Dave’s attention, and I am so thankful that there are people who are willing to accept a “less than perfect” dog into their lives.

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Happy Birthday

Today is my birthday, and also Ch. Acadia Sunburst Merry and Bright's birthday.  We are home getting ready for the impending storm.  

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Peek a Boo!!!

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The Lovely Dove wins a Major !!!!

Today Acadia Peace of Mind, Dove, won her first, of the necessary two, majors.   I am SO EXCITED!!!  The shows were in Cumberland, MD.  The drive to and from the show was just AMAZING with fall color.  A number of people at the show commented on the fact the leaves seem to be holding on longer and they seem brighter this year.  It makes me think I should be taking lovely fall pictures of Dove!

I stayed with my friend Ellen Russell and her grandson, Blake, - always a fun time with them.  At the show we met up with other friends and all went to dinner at a good local italian resturant.  We love to eat at local resturants.

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New *CH* Acadia Sunburst Merry and Bright

Yeah Merry!!!  She went on vacation to visit my friends Nick and Joel and came home a NEW CHAMPION!!!  Merry and I share a birthday and this is our birthday month,  so she gave me an early birthday present.   Thanks Merry!  and Thanks Nick and Joel!

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New *Grand* Champion Acadia Presence of Mind

This weekend Cassia became my FIRST GRAND champion.  This is a new AKC title.   Dove was Winners Bitch on Sunday for another 2 points bringing her total to 9, and also putting us in the tough position of just needing majors.  This is where it gets expensive, because you can enter shows, but then if the entry is not large enough for a major, then you can't show them.

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Acadia ! It’s Mirluc I found You ! Part 1

I knew EXACTLY who he was the minute I saw his name in my email in-box. Steven Ieronimo. I was excited to read, “Growing up my mother use to breed and show shelties. My mother, Betty Ieronimo’s kennel name was Mirluc and I see you started your breeding line with a dog from Shirley Vicchitto, Shirley started her kennel with dogs purchased from my mother. I would be very interested if you have any now or in the future puppies that trace their line back to my childhood dog “Mirluc’s I’m a Handsome Devil” “

The reality is even better! *I* got my start from his mother too!

The dog that started it all (for me) was Ch. Parker of Mirluc, CD.  ALL of my shelties go back to Steve's childhood dog, Ch. Mirluc I'm a Handsome Devil, UD !!!

My parents didn’t have any interest in having a pet, but their youngest daughter, (me), wasn’t going to be able to live without one. After years of trying to see if small caged animals (gerbils, fish) were going to fill the need, they finally gave in and in 1977 we got our first dog- a sheltie we named Tyler. I was a bit too energetic for Tyler and he preferred my less raucous older sister. He was only 2 years old when he was hit by a car and killed. I was devastated, my parents were devastated, our family was devastated, and my father, wanting to protect his children from the pain of such a loss, said, “NO MORE DOGS!!!” For me, that was the most devastating!

I read my horoscope, and that of my dad’s, and one day they matched! I took my dad to breakfast at Friendly’s and explained that I NEEDED another dog- and he listened- and agreed. This time I had decided that I wanted a “show dog” (but I had never been to a dog show before). I bought the book Sheltie Talk and read it cover to cover. My mom and I looked in the classified section of the paper for puppies, and we went to look at them. Can you even imagine a young girl, in 5th or 6th grade, going to look at puppies, and not coming home with one? When we got to the places that were selling the puppies I could just tell that I was not going to find my “show dog”- and we would go home empty handed.

When we answered a newspaper ad and arrived at the Ieronimo household, I KNEW that this was the place! Betty showed me her champion male- the very same, Ch. Mirluc’s I’m a Handsome Devil, UD. He was breath-taking. She showed me the mother of the puppies, and she was beautiful(and SMART!) too. As a matter of fact, all of the dogs were beautiful !

Betty told me that she was keeping both of the girls from that litter and only the two boys were available. I got them to trot along so I could see the gait, I played with them, she showed us the father of the litter in Sheltie Pacesetter, and I went home with Parker.

To be continued….

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A good weekend at the shows

This past weekend started on Thursday.  Mrs. Michelle Billings was the judge and Liza (Acadia Stage Presence) was Winners Bitch and Best of Winners from the Bred-by-Exhibitor class.  Cassia was Best of Opposite Sex, and Brother (GCh. Grandgables The Frat Boy) was Best of Breed.  When the judge was handing out the ribbons I said to her, "your Best of Winners is the daughter of both your Best of Breed AND your Best of Opposite."  The judge said, "well they all have really nice legs.  Who is the breeder?"   I said, "I am !"   She replied, "Keep up the good work!"

I didn't show on Friday, but on Saturday Cassia was Best of Breed and Brother was Best of Opposite.  That was a very nice win.  That judge was Murral Purkhiser and she was very complimentary of Cassia.

Friday night Cadance Kelly, my neice, joined me and we went back up to the shows for Saturday and Sunday.  She is 8 years old and I she really likes dogs.  I enjoyed her company and I hope she will one day be showing dogs too.   I look forward to reporting more about Cadance.

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The joys of summer- Puppies !

We have a few puppies available at this time. 

(since google changed Blogger, I can't figure out how to rotate the pictures.  This is upright in my computer photo-file, so I don't know why it came out this way.  Anybody know how to rotate in Blogger?)  THANK YOU!  for answering this question and getting this puppy "straightened out" :-)

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Proposed Legislation affecting hobby breeders- Your assistance is needed NOW!!

Please Join me in opposing a New Rule Change which would affect not just hobby breeders, but you- the interested public and how you will be able to purchase a puppy in the future.   Please join me and sign this petition.

http://www.akc.org/petition/

Join With the AKC to Protect Responsible Small Breeders

The American Kennel Club has created the Join With the AKC to Protect Responsible Small Breeders petition in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) new proposed regulations which would create harsh and unintended consequences for responsible small and hobby breeders in this country.
Please join us by signing the Join With the AKC to Protect Responsible Small Breeders petition before July 16 when the public comment period to the Animal Care Division of the USDA’s Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service ends. The petition, along with AKC’s comments on the proposed rule change, will be sent to the USDA.

What’s the best way to express concerns or seek change on the proposed rule?
The AKC recommends that you share your concerns directly through the USDA/APHIS comment site. Respectful, constructive comments that clearly outline your own concerns, experiences, insights and any alternative recommendations are the most effective way to impact the policy of the proposed rule. These concerns will be read by USDA/APHIS as it considers how to proceed. Comments will be public. Comments should be submitted to the USDA/APHIS directly, either:

• Online at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0003-0001. 
  
• Or via postal mail at:
  
  Docket No. APHIS–2011–0003
  Regulatory Analysis and Development
  PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8
  4700 River Road, Unit 118
  Riverdale, MD 20737–1238

This link will give you more information on why it is important that you comment on this proposed rule change. 
http://www.akc.org/governmentrelations/usda_aphis_faqs.cfm#best

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Ch. Acadia Presence of Mind wins a Group 2

This weekend Mike and I went up to Rochester, NY to some shows.  Mike never comes with me, so it was nice to have him along.  We didn't get to leave until after I got home from work on Friday- so we arrived in the dark.  The next day our ring time was in the middle of the day, but I was happy because and I still had two dogs to trim.  We got to the show in the AM and spent the day.  Cassia was Best of Breed- and then she (and I) won a Herding Group 2 !  That was the highlight of the weekend.

For dinner Mike and I went to Dinosaurs B-B-Q- a famous rib place in Rochester.   We drank blueberry ale and enjoyed the restaurant.  I had wanted to get over to Niagara Falls while we were that far north, but the schedule just didn't give us the time we needed to do that.  It was a short trip up and back.  Cassia was Best of Breed again today, but didn't place in group this time.

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The Loves of my life

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Ch. Acadia Serenity at 10 wks.

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New *CH* Acadia Serenity's PERFECT day!!

Saturday we were in Mass. at the Granite State Shetland Sheepdog Club's specialty shows.  They were having 2 shows in one day which was perfect for me as I could travel on both Friday and Sunday and still get 2 opportunities to finish Serena  The judge at the first specialty was Tom Coen (Macdega shelties) and the judge at the second specialty was Joseph Molloy.  Both of these judges are HIGHLY regarded in shelties and their opinions carry a lot of weight.

At the first show Serena was being shown in the Bred-by-Exhibitor class because she still needed one point.  She was Winners Bitch and Best of Winners for another major and the Championship!  I was able to move her to the Best of Breed class for the second specialty under Mr. Molloy.  He awarded her Best of Breed!!!  She won the whole thing!  I can't even begin to describe how great that day was! 

The other exhibitors were so nice, they were genuine in their congratulations.   The club hosted a wonderful show and even had a dinner for exhibitors between the two shows.  It was really nice.  The people were nice, the weather was nice, the wins were especially nice!  It was a Perfect day!

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Acadia Serenity wins a major- 1 point to go!

This Memorial Day Serena won her 2nd major to bring her within 1 point of the Championship.   She was shown in the Bred-by-Exhibitor class, which is my favorite class.  Dove won her class too, so they were both in for Winners.  I am showing the tri boy, Acadia's Hidden Treasure "Cache" and he was Reserve Winners Dog.  All-in-all, it was a good day.

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Acadia Peace of Mind

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Acadia Serenity wins a 4pt specialty major

Since the National Serena has been out winning points and closing in on the championship.   This past weekend she was Winners' Bitch at the Harrisburg Shetland Sheepdog Club specialty for a 4 pt. major.  She needs 1 major and 1 single point to complete the championship.  (photo is from the ASSA National- not from this specialty)

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Acadia Peace of Mind

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New *HSAs* Acadia Infinite Spirit, *HSAs*

On Saturday Kathy and Finn completed the Herding Started title on the A course with Sheep (HSAs) with Style! Finn was 1st place in his class with a score of 88 from judge Rusty Jeffers (pictured)- Finn even beat out a Border Collie for the top honor.

On Sunday Kathy kept Finn in the Herding Started class and he again qualified with a score of 85 and a third place win.

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New *RN* Acadia's Catch Me If You Can, *RN*

Acadia's Catch Me If You Can, RN (RN = rally novice) aka "Lucy" is the daughter of Ch. Heart Lake Acadia Le Roi de Coeur (Charlie) x Acadia Peace of Mind (Dove). She is only 8 months old and she completed the RN with a 1st place and 2 3rd places. Congratulations!!! You go Lucy and LeaAnne!!

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