Acadia Sweet Emotion, PT, AX, AXJ, NF 2/14/1998- 5/15/2014

Valerie was unique and fun and has been one of my favorites forever.  Valerie was born when we lived in Arizona and she and I started learning agility when it was a new AKC sport.  Valerie LOVED agility.  She also loved walks in the desert, hunting for small mammals (and EATING them when she caught them).

After we had moved to Pennsylvania, Valerie enjoyed chasing squirrels, and one time she actually caught one by the tail at the moment the squirrel was leaping onto a tree.  There is this poor squirrel hanging by it's front feet onto the tree, and Valerie holding it all stretched out by the tail.  I yelled, and Valerie let the squirrel go.   I was just amazed at her speed and abilities. 

 

My friend, Pam, had Valerie's sister Molly and was doing agility with her. Pam and I attended a full week agility camp together.  I had so much fun spending the week with the two sisters (and of course Pam!).  Valerie was in heaven.  I felt she was such great partner.  Unfortunately, I stopped doing agility.  I called Pam and asked if she would take Valerie "for a summer" to do agility.   You know how that goes, Valerie never left. 

 

Crazy Val never saw any point at all for hitting those contacts  and Pam had to retire her years ago for fear she would injure herself with her "no respect for her own safety" antics.

 

There are soooo many more "Valerie stories".  She was truly a great dog.  I have a picture of her at the top of my stairs, and I love to look at her every day. 

 Valerie has led the life of leisure with her sister Molly  (on the left) and was the main soccer playing buddy for Quest for years. But yesterday, at age 16 Valerie crossed the bridge during her nap at her favorite sunny spot on the patio. Pam and I will miss her but I am happy she left on her terms and in such a peaceful way.

 

Valerie is the mother of HC Acadia Whatever It Takes, HXAsd, AX, AXJ and the daughter of Ch. Zion Acadia Town Heroine, CDX, PT, VCX

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HUGE NEWS!!!!!! *NEW HERDING CHAMPION** Acadia Whatever It Takes, HXAsd, AX, AXJ

Sunday WIT placed 2nd (score of 96) in a large Excellent Level class to win the FINAL 3 POINTS!!! of the HERDING CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

He really did this title with Style!  WIT was High in Trial on Sheep at the ASSA National in Tucson (2010) from the Excellent Level, and Reserve High in Trial on Ducks at that same National, also from the Excellent level.   He won a major and a 1st place by beating many top border collies.  He completed the title with a final major.  

WIT is an amazing herding dog- and anyone who saw him work knew it, but the title make it "offical".  I couldn't be any prouder of WIT, Morene Brown, and Sue Bradley for all they did to accomplish this goal. 

WIT is 9 years old and is the FIRST Acadia bred herding champion!!!!

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Cache- dreaming of WIT

The large ribbon in the center is WIT's. He and Cache both belong to Morene Brown and that ribbon is the ASSA National High In Herding Trial ribbon from the 2010 ASSA National- which WIT won. Cache likes to sit on that end of the couch- and I like to pretend that he feels closer to home and his housemate WIT. It is my hope that Cache will grow up to be a Ch/VCX dog, and I am confident that between Morene and I, we can make that happen.

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Acadia Whatever It Takes, HXAsd, AX, AXJ wins ANOTHER Major and ANOTHER 1st Place win towards the Herding Championship

WIT is now just 3 points away from being a Herding Champion (HC). WIT has continued to amaze me with his consistent and steady herding. This dog is not just good, he is GREAT. Since he only goes to one or two trials a year, it is taking a while to get the championship, but when he gets to the trial, he makes the most of it. This is one sheltie that has not had to worry about meeting the requirements (a major and a 1st place win)- he has done that over and over. His next trial is not until Feburary- and then I hope to report a new champion!

Congratulations to his owner Morene Brown and Trainer Sue Bradley
(The Ribbons are from the ASSA National Herding Trail in Tucson when WIT was High In Trial- Sheep and Reserve High In Trial-ducks)

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Acadia Whatever It Takes, HXAsd, AX, AXJ wins a Major towards the Herding Championship

Most of the AKC Championship titles require a dog to defeat other dogs and earn "points" to earn the title. The number of "points" awarded at each trial or show depends on the number of dogs that successfully compete that day at that trial/show. The more dogs defeated in a day, the higher the points. The maximum number of points that can be awarded at any one trial/show is 5.

In order to obtain the Herding Championship, a dog must earn 15 total points, win at least two 1st place wins, and win a major (between 3-5 pts). Remember, majors are a reflection of the number of dogs defeated that day.

WIT placed first, and was also High In Trial, at the ASSA National Specialty Herding trial this past spring. That was his first 1st place win. There were only enough shelties for him to earn 2 pts towards the championship- but it was a necessary 1st place (and- being the National- they were the best shelties from around the country!)

Today WIT competed at an "all breed" (well- all herding breed) Trial and again he placed 1st in the Advanced Class. This time the entry was large enough that he won 4pts towards his Herding Championship. He has now gotten all of the hard parts out of the way and he just needs "points" to get to 15.

Shelties are not known around the Herding circles as being a "power breed" and it can be very difficult for them to win 1st place when competing against Boarder Collies- but WIT has not been told such tales. He IS a powerhouse and he can keep up with the best of them. He will do Whatever It Takes!

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The Agility Ribbons were Blue!!! And New Titles Too!

Heidi emailed to say that Piper- in only her third agility jumpers run- took first place with a clean run to complete her Novice Agility Jumper's Title. She followed that up the next day with a First Place for her first leg in Open Jumper's!!!! She is now..

Acadia One Special Puppy, NAJ

Heidi follows up by saying, "She (Piper) is a blast to run and so much fun. We went to a brand new venue this weekend and she walked in as if she owned the place. I never had a dog who was so comfortable in her surroundings. It was a long day yesterday and she ended up sprawled out, asleep on someone else's tarp. ASLEEP!!! Who can sleep at a dog trial!!! Love, love, love this dog. Will continue to keep you updated!"

Thank you Heidi! Piper is the littermate to Dove and Canyon.

Morene emailed to report that WIT and Mike also completed a few new agility titles, they are now

Acadia Whatever It Takes, HXAds, AX, *AXJ*
and
Acadia's Microburst, *NA*, *NAJ*

I am so proud of all of you guys- THANK YOU!!

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Acadia Whatever It Takes, HXAsd, AX, OAJ and Acadia's Microburst

Acadia Whatever It Takes, HXAsd, AX, OAJ = WIT

Acadia's Microburst= Mike.

Both are owned and loved by Morene Brown in Tucson, AZ. These pictures were taken by photographer Bruce McClelland at the agility trial the weekend following the ASSA national.

Morene purchased a copy of pictures of each of the three boys (Kia is not pictured here-yet) for me- can you believe it! I should have been the one to purchase the pictures for HER- SHE did all of the WORK!!! Thank you Morene- not just for the pictures, but for helping each of these dogs live up to all they can be.

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Morene Brown and Acadia's Microburst win first place in Novice agility at the ASSA National

Morene Brown is having a great ASSA National with her Acadia bred dogs. Morene is a NADAC agility judge, so agility is her venue. Her youngest dog, Acadia's Microburst, aka Mike, competed in his very first AKC agility trial today and placed first in both Novice standard and Novice jumpers. When the whole class is shelties, it is very impressive to actually win. What a great start for Mike.

Mike is Fresca's litter brother. He is sired by Acadia On My Mind x Excaliber Acadia Kiara's Reign

Pictured is Morene with Acadia's Microburst on the left, NATCH, MACH, ADCH Acadia's Candidate HSAs, on in the middle, and Acadia Whatever It Takes, HXAsd, AX, OAJ on the end on the right.

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High In Trial at the ASSA National Herding Trial

Acadia What Ever It Takes, HXAs*d*, AX,OAJ successfully completed the Herding Excellent title on Ducks and in the process was Reserve High In Trial at the ASSA's duck trial. Later that day he competed at the Herding Excellent level at the Sheep trial- he was High In Trail with a score of 96!!! His run was Almost Perfect.

WIT, as he is called, is owned by Morene Brown (on the right) and is trained and was trialed by Sue Bradley (in back). Morene didn't come to watch because she was concerned that her presence might disrupt WIT's focus- it might have been the right thing to do, but we were all sorry she was not there to cheer and enjoy all of the excitement of such a thrilling win.

WIT is sired by U-Ch. Linden Acadia Stacked Deck, HIAsd, CDX, out of Acadia Sweet Emotion, AX, AXJ, PT, OF

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This couldn't wait one more minute.............

That was the email subject line from Heidi about Piper. Here was her message. Thank you Heidi !!!!

In her debut at Dauphin Dog Training Club's October Agility Trial 10/24 and 10/25, Acadia's One Very Special Puppy went two for two taking
a 1st place with a perfect score of 100 on Sat, and a 2nd place with a perfect score of 100 on Sun - both were in novice jumpers w/weaves!

I had no intention of showing her so soon but when she ran an intermediate course in training better than Zoe who has been doing this for
years, I needed to see what she could do. I had no expectations - anticipated bar crashing, off course, saying hi to the judge - and
what I got instead was my baby girl showing like she has been doing this for years. Her weave pole entrances both days were off and I'm
crediting that to nerves but I actually was able to do two rear crosses with her.
She is definitely not ready for the standard ring as she and the a-frame haven't bonded yet but at least we can work on the jumpers
and get that out of the way. Unfortunately all my sitting on her back only brought her shoulders down by 1/2 inch and she's
measuring 14 1/2 so I'm going to run her preferred. I want her to have longevity in agility and I don't think running her at 16" is
the way to go.

She had fun, I had fun and I can't wait to run her again in April! I'll tell you what -- she IS one very special puppy and always will be!!!

Thanks for my GREAT show dog and companion!
Heidi

The same day I got this email message from Morene about WIT:

Hi Cadie, Sue took WIT to an AKC herding trial this weekend. He was competing in both Sheep and Ducks. He qualified on all 4 runs; however, he didn't have high enough scores in Sheep to earn any Championship points. Sue said there were about 20 dogs in the Advanced class. The good news is this was his first trial on ducks, and he q'd both runs. Now he only needs one more Duck leg for his HX which will increase his opportunities to earn points. Next weekend they're running in an AHBA trial. Morene

(did you notice that Morene said this is his FIRST trial on ducks- and he is competing at the Herding Excellent (HX) level!!! They did this with his sheep title too. They just started at the top. When you live in an area were there are VERY FEW trials, it makes sense to just train and when you get to the top level, trial.)

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New HXAs- Acadia Whatever It Takes, HXAs,OA,OAJ

Morene Brown called to let me know that this weekend WIT completed the Herding Excellent title (A course on sheep). Last February I reported that WIT had gotten two legs towards his HX title at his VERY FIRST herding trial. Morene and her trainer, Sue, had decided that because there is only 1 AKC herding trail a year in Arizona, they were just going to skip the lower level titles and go right for the Herding Excellent title. Well, he has not been to a herding trial since last February and this weekend he got to compete again and he completed the title.

He has gotten to compete in some American Herding Breed Association (AHBA) trials and he is also competing at the upper levels in that venue. WIT got his frist leg on the Ranch Dog III- and a score of 91 which gave him championship points for the AHBA. WIT is one amazing herding dog. Thank you Morene and Sue for your dedication to this really neat dog. You guys make me proud.

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Year In Review- 2008

As I looked back and reflected on the year, I was amazed at how successful it had been for Acadia. I hadn't realized it until I began compiling, and then I was surprised to see that some of the fun and "eventful" things I had done had not even made the blog!

One example of a missed blog entry- I showed at Westminster! I can't believe I didn't write about it. It was a wonderful experience and I have Chris and Madeleine Griffin-Cone to thank. I showed the lovely Ch. Gryphyn The Aviator for them. He was a pleasure to show, and they were a pleasure to show for.

Another happening that I didn't write about- I was elected to serve as an American Shetland Sheepdog Association Regional Representative. I attended my first ASSA board meeting in September in St. Louis. It is exciting and also a responsibility to serve this breed I love so much.

I had two sweepstakes judging assignments- one for Three Rivers Shetland Sheepdog Club of Greater Pittsburgh and one for the Northern California Shetland Sheepdog Club. I enjoyed both assignments and noticed that both times Blue merles were Best in Sweeps. In Pittsburgh a Bi-color was Runner-up and in No. Cal a sable was Runner-up.

While in No. Calif. I got to meet and stay with Amy- Quill's mom. That was a pleasure.

A Fun and exciting surprise was when I discovered that I had been quoted on Shelties On Line (see June 7th). What a thrill!

The magazine ShowSights asked me to participate in the "Tell us about the Herding Group" for a second time this year (I participated in 2007 as well).

Dogs In Review accepted an Opinion piece I had written and it is in the Annual Issue due out this month. I couldn't believe it when I found out that I would get paid for my opinion. My husband says that I have so many opinions, if I could figure out how to get paid for even a fraction of them I would be rich!

Then of course there were the many successes of the dogs and their owners- these are the ones I am most proud of. All-in-all, in 2008 Acadia shelties earned:

5 new Rally-O titles

23 new Agility titles (I think I got them all- if not, then there are more than 23!)

1 New Obedience title

5 New Herding titles

1 Canadian Championship

and I finished 1 champion for Ken and Gloria Hansen- Belaire Shelties

The titles that were earned in 2008 are in italics.

Sunburst Bright Sunny Day won a 5 pt. specialty major (I bred her). Shown by her owner Sharon Crawford, Sunburst shelties (and also a co-breeder)

Belaire's Little Bit Country won a 5 pt. specialty major (I showed her). Owned by Ken and Gloria Hansen, Belaire Manor shelties and corgis.

Acadia Aquilegia, RN,RA,RE, CD, AX,AXJ Owned, loved, and trained by Amy

Acadia Catcher In the Rye, CDX, NAJ, TN-N, WV-N Owned, loved and trained by Dr. Amy

Linden Acadia Stacked Deck, HIAd Show Low is owned, loved, and trained by Penny

Acadia Cierra Like a Rock, OAJ, AXJ, HT, RN Owned and loved by Merrylee and loved and trained by Arlene.

Acadia Sweet Emotion, AXJ, OF, PT, OA both Molly and Valerie are now owned, loved and trained by Pam

MACH 4 Acadia Color of Passion, HSAds, MX, MXJ

NATCH, V-NATCH Acadia Rally Round The Flag, O-TN-N, S-WV-E, S-HP-N both Rally and Rumor are owned, loved and trained by Phyllis

Acadia Rumor Has It, NAC, NCC, NJC, TN-N,O-TN-N, HP-N

Acadia Paint The Town, O-EAC, NATCH-Jump, HP-N, S-WV-O, NATCH-Reg Both Hannah and Hope are owned, loved and trained by Sharon

Acadia I Hope Ewe Can, NAC, NJC, O-TN-N, TG-N,HP-N

Acadia What Ever It Takes, OA, OAJ, AD, OAC, OJC,OCC,TG-O,TN-O, TN-E, HTAD II-s, HTAD III-s, HRDII-s, OTDs Both WIT and Kaibab are owned, loved, and trained by Morene

MACH, ADCH, NATCH2, V-NATCH Acadia's Candidate, MS, GS-E, JS-E, RS-E, HSAs, STDs

Acadia Livana Heirloom Jewels, RN Lizzy is owned, loved and trained by Luann

Acadia Sweet Confection, RN Candy is owned, loved, and trained by Jan

Can. Ch. Grandgables Acadia Accolade Allie is owned and loved by me, but was loved and shown by Guy.

Ch. Belaire's Town N' Country Owned and loved by Ken and Gloria Hansen and shown and loved by me.

PLEASE- If I missed any of your great accomplishements- let me know!!!

And finally- 2008 ends with 7 healthy puppies born on Dec. 30. What a great ending- really, a beginning.

THANK YOU to all who have made 2008 so memorable, successful, and fun.

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Acadia What Ever It Takes (WIT)

Morene sent me an update on WIT. This is the dog that got 2 HX herding legs at his VERY FIRST herding trial. WIT is a litter brother to Belle, and Bonnie's, Mike. He is a Show Low x Valerie son.

"Here's a current picture of WIT, and his current titles are...

Agility: AD, OA, OAJ, OAC, OJC, OCC, ETN, NWV, OTG

Herding: HTAD III-s, HRD II-s, OTDs He has one leg toward his ASCA Advanced title (the only non-Q he's ever gotten was his first try at this title), and he has two legs towards his AKC Advanced Title. I just received the Arena Dog Title cert in the mail so thought I'd share.

End of January he'll be going for his level III Ranch dog title, and championship points in Arena Dog.

End of February he'll be trying to finish the Advanced ACSA and Advanced AKC titles. So far all titles have been earned on sheep. However, he's finally beginning to think perhaps ducks are something that he may condescend to herd!

Happy Holidays, Morene"

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2 HX Legs at Wit's FIRST Herding trial!!

Morene Brown (who also owns MACH/NATCH2/ADCH Acadia's Candidate, HS) has been taking Acadia Whatever It Takes, NA, NAJ (WIT) to herding classes. Morene prefers to do agility, so the women with the sheep trains WIT. She told Morene, "don't bother with the lower level titles- this dog is GOOD". Well- she was RIGHT.
This past weekend WIT was entered in the Advanced Herding class at his VERY FIRST herding trial and he Qualified both days giving him 2 (out of the required 3) legs for the Herding Excellent (HX) title! WOW. I hope WIT will be my first herding Champion. WIT is the litter brother to Acadia's Sweet Necessity, HT, RN (Belle). These two are just 4 years old. See the comments about Belle's kids and pictures of them herding in an earlier post. Belle is also the mother of my tri-dog Acadia Sweet Home Arizona (Rincon) who is also a super herding dog.
I am very proud of these dogs. They have herding ability in the genes!

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