The Gang

The Gang
Ain't We Got Fun?

Monday, August 31, 2009

Cranbrook/Castlegar shows

The Cranbrook Dog Show was hot, hot, hot, but compared to Castlegar, the wasps were far less numerous. Once again our wonderful plan to use Watkin's bug repellent on ourselves and the dogs paid off big time.

It seemed that we had returned home from the Kootenays just long enough to exchange dogs and get a good night's sleep. We dropped off Swayze, bathed Shaggy and drove off to Cranbrook where Deb joined us on Friday evening.
It has been years since I have been in the conformation ring.
Token is seven and she was the last dog I showed. The first two days Shaggy went Reserve Winner out of four bitches, but on Sunday, Swedish Judge, Nils Molin liked Shaggy and gave us the points and then proceeded to allow us in a marathon run-off against the specials males. It normally takes two of my running strides to match one of Scott's or Larry's , but it is amazing what adrenalin will do for a person. I have photographic proof of tremendous reach and drive on my part, not to mention suspended animation. And I was amazed to be pulled out and asked to do yet another lap in the form of a triangle with Shaggy. She was fabulous. Right off the farm into the ring and she handled it all as though she knew what she was doing all along. I was glad that I had chosen to handle her myself her first weekend out. I was annoyed by the rough handling of the mouth exam given by the Canadian judge, who felt it was necessary, after lifting both sides of her lips and checking the bite, to yard open the mouth and stick an index finger on the tongue to check her tonsils, I am sure. My girl handled it better than I ever expected, stifling a gag and trusting me when I took her head for the rest of the hands-on stuff. Trust is a huge factor in this kind of situation.

Cheryl and Jeff's GSD, Brenner, joined the other specials in the conformation ring and looked fabulous and confident on the end of Jeff's lead. We are convinced that they have a co-dependence that is actually healthy!

In the Obedience ring, Token once again did her routine but just ten seconds from the 'return' on the long sit out of sight she lay down. At least she stayed. Once again, no Q, but an improvement. Small steps.

Bess, Lee and Hank's golden, held it together in the Performance Rally ring and managed to gain three combined Advanced/Excellent class scores to give her three 'Q's towards her Rally AE title. Her scores were great:

RAdv B Saturday Judge L. Perron 96 Second place

R Exc. B Saturday Judge. L. Perron 96 High in Class

R. Adv. B. Saturday Judge A. McNiven 100 High in Class

R. Exc. B. Saturday Judge A. McNiven 90 Second Place

R. Adv. B. Sunday Judge A. McNiven 100 High in Class

R Exc. B Sunday Judge A. McNiven 98 High in Class

Her sudden deafness in the Rally Advanced ring in the afternoon left her unable to comprehend what a simple SIT was
and I ended the torture by NQ'ing in Advanced rather than put up with her shenanigans. We collected our pictures and
headed for East Side Mario's and home.

I must mention that Hunter came along for his first time away from home and did a great job of being a good boy. I wanted
to show him to Kim Cowie, who showed his dad, Buschman, to his championship. She thought he was growing
into a very handsome boy.

What did I learn from the entire experience? Take a break, go herding, lose 20 pounds and come back with a vengeance in the new year.

It was wonderful to spend time with Jackie Clemens and her young assistant, Matt, who was kind enough to take hundreds of photos and some video footage for the competitors. Matt is a graphic arts grad and he loves trying new angles for his photo shoots. We stayed at the Econolodge , which was super. Wonderful desk people, quiet atmosphere, a great restaurant on site, and super air conditioning! Jackie achieved her goal of having her wonderful 12 year old Rosie, complete her Canadian RN Title with 95/100. Raisin and Crispy both qualified with scores in the high 90's as well. And Jackie has a new star on the horizon. Jordy, her new pup, is an intelligent, rambunctious, in your face, ever-playful BOY puppy! He was completely at home playing in the giant X-pen yard with the shepherds and with Token in particular, who really enjoyed him. It will be great to watch him grow up with three older 'GIRLS' who are not sure if they can fit this kid into their routines. Jackie promises to keep us informed as to the antics of all four of the dogs and we are sure Matt will back up the text with great photos.

Denise McKay's wonderful dobe, Jagged, had beautiful performances in the Excellent A class and took away rosette upon rosette to finish her RE title in style. Shar and Denise and I found time to take part in Brenda Bando's agility, barrel racing, freestyle, do whatever you like demos and had a great time.

Russel and Marilyn cheered us on and shared photo and stories about their new grand daughter. We had a chance to meet Russ's mom as well.

Mary Ellen has bought a wonderful new Ultra-glide trailer with a slide-out; mint condition. She and her dogs, Grace and Cheyenne, and Chey's new babies, spent the weekend practicing camping and preparing to go to Missoula in the next few weeks.

I am off to Saskatoon Thursday morn to join Paul and Pauline in judging the Draft Dog Tests and I am sooooooo excited. Can you tell I love the sport? I know that some of you will be off to the States for the Great Falls Trials and I wish you the absolute best of luck in your endeavors.

Send me or Amanda pics and news so we can tell the rest!!!!

Oh, a reminder that Sit Happens is hosting a Hallowe'en APDT trial and some of us
have decided that it is a great time to turn out in costume and support the cause.
Come along.

Judi




FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2009

AKC Dog Show Fun








Ta Da!!! We are home, safe and sound. And what a weekend. Weather-wise it was unbelievable! Ten minutes from a clear blue sky to an angry purple cover accompanied by winds that tore down canopies and ripped tents from their pegs and deposited them in ponds. An agility wall left the ring to sit near the road.
The outhouses....... well the saying - - - - happens couldn't have been truer. They were tipped over in a heartbeat. Token felt the storm coming before it hit and we started limping our way back to the trailer and arrived just in time to save Sharlet from turning into Mary Poppins. She was trying to hold on to the canopy which was, in turn, trying to fly away. I yelled at her to let it go, but when she said she thought it would hit the truck, I yelled back. "Well, hang on!"
We managed to rip the cover from the frame, but in the end, all that was left was a bent and tangles mess. Thank goodness Jack and Denise showed up in time to do the fastest awning retraction ever. In the aftermath, people checked their neighbors to make sure that no one was injured. We turned the van and the truck bed into Hostels for the rest of the weekend as some of the agility people and their dogs were tentless. Good thing they decided to take us up on the offer, too, as another storm hit at 2:12 a.m. and brought with it a lightning and rain storm that was scary, scary, scary. Token and Swayze tucked in with me and Mesa and Ryder hopped in with Shar and we were actually surprised at how
calm they all remained as the trailer was hit again and again by gusts of wind and the thunder shook the ground.
It's amazing how a Tim Horton's X-tra double double can make things feel better. Thank you to Hank and Lee!!! The twisted frame of the canopy joined others as the clean-up crews folded and piled them higher and higher upon retrieval from the various sites. And through it all, the show went on. It was hard for many of us who spent our days in the obedience and rally tent because we just kept expecting Michelle Simpson to materialize any minute. I think when I signed the catalogue that was set aside for MIchelle's family, the terrible reality hit home and I had some difficult moments all day.
Our dogs did well. The Rally ring was 'hot' with high scores and new titles accumulating time and again. Here are some of the accomplishments that our members and dogs attained over the weekend.

Bess Golden Retriever Owned by Lee & Hank Hargreaves New CD and New RE Titles (97) (2nd in class)

Mesa GSD Handled by Judith Snowdon 4th place in RA (already titled RE)

Token GSD Handled by Judith Snowdon New RE title High in Class (98)
Swayze GSD Handled by Judith Snowdon New RN title High in Class (99)

Ryder GSD Handled by Sharlet Caroe 2 "Q's" in RE (already titled RE)

Ryder & Mesa GSD's Handled by Judi and Shar 2 'Q's in Brace Obedience 1 High in Class




Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Harvest Fest Celebrations

Hey, Everybody!
We are going to be performing at the Kootenai Brown Museum in Pincher Creek, Alberta, on September 19th
around 11:00 a.m. as part of the Harvest Celebrations!!! We will be providing information on the following topics of
interest:
1.Clicker Training
2. Responsible Pet Ownership: Good Canine Citizens

3. Draft dog/Carting demo

So far, Shar, Joan, and I are able to come out with our dogs. If you would like to join us, please let me know.

Judi

Hot Performance in Kootenays!





Castlegar belonged to Shar and Ryder when it came to Rally O.

They qualified 4/4 in Advanced B with two seconds and two third place ribbons and then went on to qualify in all four of the Excellent B classes
with four High in Class and a High in Trial as well.

Swayze qualified twice in the Novice B Rally with 100/100 and 96/100 to make his mom very happy. And he qualified first time out in Advanced B with a second place.
The next time out in Advanced B.............. we provided the entertainment for everyone. The sign said, "Fast from a sit." I said, "Let's go" and caught him as
he finished his wild lap around the ring!!!!! Oops.
Judi

Monday, August 10, 2009

Campout pics from Gail


Tubby entertaining us with his Newfie dance. Darryl getting the marshmallow machine ready to use. OOPS!

Dog walking Supper time!


The fabulous "creative" egg'n spoon race!! Weave plays

Oldstyle flyball with original British Box with arm. The dog actually has to hit the peddle and then catch the ball!


Ready to catch! Cougar watch. Mojo gave the best alert of all! M.E.W. and John placing cougar in the bushes.

Koda tracking the paw. Cougar Watch Crew. Some of the rigs.
Tired dogs. Costumes to reflect work of the breed. Shepherdess
"Da Hunta" 2009

Shepherdess, Guide dog "Show & Shine" draft dog
& L'il Bow Peep's dog.


Hi, Everyone,
Must share some pics from our early spring campout. Gail visited and brought an entire disc of the weekend. We laughed so hard at the pics of the egg 'n spoon race. And the costumes, too. Why is it that every portrayal of a job done by a German shepherd required a stick of some sort? And we were reminded, again, of the great job John Clarke and his KBD, Koda, did finding a small bearpaw at the end of 1/4 mile stretch in a 30 acre field after a three hour wait. Fantastic. John took the time to explain about the difference in dealing with cougars and bears and talked about what the posturing meant the bear was considering doing. Again, the food was great, the company marvelous, and we need to do it again. After all, we never did get to do the Gumboot Throwing Contest.
A reminder to all members to send pictures of your summer so far so we can share with each other.
Judi

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

AKC Dog Show Fun



Ta Da!!! We are home, safe and sound. And what a weekend. Weather-wise it was unbelievable! Ten minutes from a clear blue sky to an angry purple cover accompanied by winds that tore down canopies and ripped tents from their pegs and deposited them in ponds. An agility wall left the ring to sit near the road.
The outhouses....... well the saying - - - - happens couldn't have been truer. They were tipped over in a heartbeat. Token felt the storm coming before it hit and we started limping our way back to the trailer and arrived just in time to save Sharlet from turning into Mary Poppins. She was trying to hold on to the canopy which was, in turn, trying to fly away. I yelled at her to let it go, but when she said she thought it would hit the truck, I yelled back. "Well, hang on!"
We managed to rip the cover from the frame, but in the end, all that was left was a bent and tangles mess. Thank goodness Jack and Denise showed up in time to do the fastest awning retraction ever. In the aftermath, people checked their neighbors to make sure that no one was injured. We turned the van and the truck bed into Hostels for the rest of the weekend as some of the agility people and their dogs were tentless. Good thing they decided to take us up on the offer, too, as another storm hit at 2:12 a.m. and brought with it a lightning and rain storm that was scary, scary, scary. Token and Swayze tucked in with me and Mesa and Ryder hopped in with Shar and we were actually surprised at how
calm they all remained as the trailer was hit again and again by gusts of wind and the thunder shook the ground.
It's amazing how a Tim Horton's X-tra double double can make things feel better. Thank you to Hank and Lee!!! The twisted frame of the canopy joined others as the clean-up crews folded and piled them higher and higher upon retrieval from the various sites. And through it all, the show went on. It was hard for many of us who spent our days in the obedience and rally tent because we just kept expecting Michelle Simpson to materialize any minute. I think when I signed the catalogue that was set aside for MIchelle's family, the terrible reality hit home and I had some difficult moments all day.
Our dogs did well. The Rally ring was 'hot' with high scores and new titles accumulating time and again. Here are some of the accomplishments that our members and dogs attained over the weekend.

Bess Golden Retriever Owned by Lee & Hank Hargreaves New CD and New RE Titles (97) (2nd in class)

Bonnie CW Corgi Handled by Lore Bruder New RN and 1 leg in RA as well.

Never CWCorgi Handled by Louanne Killoran 2 legs in Novice Rally 3rd place (95)

Brazil CWCorgi Handled by Louanne Killoran New RA title 3rd in class (95) 1 leg in RE (2nd in class)

Mesa GSD Handled by Judith Snowdon 4th place in RA (already titled RE)

Token GSD Handled by Judith Snowdon New RE title High in Class (98)
Swayze GSD Handled by Judith Snowdon New RN title High in Class (99)

Ryder GSD Handled by Sharlet Caroe 2 "Q's" in RE (already titled RE)

Ryder & Mesa GSD's Handled by Judi and Shar 2 'Q's in Brace Obedience 1 High in Class


Jagged Doberman Handled by Denise McKay Fabulous runs in agility 15-16 yds/sec. Whew!!!!

Maggie Berner Handled by Kim Tollesfson Completed her JWW title(AgIJS)

Bosley Berner Handled by Kim Tollesfson 2 Intermediate Standard "Q's" and an Intermediate JWW "Q" his second time at a trial!

Roxy Flatcoat Retriever Handled by Judy Hunt Leg #1 in Novice Obedience, 3rd place!!! (187)
"Q" in SSAgility and "Q" in JWWSelect Agility !!!


We are still waiting for performance results from more of our members and will post them as soon as they arrive.
Keep up the good work, everyone!

Judi