Cranbrook Results

What a weekend. The weather in Cranbrook was a mixed bag, for sure. Starting Friday with wind, wind, wind, it was almost like being at home in the Porcupines. Saturday dawned cool but warmed up to be the nicest of the three days because Sunday was rain, rain, rain. And we persevered. Congratulations are in order to SAWHDA members in both conformation and rally obedience.

Cheryl and Jeff Popoff's German shepherd, Brenner , Ch. Kris-T's The King and I, took first place in the Herding Group on Saturday and looked wonderful! We were all so excited as he was up against the top GSD in Canada!

What a win!

Saturday evening, Token, Judi Snowdon's shepherd, entered the Veteran's Class at the Fun Match with at least 15 entries. It was a hoot to see Nancy Lopaschuk stop the entire show to announce that the shepherd could not possibly run without having a double-handler, which she volunteered to be. It worked because Token won the Match!!! Ta Da!

Drummer, Darryl Snowdon's sheltie pup, got a quick clean up from breeder mom, Andrea Knibbs, and joined his brother, Buzz, in the Puppy Fun Match. It was hard to believe that a dachshund won over our cutie boys, but it happened. I think that the judge couldn't bear to choose between Drum and Buzz and had to choose something else to avoid hurting anyone's feelings.

Sunday, Hunter, Shadowbar's Pardon My Dust, went Best of Winners in the conformation ring to gain 3 points towards his Canadian Championship his first weekend out. Yippeee to our Busch baby.

And, speaking of Buschman, Kim Cowie gave Judi the ultimate gift as a memory on behalf of PJ, her wonderful little poodle who was, his entire life, the light of her life. When PJ died, Kim received some dog angel pins from friends, and Saturday Kim gave one of PJ's pins to Judi , who lost her wonderful GSD, Busch, three weeks ago. What a considerate, wonderful gesture, Kim.

This weekend, things were rocking in the rally ring, too. Judi and Drummer opened the day with a High in Class win in Novice B, followed by Louann Killoran's High in Class win with Brazil in Rally Advanced. Brazil went on to gain another 'leg' towards her RAE I title. Hank, Carol's Solkshinitz's parents' Berner, got a leg towards his Advanced title. Look out Swayze Boy; here comes Hank. Mesa, Judi's GSD, shown by Sharlet, gained a 'leg' towards her RAE I title as well and went on to earn the High in Class ribbons in Excellent B both trials Sunday. Ryder picked up two 'legs' towards his RAE III title and Maureen O'Neill's sheltie, Levi, added another "leg" towards her RAE II. Drummer got another High in Class award with his second Rally Novice B performance and was two marks off High in Class in his last performance, with a score of 97 to gain his RN Title! As a matter of fact, Drummer was so happy to be at the dog show that he just couldn't stay away from the ring and escaped from the trailer yard and zipped over to play "Walmart Greeter" at the rally ring.

It was a busy weekend, but we all found time to visit with each other, celebrate the wins and encourage one another through the "oopses". We hope everyone got home safe and sound.

We are going to rent the Cowley Hall beginning mid-September so that we will all be 'ready' for the Red Deer and Lethbridge shows. Keep checking our blog for news. And send pics if you have any.

Rally O AE II for Ryder & Shar

What a day it is! Sunshine burning down. A true summer's day. Time to bath Hunter, Drum and Ryder.

Congratulations to Sharlet and Ryder who now have their Rally AE - II title. They have done a wonderful job. I do believe they are the first SAWHDA members to get the title.

Our obedience class which runs Sept. 13th at 6:30 p.m., has ten students registered. Room for another.

Two instructors to give everyone the individual attention needed.

Email shadowbr@telusplanet.net to register.

We track Tuesday evenings is anyone is interested in joining the group. It isn't easy to track on your own, and not

nearly as much fun, either.

Off to Cranbrook tomorrow to do some conformation and rally. And see many friends we don't get a chance to see.

Two titles in one Weekend

Yes, the tradition has been upheld. SAWHDA strikes again in Castlegar; this time in the

form of one determined handler and an intrepid papillon.



Not only two titles in one weekend, but 3 HIC awards for Nancy and Brie in Castlegar. They were the only team to qualify in the Advanced classes. t00. What a weekend. Look for this couple in the Excellent ring this Fall.

In Nancy's words, " There were only 4 Trials in Castlegar and we got HIC in 3 of them. In Vernon we picked up 2 other HIC’s . So, we have been in 6 trials total and have 5 HIC and two titles...on to the next step.. Nancy & “Brie”

Bucket List????

We went to the Pincher Creek Fair Days Parade and stayed longer than we thought we would.

Token did NOT want to be left behind at home. When we arrived home, Token's water bucket

was upside down, and Shar volunteered to refill it. OMG! Dya think the dog understands the word,

"revenge"? Looks like she's smiling. Evil munchkin.

Scent Hurdle

Here is a great opportunity to show the versatility of our dogs. We are hoping to run two scent hurdle teams in 2011. We would like to resurrect our Due South team and need two or three dogs to make sure we have more than just the minimum. Amanda is starting a team in Lethbridge as well, and she needs dogs, too. We can practice our dogs together and it is possible to have one dog on each team, so please, if you have a dog that will fetch, and you like to get involved in more than one thing at the dog shows, and..... you have the commitment to attend practices, please let me know so Amanda and I can get together and work out some teams. We are all about everybody playing and getting our titles. If your dog is not CKC registered but is a fetching fool, it can run on our demo teams so please let me know if that will work for you.

To those of you headed to Cranbrook for the dog show next weekend, we wish you the best of luck and top marks!!!

We will be starting up the Cowley Hall practices in September for those of you who enjoy coming out on weekends.

Judi

From the saddle

Finally, after two years sabbatical from horseback riding, I, with the help of my friends Connie, Don, Deb, and Peter, was able

to take my Standardbred mare and go for a marvellous 3 hour ride into the mountains in the Crowsnest Pass. What a terrific day it was. Oh, yes, I will admit that I felt absolutely sore on the last downhill to the trailer, and for the next day or two, I thought that the three of them had planned to kill me, but today I am so ready to go again. There is nothing like the back of a horse to bring things into perspective.

Must mention that our Crowsnest Pass Riders, a team of young women who do the grand entry for our pro Rodeo each year, are in Kalispel this weekend to do the Grand Entry for the Americans at their pro rodeo. I am so proud of this team. Actually, I have Bella here with me. Bella belongs to Robin Sinclair and her daughter Kelsi and she is the best dog. She handles things without stress or fuss and just knows how to be a dog. Worth her weight in gold. Not a young dog, but does not present herself as an old dog, either.

My husband is coming to Cranbrook with Shar and me to the dog show this year and he was so geared up that he had all his stuff packed and the meals planned for this weekend. Too funny. I let Shar break the news that we didn't go until the end of the month.

And now that I am not working for the schoolboard this year, I don't have to wait for weekends to go off on a holiday . So look out, Jackie; you could have visitors in the near future. Get that Geordie ready for the Drummer Boy.

Speaking of Cranbrook, we look forward to seeing those of you who are entered. Come over and visit. Hunter needs the practice.

He is way, way, way too long for me to handle easily and years of heeling at a relaxed pace make it a real effort on my part to get him up into a full stride. He is too much like the Standardbred. Should be entertaining, to say the least. And boy, what a diff to go from Hunter to Drummer to work. Light years apart.

Our tracking seminar has been moved to September as the instructor needs to be away this weekend. I will miss it but will take the opportunity to get that horse out into the mountains again. And we have been doing really well in our tracking group so

will continue to work together. We went out Tuesday to the Cowley Airstrip and had two very nice u-tracks done by Ryder and Token. Aging will be the next step and I, for one, will take it slowly. Remember, anyone who would like to join us, whether you

know anything about tracking or not, is welcome to do so. Just phone or email me to get the time and place for the week.

Happy heeling and Best in show to everyone.

The Prez

My Old Friend

My Old Friend

Ch. Grosshimel's Oncechanznamillion CD SHDCh HIC

My Old Friend

Today I said Goodbye to my old friend

I pray someday we get to meet again

Under one more clear blue sky

Up where the eagles fly.

And we'll go walking in the sunshine

With a big smile on our face.

Race the river to the ocean

Go splashing in the waves

And I'll wrap my arms around you

We'll be together once again

And I'll tell you how much I've missed you...

My Old Friend

Yeah, I know you're up there lookin' down

On that rainbow bridge that we talked about

There's a place for me and you

Somewhere up behind the moon

And we'll go walking in the sunshine

With a big smile on our face.

Race the river to the ocean

Go splashing in the waves

And I'll wrap my arms around you

We'll be together once again

And I'll tell you how much I've missed you...

My Old Friend

I will miss you forever.....Judi

My Old Friend

Today I said goodbye to my old friend Yeah, I know you’re up there lookin’ down

I pray someday we get to meet again On that rainbow bridge we talked about

Under one more clear, blue sky There’s a place for me and you

Up there where the eagles fly… Somewhere up there behind the moon,

And We’ll go walking in the sunshine And We’ll go walking in the sunshine

With a big smile on our face With a big smile on our face

Race the river to the ocean Race the river to the ocean

Go splashing in the waves Go splashing in the waves

And I’ll wrap my arms around you And I’ll wrap my arms around you

We’ll be together once again. We’ll be together once again,

And I’ll tell you how much I’ve missed you And I’ll tell you how much I’ve missed you

My old friend. My old friend.

My Old Friend

Today I said goodbye to my old friend Yeah, I know you’re up there lookin’ down

I pray someday we get to meet again On that rainbow bridge we talked about

Under one more clear, blue sky There’s a place for me and you

Up there where the eagles fly… Somewhere up there behind the moon,

And We’ll go walking in the sunshine And We’ll go walking in the sunshine

With a big smile on our face With a big smile on our face

Race the river to the ocean Race the river to the ocean

Go splashing in the waves Go splashing in the waves

And I’ll wrap my arms around you And I’ll wrap my arms around you

We’ll be together once again. We’ll be together once again,

And I’ll tell you how much I’ve missed you And I’ll tell you how much I’ve missed you

My old friend. My old friend.

My Old Friend

Today I said goodbye to my old friend Yeah, I know you’re up there lookin’ down

I pray someday we get to meet again On that rainbow bridge we talked about

Under one more clear, blue sky There’s a place for me and you

Up there where the eagles fly… Somewhere up there behind the moon,

And We’ll go walking in the sunshine And We’ll go walking in the sunshine

With a big smile on our face With a big smile on our face

Race the river to the ocean Race the river to the ocean

Go splashing in the waves Go splashing in the waves

And I’ll wrap my arms around you And I’ll wrap my arms around you

We’ll be together once again. We’ll be together once again,

And I’ll tell you how much I’ve missed you And I’ll tell you how much I’ve missed you

My old friend. My old friend.

Today I said goodbye to my old friend Yeah, I know you’re up there lookin’ down

I pray someday we get to meet again On that rainbow bridge we talked about

Under one more clear, blue sky There’s a place for me and you

Up there where the eagles fly… Somewhere up there behind the moon,

And We’ll go walking in the sunshine And We’ll go walking in the sunshine

With a big smile on our face With a big smile on our face

Race the river to the ocean Race the river to the ocean

Go splashing in the waves Go splashing in the waves

And I’ll wrap my arms around you And I’ll wrap my arms around you

We’ll be together once again. We’ll be together once again,

And I’ll tell you how much I’ve missed you And I’ll tell you how much I’ve missed you

My old friend. My old friend.

Tracking anyone?

For those interested, Bogdan Gorny is offering a tracking seminar the weekend of Aug. 20, 21 and 22 at his training facility in Kipp, near Lethbridge, Alberta. The course is for both advanced and novice dogs and will include classroom work Friday and field work Saturday and Sunday. To register for the course $150 for handler/dog or $100 for handler only, call 403 394 9526.

More AKC results

News from Judy Hunt and her wonderful flatcoats. "

We travelled to Calgary and attended the AKC show….since we had 2 Flatcoat Specialties (Regional and National) we had our very own Obedience and Rally on the Thursday under Lawrence Klassen and Michael Calhoun. I am happy to report that Roxy got her last two legs of her CD and her last 2 legs of her Advanced Rally so earned those two titles. Kona got two legs on her Rally Novice.

All 3 girls did respectably in Conformation…once Mazie learned not to jump on the judge she actually got looked at from a judge."

Judy

So You Think You Can Dance

Thanks to the Alberta Kennel Club, and its vision to include all things canine in its outdoor show, our Southern Alberta Working/Herding Dog Dance Team was able to share its Square Dance and Freestyle Disc Dog demos with the crowds.

According to Judge Michael Calhoun of Quebec, we could really go far if we teach the dogs and our team to clog. OMG!

Flatcoat Results

News from Sarah Novak and her versatile boy, Kaleb at the AKC Flatcoat Specialty. Now, on to the Nationals in Agility at Spruce Meadows.

"Kaleb had a great Specialty, beyond anything I would have imagined, having him there participating was good enough for me especially after his Torsion/GDV and Surgery 8 weeks ago!

Wednesday, Regional Specialty:
- Kaleb won his Veterans Male 7-9 Class, made the cut in Breed and went on to win Best of Opposite in Specialty!! It was thrilling under Judge Vivianne Bowen (Clandrift), England. Considering he is Neutered and has shaved spots I was thrilled! She commented on his hard physical condition, a workman-like type dog.
- He also placed 2nd in the Working Retriever Class.

Thursday Rally Obedience:
- K scored a 99, High in Class and Finished his Rally Advanced Title, he placed 2nd in the Afternoon class with another qualifier.

Friday National Specialty:
- K placed 4th in a large Veteran Sweeps class under Judge Alice Andrews
- Kaleb placed 3rd in his vet Male 7-9 class under Judge James Irvine.

Kaleb also took part in the Judges seminar, where they discuss the dogs they judged and what they liked and didn't like about the dogs! It was a cool experience and to hear each judge's interpretation of why they made their choices as they did.

Kaleb also earned the Beauty and Brains award for placing in both Conformation and a Performance event."

GSP Specialty results

Sawhda member MaryEllen Whyte certainly had fun at the GSP National Specialty. Right from the Veteran's class to the Winners Bitch, her three girls were in the ribbons. And, of course, why not top it all off with High Scoring GSP in Class and a new CD as well. Congratulations, MaryEllen and Grace, Cheyenne and Tessa. What a team!

AKC days

This weekend I had the pleasure of judging the Alberta Kennel Club Rally O classes at Spruce Meadows and must comment that it was the show of shows when it came to organization and atmosphere. I have never seen volunteers with such a willingness to make things work for everyone. The rally rings were, as usual, wonderful, with Heather at the helm and a set of workers who made things flow so smoothly that they really should hire themselves out and go 'on the road' with their talents. And the drivers who zipped here and there and everywhere with their golf carts ensured that no one had to wait long for a ride from parking to wherever. Thank you, thank you. Spruce Meadows is known for its welcoming atmosphere and the AKC volunteers definitely carried this on this weekend.
I encourage anyone who wants to do a summer show in Alberta to take in the AKC. Can't be beat.

AKC results

What a fabulous club the AKC is. I had the pleasure of judging Rally O on Saturday and had so much fun. Heather and her wonderful crew are wonderful. We did scent hurdle racing on Saturday evening and Token did a good job. Wicca was her usual super dog self. The team came out third which was nice. Our dancing was well-received on Sunday and we go again today at noon.
The agility rings were exciting to watch! I fell in love with something called hoops, which is a Nadac game and cannot wait to try it at home. Brenda promised to teach us the rules and give us help with it when she comes back from Ontario.
It will be so good for all the dogs and a great way to learn handling without jumps.
Swiss Chalet and coolers ended an enjoyable day with friends. Off to Tim's to get coffee for everyone this morning. Talk more tomorrow.
The Prez