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

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

Agility Day in the Planning

For those of you who want to spend a day doing an Introduction to Agility to learn new handling techniques or to start a new dog or young pup, do check out Denise McKay's Introduction to Agility to be held at her facility in Fernie on August 9th. Email me for further information and costs. It will be a great day as Denise has much to offer in the way of instruction.
Judi

More Herding News

You'll have to forgive my tardiness in updating the site re: Herding in High River. I was not at the competition on Saturday and Sunday, but did receive some good news from Lore Bruder. Her cardi corgis did very well! Razzor got his AHBA Jr. title, Bonnie received another qualifying score towards her Herding Started title, and Fido, co-owned and handled by Gloria Graham, managed to obtain two Q's towards Started as well. Bonnie ended up High Scoring Corgi. The 'Maytag shepherds' did us all proud. Lore is tremendously encouraged and has been out every night chasing sheep and moving panels to change pen sizes.

We wish everyone who is travelling to the AKC show at Springbank Park for all Seasons the best of luck this coming weekend. Please take the time to send me your results so I can brag for you on the blog. Safe travel to all of you.

AKC will be bittersweet for me. I especially love the show for all its entertainment and specifically ask for a spot on the agility field so I can watch the action when I am not running back and forth with dogs in other rings. This year I will miss seeing my friend of 20 years, Michelle, who has been such a part if this show. Michelle passed away suddenly last week due to complications in surgery, ending a short but valiant battle with cancer. I was looking through photos of Michelle and each one brought back such good times. And a regret, too, as we were both so looking forward to Michelle being strong enough to once again go for a ride on Easy, her 'adopted' horse. In this world where things can change in a moment, we should remember to enjoy all the moments we have with each other for each one is precious.

Take care,

Judi

Herding Days at High River

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009

Herding at High River

Oh, boy,

What a great two days of herding for Token and Mesa at the Rottwieler Club of Canada Herding Trials at Phantomridge Farms, High River, Alberta, July 16 & 17th. Finished Token's Herding Tested title and got a "Q" of 85.5 with Mesa under Judge Shelley Fritzke. Not only that, but, thanks to the Rottweiler and Aussie Clubs, we received a beautiful Rosette and stock stick by placing High Scoring German shepherd! Better yet, we were 1/2 pt. off the High in Trial score! Yikes! That is scary stuff, considering who was working the dog. It felt really good seeing the girls work. I was most impressed with Mesa's pen work. She went in quietly and the sheep trotted calmly out of the pen and settled right away. I felt really confident working Mesa because she doesn't operate at the speed Token does and that gives me time to position myself better. But I gain more confidence when I can work Token and have her pass because she has more energy and she reads her stock better so she is often right when I am not. Probably always. Well, maybe not always, but most of the time, I think.

Sunday, Token didn't have to run because she had finished her title and I had hurt my knee while

taking the girls out for a run at 5:00 a.m. and was definitely not able to do any herding. Lore came to the rescue and helped me hook up the trailer and get ready to go home as I was sure I wasn't going to be able to get my 'handler' to work Mesa in the started class as she was also stock contractor. Jerry and Louanne drove the dogs and me back and forth from the field to the arena so I could watch everyone. Woody volunteered to move the dogs from their tie-downs to wherever I needed them. Gwen had the perfect spectator tent set up so I could sit in the shade for the day.

And, when told about the situation, the other competitors and neither judge had any problem letting Louanne work Mesa for me and she got our second score towards our Started title with 84.5 . As a matter of fact, Shelley, who has the highest scoring

German shepherd herding dog in Canada ever, volunteered to handle Mesa if Louanne was not allowed! How special is that????

Anyway, Louanne had no problem steering Susie around the course and obtained a score of 84.5 ! Yes!! Two passes. Grrrrrrreat!

The entire two days were spent in the company of the best people and their chosen breeds of dogs. There were Aussies,

Rotties, German shepherds, Cardigan Corgi's, a smooth collie, a Shetland Sheepdog, and two border collies. It was so

neat to be able to watch the different styles. Even the upright breeds had different working techniques. What an impressive

group we all were!!! I was so impressed with the stockdog class. Green with envy at the distance work and so excited to see them all work so hard over 30 minutes to get all the chores set out for them accomplished. From a handler's point of view, that was the most impressive class, but from a spectator's view, nothing takes the place of arena work for precision. Two steps too far and without a quick reverse, those sheep were gone to the 'far side' ... of the arena, that is.

Although not everyone qualified in the class in which they had entered, every handler and every dog had moments of absolute brilliance and we all appreciated the work that had gone into preparing for the tests. Those advanced dogs and handlers amazed me to no end. How Gwen can run backwards without falling on her butt and how Cathy Bishop can out-manuever Quade while he moves just short of the speed of light is beyond me. Gwen's sister, Deb has the quiet, smooth handling style we all wish for. Lore has given her corgi, Razor, such confidence, while Gloria and her corgi, Pearl, showed us just what can be accomplished by these little dogs with big dog attitudes. Fido will provide Gloria with all the fitness exercises she will ever need over the next year or two, I am certain. Loved the smooth collie with his easy-going manner around the sheep. And, speaking of sheep, there were sheep for every dog and its ability level. This is a science, for sure, and the stock and stock-handling was superb!!! Great concession booth. Fabulous photographer. Judges Barb Davenport and Shelley Fritzke, who were encouraging and fair. Weather beyond belief! Who couldn't enjoy the time?

And, bonus.......... Mesa and Token got along all weekend with no hair-raising experiences at all. Even rode home together in the extended-cab. Probably helped that Token spent her trip hiding on the floor and Mesa slept flat-out on the seat. Worked well for both of them.

Anyway, as soon as this knee thing goes away, I am off and running again! Whoa! Just remembered. I have Swayze entered in

Rally at AKC. Something tells me I should be working with him so that we don't look like ditzes. He works great at home.

Time to get out in public right away. But I'd rather be herding.

Ev Kenny Dog Show

Congratulations to everyone who did well at the Ev Kenny Dog show in Calgary this past weekend in performance and conformation classes. Having judged the rally O classes on Saturday and Sunday, I got to see some very nice performances and some good effort from young dogs and old alike. It is always special to see a veteran dog performing at a show and the High in Excellent class went to just such a dog. Had the pleasure to judge a beautiful afghan hound as well. Rarity.

Those I know who did well in the performance rings were Judy Hunt, Carol Solkshinitz, Joan Michaud & Maureen O'Neill in Rally O. In conformation, Mary Ellen Whyte and her BSP, Cole, breeder handled, took a Group 2 in Sporting and Joan's Belgian shepherd, Dex, finished his Championship.

Carol & Emily TT ...

temper tantrum?

I had the opportunity to work with fabulous ring stewards. Katherine Klassen is the pro when it comes to stats management. Char Maines (so good to see her again) was recorder & course setter, Terry Olson the timer, Mandy McKay, recorder and course setter, and Maureen O'Neill was the person who was everywhere providing everything needed, and that includes racing for the obedience judges as well as looking after our ring.

Most fabulous event of the weekend? Seeing Michelle and David Simpson at the show. I don't know how Michelle did it but she managed to convince her doctor to let her out of the hospital on a day pass as long as Dave was her date. I still think that she told them she was going to the bathroom and then simply kept on going.

Couldn't believe how hot the weather was when I got home. Scorching. Today........ different thing altogether. It has been pouring rain all day. No sense heading for High River for herding practice. Oh, boy, did we ever need that lesson, too. Maybe tomorrow. If not, watch out sheep!

For those of you who have to be outside today, pull up your hoods and put on your gumboots, kids! I'm off to the kennel with a book and a glass of wine!

A reminder to everyone to send me pics and paragraphs of stuff you and your dogs have been doing. We love to share it.

Judi

Happy Birthday, Canada

For Dog Club last night we set up a Rally O course to play at. We decided that we were all a bit rusty in that department.

The evening went really fast, though, and we didn't have time for any obedience except for some long sits, during which, we discussed setting up obedience and rally at the park in Pincher Creek to give us a change of venue. Also, Shirley, Shar, Lee and I decided that we would spend some mornings at Vista Village training, so that the residents get some entertainment. Shirley said that the last time she visited, the residents were out in the courtyard exercising and throwing a ball around and Kris, of course,

got right into the action and provided some comic relief by stealing the ball every time someone missed a throw and bringing it to Shirley. Rather than formalize anything, we thought we'd just phone around and collect some members and take off one morning to practice.

Today is Canada's birthday and I am so glad to live in this country. This year, we missed the PARADE of all things because I didn't get off the mark quickly enough and try to organize anything. I was just so happy to be on holidays that I missed it. Sorry, gang.

However, a reminder that APDT trials are being held at Sit Happens! at Hallowe'en!!!! We intend to go and to dress up for the occasion. Poor Tammy never knows what to expect from this crew. Never a dull moment, anyway. We hope to go for supper afterwards as well. Should be fun for all. Blame Russell for the costume idea, but I think it is swell. Keep checking the Sit Happens! site for updates.

Now, as far as parades go, Thunder in the Valley is July 18th in the Crowsnest Pass. July 18th is a Saturday. The day is filled with fun stuff for people to do. This year the Pincher Creek Humane Society is putting up a dunk tank to raise funds for their new shelter. I would love to see our club in the Parade with our carts and a walking contingent as well. Can you check your dates and let me know asap if you can attend.

Judi

Here is a video of the whacky stuff that goes on at our campouts. Sense of humor much needed to belong to this gang.