Old Dogs

I just looked around our kennel yard and discovered that my dogs are getting old.  And that there is nothing quite like an old dog.  They have different rules...... the usual rules simply don't apply.

Like the recall, for instance.  Needs modification if Token doesn't hear.  And so off I go in my slippers and housecoat doing the "can you see me dance" in hopes that she will actually notice my arrival and join me.

And the schedule of in and out.... that changes.  Mesa dictates that immediately upon arriving in the house and doing a quick check of cat bowls and a search for rawhide parts, that she should be let out to lie in the cool grassy shade of the kennel, leaving everyone in the house on RED alert should a car turn into the drive way, where upon the race to catch Mesa before she rushes down the drive to greet the vehicle ensues.

Ownership of 'things' increases its bubble of propriety and the young dogs now stay 10 feet away from anything on the floor in front of old dogs, whether they own it or not.  Lip lifting is key to ownership.  No need to growl or get closer to object.  Just lift lip.   They know.

And the walks are different, too.  Rather than have "the girls" follow along in tow, we now make the pasture the most interesting place for walks, with 'stuff' dropped around so that it's more of a search than just a walk.   And sometimes it's a race to see who can find what in the least amount of time.
Doesn't matter.  There's always enough for two.... or three.

I thought of my friends and we each have at least one old dog.  Just got an email from LouAnne and a great picture of Never, her corgi, who has taken over the supervision of the greenhouse.  A new job for an old dog.

Time for more pics.....

Send us one of your old dog.

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SAWHDA at NACA

Whoa!  Congratulations to Carol and Emily on their first leg towards the RAE title with an 89/100 in Advanced and a 98/100 in Excellent!  Not bad for someone who was "tagging along"...
 Joan and Zsuree not only Q'ed with High in Class Advanced A, but gained her RA title as well.  One of Zsuree's pups, Gemma, whom we met in Red Deer at the nosework test, earned a HIC Rally Novice A and her RN title. Very cool.
 And.... Maureen and Levi took the Rally Advanced B class with that ever exciting perfect score !!!!!!  Yayyyyy!
Best of luck today to everyone. 

While the ladies were struttin' their stuff at NACA, we in the South were enjoying the perfect day with friends and dogs doing scent hurdle, obedience, and rally in the sunshine.  It was a relaxing day and all the dogs provided us with some good performances.  We must do this again!
 Amanda took the best pictures to record the day! Thank you so much, and thanks to everyone for making the trip to Shadowbar! 
Thanks, Mother Nature, too.

Good luck to everyone at the Lethbridge show in Coaldale next weekend! Remember to pitch in where you can as the club is small but mighty and appreciates help.

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New Jackets for Scent Hurdle Team

Huge thanks to Gwen Unrau for undertaking the sewing of new jackets for our Due South Dogs!!
The jackets will be ready for our race dates in Lethbridge June 6/7.  Can't wait to try them on.
As well, our handlers will be sporting new white pinnies  (like the ones the handlers in specialties wear) with Due South embroidered on them.
With our scent hurdle rules looking at other dogs being allowed to run with our team in times of need, we can now offer the new dog's handler a bib to put over his original team outfit and he will become a Due South member just like that.  Magic.
 I am looking into having crests of our  SAWHDA logo made so we can have those sewn on the bibs, too.
 Hope some of you can make the practice and fun day at Shadowbar May 31st.  Last chance before the  show.

Happy to see that we will have a good number of team dogs racing at Lethbridge.  Beautiful venue.

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Clap for the Cardi's and BC's

Hands together for Lore and Daisy May and Remi as they attended the Dave And Trudy Vickland clinic and the AHBA sheep trials at Watrous, Saskatchewan, last weekend. And what a weekend. 
Despite the rainy conditions, Daisy May finished her Level  1 arena title with a High in Trial, and then completed her Level 1 stockdog title as well. Remi picked up one score in each class at the level 1. Fido got his title for level 1 stockdog and a leg on level 2. and went on to complete his level 2 arena title with ..... A High in Trial!  What a rush!!
Congratulations,, Lore!!!

Amanda is pleased as can be with the awesome performance in the field trials at Okotoks, this weekend.  Brit worked with some very tough sheep and held her ground and Leo managed to pen his sheep and get a first place in his class!!!  Working two dogs with such different personalities is taxing and Amanda manages to have just the balance needed to make it happen.

Look out sheeps!!!!

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SAWHDA Happenings

Sad News

Lifetime Member, Kevin George of Sentry Dogs Ltd., suffered a massive Stroke on Friday. The prognosis is very dire, where his time is limited to be with us, we hope that you will keep Kevin in your prayers.

Should you care to visit, Kevin is at the University Hospital, Cardiac Unit 5A6, Room 24, visitors are welcome 24 hours a day.

Please call Wanda first before you stop by780-240-5002.

Kevin over the years was known to be one of Canada's top and most knowledgeable dog trainers and handlers over the years. He was instrumental in training many of our local Bouviers in Obedience, Agility, Poison Proofing, Tracking and Personal Protection work. He also trained the Bouviers at the Storyland Valley Zoo and was in charge for many years training the Edmonton City Police dogs. He was Awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership with the Alberta Bouvier des Flandres Club, had judged our Puppy and Veteran Sweepstakes and sponsored the Trophy in conjunction with the Shirdan Award .

Those of us who attended Kevin's Search and Rescue seminar at the College in Lethbridge will forever recall the fun we had and the energy Kevin put into his work. The Prez

Mission Impossible

Sorry to have to tell our SAWHDA members that we have decided to rethink our plan to host a WCR APDT Rally obedience trial here in the South. 

We feel that the expense of hosting this single event will interfere with our ability to hold other events.  And therefore, we encourage all WCR members to support the Sit Happens! trials in the Fall of 2014.
Once again, keep checking our blog for information on coming events of interest.

Our Draft Dog clinic on May 24th is now full and participants can expect agendas, receipts, and directions to the venue within the week.
 
May 31st , Obedience, Scent hurdle practice, and Rally Obedience fun outdoors at Shadowbar
begins at 9:30 with scent hurdle, all levels of progress, followed by obedience and rally.
Bring lawn chairs.  Please let us know if you are able to attend so we can plan our snacks.....

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