Other Brags

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September 27 - 28, 2003 Julia ran at the Western Washington Whippet Association lure trials both days this weekend. She took points both days! We now have just 8 points left and all of the placements necessary for her to be a Field Champion!
September 25, 2003 Today, Robbie MacDonald, Border Collie, earned his TD (AKC tracking dog) title at the Beagle National in Vancouver WA. Thanks to help Sue Critchlow, we got into the test as it did not fill with Beagles! The site was perfect, gentle rolling farm land right next to the Columbia River with wildlife all around. A flock of Sandhill cranes (identified by another person listening to the call) flew over during the test. The weather was perfect too, no wind, heavy dew and cool in the morning. It was a perfect day for tracking! Robbie and I arrived at dawn and drew the first track to be run at 7:40 am. It was in an area that Lonnie with Loki and I had practiced in 2 weeks ago when we visited the area. Robbie started tracking even before the first flag and never wavered the entire track. I ran behind him through the rough grass and hilly ground. He indicated his glove by picking it up and returning to me. As I waived the glove in the air, the judges and crowd on the hill all cheered!! There were people and dogs from all over the US. The next 2 TD dogs, a Newf and an Irish Water Spaniel both passed their TD with a passing rate of 3 out of 4 TD dogs. Then they took pictures of us with the judges and all of the generous prizes! Robbie took home a large ribbon, a plaque which will be engraved with his name, a handmade pottery plate with a beagle tracking, a covered wagon toy that was the National's theme and an Outward Hound dog training bag - those great bags with all the pockets! It was a great day and Robbie and I are grateful to all of those FDTC people who have helped us prepare for this test. Marcia and Robbie TD ( on to TDX!)
September 7. 2003 Today was Julia's second time ever at a lure trial. Today's trial was put on by the TPIHC (Twin Peaks Ibizan Hound Club). I was a bit concerned for a few reasons.. The style of lure that they were using (continuous loop versus drag lure) is something that Julia has never seen, it has the potential to be more dangerous if not done right (they did it right), and the course was a course designed for agility more than speed with tight turns rather than long straightaways. I know that Julia is a speed dog, but had no clue what she would do on this type of course. Still, Julia came through the day beautifully with a Best of Breed ribbon to her credit (over seven field champions). Today's course was 760 yards. The trial was smaller than last weekend, so things went fast. By the end of the trial at 1PM, Julia had run four 760 yard courses. She was still begging for more. Julia has run in just two lure trials thus far, taken two Best of Breeds over some of the nation's top dogs who just happen to live in this region, has the placement requirements filled that she needs for her field championship, more than 2/3 of the points that she needs, and has a best in field under her belt. 32 more points (out of 100) and we will be there. - Debbie La Monica-Anderson
August 30, 2003 Saturday dawned hot and VERY dry on the field. Julia, running as an FTE (first time entered), blew past everyone in the open stake, which was more than full stake at 15 dogs.. to take first place. She was one point behind first after prelims, and tied for first after finals, so we had to do a run-off, where she blew away the dog she was running with (purely race bred!). Then, on to the Best of breed run, where she took Best of Breed (there were 11 field champions entered!). After Best of Breed in lure coursing, you have the option if you have a BOB dog, to run against the other breed winners for Best in Field. I don't usually do this because there is really nothing to be gained (no extra points, etc...) and you risk injuring a tired dog, especially on a field like that. The only thing was.. that even after the extra run for the run off, Julia was far from tired, was straining at her leash, and was screaming (literally) for another run. I relented, re-wrapped her feet, and decided to go for it. Julia, once again, blew away the competition... and took BEST IN FIELD! To be an ASFA Field Champion, you need two firsts (like majors), or a first and two second placements, as well as 100 points. The most you can be awarded on any day for a full stake is 40 points.. So, after Julia's first trial, she has a necessary first placement and 40 points. - Debbie La Monica-Anderson
May 4, 2003 - May 25, 2003 Fawnhaven Mischief Maker Delphi JH went 4 for 4 to complete his Junior Hunter (Retriever) Title on May 25, 2003. He earned qualifying scores at the following Hunt Tests: 1. Puget Sound Labrador Retriever Club Hunt Test at Carlson's Farm on May 4, 2003 (Judges: Sharon Hilton and George Tookey). 2. Rainier Hunting Retriever Club Hunt Test held at Carlson's Farm on May 11, 2003 (Judges: Shelah Frey and Evelyn Smith). 3. Back-to-back hunt tests sponsored by the Oregon Hunting Retriever Club at Sauvie Island, Portland, OR May 24-25, 2003. The judges on Saturday were Jim Morris and Mike Collson, and the judges on Sunday were John Tate and Bob Lane.
May 4 2003 - July 13, 2003 Black Rock Life of Reilly CD, CC, CGC earned the first leg of his Junior Hunter (Retriever) title at the PSLRA Hunt Test held at Carlson's farm on May 4, 2003 (Judges: Sharon Hilton and George Tookey). Reilly earned his second JH leg at the Oregon Hunting Retriever Club Hunt Test held at Sauvie Island in Portland, OR on May 25, 2003 (Judges: John Tate and Bob Lane) and earned his 3rd JH leg at the Evergreen Golden Retriever Club's Hunt Test held at Greenleaf's property in Monroe, WA on June 1, 2003 (Judges: Ron Perry and Boyd Ulsh). Reilly completed his Junior Hunter Title at the Oregon Retriever Trial Club's Hunt Test held at Sauvie Island in Portland, OR on July 13, 2003. The judges were Jim Morris, Phil Speer, and Pam Bunnell (apprentice).
4/12/03 - 4/13/03 Yesterday was Julia's first birthday. She celebrated by donning an official racing jacket and muzzle, running out of the starting boxes like the big kids (for real and not just practice), and participating in her first ever performance event! She ran as a puppy (shorter straight runs than the adults), and did a great job, getting a better break each time, and having the time of her life! I had some great comments on her speed as well as that she is a "lovely bitch"! Anyway, Julia was the High Scoring Puppy. Then we went on to the match, which is an inter-sex match, no classes, with first through fourth placements. Julia placed second in the match, beaten only by her multiple specialty/national specialty winning Aunt Meeko! Today, Julia was High Scoring Puppy again, and went on to take First Place in the match. Good Girl! The match was in the pouring rain on a tennis court, both days... but it only helped to wash the mud off (of both handler and puppy...) :-)
July 13, 2002 Twist went for her Herding Control Tested Certificate and passed with style. On this test, the dog has to move the sheep with some control, stop on command, and come when called. We are now working for her Junior Herding Dog title, and this one will definitely take longer than three weeks. ~ Faye Peairs
June 22, 2002 Twist is now Cara's Twist of Fate, CGC, HIC. Twist was the only Dobie at the Herding Instinct Test today, and she did the Breed proud. She worked sheep and showed "great instinct, drive, focus," and was "sensible." <g> (That means she didn't get over excited and try to bite the sheep, nor run around maniacally, with no thought as to what was happening.) I am VERY proud of her. ~ Faye Peairs
April 9, 2002 Please indulge a "breeder brag!" Kaylan's Silver Kava (Kava), Belgian Sheepdog, passed his first two "tests" to be accepted into the GSSD Search and Rescue group. The GSSD is the premier SAR group in the Northwest, and I am just thrilled that one of the Keeper X Baccarre' babies is well on his way to becoming a search dog. ~ Kathy Lang