We’ve recently returned from our first trip north to show in Canada at the Canadian National Specialty in Stratford, Ontario.  Scarlett’s favorite part… All the toys were hers 😀

The weather in Canada was very interesting, very hot one day, and then windy and cold the next, finally it landed on perfect and beautiful.  We had a great time and showed in Rally, Sweeps and Regular.  Scarlett got two Rally Novice legs with second places and won both of her conformation classes, ending up with Reserve Winners Bitch

Following the show in Stratford, we visited with college roommate, Stephanie and her family in Waterloo Canada and had a great time. Then went to Kingston, ON on the way home to show at our first regular Canadian show.  Scarlett was Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, and Best of Opposite under breeder judge, Bea Sawka, for 3 points towards her Canadian Championship.  

We can’t wait for our next trip north!

 

At the RDOC rally and obedience trials June 21-22, 2014, Einstein got his last Rally Excellent leg for his title! Scarlett also took her first turn in the Excellent rin, and managed a Q in her first time in.  Way to go E and Sc!

Congratulations to Merilynn Bergstresser and Peyton (ShebangxHarvey) on making their Novice A agility debut at the NCBCC Fundraiser trial.  Peyton and Merilynn Qed in both their runs with 1st place ribbons.  Great job!

Scarlett went Best in Sweepstakes at the BCCA Regional Specialty hosted by the BCCME in Wrentham, Ma.  It was a whirlwind trip up to Massachusetts, but we had a great time. Thanks to judge Linda Aronson, Fivefields Bearded Collies

 

Sadly, we lost Heart on 5/24/2014 after a brief battle with Lymphoma. We miss her greatly, but are grateful for the amazing life we had together.

 

 

Scarlett waiting to get the show started

Some of the girls’ loot from the Specialty Show

Scarlett and Judge Sue Nicholls-Ward, Bumbleridge Bearded Collies

It was a very special weekend for us at the National Capital Bearded Collie Club Regional Specialty show and Baltimore County Kennel Club Supported Entry show.  In 2004, Heart finished her championship at this show by going BOW/AOM1 to her sire, Ch Britannia Back to the Future, Biff.  In 2014, a week before her 13th birthday, we were very pleased to kick off the show with Heart being awarded Best in Veteran Sweeps

Following Sweepstakes, regular judging began.  Scarlett, at 16 months, was in the open bitch class and showed like a big girl.  Relatively limited wiggling on exam and no charging ahead to the end of her lead when moving.  I was very proud of her and pleased to be awarded Winners Bitch for a 4pt major (takes 30 for 5 pts, we had 28, I think).  That meant Scarlett was going back in for breed at the end and I still had Heart and Spike to show.  Showing Heart in the Veteran Bitch class the judge remarked that she would’ve pegged her as the youngster of the class, and at just shy of 13, I think she had 3-4 years on the other girls in her class.  She won Veteran bitch, which presented a bit of a dilemma as I could only show one in breed.  Fortunately, fabulous beardie breeder, handler, and friend, Amy Alspaugh Penuel volunteered to show Scarlett for breed and I stayed on Party Hearty.  Never having handed Heart off in 13 years, I didn’t think to start now, and I do want my younger dogs to show with other people.  It did mean I didn’t have a pair of hands to show Spike, so he didn’t get to show at the specialty. 

It was a long day and there were lots more trips around the ring, but Amy and Scarlett were rockstars and Heart was rock solid, as she always has been.  This earned both girls top honors with Scarlett going Best of Opposite and Heart going Select Bitch.   . The win over specials for Scarlett bumped this to a 5pt major.

Heart got to go home and relax for the rest of the weekend while Scarlett stayed to show on Saturday and Sunday.  Sunday is a supported entry show for NCBCC which includes sweepstakes and typically has breeder judges for regular classes.  While very tired, Scarlett still managed to show great (intense love of steak, chicken, and chicken hot dogs is well developed) and she was awarded Best of Opposite in Sweepstakes and Best of Winners for another 4pt major. 

Scarlett finished the weekend 1 point shy of her Ch.  We’d like to thank these judges for recognizing Scarlett & Heart with these wins, Sue Nicholls-Ward (Bumbleridge), Beth Petrecca (Daybar), Andrea Straw (Windswept), Gail Miller Bisher (Gaymardon)

Scarlett earned a new title with her final Rally Advanced leg, a respectable 88, on April 5, 2014.  Going back the next day she got a “bumper leg” in Advanced.  We’re not ready for Rally Excellent, but will work towards it through the summer.

 

Returning to the Paws Plus Nosework trial on March 9th, Scarlett achieved her NW1 with great times on 3 of 4 elements.  Exterior was a bit tough for her, but she did get the find.  Proud of this baby girl!

On Friday, March 7, 2014, Spike attended his first every Nosework Trial sponsored by Paws Plus Training in Goochland, VA.  The first level of Nosework requires that the dog detect hides of Birch across 4 elements, Interiors (basically a room search), Exteriors (an outdoor search confined to a particular area), Vehicle Search (1 hide, 3 cars, find it), and a Container Search (boxes 12+ on the floor, I think we had 18 or so). 

We had terrible weather to deal with but we were patient and Spike worked hard to stay focused for the whole day while we waited our turns.  In the end, he finished with full points (100, 25/element) and no faults for his NW1 title with a time of ~2:50 for all elements.  In Nosework you get feedback from the judges on each element.  Our comments were, “great job letting the dog work to the source”, “nice fluid search”, “nice pattern and response”, and “very good teamwork.”  So, proud of our little Niblet! Although, who knew you could get so dirty doing nose work. 

 

 

 

On Valentine’s day, we lost our special Kip.  The puppy who wasn’t supposed to stay and became such a big part of our lives.  Our first Home bred MACH CH and a great agility partner for the better part of a decade. 

Tribute video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_As0pkQCsqw