Joy!!

What a joy-full year it’s been.  Like anyone’s life, there’s up’s and down’s but it seems that the joys, as they should, always add up to the events remembered.  Given that this is my ‘dog-blog’, I celebrate the joys that each of us can find through the simple of pleasures of being owned by a dog.

It’s hard to actually remember all the great times I’ve had with the dogs this year but here’s a shot at some of the highlights:

– the lovely Bentley completed his American championship title with one more major win at a specialty, making him officially, Am. Can. Ch. SureShot Flying Spur TT.  He also sired a very promising litter that we look forward with anticipation to their activities in the future.  Thanks forever to Dianna Ellis of Bluewin Gordons, his co-owner, for making all these events possible.

– Over a year ago, another lovely litter was produced by Mira (Can Ch. FCC Ch. SureShot Chosen One, CD, CGN) who I co-own with a very dear friend Keith O’Flaherty.  That litter produced Skye who, as just a youngster, has several group placements and puppy group wins this year as well as two new titles.  She’s now Ch. Vanoras SureShot Highland Skye, CGN.  Her brother Kole also picked up his CGN this year, making him Vanoras SureShot Coal Town Boy, CGN.

– There’s been a ton of new agility titles for the girls this year but I guess the history-making one was Echo’s Excellent Standard title in CKC making her the first Gordon to get that award.  The list of new accomplishments for each of them is extensive and is seen through all the new titles they got that are included in their official names:

– Echo, Ch. Sureshot Caisteal Sassenach, AGXS, AGIJS, ADC, S-NAC, S-NJC, O-NCC, S-TG-N, TG-O, S-WV-N, HP-N, TN-N, OAC, Nov Vers.

– Ticket, Ch. Drumdaroch Sure’s Hot, AgNS, AgNJS, S-NAC, S-NJC, O-OJC, O-NCC, S-TG-N, O-WV-N, S-TN-N, HP-N, O-TN-O, OAC, SGDC, Nov Vers

– Tatum, Ch. SureShot Paper Moon, AgNS, AgNJS, S-TN-N, O-TN-O, S, S-NAC, O-NCC, O-TG-N, S-NJC, HP-N, WV-N, OJC, Nov Vers

Each of them owns a special place in my heart with their unique personalities and ability to make me smile.

The start of the year saw the loss of my ‘heart-dog’, Erin (Ch. Rokeena Downunder Delite, AgN, AgNS, AgIJS, NCC, O-NJC-V, TG-N-V, OAC, VADC, VSGDC).  The loss of a dog that really was a once-in-a-lifetime, still weighs heavily at times but, this season, it seems so much better to celebrate the 10 years I shared and learned with her: the many activities we pursued together, and, yes, the Joy with which she embraced life and the Joy she gave to me as a result.

So, no matter your hobby or occupation of choice.  Whatever paths you take on your road.  Whatever interests capture your spirit….

MAY YOU ALWAYS FIND YOUR JOY

A Weekend Two-fer

Two dogs, two titles, two countries, two different venues.  Doesn’t get much better than that…. especially since I got to lounge around the house, read a book, and do some house cleaning, dog cuddling and general bits of nothingness while all this was happening.  So much fun though to get the news on the latest accomplishments of two dogs I bred and the wonderful people I co-own them with.

The first title to be completed was an American Championship for Bentley, who now boasts the fine title of Can Am Ch SureShot Flying Spur, TT.  And he finished the title in style by going Winners Dog/Best of Winners for a four point major at the Golden Gate Gordon Setter Specialty in Santa Rosa.  This wasn’t his first major either, since his arrival in California a year ago, he’s only been in a few shows but made them count each round and finished with four major wins.  Bentley is co-owned with Dianna Ellis (Bluewin Gordons) and was shown by Dianna’s daughter Norah Burrows.  This picture was taken from ringside just before his win:

Can Am Ch SureShot Flying Spur TT

Although good news was already coming in from Mira, Sunday wrapped up her new title on the weekend.  Keith O’Flaherty and Mira have been no strangers to good news posts on this blog but this one was pretty impressive.  First time in the obedience ring, they wrapped up Mira’s Companion Dog title in two days.  I’m particularly awed by this since obedience has never been my thing (or my dogs, since they have to go into the ring with me).  Mira’s titles now add to her ‘official’ name of:  Can Ch FCC Ch SureShot Chosen One, CD, CGN.  I wonder about this picture…do you think Mira is wondering how many points they’re going to lose if Keith doesn’t remember to put the leash in his hands?

And, while it wasn’t a new title, I just had to add this final picture of the lovely Skye, Mira’s daughter, Ch Vanora SureShot Highland Skye.  It just has some really fantastic glimpses of her pretty head and amazing gait.  I expect to see many more boasts about her as she matures.

The Connections that Make for Smiles!

Over ten years ago now, I imported a couple of dogs from Australia with hopes that they would set a breeding direction for all my future endeavours.  As time and circumstances can do, things changed and my own plans have had to slow down a bit.  However, with just a very few breedings from Swagger and just one from Erin, it’s amazing how many events have resulted in celebration in just the last couple of weeks.

The most recent and hugely exciting was the completion of her Canadian Championship for Skye, Ch. Vanora SureShot Highland Skye (BIS BISS Am Ch Firethorn Sandpiper Easy on the Eyes x Can Ch FCC Ch SureShot Chosen One CGN).  Showing in an area with only a few points ever available, it was really exciting that she was able to add to her point count with three exciting group placements (a Group I, a Group II and a Group IV).  All this at the ripe old age of 13 months.  I am fortunate to be a co-owner and co-breeder of Skye along with the guy who shepherded her to these wins by his expert handling, Keith O’Flaherty, Vanora Gordon Setters.

Skye is a granddaughter of Erin who had also taken the showring by storm as a youngster so it was gratifying to see this success being repeated and taken even further.   In between the two of them is Mira, Can Ch FCC Ch SureShot Chosen One CGN, who has been no slouch herself in the showring.  Here’s a picture of Skye’s finishing photo which was also a Group II win.

Skye's a New Champion!

Congratulations to Skye and also to her very deserving handler/owner, Keith O’Flaherty who has steadfastly tried to make all the right decisions in his foray into Gordon breeding and showing and has now been so deservedly rewarded with success.

Then we were able to enjoy the fun of watching another “grandchild”, SureShot Georgia on My Mind, pick up a couple of points at a recent show, handled by her owner, Kathleen Gazey.  Here’s a great shot taken outside the ring which really sums up one of my primary desires … to see great, ground-covering movement.  Lovely.

Georgia On The Move...

Another “connection” that ended up with a huge win was that of Edward, BIS Am.Can.Ch. Sassenach King of the Castle (Ch Sandpiper’s Castles by the Sea x Ch. Sassenach Ringwraith SureShot), another of Swagger’s grandchildren, who recently was owner/breeder handled to Best of Breed at the Gordon Setter National in the US.  This is only the second time that a Gordon has won both the US and the Canadian National Specialty.  My connection to this isn’t just through Swagger as I was also co-breeder of that litter and now shepherd his sister, Echo, Ch SureShot Caisteal Sassenach, through her agility paces.  Many, many congratulations to both Edward and to Judith Brown who was smiling on the other end of his leash for that win.

At that same National, another Swagger grandchild, Can. Ch. Sassenach Caisteal a Tor was shown by her owner Bobby Tucker to a 3rd in the large open bitch class and to a first place in the Brood Bitch class.  And a daughter of Swagger’s, AmCh Moonsetter Balwyn SureShot made the final cut, handled by her owner and junior handler Livi Moon.

I was also happy to receive new pictures of another Swagger grandson, Doc, whose owner Margaret Legg was proud to announce his brand spankin’ new title, a NADAC NAJ title which, just being an agility title, makes me all warm and fuzzy 🙂

The past weeks have also been one of enjoyed “connections” as I was able to watch from a distance as a co-bred litter was whelped and photographed in California.  The litter sired by Ch. SureShot Flying Spur TT (another Swagger grandchild) out of Bluewin’s Wild Child, has shown promise from their first days and continue to exhibit that promise as they grow.  All along, the plan had been to keep a girl and that’s still the plan but there’s a lovely show boy that’s still looking for a show/performance home that we can’t keep our eyes off.

Now, I’m not naive enough to think that one import was the only reason any of this happened.  Other people and other dogs have had a major influence in what transpired.  However, it is certainly gratifying to see the connections that have developed and resulted in so much good news for so many people.  And the things listed are simply what has happened in the past few weeks.  When one really looks at the connections that happen over time, it’s quite mind-boggling.

Wish You Were Here!

Well, that’s not exactly what they said but it sure felt that way.  A week ago, I was at an agility trial.  It wasn’t a complete bust but the dogs were feeling the effects of the first warm day and were particularly sluggish.  A few dropped bars, a few slow turns and we weren’t exactly tracking towards picking up new titles.  However, thanks to my iPhone the day was still fantastic as news started to come in from extreme opposites of the country as I sat in the barn waiting my turn on course.

The first report was from Dianna Ellis in California, reporting that lovely Bentley, Can. Ch. SureShot Flying Spur TT had picked up Winners Dog/ Best of Winners/ and Best Opposite Sex at the Golden Gate Gordon Setter Club Specialty show for a wonderful 4 point major.  Here’s a picture of him motoring around the ring on his way to this win:

Wheee, here we go, Norah!

Here’s another picture of Bentley as he was getting groomed, waiting for his chance in the ring:

I'll just sit here looking 'dorable.

Bentley ended up making it a two-fer that weekend by repeating that performance the next day.  He now has all his majors and 14 points towards his American Championship.  He’s from my litter of Rokeena Balthazar x Ch. SureShot Keep the Faith and now lives in California with co-owner Dianna.

The next call was as far in the other direction, all the way from Nova Scotia, and came in from my friend Keith O’Flaherty.  He had some really exciting news. Not only had he shown Skye (who is just 11 months old) to a Puppy in Group Win, she also was awarded a really lovely Group 4th in the adult group.  Wow, doesn’t get much more exciting than that.  Here’s her show photo:

Just Lovely!!

Skye is Vanora SureShot Highland Skye (BIS BISS Firethorn & Sandpiper Easy on the Eyes x Can Ch. FFC Ch. SureShot Chosen One, CGN).  All in all a pretty thrilling weekend.  And, thanks to the magic of technology, I actually, almost, felt like I really was there.  There – a definitely fun place to be.

Pretty Skye

Just wanted to share a photo of Skye, Vanora SureShot Highland Skye, that was taken of her recent Puppy in Group. Congratulations to Skye and Keith!

Lovely win for a first time in the ring!

I’m the lucky co-owner and co-breeder of the litter (BIS BISS Am Ch Firethorn & Sandpiper Easy on the Eyes x Can Ch FCC Ch SureShot Chosen One CGN) and very excited to see what she has in store for us in the future.

Great weekend all over the continent

Lots of fun news was coming through while I took in a super weekend of agility training with Tatum.  We were learning lots but that didn’t stop me from sneaking a peek at my iPhone once in awhile.  And it was such fun when I did.  The first news to come in was that Bentley, Can Ch SureShot Flying Spur, had had a nice Best of Winners down in CA.  Here’s the picture that announced that:

And here’s another shot of him from outside the ring:

Then way up to the north east, the next day, an excited phone call from Keith O’Flaherty announced a Puppy in Group win on our promising young puppy Skye, Vanora SureShot Highland Skye, on her first weekend out.

And here's my lovely gait

Her sister had also debuted this weekend but had a more headstrong approach to gaiting.  And while her beautiful stacks show us that she too will be a super mover, she wasn’t interested in showing that side of her to the judges this weekend.  Here’s Song, Vanora SureShot Gaelic Song, being much more co-operative before the show:

You were expecting me to behave????

And then, one more picture received that, even though it’s not a show activity, is evidence that getting back into shape after a long winter can be a hoot.  This is Pennan, Ch. SureShot Piping Hot doing laps.

Pennan's two-ball retrieve.

Signposts for love

Recently I added an article to our main website on the value of titles by Sandra Mowrey – see it at

http://www.sureshot.ca/Pages/fun/titles.html

In response to her article, someone else made the point that it was the road travelled with the dog that was important and titles were just the signposts long the way.  Both the article and that comment resonated with me because, while I would value a dog regardless of whether or not it had a title, I’ve always felt the achievement alone means a lot.  Not as much about the dog, nor about me, but about the relationship we shared to get there.

So it is with great joy in my dogs and my relationship with them, I celebrated the seven new signposts we reached in the course of two weekends.

Echo and I reached a milestone with a first place Q in CKC Excellent Standard which finalized that elusive title for her, the first Gordon in Canada to achieve that so far.  I think I was as much relieved as I was happy with her performance that day.  The following weekend at a NADAC trial, she finished her Superior Novice Weavers title with a 1st place in a class of 16 dogs, moving on to the Open levels for her first Q there.  In addition, she also finished her Superior Novice Touch N Go title.  Her new “official” name reflects the many signposts that represent her agreement to humour me and do something that likely makes no sense to a doggy-brain.

Echo, Ch. SureShot Caisteal Sassenach, AgXS, AgIJS, S-NAC, ADC, S-NJC, O-NCC, S-TG-N, S-WV-N, HP-N, TN-N

Echo

Ticket thrilled me all weekend at the NADAC trial because she was so happy just to keep running and jumping (sometimes, actually in the direction I was pointing).  She completed her first Open title in her favourite game Tunnelers and also wrapped up her Superior Novice Touch N Go title.

Ticket, Ch. Drumdaroch SureShot, AgNS, AgNJS, O-NAC, S-NJC, O-NCC, S-TG-N, WV-N, S-TN-N, HP-N, TN-O:

And then Ms. Randomness herself, my brave and effervescent Tatum, picked up her Novice Hoopers title as well as her Outstanding Novice Touch N Go. And, if there was a title for sheer fun, Tatum would be at the Masters level in that one.

Ch. SureShot Paper Moon, AgNS, AgJNS, S-TN-N, O-NAC, NCC, O-TG-N, O-NJC, HP-N:

Tatum with ears flying

No matter what all we manage to accomplish in the, hopefully, many years to come, I will always be glad to know that the time we did have together was spent learning, loving, growing, and most of all in developing as a team.  They really are my special girls.

The same weekend  got even better when I heard that one of last year’s litter ( BIS BISS Am. Ch. Firethorn & Sandpiper Easy on the Eyes x Can. Ch. FCC Ch. SureShot Chosen One, CGN) reached his first signpost by showing real teamwork with his co-owner/breeder Keith O’Flaherty.  That proud little baby, Kole, added a CGN to his name:

Kole, Vanora SureShot Coal Town Boy, CGN:

Kole, the happy heeler

And no, I would never have been as brave as Keith to attempt this with a 10 month old puppy so high fives to both Keith and Kole!

Pretty new pics of Song

Just got some new pictures of Song, Vanora’s SureShot Gaelic Song (bred by Keith O’Flaherty with backup singer being me). Song lives in CA with Dianna Ellis. Even though she’s at that rough 8 month age, she still looks amazing.

Song at 8 months

Her pretty head

Another beauty

Here’s a picture of Skye at 6 1/2 months.  She’s also out of the litter (BISS Am Ch. Firethorn Sandpiper Easy on the Eyes x Can. Ch. FCC Ch. SureShot Chosen One CGN) born this year at Keith O’Flaherty’s.  I’m just the extremely lucky co-breeder and co-owner of Vanoras SureShot Highland Skye. Such a lovely girl.

Wow. Nothing more to say 🙂

Pretty as a Song

Just got a set of lovely pictures of Song (Vanora’s SureShot Gaelic Song) in celebration of her six month birthday.  Song is from the litter (BISS Am Ch. Firethorn Sandpiper Easy on the Eyes x Can. Ch. FCC Ch. SureShot Chosen One CGN) born this year at Keith O’Flaherty’s. As the breeder of her mother, I was privileged to be Song’s co-breeder and both of us co-own Song with Dianna Ellis of CA.

I can be a show dog too...