Tuesday, September 6, 2011

New Canadian Champion Geraldo


Over the last 3 weeks, I've had the pleasure of playing "second Mom" to Geraldo, aka Am./Can. Ch. MACH2 CastleGate's Daily News XF HT CGC CL2-R CL2-S CL2-F HCT VCX. Geraldo was sent to me by his breeder/owner Lynn Uram of Pennsylvania to be shown in Canada. He finished his championship in 2 weekends, taking Best of Breed and Group 3rd the day he finished, then following it up with another Group 3rd the next day as a move-up.

Congrats Lynn, and thank you for entrusting me with your baby boy. It has been my pleasure. Tomasz & I will miss having a dog sleeping at the end of the bed!

Friday, June 10, 2011

Official Win Photo - Calli

Despite the looming postal strike, I received Calli's win photo for the veteran's competition she won last month.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Growing Old Gracefully

Today, at the Ottawa Kennel Club dog show Veterans Competition, my little old girl Calli was awarded Best Overall Veteran by judge Jodie O'Meara. Formally known as Ch. Candega Callisto, Calli proved to all that she still has what it takes to be a wonderful show dog.

At nearly 14.5 years of age, she showed like a trooper, and had a blast!

Mmmm ... she loved the special bait I made for her.

Moving around the ring like a pro.

Taking a well deserved rest on the way home after her busy day!

Tomasz & I were both so proud of her. This was probably her last time in the show ring ... I'm glad she left on such a high note. Special thanks to Jodie O'Meara for seeing the sparkle in her eye!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Stepping Into the Ring Again ...

Yesterday Mum and I headed to the Hochelaga KC shows near Montreal, QC with her young dog "Julian", Ch. Grandgables Idealistically Sharrow (Am. Ch. Corteo of Paray at Don Quixote x Can. Ch. GrandGables Fashion N Style). I hadn't shown a dog since November, and was actually a bit shaky! Julian was very good, winning Group 3rd under judge Joe Tacker at the all-breed show, then at the CC&SSA specialty he was awarded Best in Sweeps by Anik Primeau, and BOS under Michael Hill. Huge congrats to Jane Davies on winning the breed with her veteran girl, "Gemma".

Julian pictured at the ASSA National with Shelley McHugh-Boumans, where he placed 4th in the 9-12 Sable classes (Regular & Futurity).
Photo by Dean Von Pusch.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Calli!

I've neglected this blog as of late. I'd told myself I would post something on each of the girl's birthdays, but they have come and gone. Better late than never ... !

My old girl "Calli", turned 14 on January 13th. I still remember bringing her home from Daphne Allen (Candega Shelties) at 9 weeks of age. I wondered if I'd done the right thing - she didn't have a lot of bone or muzzle, not much hair, and certainly not much personality. She also had this strange, seemingly nervous habit of "sucking" and kneading a teddy bear which Daphne had sent home with us. I had great faith in Daphne, and hoped that Calli would not disappoint.

Calli at 3½ months

I got to work on training - at that point in my life, I owned a grooming shop in Perth, Ontario, so Calli came to work with me every day. She enjoyed diving into and eating piles of dog hair, and running to the door barking every time a customer would come in. I was glad to see that she was coming out of herself, but I noticed she was quickly becoming more like a terrier than a Sheltie! Time for some show training classes. She was nervous and sound sensitive at first, but after a few weeks became very excited whenever people clapped. She thought it was SO much fun. When Calli was 8 months, I decided to enter her in her first weekend of shows, despite the fact that she still didn't have a great deal of coat. Once groomed/fluffed up, she looked pretty darn cute, and I thought her coat was acceptable for a young puppy bitch. Fortunately, it was a damp weekend, her coat stayed fluffy, and she was Best of Winners the first two days for 7 points. She took reserve the last day. She showed like a trooper - never giving me less than 100%.

Calli at 8 months - 2nd set of points

I decided to put her away for a while to let her mature, and also have a litter. I entered her in one show once she had coated back up, and she took Best of Breed from the classes over specials to finish with a nice 5 point win in 2000.

In 2001, I decided to special Calli a bit, just at the local shows. She was one of those bitches with a short, fitted coat, and I had a very small window of time when I could show her. Luckily, this time that window was during our late summer/early fall shows, which were plentiful back then. In very limited showing, she ended up ranking #14 in Canada, placing in the group every time she won the breed.

Calli at 4½ years - the same show where she took her first wins as a puppy

To this day, Calli still LOVES going to shows - the sights, the sounds, the treats, but especially the clapping. She still sucks and kneads her teddy bear (the same one!) sometimes when she is worried. I have been very fortunate to spend the last 14 years with her. There is no doubt in my mind - despite my concerns, she did not disappoint. Here's to many more years together, my little "Calligator"!

Ch. Candega Callisto, AGN, NAJ, VAADC at 8 years of age


And today, at 14 years of age