Where are we off to next, boss?

Donovan and Abbey, October 1995

 Many of you will recognize this photo from the main page of my website.   Donovan, I lost in 2000.  And I’m very sad to report that Abbey has gone to join her wolfhound sisters Darby and Erin at the Rainbow Bridge also.

Abbey, from my Heart litter, was the well-loved pet of Diane and Brent Nicholls, who raised her for me from a baby.   Together we attended shows ad their daughter became involved in Junior Handling.  Abbey had two litters for me both sired by Hunter – the Hannukah litter  and the Spice Litter. She is behind the pedigrees of Megan, Sabra’s and Cinder’s puppies.

After the loss of her Wolfhound siblings Abbey became inseparable from Dolly (the Dalmation-Alligator cross) who had been Diane’s father’s dog. 

Dolly and Abbey August 11, 2010

In a final painful act of unselfishness, they chose to let the two girls go together, knowing that one would pine to death without the company of the other.

Abbey Apr 9 2010

Rest well sweet girls. I'm sure Diane's Dad will be very happy to have Dolly at his side again, and that Erin is once again wearing a corgi pendant on her collar.

Saturday was a bit of a repeat of Friday, but the final results were mixed, better in Sweeps, worse in the breed.

Amigo - Best of Opposite in Sweepstakes

Chaverah - 1st - 9-12 month sweeps

 Both Amigo and Chaverah were first in their Sweepstakes classes under Susan Lasilla, and Amigo was awarded Best of Opposite Sex in Sweeps – way to go little man!

Dragoon - Reserve Winners Dog

Poor Dragoon, was once again Reserve Winners Dog, this time to a different 6-9 month puppy.   He must be feeling like the bridesmaid who is never a bride.  This is his THIRD Reserve Winners in the last 4 Western Reserve specialties!

Although Dolly made the cut for bitches, she didn’t even get an award of merit.  Hunter came second in the stud dog class (a mixed emotion since Amigo was progeny of the 1st place Harvey), and Rocky again won the Brood Bitch Class.  

I think this was Hunter’s last specialty to actually compete in the classes.  He can still go into the parade at the National but there are a lot of young veterans now who can outmove him.  Just don’t tell him he’s old, he hasn’t figured it out yet.

I have been trying to contact everyone asking for pictures to be updated on the website of all of the puppies.   Its been a challenge with some and a pleasure with others!

Meet Klondike – from the Ice Litter (brother to Cinder).

I am not sure if Klondike is available in countries other than Canada, but it was a 1/2 chocolate, 1/2 vanilla ice cream novelty in a sugar cone.   Klondike’s facial markings reminded me of the treat, and so he was named.  His owner’s decided they liked the name and retained it.

Klondike brushing up on his baseball knowledge

However, it turns out that Klondike has talents that I was unaware of.  It appears he inherited his great-great grandmother’s acting ability and is featured in this music video: (he comes in at about the 1:10 mark)

Penny had parts in several different films and commercials but here is a short clip of her on the Shining Time Station special Queen for a Day.

Penny was a huge ball fanatic and would bark until you threw it for her.  The way we shot this scene was for me and Brian (Scheemer) to play ball with her and then throw the ball back and forth and get her worked up so she really wanted that ball!   When they were ready to shoot, I held her back, someone threw the ball to Brian as they counted down, and he put it in his pocket.    Penny ran to him barking for her ball   Perfect on the first take!

Another funny from this assignment.  I had Penny out of the studio and was playing fetch with her when she wasn’t going to be required for a while.  A guy came out and sat on the floor with me, and we talked about Corgis, and Penny and he threw the ball for her.   After nearly an hour and a half, this really nice guy said he had to get ready for his scenes, picked up his conductor’s uniform and left.

I don’t know if Mr. Conductor is in this clip…..but boy do I feel foolish not knowing who Penny and I were playing ball with for 90 minutes.  I can’t believe I didn’t recognize him!