The Last of her Litter

Some of you got to meet my GypsyRose..many of you didn't. I was not a member when Gyp was this side of the bridge.
Lianne you were the instructor who showed Maria how to train Beau, Gypsy's big sable son. Beau then in went on to trial at the WDOC..and managed a high aggregate score in trial along with highest score by a conformation champion, highest scoring herding dog, and three high in classes awards over the four trials.
Well on August 19 at exactly (to the day) 12 years 5 months, Ch.Kerhaven's Mr Bojangles CD, CGN 'danced' over the bridge taking a big chunk of Maria's heart and mine with him. Only not quite 2 months earlier..his tri brother Vinnie, the only other male in that litter had also crossed the bridge. Starting this year off Sierra, Ch. Kerhaven's Touched by an Angel had crossed over just before her twelfth birthday followed by her beautiful sire Ch. Valiant Leonine Star in April . Zoey and Vienna had crossed over (zoey hit by a car as a pup) Vienna (Ch. Kerhaven TheRose of Warquablen) with a large inoperable growth (benign) on the side of her mouth making it impossible to eat anymore without alot of bleeding, had both crossed some years earlier.
Now we are down to one offspring...Ch. Kerhaven Seasons In The Sun HIC aka Venus. Venus will be 13 March 19th 2011. She is the loved companion of Terry-Lynn Nugent and her daughters Brook and Katie.
Venus lives on a farm near Vanscoy Sk.
Venus has had quite a life on the farm. she has proven an invaluable asset over the years..as a chum and guardian/playmate for Terry's lovely daughters then aged 4 and 2.  She saved Terry's husband from being gored by an angry cow whose calf he was tagging. The cow charged, he ran, tripped and if Venus hadn't intervened he would have been badly hurt. But Venus, only 14 months old herself..never trained as a working farm dog, only having belonged to them for three months, instinctively 'knew' what to do. Charging between him and the cow she launched her slim body at the head of the animal causing it to veer to the side missing, barely the fallen man. Then Venus proceeded to keep the animal at bay while Terry's husband scrambled to safety.  After that the sun rose and set on her little tri back as far as Terry and her hubby were concerned.
When the girls reached school age, Venus would escort them down the long driveway to board the school bus. After school Venus would always be sitting waiting for the girls at the end of the driveway.
When Venus was about three, she caught and killed a fox that was trying to raid the chicken coop. During the brief death fight, Venus was bitten on her leg, thus she had to be quaranteened until the provincial lab was able to examine the fox head and deem it free of rabies.  That was a TENSE few days for the folks who loved her. Despite having current rabies vaccine..a bite from a rabid animal usually winds up with the injured dog being put down anyway for safety. Venus produced four litters  but none of the pups were sold to show homes..going instead as companions and/or fam dogs. One of her pups distinguished himself by saving his owners two year old child after the tot fell in the creek.
Gypsy made a fine litter..as wise and loyal and talented as she was. I lost my loved old friend in 2007 due to an accident. Gypsy died Dec. 31, 2007 just 63 days short of her 12 birthday.
Now all that is left is Venus...she is still doing well. Her appetite is good, she still chases any winged or four footed trespassers that dare to set foot on HER territory. She loves to hunt gophers but still has not caught one:>) Healthy though she is, her times is growing short. Collies live on AVERAGE, 12-14 years..some a bit longer..most if they are healthy and well cared for will reach at least 12.
I just wanted to talk a bit about these collies who have so won my heart. The BEST of them being my own Kerhaven Sunnybank Silhouette HIC, CGN, ROM..my own sweet GypsyRose, my CAN-DO girl..who I shall never stop missing. I will try to add a pic to this blog of Venus..taken just a few days ago, if I can figure it out. Thank those of you who take the time to read of my old friends final offspring.

Darlene

Things I've learnt...

Things I have learnt from being a member at Wascana Dog Club

1.   When Carol says “Bring boots” to the tracking test she means TALL BLACK RUBBER boots, not those expensive short waterproof hiking things you just bought for lots of money!!!

2.   When in retrieving class never throw a dead duck by it’s neck – Hmmmm – the head might be the only thing left in your hand!

3.   Before you enter the showring behind all the “big boys” and the winning girls you need to put down that first place blue ribbon your boy just got when he ran around the ring by himself. It looks just a little amateurish to prance around with your cherished little ribbon still clutched firmly in your grasp! (And yes, I still have all of them!)

4.    It is frowned upon to have your dog race around through all the tunnels in a puppy frenzy the first time you try agility off leash!  It probably isn’t good when the instructor’s only comment is “You named him!”

5.   Having a “showdog” means spending two hours fussing, primping and brushing – the DOG!

6.   These guys really use a dead duck, not a bumper for the WC trials! Help!!! Although both might be wrapped in paper, be careful not to mix up the beef with the frozen mallard!

7.   Before you turn it on, make sure you aren’t pointing the blowdryer nozzle at all the show entry papers and receipts you piled on top of the crate.

8.   If you are going to put the treat in your mouth to encourage your dog to sit correctly on the obedience recall – make sure it’s not something disgusting! The dog doesn’t know what to do if you are spitting all over the place!

9.    Wet Golden’s take more than one hour to blow dry completely!!
10.  Never invite the "hubby" to come watch the dog show from ringside - BIG mistake unless you want the dog to be constantly facing the wrong direction as he spends all his energy looking for "the other half!"
11. If there is an error, whether tracking, retrieving, showing or obedience – it’s NOT the dog but rather the HANDLER......

And lastly – life is just more fun with a dog in it!

Joni & Rowdy.

Hi, Darlene here..I have never blogged before so here we go:>))

I am trying to get Dream ready for the up coming Rally O trials at WDOC..she is doing much better then I am. But that is 'par' for the course:>) She is one smart cookie..and is kind enough to let me go along for the ride:>) I am seriously considering putting Dream in the Caro Rally trial as well..I am putting Ilmari in Caro..we need one more leg for his RN. Haven't quite made up my mind about Dream, but I am 'thinking' it over. Chrissy is entered in the WDOC obedience trail coming up swiftly..she needs one more leg on her PCD..though she is not ready for novice (her heel off lead sucks) I will move her up once she gets that final leg for PCD. Nothing ventured..nothing gained.
Freedom, as some of you are aware, had surgery Aug. 20th. she had a cancerous kidney removed. she is now cancer free...and though it was expensive..it was worth it to have my girl safe and strong, and healthy..I am fortunate we caught it before it spread. Lastly I have after looking at many studs and their pedigrees, finally selected a beautiful sable merle smooth collie. # 1 smooth collie in Canada,  an Am/Can Ch. who produces absolutely wonderful looking pups stamped with his beautiful head detail and strong body. So sometime next spring once again I will hear the pitter patter of many little feet and the endearing whimpers and yips of healthy collie babies..music to my ears:>) Dream will be the mother and she will become even more lovely when she gives Charisma a handsome brother or 2 or 3, lol, and beautiful sisters too.

Welcome to Wascana's Brag Page.....

For those of you who don't know me - I am "Rowdy's" mom. Although I have had dogs around me since I was 5, I only joined the Wascana Club a year ago. Since I had one of Carol's puppies I got invited to "puppy parties", encouraged to attend classes, join the club and even to show him in the showring! I did get a little carried away and before I knew it I had Rowdy in obedience, rally, retriever class, conformation and tracking.... Hmmmm - It's a wonder that the poor dog knew whether to sit, stand, put his head down and sniff or up and "show off" - run in front of me, run at heel with me. It's amazing he has done so much.

I hope that this blog can be a place where our members/friends can share some of their stories and their accomplishments with others. Feel free to write a note, tell us a story or even lament about the "almost passed" experience. Been there - done that! If you can include a picture or two of your dog(s) that would be fantastic. I also have mentioned a couple of favorite links and upcoming events - would really like it if others can play around with the site and add details.

Have fun with your dog & enjoy the day - Joni P