What a weekend - in both US and Canada!

When I found out that Joe (Am/Can CH Darwyn's I'm Not Arguing That) got a Group 2 (!!!) on Sat at the Coyote Kennel Club show in California - I inquired with the Cooks (http://www.mydogphoto.com/) to see if they were there to take a picture.  I got the most interesting note back...

"Yes, we are here and took the photo yesterday, and just took another Group 2 photo today!".  I almost fell off my chair when I read that!  Obviously I like my boy, but it's pretty stiff competition in California and he's only been out with Wood and Jenny for just under 2 months (and gotten a win every weekend shown so far -- wow!).  I wish that I had been present so that I could have thanked the group judges, Mrs. Charlotte Patterson and Mr. Richard William Powell (a Welsh Terrier breeder /exhibitor himself).

When I got the photos, I was even happier!  It was hard to choose which one to post here.  Here is the one from Sunday, May 23, 2010 with Richard Powell, handled by Jenny Wornall. 

I chatted with Woody today (Jenny's father) and he told me just how fun Joe is to show, and that he didn't even have to bait him for the show picture - just stood back and watched!  :-)  He also told me that he can't wait until he get's a clear bill of health (double knee replacement surgery last year) so that he can handle Joe himself!  I told him, just like Jenny has, that his health is more important and that we want him 100% better first - Woody, if you ever read this (which I doubt you will since you likely don't even know how to turn on a computer :-), listen to your family and make sure you are 100% before first - you have too many people that care about you!

Good luck next weekend guys!  Perhaps some nice person at one of these shows will email me a candid :-)

OH - I almost FORGOT (yikes!).  Athena (Am. Ch. Darwyn's Heroic Endeavour) went to a dog show in Saskatchewan this weekend and got 3 group placements -- two Group 3s and a Group 2!  Yippee!  I got a WONDERFUL email from a friend that attended the show with her Manchester Terrier (who also got a piece of the group and a BEST IN SWEEPSTAKES!) ... she said that Athena looked AMAZING!  She (Athena) is *almost* finished her Canadian Championship!

Beaches, waterfalls, hiking, relaxing, family and BALL crazy dogs ...

... and lions and tigers and bears - OH MY!

No ... no lions or tigers or bears (well, there were sea lions!) :-) ... but oh so much to share about our fantastic trip to Tofino from last week!  Click here for pictures of our Tofino area experience or click here for pictures of our Little Qualicum Falls experience (BOTH are spectacular!).

Michael's mom & dad have been staying with us for a couple of weeks (from Nova Scotia - the other side of Canada!) and we thought that they really should experience the West Coast of Vancouver Island while they were here - specifically Tofino, Ucluelet, the Pacific Rim National Park (usually referred to as Long Beach!)and Little Qualicum Falls.  So, Michael and I booked us into the Long Beach Lodge for 4 days since they have cottages ideal for 2 couples and they are VERY dog friendly!

Our biggest decisions was when to go and who to take.  Well, we decided to go during the week (avoid the long ferry line-ups for mothers day weekend) and we decided to take Paisa and her 7 month old son Monty (and here is a picture of him with us).  Parker went to a dog show with Aaron (and did VERY well actually - a couple of Group 2nd's ... but, that's another blog story :-) and Cosmo, Dora and Donny went to play next door with the Bernese Mountain Dogs and Mini Dachi's (they were only allowed to look at Kelly's cats from their kennels at nightime :-)

We certainly lucked out with the weather (note - Long Beach Lodge has their own live weather cam).  The week prior to going, it rained and rained and rained (it is the Wet Coast, as they say!).  And, the day we left the wind was blowing so hard the ferry to Vancouver Island almost didn't go - and on the way over the waves crashing against the side sounded like we ran into things!  Yikes!  Good thing none of us get seasick ... it's been a VERY long time since I have been on the ferry when it wasn't calm.  Oh my ... what a week were we in for!

We arrived, pottied and fed the dogs, found some great food (Tofino is well known for it's fresh seafood - wild pacific salmon, halibut, ling cod, etc.) and settled into our cottage for the evening.  The next day (and every day we were away) was SPECTACULAR!  Sunny, warm and beautiful!  In some areas the wind came up a bit (so, I put a doggy coat onto Paisa, who I recently had stripped down), and it wasn't yet shorts weather - but it almost was!

We spent the days hiking, exploring secluded beaches, hiking rain forests, playing ball with Paisa and Monty (found out that Monty is completely ball CRAZY - check this out!), watching surfers (Tofino is noted as one of the best places to surf - while it is cold enough that you need full wet suits on), and exploring Galleries that could easily be in New York (except it was all local craft - and stunningly beautiful craft it was!). 

We spent an afternoon whale watching on an open zodiac boat (not one of the ones that carried 30 - 50 people - ours had only 6 guests, and our operator was very knowledgable - been doing it for about 20 years ... he came to Tofino years ago to surf and stayed!).  On our excursion, we saw at least a dozen Grey Whales, an outcrop of Sea Lions, another one only of Harbour Seals, Bald Eagles (and an Eagle's nest) and lot's of birds!  Of course we ate a lot of seafood - it was all very fresh (usually caught the same day or the day before) and VERY good.

The best thing about this week was that we were there enjoying this magical experience with our family (and yes, you'll see in the photos, the dogs are very much part of this family time!)  I've got two sets of pictures, one that helps to show our experience of the beauty of the Pacific Rim National Park and the West Coast of British Columbia (Tofino, Ucluelet, Long Beach), and another one where we spent an afternoon at another fantastic place - Little Qualicum Falls.

We had a GREAT time and great weather! Monty and Paisa had a BLAST and enjoyed every moment - both indoors and outdoors!  Neither of them are in show coat - one was just stripped recently and the other has lot's of coat on him - but these are NOT show pictures, they are FUN pictures ... enjoying life with our dogs and family.

This wasn't the first time that I have been over to this area and it certainly won't be the last!

Click here for pictures from Tofino and area AND click here for pictures for Little Qualicum Falls. (Note - BOTH have spectacular photos!).

I guess Rusty is still available...

Received a message that Rusty's owner was identified, but since he was a "stud dog", and now is he has been neutered, he isn't wanted anymore (realistically, I also place my retired dogs - I just don't have shelters place them for me).   So ... if anyone is interested, a 4 year old dog that has a grade 4 heart murmur that was a stud dog for a few years in a Victoria area breeder IS still available at that adoption centre (link below in the previous post).  While I don't approve of how he got there (obviously), a forever home really is what this boy needs - so if you have any interest, please check him out.
I would ALSO highly encourage anyone getting a Welsh Terrier from a breeder in the Victoria area to ask a few very specific questions about the health of the stud dog/brood bitches - particularly the heart (which is a hereditary issue).  You can either ask the breeder, or in some cases, some breeders (like myself) post these health test information publically on the OFFA website.
The Welsh Terrier (cardiac) test information link is here.
So ... for now, Rusty still needs a home, and I HIGHLY recommend that anyone getting a Welsh Terrier puppy from the Victoria BC area that they ask some specific health test questions...really, from any breeder, I guess.

Owner of Rusty was found!

So ... not in rescue anymore.  Yippee!  :-)

Another Welsh Terrier in 'rescue' -- Rusty in the Victoria area

Another welshie has come across my email inbox today - this time it is a 4 year old boy named Rusty in Victoria.  I don't know anything about him other than what is written on this link.  http://www.crd.bc.ca/animal/adoptdogs.htm
I hope he finds an appropriate home this time.  And, I hope that people will stop buying dogs from "breeders" that have no interest in their puppies, other than the cash that they recieve (which is so obvious when these dogs are in homes that are either not appropriate in the first place, or they won't take them back if they need re-homing).  Specifically, these are people that are not associated with the Welsh Terrier Club of America (note:  all of the reputable Canadian breeders are members of the American Breed Club).  But, given that people like me cannot fill the demand, I guess those other breeders will always be there to fill the void!

Let's hope Rusty finds a new and loving forever home soon!

A bit of trimming (stripping), a bit of gardening ... it's all good :-)

After talking with a friend the other day, I got motivated to do some stripping on my 6.5 month old K-See son, Donny ...

I was happy to find out that he really didn't mind the whole process.  He's been worked on before, obviously (I get my puppies up on the table a lot actually, and from a very young age to get used to it) ... but not for a while, and other than the basics, not a lot.  Stripping isn't something that puppies love - adults don't seem to mind, but puppies aren't super happy about being restrained and the process.  But Donny didn't seem to mind at all, and was pretty cool with the whole stripping process ... I wonder if the dried chicken strips helped? :-)  So, if he sticks around as a show dog, this easy going attitude bodes well for more enjoyable trimming sessions -- for both of us! 

Michael grabbed the camera and took a few photos.  Here are a couple ... so, while you'll have to ignore the naked parts, based on what I am seeing, I'm thinking that he will stick around a little longer as a potential show dog!  In fact, I really like what I am seeing - up on leg (but not too much), nice short back (but not so much that he can't walk in a straight line), butt behind the tail :-) beautiful layback of shoulders - and of course (his moma had this also) gorgeous coat and color!  OK - he'll stay for a while longer :-)

That was yesterday.  Today, Michael and I decided to brave the elements (OK, it wasn't raining THAT hard!) and we went to a Rhododendon Plant Sale out in Langley.  The Fraser South Rhodo Society held their annual plant sale.  Donny joined us and got a LOT of attention there and at the nursery that we went to later on (and lot's of treats!) ... I got some really beautiful plants (Rhodos, Azaleas, Native Orchids, Clematis and another nice Dogwood Tree), and we all had a terrific time!  Not sure exactly when these will get planted since Michael's parents are coming in on Monday from Nova Scotia for the next few weeks - but that's OK, it's not hot weather yet and we'll get them in. 

If I don't update this for a while know that we will be spending lot's of quality time hanging out with the dogs (Michael's parents love them so much they have one of our retired show dogs - Sadie!) and I'm sure doing a bit of exploring in the Vancouver area - keeping our fingers crossed for good weather!

Side notes ... today really was a good day ... we came home from all of our 'out and about' with Donny - moved him to the front yard to run around and on the answering machine were 2 things ... (1) Andrew had called with the news that Joe got his 2nd AKC group placement (1st time in the ring as a "specials dog")! and (2) I WON a really beautiful Rhodo from the society's plant sale today (I always like to help out groups when I see a raffle - but I NEVER win!) ... I came out to tell Michael and the folks from the plant sale were at the top of the driveway with our plant!  This really was over the top, since they live an hour away.  I'll definetely go back to their plant sale again next year - and definetely bring another dog with me since Donny was such a hit today!

Earthdog events in the Vancouver area!

A fellow club member of the British Columbia All Terrier Club, which I am the President of, has provided information about upcoming Earthdog trials and practices.  This is in the Vancouver (BC - Canada) region ... for the Sea-to-Sky Earthdog Club.  Given that this is what the Welsh Terrier was originally bred to do, I thought that it would be useful for me to pass this information along.

Click this link for details!

If you are in the Vancouver area, have a terrier, want to see your friends instincts 'kick-in' for what they were originally bred to do, or just want to watch ... I encourage you to check this out!

Joe is now an American Champion!

Joe (now American / Canadian Champion Darwyn's I'm Not Arguing That) finished his American championship in style today! 

This weekend he went to the Northern California Terrier Association and Sacramento KC shows in California and went Best of Winners (or better) EVERY DAY!  The most exciting day was yesterday when he won BEST OF BREED, competing against his sire - a multi best in show and best in specialty show Welsh Terrier!  Click here for details.

Just think, a month ago Joe was home hanging out with Michael and I (and Paisa and the 6 month old puppies), and now he is a finished champion, and beat a dog that has been activelly campaigned for about 2 years!  WOW!  Of course, this is where you would expect a show picture - right?  Well, an earlier post this month has his first US Group placement photo, and don't worry, there will be time to get other show photos posted.  Today I wanted to show off his character!  The picture above was taken a month ago (very rough trimming by me) - he was on the deck for a few minutes and I guess decided that he wanted to come back in - and what better way to tell us, than to stare us down while being on the highest point he could get up on!  :-)
The ones below, taken a few months ago (obviously I had let his hair grow - and grow!) show him very interested in the world around him ... Michael, K-See and Joe and I had a great day out at Lighthouse Park!  One of my favorite places.

Joe is now my 12th American Champion Welsh Terrier!
(not counting Canadian Champions in this)! 
Another exciting thing (for me) today is that I also got a chance to see a litter he sired that are now 6 months old  ... all I have to say (well, 2 things) ... (1) I'm thinking that he has a stud future in front of him, and (2) I'm not really looking forward to competing in the ring against your offspring ... Brecon and his sisters, are very nice looking Welsh Terriers ... too bad I don't own them ;)

But seriously, I'm really proud of Joe - and him being my 12th Am. Ch.  As many people who know me, it is clear that I do not have (and never have had) a very large breeding program.  While Michael and I are retired and have the time (and property) to dedicate, we enjoy living with our dogs also.  A couple of years I have stretched things and have had 3 litters, but the vast majority of years that I have been involved, I have had 1 litter a year ... sometimes none.  I know that I could have made up more Am. champions than this (there are some pretty awesome looking pets out there!), however, as I say, you can't keep them all, and there are some amazing pet homes - right guys?  You know who you are - thank you :-)

Happy upcoming 11th birthday Sonney!

I received a wonderful message about Sonney tonight!  He was my 2nd Welsh Terrier.  I imported him from Wales in 2000, from the well known Felstead Kennels.  He sure was a sweetheart!  A few years later the perfect person came along - Irene had just given her family welshie to a close family member and really wanted one to replace him - Sonney fit her needs perfectly!  It sounds like they are both doing very well ... here is her message:

"He is the best and most affectionate dog in the world. My biggest problem with him is everyone is trying to kidnap him because he is so adorable. He helped raise a kitten and treated it like his baby -- that was so cute! He was really upset when we gave the kitten to my nephew (I was just caring for it for awhile). And, Sonney really gets along really well with with Sparkey, another Welsh Terrier I had adopted from Barb of Snowtaire kennels. I'll send more pictures soon!"

Doesn't that just want to make you smile?  Happy 11th birthday Sonney, and take good care of Irene!

Must do Joe's webpage ... 1st weekend out and Mrs. Michele Billings gave him Group 3! WOW!

1st weekend out and Mrs. Michele Billings found Joe a group placement (from the classes)!  Thank you!

Of course, Jenny Wornall presented him wonderfully, and a big thanks to www.mydogphoto.com for this great  photo!

A couple of weeks ago our boy Joe, (Can. Ch. Darwyn's I'm Not Arguing That) made the trek to California to join Wood and Jenny Wornall's team.
Joe finished his Canadian Championship pretty quickly as a puppy (a few Group placements and a Best Puppy in Show award ... Aaron, you did a great handling job that day!). While he was still 'in coat', I took him to a couple of US shows (where he got both of his majors -- owner/breeder handled, and a Group 2 in the Bred-By Group at Northern California Terrier Association in Sacramento). After last summer, I just let him grow up at home while were mostly preoccupied with lot's of puppies. Joe's hair grew (and grew and grew) ... he had a blast playing with the young puppies and being Paisa's running mate in the yard and on the couch.
A couple of months ago I decided that his coat was a 'do-over' ... and wouldn't you know it, but he had grown up and had a beautiful welshie body under all of that hair! Given how much he LOVED the show ring as a youngster, I seriously started to consider "specialing" him in Canada ... and then Woody and I chatted.

The decision was previously made for Parker to come home, play a bit in the Canadian show rings, and enjoy home life on our acreage for a while. I decided to send a few pictures of Joe in my rough trimming to get their opinions on how he was growing up, and they were VERY excited about what they saw!  I must admit, I was also with what I saw :-)

I made a couple of travel arrangements -- Woody drove (back) down to LAX the day after he came home from CRUFTS (he was THAT excited about picking up Joe) and we changed a few entries around.  Well, Andrew Peel and Wood & Jenny Wornall tidied him up to get him into the start of a show coat and away they went to Yosemite KC in California a couple of weeks later.

I was on cloud 9 when I went to the new website (http://www.dogshowresults.com/) and saw that his FIRST weekend in the ring, he was awarded a GROUP 3 (and at a place where there were some pretty darn nice terriers!). I am very grateful to Mrs. Michele Billings for "finding" him a Group placement, and recognizing his quality - from the classes!

Moma Sadie (Mercedes -- Am/Can Ch. Darwyn Class at a Glance), a Montgomery Winners Bitch herself, will be very proud I am sure - her new owners (Michael's parents :-) will be here pretty soon for a visit from Atlantic Canada and I can't wait to share this news with them!

I guess I now need to do Joe's page on my website.  Well, our guest that we have had here for the last week goes home tomorrow, so perhaps I'll work on it soon after that.  I'll at least try to get around to that. :-)