News July - Sept 2007

 

23rd September

This weekend we tried our luck at our first variety classes, as sadly our local canine societies have dropped our breed classes. It is such a shame because the local open shows are nice relaxing events that are enjoyed by many people. If you can support your local open shows they you really must, because otherwise they will drop your breed classes -like ours have done. Anyway, I'll get off my 'soap box' - Isla was entered in Any Variety Not Seperately Classified Junior, where she was placed 3rd under Dr. Ron W James, I also entered her in Any Variety Junior under Ian Ferris, where she received another 3rd place. We had a nice day meeting up with our friends and having a good laugh - which is what showing is all about - FUN!

18th September

Apologies for the lateness in this update, but we had a very long and exhausting weekend. It started on Saturday 15th with the Southern English Springer Spaniel Open Show. Isla was entered in three classses, Junior Bitch, Novice Bitch and Sepcial Beginner Bitch, (this class is for any handler or dog that has not won a challenge certificate) she was 2nd in all three classes, under judge Margaret Holmes.

Isla's critique for the SESSS open show: Attractive bitch with good head proportions. Well boned, strong topline, strong, short coupling, good legs and feet. Moved well with smooth, reachy stride

After this show, I travelled up north to Yorkshire, with my friends Jacky Beaton (Peasblossom) and Celia Woodbridge (Crackerjanne), plus 6 dogs ready for Darlington Championship show the next day.

After spending the night in a travel lodge, we set off at 7.30 on Sunday morning for the short journey to the venue of Newby Hall. We had a nice day at the show, our judge today was Angela Pidcock (Ketsby). I was extreamly pleased with Isla's place as she was 3rd in Junior Bitch behind two lovely bitches who have both won reserve challenge certificates!

Both Jacky and Celia had success also, Jacky's Seamus, (Barecho Hold Your Horses for Peasblossom) won his last Junior class, Liam, Jacky's pup (Peasblossom Bregan) was 2nd in Minor Puppy Dog and Celia's bitch, Maud, (Crackerjanne Coloratura) was 3rd in Open Bitch.

We left the venue at 4.30 to start or long journey home. The dogs had been really well behaved all weekend, we were very happy with how they had coped with the endless hours in the van and also time spent on the bench at the show. We finaly got home at midnight on Sunday evening, and it took me all day on Monday to recover - hence the lateness of these updates!!

PS - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!

9th September

We had a lovely day at Richmond Championship show today. Isla was VHC (5th) in her first Junior Class, with some really good company, so I was quite pleased with her. Her half sister, Calvdale Litigant won the class, and our friend Jane Eyeington won the RCC with Fay, Calvdale Testimony of Meadowdale, so we send congratuations to her.

4th September

No real news to speak of, I have added some new photo's of our friends litter, they are now 7 days old and doing really well, if you are interested in a pup, (they are all boys) then please contact them, using the contact details on the puppy page.

On Sunday we took Isla to have her x-ray's done for her hip scoring, so now we just have to wait for the results.

We are now looking forward to Richmond Championship show, which takes place on Sunday 9th September. This will be Isla's first show since the end of July and her first show as a JUNIOR !!

28th August

Yesterday, I took Isla and Grace to a companion show, Isla for some practice, and Grace for the day out. Isla was third in her class, and Grace was unplaced in hers. It was a nice little show, which we enjoyed very much. Click here to see some pictures that were taken.

19h August

CASSIE

1991-2007

Friday 17th August was a very sad day for us, we had to say goodbye to our Cassie. Cassie was a crossbreed, we think a Dachshund/Corgi cross, but we were never really sure, and at the end of the day, that didn't really matter.

This is the end of an era for us, as Cassie was the last of the five dogs that Keith and I had when we first met. However, it all started in February 1991 when she was born.

I didn't have Cassie from a puppy, she didn't come to me until she was 18 months old, she had belonged to my ex husband who found that he could no longer keep her. She fitted in straight away with my two other dogs, Sam, the Golden Retriever and Kala my German Shepherd.

It wasn't long before I realised that she was an 'escape artist' - she could, and did, get out of anywhere. I remember one morning, having let the dogs into the garden, that, when I called them in - Cassie was nowhere to be seen. I searched the local streets for her, but she was gone...I was distraught, and the other dogs were getting agitated because they wanted their walk, so I took them to the park. At the park I bumped into my dad who was walking his dog, he asked where Cassie was and I said she had gone from the garden. He took Kala and Sam, and I went back home to continue looking for her, what a releif, when I got back she was sitting on the doorstep! After that we put up a very large fence it was about 5ft high, but she still tried to get out, she would take a run and jump at the fence, and often nearly made it to the top!!

I have spent many mornings chasing her down the road, becuase she would seize the opportunity to go for her own run, rather than get into the car to go to the park with the others.

She was really a fun dog, she just loved to play, swim and hunt...she used to hunt in the woods with Bonny, Keiths Rottweiler - they would go off together and chase rabbits and squirels...and for a small dog, she even managed to catch two. On another occasion she caught a bird in flight - an acheivement I doubt our two gundogs could manage!

Sweet dreams little Cas and God Bless.

"In our hearts you will always stay, loved & thought of everyday"

4th August

Today Isla and I should have been at the National Gundog show, but she has come into season, so we are still at home ah! This also means that she will miss Bournemouth Championship show next week end as well - what a shame, her last two shows as a puppy.

Have added a new photo of Isla taken in the garden this week and also a new page (linked from hers) on her health test results, the tests will start to be carried out now that she is 12 months old. I will update the page as we get the results. We are keeping our fingers crossed that they will all be good.

28th July

We had another really good day today, Isla was Best of Breed, Best Puppy and Puppy Group 3. Our breed Judge was Jim Richardson, and the Group Judge was Frank Whyte. The show was Kensington Open show, held at Norton Heath Equestrian Centre.

Also, have had enough of the music on this site...so it's gone !!!

18th July

Today at East of England Championship show, Isla was Best Puppy in Breed. We have had such a good day, and this is our first Best Puppy in Breed at a Championship show. The judge was the esteemed Mrs Judith Hancock (Hawkhill). Needless to say I am now enjoying a glass of wine in celebration! CLICK HERE TO SEE ISLA WINNING BEST PUPPY

Critique: Smart youngster, short coupled with good legs and feet. Good body, good head and eye. Moved particularly well when going round. Best Puppy.

8th July

Well here we are already in the 2nd haf of the year - where does the time go? Yesterday, I took Isla to South Wales Kennel Assiociation Championship show, which due to the bad floods in Wales, was held at the Newbury Showground - home of Southern Counties. Our judge today was Carol Coode, and Isla was 3rd in puppy class and was shortlisted in the puppy stakes class out of an entry of 28dogs!!! I was really pleased that she was shortlisted as she was in good company. The stakes judge was Graham Hill.