Laureate Shelties Blog

A bit of this, a bit of that...with a lot of free spirits.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011: Year In Review

2011 will soon be history and we had some special moments...
Miss "Rehannah" was a natural show girl and so much fun...7 BPIS and a BPISS made her Canada's Top Sheltie Puppy for 2011, and 2nd in the Herding Group!
I was in St Louis at the ASSA and was proud to watch Ch Laureate Cold Play "Player" win 2nd in Open Blue. A big thank you to Sherrie Sparling for having him in such fabulous condition and for getting him back out to the shows after a long hiatus. He finished in the States very quickly afterwards.
Along with some highs, there were also lows. The passing of our beloved "Gabi" this summer shortly after her 16th birthday.  She did enjoy her day though...and we'll always treasure this photo of her on the chaise with her great-granddaughter Paris and great-great-great granddaughter Rehannah.  We have Gabi to thank for the strength of our sable program...four generations of ROMC's, and Paris with four Ch's.

Sadly in 2011 was the loss of the very special litter sisters MBISS/BIS Am/Can Ch Laureate Fifth Avenue (Pavey) and Ch Laureate Meringue (Hamelin).  Epitomizing grace and lasting beauty; as their breeders we can only aspire to breed that level of quality once again in our lifetime.  A dream perhaps but it is good to have goals.

We celebrated another birthday (number 15) with LuAnne and she'll be joining us this evening in our New Years Eve festivities.
Our dogs had a wonderful summer on the farm, even if it was HOT!
One of my favourite images of the year...such joy!
But I think this is my favourite photo of the year...sums up why we do this. :-)

Show Results In the U.S.

New American Grand Champion El Solo Serenity (Owners Shirley Wong and Margie Norstrom) co-bred with Margie.
American Championship for Can Ch Laureate Cold Play (owner Sherrie Sparling)
American Championship for Can Ch Laureate Jivara
ROM title for Laureate Beloved (Madeleine Griffin-Cone)

In Canada

MBPIS/BPISS Ch Laureate Immortality (thank you Diane Biggar for handling Re when we were unable)
BPIS Ch Laureate Dominatrix (thank you Kim Wendling for handling our wild child)
BPIG Ch Laureate Double Exposure (now owned by Nancy Everett, handled by Diane Biggar)
BPIG Ch Laureate Inception (also US Specialty major)

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!  May it be joy filled, healthy and prosperous.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas

We had a white Christmas this year after all...and a brisk -9.  We enjoyed a lovely walk after lunch with the gang and relatives.  Not enough exercise to counter the caloric intake, but we made an effort. 

Our best wishes to all for the Holidays.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Pete and the Gang

Pete and I were looking for something to do together this afternoon.  Shop?  Go for a drive?  Have a nap?  We decided to take the group in the back field for a run.
The field was half in shadow, so I asked Pete to lead the group into the sun.
I don't know who he is calling, as I'm pretty sure the one he's looking for is right behind him...
Miley is a love-bug...she would like all the attention, all of the time.
Here is the one he was after...Paris, Pete's favourite girl.  I think she's his favourite because she is a Tira daughter, and Tira was his devoted friend. 
Miley trying to intercept...noooo pick ME!
Paris gets scooped up...Sushi as I mentioned in the previous post, is not a runner.  She prefers to hang out with us.  Now I'm wondering if she got bumped and would prefer the safety of our legs.
The flying Finn
Sun is starting to set...time to head back.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

It Was a Dark and Dreary Day

So I decided to make the most of it and take the dogs out before their dinner
Finn in centre
Trix has her (evil) eye on someone
Away at the races.  Sushi (tri in foreground) was funny, she was right by my side the whole time.  I think she wanted to make sure I was going to feed her!
There is always some snarly face games...especially with Stormy.  I could do an album with her showing her teeth at the others.  I never scold her, as it never escalates.  When she sees me she smiles and dances, you'd never know she was such a rip snorter!
Valerie and Cocoa, Finn and Eva and Miley on the right

Eva, the pack leader with a breakaway group
Finn and Miley...the snow making their coats look yellow in comparison
Wet sticky sloppy snow cleaned them up pretty well...
Mayer checking on Foo and Boo (LuAnne) left in the house while they were out
A few others come and see what the fuss is about...
The great thing about bringing them out for a run before dinner is they are quick to come in the door.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Snow Day

I woke up this morning to several inches of snow; the first snowfall of the season.  I popped the long lens on the camera as I saw the heron down in the creek.  Creeping out onto the deck so I wouldn't startle him, I first snapped this shot of our solar lights on the railing...then propping myself up against the gazebo I got this shot.
Taken with the 70-200 with the doubler...he's really not very close, yet he still flew off when he noticed me. 
This was taken through the kitchen window yesterday...loved seeing his feet on the ice.  

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Who's Your Daddy?

The sire of Eva's puppies is the beautiful GCh Rosmoor Protocol ROM!  This makes them full younger siblings to "Sushi", our keeper from her last litter. 

Sunday, November 13, 2011

The Royal

The Royal Winter Fair comes to Toronto at the beginning of November every year.  I remember when I used to ride, qualifying for "The Royal" was the goal.  You had to win your class (maybe more than once) at a local fair to qualify.  It was the most prestigious fair in Canada.
The weather was beautiful the three days I attended.  Unseasonably mild and I didn't hear anyone complaining!
The poultry exhibition was wonderful to see.  The roosters were strutting, the turkeys were making a display with their tail feathers.  Many were fine with all the people walking past, but some were a little more flighty.
Chicken being judged...easier than showing dogs.  The judge goes into the cage and pulls out the exhibit and examines it.  It doesn't take too long...
These were my favourite type of chicken.  They have a rose comb (close to their heads) and interesting colour.  It is called a Silver-laced Wyandotte.  If I were to get a chicken or three, this would be the type I'd like.
A crested goose.  These guys look like they want to bite you on the butt...they just have that look in their eye!
A Polish chicken.  While these are very ornamental, they are very skittish.
These guys have a face only a mother could love...yikes!
I went to the Super Dogs exhibition...it was a ton of fun.  They have a pretty good show and there were lots of laughs.  The dogs certainly have a good time.

Young handlers...might have been 4-H.
Brown Swiss.  I never realized how bony cows hips are...
Jersey calf with amazing eyes.
Cleaning them up for the show
Keeping the sheep clean after they are washed
Even their heads are covered
Having a nap
The draft horses getting washed up
And the hunter/jumpers
Wednesday night we bought tickets for the horse show.  We got a cross section of events culminating with the Grand Prix which was the highlight.
The six horse Belgian teams were impressive
The amount of work for the few minutes in the ring is incredible.  Just look at the sparkle of their tack, and the shine on their wagons...not to mention the braiding of the horses manes and washing of their coat. I can't imagine the cost of this hobby.
Dressage in the dark.  It was spectacular and when I was watching it seemed darker than this.  It was magical...
Then there was a class called "Green Meadows".  There were four carriages and it took you back to a time of lords and ladies.  All four exhibits were American, from Michigan to Florida. 
The winning exhibit was this group of Hackneys.  They were high stepping and fancy, everyone was prim and proper on the carriage with blankets on their laps.
The horn blower (he probably has another title) won a ribbon.  He tooted the horn as they went around.  Once again, so much work, time and money for this competition.
The beginning of the Grand Prix event.  The course builders tribute to the great Stallion Hickstead who passed away the following week.  They came up with the idea to wear black armbands in his honour and they also had a number for sale which quickly sold out.  Eric Lamaze, Hickstead's rider received a standing ovation when he rode in the ring on another horse.
Some of the crowd in long dresses and tuxedos.  Pete and I and many others were in jeans...there wasn't a dress code, we figure there was a gala event prior to the show.
Ian Miller and his daughter Amy walking the course prior to the Grand Prix
The first rider
Eric Lamaze on Herald.  He did a really good job, but did end up with 5 faults.
Eric Lamaze again
Ian Millar on his stallion Redefin.  He had an off night and Ian retired him half way through the course after he had knocked down 6 rails.
I loved this horse, Lansdowne ridden by Conor Swail of Ireland and they placed second I believe.
The night had some drama when Canadian Beth Underhill fell off her horse and was lying on the ground being attended by the EMT's for ten to fifteen minutes.  Her horse was loose, but was quickly caught.  There was no word on Beth's condition until the following day, when it was announced she had a concussion.
Another beautiful horse and rider; notice the Hickstead armband he is wearing. 
Hope I'm able to go to the fair again next year...it is such fun.

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Labels


MBPIS/BPISS Ch Laureate Immortality 7 x Best Puppy in Show, Currently Canada's Top Sheltie Puppy for 2011

BISS Am/Can Ch Laureate Louisiana ASSA - BOS, AOM; CSSA - BOB

BIS/BISS Am/Can Ch Laureate Starlight Express Canada's Top Sheltie, #1 in Herding Group 1995

BPIS Laureate Epitome

BPIG Am/Can Ch Laureate Jivara

BPIS Ch Laureate Embelish

BISS Am/Can Ch Laureate Santana ROMC

BISS Am/Can Ch Krystalyn Windswept

Ch Laureate PaRay Per Se

Ch Laureate Landslide ROMC

BIS Am/Can Ch Laureate Laredo ROMC

BPIS/BPISS Ch Laureate Dominatrix

Ch Laureate Lutece

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