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.

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.

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.

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.