It's Been a While

2012 was a year of great trips, fabulous meals and good times. Although as a breeder, I will probably remember it most as a year of loss.  Loss that was inevitable, and loss that came from out of the blue and left me numb.  It isn't something you ever get accustomed to, and when it happens in waves it can rock you to your core and make you wonder why you subject yourself to it.  In the process I lost my voice; hence the lack of posts.  I think slowly by putting one foot in front of the other, things have gotten better and I am ready to face the world again.  I've even picked up the camera and started capturing the gang on their romps in the back fields.

 

 

Rehannah loving the fresh snow we had in December

 

A chickadee and nuthatch being fed during the deep freeze of last week.

 

I was amazed at the clarity of these pictures as they were taken through my dirty window with the 70-200 hand held.

 

Hope for the future..."Hilton", who will be formally known as Laureate Be My Guest.  We are delighted to share this beautiful boy with Gisela and Phil Aston, who lost their boy "Pirate" last year.

 



An Outing with the Puppies

We have had several days of incredible weather; with temperatures we'd be happy to have in the summer.  I felt it was time for the puppies we are growing out to experience their first walk. 

I realized that at ten weeks of age the girls in the Inception x Jivara litter didn't have names and having nothing original in mind, decided to recycle names from a litter we had 13 years ago.  The little girl in the litter is now called "Jenny"

Christie checking out the stones and things

While not in focus I like how this photo shows Taylor's movement.

Twiggy left and Taylor right

Oops what is this?

First water rat...

Rehannah and Christie (white faced girl)

Christie and Taylor now at the puddle...that is now three water babies!

Eeeek!  Taylor isn't so sure...

Christie starting to go a bit wild!

Conner a bit tentative, but he got his paws wet too...a fourth puppy gets wet

He isn't really a fan.

Taylor trying to decide what to do...

Everyone is on the other side, so might as well!

Not convinced this is a good thing...

Jenny in the puddle...looks like she's drooling (but she's not).

Jenny doesn't look thrilled with the cold water either...

Christie on the other hand thought it was fantastic!

I think she likes it!

A natural water dog!

Even Rehannah got her toes wet.

Sweet Sixteen

We had a lovely celebration for Gabi's 16th Birthday. She has not been well for the last week, so the fact we were having a birthday was a celebration in itself.

Hugs on the lounge chair to start off her party...

The grill master working on the main course...we left Gabi in the chair and she loved every moment

Some grill chicken for starters

Loving the chicken...

Hanging out with her great-granddaughter Paris and her great-great-great granddaughter Rehannah...

She enjoyed a bowl of ice cream with maple syrup to finish off the meal. 

Our sweet girl Gabi...always our puppy and now 16 years old.  Where does the time go?

She May Be Bad But She's Perfectly Good At It

Yesterday was Pete's birthday and we had a nice dinner outside on the deck.  I invited a few friends to join in the festivities.  Rehannah thought the party was put on for her benefit...give me the cake please!!!

Ice cream...my favourite! (How did you know?)

We had a mug that had a cat balancing on one paw doing a handstand.  It said "it's hard to resist such cuteness and talent".  We always said that was our Hannah's motto in life.  I think Rehannah has the same outlook...:-) She may be bad, but we're perfectly fine with it.

Rainy May Show Weekend

It was a wet day on Friday at the Ottawa Kennel Club show...it rained on and off all day and there was a cool breeze as well.  It was a good thing Rehannah doesn't mind being wet as she went into the ring and thought nothing of trotting around in the rain.

She loved running in the wet grass...

...and looking for treats!

At only six months and nine days old, she acted like a pro.

She had plenty of ring practice as there were two shows in one day.

Final selection

She ended up taking Best of Breed over Specials both times in the ring and a Group 2nd, Group 4th and a Best Puppy in Group for nine points of the needed 10 for her Championship.

So Saturday we drove up to Thetford Mines and she finished her Canadian Championship at the first show.  The Sunday she won a Group 2nd under breeder-judge Guy Jeavons and Best Puppy in Show under judge Allan Brown.  It was a good thing the show was indoors, as it rained all weekend there as well.  Rehannah may have been OK with it, but I didn't like it so much!

Rehannah became our youngest Champion finishing at 6 months and 10 days of age!  We also got 3 points on Finn, Corbin was shown the Saturday in Ottawa by Diane Biggar and he picked up a 4 point win.  Then we got the great news that "Player" became an American Champion, so is now officially known as Am/Can Ch Laureate Cold Play (owned by Sherrie Sparling, Skyehaven Shelties).

So a great weekend despite the rain!

Play Date: The Hooligans

The older pups are a bit of a rowdy bunch...

The little ones trying to keep up with Rehannah...

La la la...this is too easy

Catch me suckers!

Bitey games

Ditch hopping

Haha...missed!

Oh yeah?  Well I did it better than you last time!

Lola, the wet noodle

Rehannah beginning to tire out

Mr Finn McCool

The very beautiful (even when wet) Finn

This is a cheater photo as I took it yesterday but didn't think I needed another puppy running post, so included it here. Lola didn't charge through the wide bit, but ran along and found a narrow spot to jump.

Also from yesterday...Rehannah showing that her lips didn't stay permanently curled up! 

The end!