Different Players, Same Game

Anyone who has followed our dog posts over the years would be at a loss to identify the dogs in the yard.  We cut back many of our middle age girls and found them fabulous forever retirement homes. 

This is so the dogs can have the attention they need without the numbers of our group becoming unmanageable.   

 

So I will introduce a few of the newest members of our clan. "Diane" (Am Ch Solange Valedictorian x Laureate Christie Brinkley).  Diane was co-bred by Diane Biggar, Kendale Shelties. 

 



 

Along with Diane, we have her sister, Jackie.  Jackie is pictured with her dam, Christie.  Christie was from our first Inception x Jivara litter.

 

 

Jackie and Diane at 10 weeks of age; they are very similar. 

 

 

Our newest litter...pictured at 3 days of age.  We have 3 females and 1 male  Dam of the litter is little Jenny...littermate of Christie.

 

 

So there is a peak of the some of the newest "Laureate's"

 



Wouldn't It Be Loverly!

 

Our pretty little "Audrey" transitioned from a country bumpkin to a star in the show ring without missing a beat.

She has a wonderful temperament.  Very curious and outgoing.  Takes everything in stride...just like this high jump!

From running through the mud to running in the Best Puppy in Show ring in the space of weeks.

Audrey loving the big black Standard Poodle...

It was darn cold out!

Sizing up the competition...

Audrey, a Champion in one weekend...multiple Best Puppy in Show winner.  Pictured here with her beautiful litter mate "Hilton" who won 3 points at his first show. 

It has been a successful Spring at the shows.  Three new Champions, two more started...it has been loverly.



Serendipity

I had a friend over for coffee this morning and she spotted the female cardinal. She said, "quick, take a picture!" My camera was not on hand, but I dashed upstairs, grabbed the camera, fumbled to get the chip in and by that time she had flown away.  Our disappointment was short lived as she then flew up on the tree in front of our house.  The sun shone down on her and I was able to get this picture.  I'm delighted!

Run Run Run

It is a gorgeous day out and I took advantage of the sunshine and took the gang out back. 

(This post is photo intense.)

There is a pathway in the evergreens and they love to chase one another along the tree line.

Cocoa looking for whoever is behind the spruce...

Ferocious Foo!

Foo and the blues!

Miss independant Rehannah.  I said the last time I took them out that she wouldn't ever come again as she does her own thing and goes off where I can't see her.  I forgot and once again I spent ten minutes calling for her.  She came out from behind the barn, quite satisfied with herself...the stinker!

Poodle herding

Victor having a ball!

Emma is never far from Foo

Snarling Trix who had just been bitten in the butt earlier...

Trying to keep up with Foo



At the Feeder

This is our first year feeding the birds over winter and it has given us hours of enjoyment.  After I let the dogs out, I fill up the bird feeder and have my coffee and watch from every room in the house as the birds come to feed.

 

Common Redpoll visit daily, as do the chickadees, juncos, and goldfinches. 

 

Less frequent are the pair of cardinals.  It took a few weeks for them to find the feeder and I'm obsessed with taking their picture! They are a shot of colour in our muted palette of winter.

 

It is tough to get any shots of them because as soon as they see me, they fly off.  I would love to get a photo of them both together, so I'll keep trying!

 

The male from the kitchen window...

 

A little competition...

 

The woodpeckers are bold and we have a small one (this guy...a flicker maybe?) and a bigger one.

 

The chickadee's will let me get close...this was taken standing about 10 feet from the feeder.

 



Who doesn't love these little happy birds?  They are like a cup of cheer on a cold winter day!