Arizona and Woofstock

The girls and I drove out to Arizona for Cullen's birthday and Josh's homecoming from deployment.  While I was there, we took Patriot and Battle to the vet. Unfortunately, Patriot's titre has gone up. Initially it was 1:32, went down at 6 month check up to 1.16 and now a year later, it has gone to 1:32.  We learned that since Patriot's Valley Fever is in his bone that he may never come off his treatment.  Battle's nose continues to be an issue; it is super dry and has split in the area between his two nostrils.  Bree continues to moisturize and some days it looks really good. His thyroid was low normal so we retested. The results were better than last time so the dryness isn't related to his thyroid.  Maybe it's just living in the desert. The vet has a different opinion but finding out involves a biopsy and/or a specific treatment to see if it helps. We will visit the matter again in November.  Hannah handled traveling and the heat well.  I worry about her as she's getting up in age. She'll be 15 in September, God willing. 

We came home from Arizona with a rest day in between arriving and driving to Vallejo for this year's Woofstock shows.  Carri Beaver showed Sparrow; she was 3rd on Saturday and 4th on Sunday in her class.  No points and we are still in search of those two majors.  She sits at 10 points. 

Enjoy these photos from May

Hannah, Sparrow, Marley and Paloma

Sparrow

Paloma

Sparrow

Marley

VCNC Specialty and Supported Entry

Sparrow and I made the drive to Vallejo for VCNC's Specialty and Supported Entry on May 21/22.   It was rainy on Saturday and she didn't place either day.  Thanks to Jessica for handling her for me. The judges were Sandra Olsen and Judy Webb. We'll keep plugging along. :)

Barn Hunt Practice

Sparrow and Paloma tried their noses at Barn Hunting in April while Marc was in Arizona visiting Bree and the boys. Sparrow had tried it at a show in Anitoch in December and did very well; however, on this day her brain was divided between finding rats and chasing birds.  I took Paloma the next day and she was super interested.  The girls need more exposure but this might be something I can do with them . 

Have you tried something new with your dogs?  Dock diving is next on the agenda.  Sparrow was chomping at the bit watching the other dogs jump into the pool.  I'll be calling her bluff one day soon.

She Did It!!

Sparrow earned her fourth pass to complete her AKC Junior Hunter title this morning at the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of California's Hunt Test at Hastings Island (Rio Vista), CA.  A huge thank you to Marc for all the time he has spent in the field with her and to those who have offered encouragement and worked with us to help her complete her task.  We are so proud of her - we knew she would do it!  We interrupted her training when we moved and it's taken a bit to get her back on track.  So, congratulations, Sparrow!! You did great!  Tonight you will have steak and not know what the celebration is all about but you'll be happy because we will tell you what a wonderful girl you are (just like we always do!) 

Thanks to Stephan Baur, we were able to bring home two dead chukars for the girls to find/sniff in the yard when we got home.  Our girls have never been ones to take a liking to dead birds - they'd like live ones next time, Dad! 

The Girls and The Weather

These are photos of Hannah, Marley and Paloma from January until March. 

Marc built stairs for Hannah to go up and down saving her elbows and shoulders from the trauma of hitting the ground when she jumps off the bed. 

We had some days with rain . . . 

 and days with sunshine . . . 

and days with sun pillars . . .

and gorgeous sunsets.  

Wow - Where has the time gone?

I'm sorry - we haven't posted here since Christmas - wow!

This year has been busy so far.  Unfortunately (fortunately) I had to have another surgery at the end of January.  No worries - all is well, now!  

Sparrow with Erin Karst at the South Coast Vizsla Club of California's Specialty in Indio, CA, January 9, 2016

Sparrow with Moira Hanley-Cornell at the Palm Spring Kennel Club show in Indio, January 10, 2016

Sparrow and her ribbons from the Santa Clara Kennel Club shows in San Jose, CA, February 20/21, 2016. She was handled by Moira Hanley-Cornell.

Sparrow's ribbons from the Silver Bay Kennel Clubs shows in San Diego, CA which was held at the fairgrounds in Del Mar on February 27/28, 2016.  She was handled by Carri Beaver. I'd always wanted to do this show - happy we live close enough to drive to it. 

  

Sparrow's ribbons from the Kings Kennel Club shows in Hanford, CA on March 12/13, 2016.  She was handled by Carri Beaver. 

This is Sparrow's show photo. She earned 1 point toward her championship by going Winners Bitch/Best of Winners on March 13th. She was handled by Carri Beaver. AKC Judge Carlos Navarro.

Carri and Sparrow on Saturday at the shows in Vallejo, CA. Photos by Marc.

AKC Judge Mrs Carol Beattie

Sparrow's ribbons from the San Mateo and Oakland Kennel club shows, March 24-26, 2016, in Vallejo, CA. She showed under AKC judges Mr Ronald Spritzer, Mrs Carol Spritzer, Mrs Carol Beattie and Mr Lewis Bayne. She went Winners Bitch on Sunday for 2 points but was unable to bring home the crossover points for the major. In total, Sparrow is up to 10 points for her championship but still needs both majors.  

This weekend we hit the field hoping to complete her Junior Hunter title.  :) 

From Our Family To Yours

Christmas Day has come and gone

New Years Day will be here soon

Happiness, health and fortune 

Good tidings are sent to you

Thankful for each one of our families, for loving the pups and taking good care of them. 

Our first litter is now 7 years old. As far as I know only Patriot is dealing with a health issue.

Our second litter is 3 years old and all healthy.

We had a little hiccup with one placement but he's in a great home now.

Take care and keep in touch.