Marley turns 12!

Hard to believe the new born puppy I held at birth turned 12 years old on October 7th.  She is my shadow and best friend. She pines for no one but me!  I couldn't have a better buddy.  She's been through alot but has given her best each time.  Marley was spayed when she was 9 years old in 2012 because of an accidental tie at the end of her season. Since then she had an anal sweat gland removed in 2013, a lump which turned out to be a low grade mammary cancer in September 2014, and her eye removed due to iris melanoma in December 2014. She has a couple new lumps but otherwise is in good health. She sometimes has trouble jumping up on the bed which can be partially because she doesn't see as well as she used to. She doesn't play with toys, she never was much into them, but she still bow plays with me and does her excited dance whenever I mention that it's time to eat. She really enjoyed having the grandkids here; especially, Declan, who got a kick out of feeding her ( and everyone else!)  The boys still let her lick their faces and actually enjoy it, laughing all the way through it. For the most part, she's an easy keeper and can usually be found wherever I am. 

Happy Birthday, Marley Moo!! 

Hannah turns 14!

Hannah turned 14 years old on September 5th!  She and Brianna did another birthday photo shoot together.  It sure was nice to have Bree here so they could celebrate their birthday together again!

Lake County and Sir Francis Drake Kennel Club Shows

September 10 - 13, 2015

Sparrow had a blast at the shows in Vallejo last week/end.  She's making new friends and enjoyed flirting with the Chinook, Janos and Rez.  Thank you to Lacey, Sissy and Olive for playing with her, too!  It's nice to see her loosen up at the dog shows a little. 

She's finally making the connection between dog shows and fun. We had to find a new handler because of the move and thankfully Jessica loved Sparrow's grandsire. Kirby, so much she agreed to show her for us. Jessica is showing Sparrow that dog shows aren't scary. 

A big thank you to Marc for driving Sparrow and I to the dog shows on Saturday and Sunday. Without him we wouldn't have been able to be there.  

Thursday she went Reserve under Judge Mr Clay Coady

Friday she was absent so I could go to the doctor

Saturday she didn't place under Judge Mrs Karen C. Wilson

Sunday she went Third in Open under Judge Mr Carl Liepmann

Richmond Dog Show - August 2, 2015

Sparrow went Winners Bitch at the Richmond Kennel Club dog show in Dixon, CA, and earned 2 points.  Jessica Vetter handled her perfectly and I think this show was a turning point in their relationship. I actually witnessed Sparrow wagging her tail while in the ring!!  Because we and Jessica live so far apart, Sparrow is only shown at the shows we can all attend.  I received her photo from the show the other day so I'm posting it here.

In other news, Bree and Josh arrived here on August 1st.  Bree went with us to the dog show where Sparrow earned her latest ribbons and points.  Daniel and Michele plus Michele's kids arrived on August 5th. It was extremely hot while they were here and we were unable to do anything but try to stay cool.  They left on Friday morning to return home to Portland.  It was a little hectic to have so many people here at the same time but we enjoyed it alot and they were here to help celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary. 

Sparrow and Battle

Sparrow (Paloma x Mojo)

Battle (Paloma x Mojo)

Patriot (Marley x Kirby)

Battle

Battle

Hannah (Szeke x Harley)

Battle

Sparrow

Hannah, Declan, Battle and Paloma

Sparrow chasing a butterfly

Marley (Lena x Siskel)

Paloma (Marley x Kirby)

We Took A Crazy Birthday Trip

Marc, the girls, and I took a crazy birthday weekend trip to Oregon for TEVCO's Summer Specialty. We left early Friday morning and ten hours later we were pulling in to Redmond. That evening we had a thunderstorm which produced just a little rain.  Dinner was from our favorite Mexican take out which is now Rigoberto's.
We were greeted with humidity when we stepped outside the hotel at 7am Saturday morning. It was going to be a scorcher of a day and, it lived up to our expectations/fear and more. Thankfully, Greg and Dennise, gave us space in the motorhome for the girls while we took Sparrow over to the ring. Jim and Lily came to the show and stayed until it was over.  Lily looks alot like Sparrow and the two girls were able to play just a little before Sparrow had to move closer to the ring with Suzanne. Suzanne showed Sparrow to a third place in her class. There was a potluck over in the campground for club members and guests after the show. The heat made it difficult to do too much and had me worried about the girls and if we were keeping them hydrated and cool enough. They were sure happy to get back to the coolness of the hotel room. It was 104 degrees by that time!  We celebrated my birthday with dinner at Madeline's with good friends. 

We woke up early Sunday morning and drove from Redmond to Portland to see our kids and to deliver an air conditioner. We celebrated Marc's birthday with lunch at a New Mexican cafe called La Panza.  Karen was able to join us there. After a couple of hours with the kids, we headed over to see Kyra and her owners. Kyra and Sparrow also look very similar. So that means, all the girls - Lily, Kyra and Sparrow - all look alike! The do have different builds though. What I noticed most about Kyra was her chest!! I could only wish for that for Sparrow!! We had a very nice visit and all the girls were able to play on their upstairs deck.  Hannah let us know when it was time to leave! We enjoyed dinner which was delivered to the hotel. 

Monday morning came too soon.  We were on the road a little before 8am. A short stop at a farm store in Roseburg; lunch at the Olive Pit in Corning; gas stops; a potty break for the girls and we were home by 8pm. The drive for the most part was uneventful. It's good to be home but I'm glad we made the trip.  

The Awards Table at Specialty

The Judge going over Sparrow

Suzanne and Sparrow on their down and back

Lily

Jim and Lily

The stack for the judge

Sparrow at home with her third place ribbon.

Sparrow's Big Weekend

Sparrow didn't know it when she loaded into the Explorer very early Thursday morning but she was in for a long weekend. Having not been in the show ring since the Vizsla Club of America Nationals in San Jose, CA in May 2014, she had four days of shows ahead of her. Thursday and Friday were the Yosemite Kennel Club shows and Saturday and Sunday were the Contra Costa Kennel Club shows. But on Saturday, the Vizsla Club of Northern California held their Specialty and on Sunday a Supported Entry. There would be lots of Vizslas there and almost as much competition for placements as there had been at Nationals the year before.  The only day she was awarded a ribbon was on Friday under AKC Judge Houston Clark. On that day, Sparrow earned a third place in her class of Open Bitch. Jessica Vetter handled her all four days for me.  Sparrow showed well and with more time in the ring and growth in confidence, she just might earn her championship.  I do think she had fun for the most part.  Over the days, she got to play with a few Vizslas, a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy, who at 11 months was bigger than her, and spend time with Gracie's puppies. I don't think puppies are her thing right now but she played the Auntie well. Sparrow and Gracie are half-sisters through Mojo. She had her photos taken with a psychedelic tie-dyed backdrop. She had her OFA cardiac exam and passed which means she had now completed her health testings for this time in her life.  

Sparrow and Jessica on Friday under Mr. Houston Clark. This is when she earned her only ribbon of the show.  Photo courtesy of Pam Lambros

Sparrow and Jessica at VCNC Specialty under Mr Michael Faulkner

Photo courtesy of Pam Lambros

Sparrow went directly to the back yard where she could hunt butterflies upon arrival home.  All is good in her little world!

Hunt Test at Hasting's Island

Over Memorial Day Weekend, we participated in the Irish Setter Club of Central California's Hunt Test. Saturday's test was for Marc's learning and on Sunday she passed. They ran out of ribbons so no photo. I will take one once they send the ribbon.  This makes Sparrow's third pass toward her AKC Junior Hunter title.

Enjoy the photos I took over the weekend -

This is a male Northen Harrier

I don't know who these two belong two but they were waiting patiently in the parking lot at the clubhouse for their owner's return.

This is a Red Tailed Hawk - perhaps a juvenile.

Not sure if this is another Northen Harrier or an adult Red Tailed Hawk