Ruby1 Reunion!

Not since I put little Ruby1 (so called #1 because another owner of one of our puppies named their Vizsla Ruby so to distinguish them, I refer to them as Ruby1, born June 26, 2003 and Ruby2, born June 17, 2006) on an airplane to her new home in British Columbia almost 7.5 years ago, had I seen her. BTW, her registered name is Varazs Kiralyi Rubicund. So I was delighted to receive an email from Ruby1's owner to say they had moved to Toronto which is a heck of a lot closer to me than Vancouver, BC!  So a reunion was in the works. We also got together with Ruby's grandmother, Bree owned by Eileen Wilkes, her sister Miska and brother Vadasz as well as a niece (Diva) and nephew (Quest) as well as 2 more of Eileen's dogs.  We had lovely weather in late November so the walk was very pleasant.  It was lovely to see Ruby again and I must say, she looked incredibly young!! Barely or no white hairs on her face, unlike her sister Miska & brother Vadasz.

L-R  Ruby, grandma Bree & sister Miska

The entire gang

Mr. CD

It's been over 2 years since I last earned an obedience title on one of my dogs. This weekend, it was Tyro's turn to complete his Companion Dog (CD) title.  Not quite a month ago, Tyro earned his first two legs and this weekend at the Georgina Kennel & Obedience Club's obedience trials, he earned his 3rd and final CD leg with a score of 190.5/200 and a 4th place on the Saturday - accomplishing this title in 3 straight trials! 

Since I had entered him in 2 trials this weekend, we returned on Sunday for a 'bonus' run.  And it was a really nice one!  Tyro earned 194.5 in Novice A and with that score, he placed 1st in his class!  Now his official name is CH Varazs Napkelte Tyrone CD, Am/Can RN, Am/Can RA, Am RE, CGN.  And topping off Tyro's Terrific Weekend, he earned two legs (with very good scores) towards his CKC Rally Excellent title on Friday.  Woo hoo Tyro!!!! Mama, Nova,(CH Ferngold Varazs Innovation Am/Can CD, Can RN, Am RE, FDJ CGN) would have been so proud! I know your daddy Hudson (Am/Can/Int CH Kizmar Touch of Evil JH RA) is.

Tyro with his 1st & 4th place rosettes (CD)

Gypsy wins Amateur Shooting Dog class!

Gypsy who is a granddaughter of our Sasha (Am/Can CH Varazs Kiraly Sassy Sasha Am/Can CD, Am/Can CDX, FDJ, RN, RA, RE, RAE, TT, CGC, CGN)won the Amateur Shooting Dog class at a recent Field Trial in British Columbia. Gypsy was handled by her owner, Susan Scobie (both pictured below). There were 11 starters in this class so that certainly gave Gypsy some points towards a Field Champion title. Way to go Gypsy & Sue! Sasha would be sooo proud of his granddaughter! (Photos courtesy of Susan Scobie, Gypsy's breeder/owner.)

Gypsy on point

Sue and Gypsy

Lest We Forget

Today, November 11, is Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans' Day in the US.  A day, none of us should ignore or forget.  We remember all those men, women and many dogs, who sacrificed their lives for us to provide freedom. Let us never forget.

Careful what you reinforce!

From the moment I decided to keep Miska, I knew I wanted her to love retrieving as I intended to do obedience and field work with her. I didn't want to use force to make her fetch and I certainly didn't want any field trainer using the ear pinch or toe pinch to get her to fetch birds,

So from the time she was a puppy, I just encouraged her to pick up things, bring them to me, and then rewarded her.  As Susan Garrett drummed into my head (or I drummed it in), "Reinforcement builds behaviour."  I now add to that, "and punishment does not!!'.  However, you have to be careful what you reinforce because sometimes the behaviour can get a little "out of hand".  At least Miska always brings me what she fetches - because that's what I reward her for even if I don't always want what she retrieves or finds outdoors.

Here's the Pepto Bismal mom. I need another tablet.

 

Mom, I think you need to brush your hair.

Wine server, at your disposal

Dad, do you want your sandal?

No Miska, you CANNOT fetch the lobster!

Fetching empty bowls is a useful occupation & I get paid for it!

My mom wants to know where the rest of the deer is.

Mom, don't you know there's a market for deer antlers?

Dad, did you want your sandal?

Occasionally I'll fetch toys altho I don't get paid to do it.

OK - fetching a bird is in my genes.

This squirrel was a Christmas present for my humans!

How 'bout a partially chewed deer leg mom?

These next two photos are courtesy of Corrine Sellars who has dog-sat Miska on several occasions.

I want to change the TV to Animal Planet

Is this my tip? A lousy 5 bucks??

Master Champion!

New CARO* Master Champion!!

Milo (from our 2002 litter between Charlie & Tasha) and his devoted owner, Corrine Sellars, celebrated on Saturday October 30 after they completed his CARO* Rally Gold title and this also resulted in him earning his Master Champion title as well!!! Milo can now add the title CRMCH (CARO Rally Master Champion) to the front of his name and CRG (CARO Rally Gold) to the end of his name. Milo and Corrine have now earned an amazing total of 28 titles!!!!!

Below, Corrine accepts Milo's rosette from the Judge

When I sold Milo to Corrine, she was extremely worried about my requirement to earn 1 title with him (or return him).  Well, Corrine, not only did you meet that expectation, you FAR exceeded it!  I'm so proud of both of you and know how much you love Milo and vice versa.  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for giving Milo such an interesting life and for doing all you have done for him.  Not only have you earned more titles than I have on any of my dogs but more than any other owner! And you did it in field, obedience, rally obedience and agility proving how versatile Milo is. You make a breeder thrilled to breed dogs and to place them with people like you.

Earlier this year - earning his Silver title

* Cdn Assoc. of Rally Obedience

Hallowe'en 2010

Hallowe'en 2010

"Milo" - Mr Pumpkin

Pirate "Tyro"

Miss Merlot 2010 - "Miska" as a Bunch of Grapes

Thanks to the Doggie Stylish Blog for both the idea and pattern for creating the Bunch of Grapes. Miska was a huge hit at the Monster Match (fun rally and obedience match) at Companion Dog Training on October 31.  Below is her dress rehearsal for moving in the costume.