My first agility Vizsla

Keira (CH Varazs Nekah's Gold Edition Am/Can CD, Am/Can CDX, AGN, NA, NAJ, TT) born June 5, 1997, was an awesome obedience dog and my first agility Vizsla.  Today is the seventh anniversary of her death and I still think of her and miss her.

My thoughts of Keira have been more frequent in the past year as I competed with Miska in Open obedience and now as I train Miska and Miska's daughter, Diva, in agility.  Keira did extremely well in obedience and breezed through her trials, often with high scores.  I don't know if she ever didn't pass a trial.  Miska has been totally different with many, many "did not qualify", especially in Open.  Mind you, Miska is an awesome hunting dog which Keira wasn't.

Keira doing well in Open (CDX) obedience in the US

I recall the weekend I headed to Niagara Falls NY for 2 days of AKC Open obedience trials with Keira.  She had already earned one leg - and 2nd place - at the Vizsla National events in Charlotte, NC in Oct. 2001.  Well, we returned from Niagara Falls with her CDX title, passing both trials, including placing High in Class and getting a second place in her other trial - something I never expected to do but was absolutely joyful about!  Believe me, people were very envious of our success!! 

But the most fun I had was doing agility with Keira.  She proved to be fast and very good at it and she earned 3 titles and one leg in AKC Open Standard before being diagnosed with hepatic hemangiosarcoma which took her life all too soon in 2005.   

It has taken me several years to get back into agility. I have two very good prospects - Miska and Diva  - so I hope to relive the thrills and fun that I had with Keira in this fun sport. Thanks for the great times Keira!
   

Sasha, you made my day!

It's been more than 2 years now that we lost our beloved Sasha. But today, he was very much in my thoughts because of the surprise I found. I've been purging closets, drawers, cupboards, etc. disposing, donating, moving stuff to reduce clutter. I came across a couple of old Vizsla Club of America national events catalogues in my bedroom and decided to move them to another room where more of my dog stuff is stored. The catalogues dated back to 2002 and 2003. I just happen to open the 2003 catalogue from Charlotte, NC which then brought back lots of memories:  

• An entire garment bag got left behind at home so I had nothing to wear into the show ring and to rush around shopping for new outfits after our arrival in Charlotte; of course I didn't discover this until we arrived at the hotel, 780 miles from home. I was not a happy camper especially because it was still very hot at the end of October and the only clothes the stores were selling were for winter.  I couldn't find anything cool to buy!
• There was a fire alarm in the hotel and every one had to vacate their rooms. Fortunately Michael was in the room  with the dogs at the time and was able to get them out but other dogs were trapped in their rooms while most people were at a VCA welcome reception; fortunately there was no fire but it was a scary moment for all Vizsla owners.
• Keira earned her first leg in AKC Novice A, Jumpers with Weaves in the agility trial with a clean run, score of 100 & 2nd place; I got happy.
• Keira and Tasha came second in the Brace class. I was very happy.
• Sasha took 4th place in the Veteran Sweepstakes, 12 yr & older. I was thrilled. 

Well, the surprise was finding the envelope containing Sasha's sweepstakes win, still sealed after almost 7 years! So today (May 27, 2010), I finally opened it.  Inside was his $15 (US) cash win. Thanks Sasha! You made my day. I love you and still miss you so much. And Keira and Tasha are still missed and loved.

 

Sasha sporting his Parade of 

Champions rosette from the 2003 Nationals