Birthday walk and swim

What better way for Miska to spend her 6th birthday - a very hot day at that - than a run through the cool(er) woods and a swim in the lake with her daughter, Diva? Happy Birthday "Miska-Monkers". We love you!!!

Above L-R Diva, Miska

6 years old!

Our biggest and best litter has turned 6 years old today. Happy Birthday to: Amber, Hudson, Katya, Miska, Noble, Rachel, Ruby, Shandy, Vadasz and Zsofi. This was a wonderful litter as exemplified by their looks, temperament, intelligence and accomplishments. I absolutely adored the parents: my Sasha (BPIG Am/Can CH Varazs Kiraly Sassy Sasha Am/Can CD, Am/Can CDX, FDJ, RN, RA, RE, RAE, TT, CGC, CGN) was the dad and my Nova (CH Ferngold Varazs Innovation Can/Am CD FDJ, JH, Am/Can RA, Am RE, CGN)was the mom - both phenomenal Vizslas.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

The unexpected and untimely death of Nova, their mother, at age 10 just speaks for the need to cherish and treasure every day with your dogs. Sasha lived into this 16th year, and I hope his longevity genes have been passed on to all of his kids. I know they have certainly inherited the good looks and lovely personalities of both parents and for that, I am so grateful.

So kids! Live it up, have a blast, go for a long walk with your humans, have some special treats but above all, be loved every day.

Much love from your breeder mom, Sylvia.

Final resting place

Photos of Nova (2007) courtesy of Corrine Sellars

My dear, sweet Nova returned home to her final resting place on June 19. Of course, she didn't return in the state and form I wanted her in - alive, healthy and bouncy. Instead, her ashes are in an engraved cedar chest, next to my bed and her purple collar will lay there too. Memories of Nova, her love and the joy she brought me will be buried in my heart forever. Fortunately I have so many wonderful photos and videos of Nova over the years that I will be able to relive our wonderful years together.

My friend Chrissie Diron, who owned Shandy, Nova's daughter, sent me the following. I can't read it with sobbing but it hits home how fragile and fleeting a dog's (or person's) time is on this earth. Nova is somewhere where I can't see or hear her but I hope we will be reunited one day. Nova, I love you and miss you so much. Rest in peace.

"I'll lend you, for a little while, a dog of mine," HE said.

"For you to love while she lives, and mourn when she is dead.

It may be but two or three years, or maybe twenty-three,

But will you, till I call her back, take care of her for me?

She'll bring her charms to gladden you, and shall her stay be brief,

You'll have her lovely memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay, as all from earth return,

But there are lessons taught down there I want this dog to learn.

I've looked the whole world over in my search for teachers true,

And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.

Now will you give her all your love - not think this labor vain,

Nor hate me when I come to call, to take her back again?"

I fancied that I heard them say, Dear Lord, thy will be done.'

For all the joys this dog shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shower her with tenderness and love her while we may,

And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.

And should the angels call for her much sooner than we planned,

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.

"If by your love, you've managed, my wishes to achieve,

In memory of Nova that you've loved, be thankful, do not grieve."

"I will lend you a dog", God said, "and teach you all you have to do.

And when I call her back to Heaven, you will know she loved you too."

Cherish every moment of your furry charges. They fill your home with barks of joy.

Let not Nova's passing take from you those memories to enjoy...............

Thank you Chrissie.

Another achievement for Milo!

Last Saturday (June 13) was the Swansea Dog Obedience Club's awards dinner in Toronto, Ontario and Milo received the "CKC Novice Agility Trophy" for 2008. How fitting because it was also his birthday!!!! Congratulations to owner/handler Corrine Sellars and Milo for having just a phenomenal year of achievements in both agility, obedience, and rally! As Milo's breeder, I'm so proud of both of you!! Thank you for giving Milo an incredibly stimulating, fun and interesting life and also for taking such great care of his body and mind.

Milo with all of his rosettes and ribbons for his Rally Advanced-Excellent title

Courtesy of C. Sellars

Nova-Hudson litter celebrates 3 yrs

As I wrote earlier, June is a big birthday month in our household (with more still to come). Today we celebrate the 3rd birthday of our Nova-Hudson litter consisting of 8 Vizsla puppies born June 17, 2006. Nova = CH Ferngold Varazs Innovation Can/Am CD FDJ, JH, Am/Can RA, Am RE, CGN and Hudson = Am/Can/Int CH Kizmar Touch of Evil JH CD RA Evil. This was Nova's second and last litter. Sadly, she is no longer with us. We kept one male puppy, named Tyro, from this breeding and he is a joy to live with. He just has a wonderful, fun-loving, gentle and loving personality - just like his mom Nova. Seven out of the 8 puppies earned their Cdn Championship titles. Tyro has completed his AKC Rally Novice title and has 1 leg towards his CKC rally novice. Tucker earned his FDJ and has 1 Rally Novice leg while living with his breeder.

Happy 3rd Birthday to:
Ruby, Lloyd, Lucy1, Lucy2, Nika, Tessie, Tucker (previously Chili) and Tyro.

About 5 weeks old

With mom (Nova) - about 6 weeks old

Miska-Ozzie litter turns 1

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY to Andras, Blaze, Diva, Gunner, Piper and Quest.

Puppies with great-grandma Bree (L) and grandma Nova (R) and Erin & Connor Wilkes

June is a big birthday month for our litters. Our Miska-Ozzie puppies, born June 16, 2008, turn one year old today. (Miska = Am/Can CH Varazs Kiralyi Kedvesem FDJ, FD, NAVHDA NA Prize III, JH, Am/Can CD, Am/Can RN, Am/Can RA, Am RE, CGN and Ozzie = CH Hubertus Quality Control FDJ).

Andras has earned 4 majors in the US and is 2 pts short of earning his American Champion title. Diva has earned 3 AKC Jr. Hunter legs and 2 CKC Field Dog Jr. legs towards 2 hunting titles. Gunner, Piper and Quest have all earned CKC championship points. All before the age of 12 months. Thank you Miska and Ozzie for producing such talented and beautiful puppies.

Tasha-Charlie litter turns 7

Happy 7th Birthday to our Tasha-Charlie litter (Milo, Kati, Lola) born June 13, 2002.

One of the puppies, Milo, celebrated his 7th birthday by earning his 7th title since January of this year! His human, Corrine Sellars, wrote me the following:

"In honour of Nova, Milo earned High in Class with a 95 in Excellent then Q'd in [Rally] Advanced to complete his RAE [Rally Advanced-Excellent title]. March 7th to June 13th = 29 consecutive CKC Rally Qs for 4 titles! Reached "our" goal (set in January) of completing 7 new titles by Milo's 7th Birthday.

AKC: CD
CKC: CD, RN, RA, RE, RAE
CARO: RXCL"

Corrine will soon run out of room in her house for all of Milo's ribbons and rosettes! What an incredible birthday!

Milo with all of his recent rally software and some hardware

Fovever Young

"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

...by Dylan Thomas

Nova
CH Ferngold Varazs Innovation Can/Am CD, FDJ, JH, Can RA, Am RE, Am RAE, CGN

June 5, 1999 to June 8, 2009

Sadly, we had to say good-bye to our beloved and beautiful Nova so soon after she turned 10 years old. Cancer robbed her and us of enjoying her senior years. We are profoundly saddened and heartbroken by her death. Nova was loved by everyone who met her, but none more than us who miss her terribly.

Donations in Nova's memory to fight canine cancer can be made at:

https://www.uoguelph.ca/alumni/cgi-bin/pet_trust_donation.pl

Nova turns 10 today

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Dearest and Cherished Nova,

Where did the time go? It doesn't seem like 10 years ago that you were born and almost that long ago when you entered our lives, thanks to your breeder, Eileen Wilkes (Wright). You were named Nova to represent new blood and new lines in my Vizsla breeding program. But how the passage of time flies by so quickly. Now you're turning 10 years old today. What happened to the past decade?

You are barely showing your age in your face and you're still as beautiful as ever. We love you so dearly and know that you love us too. I hope we've given you a good and happy life. You have made many friends over the years and have been a wonderful mom to 16 kids in 2 litters and grandmother to 6 more. Your legacy will always live on in your offspring and your grand-kids and perhaps great-grand-kids one day. Your field trainer, Mike Wilshire of Ruffwood Brittanies had this comment for me about you. "Nova has a real problem. She's too %@*^~ friendly." Well, this certainly was a compliment about you because you loved people!!

Photo by Corrine Sellars

During this short time (really, a decade seems to fly by so fast), you and I trained, competed for and earned 12 titles. I feel like we've barely scratched the surface and wish we had done more. It's difficult to believe that a decade has already passed. Just 3 months ago, you finally completed your American Rally Adv-Exc (RAE) title and competed in a Vizsla specialty show in Phoenix, earning Best of Opposite Sex in the Veteran Sweepstakes and last fall, you earned your American Jr Hunter title. I'm so glad we did all this and more because I know you had so much fun.

Today we salute you Nova (CH Ferngold Varazs Innovation Can/Am CD FDJ, JH, Am/Can RA, Am RE, CGN)and celebrate your life, your loving personality, and your fun-loving nature. Thank you so much Eileen for entrusting Nova to me. I know we've done you proud and I will always be grateful and cherish the the photo shoot we had at your house last fall and am so glad that Nova graces the cover of your 2009 Bowser's catalogue. Thank you for all those exceptional photos of Nova, Miska, and Diva.

Photo by Bowsers

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY NOVA!!

Love always,
Sylvia & Michael

2 more JH legs for Diva

On May 30 - 31, 2009, Diva (Varazs Kedves Quickstep) earned two more legs toward her AKC Jr Hunter (JH) title. Just needs 1 more leg for her title.

Mother's Day 2009

Mother's Day 2009 became a little more special to 3 mothers today because Andras (Varazs Kedves Quizmark) earned his second major - 3 points - and was selected for Best of Breed over Specials (champions) giving him a 4 point major and took 4th place in the Sporting Group!!! Breeder Mom (Sylvia)is ecstatic, human mom (Nan) is over the moon, & canine mom (Miska) doesn't really give a damn but neverthess, what a nice gift and surprise for the moms! Way to go Andras!

Major win for Andras

I just learned tonight that Andras (Varazs Kedves Quizmark) who is a puppy from my Ozzie-Miska breeding born June 16, 2008 just won his first 3 point major today in California at the age of 10.5 months! Wow, am I delighted and in shock! What a nice win for such a young dog. Congratulations to his owners, Ransom & Nan Cook! Thanks to Pam Lambros for passing along this news.

Gypsy earns her FD title

Gypsy (Ch Szuni's Gypsy Moon CD FDJ) bred and owned by Susan Scobie of British Columbia, is a grand-daughter of my beloved Sasha (BPIG* Am/Can CH Varazs Kiraly Sassy Sasha Am/Can CD, Am/Can CDX, FDJ, RN, RA, RE, RAE, TT, CGC, CGN) and I'm proud to announce that she just completed her Field Dog (FD) hunting title in April.

Susan and Gypsy

Milo earns CKC RE title!

Milo became the first Varazs-bred dog to earn a CKC Rally Excellent title on Friday April 24 in St. Catharines Ontario. If you've been following my posts, you'll know that the Corrine-Milo team has really been on a roll this year, earning title after title - in fact, this is their 6th in four months! That too is a record. And they also happened to earn several placements as you can see from Milo's 'software' in the photo. As well, they picked up his first RAE leg (Rally Adv-Ex) on Friday of which 9 more are needed. AWESOME work you two! Keep it up!!!

Cadaver or SAR dog?

Miska should really be a cadaver or SAR (search and rescue) dog because she is always finding body parts in various sizes, shapes, species and in varying states of condition in and around our property and in the woods where I walk her and our other dogs. So far, all parts have been animal (or so I believe and hope), killed mainly by coyotes and the occasional fox.

The past 2 months (only March & April since we returned from Arizona) have been a record for her - a deer leg, various deer bones, 2 wings & thorax of a Canada Goose, deer antlers, a tail hide from a white-tailed deer, and a few unrecognizable body parts, pelts and bones. This stuff used to go into our garbage but now it goes into our municipal 'green' bin, except for the antlers which I gave to Miska's field trainer, Mike Wilshire, to add to his 'rack' collection.



So this morning, I wasn't surprised (although I was a little disturbed) when she brought me something that didn't resemble a body part. This time, it was a live calico coloured pussy cat in her mouth!!! It was thin, wet, and muddy and not looking or smelling very good. We are surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods with no close neighbours so heaven knows how far it had wandered or how long it had been living or lost in the woods.

There were no puncture wounds from Miska's teeth, thank goodness, but there still could have been some internal injuries from her jaws. After all, Miska is a keen hunter and she found this pussy outdoors this morning while accompanied by her 'pack' - our other 3 dogs. And when there is a pack hunting, there is competition so she may not have been as gentle with it as she would have when alone. Anyway, I pried it from Miska's mouth and immediately took it to a vet. There was no collar on it and I don't know if it was microchipped. I couldn't keep a cat. It certainly needed medical attention but it probably will be humanely euthanised because it didn't look well. Sometimes I wish Miska wasn't quite so keen on hunting and finding me bodies or body parts but if she is ever needed as a cadaver or SAR dog, I'm confident she'd do an excellent job!

Zsofi visits!

Earlier this month, we had the privilege of dog sitting Nova's daughter & Miska's sister, Zsofi (CH Varazs Kiralyi Szofia FDJ NAVHDA NA Prize II), while her human, Jill, went on vacation. It had been a couple of years - at least - since I'd seen Zsofi so I was thrilled to have her visit. And she didn't disappoint. What a beautiful, lovely and sweet Vizsla she is (although I discovered she's a "secret' counter surfer, only doing it when everyone is out of the room).

As she has aged, it's become more evident how much like her dad, Sasha, she is becoming. Zsofi has inherited a gorgeous head (well both her parents have lovely heads), especially those beautiful parallel lines that her dad had, and also the thick hair with a wave, around her neck that Sasha had. Plus her hips came back as "excellent" in a preliminary evaluation (Sasha had OFA excellent rated hips). And some of her behaviours also reminded me of Sasha. From both parents, Zsofi inherited a deep chest and good forechest. Sometimes a breeder doesn't keep the right dog and Zsofi was the one I should have kept for breeding from this litter. Unfortunately for me, she has been spayed.

Anyway, Zsofi enjoyed her stay her with us and I was very sad to see her go home but was grateful and happy to have seen her again. Jill, we can't go so long again for another visit and walk!

Tyro (L) & Zsofi (R)

L-R: Tyro, Zsofi, Diva, Nova (mother of Tyro & Zsofi)

Darien NY hunt tests

April 18-19, the German Shorthair Club of Western NY once again hosted AKC hunt tests at Darien NY. In some ways, we couldn't have had better weather - no snow and no rain! Temperatures were quite warm on Saturday, with lots of wind - too much really and then dropped quite a bit on Sunday (better for the dogs); the wind was mild on Sunday morning but picked up a lot later in the morning so it felt quite cold but it was sunny. The grounds there are very spacious and in good condition although the cover was very low because all the grass remained flat from the snow cover. Still, I much prefer this venue to many of the ones used in Ontario for field tests.

Miska and Vadasz were both entered in the Sr Hunter level. Tyro and Diva were entered in Jr Hunter. Gary decided to handle his dog Vadasz and so I only had 3 dogs to deal with but I also walked the course when Vadasz went out so I got lots of exercise and also got to listen to the discussions of the judges and the AKC marshall.

I had lots of butterflies as this was my first time handling a dog at the Sr level. Good thing the nerves can't travel down the lead in hunt tests. Miska was going to do whatever she was going to do, and there wasn't much I could about it - or so I thought. But I did learn many things over the two days.

Miska's performance on Saturday wasn't very good. She neither honored nor had a chance to retrieve a shot bird. She did find a bird but flushed and chased it and brought it back to me - a huge no-no. It was an exceptionally long retrieve remarked one of the judges, tongue-in-cheek. Hmmmn, note to self - need more work on her steadiness.

Sunday, Miska was considerably better. She had a beautiful honor from quite a distance away. I was thrilled. I was also able to successfully call her off from chasing a bird that the other dog flushed but which wasn't shot at. Miska also had a fantastic and stylish point that she held for a very long time while I tried to find the bird and flush it. Unfortunately, there was no bird - it was where a bird had been that her bracemate had previously found. I learned I could 'relocate' her to help me find the bird. But it seemed it was the bracemates (usually GSPs) which found the birds first and they (birds) were few and far between.

Anyway, I blew the test for us on the next honor; I allowed Miska to steal the other dog's point. I didn't realize I could command her to whoa before she stopped moving, i.e., when she 'acknowledged' the other dog on point. I understand that acknowledging the other dog is open to some interpretation and disagreement by judges but I'll be better prepared next time and command her to whoa before she can steal the other dog's point. Up to that point, she was still in contention but my error caused her to not pass. Sometimes I need to make mistakes in order to improve and that's one.

Vadasz's performances were somewhat similar although he didn't honor at all, indicating that both dogs need more work on steadiness and honoring. Vadasz apparently also needs more training on his fetching. Gary says he doesn't always bring the bird to hand, choosing to drop it and then go off to hunt for another. I discussed this problem with Gary and asked him how he reinforced the 'hold'. He explained that he uses the command 'hold' and then gives Vadasz a treat when he gives him whatever is in his mouth. I now rail against using verbal commands when a dog is learning a behaviour and even for many behaviours a command is not needed. I did explain, however. that the timing and placement of his food reward was being paired NOT with holding the dumbbell or bird, but with spitting it out. The desired behaviour - holding the object - is not the one being reinforced. Instead, spitting it out/dropping it is being reinforced.

So how does one reward holding something? Give the dog a very small treat while it holds the object in its mouth. Of course, I don't start with a quail or chukkar but with a dowel or dumbbell, something fairly small so there is room to put a treat on the dog's tongue. Nor do I start this with a dog that hasn't first played Susan Garrett's "It's Yer Choice" game because the dog's immediate reaction when smelling or seeing a food treat will be to open its mouth and drop the object. By playing the "It's Yer Choice" game, my dogs have learned that just because food / treats appear, they must continue to work.

This generally got me thinking about different approaches to my dogs' field training, especially with Tyro and Diva as I want them to learn control with birds now rather than trying to undo a lot of undesired behaviours that they may learn such as flushing, chasing and retrieving birds on their own. And I really want to avoid any kind of corrections and use of force in field training which virtually everyone does, just as I do in my other training with my dogs. Miska's biggest challenge is steadiness to wing & shot because her desire to retrieve/fetch is ultra strong (something I've reinforced since her puppyhood). So for her, the steadiness needs to become more rewarding than the retrieving for now and I have to figure out how I can do this at home, possibly with no birds. That's another challenge!

So no qualifying scores in SH for Miska and Vadasz but a whole lot of learning and a little more handling experience was gained by the humans.

As to Tyro and Diva, neither found any birds on Saturday - more dogs failed on Saturday in all classes than passed. Being a very sociable Vizsla, Tyro was a somewhat more interested in playing with his bracements than finding birds, especially on Sunday when his bracement, a very young Vizsla, really wanted to play with Tyro which didn't help at all and then later teased Tyro by bringing over a quail in its mouth to play with.

Diva was much more focused on hunting (she is Miska's daughter after all!) and on Sunday successfully found 2 birds, pointed 1, was shot over and also retrieved 2 quails to my hand, one still alive. Thankfully Diva saved the weekend by being the only dog to return home with a qualifying score and rosette. Way to go Pumpkin-Wumkin!

Diva on point in training

Diva with her qualifying rosette

Another Excellent rally title for Milo!

Wow, Corrine and Milo earned yet another title on April 19 - their 5th in four months!!!! This one is their CARO (Cdn Assoc. of Rally Obedience) Rally Excellent title and CARO also confers additional awards if the dog's score is above a certain level. In their case, Milo's scores earned him "cum laude" so he gets to add RXCL to his name. Fantastic! So he's now:
Varazs Mokany Ficko FDJ, CGN, SSGDC, SADC, AG.N.J., CL1-R, AG.N., Am/Can CD, Am/Can RN, RA, RXCL.

Guelph Dog show

Quest and Diva were shown at the Guelph and District Kennel Club's show in Fergus on Friday. April 17. It was Quest's very first show. Also entered were their slightly older (by 2 weeks) 2 half-brothers, Reese and Dexter (they share the same dad, CH Hubertus Quality Control FDJ - "Ozzie"). Quest's human, Gary, had to do a lot of work in the past 2 weeks to get Quest to stack (stand) and I was very pleased that he managed to work a miracle. Quest is still looking very thin from a few minor stomach ailments but he certainly has the potential to be a gorgeous dog. Unfortunately, I had my hands full handling both Quest and Diva so didn't have a spare hand to take photos of everyone. But here's a photo of Quest stacking himself like a German Shepherd.


And the results? Quest took Winners Dog and Best of Winners for 2 points! He was also Best Puppy. Diva was Winners Bitch but she had no competition so didn't take any points. Many thanks to Eileen Wilkes for handling Quest in the Best of Breed competition while I went on Diva.

Gunner's visit, Part 6

Gunner's humans picked him up last Sunday. He was too distracted by his sister Diva on whom he was trying out and practicing his stud dog skills - to no avail, thank goodness - to notice his humans at first. Then it clicked. "They've come to take me home!" Of course, he wanted to jumped up on them and despite their commands "off", he didn't stay off. (I was embarrassed that my dogs were also trying to jump up on Donna and Scott too. So much for my training!)

I knew right away that Gunner doesn't really understand what 'off' means so instructed them to turn around and ignore him completely until he had 'four on the floor'. When he was not jumping up, they turned around and gave him their attention. Of course, this isn't going to cure him overnight but combined with a ton of reinforcement (treats) when he does have 'four on the floor' and social isolation as a form of 'punishment' when he jumps up, they should see him reduce his tendency to jump up. It's all about building value for a desired behaviour and lessening value for an undesirable behaviour. Donna asked if I use 'four on the floor' as a command & I answered "no". She wondered how a dog would learn without a verbal command and so I explained that reinforcement will build desired behaviours without having to use verbals if the reinforcement has value and if it's delivered at a high rate at first. Saying 'good boy' or 'yes' helps to mark the behaviour but isn't necessary if the rate of reinforcement is high enough at the beginning to give Gunner the understanding of what's expected of him.

Anyway, after he left, the house was extremely quiet. And I mean, dead quiet even with the remaining 4 of our dogs. Everyone including myself, was exhausted from Gunner's stay, but particularly Tyro and Diva with whom Gunner played or nagged constantly. It's not until we have visiting dogs that hubbie realizes and appreciates how much training I actually do with our dogs.

Before he left, I was building success with Gunner's stack for the show ring. His stack isn't perfect but given that he wouldn't even stand still for 1/10 second when he first arrived, getting some photos of him standing for several seconds was a huge improvement.