Sunday Morning in a Magical Place

Mary-Ann Sontag June 30, 2019

It has almost a year since I have done agility with my dogs — I am reminded how much I love it. But what is not to love about spending a few days with friends and dogs at a beautiful place like this?

Yellowstone Dog Sports is a magical place.

Daisy had her agility debut yesterday, earning a qualifying score in Novice Fast Preferred and showing her amazing potential for this particular dog sport. Claire is also running a class or two a day and while not qualifying, is having fun and doing better than I expected with her five weeks of training.

Harper B for Been Felt Up spent some time being evaluated by a rehab veterinarian who is here, and we have some great ideas for keeping Harper sound and healthy as she ages with her two repaired knees.

I hope your day is magical.

Big News from Up North

Mary-Ann Sontag June 17, 2019

Team Jordan (Sparklers) is on a serious roll, racking up the working titles so fast that it is hard to keep track. Her latest is quite the Accomplishment (yes, with a capital A) — the Canadian Kennel Club’s Draft Dog Excellent (DDX).

In the USA, draft titles are through breed clubs like the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA). In Canada, drafting is done through the Canadian Kennel Club, which has a draft program that our own dear Aysha described as “batshit” (as in crazy hard).

I pulled up the Regulations and Aysha’s comment is not actually hyperbole.

The requirements for DDX are very challenging and include working from behind the dog, a backpacking portion, three judges, and my personal least favorite — the dog may never sit or down during the majority of the test.

I thought the Americans had the corner on that whole Protestant work ethic thing but I guess our neighbors to the north are also a bit hard on idleness.

Anyway, Team Jordan passed that test — on a hot day, no less — before her 2.5 year old birthday. It is entirely appropriate to be super impressed and blown away by this young team.

As Dianne noted in her Facebook post — Jordan is aptly named: Kaibab’s Just Watch Me. This girl has been worth watching since she was tiny. She is something special.

I am grateful to Dianne for ensuring that Jordan is living her Best Life and realizing her deep potential.

CONGRATULATIONS to Team Jordan on this significant title and all it represents!

What a Weekend

Mary-Ann Sontag April 8, 2019

Sparkle had an award-winning weekend and she did not even have to leave home! That is what happened when your Rock Star babies are with awesome humans.

The first congratulations goes to Team Tika — or should we say Team CKC CH Tika?

Yep — Tika is now a Canadian Champion! Way to Go TEAM CKC CH TIKA!

Her sisters, perhaps worrying that Team CKC CH TIKA was getting too much glory, proceeded to add their own reasons to celebrate.

Team Ruthie passed the Novice Draft Dog test, making her Ruthie NDD!

On the other side of the country, Team Jordan also passed the Novice Draft Dog test!

A bit warm in southern California but they prevailed.

And because of Claire TD, Lucas CD, Jordan NDD, and Ruthie NDD Sparkle became a BMDCA Top Producer of Working-titled Dogs! THANK YOU!

We are proud of every single Sparkler and thrilled with all of their excellent homes — we know titles are just one way to demonstrate important things about a dog and his/her life. As far as I am concerned, Sparkle was already a…

The iPups were also busy. Tristan finished his MJP2 (a very advanced agility title) — Congratulations to Team Tristan! Kidd teamed up with LiLi to pass the Novice Brace draft test — and congratulations to Lili who also passed the DD as well.

Congratulations to Team Clark on their NDD at the same test as Team Ruthie.