New show stuff

Since I found a new home for my kangaroo leather leads, I replaced them with my new beaded leads from Unique Show Leads.

Thank you Dee Sampey-Nichols for the great job you did in designing these leads for me, just the way I wanted them!

Thank You

Leonard & I, and his family, wish to thank you all for your condolences during this difficult time. It has been greatly appreciated.

The Obituary

Charles L. Craig
REXFORD, N.Y. — Charles L. Craig, 81, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at the Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. Charles was born on Sept. 5, 1927, in Upper Jay, N.Y., the son of James and Luella (Wells) Craig. He was predeceased by his wife, Joan Ann (Southmayd) Craig; his parents; four sisters, Hazel Hollon, Ruth Seymour, Mary Lovelass and Luella Habesch; three sisters-in-law, Harriette (Sheffield) Craig, Alice (MacDougal) Craig and Sarah (Phillips) Craig; four brothers, John Craig, James Craig, Loren Craig and Allen Craig; five brothers-in-law, Letton Hollon, Devoice Seymour, Theodore Lovelass, Merritt Metcalf and Howard Baker. He is survived by two sons, Charles Craig of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Leonard Craig of Averill Park, N.Y.; three daughters, Bonnie Trombley of Rexford, N.Y., Charlene Craig of Lansingburgh, N.Y., and Susan Trahan of Kirkville, N.Y.; and two daughters-in-law, Deborah Craig and Holly Goldman-Craig; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and 26 nieces and nephews. Also survived by two sisters, Harriet Metcalf of Plattsburgh, N.Y., and Dorothy Baker of Keeseville, N.Y.; three sisters-in-law, Virginia (Barber) Craig of Keeseville, N.Y., Lois (Rashaw) Craig of Broadalbin, N.Y., and Leona (Henderson) Craig of Sparks, N.Y.; one brother, Donald Craig of Broadalbin, N.Y.; and one brother-in-law, Emil Habesch of Rexford, N.Y. Calling hours will be held Saturday, July 25, 2009, from noon to 2 p.m. with funeral service to follow at the Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home. Online condolences may be at www.pressrepublican.com.

Good Bye, Dad

Charles Leonard Craig
September 5, 1927 - July 21, 2009

Leonard's father passed away tonight, after being very ill and hospitalized for the last week. He is now reunited with his beloved wife, Joan, who left us very suddenly in November 2007. What wonderful people they were.

Leonard is on the road in New Jersey tonight when he got the phone call. I so wish he was here and didn't have to make the trip back home alone. I am going to go snuggle with a few dogs, wishing my husband was here to snuggle with instead...

Sport of Choice

Both Katrin & Julie have asked (and answered):

What got you into your sport of choice...why that one, why not another type of dog sport? What else have you tried, but don't care for? What haven't you tried but would like to?

My sport of choice *might* actually be Rally-O even though we have not competed yet! Last night was week 5 of Luther's Basic Obedience class and we had his first private Rally-O course/instruction last Friday. We had a BLAST! I *love* working with my dog as a team and being able to talk to him while we work and to be judged on performance instead of aesthetics.

My second favorite is conformation, when I overlook the politics and poor sportsmanship. There is nothing like winning with a dog and being on the other end of the lead. I haven't been to many shows with "life stuff" getting in the way the last few years, but I am looking to get back out with my youngsters.

Herding is Luther's favorite and I have a great instructor, but I am personally afraid of the sheep. Give me a horse any day of the week. I understand their body language and I am in tune to them. Having sheep run through my legs and try to run me over does scare me.

Agility is Sabrina's forte and since now I have the time to practice weave poles I do hope to compete with her.

Traditional obedience is my last choice, even though that was my start in the world of purebred dogs. To me Rally-O has been the best evolution of this venue.

My start, as I stated in an earlier post, was with a shelter rescued Doberman who we went to obedience class just to be able to live with him and all his bad manners he learned in his first 13 months of life, and we progressed from there. I met one of my closest dog show friends, Bonnie, in that class as we had the two worst behave dogs when we started and had the two best behaved at the end of 8 weeks. He became my first AKC Titled dog.

Goldhoff Damian Debonaire CD CGC TDI

Our obedience instructor had beautiful GSDs and I did get my first GSD from her. Pebbles was the second CD title I put on a dog.

Covy Cafe Au Lai Of Carousel CD "Pebbles"

Through my instructor, her handsome stud dog sired a nice litter, and that is where I got my first conformation dog, and met another of my closest dog show friends, Carolyn, his breeder.

U-CH Visions Beowulfe von Carousel (7 AKC Points, 1 Major Res)

Not being able to compete with my own dog in the conformation ring (GSD politics and double handling) sent me on a search for a breed I *liked* that I could handle myself and win with. That is when I bought Tristan.

So the question is out to all of you in Bloggerland. What got you into your sport of choice...why that one, why not another type of dog sport? What else have you tried, but don't care for? What haven't you tried but would like to?

Is Eight Enough?

To groom in one day, that is.

I spent today partaking in a groom-a-thon. My outdoor set up...



The Bath. Tristan was not overly thrilled with this bright idea of mine.

My self-made cage dryer (wire crate with the box fan) did save my back greatly. Princess Sabrina was not overly excited about this either. Finishing touches with the Metro Dryer, trim feet, etc. under the shade of the canopy.

Repeat.

Magnet

Snickers

I did not get pictures of Troy, Darla or Chloe due to the position of the sun. But it was glorious having the sun out all day so I am not complaining.

Now I am trying to find the energy to bathe Zsa Zsa.

Contract Negotiation = Boring

According to Sabrina and Luther, who I caught snoozing on the showroom floor while we negotiated on the price of the Element.

This was a very dog friendly dealership, the Cardis were welcomed with open arms and royal treatment.

Vehicles: His & Hers

Yesterday we brought home the Element and traded in our faithful Ranger.

I think "Betsy" looks good next to Leonard's rig. I also love the Rallye Red color.

The Sunday Feature...

I believe this is Troy's debut on my blog. He was shedding badly so I gave him a good brush out, waterless shampoo bath and blow dry. After he was all handsome, we took some photos. Hard to believe he will be 5 in September.

If you remember the Aesop's Fable of The City Mouse and The Country Mouse, Troy is the epitome of "the country mouse". He is much happier in the country than where there is pavement, so he will live with us for the rest of his life. He is a wonderful buddy and is very, very sweet!

Getting ready for the new addition....

We brought these out of the shed, gave them a good bath, and now they are ready for the new addition.
And no, the new addition does not have 4 legs or fur... but we will be joining "the club"!

RIP Pink Pool

Our wonderful pink pool, which did dual action as a whelping box, has been laid to rest.

Actually it only lasted an hour since these photos were taken back in June. Thank you Snickers.

We went to Tractor Supply and bought a 40 gallon livestock tub to serve as our newest swimming pool. So far it has lasted several days with minimal toothmarks.

Luther Training and "stuff"

Tonight is week 3 of Luther's obedience class and he is doing VERY well with his training.


I took this picture this morning of him doing a down stay for Leonard at the truck stop.

NOTE: On a NOVICE dog I would never let him do a stay at this distance and duration in only 2 weeks of training BUT Luther has been practicing "down stay" for a while now. On any dog that has only been "in training" for two weeks, I would still be directly in front of them for a brief stay while they are learning the concept.

Yes, that is Leonard's rig in the background. He drives tandem 48' trailers back & forth on the NY Thruway and Mass Pike.

Now for the fun stuff! We bought chairs at BJ's and the local embroidery shop did a very nice job for us!Bonnie's chair came out great too!

Two more photo & call name pedigrees...

Zsa Zsa's pedigree is complete.

Snickers' pedigree is 90% complete. I just LOVE the call name/registered name combos that Rita comes up with!

A friend's new website.

Want to see a couple really nice GSPs? It's still a work in progress, but please visit Kipp Kids.