Merry Christmas everyone!

Over the river (pond), and through the woods...

...is how far away a Cardi can see a vehicle along the road with the hazards blinking. Snickers is still alarm barking... She has effectively scared away the unwanted vehicle, but she is not so sure about that!

We live next to a pond, and that is where said car was parked. And if you have been to my house, you will know that the road is truly through the woods and the over the pond. This is quite a distance away.

Cardis are wonderful watch dogs!

Cardi Claus pictures!

Luther & Emma thinks the box smells good!

Smokey, our "imaginary kitty" (you will never see him when you come to visit), agrees.

So does our shorthaired kitty, Pearl. Snickers, Magnet & Emma look on.

The high princess, Sabrina, was not leaving her throne or her nylabone, to check out a box.

Look at all the wonderful goodies!! Dog treats, toys, yummy corn & black bean salsa & green chili dip mix, a beautiful candle ...

and a BEAUTIFUL necklace! It looks like Chase with a beautiful yellow flower!!

Luther claimed a toy.

And Emma got one too, but not the one Luther got.

Thanks again Penni, Chase, Inca, Holmes and pups!!

Cardi Claus arrived!

I will post photos later, but I wanted to give a great big THANKS to Penni and the Baddogs in NM for our wonderful box of goodies!!!

The date is set...

For my carpal tunnel surgery. It has been a long time coming, and I am looking forward to the relief I will have. I might even be able to blog more often, since right now typing can be tedious. My surgeon is wonderful, and he told me that if we do this on a Friday, I can technically be back to work Monday. That is a good thing since I am the only one in the office.

Let the count down begin... 7 weeks and 2 days (unless they get a Friday cancellation).

Hello from snowy Tennessee.

Treasure, formerly known as Etta, is enjoying the snow in Tennessee. Carolyn, her other "human mum", is not as thrilled with the snow.

Her BFF is Kelly, the sheltie.

Treasure is perfectly named, Visions Mistaken Identity, as she reminds me of her father SO MUCH at this age!

Cardi Claus is on his way...

But where is he headed?

My only clue is... WESTWARD HO!

Emma's favorite place

Whenever Emma is loose, she can be found here...

Star's second major!

Today, in the tradition of her dam (Demi) and her brothers (Luther & Honor-Bug), Star was WB for a 4 point major today at the supported show at the Turkey Cluster in West Springfield, MA! Our sleeping beauty is on a roll now with 12 points.

Star's first major!

Star is on a slow, but steady path, to her championship. Today she was WB for a 3 point major at Philadelphia!

Totally Tragic - Target euthanized by mistake

You can see the story and a video of Target coming to the US at this link.

Catching Up: snow, empty house, and if you can spare a prayer...

After a summer and fall full of mud, we finally have SNOW!

The view of my Red Ele from my office window this morning. It is still snowing. I ended up canceling an important test for my back this afternoon as I was worried about the other drivers on the road. The radio was full of traffic accidents, everywhere.

*Bittersweet* My house is empty. Who would ever say that when they have 5 dogs? I was up to 13 (including pups), but the reduced number will greatly facilitate my healing with my back.

Gandalf, previously Ben, was the last pup to leave for his new home. On October 30th he traveled in style! His new mum, Teres, and her friend, Charles, the owner/pilot, came via airplane to take him home. Thank you Charles for sharing your photos with me.

Charles and Teres, leaving PA. Please note that the seemingly empty puppy carrier held tasty treats from PA for both humans and dogs. Thanks again Teres!

Teres meeting Gandalf for the first time.

Prior to departing the dinky, tiny Rensselaer County "Airport", if you wish to call it that, as even the on NY State Trooper who was blocking the road for a Halloween parade didn't even know that this "airport" existed! Luther posing with Charles.

Teres & Gandalf safely home in PA.

Troy is also in a new home. I swore I would never place him again BUT he picked his new home. He now lives with my friends who I call my family. They lost their 4 year old Samoyed to a heart attack a month ago and were lost without a dog. Both are retired and they wanted something smaller, but with a big dog attitude. Troy & I stopped by to visit during one of our trips to the vet for a bandage change while his paw was healing and he was happy to be with them. I hope he brings them many more years of joy.

Now, IF YOU CAN SPARE A PRAYER...

My 22 year old cousin, Rob, needs all the prayers he can get. He was in neuro ICU for over 2 weeks and had 4 brain surgeries during that time. He does have a mass and it IS treatable with chemo & radiation. He did go home yesterday, THANK YOU G-D!, but it will be a long road. If you can keep him and his family in your prayers, we GREATLY appreciate it.

Hugs to all of you!!

Luther has a goat...

and he loves it very much.

An almost empty house...

Lacey, Chief & Etta left for the south on Tuesday. All are doing wonderful and are adored! My house is near empty, I am sad, but at least we still have Ben/Gandalf to keep us hopping for the next week...

You can see Brees updates on the Woof & Chat blog.

Three left...

Anabelle (was Ann - aka Visions Impossi-Belle To Miss) and Brees (was Thomas - aka Visions What The Game's Been Missing) left for their new homes this weekend. Anabelle adores her new children and is local. Brees made the journey to Maine yesterday and has two new "big brothers", Gimli & Liam.

My dear friend, Carolyn, Beo's breeder, is visiting this weekend from Tennessee. She comes up north once a year and her timing was perfect. She fell in love with Etta (aka Visions Mistaken Identity) and Etta will become a southern belle. We will co-own her and she will debut in the show ring in NC/TN. Her call name is up in the air. Carolyn will also be delivering Chief (aka Visions Mischief Maker at Shady Ridge) and Lacey to Pat in NC.

Gandalf (was Ben - aka Visions Mississippi Mud Pie) will be here another 2 weeks before he heads to Philadelphia.

The house is feeling empty...

ADCH Olivia!

On Saturday, Olivia completed her USDAA Agility Dog Championship!

From Barb Miller's email...

"I debated going to this trial, just two days before we leave for USDAA Nationals but we were so close to finishing and she has been running so well.

Just to add spice to the run, I got lost on the way to the trial, showed up just as they were building the course - then missed the walk-thru while I was walking all of my other dogs! Hey, no pressure...

Olivia ran a perfect Masters Standard course, then topped off the weekend with by running perfectly in every other class! We didn't qualify in Pairs only because my (ahem, AKC World Team member) partner had a off course.

Thanks, Holly, Olivia IS a Dream! :-)"

I wish Team Olivia much success at the USDAA Nationals!!

WOW!

A B-I-G THANK YOU to Katrin for this wonderful gift! She is such a talented artist!

"Beo", Fall 2010 by Katrin Andberg

Inspired by this award winning photo of my beloved Beowulfe, U-CH Visions Beowulfe von Carousel TC January 1996 - January 2002. This photo was taken at Devil's Den in Gettysburg.

The artist with her masterpiece.

8wk Puppy Shots

Katrin the Visions Reporter here. Today Miss Julie and I traveled all the way from MA to come and visit with PUPPIES!!! We got lots of video and took some stacked shots of the babies. They are age 8wks 2 days today.

The girls we only got side shots of as it was getting to dark to get decent front shots.

Ann- sticking her tongue out like the cute puppy she is :-)

Etta-


Brees- (formerly known as Thomas, going home with Terri)


Ben-


Chief-

Yay!! I'm an AKC Breeder of Merit!!

The program launched on Monday, and I applied right away. Today I got the email that said...

Congratulations and welcome to the American Kennel Club’s Breeder of Merit program!

new phone number

Effective immediately, we changed our home phone service to magic jack. My phone number has been updated on the membership roster with the CWCCA and is on my website if you need to call me. My cell phone has not changed.

How Troy celebrates his Barkday

Troy turned 6 today. He got to spend an overnight yesterday at the vet's as his present. He had a very badly lacerated paw. We have no idea how it happened, never saw a speck of blood. And he never limped! What a stoic boy he is.

He shared peanut butter covered toast with Dad as a present.

It was very yummy! And how nice for the clinic to match the vet wrap to his collar.


Sporting his outdoor look. Who knew that poop bags could be dual purpose? Of course this had to happen the only week all month when it is WET outside.

Happy 6th Barkday Troy! I hope next year is much less adventurous.

Puppy & Star Updates

The pups went into the vet for their 6 week check up! You can see how stressed they were by the ordeal (just joking). Everyone is in optimum health, they were just tired from the 45 minute drive there. Boys have all their "parts". Life is good.

I am going to say it again... I - L O V E - slow maturing dogs! Star is looking better and better each time out!

5 weeks in photos

Chief

Thomas

Ben

Etta

Ann

A new addition to bloggerland...

Rita Hellegers of Cornerstone fame has just joined the world of blogging!! Add her to your list and follow along!

http://cornerstonecwc.blogspot.com/

Happy 10th Birthday Tristan!

Even though he has not lived with us for a year now, this dog has a very special place in my heart, and in the hearts of his new family.

Wasn't he just an adorable, elf-looking puppy?


Happy Birthday to my brown boy! I know he is being doted on like a king today.

A busy, busy weekend...

Leonard & our nephew, Mike, were very, very busy tearing down our unused kennel runs and ended up making two dog yards. You guys ROCK!!

While Leonard was working on the finishing touches today, Luther was the baby sitter.

The pups also got to meet their extended family and had fun playing!

Zsa Zsa loves the babies!
The yard borders the woods.

Daughter Emma & Mum Sabrina, enjoying the grass. Life is good!