A HUGE thank you to our sponsors!

  • Thank you to Abbie Tamber for her kind and generous donation, we were surprised by some additional fees bringing the dogs home, so this helps tremendously!
  • Nan Keder and the late Bill Gignac for their tremendously generous sponsorship check - I am moved to tears by the generousity of my friends near and far. In Bill's memory, I will be sure to "Go have fun with my dogs" - this was always his and Nan's advice before any competition and it will surely help me keep everything in perspective. Again THANK YOU!!!
  • Thanks to everyone at Liko North America for participating in the 50/50 draw. Over $200 was raised!
  • Thank you to Julie Daniels and White Mountain Agility for donating proceeds from the equipment auction held at Instructor's Camp !
  • Megan and Creekside Fynn for their generous contribution to our fundraising efforts!
  • Jane and Mike Buckley of Ottawa for their very generous cash donation!
  • Dave and Mary Ellen Young for donating the lamb used for the Argentenian Lamb Roast benefit dinner at the Sherbrooke Int'l Sheepdog Trials. The dinner was a HUGE success - thanks also to Dr. Herten Graeven (my dentist) for cooking!
  • Nancy Phillips and the Mad River Sheepdog Trial for donating a portion of their profits to our fundraising campaign.
  • The Ottawa Valley Border Collie Club for awarding me one of their very generous grants to help club members who are representing Canada with their dogs at a world championship in any dog sport.
  • Caroline McKinney, a NOMAD member for her generous donation!
  • Creekside's M.D. "Doc" and his fur-parents Jimmy and Sandy Cody for their generous sponsorship donation!
  • To Val Henry and her brother for designing and making the great T-shirts - all of which were donated! 28 shirts were sold in one weekend at the CATS/NOMAD trial! Wow!
  • EVERYONE who so generously donated items or services for the Silent Auction - it was a huge success! Thanks to all who placed bids and showed so much support! The Northeast agility community is AWESOME!
  • Waggers Pet Products for their VERY generous and VERY appreciated sponsorship check!
  • Val Henry for her very generous monetary sponsorship! THANK YOU! I hope Jus' mom and sis can do you proud!
  • Rose Redick & Kensa, Woody, Abbie, Rodney and Fawn for their very generous monetary donation! Thank you so very much!
  • Emily Adham (future owner of Tap x Chip puppy) for sending in much more than she "bet" in the puppy wager. Thank you so much!
  • Del and Fred Waters (and Haggis and Ghillie) for their generous monetary sponsorship ! Wow! I have great friends!
  • Guides Canins for their generous monetary sponsorship - Guides Canins is the best training center around!
  • Thanks to EVERYONE who took part in the Puppy Wager! For a complete list, please visit the puppy blog.
  • Mom and Dad for a wonderfully generous donation to the dog's "Executive Class" ticket!
  • Avid Canada for providing a few items that might be used in a raffle.
  • Creekside Cait and David for their TRULY generous donation. We hope mom and sis will make you proud!
  • Sasha's Blend Canada - Will keep Pat supplied with the only joint support supplement that REALLY works!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Tap and ##Mirk ??

On Monday, we drove to Penclyd Farm in Brecon to meet Kevin and his dogs. I worked Tap and Pat and both Kevin and his father David, commented on Tap's naturalness on her sheep. Whether they were just being polite, I don't know! The sheep are SO light - you can see how our doggy sheep that we trial on here in the Northeast can spoil a dog - your dog needs to be correct to get anything done with the Welshies!


They also commented that Pat was a very flashy worker - not sure if that is good or bad!


Kevin then worked Mirk for us. We learned that Kevin is not a farmer, but a contractor, but they "keep 300 sheep for the dogs". A bit different that our 30 sheep we "keep for the dogs!". Plus, they graze their sheep in the Brecon Mountains (a National Park) so the dogs get lots of experience on the hills. For a refresher on what I mean by "hills", please refer to this photo again:

I wanted to see Mirk really push sheep, so Keven set up a situation that definitely showed Mirk's power. He will just keep walking in, and he is not afraid to take a fair grip on the nose. This is what is missing in Tap - that extra step in on sheep that are facing her up and stamping their feet. Mirk is also a very stylish worker, and his temperament seems A1 - he came to greet us (briefly - he is all about the work) and was friendly to both us and our dogs...Well especially Tap!


So, deciding that going to meet Sweep (sire of Bet) in the North was pretty much out of the question at this late day and time, I decided that Mirk would be our boy. Too bad Tap was NOT standing just yet. Was all lost?
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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think you're sort of torturing some people here... : )

September 18, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Anonymous said...

Enjoyed reading your blog about the Worlds. What an exciting adventure to remember for a long time.

September 18, 2008 at 9:39 PM

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