29Mar11

23Mar11
  Ollie's owners went for a walk in a Goodyear park.  They sent a photo.
  And, Clover's owners sent photos of her with her guinea pig friend, Puffles.  They are so cute!  Those little beady eyes looking out from under Clover's leg make me smile.
  We got hit with more snow.  Michigan weather can be such a tease - 60 degree days and then snow and ice.

18Mar11
  At the Lousiville KY shows yesterday, Ffyn went Best Of Breed over 2 male Specials, and today there were 3 Specials and he was Select Dog.  He's adding up those Grand Champion points and beating Specials, to boot!  Atta boy, Ffyn.  

15Mar11
  Today is my father-in-law's 89th birthday!  Happy Birthday, Ken :)  We're looking forward to your visit at the end of the week.
  I had another happy moment when I finally had a chance to sit down and read more of the latest Starter Barks (the WSSCA award-winning newsletter).  Ffyn is 5th in the standings for two of the WSSCA Annual Awards.  The WSSCA Calendar year goes from Oct to Sep, and the point totals were from Oct 1 through Nov 30.  Being a 'newbie' in Welshies, when reading the Awards Stats over the years that I've been a member, the top five winning dogs were those bred by folks who have been in the breed a long time.  And all have been wonderful dogs that I admire.  It was just so exciting to see a dog that I bred, and from my first litter, now on this list!!!  I had to pinch myself and email Vicki to be sure she saw it, too.
  The weather is starting to warm up and Spring is bound to be here eventually.  There is still some snow.  I saw 4 Sandhill Cranes on my drive home from Birch Run yesterday. They are a sure sign of the green grass to come.  We are fortunate lately that the mornings are still below freezing so the dogs can play without getting wet and muddy.  I like it when they don't come in the house with 16 dirty, wet feet :) 
    
14Mar11
  I just learned (by reading it in the Starter Barks) that Birch's perfect Rally Novice score of 100 earned him a silver box that will be given out at the National Specialty next month.  I'd forgotten that Birch had a perfect score and am thrilled he is included with Johnstone's Timmarie CD RE NAP and Rolyart's Step Up To The Plate RE OA NAJ AXP AJP NF NFP.  All their titles make Birch's RN WD CGC look very pale!  Birch is a bright, willing boy and I'm happy that he is getting this recognition.
  I don't remember if I posted this before, but I want to welcome new WSSCA (Welsh Springer Spaniel Club Of America) members, and owners of Ollie, Diane & Mike Spencer.  My first puppy owners to apply for membership in the national club.

11Mar11
  Diane sent a video that they posted on youtube of Ollie blowing bubbles in his water dish.  You can see and hear it here.  Silly dog :) 

07Mar11
  Jamie sent photos of Trooper taken at field training on Feb 12, 2011.  They are on the Home page right now.  The photos were taken by Gary Depp of In Motion Photos.  I think Jamie said that this was a 'fly away' - a bird that wasn't found by the dogs who were in the hunt test, so after the test Jamie sent Trooper to find it and he did!  He found it and brought it right back to Jamie.  What a good boy!!!

06Mar11
  Trooper got his first point toward his championship today in GA!!!  He's on his way.

05Mar11
  Trooper got his Canine Good Citizen title today!!! He was the youngest puppy there at 9 months old.  His first, of hopefully many, titles :)  Good job Jamie & Trooper.

04Mar11
  Very bright and overcast today.  We're supposed to get freezing rain today then snow tomorrow.  March! The dogs and I got out this morning for exercise.  The snow is hard and icy and most of the time the dogs stay on the top, but walking where there are a lot of footprints, near the house, around the garage, etc, it's harder because they slip into the depressions.  Slower going.  There are a few patches of no snow and they were busy with their noses on the ground there.
  Looks like a mouse found a way into the house.  Found droppings in the basement.  I'm surprised the dogs haven't been on the scent and found him.  Not a safe house for a mouse, that's for sure.
  A family is coming to meet the dogs on Sunday.  Let's hope the dogs don't disappoint!  Of course, a Welshie isn't for everyone.

02Mar100
  My mom is 82 today!  Happy Birthday, Mom!! 

27Feb11
  I let the dogs out to play today.  The temp at the time was 31 degrees so I figured it was cold enough that they wouldn't get covered with snow balls.  I was wrong!  I've never seen so many snowballs on the dogs.  Plum had the most.  I started combing them out one dog at a time on the screened porch, but my hands were wet and frozen before I got through the first dog.  So they all came into the bathroom on the tile floor.  I put some towels on the floor and worked my way through each dog.  I towel dried them and put them in their crates with a heater blowing on them.  Didn't take long for them to be dry.  I'll be more careful to check the snow before they go out next time!
  Diane sent 2 cute photos of Ollie.  He's sound asleep in one.  He had been to play at the doggie day care that day and got all muddy.  Diane gave him a bath when she got him home and then he crashed in the chair.
  Melanie sent me a photo of Derby taken when he won his first Group placement.  Yay Derby!! 

22Feb2011
  We had another storm and have about 7" of snow, very dry and lots of drifts.  Really cold this morning, but is supposed to get to the mid 20's today.  Bright & sunny.  Got a couple photos of Birch & Apple mouse hunting.  Photos are a little out of focus because I had the zoom way out.  I should get a tripod...

19Feb11
  What a thaw we had!  And two sunny days - very nice.  The waist-high pies of snow from Jack plowing the driveway are nearly gone.  We are expecting and icy/snow mix tomorrow about the time Jack heads home from teaching at an umpire camp down by Detroit.  Glad his vehicle has 4WD.  It was really nice to have 50 degree weather for a change.  A glimpse of Spring :)
  Looks like we're going to have over 230 ads for the Yearbook.  Good job Welshie owners!!!!  I've really enjoyed seeing the ads. Beautiful photos and lovely, happy, well-loved dogs.

18Feb11
I have happy news:  Clover's hips are GOOD and Apple's are EXCELLENT!  Yippee!!

15Feb11
  Tonight we watched Colin (Harmony's Welsh Fanfare) on TV.  He won Breed at Westminster today and was in the Sporting Group handled by Kent Wgner.  Kent & Beth Wegner bred my Cedar Dog and Colin is  a half-brother to both Cedar & Birch.  It was so much fun to watch and I'm so happy for Beth & Kent.
  Diane said that she and Ollie had a lot of fun at their first agility class and that Ollie did everything so easily.  Since they have been doing obedience work, they have a good working relationship and he trusts her.  So, while the other dogs had to be coaxed to go through the chute and tire, when she asked him to try it, he did.  He's also Very food motiviated, so it makes it easy to reward him. 
  Jamie called to tell me how much fun Trooper had at the hunt test last weekend.  He wasn't entered, but he was there to watch and learn.  Jamie worked with him after the test was over and she's really pleased with his progress.  Trooper loves everyone he meets and has a wonderful attitude.  He's a smart puppy.  She was on her way to obedience class when she called. Trooper and Archer get along so well - they really enjoy each other.  It's so much easier to have two intact males in the house when they get along :) 

08Feb2011
  I've been thinking about puppies a lot lately.  I'm getting excited to have a litter this spring and to see what they will look like and what personalities they'll have.  I guess I've been thinking about them because of Betty's Field Spaniel litter and Sandy Holmes' WSS singleton puppy.  And, probably because I have been reading Myra Harris' newest whelping book to be sure I know as much as I can.  Betty attended Ms. Harris' seminar in VA and loved it.  I wish it had been here in Michigan - I wouldn't have missed it.
  I'm helping with the Heartland WSS club's Yearbook.  The ads are starting to come in, and since the due date is a week from today, I expect they will start coming in larger quantities every day.  I just LOVE the Yearbooks.  I refer to them all the time (I bought all the back issues - from their start in 1993).  I know most breeds don't have such a wonderful reference to showcase their dogs and I'm so thankful to Karen Lyle for doing the Yearbooks for 15 years.  Colleen O'Keefe, Cindy Ford, and I have taken over for the next issue. I'm putting ads together for those who don't have someone to do that for them and also compiling 3 generation pedigrees for each dog that has an ad.  They are also a great money-maker for our club.
  Trooper did well at the show last weekend.  He didn't get any points, but he showed well and got lots of attention for sleeping on his back spralled out in his crate while Archer was doing Obedience with Jamie.  It was a great experience for his first dog show.  Susan Willingham got two photos of Trooper.

03Feb2011
  We got 10-12" of snow in the storm that went through the nation yesterday.  The dogs aree loving it of course :)  We had a surprise visitor - an American Kestrel sat on one of the snow-covered plastic wreaths we have on the porch posts (Christmas decorations we haven't taken down yet), right outside the kitchen door.  She sat there about 20 minutes.  We saw her again about 30 minutes later.  The dogs were playing outside near the house and she swooped down as if to land on the wreath again, saw the dogs and quickly adjusted her course.  I looked for her today when I was out with the dogs - beautiful sunny day today - but haven't seen her.  I think it must be difficult for raptors (she is of the falcon family) to find food with all this snow.  She was so pretty!
  Clover & Apple's thyroid results are Normal!!  Their health results should be posted on OFA's site soon....

30Jan2011
  Jamie got together with Susan Willingham today, and Susan took some lovely photos of Trooper.   Jamie is planning to show him in a couple shows so he can learn what they are about and get comfortable with them.  He's a pretty easy going dog, so I expect he'll take it all in stride.
  Quite often when I let the dogs out to potty in the small fenced area off the back porch, a Red-Tailed Hawk swoops by.  I never think to look for him before I let the dogs out, but I think he's either sitting on the roof or on the antenna looking for a meal around what was the turtle pond.  Today was bright and sunny (with sparkling fluffy snow), and the hawk was a handsome sight as it glided from the house to the top of the telephone pole at the back of the property.

26Jan11
  Clover had her xrays and thyroid test this week.  It will be 4-5 weeks before OFA gets her results on their website.  We're hoping for all NORMAL results.
  Finally got to see photos of Betty Oister's Field Spaniel litter.  So cute! with lovely bone and shiney coats.  She is keeping the only black puppy, a girl they are calling Missy Mouse - because she is far from mousey!  I can't wait to meet her in April.  She has one show quality female who is looking for a home.
  Andrea Pease has 2 Welshie puppies who need homes.  You can reach her at foxriverspaniels@yahoo.com if you'd like to find out more information.
  I've been working on my family genealogy after about a 20 year break, and I found a photo from about 1894 that my relative, Murray Brown, took of the fish caught by people who were renting his fishing camp in Wahpeton, ND.  I've looked at the photo many times over the years, but this time I noticed the dogs.  They look just like American Water Spaniels.  I looked at my atlas to see where Wahpeton was located and it's across the Red River from Minnesota where this breed originated!  So, of course I had to send it to Paul Morrison.  He was tickled!  He has a new litter of AWS.  More info on his website.
   
19Jan11
  The bald eagle is back!  I saw him sitting in a tree by the duck pond in Dec.  It was a snowy day, storm was coming through the area, and 'he' was looking all frazzled and wet and I thought maybe something was wrong since we have never had an eagle in our area since we moved here in 1990.  I ran for the binoculars and he was gone when I got back to the window.  But, yesterday there 'he' was flying over the road as I approached my driveway coming home from a meeting.  I just love to watch for hawks & owls whenever I'm outside or traveling in the car, and to see a bird this big and this rare in our area is just the best treat ever.  I called the naturalist at Seven Ponds Nature Center and she said that they are making a come back and it is no longer as rare a sight as it once was to see an eagle.  I am sure happy about that!!  BIG bird!!
  Diane sent some photos of Ollie.  The boys in the Patriotism litter are now 7 months old.  

11Jan11
  Apple & I went to Dr Mostosky's today for her hip & elbow xrays.  He said, looking at her xray, "That's the kind of picture you want to see."  He said her hips should be good to excellent.  We managed to get there and back before the snow started - grateful for that, and grateful for Dr Mos.  He's the best, as far as I'm concerned :)

09Jan11
ASC show news:  Filson (Ch Trystyn's Blue Rodeo) got an Award Of Merit today, along with Plum's sire, Fig (Don's Full Fig).  Congratulations guys!

09Jan11
  I am so very fortunate - I have the best puppy owners.  They love their dogs and they let me know how they are doing. I am so grateful.
    Joetta sent photos of Oliver.  She said that Tom's injury is healing well - we're so happy to hear that!  And she said that Oliver and their Lilly are always playing together in the yard, both holding the same stick or toy and running around in tandum.  I put the one of Oliver holding Lilly's scarf on my Facebook page and it got several comments.  It's just so cute! 
Sharon sent photos of Lily. She said that the reason she sent the photos was to let me know that Lily is a sweet, lovable (and well-loved) dog.  I love the photo of Lily tugging Catherine's scarf - 'let's PLAY!'
Thank you, Joetta and Sharon, for sending the updates and photos.
  Jamie called today to let me know how well Trooper did at field training today.  It's unusually cold in GA - the dogs' outside water dish had frozen water in it this morning.  Even in the cold, she took Trooper to do field work and was so impressed that Trooper 'turned on a dime' when she whistled to call him off a missed bird (the gunners missed the bird and it flew away - most dogs chase after missed birds no matter how much their owners blast the whistle and yell), that he got 2 birds and brought them right back to her in heel position.  He got to do what he loves (BIRDS!), and also played and ran around with the other dogs there, and was asleep and snoring when she called me on their drive home.
  WSSCA.com has Friday & Saturday ASC show results posted. Congratulations to all the winners and especially to Shelley & Cindy (Rolyart's) on winning Best Puppy In Sweeps and Winners Bitch with Rolyart's Tale-Gator; to Sandy Holmes, Meghen Bassel, & Susan Doss on Trystyn's Cactus Blue's class win in the Bred By Dog class; and to Sandy Holmes on Trystyn's Smoking Hot's Best Bred By Exhibitor In Breed win.  Plum's sire, Don's Full Fig, was Best Veteran In Sweeps.  Congralations to his breeders Karin & Annica.  I don't have today's results yet.

05Jan11
Happy New Year everyone! 
  Crash's hip & elbow results are posted on OFA.  His elbows are normal and his hips are "subluxation - mild unilateral right".  I will retest his hips in a few months with a different vet, just to be sure this is correct.  Sue Rocco, a Golden Retriever breeder, suggested Dr. Molesworth in Reisterstown, MD.  If any of you have a vet you think does a great job with OFA xrays in the Frederick MD area, please let us know.  I'm very lucky here to have Dr. Mostosky, an Orthopedic vet who taught for decades at MSU vet school and who continues to take xrays at his home office.  I spoke to Dr. Mostoksy on the phone this morning about Crash's results and he said that just a small positioning error can affect the look of the joint, so we'll retest in a few months.
  Lots of my Welshie friends are getting ready to head to Philly for the Ameican Spaniel Club's Flushing Spaniel Show.  It's a great show of all the AKC accepted spaniel breeds and there is a huge entry of Welshies.  I am sorry to have to miss it again this year.  If you're looking to meet a spaniel breed, that's the place to be.  You can learn more about the show here.  Ring time for WSS on Friday Sweepstakes (puppies 6 - 18 months) is at 5:15pm.  Saturday ring time for WSS is at 1pm.  Sunday ring time is at 11:15am.  Best of luck to all entered!!

30Dec10
Bailey's OFA results are posted!  You can click on any of the dogs listed on Bailey's page and see their pages, too.  Filson's sire isn't listed because he is from Holland.  You can see Filson's sire and his health scores at his owner's website.

28Dec10
  It's been nearly 2 weeks since I last updated the website.  It's been busy here with the holiday and family - we had a lovely time going to Evan & Laurel's on Christmas Eve after Jack & I drove through Crossroad Village to see all the Christmas lights, and we had family over here for Christmas and the day after.  We really ate well! :)
  News from MN:  Candy called to let me know that Bailey's OFA certificates arrived in the mail.  He has Good hips, Normal elbows, and Normal thyroid!!!  Yippee!!  His scores aren't on the OFA website yet, but will be there soon.  Here is his OFA link.
  Diane & Mike had family over and also went visiting with Ollie.  He loved all the attention.  Their daughter's family has a rescued Rottie, Rocco, and he and Ollie became friends.  I posted some photos Diane sent on Ollie's page. Sad to hear that Mike's father passed away the week before the holiday. Diane said that Ollie was a comfort and a good distraction during that sad time.  Our condolences to Mike & Diane and their family in a difficult time. 
  Jamie called to tell me how marvelous Trooper is at retrieving and how crazy he is about his bumper.  She can ask him to sit and stay, throw either the bumper or the tennis ball that he's equally crazy about, release him to get it and he comes right back, sits in heel position and releases the ball or bumper to her hands when she asks.  He and Archer are very close and really enjoy each other.  They also have the company of 3 Cockers that Jamie is watching for a friend and all the dogs are cohabiting with only a minor scruffle early on.
  Joetta emailed to let me know that they had gotten the calendar with photos of all the puppies and Plum I sent to them (and to all the puppy owners), and she mentioned that there is certainly a family resemblance between all the puppies.  Their holiday didn't go quite as planned as they all managed to get a stomach virus, but the good news is that none of them gained weight!

15Dec10
Diane sent photos Mike took of her and Ollie in obedience class.

13Dec10
  Well, we now have SNOW.  It first came down heavy, wet and icy, and then the temps went down and it became dry and the wind made drifts.  We're pretty much snowed in right now.  Jack has been gone a week at an umpire clinic in SC and drove part way home Saturday afternoon/evening and drove the rest of the way yesterday.  He was on the road 14 hours yesterday.  His plan for today is to put the plow on the tractor and plow the driveway, do some other outside chores, then we're going to put a fire in the woodstove and sit and relax and be together.
  While he's doing that, if the wind will die down, I'll make a 'snow mountain' for the dogs to climb and dig in (they LOVE that) and I've got a few Christmas projects to work on.
  Bill emailed that Maggie Mae is well and is his constant companion and comfort since Gail has an infection from her hip replacement surgery. Gail was in the hospital for a month and now is in a nursing home while she battles this infection. She & Bill are in my prayers.
  Jamie sent a photo with her phone of Trooper and his new friend.  He looks like he'd rather not be posing for a picture, and is being very patient :)
  
11Dec10
  Diane sent a photo of Ollie in his Christmas Kerchief.  Cute puppy!  And Joetta sent photos of Oliver that her neighbor took.  He looks especially dapper in his blue sweater.  Tom took a fall on some ice after Thanksgiving and has been laid up with a badly cut leg.  We wish you a speedy recovery, Tom.
  More pictures!! Candy sent 2 of Bailey playing in their snow.
  Thank you for sending the photos :)

10Dec 10
Lily's health info is all posted at OFA.  Click here to see her page.  She has a CHIC number, too!!  Learn more about CHIC here.   Ffyn's thyroid test should be posted soon, so he will also get a CHIC number, and Bailey and Crash's test results will be posted in 3-4 weeks. 

08Dec10
  More good news!  Crash had his health tests done today.  Kristen reports that Dr Roberts loved Crash and said he is the most social Welsh he's seen.  He also said that Crash's hips looked 'very, very good', and we hope OFA agrees.
  And, Bailey had his tests done yesterday at the U of MN vet school and the radiologist said his hips looked "good to excellent".  Yipee! Thank you Kristen & Candy.

06Dec10
  Unless there is bad weather, Apple will have her xrays done by Dr Mostosky on Jan 11.  Bailey is having his done tomorrow.  Good luck, Bailey!!
  Jamie just called from the dog park where she was playing with Archer & Trooper.  She said they are the best of buddies; they sit side by side in the car and sleep in the same crate at night. Susan Willingham took a photo of Trooper during training over the weekend and I put it on his page.

04Dec10
 Lily's health test results are in:  Excellent hips, Normal elbows, and Normal thyroid.  Here is her OFA page.  Ffyn's results are: Good hips, Normal elbows, and Normal thyroid.  His results aren't on the OFA site yet but here is his link.  They should be posted any day now.  Go Tree Litter!

01Dec10
  Diane & Mike are back from their Thanksgiving trip to visit with their daughter in NY.  Ollie had a wonderful time, was a great traveler, and even got to slide down a park slide.  After being moved up from the puppy to beginning obedience class, he's doing so well in the beginning level obedience class that the instructor asked them to move him up to the intermediate class. Diane is planning to continue on to the agility classes with Ollie.  He is a lucky boy!  I posted new photos to his page.
  Jamie is picking Trooper up from Kim's this weekend.  She decided to use a table top Christmas tree this year, which will probably be a good decision with Trooper back in the house :)  She & Randy are looking forward to having him home.
  Last year we had an ex-pen around our Christmas tree.  I think we might try it this year without the ex-pen.  I've got to get busy and get the decorations out!  Jack and I hung wreaths on the porch posts and he hung a big one on the chimney and under the light on the front of the garage.  Plus he put up lights (on a timer) under the maple trees and they look great.  Now that we have a dusting of snow on the ground the yard looks festive.
  Karen Lyle, who started the WSS Yearbooks back in 1993, has decided she doesn't have the time to work on them.  They are such a special thing that most of us couldn't imagine not having them any longer, so Dr. Colleen O'Keefe, Cindy Ford, and I are going to try to fill Karen's shoes.  I am really looking forward to it.  I LOVE my Yearbooks - even though I didn't get my first Welshie until 2003, I purchased all the older Yearbooks so I'd have a photo history of the breed.  I know many of us treasure our Yearbooks!  If you haven't seen one, you should consider getting one, and if you have a Welshie, you should consider putting an ad of your dog in the Yearbook.

29Nov10
Betty Oister has 4 Field Spaniel puppies born today.  One boy and 3 girls.  One girl is black and the rest are liver.  You can see the dam, Fox, and a couple puppies from her first litter on my Friends gallery.
Cold and sunny here today.  The dogs had fun running outside while I was scooping.  And they have been very interested in the area where the tractor attachments are setting.  Must be mice nesting there.
Jamie had Nov 2nd off work, so she went to Kim Parkman's to train with Trooper.  She says he is bird crazy and that he fits in with the 2 labs and 8 or so Boykins at Kim's house.  He's the only red & white dog, so he's easy to find when they're all out at the same time.  He's also a great swimmer, and Jamie is pleased because Archer also loves the water.  Archer, Jamie, and her Cockers had fun at the WSSCA hunt tests where Jamie was volunteering.

22Nov10
Lily's thyroid is NORMAL!  Hurray!!  I hope the rest of the litter will have the same results.  Since Apple was just in heat, I'm going to wait a month or so to let her hormones get back to normal before testing her.  I think the rest of the litter will be tested by the end of the year.  I'm eager to hear their results.
Ffyn got Select Dog again on Sat & Sun in Columbus.  I think he has 14 Grand Champion points now toward his Grand Champion Title.

18Nov10
The Patriotism litter will be 6 months old in 10 days.  Joetta sent photos and news of Oliver.  I put the photos on his page.  He is going to classes to prepare him to take the Canine Good Citizen test and Joetta says he is the star of his class.    Oliver is very mellow in class and Mr Energetic at home. He's best friends with Lilly.  They have a lot of fun together.  Joetta says she and Oliver have a morning routine.  He comes to sit by her and she massages his head, neck, shoulders & back.  A nice way to start the day :)

13Nov10
We took the dogs and drove north today.  There was steady traffic on the way up - lots of folks going hunting.  We stopped at Jay's Sporting Goods and the parking lot was packed but the store didn't seem too crowded.  We had lunch at a little hamburger place that only has 6 little booths.  Good burgers!  The dogs got to run in the leaves with their noses on the ground.  Lovely sunny fall day.
Candy sent photos of Bailey in their first snow.  What a handsome boy he is.  He always looks so well groomed, too.  Our dogs sure love the snow!  Hopefully, though, we won't have any here for another month.  I put the photos on his page.  Thank you, Candy, for sending the photos.

08Nov10
Ollie's family sent photos that I put on his page.  His obedience trainers suggested Diane & Mike take him out of puppy class and move him up to the next class because he is doing so well.  Their next goal is a Canine Good Citizen title.  They took him to a Halloween street party in a town near them and he was fine with the noice, costumes, crowds, etc.  He's a pretty unflappable guy like his brother Ffyn. 

02Nov10 Election Day!
Vicki bought photos of Ffyn that Phyllis Ensley Photography took each day in GA.  I put them on his page.  He is such a beautiful, happy dog.  I'm so proud of him and thankful that he has such a wonderful home.

27Oct10
Diane & Mike took Ollie to a state park over the weekend and sent some photos which I put on his page.  He's so cute!

26Oct10
We're home!  Put over 1900 miles on the van.  It was fun to see so many Welshies and their owners and friends I haven't seen since March.
Apple didn't get any points.  She showed really well, and just needs to mature. Ffyn, on the other hand, did VERY well.  It was his first time in the Best Of Breed class and he was the 2nd youngest in the class, having just finished his championship this summer. He was shown by a handler he had never met before, and she did a great job with him.  On Friday, he was Select Dog - a new AKC classification, for a 5 point major.  On Saturday, the day of the Regional Specialty, he got an Award Of Merit.  And, on Sunday, he again was chosen as Select Dog for another 5 point major!!!    Wa-Hoooo!!
Filson won for Stud Dog, with Ffyn and his half-brother, Maddux, in as his offspring.  Sandy's Goose was Reserve Winners Bitch 2 days, and Karma, who was bred by Sandy also got an Award Of Merit.
Traveling with Vicki and Ffyn was a joy, and being able to stay with Vicki & Ricardo on the trip down & back really made the trip more enjoyable.
Also good news: Derby finished his championship on Saturday at the Regional!!!
There is a 6 yr old male Welshie looking for a home.  Here is his photo.  Please contact Shannon Gandee for information.
 
18Oct10
Ffyn's eyes were tested and are normal.  Results will be on the CERF & OFA websites in 3-4 weeks.  Good news!  Thank you, Vicki, for having the tests done.

12Oct10
 Kim Parkman emailed yesterday that she and Susan Willingham had gone to a Field Trial where Susan's Maizie (Ch Ivywild's Maizie Morning Dew SH JH) qualified for 2 legs toward her Master Stakes.  Kim mentioned that she had taken Trooper along and that Susan had taken some photos of him.  Susan sent the photos today and said in her email:
  I got to see Trooper and took some pics too.  He is one good looking puppy...Actually a great looking puppy.  Great bone and body.....happy cute personality.   He's having a blast, well socialized little bugger, and getting exposed to birds, etc, on top of it.
I put my favorite photo on the homepage and the rest on his page.  Thank you, Susan, for the photos and Kim for her work with Trooper.

10Oct10
We have had the most glorious weather.  Sunny warm days - good for getting outside chores done and leaving windows open, and cold nights - good for sleeping.  The dogs have had fun watching us do chores and eating crab apples that have fallen off the trees. Lots of motorcycle groups driving by the house today, out enjoying the weather.

Oliver's family sent news that they have a new Welshie puppy to be a buddy of his.  He has finished his first obedience class and will be starting at the next level soon.  They sent photos that I have added to his page.

Sharon has Lily's hip & elbow xrays and thyroid test appointment set for Nov 11th, the day the first Milestone litter turns 2. Vicki has Ffyn's CERF (eye exam) appointment made and is planning to have his hip & elbow xrays and thyroid test done on the day after he turns two.  Tomorrow I'm going to call to make Apple's appointment.  Meant to call last week.
 

06Oct10
Apple's next show is coming up - 2 weeks away.  We'll be going to Vicki's first and then leaving from there with Ffyn and Apple and heading to Georgia.  There are 73 WSS entered!!!

Candy called with questions about the hip/elbow xrays and thyroid test that the Tree Litter will be having soon.  She has the University of Minnesota near by, and can have them done there.  Bailey is still having barking issues and has itchy feet, but otherwise is doing well.

Kristen sent a few more photos of Crash that I put on his page.  He and Che, their first Welshie who is a half sister to Plum are looking very well and happy.

03Oct10
Ollie is fitting right into his new home.  Mike & Diane are really happy with him.  They sent photos that I added to his gallery.

Jamie sent photos that trainer Kim Parkman, of Pocotaligo Kennels, took of Trooper in the field.  I put some up on his page.  He is doing well there and though Jamie & Randy miss him, they know he is in good hands.

Haven't heard from Oliver's family in a few months because they have been busy helping care for their new premature grandbaby and his mother, their daughter, who had a rough time in delivery.  Last I heard, he was a nice distraction from all that the family was going through and also keeping the toddler grandsons busy.

Andrea Pease has puppies.  Contact her at foxriverspaniels@yahoo.com.

01Oct10
Diane & Mike came up from Ohio to meet Ollie and the dogs.  They were barked at and jumped on and pestered for attention and still thought they wanted a Welshie :)  So, Ollie is on his way to Ohio and we hope they love him as much as we do.  I'm really going to miss that puppy.  He is as bright as they come and pretty unflappable like many of Plum's puppies are.  Vicki, who also lives in Ohio, said she'd love to bring Ffyn over to meet Ollie and let them play.  I think they'll have a great time together.  Here's a link to Ollie's page.

Kristen sent 2 photos of Crash.  The Tree Litter will be 2 years old in a little over a month, and not having seen Crash for a year really surprised me.  I live with Apple everyday, so I don't notice the gradual changes as much as seeing Crash after a years' time.  What a nice looking dog he is.  And he has such a happy expression.  See his photos on his page.

I sent out an email to remind the Tree Litter 'puppy' owners that it is nearly time for their thyroid and hip & elbow xrays and to tell them about Lily's diagnosis of Addison's disease.  Sharon emailed the group back to let them know how well Lily is doing.  Just has to gain a bit of weight back.  She was very, very ill and their vet knew from her bloodwork and symptoms to check for Addisons', even though it is a rare disease.  That quick decision was so important and fortunate.  Hugs to Lily.
 
30Sep10
A couple is coming to meet Ollie tomorrow.  In preparation, he got the full treatment today.  He had a bath, was dried with the dryer, had his ears cleaned, nails trimmed with the nail grinder, and the biggest challenge - had his ears trimmed with the clippers.  I just kept offering treats and tried to clip between the head bobs, swings & nods.  He really did well.  Apple stayed near the grooming table to pick up the treat crumbs.  When he was done I took some photos of him and Apple.  You can see his gallery page here.

28Sep10
As I sit down to write, Ollie is pulling Apple down the hallway with her favorite tug toy. It rained last night and today.  Dark cloudy day in the upper 50's.  The dogs didn't play outside today, and the youngest two have more energy than they usually do this time of day. 
I have the Starter Barks on my desktop - I keep trying to read it, but am always interrupted.  I love seeing Ffyn's championship ad on the back cover.  First Milestone champion.
Kim Parkman, Trooper's field trainer, called tonight to answer any questions I might have about Trooper being away from Jamie and being raised by Kim.  Kim is doing her best to make sure he has a lot of new experiences, and is impressed with his confidence.  He's on his way to being a Master Hunter.  Thank you, Kim, for your call and your feelings for and care of Trooper.

25Sep10
The Patriotism litter, Trooper, Ollie, and Oliver, was 17 weeks old yesterday.  From their birth weights of 14 & 15 ounces, they are now beautiful sturdy puppies weighing about 25 pounds - about half their adult weight.  Being able to spend a little extra time with Trooper to find him a show home, and with Ollie, has been such a blessing for us.
 
23Sep10
Jamie called to tell me about the fun Trooper is having with his field trainer, Kim Parkman.  She sent photos and I put them on his page.  He looks like he's getting a lot of exercise - look at those thigh muscles!  And, he looks like he's really enjoying himself.
Ollie had his 3rd set of vaccines today. Dr Bobbie was very taken with him.  We discussed Ollie being returned to me and she agreed that many of her clients have no concept of how much exercise a puppy  needs.  Owners will tell her they have 2 acres of land for the dog to exercise in, and she explains to them that putting the dog out in the yard is not exercising them.  She said people will take their dogs for a walk and wonder why he's not tired.  Dogs walk all the time, their structure, especially for a Welshie, is made for them to be able to hunt all day in the fields, and walking at our pace is not 'exercise' for them.  Dogs need to run or swim or play with other dogs to burn off energy, especially when they are young.  Ollie is getting all of that here!  My mantra always is "A tired dog is a good dog."  Taking the time to be sure they are tired - tongue hanging down to their knees and a smile in their eyes is a good sign of that - will save a lot of time spent keeping the puppy out of mischief.

22Sep10
While eating a late dinner on the screened porch last night, we saw 'our' Wood Ducks flying around the property.  There are at least 40 of them!!  I have noticed ducks on the back pond when I'm driving by, but it's pretty well covered by vegetation and I had no idea there were as many as that.  I don't know if they were leaving or just out exercising their wings.  They usually don't head south until mid Oct.
 
21Sep10
Lily's owner has found out a lot of information on Addison's disease.  I will copy some of what was originally sent out to Standard Poodle owners:

The disease is almost certainly a polygenic trait (controlled by more than one gene) though they do not yet know how the genes interact. It is most likely not an autosomal recessive as previously thought, although it is definitively an inherited disease. Environmental contribution to the disease is as yet unknown, but the disease is not random; it is genetic.

Additionally, there is ongoing research at the University of Utah's Lark Lab on Addison's in Portuguese Water Dogs. Dr. Gordon Lark and his colleagues found definitively that multiple genes are involved for Addison's in that breed. They have now been comparing the DNA of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers and, most recently, the DNA of Standard Poodles, to that of PWDs to see if the suspect gene regions are similar.

Dr. Kevin Chase of the Lark Lab analyzed exhaustive health and pedigree data from the Poodle Health Registry and other private sources. He reportedly found Addison's to be much less frequent in Standard Poodles than earlier studies have shown and far less frequent than in PWDs. This means that with careful selection, it is possible to reduce the frequency of Addison's Disease in our breed.

While in recent years protocol called for spaying and neutering producers and offspring of Addisonians, researchers from both the Swedish study and the Lark Lab say this is not recommended. It is also best, Dr. Lark says, to breed high risk dogs to very unrelated dogs to improve the chances of breaking up the set of genes that cause the disease.

The scientists from both the Swedish team and the Lark Lab explicitly advise that breeders proceed on the assumption that this is a polygenic trait. Earlier methods of assessing risk are therefore no longer applicable.

Dr. Lark says that breeders can do more damage to the gene pool by the wholesale removal of producers or offspring of Addisonians from that gene pool than they will by very selectively breeding them. As with any serious polygenic disease, however, it is extremely important to breed with care and with as much knowledge of the lines as possible.

Also, you can contact me and I'll share in full what Sharon has sent to me.  As far as I know, only 2 Welsh in the states have had Addison's.  One was born several years ago and the other was from years and years ago.  It is very possible that there are more cases in our breed, but if so this knowledge hasn't yet been shared with me.

Today, I had Ollie on the grooming table for a little while in between loads of laundry.  I got 8 nails trimmed and one half of a foot groomed :)  He is patient a tiny bit longer than the last time I did his feet.  Will try to do more tomorrow.

BE U tiful day here today.  In the upper 80's and very breezy.  I'm going to take the dogs out and mow some grass!

19Sep10
Yesterday Apple and I went to CDTC to participate in Responsible Dog Ownership Day.  I helped move equipment for vendor space, and Apple and I were in the Meet The Breed portion of the events.  Unfortunately, it was raining hard in the morning and no one, other than club members, were there when we were 'on'.  So, only the club members got to learn about Welsh Springers, which is fine because most of them don't know about our breed.  After that, I let Apple get a massage from the massage therapist who was there.  Apple loved it!  I wish I could afford to give her, and all the dogs, a massage everyday.  The therapist does teach others how, so maybe I can learn to massage my own dogs someday.

When we got home, I took Ollie and Apple up to the high school where Jack was refereeing little league football.  The stands were full of people and there were a lot of children asking to pet the dogs.  Ollie was a big hit and perfectly behaved.

Lily came home from the animal hospital yesterday afternoon.  The vet did a lot of tests and it was determined that she has Addison's disease, a rare disease of the adrenal gland.  She will need life-long medication to replace what her adrenal gland isn't producing.  Meanwhile she has her appetite back and is happy to be back with her family who "love her to bits".   They have joined a Yahoo group for people with dogs who have this disease and they are learning as much as they can about how to manage it.

12Sep10
We've had 2 lovely days.  Yesterday, Laurel and I took Apple & Plum to Woods 'N Water Outdoor Weekend.  We walked through all the tents, except the puppy tent where there are hundreds of sporting breed puppies for sale.  Apple & Plum loved the tastes I gave them of the buffalo and the elk burgers Laurel & I split for lunch.  We didn't hear quite so many people say "Look at the Brittanys" this year.  I think we're making some headway with educating people.  When Laurel stopped in a booth to buy a T-shirt we had two interesting encounters.  The woman who ran the booth is famous for her bird calls with the duck whistle.  She started doing geese calls, duck calls, and many others; all the while Apple and Plum were not taking their eyes off her.  When she made a whining puppy call, Apple started barking.  She'd been sitting there trying to figure out where the birds were and when the lady in the pink shirt and camo skirt starting whining like a puppy, Apple's confusion was as high as she could stand and she barked back.  Hearing the barking and seeing that we had red and white spaniels, a gentleman walked over and made mention of the Brittanys.  I said they are Welsh Springers and looked up into the face of Rob Trott of our local tv show 'Great Lakes Outdoors'.  I told him that I loved his show, and that he should try hunting with Welshies sometime.  (He has a wonderful Brittany he hunts with.) I explained that Welsh didn't work as far out in the field as the English Springers and he said that he'd heard that about them and that was a good thing for people who hunt as they get older and aren't as quick as they used to be - kidding himself for not being as young as he once was :)  Aren't we all!  He thought the girls were lovely and they schmoozed up to him for pats on the head.  Both girls were oohed and ahhed over by people of all ages.  Many little children were drawn to the dogs and everyone got a chance to pet and hug them.
Today I took Apple, Birch, and Ollie to Paul Morrison's for field training.  Sandy Holmes was there with her husband and dogs Josie & Crockett, and there were several American Water Spaniels and their owners, too.  Birch had a great time in the field.  He was in his element. The first bird refused to flush, so he just picked it up and brought it to me.  (I learned that is called "trapping" - he trapped the bird.)  He flushed the second and brought it back to hand after dropping it once.  This was only Apple's 2nd visit to Paul's and she did really well.  She didn't want to bring me the birds without coaxing - she wanted to take off with them. Little Pill!  I got Ollie out of the van when we first got there so he could meet everyone and say hello to the AWS.  There was a 10 week old AWS puppy there that Ollie wanted to play with.  The birds were under a tree in crates and when I took Ollie over there to stand in the shade (it was a lovely sunny day) the birds squawked a couple times and flapped their wings and Ollie was surprised but stood his ground and watched them - confident and unafraid.  He was fine with the gun shots, too.  He was held and petted and had a great time in the field.  He retrieved a chukar and took off to where we had the vehicles parked.  He wanted to take his bird home!  A perfect day for all three dogs.  I put some photos from today on Apple's and Ollie's pages.
 
09Sep10
Oliver Garth is attending puppy classes and they have been very successful with clicker training him.  He is starting to loose his puppy teeth and is house trained. 
Ollie went into the village yesterday and met lots of people at a local machining shop.  He was fine with the noise of the machines and was happy to be petted by everyone.  He now goes in and out the dog door as quickly as the big dogs.  I'm going to take him along when we go to Paul's for field training this weekend.  I bet he's going to love it!

07Sep10
Lovely sunny day today.  REALLY windy.  I had to be at work for quite awhile today - a lot going on there.  Ollie spent about 4 hrs in the crate and he was fine when I got home.  Tonight he had a chance to get tired out chasing after Apple and Plum who were running after the ball that I was throwing.  Then he got on a scent and was off on his own trotting out about 200 feet to the windmill and around that area quartering back and forth nose to the ground.  I don't think he found what he thought he was looking for, but he looked up and saw me standing by the house and he ran full speed right to me with his ears flying and looking just like he was grinning.  Wish I'd had my camera.    

04Sep10
We have Ollie back with us.  We are so happy to have him here and are enjoying every minute.  He, and his brothers, were 14 weeks old yesterday.  We are pleased that he has learned 'sit', 'down', and even to 'stay' for a short time.  I've had him on the grooming table trimming his feet and nails and as long as the treats hold out, he's fine with it.  He's having a blast playing with his mom and sister, hasn't had any accidents in the house, is a good eater and good in his crate and sleeps all night.  Tonight Jack & I let him stay up with us (the other dogs went to bed) and he played with Apple's favorite big tug rope and chewed on the Nylabones that littered the living room rug.  (Apple always takes them ALL out of the toy box then decides which one she wants.  Guess I need to teach her to put them back when she's done!) He played tug with Jack and we cuddled him on our laps.  So nice to have a puppy in the house :)  I'll try to get some photos taken of him and get them on the website in the next couple days.  Ollie is looking for a new home, so if you have a space in your heart and home for a sweet, smart, beautiful Welshie puppy, give us a call.
I spoke with Jamie on Friday, and Trooper is staying with a field trainer and on his way to being a Master Hunter - well, he will be a Master Hunter someday!  The trainer has Boykin Spaniels that are a couple months older than he is and he is training with them.  Jamie speaks to the trainer every couple days for updates and is pleased with how well he's doing.
Jack & I went to see Toy Story 3 today.  Good movie!  Our theater didn't show it in 3D, but it was still wonderful.  Can't wait to see it again when it comes out on the TV.  We used a free pass I was given for my birthday - thank you, Robin & Greg!!
Our Turtle Pond is completely dry and grass is starting to grow around the edges, filling it in.  I hope all the turtles found their way to the back Duck Pond.  We saw a lot of ducks on that pond today.  They are starting to congregate early this year - that must mean winter weather is nearer than we'd like!  We've had some good rains this week, but not enough to help the ponds.  Our Swimming Pond is about 7' low - and it was originally 11' deep at the deep end.  We're going to need a LOT of snow for it to be filled by Spring.  I'm not hoping for that much snow!!

29Aug10
Ollie (Spangle) had his second set of shots yesterday and weighed 18#.  He also got a bath after having fun in a pond on their walk. 
Plenty hot here.  I washed a few windows and vacuumed screens.  I also filled the wading pool for the dogs.  Apple likes to put her whole head underwater and to get as wet as possible.  The other 3 usually just get their feet wet and have a drink at the same time.

28Aug10
I stewarded at CDTC's agility/obedience trial held today in Grand Blanc.  It was fun and hard work and I'm glad I was able to be there.  Several folks finished their Utility and Open titles - quite an achievement.  It was a nice surprise to see Lisa Sinke there with Ripley.  I missed their agility runs each time because I was working at the Utility/Open ring.
As I was leaving the trial, Jamie called to tell me that Archer not only got the major today in GA, he also got is first Rally Novice leg.  They are hoping for the same tomorrow!  They had several people ask about their new puppy, Trooper :)
Server is still down. Jase is working on the problems.

26Aug10
We've had 3 days of cooler weather.  Very nice.
Last night I helped unload obedience trial equipment from CDTC to Genesee Fieldhouse where the club is hosting a trial this weekend.  I am stewarding at one of the rings on Saturday.
Birch was neutered yesterday and had his teeth cleaned.  He has 5 days of restricted activity - he's not going to be happy about that.  Birch loves to run at top speed across the property after rabbits, birds, the neighbors' barn cats, whatever catches his eye.  I can take him for walks, so that will be something for him to do.
Evan & Laurel's two cats are visiting this week while they are on their vacation.  Last Sunday was their 1st wedding anniversary. (wedding photo 1 & 2)
Oliver (Banner) weighed 18 pounds at his vet visit last week.  He gets a LOT of exercise playing with Joetta & Tom's grandsons.  He will soon be starting 6 weeks of obedience training.  In the meantime, they have been using clicker training and he is doing well with that. I put some new photos on his page.
Ollie (Spangle) is struggling with housebreaking.  He lives in a 3 story townhouse and the living area in on the 2nd and 3rd floors so it's going to be challenging.  He is also having an issue with barking and they are continuing to work on that.  His owners have been taking him an obedience class.
Trooper (Star) is now staying home during the day and no longer spending it at doggie daycare.  He weighed 16.4 pounds at his last vet visit.  His owners have their other Welshie entered in a dog show and rally trial this weekend.  We wish them good luck!
There is a good article about chocolate poisioning in dogs here:  http://www.finedarkchocolate.com/Chocolate_Food/Dogs_Chocolate.asp  Be sure to keep any chocolate chip cookies, etc, put away in a place the dogs can't get to, and never feed them anything with a chocolate 'flavor' because when they smell it they will want some (they love it like we do) and will search it out.  Clover nearly lost her life from getting into a bag of chocolate chips.
 
17Aug10
Jack & I spent a few days at the cabin.  It was lovely!  Temps in the 70s, breezy, sunny, even Lake Huron was warm - the warmest it's been in the 28 years we've been going up there.  We took the Jeep all the way to the Fossil Beds, something we've tried before and never made it all the way there.  There are only lumber trails which are very rocky and bumpy and sometimes wet.  It was an adventure we were glad we accomplished!  I took a few photos of Apple in the water and I have put them on her webpage.
Star has a new name: Trooper!  He got to spend the weekend with Jamie, Randy, and their friends and dogs in the mountains in Georgia.  He had a blast in the creek, didn't care for the cattails around the pond, and followed after Archer who was quartering the property which really tired him out!  Sounds like a great weekend for a busy puppy.

11Aug10
Star had a blast on his first day at daycare.  They have a webcam, so I sat and watched him for a half hour playing non-stop with a Beagle puppy.  Jamie said he fell asleep in the car on the ride home which is only 2 miles.  I'm not surprised, because he never stopped moving.  Yesterday was his second day at daycare.  I checked the webcam about 2pm and he was sleeping in the middle of the floor.  I put a photo of him, belly up, sound asleep on his page.  I also put a photo of Jamie and Randy's other Welshie, Archer (Stufield's Captain Of The Enterprise) on the puppy page.  Susan Willingham took the photo of Archer.  She is a talented photographer and has wonderful photos at her website.

07Aug10
Star flew home with Jamie to Atlanta today.  He found a perfect home.  Jamie and Randy have 2 middle-aged Cockers and a Welshie, named Archer, who they show and do obedience and field work with.  Susan Willingham knew that they were looking for another Welsh and put them in touch with me.  They fell for Star as soon as they saw his cute face in the photos.  Thank you to Susan and to Jamie and Randy for wanting this puppy.

03Aug10
Star's family has heard back on most of the allergy results and the results aren't what we were hoping for.  So, Star needs a home.  He should have a show home and I'm going to try hard to find him one.  If you think you might be interested, please call me.  I will help you through the process. He's a really nice puppy who should do well in the ring.
Meanwhile, I am doing all the puppy stuff a new owner would be doing - I'm taking him everywhere with me and we're working on house training. He's really doing well walking on the leash, and he has a fun personality.
 
31Jul10
While I drank my coffee on the porch early this day, I let Apple, Plum, and Star outside to run around.  I wish I had had my camera to record the fun Plum & Star had.  They were jousting, juking, running in figure eights, jumping and rolling - it was so cute to see Mother & Son having such fun together.
I left with Star about 10am and drove to Lapeer for socializing. The farmers market had lots of people and families walking around near the Court House, so I walked him around and he was admired and petted and held.  He's starting to get the hang of the leash.  Then we stopped at Tractor Supply to buy dog food.  I walked him in and he was an attraction in the doorway.  We finally got a chance to get a cart, and for his safety I put him in it and went to get the dog food.  He sat down and didn't fuss a bit.  I had to move him to the back so I could put the dog food in the front, and he still didn't mind.  We got lots more attention in the check-out line.  A couple different people asked if I had business cards, which I handed out.  I stayed until Diane, Lapeer TSC's finest employee, had a break with the customer she was with so that she could see Star.  She took a moment to hold him, too.  On the way home, I stopped at Robin & Greg's so Star could meet their big, black, friendly dogs.  I wanted him to be sure to know that not all dogs look like the ones he has been living with and because he's only had the one vaccine I had to be sure he met healthy, vaccinated dogs.  They sniffed him and he rolled over on his back, totally unafraid but submissive as he should have been.  He was out socializing for about 3 hours today along with nearly an hour in the van.
I fed him his lunch when we got home.  He ate every bite and fell asleep. Such a good boy!

30Jul10
Jack helped me get some stacked photos of Star last night.  I put one on his page .  He is really a character and we're having fun with him while we wait to see if his family can take him.
Lily's family sent photos of her enjoying their vacation at the lake.

27Jul10
I took Star up to the Senior Center today to meet lots of people and to be around wheel chairs, etc.  He was very mellow and quiet - I woke him up when I got home from an appointment.  Maybe I should have let him wake up some more!  He was perfect for them, though, nice and still when they petted and fussed over him.  Then I took him over to the hardware store.  There were no customers, but the owners fussed over him a bit before I took him home to eat lunch and to get us out of the heat.  Looks like another day for the wading pool! 

24Jul10
The old News page was full, so we're starting another.
The boys were 8 weeks old yesterday.  Banner has gone to his new home outside Indianapolis and is now called Oliver Garth.  Spangle has gone to his home outside Chicago and is now called Ollie.  Amazing that each family chose such similar names!
Star's family was told last week that a daughter had to have allergy tests before they could think about bringing a puppy home, so she's had the tests and they are waiting for the results. I just took Star up to the local baseball field and the little league tournament for leash training and socializing.  He got held and petted by lots and lots of people.  He does well on the leash most of the time, but sometimes he'll still balk and back up.  Everyone thought he was beautiful and no one had any idea that he is a Welsh Springer Spaniel.  It is very very humid and hot today, and when his tongue was hanging out we headed home.  He fell right asleep!