ABTC Nationals - May 4-10

We had a great time at Belgian Nationals! Here are some shots of our ovbtc Team Obedience and the dogs from all three teams doing the long down.
As always, there is Alex, stopping to see Splash in her car. So cute!

Corydon IN shows - Alex WD / BOW for 1 pt

Southern Indiana Kennel Club Inc. (2)
6/01/2008

BELGIAN TERVUREN
JUDGE: Mrs Edna K (Katie) Gammill
BELGIAN TERVUREN, Puppy Dogs 9 Mos & Under 12 Mos .
1/R
11 BLACKWATER PELOTON CURRENT AFFAIR. DN192269/01. 07/30/2007. BREEDER: Andrea Debbins/Linda Fung DVM. By Roi-de-Perse De Condivicnum-Ch Blackwater's Partez at Peloton. OWNER: Brooke Cole/Andrea Debbins/Linda Fung DVM.
BELGIAN TERVUREN, Open Dogs .
1/W/BW
7 JUST-A-WYN SKID IN SIDEWAYS RN CGC TT. DN063577/04. 03/08/2004. BREEDER: Mary Lynn Wynieski. By BIS/BISS CH UCDX U-ACHX Sunset's Orion A CDX HICs-Ch Shumaker Hills Just-a-Wyn-e Pooh. OWNER: Patricia Heisler.
2
9 BLAK JAK'S TRUTH AND JUSTICE. DN147296/03. 05/18/2006. BREEDER: Patty Naulty. By Neck-Lot Vd Lamar-Ch Blak Jak's Opium. OWNER: Mitsie Yeker & Patty Naulty.
BELGIAN TERVUREN, Bred-By-Exhibitor Bitches .
1/W
8 STONEWALL'S JUSTICE FOR ALL. DN177996/06. 04/13/2007. BREEDER: Vicki Havicon & Melody & Leon P Jensen & T Baugh. By Ch Stonewall's Highlander MacLeod-Ch Coolwaters Abounding Majic. OWNER: Travis Baugh & Vicki Havicon & Melody Jensen.
BELGIAN TERVUREN, Open Bitches .
1/R
10 SILVERTRACES BRICE. DN163616/03. 11/22/2006. BREEDER: EDDIE WILLIAMS. By Ch MAXIMUM FIND SILVERTRACE-Ch GRIMMENDANS DANAE. OWNER: KARRIE MESSINA.
BELGIAN TERVUREN, Best of Breed Competition .
BB/G2
5 CH MAJIC'S IMAGE MAKER. DN039526/01. 07/10/2003. Dog. BREEDER: Melody Jensen & Vicki Havicon. By Ch Majic's Perfect Diamond Gallery-Ch Stonewall's Forever Jeki. OWNER: Vicki Havicon & Melody & Leon P Jensen.
OS
6 TACARA'S GAIE GISELLE. DN139959/01. 02/14/2006. Bitch. BREEDER: Bill Allen & Linda O'Hare Newsome. By Synedocke's Jazzin Wolfsong-Tacara's Valeen Varga. OWNER: Gail S Frazier & Linda Newsome.

12 CH ROCKAWAY'S SOUTHERN SPLASH RN HT. DN078511/02. 04/25/2004. Bitch. BREEDER: Elly McCarty & Linda K Fung. By Ch Rockaway's Southern Comfort CD HT-Blackwater's Simply Smashing. OWNER: Jamie Baker.

15 CH STARBRIGHT TOP NOTCH CD NA NAJ RAE TD. DN018542/05. 10/28/2002. Dog. BREEDER: Pamela Ledbetter & Sharon Redmer. By Ch Cinema I Have A Dream VCD2 UD RN TDX-Ch Starbright Mata Hari TD. OWNER: Susan J Young & Pamela Ledbetter.

"Largest snow storm of the year"

 
 

The snow is back, with a vengeance! Supposed to get 6-12 inches by noon tomorrow. There was NADA at 7:30 and by noon the neighbor was SKIING!
Alex made a quick run round the back yard, but he was too fast to catch him on camera today. Ok, I was too slow....

Graduation, back to shoes

 
 
 

Finally, graduated back to regular pants and shoes! Yahoo!!
It is a bit crowded in the shoe, with this brace, but so far, so good. A friend with a bad leg/knee injury said her PT told her to use ice three times a day to keep swelling down. I will have to try that!

Now, to learn to NOT walk like a Duck!!

Alex will like this. Part of my therapy will be to walk him, if it ever stops raining!

watching Alex & Kit play

One of the fun things about this enforced layoff is watching Alex and Kit play - they always do some at night, but now I know they get into play on some level at least 3-4 times a day. Alex cleans Kit's ears and Kit cleans Alex's face. They play tag - and you would not guess who is usually running in front! TAG! Kit is it!!! If I call Alex to me, Kit runs behind and waits for him to finish reporting so they can get back to it. Way funny!

I will miss them when I go back to work - normally a 9-10 hour (gone) day.

ankle progress - 2 mos

It has been two months since I broke my ankle and I am now in an aircast. I took these today after I bathed and cleaned my wounds. I have to redress them daily. Back to the Dr tomorrow to gauge my healing and progress.
Alex has been remarkably patient with me, so today he was rewarded with his first walk since New Year's Day. It was only a slow and short one around the block, but I know he was happy. And I am glad I went early - it all hurts now. Too tired!
I also finally got the Christmas stuff put away in the basement and gathered 3 large bags of trash for the garbage man tomorrow. May as well catch up on something. No driving, so basement sorting is as good as anything.
I will know I am really bored when I finish my taxes!! ;-)

I found this great blog of other folks who have broken their ankle. I will have lots more questions for the Dr tomorrow!
Take care...

41 and sunny today

It is 41 and sunny this afternoon. Alex is napping and I am soon to follow. Still lugging around the cast for my broken ankle ... more on this next week. Most of the snow is gone, especially in the sunnier hillside spots. We are supposed to be over 50 and rain tomorrow. That should cancel the rest of the snow so we can start FRESH with new snow on Monday.
Still have the 2000 Passat for sale - posted on autotrader.com.
Have a great day, all!

2000 Passat GLX wagon for sale

The surgery on my ankle is over, the cast is on (large and purple). Time to move forward ............ and that means selling our old Passat so we can drive the new one, when I can drive again.

6 cyl, front wheel drive. 104,800 miles Candy white, grey leather interior with wood accents new brakes after 100,000 miles Great car - kept in garage. Some of my favorite features? the heated leather seats (the ahhhhh factor this time of year), rain sensing wipers (goes faster when rain does! really! and never starts in a car wash - mystery to me!), trip computer (yes, I am a geek), climatronic heat control (set it at 68 or -- and forget it), Monsoon sound system w CD player, front wheel drive, moon/sun roof that also just cracks open for a bit of air, two 12 volt power access in back of wagon, 60/40 fold down back seats. Tires from Tire Discounter w warranty and free rotation for life of car. Oil changes necessary only each 5000 miles. Hwy mileage 27, city 24. Trailer hitch.

Contact me at memphispups@yahoo.com if interested.

Somerset Herding Conformation results

Alex took a point and WD at Somerset - handled and groomed by Sue Young. Sue is a great friend and took Alex during my surgury and immediate recovery. I understand they all had a great time!
 

broke my ankle, January 2

What a way to start the New Year! We had a beautiful, powdery snow and I worked from home to save the highways and be safe. There is some irony there!
I let Alex out about 3:30 and he started fence barking with the dog visiting next door. Could have just let them wear themselves out, but no. I went up the hill to corrall him and after dropping on my butt a couple times, I heard the fateful CRACK!

I boot-scooted down the hill, across the stone patio area, down the steps, across the deck to the back porch. This is the area that Alex has previously been known to FLY across in 3 landings or less! Did I mention it is 10 degrees and I have no jacket on?

I acheived the kitchen floor and the neighbors came through the front door. In short order, we called the Cinti firemen who put my leg/ankle in a splint and carried me down to the car.
Fast foward to 1/8 - surgery. So painful I slept through all of it and most of the day. Stayed overnight in the hospital and then came home to the street. My cast was caving in the back, which gave us cause for another visit and a chance to take this gorgeous photo of what used to be a "fairly turned ankle."

I am home recuperating now. Alex is spending some quality time with club member and friend, Sue Young. What a blessing friends are! They have taken care of both Alex and I over the past two weeks and I know we will need them constantly in the next two months. A big furry kiss and hug to each of them!

Now, about airline travel - think I need a note from my doctor about extra metal in my ankle! Oh well....................
I hope you have a safe and wonderful new year!

ovbtc frappr map

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas from Alex, Pat and Cincinnati!

Alex enjoys our first real daytime snow

 
 
 

The snow started about 9:45 am. You can see the big wet flakes landing on Alex and me! The camera needed a rain coat!
Then, a few hours later, we had LOTS! 2'-3". Still WET! Now it is 1:30 and mostly rain, but some is freezing. We visited a neighbor earlier, but my plan now? Stay warm and dry!

Tennessee Valley Kennel Club

 

Alex and I attended the Tennessee Valley Kennel Club, Knoxville Show this past weekend. He took Reserve Winners Dog under Judge John Studebaker. We had a great time and met lots of Belgian folks!

Splash got her RN this weekend, too! Yeah!! Splash!!

Photo by Phyllis Ensley /Pet Action Shots

Happy Halloween!

 
 

Finally, the weather cooled off! We went to Libbye's to take photos of Tervs and sheep. Alex got to play with STAR, his latest conquest. Hope this finds you all Safe this Halloween!
Booooooooooo!

St Jude Showcase of Dogs, Memphis

 


We had a great time and were extra glad that our friends were there with us! Our Memphis friends and our ovbtc friends!

Alex had a great weekend (almost as much fun as mine!). He won BOB (Judge Richard Mullen) on Friday, played All weekend with Ginger at our friends house, got in the pool, and won BOW,BOS (Judge Linda Robey) on Sunday!! What a weekend!!

Show Results

Greater Shelby Kennel Club Inc. (2)
10/14/2007

BELGIAN TERVUREN
JUDGE: Ms Linda L Robey
BELGIAN TERVUREN, Bred-By-Exhibitor Dogs .
A
5 DYNA MAX SONSHINE SUPERMAN. DL915714/01. 11/12/2002. BREEDER: Owner. By Stockwood's Midnight Madness-Just-a-Wynter Witchcraft. OWNER: Judith P Otto.
BELGIAN TERVUREN, Open Dogs .
1/W/BW/OS
7 JUST-A-WYN SKID IN SIDEWAYS RN CGC TT. DN063577/04. 03/08/2004. BREEDER: Mary Lynn Wynieski. By BIS/BISS CH UCDX U-ACHX Sunset's Orion A CDX HICs-Ch Shumaker Hills Just-a-Wyn-e Pooh. OWNER: Patricia Heisler.
A
9 KARMUN'S CHEAP THRILLS. DL834860/05. 04/11/2000. BREEDER: Linda C Mullen & Margaret Geller. By Ch Karmun's Kaiser-Ch Dynasty's Autay Venture. OWNER: Peter Hess. AGENT: Frances Foster.
2/R
15 WICKLOW DU CADRE NOIR. DN051887/02. 11/12/2003. BREEDER: Katherine L John & Mary-Linda Adams. By Ch Iceman De La Grande Lande-Ch Kerrygold Du Cadre Noir. OWNER: Mary Belcher & Bobby Belcher.
BELGIAN TERVUREN, Twelve To Eighteen Month Bitches .
1/W
14 BRENMARS BBROOK SOUTHERN HEART. DN144233/03. 04/25/2006. BREEDER: P VonHousen & S VonHousen & B Marotto. By Ch Darboshea How Do You Like Me Now-Brenmar's Essence Of Freedom. OWNER: Laurel Marshall.
BELGIAN TERVUREN, Open Bitches .
A
10 MONTAGE-BASQUELAINE GENUINE RISK HT RN. DN081253/02. 08/25/2004. BREEDER: Kathy Madden & Kelley S Hoffman. By Basquelaine-N-Maximums Sons Of Liberty-Ch Montage Jazz Singer PT. OWNER: Kate Sreenan.
BELGIAN TERVUREN, Best of Breed Competition .
BB
12 CH ROCKAWAY'S SOUTHERN SPLASH. DN078511/02. 04/25/2004. Bitch. BREEDER: Elly McCarty & Linda K Fung. By Ch Rockaway's Southern Comfort CD HT-Blackwater's Simply Smashing. OWNER: Jamie Baker.

our Princess Diana, another loss so soon

 

I received an extremely sad email this morning, sent by my very first Terv friend. Her Diana, Alex's older sister, has gone to the bridge, doing one of the things she loved best. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers. Diana had all of Alex's natural exuberance AND brains! The perfect package! It is because of Judy, Max and Diana that I have Alex today. Thank you, Judy!!

(sent 3:50 am)
... I lost Diana tonight--well, last night, I guess. We were doing a night search training exercise on the old country club golf course, and Diana did a dynamite job and found her lost victim in 3 minutes. We were all heading back to the parking lot, when I lost sight of Diana's lighted collar for about 20 seconds, and called her. Nothing.
We found her body about an hour later, at the bottom of a 10' drop into a gully with a vertical "cliff" edge. They tell me she must have died instantly.
I'm still numb--it happened so fast, I just can't believe it. One moment she was prancing, racing, proud of herself for doing a great job and headed back to her car--and the next she was gone.
The team who trained with me all helped take her out to Bill's place and we buried her next to Max and Doris--beside Max, of course, who had adored her so faithfully in life. ...

Just-a-wynter Witchcraft ~ Diana
October 29, 1999 - September 5, 2007
Active SAR partner of and lovingly kept by .. Judy Otto, Holly Springs, MS

Please keep them in your thoughts

In loving memory of Gregor

We are very sad to have lost Gregor today. Gregor was a very dear friend of our family, a Scottish Deerhound who lived near and stayed often at our home in his short life. Gregor passed away this morning at only four and a half years of age.
He had been to the vet in past week, even spent some time there, trying to lower his temperature and high white blood cell count.
Gregor was the softest dog I have ever known. He liked flowers and cats and all dogs and children.
Our sympathies go out to his family. We will miss him very much.

The Journey

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey - a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage.

If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark. Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures - jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears. If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information. Your pace may be slower - except when heading home to the food dish - but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field.

Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details - the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig. Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows: that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own.

Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching summer insects collecting on a screen. (How bizarre they are! How many kinds there are!), or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details slip by. You will find yourself doing silly things that your dog-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the pet store aisle looking for the dog food brand your pet must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewie toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie - with a pet in hot pursuit - all in the name of love. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that old plastic shopping bags are conveniently positioned by every house entrance for pick-up duty in the yard.

You will learn the true measure of love - the steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together." Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race. And you will learn humility. The look in my pet's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.

If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be - the one they were proud to call beloved friend.

I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear grey companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go. A pet's time on earth is far too short - especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for a while, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left. The pet that only yesterday was a racer is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun, waking up stiff and lame, the muzzle now gray. Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must, for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead - young and whole once more. "Godspeed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.

Author Unknown

MI trip from July

 

Alex and I went to Michigan in July. Had great fun visiting all the family!

Mi reunion trip - fun for people and dogs!

 
 

After the reunion on Sunday, Alex and I headed to Northern Mi to visit an Aunt and Uncle. Alex had great fun running in the fields with the English Setters - particularly Anna, the pup!

Alex's OFFA is back

About 6 weeks ago, Brooke and I took the younger boys to get their elbows and hips x-rayed. Alex's are back and posted on the OFA website along with his eye cerf ...

OFA Number Registry Report Date Age Final Conclusion
BT-3567 CERF Mar 16 2007 36 TESTED: 07
BT-4776G38M-PI HIPS Jun 7 2007 38 GOOD
BT-EL2070M38-PI ELBOW Jun 7 2007 38 NORMAL

May Herding Club Meeting

 
 

May meeting of the Central Ky Herding Club. Alex had a time out to play with Edda, then back in with Libbye and the sheep. Maybe someday ..... far far away.....

General Butler State Park, KY

 

We met a friend at Gen Butler park to work on Obedience and take a hike in the woods. When the path was blocked by a fallen tree, we took the road back. Boy, did we get some looks! This is a lot of dog(s)! We had a great walk and a wonderful lunch before we headed home. Have to do this again!

walking Belgians

 

April 9, Brooke and I took our three walking through the park. What a day! Sun was great! It was a bit brisk, but that is PERFECT Belgian weather! Here is Paris, Brooke and Tryst with the city of Cincinnati behind them.

ovbtc members

 

This shot taken at Louisville of all members present. We had a great time!