SEPTEMBER 2011

Jamie went to Longview/Kelso with his best friend, Toby, and his Springer buddy, Jack, picking up two more WD (Winners Dog) to bring his total to 12 points, so now we hunt that elusive final major to finish his championship.

JULY - AUGUST, 2011

Jamie started to mature and look more adult than puppy. So off to a few shows to really start his show career. He picked up some singles here and there including a Best of Breed, and then at the Rainer Sporting Dog show he was Best in Sweepstakes and then Best of Winners for a 4 point major. By the end of August he has 10 points!

We are also very proud of Shelley and Paige, Auld Sod’s I’ve Got Rhythm, CD RN, for going High In Trial at the Cascade English Cocker Fanciers Specialty. What a great working team! Paige will be entering the Open ring shortly.

And on August 12th, Rosie presented us with nine (9) new puppies! A repeat of two years ago. We have 3 black and tan boys, 2 black boys, two black and tan girls and two black girls. Mom and babies are doing really well. Rosie is an excellent mom. And dad, Jamie, is very curious about all those future playmates. We have two black and tan males and a black male available to approved homes.

Trudy (from Rosie’s litter by Edward) made her show debut in several small shows and is behaving herself. She’s finally maturing into a lovely bitch, and looking very much like her mother. She was Best of Breed at Samammish KC show the last weekend in August, while Jamie was WD and BOS.

MAY - JUNE, 2011

ECSCA National Specialty

We had an uneventful trip to Denver, CO for the English Cocker Fanciers of Denver Specialty and the ECSCA National Specialty. Jamie was first in the Open Solid dogs both shows. And Rosie received an Award of Merit under Breeder/Judge Mrs. Sandy Platt at the Denver Specialty and survived several cuts to end up in the final line-up for Best of Breed at the National under Breeder/Judge Ms. Bonnie Threlfall. It was a repeat of Scarlett back in 1994. And in the obedience ring, Paige did us proud by placing again this year, but with her new owner/handler Shelley at the end of the lead. Job well done Shelley and Paige!

The Breeder education program was inspiring and the presentation on patellas by Dr. Bruce Barrett fascinating and educational. Of course, all the shopping at the Boutique and small towns along our journey had the van stuffed to the gills.

It was a great week visiting with friends and seeing all the beautiful dogs from across the country. Then the trek home. We stopped in Salt Lake to see Toni’s daughter and do some sight seeing.

It was great to get back home, see how much Cara and Cole had grown, and then to see the sanding job awaiting me on the island bar stools! Evidently the dog sitter wasn’t paying attention, as a couple of rungs are pretty well chewed. Me thinks Cara is part beaver.

Sadie

It was also a sad return home for Toni, as she lost their first EC from me, Ch. Auld Sod’s Illusion, "Sadie" shortly after her return. Sadie was to be a pet when first purchased and ended up being their first champion after a short show career. Her favorite spot was sitting on John’s lap and being the queen of the house when Rudy would let her. We all will sorely miss Sadie.

APRIL 27, 2011

Is Spring finally here? We sure hope so, as it’s been a long, wet winter. Toni and I are getting excited about going to the ECSCA National Specialty, near Denver, in June. Road trip again this year, only via van instead of motor home.

It’s been an exciting few months with puppies around but most have now gone off to new homes. We do have two males, Cole and Elvis, available to loving pet or performance homes. Lewis is now the greeter and general manager of a flower shop/gallery in Oregon and Ernie is on his way to becoming a Reading and Therapy dog. Both Helen and Ella (now Mabel) are being spoiled rotten by their new owners. Keeper (now Cara) is still here and is learning the tricks of the trade in rapid style.

Several of the Rosie/Edward pups are doing agility and trick training and thought you’d enjoy some candid shots. Chester and Henry have play dates on occasion and visit here to spend time with family members enjoying a romp in the park. Roxie is really spoilt as her owners have set up an agility course in their house! She is also does tricks, plays dead, plays the piano, reads cue cards, and skateboards. Paige is doing Open Obedience work and Hunter and Trudy are finally maturing into show dogs, we’re just working on coats to start competing. How talented are these guys!?

Vana and Jamie Puppies – Born Feb 3, 2011
4 boys and 3 girls

View their six week video! »

MARCH 3, 2011

Puppies are four (4) weeks old! Hard to believe, they are growing so fast. This is an example of their daily routine X 4. Of course they get cuddles and kisses in between!

Meal time!

February 19, 2011

Well, the puppies are now two weeks old. Their eyes are open and they're starting to get up on their feet. Looks like they can run to the milk bar, but it's really only a few inches. The little growls, barks, and gurgling noises are so delightful. As of today, they're starting to come alive when they hear me come into the room or let Vana out for a stretch of freedom. They still do a lot of eating and sleeping. Girl #2 came over the whelping box threshold this morning, so reminder to self "close the box door". Otherwise they'll all be out roaming the bedroom rug! In about a week they'll be ready to move to the family room, with a larger area to explore and toys, and shortly thereafter we start the weaning process. Vana can't wait! More updates in two weeks.

FEBRUARY 3, 2011

We finally have puppies! Vana whelped seven, taking her good old time about it, but at least it wasn’t an all-nighter. She was kind enough to have them during the day, even after eating a huge breakfast and some playtime with Jamie. We have 3 black girls, 2 red boys, 1 black boy, and 1 black and tan boy. Mum and babies are doing great.

OCTOBER 8-10, 2010

We have exciting news from the Fraser Valley Dog Fanciers and English Cocker Spaniel Club of Canada National shows. Congratulations to all the winners, it was an exciting weekend. We especially enjoyed visiting with friends and catching up on all the latest news.

At the Fraser Valley show on Friday, under judge John Rowton, Hunter – Auld Sod’s It’s All About Me was winners dog for another 2 points. Jamie - Manaca’s Red Hot Jam was first in the Junior Puppy Class and Rosie was Best Bred By.

At the Canadian National, under UK Judges, Jamie did us proud by going Best of Opposite Sex in Sweepstakes under judge Ms. Pat Whitehead and then Reserve Winners Dog under Betty Rice Stringer. Rosie, Am. Ch. Auld Sod’s Simply Irresistible, was also Reserve Winners Bitch and Best Bred by Exhibitor. We couldn’t be prouder of both Rosie and Jamie.

Also on Saturday at the Fraser Valley show in the morning, Jamie was Best of Winners under Dan Ericsson for 4 points toward his Canadian Championship, Best Puppy and then Best Sporting Group Puppy.  Not bad for a puppy who loves to show! Rosie was Reserve Winners Bitch, he loved her, just not enough tan for the him.

Then on Sunday, Rosie decided she wasn’t going home empty handed! She was Best of Winners and Best Opposite Sex under Horst Kliebenstein for 4 more points on her record. And Jamie placed third in the All Breed Sweepstakes, Junior Puppy Dogs.

Trudy – Auld Sod ‘N Karjo’s Izn’t She Lovely was learning the dog show “ropes” and she kept Karla on her toes. But she did us proud keeping her feet on the floor and table, moving well, and her spirits high and vibrant to say the least. She placed first more than second.  Love this girl, so typey but oh so naughty.

We were all exhausted after three non-stop days, two of which included two shows a day, so we decided to head home early. Hunter, Jamie and Rosie could have gone on, and on, and on, but our aging bodies were about to melt down! Not to mention the miserable rainy weather.

We were all happy to be home, room to run and romp, more toys to destroy and our own comfortable beds to sleep in. There’s no place like home!

Jamie at the 2010 Canadian National

AUGUST 26, 2010

Ms. Paige, Auld Sod’s I’ve Got Rhythm, CD RN went down to Oregon to live with Shelley G. So we have high expectations for this obedience team in the future. Paige will definitely keep Shelley on her toes. Good luck to both of them!

AUGUST 24, 2010

Happy first birthday to the Rosie and Edward puppies! We had a birthday party with five of nine of them and Rosie in attendance. A great time was had by the kids and owners.

AUGUST 20-22, 2010

The Cascade Specialty weekend was a huge success this year. Rosie was Best Of Winners and Best Bred By Exhibitor at Cascade for a 5 point major. And then on Saturday at the Olympic Kennel Club show she finished her championship with a 4 point major and Winners Bitch. On Sunday, I moved her to Best of Breed and she was Best Opposite Sex her first time as a special. Her son, Hunter, and daughter, Trudy, did very well too, taking firsts and placements.

AUGUST 2-5

Hunter, Auld Sod’s It’s All About Me, attended British Columbia's Campbell River and Glacier View shows and garnered a Group 3 and two Best Puppy in Group awards. Way to go Tara and Hunter!

JULY 6, 2010

Today we said good-bye to our matriarch, Promi, Ch. Auld Sod’s Promenade 10/29/95-7/6/10. Promi was the epitome of what an English Cocker should be in temperament. She was always up to lap sitting; giving you a thorough tongue bath; even deaf and blind the last few months, could find any crumb of food; she babysat puppies; kept the other kids in line without being mean; and never met a stranger, be it human or canine. She ruled with a soft paw and is sorely missed by everyone that knew her.

Promi left a legacy of five generations here at Auld Sod, so she’ll continue on in spirit.

JUNE 25-27, 2010

We (Zac, Blanche, Vana, Rosie, Paige, James and I) took a trip down to Canby, OR for two All Breed shows and four Obedience trials. Paige was entered in two trials on Friday and qualified both times, earning two legs toward her Companion Dog (CD) title, and two-second places. On Saturday she earned her last leg and a third place at just barely 10 months old. Not to be outdone by her daughter, Rosie earned two more points toward her championship by going WB and BOS both days. We had a great time parked under the pines, nice sunny weather and romps in the trees in the evening.

JUNE 4, 2010

James has arrived! We have a new addition to the clan from Sweden. He has fit in beautifully with everyone. His registered name is Manaca’s Red Hot Jam and he’s by Charbonnel War Paint (Paddy) and Manaca’s Undesigned Dream (Sonja).  Sonja produced two beautiful puppies for Sandy in the UK who gained their championships quickly and James is similarly bred so he should provide just what I’ve been looking for with my girls.

Talk about a dense red puppy! He has lots of bone, big ribs, masculine headpiece and the sweetest personality, very merry and outgoing. We’re dealing with the language barrier (LOL) but he’s beginning to understand. He’s been Optigen tested Clear/Normal for prcd and FN.

MAY 2010

It’s been an exciting few months. We (Karla, Toni, and I) attended the ECSCA National Specialty in Oconomowoc, WI the early part of May. We drove in the motor home for the convenience and comfort of the three accompanying puppies and ourselves.

A wonderful trip, if it hadn’t been raining most of the way, coming and going. Even got stuck in Billings, MT due to high winds and I90 being closed at Sheridan. But the pups were real troupers and had us laughing most of the time. They certainly enjoyed sips of our libation, tid-bits from gourmet meals, long walks, meeting new friends and romping in dog parks along the way.

Hunter placed third in his sweepstake class and Paige completed her last leg in Rally, Novice B, with a third place, a score of 99, to complete her title at 8 months of age. An emergency vet visit on Tuesday evening left her out of sorts at Wednesday’s Obedience competition, were she blew the long sit, for the first time in her short life! Ms. Trudy did us proud in her sweeps class, although she didn’t place. She showed beautifully and had a great time in the ring.

On the way home we stopped at Mt. Rushmore, but didn’t get any pictures due to the whole area being shrouded in fog. We also visited the Spam Museum, the Corn Palace, Wall Drug and my mom’s grave in Buffalo, WY. I won’t go into details, you don’t want to know! Needless to say we had a blast, venturing into territories unknown (long expanses of it!), visiting with friends at the National and the numerous shopping trips it included. We look forward to the 2011 National in Denver, but we’ll probably fly if the economy is better.