A Salute to the VETERANS here

My intentions this week was to get caught up on grooming and take some over due ...very overdue pictures of my seniors here...time marches on and it certainly wasnt waiting for me to get my act together...ended up on being rained on the family day picture but had taken these pictures past couple of days between other fall jobs.
Now if I can keep these dogs clean here on the farm..might just get another crack at it before I'm back to work....

2010 CNASA National Agility results

Results of the CNASA 2010 Nationals Agility
ALL BREED AWARDS:
High Scoring Novice in Trial
Caitland's Exactor Double Down CD HT TD AGN - Zack

High Scoring Intermediate in Trial
PCh Caitland's Having a Hey Day CGC CGN TD HI AGN CDX AGNJ AGNS - Whoopie

High Scoring Excellent in Trial
Ch Maplemor Bring It On To Evrmor CD RN HS SKS AGIJ AGI - Brita (Rottweiler)

High in Trial - Trial 1
Summerlove's Prince of Troy - Paris (Shetland Sheepdog)

High in Trial - Trial 2
Malpaso Closin'n on Los Suenos CD AGN AGNJ- Spyder

High Overall All Breed
Ch Maplemor Bring It On To Evrmor CD RN HS SKS AGIJ AGI - Brita (Rottweiler)

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD AWARDS
Highest Scoring Novice Australian Shepherd
Caitland's Exactor Double Down CD HT TD AGN - Zack

Highest Scoring Intermediate Australian Shepherd
PCh Caitland's Having a Hey Day CGC CGN TD HI AGN CDX AGNJ AGNS - Whoopie

Highest Scoring Excellent Australian Shepherd
N/A

High in Trial Australian Shepherd - Trial 1
Ch Uproar's Too Hot Too Handle HS - Scorch

High in Trial Australian Shepherd - Trial 2
Malpaso Closin'n on Los Suenos CD AGN AGNJ- Spyder

High Veteran Australian ShepherdDe Barge R U Ready for this PCD - Shock

High Overall Australian Shepherd
Caitland's Exactor Double Down CD HT TD AGN - Zack

His Eviction Notice....

Well his eviction notice has been served...the Ram that is.
Knew the day was approaching when he'd be challenging anyone entering his domain....tried launching me from behind during feeding time.
Once I know all the girls have been romanced, he'll be taking a one way ticket to Tofield Sheep Sale with the rest of this years lambs.
He produced a great lamb crop for me with no lambing problems, so will look forward to another super lambing crop early spring.
Will find another one like him for next fall.
I've been around bulls a good part of my life including showing them at Exhibition years ago when we were showing our cattle. Never
had one issue or problem with a bull, or pen of bulls here....but rams a different story...they don't stay here for very long.

MSCC Letter published in CVMA Newsletter

Permission has been granted to cross post.
Well worth reading! Cathy

I've not seen it yet myself, but today we learned that our letter to theCVMA and other vet councils in Canada was published in the CVMA newsletter. You can read it here: http://www.mscc.ca/news_events.html We received a reply from a veterinarian in Manitoba, who stated that theletter made her "angry". Apparently, she was offended that she might bearsome of the blame for the consequences that rigid selection for new traitson our already limited gene pool. I wrote the following back in response.

**** Speaking for myself and no one else: In 2011, for the first time in 30 years, there will be no puppies born here. One of the little understood facts of show dog breeding is that it'sdecidedly unprofitable. The sale of puppies sometimes offsets the costs of bringing that litter into the world, but most of the time, we breed dogs at a loss and support our hobby through outside income. We breed show dogs for the love of sport, and the love of our breeds. This is also the reason that we support veterinary research programs through financial contributions and direct participation. Many of the treatments youuse today were developed in whole or in part, by funding from dog showbreeders and the organizations they support.
You feel passionately about what you do, that is clear, and I have no desire to force you to perform any procedure with which you disagree. But it is deeply disrespectful to me, as a breeder, and as "your" client,that you cannot extend the same generosity to my passionate beliefs, or to those veterinarians who do not agree with your views.
In 2004 I helped co-author this paper with Dr. Bruce Grahn at the Universityof Saskatchewan. The research was based upon my dogs, my records, and thebreeding colony I maintained. Research into identifying the gene responsiblehas been ongoing since then. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15091321 I have already notified the Dean and Dr.Grahn in writing that myparticipation in this research ends the day that the SVMA decides theirjurisdiction extends to my breed standard. I have no desire to walk away from important research. For Dr. Grahn and histeam, it will amount to a tragic waste of professional resources andresearch grant dollars.
For me, it will have been a waste of time and finances, but most painfully, a waste of the puppies who were bred, and then euthanized to have their retinal tissues harvested. But as the veterinary associations seem poised for a full frontal assault on show breeders and our breed standards, my participation in veterinary research has become moot. If I can't show my dogs at the highest levels, I don't need veterinary opthalmologists, much less dna testing.
Back to my decision not to breed next year. While I have a wonderful relationship with my veterinarians, I am truly conflicted as to whether I want to place puppies in homes where they may be brought to be treated by people like you - veterinarians who are actively working to end my lifelong enjoyment of competition in the show ring. So, should the day come that you or one of your colleagues learns that the clinic can no longer sustain its operating costs, I sincerely hope that the first person you think of is me, and the puppies I will not sell next year.
When a profession that I have supported for upwards of three decades decides to "put me out of business", know just this one thing: I - and others likeme - will make every effort possible to return the favour.
-- Kate McMillan http://www.katwerk.com

Calves weaned...

Calves are weaned and in the yard....makes for a few days of bawling for their moms and watching them carefully with reducing as much stress as possible to make a smooth transition. In the mean time the cow herd is walking the fence line and coming back to the location where they last saw their calves.
Now we have some 'real chore work' for the dogs...starting with dog breaking the calves with Quade.
Have been wearing my chore toque alot lately , not sure when we had summer but we are definately in fall. Leaves starting to turn, blankets covering garden rows a common sight to see through the cool nights...the threat of frost in the air.
Harvest sitting at a stand still waiting for some hot dry days...really need a few of those days...tough for those that have only one pay check a year ( crop )
Alot of hay not able to be taken off...means cattle will have to come in graze down if the fields are fenced...otherwise a royal mess for next year.
Think the entire year has been overcast...no one really sporting a tan...not even much of a farmer tan. Alot of growth noted in the trees this year and hopefully most of the water table's are up.
Porcupine tangled up in my electric fence and totally trashed one section trying to get out...making himself really hung up...certainly not an easy critter to
dispose of and remove so the sheep or dogs don't find any stray quills....but better than a skunk if looking for any bright notes :)
Back on a stretch of night shifts this wk.

Eye Exams in the city

Trip to the city for eye exams today.
Dare, Fly, Derby and Quade all clear....now to find another day to get away with a few more dogs for another eye exam day.
Back to editing pictures from the Herding Trials and catching up the Herding Council meeting.
Congrats to Jackie on your upcoming Tray x Meg litter....should be a great cross for work ethic ! ( might have to double knot those laces tho' :)

Best Laid plans...

Best laid plans getting set aside for more than one person unable to attend the Canadian Nationals, including myself.
Was able to keep my committments as Herding Chairperson for the Trials, but had to pass along the baton for MVA to Jackie Tomayer to see it through. Thanks a million Jackie, certainly appreciated.

Pictures will be posted over the next few days on the 2010 CNASAWebsite for all venues.

We saw some lovely dog/handler teams step up to the challenge on a large trial field ( 200 x 400 ) and not timeing out while negotiating both the arena and the stockdog courses. Received alot of compliments on honest stock / great venue as well how smooth things ran with Special Thanks to Irene Manley CD and Jackie Tomayer Trial Sect the rest of the Trial Committee who were a big part of the Nationals Trial success.
Thanks to all the competitors who stepped in to help...all sincerely appreciated.

*OVERALL Winner ( 4 Herding Trials ) at the Canadian Nationals
JUSTUS 8 THE MIGHTY QUINN
Breeder: Marti Parrish
Sire: Temptations Tidal Wave
Dam: Justus One Tuff Cookie
Owner: Irene Manley
Crescent Valley BC

Top Advance Aussie :
*ACH WTCH CH A LITTLE FLASH OF TUCKERCREEK HX RN AGIV RTDcs SDA CD
Breeder: Tanya Wheeler
Sire: HOFX WTCH CanCH Las Rocosa Tom's Thunder HA RTDc CD
Dam: Diamon Aire Tucker's Grace HI OTDscd
Owner: Tanya Wheeler
Thunder Bay Ont.

Top Intermediate Aussie:
*L BAR J'S REDI OR NOT
Breeder: Joan Holmes
Sire: Pincie Creek High Plains Drifter
Dam: Windsongs the Ever Redi Kid
Owner: Joan HolmesBig Valley AB

Top Started Aussie:
*JUSTUS 8 THE MIGHTY QUINN
Breeder: Marti Parrish
Sire: Temptations Tidal Wave
Dam: Justus One Tuff Cookie
Owner: Irene Manley
Crescent Valley BC

Four Aussies also won the All Breed Herding Trials listed below:

All Breed HIT at the Nationals:
*AQUAROO SUMMER SANGRIA
Breeder: Bernadette Daniels
Sire: Supreme's Ketchum If You Can
Dam: Aquaroo Holiday Punch
Owner: Charmain Traverso
Victoria BC

All Breed HIT at the Nationals:
*JUSTUS 8 THE MIGHTY QUINN
Owner: Irene Manley
Crescent Valley BC

All Breed HIT ( 2 trials ) at the Nationals
*ACH WTCH CH A LITTLE FLASH OF TUCKERCREEK HX RN AGIV RTDcs SDA CD
Owner: Tanya Wheeler
Thunder Bay Ont.

Judging the 2 Arena Trials and the 2 Stockdog Trials
Heather Forbes from Ontario
Dave Viklund from Washington
Location at Dog Tale Ranch in Sask.

MVA winner:
*AQUAROO SUMMER SANGRIA
Owner: Charmain Traverso
Victoria BC

MVA Conformation Judge Ken Silveria