Meet Nick

Nick has been bred to Banshee. I went to go see this dog on a suggestion from a friend and was totally impressed by him. He's two years old, black and white smooth. Approx. 20.5 inches tall. Beautiful temperament, gets along with all people and all dogs. And he's mega cuddly!!! I love cuddly :)

Nick is owned by Gene Sheninger (owner of my Mayhem's sire Yankee). Nick's sire "Star" is from Stuart Davidson and is a 2-time winner of the International Supreme. Nick's maternal grandsire is "Bart" the 2005 USBCHA Champion. Also in the pedigree are Stuart Davidson's "Craig" and Bobby Dalziel's Wisp who are each 2-time winners of the International Supreme. Also Bobby Dalziel's great producer "Jim" is in the pedigree.

I love his structure and balance. He's a great sheepdog. I got to watch him work for a bit before I picked him up. Wow... sheep arent so bad when you know what your doing :) however... I do NOT know what Im doing... yet.

If there is a toy involved, Nick is either play bowing or smiling at you. If that doesn't work, he throws the toy at you because obviously your dumb and don't know your supposed to throw it!

Jolly Ball... Whoooo Hoooo!

throw it..... throw it....

I got choppers... nice choppers... throw the ball or bring me the woman... your choice :)

Ed Note: Im KIDDING! He smiles when you throw the ball to him... its kinda cute actually.

Dogs got some neck on him... whew!

I can't say enough wonderful things about Nick.

Banshee thinks he's the bomb and is totally smitten with him.

If the breeding takes, were expecting babies on Dec 1st!

MACH Yikes!

I know I dont usually put agility stuff on my blog, HOWEVAH... this was too big a deal not to celebrate!

MACH Speedoggie Already Crazy MAD TM aka "Yikes!"

My very first "home gown" Champion (Mayhem x Frenzy)!

Its been a VERY long 2+ years away from heavy agility competition. Yikes! pulled out this Championship with very little preparation. He's the sweetest dog I own and I am so proud of him. The victory is very bitter sweet but I know his daddy was barking and squealing for him from heaven. And what a great start for us getting back in the game. Well done Yikerman... aka MACHerman!

Happy Birthday Hemi (November 29)

Happy Birthday Hemi. He would of been 10 years old. These photos were taken with my iphone at one of our consultations.

I'm dreaming of sleeping next to you and feeling like a lost little boy in a brand new town
I'm counting my sheep and each one that passes is another dream to ashes
And they all fall down.

And as I lay me down tonight, I close my eyes
What a beautiful sight

Sleeping to dream about you , and I'm so tired
Of having to live without you

But I don't mind sleeping to dream about you

and I'm so tired

I found myself in the riches
Your eyes, your lips, your hair and you were everywhere
I woke up in the ditches, I hit the light and I thought you might be here
But you were nowhere (you were nowhere)
Well you were nowhere at home

And as I lay me back to sleep
Lord I pray that I can keep

It's just a little a lullaby to keep myself from crying myself to sleep at night
Oh just a lullabye to keep from crying myself to sleep
Oh just a, just oh, just a little lullabye,

"Sleeping To Dream" Jason Mraz Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrlhawRComo

Oh, and until the dawn it brings

Another day to sing about

the magic that was you and me

Cause you and I both loved

What you and I spoke of

And others just read of

Others only read of the love, 

of the love that I love

("You and I" ~ Jason Mraz)

Down On The Farm

I recently watched a friends farm for the weekend. Great photo opportunities and the dogs got to spend the weekend running around the farm. 

Unfortunately, I downloaded all the photos I took the first day to my computer and cleared the card (ugh...). That computer crashed. So all I have left are the photos from the rest of the weekend and a lesson learned: "Dont clear the card until you back it up!". 

Sometimes however its as much fun to shoot photos of your friends shooting photos as it is to dodge sheep yourself...

 

I named this shot "Road Kill" :)

And yes... I suspect that Carolyn has a photo of me taking this photo of her :)

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Like father... like daughter.

... and then there was Ras, the Islandic Sheepdog. She does get around :)

Yikes! was in love with her.

Jive was interested but he was saving his heart for someone else.

Dig-it! was happy to have someone her own size to run with.

Got'cha! obviously was not listening :)

Gilli, a rescue BC that was being fostered at the farm, was too busy making sure she smelled REALLY good for her newest boyfriend...

"may I have this dance?"

... Pretty Please?!

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How can you have this many dogs in a shot and not have a SINGLE one looking at you?

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Can you find the Blue Boy? 

Im telling ya... he really IS a mountain goat!

Autumn is my favorite season

I look forward to breaking out the down jacket for the first time each year. 

I have this book with all kinds of places to go hiking with your dogs in New Jersey. Each week we go to a new park. 

This was Jack's first hike. 

He was a superstar and was SO HAPPY to be out in the woods! I normally take just one of my dogs with me at a time when I go hiking. It makes for great one on one time for us and it is easier when we go with a group of friends. Its also a great motivator each week to get out and hike more so each dog gets a chance. 

We brought Carolyn and Jive to collect ticks. Seriously, Jive is so low to the ground he collects all the ticks so there are no more for anyone else to get! Poor buddy - but is he a cute dog or WHAT?! I was never a sheltie fan until I got to know Jive. Now Im hooked.

Next to go for a hike was Got-cha! 

He was a mountain goat! Loving to climb on rocks and downed trees. His ears are in-between tapings (don't freak out Gayle... I wont leave them this way!)

LOTS of leaves in this park.

If you kiss your dog in the park and someone has a camera... its considered PUBLIC and that is mortifying :)

He's so cute I can't hardly stand it :)

Let It Snow!

A bit early for our first snowfall but...

Snow on the pumpkins...

Snow on the Yiker-Man.


HUGE wet snowflakes that you could hear hit the trees and ground.



The agility field was covered with snow within minutes.



Got'cha's first snow experience.

Didnt take him long to figure out that THIS was fun stuff!

And while we all sat around the outdoor fireplace drying off some...

Got'cha! decided to try to dig his way out of the xpen to get back outside to play in the snow!

Quicksilver Ready Aim Fire "Mayhem" 11/29/98 ~ 10/16/08

Photos taken hours before Hemi and I had to say goodbye... for now.

Lyrics from Sarah McLaughlin's "Answer"

(Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8B1ai25lUo)
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Cast me gently
Into morning
For the night has been unkind

I will be the answer
At the end of the line

I will be there for you

While you take the time

In the burning of uncertainty
I will be your solid ground
I will hold the balance

If you can't look down
Take me to a
Place so holy

That I can wash this from my mind
The memory of choosing not to fight
If it takes my whole life

I won't break, I won't bend

It will all be worth it

Worth it in the end
'Cause I can only tell you what I know
That I need you in my life
When the stars have all burned out
You'll still be burning so bright

Got Game?

Its been a very bad week for Mayhem. Were hoping he will rally, but if not, here's a nice shot of him out in the field enjoying a beautiful day with his family.

We cherish every single moment we have with him.

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This toy was todays biggest hit!

I see you!

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This toy was also popular.

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The frisbee provided the best photo opportunities!

Yikes! is pretty good at catching a frisbee and making a big game on his own with it.

Got'cha! throws his own frisbee!
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Yikes! and Got'cha! engage in a bit of tug of war. Uncle Yikes! is known for letting the young dogs win at this game :)

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Diggity has grown into herself. She's not looking like a puppy anymore.

Got'cha! is starting to grow taller then Diggity!

Miercats :)

Father Wow! and daughter Dig-It! and Uncle Got'cha!