"Kylie"
Before bringing Kylie into my life, I knew nothing of conformation, competitive obedience, agility or herding. Less than two years later (as of June 2005), Kylie accumulated 16 ASCA conformation points towards an A-Ch. title that included multiple Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex wins with two majors. She also had one leg each towards an ASCA CD obedience title, an AKC CD obedience title, and an AKC RN (Rally Novice) title.
Kylie and I love training in just about every dog sport venue. We're currently working our way towards advanced ASCA and AKC obedience titles and AKC, NADAC, ASCA, and CPE agility titles. I also want to work towards herding and tracking titles some day. Kylie was tested for herding instinct in a pen with three sheep awhile back ... it appears she already has natural ability ... it's *me* that needs training. Kylie passed her AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test with ease before her first birthday. I'd like to get her Therapy Dog International (TDI) certification and begin her training as a therapy dog soon.
Update: August, 2005
I somehow managed to break my left leg just above the ankle during a walk with Kylie in early July. This meant no shows and no training. After over six weeks in a cast, I can get back into the swing of things and start posting lots of wins in the conformation and obedience rings. Stay tuned...
Update: November, 2005
Kylie and I returned to agility classes in October, we started a therapy dog training class. We're also back in the competition ring again! In two obedience shows at TCOTC in October, Kylie finished her RN (AKC Rally Novice) title and even got a third place with her last leg!
Thanksgiving Weekend, 2005:
Kylie is officially a champion! She took Winners Bitch and Best of Opposite at a UMASC show on November 26 to finish her A-Ch. title. I was so proud to update her name at the top of the website. I am indebted to all the UMASC members who rallied to create a major for this show. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I will start specialing her (... and this from someone who swore to never step in the conformation ring!) I would like to garner enough points to be able to attend the ASCA Nationals Invitational in 2006, held in Wisconsin.
Update: March, 2006
Kylie and I had a number of big weekends this month. The first was at the UMASC March 3 - 5 show -- she got her first Best of Breed! Then the weekend following, we tested for her TDI (Therapy Dog International) certification and she passed with ease. I'm so proud of my little girl -- one more title to add to her name! She also did really well at the RRVASC show the weekend of March 17 - 19, taking Best of Opposite on Friday night, Best of Breed on Saturday, and Best of Opposite again on Sunday! Looks like an invitation to the ASCA Nationals is within our sights!
Update: May 2006
Another big month for us so far. Kylie just shined at the RRVASC shows May 12 - 14. She took an unbelievable 3 Best of Breed titles and one Best of Opposite in four shows! Thanks to judges Kim Base, Shelly Hollen, Rick Gann, and Gail Karamalegos for recognizing Kylie's potential. We're attending one final show in Michigan before the end of the ASCA 'year'. As of the end of May, we need enough points to place us in the top thirty for all altered dogs for the ASCA Invitational.
Update: July 2006
Well, we got enough points to be invited to the ASCA Invitational Show at the ASCA Nationals. As a matter of fact, we got more than enough ... we ended up placing fourth in the merit standings behind some seasoned dogs and handlers! I was so proud of her that I placed an ad in the next issue of the Aussie Times magazine. You can see it on my pictures page.
I continue to be amazed at how well Kylie does in shows. Since I'm actually handling her, I can't see what the judges see, but obviously they like it! Since the last update, Kylie took Best of Breed and Best of Opposite at a Michigan show over Memorial Day Weekend, she took Best of Breed at a Outback ASC show in June and she took Best of Breed at two of four shows at the Gateway ASC show the weekend of July 22 - 23. Go Kylie!
