I got my first dog, "Nina vom Isarwinkl" (a cocker spaniel) at the age of 13 during a posting with my parents to Germany. I trained her for obedience at a school in Germany and I was hooked. Nina returned to Canada with us in 1976 but when I tried to get her registered in Canada, so that I could compete in obedience trials with her, I couldn't. I really wanted to show dogs so I purchased my first show dog, another cocker, "Ch Audrey's Spirit of Seventy Six" (Elko) from a kennel in Montana, USA. I started showing him in conformation and won many junior handling and conformation classes. I had a blast. I continued showing until I got married, had 3 children and a job. Elko was stolen from our yard during the summer of '83 and Nina passed away in the summer of '87. As my children were getting older the need to show again was getting strong. In the summer of 1990 I bought another cocker "Ch Dayglow's Ringo Star of HES CD" and hit the show ring again. This time I was competing in conformation and obedience. Ringo achieved his CD in one weekend taking 2 High in Classes and a High in Specialty award. A week prior to going into the obedience ring for his CDX he suffered and stroke and due to a loss of depth perception he was retired from obedience. In the spring of 1992 "Ch Sunuryk's Chasin Raynbows CD" (a Siberian Husky) joined our family. She became my next obedience dog. Boy, did I have fun with her. She worked great if I was working her and didn't pay entry fees, but when we were at the shows she worked for the crowd. Sometimes I think she forgot I was even there. It was a great challenge though and I loved every minute of it. By this time my girls were starting to express an interest in showing as well. In the fall of 1994 my oldest daughter bought a pug "Gamaheu's Loded Dice Fr Rollin CD". Annie showed Dicer in conformation, however, due to an attack by another dog, and massive head injury, he was unable to finish his championship. When Annie went off to college Dicer was left with "Grandma" so I started training him for obedience. At the age of 6 yrs he got his CD with 2 High in Classes before he was retired to due to back problems associated with the dog attack as a puppy. In the fall of 1996 "Ch Sunuryk's Tak'n A Break" (another Siberian Husky) joined our family.
In 1997 I started looking for a high energy breed that I could take out and work cows and take riding with me. My search ended with theAustralian Shepherd. In the spring of 1998 "Ch Chinookwinds Peacemaker" (Quigley). Because I can't seem to settle on any one breed I enjoy all aspects of dog competition with a variety of breeds. I occassionally breed the Aussies and the Siberians. |
