AskEm and I were front page news at the National Amateur: http://www.beatricedailysun.com/news/local/article_6eae6cde-1af9-11e1-8288-001cc4c03286.html

I was very proud of his performance.  We ran into some trouble in the fifth , but he otherwise had a very nice trial.  I was pleased with Willow’s completion (FC Raintree Wind in the Willows).  Thanks so much to  Norb and Rose Jamnik for allowing me the privilege of running Willow.  Congratulations to her and handler Jason Givens on a good run – 4 series – at the National Open.

XL was judged out after the second series.  I was pleased that he didn’t make any bad decisions and look forward to our future with great hopes.  Congratulations to his sister Peyton and handler Connor Wharton on finishing the trial.  What an accomplishment for Connor, 16, and Peyton at not even 2 1/2 years old!  Connor’s achievement was written up in his local newspaper:  http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/556121/Local-teen-excels-in-Springer-Spaniel-training-and-competition.html?nav=738

Sail was unable to complete a retrieve in the third series after being distracted by another bird flushing.

The grounds were fabulous, and the trial went very smoothly.  Congratulations to Bill Willett, Bob Iversen , Marty Knibbs and Bruce Kephart (bird planter extraordinaire) for such a well run event.  The people of Beatrice were very friendly and welcoming, and very supportive of the trial.

Congratulations to all the placing dogs and handlers, and especially our friend and training partner, George Reichert, and FC AFC Birch Bluff Capricorn, “Caper,” on their CM, and to our friend Robert Clayton on his second place finish with “Rock” in the first National appearance for both of them.  Well done!

AskEm was awarded second place in the Amateur All-age by judges Brian Sonier and Don Mock at the Southern Wisconsin Sporting Spaniel Club trial last weekend. He handled the thick, tall cover very well, finding his birds and completing his retrieves cleanly.

As the highest placing SWSSC member Amateur dog, AskEm also earned the Don Brunn Sr. Memorial Challenge trophy, a/k/a “The Duck.” It’s always an interesting trip down memory lane to look at the names on a trophy that’s been around for some years. To begin with, the trophy was donated by Gerry Sommer, who holds a special place in my heart (as well as everyone else’s who had the pleasure to know Gerry). Fittingly, the trophy was first awarded to White Oak Slash, owner/handler Bob Sommer, in 1989. In 1992, Dean won possession with FC AFC Raintree Sassy Lady. In 1998, Dean won again with Tigger (FC AFC CFC Fieldbourn’s Ruger), in 2002, with Sassy’s daughter, AFC Raintree Bonnie Lady, and in 2004, with Jessie (FC Gre-shar Mrs. James).

More Raintree connections: in 2003, Brian Sonier won the trophy with Saber, Raintree Brass Tiger, a Tigger x Brassy son. In 2010 the trophy was presented to FC Raintree Wind in the Willows, “Willow.” Her (and Sail’s) sire, the late, great FC AFC Eagle Brae’s Good Sport won in 2000, following in the paw prints of his dam, Ariel of Melchris, the 1994 winner, both handled by owner Jim Naber.

AskEm and I are honored to find a place in such esteemed company!

Hips rated Good, elbows Normal .

Very important, please be sure to be familiar with these new guidelines so that you are not over-vaccinating your dog! Thanks to the NAIA post on Facebook for the heads up.

The newest addition to our family, Pinecroft Taylor’s Big Boy (“XL”) made his field trial debut in the Amateur All-age at the Central States trial this weekend. It was a gorgeous fall weekend with frosty mornings warming quickly in the sunshine. The scenery was lovely. The conditions were tough for the dogs on Saturday once it warmed up and the moisture dissipated, and scenting conditions deteriorated.

Ten dogs were back in each all-age stake for the third series this morning, and I was very excited that XL was amongst the Amateur callbacks. We ran second. The frost was just off the cover, but XL found his two birds well and made two nice retrieves, one a long fall on a crippled bird. I am THRILLED that XL placed third, and *almost* as pleased that our good friend George Reichert got the win to finish Caper’s AFC title. Thanks much to judges Steve Beyer and Jerry Light for the placement (and the ticket – woo hoo!!). Huge thanks to Marty Knibbs and Greg & Connor Wharton for allowing XL to become part of our family and for giving him such a great start.

AskEm ran well this weekend at the St. Croix trial despite challenging conditions. It was HOT, and the scenting was difficult. Thanks to the judges, Tom Menzel and Greg Wharton, for awarding AskEm the blue ribbon to complete his FC title! He is now FC AFC Salmy’s Whats His Name .

Thanks also to the club members and those who worked hard to run a good trial despite the heat, such as bird planter Keith Ruby, the gun team led by John Meyer and Pat Gilligan, and marshals Jayne Reinhart, Deb Livingston, and Linda Martin.

Sail ran a good trial as well, but ran afoul of an extra bird in the third series.

Willow ran a very nice trial to bring home the red ribbon in the Amateur stake. We’re delighted for her owners, Norb & Rose Jamnik, to have her National Amateur qualification!

Photo courtesy Lynn Stone, copyright 2009

Our vet gave the puppies a once over last Wednesday. We knew that Helm had a hernia, and our vet suggested having it repaired now, so he had his surgery Friday. He’s been a house puppy since then, and he’s doing very well.

He’s enjoying seeing Swifty again, Busy not so much!

The rest of the gang has been enjoying the nice weather this weekend to explore the back field by the pond. They’re muddy, but happy, and having fun with some new toys.

Eye exams at UWM tomorrow. Check out the “Puppy Comes Home” page to see if you have any suggestions to offer as families prepare for their new arrivals!

Sorry for the lag in posting. After the Tilden trial I had to prepare for my trip to PA to judge the Susquehanna trial. Thanks much to the committee there, as well as my co-judge, Rick Shively, for a wonderful judging experience. Thanks as well to my Mom, who came to keep an eye on everything here while I was away.

The puppies are doing great! They had their first DA2P shot yesterday, but that didn’t slow them down much. After their lunch today they were enjoying a nap in one big pile in the sunshine, and here’s what happened when I woke them up!

Off to the first fall trial for 2011. Hard to believe it’s fall already =:-0!!! Puppies are in the capable hands of their godmother, Deb Brueggemann, while we head to the Tilden Valley trial.

UPDATE: AskEm finished in the Open, Willow finished in the Amateur. Congratulations to Sonier’s Luminescence (Halo) for her 3rd place finish in the Amateur!

Once again, we are so grateful to Jim, Elaine, Sophie and Scarlett of Rockhaven ESS for fostering Boom, Lanyard, Whitecap and Starboard. The boys came home yesterday healthy, happy, and CLEAN. Not sure how long that last part is going to last, but the boys are quickly settling back into the pack. Seeing all 15 together is quite something!

I had the video camera at the ready to capture the reunion, but it was pretty much a non-event. I did catch this clip of Boom enjoying the toys here: http://gallery.me.com/asiriusgeek#100393

Here’s a photo from Saturday just to keep this post visually interesting .

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