Where did the summer disappear to?! A haze of heat, mostly, and dragging hoses around, but wow – I can’t believe it’s September already. Fall trial season is just around the corner . . .

I am remiss in introducing the newest members of our family. Beacon (Raintree Torchbearer) is from the AskEm-Halo litter. She’s a great office buddy, loves birds, and I’m having lots of fun with her. Unfortunately I have yet to get a photo I really love of her, but here’s a cute shot of her with her dad.

Beacon was planned, but when Dean attended the NBHA Awards event a few weeks ago, he came home with a (sur)Prize (thanks, Tom Waite, for providing transportation!). Prize was bred by Carpenter’s Kennels, sired by Barker’s Leer Jet out of Carpenter’s Daisy Duke. We plan to register him as Raintree Unexpected. Prize is holding his own pretty well with Beacon and Ziva, and enjoying his first exposures to quail.

Bessie

NAFC AFC Triple Ridges Best Bet

2/16/1996 – 6/12/2012

Bessie had a long, happy life.  She had a very successful trial career, and produced some terrific progeny including FC AFC Birchbluff’s Capricorn (Caper).  Condolences to our friends George and Arlene Reichert for the loss of such a special dog.  I hope the wonderful memories will comfort them.  I can still remember George beaming at Bessie’s National win.

I love this poem by David Harkins:

You can shed tears that she is gone,

or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back,

or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her,

or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,

or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her only that she is gone,

or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind,

be empty and turn your back.

Or you can do what she’d want:

smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Safe passage, Bess.

I’ve been fighting strep throat AND a miserable virus that I didn’t want to share with my friends, so today was the first day that I was able to go visit the AskEm-Halo puppies. They look terrific! Eyes are beginning to open. They are starting to get up on their feet a bit. Won’t be long and they’ll be up playing together .

A Mother’s Day surprise! Halo delivered her puppies by c-section today – the first arrival tried to slide in sidewise – a few days earlier than anticipated! Four boys, three girls. Puppies and Mom doing well. Can’t wait to see them in person .

Litter expected mid-May from AskEm and Halo (Sail’s litter sister)! We’re very excited, especially since we continue to be so pleased with the Sail x Swifty pups from last summer. Both parents had eye exams last month and were clear, AskEm is OFA excellent and Halo is OFA good.

Pedigree for the litter is here: AskEm x Halo pedigree

Many thanks to John Stolgitis, who trained and handled our English Setter Raintree Ballerina, “Rina” to the National Grouse Derby Classic win this past weekend in Marienville, PA. What a thrill! Rina had two broke finds, one grouse and one woodcock, to earn her win. Well done, John & Rina!

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.