Nina and I had an awesome weekend at Ebb Tide CPE this past weekend. Beautiful fall weather with blue, blue skies, running and playing and swimming, and agility! Nina finished her second level 4 title (Fun Games – CL4-F), and we had a great time hanging out with friends. Demi was there so we got to see her too, she is growing like a weed! All in all, a lovely way to spend a weekend.
So Nina and I went to our first Agility Association of Canada trial at Act On Agility in Flamborough, Ontario. In the morning was a CPE trial, where Nina earned her first Level 4 title with a Q in Jackpot for her Level 4 Strategy games title (CL4-S). That was the only Q all day, at least partly because I am sick and couldn’t even run at my usual slow speed. AAC was a blast, Steeplechase in particular was huge fun, big, wide-open, fast-running courses, just what Nina likes. Our table performance…wasn’t, but overall it was a lot of fun and I was very happy with how she ran. AAC is very hard to qualify in, but it was a load of fun and the people were super-nice (of course they were, they were Canadian!). It was nice to be able to speak my native language, eh?
Here are some recent pictures of Jack (Alkemi Ascari LS) courtesy of his mom, isn’t he growing into a handsome boy? His dad calls him “little Yoda man” because his forehead wrinkles. I really see Nina in him.
Handsome Jack - his mother's son for sure!
Happy Jack - looks like his dad Emil here!
Bubbles!
Here are some pictures of Demi (CGC Demi!). She went on a road trip to North Carolina and apparently traveled like a pro. She has also been teasing her big sister Mia. The puppies are 8 months old now, and look like the gawky teenagers they are! Austin, Tish and Demi (the ones I get to see regularly) are all legs and ears. Vallhunds are slow to mature, and Nina’s lines are especially so.
Demi, May 2010
Demi - July 2010
Demi will be starting agility classes in October, can’t wait to her how she does!
Nina was awarded the judge’s first annual “WAHOO!!” award for enthusiasm at the TDAA trial this weekend. It made me smile and get a bit misty, she has such a huge personality in that little body, and her love for agility is obvious to everyone (even when the teeter is a launch ramp, and we won’t discuss that nasty old table). I hope the day never comes when she doesn’t love playing the agility game with me, and I really do treasure each run we have together (even, and sometimes especially, the disasters). I love my Nina, I’d have a dozen more Ninas if I could, if Tish has half her mother’s magical whatever-it-is, I will be a very, very lucky person.
Congratulations to our Höckgårdens Eddy (Emil) on his first CKC championship points at Brockville Ontario today. Best of breed yesterday, best of breed AND A GROUP 4 today! He is halfway to his title!
He apparently showed wonderfully with a happy wagging tail and an enthusiastic attitude, yay Emil!
We had a mini family reunion at the Ebb Tide CPE trial yesterday, Nina and Tish got to play with Demi and Austin. There was a LOT of wrestling! Also, Demi is now the first of the A litter to earn her CGC (at just 6 months of age)! She is now Alkemi Adrenaline Murtaya ST CGC! Congratulations to Ron and Demi, what a great job! As I have said many times, I feel very lucky to have such wonderful homes for the puppies!
Here are some pictures of Loki (Alkemi Avanti LS) enjoying the summer with her family:
Loki July 2010
Chew!
Pretty Girl
Cottage
Today Nina finished her last TWO CPE Level 3 titles, earning her Level 3 Standard title (CL3-R), and Level 3 Handler Games title (CL3-H) at All Dawgs, which means her “alphabet soup” changes to just “CL3” now. Her Colors run today was one of her best agility runs ever, she was beautifully smooth and accurate, she got her weaves on the first try for the first time ever at a trial, and she ran the course in just over SEVENTEEN SECONDS!!! Mari said Nina banks the curves in the tunnels, which is why she rockets out of them so quickly. She also qualified in every run today, and it was a hot, hot day. Back for more tomorrow!
Here are some new pictures of Mikko (Alkemi Alfa Romeo LS), thanks to his mom!
Mikko Doesn't Want His Picture Taken In This One!
Mikko in June 2010
Mikko in June 2010
Mikko and Schatzie
What a handsome boy!
Happy Mikko!