April, 2015

  1. Photos From Day Two – Southern California

    April 28, 2015 by myeye

    Many, many thanks to Sue Meile who took 7,000 photos at the Southern California Trials, put all of Chase, Banjo and Echo on a flash drive and mailed it to me.  Here are some of the photos I liked the best.

    The ZComing out of the Z

    To The penTo the pen

    At the 5Waiting at the 5

    To the ExhaustTaking them to the exhaust

    These photos are from Chase’s High in Trial run.  Again, thank you Sue for immortalizing the day.  Thank you Ellen Gerwin for training our Chaseman and trialing him so well.

    Congratulations to Ellen’s Banjo who was High in Trial the preceding day.  Cardis rule!


  2. A Sunday Trial

    April 20, 2015 by myeye

    Chase was entered Sunday in the trial held in Mountainair.  We already knew the sheep were squirrely, but it’s really hard to ignore a trial that is within an hour’s drive.  It was sunny and a little windy.  I took Inca with us so Tom and Carolyn Cannon (who are hanging out in the Isleta area for the week) could visit with the old girl.

    Chase’s duck run was the same as all his Advanced Duck runs have been.  We are throwing in the towel for ducks.  He thinks they are stoopid and I think I would be as well if I continued to fork over entry fees.  So, he will have to earn his Herding/Dual Championship on sheep.  He did not earn any points at Sunday’s trial.  However, his herding partner had this to say about the run — from Ellen Gerwin.

    “I figured being Chase’s coach and partner in this venture I should get the honor of making his report.  First we did not qualify—bummer for that, but looking back at it I have to say of all the runs I have had with him over the past 2 years, this was by far the one I am most proud of him for — Q or NQ!!  These were/are some of the most challenging sheep we will ever see and he gave me 100%!!  We busted the 50% on the hold pen, probably due to a single escape at the beginning getting them in and a mass escape attempt just on the back side trying to contain them to the 4.  His turn at the cone all the way to the hold pen was beautiful, on contact in control of sheep that wanted to suck the dog into the obstacles and wrap around to escape when the dog did, he put just enough pressure to keep them moving, but not so much as to upset them.

    ‘It has been a long road to get here, but we are clicking as a team and holding each other up by doing our parts to make it work. I was not sure we would ever get here, but after today I feel we deserve it.  Now to look for some other, non-heat-of-the-summer trials to get to.”

    As a (very prejudiced) bystander, I thought the work that Chase and Ellen did was splendid.  Chase was thinking and problem solving, but remained responsive to Ellen.  We will not give these sheep a second chance, but know there is honest stock waiting for the Chaseman.  I’m very proud of the dog and his trainer/handler — What a Great Team!


  3. Chase in the Movies

    April 14, 2015 by myeye

    Chase is home from his California herding adventure.  When I left for work, he was sprawled on my bed sleeping it off.

    Ellen had someone video Chase’s Advanced Sheep run — it turned out to be a High in Trial effort.  Here is the movie for your viewing pleasure.


  4. Herding in Southern California

    April 13, 2015 by myeye

    Chase hitched a ride to California with Ellen Gerwin.  The PWCCSC All-Corgi Trials were held at Judy Vanderford’s farm on Saturday and Sunday.

    On Saturday, Chase was 2nd in Advanced Sheep with a score of 91.  He earned 1 Herding Championship point for that.

    Yesterday, Chase brought his A game and earned a 96 (out of 100 possible points) for a 1st place in the class AND High in Trial (sheep).  That was worth 2 more Championship points and completed the requirement of two Advanced Class wins — he already had his Major win.  Chase is now more than half way to his Herding (and Dual) Championship.  This was his second High in Trial — the first was on geese.

    You want to know about ducks?  Why would you ask?  Chase thinks ducks are stoopid.  He had arguments with Ellen both days during his Advanced Duck runs.  When he does that, she thanks the judge and removes Chase from the arena.  BADDOG!

    I cannot thank Ellen enough for all the time and thought she puts into training and trialing Chase.  She has taught him to problem solve and because of that, he has become a very good sheep herder.  . . . and the ducks?  I just shrug.

    High in Trial 4-12-15Judge Molly Wisecarver, our Chaseman, and Ellen — all smiling for the camera


  5. Flutter On the Fly

    April 3, 2015 by myeye

    Last weekend, Jessica Viera showed Flutter (Bluefox Elyan Mariposa) at shows in Anchorage.  On Saturday, Flutter was Winners Bitch/Best of Winners for her third Major and a completed Championship.  The judge was Robert Vandiver.  Flutter is seventeen months old.  On Sunday, Jess moved Flutter up to the Champion class for Best of Breed and Judge Margaret Jones awarded her Best of Breed over three other champions.  In the Herding Group Judge Jones gave her a Group III — I think/hope the first of many Group awards for this pretty girl.

    I can’t say enough good things about Flutter’s “other mother” and primo handler Jessica Viera.  She does such a lovely job of exhibiting her (and of washing off the mud).  Our little girl is definitely a pig-dog!

    Flutter’s Championship/Group Placement completed the requirements for her mother Lowri’s Register of Merit Bronze award.  Flutter is the fourth champion in Lowri’s litter by GCh Twinroc Santa Paws ROMg “Dickens”.  A fifth puppy, Peyton needs only a 3-point major to complete his Championship.  We have been on a wild ride with this group of puppies — and have we ever enjoyed it.  Here is Flutter’s “new champion” photo — she cleans up well.

    New Ch 3-30-15 blog

    And the Group III

    Group 3 - 3-29-15 cropped blog