Sign up to Help at the 2012 Briard National Specialty, September 14-23 in Pittsburgh, PA.

Please take a moment to sign up to help out at the 2012 Briard National Specialty, September 14-23 in Pittsburgh, PA. It promises to be a good time with good friends and fellow Briarders. For more information about the Specialty, you can go to the BCA National Specialty website by clicking on the following link: 2012 BCA Specialty

To sign up, go to: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0F45A8AB2BAB9-2012

Thank you in advance for your help. Pam Freund Volunteerism Chair

What A Great Week!

Submitted by Carol Wolfram

Last weekend Tessa earned the last double Q toward her UDX. That is a qualifying score in both Open and Utility Obedience. Yep, 10 double Qs. Yay! Tessa UDX.

This weekend we were at shows in Oregon and there was a large competitive entry in obedience. Tessa won a double run off to take second place in Utility with a 198. A double run off was a first for us. Two teams each ran the same heeling pattern and the judge couldn't decide who was better so we had to do another heeling pattern while the judge got a bit pickier. Tessa and I were victorious, second place for 9 OTCH points. There were 26 very fine working dogs in that class so I was pretty darn happy. We are now sitting at 80 OTCH points (need 100) and a new UDX. Yay Tessa!

Deb Park got in touch with me this weekend. Her boy Einstein had his hips and elbows done. Elbows are clear and hips are OFA Excellent!!! Einstein is a Tessa /Bono son from the first breeding. He is also the third pup from that first breeding to have his hips done. BTW, all three boys came back OFA Excellent!!!! Now, just because I am smiling ear to ear, I want to spell it out....

• Einsten (owned by Deb and Ros Park) Ch Bijou E Equals M C Squared - OFA Excellent
• Griffey (owned by Tracy Thorleifson) Ch Bijou Educated Guess BN, RE - OFA Excellent
• Norman (owned by Karen Cobb) Ch Bijou Endless Journey CD - OFA Excellent

Sarah Kephart had her Tessa/Bono daughter (from the second litter) at shows this weekend. Muse won the breed from the 12-18 class both days. 2 points each day bringing her total to 9 points with one major. That was good news but the better news is that Muse got a Group 4 today! Yay, like I said, a great week and I am still smiling.

Utility is a Blast!

This past weekend Carol Wolfram ran Tessa in obedience at the Rose City Classic. Over four days of loud and crowded shows and Tessa did just great. Her enthusiasm for the sport of obedience never wavered throughout the weekend.

The first video is of the second day in Utility B.
The second video is of the fourth day in Utility B. (her enthusiastic moans/squeals at the end of this one cost us an extra 3 points and dropped us from first to fourth place.)

Small Brag & Big Life Lesson

~ submitted by Tracy Thorliefson

Ellie qualified in Rally Advanced and Excellent both days at the Olympic Kennel Club dog shows in Enumclaw this past weekend. She had scores of 98, 97, 96 and 95 and in one class of 21 dogs placed third. With these "q's" Ellie earned the RAE title.

This is not a particularly difficult title to achieve, you just have to double qualify in both Advanced and Excellent ten times. Last fall, when I realized that Ellie already had 8 legs, I decided that we might as well go for the title. She would be 10 in January, but still loved to play at obedience. I started taking her to Rally class with Griffey and she had a ball. (Plentiful amounts of cookies are involved so what's not to love?) I looked at the upcoming show schedule and planned to enter her at the Seattle Kennel Club shows in March.

Then, in February, she was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. She had surgery (her tumor-ridden spleen was removed) and then she had chemotherapy. While having chemo she was prohibited from going to dog class because chemo suppresses the immune system. Other than losing all her hair, she tolerated chemo really well. Nonetheless, I never thought that she would go to a dog show again, much less compete.

But Ellie finished chemo and seems to be doing really well -- eating, playing with Griffey, barking at the neighbor dogs and hogging the bed. I took her back to Rally class, where despite some foggy moments she showed she still remembered what "heel" means. So, I decided to enter her at the Enumclaw shows. Why not try for one last title?

We went, we competed, and we qualified -- title earned and goal achieved. But doing this with Ellie, under these circumstances, felt totally different than past shows and rally trials. I can get impatient or exasperated at stupid mistakes (mine and whatever dog I'm with), rue the lost points, plan the next training strategy, and focus on how to get better next time. That didn't happen this weekend. I was pleased with the decent scores and thrilled with the third place in such a big class, but mostly I was just grateful to be there, with Ellie, one last time. I appreciated her and her efforts and was happy with what we accomplished. So -- small brag but big life lesson. Remember to appreciate each moment for what it is and be happy that your dog is there to share it with you.

God willing, I will have Ellie with me for many more months/years. I hope that I will remember the life lesson for just as long.

Go hug your dog(s) tonight and be glad that they share your life. I know I'm just a little more mindful about how grateful I am for their companionship today than I was last week.

BCA 2011 National Update

Dear Fellow Briarders,

We know you are anxious for information on the 2011 BCA National in Greensboro, NC, and the show committee has been working to fill in all necessary details that will enable you to make your plans accordingly. We are appreciative that so many of you are willing to work on bringing the National to fruition . Due to the fact that we are working within an infrastructure of multiple all-breed shows, some events will be offered by the all-breed clubs.

The host hotel will be the Clarion Greensboro Airport Hotel(http://www.clariongreensboro.com/). The room rate is $74 per night, including a full hot breakfast each morning. The hotel has a shuttle service to and from the airport(including dogs)There is motorhome parking available, and the hotel management is looking to provide us with a hot water bathing area. The hotel is approximately 15 minutes from the all-breed show site, where there will be 5 days of shows prior to the National. The show committee will assist anyone needing rides back and forth to the show events. There will be extra crates available on site for those who might need them, and we will have an area for grooming reserved for Briards.

The schedule of all-breed, agility, and the specialty events is as follows. PLEASE NOTE that the all-breed shows are at the Greensboro Coliseum. The National will take place at the host hotel, the Clarion Greensboro Airport .

ALL-BREED DOG SHOWS: MB-F Superintendent(REGULAR CLOSING DATE of JULY 27, 2011)

Wednesday, August 10, 2011 : Danville Kennel Club
Thursday, August 11, 2011 Danville Kennel Club

• Special Events: Puppy Group 8/10, Bred-by Group 8/11

Friday, August 12, 2011 Greater Hickory Kennel Club - Briard Club of America Supported Show, hosted by Atlantic States Briard Club

• Special Events: Sweepstakes(pending approval), Puppy Group

Saturday, August 13, 2011 Carolina Kennel Club - Briard Club of America Supported Show

• Special Events: Puppy Group, CERF and Cardiac Clinic, CGC

Sunday, August 14, 2011 Carolina Kennel Club - Briard Club of America Supported Show

• Special Events: Puppy Group

List of judges (Pending AKC Approval) :

• 8/10 Capt. William Daugherty(CT)
• 8/11 Mr. Kenneth Rayner(NJ)
• 8/12 Mrs. Cathy Daugherty(CT)
• 8/13 Mrs. Sheila Cann(ENGLAND
• 8/14 Ms. Virginia Lyne(CANADA)

A brief background of the judges at the all-breed shows:

Captain and Mrs. Daugherty are breeders of Belgian Sheepdogs for 30 plus years, and have judged and exhibited in the US , Canada, and internationally. Mr. Kenneth Rayner has a long and successful history in German Shepherd Dogs, as a member of a family immersed in the fancy. Mrs. Sheila Cann has been involved in Briards virtually since their recognition in England, and has judged both club shows there, as well at Crufts. She judged the 1996 MOBC Regional, and has attended 5 BCA Nationals. Ms. Virginia Lyne is a popular all-rounder from across the border, a successful breeder of her chosen breed, the English Cocker Spaniel, and judged all over the world, and received a high number of votes in the 2011 judges balloting.

NATIONAL SPECIALTY -Caper Dog Shows Superintendent(EARLY CLOSING DATE JULY 20, 2011)

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Monday, August 15, 2011

• AM: Obedience/Rally - Judge: Mr. Ted McCall, NC (pending AKC approval)
• PM: Puppy and Veteran Sweepstakes - Judge: Michele De Tour, MA (pending AKC approval
• PM: All Parade Events After Sweepstakes

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

• AM - Judge Mr. Stanley Saltzman, CT (pending AKC approval) - All Regular /Non-Regular Classes for dogs/bitches
• There will be a 2 hour break before breed, stud dog, brood bitches, and brace
• Junior Showmanship: Mr. Larry Sorensen (pending AKC)

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 BCA Herding Instinct Test
              Tester: Gerard Baude
              Norton, NC

AGILITY TRIALS

Thursday, August 11, 2011- All-Breed Agility Trials, Concord, NC
Sunday, August 14, 2011 Carrabus Center

ACTIVITIES FOR THE NATIONAL:
Friday: BMT Speaker
Saturday: Educational Evening for Members
Sunday: Judges Education (Afternoon), Annual Meeting PM
Monday: Awards Banquet
Tuesday: Briart after completion of judging

Others events are in planning, but among them are a puppy match, a charity miniature golf tournament, a charity golf match for the real golfers among us!

A website will be up shortly which you will be able to visit for updates on the planned events.
We look forward to seeing you in August, and thank you in advance for your participation and efforts in making the National an enjoyable and successful event.

Sincerely, Joshua Greenberg, Show Chair 2011 BCA National

Northwest Briards Take Canada By Storm!

With over 1,000 entries in conformation alone, the Lower Mainland Dog Fanciers shows in Abbotsford BC are billed as Canada's Largest Dog Show, bringing judges from around the world.

On Thursday Am/Can Ch Bijou Educated Guess - Griffey completed his Canadian Championship by going Winners Dog at the LMDF Shows, presented by Janine Starink to Judge Ekarat Sangkunakup of Thailand.  Griffey was Best of winners earlier that day in the Peace Arch Working and Herding Specialty.   Griffey went on to earn his CKC Rally Novice title on Friday and Saturday earning all three legs in three tries, including one First Place!

Also on Thursday at the Peace Arch Working Herding specialty Judy Meggitt's Am Ch Briardale's Camille Lebec - Elle went Best of winners for a two point major showing to Charlotte McGowan of Newton MA.

On Friday, Am/Can Ch Deja Vu Sense and Sensibility CD, RE - "Ellie" took Second Place in the Veteran Sweepstakes showing to Gary Tucker.  Later Ellie took a Group One showing to Jack Boyd of New Zealand.  At almost ten years of age, she looked stunning in the Best of Breed ring!  What a way to retire!!!!

Am/Can Ch Deja Vu Back Seat Driver CGC, RA, PT, CD Am/Can-RN, JHD-s, TT - "Nash" completed his Canadian Championship on Sunday October 31, at the Lower Mainland Dog Fanciers Shows in Abbotsford BC, expertly presented by Shea Skinner to Judge Paul Stanton. Stanton, an F.C.I. All Breeds judge from Sweden later awarded Nash a 4th place in the herding group. Nash also earned his CKC Rally Novice title with 2-First Place perfect scores and 1-Second Place score of 99.

A Unique Event!

~ Submitted by Jeanne Lorang Today in the Pacific Northwest, there was a run off in Obedience - two dogs were tied for first place in Utility B. The uniqueness? It was two Briards! That has to be one of the few times (maybe the first time ever) that two Briards were in the same Utility B class, and to have them tie for first is pretty amazing. There are so few Briards working at that level. And yes, there were other dogs in the class, it was about 10 from what Laurie said. So, Ms. Belle with Laurie Beck finished her UD today.

Ms. DC Tessa with Carol Wolfram won the runoff, and picked up about 10 OTCh points. Good thing she won, since the OTCh points would have been wasted on Belle. After today, Belle can start earning her OTCh points - yeah! And start working on those 10 UDX legs.

Congratulations to Carol / Tessa and Laurie / Belle - two very nice teams!

Quarterly Update of NW Briard Accomplishments

~ from Gail Oneal Dara got her second leg for her JHD title and Emmy got her first leg and second place towards her HRD title in the Inland Empire Collie Club AHBA trial.

Tyee Shows, B.C., Canada

~
submitted by Carol Wolfram  We had a great time up in Canada. There was a large Briard entry of 5 dogs!   Four of the five are pictured above - Griffey (left), Ricki and Ruckus (center) and Jojo (right).   De La Rossa Moravia Campanella "Ricki" (top left),  Crack A Joke Moravia Campanella "Ruckus" (2nd down left) and "Jojo" (3rd down left), an Aladax bitch, are all owned by Bonnie Judd of Aldergrove, B.C.   It was fun visiting with them and their owners. Helen Moulden brought her two Briards Dante and Aminta to visit with us. Iris Bergen and her parents were there and brought their Briard Felix by to visit and everybody enjoyed hanging around just to talk Briards.     I was kept quite busy with both Bijou All Flash No Cash "Tessa" (pictured at Mill Bay) and Bijou Educated Guess "Griffey" (with judge). Whew, I don't think I have ever run around the ring so many times before. Griffey was quite the little star in the breed ring. He showed well in the classes for both myself and Tracy. Then I had the pleasure of running him around in the adult groups every day as well as two days of puppy groups and puppy Best in Show. He just kept going into the ring again and again. What a trouper he was. I was also very happy with how well Tessa did in obedience plus of course the fact that she finished her Canadian Championship. She earned two titles up there (Ch and CD) and we will go back up for more obedience trials in the future.  The last picture is of the mother and son (Tessa and Griffey) on the dock across from the hotel where we stayed, a lovely little park right across the street!

Puyallup News!

Briards were well represented at the Western Washington Cluster held at the fairgrounds in Puyallup, January 16-18,2010.  Six Briards competed in conformation, "Andre" in Rally, and "Tessa" in Open B and Utility B. 

CH Deja Vu Back Seat Driver, CGC, RA, PT, JHD-s "Nash" presented by Shea Skinner took BOB and Heartsong’s Durango "Ranger" presented by Hannah Spencer took Winners Dog all three days. On Saturday showing to Charles Olvis, Nightwind's  Double Dog Dare Ewe"Dara" took WB/Best of Winners.  On Sunday showing to Doris E. Werdermann, Briaramour's Dazzling Femme Fatale "Gia", presented by Erin Winton, took Winners Bitch and "Ranger' took Best of Winners.  Click this link to view a video of the Best of Breed competition.

Bijou Educated Guess "Griffey" made his debut at the Puyallup shows at just 6 months old. Shown by three different people in three days, owner Tracy Thorliefson was pleased that "Griffey" had such a good time!  The Puyallup shows were also a debut for "Nash" as these were his first shows with his new handler Shea Skinner.
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

CH Cachet Deja Vu Andantino RA "Andre" finished his Rally Excellent title with a placement.  CH Bijou All Flash No Cash,  HSc, HSAs, OA, NAJ, RA, UD pleased the crowd with some brilliant moments in the Open and Utility rings.
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

An informal meeting of the Pacific Northwest Briard Club was held at Charlie's and attended by board members Gabrielle LaRoche, Sonia Thompson, Kath Williams, Tracy Thorliefson and Carol Worlfram and club members Gail Oneal, Judy Meggit and daughter Chelsea.  There was interest in hosting a meet the breed booth at the Seattle show (although concern that more lead time might be necessary). The group agreed they would like to work toward holding a supported entry at a show that has obedience, conformation and good access in the hope we might entice folks to travel from California.

Another Obedience Coup

by Tracy Thorleifson. Huge congrats to Carol and Tessa for another obedience coup. Yesterday Carol and Tessa entered Utility B for the first time (because she just earned her UD title) and in Open. She qualified in both, earned her first UDX leg, High Combined and won her Utility B class, earning her first points toward an OTCH title. Way to go! Griffey is very proud of his mother and his breeder.

Ranger Takes BOB, Andre Earns 2 Legs and Tia Earns her RN Title at Whidbey Island Kennel Club

Story by Sonia Thompson. Heartsong’s Durango "Ranger" owned by Judy and Dallas Meggitt and presented by Hannah Spencer took Best of Breed at the Whidbey Island Kennel Club. Ranger is out of Ch Briardale USS Boston Terroir x Ch Neorageux Unforgettable and bred by Pam Ohlsson. Ranger really looked gorgeous; his coat was so shiny that it looked like black marble. On Saturday, Ranger was the only dog showing. Nightwind's Definitely Maybe "Tia" joined him in the ring for BOB. On Sunday, the other male (2 yr old Marvin) came from Sweden with his family who live in Mill Creek.

CH Cachet Deja Vu Andantino RA "Andre" took a 3rd place in Rally Excellent A on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday he and another dog tied for 2nd place, but the other dog was 1.5 seconds faster, so Andre got 3rd. His 2nd Exc leg. Because the ring time for Tia's Rally classes conflicted with the Breed Ring both days, on Saturday I asked to be moved to last in Rally and there was no time for them to let me walk the course. I missed 2 "signs" so she did not qualify on Sat. I did only rally on Sunday, and she finished her Novice Title with a score of 97 (there were 2 dogs with 98, and 2 with 97. Again the time difference of a couple of seconds put Tia in 4th place, but we were very happy to be among the 4 scoring in the 90's. The 3 other handlers were Rally/Agility instructors, so I was especially proud of her).

There was alot of rain both days! I don't know how Hannah got Ranger from the grooming building to the ring looking dry and shiny! At the Rally trial, there were the Labs, German Shepherds, Spaniels, Border Terriers and looking as if they were in their element; then there were 2 dripping Briards.....

Stumptown News

Five Briards were present at the Stumptown Shows and Obedience Trials at the Portland Expo July 18 and 19. Ch Lebec's Magical CEO "Chief" (top left) owned by Pat Cardone & Jeanne Lorang and handled by Pat Cardone took Best of Breed both days. Heartsong’s Durango "Ranger" owned by Judy and Dallas Meggitt took Best of Winners on Saturday showing to Mrs. Donna J Buxton. Briaramour's Dazzling Femme Fatale "Gia" (above right and below left) owned by Angela and Max Trimm and handled by Erin Winton took Winners Bitch both days. Enchante's Dreamboat Annie "Annie" (above left and below right)owned by Margot Baron and handled by her daughter Morgan took reserve. The judge on Sunday was Ms. Leslie A Earl. "Windy" was entered in team obedience with her owner/handler Kath Williams.

"I am proud to say that Gia now has 2 points acquired at her debut weekend. I have lots of pictures of her and of her and Annie. What a funny coincidence that Gia and Annie have the same exact birth date, December 28, 08. I feel an addiction to shows coming on" said Angela Trimm.

"Ranger was great on Saturday, he looked fantastic and he behaved" said Judy Meggitt. Pam Sage showed him and he got one point.

Chief is out of Ch Higgins Bohemia Elite x Ch Cherron U Wanna Dance and bred by Jeanne Lorang and Liz Kenitz. Ranger is out of Ch Briardale USS Boston Terroir x Ch Neorageux Unforgettable and bred by Pam Ohlsson. Gia (at left with Max Trimm) is out of Saper II Vom Vossberg x Ch Briaramour's De Moulin Rouge and bred by Benita S. Keiss and Aija Hangland. Annie is out of Ch Hooligan Nadina-Sis x Ch Enchante's Vision and bbred by Kathy Simms.

Kath and Windy's team took first place. Click on these links to videos: heel on leash, team figure 8, stand for exam-a, stand for exam-b, heel free, drop on recall and last but not least Kath's wonderful team shirt designs!!!!

Nash Earns His AKC Rally Advanced Title

Read more......

Record Entries at Seattle Shows (1-5-0-0)!

Story by Sonia Thompson; Ring-side Photos by Tracy Thorleifson. There were 6 Briards competing which is the largest number we have seen at one time at any show in this area for the last two years. On Saturday March 7, Briards were judged by Bart A. Miller. On Sunday March 8, the breed judge was David Bolus.

The two days of the Seattle shows were wonderful! Sonia Thompson's Cachet Deja Vu Andantino RN "Andre" (above left) took Best of Breed both days. Judy Meggitt's Briardale's Camille Lebec "Elle" (above right) took Best of Winners both days.
Andre (left) got his championship and is Advanced Rally title. Elle got two 4-point majors and has three single points to go.

Gail Oneal's Radieux's And The Winner Is HSAs "Emmy" (left) was the other open bitch. (Below left to right) Nightwind's Double Dog Dare Ewe "Dara", Nightwind's Definitely Maybe "Tia" and Nightwind's Dances With Wool "Nutella" were the three puppy bitches.
"We are very appreciative of the effort to get Briards together for this show. The Briards received a lot of attention ringside and in the aisles" said Judy Meggitt.



There were many people helping and urging us on. The help and encouragement was fantastic. Judy's delightful friend Hannah Spencer showed Elle, who was at the peak of her charm. Hannah (at left with Elle) did most of Elle’s training and is a freshman at Western Washington University in Bellingham.Gail showed Emmy, who has filled out after the puppies and is looking good. And one of the puppies, Dara, a beautiful, well built puppy. She took reserve on Saturday. Nutella, the 2nd puppy (owned by Barbara and Pascal Stoltz of Kirkland WA) is also beautiful! She was handled by my friend Haley, at 14 yrs, one of the top junior handlers. She took reserve bitch on Sunday. The 3rd puppy, Tia, is still a scruffy girl. And she came in 3rd each day. We had alot of fun, much of it due to the great people who were there: Gail and Tracy worked non-stop at grooming. Haley's mother Bonney had a crash course in grooming Briards, and Barbara and Pascal did alot of work, too. Izzy, one of Ellie's other puppies, came with her person Marcia help with what ever was needed. Other friends appeared to help.

Andre and Tia competed in Rally. Both qualified on Saturday, Tia did not make it to the ring in time on Sunday. Andre finished his Advanced title with a high score and 2nd place!!! We ran over to rally directly from the Breed ring, just as the last dog was entering the rally ring. The steward move his number to the end, we were able to watch, then go on in. The judge was really nice about it. We went into group that afternoon; he was one of 6 who made the first cut, so that was a really exciting end of the day. The only sad part was that I couldn't go home Saturday night to get Cecca, and if I had been able to make it home, I couldn't have made it through the 12 inches of snow to return Sunday. So Cecca missed her agility runs in the venue she loves most of all (the pattern is that after she qualifies she gets to run full speed to her favorite vendor! She knows them all).

Life after being a show dog (many years after) -- the photographer's Ch Deja Vu Outfielder CD RA "Sammy" on the sofa (note the BCA throw in the back).

A HERDING EXTRAVAGANZA, Plano Texas Oct.24 - Nov.1

The BCA Nationals Herding Clinic (Oct. 24 & 25) is fast filling!!! If you have any desire to attend, email Mary Weir. The cost is $200.00 for 2 days of C course herding with PNWBC's own Carol Wolfram and Mary Weir as clinicians, over 200 head of sheep and acres of practice courses. Be ready for the trial on Mon and Tues Oct 26 and 27 and have fun with the herders!!!!!! For more information about the National go to the 2009 BCA National page.

UKC Trial HIT!

by Carol Wolfram
Saturday I went to a UKC show with both Lark and Tessa. Lark was entered in Utility A for the very first time and Tessa was entered in Open B to try for the first leg of her U-CDX. We had a very successful day. The morning started with Lark winning the Utility A class with a 188!!! I was soooo happy with her. Utility is a tough class at the best of times and UKC has some challenges that the AKC utility class doesn't have. Lark did a great job especially since I just entered her to see where we were in our training. Looks like we are ready to try again! After Utility came Open B and Tessa was totally on top of things. She never took her eyes off me and wound up winning the class with a 198. She is such a wonderful worker! I just love to take her in the ring. At the end of the day after all the other classes Tessa still had the highest score so she was High in Trial. I couldn't have asked for a better day! Laurie Beck was there as well with Page (in Open B and Utility B) and Belle (in Novice C) and she was very complimentary about how both my girls worked (OK, especially Tessa!) Many thanks to Laurie for all your support at these shows.

PNWBC has 1st AKC OTCH Briard!

PNWBC Board member Laurie Beck and Page DID IT! Breed history is made in Ridgefield Washington!

Thursday, December 4, they got the last points needed to earn the first AKC OTCH for a Briard - Page, OTCH CH Briardale's One For the Books de Lebec UDX2 (etc), bred by Jeanne Lorang, owned by Laurie and Justin Beck, completely trained by Laurie Beck. Page had earned the UKC Obedience Champion title (not sure if she is the first in that) a couple months ago, but Laurie wouldn't let Jeanne do any bragging until she got the AKC OTCH. She also is the only Briard with a UDX2. Page is 10 next week. Briards now have herding champions, agility champions, and an obedience champion.

Jeanne reports "this has been such a long journey for them both. Laurie made some mistakes early on, Page took advantage of them as only a dominant, smart Briard can, and she came very close to being euthanized for biting. But Laurie fought for them both to get better and learn, and they became a team. There were stretches where the points were just not coming, Laurie was hurting, Page was distracted, etc. Then this summer, Laurie called me in tears sure that Page's career was over, as she could no longer do jumps due to pain. It turned out an infection after dentistry had spread to Page's bones, and it took massive doses of antibiotic over a long period to get her healthy again. And they started picking up those last points, and today she reached 104, with a first place to boot! It's hard to understand how much work Laurie and Page put into this, unless you've followed the whole journey, and Laurie never would let me brag about what she was doing."

Last year Jeanne commissioned Carol Wolfram to make one of her beautiful glass pieces that said "First Briard OTCH", and Carol and friends have been carting it from show to show, waiting for the day. Today Carol was there to watch and give Laurie the plate. "I am so happy for Laurie, and so proud of Sassy's daughter. She'll probably be pissed I bragged before AKC confirmation of the title, but I don't care! No way I could wait! I just wish I could have been there to watch" said Jeanne.

According to Mary Weir a much more dramatic tale is in order......

Carol Wolfram said "the judge had 4 Q's out of the class all present in the ring. Laurie's obedience friends had figured she needed to get 1st or 2nd to finish. The judge announced the 4th place....... doggie walked up got ribbon. The judge announced 3rd place....doggie got ribbon. Drum roll!!!!!!!!!!! judge announced 2nd place... doggie walked up and Laurie had tears in her eyes as she knew she had gotten the title. THEN judge announced 1st and PAGE and LAURIE won!!! The crowd went nuts and the judge hadn't a clue what was going on."

"....and actually before that, the judge asked what legs people were working on. One team just got their 19th UDX leg (towards a UDX2), another their first X leg and a third their 7th leg. She then turned to me and asked what we were there for. I replied, 'oh, we're just here.' She didn't know what to say and everyone laughed" reports Laurie.

What a wonderful way to do it, with friends cheering you on. The judge marveled that Page was the first Briard ever for an OTCH. And Laurie is worried that she didn't comb her hair for the picture. Congrats to the team on a once in a lifetime win!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In retrospect, Laurie writes: "Page has been feeling so good lately that I didn't have a chance to get nervous before we showed. We were the last exhibitors in utility. We went into the ring, she worked with attitude and before I knew it, we were done. Going back into the ring for ribbons I got so nervous, I thought my knees might give out. "

"The commemorative plate that Jeannie had Carol Wolfram make is stunning. Now I understand why for the last few months Carol and friends were always asking how many points Page had. I didn't have a clue!" said Laurie.

"I've been so lucky to have had Jeanne to lean on whenever the chips were down, my trainer, Lori Drouin to call on when something broke (and believe me, when you're trialing for as long as we were, everything broke more than once), a friendly face outside the ring, Carol, to support us, and all of you to recognize our efforts" remarked Laurie.

Whidbey Island K.C. Trials & Tribulations

Cachet Deja Vu Andantino RN "Andre" (pictured at right) got his first leg in Advanced Rally on Saturday November 15 at Monroe, with a fourth place, which is good for an apprehensive "lagging" boy. A fourth place Q even though he lagged!! On Sunday he was very relaxed and was enjoying greeting and sharing treats with several Rally classmates and their people. There must have been really good karma in the room because even the antisocial cattle dog classmate was congenial. Sonia took advantage of the happy atmosphere to get him jazzed before the start. He did a "line up" nicely. Then the first handler error happened: Instead of "heel", Sonia sang out "Ok let's go!" in her most lively tone. He went. The lagger sprinted ahead! He was nearly at the second sign before Sonia picked her jaw off the floor and began to activate her stunned brain. She should have asked the judge if they could repeat #1, but she hadn't really recovered yet, so they went ahead from #2. Sonia resports that she made at least 3 other handler errors, so they did not qualify. But he did what she asked, happily and without lagging except at the last sign! So that was a win as far as Sonia was concerned!

Ch. Deja Vu Back Seat Driver RN PT JHD-s "Nash" was only entered on Saturday. The strategy was that he'd either Q, obtaining his third leg and RA title, or the team would know what they had to work on. Nash and Gabrielle arrived at the fairgrounds early, checked in, picked up the course and found a grassy area where they could warm-up off-leash. Gabrielle was feeling pretty good about their chances. They walked into the ring, Nash didn't want to sit at the ready (not a good sign) and then got a case of the zoomies as soon as they started - dashed around the ring, over the jump, circled a few pylons, into a play bow and they were excused. The audience loved it. "Some days you're the dog trainer and some days you are only the poop scooper."

It was a beautiful sunny autumn weekend in Monroe, unlike many we have seen at that time of the year. Neither competitor could fault the venue. The rally ring had few distractions - it was set up in its own building in the end of the room so that there were walls behind the ring gates on three sides. The only thing one could ask for might be more room to watch and wait, but then that would make it perfect and who has ever experienced an absolutley perfect setting?

Gig Harbor Kennel Club Trials

Deja Vu Back Seat Driver, CGC, RN, PT, JHD - Nash - earned two legs toward his Rally Advanced (RA) obedience title at the Gig Harbor Kennel Club Trials in Shelton WA. Read more...