New CHAMPION Mason & more points for Trudy!!!

Mason at a park by the Brooklyn Bridge with NYC across the river

Mr. Mason is now Champion Grayhart's Daily Special!  Mason handled by his breeder today at the Brookhaven Kennel Club show, earned his last two points going Winner's Dog under Judge Dr. Steven Herman, to complete his championship.  Mason, finished with three - 4-point majors, including a Specialty major, shown by his sire's owner/breeder, Pat O'Brien.

If that wasn't enough excitement, after I finished showing Mason, I ran to switch dogs and proceeded to show Savi and then Trudy.  Savi won her Bred-By-Exhibitor class and Trudy was the only one in Open.  For the Winner's Bitch class, a friend took Trudy in and I handled Savi.  Trudy won and was Winner's Bitch and Savi was Reserve Winner's Bitch.  Trudy then went on to be awarded Best of Opposite and Best of Winners!  She now has 9 points towards her championship including a major win.

It was a wonderful feeling to have two littermates win the points.  The club had a lovely podium set up with fall decorations, hay bales, pumpkins and flowers for the win photos.  We only had time to take a new champion win picture of Mason and will post that in a few weeks.

As soon as the photo was done, we were off and running back to Brooklyn for day two of the a shoot with Jam. .

Ooh La La Jam!!!

Jam behind the scenes with Coco.

 Jam was back at work today and what an exciting day it was.  We arrived on set in Brooklyn, New York, to find that she was hired to be the co-star with supermodel, Coco Roche in a commercial and advertising campaign for a very special client.  This will be part of a 2012 Spring/Summer campaign and of course, we'll let you know when the campaign is launched.

Coco and Jam in deep discussion behind the scenes during a set change.  

We loved working with Coco, who although a bonofide supermodel, was down to earth and a true animal lover.  She told me all about an amazing charity that she is involved in.  From her website,  Senhoa is a great charity that supports victims of human trafficking in South East Asia by providing income-generating opportunities, social reintegration and programs for self-empowerment. Some of the children they work with are as young as 4 years old.

This weekend I flew to LA to finalize jewelry designs which we hope to have available within a few months. The Jewelry ‘Coco Rocha For Senhoa’will be made in Cambodia by the older girls in the program, with all proceeds going back into the program.  

Pure Bliss

 Incredible beauty from Portage Valley, Alaska, outside of Anchorage, where Bliss spent the day hiking with her family.

A gorgeous fall day was the perfect background for an impromptu photo session of Bliss, Grayhart's Launch My Line, (Clay x Trixie).

 Looking good! I think the shadow behind her is neat.  It would have been a perfect photo is her tail was up but we still love how she's maturing.

 Posing on the rocks and then quite obviously, gives us "the face"...silly girl!

Bravo's BIF in the Weimaraner Magazine

As seen on the inside cover of the September 2011 issue of The Weimaraner Magazine, the official publication of the Weimaraner Club of America...here is Bravo's official Best Dog in Western Futurity win picture!  He was handled to this terrific win by Keith Pautz.  Thank you judge Virginia Lyne for this award.

Birthday Q with a 1st place for Debbie & Sky!!!

Sky, Grayhart Lightfoot Early Morning Rain, RN,JH,TD,NSD,V, (Parker x Trixie) earned her first Novice Standard agility leg today with a clean run and first place!!! Debbie and Sky, at a trial down in North Carolina ran on Sat and Sunday in novice standard and jumpers and they improved with each run. We are very proud of this talented team and Sky gave Debbie the perfect birthday present. Debbie said, "What fun we had and a great way to spend a birthday!" - we couldn't agree more.

Congratulations Debbie and Sky!

Supermodel Savi

A behind the scenes shot of Savi and her model friends!

Following in her momma Trixie and sister Jam's pawprints, Savi's modeling career is in full swing.  She was chosen to be in a holiday campaign for Gap Kids and based on the terrific feedback on set, it was the right choice.  Savi absolutely LOVES kids and the feeling was mutual and showed through in the shots of her surrounded by the crew of beautiful boys and girls modeling the clothes.  In fact, Savi garnered more attention from the crew and passersby on the busy Brooklyn street where we were located, than the human models!  We look forward to seeing the final ads to be used for in-store displays, mailers and on the store website sometime in November.

 Getting used to her "wardrobe" while resting up for  her call on set.  I'm always prepared with a towel or bed for her to lounge on, stars shouldn't have to sit or lay down on a dirty sidewalk.

On set, I'm rewarding Savi between shots.  The white stuff is fake snow.

Weimaraner Wednesday

Jam, enthusiastic in the fields!

 Weimaraner Wednesday fun spent field training with our friends and their dogs.  The weather was a bit hot and muggy with little breeze, so challenging scenting conditions for the dogs.

Jam on point

 The girls found the birds and had decent retrieves, especially our little retrieving machine, Savi, who does it with such gusto and retrieved to hand, it brings a smile to everyone who watches her.

Savi, air scenting as scenting as she hunts for birds

The leaves are already beginning to change color, reminding us that fall is upon us.  I just long for some nice cool weather.

 And only in New Jersey would we have such wild distractions in the bird field!  The preserve where we train is said to have one of the best Halloween Hayrides in the state!

 The dogs are so used to these freaky figures that they pay no attention to them.

Happy Hiking at Harriman

 What to do on a perfect September day?  Go hiking of course at one of our favorite places, Harriman State Park.  It was cool in the woods and Jam and Savi were excited to run and run and run...

 Jam stopped to point a deer in the distance and we were thrilled to see Savi back her.

 Savi backing Jam...

Jam on a deer point!

 Smiling Savi, she sure enjoyed our hike.

And even treats, the girls think this is the best thing ever, especially doled out by Kellyann.

Fall Field Training!

Savi & Jam

 Even though the official start to fall is still a week away, with cool temps and rain, it sure felt like fall and we had our first day training in the field since Spring.  The dogs got to run in the field for fun to stretch their legs and get some of the excess energy out before getting down to business.

Savi getting ready for take-off!

Jam

 Jam was up first and we ran her with a German Shorthair Pointer, that is working on her Senior Hunter title.  Jam ran fine with this new dog, always good to switch things up as you never know what kind of dog you'll be braced with at a hunt test.  It began pouring during our run, which was not the most pleasant thing for the handler's and does effect the scenting conditions and birds, but hunt tests are run rain or shine and it was a good opportunity to challenge the dogs in not the most ideal conditions.  Jam then had a chance for a second run with our friend's Vizsla, who is very close to finishing his Master Hunter title. We ran the dogs in a mock hunt test and I was pleased with how well Jam hunted, backed the other dog immediately and was steady to wing and shot.  Her retrieve was passable, still something I'd like to improve to get her to have a better hold on the bird, but the whole run, if in a real test would have been a pass!  Amazing how the dog's remember what they are supposed to do and pick up where we left off.

 Savi, beginning her training for Senior Hunter, ran with the Vizsla, and we wanted to evaluate where she was at.  She hunted in her usual bold, independent style and held point until we got to her to flush the bird.  We need to work on steadying her more on the bird without holding her and while the bird is being shot.  She has an incredible retrieve and brought the bird to hand!  We wanted to introduce her to honoring or backing the other dog on point, and she did acknowledge the other dog.  I then collared her and she was not happy watching the other dog retrieve the bird.  In fact, she was hysterical, barking, jumping and whining....sorry Savi, life is not fair and every bird does not belong to you!  We know what our biggest challenge is going to be with Savi in training her for Senior.

A fun day for sure, even if we were soaked by the time we packed up.  We peeled off our rain gear, felt chilled and went out to lunch for some hot pasta fagiouli soup and Italian food....can't get much better than that!

Back to the Backyard!

After days of hurricane cleanup with the chainsaw, chipper and lugging wood, we could finally see grass in the backyard and the dogs could run around.

 There is still one giant tree left in the lower part, that as you can see has been cut into sections.  The dogs however, think it makes for a great new squirrel hunting ground as well as an outdoor agility course!

 Savi, Queen of the Log

Bravo's latest Best of Breed win

Congratulations to owner's Jay Logan and Ron Goularte on Bravo, GCH Grayhart Crescent's Bravo, Best of Breed win today over a group placing/specialty winning top ranked special!  He was shown in California at the Redwood Empire Kennel Club show.

 

Bravo chilling out after a long day at the show...

Rock Lobster

 What's a vacation without the perfect souvenir to bring home?  Well, during our time on Cape Cod, we made the mandatory trek to one of our favorite stores in Eastham, The Cape Cod Dog.

 I had accidentally left the dogs' indoor toys at home and needed to buy them a few for our vacation. They have a terrific selection of toys and it's always nice to find something we don't already own.

What better memento of the Cape than the iconic red lobster!  This cute Hugglehounds Lobster, has a smile, is made of plush corduroy, has three squeakers and made with Tuffut Technology, a super durable three-layer material designed to hold up even with aggressive chewers.  Time will tell how Weim-proof this toys is but for now, Savi has claimed it and thinks it's just great!

Trixie & Jam on St. Louis Fox2 for Certifect

We found the link to a video of Trixie and Jam's appearance on FOX 2 St. Louis, when we were there for the Certifect product launch at the AVMA convention in July.

They were on the FOX2 Morning show as part of the PR team and did a great job!

Click on the link for the segment: Keeping the Pests Away From Your Pets
http://www.fox2now.com/videobeta/1c96e2c9-1b9b-4cb1-8f1a-36009202d4f0/News/Keeping-the-Pests-Away-From-Your-Pets

Don't rain on my parade

I love my knee high Bogs Boots!

 Mother Nature struck again this week with close to five inches of rain and more flooding in the Northeast.  We had just finished our cleanup from Hurricane Irene and no sooner was the yard clear, the skies opened up for the downpour.  It was disappointing to find out that the North Branch Park Cluster of shows this week, Big Apple Sporting, Tuxedo, Somerset Hills and Westchester, were cancelled due to flooding at the show site.  What is a girl and her dogs to do?  Go hiking!  So what if we get a little wet.  I donned my raincoat, waterproof baseball hat and Bogs boots and off we went...

 The dogs needed a good run to stretch their legs after being cooped up due to the bad weather.  We didn't see a soul and enjoyed having the woods to ourselves.

Savi

 The rain and mud didn't bother the dogs one bit and they looked like dappled Weims by the time we were done.

Trixie waiting for the girls to come back from chasing a squirrel...

 Jam and Savi find something interesting in the wood post.

 The girls checking out the base of this beautiful tree.

Savi, all wet from our hike but a happy camper.  The benefit of having a wash-and-wear breed!

Let the training begin!

After a year off, due to her baby brother, Jersey, Grayhart's Goin Someplace Special, JH,CGC, is now back in full swing. She is now training for her NRD! Our local Weimaraner Club, WCTV, is hosting a ratings test in October, and our very own Jersey Girl will be entered. Let's just hope I can stop her from playing keep-away when she retrieves! Keeping my fingers crossed.

Check out those webbed feet! Such a neat picture!