Snow in October???

 Snow storm in October?  Well , we received 8 inches of snow and lost power, heat and water....Electric service isn't expected to be restored until between Thursday and Saturday.  All we can do is make the best of the situation and be thankful that our house did not sustain any damage from the numerous trees and branches that fell.

Upscale camping in the living room.  Candle light and gray dogs...

Savi has had enough of not having heat...lots of cuddling to stay warm!

Tracy Sklenar Masters Agility Seminar

Always looking to learn and improve my handling, I was excited to have the opportunity to participate with Jam in a Tracy Sklenar Masters/Advanced Agility Seminar.  The seminar covered course analysis and how motion, footwork and position can give your dogs information for fabulous runs.  Tracy Sklenar is a world class agility competitor and a great instructor, bringing humor and her excellent eye to help handlers get faster, more accurate and consistent runs out of their dogs.

Jam and I were up to the challenge and as hard as it was to learn a new handling method, running for acceleration and less arm and verbal cues, I had to trust my dog and it worked!  We also enjoyed and learned from watching the other dogs and handlers, many of whom we've taken classes with and known for years.

Weimaraner Wednesday - Fall Field Training!

 What could be better than spending a nice, brisk fall day out with friends field training?  We had a special guest today, Michele and Mia, Grayhart's American Woman,CGC, (Parker x Trixie), who joined us to introduce Mia to birds.  Before we worked the dogs, they all had a great run in a big field - all FIVE together - four Weims (Trixie, Jam, Savi, Mia) and Becky, the German Shorthair Pointer puppy.

If you click on the left photo above you can see all 5 dogs and on the right picture, Mia and Savi playing.

Mia and Becky

Jam ran with Beau, the GSP who lives with Becky and just completed his Senior Hunter title last weekend.  Below you can see Jam pointing a quail and then later, honoring Beau on point, with me collaring her.

 

It was Jam's turn to find the Chukkar and she did a terrific job, found it easily and held her point until the shot and then retrieved the bird.

 Jam was quite pleased with herself and had a fun time doing what she loves best.

 We then gave Savi a turn and worked her on steadying until she is released to retrieve the bird.  She did well and was rewarded with lots of retrieves.  Last up was Mia, who was introduced to quail for the first time.  She found the bird and showed interest.  She definitely has natural ability and with more training and exposure to birds, she should easily get her Junior Hunter title.  Of course, no get together with the pups would be complete without a stacking session.  Mia, who is quite the Momma's girl, allowed me to stack her while Michele took pictures.  We plan on showing our pretty Mia in 2012 to work on her AKC championship.

Teamwork

Setting up for the water retrieve, I'm telling Savi to watch the duck as the gunner is getting ready to throw it in the water...

A picture perfect water retrieve!  Savi, without hesitation, dove right into the water, swam directly to the duck and grabbed it!  She swam back to shore and here she is on her way to me in the circle.  She brought it right to me and that completed her new Novice Retrieving Dog (NRD) title!  Next up, training for her RD, Retrieving Dog title, where she'll have to stay without retraint until released and complete double land and water retrieves.

Intense Savi during her land retrieve

Thanks to GSWC club member Michelle Ostrander for taking these terrific pictures

The Grayhart Southern Girls Rock with a Major & CDX leg!

At the Atlanta show circuit, Sky, Grayhart Lightfoot Early Morning Rain, RN,JH,TD,NSD,NRD,V (Parker x Trixie) was Winner's Bitch for a 3-point major at this morning's show handled by Susan Wise.  In the afternoon Specialty, Sky was very close to winning and went Reserve Winner's Bitch to the major.  Sky only needs one single point to finish her AKC Show Championship.

Sky with handler Susan Wise posing for their win photo

 The exciting news continued to arrive as we heard from Jessica that Mia-belle, CH Grayhart's Special Request,CD,RA,NSD,NRD,V, (Zeke x Trixie) qualified for her 1st CDX obedience leg with a 4th placement!

Congratulations to Debbie and Jessica and their awesome girls for a gray-t showing today!  We are so proud of our Southern girls!

Therapy Thursday

 Jam, all dressed up and ready for an official Delta Pet PartnerTherapy Dog visit.  This was our second visit to this residence for mentally disabled and autistic adults who are all non-verbal.  It is truly amazing to see the positive impact that is made by Jam's interactions with these gentlemen.

DVWC WCA Shooting & Retrieving Ratings

 Some pictures of Savi during her Novice Retrieving Dog run at the DVWC WCA Ratings test last Sunday.  For her land retrieve, she was off like a shot to go retrieve the quail.

Good girl retrieving it to hand in the circle!

 Once we passed on land, it was off to the pond for the water retrieve. Savi, who we know loves to swim, couldn't wait for her turn and impatiently paced and barked until it was our turn.  The duck was thrown, blank gun shot and I released Savi, who without any hesitation, jumped into the water and swam straight to the duck and grabbed it!  This year she did order the duck!  Then she turned around and swam right back to me and again, retrieved to hand.  That's a pass and a new NRD title, showing everyone how it's done.

 Jam was entered in the Shooting Dog as she had earned her Novice Shooting Dog title last year.  Due to the way the birdfield was set up and live fire, the spectators in the gallery had to stay pretty far away, which made picture taking difficult.  The shot below shows me collaring Jam, while Muddy is on point and waiting for the gunners to get in place.  Both dogs had terrific runs and passed.

Thanks to our pupparrazi Kellyann for these photos and cheering us on.

Back to back Best of Breeds & new CGC Title for Bravo!

From the October 15th & 16th shows in California, Bravo went Best of Breed both days.  As owner Jay was walking Bravo back to his setup to rest up for the Sporting Group, the CGC evaluator grabbed them and talked them into doing the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test.  Bravo passed with flying colors.  Bravo demonstrated that he could accept strangers, be polite, accept grooming, walk through a noisy crowd, stay and come, accept other dogs, stay calm and accept supervised separation from owner.

Bravo is handled by Michael Stone.   Breed and Group Judge is Mrs. Keke Kahn.

New WCA Ratings Titles for Jam and Savi!!!

Jam & Savi with their qualifying ribbons

We had a great time today at the Delaware Valley Weimaraner Club (DVWC) WCA Ratings tests visiting with friends and seeing many talented Weimaraners.  The DVWC and Garden State Weimaraner Club's put on a double ratings test at Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, with morning and afternoon tests with a delicious potluck lunch in between.  

We are proud to announce that both Jam and Savi qualified and have new titles!  Jam ran in the Shooting Dog (SD) rating, which is similar to the AKC Senior Hunter test but not as stringent, and had a terrific run that would have been a pass in a regular AKC Hunt test.  She was braced with her half brother, a Parker son, who already has his Senior Hunter title, and they ran very well together.  Jam had a nice honor in the backcourse.  In the birdfield, Jam used the wind and pointed the Chukkar on scent from at least ten feet away.  She held her point while I located the bird and was steady to shot and then retrieved the bird to me.  

Jam is now CH Grayhart's Purple Haze,CD,JH,OA,OAJ,SD,VX!

Savi was entered in the Novice Retrieving Dog (NRD) rating test.  This test includes both a land and water retrieve.  Savi had awesome retrieves to hand on and in the water.  Friends commented that she has a Master Hunter retrieve!  

Savi is now Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,NSD,NRD,CGC!

Champion Mason

Official win and new champion photo, introducing Mason, CH Grayhart's Daily Special (Zeke x Trixie)!  Mason earned his last two single points going Winner's Dog at the Brookhaven Kennel Club on September 30th, handled by his breeder, under Judge Dr. Herman.   Mason's finished with three 4-pt majors, including a Specialty major, all handled by his sire's owner/breeder, Pat O'Brien.  Mason is Trixie's 5th champion.

Friday Flashback

Trixie, our Princess! This is one of our favorite photos and was taken at the 2006 WCA Nationals in Pittsburgh, PA, by Brandstudio.  A friend insisted we put the boa collar around Trixie's neck for a few shots and this impromptu wardrobe addition made this photo fabulous.

Trudy's Official Major Win Photo

 Trudy, Grayhart's Special Reserve, (Zeke x Trixie) winner of a 3-pt major going Winner's Bitch and Best of Opposite at the Westbury Kennel Association show on October 2, 2011, handled by her co-owner/breeder.  This was her 2nd major win and she now only needs three single points to finish her AKC championship.

GSWC Independent Specialty Show

Savi and me, getting ready to gait around the ring.

Sunday was the annual Garden State Weimaraner Club Independent Specialty Show at North Branch Park.  A month and a half ago, thanks to Hurricane Irene, this park was under water.  Well, time to dry out and we had a gorgeous lawn to show our dogs on and it was a sparkling, hot fall day.  The club put on our usual outstanding show and everyone had a great time showing dogs, eating the delicious hot and cold buffet supplied by club members and winning raffle prizes.  This was not our regular show, as the club hosted the Weimaraner Club of America Eastern Futurity and Maturity the day before and this drew dogs and handlers from all over the country as well as Canada and Weim friends from Australia. As trophy chair, I was in charge of buying and organizing all the trophies and sponsors for them and was pleased with how they looked set up outside the ring and the winners seemed to enjoy them.

 Savi, Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,CGC, (Clay x Trixie) showed well in a large BBE (Bred-By-Exhibitor) class and the judge awarded us 3rd place.

 Savi on the last go around.  Trudy, on owner Rich's lap, waited patiently for her turn and of course, the princess wore a pink cool coat to stay comfortable on this hot day.

Trudy, Grayhart's Special Reserve, (Zeke x Trixie) was handled beautifully in the Open bitch class by Pat O'Brien, owner/breeder of her daddy Zeke.

 Above and below, Trudy strutting her stuff - lovely reach and drive.

 Trudy won the large Open bitch class!  We were on the edge of our seats when she went in for the Winner's Class.  All the class winner's go in and the judge picks the Winner's Bitch and that is who gets the points.

 Trudy looked great and the judge had her in first place for the first two go arounds.

 At the last go around, when I was hoping the judge would pick Trudy, he moved another bitch in front of her and that is who he awarded Winner's bitch.  Oh well, so close as this win would have finished her.  Her littermate Mason, won the dog major at our show last year and it would have been beyond exciting for Trudy to get the Specialty win.  On to the next set of shows in search of those last three points.

Trudy and Pat

 Jam was along for the ride and was happy to meet new friends and prospective puppy people.  Our supermodel was thirsty and made no qualms about telling me that she wanted to drink out of a water bottle.

 Mason, CH Grayhart's Daily Special, (Zeke x Trixie) was bumped up to Best of Breed.  Pat handled him and we were happy that our newest champion made the first cut, not too shabby at a big specialty. Just one year ago, Mason won the 4-pt major and Best of Winners at this show.

 A fun and noteworthy event put on by the club on Saturday, was the Rescue Parade.  The rescue dogs and their owners had a chance to parade around the show rings while a short bio was read.  They even received rosettes and prizes.

 Our good friend, Kellyann and her 9-year old rescue, June, tracked around the show ring.

The Rescue Parade participants

 A lovely, handmade rosette for the rescue dogs made by Kellyann.

Bumming in Bridgehampton

Well not exactly bumming.  Jam was called at the last minute for a modeling job in Bridgehampton, part of the famous New York Hamptons, home of the rich and famous.  The day was glorious and after a 2 1/2 hour drive, we arrived at a fabulous beach house for the location of the shoot.  Jam posed on the beach, in the house and even in front of a Maserati, for this clients upscale product line.  I'm not sure when the ad campaign will be out but I will sure look for it and post when available.

 The house had incredible views out every window and the 2nd floor deck area had this amazing infinity pool with ocean views.  The man from the management company for the house told me that this special house has been used on episodes of Royal Pains, a USA Network show and many other commercials and movies.  Jam's career takes us to the coolest places!