NEWS
Reg and Hope
We lost two of our dear ones during 2004.
Hope (Ch Krisdale's Hope CD) passed away in June at age 16 1/2. Hope was always known for her tail that never stopped wagging. She was very out-going and loved everyone. She was the foundation dam for Tasseltyme, and I was blessed to have started with such a girl. She finished her championship quickly, including a specialty Best of Breed. Her litters were whelped easily, and she never lost a pup. She was the mother of 7 champions and 4 obedience titled dogs. She appears in the pedigree of most of Tasseltyme's puppies. Our latest champion, Rose, is the great-great-great granddaughter of Hope (and Reggie). When Hope was 9 years old, we decided to train for the obedience ring. I knew the greatest challenge was to keep her focussed on working as she'd certainly love to go visit with the judge and ring stewards! She was wonderful and completed her Companion Dog title in three straight trials, even winning two thirds in the Novice B class and a prize for the top-scoring terrier of the day.
Reggie (Ch Touchwood Sir Reginald CD) passed away in November, very suddenly from cancer at age 13. This was such a shock as Reggie had always seemed a young dog to me - strong and active. Reggie was a loving dog, very well-behaved, and although he had great dignity, could also be a clown. He liked to run circles and loved making snow angels. He did very well when he was being shown, finishing his championship at 8 months old, after only 6 times in the ring. He won a number of Group placements and Puppy Groups. He was number 3 Bedlington in Canada (Dogs in Canada Point System) for 1992. He was a serious worker in Obedience and finished his title in 3 straight trials. He sired many beautiful pups, many who became champions, and appears in the pedigree of most of Tasseltyme's puppies. Reggie enjoyed learning agility, especially the jumps and tunnels.
Hope and Reggie are sorely missed, but we are grateful for the legacy they've left us.
Conformation News Tasseltyme's Zoe Azul and Tasseltyme's Angel Rose both finished their championships at the Belleville & District Kennel Club shows in October. Zoe (sired by Jasper, out of Blossom) is owned and handled by Janice Deakin and Susan Croswell. Thank you Janice and Sue for helping make the year's showing so much fun! Rose is my own girl and is sired by Jasper, out of Grace. Thank you to friends Debra, Anne and Lynne for helping to show Rose.
Ch. Tasseltyme's Zoe Azul
Ch. Tasseltyme's Angel Rose
Obedience News 2004 was a great year for dog activities. Rally Obedience is a new dog sport that is rapidly gaining in popularity. Rally involves following a course of signs and performing each exercise as the signs direct. It's a lot of fun and you are allowed to praise and encourage your dog as much as you like. This makes for happy dogs and more relaxed handlers. I went with Nell to my first Rally trial last March held by the Peterborough and District Obedience Club. We entered the three Novice classes and passed all three times, winning third, second, and fourth places (in classes of about 16 to 18 dogs). This gave Nell her title of RN MCL, the first Bedlington to be awarded a rally title by CARO (Canadian Association of Rally Obedience). September brought the next opportunity to attend a Rally trial, once again held by PADOC. Nell obtained the first leg towards her Rally Advanced title, and Abby obtained her RN MCL title.
During 2004 we attended only one regular obedience trial, held again by PADOC in May. Nell was entered once in the new Novice C class which is for dogs who have their CD title. Grace was entered once in Novice B (her very first trial). Both girls passed, and this gives Grace the first leg towards her CD title. Grace is a good little worker, and I look forward to getting her back in the ring to finish her CD, and also do Rally O with her.
Nell and her Rally O awards
Agility News Although we'd played at agility at home for several years, until 2004 I'd never attended an agility trial. Now that I've tried it, I'm hooked! Agility is so much fun! The atmosphere at trials is wonderful as everyone is very friendly and seems happy whether their dog has had a qualifying run or not. In fact it seems that the feeling is to go have fun running and playing with your dog and if you actually score a "Q" that's a bonus. (A good way to look at it as Qs are awarded only for faultless runs). Agility trials can be CKC or AAC (Agility Association of Canada) events. CKC has standard classes only, whereas the AAC has games classes as well as standard. The first trials we attended were CKC held right here in Belleville. Nell was entered in all 4 trials, and I was so pleased that she qualified 2 of the times and had good runs the other 2. We are self-taught and had only played at it on home equipment, some of which is quite different from regulation. Our next CKC trial was at Dream Fields near Ottawa. That day it was raining steadily and Nell hates the rain! However she was a little trooper and got the final Q for her AgN (Agility Novice) title, the first Bedlington to obtain this I believe. Our first AAC was in June at Dream Fields, and Nell and I were entered in 2 standard classes and one each of the 4 games. A great opportunity to try it all! It was a long day, but so much fun. Nell got Qs in both the standard classes, winning first place both times. Although we didn't get a Q in any of the games we still managed 2 firsts and 2 thirds. At the Agility Farm in July Nell got the third Q for her ADC title (Agility Dog of Canada), the first Bedlington to receive an AAC title. Blossom and Rose also attended several trials at the Agility Farm and won numerous placement ribbons. Blossom has a Q in Jumpers. Rose has a Q in each of Jumpers, Team Relay, and Standard. We look forward to more agility trials in 2005!
Nell showing her agility ribbons to her friend Simon
