Tamsu's Special Angel "Gabby"

"Gabby" proudly enjoying the "after-glow" with her 2008 National's Championship 1st Place Victory Cup on P.E.I.

Hi,

Just a note to let you all know that Sarah's beautiful Gabby passed on this morning. Our agility world has said goodbye to a truly great one this time. We were all so much the richer for time she spent with us and the way she loved us all. So many tears today - not just in losing a friend, but also in tribute to the remarkable dog Gabby was and will always be. She inspired me in this sport from the first moment I saw her run. She was truly a little Golden ray of sunshine I will remember with great affection, admiration and love, always. I'm sure Sarah will be in touch in due time. Please feel free to pass the news along to Sarah's friends that I have missed, particularly in the flyball community as I have very few addresses there. Clara, Cathy, Sue, Lucie, Susan, Lynda - could you please pass along the news about Gabby to the team alumni past/present, and judges group, etc.

Our most heartfelt condolences to Sarah, Brent, Jeanette, John, & Cynthia.
May God Bless and Keep Gabby in His perfect care.

Remembering Gabby:



As ever...Happy Training! Enjoy & celebrate your dogs every day of the process and every run as fun. It all goes by much too fast. We should not wait to the end to realize that it really Is About Love!

Yours very truly,
Gail

Surviving Canadian Winter

With A Little Help From Our Friends!

Gabby - showing the youngsters how it's done!

I don't know why this picture looks so over-exposed. Straight from iPhoto it looks perfect, uploaded to the blog it's completely changed - weird.

We got these pictures 3 weeks ago when Sarah & I took the dogs for a walk behind Tamsu one day and the DH (dear husband) could come along with his camera. Sarah's dad was already out back with his training buddies doing some field training with their dogs, with the usual stack of dead birds at the line and other birds laying out in the field for the dogs to find & retrieve. We were heading east, where we'd let the dogs have a good run in the open fields as we make our way across into the bush (Canadian woods) for trails not nearly as nice as Finland!

Gabby, unable to resist the bird-doggin' fun off to the north of us, veered off on a fast line disappearing out into the field, only to come running back, clearly happy as a dog can be, holding this big duck, and looking stunning in her purple coat too (!! :-) ...much to the chagrin of the "field people" I'm sure - who had been muttering just loud enough so we could hear them about ALL our dogs in coats, Hah! Clearly this grand Golden lady was showing their youngsters how it's done right!

Vince had come along to take pictures for us, but did so only as far as his long lens would allow him to follow us... :-)) But he managed to get this one of Gabby - what a perfect shot! You can double click on it to enlarge.

Below, Bungee, Guinness & I heading for the trails, with Bungee pretty interested in the "bird work" (field training) going on off to the side. I can guarantee her she doesn't want any part of what they're doing over there.



Below: Sarah, Gabby (purple coat) and her gang


Off in the distance, Gabby's gorgeous son, Cutter, doing what all good bird dogs will do, finds a spot a bird was laying (during earlier training that day) and rolls in it with exuberance!


Here's the whole gang, heading for the trails. See ya' in a few hours.



Surviving Winter - A Mental Reflection
Thank goodness for good friends, warm fires & home theatre! It's turning out to feel like a long season already. It's been 3 years since we have stayed home with no solid plans to get away and enjoy southern latitudes. We both want to but so far things just haven't been right. Clearly, I'm out of practice at this winter bit. Lately I've had a small case of the "winter doldrums", just a combination of things I suppose not the least of which was the news about Gabby, (diagnosed with lymphoma 2 weeks ago), the lack of outdoor warmth, sunshine, or the fact that some of my most favorite training camps & fun trials were going on down in the Florida sunshine without us. Though in my heart I really shouldn't feel that way as I know there are bigger and more important reasons we were meant to stay home. On that note we are both very happy that we are here for those reasons. Still, the last week especially, I've been pretty blue about this grey, blah, winter condition.

Then we had a near-blizzard and death-defying experience to drive 90 km. home in from our running clinic last night, complete with raging winds, walls of snow & white-outs. My goodness we were glad to see our house! Waking up (alive!) to this morning's peaceful landscape, even with a new layer of snow, suddenly seems pretty good!

Meanwhile, as we make our way through this winter, (at times one long day at a time) I'm LOVING the training we're doing, and Bungee's progress! Her contacts are coming along brilliantly and I'm just loving what we're producing now. Thank goodness for families, great coaches, great dogs & good friends!

Today we send out a very special prayer ~ God Bless Gabby!
We love her dearly and send her kisses & kisses & kisses & more meatballs!

Happy Training...It's About Love!

Chili & Fun come to see me off!

More photos of my recent trip to Finland!

L-R: Mia, Fun, Pirjo & Chili (I hope I got Fun & Chili right - these girls look a lot a like!)


Below, our dog's fabulous breeder & friend, Mia Laamanen with Fun, then Chili, and myself.


I got to see lots of the human "Kvarkin family" at the 2008 FCI Agility World Championships, but not quite as much of the dogs as we spent most of our time at the games.

So, Pirjo generously decided to bring sisters 'Fun' & 'Chili' to see me off at Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport! I was so happy to get to see them! It was the 1st time I'd seen Chili since she was a wee pup and a full year since I'd see Fun. It was so fantastic to see them! Thank you ladies for making this happen!

Fun is Bungee's big sister, a half-sister by her dam, Aino, also out of Mia's breeding and belongs to our friend, Pirjo.
Chili is Bungee's litter mate sister, and belongs to our friend Maisa who could not be there at the airport, but fortunately we got to visit quite a lot at the World Championship.


Below, assorted shots of Chili & Fun, in the airport terminal.






To read more about Fun & Chili click on Mia's: Kvarkin Kennel website here.

Many thanks to our friends Mia for "everything" and to Pirjo for bringing Fun & Chili for bringing the girls to see me off! Kiitos paljon!

Happy Training...It's About Love!

Brother One!

A few photos from my recent trip to Finland

Here's Bungee's lovely brother "One"


And again, One, very happy to be going out for a walk in the woods!




Here's One with almost all of his family (where's Ville?)
L - R: One, Tyyne & Roope with "mom" Helena standing behind.


I got to see One, Tyyne & Roope at lunch one day of the games. Helena invited me to come home with her to give the dogs some exercise at lunchtime. It was a short visit due to our schedule at the games but it was still a really nice walk in the local woods and it was great to see Helena's dogs and visit with them again. I had not seen One since he was a young puppy, and it was marvelous to see what a fabulous young man he's grown into! One looks so much like Bungee, it really stunned me for a second when I first saw him. He's very handsome!! Many thanks to Helena for this special lunch time treat!

If you'd like to read more about Helena and her dogs and see lots of great pictures of them, visit her website by clicking here. You can also read more about One by clicking on the Kvarkin Kennels website here.


Happy Training...It's About Love!

To Sarah & Gabby

Please note this blog will be on hiatus from Sept. 22 to Oct. 1, 2008.

A Special Tribute
This is a little retirement tribute to Tamsu's Special Angel, "Gabby". It's especially fitting to post Gabby's video as I depart for the World Championships, as it was Gabby and Sarah who 1st introduced me to world-class agility. They have inspired so many things in our lives, it was a special treat for both of us to be there for Gabby's last trial - The 2008 AAC National Agility Championships! Gabby, now 10 years old, excelled at every run, winning 1st place in the aggregate scores from the Veterans class, and taking 2nd place from the Veteran's class at the Steeplechase finals. What an awesome weekend for such an awesome girl, this one's for her! We love you Gabby!




Happy Training...It's About Love!

Everybody Splish Splash!

Bungee, Guinness & friends have some weekend fun in the water.

Bungee advances to running 6 feet and jumping into the water without stopping! Guinness just loves everybody & loves to swim. He never wants to leave the pool!!
Some dogs are just learning to swim, some are old pro's at this game, the rest are somewhere in between. Enjoy!




The two Rotties are our good friends Emma & Eli (mom & son). Emma and her human mom Cassie joined us in our RV for our trip out to Nationals last month. Unfortunately we all came home quite sad to see we got nearly no pictures of them to include in our vacation photos :-(...but we're making up for it now!! Here they are in all their glory, having a blast, dock diving like old pros and amusing everybody with their antics!

Happy Training...It's About Love!

A Day At The Beach - P.E.I.

A day at the beach - P.E.I., Canada

L-R: Guinness, Bungee, Barbie (in front), Grip, Gabby, Zimmer, Cutter & Jiggy

Above, the whole gang minus one (Emma flew home after Nationals).
Our campground on P.E.I. was actually at this fantastic & deserted beach. We had it all to ourselves and we loved it, most of all the dogs, who swam & ran together until their little legs practically fell off! A great day we will remember a long time!


L-R Below: Sarah & Zimmer, Cynthia & Barbie, Guinness in front, Grip on the lobster trap, Bungee & I, Jiggy out front with Guinn, Cutter, and Gabby next to me.


Happy Training...It's About Love!

Dickinson Falls

Fundy National Park's Dickinson Falls, New Brunswick, Canada

A most beautiful and protected area, much like a rain forest, perhaps it is. One of the prettiest places I have been in a long time. The dogs liked it too!

But between the rain, the mist from the falls & water all around, and the wooden walkways & stairs, it was a very slippery place for fast dogs who would prefer to tear around together, with no thought to tearing themselves up! So it was leashes all around most of the time. Oh - and lots of stops for photographs!


Dickinson Falls


L-R, Jiggy, Cutter, Bungee


The folks who have helped the most over the years to make all of our dreams with the dogs, possible! Our friends & traveling companions - Mr. & Mrs. Mairs


OH! Wait a minute, where have all the women gone?
These guys look like trouble!


L-R - top: Gabby, Cutter, Jiggy, bottom: Guinness & Bungee


After a good long hike, we finally arrive at the falls view. Bungee was quite interested in the water below, as you can see her with her head between the railings looking over the side (and mom holding her securely on the other side!)


Another bunch of troublemakers no doubt...


One scene like this after another, all the way up to the falls.


Up stream from the falls, and more trouble makers! :-)) ....hmmm, they have familiar looking dogs...perhaps we know these people/grin/ Actually there were several people at this lovely swimming hole by the time we made our way, don't know how they missed the picture? Cynthia gets the spotlight! The swimming hole doesn't seem to make it into the photo either. Hmmm... But the dogs all enjoyed it and a little break here, then back to the leashes for the slippery hike out.


Happy Training!...It's About Love!

Fundy National Park

Happy Campers!


Above, a group shot from our hike through Fundy's Dickinson Falls.
L-R, top stair: Cutter, his mom Gabby, and Jiggy (Border collie)
L-R, lower stair: Guinness & Bungee

Just a quick post this a.m. We're off once again to the Tamsu demo at the Fall Fair for the Labor Day long weekend. 3 days of non-stop action and a dog troop extraordinaire! (I can say that because my dogs are in the show!!! :-))) Bungee made her 1st appearance at this event last year at about 11 weeks old. We're all returning again with many other dog friends. Bungee will be showing off her talent with her growing list of skills in 3 shows a day! Guinness was a born "ham" and loves the stage! This kind of thing is right up his alley. Guinness's theme this year is "Little Mr. Sunshine". Bungee's theme: "Princesse Dolly" performing from her special crate: "Princesse's Bungee's Dollhouse." Wish us luck!

Happy Training....It's About Love!!

Hopewell Rocks

Scenes below are from New Brunswick, Canada's, Bay of Fundy, Hopewell Rocks area. These particular formations are called: "Flower Pot Rocks".

A little preface: The Bay of Fundy is famous for it's high tides. The tide can come in 60 feet high and it goes out equally far. We have other pictures I will show you of this. When the tide goes out it reveals it's very famous mud all along the bay shore. Stories tell of those who got stuck in the mud and could not get out when the tide returned.

What you are looking at here is actually the ocean floor when the tide is out. It is a very special place. These formations go up and down the shore about 3 km. or so I guessed from what I could see. We only walked south from the stairway in the center with these amazing scenes repeating around every corner.

We had to be out of there and back up on the bluffs above the cliffs by 7:15 p.m. as that is when the tide would return, and without being up the staircase, you would not survive this place. The trees shown at the top of the cliffs are "sea level" or the waterline when the tide is in. On to the photos - part 1 of 2 of this place...Enjoy!



From the cliff above looking down onto the ocean floor and the beginning of Flower Pot Rocks.



A family shot, Bungee & Guinn & us.


The mud








L-R, Sarah w/ Gabby & Zimmer, Me w/ Bungee & Guinness


Double-click on any photo to see more clearly

Below-Sarah with Gabby & Zimmer


Tide coming in and we can go no further


Bungee & me


John & Sarah, Gabby & Zimmer


Vince, Sarah, me & the dogs.


Myself, Sarah's dad John in the middle & Sarah w/ the dogs.


Looking back at the rising tide - these should be at the end





Sharing a moment~
Gabby & Zim, Bungee & Guinn


R - L: Guinness, Bungee, Gabby, Zimmer



Happy Training...It's About Love!

Cutter Joins Our Blog

Sarah Mairs-Heaslip & her young, male, Golden Retriever, Cutter, making his Nationals debut.





Following the video a few photos from the beach at one of our vacation stops together after National's. Bungee & Guinness are in a group shot at the end near a lobster trap we found washed up on a deserted beach on P.E.I.

Sarah runs the agility program at Tamsu Learning Center, where we train 3 nights a week and some time more. Sarah's father John, runs the obedience program as well as owning and founding the school 20+ years ago. Tamsu is like our 2nd home, at least I'm sure all the dogs think so!

Back to Mr. Cutter...I think he is Bungee's favorite playmate, after her "brother" Guinness. He was our stud of choice in our early hopes for Ketchy. He is a phenomenal dog. Starting his agility career running 7 y.p.s., the sky's the limit for him. Our biggest congratulations to Sarah, Cutter, Gabby & Jiggy on all their successes at National's. Great as he is, the big 1st place silver bowl in the awards pictures actually belongs to Cutter's mother, Gabby, who won her division!

Fantastic job on the video Sarah! LOVE that song! :-)) It really speaks for Cutter: "put me in coach! I'm ready to play! today! Look at me! I can be...Centerfield!" I think Miss Bungee is singing that tune to me too! Speaking of which, I better get her back out to our "centerfield" right now!!! :-)))


Note: When you see Sarah doing what may look like "weird distance handling" these are Gamble runs. On the ground there is orange tape staked down as lines or boxes, you cannot always see them in the video. In a gamble course you earn as many points as you can in your opening sequence which is a course you design for maximum points, according to the obstacles given to you in the opening area. The opening may include "mini-gambles", which offer higher points if you can get them. To get any gambles you cannot cross the line on the ground the judge has laid, you must send the dog to the gamble, and handle from a distance which may vary, but which is always behind the line. At 40 seconds into the opening sequence, a whistle or horn blows, and you must proceed to the main gamble and complete it in the remaining time allowed. Usually you have about 20 seconds or less to complete the main gamble. If you complete the main gamble it doubles your opening points. You must earn a minimum # of points in the opening sequence and complete the main gamble sequence within time to earn a qualifying score. Highest points with fastest time of those qualifying wins. Gamble courses are very challenging when you are trying to be consistent with your handling (for your dog's sake back in regular standard & jumpers classes)!

At AAC National's each dog gets 2 standard rounds, 2 jumpers rounds and 2 gamble rounds. There is also an optional, separate Steeplechase event with elimination rounds to a final selection round, which is often a money round with a cash prize.

Happy Training & Hugs to the dogs!...It's About Love!

To Dive or Not To Dive

That is the question :-))

A local training group, just bought a "Dock Diving" pool and dock. Saturday they had an introductory open house with free jumps all afternoon. So we decided to go check it out. Dock Diving is a somewhat new sport here that some dogs really love. The competition length dock is 48 feet, and the pools are usually about 40 feet long. The current outdoor record for longest jump is 28 feet.

Bungee goes "Dock Diving"
Well almost... :-))
Here's Bungee with me (pink t-shirt) at the edge of the dock, not at all convinced jumping in that pool is a good idea!

We soon go down to the "learner" platform and pool exit this woman above is standing on and try it from there.

We have some success...

Now it's starting to be some fun.

Again & again she jumps willingly in from the underwater platform for exiting the pool, but we did not have enough time to build her confidence up enough to jump from the dock. It was funny the way she would spring up so high from the slightly submerged platform. She just could not get enough of that pool from that spot! But our time was limited. You get a few tries each turn, but we did get 4 turns through the afternoon so no complaints! We just need more time. Bungee did great & could not wait to get back in the pool each time.


Below are our good friends Sarah & "Cutter", Golden Retriever. Cutter, a powerful and natural talent for this game, has jumped 26 feet in competition before.

Below Sarah & Cutter next to the dock after the jump. The dock is actually a flat-bed trailer pulled up to the pool, safety sides & matting added. Experienced dogs like Cutter run the full 48 feet distance of the trailer to take-off for their jump into the pool. Cutter is also one of Bungee's most favorite friends.

Below Cynthia & Nicki, also a Golden Retriever and quite the Dock Diver too.

Below, Cynthia & Nicki again

Below, Cynthia & "Grip", an "All-Canadian", (BorderX). Grip is a very powerful and very fast girl, awesome at everything she does. She is also another favorite friend of Bungee & Guinness.

Grip

Grip again - wow!


That's all folks!! :-)) Dock Diving is pretty fun. I think we'll be going back again some time. To learn more about Dock Diving click on this link: www.DockDogs.com

Happy Training....It's About Love!