Our first really cold winter days arrived this week - well, it is almost February after all and that seems to be our coldest but shortest month.
The waters of Lake Huron are actually warmer than the air so, in front of the background clouds over Canada, mist is rising from the lake. Clicking on photos will enlarge them.
My gang of Icelandic Sheepdogs went to a two day weekend Rally Trial hosted by the Companion Dog Training Club of Flint. There were two trials, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, on Saturday and two more on Sunday. Winter trials are always risky because the weather in Michigan can change in a heartbeat but dawn rose rose beautifully both days so I was very happy about that.
Gas prices at my usual gas station stop were great on Saturday and even three cents cheaper on Sunday. (I mean honestly it seems like bottled water is more expensive than gas - perhaps I'm exaggerating.)
On Saturday the afternoon trial lasted until dark; the drive home was problematic - I was concerned about driving in the dark in deer country. I've never hit a deer; but one hit the side of my car and I've had a few very near misses - so I am concerned about driving at night or early in the morning. I decided that on Sunday I would not go to the afternoon trial. I warned the four footed fur kids that they'd better do OK in the morning on Sunday. And they did. Do good. Actually much better than good. They weren't the problem, I was. Ha!
Kit, Tryggur, and Watson were all entered in the four trials. In Rally a score of 70 or above qualifies you toward the title. You need three qualifying scores to earn a title. The novice title is the first rally title. All three dogs qualified in all three trials we entered and actually showed in. We earned three fourth places, two third places, and one second place with our scores, They each earned their Rally Novice title and that, the RN, will now appear along with their names on their AKC records. Tryggur did very good on Sunday morning - I think he might have had a perfect score on Sunday but his handler, yep - me, missed a sign and lost points. He is never going to let me forget that.
Kit was very proud of how her fur family did.
Saturday's two trials were judged by Amedee DeCruydt Jr. who offered me some great advice; Sunday morning's trial was judged by Elizabeth Wells.
These Icelandic Sheepdog "pups" are from my litter in 2015 and will turn eight years old soon.
In alphabetical order - and I'm limiting myself to just two photos each, very hard to do. Clicking on photos will enlarge them.
I just heard from "my" Icelandic Sheepdog Vinlands Bangsi living now with Courtney & Jeff who also sent along some great photos of him. I love hearing from Kit's siblings and Totty's pups.
That was a great litter! Bangsi's littermates are Elisabeth, Gunnar, Kippa Jane, Kit, and Tully Lulu. The "pups" will turn eight on February 15. Their parents are Kross Gola Kelinn and Vinlands Totty.
Good morning,
