AUGUST 2010
Life has changed somewhat and I have added 2 more tollers, and a labrador to the fold along with Iain and Rhys. We continue to train and run the dogs in retrieving, but sadly the season is drawing to a close.
Lana has progressed in leaps and bounds and we have continued to iron out little nigglies throughout the season. Each trial she gets more confident and to date has finished three trials, one trial I pulled her out, she needed to know what the boundaries were and the standard she will be expected to work at. Her marking is spot on, and her speed out and back is magnificent, the lines she takes are straight and direct. Obedience between the flags has settled down, initial excitement was loosing us points. The game is being put down less and lessas her understanding of what is required is solidifying. We continue to build for restricted next year and her understanding of the concepts involved. I am thrilled my little non retriever is becoming a force to be reckoned with. She and I are learning to be a team and supporting her is paramount.
River and Iain continue to amaze me. I am proud and thrilled they are achieving consistency at restricted level. River is driven to retrieve with a passion not always seen in other retrievers. Iain's calming influence enables River to focus and settle into the job that needs doing. Just one dropped bird in a trial has cost him placings a few times now, so he is very close.
Garnet, River's sister finished her first All Age trial in WA in July. She certainly shone and for such a little girl, by far the smallest in the field, people sat up and took notice. She drives like a deamon and has the courage of a lion and is now on her way towards her All Age title.
Iain and Garnet have gone hunting rabbits this morning which is very exciting.
MAY 2010
River is home. Iain made the long trip from Victoria to WA accross the Nulaboor by road to return my boy. We now recommence our journey competing back in WA for the remaining part of the season. Having bonded with River, Iain is relocating to WA and will continue to run River giving me a chance to run Lana and concentrate on her.
Lana compteted in her first novice retrieving trial at Gidgeganup. She completed all three runs and earned the first leg to her qualifying novice certificate. Considering she is my non retrieving toller, I couldn't have been more inspired. She has the drive and enthusiam I have rarely encountered and her marking ability is extraordinary. She took straight lines out and nailed the birds every run. In the water run she took the best line of the field, knew what her job was, ignored the duck and geese that lurked, unlike a fair amount of the rest of the field.
Lana is now Australian Champion woo hoo.
FEBRUARY 2010
River had his first trial in Victoria with Iain. He held up well and finished his first 2 runs. He managed a challenge of a large log, kept his head and found the bird, used his nose. Third run, unluckily for Riv, inexperience in lillies and tangling around his legs in the water panicked him a little. Although Iain managed to get him out of the water and back upstream to the bird, with the wind in the wrong direction Riv just couldn't find it. So a good effort for his first trial of the season. A few things to work on, but I have faith they will get there. Next outing is March
Lana and I continue to show 72 points and counting. Obedience seems to be a bit of a challenge and the girls don't seem able to cencentrate.
River has been with Iain for nearly three weeks now and the progress he has made I am thrilled with. Iain and River have successfully worked through the key things I was having problems with and have extended his skills and confidence. I get daily feedback on the little fella's progress, he is beginning to shine and his natural ability is being harnessed, and boy is he having a ball
Jo has taken some amazing photos, thanks Jo. Takes away those girlie hormonal missing him bits when I see the focus in those eyes and that enthusiasm, he is doing what he was born and bred for..............just all the things a toller should be doing. He's a hard boy to train and will always need a firm hand but the flair and style he portrays are a sight to behold
JANUARY 2010
17 January River travelled to Victoria to spend time with Iain and Jo MacDonald. They have River's sister Garnet, who Iain has trained and handled to her titles in retrieving of Restricted Retrieving Dog. After many a conversation about the things I was having problems with, being inexperienced, and what River needed to get him up to where I believed he could be, we decided he should stay with Iain and further his training.
Showing for Lana is my January challenge, and training her in retrieving. Her points so far
05.03.09 -6- Judge Ms S Derrich Canada
08.03.09 -6- Judge M Shoreman Canada
12.07.08 -6- Judge C Cedelman NZ
13.07.09 -6- Judge D Janssen Colombia
22.08.09 -6- Judge Mrs C Graham NZ
13.12.09 -6- Judge Mrs A Collyer WA
16.01.10 -6- Judge Mrs D Cozart WA
23.01.10 -6- Judge Mr R Stoate VIC
24.01.10 -6- Judge R Bridgeford VIC
30.01.10 -6- Judge F Waring WA
26.02.10 -6- Judge P Stanton Sweden
27.02.10 -6- Judge Dr G Forsyth Canada
January 1 was one of the saddest days of my life. Purdey was put to sleep after a long four day fight with the venom of a tiger snake. We went to play and swim and retrieve, her favorite thing to do at a local pond. I had no idea there were tiger snakes lurking in the water. She was never alone for the days she was there Sandi, Deb Donna and I were always there for her. I'll never forget her little smiling face or tail that wagged constantlyJust so sad wrong place wrong time. Never forgotton, always in my thoughts.