Please take some time to browse through our pages and blog posts. In order to share with you the beauty which is the Collie, Deep River has many wonderful collie images throughout this site. Scroll down on this page to read our recent blogs full of news and stories! Please experiment and click pictures, click on subject titles or headings, click on the quick links section in the sidebar, etc. Enjoy! Check out updated Available Collies on Navigation Bar in the right column.  See the new page on the Navigation Bar called Understanding Collie Eye Anomaly.

NEW CHAMPION & CONFORMATION NEWS:

Nancy Parker called yesterday to say that Spring is now CH Pine Cone Mountain Spring O’Deep River.  Spring went to the 3 shows in Greenville, SC this past weekend and won her second major on Fri. and her 3rd major on Sun., Aug. 1, with Joel McCarty handling. Spring’s sable smooth daughter by Scout, Mattie, was entered 2 days at these shows in puppy class and earned her 3rd reserve to a 5 pt. major.

Spring (CH Mister x CH Wiggy CD, RE, HSAsdc, HIAs)

Kathy Weare’s tri rough boy Thorn (Deep River’s Considerable Trouble) Spring’s litter brother, earned a total of 5 points at the shows in Salem, VA.  He was BOS  over a special one day,  BOV over 2 specials one day, and BOW the other 3 days.  This brings Thorn’s total points to seven. News from the Greensboro shows: Thorn minored out on Fri. at the shows. He has 9 pts. and will be staying at Deep River until the major entries come back in October. I took a few photos on Fri. when I attended the show. My flash was acting up, so too dark, but…

Thorn on 8/20 in Greensboro

Thorn @ His 1st Match (age – 3 mos.) June ‘08

Pam & I entered our blue rough girl Deep River’s Sky Blue Waters in Greensboro. She had never been shown before, is out of coat & was just getting her feet wet. But she was a little trooper, relaxed & happy! She was RB 3 days &  WB one day for her first point.

Feather @ Her 1st Shows

More from Our Christmas Litter:

Pam’s blue smooth boy Deep River Bankside Blue Christmas had a terrific first set of shows in Greensboro. Elvis was WD every day & BOW every day but one for a total of 5 pts.  There was Best Puppy competition 3 days. Elvis earned a Puppy Herding Group 3, 1 & 2! (CH Deep River’s Bow & Arrow x CH Deep River’s Shock Value RN, HSAd)

Elvis @ 5 mos.

Suzy Royds in CA took Elvis’ sister, Deep River’s Visions of Sugar Plums, (Scout & Valerie) to her first show on Sat. in Torence, CA (8/14).  Suzy handled her to a 2 pt. win & BOV over a special! 

Sugar Plum @ Her 1st Show

Sugar Plum @ 4 months

My blue smooth girl Navi (Deep River’s Fleece Navidad), sister to Elvis & Sugar Plum, went to her first shows in Atlanta this past weekend. She earned 2 pts. Sat. & 2 pts. Sun. from the 6 to 9 month class with our friend Dona Williams handling.

Navi @ 5 months

Very good news from Michaele Kilpatrick & Bev Hirt again this month! Last month they fininshed their blue smooth girl, Downey (CH Appelbo’s Thistledown), and the first day of this month they finished her tri sister, Hannah.  Michaele writes:

Announcing “CH” Appelbo’s Follow Me Home, aka Hannah.  She finished in style going BOW at Bald Eagle KC with a 4 pt. major… all points from the Bred by Exhibitor class, which makes Bev and me tripley proud.  Not too shabby for Victor & Lace, 4  CH’S.  (CH Deep River’s Shadow of Victory x CH Kirkhaven’s Deep River of Lace)

Hannah @ 8 weeks

PERFORMANCE NEWS:  

Catherine Christianson writes: This was Katydid’s very first agility trial! She did beautifully; fast, enthusiastic, and she earned three Qs – pretty darn good for her very first trial!  I will send you a DVD.

Katydid’s first agility trial:
 
NADAC Sanctioned Agility Trial
Co-hosted by Kinder-Pup, Inc. and Team Pawzazz
Hidden Springs Stable, Lothian Maryland
July 31, 2010
 
Regular 1 – Novice – Q-10/1st place - 4.41 YPS
Regular 2 – Novice – Q-10/1st place - 3.62 YPS
Jumpers – Novice – Q-10/2nd place - 5.28 YPS
Tunnelers – Novice - NQ*/6th place - 6.06 YPS
 
*She would have earned a Q, but I got lost on the course and we missed one tunnel, but her speed was great!

Katydid (CH Tapestry Southwynd x Deep River’s Theme Song)w/Her Friend Chipper – Catherine titled this:

AMERICAN GOTHIC

More agility news from Maine’s  Kathy Weare & her Eve. Eve (see photo in July News below) was 2nd in Excellent Standard & Q’d in Excellent Jumpers w/Weaves  on Sun., Aug. 29.

If you liked American Gothic (above) here’s another cute smooth collie pic:

Pam & Roger M. sent Luna’s “Aren’t I Pretty” photo. Maybe she’s gazing at herself thinking, “Mirror, mirror, on the wall…”

PUPPIES AVAILABLE:

Yvonne Shelton & Robin Perry have puppies to place from their linebred Deep River litter. They are keeping Edward.  Nessie has gone to her new home. Rosalie will go to her new home this week, but there are 6 little darlings available to show, performance and/or pet homes (5 girls & 1 boy – all smooth blues & tris). There are 2 available that look like tris but have small merle areas (called cryptic merles).  These babies have been eye checked, puppy aptitude tested, & herding instinct tested. New photos below taken 8/14.  More of each puppy are available.  A different photo of each is on my Available Page.  To see additional photos of any pup taken on 8/14, contact  saint1213@aol.com. Scroll down through July & June blogs to see earlier photos. To contact Yvonne & Robin, email rlp@carolina.rr.com or yshelton@carolina.rr.com   

Renee  (photos taken 8/14)

Alice (cryptic merle)

Georgia

Bella

Esme 

Jacob (cryptic merle)

NEWS ABOUT CHRISTMAS DAY ’09 PUPPIES:

The Scout/Valerie puppies that were 6-months-old on June 25, continue to make us proud! 

In addition to being a “quick study” with her obedience training, Debbie Knowles tri smooth girl Anna (Deep River Bankside Merry & Bright) went to her first 2 shows. Ellen Russell showed Anna to a major reserve on Sun., July 4, in Bel Alton, MD. 

Anna @ Her 1st Show – Scoping Out the Ring!

Showing Is Fun & You Get to Run Around!

Debbie Knowles writes about 6-month-old Anna’s obedience progress:

“Tonight was graduation from Intermediate obedience class.  She can heel with attention, walk on loose leash on both sides with attention, do a recall with front, get into heel position from almost anywhere, do a drop while moving, do a sit while moving, do a stand while moving, do a sit stay with all the handlers across the room (like in Novice), do a down stay the same way, do a down via hand signal at the end of a six-foot leash, hold a stay while handlers parade out of the room briefly (precursor to out of sight stays), and seemingly a bazillion other obedience things — amidst distractions.  Oh! – and walk on a loose lead and IGNORE dog biscuits scattered around on the floor!  (The dogs got to be released to eat the biscuits after that one. LOL)  She is so much fun!  We start Advanced next week, and I can hardly wait.  ”

Anna’s litter brother Jackson (Deep River’s Let It Be Christmas) had his first shows in June (see June blog). Beth received some candid photos taken at the shows and sent them to me yesterday (7/25): 

Scroll down to this month’s conformation news to see Beth’s 8-year-old smooth champion & her 8-year-old Junior Showmanship partner!

Jackson  went to a herding instinct test July 11 and passed handily!  Happy owner Beth Rutherford writes:

“Jackson passed his herding instinct with flying colors today. I got some pictures and will send when I download them to my computer. (see photos below 7/26/10) I still haven’t gotten my show pics yet, so I’ll have to email those people and see what the hold up is! Anyway, the judge was Stacey Helsel from Florida, I believe, and she has Australian Cattle dogs. She was very impressed with him for his age and said he was a very nice puppy and we should continue herding with him!”

Jackson @ 6 months (Instinct Test)

MORE PERFORMANCE NEWS:

Shirley Conley in FL writes:

“Just a brag to add to the webpage.  Blade ended 2009 as the #2 collie in Novice obedience.” 

Blade is by Deep River Younghaven Alliance (Aaron) out of CH Deep River Westwood Glamour Girl (Giselle).  He is a littermate to last month’s new champion Haylee.  Best of luck to Shirley & Blade in Open obedience!

News Flash from Shirley:  …We managed to get our first leg in Open A.  Unfortunately my handling pulled our score down to 189.5, so I’ve lots for me to work on to keep up with my awesome monkeyboy   We’ve got our state tournament coming up in September, so I’ll be focusing more on Utility to get ready for that, then hopefully in October we’ll have our next titling event, and we’ll be back in the Open ring.

Anne Hartranft reports on Julie’s progress:

Julie achieved her Novice Agility standard title at only our second AKC trial.  Received a 3rd place and 2nd place at LEAP Agility in May, and then a 1st place at Albany Obedience Club in July.  Also at Albany Julie got 1st place in Novice B Jumpers, and qualified in Novice B FAST (unfortunately no FAST placement because she goofed her weave pole entry which cost us too many seconds & points).   This collie is fast and focused out on the course….a serious performer.  Wish she would hold her sit-stay’s better at start line to give me a chance to get a head start!!!!  We’re working on it.  News Flash! Julie won a 1st in Novice B Preferred at the RI trials on 7/25. 

MY BOY CORDELL:

Claire’s sheltie friend, Kaela and her friend Anthony came up from New Orleans for a visit with Claire. Kaela took the photos below of my boy Cordell (Frost x Felicia). The photos were taken July 10 and Cordell will be 5-months-old on July 18. Thanks, Kaela!  (Deep River’s Three Chords & the Truth)

You sheep better move – I’m right behind you!

Nice try with the stare down & stomping!

My Glamour Shot!

MORE CONFORMATION NEWS:

Beth writes about her Crystal (CH Southland’s Bowen Island ROM x CH Deep River’s Songcatcher ROM)

BPIS Can Ch. Wyndlair Oak Island Treasure TT ( who you are the co-breeder on) with her junior handling pal Cassidy Bonnell who is 8 years old. She and Crystal Qualified for the Nova Scotia Junior Handling Provincial finals and came 2nd in their class! Not too shabby for their first finals ever!  

Cassidy & Crystal (You Go Girls!)

Kathy W. is also proud of her tri rough boy Thorn (Deep River’s Considerable Trouble) who won his first 2 points at Kenilworth KC this past weekend.

Thorn @ 7- Months

Our good friend Bev Hirt from MD emailed to say that her blue smooth girl Downey won the major in Bel Alton on Sat., July 3 to become a champion!  Downey is by CH Deep River’s Shadow of Victory out of CH Kirkhaven Deep River of Lace.  She is the 3rd from her litter to finish.

Downey @ 7-weeks

 Fred Melnick & Sparkle are moving right along toward a championship title.  This team earned WB, BOW & BOV at Meri-Miss KC.

Nancy Parker emailed to say that Scout/Spring sable merle rough boy Brody who was WD at the CCof AL on Mon. of Memorial Day weekend (see below) went to his first shows in NY with new owner Jackie Gingerich and was WD at the Sun. Genesee Valley KC show.

Nancy Parker reports that Brody’s mom, Spring (Pine Cone Deep River Mountain Spring)  won 2pts. this past weekend (7/23 & 24) at shows in PA. Spring is a litter sister to Kathy Weare’s Thorn pictured above.

Spring Pictured in April Coming into Coat

SAD NEW & GLAD NEWS:

My friend Hunter Bretzius writes:

Just wanted you to know we lost our Blue recently. He would have been 13 if he had lived to July 31.  Blue was a wonderful companion for all those years and we loved him very much. Obviously he had some very good genes!
As I look back at his papers, there are a number of Deep River Collies in his background: Blueberry, Leap of Faith, Blackberry Tea, Blue Satin Slippers, Gift of the Magi.
Pim is doing great and is also a wonderful friend. He’s happy as can be and has a great life as Jim’s sidekick. Of course, we think he is the most beautiful dog in the world! He will be four this August — hard to believe!
I hope you are doing well. We’ve bookmarked your Website and check occasionally to read your successes. They are all such beautiful dogs!
We’re going to stick with just one dog for now, but I hope I’ll have another Collie in the future — and I hope it is a Deep River one!

Blue @ Age 12-Years

Pim a.k.a. – CH Deep River’s Watch Captain – Taken @ Sunrise

MANY THANKS!

Thanks to everyone who sent beautiful cards and emails during the past week.  My dad, Jack Van Leur, passed away on July 2 at age 84.  After nearly 10 years cancer free, he was diagnosed in June with liver cancer. I was fortunate to be able to spend time with him in my hometown of Louisville, KY just before he died. My brother and I were with him when the time came, and my mom and sister had just been with him earlier – it was sudden and mercifully quick. Services were held on Thurs., July 8, at Southeast Christian Church. My mom & dad celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Dec. 30 of last year. 

VISITING YVONNE, ROBIN & THE BOGIE/TASHA PUPPIES:

Dona, Taylor & I visited with Yvonn & Robin and got a first look at their litter of 9 babies. They’re 6-weeks-old and very cute! They’re the ones pictured at 2-weeks in the June blog below.

 Blue Boy (Edward)

Blue Boy &  Tri Girl (Georgia)

Blue Girl (Rosalie)

Rosalie & Jacob (he’s a cryptic blue rather than a tri - note blue on head & above left leg)

Alice

Bella

Renee

Group Shot (We love dinner time!)

CONFORMATION NEWS: 3 NEW CHAMPIONS FOR THE FIRST WEEKEND IN JUNE & THE FIRST OF OUR CHRISTMAS DAY PUPPIES WINS AT HIS DEBUTE SHOWS THE LAST WEEKEND IN JUNE!

Our boy Charlie became CH Kitleigh Charlie Brown HSAs winning a 3rd major this weekend in Charlottesville, VA on Sun.  Claire & I appreciate  Dona & Taylor Williams for taking Charlie out for us for 4 weeks of shows and bringing him back with his championship!   Thanks to Judy & Mike Pitt for our wonderful boy!!!  

Sire:  Southland Bardstown  Dam: Shekinah Deep River Siren 

CHARLIE (5/7/10)

We are also extremely proud of the two smooth girls who finished this weekend for Peggy & Ted Moorman and Mickie Elliott!  The Moorman’s sable girl Haylee became CH Deep River’s Cover Girl  on Sat., June 5, and Mickie’s blue girl Graycee became CH Deep River’s Meloncollie Baby  on Sun., June 6.  Haylee is by Deep River Younghaven Alliance x CH Deep River’s Glamour Girl & Graycee is by CH Westwood Southern Yankee x CH Deep River’s Early Frost.

Graycee relaxing @ Deep River between show weekends:

Haylee’s first specialty major as a 7-months-old puppy:

Pam & I are so proud of the first of the Scout/Valerie Christmas Day pups who went to his first shows in Canada and won his first points on June 26 & 27 the day after his 6 month b’day!    Beth Rutheford & Joan Archibald  are the happy owners of Jackson (Deep River’s Let It Be Christmas).  Beth showed Jackson and writes:

Jackson had a fantastic weekend at the show. He showed wonderfully, and his excellent temperament showed through earning him all kinds of compliments. He managed to get 2 points WD at one show, and WD/BB, at another)…  I have several pictures of him from the show, just waiting for them to be emailed to me, but I am attaching one I took of him outside with my phone.
 Jackson @ 6 months

AGILITY NEWS:

Deep River’s Chasing Shadows RN, NJP, PT  earned his NAJ the last weekend in June in Maine with a 2nd  place & high scoring collie for owner/handler Joan Scaildone.  See Tanner below in a photo shoot for Brown Trout Calendar 2011.

TN PUPPY CLASSIC June 11-13:

Pam Brown & I went to Mike Cheatham’s lovely home in TN (Southland Collies) for the annual Puppy Classic.  Fri. evening featured cocktails, food, and entertainment. We visited with friends from other parts of the country that we rarely get to see. Mike and her husband Steve were perfect hosts!  Judy Pitt, Rayleen Hendrix & Diane Cauble were splendid co-hosts for all the events!

We took ducks from Claire so that Jan Shields, a friend from CA, could do her presentation Introduction to Herding for Puppies.  She worked with many of the puppies in attendance on an introduction to ducks, and most showed interest.  The Sat. morning event was so successful that Jan did another on Sun. morning.  

A puppy match with 30+ entries followed Jan’s Sat. presentation at 10:30 with judge John Buddie of Tartanside Collies. John was also the featured after lunch speaker on the topic Creating a Family of Dogs in the 21st Century.  During lunch many of us watched a video of Brenda Miramon’s interview with John detailing his 40+ years in collies. 

Pam brought her 5-month-old boy, Elvis, along and I brought his sister Navi. Both are Scout/Valerie offspring. The classes were large, and Pam handled Elvis herself to a 2nd in a lovely class of 7 puppies.  My almost 4-month-old Cordell – singleton puppy from Frost/Felicia came along also. They were all little troopers and showed at the match as though they were old pros!

Deep River Bankside Blue Christmas (Elvis)

Deep River’s Fleece Navidad (Navi)

Jan Works with Puppies @ Sat. Morning Herding 

Collie Fanciers Enjoy Watching the Puppy Match

PUPPY NEWS:

My friends in Charlotte, Yvonne Shelton & Robin Perry, have big news. They’ve been in collies for 20 years, and just had their first litter. The litter is by CH Deep River Ironhill Dark Victory x Tasha, their major pointed blue girl from Lorrie McCarthy. There are 9 puppies – all tris and blues – 2 boys & 7 girls. See shots below:

Bella

Georgia & Nessie

Renee & Esme

Rose & Alice

Edward & Jacob

Group Shot

CONFORMATION NEWS:

Fred Melnick called yesterday 5/16 to say that he had taken his blue smooth girl, Sparkle, to shows in Perry, GA where she earned 2 more points.

Sparkle (in April)

Our sable rough boy, Charlie, earned a Herding Started title (HSAs) a couple of weeks ago. He just went to his first conformation shows this past weekend in WV and came home with his first 4 pts. Since his sable smooth daughter is a champion and his sable rough daughter has a major, and they aren’t even a year old yet, he knew he’d better get to some shows and earn a few points himself!  Charlie went to PA over Memorial Day Weekend, and came home with two majors.  He has 12 pts. in his short show career - fingers crossed that he will get those last 3 points before his 2-year-old coat leaves! 

Also at the WV shows, Peggy Moorman’s beautiful sable smooth girl, Haylee, earned 3 pts. and needs just one point to finish her championship. Sat. & Sun. May 8 & 9, Haylee was RB to at Bucks & Trenton with entries of 17 and 15 smooth class bitches at those shows.  A different bitch won each of those days with Haylee consistently in contension.  

In addition, Mickie Elliott’s, tri rough girl, Lyric, (featured in April earning her first HSAs Q) came back from WV with 2 pts. bringing her total to 10 pts. (including one 4 pt. specialty major).   At Bucks & Trenton, Lyric was RB on Sun. with an entry of 32 rough bitches.

Hope to have new photos available soon for all of these.  All were handled by our good friend Dona Williams and her very capable new assistant Min Shu. Thanks, ladies!

Nancy P. & Mickie E. went to the CCof AL specialty shows Memorial weekend. Nancy’s Scout/Spring sable smooth puppy, Mattie, was RB to the 4 -pt. majors both days.  Rough sable merle brother, Brody, was WD on Mon. for his first points. These were the first shows for both & both are in 6-9 mo. class.  Mickie’s Scout daughter, Chanel, was BOV over a smooth entry of 28 on Sun.  

PERFORMANCE NEWS:

Claire took our boy Charlie to his first Rally-O trial on Fri., May 7, to see if he was ready to start his obedience career.  Their score in Novice B was 100 out of a possible 100 – guess he’s ready!  Charlie is a busy boy these days what with his first conformation shows, his first obedience trial and his work toward more herding titles this fall.  We occassionally squeeze in some agility training for him also.

Charlie Doing a Right Finish Into Heel Position at the Trial

Claire took Lyric and Joy to AKC herding trials in Berryville, VA. Lyric earned a 2nd Q in HSAs.  Joy earned a Q in HSBs.

PUPPY NEWS:

Flurry went to her new home in GA yesterday –  5/2 – with owners Jill & Tom Cheatham.  Jill is an Albert Payson Trehune fan and memorabila collector.  Flurry is from our Christmas Day litter.

CCA PHOTOS:

CCA March photos finally arrived.  Below are photos of our AOM  winner, Chanel, and our 6-9 puppy dog class winner Armani.

Chanel

Armani

PERFORMANCE NEWS:

Herding 4/17 & 18

The Piedmont Border Collie Association hosted 2 AKC trials this past weekend at Way to Me Farm in Sanford, NC.   We took 3 collies – Tanner, Charlie & Lyric.  Joan Scialdone’s  sable smooth boy Tanner earned his Pre-trial title qualifying both days and is now  Deep River’s Chasing Shadows RN, NJP, PT.  Mickie & my tri rough girl Lyric -  earned her first Herding Started A Course Q on sheep Sunday with a 2nd place in her class and High Scoring Anything But a Border Collie award. On Saturday Claire’s & my sable rough boy became Kitleigh Charlie Brown HSAs. Charlie earned his last Started sheep Q with 2nd place on Saturday and also won HSABBC. Claire did her usual great job handling all three!

Tanner

Lyric

Charlie

 Agility News – Kathy Weare reports the following on Cora’s daughter, Eve:  Today we Q’d in EXB JWW for our 1st leg. As expected, top spots went to BCs. Still waiting for that 1st leg ExA Standard. It will come. Next trial in RI 4/24 and 25. Eve Q’d in Excellent B Jumpers on Saturday (4/24) 2nd leg!
Frank Jansen says he got some good shots so we’ll hope so.  I’ll post new photos as soon as Kathy sends them.

CGC & TDI News – Caryn Godin writes the following about Maggie (Mister/Wiggy):  I am very pleased and even more proud to announce that Deep River’s Bru Maguire, aka Maggie, Mags, Magalicious, passed her Canine Good Citizen test this evening and can now use the initials “CGC” after her name!!!!  We are scheduled to take the Therapy Dog International (http://www.tdi-dog.org/) exam on Saturday, May 8^th.  Assuming success with this test as well, we will begin doing volunteer work in the community.  

Match News – Robin Richards in OH took her first show puppy, Lily, (from Nancy P.’s Scout/Spring litter) to her first match this month. Robin handled Lily herself and won Best Rough Puppy over nice competition and on to a Herding Group 3!  Nancy has Lily’s beautiful brother, Brody, for sale (see Available page for info & photos).

Lily

CONFORMATION SHOW NEWS:

NEW CHAMPIONS IN APRIL:

Peggy Moorman & Mickie Elliott have exciting news to report about Peggy’s sable smooth 7-month-old boy, Armani, co-bred by Mickie & me. This past weekend, he became CH Ceildih’s Project Runway (Scout x Giselle).   Armani’s show career was 3 weekends long, including the CCA national where he won the 6-9 puppy dog class. He earned a 4 pt. & a 5 pt. major his first weekend out at 6-months and two 3 pt. majors last weekend at age 7-months.  Mickie has his smooth brother Versaci for sale (see Available page for info).  Armani’s handler, Taylor Williams, is pictured with him below winning his first major:

Armani

Tina & Larry Patterson in TX are thrilled to announce that their sable smooth Charlie/Joy daughter, Shelley, is now CH Deep River Divine Naughty by Nature. Shelley finished Fri., 4/23 in Shreveport, LA with a 5 pts. major!  Shelley finished with all major wins from puppy classes. This litter was born last year at Deep River and was co-bred with Claire Apple. As a move-up on Sun., Shelley was BOV.

Louann Young in Crosby, TX left a phone message yesterday to let me know that her loverly sable merle smooth girl, Jazz, had finished her CH in LA at the Mon. show with a 4 pt. major.  She and co-owner/handler Susan Williams were delighted.  Jazz is by CH Deep River’s Bow and Arrow x CH Younghaven Deep River Deja Vu.  Jazz is champion #8 for Scout!

Mike & Tucky Vaughan’s blue smooth boy, Moose, became CH Deep River’s Moose Tracks on Snow PT on April 30 at the Magic Valley KC show in WV.  Plans for a champion party are in the works!

More Show News:

At the recent Piedmont KC shows in Charlotte, Yvonne Shelton & Robin Perry earned 2 more points on their blue smooth girl from Lorrie McCarthy out of Deep River’s Victory Dance.  Robin writes: 

Suzy Royds (Skyview Collies) in Southern CA is the new owner of  our lovely Deep River’s Visions of Sugar Plums from our Christmas Day litter.  Sugar Plum is pictured below on April 13.

Frost/Felecia Baby Boy on 4/24 @ 9- weeks- old (his 2nd sheep herding):

Waiting for my turn.

Look out, sheep, here I come!

Keep moving, sheep!

Our Scout/Valerie daughter, Navi, from Pam’s Christmas litter (Deep River’s Fleece Navidad) gets a turn; she’s 17 weeks. Waiting for pics from Pam of Elvis’ turn (Deep River Bankside Blue Christmas).  He LOVES his sheep too!

 PUPPY PARTY HOSTED BY DONA & TAYLOR WILLIAMS:

Traveled to Statesville on April 8 to a get-together.  We had a wonderful time!  Diane & Dennis Kwiatkowski from PA brought two litters sired by their sable boy, Jazz; one out of a Westwood dam and the other out of a Deahaven dam.  Judy Bryant and Dona & Taylor had puppies from Kathy Weare’s Sam out of a Deahaven dam. Nancy McDonald had two from one of her Barksdale girls sired by Judy’s Brendon.  Nancy Parker brought 2 from her Scout/Spring litter.  Dona & Taylor had a little boy by Danny Cardoza’s dog out of a Westwood dam. I brought my baby boy from Frost & Felicia; it was his 7-week b’day.  Below are some photos I took.

Some of Diane & Dennis’ Jazz Puppies:

Some of Judy’s, Dona’s & Taylor’s Sam/Dreamer Pups & a Smooth Baby from a Different Litter in the Background:

My Baby Boy from Frost & Felicia (7-wks.)

Nancy P.’s Scout/Spring Son (Brody) on His 6-mo. B’day:

For More Photos of Brody, See Available Page

Brody’s Mom, Spring, Came to the Party : 

Pine Cone Deep River Mountain Spring (major ptd.) 

CONFORMATION NEWS:

CCA National:  At the last minute, I got the opportunity to fly out to Los Angeles  for part of the Collie Club of America National compliments of my good friend Mickie Elliott!  Wed., Mar. 24 started off splendidly with Dona Williams handling Peggy Moorman’s 6-month-old Armani to 1st in a class of 14 smooth puppy dogs under judge Bill Holbrook.  Mickie & I are his co-breeders (read about his previous weekend’s specialty majors below).  He looked beautiful and made us all proud!  Jay Kim’s CH Deep River’s in the Limelight (Diane) was presented beautifully in the Top 20 Invitational on Wed. evening by Nick Joines.  Diane was #3 smooth in the country for 2009, owner handled to specialty wins & 22 Herding Group placements, including multiple Group I’s. I had to leave the show Fri. before smooth champions showed, but Mickie’s CH Ceilidh’s Deep River Haute Couture  (Chanel) did us proud as well under judge Carl Williford by earning one of 7 smooth Award of Merits out of a huge smooth specials class!  Mickie’s, Shakira (6-9), & Tina & Larry Patterson’s, Shelley (9-12), looked wonderful in the ring as well and received many  compliments from ringside.

Dona & Chanel Just Before Ring Time in CA

 Armani (from ringside in CA)

All-Breed Shows:  I arrived home from the national at 1:00 a.m. Sat. and went to the show in Raleigh!  I showed Susan Carbee’s sable rough puppy Deep River’s Joie de Vive (by Charlie x Joy).  We managed WB, BOW & BOV over 3 champions to earn a 3 pt. major under judge Robert Frost.  Susan had a great weekend in rally obedience with her blue rough boy Sky also. See Performance News below!  

9-12 Class – 1st Major

Mickie had our co-breed tri rough girl, Lyric – Ceilidh Deep River Soft  Good-Bye PT, JHD entered & shown by Frank Jewett. Lyric earned two reserves and one 2 pt. win to bring her total toward her championship to 8 pts., one major.   

Lyric @ 4 months – will replace with show photo when available.

Specialty Shows: Two of the 6-month-old puppies from Mickie Elliott’s co-bred Scout/Giselle litter (CH Deep River’s Bow and Arrow x CH Deep River Westwood Glamour Girl) went to their first shows last weekend – the first weekend in March.  Our friend Dona Williams took Mickie’s sable merle smooth girl Ceilidh’s Underneath Her Clothes (Shakira) and Peggy Moorman’s sable smooth boy Ceilidh’s Project Runway (Armani) to the Greater Brighton, Midwest & Toledo collie specialty shows. Both came home with major reserves, but best of all, Shakira came home with 6 pts., including a 4 pt. major under judge Danny Cardoza, and Armani came home with 9 pts. in the form of a 5 pt. major under the judge above and a 4 pt. major under judge Sandy Thompson.  We are so proud of these beautiful puppies and their sire & dam! Mickie has for sale a lovely smooth litter brother to these pups named Versaci. Her email address is  pomicha@aol.com.

In addition to the above wins at these shows, Scout’s sable merle daughter CH Ceilidh’s Deep River Haute Couture  (Chanel) was BOS to BOB under judge Anita Stelter.  We love that other collie-breeder judges appreciate our Scout kids!

Shakira After Her Trip

Armani Relaxes at Home Prior to His Trip

MATCH NEWS:  Beth Rutherford & Joan Archibald of Nova Scotia took their new Scout/Valerie rough sable boy, Jackson, to his first match this past weekend.  Here’s  Beth’s report -

Jackson is growing and is doing great!! He went to his first fun match last Sunday and won a Group 1st and was runner up for Best in Match!

I can’t wait to get him in the real ring! He is such a trooper! What an attitude on him, its so great!! I will send you some pictures of him at handling class in another email.

Jackson

PERFORMANCE NEWS:

Susan Carbee earned a Rally Novice title on her CH Deep River’s Light the Night Sky PT at the shows in Raleigh with two 3rd placement 98’s.  I just lost Sky’s  beloved dam, Hillary, to a stroke at age 13. 

Sky  & Susan (Photo from yesterday)

Proud owner Shirley Conley reports that her Aaron/Giselle smooth sable boy, Blade, was #1 in Novice B obedience rankings in Collie Expressions Magazine with an average score of 196!  How cool is that!  Blade is a 3/4 brother to Armani & Shakira – same mom bred to Scout’s sire, Aaron, 2 years ago.

 Kathy Weare handled her blue rough girl, Eve, to a 2nd place and her AXJ (Agility Excellent title) this past Sat. (3/13 & 14) in New England and to a 1st place and her OA (Open Standard title) on Sun. Eve is a daughter of CH Deep River’s Rotten to the Core NAP (Cora).

PUPPY NEWS:

On Feb. 18, Felecia had 2 blue babies sired by Frost.  The little girl was stillborn, but our rough baby boy below was alive and well. He is now 5-weeks-old. I took this photos of him yesterday.  He’s quite a little character! 

Pictured @ 5 wks. 

Pictured @ 4 wks.

All of the Scout/Valerie Christmas Day puppies are in their new homes.  Congratulations  to the following new owners on their new pups:

*Michael & Constance McCloskey of CO on rough sable boy Deep River Bankside Reindeer Games (Rudy)

*Beth Rutheford & Joan Archibald of Nova Scotia, CN on rough sable boy Deep River’s Let It Be Christmas (Jackson) 

*Jonathan & Pam Ellis of MA on smooth sable boy  Deep River Bankside Ewe-L Tide (Ty)

*Mark & Shirley Baunach of NC on rough tri boy Deep River’s Dash Away All (Dash)

*Wendy Scott & Sandy Taccone of DE on blue smooth boy Deep River Bankside The Winter’s Tail (Findley)

*Pam Brown (co-breeder) on blue smooth boy Deep River Bankside Blue Christmas (Elvis)

*Debbie Knowles of MD on smooth tri girl Deep River Bankside Merry and Bright (Anna)

*Suzy Royds of CA on smooth blue girl Deep River’s Visions of Sugar Plums (Plum)

*Tom & Jill Cheatham of GA on sable rough girl Deep River Bankside Snow Flurries (Flurry)

*I’m keeping blue smooth girl Deep River’s Fleece Navidad (Navi)

SAD NEWS AT DEEP RIVER:

Yesterday (3/17) my 13-year-old girl Hillary  had a stroke.  Claire helped me get her to SAH where she passed away. She was a wonderful, sweet girl who only had 4 offspring. Her blue rough sons Connor, Sky & Bright all finished their championships, and Sky has herding titles also. Her sable rough daughter Glory is the dam of  two rough and one smooth champion. Diane, Glory’s smooth daughter, was #3 conformation smooth collie in the country last year.  I miss my old girl so much already!

CH Deep River Karizma Highlight (Hillary) @ age 18 months

Puppy Aptitude Testing & Herding Instinct Testing went very well on Tues., Feb. 23.  Claire Apple did the testing at her farm.  The puppies will be 9-weeks-old tomorrow, Fri., Feb. 26.  Scroll down to Feb. News below to see the latest Deep River Champion, Crystal, who finished this past weekend for owner En Chang.

Pam took the 4 photos below on Thurs., Feb. 18.  All 10 puppies had good eye checks - normal/go-normal.  Read the article on Collie Eye Anomaly on this website (see navigation bar).

Sable Girl

Blue Boy (Pam is keeping him) Deep River Bankside Blue Christmas (Elvis)

 Elvis & Sable Girl

 Blue Girl

Taking photos of 10 puppies by yourself is a real challenge – ditto for taping ears!!!  Below are the Christmas Day puppies:

From left to right - Blue  Smooth Girl,  Blue Smooth Girl , Tri Rough Boy,  Blue Smooth Boy & Blue Smooth Boy

Sable Rough Boy

Sable Rough Boy, Blue Smooth Boy, Blue Smooth Girl, Sable Smooth Boy & Tri Smooth Girl 

Tri Boy, Blue Boy, Blue Girl, Sable Girl, Blue Girl & Sable Boy

Two Sable Boys

Blue Girl, Tri Boy & Blue Boy

CONFORMATION NEWS:

En Chang sent Pam & I good news.  Her blue rough girl Crystal is now CH Deep River’s Snow Fall at Blackpoint earning her third major - 5 pts.  at the CCof HI specialty show this past weekend.  Crystal is co-breeder Pam’s first homebred champion! Congratulations, ladies! Sire: Deep River’s Let It Snow CGC, RL1  Dam: CH Deep River’s Consider the Source RE, HSAd

Good news from the Collie Club of America, Jay Kim’s CH Deep River in the Limelight (Diane) was the #3 winning smooth conformation collie in the country for 2009 in the CCA Hawkin’s Ranking System.  Jay returned to South Korea in October, so Diane was not shown for the last 2 months of the year, so this makes a terrific outcome for this team!

Mike & Tucky Vaughan are very excited about their blue smooth boy Moose (Deep River Moosetracks in Snow PT).  Dona Williams called from GA to say that Moose had won 4 pt. majors Sat. & Sun. Moose is by Frost (Deep River’s Let It Snow CGC, RL1) out of Mike & Tucky’s Kate (CH Deep River Kate at Deer Leap HSAs).  Moose now has 12 pts.

Moose also has 1 Q toward his HSAs

CH Ceildh’s Deep River Haute Couture  (Chanel) was BOS to BOV at the Columbus Collie Club in a large smooth entry. She is Mickie Elliotts beautiful sable merle Scout daughter.

OTHER NEWS:

Sandy Symmes writes:

Best purchase I have ever made!!  Jake’s body is warm to the touch after you take it off.  He loves it.  The yellow one is a rain coat; but works great for Sadie and her longer coat.  Keeps them dry in the rain except for head, tail and feet and legs. http://dogcoat.com/

From Alice W. in MD:

Alice Wilkenfeld sent these photos of Lily (from Gary N.’s litter by CH Tapestry Southwynd x Deep River’s Theme Song).  It’s a short leap from being Queen of the Snow Mountain to being Queen of the Dining Room Table!

Feb. 13 Snow @ Deep River

Pam B. & I spent Christmas Day whelping puppies – 6:00 a.m. until 6:15 p.m. Valerie (CH Deep River’s Shock Value, RN, HSAd) had a litter of 10 puppies by Scout  (CH Deep River’s Bow &  Arrow).  Mother & babies are all doing fine!  We have 6 boys & 4 girls; 6 smooths & 4 roughs; 4 sables, 4 blues & 2 tris.  Exact breakdown is 2 sable rough boys, 1 sable smooth boy, 1 tri rough boy, 2 blue smooth boys, 1 sable rough girl, 1 tri smooth girl & 2 blue smooth girls.  Some new photos below @ 6-weeks-old.  Photos taken, Tues., 2/9/10.

Eye exams scheduled for Feb. 18; structural evaluations for Feb. 20; puppy aptitude & herding instinct tests for Feb. 23; & physicals for Mar. 2.

6-WEEK-OLD-PHOTOS BELOW (2/09/10)

Tri Rough Boy

Blue Smooth Boy #1

Blue Smooth Boy #2

Sable Rough Boy #1

Sable Rough Boy #2

 Sable Smooth Boy & Tri Smooth Girl

Sable Rough Girl

Blue Smooth Girls

 4-Week Photos

Feeding Frenzy! (4-weeks-old)

Blue Smooth Boy #1

Blue Girl #1 & Blue Boy #1

Sable Rough Boy #1

Sable Smooth Boy

Tri Rough Boy

Valerie – the World’s Best Collie Mom!

CONFORMATION NEWS:

Vicky’s First Show with Patches went very well. Little 7-year-old Vicky is such a smart little girl and a quick study. She had no experience except one puppy match and the few lessons we had at my house, plus her practice at home.  She and her puppy are amazing! (Patches is a sister to Shelley & Charlene) Photos taken by Mike Vaughan during 6-9 mo. puppy sweepstakes class on Sat., Jan. 23. They placed 3rd in a very nice class.

 Tina & Larry Patterson (Divine Collies) called Sun. 1/10 to say that their smooth sable 7 -month-old Charlie/Joy puppy, Shelley (Deep River Divine Naughty By Nature), now has 13 pts. all majors! Way to go… Shelley is taking after her mom, Joy, who finished at 8-months. Show photo soon of superpup, Shelley!

Lyric, tri rough yearling girl co-owned with Micki Elliott, won a 4 pt. specialty major on Sat. in FL handled by good friend Dona Williams. New photo of Lyric coming soon.

PERFORMANCE NEWS:

Anne Hartranft from NY writes 1/11 about Lyric’s, blue rough sister, Julie:

 Rocco @ 14-wks. ”helping” Bobby’s hubby

THE SNOWY SOUTH!

Peggy Moorman from Murphy, NC writes:

Caryn Godin from Atlanta writes:

In case it didn’t reach the news in your area, Atlanta had snow last Thursday night into Friday morning …. anywhere else in the country it would be a non-event, but not here.  I chose to work from home on Friday and am glad I did … there was a 27 car pile-up on one of the highway ramps I would have been driving on!!!! 

Katydid Learns How to Weave!

Catherine & Katydid (lure coursing girl from Dec.) sent a video from MD. Watch Katy weave:

http://www.youtube.com/chippersdogtreats

CONFORMATION IN DEC.

Yvonne Shelton & Robin Perry report good news for Bogie & Tasha, but sad news for 2 of their rescues!

Two weeks ago we had to put Emma down (10 yr old AmStaff).  Yesterday morning we had to put Trinity, our nearly 17 year old rescue collie, down.

In the midst of this Tasha and Bogie were in Winston-Salem with Nick and Joel for the shows this weekend.  Joel called yesterday afternoon.  Tasha had won a 3 pt major!  That leaves her needing one major and some minor pts.  Bogie had gone reserve.

We put on brave faces and went to the shows today.

Today Tasha went reserve and Bogie went Winners, BOW and BOS to finish his championship.  We weren’t sure whether to laugh or cry.  Bogie has asked that we all call him Sir from now on.

We along with the two pooped dogs are home now after one of the most mixed emotion weekends I’ve ever had.

Bogie looked great today.  I can’t tell you how many people commented on how beautiful Tasha is. (Breeder Lorrie McCarthy – dam Deep River’s Victory Dance – Bogie’s sister)

Robin & Yvonne

 

Tasha’s Major

 

CH Deep River Ironhill Dark Victory (finishing in WS)

 

New Champion “Bogie” - having fun last month!

 Our little 6-month-old Charlie/Joy baby, Charlene, (Deep River’s Joie de Vive) went to the Sat. show in Winston-Salem with Dona & Taylor. We just wanted to get her puppy feet wet. She was RB to the major – what a little show girl! New owner, Susan Carbee, was very happy as were we!  Photo below at 4 months – show photo coming soon.

Our yearling tri girl, Lyric, also went to the trials and had two beautifully smooth PT runs, earning compliments from both judges! Lyric now has her JHD & her PT. Owner/co-breeder Micky Elliott is sending her to shows in Jan., so we were just in the Nick of time (little holiday pun)!

Lyric’s Sun. PT Run in the Mud

  

 

 

 

 

 

  FROM GAIL IN NJ:  Isis & her collie buddies went to see Santa! (Isis is peeking around St. Nick on the right)   

 

Waiting for Santa in UT – from Carrie & Gentry

 BOBBY CHASTAIN GIVES SONNY & SAL A BABY BROTHER FOR CHRISTMAS! (SCOUT/GISELLE PUPPY FROM MICKY’S LITTER) Bobby writes: I have to give the little guy a lot of credit. He has spirit. He was in the car from Fl to NC. Then from Pittsboro to Asheville, spent the weekend in rain, sleet and snow then came back to his home in Wake Forest. The other collie boys adore him and actually, so did my cranky lab/rottie mix.
Here’s a pix we took at our renovation project. In this picture, Sal (rough) and Sonny are trying to reassure Rocco that it’s okay to go down the steps. They went up and down the steps surrounding Rocco over and over until he went down the steps. It was very cute. Just shows how great these collies are. Gotta’ love them. He is very comfortable here in Wake Forest too.  

 

From John & Cindy Reilly in MD – Rory negotiates the “big snow” and then relaxes! 

 

Waiting for Santa to bring more toys! From Fran in NC 

Shelly & her rescue pal, Duff – from John in NC

From the Moormans in NC – We all got sweaters for Christmas!

On Wed., Nov. 25, I drove down to Travelers Rest, SC to visit Nancy Parker & help her evaluate her litter (by CH Deep River’s Bow and Arrow x Pine Cone Deep River Mountain Spring). We had a great visit, and I had lots of fun cuddling and playing with puppies! I got home Sat. afternoon and downloaded photos yesterday.  Here they are. Nancy Parker  mtntisablu12@aol.com

Sable Merle Rough Boy

Sable Smooth Girl

Sable Rough Girl

 Sable Merle Smooth Girl

Blue Rough Girl

Isis & Mandi Help Honor Maeleine’s Memory:

Gail Wright emailed with her usual eloquence to tell me about the bench dedicated to Maeleine on Nov. 15:

For the first time in several days, the sun pushed through the clouds setting  the landscape  ablaze with reds, greens oranges and yellows.  A horse trotted proudly in the near field and the rider tossed a friendly greeting.   Beneath us, the grass was the deep green that only a summer of sunshine can produce.  Not sure where we were to meet , we had arrived early and decided to find the stream and follow its banks hoping to come upon “the bench” we were told was placed there.  Mandi and Isis had their noses pressed to the ground and seemed delighted to be back in familiar fields.  Jami and Paige, on the other hand, merely followed their new sisters.  After about forty minutes, we found Diane, a good friend of Maeleine’s and she led us to an opening where about twenty -four dogs were just gathering.  The dogs mostly moved easily among these walking partners. and soon Leslie, who had arranged for the hand-hewn bench with brass marker, explained that the stone had been chosen because Maeleine had admired it on a trip to Upton Estate.  She spoke of the walking events shared and of Maeleine’s love for all creature, great and small.   Liver brownies were shared in honor of Isis’ birthday on Thursday and Mandi’s today.

How Maeleine would have laughed at Isis and Mandi taking a “dip” in the stream in the middle of Leslie’s remarks, and how pleased she would have been when the girls responded to my recall.   How pleased we would have been if Maeleine had been there to share this glorious day!

Litter News:

Micky Elliott has a litter of four – 3 boys, 1 girl & 3 smooth, 1 rough – by Scout x Giselle. (See More Photos by Scrolling Down to Next Blog)

Nancy Parker has a litter of five – 4 girls , 1 boy & 3 rough, 2 smooth -by Scout x Spring.  I’ll be visiting them over Thanksgiving.

Conformation News:

Kathy Weare’s beautiful blue rough boy Sam finished his championship on Sat.,  Nov. 7,  in Greensboro.  Sam is out of Kathy’s CH Deep River’s Rotten to the Core NAP.

CH Hi Cliff Once in a Blue Moon

Yonne Shelton & Robin Perry tell me that their blue smooth puppy Tasha has won points 3 of the last 4 times she’s been shown and currently has five. Tasha is out of Lorrie McCarthy’s Deep River’s Victory Dance.

Tasha & Yvonne Going BOW under judge Lori Montero:

Micky Elliott’s Scout son, Chance, finished with a 4 pt. major in AL.  CH Ceildh’s Deep River Deal Me In is Scout’s 6th champion offspring!

Tina & Larry Patterson report that their 6mo. old Charlie/Joy daughter, Deep River Divine Naughty By Nature, won a major in Conroe, TX on Sat., Nov. 28! Shelley also won a major RB the weekend before.

Shelley @ 3 months:

Rally Obedience News:

At 3 shows in Ocala, FL, Shirley Conley & Ceilidh’s Forged at Deep River (Blade) earned a Rally Advanced title with two scores of 100 and two 1st placements!

Shirley & Blade – Nov. 12

Blade Likes His 1st Place Ribbon

At the shows in Concord, NC, Sandy Symmes & CH Deep River Crosswind Jake ‘O Lantern also earned the last two Q’s on Jake’s RA title with two scores of 95 on Nov. 13 & 14!

Jake & Sandy Winning BOV on Nov. 14:

Micky Elliott asked me to come to Orlando for a visit to relax and help evaluate her litter of four by CH Deep River’s Bow & Arrow (Scout) x CH Deep River Westwood Glamour Girl (Giselle). Photos of the 4 puppies are below (one smooth girl & three boys – 1 rough & 2 smooth). To find out specifics about this beautiful litter, contact Micky at pomicha@aol.com .

The annual CRC Reunion was a smashing success as usual!   It was at Donna Rothenberger’s – now Kelly Martin’s place – in Burlington.  Thanks, Kelly! 

We all missed Donna!!!

There was the usual great turnout for herding testing and lots of other activities!

Cathy Hartley conducted the Instinct testing:

I conducted the collie grooming session:

Agility equipment available to try:

Jean’s & Penny’s usual terrific booth set-up:

Fall is here at Deep River, and as usual, our wonderful owners and their collies are doing great things at shows and trials! 

ANNUAL FALL COLLIE MATCH NEWS

On hand at the PCC Annual Fall Match on Oct. 10 at the home of Dona, George & Taylor Williams helping out with the match are Deep River collie owners Pam Brown & Mike Vaughan.  Peggy & Ted Moorman were also there to lend support and drop off their girls Haylee & Graycee for Dona to take to upcoming shows. Mike & Christine, along with friend Matt, were present to help me and support 7-year-old daughter Vicky show her puppy Patches for the first time. We are very proud of Vicky & Patches who placed in the 4-6 month class.  Patches’ sister, Charlene, who is staying at Deep River, was Best Puppy in Match under judge Joyce Dowling (Shenstone Collies). We had fun visiting will all our friends, seeing all the other beautiful collies, and the food was delicious as usual!  Candids below – match photos from “offical match photographer” George Williams available soon.

Charlene & Patches are by our Kitleigh Charlie Brown PT x HTCh CH Deep River’s Comfort and Joy RE, HSAsdc, HIAs, HXAsd, HTD1s, HRD3s, RLF3s, HTAD3sd

Charlene

Vicky & Patches

HERDING NEWS

Susan Carbee’s CH Deep River Light the Night Sky PT earned two Q’s toward his HSAd title in PA at Scarlet Mill Oct. 9 & 10 with a 1st place 94.5 on Sun. Susan also finished the HSBd title on her sable boy Yeager – great weekend!

Sky

Mickie Elliott’s 14- month- old tri rough girl Lyric (Ceildh’s Deep River Soft Goodbye) has been visiting here for the past 6 weeks to work on a little herding with us. She earned her AHBA Junior Herding Dog title in Denton, NC on Fri., Oct 2, but not without a little snafu! Here’s what happened…

I left the house at 3:30 a.m. to take our Charlie/Joy sable smooth girl to the airport.  The best & shortest flight I could get for the baby left RDU at 6:15  for Austin, TX.  Shelly (aka Charlize) was going to her new home with Tina & Larry Patterson of Divine collies.  Meanwhile, Claire came by my house at 5:45 to pick up Lyric and take her to the AHBA event.  I got home at 6:30 and went back to bed for 3 hours.

When I woke up, I called to find out how things were going at the AHBA event. It seems that Lyric was totally silly – wouldn’t respond to her name nor any commands and was running around jumping on the judge and Claire! I was very surprised until I walked out the back door and onto the deck where I was greeted by Charlene & Lyric!!!  I looked over into the next fenced yard and realized the “terrible truth.” 

At 5:45 in the semi-dark, Claire had taken my 6-year-old tri rough girl Felicia instead of Lyric! Felicia has never seen sheep and has no training except for conformation. I told Claire that “Lyric” had a good excuse for not knowing her name, obeying her sit & stop commands and not herding her sheep.  Fortunately, Denton is only an hour and 15 minutes away, so Lyric & I drove over and Claire was allowed a run with the “real Lyric” who did a very nice job.  It all worked out – Felicia had fun (at Claire’s expense), and Lyric earned her JHD!

Felicia asks JHD judge Sandra, “What am I supposed to be doing?”

The “real Lyric” doing her JHD run!

THERAPY DOG INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Gail Wright  sent word that she had recertified Maeleine’s (scroll down to see Memorial) Mandi (10-year-old rescue) and  Isis (Deep River’s Image in Ice HSAd) Gail wrote: ”If there are windows in heaven, Maeleine was smiling out one of them on Sunday as her beloved dogs passed perfectly their therapy tests with me as part of the team . I really had no doubt about them, but Maleleine was a real dog whisperer, and I cannot compare. Mandi yawned during her time with people banging and shouting as distractions, and Isis, after placing her head on the lap of the woman in the wheelchair, “sang” softly as she had to her mom.  Both obeyed each and every command. 
 I am so blessed! I’m not sure how much Mandi at ten will be visiting, but she deserves to go if she wants to continue.  On the other hand, Isis will join Paige as soon as the paper work comes through at Saint Luke’s Hospital doing acute cardiac care and possibly Peds.  She really loves children and hasn’t had much time with them.  Isis has really settled in and loves the choice of five beds, changing her spot at will.”

Isis (Deep River’s Image in Ice HSAd, TDI) on her “bed of choice.”

 Joan Scaildone & Tanner (Deep River’s Chasing Shadows RN, NAJ, TDI) passed his TDI certification this past week (Oct. 26). Joan wrote:  “Mr. Tanner earned his TDI title last night.   He did a great job with screaming children, walkers, wheelchairs and banging pans.  The tester loved him—said he’ll make a great therapy dog.   I used to do nursing home visits w/Josh & Tiffany—they were great at it—think he will be as well.  I’d also like to do the read-to-a-child program—another good one.”

Tanner as a baby

OBEDIENCE NEWS

Shirley Conley’s smooth boy, Blade, went to 2 more Rally trials and earned two more perfrct scores of 100 for his RN title!  For more pictures of Blade & Shirley scroll down to Sept. news featuring Blade’s CD.

Blade & Shirley

Halloween Rally at the Hartford-Springfield Collie Club’s “Collie Triathlon” was a big success for both Joan’s Tanner and Anne Hartraft’s Julie  (Deep River’s Cache of Jewels).  Tanner came home with his second Advanced Rally leg and third place.  Julie earned her first Novice Rally leg with a third place and JUST missed her first novice leg in obedience (she went down on the sit).  The judge told Anne, that had Julie not NQ’d on the sit/stay, she would have been HIT with a 196.5!  Julie is only 15 months old and is Lyric’s sister. 

Julie @ 13 months

AGILITY NEWS

In New England on Sun., Oct. 4, Kathy Weare ran her blue rough girl Eve (Cora’s daughter – CH Deep River’s Rotten to the Core) in agility and earned a second Q in  Excellent Jumpers 20″ with another 1st place! Kathy & Jody have also started BOO in agility classes (Aaron/Joy son from 2007 Halloween litter).  He’s doing well and enjoying himself but is not ready for the real deal just yet.

CONFORMATION NEWS

In the conformation ring, Sam, brother to Eve pictured above, won two majors in Marietta, GA under Alice Inman & Anne Cross. He was BOW both times compliments of Dona & Taylor Williams. Congrats to Kathy on Sam’s wonderful wins! I believe he has at least 11 points now so should be a champion very soon.  Oct. 30 – Sam earns his 3rd major WD & BOW at the East TN CC under judge Phyllis Autrey – just one more point to go! 

Sam (Cora’s Son & Eve’s Brother)

Peggy’s Aaron/Giselle daughter, Haylee, won a 5 pt. major at the Collie Club of KY and a major reserve at the CC of GA with Taylor handling! Both Haylee & Graycee need 4 single points to finish.   

Poor Ted!  Peggy’s husband Ted “relaxing & watching TV” with Haylee, Graycee, Stryker & Lily! 

Jay Kim returned to South Korea for a 6 week visit  just after the Atlanta shows, but Diane will be out at a few shows while he’s gone with Rhanda Glenn handling.  This past weekend (Oct. 3 & 4) in PA at Fort Stueben KC & Beaver Creek KC, Diane was BOV and won a Group 3 at the Sat. show!  Diane was also BOV at Mad River KC  in OH and at Sandemac KC & IL Capital KC over nice size smooth entries and several other top specials  Oct. 17 & 18.  Scroll down to Sept. News to view photos of  CH Deep River’s in the Limelight (Diane).

Gail with Paige & Maeline with Isis – Sunnybank 2007

I’m so sad to report that my friend, Maeleine Loos (Rocking Horse Farm in Bedminster, NJ) passed away on September 30. She succumbed to brain cancer at home with friends and her beloved collies by her side (Mandy, her rescue sable rough girl and Isis, her blue rough girl from Deep River). Maeleine lived an active life teaching agility and obedience and enjoying her horses. She owned and trained “Jodi,” OTCH Waltstone Impulse, a daughter of CH Wickmere Chimney Sweep. Jodi became the first UDT Collie in the country to earn the OTCH title when it was introduced by AKC. Maeleine and her husband Ron were members of the foundation group for the Therapy Dog International program and worked actively for many years with this group, including work in NYC just after 9/11. Maeleine and Ron also rescued and trained several other Collies, along with two German Shepherds, and earned countless titles with them all. Each year at Christmas, Maeleine made donations to rescue groups including our own Collie Rescue of the Carolinas.  

Following Ron’s death several years ago, Maeleine, then in her late seventies, developed a new interest and began herding with her rescue collie Mandy HIAd, TDI and later with her Deep River’s Image in Ice HSAd, TDI (Isis). Having decided that she didn’t care to wind up hurt by a sheep, she, Mandy and Isis pursued duck titles, and Maeleine delighted in telling everyone how she learned to “shuffle” when she walked, so she wouldn’t step on the ducks and injure them! I believe this was advice that Claire gave her when they met when we were all in PA at the Scarlet Mills herding trials.

Maeleine was always wonderfully willing to help others with training and was always thrilled to see another Collie owner in the performance ring.  In our last conversation on September 25, Maeleine told me that her little Isis had helped her so much and kept her spirits up, picking up things she dropped and bringing her favorite slippers. Their devotion and love for each other transcended this life. Gail Wright, Maeleine’s good friend and collie training pupil and her understanding husband, took Mandy and Isis to live with their own two collies. Gail says that Isis especially seems to miss Maeleine but is happier since Gail brought a few items of her mistress’ that Isis and Mandy sleep with.

We will all miss you so very much, Maeleine! God Bless You!

Isis Sleeps with Maeline’s Shirt

From Gail Wright 9/19/09:

Dear Kathy,

What a wonderful afternoon we had.  The sun was bright and the weather crisp, the best type of fall day.  While unable to sit unaided, Maeleine, Isis and Mandy went to see the beloved horses, her health aide gently pushing.  While the horses made cider out of a few hand-fed fresh apples, Maeleine glowed at her family.  After finishing, Condor reached down over the fence and rustled her hair and then reached further and reached her hand.  All the while, Isis stood on one side and Mandy on the other.  As we went back to check on the fish, a car began down the driveway.  Both Mandy and Isis left Maeleine’s side and went straight down the drive standing side-by-side right in the middle.  I called and they did not move.  Then Maeleine called and they looked back, but did not move.  That was a shock!  The driver, one of Maeleine’s best friends who was coming from Maine to say good-bye, got out and walked to us.  The girls, however, were not going to let anyone proceed and hit their mom.

Last weekend Maeleine called those who meant most to her in her life, and now she is gracious beyond belief and living each day to the best of her ability.  Dr. Campbell said she would not make it to Monday — guess he didn’t mean last Monday after all.    Most of all, guess he doesn’t know the strength and dignity of this woman.

I promised you an update and here it is.  The girls are doing well, but their eyes tell of their concern.  They are never more than a few feet away from Maeleine.  I will bring Paige and Jami tomorrow and run them all in the fields to help strengthen their bonds.  Then we’ll play on the agility equipment.   They have always enjoyed each other.

Maeleine told Joan that Isis is the thing on earth that she most loves.   Thank you.  The gift of Isis was beyond measure for a gentle, loving, really strong woman at the time she most needed her.  She helped Maeleine get through Ronny’s death and now she is gently providing her support at Maeleine’s.   Priceless!

Gail

A Story for Young People Sponsored by Gastonia East Rotary 

Story by Jim Bretzuis & Illustration by Hunter Bretzuis

Featuring their 3-year-old sable merle smooth Collie, Pim, aka CH Deep River’s Watch Captain

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 The Gaston Gazette, 1C

Pim’s two favorite things to play with were his big red ball and his tug-o-war rope. He loved to chase the ball around his big backyard. He liked it best when his owners threw it for him but sometimes they were busy so he had use his long collie nose to push it along. The tug rope required some help from his human family or from one of the other dogs that often came to play with him.

He spent most of the day playing, stopping only for meals and to take a short nap or two. He had an unusual amount of energy for a young collie and took very few rest periods. All of this exercise made him very strong and it was rare for one of his dog friends to get the best of him during a tug-o-war contest.

One sunny spring day Pim was nosing his ball around the yard and running after it and nosing it again and again, running as fast as he could to keep up with it.  Suddenly the ball started rolling down the hill and went so fast Pim couldn’t keep up. The ball kept rolling and rolling faster and faster, then disappeared over a small rise and plopped down with a splash into a stream.

The swift current of the steam began to carry the ball into the deep woods with Pim racing along side trying his best to keep up. The ball got ahead, but Pim would never give up his favorite toy and kept going as it went deeper in the woods. The ball was almost out of sight when it suddenly stopped.

“Good,” Pim thought. “Now I can get it back.” He raced to the spot where the ball rested.

“Oh no,” Pim thought. The ball was caught in some branches that were blocking the stream.

Several times Pim waded into the water but it was very deep and he was not a good swimmer like some of his dog friends. He barked as loud as he could, trying to get the attention of one of them, but they were far off and couldn’t hear.

As hard as he tried he couldn’t get to the ball.  He hated to leave it behind, but he was out of ideas on how to retrieve it. He was about to head for home when he heard a small voice.

“Help me, please help me!”

“I can’t help you,” said Pim. “I’ve lost my ball and it’s getting late and I need to get home.”

“I want to go home too,” said the voice. “I’m scared , can’t you help me?”

Pim was confused. He knew he had to get home but something told him that he had to do the right thing and find a way to help.

He went back to the pile of branches and looked as hard as he could to find where the voice was coming from. He almost gave up when he spotted two tiny eyes and a little black nose.

“Who are you? Are you a puppy like me?” Pim asked.

“No,” the tiny voice said. “I’m a baby otter and I’m trapped in these branches. Please help me.”

Pim remembered tug-o-war and started pulling the branches with his strong back and teeth. One by one the branches loosened. Pim was almost exhausted when he grabbed a large limb in his teeth. He tugged with all of his strength and at last it came loose. The pile broke apart and floated down stream along with his red ball.

Pim started to worry about the little otter when all of a sudden, up popped the little shiny brown creature.

“Thank you, thank you. I never would have gotten free without your help,” said the baby otter. “But look you ball is floating away. Stay here and I’ll get it for you.”

Away swam the otter and a few minutes later he came back pushing Pim’s ball with his little black nose. When he got close to Pim, he flipped the ball into the air, slapped it with his tail. It landed at Pim’s feet.

“And I thank you for saving my ball!” said Pim. “I’m strong but you are a good swimmer. We both helped each other.”

“Come back and play with me some time,” said the baby otter as he jumped in the air, dove into the stream and started swimming home to his family.

Pim nosed his red ball home hoping he hadn’t missed his supper, thinking about his new friend along the way.

Pim – CH Deep River’s Watch Captain – (by CH Deep River’s Solid Stock x HTCh CH Deep River’s Comfort and Joy RE, HSAc, HXAsd)

Joy is now HTCh CH Deep River’s Comfort and Joy RE, HSAc, HXAsd, HTD1, RLFIII, HTADIII, HRDIII.  Claire and Joy teamed up in Berryville, VA to earn an American Herding Breeds Association Championship. On Sat. Joy was RHIT with a 91 from Level 3 Arena class. On Sun. Joy was High in Trial with a 96 from Level 3 Ranch class. Joy also earned Reserve High Combined for the weekend! We are so happy and proud! At the AKC trials, also in Berryville, Joy earned High Scoring Collie from HXAs class. Photos of the HIT run are below.

Jay Kim & CH Deep River’s in the Limelight (Diane) continue to shine ar the shows in conformation!  They earned 4 BOV’s at shows in Raleigh in early Sept.  Also in Raleigh, Yvonne Shelton & Robin Perry had their puppy Tasha  entered on Sat. & Sun. for her first ring experience. She was smooth WB & BOW both days for her first 3 points. Tasha’s breeder is Lorrie McCarthy whose Deep River’s Victory Dance (a Victor/Giselle daughter) is Tasha’s dam. (Tasha is pictured below Diane)

Jay & Diane

Tasha & Nick Joines

Yvonne & Tasha in their first obedience class.  Tasha was a star!

Sept. 18 & 19 in Atlanta, GA, Jay & Diane earned BOV under Linda More & Bob Slay.  At these same shows, Nancy Parker’s tri girl, Spring, (CH Mister x CH Wiggy CD, RE, HSAsdc, HIAd) was rough WB & BOW under the same judges all 3 days. I believe Spring has 8 pts. now. (Spring is pictured below).  On Sun. under Jim Noe, Chanel was BOV  smooths, and Chance brother to Chanel, by our CH Scout out of Mickie Elliott’s CH Candy was WD & BOW every day, and now needs 3 pts. to finish. Diane was also BOV at two Warrenton KC shows in VA.

Spring & Dona Williams (major from puppy class in Dec.)

Wonderful Agility News from New England!  Joan Scialdone & Tanner  had a wonderful weekend at trials earning a leg in Novice Fast, a leg in Novice Standard & 2 legs in 24″ Novice Jumpers with a 4th place and two 1st place awards!

Shirley Conley & Blade have been doing more great things in performance! Blade completed his CD with some wonderful scores & placements, and missed a HIT by only half a point! He’s continuing to more advanced levels and is also training for agility titles.  Blade is by Deep River Younghaven Alliance (Aaron) x CH Deep River Westwood Glamour Girl – co-breeder Mickie Elliott.  (See Blades littermates Haylee, Max & Keagan in previous blogs.) 

Blade Resting on His CD Accolades!

Blade & Shirley Congratulate Each Other on a Job Well Done!

Blade Learns Some Agility!