Some changes – We will no longer be breeding any of our Keeshonden. Several circumstances led to this decision and we have not come to it easily or lightly. We have enjoyed the litters that we have had over the years and cherise the memories and news from each of the families that have come into our lives.

Going forward, Vern and I are having a great time enjoying the fun of Agility with our Kees. They are loving it as well and it has helped with our physical fitness regime immensely for all of us.

I continue to enjoy judging at AKC Conformation shows. This could grow over time, possibly.

And our grandchildren are growing rapidly and will be the source of our primary enjoyment. We are so fortunate to have our sons and their families so close by that we can see them regularly.

Our goals for 2012 are to gain wisdom through our dogs, enjoy the life and activity they bring to us, share in the lives and joys of our family, and keep our focus on the journey.

We had a birthday on January 2nd as well. Marissa turned 5 years old. How quickly those grandchildren are growing up.

The end of January Hannah and I competed at the Scott County Kennel Club’s AKC Agility trials. Hannah earned her first Excellent Jumpers leg and her Open Standard title. She will be competing in both Jumpers and Standard at the Excellent level now. Not bad for just having started showing in AKC last year.

The dogs are all now enjoying the foot of snow that we received from the February blizzard. Something to do until our next Agility trial weekend.

Everyone in the house is definitely ready for Spring to arrive. Hopefully, that groundhog is right this yearand Spring will come early.

Hannah

As we wind up another year and look toward the next one, it seems the appropriate time to stop and remember and reflect. We have had a busy year.

Our granddaughters (12, 5, almost 5, 3, and 1 have been keeping us entertained and are growing like weeds. It is always a joy to have them around and share in their lives.

We did not have any litters this year. I am going to take some time off from breeding and work toward some other goals. I had the extreme honor and pleasure to judge part of the Keeshond Club of America 75th Anniversary National show in May. I judged over 200 Keeshonden. What a wonderful opportunity that was! I have enjoyed the chances to judge that have been offered to me. I am now provisional to judge Boston Terriers and Junior Showmanship as well. I have had a couple assignments for those as well. I really enjoy judging. As you can see from our previous blogs, Vern and I have been having a great time showing Harry Potter and Hannah in Agility as well. Since September they have earned a few more NADAC titles and Hanah has earned her first two AKC Novice agility titles. Agility is a great form of exercise and the dogs love it too.

We enjoyed receiving cards and letters from several of our “Keeshond family”. It is always a treat to hear that those babies that we brought into the world are enjoying their lives with their families.

Vern and I have become Facebook junkies this year too. Thanks to our adult children, we were lead in and hooked. To me it is a way of staying in contact with the many relatives I have that I would never get to see or hear from otherwise, to share in the lives of precious family that live far away, and to share in the joys of our  Keeshonden with other Keeshond owners and dog owners around the world. Vern likes the games.

It is our wish that everyone enjoys good health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year.

The end of August, Tommy and I attended a TTouch workshop, with Sage Lewis, in Cedar Rapids. She is a wonderful presenter and very knowledgeable. Unfortunately, I was not feeling well so could not finish both days of the workshop.

While I was at the TTouch workshop, Vern was competing with Harry at a NADAC trial in the Quad Cities. Vern and Harry now have their Novice Chances title! Woohoo! They earned legs is several other classes as well.

Trip and I had a very fun time at the Ann Braue Puppy Agility Seminar at Eau Claire, WI on August 30-31st. We attended with Chris Pawlenty and her new puppy, Toby. It was an information packed, fun two days. We all went home brain and body weary. Even the pups, I think, were ready to head home and rest. Not bad considering I was full of hives from an allergic reaction to a new medication.

The Amana Five Season Cluster dog shows are history for another year. I always enjoy helping with these shows, either judging (as I did on Friday) or stewarding (Sunday and Monday). Working a dog show is one of the best ways to learn and see a lot of wonderful dogs.

Received some very sad news on Saturday, September 4th. Imagine Rikki Tikki Tavi passed away suddenly at his home. His owner, Penny, is devastated as are we. Cause of death unknown. Tavi was just four years old. Tavi’s siblings are Jessie, Harry, and Sophie. Our deepest sympathies to Penny.

Time for catching up. We had a slight delay in heading to the Keeshond National Specialty as Vern’s mother passed away. The funeral was in Nebraska. Wish we could have seen all his family under better circumstances.

The Keeshond National was in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin this year. It was strange to not attend the whole thing but beings I was one of the judges, I had to stay in seclusion. I was very honored to be one of the judges hired to judge this historical 75th Anniversary Keeshond National. I had a great time and got to judge many nice dogs. Judged over 200 dogs in my two day assignment.

This summer Vern and I have shown Harry and Hannah a few times at NADAC agility trials over in Davenport. Vern and Harry have earned their NADAC Regular title (NAC) and accumulated legs in Chances and Hoopers. They had earned their NADAC Jumpers title (NJC) and Tunnelers title (TN-N) earlier this year. Hannah and I earned our Regular title (NAC), Touch N Go title (TG-N), and Hoopers title (HP-N) with additional legs in Weavers and Tunnelers. Hannah earned her Jumpers title (NJC) earlier this year. We are having a load of fun showing in Agility.

Harry is now CH Imagine Harry Potter RN, NAC, NJC, TN-N and Hannah is now CH Imagine Sherwood B Funny RN, NAC, NJC, O-TN-N, TG-N, HP-N.

Hannah and I attended a NADAC Gaters Extreme Games workshop in Davenport in early August. Sharon Nelson (head of NADAC) is an awesome presenter and it was a great worshop. While Hannah and I may never run the extreme games, the workshop offered a ton of great training advice as well.

Jessie has gone to live with Diana and Larry Pesek in Cedar Rapids. She is settling in really well and Larry, Diana, and Tucker enjoy having her as a new addition to their family.

I have started Trip (now six months old) in Agility this summer as well. So far he is loving it all and enjoys the time to “play”. He and I will be attending an Anne Braue Puppy Agility Camp in a week or so. It is sure to be fun and hopefully we will come away with some great training assistance.

I hope to get Grace back in the conformation ring later this fall so she can finish her championship. Then she can play in agility as well.

The summer heat and humidity have been intense this year but we have not been detered from our fun with the dogs.

When we aren’t playing with the dogs, we are working in the yard (building a patio) or enjoying the company of our kids and grandkids. Ashley starts middle school this year. Almost a teenager. Holy cow, how time flies! And Ava starts kindergarten this fall! Where has the time gone! Marissa will be in pre-school this year as well.

We were very proud of Amber graduating from Kaplan University as a Nurses Assistant and Jory graduating from his Electrical Apprenticeship in May and June. Amber now works at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Aaron has a year left of his schooling in computer forensics. He and Jen are keeping very busy with the girls and helping Jen’s parents with their lake home they have built.

All in all, it has been a decent summer so far. I think we are all looking forward to some cooler fall weather, but not wishing winter to come too early.

Vern and Harry also showed at the Scott County AKC Agility trials in January and came away with two Standard legs.

We are having a great time playing with the “kids” in Agility.

One of the boys will be staying at Imagine and one will be going to live with Marilyn Cornelius in Des Moines. Marilyn has Sophie (Imagine Oh The Places You’ll Go CD RAE) who is a littermate to Jessie and Harry.