Thankful and hopeful

Ecko's "new champion" photo came in the mail yesterday. I think the photo is the best win pic we have of her so far, but I still love the candid shots I get of her posing herself in the back yard and on walks the best.

A dog's successes can be attributed in a large part to the dogs that came before them. It seems fitting, in a way, that the last dog we bred that finished a Championship was Ecko's sire Kilo back in 1998. Ecko owes a debt to her Mama Stoker and Granny Chili too. Even though those two did not like to show and are not Champions themselves, they passed on many good qualities to their progeny. Many other dogs in her pedigree also contributed to make her who she is. On this day, I am thankful for the dogs of the past and hopeful for the dogs of the future...

Tickled Pink

In my last blog entry I was trying to psych myself up for some upcoming conformation shows. It has been a whirlwind ride since then, and I am tickled pink with how things have been going!

from left to right Reef, Ecko and Cooper
following the last day of judging at Rose City
*thanks to Heidi Erland for the pic

At the first weekend of conformation shows we attended in January, Cooper and Ecko each earned a major, on the same day, with me handling them! What a thrill! The following weekend, Julie was back on the end of Cooper's lead and they won two of the four days to finish Cooper's Championship! Cooper is Julie's first show dog and she has done a super job with him. He was the first of his litter to finish.

Ecko giving Shea a kiss at Rose City
*thanks to Heidi Erland for the pic

I decided that Ecko deserved a more talented handler than I, that could get some points on her a bit quicker, so I turned her over for the Rose City shows to Shea Skinner. Shea did a great job winning Ecko over and making friends with her and he got her to really shine in the ring. They earned three points together at the Rose City shows and then went on several weeks later to win the first two days of a four day show and finish Ecko's Championship too! Ecko was shown as a special for the final two days of the show and took Best of Breed on Valentine's Day. Ecko is the second from her litter to finish.

Lest you think we did not stay busy between shows, Ecko also ran in an agility trial during the same few weeks and earned two Open Jumpers legs and finished her Novice Standard title.

I am so proud of my pups and their accomplishments and can't wait to see what the future holds for them.