Deep River Collies

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!)