Elliot, Sammamish KC BOB, January 2009

In spite of relatively few outings this past year, our brood made us very proud! Here are some of the highlights from 2008:

Our old man, Am. Can. Ch. Whimsy’s Speedwell (Toby) made a good showing in the veteran’s classes at the AWC National Specialty in Eugene and came home with a 2nd in his class. This was his official retirement from showing, and he clearly enjoyed being in the spotlight again.

Our new red and white boy co-owned with breeder Helen Brettell, Lost Creek Vendange (Elliott) won the WWWA fun match, took Best Puppy and Best of Winners for 5 points at the Lower Mainland Whippet Association specialty in July under breeder judge Lori Nelson and Reserve Winners Dog at the Friday WWWA specialty under breeder judge Joetta Melton. And in early 2009, at the Puyallup shows, he took Best of Breed over specials for a 4 point major and made the cut (of 6) in the group! So he had a great 2008 and hit the ground running for another stellar year in 2009.

Rupert, WWWA Best Opposite Sex, August 2008

Am. Can. Ch. Whimsy’s New Way to Fly (Rupert) took Best Opposite at the Friday WWWA specialty under Joetta Melton. This was Rupert’s only weekend in the ring the entire year.

Tyra (Chelsea Tyrendarra), our beautiful exotic red irish-marked girl from international bloodlines, took Best of Winners under breeder judge Bo Bengtson at the Saturday WWWA specialty. We were especially humbled by his comment “this dog could win anywhere in the world.” Tyra is indeed different but she enchants us with her beauty and even more so, her charming personality.

Tyra, WWWA Best of Winners, August 2008

Monika (Am. Can. Ch. Whimsy’s Chamonix), at nearly 14 years old, still rules the roost and along with Spirit, our energetic mixed breed, keeps everyone in check.

-submitted by Chris Downing

The other kids have also been doing well this year.  Mary Downings’s bitch Jamaica won the Lower Mainland Whippet Specialty and my boy Austin was BOS to her.  At the same show, Elliott (owned by Chris Downing and myself) was BOW.

The puppies from Mariah and Austin have all had some nice wins this year.  Levi was BOS in Sweepstakes at the first day of the WWWA specialty.  Sister Audre gained points, and a BOB in Canada, as well as BOS in Sweepstakes at the Western Washington Hound Show.  Hilary, who is owned by Nancy Dechant and myself, took her first point at the January shows in Puyallup.  Susie Manthou’s girl Dulce made a great showing at the AWC Specialty, winning 3rd place in a huge class of puppies.   Miranda, who belongs to Jeannette Dorsey, finished her Canadian Championship with BOW at the Whippet Club of B.C. Specialty.  I believe she also won Best Puppy in Show at the Western Gazehound Club.  Olivia, owned by Mary Downing and myself, won a big class at the Lower Mainland Whippet Association.  She also had the honor of being kissed by former President Bill Clinton and there is photographic evidence to prove it.  I am so envious. Austin also had some wins in the states and now needs three points to finish his championship.

Helen with her Canadian National BOB winner Ch. Dragonsong Maddison Ave

I’m not including photos of my dogs because you have all seen them before, in life and in photos.  I am including a photo from the other side of my dog show life.  In June, I had the privilege to judge the Canadian National Whippet Specialty.  What an honor and a treat.  There were an amazing number of very nice dogs shown to me and I have snapshots of all of them.  However, I have only one win photo and that is from my lovely BOB bitch, Ch. Dragonsong Maddison Ave.  She was bred by her owner and basically comes down from Sporting Fields bloodlines.

In October I had another fun judging assignment.  I went to California and judged a Silken Windhound Specialty.  Silken Windhounds are not “longhaired whippets”, though the whippet is part of the ancestry.  They are very appealing medium sized dogs that mostly resemble small Borzoi.  Sorry, I did not include a photo from that show, I can’t find it on my computer.  Suffice to say that she was pretty and brindle.

I hope I have more good things to brag about in 2009 and I also wish the same to all of you.

-submitted by Helen Brettell

Dapper, 2007-2008 NW Versatility winner

In 2008, Nouveau’s Ladies Man made his mom proud by winning the Northwest Versatility Weekend for a second year in a row.  I’m thankful Dapper enjoyed an injury free year on the field with his littermates and friends.  His best two-legged friend, Jade Swepston, was kind enough to stack him nicely for his photo.  Best wishes to everyone for a safe and fun 2009!

-submitted by Kendra Tripp

Gracie, Fall 2008

What a strange year for me and my whippets.

Gracie’s health has declined, but even after numerous tests I don’t know exactly what is wrong with her.  An echo showed that her heart had not deteriorated as much as thought in the last four years, but she has no energy whatsoever.  She stopped playing in the yard in March, and really doesn’t do much more than lay on the sofa most of the time – although food will still get her going!  She lost about five pounds over a two month period – and most of you know that is a good thing – but in her case I didn’t do anything additional to cause that weight loss.  She did get very animated at a whippet Christmas party we attended and as usual stole food off the counter and table – even though six of us were trying to keep her on the straight and narrow.  The last few weeks she seems to have perked up, which makes me very happy indeed.

Taz with new "sister" Maggie

At the end of April I made the difficult choice to place Taz, and I just received a fantastic New Year’s update from his new family.  He has fit in absolutely perfectly with their family and their older female whippet, Maggie, is more playful than she has been in years.  Don’t you just love a happy ending?

HotRod at the NOTRA derby, September 2008

At the beginning of May Susan Heiniger asked if I would like to take HotRod (QuiXhigh Lightning McQueen RCH, ORC) for the summer to give him a change of pace. HotRod is a Griz son – so he comes by fast naturally. Well… he now belongs to me and we are having a great time.  He is a very soft, sweet boy and fits into our home well.  He already had his RCH in NAWRA, but I got the chance to put the last two NOTRA ORC points on him at our Versatility Weekend.  That was a thrill.  He may be soft off the track – but when racing he is all business.  My goal for 2009 is a NOTRA meet win – I know it’s quite a goal – but you have to think BIG!  On October 18, 2008, in Estacada Oregon, it came down to the final program, and HotRod ended up tied for points with Jo & Glenn Soward’s boy, Nacho.  Nacho took that meet win with HotRod 2nd. I’m sure there will be more show down’s in 2009!  I sure hope so.

ioric at 5 weeks

It looks like I am going to co-own one of Susan Heiniger’s pups from the RalphEdwards x Saphira litter.  The little guy is currently 5 weeks old and is a solid blue fawn with blue mask.  Hopefully ioric (pronounced Yorick) will live up to the achievements of his parents and Team QuiXand.

Bella the cat

Bella, the cat, continues to rule the roost, although at 13 she is starting to slow down a bit.  She works hard keeping Gracie in line!

-submitted by Sue Hopper

Tiercel racing at the CWA National in Nottingham, PA, August 2008

Tiercel (Serendipity Nighthawk, FCH, SR, OTRM, TRPX, CGC) had a great year on the race track, racking up 13 points towards his ARX and finishing the year needing just one point to finish that title. He earned points in BC, California, and, finally, in Pennsylvania the day after the CWA National. What a thrill!

Ringer (CanCH HH Serendipity Eight Bells, LCM, SR, OTRM-2, TRP, DPC, CGC) finished his ASFA LCM!

Lark, LMWA Winners Bitch, July 2008

Lark (Serendipity Skylark, SR, OTR, TRP, DPC) finished the year as CWA’s #1 conformation whippet, and also came so close to finishing several big titles. In July she was WB for 5 points at the LMWA specialty in BC under breeder judge Lori Nelson (Wildfire), giving her 10 points but still needing one more win under a third judge to complete her championship. In ASFA lure coursing, she came close several times, including tying for first in her stake at the AWC National, but still lacks just a first placement for her field championship.

Kestrel (Serendipity Sparrowhawk, CGC) came within 9 points of finishing her ASFA field championship, and also very much enjoyed getting her feet wet on the race track, running NAWRA, NOTRA and CWA.

Branwen. Photo courtesy of Julie Ward.

Branwen (Shamasan Caerbannog) had fun at the summer specialties, placing in every sweeps and regular class in which she was shown. She especially enjoyed her race training, and looks forward to making her adult debut on the race track later in 2009.

We are blessed by the continuing good health and good spirits of our two older retired girls: Wren (CanCH Priory HH Silver Lining, CD, FCH, OTRM-2, CGC, AV) and Nori (HH To The Lighthouse, FCH, OTR).

We look forward to a busy and fun 2009, and hope to finish Tiercel’s ARX, Kestrel’s ASFA field championship, Ringer’s CD and American Whippet Club Award of Versatility, and Lark’s American and Canadian championships and ASFA field championship before her planned breeding in the fall to the versatile and athletic CH Shamasan Hound Hill Cherokee, ARX, DPCX, RN.

-submitted by Beth Levine

Miranda, WCOBC Best Puppy, Winners Bitch, Award of Merit, July 2008

This past year was fun for us at Treadway.

The National specialty in Eugene was a truly enjoyable event and Miranda and Shelby made their appearance.  Thanks to Linda Buchholz for presenting Shelby so beautifully.

We launched into the summer to complete Miranda’s Canadian Championship.  A few highlights along the way include back to back Best Puppy in Specialty wins and a Specialty Select award.

Ricky, WWWA Best Opposite Sex, August 2008

We enjoyed the time at the Western Washington Whippet specialty with Ricky (Am Can Ch Strebor’s Life of the Party JC) going Best of Opposite under judge Bo Bengston.

Looking forward to all kinds of fun and travel for 2009 – hope to see you along the way!

-submitted by Jeanette Dorsey

Levi dressed for racing!

So to review 2008 for our family is quite the task.  But I will keep it as short as I can.

Our beloved Levi “Obailee’s Premiere” that we were so lucky to get from Stacey Davis and Tracy Hite turned 2 years old.  We thought we were ready to try our hand at lure coursing.  We entered him in the Field Lure Trials being held in Roy, for his certification run in April.  It took him a couple of times but the judges were nice enough to give him a second chance to complete his run.  We were so thrilled; we never could have imagined way joy it could bring to watch such beauty and strength run like that.

Levi and Heather

Tragically a month later we would lose our Levi to a unrepairable neck injury sustained doing what he loved best; running.  We did elect a low odd surgery to try and decompress his spinal cord but Levi died within 20 minutes of his surgery being completed.  We are still heart broken and deeply miss his presence in our lives.  There will never be another dog quite like him.  We had over 100 different people express their sadness for Levi’s early departure from our lives.  It was a testament to what an exceptionally special dog he was.

Rico and Mojo

On a positive note we had already picked a puppy out to bring home to Levi before his passing.  A litter was born in March by Mary Downing from Rumor and Foster and we were lucky enough to bring home Rico “Whimsy’s Play me a Tune” in June.  And then my husband Rob met another puppy that stole his heart: Mojo!  From Aaron and Kerie Sweptson; his energy level seemed to match or at least come close to Levi’s zest for life.  So there we have it; now we have two whippets.

But our 2008 doesn’t really end there.  We joined the WWWA this year and were invited to the attend the fun match at Marymoor Park.  Our youngest daughter Hannah expressed an interest in showing Rico.  We signed her up and she was having so much fun that she entered all of the clubs that were there that weekend and with my background in showing horses I had to give it a try myself.  Well she was hooked and so was I.

Hannah and Rico

We have a couple of shows under our belts with Rico.  Our first show was up in Canada at Tradex where Hannah took 3rd place out of 14 juniors and Rico took Reserve Winners Dog and in Vancouver at the Clark County Kennel Club show Hannah took 1st place in her 1st AKC show for juniors and Rico took another Reserve Winners Dog.

So our thanks goes out to our Levi; He was the conduit that took us to new events and we made new friends that share our love of whippets and dogs!  I can hardly wait to see what 2009 brings for our family and Rico and Mojo.

Happy New Year!

-submitted by The Nichols

Blocker, ORC and NOTRA #14 for 2008

The 2008 season has come to a close, and we here at Shadow Run want to wish all a very Happy and prosperous New Year.

This last year has been an exciting year for us, in the NOTRA arena. We started the year with 5 of our whippets competing against the best the United States had to offer, and they were great whippets.

• Shadow Run Sun Blocker not only finished his ORC title but ended the year in the #14th spot in the National Point Standings of NOTRA. He also finished a third in the Whippet Derby out of close to 100 whippets in Roy, WA and won a 1st place at the match in the Race Champions class.

• Shadow Run Solar Eclipse too finished her ORC title and competed at the Nationals in Roy and won a 1st place in the Race Champions class of the conformation match.

• Shadow Run Sun Burn, finished his ORC title this last fall and did Al Gersich proud.

• 

  Nacho, ORC & NOTRA #2 for 2008

  And our lead whippet, Farseer Nacho Of Shadow Run out did all of our guy’s. Not only did he finish his ORC title, but we just got the NOTRA final standings and Nacho finished #2 in the top ten.

• We have a new and up and up and comer, Shadow Run Obsidian Night (OB). Starting the middle of September in NOTRA he is doing all right. As of the second week in November, OB has acquired 12 of the 15 points he needs to be awarded his ORC title and he just turned 14 months old. So next year for OB?

• Also in our team of whippets we have some ORC point winners, D.J. & O’Brady for the 2008 season.
  Now for the newest pair to the team are the Nacho kids, Marco and Tango, watch for them after July 17th, for they will be getting their feet wet on the NOTRA Oval track.

Photos enclosed are the new ORC titles for the 2008 season.

-submitted by Jo Sowards

Solar, ORC

Ember, FCh, ORC & ASFA II BOB in 2007