NEWS

We are pleased to announce Diva was mated today as planned...!

....Which has to be good news for all those people who have been waiting patiently for just this event!

Plans are being put in motion to arrange her visit to the stud dog and we hope to have good news soon.  We are looking forward to this litter and hope for exceptional working and companion Beardies.  Those seeking a potential show dog, or a couch potato type of a Beardie, had better search elsewhere please.....

Diva engrossed in her favourite pastime!

Honey has decided to come into season now.....but we're all still waiting for Diva!

So yesterday saw no less than three of our girls start their season.... Beattie, Meg and Lacey all leading the way.  Knowing the pattern by now, we can predict it won't be long before the rest of the bunch follow on!

This is good news for those waiting patiently in hope of a puppy from Diva - watch this space - we have plans to mate her this time round and hope for some super working and active companion offspring from our lively and talented girl....

Diva musing on possible maternity duties....

Unlucky Honey had to give this one a miss yesterday, but Beattie was quite happy to do her best for team Talraz, ably assisted by her brother Blake.....

Sadly she failed to catch the eye of Swedish judge Ulrike Goransson, though Blake picked up a fourth placing in the Post-Graduate dog class, but happily she later redeemed herself by winning the large Kennel Club Good Citizen Stakes class under judge Mr David Shields (Wilholme) - complete with a cash bonus - well done Beattie!

Our sweet girl Honey has to take a break from showing for a couple of months, as she has been in the wars just lately

She was unlucky enought to fracture a tooth which became abcessed and caused her some considerable pain and discomfort, so we took the most sensible course and had it removed

We hope for an uneventful convalescence and a speedy return to top form. In the meantime she is enjoying lots of cuddles and sympathy from all her friends!

To All Friends and Family at Home and Everywhere!

Wishing you Joy and Peace at Christmas Time, and all best wishes for the New Year 2012

The last dog show of the year for us, and as ever this one had a Christmassy feel, crowded, colourful and lively!

We supported the Bearded Collie classes with judge Derek Allsopp. and happy to say the girls all took first in ther respective classes, with Honey going through to Best of Breed over her daughter Lacey and half-sister Beattie.

Later Lacey won the A.V. Pastoral Post-Graduate class, and Beattie took second in A.V. Pastoral Open

Showing completed, we made a quick getaway for another short burst of Christmas shopping, with three smiling Beardies left in charge of the car!

Honey enjoyed being the "only dog" with both Liz and Laura in attendance to care for her, on this trip to the N.E.C. near Birmingham

We met up with the Talraz boys, Blake and Creaglion, and were all kept pretty busy with last-minute grooming in between the festive giving and receiving of Christmas cards and greetings, and a scout around the trade stands for suitable seasonal gifts

All three Beardies were well placed under judge Linda Peirson (Kiltondale), with Blake taking second in Post-Graduate, and Honey and Creaglion taking third in their respective Limit classes - Kirstine was so pleased to discover that this win gave her Creaglion his Stud Book number, so there was cause for a little celebration - a great way to end his showing year!

It was quite a change to attend a show purely as a spectator, but Liz still found plenty to do!

The high spot was handling the McErlane's Blake in the Post-Graduate dog class, which he won, under judge Mrs Janet Steel - well done Blake! 

The Club had organised eye testing with Professor Bedford, and Ruby as a veteran was eligible for a free eye test, something we decided to take advantage of.  She enjoyed all the socialising and entertainment, and took an unofficial "gold star" for her exemplary behaviour for the testing, being her usual obliging self for the eye drops and other indignities....and we are glad to report her eyes were reported as excellent for her age

We also brought back from the show an exciting new dog accessory in the form of a treadmill, thanks Alan!  It is equally suitable for human use so we should all be super-fit in the New Year (we hope!!)

Laura and Ruby made a good team at this Club show, picking up some nice rosettes and trophies for winning their veteran bitch class, and eventually Best Veteran In Show - they are pictured below with judge of the day Mrs Sonya Saxby, and the Best Opposite Sex Veteran, Hilary Jellie's handsome Gizmo

The rest of the show team also did well, with Lacey second in Junior, and Honey winning the Open Bitch class, so all in all quite a nice day....

Lacey, Beattie, and Ruby all did well at this friendly little local show, all three winning their classes under judge Tracy Carter (Ycart), which meant our good friend Christine having to come to the rescue at the end of the day for the Best In Show Challenge

Delighted to say that Laura, handling Beattie, took the Reserve Best In Show rosette, well done girls!