Our Baie St Paul, PQ Dog Show Trip

We (Marylou and I) took off this past weekend for a dog show, in an area of our vast country, Canada, that I haven't travelled through. It was a show in a small town, east of Quebec City called Baie St Paul that is situated on the northern shore of the St. Lawrence River. It's a quaint, artistic town, all homes/business so very well kept. Everything, from what seemed to be freshly painted surfaces, to colourful roofs, coloured vinyl siding, manicured lawns with flowers, shrubs and trees that seemed to be planted just so.

The great weather made the trip that more enjoyable.

Small outdoor cafes lined the main street & intersection in the downtown area.

A long mural lined a rock face along a small river in town - this is just one section where if you look closely there are actual train tracks on the flat surface.

one of the art galleries lawn art

Afternoon milking
On Sunday afternoon we headed up the road and visited two cheese factories. This one makes their cheese from their sheep.

This dog lives with his flock. A sign said, 'Dog working, don't disturb'

We took a walk down the board walk ... looking out onto the river as the sun started to set

Breeze .... sticks were there to relax and chew on

Marylou with the two girls at the motel coming back from their afternoon walk
Breeze is on her left, Pumpkin on her right

the daisy hill behind our motel (looking down towards the town) .... I didn't have my camera the 1st time Pumpkin decided it was the best place to roll ... the 2nd time she started to, but it was just a bit too hot to really get into it

Pumpkin did come away with a 3pt win going Best of Breed/Puppy Breed; sister Ch Breeze added a Group 4th to her winnings

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Puppies - Oh how they grow

The Whistler x Ruby litter are now just over 8 wks of age ... how time flies and what fun I've had with this litter. They've been such little dolls, taking every new adventure their grandma Linda (Whistler's owner) has thrown at them. With all she's done, there has to be some great agility stars in there.

Today it was lovely out, and, well, why not hang puppy laundry out to dry. Sure beats listening to them go plop, bang, thump in the dryer.

This is Ruby's boy at just over 8 wks of age ... he is so reminiscent of his father. A star we hope.

Here's the larger girl, she's now off to her new home and is called "Reno".

Have you ever tried taking pics of sleeping dogs while in the house? No sooner do you open a door and they're all up. Well, slowly, cm by cm I opened the patio door .. yes I got a few heads pop up a couple of times hearing the noise, but they went back to their snoozing, so I was able to capture these precious moments.

here's "Mighty Tot", the smallest girl who is likely to mature around 131/4-13 1/2.
Ruby has been the greatest mom, always wanting to be with them. She'll stand by their pen outside to be picked up and put in with them. Now that there is just the one left she's more than happy to be her best mate.

Oh, a bit of a stretch .... this afternoon lazing is just the thing ...

back to sleep ... life is so tough ... she'll be headed to her new home in a couple of days

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Are You Prepared to be Skunked?

If you meet one of these ... probably it will be last potty call at 10 pm or so, when your dog comes
face to face with one! Likely you're not prepared, but then what are you to do, other than panic, if your dog, and maybe you get sprayed? It's certainly not a pretty sight, or should I say smell.
First off, let's try to prevent this kind of incident from happening all together. Make sure you take your dog out on lead and carry a flashlight ... a) you'd like to keep your dog from putting his nose where you don't want it to go, and b) you just might see the light from their eyes, or the white stripe. Skunks only spray if they feel threatened.

However, if it happens what is one to do? Well, at 10 pm you're probably not prepared, right? or maybe after reading this Blog, and you're in an area where you could come into contact with them, you just might have some items on hand.

If you have none of the so called 'skunk-off' products, you can try going to your vet and finding their outside drop off box as they are usually kind enough to leave a bottle there for emergencies. Otherwise, you need to find a safe haven for your dog, out of the house ... like the garage. If you've crate trained your dog, here's a time when it would come in handy. Leaving your dog on a porch or deck, in their crate would also work. The key is to remember that where ever the dog has the skunk's oils on them it will transfer everywhere.

So what can you have on hand. In asking on FB and searching the web there are a couple of tried and true suggestions. Most people haven't found the store bought products to work well as they'd hoped.

This is one, and we can all keep it on hand at a minimal cost.

Take 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (available from any drugstore), 1/4 cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate for you science types) and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap, such as Ivory. Mix in a bucket and immediately apply to the stinky pet. Rinse thoroughly with tap water.

*Warning*

This mixture can be explosive, as it will fizz and creates pressure if it is enclosed in a seal tight container. Never store unused portion, always discard. Be sure to only mix in an open container and do not try to store or cover it in any way. Do not get the mixture into the dog's eyes, nose or mouth.

Another one I was told worked well for them was the clear Ivory dish soap. Wet, lather well & rinse.

And the last one, believe it or not are the feminine hygiene douches! Yep, can you see a man buying a box of it at 11pm at a Shopper's Drug Mart? along with some candles? I've had more than one reply of similar nature :) but those that have tried it say it does work.

One key to remember is the skunk's oils transfer everywhere, have I said that already?! So change your clothes to old ones, use paper towels to soak up any oils you can 1st. Remember, that as you wash the dog the oils transfer from the affected area, so 1st work the skunked area well before doing the rest of the dog. Most often the face is involved, so one must be careful around the eyes. Use an old face cloth, sponge, or paper towels to clean this area - remember you are going to be throwing these things out!

Be prepared, and be alert at night, especially if you're in unknown territory, such as a camping.

Good luck, if this happens to happen to your dog.

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Back-To-Back Best Puppy In Show Wins

What a thrilling weekend for us and our puppy, now MBPIS BPISS Ch Shelamo Flash Forward. It was a gorgeous weather weekend for showing dogs at the Kingston KC dog show and topping it with Saturday & Sunday, both days taking a Group 3rd and Best Puppy In Show made the long days even more enjoyable.

"Breeze" on Saturday with her Group wins under judge Don Wallace
went on to win BPIS under judge Phyliss Wolfish

Don Wallace - judged her for BPIS on Sunday

"Breeze" hanging out keeping cool before BPIS on Sunday.

really chilling out, waiting is such a hard thing .....
and ... her sister Shelamo Deja Vu was Best of Winners on Friday
pictured with judge Letitia Bett
Winners Bitch on Sunday
Thanks Mary Lou for handling her in the Breed ring

Pictures of her BPIS win are in the mail ... let's hope the postal strike is over real fast!

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Spring Graduating Class

Had a great group of students for my Level 1 spring class at one of the community centres I teach at. They all showed remarkable improvement during the 10 wk course, and with the great weather we had at the end we were able to do some distraction training outdoors.

Willow, Bryn, Cooper, Rocky & Buddy

missing this nite was Cowboy

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Corki - What Matter?

We're having fun with our new feathered friend, Corki. I wouldn't let my dogs do this ... not sure why I'm letting her?? but so far we've been getting a kick out of it. She's figured she likes spaghetti, only it does need sauce on it.

"What matter?" ... can I check it out?
(I don't think she'll be as smart, or able to talk like Alex the African Grey Parrot, but hey I can try!)

bold! Oh she's bad ... she'll climb down your front if you let her. Now it's on to pizza!

What matter Corki? She likes pizza crusts too!
Only problem ... she can be messy with her little beak bites.

Puppies are getting used to her to ... flapping things is good for puppies to not be afraid of. A week ago she helped me set up the pups in their new enclosure, it was time for them to have more room and work at building those little leg muscles more.

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Ruby Pups @ 5wks

Our BPIS Ch Shelamo's Riding The Sky (Whistler) x Ch Shelamo That's Amore (Ruby) pups are just over 5 wks now. Last week was their 1st time outside for a bit, (while I cleaned their pen) so I took a few pics before they got too warm.

Here's the larger girl ... 'let's see if I can tug this towel across the pen'!

The boy ... 'hey mom, it's a bit warm out here don't ya think?!'

Inside this weekend there was a change of toys ... a new surface to explore .. humm teeth are the best to check things out at this age!

A new tug toy .. let's see if I can remove it!

Maybe I can get it off my undoing the knot?!

The little girl taking a break in her chair ... and it really is HER chair!

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Jelli - what next?

MBPIB Ch Shelamo Jumping Jelly Bean - "Jelly Bean" .... surprises, surprises ....
We co-own a boy with Jan & Steve Silcox, and Jan is always finding and giving me treats in his honour. She sent an assortment of flavours for us to enjoy on 2 of our Toronto area dog show trips this past winter ... and then ... at the Kars show didn't we get this box.
Then, at my dog obedience graduation class one of my students gave me this box, as a thank-you .... what he didn't know was the story of jelly bean ...
I found it interesting .... 'filled jelly with chocolate' .. never heard it worded that way before! But, who cares, they are SO ggggoooooood!

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Breeze Featured in the New Sheltie Strut Puppy Awards

Check out the new BPIG/BPIS ads on Sheltie Strut
thanks Penny for a super looking ad of our Breeze

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Motorcycling Sheltie

It's that time of year when motorcycle people hit the roads, head out touring ... but ... there's a difference with this family ... towing behind in his own little custom made trailer is a SHELTIE!!! Yes, it's Casey! Turning heads, stopping to take his picture ... Shelamo Autumn Dream, a son of our Shelamo Tia Maria, sired by our BPIS Ch Shelamo Changing Winds.

He came in today for his spring tune-up - a full wash down, suds up, shine up (and trimming the edges).

He's loaded and ready to hit the road.

off they go ... their trip this year is to head to NB, NS, the Cabot Trail and PEI ... so if you're in that vicinity watch for the Motorcycling Sheltie.

His travels will be on Facebook, so if you contact me there, I'll tell you where to find him.

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She Ain't Furry, She's Feathered

Meet our new (feathered) friend, Corki. She's a Cockiteal. We've adopted her via sheltie client friends. She's a real personable girl, loves to sit high on her perch on top of her cage during the day. If she spots one of us, especially Mike she'll come flying and find a hand/shoulder to land on.

We have a screened in porch, so when temps are right we've been putting her in her smaller cage so she can enjoy the sunlight, talk to the other birds, and watch the hummingbirds come to the feeder.
She helped me feed the upstairs dogs last nite, funny thing, none of the dogs noticed something 'strange' on my shoulder ... guess they were just too interested in their dinner!

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Cute Carton For Dog People

not only those that have kids, but those of us with dogs will find this funny too

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Birthday Wishes to Casino TOO!

Yikes! With 3 on the go ... Opal, Mike's on the 21st too, totally forgot this one. On May 20th, our Ch Shelamo Burleigh Casino Rama CD turned 11 years of age. She was bred by Sandy Hawkins, USA.

BISS BIS Am/Cdn Ch Toven Wintertide Am CD ROM ROMC x Shelamo Linden Decoration
(Shelamo Linden Decoration is a litter sister to Opal)

She is Mike's blue eyed beauty, and is my demo dog for my dog obedience classes.

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Opal is 13 years old today - Happy Birthday Sweetie!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our foundation girl Shelamo's Party Pack ROMC. She turns THIRTEEN years old today - May 21, 1998. She has a long list of decedents that make our kennel what it is today. This list includes some very versatile dogs, doing all kinds of fun things with their owners.

pictured in 2005

Isn't retirement grand! 2010

they just don't make beds big enough! December 2010

Opal in 2009

Her decedents that have earned titles

1st generation

BPIS Am/Cdn Ch Shelamo's Prospector
Ch Shelamo's Sure Fire CD, RA
Ch Shelamo's Show Case
Ch Shelamo Party At The Palace
Ch Shelamo Play For Kix
RBIS Ch Shelamo Sugar Shack
Shelamo Truffle Delight RA
ATCH Shelamo's Highland Eagle ADC RN-MCL, RA-MCL, AGN, AGDC, ADDC,AGN, AGI, SMADC, SMTRDC (May 19/11 earned his Expert Standard Bronze & Bronze Versatility Award @ 10+ yrs old)

grand kids

BPIB Ch Shelamo Heart's Delight (Sugar Shack daughter)
Ch Shelamo That's Amore (Sugar Shack daughter)
Ch Shelamo Sugar Rush (Sugar Shack son)
MBPIB Ch Shelamo Jumping Jelly Bean (Sugar Shack, son)
BPIS Ch Shelamo's Changing Winds (Party At The Palace son)
BPIB Ch Shelamo Winds At My Back (son of an Opal daughter, sired by Changing Winds)
MBPIB Ch Shelalmo Tyme Descends (Prospector daughter)
Ch Burleigh The Excavator (Prospector son)
Shelamo's Main Sail RN (Prospector son)
Shelamo Excuse My Dust CD, CGN (Prospector son)
Saravan's Silhouette At Shelamo CD (Prospector daughter)
Shelamo's Precious Cargo HIT (Kix x Sure Fire, daughter)

Great Grand Kids

MBPIG Ch Shelamo Riding The Wind, 2011 ASSA 2nd Placement (Tyme Descends daughter)
BPIS Ch Shelamo's Riding The Sky HIC (Tyme Descends son)
Ch Shelamo Sands of Time (Main Sail daughter)

Great Great Grand Kids

BPISS MBPIG Ch Shelamo Flash Forward (Riding The Wind daughter)

and if those aren't enough .... Shelamo dogs seem to do some awesome things

Shelamo Autumn Dream
who LOVES to ride shot gun in his own motorcycle trailer

the Morin's with Casey in his trailer
a BPIS Ch Shelamo Changing Winds son

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Gryphon Wins BIG

Huge CONGRATS to Linda Howie and her boy Gryphon. On May 19th, he achieved his Expert Standard Bronze Agility title, also earning him his VBA, or Bronze Versatility Award. Now I'm not up on all the requirements for these titles, but am told that for the 1st one the dog has to have 10 Q's in the master standard runs, and for the VBA needs 10 master standard runs & 25 master games ... that's a lot of running in my opinion! And he did it in the semi-dark.

Linda & Gryphon with the judge
this boy turns 11 this fall!

DC/Cdn Ch Linden Danbie The Blacksmith NA VCX HTDI x Shelamo's Party Pack ROMC

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Cover Girl - "Breeze"

Our new Ch Shelamo Flash Forward is this week's Cover Page for The Sheltie Strut
and her mother MBPIG Ch Shelamo Riding The Wind is featured in the ASSA 2011 National Placements.
Thanks Penny for an super job.

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BPISS MBIG Ch Shelamo Flash Forward

On Mother's Day (rose in jacket that the hostess of the Arnprior KC handed out), "Breeze" finished off the weekend with a Group 3rd & BPIG under a judge Ms Glenys Alexander, from Australia.
Her winning weekend awards came also from judges in BC & Ont, Canada

you can follow her awards & standings @ Canuck Dogs

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New Champion, New Puppies

pups 3 days old

It's been busy here at our kennel since last Wednesday. Our girl CH Shelamo That's Amore decided she was going to have puppies, altho not until the wee hours of Thursday morning. In the end we have 2 girls and 1 boy, sired by our BPIS CH Shelamo's Riding The Sky HIC. The rest of Thursday was spent getting Breeze & Pumpkin ready for the Arnprior Dog Show. We were really feeling the lack of sleep by the end of the day.

An early morning rise and we were off to the dog show.

It was a successful weekend all the way around. We now have Ch Shelamo Flash Forward. She garnered 2 Group 3rds, 4 Best Puppy In Breeds, and 3 Best Puppy In Group.

In her 1st show on Friday - Group 3rd & BPIG

finishing her Championship in the afternoon's show with BOS & Best Puppy In Breed

Pumpkin in her 2nd time in the ring on Sunday came away with Reserve Winners Bitch

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Where's the Best Place to Break Down?

Has to be a Tim Hortons!! and right at the window. You can order anytime.

Yep, on Sunday, early afternoon I stopped at a TH's drive thru, got my coffee and went to shift out of Park and got as far as Reverse and the shift jammed. No way was it moving; I kept trying, nothing I did would get it to move. Of course I started to sweat thinking of all those behind me wondering what on earth was taking so long! I could start to hear some horns honking. Oh lordy. I got on the phone to CAA for assistance, meanwhile the staff when out and helped everyone back-up and they put closed signs out. The girl at the window would peak out every once in awhile and ask if I needed anything ... another coffee maybe?
Took CAA about an hour to show up, meanwhile I'd made arrangements for friends to come and bring me our 2nd van (I was a good 45 mins from home) and the van was towed to a dealer near home. Turns out it does need a new gear shifter (think that's what they called it), and that part won't arrive till tomorrow. Van's under warranty, so god bless that!

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