Almost a Year Ago - An Awesome Birthday Present

Remembering, this past weekend BPIS Am/Cdn Ch Shelamo's Prospector left his mark on our world, and through him, his daughter MBPIB Ch Shelamo Tyme Descends.


Little did I know how events would come full circle last year.

Back around 1980 my parents would travel to one of our local towns, Almonte, on their Honda Gold Wing 1000 and would visit the Dodd's antique shop.  Dad tried to buy an antique clock from Kevin, as a young boy, but no way!  Through the years they watched him come into his own as an acclaimed artist.

All of the personal stories mom and dad would tell, I really wasn't aware of the connection they had had with him for so many years.  Just knew who he was by some of the paintings we had at home, and the one my mom bought me years ago with a tri sheltie in it, called "Heading Home".

It was in the late fall of 2011 that I went with friends and my mom to a local Christmas Craft fair, and time was spent chatting with Kevin at his booth (mostly mom catching up on their lives).  There was a painting he had there that he indicated he was working on, and he wanted a moving sheltie in it.  Well ....little did he know then that he was talking to a breeder of shelties!  So I offered to find a few of my shelties on the move for him to work with.

After a long waiting period for me, he finished one of his more intricate paintings in the fall of 2013.

Mom and I met up with him at the Carp Fair in Sept 2013.  There he had the original painting!  It wasn't until this point that the connection of me (my business card had my married name) being the daughter set in.

What ended up happening ? ..... the original is now proudly displayed in our home.

This is picture he choose to use.

  

Our MBPIB Ch Shelamo Tyme Descends

Gone Too Soon

(December 16, 2006 ~ January 26, 2012)

 Kevin Dodds and Maureen with the original painting (2013)

'Off To School'

Pretty fitting for this time of year.

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Shelamo's Party Pack ROMC - IN MEMORIAM

SHELAMO'S PARTY PACK ROMC

(May 21, 1998 - July 13, 2014)

It is with a heavy heart that we said good-bye to our dear "Opal" late Sunday evening.  She told it was time she crossed the bridge, so we peacefully helped her.

She was the foundation of most of our sable lines, producing either herself or through her kids many Best Puppy In Show winners, Reserve Best In Show winner, American Champion, class winner at the ASSA National, and many obedience and agility titled offspring.  She was our first Register of Merit Canadian, with 6 Canadian Champion offspring.  Maybe the best of all, is the pleasure her kids have given to our oh so many clients.

She was the best 'easy keeper' a breeder could have.  An easy whelper of 5-6 pups in each litter and the greatest of mothers.  She always wanted to please, even when the days came that her hearing went.

Mike and I will miss her wanting her bum rubs, her ears that never left the top of her head, and reminding us when cookies were due.

Many thanks to Amanda and Mark, and tech Ellen of the Mississippi Mills Animal Hospital for the 16+ years of excellent care they've given her.

 pictured above shown as a veteran at a CC&SSA show 2009 

 

 "Opal" and son "Rocky" January 2014

 

"Opal"  May 2014

Thank-you Mary Lou for helping me take these special pictures of her. And to Nancy (owner of an "Opal"grandson) for suggesting this lovely park in Ottawa to do the photo-shoot.

"Opal" in her later years found lots of time for sleeping on various beds

Food time you say?

 "Rocky" and "Opal" as they enjoyed snoozing on the deck

~mother like son~

Am sure "Rocky" you were there to meet your mom and show her how much fun you continue to have

So this is where we part, My Friend,
And you'll run on, around the bend.
Gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you'll surely find.
I will go on; I'll find the strength,
Life measures quality, not its length.
One long embrace before you leave,
Share one last look, before I grieve.
There are others, that much is true,
But they be they, and they aren't you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
Will remember well all you've taught.
Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,
The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
Take with you this...I loved you best.
-Jim Willis-

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Laureate L'Anais - In Memoriam

Another heart breaker in the last few months.

For all those of you that have followed Annie's journey with us after the passing of her owner almost a year ago, it is with a heavy heart that I have to say Annie joined Rod last week as a brighter star in the sky.

She unfortunately had a stroke.

I thank her breeder Kim Aston (Laureate) for being there during this difficult time and for the care & compassion the Mississippi Mills Animal hospital - Mark & Amanda and tech Ellen - who have known Annie from day one, for all they've done.

March 30, 2000 - October 25, 2013

May the reuniting of you two be the best thing ever!

She leaves behind her legacy here, thru her daughter, Shelamo Matta Hari and her daughter Ch Shelamo Tyme Descends sired by our BPIS Am/Cdn Ch Shelamo's Prospector (last two which we have said good-bye to).

MBPIG Ch Shelamo Riding The Wind

MBPIS BPISS Ch Shelamo Flash Forward

Ch Shelamo Deja Vu

BPIS Ch Shelamo's Riding The Sky HIC SDGC (and his sons)

MBBPIG Shelamo Be Dazzle

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Tribute to "Rocky" on Sheltie Strut

Please come have a look at the lovely "In Memoriam" Tribute many of our sheltie friends contributed to on Sheltie Strut for our beloved

 BPIS Am/Cdn Ch Shelamo's Prospector

His dam is our great producer Shelamo's Party Pack ROMC (6 Cdn Champions) and is still with us at 15.5 yrs of age.

Thank-you to

Jan & Steve
Mary-lou Davidson
Mary Anne
Judy Flanigan
Pauline & Jack Richardson
Linda Howie
Bonnie & Jim Rector
my mom Olive Hole-Wold

Michael & I really appreciate it.

Rock Man, the side of my bed just isn't the same :(

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Saying Good-bye - BPIB Shelamo The Sentinel (ptd) CCGC, CCGN, CD, MADC, MJDC, ExJ Bronze, MSDC

BPIB Shelamo The Sentinel (ptd) CCGC, CCGN, CD, MADC, MJDC, ExJ Bronze, MSDC

(Ch Arhope Jadeisle Still Dreaming x Arhope Oh Lonesome Me)

 December 20, 1997 - July 29, 2013

As I wrote on Kate Freeman's Facebook page ...

It saddens us deeply to hear that the boy that stole my heart from early on as a promising show dog, now leaves a big hole in so many people's hearts. He has done so much for the sheltie world, as a great ambassador in so many venues. He had a heart bigger than the 'space' that we could give him, and altho it took some 4 years for him to land in the right hands, it couldn't have been a better match with Kate - thank you Linda Howie for your perseverance in getting Kate to come and see him! I could add too, so many stories of his antics - how he figured out how to get onto the table and gobble up the butter; finished off Mike's steak dinner one night, but amazingly left mine! Good BOY! Figured out how to go from a chair, onto a desk, then over the 4' xpen, and down onto the puppy crate, to the floor, to eat a litter of pup's meal! Took me awhile to figure out just how he was standing in the puppy pen, asking to be let out. His excitement to see my mom one day, caused us to have to make a trip to the emerg to have the skin on her shin sown up. Oh Panda, the stories, the fun, the zest for life that you instilled in so many of us, the smiles you put on one judge's face as a Senior Puppy in the show ring, and on children's faces ... the memories will live on with so many of us for a very long time. Kate, may you know I couldn't have asked for a better home to work with this 'brat' and that I will cry with you for awhile. I am SO glad I was able to see him in May. He was a once in a life time dog. You came into the world living through the Great Ice Storm of January 1998, and have left on a Rainbow. Panda you are now free to play in the fields. Pls say hi to the Shelamo gang that has left before you. Hugs Kate.

Linda Howie's Shelamo boy 'Gryhpon' with 'Panda' July 2009

 

 

Panda started his CD title at our CSSA National in Carp, Ontario 2006

RIP Panda

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Memorial Day for "Annie's" Owner

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Celebrating a Life Well Done

Rod Keegan, Prescott, Ontario

June 28, 1916 - November 16, 2012

Many of you have followed my previous posts on the sudden death of "Annie's" owner last November, with her by his side.  Due to our sales contract, his executor searched us down, as per his wishes, and she came back to us to live out her life.  Rod's memorial was moved to the spring when family and friends from as far as Vancouver, down east (came by motorcycle in the chilly rain), and even a niece that resides during the winter in Mexico, were all able to come.

I was invited to come, and bring his beloved fur friend "Annie".  It was held at the Prescott Golf Course where Rod totally immersed himself, and as I've heard in his later years would wander several holes with "Annie", just hitting some balls for the fun of it.

 

"Annie" enjoying her chewie in between visits on the blanket Rod had for her

there was a large crowd of in-laws, 'out'-laws, friends, and family

his Executor Sue and partner Derek

They did an awesome job of putting out old photos, newspaper articles on his life working in the photo dark room, events @ the Prescott Golf Club done by the Prescott newspaper, his kazoos he loved to play, and a lovely power point presentation.

This said a lot about Rod's life

 "Annie" - the love she gave came back 10 fold

"Annie" doing one last walk on the last hole

After the power point presentation there were many friends and family members that were asked to tell their stories of Rod.  I was in total awe of this man's life and experiences.  And yes, I was asked to say a few words on the life I knew of him with "Annie" and a few experiences he shared with me.

I'd heard of the many stories of how Rod would go to the Prescott Library to sit by the fire and read, almost every day with "Annie" by his side.  She was the only dog allowed in the library!  They were there the afternoon of his passing.

So, since I was so close, I just had to stop by on my way home.  I let "Annie" lead me up the steps and to the door.  It was a very emotional moment to see her go to the door, stiff the opening, and stand there, waiting for it to open.  She'd sniff, look through the glass, sniff again .... patiently waiting ....

 

   

 looking back at me as if to say "well, aren't we going in?"

I let her lead me down the walk way and towards the street; it was as if she knew her way back home and towards the golf course.  She went with a purpose and a 'come follow me' presence.  I've never experienced this with one of our shelties, when in very unfamiliar territory.

The street was a very quiet one, so I knocked on a house across from the library, told them who I and "Annie" were - they remembered her well - and asked if one of them would take a 'memory' picture of me with "Annie".

It was disappointing that the library was closed as I would have liked to have seen what she would have done, although not unexpected given it was now around 5:30pm.  A long day for "Annie" as our trip had started around noon.

and so the journey of Rod's life ends .... however, not without some wild flower seeds to sow in his memory.

"Annie" on the right as she enjoys her senior years

with her 1/2 brother (middle) and his mother (left) all over 13 yrs of age now

RIP Rod

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Ronas Hill Kraker-jak UD

Remembering - if it were not for my best bud, Kraker-jak, I'm not sure where I'd be today.  He taught me so much about the friendship we gain from dogs, and how each one teaches us something new in life.

With the recent passing of Barbara Ann Scott, who started her skating career at the Minto Skating Club, it brought to mind that, that is where I 1st started skating too, and there came a point I had a decision to make - I might have been 12 yrs or so, that either I continue skating or take the next obedience lesson as the class nights conflicted.  Guess what I chose?

One of my fav pics - many Sunday's the family would take a walk around Pink Lake in our Gatineau Hills

 Amazing once taught 'take it, hold it, give it' what we'd ask him to do!

 

 One of his last high jumps for his UD before he became ill

This is the 1st picture taken of the two of us.  Taken in 1967 by Jeanne White of the Ottawa Journal for an article on the Bytown Dog Obedience Club's very 1st Puppy Kindergarten class.

I am proud to say that I was the 1st youngest to ever go from the BDOC Puppy Kindergarten class to obtaining our Utility Degree.

 Am sure he is still by my side, guiding me with every class I teach.

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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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A Sad Goodbye

This past weekend was full of making great accomplishments, and remembering great accomplishments.

Shelamo English Rose SAAGJ, SMJD

October 21, 1996 - June 19, 2010

"Harmony" in the summer of 2004

Peacefully curled in her bed beside Jack, Jack and Pauline Richardson lost their beloved girl "Harmony".

"Harmony" had been returned to us by a client who had developed severe allergies to her 2 dogs and 2 cats and was instructed by her doctor to reduce her numbers to only one. Thus "Harmony" was returned to us. Jack and Pauline just happened to come to us looking for a small, agile and potential agility dog to begin their life in agility. Well, didn't I have the perfect dog for them. She was picked up on August 31st, 1997 the day Lady Diana lost her life, and since I had yet to register this girl, she was apply named Shelamo English Rose.

the speedy little girl

Jack and "Harmony"

"Harmony's" caricature done on the back of their agility chair
she will never be far away, always following them where ever they go

as she's pictured on the back of their motor home

Rest in Peace Little One, we will all miss you at the agility events

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Fire Destroys our Local CJOH TV Station

(viewer's picture)

I couldn't believe it!! Hearing this morning that the TV station I grew up to know, CJOH, had a fire in the wee hours of the morning destroying everything.

They started to broadcast on March 12, 1961 @ noon.

It was located not but a few miles from where I lived from 1961 thru to just 13 yrs ago when we moved further out to the country; we watched the roads expand to where it was established; walking to the Dairy Queen across the street with my girl friend Valerie, my sheltie Kraker-jak and her Beagle Snoopy for a Sunday ice cream cone was a favourite trip in the summer; it's provided a mainstay for all kinds of local telethons; one of our neighbours started her career in television there; in the late 60's I participated doing a small sit/down demo, representing the 'young ones' that took dog obedience with the long standing Bytown Dog Obedience Club in one of their local programs called Uncle Willy & Floyd; a programe called Regional Contact was almost removed from the air several years ago but the uproar of the community brought it back ... that show goes around our Ottawa Valley highlighting all aspects of people which included a segment on one of our local sheltie breeders, Helen Latulippe, Nuhope Kennels and an artisan in glass blowing Chris VanZanten who I knew just after high school & is the one that made our solid cherry coffee table, birds-eye maple end table and hanging lamp to match - yes that was in his earlier days in learning different arts - like the early 80's!

Ironically, there was a program called Family Brown Country ... a family singing group ... and it just so happens that Mike now works with one of them. It was on "You Can't DO That On Television" that Alanis Morissette made her first television appearance ... who'd of thunk it!

Barry Brown today (xmas 2009) of 'The Family Brown'
Well known country singing family from the Ottawa Valley.

The news anchor Max Keeping, just months away from retirement and his co-host Carol-Anne Meehan still put on the 6:00pm news today.

WOW .... Scary .... memories ... gone in a flash!

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Loon - Looks More Like It?

OK ... Penny ... Here's the pic again, only with a bit of 'fix-up' in Adobe, as per my 'photo guru' expert has shown me :) Think it looks more representative now ... Memories of 'talking' to them while on family camping trips made me do it :)!

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DAAAHHH?? It's A Canadian Loon!

Kinda surprised I didn't get comments/emails from my Canadian friends that this carved duck picture I posted from Xmas is a Canadian (Common) Loon!

DAHH ... how could I have forgotten? I remember my dad teaching me how to take a long, thick blade of grass (took some doing to find the right one too), holding it just so, between the length of my thumbs, cupping my hands and then blowing to make that long, lovely call called the 'wail'. This call is mostly heard on calm lakes as the evening sun sets in the summer. If you get the grass reed calling down right (gosh do I know about practising it!), you can sometimes get the loons to answer you back. It is used to keep in contact with other loons on the lake.

If you've never heard it here is a link .... listen, think of a warm summer's evening, the sun setting on the horizon .... and other than maybe crickets, this is all you hear ....

Wail (474 K AU)

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