Introducing Sweetbay’s 2011 Titlists
We'd like to introduce you to the Newfoundlands and their special owners who achieved titles in 2011.
Lois (standing, in blue visor) and Neela pose with the judges and tracklayer at the conclusion of Neela’s successful TD track.
Sweetbay’s Neela CD RN TD CSL1-F
CSL1-R CSL2-S, OFA NF-10760, EL-4385
Call name: Neela
Born: 3-21-09
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Benson CDX RE WRDX TDD, OFA NF-7511,
EL-1666
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, California
Title earned: TD (AKC Tracking Dog tracking title)
Shortly after she certified, Neela made the draw for the Ramona,
California tracking test held on January 25 at the Barrett Ranch.
Lois luckily drew track #2 – lucky because the first four
tracks are laid close to the parking area, but tracks five and up
require that you hike in a mile and a half. Neela wouldn’t
have minded, but Lois is well into her senior years and has
asthma, and that would have been difficult. Neela ran the track
flawlessly, in nine minutes. There were mandatory pauses now and
then so Lois could catch her breath, and Lois had to slow way
down each time the track went uphill. Every time, Neela would
look over her shoulder, giving Lois a look that clearly said,
“Well, are you coming or not?” The conditions were
wonderful, with a bit of rain and only moderate winds. And the
unusually wet winter resulted in lush green grass, rather than
the dry dusty beige vegetation that’s more common at the
southern California tracking tests. To Neela, it must have felt
like she was back home, back in the wet green fields of Oregon,
where she was born.
Jess
Sweetbay’s Jesca CDX RE TD, OFA
NF-10489, EL-4115
Call name: Jess
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Judi & Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: RN (AKC Rally Novice title)
Jess made her debut into the world of AKC obedience when Judi
entered her in three rally novice shows at Albany in February.
Judi knows that training and proofing are one thing, but
there’s no way to simulate an actual chaotic all-breed dog
show, and she was prepared for Jess to exhibit some nervousness
or inconsistency. But Jess was a natural, that rare dog who loves
to show off in public. She aced all three trials, showing crisp
fast precise work coupled with hearty enthusiasm. On Friday, she
took first place in the big Novice B class with a perfect score
of 100. Saturday, she placed second with a 99. Sunday, she got
her third leg (and her RN title) with a 99.
Vivi
Sweetbay’s Vivian CD RE TD TDD WD,
OFA NF-10505, EL-4130
Call name: Vivi
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Maria Rizzuto, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: RN (AKC Rally Novice title)
The Rocky Mountain Cluster offers five days of trials in
February. Maria had confidence in Vivi’s rally skills. You
need three legs for a title, so Maria entered three of the five.
They qualified every time. At her first trial, Vivi scored a 99,
tying for first place. (Ties are broken by your course time, and
Vivi was a tiny bit slower than the other 99 scorer, a zippy
Portuguese water dog.) She followed this with two more solid
legs, scoring a 97 and a 94. Maria was thrilled that Vivi did the
exercises with her happy strut, and her tail wagged throughout.
By qualifying in three trials, she earned a beautiful medallion
from the Plum Creek Kennel Club. She wore it proudly while she
and Maria cruised the concessions area at the trial, where Maria
let her pick out some new toys. (A truly fitting reward for such
good work.) But doing so well in the ring isn’t even
Maria’s favorite part. She says, “The thing I really
love about showing Vivian is that she is so lovely
at the show at all the other times. She has great manners. She
doesn't pull me around, or try to run over
to other dogs. She loves everyone, and if someone makes even the
slightest bit of eye contact
with her, she will go to them and politely ask for pets. She is
really
a charmer.”
Rita Wolkiewicz and Neela
Sweetbay’s Neela CD RN TD CSL1-F
CSL1-R CSL2-S, OFA NF-10760, EL-4385
Call name: Neela
Born: 3-21-09
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Benson CDX RE WRDX TDD, OFA NF-7511,
EL-1666
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, California
Title earned: RN (AKC Rally Novice title)
Lois Apfel has had a long career working dogs in various venues.
She still participates in many activities, despite her advanced
age. But obedience was one she was happy to let go. It just never
truly appealed to her, and she could no longer maintain the brisk
pace that good-working dogs need. But when she got Neela, she
realized that this was a fast, smart little puppy that definitely
had obedience and rally potential. Fortunately, Lois’s
friend Rita Wolkiewicz loves obedience, and she offered to train
and show Neela. Lois delightedly accepted. Now and then, Rita and
Neela would get together to train, and they began to coalesce as
a good working team. Neela’s first trip into the AKC ring
was at an outdoor rally trial on February 19th at Bates Nut Farm.
Heavy rains created mud puddles in the rings, and blustery winds
created their own form of havoc. But Rita and Neela held it
together, taking fourth place with a solid 90. The following day,
Neela scored a 95 for third place. Their final leg came at the
Silver Bay/San Diego trial. The shows are indoors, in an
extremely noisy metal building. The distractions kept Rita on her
toes, maintaining Neela’s focus, but they qualified nicely
with a 4th place and a 93 score.
Cabot
Sweetbay’s Cabot CDX RE, OFA EL-3710
Call Name: Cabot
Born: 10-6-06
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984,
EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Taylor RN, OFA NF-8333, EL-2288
Owner: Leesa Hobbs, Garden City, Idaho
Title earned: RA (AKC Rally Advanced title)
Cabot started his Rally Advanced career with a solid 92 and
second place, during the Lizard Butte show in Boise in October
2010. His next opportunity came the following spring, at the
Golden Spike shows in Farmington, Utah. Leesa loves these
well-run shows, and cheerfully makes the five hour drive. Cabot
clearly had fun, too, qualifying at both trials with ease. Leesa
was thrilled to discover just how much Cabot loves rally. She
confides, “He gets animated and perky, and he throws his
feet way out in front like some goofy golden retriever.” His
enthusiastic demeanor earns him hearty applause each time he
appears in the ring.
Jess poses with her High in Trial rosette
Sweetbay’s Jesca CDX RE TD, OFA
NF-10489, EL-4115
Call name: Jess
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Judi & Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: CD (AKC Companion Dog obedience title)
If ever a dog was born to do obedience, it was Jess. She is fast,
flashy, and she loves the challenges. Judi took her time with the
training and proofing, wanting Jess to be comfortable and
confident in the shows. (Truth is, Judi also requires that same
level of comfort before she sends in entries.) Their first shows
were at the Chintimini (Albany, Oregon) trials on April 2 and 3.
On Saturday, the judge had an extremely long heeling pattern, and
Judi was grateful they’d proofed for just such an
eventuality. Many dogs lagged or stopped heeling altogether, but
Jess was right there, the entire way. They exited the ring with
Judi knowing they’d done well, and their 197.5 and first
place confirmed it. Sunday’s show proved that high score was
no fluke, with Jess doing equally enthusiastic, precise work, and
scoring a 196.5 and second place. Their next trials were May 7
and 8, in a dirt horsebarn in Canby. Jess qualified both days,
with a 186 and a 194. That 186 was disappointing, and it
wasn’t fair. The judge was brand new, and made a bad mistake
on her scoring, deducting nine points when she should have
deducted no more than three. The AKC rep caught the error and so
informed the judge, but the AKC will not change a score. Judi
tried to shrug it off, but it bothered her. She did not want
Jess’s CD to end on a bad note. So, to “erase” it
in her mind, she entered Jess in two more shows, on June 24/25,
again in Canby, this time outdoors on grass. On Friday, Jess
performed the novice exercises in her fast flying style, scoring
a 196.5 for first lace in her class. Later that day, Judi and
Jess were called back into the ring and awarded High in Trial
– a personal first in Judi’s forty years of training.
Then, on Saturday, they capped Jess’s novice work with a 197
and first place. You know, if you need to supplant a bad memory
with a good one, that weekend was just the way to do it.
Ruca sails over the high jump during a rally-advanced practice run
WA Sweetbay’s Ruca CDX RE WRD TDD,
OFA EL-4152
Call name: Ruca
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Sue and Mark Raney, Arvada, Colorado
Title earned: RA (AKC Rally Advanced title)
In April, Sue and Ruca entered the Terry-All shows in Brighton.
Ruca had a great time, bouncing through the course, scoring a 93
on Saturday and a 92 on Sunday. The following month, they were at
the Mountain States trials. On May 7, Ruca qualified nicely,
despite miserably hot weather – Denver’s first heat
wave this year chose a long show weekend to make its effect felt.
Heat is hard on thick-coated Newfies, but Ruca did a credible
job, earning her title with an 88.
Maria guides Vivi through a tight left-angle turn
Sweetbay’s Vivian CD RE TD TDD WD,
OFA NF-10505, EL-4130
Call name: Vivi
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Maria Rizzuto, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: DD (NCA Draft Dog carting title)
When Maria introduced Vivi to draft work, Vivi wasn’t all
that impressed. Truth is, she thought carts were scary and shafts
were dangerous and she would much rather do water work or
tracking, thank you very much. But Denver’s High Country
Newfoundland Club sponsors a draft test every spring, and Maria
decided that if they worked at it, they could be ready. As they
trained together, Vivi gradually came around. She still
doesn’t think it’s the best thing since sliced bread,
but she has figured out that if she listens carefully to Maria,
focuses on the work, and performs flawlessly, they’ll get
done quickly and she can be released from those evil shafts. And
that’s just what happened at the draft test. Obedience was
no problem; Vivi is stellar at the heel/recall/stay tasks, and
she loves doing them. But the subsequent exercises are all
“with cart.” Vivi was good as gold, daintily (and
voluntarily) stepping in between her shafts to be hitched, then
maneuvering her cart through a tricky obstacle course. The
freight haul was actually fun, as she got to sightsee throughout
the mile route. Maria still shakes her head in bemusement.
Despite Vivi’s initial distaste for the sport, her
performance was by far the smoothest and most elegant in
Maria’s history as a draft trainer.
Cabot practices his down-stay, one of the rally excellent exercises.
Sweetbay’s Cabot CDX RE, OFA EL-3710
Call Name: Cabot
Born: 10-6-06
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984,
EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Taylor RN, OFA NF-8333, EL-2288
Owner: Leesa Hobbs, Garden City, Idaho
Title earned: RE (AKC Rally Excellent title)
Cabot finished his RA title in the middle of the Golden Spike
cluster, so Leesa bumped him up to Rally Excellent. He got his
first leg on April 10th. Normally, that would be his last chance
for quite a while. But Leesa’s hometown kennel club (Idaho
Capital City Kennel Club) sponsored its first ever obedience and
rally trials in May 2011, and Leesa and Cabot finished their RE
in fine style, qualifying both days.
Ruca
WA Sweetbay’s Ruca CDX RE WRD TDD,
OFA EL-4152
Call name: Ruca
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Sue and Mark Raney, Arvada, Colorado
Title earned: RE (AKC Rally Excellent title)
Ruca earned her first RE leg at Sue’s favorite Mountain
States trials, on May 8. She scored an impressive 97 and took
third place in the class. In excellent, you perform the exercises
in the same fashion as in novice and advanced: you work your way
around the course at your own speed, performing each task in
order. But excellent adds a bonus exercise; your dog must do a
down-stay or sit-stay (the judge’s choice) in the ring while
another dog works the course. This is called honoring. Ruca did a
down-stay while a little terrier ran the course. Somewhere along
the way, the terrier spotted Ruca. He ditched his owner, racing
over to Ruca and sniffed her rear end very invasively. The
terrier’s owner stayed where she was, calling to the dog,
who of course ignored her. Ruca wasn’t impressed and got a
disdainful expression on her face, clearly pretending that the
rude little dog was beneath notice. Sue was relieved that Ruca
stayed down, because any other behavior would have NQ’d
Ruca. Then she learned that since the terrier had NQ’d, Ruca
needed to honor for another dog. Neither Sue nor Ruca were
pleased, but they did it – and all went well. Ruca’s
two subsequent RE legs came at the Colorado Springs circuit. They
were fortunately less eventful, with qualifying scores both days.
Her Friday leg was especially nice, as her 96 earned them a first
place rosette.
Jess
Sweetbay’s Jesca CDX RE TD, OFA
NF-10489, EL-4115
Call name: Jess
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Judi & Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: RA (AKC Rally Advanced title)
Rally advanced is a whole ‘nother kettle of fish. It’s
off lead (totally). It has fifteen new (more complex) tasks to
master – and each course will include one jump (bar, high or
broad). That may sound daunting, but to Jess, it was just lots
more fun. Judi entered four trials at the Clackamas Kennel Club
series in Canby, Oregon, the last weekend in June. She entered
with crossed fingers, as it was an outdoor show the rings are in
full sun. If the weather was hot that weekend – as it
usually is - it wouldn’t be fun for dog or owner. But the
weather gods were kind, and the sunshine came with temps in the
mid 70’s. Jess loved learning the more difficult tasks, and
she really loved showing them off at the trials. That girl does
appreciate an audience. She qualified at all four, with scores of
97 (second place), 97 (third place), 98 (first place), and 99
(second place).
Quin
Sweetbay’s Quincy RN, OFA NF-10558,
EL-4212
Call name: Quin
Born: 3-19-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984,
EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Somerset, OFA NF-9432
Owner: Anna and Pete Lewandowski, Houston, Texas
Title earned: RN (AKC Rally Novice title)
Quin lives in Houston. Her owner, Anna Lewandowski, sent her up
to Oregon for a few months. “And hey,” said Anna,
“since she’s going to be staying with you for a bit,
and you guys are good trainers, why not keep her occupied? Feel
free.” And that’s where Ellis came in. He immediately
recognized how bright Quin was, and how quickly she learned.
Rally novice seemed like a good starting spot. They started at
zero, with the rock-bottom basics. But Quin caught on quickly,
and she and Ellis made a great team. With scarcely a month of
practice, Ellis entered four all-breed rally trials in Canby at
the end of June, and qualified in all four. Ellis hadn’t
been in a rally ring in a long time (we’re talking years and
years), and Quin had not been in an obedience or rally ring ever.
Yet you would never have guessed from their performances. Quin
scored a 99 at her first trial (second place), a 95 at her second
(fourth place), and a 98 (first place) at both the third and
fourth. Now that’s a pretty respectable debut.
Hayley loves the paddle retrieve exercise and flies off the boat the instant Carol gives the okay.
Sweetbay’s Hayley WRD DD, OFA
NF-10036, OFA EL-3686
Call name: Hayley
Born: October 6, 2006
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984,
EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Taylor RN, OFA NF-8333, EL-2288
Owner: Carol & Mike Perkowski, Williamsville, New York
Title earned: WRD (NCA Water Rescue Dog advanced water title)
Ever since she was a puppy, Hayley has been in her element in the
water. She’s a powerful swimmer, and retrieving is her
favorite game ever. So Carol knew, going in, that water rescue
work was an obvious choice. Hayley’s instincts and
enthusiasm made training a joy, and the junior work was a piece
of cake. This year, Hayley was introduced to the senior tasks,
and she clearly thought those were even more fun. Lots more
retrieving? Oh, boy. Going underwater for a toy? What fun.
Jumping off a boat? Woo hoo! She earned her WRD on her first try,
on July 30th, with Carol providing the direction. As the judges
told Carol, “Every bit of every exercise was perfect.
Hayley’s performance would be ideal for a ‘How To Do
It’ video.”
Ruca
WA Sweetbay’s Ruca CDX RE WRD TDD,
OFA EL-4152
Call name: Ruca
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Sue and Mark Raney, Arvada, Colorado
Title earned: WRD (NCA Water Rescue Dog advanced water title)
Denver hosts two water tests in July. And if winter sticks around
for way too long, as it did in 2011, that leaves very little
training time before the test is upon you. Sue and Ruca had to
hustle to master the six senior exercises. Most of the work was a
logical extension of what Ruca knew from junior, and Ruca
mastered that quickly. But leaping from a boat was new, and it
took a few sessions before Ruca had the confidence and the
experience to sail into deep water. The Denver water test
attracts many spectators, and just before Ruca’s turn, a
large pulled up and disgorged its crowd of passengers. So while
Ruca and Sue waited for their turn on the beach, Ruca kept
herself busy making friends with each of the bus-people as they
passed by. As Sue says, “That’s Ruca, thirty new
BFF’s in one fell swoop.” When her turn came, she
clearly wanted to impress her new cheering section. She performed
all six exercises with flair, and her exit-the-boat jumps were
fast and sure.
Sully
Ch Sweetbay’s Sullivan RN WD DD
(EL-4795)
Call name: Sully
Born: 8-10-10
Sire: Sweetbay’s Farrington, OFA NF-10008, EL-3663
Dam: Sweetbay’s Hayley WRD DD, OFA NF-10036, EL-3686
Owners: Patti Pigeon, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: WD (NCA Water Dog water rescue title)
Sully wasn’t yet a year old when Denver’s July water
test rolled around. He’d been to the water a few times, and
showed a natural aptitude (and huge enthusiasm) for water play.
But it was only at her friends’ urging that Patti even
considered entering him in the test. After all, she hadn’t
trained for the exercises; she’d just tossed bumpers and
cushions, and watched with a smile as he bounded out, crashing
the waves, and fetched those toys back onto shore. He’d
never learned to take a line to a person, either – but he
loves people, and if someone was out there in the water, he
naturally charged on out to say hi. And if that person was in a
boat, well, that was great too. So Patti figured, “what the
heck,” and sent his entries in. On Saturday, Sully passed
five exercises, and would have passed the take-a-line, too, if
his owner (oh, Patti!) hadn’t been standing on the line,
which jerked it out of his mouth mid-bound, when he was flying to
his victim. It took him by surprise, and he continued out and
around his victim, only without the line, thus
“failing” the exercise. On Sunday, Patti swore she
would do better – and then she stepped on that line again.
And not just once but wwice! Sully, though, had figured out what
to do. He just bit down hard and held onto it with a fierce grip,
jerking it free of Patti’s foot, and got that line to the
victim in record time. After the swim with handler, when it was
confirmed that Sully had earned that WD, one of the stewards
commented to Patti, “Sully’s a great little worker for
his age.” The judge immediately chimed in, “He’s a
great little worker for any age.”
Vivi
Sweetbay’s Vivian CD RE TD WD TDD,
OFA NF-10505, EL-4130
Call name: Vivi
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Maria Rizzuto, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: RA (AKC Rally Advanced title)
Vivi’s RA title started memorably, to say the least. She
earned her first leg on April 10, with a nice score of 97. All
three deducted points came on a station midway through the
course, the 90 degree pivot right. At the exact moment she began
to sit, a mastiff right outside our ring attacked a little dog
and there was a giant commotion, with the mastiff slashing and
growling and the little dog screeching and screaming and people
yelling and running over to help. Her typical lovely sit-at-heel
turned into a sit-in-front-of-me-with-a-very-worried-face. Maria
couldn’t blame her for the mistake. She asked Vivi to redo
the station (hence, the three deducted points) and Vivi did it
perfectly. Then they finished the course, with every station
nicely done. Vivi scored a 97, tying the high score in the class.
Vivi took third place, as ties in rally are broken by the
shortest time elapsed as each dog runs the course. The dog fight
and the redo had eaten up many seconds.)
Her second leg was on May 8, at the huge Mountain States trial.
Vivi was in her element, and this day lacked the craziness of a
nasty dog fight, so Vivi focused on her work. She again scored a
97, only one pointy off the first-place dog.
Then a very busy summer got in the way of rally training.
Finally, Maria said to herself, “I just need to wrap this
up. Surely, Vivi can remember enough for us to qualify.” She
entered her in the Denver Newfoundland regional specialty on
September 9, and wrapped up the third RA leg (and the title) with
a 92.
Vivi
Sweetbay’s Vivian CD RE TD WD TDD,
OFA NF-10505, EL-4130
Call name: Vivi
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Maria Rizzuto, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: WD (NCA Water Dog water rescue title)
Maria Rizzuto vividly remembers flying up to Portland to choose
her puppy. Since it was a beautiful summer weekend, Maria and
Judi (the breeder) took Maria’s puppy, along with the
littermate Judi planned to keep, to a nearby river. Vivi, not
quite eight weeks old, checked out the sandy beach. Then she very
determinedly walked down to the water’s edge, waded straight
in, and just kept going, effortlessly breaking into the smoothest
swimming stroke as she paddled out to sea. Maria was elated. And
puppy Vivi’s behavior that day continued throughout her
years. She still enters the water elegantly and with calm
enthusiasm. Her water test performance in Denver was every bit as
lovely. She cruised through the exercises with quiet precision,
with nary a bobble. Maria never had a moment’s worry. She
could tell Vivi was focused on her job and would do it
flawlessly.
Ruca
WA Sweetbay’s Ruca CDX RE WRD TDD,
OFA EL-4152
Call name: Ruca
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Sue and Mark Raney, Arvada, Colorado
Title earned: WRD requalification (NCA Water Rescue Dog advanced
water title)
Denver hosts two sets of water tests each year: one set in July,
one set in September. Ruca had earned her WRD in July. But Sue
wanted to support her favorite sport, so she planned to enter
Ruca again in September. Unfortunately, Sue’s schedule
didn’t allow for very many training days at the water. And
she will cheerfully admit that both she and Ruca do their best
with steady practice. Things didn’t go quite as well as
planned at Saturday’s test. As one of the test sponsors, Sue
had to be there extra-early, so Ruca spent many long hours at the
test site before she finally got her turn, at the very end of the
senior division. And as you might expect, she wasn’t quite
as perky as she needed to be. She did a nice job, but it
wasn’t qualifying. Sue definitely learns from experience,
and she knew that long wait at the test side had done them in. So
on Sunday, Ruca stayed home while Sue left for the test site.
(Ruca was not happy to be left home.) Then Sue’s husband,
Mark, brought Ruca to the test just prior to her turn, and Ruca
was wired and raring to go. She aced all six exercises,
requalifying with ease.
When Neela was eight weeks old, obedience was the furthest thing from Lois’s mind!
Sweetbay’s Neela CD RN TD CSL1-F
CSL1-R CSL2-S, OFA NF-10760, EL-4385
Call name: Neela
Born: 3-21-09
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Benson CDX RE WRDX TDD, OFA NF-7511,
EL-1666
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, California
Title earned: CD (AKC Companion Dog obedience title)
Neela’s owner, Lois, will tell you that she (Lois) has no
interest in doing competitive obedience. It’s boring,
it’s rigid, and Lois – at age seventy-five – no
longer has the fluid mobilityn to do a good job in the ring. So
it has little appeal. Neela, however, loves all sorts of
training, and basic obedience does come in handy. Fortunately for
her, Lois’s good friend Rita loves obedience training, and
asked if she could train and then title Neela. That was a perfect
solution, and Lois immediately agreed. Rita did a beautiful job,
teaching Neela the exercises and then handling her smoothly and
gracefully. Unfortunately, as much as Neela liked to work with
Rita in training, it was a different matter at the trials. During
the heel off lead, Neela would spot Lois (who was watching from
outside the ring) – and Neela would leave to join her. She
and Lois had been through some tough times together over the past
year, and she wasn’t about to leave Lois
“unprotected.”
Rita and Lois jointly decided that there was only one solution.
Lois would take Neela into the ring, and Rita would have to
recoup all that training time from the spectator’s spot.
That first trial wasn’t all that pretty; Lois had not been
in an obedience ring in many years. She was rusty and that
affected Neela’s performance. But Neela happily stayed with
her, in the ring, and they qualified. Their second and third leg
came in back-to-back trials in October, again with Lois doing the
handling. With a little more joint practice, they were a
much-improved team. They scored in the high 180’s both days,
with the title-earning leg coming on October 22.
Maria and her draft team (Jimmy on the left, Vivian on the right) pose with their judges on a blustery day in Colorado.
Sweetbay’s Vivian CD RA TD WD TDD,
OFA NF-10505, EL-4130
Call name: Vivi
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Maria Rizzuto, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: TDD (NCA Team Draft Dog title)
Vivian can sometimes be a little suspicious of new activities.
She loves to do many things. But getting between shafts …
well, that didn’t strike her fancy at first, and it never
became her favorite thing. She’s a lovely carting dog, doing
the work with precision and with grace – but you
wouldn’t call her overly enthusiastic about it. That is,
until she and Jim were hitched together in the team rig. That
changed her whole attitude. Pulling a cart is fun if your big
brother is along for the ride. They worked so well together, in
fact, that Maria had no hesitation in entering them in
Denver’s November 5 draft test. The night before, though,
Maria must have said been questioning that decision. Vivi had
chosen that moment to come into season. Fortunately, the
now-neutered Jimmy took it all in stride, keeping his mind on his
work. And they earned their TDD title with ease. The out-of-state
judge raved about their beautiful teamwork, and was especially
complimentary about their obedience performance. She told Maria
that she had never seen a team work without some means of
attachment (usually a metal coupler) joining the two collars).
But Jim and Viv are fine obedience dogs, and Maria had taught
them well. They worked in tandem beautifully without being
physically joined.
Vivi (foreground) and Jimmy wait for their training session to begin.
VN Ch Sweetbay’s James CD RN WRD
TDD, OFA NF-8867, OFA EL-2706
Call name: Jimmy
Born: 9-6-03
Sire: Sweetbay’s Tanner AmCanCD RN AmCanDD, OFA 7777,
EL-1867
Dam: Sweetbay’s Darby AmCanCD RE TD WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-6811,
EL-1205
Owner: Maria Rizzuto, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: TDD (NCA Team Draft Dog title)
From the moment Jimmy donned a harness and slipped between
shafts, he has loved to cart. He likes everything about it: the
movement, the muscle, the teamwork between dog and owner. And he
loves the fringe benefits that come with carting skills: he
becomes Mr. Popularity with all the little kids who hope for a
cart ride. So it was only natural that he be part of a team with
his younger housemate, Vivian. Drafting is not Vivi’s most
favorite thing, but Jimmy’s enthusiasm was infectious. Once
they were hitched together, they both had a great time. Maria
knew that working two dogs was much more challenging, so she made
sure they all got plenty of practice time. The neighbors got used
to seeing Maria out in the street, practicing her harnessing and
hitching until each dog knew the routine inside out. That meant
that Maria was smooth, too – a blessing, since many TDD
hopefuls fail the harness/hitch exercise. Not Maria, though. Jim
and Viv were rock-steady through that bit, and every bit that
followed.
Barlow enjoys his new fluffy ball, a reward for his good rally work
Sweetbay's Barlow RN, OFA NF-10298,
EL-3941
Call name: Barlow
Born: 9-6-07
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s James CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-8867, OFA
EL-2706
Dam: Sweetbay’s Lola, OFA NF-9522, EL-3267
Owners: Anne & Morgan Seeley, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Title earned: RN (AKC novice rally title)
When real life gets busy, training often has to take a back seat.
Anne Seeley’s life was definitely interfering with her dog
plans, but once things settled down, Anne and Barlow got back to
work. Rally seemed like a good option for Barlow’s first
venture into a competitive ring. Anne taught him the work, threw
in some practicing for good measure, and then sent in the
entries. Being optimistic, she entered three trials – and
Barlow passed at all three, earning a third place ribbon each
time, and with solid scores in the mid-90’s.
Olivia (back row, center) poses with her fellow therapy dogs at Children’s Hospital
Sweetbay’s Olivia CDX ThD WRDX, OFA
NF-8222, EL-2199
Call name: Olivia
Born: 3-15-02
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603,
EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Wahkeena, OFA NF-7129, EL-1392
Owners: Rick and Pat Pourchot, Ballwin, Missouri
Title earned: ThD (AKC Therapy Dog service title)
Rick Pourchot had a strong hunch that he and Olivia would be good
prospects as a therapy team. Olivia had already had ample
training, along with exposure to a myriad of experiences and
situations. And she had the perfect temperament for a therapy
dog: eager but not rowdy, empathetic rather than self-centered.
They began their journey via Support Dogs, Inc., and earned their
certification not long after. Their assignments have included
grade schools and hospitals. Olivia quietly goes about her job,
giving her full attention to one student or one patient at a
time, and warming the hearts of everyone she meets.
Jaro and Brett
Sweetbay’s Kilimanjaro ThD, OFA
NF-8223, EL-2200
Call name: Jaro
Born: 3-15-02
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603,
EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Wahkeena, OFA NF-7129, EL-1392
Owners: Brett and Rachael Beasley, Provo, Utah
Title earned: ThD (AKC Therapy Dog service title)
If you’re at all philosophical, at some point you probably
realize that at many points, your life could have gone in
entirely different directions. Brett Beasley realizes this more
fully than most. It was shortly after he and his wife brought
home a little puppy they called Jaro. They were watching
television and a public service announcement came on, talking
about a local therapy animal organization. “That looks
interesting,” they agreed, and talked lightly about looking
into it a bit more. It’s fair to say that Brett dedicated a
huge segment of his life to canine therapy, always with Jaro at
his side. And he will be the first to tell you that it’s
Jaro who is the major player in the team. Brett’s modesty
aside, his own contributions have been major. Within a few years,
Brett had become of the administrators and evaluators in that
organization. That chance television spot changed his life. He
and Jaro had begun the road to therapy work together, learning
together, gaining experience together. And in 2011, when the AKC
announced the start of its Therapy Dog title, Brett was proud to
send off for Jaro’s certificate. It’s a small piece of
paper, but it speaks of years and years of dedication and love.
Rachael and Jett
Sweetbay’s Jett ThD
Call name: Jett
Born: 4-21-05
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Benson CDX RE WRDX TDD, OFA NF-7511,
EL-1666
Dam: Sweetbay’s Taylor RN, OFA NF-8333, EL-2288
Owners: Brett and Rachael Beasley, Provo, Utah
Title earned: ThD (AKC Therapy Dog service title)
The Beasleys’ older Newf, Jaro, was well established as a
therapy dog when puppy Jett arrived in Provo. He was a busy
little guy, energetic and curious and always on the move.
Brett and Rachael loved his active temperament, but they did
wonder if he would ever settle down enough to possibly become a
good therapy dog. But by age two, there was no question. Jett was
not Jaro’s clone, but he had all the right attributes, and
he joined Jaro and began his own career as a therapy dog. Working
through Intermountain Therapy Animals, Jett has visited countless
hospital rooms and brought a smile to so many faces. When the AKC
announced that it now offered a Therapy Dog title certificate,
Brett and Rachael were proud to send in Jett’s credentials,
and mount his certificate next to Jaro’s.
Ruca
WA Sweetbay’s Ruca CDX RE WRD TDD,
OFA EL-4152
Call name: Ruca
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Sue and Mark Raney, Arvada, Colorado
Title earned: Title earned: DD requalification (NCA Draft Dog
carting title)
It’s the understatement of the century: Sweetbay dogs like
to work. And they see no reason to stop just because they earn a
title. Fortunately, their owners agree. That’s why Sue Raney
entered Ruca in the Denver draft tests on November 4 and 5. On
Saturday, right before the test started, Sue might have wished
they’d stayed home. She and her husband Mark were standing
quietly with Ruca, minding their own business, when another
entrant’s dog charged Ruca and flattened her, without
warning. Fortunately, the damage was minor – not a given,
considering the size and vehemence of the attacker. That was an
unhappy and scary start to the morning. Although Ruca did her
best to shrug it off, everyone could see she was definitely
shaken. So was Sue. That’s not the best way to start off
your test! But they pulled themselves together and did a nice
job. Ruca was a little worried during the back-up, which was
understandable. When you’ve been attacked from behind, you
do worry about what might be lurking behind you! But she
straightened it out nicely – and then went on to ace the
remainder of the test.
Ruca
WA Sweetbay’s Ruca CDX RE WRD TDD,
OFA EL-4152
Call name: Ruca
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Sue and Mark Raney, Arvada, Colorado
Title earned: Title earned: DD requalification (NCA Draft Dog
carting title)
Denver hosts two draft tests, back to back. It’s a lot more
work for the sponsoring committee, but it’s a nice gift to
the entrants. If they mess up on Saturday, they have another
chance on Sunday to pull it all together. And if they pass on
Saturday, as Sue and Ruca did, then Sunday’s test is just
for fun. The pressure is off, and it’s party time! The
unfortunate happenings of yesterday were forgotten, and Ruca was
there to have a great time. She did an especially nice job on the
maneuvering course, and Sue rewarded her with the top half of a
scrumptious muffin. As Ruca scarfed it down, Sue told her,
“If you do a good job on the freight haul, you can have the
other half.” Well, Ruca clearly understood every word. She
finished the mile freight haul with nary a bump, always perfectly
under control. She stood rock-still while Sue unhitched her. The
judges smiled broadly and said “Exercise finished.”
Upon hearing those words, Ruca immediately pulled Sue to where
the muffins were kept and pointedly nudged them with her nose,
saying, “You promised. Hand it over please!”
Hayley brings in the boat cushion, wrapping up the senior double retrieve exercise.
Sweetbay’s Hayley WRD DD, OFA
NF-10036, OFA EL-3686
Call name: Hayley
Born: October 6, 2006
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984,
EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Taylor RN, OFA NF-8333, EL-2288
Owner: Carol & Mike Perkowski, Williamsville, New York
Title earned: WRD requalification (NCA Water Rescue Dog advanced
water title)
Denver hosted its second series of water tests on September 17
and 18. Carol Perkowski’s Hayley had qualified for her WRD
the previous July. But why stop now? Hayley loves the water and
loves water work. And Carol knew that once Hayley understands an
exercise, she never forgets it. So Carol entered her in the
September tests as well. She qualified on both days with sterling
work, leaving the audience and her judges grinning throughout the
six senior exercises.
Hayley delivers the paddle to Carol, acing the Retrieve off a Boat exercise.
Sweetbay’s Hayley WRD DD, OFA
NF-10036, OFA EL-3686
Call name: Hayley
Born: October 6, 2006
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984,
EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Taylor RN, OFA NF-8333, EL-2288
Owner: Carol & Mike Perkowski, Williamsville, New York
Title earned: WRD requalification (NCA Water Rescue Dog advanced
water title)
September 18 was just one of those days that couldn’t have
been better. The weather was perfect for a water test –
sunny, warm, crisp blue skies – and good weather is far from
a given during Denver summers. (Yes, they’ve had to cope
with snow during a few of their tests – and 105 degree
weather on others.) So Carol and Hayley looked forward to their
chance to once again perform the six senior exercises. Hayley has
a blazingly fast water entry, and she flies through the water.
This exuberance and power (coupled with Carol’s excellent
control) makes Hayley a crowd favorite, and the sizeable crowd
that day cheered and applauded during each of her exercises. Then
she capped it off with two of her trademark jumps: high-flying,
big-air leaps that elicited still more whoops and hollers.