Photos to come
© S Templeton

Back into the herding today for all of my boys. Schatje, Kulta and Louis were all entered in tests at the Victorian Herding Association's herding trial at KCC Park, all under Victorian judge Ms B Steele.

It was Louis's first go in any test, and only his second exposure to stock, so I was very proud of this little man who gained his Herding Instinct Certificate. I'm not sure who was breathing harder after it was over though, me or him, as we attempted to show that he could display "control" as well as "instinct" :-). Slowing him down will be my next challenge. I can see this boy covering a mob of hundreds of reindeer no problem, he'll just need to learn that covering three sheep doesn't require quite so much running :-).

Kulta, and my Keeshond Schatje were next, both in the next level up from the instinct test, doing a Herding Test. Kulta gained his first pass at this level, so has one more to go. While for Schatje, who already had one pass, this was his title.

I'm very proud that Schatje can now be known as Mijke Zavier C.D.X. H.T. and I believe he is the only Keeshond in Australia to have earned a herding title to date.

My very happy boy Louis
© J Lincoln

It was finally turn for my new boy Louis (C'est Louis Armstrong des Chevaloupsgreg (Imp USA)) to hit the show ring for the first time in Australia this weekend. This lovely boy arrived into our home when the Amethyst litter had not long been born and I was taking a break from the show ring over summer, so it has taken a while for his first outing to arrive, giving him plenty of time to settle in and get used to his new life (destroy a few items of furniture etc etc :-)).

Louis had a fantastic time at the Greensborough & District Kennel Club Championship Show, winning his first challenge over Kulta under South Australian judge Mrs B Ferguson, and getting a lot of positive attention around the Group Five ring.

But our real thrill came during the lunch break during the Working Dog Club of Victoria's Breed Competition, where amongst a line up of approximately 40 Group Five dogs of all ages, Louis was awarded Best in Show!! A huge thanks to Mr Colin Hamilton for recognising the quality of this wonderful young boy.

I'm looking forward to sharing a wonderful and successful show career with the lovely Louis, and am particularly thankful to his breeder in France, Véro Valy, for letting him come all the way to Australia.

An older photo of Alaska in the show ring
© J Lincoln

Another show win for our incredible boy Alaska (Teelikamentten Iikka (Imp Fnl)), just a week after his last success. Yet again he was awarded Best Intermediate in Group this time at the Canine Museum Foundation's Championship Show at KCC Park under Victorian judge Mr A Macandie.

Unfortunately Alaska, with co-owner Vanessa Brotto of Articmal Kennels on the other end of the lead, didn't get to strut his stuff in the general specials ring with the Best in Show coming out of the Group 2 Intermediate class.

We're sure the great wins will continue for this fantastic boy!

Alaska (Teelikamentten Iikka (Imp Fnl)) at 18 Months of Age
© V Brotto

Some more show success for our amazing boy Alaska (Teelikamentten Iikka (Imp Fnl)) today. Out at the Sovereign City Kennel Club Championship Show, under Victorian judge Mrs J Hocking, he was awarded Best Intermediate in Group against a large and strong intermediate class. He then went on to gain Best Intermediate in Show under another Victorian judge Mrs L Watson.

This was Alaska's first weekend in the intermediate class, having only turned 18 months of age a couple of weeks ago. He was shown by his co-owner Vanessa Brotto of Articmal Kennels with his other co-owner Pam Francis of Magpielane Kennels there to cheer on in the background.

Alaska is hard to look past, even out of coat, with lovely balance and structure, movement that takes the breath away, impressive substance, and a very strong masculine head very much like his sire's. We are very proud of him, and thankful to his breeders Mika Kujamäki and Saila Tapio for letting him come to Australia, and looking forward to all the future holds for him.

Picnic Participants - from left to right (the dogs) Kisses, Winter, Mia, Spirit, Pennja, Louis, Atticus, Katrikki, Blaze, Banjo
© V Brotto

A few of us gathered in Melbourne for a "Lappie Picnic and Walk" in Werribee, Melbourne today. It was a lovely day, catching up with some old faces, and introducing a few new ones, as we took a walk in the sunshine together before stopping for a picnic.

The dogs had a ball catching up and making new friends - they seem to always know their own breed and are very excited to see one another.

Gathering today were Kisses (Articmal Chasing Kisses), Winter (Magpielane Alkutalvi), Miia (Articmal Chasing Rainbows), Spirit (Theldaroy Spirit Dreams), Pennja (Miavig Brandy Ncream), Louis (C'est Louis Armstrong des Chevaloupsgreg (Imp USA), Atticus (Articmal Tarkya Kupari), Katrikki (Armahani Amethyst Albmi), Blaze (Ch Theldaroy Im Not Wild HIT) and Banjo (Magpielane Aaro)

Photos of today's picnic can be found HERE. Photos from previous picnics can be found in the Photo Albums.

Tanssija (Armahani Amethyst Aatto) enjoying this wonderous white stuff!
© K Brillinger

Tanssija playing with "Uncle Pilgrim"
© K Brillinger

Tanssija playing with "Uncle Pilgrim"
© K Brillinger

The new family together, clockwise from Tanssija is Chill, Journey and Pilgrim
© K Brillinger

It was a bitter-sweet week this week, with my beloved little girl, Tanssija (Armahani Amethyst Aatto) heading out of my arms and into those of Kit Brillinger, of Calaban Kennels in Michigan, USA. Tanssija had to stay with us a few extra weeks before she was old enough to take the long journey to America, and managed to have everyone here fall completely in love with her - both human and canine with her cheeky personality and naughty antics.

Tanssija was picked up on Monday morning, to spend the day and night having her final vet clearences. Her flight to San Fransisco left Tuesday lunch time and arrived in the afternoon (US Pacific time), before another night and day of rest prior to her domestic flight. She finally arrived in Detroit on their Wednesday evening, with me waiting by the phone at work on Thursday here anxiously watching for news that she'd arrived safe. What a journey!

I am so proud to send this beautiful, stunning girl from my lovely Emmi (Aus Ch Lumiturpa Emmi (Imp Fnl)) and Kulta (Aus Ch Theldaroy Best Treasure C.C.D.) to make her mark in America. But I am especially proud of how well she handled her trip, with all the stories along the way of her winning over new friends with her happy-go-lucky nature. I had warned Kit that she may be a little unsure for a couple of days recovering from her trip, but clearly I had underestimated her lovely stable temperament. I got this email from Liz Bonner, in the USA, who lives close to Detroit International Airport, and where Kit and Tanissja stayed overnight before heading home:

"Tanssija came right out of the crate, and I took her outside to go potty while Kit signed the paperwork. As soon as she found a spot to potty, a big jet flew over us. She just looked up, as if to say, "what ever!" :)

Then we came back inside, walked right past a women vacuuming the hallway. She acted as though she had been around noisy things all her life. Once we got back to the office she ran to Kit and greeted her as though she was finally reunited with long lost family! Then, she did the same to everyone in the office. The gentleman that carried her over said "Hi pretty girl. Remember me? I'm the one who brought you over here" as he stooped down and called her to him. Tanssija seemed anxious to show her gratitude :)

She is adorable, steady as a rock, good as gold, very curious, and her positive attitude and personality is overflowing. She also seems to know her name (she comes when called like a rocket ship) and seems to understand that sitting and then looking up at you (in the cutest way possible) she will "get more attention."

Can you tell I'm smitten with her? :) I can see why you would miss her."

Tanssija is now in her new home. There is still the last of the winter snow on the ground in Michigan so she has got to experience this wonderous white stuff already (bit different from the heat waves we've been having!), and has met her new Lappie family Journey (UKC Ch Gottorp's Danish Journey, who is aunt to my Louis), Chill (Forest Trails Wind Chill Factor) and Pilgrim (UKC Ch Lecibsin Kumppani).

I'm sure I will still feel a pang in my heart as I think of her over the next little while, but I am so happy she is safe in her new home, and know she will be loved and adored by Kit and Ron, and I look forward to the photos and stories as she grows. She is such a natural showy girl, and I'm sure Kit is going to have a lot of fun with her in the ring.

Cyber kisses, my little treasure!

Alaska (Teelikamentten Iikka (Imp Fnl)) at 18 Month of Age (in summer coat!)
© J Lincoln

Back to some show success today, with Alaska (Teelikamentten Iikka (Imp Fnl)) being show by his co-owner Vanessa Brotto of Articmal Kennels to Best Junior in Group at the Mt Elephant & District Kennel Club's Championship Show, under Victorian judge Miss F Ward.

Alaska, despite only having been shown a few times in Australia so far (and spending the majority of that time completely out of coat!), is over half way to his championship title, and it really surpassing out expectations, walking away with an in group award more often than not. This was only his second show in the Junior class, and we anticipate very big things from this stunning boy once he matures.

Thanks to his breeders, Mika Kujamäki and Saila Tapio for this beautiful boy!

One of the Amethyst Litter in their last days here
© J Lincoln

We said goodbye to the puppies from the Amethyst litter over the last few days, with all of them making their way into their new homes, except for Tannsija (Dancer) who will stay with us for a few more weeks.

First to go on Sunday was Lahti (Vixen) who makes her home with the Field family here in Melbourne. Lahti will hopefully join us in the show ring on special occasions, and will come back to Armahani for a litter when she is old enough. Later in the afternoon, Katrikki (Comet) left for home, also in Melbourne, with the McRae family, who have waited a long time for their own Lappie.

One Monday the four boys flew to their new homes. Mitch (Prancer) made his way to Sydney and his new owners Mary Frances and Mark, where he has already shown how smart he is by learning to sit and drop, and is giving them much joy. Zion (Dasher) was next, flying to Queensland to join Mandy and Sam, where it was apparently "love at first sight" when he arrived.

Mikka (Blitzen) then headed to northern Victoria where he will be loved and campaigned in Kulta's old stomping ground by Sharon Donaldson of Ausled Kennels. Billy (Donner) made his way to central New South Wales and the Johnston family where he will be shown with much love.

We wish all of the puppies and their new owners every success in all they do together, and plenty of love for the rest of their lives.

Happy puppy Edge (Articmal Tarkya Kaakao)
© M Brady

An exciting time for Mat & Tanya Brady, the co-owners of Edge (Articmal Tarkya Kaakao), this weekend, who took their boy up to Mackay in North Queensland for some showing fun.

The young Edge certainly gave them a wonderful time, not only coming away with his first lot of championship points, but also earning THREE Best Minor Puppy in Group awards! These were all under Queensland judges, Dr D McGreevy, Mr D Weil and Mrs R Hartmire.

A huge congratulations to Edge, Mat and Tanya!

Schatje, Louis, Emmi, Kulta and I
© M Lincoln

A happy occasion today with Louis (C'est Louis Armstrong des Chevaloupsgreg (Imp USA) finally coming home from quarantine. It has been a long journey for Louis to make it here to Armahani, leaving his last home over 5 weeks ago, spending a week in LA and then the four weeks required at quarantine.

This morning I picked him up and brought him home to our new house for his first walk with Kulta and then his introduction to the rest of the gang. He's settled in well, adopting prime position as my shadow while he gets used to this next change in his life. I'm sure it will be only a matter of days before it is like he's been here forever. He is a very loving and very active boy, and I think we are going to have a lot of fun together.

Many thanks to the people who have shared and assisted in Louis' journey home.

Louis will join us in the show ring a little later in the year when the puppies have grown.