A very happy new year from all of us at Armahani! Louis and I spent a fabulous start to the new year, camping out at Double K Herding for a couple of days of herding fun. He hasn't been out herding since earning his PT title in September, so it was good to see he wasn't too rusty and had an absolute ball back with the sheep again. To add to the fun, we had our first go with the cattle, which was fairly nerve wracking for me, but something we hope to do more of in 2012. I was pretty thrilled with how Louis went with them - a bit tentative (although that might have been those annoying flies!) but managing to remain calm as he worked them (although, again that might have been because of the flies LOL).
2011 was an amazing year for us, with a whirlwind of achievements!
It was definitely Louis' (Ch C'est Louis Armstrong des Chevaloupsgreg CD HT (Imp USA)) year. In the show ring he earned five Runner Up in Groups (Group 2nds), five Best in Groups (Group 1sts) and two RUNNER UP IN SHOWS (BIS 2). Although the final tally is still to be done, he ends the year on the DOL Pointscore as the National Breed Leader for both the Best of Breed and All Breeds competitions, and in 5th place for the Working Dog Group in our State of Victoria.
But just to show he is not a one dimensional achiever, he shone in other arenas as well. In the herding ring he earned his HT and then his PT titles. And in obedience he earned his CCD title with a 2nd place and a 3rd place in ring, and then his CD title with a 1st, 2nd and 4th place in ring. He has only just started trialing in agility, but we hope to do more in 2012. He also took a momentary pause to sire a litter for Kalevi Kennels, with little baby girl Kalevi Cheri Blossom being an amazing ambassador in Western Australia with five Best Baby in Group awards and a Best Baby in Show at her first five shows in late 2011.
Not to be outdone, Emmi (Ch Lumiturpa Emmi CCD JD HT (Imp Fnl)) has also has a huge year. In the show ring she also earned a Best in Group, and was the Best of Breed winner at both the Melbourne and Perth Royals this year, including being one of the shortlisted group finalists at the Melbourne Royal under a Finnish/Swedish judge. She ends the year on the DOL Pointscore as the highest scoring bitch (and 3rd overall) on the Best of Breed competition, and would have come very close to pipping Louis off his post if it hasn't been for sharing a few points with her daughter over the year.
In the herding ring she earned her HT title. In obedience she earned her CCD with two 1st places and a 4th place. And she hit the agility ring, earning her JD title all with 2nd places in ring. What a star my beautiful girl is!
For those who don't get out as much as they used to, it was also a successful year, with Alaska (Ch Teelikamentten Iikka (Imp Fnl)) earning Dog Challenge and Runner Up Best of Breed at the Melbourne Royal, and our beautiful "old boy" Kulta (Ch Theldaroy Best Treasure CCD HT), who normally lives our his retirement on my parents' couch, winning his class (Australian Bred Dog) at both of his two outings for the year, the Melbourne Royal, where he was also Reserve Dog Challenge, and the FLCV Open Show.
We are also very proud of the Armahani babies. Mischa (Ch Armahani Bloodsone Bilaidit) earned her conformation championship, while her brother Ahti (Armahani Bloodstone Bihci HT) earned his HT title in the herding ring. Classes in group were earned by Taija (Armahani Crystal Cuovgat) and Lahti (Ch Armahani Amethyst Apina). While Kyla (Armahani Crystal Cearpmat) qualified as a Delta Therapy Dog. We can't wait to see what our babies do in 2012 and with three of them close to their conformation championships, the race is on!
While we have lots of hopes and dreams for 2012, we are hopeful that there will also be the pitter patter of tiny paws during the year. Stay tuned! |
