wags & brags & barks & wiggles

Congrats to Terri and MACH Yankee on the new title!

Congratulations to Terri Arnold and her Border Collie Yankee on getting their MACH at the Providence County Kennel Club’s agility trial on Saturday, May 9th at Wrentham, Massachusetts.

Congratulations to Ellyn Phaneuf and her Shetland Sheepdog Tango on getting a MACH at the STCNE Agility trial in Wrentham, Massachusetts on Sunday, April 26th.

Congratulations to Carolyn Jussila and her Shetland Sheepdog Ginger on getting a MACH at the STCNE Agility trial in Wrentham, Massachusetts on Saturday, April 25th.

The American Kennel Club is holding it’s 2009 National Agility Championship in Concord, North Carolina this year starting Friday, March 27th and with its finals in Sunday, March 29th.

Click to view coverage of the Event

The AKC has already released some interesting stats for the event. There will be 598 MACH dogs attending—including 1 MACH 21 dog, 4 OTCH dogs, 54 CH dogs, and 15 VCD dogs. The bitches will outnumber the dogs at the event with 470 females and only 420 dogs attending. Ohio is sending the most dogs with 64, but dogs are coming from as far away as Alaska!

Karen and I would like to wish all the agility competitors from New England who are heading to the AKC Agility Nationals a safe trip and good luck! Run fast, run clean.

Those going from New England include:

• Connecticut: Robin Ohrt, Guylaine Doyon, Randy Miller, Melody Lynn, Nancy Ross, Tom Thompson, Lynmarie Thompson, Carol Mancini, Katie Trachte, Debbie Hunt, and Bill Gore
• Rhode Island: John Nys, Mark Caron
• Maine: Anne Andrle, Tracey Lacasse
• Vermont: Kathryn Stein, Ellen Phaneuf
• New Hampshire: George Baker, Lauri Baker, PAtti Gagnon, Carolyn Hess, Lauren Mitchell, Joanne O’Brien, Jane Bronson, Karen Kinnan, and Ray Latno
• Massachusetts: Anna Ericsson, Ben Philibert, Jocelyn Kurdzionak, Anne Timson, David May, Meghan McCarthy, Leland Perry, Paulette Swartzendruber, Suzanne Walsh, Terri Arnold, Nancy Bishop, Ann Derby, Karen Gorman, Janet Harris, James Jayko, Paula Orcutt, Annie Pyle, Amanda Shyne, Belinda Schutz, Sherry White, Joanne Williamson, Elaine Gianelli, Susan Usher, and of course Karen Hocker

If I’ve missed you, my apologies! Please let me know so I can add you.

Congratulations to Tom Thompson and his Border Collie Sterling Mouse “Mouse” on getting another MACH at the LEAP Agility trial in South Hadley, Massachusetts this past weekend.

Congratulations to Joanne Williamson and her Bearded Collie Brittania Flashback “Flash” on getting their MACH at the LEAP Agility trial this past weekend at South Hadley, Massachusetts.

Sandy and Trader at the GRCA National Specialty

Congratulations to Sandy Washburn and her Golden Retriever Gaylan’s Tradewind O’er ThDoone “Trader” on getting their OTCH. You may have seen an earlier announcement about Trader getting in to the Obedience Hall of Fame this past fall. Now he’s got his OTCH!

Here’s what Trader’s breeder Gayle Watkins had to say about his achievement:

“I am so excited to announce that Sandy Washburn and her terrific partner Trader finished their OTCH today, giving us our first OTCH!  Trader has kept us all guessing, making lots of progress towards his OTCH in the fall by taking four or five straight High in Trial awards to enter the Obedience Dog
Hall of Fame.  Then his progress slowed in the winter when he was getting a point or two per trial.  He kicked it into gear today when he won the run-off in Open B with a 199+ to take the class and 30 OTCH points, far more
than the 10 points he needed.

Sandy couldn’t be a more wonderful competitor-she is supportive of all, generous of her time and forgiving of her dog.  The two of them are a wonderful team to watch in the ring.  Congratulations to Sandy and OTCH
Gaylan’s Tradewind O’er ThDoone UDX3 MX MXJ XF ODHF CCA!  Trader is by Lise Pratt’s Gaylan’s Born to Fly SH MX MXJ WCX OS ADHF VC out of my girl, LornaDoone Encore Encore CDX SH MX MXJ WCX OD CCA VCX.”

We’re happy to echo Gayle’s congratulations on Sandy and Trader’s accomplishment!

Congrats to Robin and Soleil on getting MACH2!

Congratulations to Robin Ohrt and her Miniature Schnauzer Gala Solar “Soleil” on getting their MACH2 in less than a year. Robin and Soleil got MACH 1 at the Scottish Terrier Club of New England’s agility trial on April of 2008.

Congrats to Christine and Kevin on MACH19!

Congratulations to Christine Yankowski and her Shetland Sheepdog Kevin A Litl Bit O Heaven “Kevin” on getting an astounding MACH19. We’ll just say he’s the little Sheltie that could… again, and again, and again…

Congrats to Jane and Beamer on MACH 2!

Congratulations to Jane Bronson and her Golden Retriever, Fast-Trak’s Laser Flash “Beamer” on getting their second MACH in less than a year.