Life is Busy........

One thing that doesn't slow down is time ~ no matter what is going on time always marches on. Camryn is growing up on us at a very rapid rate ~ telling us more and more everyday her opinion on things (and she has a few opinions). I can't believe that she is over 2 years now and I also can't believe that my little baby dog Rayne is almost a year old. This time last year I was thrilled to feel the baby puppies inside Hillary and just guess what they would look like and now they are all doing great and about to celebrate their first birthday.
It has been a whirlwind year for me and my family, we have a new house, I have a new job, and things are great. We have a lot to be thankfull this Christmas and I know I will be taking a few quiet moments to thank those responsible.

There really is something special about kids and pets. We had Meg before we had Camryn but I believe that Meg was put here for Camryn. She is so incredibly patient, no matter what Camryn wants to do with her, lead her around on a leash, brush her for hours, paint her toenails even, Meg is always up for the attention.
Meg is a very special dog, always knowing when someone is hurt or not feeling well and knowing how to respond. When Camryn received her 3mth needles we came home and I layed Camryn on the floor. Within 2 minutes Meg was sniffing Camryn all over and had laid her head ever so gently across Camryn's leg where she had the needle. I have never seen anything like it ~ since that day I have watched Meg and she will always inspect you for any cuts/scrapes and try to make them feel better. I can't wait to see how her puppies turn out and if they will carry on this nurturing trait.

Yesterday was remembrance day and with 2 deceased grandparents that both served in the army it is always a day that I spend reflecting on memories and the freedoms that we have in this country. I took the opportunity to get bundled up and head out on the quad with the dogs. The dogs love to run with the quad and we go miles and miles across the fields all around our place. We live in a beautiful part of the country with gorgeous sunrises and sunsets and wildlife galore. As the dogs and I were cruisin around the country we stumbled upon a huge mule deer buck. I was able to stop and turn off the quad and just watch him pick his way through the bush trying to elude detection. He was majestic and I was so very thankfull that people before me had sacrificed everything so I could sit and watch this beutiful animal. That was until my 3 dogs caught a whiff of him and went charging through the bush. I sighed with a smile, started up the quad and carried on my way.
It was a wonderful afternoon spent alone with my 3 aussies.

In Flanders Fields By:
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

Decisions, Decisions

Back in December of last year when Hillary surprised & delighted us with 6 little bundles I was so thrilled with all of them but as always their were 2 that really snuggled in close to my heart, it was the blk tri (Rayne) and we all know how that has worked out :) but the other was the little black girl that was marked just like her daddy, this little girl was always so silly & smart and cute as a button. I nicknamed her Breeze and week after week it kept switching between her and Rayne on who I was going to keep. All the other puppies went to their new families and I still had these two girls and could not decide what to do ~ when one day I had a nice email show up in my box from Sandy.
I have to say that I truly believe EVERYTHING happens for a reason and I was hanging onto Breeze FOR Sandy. They were meant to be together. Sandy has 3 beautiful, wonderful kids and a very supportive husband and Breeze couldn't be in a better home. Sandy & her family were able to join us in Camrose and show off Breeze (who picked up her first point). I love how this little girl has grown up. She is a fantastic mover with a beautiful head. I can't wait to hear how Breeze does down the road in Sandy's hands ~ and am looking forward to a great friendship with Sandy :)
Thanks for giving my little a great home :)

Had a GREAT time at the Camrose dog show a few weekends ago. Rayne competed all weekend as a special and although she was cute as a button just couldn't get past the stiff competition to make it into any breed wins BUT she came away with a very cool BPIG win (her 7th!!) It was a huge adrenaline rush to win such a prize in a tough tough puppy group and then to head back into the ring for Best puppy in Show. It was a thrill to be showing off my girl in the ring in front of so many people (including mentors in the aussie world).
One of the best parts of the Camrose weekend was hanging out with Cathy. It is very rare we get to just hang out ~ the knowledge that is gained around experienced dog people is invaluable, and I soak it up like a sponge.....or maybe that's a parasite??
Since we have been home I was struck down with the flu for a few days but other than that it's been smooth sailing. For those that don't know I have a very opinionated 2 year old that inhabits my life :) She is the love of my life and only she can make me laugh my pants off. She entertains me with her antics everyday. Yesterday, I went to pick her up from daycare and I was given a stern look as she grabbed a play cell phone and went to the corner to make an important call. Who she was calling ~ we will never know ~ but I can tell you I have never laughed so hard during a 2 minute pretend phone call by a 2 year old.
Agility trials this weekend that I am looking forward too ~ wish us luck!!

New Beginnings

Well, I can finally announce that I am changing jobs/careers. I am so thrilled to be moving on from a company I have completely lost faith in to a new exciting opportunity. I will be starting with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) on November 23rd and couldn't be happier. I love my job as a newspaper sales rep but with recent lay-offs, product changes, I felt I needed to make a change.
2009 is shaping up to be a big year in my life. New house, New job, First litter, first Champion (homebred that I showed ALL myself :). I love our new acreage and the dogs love it too ~ Allie is content to kill anything that comes in the yard, Ice is content to protect the yard from any intruders and the two young girls (Meg & Rayne) are happy just running :)
We are getting excited about some new litter plans for Meg and hope that we can finally have a litter out of this special little girl.
I'm off to Camrose this coming weekend to put my girl up against 17 other aussies!! That's right ~ 17 other aussies entered. Litter sister Breeze will also be there and she is cute as a button. It is going to be extra special to catch up with old friends and people I don't get to see very often.

Starting at the beginning

Its always a thrill to start with a new dog in agility. I may be biased but to me Aussie's are the smartest most forgiving breed of dog to train. Last night was our first agility class (Rayne & I) and I was a little worried she wouldn't have the "jam" to be a fast, love the sport agility dog ~ but boy was I wrong! She instantly loved what we were doing and was pulling on the leash to do more! She is going to take after her great daddy Ice ~ Ice was so easy to train I thought I lucked out with the worlds smartest dog :) BUT it seems it's all in the genetics of the "Caitland" dogs. I'm already excited to go back next week!

Lloyd Dog Show

WOW is all I can say about last weekend. I headed into the weekend hoping that Rayne would pick up a couple more points toward her championship. Not only did she pick up a few points she is now CH. Vispera Freezing Rayne!!!! She completed her championship going BOB over specials from the bred by class and then went on to place in the group (2 - 4th group & 1-3rd group placement) She also won Best puppy in Group at ALL 6 shows!!
I am soooo incredibly proud to have my first home bred champion that I owner/handled. She is an incredible little girl and has achieved so much already and she just turned 9months old.
I want to thank Cathy Bishop for her constant guidance & support through acquiring my first aussie (Ice) to where I am today. I wouldn't be anywhere if it wasn't for her. THANK YOU!!

I am also pleased to announce that Rayne's sister Breeze (owned by Sandy) was also at the show and did a great job. It was her first time in the ring so she had lots of little bouncy puppy dances going on ~ and couldn't always figure out where her feet were suppose to land but when Sandy & Breeze get it together they are going to be a GREAT team!!!

I am looking forward to a busy fall season with a few agility trials and more conformation shows :)

Agility Trial Weekend

The dogs and I had our annual September Agility Trial here in Lloyd. It was a very hectic week as Shane had been gone for a week to BC and when he walked in the door Friday night I left to go help set-up. Good thing I have a very understanding husband!! Friday night was 1 round of Hoopers. I'm still not totally in love with this class but it seems like it's staying so I had better figure it out. Meg had a beautiful run with a Qualifying score, Ice on the other hand had some strange idea's of what this class should be like..........I should have known that night we were in for a less than spectacular weekend. The shining star was Meg, she picked up a few titles, Novice Jumpers, Novice Chances and a few other Q's along the way. She loves to run agility ~ If only she was trained to do weave poles she would eat up the novice courses!! My goal is to have her weaving before snow flies!! Poor girl is 4 years old.
Ice and I struggled all weekend. We still aren't working together as a team. He always tried 110% of the time so I can never get upset with him, just upset that I'm hindering such a great dog :)
Next up is this weekend at the Lloyd Dog Show with Rayne. Wish us luck!!

Saskatoon Dog Show

Had a GREAT time in Saskatoon. Thanks so much to Debbie, Laurie & Ron for being great to bench with. It was fun listening to all the dog knowledge these 3 have.
The first show was Saturday in the a.m. and I was sooooo nervous but even with my nerves and Rayne's inexperience we came out with Winners Bitch & Best of Breed Puppy.
Sunday we went reserve and then Monday we went Winners Bitch & BOBP again.
It was a fantastic weekend picking up 4pts on my little baby.
Great friends, great dogs ~ who could ask for more :)

Dog Show Weekends

As I am preparing for my much anticipated "weekend away" at the Saskatoon Dog Show the nerves are starting to creep in. I am nervous because of a few things:
A) It is a BIG aussie entry with many experienced handlers.
B) My little girl Rayne is from my very (only) litter I have had to date
C) I want to do well and not fall on my face!!!
I bathed/blow dried and trimmed Rayne Monday night in the hopes that I made any huge mistakes with my scissors 5 days would be enough time for the hair to grow back and also to try to get some nice natural photo's of her around the yard. I am very happy with how I trimmed her ears and feet but unfortunately ran out of light to get any pics of her and by the time the next morning rolled around her white collar and front legs had turned to black because we don't have grass yet........so alas, I will just have to wait to the weekend to see her pretty white legs again.
Wish us luck!!!

Living in the Country

Ahhhhh ~ the country life. There is nothing like getting up when the sun is rising, for those that may not be morning people this is around 6am, hopping on the quad and taking the dogs for a run..........
This was what I did this a.m. We go about 3km's roundtrip and always stop half way to investigate something along the way. This gives the dogs a nice break and lets me connect with the day.
This morning was no different except when I stopped Ice came around the front of the quad and his beautiful white collar was crimson, CRIMSON!!! Eeeehhhhh gad I said "What did you do???" Upon closer inspection his young impulsive daughter "Rayne" had grabbed his ear and tore a small hole in it and as we went down the country road blood was spurting out his ear and spraying his neck. By the time we stopped the bleeding had stopped but it was still a ghastly site. Ice is the kind of stoic dog that never whimpers when he feels pain, never gives up is something becomes difficult so of course he would never let me know what happened and would NEVER tell his daughter to smarten up.

aahhhhh ~ the country life ~

The Start........

Welcome to Vispera Australian Shepherds. My name is Jackie Tomayer and I am hoping to use this blog to keep everyone updated on the happenings at the "Ranch".
We aren't out at our ranch yet but soon. Our family is making our new home on a beautiful 10 acre parcel north/east of Lloydminster, Sk Canada. We will have a stock dog training facility, fully equiped to train dogs & hold trials/clinics. We are looking forward to getting our new venture off the ground.
Right now I have 3 aussies and you can read more about them on our website www.vispera.ca

Have a great summer and check back to see what we are up too!!