Scarlett’s Painting came!

We started a series of collies being featured in art, as they are a favorite subject for artists.  My own collies have been immortalized on both canvas and in digital art.  Scarlett, who will be turning 13 years old on May 1st, had her painting done by artist Barbara Guitas.  

I had the artist add the Shack on Grass Island, as it’s a local historical landmark, and I’ve always loved it.  And I also asked her to include the iconic image of a Christmas tree in a rowboat, which is the New England version of the little red truck hauling a Christmas tree.  I think the painting came out beautifully, and it’s already hanging on my wall.  I think I found the perfect frame for it too.

I didn’t intend to commission any more art, at least not for a while.  But during the National they held a raffle, to raise money for the show expenses.  I bought some tickets to support the National, and I won a free painting of one of my collies!  Now I have to pick a collie to have a painting done, and I’m struggling to decide on which one.  Do I pick one of the collies I have lost?  Do I pick one of my collies’ puppy pictures, as I don’t have a painting of a collie pup.  Or do I pick one of my favorite pictures?  I’m just not sure!

Spring has arrived!

The Collie National is over, all the collies are back home and Spring has finally arrived here in New England. Our Rosie (Creekwood’s Sunshine and Roses, FDC, BCAT, FITB) and our ZuZu (Creekwood’s Fireheart, FDC, BCAT, FITB) made us very proud at the National. 

And while they didn’t come home with ribbons, Peyton (CH Winterberry’s Lightning Strikes Twice, BCAT, FITB) and Nolan (Creekwood Winterberry Rich and Famous) both looked beautiful and did a great job representing Winterberry collies!

Peyton

Nolan

There is a collie specialty show this weekend in Connecticut, but after that we will only be competing at all breed shows for the Summer.  The collie specialty season won’t start up again until the Fall.  Fingers crossed for ZuZu, as she is entered on Sunday and just needs one single point to finish her championship!

With the dog shows slowing down, I thought it was a good time to try something new.  I took Addison for her very first herding lesson!  It was one of my goals that I set for 2025, and I’m excited to give it a try!  Addi really enjoyed it, but we both have a lot to learn.  The instructor told me that learning how to compete in herding was going to be the most challenging thing we have ever done, and the most rewarding.  (Ignore the barking, they had a Great Pyrenees in the next pasture, and he was protecting his flock.)

Towards the end of the lesson, when Addi was tired and the sheep were tired, they all stood there looking at each other.  Maybe as a thank you for the fun game, or maybe to make sure there were no hard feelings, Addison leaned close, and gave one of the sheep a kiss on the nose.  She is such a sweet collie.  Our next lesson is in two weeks, I can’t wait to see how it goes!

News from the Collie National…

 Wanted to share news from the National…

Our Rosie won 4th place yesterday!  Winning a class placement (1st - 4th) at the National is a huge honor, and we were so excited for our beautiful girl!  When you are surrounded by beautiful collies, and the judge picks your collie out of the line up to award a ribbon, it’s an amazing feeling.

Today was ZuZu’s turn to step into the ring.  

And our beautiful girl won 1st place!  We are so proud of Rosie and ZuZu, they showed their hearts out, and our coming home with two beautiful ribbons!  ZuZu didn’t win Winner’s Bitch, so she stills need 1 more point to earn her championship.  But we are confident she will earn that last point soon.  What an exciting National this has been for us!  

Tomorrow is Peyton’s turn to shine, and Saturday is puppy Nolan’s turn.  This afternoon my daughter is showing a rough boy for a friend of ours.  She is doing such an incredible job handling our collies at this huge show, I’m so proud of her.  Hopefully we will have more news to share!

ZuZu would just like more treats!

Collie Club of America National

This week collie breeders and owners are all gathering in Syracuse, NY.  Traveling from all across the country, as well as visiting from other countries, people are joining together for the Collie National.  The CCA National is the largest collie event of the year.  It’s the time to celebrate our beautiful collie breed and spend the week surrounded by all things collie!

Yesterday was “move in” day.  All the exhibitors began arriving to set up their grooming areas, and to bring in their beautiful collies.  For some, it’s just a space to groom and crate their collies, for others they decorate their space with care.  But no matter how they organize and decorate their areas, it’s the collies that are the main attraction.  Visitors can wander up and down the aisles and meet the breeders and get to see the collies up close.

My family has our grooming area all set up, and our collies are so excited to be there!

With over 700 collies entered, the building echoes with the happy barks of all the collies!  The conformation, and obedience judging started today.  The herding and agility competitions started earlier in the week.  Tonight is the Top 10 ceremony, where the top 10 winners in conformation, performance and junior handling are all honored for their accomplishments in 2024.  And then tomorrow, Friday and Saturday the breed judging continues until the final Best in Show winner is chosen.  It’s a very exciting week, everyone is hoping to come home with a bit of ribbon and bragging rights that their collie won at the National.  But win or lose, the entire week is full of friendship, fun and new memories made with our beloved collies.  This afternoon Rosie will be stepping into the ring, tomorrow ZuZu will be shown, Friday will be Peyton’s turn, and then Saturday morning little Nolan will be in the puppy class.  Keep your fingers crossed for us, as we attempt to win a ribbon at the National!

Rosie is busy getting ready!