Peyton did a thing…

We have some very happy and exciting news to share!  This past weekend our pretty Peyton did some winning!  On Saturday she won Winner’s, which gave her enough points to finish her Championship!  But it didn’t end there.  The collies who win Winner’s Dog and Winner’s Bitch get to go back into the ring to compete against the finished champions, which are called Specials.  And the judge loved Peyton so much he gave her Best of Breed over the Specials!  

By beating the finished champions, Peyton actually earned a 4 point major!  A dog needs need 15 points to become a champion, and of those 15 points they have to win two majors.  A major is a win of 3, 4, or 5 points.  And the points are calculated by how many other dogs they beat at the show.  Peyton already had her two majors, and a total of 14 points, but this exciting win gave her a third major.  I’m so proud of our girl!  

 

And this was actually the second title she earned last week.  On Sunday she earned her BCAT and on Saturday, her Championship!  And what made this new title even more special?  Peyton is our very first Winterberry Champion!  All our previous collies were cobred with my sister, so even though they were our collies, we registered them under her kennel name.  When my sister retired from dog shows and collies, my daughter and I created our own kennel name, Winterberry Collies.  So this is a very special title, and means so much to us.

Collies in digital art

Continuing my series of “collies in art,” I had to include a post about digital art.  This refers to art created on computers or electronic devices.  I am not including images created by AI in this category, only the images created by actual digital artists.  I have commissioned a few images, to use on our social media, and to support these artists who are very talented in this medium.

The following images were created by Sabrina Brinkerhoff Bingham, The first is of my sweet little Addison.  She filled in the background with a Winterberry bush, in honor of our kennel name, Winterberry Collies.  Sabrina has an Etsy shop called ArtzyBrina, where you can commission your own digital images, just click here.  She also created a collie coloring book, and it can be found on Amazon, by clicking here.

The next image is of my Ryder, created to celebrate a little known holiday, Therapy Dog Appreciation Day.  I think this captures the inherent sweetness of therapy dogs in general, and of Ryder in particular.  I told her exactly what I was picturing in my head, and she did a beautiful job capturing the image.

This image is of my Addison and Rosie.  Sabrina worked closely with me to create this digital art, as I wanted my own collies featured on a card, to use when wishing my friends and family a Happy Birthday on social media.  She used pictures of my collies to create the image, let me choose the background color, the banner, and even added the balloons and cake I asked to be included.

The next image was commissioned after I lost my beautiful Kori.  This was based on a picture I had of Kori and her puppy, Ben.  (Now called Gibbs) I just wanted an image of a happy time, to remember her.

This was created by Sabrina, using my pictures of Addison and Rosie once again.  I wanted an image I could use to create my own personalized Christmas cards.  She created this beautiful image, and even had Addi holding the ornament I requested!  I think it came out perfectly!

This last image was recently created by another digital artist, and the artist’s work can be found on Facebook, by searching for “Art by Dezzoi.”

Nature can be beautiful, but also cruel…

This week we are enjoying some truly beautiful Fall weather.  We’ve had lots of sunshine and cooler temperatures, which the collies are enjoying.  I took Addison on a hike after a therapy visit, to one of our favorite hiking spots.  The Fall foliage is always lovely, and reflects on the water to create a stunning display.

Sweet little family

Each Autumn I return at least once, and I’m always greeted by a mated pair of swans and their cygnets.  They always add beauty and grace to the photos I take at this location, and I’ve become very fond of them over the years.

Sadly, this year a new mated pair moved in, and they are bullying and attacking the original pair and their cygnets.  You can see them harassing one of the swans in these videos.  The videos show the beauty of nature, but also the cruelty.  I hope the newcomers don’t harm the original family, or drive them away from their home.

Addison was very curious about the swans, and their displays of aggression.  She kept watching them, and I could tell by the expression on her face that she was very puzzled.  She did stop swan-watching long enough to pose for a couple pictures for me.

The Autumn days are passing so swiftly, and the weather is turning chilly.  It was only 48 degrees last night so I had to pull out the cozy, flannel pjs.  And the collies who sleep on the bed, were snuggled up so closely around me, it felt like I was in a collie cocoon!  With the rapid change in the weather, I’m starting to think of Christmas, and sitting by the fireplace, and baking cookies!  But first Fall and….Halloween!  Leave us a comment, and let us know if your pets are dressing up this Halloween!

Collies in art

Collies, with their beauty and grace, have been the subject of countless paintings.  I love seeing how their image has been portrayed by various artists over the centuries, each hoping to capture the sparkle in their eyes, their lush coats, their lithe bodies and elegant heads.  And artists always hope to capture the most important aspect of the collies’ appearance, their beautiful expressions.  As I do not have the skills or talent to paint or draw collies, I collect collie art instead.

The walls of my home and office are adorned by my personal collection of collie art, both originals and prints, so I thought sharing some of them would make a nice post for the collie blog.  In keeping with that theme, the first painting was done by Barbara Guitas, it’s based on a picture of my Kori.  This painting has always been my favorite, as it is a beautiful example of that sweet collie expression.

The eyes have it…

The next painting is of my Ryder and Kori, based on a picture I took on a hike many years ago.  It was also painted by Barbara Guitas, and she kindly added the Winterberry bushes behind them, to represent our kennel name, Winterberry Collies.

The third painting I wanted to share is a watercolor I commissioned by Debra St Germain.  It’s of my Peyton and Addison, and also includes a little Winterberry in honor of our kennel name.

The next painting was done on a slate, by Barbara Guitas.  It is also based on one of my pictures, taken at a local lighthouse.  It features my Scarlett, Ryder and Kori.

This original image, also on slate, was painted by Barbara Guitas.  I thought the whimsical Halloween scene was  charming, and I proudly display it each October.

The next two beautiful prints were created by Ramonette Dugan.  I just love how she captured the curious nature and playfulness of the collie in these two images.

The Road Home by Rick Aeschliman. This stunning print evokes so much emotion.  It was created to raise money for collie rescue.

Found -  Collie Dog & Lamb Print By Walter Hunt.  This classic image is very popular.

And lastly, we are waiting on another painting by Barbara Guitas.  This is one I commissioned of my Scarlett, also based on one of my pictures.  In the background is an iconic image of the Grass Shack, a local landmark.  And I had her include a typical New England image, a Christmas tree floating in a small boat.  (Our version of the little red truck, hauling a Christmas tree.)  I can’t wait to see it, hopefully soon, and I’ll update this post when the painting is completed.

Have you had an artist paint or draw your best friend?

Peyton has news!

 This weekend we did another Fast CAT event.   And Peyton has finally decided she loves Fast CAT!  She ran twice on Saturday and twice on Sunday, and had her fastest times!  These times weren’t just her fastest, they were almost faster than Addi’s times!  

And with these four runs, Peyton earned her first title!  On Sunday, after her second run, Peyton earned her BCAT.  I’m so proud of her, it took her a little longer, but she has caught the Fast CAT bug!

Rosie, Sorsha and ZuZu were also at the Fast CAT.  Rosie and Sorsha are both one run away from earning their BCAT, and ZuZu is quickly earning points to her next title, DCAT!  They are having so much fun!

Rosie, flying down the Fast CAT track!

Look at her happy expression, ZuZu loves this sport so much!

Wordless Wednesday - Love is…

 Shining in her eyes…

Addi and I took a walk to the creek, to enjoy the sunset.  The sweet look in her eyes just melts my heart.

Addi has news…

With everything going on, we almost forgot to share Addison’s news.  Addi just earned her new therapy dog title, THDX.  This one is awarded when a therapy dog has completed 200 therapy visits.  Addi has become a favorite at many of the locations we visit, and we hope to continue doing therapy visits in the upcoming years.  My little collie is proving that there isn’t anything she can’t do!  I can’t wait to try Barnhunt with her, and hopefully herding as well.

Good girl Addi, good girl!

Ode to a Therapy dog

Therapy dog, with eyes so kind,

Bringing comfort to heart and mind.

With gentle paws and wagging tail, 

a healing spirit without fail.

You listen without judgement or scorn,

Giving solace as we heal or mourn.

In times of need, 

You are always near,

Dispelling sadness and erasing fear.

You offer a touch of warmth and light,

Guiding us through the darkest night.

Therapy dog, our loyal friend,

Thank you for the love without end.

~ Kat Pirro

Some Fast CAT fun!

 The pictures from last weekend’s Fast CAT finally came!  I think they came out great, so I had to share them!

Rosie

ZuZu

Addi

Sorsha

Peyton

Look at those happy faces!  If you were wondering if you should try Fast CAT with your dog, you absolutely should! I’m not sure the quality of these pictures comes through on the collie blog.  If you want to see a clearer version, stop by our instagram, @Smoothcollies