2015 - Year in Review

Reflecting on 2015

It seems that I just never find the time or have the need to post here anymore.  But, I do believe reflections on 2015 are in order.

The house still is performing wonderfully and since the addition of the mini-split systems, we are comfortable summer and winter.  We talk about replacing the front windows, but otherwise have not thoughts on any changes.

CH UCH VLA Basira Von Alpensee CGCA TDIA LTA THD RE RL1 RO1 BN

We lost Milos in September at nearly 11 years.  He is reeally missed, but we are happy with just the girl.  I have continued to work with her in Performance events.  You can follow her progress on my website.

Did not do much travelling - spent some time with great friends in Burlington, VT in the Fall.  It is a nice city to visit, and there is nothing like old-friends to make any trip a success.

Everyone remains healthy which is the best gift of all.

Long cold winter

It has been a long winter - or I am just getting older and they seem longer.  Today we have a high of about 13 degrees with very strong winds.  Doesn't deter the dogs though - guess it is good we have Leos.

Dogs Days of Winter

Sira becomes a Champion

Milos turns 10 years old!  

Two major events for our 4 footed family members.

Signs of Fall - Maine foothills 2014

We have had extraordinary warm (hot) weather these last few days.  The solar system is chugging away full time and the trees are being painted by mother nature.  Here are a few signs of Fall.

Apples - loved by all

Empty beds

Last delphinium - they bloomed all summer

Final flocks

Garden and painted trees

Guess which one is hungriest.

Sad sunflowers - the birds have nearly cleaned them out

Love the reds.

Milos - 9 years and 9 months old

Final pollen gatherer

Sira - 2 years and 9 months old

Beautiful backdrop - solar panels

makes me smile

Barn Hunting

Trying the sport of Barn Hunt with Sira.

Sira tries weight pull

The sport of canine weight pulling is interesting and now recognized by the UKC.  I do not believe it is something that I would really like to get into deeply - and Sira was not totally thrilled.  But we did attend a clinic this weekend - and managed to not get thrown out.

A couple of shots of her 1st and 2nd attempts.

Valentines Day 2014 snow

We ended up with about a foot of new snow this Valentine's Day - this has been a long winter.  But, the dogs enjoy it?

Mighty Mouse (Vole) hunter

She is sure there is something down there - if she could only dig through the ice.

Warm but Colorful October 2013

It is extremely warm this week - I was actually deadheading flowers on the first of October.  Not very Maine-like.  Just a few pictures of the lot during a long walk with the dogs.

Maine foliage leaves leonberger solar

Sira takes Best in Match

Had a great time at a local Match (Saco, ME - Pine Tree Doberman Club ).  Sira showed very well although her favorite things were the people and all the other dogs.  She took Best in Show!

Portland, ME Old Port walk

Met a lot of new friends and had a great time storming the Old Port of Portland, Maine with 20 leos.
This should be a yearly event.

Spring Swim

Spring has finally sprung - the ice is out on the pond and the dogs are swimming again.  The surface water is fresh as long as it replenishes with snow melt and rain.  We are going to grill for the first time - fire is burning.

Therapy Dog

Sira is now a therapy dog - at least as soon as I submit the rest of the paperwork.  She passed the Therapy Dog International evaluation last weekend with a bang.  She was wonderful on all the sections and the evaluator's comment:

The only problem for Sira is that there are not enough people to love.  <smile>

In the Best in Show Ring

Sira and I attended the NRLC Family Fun Weekend / LCA Show last weekend and had great successes.
Sira was best bitch 12-18 months / Best Female Puppy / Winners Bitch and had her first chance in the Best of Show ring!

What fun

Some January 2013 pictures

It is definitely winter in Maine - coold temperatures and snow.  We are all getting cabin fever - although we try to get out at least once a day with the dogs.

Some pictures --

Milos turns 8

Cherrywood's Midnight Clear, Milos, celebrated 8 years today.  As a giant breed owner, it is great to watch them hit 8 years and up.  These big guys do not have long lives, but they certainly do live long in your heart.
Milos was feeling his oats though today - He romped in the snow with Sira (who turned a year last week).

Sira Ambushes our Walks

We have had some beautiful Fall days this week and walking the dogs through the crunchy leaves is a delight.  Sira takes great joy in flying through the woods and hiding behind trees and bushes only to ambush Milos and me.  She is a caution...

NRLC Specialty

Boxboro, MA - North Regional Leonberger Club AKC and LCA shows - Sira at 9 months took her class both shows and was Best Youth Bitch in the LCA show.  It was great to see old and new friends and to "show-off" my girl.

Sira gets her CGC

Last night, our pup, Sira, passed her CGC test.  A picture of her celebrating with a friend after the tests...

What is a CGC?

The CGC - taken from http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm/

Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
Test 3: Appearance and grooming
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
Test 5: Walking through a crowd
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
Test 7: Coming when called
Test 8: Reaction to another dog
Test 9: Reaction to distraction
Test 10: Supervised separation

Why?
Because to be a responsible owner, you need to do more than love and feed your dog.
A book on CGC:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Canine-Good-Citizen-Edition/dp/0876054521
A blog about CGC: http://caninegoodcitizen.wordpress.com/

For more information: CGC Canine Good Citizen

Sira is 6 months old today

Boy does time fly!  Our puppy is 6 months old today - she has had a great 1/2 birthday so far.  There are some pictures posted on our website and here are a couple of videos - the first is her morning romp with Milos and the second an extended swim in the pond.