October 2015: Rosie Higdon says her Golden Retriever Dog “Brass” Gaylan’s Earth, Wind and Fire UD GN RAE3 SH won both Rally Excellent and Rally Advanced classes and took High Combined on Oct. 12 at Dog Owners Training Club of Lynchburg trials. Oct. 19, at James River Kennel Club trial 1, Brass won both Rally Excellent and Rally Advanced. At trial 2 that day, Brass won both Rally Excellent and Rally Advanced and also got his UDX leg #9 with placements in Utility B and Open B—One more to go for the title. On Oct. 20, at JRKC trials, Brass won both Rally Excellent and Rally Advanced. This is leg #36 for his RAE #4. Kathy Davieds’ Doberman Pinscher dog Jesaran’s Native Son took first place in Open Black Dogs at the DPCA pre-National Regional show and was the first uncropped Doberman to compete for Winners at a National event. Diagram Rags Argon MW, Dianne Graham’s Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund dog, needing one point for his championship, was Best of Winners at the Metropolitan Washington Dachshund Specialty on Sunday for four points. He is the fourth of Dianne’s dogs to finish since the end of June and for the first time in 28 years, she has no class dogs to show! Renee Donnarumma happily reports that she now has a 4 ½-month-old black Standard Poodle bitch, Rendon’s Molly My Girl “Molly.” Renee adds that “She and Sam [Renee’s All-American dog] are getting along very well and I have great hopes for her. Over Labor Day Weekend (TBAC Agility Trial in New Jersey), Lauri Jenkins' "Ellie" (Skansen's La Femme Noire, MJ, OX, OF), standard schnauzer. had a double, double weekend and earned her MX title. At the same show, "Gusto", (Magna's We Build Excitement, RE, MX, MJX, MF, CGC) earned a 1st and 2nd place in Master's Preferred Fast, and that was with his Handler and the judge colliding in front of a jump! :) September 2015: Rosie Higdon says of her Golden Retriever Dog “Brass” Gaylan’s Earth, Wind and Fire UD GN RAE3 SH, “He is one awesome dog to show in the rally ring.” For 2014, Brass was the number one Golden, number one sporting breed dog and number five overall in Front and Finish dog training magazine which tracks the points for dogs competing in AKC Rally Obedience and AKC Obedience Diagram Brownwood Moonlight Serenade SS “Sera” finished her championship by going Best of Winners for a 4-point major at the Louisville Dachshund Club Specialty under respected breeder judge John Wade. Sera is a Helen (Best of Variety at Westminster) daughter. She was bred and is co-owned by Dianne Graham and Jerry Cerasini. Eric and Julie Kalamaja’s dog Ch. Kalamals Flying Under the Radar To Zardal finished at the New River Valley show becoming their 20th completely Owner-handled Bred-by champion since they raised their first KalaMals first Alaskan Malamute litter in 2002. August 2015: In June, Renee Machen and her two-year old Golden Re-triever bitch “Stella” Maywood’s First Shooting Star CDX GN JH RAE CCA CGCA traveled to Libertyville, Ill., to attend the one-day 75th anniversary obedience trial. The Libertyville Dog Training Club is the oldest AKC Obedience club in the country. They had the very special opportunity to show against Stella’s 10-year old grandfather who is still consistent-ly in the top ten all breed obedience dogs in the U.S. Stella took first place in Rally Advanced and Excellent, good for the Rally High Combined Award. Her grandfather, Tommy, took the Obedience High Combined Award. Another relation of theirs took the Obedience High in Trial Award. In short, they won the whole show. What a special moment to have traveled so far and shown so well. At the same show, Stella picked up her sixth Open leg to qualify for this year’s Obedience Classic in Orlando. Doberman Pinscher WR Fire and Brimstone von BJF, Beverly Purswell’s home-bred bitch, finished her Championship on at MVC Roanoke KC show, going WB, BW, and BOS over a special. This is the third champion in this litter. July 2015: Gayle Pierce’s Sussex Spaniel bitch Clussexx Rose Col-ored Glasses aka “Rosa” was BOS in Sweeps at the Ohio Sus-sex Specialty. She was also RWB to a major at the trailer show Saturday and took a four-point major Sunday by going WB. Diagram Rags Jonsu Tauriel MW, a Miniature Wire Dachshund, finished her championship during the Richmond shows. She is bred and co-owned by Dianne Graham and Kim Ragsdale. Diagram Brownwood Moonlight Serenade SS, a Standard Smooth, now has 14 points. She is a Helen daughter and is bred and co-owned by Dianne and Jerry Cerasini. June 2015: May 30 and 31, Renee Machen showed Golden Retriever bitch, Sunshine’s Sweet Irish Cream RA JH WC CCA CGC TDI “Bailey” at the Shawnee Kennel Club’s Obedience trial. “After five years of trying to put an obedience title on this girl who hates obedience, we finished her Beginner Novice obedience title,” brags Renee. “…Bailey will be going to live with a new co-owner to train for senior hunter and more advanced obedience work, so it was special to be able to finish this on her first,” Renee adds. Kathy Davieds’ Doberman Pinscher dog Jesaran’s Native Son went WD/BOS both days at the Shwanee Kennel Club shows May 30 and 31. His littermate Jesaran’s I Believe I Can Fly went RWB May 30. Beverly Purswell’s Doberman Pinscher dog “Foster” WR Freedom Fighter von BJF finished his championship at Purina Farms May 30. His first show was April 12. His wins include a BOB over specials and a Group 4. And Beverly reports that makes two champions from this “F” litter. Dianne Graham’s Miniature Wire Dachshund Diagram Rags Taurial MW was winners bitch for 2 majors the 2 days she was shown during the mini national weekend. Diagram Rags Argon MW was BOW the last day over Taurial. He was BOV the day he was shown at the Mid-Atlantic Hound Specialty and Hound Group 3. Ch. Diagram Brownwood Belle attained her grand championship in two weekends and won a Hound Group 3 and 4 at the Grey Tennessee shows. Rosie Higdonand her Golden Retrievers went to Gray, Tenn., for the Kingsport KC Obedience and Rally trials on May 16 and 17. On Saturday, Gaylan’s Earth, Wind and Fire UD GN RAE2 SH CGC “Brass” won Rally Advanced B and Excellent B, and High Combined. Gaylan’s Rocky Mountain High CD TD RE BN “Peak” took first in Novice B--she did her stays! Gaylan’s Gamblers Choice UD MH CGC “Risk” didn’t fare as well--her owner/handler NQ’d her by skipping a sign. On Sunday, Brass won Rally Advanced B and Excellent B and High Combined. Peak won First in Novice B, again doing her stays. Risk won second in Advanced B and Third in Excel-lent B. The weekend of May 23 and 24 they travelled to Fletcher, N.C., for the Blue Ridge Classic Obedience and Rally trials. On Saturday, Brass won Rally Advanced B and Excellent B and High Combined and qualified in Open B. Peak broke her down stay in Novice B because she didn’t like the Great Dane next to her. On Sunday, Brass had no Q’s in obedience but Rosie says she really is “enjoying showing this guy.” Julie and Eric Kalamaju’s Alaskan Malamute dog “Radar” Kalamals Flying Under The Radar to Zardal was awarded majors going Best Of Winners both days in Manassas, Va. Liz McKinney and Lynn Grimsley’s Russell Terrier dog Ch. River Branch Golden Touch finished his GCh. in Biloxi, Miss., going BOB all four days. Their Russell Terrier bitch Crowe’s Nest Mark The Spot also finished her GCh. and was BOS to their male special three of the four days. And their bitch Ch. Falling Branch Pickpocket went BOS one day after a year out of the show ring and picked up her first competition win toward her GCh. ”Coming home with two new GCH makes that long drive worth the effort,” says Liz. On May 30 and 31, Leanne Brownlee-Bowen and her Golden Retriever bitch “Annabelle” Why Not Annabelle CD RE CGC NAC NJC O-TN-N competed in the All American Dog Sports NADAC trial in Blacksburg. Annabelle Q’d in eight of 12 runs and earned four new titles. She earned Novice Weavers (WV-N), Novice Touch N Go (TG-N) and not only her first Open title, Open Tunnelers (TN-O), but she then went on to earn her Outstanding Open Tunnelers (O-TN-O)! May 2015: Renee Machentook four of her Golden Retrievers to the Roanoke Kennel Club Obedience and Rally trials and earned a few brags. She showed “Bailey” Sunshine’s Sweet Irish Cream RA JH WC CCA CGC TDI who earned two legs to-ward her Beginner Novice title with a second and a third placement. The other three showed in Rally Novice and all three com-pleted their titles in three straight trials. These include “To-ken” Sunshine One Toke Over the Line CCA CGC and her daughter “Chai” Maywood’s Sweet Spice of Life who is only 10 months old. This was the first obedience trial either had ever been to. The third girl is “Bling,” Skyefire All That Glit-ters, who Renee adopted in January. She explains, “Bling was returned to her breeder because it was felt she lacked the drive for competition, among other things. She will be a year old this week and is the first from her litter to earn a title. We still have a lot to overcome, but I think her competition career is off to a great start!” To top it off, both Chai and Bling’s high Rally scores have qualified them for the 2016 Rally National Championship for the Novice class. Jesaran’s Good Witch of the North “Ella,” a Doberman Pinscher bitch bred by Kathy Davieds, finished her Canadian Championship at the Fredericton Kennel Club show April 12 with a BOB and a Group 2. Beverly Purswell’s Doberman Pinscher dog “Foster” WR Freedom Fighter von BJF took WD and BW for a 3-point major April 11, at Steel City. Her bitch “Rosie” WR High Note took WB and BOS for 1 point April 24 in Bear, Del. Both dogs took the wins on their trips into the ring. Dianne Graham’s Standard Smooth Dachshund bitch Gch. Diagram Isn’t she Lovely v Brownwood “Helen” was select at both host specialties and won an Award of Merit at the Dachshund National. Brownwood Aviator v Diagram, Helen’s son, was Reserve Winner’s Dog at the National (he was lead trained the week before the national!) and Winner’s dog at the specialty the next day to come home with 8 points. Flynn won an award of Merit at the first host show and was the last dog cut before Awards of Merit were given out at the National. Ch. Diagram Brownwood Belle SS, shown by a stranger after she made the cut, made it through three cuts at the national and the next two weekends she went select to the number one Smooth to finish her grand championship. Diagram Brownwood Moonlight Serenade, Helen’s daughter, was Winner’s Bitch at both Southwest Ohio Specialties for two majors. Rosie Higdon and her Golden Retrievers attended the Roanoke Kennel Club Obedience and Rally Trials Saturday and Sunday, the second and third. Rosie says, “What a fun week-end.” “Brass” Gaylan’s Earth, Wind and Fire UD SH RAE2 CGC GN competed in Rally for all three trials, placing in the Excel-lent and Advanced classes. He earned three RAE legs. This gives him eight legs toward his RAE3. “Risk” Gaylan’s Gamblers Choice UD MH CGC also compet-ed in Rally for all three trials, placing in the Excellent and Advanced classes. She earned three RAE legs. This gives her nine legs toward her RAE. “Peak” Gaylan’s Rocky Mountain High CD BN RE TD JH, placed first in the Novice B Obedience class. Rosie says, “She was entered to see if she had improved in holding her stays. She sure did.” April 2015: Renee Machen says, “One of my foundation bitches, Sunshine One Toke Over the Line CGC, ‘Token’ earned her CCA (Certificate of Conformation Assessment) title by earning qualifying ratings under three breed judges at the Atlanta Golden Retriever Specialty on March 22. All three judges rated her a 9/10 in ‘Overall Impression’ when judging against the standard. She has whelped two litters and is almost 7 years old, so it was really awesome to be able to finish this with her and to achieve the scores she did.” This past weekend at the NRVKC trials, she showed her new bitch puppy Skyefire All That Glitters “Bling” in Rally Novice. She qualified and earned first place both days. A nice start to her career! Karen A. Rich’s Kamarich’s black Standard Schnauzer dog “Alexei” Cherni Strazhnik Sixth Sense was BOW Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Columbiana, Ala., for a total of 17 points. He is her first a Champion!! As Karen says, “Praise the Lord.” Dannielle Romeo’s Akita bitch “Brittany” Skowkayce All About Me went WB, BOW, and BOS at the Fayetteville Ken-nel club show on March 22 for a three-point major! Brittany needs a final major to finish. Dianne Graham’s Standard Smooth Dachshund Criscross Black Satin v Diagram ss went RWB at the first host show of the national specialty. Satin is old Paladin’s last puppy. Gch. Diagram Isn’t She Lovely v Brownwood ss, “Helen,” another of Dianne’s Standard Smooths was select bitch. Her Standard Smooth dog Gch. Diagram Joy-Dens Flynn SS received his first award of merit. Helen’s son Brownwood Best Gift v Diagram at his first show went RWD. It was a good day! At the Dachshund Specialty Sweepstakes, Brownwood Beauty v Diagram won the 9-12 month bitch class today and Brownwood Aviator v Diagram won the 9-12 month dog class. Both are Helen puppies. Julie and Eric Kalamaja’s Kalamals Poetic Justice “Jus-tice” had won three majors and a group placing from the puppy classes. With his needing one point to finish his championship, they waited for the Harrisburg Alaskan Mala-mute Specialty where 14- month-old Justice was the Grand Sweepstake Winner and also WD for his forth major. Rosie Higdon and her Golden Retrievers went to St Louis to show at Purina Farms. At the Mound City Obedience Train-ing Club Rally and Obedience trials on Wednesday and Thursday, March 11 and 12, “Peak” Gaylan’s Rocky Moun-tain High CD BN RA TD JH earned an excellent rally leg each day giving her two of her three legs for her RE title. “Risk” Gaylan’s Gamblers Choice UD MH RE earned a RAE leg each day. She now has four of her 10 legs for her RAE title. “Brass” Gaylan’s Earth, Wind and Fire UD GN RAE2 SH earned a RAE leg each day giving him three of the 10 for his RAE 3 title. His scores won him two fourth places. Brass competed in the Rally National Championships on Friday, March 13, at Purina Farms. He and Rosie had a great day. Each team does two Advance Rally courses and two Ex-cellent Rally courses. They got a 100 and a 99 in Advanced and the same in Excellent. Their total score was 398 of 400 tying them for second place with scores. Unfortunately, they were beat by time and took second runner up, or third place, for the Rally National Championship. Rosie says, “We are preparing for next year.” At the NRKV trials, April 4 and 5, Rosie entered all three dogs. Peak earned two Excellent legs, completing her Rally excellent title and two fourth places. Risk earned two more RAE legs and one placement. Brass earned two more RAE legs, all perfect scores, getting firsts in excellent and seconds in advanced. He was also High Combined each day. Rosie adds, “Thanks to all my training buddies and support I get from many sources.” March 2015: Renee Machen says, Sunday I had the pleasure of watching two boys from the first litter I bred graduate from the St. Francis Service Dog program with their new families. I’m so honored to know they both made it through the program and are making a big difference in someone’s life. One boy was partnered with an autistic girl and one with a US Army Vet who suffers from a brain/spinal injury and PTSD. Both families had three children and very emotionally explained to me how grateful they were for their new family member, that he had helped not just his partner, but the entire family. A very moving and humbling experience. Two other boys from this litter are also service dogs - one a diabetic alert dog and one a general assistance dog who we recently discovered also wakes his owner when she stops breathing at night. In other news, full sister to these boys, my Maywood’s First Shooting Star CDX GN JH RAE CCA CGCA, “Stella” will be competing at the RAE level at the Rally National Championship in St. Louis in two weeks if she can stay out of season. We’ve been training hard and hope we get to go and have fun running the courses. Gch. Diagram Isn’t She Lovely v Brownwood ss, Smooth Standard Dachshund bitch, bred and owned by Dianne Graham, went BOV at Westminster. Rosie Higdon and her Golden Retrievers had a great weekend at the Winston-Salem Dog Training Club Rally Trials. On Friday the 27th Gaylan's Gamblers Choice UD RE MH “Risk” won Rally Excellent with perfect score and took fourth in Advanced B with perfect score, leading to her Hi-combined win and her first RAE leg. Gaylan’s Earth, Wind and Fire UD GN RAE2 SH “Brass” took fourth in Rally Excellent with screw up from handler and first in Advanced B with perfect score, earning his RAE2 title. He has 20 double Qs. On Saturday, the 28th, Brass won Rally Excellent and Advanced B with perfect scores. He took Hi-combined and earned his 21st RAE leg. “Risk” qualified in Excellent (handler screw up) and was second in Advanced B with a perfect score, earning her second RAE leg. January 2015: Renee Machen’s Golden Retriever bitch Maywood’s First Shooting Star CDX GN RAE JH CCA CGCA “Stella” showed in the Novice class at the Obedience Classic in Orlando (held in conjunction with Eukanuba). She was the youngest golden competing, and while she did not make the top ten, Stella did qualify in all three of her runs. Renee says, “It was a fun time and a great learning experience for both of us. Stella also officially received a Triathlon Award from the GRCA by earning qualifying points in conformation, obedience, and field events at the National Specialty." Rosie Higdon’s Golden Retriever dog Gaylan’s Earth, Wind and Fire UD GN RAE SH “Brass” and her bitch Gaylan’s Gamblers Choice UD RE MH “Risk” competed in Rally Obedience at Durham Kennel Club trial. Brass was third and Risk was fourth in Excellent. Brass won the advanced class. Risk and Rosie’s bitch Gaylan’s Rocky Mountain High CD BN RA TD JH “Peak” are qualified for the Rally National Competition for 2015 in the Advanced class. Brass is qualified to compete for the Rally National title in the RAE classes and his entry has been accepted. Dianne Graham’s smooth standard Dachshund dog Diagram Joy-Dens Flynn SS “Flynn” was BOS at the Eukanuba! Her bitch Diagram Winter’s Best in Match at Clemson. Leanne Brownlee's Why Not Annabelle earned her NADAC Novice Jumpers Certificate (NJC). December 2014: Karen Rich’s Standard Schnauzer dog Cherni Strazhnik Sixth Sense “Alexei” was Best of Winners for three days in Montgomery, Ala., for a total of 9 points. These are Alexei's very first points. Dianne Graham’s GCH Diagram Joy-Dens Flynn SS was BOV at the Sunday Columbus, Ohio, show for 5 more GC points. Dianne believes he has 250 now. Saturday, Criscross Black Satin v Diagram SS (a Paladin Daughter) was BOV from the 9-12 puppy class, over Flynn plus four other specials, for a 5-point major! November 2014: Liz McKinney and Lynn Grimsley’s co-owned and co-bred Russell Terrier dog Russell Terrier Falling Branch Never Ending Story “Sebastian” went BOB two of the four days in Atlanta and an Owner-Handler Group 1. Leanne Brownlee’s Labrador Retriever bitch Why Not Annabelle CD RE CGC earned her NADAC Novice Agility Certificate (NAC) and Outstanding Novice Tunnelers (O-TN-N) titles at the Leaps and Bounds NADAC Trial in Colfax, North Carolina the weekend of October 18. Renee Machen has lots of news from the Golden national specialty. Her Golden Retriever dog, “Percy” Maywood’s First Wish Upon A Star CD RA CCA CGC received passing scores under all three judges to earn his CCA (Certificate of Conformation Assessment) title. He also qualified in Rally Advanced B with a score of 98 (and beat his sister!). Her Golden Retriever bitch “Stella” Maywood’s First Shooting Star CDX GN RAE JH CCA CGCA completed four new titles at the National Specialty. Saturday, Stella earned the final leg of her Junior Hunter title. Monday, she received passing scores under all three judges to earn her CCA title. Tuesday, she qualified in both Rally Excellent B and Advanced B to finish her RAE title. She also won first place in the 54-dog Rally Excellent B Class. Wednesday, she qualified in Open A Obedience to complete her CDX title. Her accomplishments this week qualified her for the RAE class at the 2015 National Rally Championship and made her eligible for the GRCA Triathlon Award. In other news, Renee’s puppy “Chai” Maywood’s Sweet Spice of Life, graduated from Rosie’s puppy class and passed the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test. Dianne Graham’s Diagram Joy-Dens Flynn SS received his certificate in the mail, naming him the number one smooth in the national owner handler series! In the last month he received a hound group 2 in Atlanta in the owner handler group and a hound group 3 in Delaware, Ohio in the regular hound group. The new girl, Crisscross Diagram Black Satin SS, old Paladin’s daughter, was best of winners both days in Delaware for her first 3 points. Dannielle Romeo’s new Akita puppy “Brittany,” ShowKayce All About Me, took WB and BOW for two points at the Tennessee Valley Kennel club show November 2. Brittany was also WB at the Middleburg Kennel Club show October 25 in Leesburg, Va. Dannielle’s Akita boy “Flynn” Orient’s Pride Transfer of Power @ BK recently received ratings of GOOD for hips and NORMAL for elbows from OFA. October 2014: Leanne Brownlee-Bowen’s Labrador Retriever Why Not Annabelle CD RE CGC earned her second Regular Agility Q for NADAC, and two more Novice Tunneler Q’s. Liz McKinney and Lynn Grimsley’s Russell Terrier dog River Branch Golden Touch “Mario,” co-bred and co-owned with Melissa White, went WD and BOW every weekend he showed in California and at the last three shows was BOB over the specials. Mario was presented by Mark Lasiter of Riverside, Calif. Mario is back home in Idaho where he will grow up for a few months and then come to the East Coast to start his specials career. On Saturday, Sept. 20, Rosie Higdon’s Golden Retriever bitch Peak earned her second leg for her CD with third place. The other trial on that day she couldn’t hold her stays. On Sunday, under judge Carol Mett, Peak earned her CD by winning the novice class with a 198.5 which made her the Highest Scoring Dog in regular obedience classes and, at the end of the day, the High In Trial. Also on Sunday, with Carol Mett judging, Rosie’s dog Brass earned second place in Utility B and in Open B giving him the High Combined award. Maywood’s First Shooting Star CD RE GN CGCA, Renee Machen’s Golden Retriever bitch Stella earned three Junior Hunter passes over two weekends. She needs one more for her title. Stella showed at the Roanoke Kennel Club’s obedience and rally trials in Open A. She earned the first two legs toward her CDX title with two first places. She also earned Rally Advanced Excellent leg #9 (need 10 for the title) with first and third places. Stella’s sire Sunshine After the Storm III CDX GN RAE JH WCX CCA VC CGC TDI “Chance” and Renee ran in their first NADAC agility trial a few weeks ago. Chance qualified in the Tunnelers class and earned third place. In other news, Renee’s application was approved by AKC to become a CGC evaluator. Once the process is complete, she will be able to conduct the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, CGC, and CGCA evaluations. Stella’s brother Maywood’s First Wish Upon A Star CD RA CGC “Percy” also showed at the Roanoke Kennel Club trials. It was his first time showing in obedience and he qualified in everything he was entered in, earning both his CD and his rally RA titles in three straight trials. He placed first or third in every run. Dianne Graham’s Diagram Winter’s Tale MW “Polly Pocket” was BW at the National Miniature Dachshund Club National specialty from the 6 to 9 puppy class. The next day, at the all-breed show, she was BW and BOS over all the bitch specials for a five-point major. She is “retired” from dog shows until next April when she will be entered in the Dachshund Club of America national specialty in Chattanooga. Polly is from a litter which couldn’t nurse because their mom’s nipples didn’t develop. She was fostered by one of Liz’s Russell Terrier bitches. Diagram Rags Jonsu Taurial MW was RWB at the mini national from the bred-by exhibitor class. “I am so proud of these girls.” September 2014: Kathy Davieds’ Doberman Pinscher dog Jesaran’s Native Son went WD on Sunday and WD/BOW on Monday in Raleigh N.C., for 2 more points. Dianne Graham’s Ch. Diagram Joy-Dens Flynn SS was BOV all four days in Greensboro, N.C., last month. He won the owner-handler Hound group the last day. Her wirehaired bitch Diagram Rags Jonsu Taurial MW was WB two days during the same cluster. August 2014: Leanne Brownlee-Bowen’s Golden Retriever Maywood's Second Star to the Right “Blue” earned his CGC on July 3. Her Labrador Retriever Why Not Annabelle CD RE CGC earned her first Regular Agility Q for NADAC. Gayle Pierce’s Longhair Dachshund bitch Beatrice went RWB two days and WB one day on a specialty week-end at Greenville, S.C., shows. She just needs two single points to finish her championship. Kathy Davieds’ Doberman Pinscher dog Jesaran's Native Son went WD on Saturday and Sunday in Greenville, S.C., with a BOW on Sunday; all from the 12-18 month class. Rosie Higdon’s Golden Retriever dog “Brass” Gaylan's Earth, Wind and Fire UD SH RAE competed in the Durham KC Rally Trials on July 11. He got 4 perfect scores with three firsts and a second. The Rally and obedience trials were full. Renee Machen received the official notice from AKC that Maywood's First Shooting Star CD RE CGCA “Stella,” her Golden Retriever bitch, is qualified for the 2014 Obedience Classic in Novice, having completed the requirements at only 13 months of age. The Obedience Classic is a National Obedience Competition held in conjunction with the Eukanuba National Championship and the National Agility Championship in December. July 2014: Dianne Graham’s Standard Smooth Dachshund dog Bronze Gch Diagram Joy-dens Flynn SS received a Hound Group 3 during the Waynesville, N.C., shows. He also was BOV the two days they were in Troy, Ohio. Dianne’s Mini Wire-hair Dachshund bitch EZ Goins Diagram Firefly MW needed one point to finish her bench championship. She was BOW and BOS over two bitch specials the first day at Troy for 4 points, finishing with a 4 point major, a 5 point specialty major, and this last 4 points as well as two other specialty wins. However, has Dianne says, “But, she says she likes hunting the bunnies better than showing so we’ll take in some field trials this fall.” Renee Machen reports that she has been accepted into AKC’s Breeder of Merit program based on the accomplishments of her first two litters, which are still under 2 years old. The Machens also welcomed a new litter into the world on June 20 - 3 bitches and 2 dogs out of Token X Chance. She says, “This repeat breeding is a nice mix of breed champions and performance dogs that produced some lovely puppies with nice field instinct and moderate drive. So far this litter seems much the same. Mom and babies are doing well and we look forward to watching them grow!” June 2014: Rosie Higdon’s Golden Retriever dog “Brass” Gaylan’s Earth, Wind and Fire UD SH GN RE CGC Brass showed at Gray, Tenn., in rally earned two RAE legs with four perfect scores and two high combineds. These are his RAE legs five and six. Liz McKinney and Lynn Grimsley’s Russell Terrier dog GCH Falling Branch The Patriot, was BOB and took Terrier Group 4 both days in Charlottesville. Their class bitch Crowe’s Nest Mark the Spot was RWB on Saturday and WB on Sunday. Beverly Purswell’s Doberman Pinscher bitch WR Fait Accompli von BJF finished her championship in Philadelphia with three majors. Renee Machen showed two of her Golden Retriever bitches at the Roanoke Kennel Club Obedience and Rally Trials on May 17-18. Maywood’s Token of Chance RN CGC “Penny” earned the final leg of her Rally Novice title with a score of 99/100 and a first place. She also earned an extra leg and placed third. Maywood’s First Shooting Star CD GN RE CGCA “Stella” earned the final leg of her Graduate Novice Obedience title (GN) with a second place. She, too, earned an extra leg and won the class. Stella’s big brags come from Rally, though. She showed in the RAE class in all three trials (six classes) and lost only 2 points the entire weekend. Even with her perfect and near perfect scores, first place was not a “gimmie.” In five out of the six trials, she was tied with another dog, but won based on a faster time. They were completing Excellent level courses in just over a minute and earning perfect scores. She really gave it her all. She ended up with six first placements in Rally and won Rally High Combined in all three trials with two 199s and one perfect 200. Overall for the weekend, she came home with seven first placements, a second place, a new title, and three more legs toward her RAE. May 2014: Rosie Higdon’s Golden Retriever dog “Brass” Gaylan’s Earth, Wind and Fire UD SH GN RE CGC completed the requirements for his Senior Hunter at the Northeast Tennessee Retriever Club hunt test on April 25. He also got a bumper pass that day. Dianne Graham’s mini wire Dachshund bitch Diagram Brownwood Belle SS finished her conformation championship in a big way. She was Winners Bitch at the Atlanta Specialty for two points. The next weekend she was best of Winners at two Central Ohio specialties for five points each and Best of Winners at the all breed show for three points to finish her championship. GCH Diagram Joy-Dens Flynn SS took two Hound Group 3s at the Morgantown, W. Va., shows. Renee Machen Golden Retriever bitch Sunshine’s Sweet Irish Cream RA CCA WC CGC TDI, “Bailey” earned the final leg of her junior hunter title at the Neuse River Retriever Club’s hunt test on April 19. At the NRVKC trials, her Golden bitch Maywood’s Token of Chance CGC, “Penny” earned the first two legs of her Rally Novice title at only 11 months old, earning a second and fourth placement. Maywood’s First Shooting Star CD RE CGCA, “Stella” earned two additional RAE (Rally Advanced Excellent) legs and one GN (Graduate Novice) leg. Danielle Romeo’s Akita dog “Flynn” Orients Pride Transfer of Power @ BK took a four-point major as Winners Dog, Best of Winners, and Best of Breed over specials at the Medina Kennel Club show on April 19 in Columbus, Ohio, under judge Joan Luna Liebes. Flynn also recently passed his OFA certifications for eyes and thyroid with clear results.   April 2014: Liz McKinney and Lynn Grimsley’s Russell Terrier male finished his grand championship and is now GCH CH Falling Branch The Patriot “Ted.” He was BOB both days in Newnan, Ga. His handler, Cheryl Mika, said that even through the mud and downpour “Ted” never broke stride. He is the number 4 Russell Terrier and number 1 male in breed points and is co-owned by Liz and Lynn with Brigadier Gen (Ret) Rhonda Cornum, Ph.D. M.D. Rosie Higdon Golden Retriever bitch “Peak” Gaylan’s Rocky Mountain High BN RN TD JH completed the requirements for her Beginner Novice title at the Winston-Salem trials on Saturday, March 1, when she took second place. She picked up two more Rally Novice legs for warm up for the Rally Nationals. Rosie’s GR dog “Brass” Gaylan’s Earth, Wind and Fire UD GN RE JH got two RAE legs (double Qs) Friday and Saturday at the Winston-Salem trials. All were placements and a High Combined. Rosie and her dogs competed in Rally at the Raleigh shows on Saturday, March 22. “Brass” earned two RAE legs. At the Saturday, daytime show he won both classes. At the evening show he was second in both classes. “Peak” earned to bumper Rally Novice legs both with placements. At the AKC Rally Nationals on March 28, “Brass” competed in Rally Excellent where he placed eighth. Dianne Graham’s mini wire Dachshund bitch EZ Goins Diagram Firefly MW “Fire” was BOW Saturday during the Nashville cluster for a four-point major she was BOW and BOS over three Specials at the Dachshund specialty in conjunction with those shows for a five-point major. She had just turned 7 months old! Leanne Brownlee-Bowen’s Labrador Retriever bitch Why Not Annabelle RA CD CGC earned her RE at the Tarheel Cluster Rally trials. Dannielle Romeo’s Akita dog “Flynn” Orients Pride Transfer of Power @ BK took WD and BOS Thursday and WD on Sunday at the Nashville County Music cluster giving him three more points towards his Championship! He also passed his CERF exam with flying colors—vet declared his eyes “perfect and beautifully dark!” Renee Machen Golden Retrievers showed at the March 22 and 23 Tarheel Cluster shows. “Chance” Sunshine After the Storm III CDX JH GN RAE WCX CCA VC CGC TDI earned three Rally Advanced Excellent legs, earning two fourth placements. He is now halfway to his RAE2 title. “Stella” Maywood’s First Shooting Star CD RE CGCA debuted in Rally Advanced Excellent and Graduate Novice. She also earned three Rally Advanced Excellent legs, earning five first placements and a second place. And she earned the first leg of her Graduate Novice title with another first place. On Sunday, March 23, her “Penny” Maywood’s Token of Chance, passed her CGC test at 11 months old. On March 28, “Chance” and “Stella” competed at the Rally National Championship. “Chance” qualified in all four of his runs in the Advanced Excellent class. “Stella” showed in the Excellent class and did very nicely, but only qualified in one of her two runs due to handler error. The following day, Stella took the CGCA test and passed.   March 2014: In February, Rosie Higdon’s Golden Retriever bitch Gaylan’s Gamblers Choice UD MH CGC RN “Risk” completed the requirements for her Utility title at the Chatham Agility Club obedience trials. According to Rosie, “She did a good job.” Her other bitch Gaylan’s Rocky Mountain High RN JH TD “Peak” earned two legs in Beginner Novice with third and first place finishes February 2014: Beverly Purswell’s Doberman Pinscher bitch, WR Fait Accompli Von BJF, won five points, including a three-point Major at the Fredericksburg shows January 8-12, 2014. Danielle Romeo’s puppy dog Akita Orients Pride Transfer of Power at BK “Flynn” won WD and BOW at the Conyers KC show and went all the way to BOB over specials at the Lawrenceville KC show earlier this month. At Greater Fredericksburg KC show in January, he won WD the first day and at the Chesapeake KC of Maryland WD show the same weekend he won WD and BOW. Four shows with points for Flynn! January 2014: Dianne Graham has a huge brag this month. Her Standard Smooth Dachshund dog GCH Diagram Joy-Den’s Flynn SS was Best of Variety at the AKC Eukanuba National!. Dianne reports, “I’m still in shock.” Rosie Higdon’s Golden Retriever dog Gaylan’s Earth, Wind and Fire UD JH BN RE CGC ”Brass” got two more UDX legs and 4 Rally Excellent legs at the Concord, N.C., shows in November. Her bitch Gaylan’s Rocky Mountain High TD JH “Peak” got four Rally Novice legs at the same trials. These wins qualify both dogs for the Rally Nationals in March. At the Saturday Clemson KC show, Liz McKinney and Lynn Grimsley’s Russell Terrier (RT) special, CH Falling Branch The Patriot, was BOB, their class RT bitch went over the bitch special for a major and their class RT dog went BW also for a major. Liz reports, “It was a wonderful show for us!”

November 2013: Rosie Higdon’s Golden Retriever bitch Gaylan’s Rocky Mountain High TD JH “Peak” completed her Junior Hunter requirements at the NETRC hunt tests Nov. 2 and 3. She went four for four. Her dog Gaylan’s Earth, Wind and Fire UD GN RA JH “Brass” has passed 3 senior hunter tests. Two at the Northeast Tennessee Retriever Club double on Nov. 1. He needs one more pass. Leita Estes’ German Shorthaired Pointer bitch Shortales & Coronet Summer Sky “Sky” went WB/BOW for a 4-point major at the Newnan KC show in Atlanta. Leanne Brownlee’s yellow Labrador Retriever bitch Why Not Annabelle RN CGC earned her CD and RA at the Star City Canine Training Club trials. At the end of September, Renee Machen’s Golden Retriever bitch Sunshine’s Sweet Irish Cream, RA, CCA, WC, CGC, TDI “Bailey” earned her Working Certificate title through the Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club. She was one of eighth out of 24 dogs to pass. She also earned her CCA (Certificate of Conformation Assessment) title at the same club, earning qualifying scores under all three judges. (Renee Machen) Bailey’s daughter, Maywood’s First Shooting Star, CD, RE, CGC “Stella” earned her RE (Rally Excellent) title at the Fayetteville, Ark., shows in early October. She is qualified for the 2014 Rally National in Excellent. Dianne Graham’s wirehaired dog, Montvues Commander and Chief MW “Chief” was BOW at the Mini Dachshund Nationals in October. He was BOW for a 5-point major on Friday. Diagram Dragon Keeper MW “Tats,” another wire, was BOW on Saturday for 5 points to finish his championship (he was limping the first three days) and Chief was reserve. On Sunday, Chief was BOW for 2 points and Yuletide Diagram Delilah MW “DeeDee” was WB. As Dianne says, “WOW!” This was the first time she had shown Chief.