Friday 14th October

As most of you will know by now, Jacqui O’Brien passed away peacefully in Rowcroft Hospice on 23^rd September after a battle with cancer. Jacqui was an inspirational lady who had a wicked sense of humour and was honest in her approach to all things ‘Aussie’ and a good and much missed friend to many.

Jacqui West advises me that Jacqui O’B bought her first Aussie Kanga (Gefion FireDandy of Abodandy) from Winnie MacIntyre (now Brown).  Kanga was born in quarantine in 1986 the first of the Gefion lines into Britain. This lovely blue merle dog was the start of Jacqui’s love of the Aussie. He accompanied her to many of her training weeks with the BIPDT and was one of the dogs used for demonstrations. He also competed in obedience and was shown. 

Jacqui became a member of ASCUK and served on the committee for many years and indeed was still on the committee right up until the end of her life. She was also on the panel for the judges training program for the Aussie. In later years Jacqui was the breed health advisor and accumulated a vast amount of knowledge of the Aussie. She managed to talk all her Aussie friends in the West Country to be the trial dogs for the Animal Health Trust when they wanted related dogs for the start of the HSF4 testing. Jacqui was also a founder member of the prestigious, British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers.

Jacqui not only showed her Aussies under the Abodandy affix with great success, she had in her earlier years worked them in Obedience, Agility and Search and Rescue again with outstanding success. She was a respected Championship Judge in Conformation and Obedience. While she lived in Buckinghamshire she also had time to run a dog training club and give private lessons, as well as hold down a full time job as a Scientist. She had on numerous occasions been the commentator at Crufts in the Regional Obedience ring and sat on many committees over the years at the Kennel Club.

Jacqui’s move to the West Country 5 years ago was supposed to be for retirement but she always found time to tend to her garden, play tennis or show her dogs. Jacqui will be sorely missed by all her friends in the Aussie world and it was heart warning to see the amount of Aussie people from both clubs who made the journey down to Torquay Crematorium to pay their final respects to a much missed and admired friend. This is as well as those who wore bright colours (at her request) and thought about her throughout the sad day, and also those who made donations to Rowcroft Hospice in memory of Jacqui. He passing is a great loss to our Aussie world and to the dog world in general. She will never be forgotten by anyone who knew her, a truly honest and down to earth person with a passion for the Australian Shepherd.

At Belfast, Fran Kaye found her BD & BOB in Gilliland’s Bordertime Red Alert at Castleavery and RBD in Tweed’s Armatan Rawhide. BB was McTaggart’s Sangosands Seashell and RBB was McCullans’ Tasarnia Out of the Blue.

At Driffield, John Webb gave BD to Allan, Harlow, Gregory & Baylis’ Am.Ch Shadowfox Bayshore Spotlite who also won the days heat of the Ch Stakes. RBD was Parkers’ Hurricane Howi among Snuggletooth. BB & BOB was Challenger’s Lyveden Castill Chandra and RBB was Turnball, Clegram & Dowson’s Ch Ozzypool Eternal Flame ShCM. BP was A Fifth Avenue who also won the Puppy Bitch Stakes. Morley’s Ch Touchstone Simply Magic placed 4^th in the Veteran Stakes.

I have to say a massive thank you to all the people who have answered my requests and mad phone calls and e-mails for articles for the Yearbook. I have been so pleased with the quality and information of the articles that people have taken the time to write and send through, it really is very much appreciated. A big thank you also must go to the people who sent articles and payments through to me. Hopefully it will be something that people who have a genuine interest in the breed would want to read through and keep.

ASCUK Ch Show schedules are now available by e-mail from any of the ASCUK committee members and they are also being printed and given and sent out to Aussie people. If you have not received a schedule yet and would like one, please contact a committee member – details can be found on www.ascuk.co.uk

The Christmas Party is also being planned by the lovely Sue Gibbons and will be the night before LKA Ch Show (Sat 10^th Dec) in the Midlands, 10 mins from the NEC. The cost is £65.00 for a double or twin room including evening meals and bed and breakfasts. The hotel is lovely, dogs can stay at £5.00 per dog and there is a disco. If anyone is unsure as to whether they want to go, look at the photos of the last two years on ASCUK website, it is a riotous affair. A £25.00 non refundable deposit must be paid to Sue to by 19^th November. The rooms are currently on hold and are booking fast so please speak with Sue or myself if you would like to go, you won’t be disappointed.

More sad news to finish with, Karen Angier writes that her and husband David have lost Louis - Accra Frankly Speakin at nearly 11 year old. It was very sudden as he had been fit and well the previous weekend but went off his food. Their vet did a blood test and it was acute kidney failure. Louis was put on a drip for a couple of days which they hoped would get his kidneys working again but sadly it was not to be. Louis passed away in David's arms - he was and is David's very special boy. Karen tells me that they had some wonderful times with him and he gave so much and was admired by so many. Their thanks go to Louis's breeders Robert Harlow and Penny Richards for giving them the most wonderful dog and entrusting him to them. Love your dogs; they are not with us for long enough.

Friday 11th November

At South Wales, Peggy Bailey gave BD to Longhurst & Gregory’s Allmark Barak Obama and RBD to Allan, Baylis & Harlow’s Am.Ch Shadowfox Bayshore Spotlite. BB, BOB & BP was A Fifth Avenue who also won the Pastoral Puppy Group and went on to take BPIS. RBB was Spavin’s A Cookie Monster at Dialynne. In the Stakes classes, A Spirit of St Louis won the days Junior Dog stakes, Ch A Ozzy Osbourne placed 2^nd in the Champ Stakes and A Barack Obama placed 2^nd in the Good Citizen Stakes. Allan & Harlow won the Pastoral Breeder Stakes

At Midland Counties, Mary Deats gave BD & BP went to A Spirit of St Louis and RBD to Shadowfox Bayshore Spotlite. BB & BOB was A Cookie Monster at Dialynne and RBB was Brown’s Jidace Bealacy to Shepwood. In the Stakes classes Spavin’s Dialynne Jathinkhesarus won the days’ Puppy Dog Stakes at his very first show,

At NASA’s Ch Show, a delighted Mel Spavin did the double when Pam Blay gave the DCC & BIS to A Ozzy Osbourne at Dialynne and BCC & BOS to A Cookie Monster at Dialynne. RDCC & RBIS went to S Baysore Spotlite and RBCC went to Venton & Taylor’s Shenkiri Dancing Rainbow over Mistyisle ShCM. BVIS was Morley’s Multi Ch Touchstone Simply Magic and BPIS went to Allan & Harlow’s A Indecent Proposal.

ASCUK Ch Show will be held on Sat 19^th November at the Sports Connexion where the judge will be Ann Arch. There will be MDRI and HSF4 testing available and also microchipping at the cost of £15 per dog (£5.00 per dog of which will go to Aussie Rescue, which continues to be busy).

I am putting a last call out for anyone who wants to attend the annual ASCUK Christmas Party. It is on the 10^th December at the Coventry Hill Hotel. The cost is £65.00 per room and this includes dinner, bed and breakfast for two people as well as the usual disco and party atmosphere. Father Christmas and his helpers will be in attendance and there will be the usual Secret Santa. If you haven’t been before, please think about coming along, a good night is guaranteed.

Sad news to finish with, Alan and Christine McNee have lost their ‘princess’ Armatan Angel Eyes. Rhia as she was known to her friends went peacefully to Rainbow Bridge after a short illness. Rhia was one of the first bitches in the UK to gain her ShCM and she had a successful Open and Championship Show career. Her biggest achievement was winning BOB under Derek Smith at Crufts in 2005. Her passing will leave a huge gap in their lives and she will be missed also by her kennel mate Indy (A Commotion).

Friday 09th December

At Working & Pastoral Breeds of Scotland Tom Johnston found his BD and BOB in Allan, Harlow & Gregory’s Am.Ch Shadowfox Bayshore Spotlight, RBD was Holligan, Brandenburg & Garrison’s Thornapple Freedom Works. BB & BP under Jayne Clegram was Allan & Harlow’s Allmark Fifth Avenue who also took Pastoral Puppy Group 2 and RBB was Maxwell’s Impenzie Electra Glide.

ASCUK held their third Championship Show and Ann Arch was the judge for the day. It was a friendly show with a relaxed atmosphere and a spacious ring to move the dogs in. DCC, BOS & RBIS was T Freedom Works, with RDCC going to Spavin and Raymond’s Ch A Ozzy Osbourne at Dialynne. BCC & BIS was Spavin’s A Cookie Monster at Dialynne with RBCC and BVIS going to Fuller’s 11 and a half year old Peach Cameo over Inoby. BPIS was Knott’s Lyveden Rairock Rebel handled by his breeder Angie Challenger.

The finished 25^th Anniversary Yearbook was also available for people to have their copy if they had placed an advert, and copies were also available to buy. Most of the feedback on the book was extremely positive and it was good to hear people liked it with the amount of work that had gone into it. Thank you to all the people who provided adverts and also articles, facts and figures. We couldn’t have done it without you. Copies will be available at LKA and anyone who placed an ad who would like it posting out to them, please let me know.

NASA are holding a Canine First Aid and Grooming Day on 26^th February 2012 at North Kilworth Village Hall, Leicestershire, LE17 EZ. The first aid will be 10am -1pm and is £12.50 for NASA members and £15.00 for non members. The grooming session will be 2 – 5pm and will cost £3.50 for members and £5.00 for non members. If you want to go for the whole day it will be £13 for members and $17 for non members and this includes a light lunch. For more details or to book a place please contact Tricia Morley on 01353 675418 (before 9pm) or TJAussies@aol.com

ASCUK will be holding a Breed Judging Seminar on Sunday 19^th February in the Midlands. To attend the Seminar and take the examination it will be £16 for members and £20 for non members. To attend the seminar but not take the examination it will be £12 for members and £16 for non members. Both will include lunch. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail lydiab@lsb2000.com or telephone Lydia on 07810 437768.

Lydia Brown and Bleuroyal Alaska Permafrost (Imp Chile) have gained their Junior Warrant. Bear only arrived in the UK in August this year and achieved all his carefully counted points at the age of 15 months. He also achieved his Irish Junior Champion title as well. Well done to you both.

Zoe Finlay and Trijem Oceans Blurain with Overdrive CDex UDex WDex qualified TD at Wessex Championship Working Trial, one more to go Zoe and Danny.

Carina Dunn has lost her old girl Ozzypools Nutmeg with Tukela at the age of 13. Meg lived the life of a princess on a farm and is described by Carina as a wonderful little bitch who was so full of character. She put all the Ridgie puppies in their place when they arrived so all they all treated her with respect. She was thrilled when another Aussie arrived - her best friend Poppy. Carina, Mark and the rest of the canine family will miss her very much.

By the time these notes go to print LKA will be upon us and judge Mick Taylor has drawn a decent entry of 94. It is a good job Aussies are second in the ring as the ASCUK Christmas Party is being held the night before so there will no doubt be some sore heads on the Sunday morning. I hope everyone going has a great time and enjoys themselves.

Friday 20th January

LKA took place the day after the ASCUK Christmas Party and I believe there were one or two hangovers in place over the hotel breakfast table. Aussies were apparently third in the ring which wasn’t ideal and judge Mick Taylor gave the DCC & BOB to Spavin & Raymond’s Ch Allmark Ozzy Osbourne who also placed 2^nd in the Pastoral Group. RDCC was Newman & Souter’s Aus.Ch Kaasha Dazzling Edition. BCC was Challenger’s Ch Lyveden Razlin’ Raini and RBCC went to Brown’s Jidace Bealacy to Shepwood. BP was Knott’s Lyveden Rairock Rebel. In the stakes classes, the Puppy Stakes were won overall by Spavin’s Dialynne Jathinkhesaurus and in the 12-16 years Junior Handling Nikki Reeve and Silvarcea Rag n Bone Man placed 5^th.

At Boston found her BD & BOB in A Ozzy Osbourne who went on to win the Pastoral Group and Reserve Best In Show, well done, a fantastic result. RBD was Brown & Richard’s Silverdreams Aussies Marzipan ShCM. BB was Allan & Harlow’s A Fifth Avenue JW and RBB was Challengers’ L Castill Chandra. BP was Bridges Liskarn No Secret With Love You who went on to take Pastoral Puppy Group 3. Mel Spavin also won the days Puppy Stakes with D Jathinkhesaurus and Allan, Harlow & Gregory’s Am.Ch Bayshore Shadowfox Spotlight placed 4^th in the Champion Stakes. In the YKC Members Stakes Samantha Reeve placed 2^nd with Reeve & Timperon’s Ghostrider of the Mighty Crown.

Mel Harris took A Ginger Nuts to Chesterfield CS Open Show and won the Pastoral Group and went on to take BIS, great result. Christine Gillingham has written to say that Silverdreams Aussies Times Will Tell at Parkgrove gained his Show Certificate of Merit before Christmas and then at Guilford CS Open Show he took Best In Show under Christina Chapman.

Val Tiller is holding a 20/20 clinic on Tues 7^th February and informs me that Optigen are offering 30% discount off DNA tests, paid for online for this clinic, which will be in Epsom, Surrey.   Aussies are invited to be DNA tested for the following hereditary diseases: CEA/CH, prcd-PRA, CMR and CD.  Clients may attend the clinic in person, or be postal participants where bloods can be taken by their own vet and forwarded to Val for inclusion in the clinic.  Contact Val Tiller direct for further details and to book places: E-mail:val.tiller@talk21.com or Tel: (01372) 273597. Please support this if you can, as all breeding stock should be being tested. If Val doesn’t get enough dogs to her clinics, they will have to fold and that would be such a pity for all the breeders who want to use them.  She made a loss of £45 at one clinic and doesn’t want it to happen again, especially as she doesn’t make a penny from them - all profits made go either to BC & Sheepdog Rescue, or into various research projects for further DNA tests.

Karen Angier informs me that just weeks after losing Accra Frankly Speaking, they have now lost their import dog Kaweah Fistful Of Dollars. Dollar was born in 1998 in the USA and was imported into the UK by Karen and her husband David a couple of years later. Dollar wasn’t one who liked the show ring but he was much loved by Karen and David and his passing along with Louis (Frankly Speaking) will leave a massive hole in their lives. We are thinking of you both.

ASCUK are holding a breed seminar and hands on assessment and exam on Saturday 19^th February at Shareshill Village Hall, Wolverhampton, WV10 7JS. More details can be found on ASCUK’s website or by contacting Lydia Brown on 07810 437768.

I am collecting all ASCUK end of year points for the Annual Awards. If you have not already sent them to me, the closing date is 31^st January. Please send them in for all areas as you may win the trophy and rosette for your chosen discipline. All dogs and owners should be paid up ASCUK members. Louise Case is also collecting the points for NASA too, so please get them in as soon as you can.

I want to finish by saying thank you to everyone who sent information for the breed notes throughout 2011, without you I wouldn’t be able to write the notes. I also want to say thank you to everyone for their support, telephone calls, e-mails, messages and visits after my recent hospital admission and surgery. At one point the house looked like a florist shop with beautiful flowers and also numerous books and magazines. I really am truly grateful to everyone who took the time to write or visit me. I am up and about a bit around the house and although recovery is slow, I hope to get to a few shows to watch and socialise. It is also good to see that ASCUK Chairman Geoff Gatenby and Glynis Dowson appear to be doing well and they will be out and about at shows throughout 2012.