Well, another year has come and is nearly gone already. I don’t know where the time goes anymore! It’s been a year full of great accomplishments, a big loss, some continuing struggles and new beginnings. Wow, we really crammed alot into a year! LOL
Zoe earned her MACH, to become the first Sheltie in Utah to have that title. She also qualified to go to the AKC National Agility Championship in North Carolina in March, and we’re really looking forward to that trip!
Twist tried his paw at regular obedience this year, and in his first Novice Obedience class, took first place and earned the High in Trial at the Utah Sheltie Specialty! Woohoo, Twist. He went on to finish his CD in September. Now we’re working on moving into Open Obedience!
Raven took a break from competing in agility for most of the year, but she did try Rally Obedience at the Utah Sheltie Specialty, and she qualified first time out. She’s entered in an agility trial in Jan., so we’ll see if the break from competition and the training we’ve been doing have paid off. In the meantime, she says that she doesn’t mind just chilling out and chewing on a bully stick.
2008 was a great year for Penny! She got to try out for a tv commercial, and even though she wasn’t chosen, we had a great time! Of course, now she thinks she’s a star and we’re just staff that here to serve her. LOL
We said goodbye to Jessie this past August. 
It was an unexpected loss, and she is greatly missed!
Our attempts to help Rogue overcome, or at least manage more successfully her anxiety issues…continue. The last year has allowed us to meet some wonderful people. I feel really grateful to have found such great support and guidance as we work with Rogue. We hope that 2009 brings more progress for Rogue.
As for Lucy, she’s enjoyed another year of being Lucy. There’s really not much more you can say. To Lucy it’s not the end of one year or the beginning of another…it’s just a wonderful day to be alive!!! 
Lastly, I guess it’s time to admit that the little foster girl, (formally known as Lucy), has found her permanent home, with us. I knew there was a reason we hadn’t done any fostering for several years! LOL For obvious reasons, we’ve changed her name. My husband got to re-name her, and he’s chosen “Layla”. I looked up the meaning of the name and it’s “dark beauty”, so I guess he did a pretty good job, for just pulling a name out of the air…he doesn’t overanalyze naming like I do. Hehe. I don’t know that I’d describe her as a beauty just yet, more of a cutie at this point, but I’m sure she’ll grow into the name.
So, I guess that about sums it up!
Congrats on keeping little Layla. I hope she will turn out to be everything you hope she can be!
Have a great new year!!
Thanks so much Christy! Hopefully you’ll get to meet her on one of our trips up north for agility trials soon.
I sooo knew you were going to keep “Layla”!!! She’s adorable and fits right in with you and your crew! I am so glad to have found you and your hounds this year. Its been quite and eventful one. Congrats on all your success!
Happy New Year!
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Hi Lora,
Yeah, I’m sure it wasn’t much of a suprise to anyone that we couldn’t part with Lalya. LOL She fit right into the family, from day one.
My husband says it like she’s always been here. Just had to wait for the people who run Sheltie Rescue to get back into town before we could really finalize anything.
Oh, we’re so glad you’re keeping Layla because she is adorable!!! We love the photos you take of all your dogs. Congratulations on the great accomplishments of last year - and Happy 2009!
Thanks Ricky!
We love taking the pictures too!
2008 was a fun year! Even with the loss of Jessie, which was heartbreaking… a lot of good things happened too.
I’m looking forward to 2009 and the mess of dogs we have in our house, too.
I hope we can get some good things done, maybe Tatum will start to compete in… something, LOL but I’m not rushing it!
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I should’ve guessed you would keep the pup! Haha! Good luck with everything! Sounds like she is already fitting in just fine. She has some high expectations to live up to though, with all her successful “siblings.”
Cyn,
I’m looking forward to this year too. It’s been fun watching Tatum progress, and you’re right…there’s no rush for anybody to compete. Just ask Raven, she says that taking a year off didn’t hurt her feelings at all.
Well Lindsay,
What each of my dogs has taught me is that even if I started out with certain expectations, I’d better be willing to make adjustments, because sometimes they don’t fit with the dog’s personality. So, I’m just looking forward to watching her grow and learn and figuring out together what she finds rewarding.
Marie, 2008 (like every year) has highlights and low patches. I’m really sorry about Jessie, but I’m terribly proud of you and Zoe for your fantastic accomplishment of becoming the first Sheltie MACH in Utah. You really are a great trainer, where you’re willing to admit it or not.
Thank you so very much for giving Layla (cum Lucy) her forever home. We couldn’t have even imagined a better place for her. I hope that she brings all of the joy you would ever want.
And what will 2009 bring?
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