Our winter break seemed too short, but we're back in the game for 2017 already, with a single-day set of trials the past Sunday. Rōnin and Harley picked up where they left off in 2016, for Harley in the Advanced class and Rōnin in Masters and Elite classes. Additionally, he also trialed for the first time in two searches in Novice handler discrimination (alerting to handler's articles). Despite (or perhaps because of!) the break, they both did really well, with Harley passing her final two pre-trial odor recognition tests and 3 of 4 trials in containers and interiors. Alas, she did not qualify for one of the interior searches, and so she did not finish her Advanced Nosework title but we have our sights set on completion in February!
Harley has also been started on foundations in Agility recently. She's so food motivated, we'll see how far she goes with this. As long as she's enjoying herself. Of course all details of the results from the weekend can, as usual, be found on each dogs' individual profile under 'Our Pack'.
Rōnin had 4 qualifications out of 6 trials, with high time placements in all four, including 2 High in Trials! We're so happy and proud of Rōnin - when he does feel like cooperating, he really can do it well. He only has Exterior searches outstanding before he finishes his Master class title, and so we look forward to the March trials which has outdoors searches.
Additionally, plans for our projected 2017 litter are being finalized. We're awaiting the official confirmation of several health results; in late December we renewed Ghost and Morrow's annual OFA eye screening and in the beginning of January Morrow's elbow radiographs were taken. These were the last remaining screenings necessary to finish out her CHIC requirements, and while we expect an all-clear, we are waiting to hear official results back. In late January or early February we hope to announce litter plans and all other related information.
We also have several travel plans in the works; half for fun, half for dog-related reasons. We hope that everyone had a nice holiday season! We are certainly looking forward to where a brand new year takes us!
