I hope this Blog proves to be both fun and educational for anyone interested in Showing and/or Breeding Dogs. Spend some time with us and you will really understand the time and effort and emotions that goes into this hobby. Join me here for the good times and bad times, the joys and sorrows, the wins and losses. Welcome to life at Vista Dei!

Happy 2007..

Well Darby sent out 2006 with a bang, on Dec 30 and 31, 2006 finishing 2 Canine Performance Event (CPE) agility titles his CL2-R with a total of 3 qualifying runs in standard, he finished his CL2-H title with a total of 4 clean runs, 2 in the agility game of Colors and 2 in the game Wildcard  He has 1/2 of his 4 needed legs for the CL2-F title, and one of the 4 legs needed on the CL3-R title.  We did a marathon run of 10 runs in 2 days, and don't think either of us are young enough to do THAT again!!  Placements included one first place, one second place, 3 third places and 3 fourth places.

 Darby is now officially:

U-CH Sirius Stellar Performance CD,RN,NA,NAJ,NAP,NJP,CL2-R,CL2-H,CGC,OV

Yappy New year!

 

Posted by: Vistadei at 23:56 | link | comments (3)

We had a very merry Christmas here, and hope you all did TOO!!  First thing in the morning, Darby put on a Santa hat and went with me to the nursing home to see my aunt.  She was happy to see him in his little hat, and liked her gifts too.  He was sooo funny.  When I first put the santa hat on him here at home, he decided he couldn't move with it on.. I had to talk him into actually moving forward with it on, and had to lift him down off the bed, as he wasn't going to do something silly like jump with a hat on!  Then we went in the new car to the nursing home.  Darby has ridden in the new van several times, but always with other dogs so in his crate.  This time with just him and me, I let him sit on the passagers seat.  He wasn't real sure about it at first because it was high and slippery, THEN he figured out the heated seat part and he curled up in a ball and heaved a great big happy sigh and slept the rest of the way.  When we got there I had gifts and my purse and him and there is about 20 steps up to the one front door of the facility, and he was coming along fine, but then just froze again.. I gave him some tugs but it was a no-go, and finally I stopped to look at him and the santa hat had fallen clear over his eyes so only his nose was sticking out!  Of course he was afraid of steps if he couldn't  see!  After our visit when we got back home, all the dogs got to open presents.  Dusty is the most talanted at ripping the paper off, and Darby enjoys it too.  Ricki took the chunks of paper that were torn off, and tore them into little itty bitty pieces!  The girls just waited around for the items and then took them and ran!  The pups both got on opposite ends of a gift and worked and worked to get it open.  I tried to buy them some different things this year.  Because Darby gets stuffed toys when he places in agility runs, we have alot of stuffed toys, so were looking for other things.  I got them a laser light to play with and that was a big hit, tho they react to the moving red dot in various ways.  Dusty tried to get it with great vigor and slams his nose into the wall, so we have to be a little careful with that, Ricki sniffs the dot and sniffs the dot, Darby chases and barks at it.   The girls aren't very interested.  The pups got a little pop up house to play in, it has 3 doors so they can run in one side and out the other.  A Christmas favorite in our house is getting the dogs heavy leather work gloves.  I get several pair, they fly when thrown like frizbee's but don't hurt their mouth when they catch, and then they like to chew the leather fingers off the glove eventually.  They got tons of big thick chew sticks, not those little "it takes 20 mins to do em in kind" and some balls, and tug toys and boxes of treats too!  No one got a tummy ache, so that was great, and they all had a good time in the morning.  I went to my daughters for dinner, and gave Destiny her presents, she got new leash and some chewies and a new comfy pillow for in her crate.  She is such a good girl. Would you like to see one of my "sheltie presents" I got? this is a sheltie christmas tree, about 14" high, with I would bet 25 Shelties on it playing with the trimmings.  Trimmings are hot dogs and various dog dishes etc.  It is made by the Danbury mint and the owners of the Antique store where I work got it for me!  Too cool, now, leave it out all  year, of just bring it out for Christmas? 

Well it was a very nice day and I am looking forward to the new year. Hope your Christmas was just a good.

Posted by: Vistadei at 09:02 | link | comments

Posted by: Vistadei at 10:17 | link | comments

I finally got the tree up and decorated last night (oh yes.. I am running a bit behind this year!)  My son said we have the only tree in the town that is surrounded by a doggie x-pen, but it seemed to be a good idea this year with the puppies to put an xpen up in a manner it CAN be taken down when company comes over, and put back up so the stuffed snowmen I decorate the tree with aren't such a temptation  I am looking forward to our party at the Four Season's agility club tonight.  They are my kind of people.  The other kennel club I belong to had "hoity toity" parties.. the dinner cost $39 at one of the best resturants in town, and we are asked to bring a NICE grab bag..   I enjoy it, but I am more the kind of person that enjoys a party like we are having tonight at Four seasons, bring a covered dish and your dogs and have a good time with some games and fun with the dogs.  I can't wait...

Posted by: Vistadei at 11:14 | link | comments (2)

Christmas came early last night for half of our dogs.  Because 2 of the females are in heat, the dogs are separated into groups.  The girls and our neutered male were baby gated out in the laundry room/dog room area.  I have one of those HUGE Rubbermaid containers that holds 60 pounds of dog food.  I was in the living room with the males and the puppies (you know where this story is going.. don't you??)  I heard some rattling around, and when I checked the lid was nice an tight on the dog food bin, but Mysty was working on it with her nose trying to pry it open.  Well I sat a full laundry basket on it, to discourage her and also blocked it in by putting the vacume cleaner infront.  I went back to my Christmas decorating, and eventually nodded off for a few minutes in my chair.  Sure I heard some crashing, but I thought I was just dreaming.... mmmmm hhhmmmmmm.

When I woke up, and realized the dogs needed out for a potty break, I went out to the laundry room and oh for a camera!  Dusty and Diana were actually IN the bin, sitting on mounds of food eating and eating.  The other girls had their heads burried and were munching away.  The vacume had been pushed across the room, and the laundry basket on it's side, clothes strewn around and the lid of the bin 10 feet away.  Needless to say, none of them got dinner, I have no idea if they were eating for a minute or an hour, but I will probably figure that out as I follow them around the yard on clean up duty today!

Posted by: Vistadei at 14:18 | link | comments (2)

Awwww... Yesterday I got a Christmas card in the mail, no return address, postmarked Pittsburgh, PA.  It said:

Who's My Santa all year through?

The one I love belonging to?

My best friend in the world?

That's YOU!

Merry Christmas,

Love Darby!

Thanks to whomever helped my heart dog Darby with his shopping and mailing!  It has made me smile since I got it!!

Posted by: Vistadei at 22:57 | link | comments (1)

Got the final stats for this weekends agility trials,

From Christy and Tim -

Regis had the following scores:

Posted by: Vistadei at 09:36 | link | comments

Wooo hooooo.. just heard that Regis got a double Q today in Cleveland.. one more Q in jumpers will give him his master title.. fingers crossed for tomarrow.. go Regis, go Regis, Go REGIS..  sister Kiwi is here wishing you lots of luck, too!!

Posted by: Vistadei at 22:04 | link | comments

This is a picture of Halo from our L4 litter - he is on Santa's lap and is with his dog sister Angel.  Thanks to Wanda and Bob for the pictures!

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:48 | link | comments

Sampson and Aslan had lots of cute Photo's this year!  They are littermates from the L3 litter who live with their sheltie sister Pippi. Thanks to owners Sue, Mary and Alena for the photos!

With Santa -

Sampson and Aslan at a birthday party for sheltie Sister Pippi

The Whole Family -

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:43 | link | comments (1)

More Pictures!

This is Shelby from the L2 litter and her young owner who is growing up SO FAST! Thanks to mom Linda for the photos! 

Dreaming of good things from Santa -

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:34 | link | comments (1)

UGGGHHHH... just got a call from Dave that the matting at the IX center is very slippery, Drifter has fallen badly, but he doesn't think he is hurt.  Spirit ran slower to compensate and was one second over time, so didn't have a qualifying run.  Regis has qualified in Master Jumpers, but not in Master Standard, not sure of his time..  Now this gives me something to worry about all weekend.. PLEASE don't let those dogs get injured.. slow down, pull 'em out, whatever.. no injuries!  Oh I KNOW I worry too much.. they will all be fine, I just want everyone intacted, including the owners who are running with the dogs. Good thoughts and wishes to all!

Posted by: Vistadei at 13:55 | link | comments

Here is Hector (Puppy #1 - Weee from our latest Litter) Decorating (or undecorating?) his first Christmas Tree!  Thanks to his new mom Denise for the cute pictures!

Posted by: Vistadei at 09:05 | link | comments (1)

Here is the first picture:

Left to Right - U-Ch. Gemstone Over the Top "Decker" (Santa of course) Vista Dei The Storm Chaser NA,NAJ,1/3OAJ,1/3RN,CGC "Drifter" - who is Decker's son and in the front is their Collie Sister - Spirit of Angel OA, NAP,OAJ,NJP,CGC "Spirit"  Thanks to Dave and Denise for the lovely picture and Santa for his participation in a group sport!  We hear they were the best behaved group of dogs at the photo shoot!

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:36 | link | comments (1)

My favorite time of year is here! Christmas pictures are coming in from pups we have sold!  I can't wait till I have just a little extra time to get them transfered and can post them for you all to see!  I just love the cards and updates on "our guys" it is so fun to see how they mature and how happy they are with their families.  It is very rewarding to know they are bringing joy to people's lives and it is also very re-assuring to me to get pictures of the dogs all spoiled and well groomed and enjoying life!

Kiwi is here for a visit this weekend, Regis and Tim are in Cleveland running in agility at the IX center, Dave and Drifter are also there running, as well as Dave's collie Spirit.  We wish them all GOOD LUCK, run fast, run clean!!!

Ha, poor Kiwi is being FIRMLY bossed around by our Darlin' (I still call her Porkey Bess) she is very insistant that Kiwi can't spend too much time on MY lap, nor can she play with certain toys or chewies without getting told off smartly.  Darlin' also has a little hiding spot between the loveseat and china display cabinet where she can hide and then come FLYING out at the most unexpected times to get a chase started.  Last night you would think I had a crew of Greyhounds here, they were racing around and around the place at top speeds.  Derrick just tries to stay out of the way, but some of the other girls, Diana and Dew-oh and Daisy will join in and Chaos reigns!  We are having a ball! 

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:15 | link | comments (1)

Did you think the adult dogs disappeared once the puppies came along?  No indeed - they are stil here making our spirits bright, it has just been that the puppies are full of puppy antics and more fun to write about!

Darby sez- hey guys, did you get your turn to go out and look at Miz Crystal's NEW CAR?

All - yup, yep, yee haww.. that is not a CAR that is a VAN and she bought it just for US!!

Darby - How do you know she bought it for us?  I don't see no gift tag on it?

Diana- well look at the interior, it is made of the same stuff our chewies are made of, she got that so we could chew on the seats!

Dusty - no, we shouldn't chew on the seats, those are heated leather, she got them so other people didn't get our dog hairs stuck to their butts when they ride in the car with us!

Dew-oh - ohhh look there is extra rear airconditioners and rear heaters that will blow right on us to keep us cool or warm!

Mysty - yes and Miz Crystal picked an interior color that matches our hair, and an exterior color that matches the road dirt so she doesn't have to clean as much I think!

Daisy - Look Loooooook!! there is a DVD player back here so me and my little kids can watch animal planet DVD's while we travel!  That might keep my Happy Yappy babies quiet for a while!

Ricki - Oh I think the "back up assist" beats all.  This way when our crates are in the van and Miz Crystal can't see out the back window so well it will beep for her when she gets close to stuff backing up!

All- Miz Crystal wants to show everyone a picture and ask for good thoughts and prayers that the vandalism at our place has come to an end, as she is very afraid for her van!  She even cries sometimes cause she is afraid that it will get vandalised!

Darby - no she is crying cause she bought her son a car

Daisy - is that the nice red classic race car?  Why is she crying about THAT! It is great!

Dusty - ohhhh you didn't hear?  It is not here right now, cause when her son had it for just 3 days he crashed it cause he was show'n off doesn't know how to drive a car with alot of power even tho he wanted it !

Dew-oh - Is that why Miz Crystal has been laying in bed with the covers over her head and crying and saying words like IDIOT?

Diana - yup yup.. No body got hurt, and he just messed up his car, didn't hit any other ones, but now it is in the garage and they say it is a RARE car.  That means parts is more expensive! Tho I don't know if she is more mad at HIM or at herself for not insisting on full insurance coverage!  Now she has to pay for the damages.

All - We're getting nuthin for Christmas!!!!!

Mysty - oh don't worry I already saw a big bag of stuff for us that Miz Crystal was trying to hide!  We will have Christmas, but I guess we are not getting custom made Christmas cards done this year, that is ok the picture for the card just had the PUPPIES on it, and not all of us!

Dew-oh - Well All of us could post the picture that was going to be the card here on the internet and wish everyone a VIRTUAL MERRY CHRISTMAS!  That would save enough money for to fix one of the fog lights maybe?

All - ok, ok.. here it is!!

ALL OF US AT VISTA DEI SHETLAND SHEEPDOGS

WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:37 | link | comments (1)

Just got a great phone call from Dave, "our guy" Drifter - Vista Dei The Storm Chaser NA, NAJ, 1/3 OAJ,1/3 RN,CGC got that first leg in Open Jumpers today and a first place ribbon, blowing away the competition on a 125 yard course with a 39 second Standard Course time he finished the course in a mere 23.56 seconds!  Woooo hooooooo.... way to go DAve and Drifter, We are so proud of you both!!

Posted by: Vistadei at 17:35 | link | comments (2)

Derrick (Puppy #3) sez - OH MY DOG WHAT IS THIS WHITE STUFF ALL OVER THE GROUND??

Darlin' (Puppy #4) sez - stop screaming, Derrick, this stuff is snow, and the faster you go potty in the pee'in pen, the faster we both can go back inside!

Derrick - no no no I can't pee in this, it is too cold and I tried to eat it and it is stuck to my lips!! ouch ouch, it is hurt'n my feet!!

Darlin' - oh look right here.. I did a pee here, and I did a poop over there.  I did it right away, so now Miz Crystal will take me back inside, I am a good smart girl and I will get a cookie!

Derrick - waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa  pick me UP.. I can't go.. the hair on my winkie will freeze.. wwwaaaaaaa

Darlin' - oh Derrick, you have only been in the snow for 2 minutes, you are not dieing, as soon as you go Miz Crystal will take us inside, get to yer business...

Derrick - Miz Crystal HATES me, why did she put me in this stuff? and then take pictures of me? and laugh when I dance around trying to hold me feet up?

Darlin'- no no, she just is waiting for you to go potty, and taking pictures for Aunt Cricket and Miz Rose to see what they are missing up north here! But she is freezing too! hurry up!

Derrick - sob sob sob.. please please take me inside, I will pee and poop as soon as I get on the nice warm carpet I PROMISE.. ohhhhhh please!!!!!!!

Miz Crystal - oh come on Derrick we will go inside, you aren't making any progress here, and it IS too cold to be out for more than a few minutes.  I have some paper towels to clean up.. but when it gets a little warmer you have to go potty outside like your smart sister is doing, ok?

Derrick- sniffle sniffle.. ok. ok.. just pick me up now.. oooohhhhhh why couldn't I have been born in July?

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:15 | link | comments (2)

The Holidays are upon us sooo quickly and I have been busy with family and work and friends and just not on the computer very much!  It has been over a week since I had time to update the blog.  Our puppy #1 Weee went to his new home yesterday (Darn.. forgot the going home pictures, so hopefully Denise will send me some "just arrived home" pictures of them with the pup!)  He now has a new name "Hector" and a lovely new family and in a couple years we will be seeing him in the local agility rings.. sure am looking forward to that.  Things are so quiet around here without him.

So #3 pup - Derrick is still here, but running so small on the charts that we may make him available to a pet home, but he is so pretty and I wanted a small male, I will wait him out a few more weeks and see if he gets a growth spurt.  If he does not, he will be uder 13" at maturity based on the current size on the growth charts

#4 pup - oh my Porky Bess.. I think her REAL call name will be Darlin' and I think she is what I have been breeding for all these years.  She is my keeper.  At 10 weeks she is 9 3/4" on the chart, and that is the same size as her daddy Darby was at this age, so I am starting to relax and say.. think this is it... Now give us a few months and see if the show judges agree!

Posted by: Vistadei at 11:49 | link | comments (2)