The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot (Michael Altshuler)

 

“Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.”
― Brad Paisley

 

 

While I sit here and reflect on the past year and all the joy it has brought us some highlights stand out; Sadie earning her ONYX in flyball and on the same day little Loki debuting in fine form. Having the opportunity to bring Stash here and have him live with us. Welcoming a new chapter of the Inseguire book into this world with our Diva x Dempsey puppies and watching them grow and develop. I could go on. We have enjoyed spending time at terrier trials, flyball tournaments, and a few other canine sporting events this year but most of all I feel blessed to get to share every day with these lovely dogs. It has been a really wonderful year for our gang and we welcome 2013 with open arms and anticipation for what it may bring. So, from all of us here to all of you out there HAPPY NEW YEAR

A weekend to remember

“With an enthusiastic team you can achieve almost anything.” 
- Tahir Shah

 

Flyball has always been a large part of our lives here at Inseguire. It keeps our terriers physically and mentally challenged and through the sport we have made some very close friendships. We spend numerous weekends a year in a building filled with dogs and often "roughing it" camping nearby overnight. We have made many many friends across the country and developed many close relationships. All of us fuelled and tied together by this insane desire to surround ourselves by too many barking dogs! And it all began when Sadie and I moved across the country and needed something to do. 

An offhanded trip to a local canine event gave me my first expose to flyball and after signing up for a beginner class I was hooked. Sadie was a relatively ease dog to train and despite taking time off to whelp 2 litters and almost having a career ending accident in 2010 thatbtook almost a yet to recover from she has run solidly for almost 5 years and served height dog duties for no less than 9 clubs! She has given me a foundation from which has built and incredible legacy of flyball Jack Russells. 

Sadie's first litter gave us Cali who has been a reliable little height dog earning over 15,000 points and serving as a division 1 height dog for the last 2.5 years. Her litter mate Topher who plays for our good friends the Hotdoggers has earned over 10,000 points in limited outings and often run double time at the tournaments so more teams can play. From her second litter both Tov and Kiwi have raced reliably since their first tournament in 2011 earning their 15,000 (FMCh) and 10,000 (FMX) titles respectively. Both also run consistently in the mid 4s with Kiwi breaking into the 4.3s at this past tournament. From Cali's first litter little Loki is now a titled dog with a bright future making her generation number three for our kennel.

So what does all this have to do with this past weekend? Well as we watched Kiwi earn her FMX and put her first 4.3 on the clock, Tov earn her FMCh, and little Loki debut solidly in the pack and earn her FD and FDX, Sadie eclipsed them all and earned her first "big" title, her ONYX, that NAFA commemorates with an engraved plaque. It was a very special moment for me as she is already 9 and while she shows few signs if slowing down I had been chasing this moment all year - actually I had been chasing this moment for almost 5 years - and nothing could have been sweeter than sharing that moment with my very special friend and ever constant terrier companion. Sadie has given me so much and I wanted this for her so to have it all come tighter this weekend with all her children and grandchildren there to see it was icing on the cake. 

And with that we will settle in for the winter and look forward with excitement and anticipation to what 2013 will have in store for our little furry herd. 

Rainier 2012

 “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

– St. Augustine 

Kiwi and Sadie

This year the gang and I traveled to Washington to attend the Rainier Hunt Classic Trials just across the border in Everson WA. Our first trial in the far west the drive was spectacular through the rocky mountains of Alberta and British Columbia. Rainier is a small, but well put on, trial and we had the opportunity to meet some people and see some terriers we have not seen before. The girls did very well, finishing no worse than second in every class they were entered in all weekend. Cali and Kiwi made the final ring both days in conformation and were beat for Best Bitch by a couple of lovely dogs. Sunday I had to enlist the help of a few hands as I entered Sadie in the rarely-available Open Veteran conformation class and when she won that meant she, Kiwi, and Cali all made the final Bitch ring. I could not be more proud to have had 1/4 of the terriers in the final ring that day belong to my kennel! Sadie was also as tough as always in the family classes with her daughters Cali and Kiwi by her side she was family champion Saturday and Reserve Family Champion on Sunday.



left-right: Sadie, Kiwi, Cali with
Castle Pines Baron, Barons daughter, and Forget-me-not Mickinley

Inseguire Warden also made his show ring debut this weekend turning 4 months on the Saturday of the trial. He showed very well for being such a baby still and while he was not overly keen on the collar and leash part of things he very much enjoyed the meeting the judge part and the standing pretty and getting cookies part. He started his show career off with a bang and took home Best 4-6mo Dog Pup both days as well as Reserve 4-6mo Puppy Champion both days.

Inseguire Warden

On the performance side of things little Loki is really learning the ropes in Go-to-Ground and pulled on some spectacular times in her championship class. She is still working on sticking with the quarry even when blocked and not going and looking for another way to reach it - a trick her mother Cali is very well known for! Kiwi finished second in both flats and hurdle racing both days to the ultra-fast Kachina and Sunday when we decided to let Stash have a whirl at the racetrack he impressed us all by winning the over males hurdle race and going on to be the Reserve Racing Champion!

Woofgang Stash winning the Over Male Hudles Race

The big highlight of the weekend came mid-afternoon on Sunday however when I had the honor of showing our new boy Woofgang Stash in some of our first Working Terrier classes. The Working Terrier division in the holy-grail of terrier showing. Being in a breed club that emphasise the working aspect of our terrier the best and highest rewards in the show ring are reserved for those terriers that have proven themselves in the field and as such admitted entrance to the Working Terrier division. Stash, the veteran that he is, showed beautifully in his class and I needed only hold his lead as he won that class over some lovely terriers. From there it was onto the best dog ring where once again he faced off with some stunning examples of the breed. I waited, with baited breath, as the judge went over each terrier thoroughly and deliberated carefully before she announced that the reserve went to the lovely Diggin West Razzle and champion went to Stash! A little break to watch the girls compete and we were right back in against the female champion and reserve for best working terrier. Four outstanding examples of the Jack Russell Terrier, all having proven their grit in the field in front of a working judge, and now competing for top show honors. The judge had each pair, winners together and reserves together, walk off and then switched them up. She again went over each dog and I think you could have heard a pin drop as she whispered the ring steward her decision. You could have nicked me over with a feather when they announced that the Working Terrier Champion that day was Stash and although I did nothing more than hold the end of his leash I was honored and proud to be the one other side of it! What a great weekend, full of great memories, and a fantastic way to cap off our regular trial season and prepare for Nationals in October.

Woofgang Stash held by judge Sand Brown
with his ribbons and perpetual trophy for
Best Working Terrier

On being a breeder

I want to cultivate the seed that was placed in me until the last small twig has grown.
- Kathe Kollwitz

People often ask me "how can you bear to let your puppies go" or sometimes in the equine world I also frequent "how can you even think of selling your horse". The answer is plain and simple, joy. My dogs, and horses, bring me immense joy. The kind of joy that entangles itself so deeply into your heart and soul that to remove it would be to remove all of yourself. I am who I am today because of the animals who have come into my life and taught me the lessons of being a participant of this world. I, being a breeder (and sometimes a equine broker), have the very unique opportunity to be able to gift others this same type of joy and, in doing so, receive it back ten-fold.

If you own one of my puppies you may or may not know that I candidly watch you from behind the scenes. I share in your joys and frustrations and am often moved to tears when I watch you succeed with a puppy that came from me. I have more than once caught myself entranced in a moment as an owner leaned down to gently kiss the top of a head of one of my grown puppies in such a tender, loving, and intimate way and thought to myself, "how lucky am I that I can be a part of that". When I have a bad day, or am feeling a little down, I seek out photographs I have collected of my owners and their puppies (my extended family album so to speak) and find peace in them.

All of this came back to the fore and was driven home this weekend when I saw, for the first time in almost a year, my gentle sweet Indy and his new girl so madly in love with her horse. I was taken by surprise when a friend sent me a picture, captured with her cell phone, of him being grazed by a toddler on the busy show grounds. I didn't even realize until a tear worked it's way to the surface and found a path on my cheek just how happy that single image made me. Later that day when his new owner excitedly accepted her fancy 3rd place ribbon in a big class I was humbled by the knowledge that I had some small part of that.

So to all of you who own, or will own, an animal that has come from me know that you are forever entrusted with a little piece of my heart. Your celebrations will be my celebrations, your frustration my frustration. I will always be there to cheer you one, hold your hand, and give you a hug if you need it for you have something of mine so precious that words can never do it justice:

I have in you planted the seed of joy and the fruit it bears will feed us both for many years to come. Plant that little seed in the place where sunshine abounds and water it frequently with love. Harvest it as often as you can and know that every time you do I feel it in my heart.

Inseguire Warden

Life is a lively process of becoming.
- Douglas MacArthur

Inseguire Warden 14.5 wks

I could not be more pleased with the way our little Warden is growing up. At almost 4 months he is showing all the signs of quality I has hoped for from his linebred pedigree. He has the sweetest temperament, never far from my side, yet he is feisty and outgoing, and mischievous. His outstanding structure is highlighted in his lovely long neck, strong head, and fabulous front end his pedigree is so well known for producing. I wish I could take more credit for this lovely boy who proudly bares my kennel name but he is more the product of Michelle Ward's Little Eden Terriers and her dedication to quality in this breed than anything else. When I did this mating I wanted something not directly related to my females but still with enough similarities in pedigree and structure to compliment our bloodlines. My fingers are crossed that Warden is it! He has a long way to go yet to fulfill the expectations of his ancestors but he is well on his way. He will make his show-ring debut this month at the Rainier trial in Washington state and I am pretty excited to hear what the judges think of him! 

Stash

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~William A. Ward

I do not think words can express just how thankful we are to welcome Woofgang Stash to our pack here at Inseguire. So many people were instrumental in his arrival that we would like to take pause and thank them from the bottom of our hearts.

Stash is a lovely terrier, both inside and out, and we have admired him for many years. His pedigree is second to none and he has produced some stunning offspring. This has been in the works for some time now and we are just so excited to finally be able to welcome him into our home. He is a very easy terrier to fall in love with and adores spending the evening cuddled up on the couch. He has found a friend in our little Calliope and she plays with him at every opportunity. She has made it her job to show him all the ins and outs of terrier life here and he seems to enjoy her company as well. We look forward to taking him with us to our remaining trials this year and possible heading out into the field with him this fall. He is no newcomer to field work as he already holds an NHC to groundhog but we want to take some time to bond with him before we ask that of him. Down the road I am sure he will play an instrumental role in our breeding program but for now we are just enjoying getting to know this lovely terrier.

Bedfellows

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
                                                                                                                     - Albert Camus

 

I could not help but share this photo taken today of our intact male Fell Terrier, Patton, with his new little shadow Inseguire Ellie Mae. Patton is a wonderful dog, a true testament to what an intact male's temperament should be like, and he often helps us socialize our puppies. Ellie has really taken a shine to him and as I watched them today I got chills thinking about the power these two terriers will pack if and when they are ever taken out into the field together!

Time flies when you're having fun

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.

- Abraham Lincoln

Inseguire Warden

While time always seems to fly by as my litters are born, develop, grow, and leave I imagine that one the other side, the people waiting for their puppy, time must drag on and on. I can therefore not be to somber as the day they leave fast, and all-together too quickly, approaches as that is a day that signifies such joy for so many others. This litter has been a blast. Our first experience with anything more than 4 puppies and WOW have they kept us busy! Watching personalities emerge and develop has been amazing and getting to know each puppy as an individual is so rewarding. I have one of everything in this litter, the cuddler, the adventurer, the jester, the cutie-pie, the toy fiend, and the food hound. And, best of all, I have a wonderful homes waiting that suits each of them - as a breeder you can not ask more than this. Thankfully, mercifully, they will not all be leaving me next week, "Elektra" and "Warden" will be staying on to provide me my daily puppy fix and hopefully, all willing, start the next chapter of our Inseguire line.



Before you know it they are grown

Not a having and a resting, but a growing and becoming, is the character of perfection as culture conceives it.
                                                           - Matthew Arnold

Inseguire Lokasenna, 10 mo

With all the excitement surrounding the arrival of our Diva x Dempsey litter I have somehow missed my little "Loki" morphing from a rambunctious puppy to a lovely, outgoing, adult. Maybe it is because I see her every day and the change is so gradual, so subtle, that until you compare the images seen through the camera lens you do not notice how much she has changed. It was the success of her littermate, Strike-A-Pose "Snookie" who is owned by Denise DeCosta of Sea Dog Terriers, that inspired me to go out and take some updated pictures of her. Snookie was Puppy Conformation Champion this last weekend at a huge show in Connecticut while being handled by her favorite junior, Katya. After doing so well in the junior handler division Denise asked Katya if she wanted to show Snookie in her open conformation classes. Show her she did and the pair walked away with top honors beating some lovely lovely terriers in the process. I am so proud of Snookie and her connections and can not thank them enough for giving this beautiful terrier so many opportunities to shine! Our little Loki is slated to make her conformation ring debut in 2 weeks and I am beyond excited to introduce her to the show ring. She is a lovely terrier, inside and out, and I am very excited about our future together.

Inseguire Strike-A-Pose, 6 mo

I also managed to get a few updated pictures of Kiwi, a task I have been intending to complete for quite some time now. I am thrilled with the way she has developed and at 2.5 years is a solid, strong, terrier with a character and personality that can not be beat!

Inseguire Keepsake, 2.5 yrs

No, sorry, I don't want to sell you a puppy

The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this, that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed, but a thing created is loved before it exists"
                                                                                                                                ~ Charles Dickens

Spring is upon us and with it comes the inevitable phone calls about puppies. Now I should make it clear that I do not mind people calling about our dogs in the least. Quite the opposite I am always very honoured when people call and want to have one of our puppies in their homes, or want to know more about our dogs or the breed. I love talking terriers, as any one who has ever had to listen to me will attest. What I want to do instead is prepaer you for what that conversation is going to look like and the attitude one should bring to the table when calling a breeder about their puppies.

So the desire to increase your family by one four legged and furry member has hit you and you start looking for a puppy. You may have narrowed down you breed choices and researched breeders and now you are making some phone calls. I say phone calls because I will not sell someone a dog without speaking to them first, not now, not ever. Email is great for first contact but if you are really serious call me. When you do please remember first and foremost that I do not want to sell you a puppy, not even a little bit. It is nothing personal I just don't want to sell my puppies to anyone. Simply put, I want to keep all my puppies. I have underlined this because it is the very most important thing for you to remember if you are going to call me or another breeder like me. I love my puppies, I love their parents, I often have loved their grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, and so on. There is generation upon generation of love built into these puppies from the moment they are conceived. Now the reality is that it is not very practice to keep all the puppies my kennel produces. Even if I was a wealthy person (and being afflicted with the desire to breed and raise dogs ensures I will never be) I can simply not provide the care, attention, and socialization that many dogs require. This then leaves me in the situation where I need to place the vast majority of the dogs I produce.

So what do I want from you in our conversation? I want to know first off that you REALLY do want a Jack Russell and know what they were bred to do and truly understand that you will never, ever, train this out of them. I don't care if you are Cesar Milan, Leslie McDevitt, or Ian Dunbar himself, Jack Russells are Jack Russells, plain and simple - you will never train them to be anything but the highly driven, independent, workaholics that they are. You can, if you are savvy, direct all that energy in an area of your choosing but you best have a sense of humour, miles of patience, and someone super knowledgeable to help you along. During this opening part of our conversation I am probably going to tell you about all the horrible stuff JRTs like to do, stuff they think is fun, stuff I find hilarious, and this same stuff generally horrifies the regular public. How you react to this information will determine how much longer this conversation is going to be.

Next I want to know what kind of dog owner you are. Are you dedicated to your pets? Do you stick things out even when they get a little rough? Are you willing to include your dog in your daily life (very important to a JRT!)?. Are you willing to fit your life to your new dog in some ways and not just expect them to fit seamlessly into yours? If you have answered yes to all these questions awesome! Now we can talk about what you are looking for in a dog. I want you to describe to me your perfect dog. Knowing of course that no dog is perfect I want to hear what you would "order" in a canine companion if you could? What attracts you to the JRT specifically and how does it fit into these ideals? So many questions already I know! Are you starting to get the feeling like I am trying to talk you out of getting a puppy? Well I kind of am. If I can scare you off this easily just think what that little white bundle of terror, sorry terrier, is going to do! I like people who are strong willed, a little tenacious, and willing to go that extra mile to get a dog, it says to me you may just be able to handle and even enjoy one of my little critters.

So now that we have established that the JRT is the right dog for you and you do in fact want one now we can talk about if I actually have any puppies available. Even if I don't I know lots of great breeders with super dogs so all that hassle I put you through won't be for not! Please understand that like most good breeders we have a waiting list. People who want a puppy and want it now scare me a little. Not to say that they could not potentially be great homes but remember that old saying that goes "the best things in life are worth waiting for", well we think that applies to our puppies and our owners. We have waited for the right homes to come along so please be patient while we find you the right puppy. Now the right puppy may not have a specific facial marking, be a specific color, or have that cute little spot at the base of it's tail but what it will have is the right temperament and demeanour to suit the purpose you are looking for. Coat type, color, markings don't matter in the bigger picture and we think all our dogs are pretty cute regardless. Now this is not to say that if you like color on your terrier and the next person likes minimal markings and we get two puppies with similar temperaments we won't place the one that you think is "prettiest" with you I just want you to understand that this is secondary (maybe even lower but I am not sure of the word for that). Just be prepared to wait, and the more selective you are on cosmetic specifics the longer you could be waiting.

Next be ready to fill out an application (so I can have your information on file and at my fingertips) and provide references. Even though you sound great to me on the phone I have known people who've been duped before so I want to talk to a few people that know you. Also keep in mind that I am not only interested in what these people have to say about you but the impression I get of them as well. It is often a common occurrence that we surround ourselves with like individuals so if I like you, and I like your friends chances are I good I will grudgingly part with one of my special little white dogs. Once you are on my waiting list I will do you the courtesy of keeping you updated on the progress of your new addition right up to the time it goes home with you, please in turn offer me this same courtesy through your terrier's life time and keep me updated on occasion. Remember how you loved those cute puppy pictures I sent you? I love pictures of my dogs, even if they are old and grey, enjoying their new homes and new lives. I don't need you to email me weekly but please once or twice a year send me a little note that says all is well. Like I said before a lot of love went into that puppy and it did not end when it left my home. They may grow up, move away, and find new families to love them but they will always be in my heart. So I apologize if I ever seem short, or come across as elitist, it is not my intent. I am simply trying to find the very best homes for my puppies because I love them and there is nothing I will not do to ensure that they lead the best possible lives, for this is the promise I make when I bring them into this world.

10,080 minutes

Time is what prevents everything from happening at once. 

~John Archibald Wheeler

Our Diva x Dempsey puppies are now a week old and while in some ways the time has felt like it has been crawling in other ways it feels like just yesterday I welcomed them into the world. With such a large litter some of the puppies were a little smaller and more delicate than we are used to so I have been hovering over these puppies a little more than usual. Not that there is really much for me to do except supervise and cuddle with Diva when she is not nursing but I find I feel better just being nearby.

Everyone seems to be doing well, gaining weight and strength every day. They are vibrant puppies who nurse vigorously and often and have no problems traveling around the whelping box finding the most comfortable or warmest spots. Diva is a wonderful mom and dotes on her puppies, allowing them to nurse in what seems to be a never ending cycle since as soon as some are done others are awake and hungry. She has finally started to give herself some breaks and will come and sit with me on the couch or computer for an hour or so here and there.  

I am so excited about this litter and what the future holds for these special puppies that I find myself wishing the days to go by faster. Every once in a while I stop and check myself and am reminded to just enjoy each day, each milestone, each breath. Each day is a gift and while I am excited for the future I must not loose sight of the now and all that fills it.  





All good things come in due time

“When we get impatient because something is taking too long, we should remember that Life waits on us a thousand times more than we wait on Life.” 
― Laura Teresa Marquez

They finally arrived this afternoon, our long anticipated Diva/Dempsey puppies and I am just tickled with them. Michelle jokingly says that "Little Eden Girls whelp during the day" and she was right on the money on this one. Just before bed last night Diva's temperature dropped and she started showing the early signs of labour. Not knowing how long it would be before she whelped I decided to sleep in the whelping room, on the floor, and keep an eye on her. She seemed to really enjoy the company as she would begin to bark after about 30 seconds if I left the room and become quiet again on my return. I remained at my "post" all night and through the following morning until a little after 1pm when the first puppy made it's appearance. The next hour and a half was all a blur to me as by 2:30 pm we had welcomed 6 new terriers into the world which is quite a frantic pace for whelping by any standard. Thankfully Diva is a wonderful mom and left little for me to do but watch and enjoy the appearance of each new addition. Things went by so quickly that it wasn't until it was all over that I was able to pick up each individual puppy and determine how many of each gender we actually had. We ended up with  2 girls and 4 boys which is particularly thrilling for me as I intend to keep a male from this litter and there will hopefully be plenty to choose from. Almost 12 hours old all the puppies are nursing and settling into life outside the womb and Diva is quite pleased not to feel so much pressure on her insides and celebrated with a couple of fine meals. She, understandably, has had little appetite these last couple of weeks but made up for it today in spades. I can not wait to watch these puppies grow, mature, and develop but for now I will try to get some sleep even though I would prefer to just sit outside the whelping box and look at them for another 12 hours.

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. 

~Margaret Atwood

With the beginning of April, and a mild winter behind us, spring has come early here at Inseguire. With it marks the beginnings of many things such as trial season, flyball tournaments, disc competitions, and generally enjoying the great outdoors. It also marks the beginning of a new chapter for Inseguire with the addition of a new terrier. When a good friend offered me the chance at a lovely terrier from a foundation line of Little Eden kennel I jumped at the chance. I have been considering for quite some time now adding the right boy to our mix. While, as a general rule in the past, I do not like to limit my options by keeping my own males I am finding it progressively more difficult to arraign shipping for my girls from our rather remote Canadian location. This leaves me with the options of either a) only being able to breed my girls around air-shipment availability schedules, or b) keeping a select male or two and still sending out the occasional female when the star align in such a way that it is possible to do so. I did not come by this decision lightly and have been keeping an eye out for such a male for a while now. I found a couple whom I loved and who would compliment my females and ideals nicely but being that most breeders, understandably, keep the best for themselves none were available for purchase. The next best thing was however available, a lovely bitch with the pedigree I had been looking at acquiring. Arraignments were made to bring her to Canada and subsequently breed her to a stud dog I adore who's pedigree is a line matching to hers. With this mating we are hoping to produce very typie puppies with the pedigree, conformation, and drive to expand and improve our particular type of terrier. To say I am excited would be an understatement and with a little less than 2 weeks until these puppies are due I am finding it harder and harder to contain.

Little Eden Diva II                          Little Eden Dempsey

Little Eden Dempsey

Spring around here once again echos the season in that it brings an end to our journey with our current litter of puppies. Before Robert left for his home in Washington state I had bred him to Calliope for a repeat of the litter that produced Lokasenna and Strike-A-Pose. These puppies, like their predecessors, have been an absolute hoot and a joy to have around. They will go on to be lovely companions in their respective families and we hope will bring as much joy to them as they have to us. It is bittersweet as I really do love each and every puppy we produce and can always come up with some justification or another for why I could keep them. However, in the end, seeing the joy they bring to their new families and being able to touch the lives of others in such a profound and positive way reminds me of one of the many reasons I go through all the trials and tribulations associated with being a breeder and helps ease the pain of letting them go. And in the words of Edward Giobbi:

I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth? 

Tan and White Male

Tan and White Female

Tri Colored Female

Cali and Co. Take Two

With Robert staying the winter and the success of our first cross we decided to repeat our Robert/Cali cross and I could not be more pleased with the results. They welcomed 3 puppies into the world on February 10th 2012, 2 girls and 1 boy. Mom and puppies are doing well but unfortunately my good camera is suffering from some "technical difficulties" so I do not have my usual plethora of photos to choose from. I do however have a couple of select photos and a little video that my iPhone was kind enough to offer me so there is a sneak peek of our new additions. Hopefully I will have everything back up and running when they make their first journey outside in a few weeks!