Maureen Fanthorpe
Aro—2009
Youngest 1st: Aro came to us in mid March a half brother to Merry and Pippin born on Elvis’s birthday. From the beginning the differences between a male dog and the girls proved challenging. In early April my sister Lynne fell and shattered her ankle which was to prove to be the challenge of the year for me her and the dogs. We have had two wonderful friends who supported and helped with the dogs when I was out of town, Dennis who is 83 came every day I was away and collected Aro for his walk and the looked after him for the day and returned him around dinner. Marilyn did the same for the girls. How do you thank such folks, well we can’t. They continue to take and interest in our dogs and we walk with them regularly.
Above: Aro
In late Oct. Aro was lucky enough to go to a Larry Painter clinic for his introduction to herding. 4 lessons in three days it was a great start and it shows. He continues to improve and will be participating in the beginner clinics this winter and spring and hopeful be ready for the trial season by the May long weekend. I just wish he would learn to sleep later than 4am.
Pippin—2009
Pippin struggled all year with lameness and while we finished her ASCA duck title, and her CKC Intermediate arena, plus got an advanced leg in CLC arena, in mid July we had to stop everything while we tried to cure her chronic tendonitis.
Above: Pippin finishing her ASCA Started Duck Title
It was the beginning of 6 months of restrictions and regular physio. That or retire the dog. By Christmas the limp was gone and we slowly began to return her to fitness. X-rays proved to be totally negative so now we will see what is to be this coming season.
Merry—2009
And then there was Merry. She finished all her started legs, including an AKC started sheep title. She finished 2nd behind a working border collie in a large flock AHBA trail and finally she came first in a AHBA HTDl trial ahead of the working border collies, pretty good for a Cattle dog.
Above: Merry competing in AKC Started Sheep A Course at beautiful Whidbey Island
She always goes to work when asked, never sulks, and has never let me down. I am now looking foreword to seeing if I can get caught up to her enough to get those intermediate titles this year. Oh yes and for the 2nd year in a row, she was second to Leroy as ACD of the year.
So now Sister Lynne’s ankle is mended, Pippin is sound, Merry is happy as always, 2010 here we come, oh and last night Aro slept until 445 am.
Maureen Fanthorpe and Merry and Pippin (2008)
After an amazing year with Lynn handling her, Pippin and I started afresh. A bit of a struggle doesn’t do the process justice? I went home from training at Downriver in tears of frustration more times than not. Hours in the round pen, blowing me off at Handy dog trials, finally on some advice from a fellow handler I started a new tactic, stop talking and stop yelling. Wow.
Over the course of the season, Pippin and I finished her ASCA cow title, got an ASCA duck leg despite predictions that she would try and eat the ducks. We did both legs of an HTAD 1 and had some real success in many other trials.
And then there is Merry! Happiest dog on the planet. The dog that someone once said would never let me down and she never has.
Merry finished her CKC Started title, got a leg on her Stock Dog started title, finished and ASCA sheep and got one leg on ASCA cows and ducks. We started on our AHBA HTAD 1 and did well in the first of the Handy trials. One ahead of Pippin.
Most amazing of Merry’s accomplishments was at the AKC trial on Whidbey Island. She qualified both days on started sheep and was one of only two dogs all week end to qualify on cows. The judge who was more than generous comment was “this little dog went in and told those cows who was boss and did her job” Could any of this happened with out Lynn and Downriver hah not a chance. So thanks to Lynn and everyone who makes Downriver what it is and let’s get going on that driving stuff for next year. For anyone who doesn’t know my dogs they are full sisters Merry is standing in the photo, Pippin lying down.
Merry and Pippin also have legs in ASCA, AHBA and CKC and Merry has legs in AKC
Pippin HS, SDS, HTDl, HRDl, HRDll,STDsc,HTADl CGN
Merry HT,HS,JHD,STDs
Owned by Maureen and Lynne Fanthorpe
Trained at Downriver Farm by Lynn Leach
