Hi all,

I can’t believe another year has come and gone!  For some reason I just can’t seem to get in the Holiday spirit this year?????  Of course 85 degree weather doesn’t really condone itself to holiday thoughts <laugh>

This year has literally flown by and while not jam packed with the BIG wins of past years was a pretty successful year. 

I have five new champions this year and my little Amanda is only two points away.  New champions are Akiba’s Today and Temora owned by Wayne Burgess, Akiba’s Sixty Minute Man owned by Anne & Craig Mitchell, Akiba’s Southern Belle owned by Merv & Faith Murdock, Akiba’s American Gigolo owned by Ulla-Britt Norgren and UKC champion Akiba’s Southern Exposure (aka Moonie) owned by Kim Floyd. Moonie is half way to his AKC championship and is training in Agility.  I also had two dogs qualify for the 2006 AKC Invitational; Ch Akiba’s You’ve Got Mail and Ch Akiba’s Arctic Blues.

2005 started off with a bang!  In Tampa, Florida at the AKC Invitational.  I had the honor of handling one of Joan Bailey’s Tibetan Spaniels to an Award of Merit!  It was trilling and garnered Socks an invitation to Crufts in England. 

Ch Afton’s Promises To Keep

For a short time I also had the pleasure of showing Ch Benayr Travln’ Jack.  Jack is an awesome dog and in the short time he visited South Carolina he qualified for an invitation to AKC Invitational. I have a very promising Jack daughter to bring out next year.

Ch Benayr Travln’ Jack

This year was full of some deep sadness.  On April 13 I lost my beloved Annie. She was my bed buddy & constant companion for almost 16 years.  She got me started in all of this and is behind most every dog I now own. Dolly who had become my buddy was diagnosed with severe allergies affecting her ears.  My Vet was recommending surgery.  At about that time Ch Brandywine’s Akiba’s Fiesta passed away and my friend Carol began looking for another dog.  It was great timing; it gave Dolly a complete change of environment & Carol a new companion.  Her ears are doing great and Carols’ Vet is hoping to avoid surgery!

BVIS Ch Bearsteps Outback Annie of Akiba, ROM-X, CGC      Ch Brandywine’s Akiba’s Fiesta

Most of the family is doing well although Mom fell in September and required surgery on her hip. She’s not getting around very well at all & has a lady that lives with her to watch over her.  I’m really looking forward to getting home for the Holidays. 

I’m looking forward to 2006 that it will hopefully be as productive as this year and perhaps an easier year! I’m excited about getting into the ring with my first ‘RED” Aussie!  Thanks to my late friend Cathy Babbins who left TJ to me I now have his son Dempsey.

Janet