That Rainbow Bridge

Marion Hopkins and CH Mr Muldoon






Marion and two of her beloved IWS






Marion Hopkins age 88



Sad news this time. Marion Hopkins, the Alpha of the Mallyree Kennels family, has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She died Wednesday, January 27Th. She was able to maintain her home, living independently until Tuesday, January 26Th, with her wonderful Irish Water Spaniel, Emma, and her princess Maine Coon Cat, Miss P. Mallyree Kennels will go on, but it will never be the same.
Plans for a celebration of her life are in the works for late spring or early summer - a true dog and family friendly party in her honor. We will keep you in the loop as far as plans go. Marion will be buried next to her husband and her mother in St. Ann's Episcopal Church's cemetery in Sayville, New York.

Harley the Ham

Harley and His Ribbons




I just had to post this picture. Harley is so pleased with himself! So are we. He did a bang up job at the show, tail wagging, paying attention and sending a happy face out to all he could see. The first ribbon (left to right) is for graduation from Puppy Training, the 2 blue ribbons are for the Fist Place he got Saturday and Sunday, the purple and white are for Reserve Winner on those days and the last is for achieving his "Canine Good Citizen". I can tell you that that in itself is quite an achievement for a 6 month old Irish Water Spaniel!
Harley is in a Rally Obedience Class now and doing very well. He and Alice make a great "couple". His brother, Topper, on the other hand has decided to play the devil child. He is into everything! He recently "opened" a backpack that I carry with dog essentials in it for trips, chewed up two leads, pried open a jar of kibble and pulled everything out including my camera (I had wondered where I left it) and got the batteries out! Of course I panicked until I could find both batteries, which I finally did, but I will tell you I was ready for a trip to the emergency vet hospital for "battery extraction". Of course Topper spent the whole time happily racing around the cellar area helping me look. And as usual I was too relieved to do anything but hug him. He does have a sweet, happy nature, I just wish he had a little less Imp in him.
Will post pictures as I get them.
Talk to you soon.
Pam

Show Stoppers!

Satchmo is such a good boy!





Satchmo looks really good!





Harley is up on the table for a trim!






Topper waits his turn.



Well, we did it!! We made it through the weekend dog shows without a major hitch. Everyone got their first ribbon. Ava, the beautiful female owned by Emily Pikul and Greg Siner,(she was living in New Jersey -now lives in Mass) was only entered in Friday's Dog Show. She won her first blue ribbon on Friday. Emily was helping handle Satchmo on Saturday and Sunday, so she decided not to enter Ava in those shows. Satchmo (Mallyree All That Jazz) won his first blue ribbon for Puppy Dog 6-9 months Class, Harley (Mallyree Here Comes The Son) won his first blue ribbon for Novice Owner Handler Class, and Topper (Mallyree Top O The Mornin') won his first blue ribbon for Bred by Exhibitor Class. (Just need to mention that they were the only ones in their respective classes, we planned it that way so that they would each have at least two times in the ring to be seen and get the experience of being handled and shown. The Judges got a better look at each this way)
Satchmo was the big winner both days! He beat his brothers winning the Blue Ribbon for Winners Dog (meaning that he beat the other male non-champion dogs.)
I brought my camera, with great intentions of getting wonderful shots of us all--not happening! I was too busy and totally forgot, but thanks to Al and Marcia Newstadt, Satchmo's parents, we are able to post the pictures above!
The weekend was exciting and exhausting and strangely enough we are all looking forward to doing this again...Harley and Topper are now working harder in hopes of "beating" their brother Satchmo and having Ava join them in the next show!
I'll keep you posted!
Pam

Breed Shows This Weekend

Sophie and her friend Mollie love this weather!










It's just Snow!







Everyone please send Positive Vibes our way this weekend, as Alice and Harley, Satchmo and Al (Emily will be handling) and Topper with me on the other end of the leash, head into the breed ring in Fitchburg MA! Alice, Harley, Topper and I have been to classes, just not sure if we have all learned the same thing!(lol).Hope to put up some pictures next week.
Meanwhile here are some wonderful pictures of Sophie, in Maine. She is a beauty and her Mom and Dad (Paul and Rebecca Tracy) have decided to name her “Mallyree Breacadh Ar Katadin” which is Gaelic for Morning on Katahdin. I have posted her pictures in the snow. She loves to play with her friend Mollie….it took 20 minutes in the shower to get the snow out of her fur.
Well I'll close for now. I'll be sure to give you a vivid description of our show experiences.
Talk to you next week.
Pam

Catching Up

Oh What Fun







Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!<




Not your average IWS!






Do I have to come in?



This is the note I received from Yvonne with news about Gillis in the beginning of December when the snow finally came.

Well, Gillis experienced his first snow storm last night and today. He was so funny last night--trying to eat the snow flakes and jumping in the air to catch them. This morning he went wild tunneling through the snow, sticking his face into it, too, and racing around and through the drifts. We only had about 6-8 inches but he had a blast. He also got snow caked in his fur so that he looked like a horse with white fetlocks. Of course he had to shake it off and then run around the house until he lost most of the snowballs that had clumped on his legs so I now have a VERY clean kitchen and the rugs got a shampoo. The hard part was when this wet body of about 45 lbs. jumped on my lap. Brr.

Hope all is well in New Hampshire!

Best Wishes,

Yvonne

Happy New Year!!

Ranger eyes "his musical snowmen"






Rosa comes and Topper goes!







Ranger goes and Topper comes--ugh!!!






I can't believe that it's been almost a month since I last updated the blog! I've been burning the candle(s) at both ends--as soon as I run out of one candle, I light another.
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! We certainly enjoyed ours. With family all around, our days were full. We received many cards from our "doggy" friends with their dogs happily sitting in front of a tree or on the steps, or in front of the fireplace...HOW DO THEY DO IT???? I tried and tried, but each time I'd get two to sit and look, the third would walk away! Then the other two would take a break...so I've posted my two attempts and will leave it like that. I also put out all my musical stuffed animals, much to the delight of my grandchildren and the enjoyment of the dogs. Ranger especially loved one of them, and would carry it to his crate. Strangely enough, they all survived!
Topper and I have been going to handling classes (for the breed show ring). It's a lot of work, but I really enjoy it. Our instructor spends a lot of time with each of us and is helping to correct many "bad habits" and prevent new ones at the same time. Topper seems to enjoy himself and I must say that "running around a ring" a few times does give me exercise, I'm usually "dripping" by the end of class. Topper and I just started our repeat class of Puppy 101.(I'm just not willing to go to the next level, as I want Topper to have a firm foundation when we go on and our other classes were interrupted by my mother's failing health) I'm sure I've said it before, but Pride does go before a Fall! Our instructor asked who thought their dog would answer to their name...of course I raised my hand as Topper really does know his name...well she walked around with a treat in her hand and stopped at each dog. When the dog realized she had a treat, she had us call their name. The object of the exercise was to have the dog react to their name. Topper never even blinked--not one hair! His nose stayed glued to her hand and he tried his best to follow her!!! Since then he has gotten the message that I have treats too, and will give him some if he pays attention. He really is smart and that's why I am repeating this class!
I will close for now, but will post some of the pictures I have gotten over the last few months. We have heard from some of the owners, and they have sent in their registrations to AKC, I just don't have all the formal names yet..I'll post them as soon as I get the list finished.
We are enjoying a pretty snow fall, which is going to last at least another day, so I'm off to heat up some apple cider and listen to some music.
Best to all and again Happy New Year!
Pam