Karl Clark

10/2/46 - 4/15/08 

"A good friend is hard to find and impossible to forget"

On April 14th, 2008 at the ASSA national my friend Mr. Clark placed 1st in Novice A with a dog that I had co-bred.  It was a very exciting win for both of us, this being his first national.  He was so happy his excitement was contagious.  Sadly, later that evening Mr. Clark passed.  It is a great loss to his family and friends.  Mr. Clark was a dog lover, an exceptionally considerate and caring man with great heart and ambition.  So many people miss him.  The best testament to his life is the number of people whose lives he touched.  Our deepest sympathies to his family and to all his friends.  I am thankful that I was able to see him with Dutch and felt the joy and happiness he had that day with his accomplishment.  

Above are Karl, Dutch, the judge and myself on April 14th. 

BISS CH. CHAMINADE INTEGRA SANTIAGO, CD "Chile"

Chile is a national class placer in numberous years including in 2004 in the veterans class.  A wonderful tempered dog, with a beautiful outline and sidegate, he is a joy just to watch running around the yard.  At 11 years old Chile still romps in the yard with the puppies - all day if I'd let him.  Chile attained his CD when he was 9 years old, placing second twice on his way.  We still play around with agility and herding so there may be another ring appearance in his future.  In 2004 Ch. Cameo Misty Morn, his daughter,  finished.

MEMORIAL: The win of a lifetime occurred in September of 2005 when Chile was award BISS at the SSCGD specialty by Nioma Stoner Coen.  Chile loved the ring, so even though he'd been ill for a number of months, we decided that because I was his first love and showing was his second that I should still show him at our specialty. How wonderful and extremely emotional when he was awarded BISS!  The week following Chile took a turn for the worse, most likely due to metastatic cancer and I had to make the tough decision to let him go. 

Few people knew how truly Special he was. Those who knew him, loved him like I did.  He was a wonderful ambassador of the breed. He possessed the essence of the temperament for the Shetland Sheepdog. Chile was loyal, sensitive, questioning, but not shy.  Chile was full of life and love from beginning to end.

A deep gratitude goes to Rick Thompson who sold Chile to me after I had been so impressed by him at the Virginia Beach National.  Chile opened so many doors and brought about so many friendships in the breed and life that besides being a wonderful companion for so many years, his gifts will keep on giving.  And to our friends, some of the best the dog world has to offer, that cried tears of joy when he'd won and shared with me the tears of sorrow when he was gone, thank you.

CAN CH. ROSS ROI'S HOT SHOT, CD, AM PTS. "BIFF" 6/93-5/08

Biff is pictures above at approximately 2 years and again at 13 years of age, like fine wine he has only gotten better.  Biff was never the typical puppy, acting silly was below him.  Bribes were regular routine in the show ring to make him move at a respectable pace.  He did manage to get 6 American points with a BOB over specials before we retired him from the breed ring, and went on to obedience.  

Memorial: It's hard to imagine your shadow for almost 15 years not being there until it happens.  Biff was 1 month shy of 15 years old and was healthy up until the last couple days, he lived his life to the fullest.  Biff was our official door greeter and my helper.  One of our best recent memories of Biff (there are a number of "Biff stories") was when our friend Tracy Grathwohl was pet sitting him last year as well as a collie - Biff was in love with the collie and followed her everywhere, he thought he was in heaven, funny thing is Biff showed very little interest in the sheltie females.  He was a sweet dog and will be missed by our extended family.  A special thanks to Deb Ross his breeder who sold him to me as a puppy - he was a great companion for 14 years, and a champion in our hearts.