Bragging Rights

2009 BTCA Specialty Achievements - September 27-October 01, 2009 - Centreville, MD

Although he was the only entry in the Dogs 13 years and over Veteran Sweepstakes Class, Gordie still put his best foot forward and thoroughly enjoyed the attention and applause.

He had "fun" in regular veterans, keeping up with dogs much younger than him

The "Ever Ready" Gordie

June 13, 2009 from Isobel

Gordie still needed one Q for his Bronze Award of Merit in Agility, so we went off early this AM, only entered him once , (that's how steady and consistent he is) and he got that last leg , in Masters Jumpers. What a guy!!!!

This brag will benefit North Toronto Cat rescue.

Titling Teenager

The day before his Thirteenth birthday, Gordie received a certificate in the mail indicating that he has qualified for an Expert Standard Bronze Award - whatever that might be!!

Per Isobel

None of us has heard of this, obviously some new title devised to keep people competing in Agility . Anyway, we appreciate it - not bad for a little guy who will be 13 years old tomorrow [April 01, 2009].
Isobel and Gordie (Expert Standard Bronze Award recipient and all round sweetheart)

October 24, 2008 - Still not getting old!!

Gordie, as usual, was delighted with himself. He got to run in Steeplechase ( Q'd ), in Masters Standard ( Q'd ) and then, because he was running so well and despite my concern about "maybe he's had enough", I was persuaded to enter him again in another Masters Standard Course and again he Q'd.
He is apparently now just 4 runs short of some kind of Award of Merit (which I had never heard of - I thought he was just running for fun! ). I was particularly happy, though, that a local Veterinarian with 3 Border Terriers who does a lot (way more than us ) of Agility and who is aware of Gordie's medical history, commented to me that he was " still light on his feet ". I'm always worried that I might be asking too much of the little guy, but she thought he he looked very comfortable running, said she would let him continue.
What a guy!
Isobel

Who's getting old - not me!

In isobel's words:
The weekend of October 3-4, 2008 Mr. Gordie, of whom I am probably overly protective , got to venture into the Agility Ring for the first time since his surgery. I had decided he was " retired " , but was persuaded to let him "try ". He was entered just once in a Standard Masters Course and knocked it off, coming in 6.4 secs. under time and in 1st place, another Q for the little guy, the oldest dog running in Veterans that day - and he was absolutely delighted with himself!

Retiring......... I don't think so!

In Isobel's words

Clearly not ready to " take it easy ", today (November 30/2007) Gordie went off to Agility and conquered a VERY difficult Gamble to get his 3rd Master Gamble leg (and 1st place in his Class ) and complete the requirements to become Agility Trial Champion.

In the fullness of time... Gordie's own sweet time that is ... Patience and persistence pay off

In Isobel's words

Today, (November 11, 2007) at the Georgina Kennel Club Obedience Trials under Judge Sandy Briggs, Gordie and I both managed to hold it together to knock off that elusive 3rd Utility leg. It's been quite a journey getting here - if I had known how difficult Utility was, I would probably never have started !

We have "retired " 2 or 3 times, then I ( not Gordie ) would think we should try again - Gordie was unflappable about it all, but usually managed to put his own unique spin on at least one exercise..... and then, of course, there were handler errors! Today, his stitches having been removed just on Friday from his little lump removal, we trotted off and .... success.

When he took that 2nd jump, in fine style I may add.... what a feeling! I almost burst into tears, as the other competitors with their Goldens, Shelties, Border Collies etc., all certainly great Obed. dogs, and all of whose owners have been very supportive of us, broke out into cheers and applause - I think almost as relieved as me!

He's sound asleep on the couch now, having been inundated with treats, hugs and kisses.

This brag will benefit North Toronto Cat rescue

In Sandy's (judge) words as posted to the Canadian Border Terrier List

At the Georgina KC obedience trials this w/e, Ch Holly Hill Hansome Jansim CD,CG,JE (SE?) owned and handled by Isobel McGowan of Toronto completed his UD title.
By Ch Twiggani Jansom Chutney x Holly Hill Homecoming, this happy fun loving guy is 11 years old....born 4-9-96.

This one's for Jocelyne

Having been sired by her beloved Bordeaux, Gordie has always been a favourite of Jocelyne's, so during my pre-run "chat" with Gordie at the Dachshund Club of Greater Ontario ED Test on August 26, 2007 (Judge Richard Reynolds), I said how Jocelyne was feeling pretty down having had to say goodbye to her sweet Rosie and maybe if Gordie finished his senior title it would cheer her up a little.
I am not sure that he understood a word I said but he did it by the book to add another (and very important) title to his accolades.

To demonstrate that he is still a long way from retirement, Gordie "aced" an agility run, in Isobel's words

Gordie went off to Agility yesterday (September 01, 2007), I thought just to let him have some fun, but Gordie, fresh from ED success, decided to demonstrate both BT Versatility and that , at age 11 , he is not over the hill, by qualifying , in first place in his Class, in Masters Gamble. He actually was entered twice in the Gamble, but , to demonstrate that he is, after all, a LBD, he blew one run - just as he was approaching the last obstacle in fine fashion, he veered off to check out the time-keepers sitting on the side ( I assume he thought they might have some treats to share ), came back to take that last obstacle and the whistle blew ! - but he was delighted with himself anyway.

Maritime Madness Success

Not one to rush things, Gordies seems to be working his way through his CKC Senior earthdog title at the rate of one leg a year - given that he is 11 years old this is getting a little nerve racking. None the less after three variations on a theme, Gordie made the last day special earning the second leg towards his title at the ATA ED Test in St Croix, NS on August 05, 2007 (Judge Jean Callens)

No. 3 Border Terrier in Obedience in Canada for 2006

Yep - back in the Top Three - Isobel received a certificate from the CKC indicating that in the category "Top Obedience Dog Award 2006,"- Gordie placed third in Border Terriers!! (in very limited trials I might add)

Two and counting.............towards "Utility"

That's right, Gordie earned his second CKC Utility leg on October 09, 2006!
In Isobel's words:
To celebrate Thanksgiving, Gordie managed ( just barely ) to squeak through for a second leg today. It was n't pretty, but in the end it was a qualifying score and I was delighted!! - especially when we were called back in for ribbons and there we were along with 2 Goldens, 1 Sheltie , a Flatcoat and then the LBD, - out of a class of 20.
The Show was the Poodle Club of Canada, the Judge - Susan Des Cotes - to whom I will forever be grateful for taking pity on us and relaxing her normally tough scoring on the heeling pattern , thus enabling us to pass. She told me that she did so because Gordie has essentially successfully completed all the elements and she did not want him to point out just because of poor heeling. She had laughed when we first entered the ring, saying - "he'd probably much prefer to see a rat"!!!! Anyway, one more leg to go and for the moment my instructions from our Coach are to " just let Gordie relax and be a dog " - so we're off now for a walk and a play with the ball.

Digging for his roots...

Gordie had been having some issues with Senior Earthdog but decided to team up with old friend and handler - Pam - to score his first leg in this challenging test under respected judge JoAnn Frier-Murza at the ECDC ED Test in Fredericton, NB on July 30, 2006.

Quietly Doing his Own Thing, Again...........

On June 17, 2006, while other members of the gang were at, or preparing for, the 2006 BTCA National Specialty, Gordie went to the North York Obedience Club Trial and earned his first Utility leg with a very respectable 189-1/2 under judge Mike Calhoun (who told everybody about his very positive experience at the BTCA National Specialty in 2004).

Back to his Roots

Gordie was one of several Jansim "gang" Borders to make his mark at the Dachshund Club of Greater Ontario CKC Earthdog Tests on June 25/26, 2005 - we will "skip over" his performance on Saturday, but on Sunday he and Pam renewed an old relationship (facilitated with pointed discussion on what to do when he reached the quarry) and Gordie pulled out all the stops to complete his CKC Junior Earthdog title.

Quietly Doing his Own Thing

While other members of the gang were rushing here, there and everywhere, Gordie took a side trip to Buffalo NY to take care of his American CD. and followed that up with the first leg towards his Masters Gambler title

Not Resting on his Laurels

Far from it! At the BTCO Supported Shows Agility Trials in Kitchener-Waterloo, May 22nd, 23rd, 2004, Gordie earned the first two legs towards his CKC Novice Agility Title.
Then, just to demonstrate typical BT versatility, he earned the first leg towards his CKC JE Title at the DCGO CKC Earthdog Test, June 20, 2004

No. 1 Border Terrier in Obedience in Canada for 2003

Yep - Isobel received a very nice certificate in the mail from the CKC indicating that in the category "Top Obedience Dog Award 2003,"- Gordie placed first in Border Terriers!!

HE DID IT!

The email from Isobel says it all.....

Gordie did us proud with a 3rd leg in Open and a score of 191!!-the only qualifier in a class of 14! I cannot tell you how proud I am of him. It took 6 tries for him to get his C.D.with very mediocre scores,and I was quite prepared to be spending the next couple of years trying to get 3 passes,but instead the little guy pulled off 3/3 and with very respectable scores. I'm still in shock! The down side of it is that now my "obedience"friends are pushing us towards Utility! Anyway a huge thank you to all of you in helping to make Gordie the wonderful little dog he is-I fell in love with him the moment I saw him and that would not have changed even if he had never done anything-this is just an amazing bonus. Hugs and kisses from Gordie.