Bragging Rights

March 19, 2016, CynoSport rally at the K9Jym hosted by Oakes K9 Training - judge Annette Murphy-Wales

Midge humoured Barb with non too shabby debut in Cynosport Rally qualifying in Level 1A with a score of 203.

"CATCH" me if you can!!!

In May 2015, Midge completed the requirements for her CPE Agility Champion title at Y2K9s CPE trial in Colmar, PA under Judge Michael Conroy

As unassuming as her owner, Midge looks far more impressed with her new toy than with all the accolades she and Barb deserve

December 28, 2014, Rocky Creek Dog CPE Agility at the local K9Jym - judge LIsa Lucas

Once again, Midge did well at the trial going 4 for 4 at level 5 with a Q in Jackpot, Standard, Wildcard and jumpers.

November 22 - November 23, 2014, Rocky Creek Dog Agility at the local K9Jym - judge Mary Phalon

Barb and Midge went 6 for 7 at level 5 , all clean runs.
More importantly, Midge had fun as can clearly be seen in the photo.
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Taking Agility to a Whole New Level
October 31 - November 02, 2014, 3D Dog Training LLC, Barto, PA

Barb is very quiet about Midge's achievements but no less proud,

Midge and Barb had a long but productive weekend at CPE trials. Friday night they ran and Q'd in Snooker level 5; Saturday they ran and Q'd in two Standard runs Level 5; Sunday they ran and Q'd in Jumpers, Wildcard, Colors all level 5 and Jackpot level 4. Jackpot gave Midge her level 4 title so she's now CL-4!

A truly noteworthy performance

I'll let Barb describe what happened:

"Today (September 08, 2014) was perfect tracking weather-cool and lots of dew on the ground. When I arrived up in Saylorsburg for our tracking lessons, Dawn (my instructor who is a tracking judge) asked me if I wanted to try Midge on a certification track. I said yes.
To make a long story short, Midge passed with flying colors! I was able to read her easily when she lost scent, and she pretty quickly found her turns which I was also able to read.
The track (which on paper looks like a big angled backwards question mark) started out diagonally 90 feet across the furrowed field of ankle deep grass and some taller weeds, then a right angle left hand turn down the field for 100 feet (short stop to check out a chuck hole), right angle turn right across the furrows of the field then a right hand dog leg 90 feet down a hill.
My heart sank when, at the bottom of the hill, I saw a huge swath of fully blooming well-branched ragweed well above Midge's head. She was not happy about entering that mess and tried to find a way around but couldn't. It was also obvious she was out of scent and looking for the turn.
All of a sudden I heard deep aggressive barking and looked up to see a chocolate lab barreling across the field at us UNLEASHED!
I reeled that little dog in so fast she didn't know what was happening, picked her up and backtracked up the hill to stand behind Dawn and the person who was with her.
There we stood until the owner got his dog under control-thank goodness he did before it got to us. Then I re-scented Midge with a sock, put her down and told her to find the track again.
Well she did and found the right angle turn as well-all I could see was waving ragweeds - I could tell she was a bit off the track because she was getting close to the walking path, but all of a sudden she started circling and circling and honed in on the final glove.
Phew! She made it! What an incredible little dog she is to get back on track after all that commotion!!."

For those that don't know, in the states the dog has to pass a regulation track to become certified before they are allowed to enter an AKC tracking test. Experienced trackers say it's harder to pass a cert test than an AKC test because the AKC test has more scent on it due to being laid one day and re-walked the next.

You shouldn't judge a book by its cover...

...nor a dog by her titles alone!

Midge is a certified and active Therapy Dog who participates in a "Reading to Kids" program.
Today [March 05, 2014] saw another measure of her worth.
In Barb's words:

"Last fall Midge was read to by a little autistic girl who doesn't speak otherwise. However, aside from reading, she also spoke to Midge, and her teacher was amazed.
Today the learning disabled class aide asked if their kids could come out and meet the dogs, and we said sure.
So the teachers brought out about 30 kids and arranged them in a circle around the dogs (Midge and a standard poodle today).
Two little boys were very afraid and refused to be part of the circle, but, as they saw Midge go quietly from child to child to be patted and greeted, they asked specifically if they could pat her.
I put her on a down in front of them, and they squatted down and began to pat her, and they were fine even when she leaned against one of them.
She is so sweetly gentle with these kids no matter how they act. "

Kudos to Barb and Midge for the work they do and what they achieve, both in the ring and even more importantly, outside of it.

Congratulations are in order

Midge has added two more titles to her CPE count but more importantly she is having fun and that is what it's all about

Enjoying CPE

Midge qualified in 5 out of 6 runs under judge Daniel Jay Jones at the CPE Agility trials on December 15-16, 2012. Her run in Wildcard gave her her level 2 title.
The rest of the runs were level 3 where she earned legs in standard, colors, jumpers and snooker. Her snooker run was particularly pretty but the others were clean as well and she took 2 firsts and 2 seconds.

This brag benefits Itty Bitty Kitty cat rescue in memory of Bailey.

On a Whim - May 19th, 2012

That's how Barb described her decision to enter Midge in the Versatility Obedience Class at their training club's obedience show.
For those not familiar with the Versatility Class it consists of 2 novice (25 pts each), 2 open (35 pts each) and 2 utility exercises (40 pts each)--which ones are up to the judge, and the choices are posted 30 minutes before the class begins.
Unfortunately it ran after lunch in the 80 degree sun. Midge doesn't like the heat, but she passed all her exercises and in fact was the only dog to qualify so she took first place and even won $15.00 and a toy (which was the obvious high point in her mind).
Her novice routines were stand for exam and recall. Open exercises were retrieve on the flat and heeling off lead with a figure eight as well. Her utility exercises were scent articles and directed jumping.
Way to go Midge, you deserve a nice nap but keep one ear tuned in for the dinner bell!!

It's Been a Blast

Midge earned her third leg and first place in Open Jumpers (AKC) with a lovely run in a difficult course on August 14, 2011 at Hatfield under judge Denise Vanhousen. Her second Open Jumpers leg was also earned in Hatfield on July 10th under judge Deborah Hunt, also with first place.

This brag will benefit No Kill Lehigh Valley

More fun ...and Another Title

On April 30, 2011 at Kruisin Kanines in Hatfield, PA - Midge completed earned her second Open Standard Agility leg with a second place under judgeJanet Budzynski.
On May 01, 2001 at the same location she completed her title with a third place finish under judge Annette Narel

This brag will benefit Best Friends

Titling nicely and moving on

On August 14-15, 2010 at Kruisin Kanines in Hatfield, PA - Midge completed her AKC Novice Standard Agility title on Saturday with a third place and on Sunday earned her first Open Standard Agility leg also with a third place finish.

Two Busy Weekends

On July 11, 2010 at Lower Camden DTC (Hatfield Sports Arena) she earned her first AKC Novice Standard leg in her first AKC novice standard trial at 12-inch with a first place.

The following weekend (July 17/18, 2010) at the South Jersey Agility Club (Hatfield), she earned her first open Jumpers Leg and Second Place in her first Open Jumpers trial on Saturday and on Sunday she earned her second Novice Standard leg and First Place.

This brag will The Center for Animal Health and Welfare

AKC Agility Debut

As well as having fun, Midge made AKC Agility debut a winning one. She earned her first two Novice Agility Jumper legs at Keystone English Springer Spaniel Club trial in Hatfield, PA on April 10/11 with two first place finishes in Novice A

She followed this with another qualifying run and first place finish at Kruisin' Kanines on May 01, 2010 - as Barb describes it: "barking with joy the whole way "

This brag will benefit Best Friends

That's a Wrap!!!

Simply stated, Midge finished her DOCNA Intern Standard Title on January 17, 2010

The picture says it all!!

This brag will benefit the Center for Animal Health and Wellness

Still having fun - DOCNA Trials November 7, 2009

Barb and Midge ran in two Intern-Competition-Standard runs and qualified in both, well under time, with two 1st Places! She really enjoys running and it shows! Now she just needs one more leg for her title -- go Midge!!

Another Fun Title

Midge earned her Beginner Standard DOCNA title in July. she had 2 qualifying runs and took first place in both.

Two in a Row and an Incredible Achievement - April 11/2009

Following their success at the Delaware Valley German Shepherd Dog Club show, Barb and Midge again competed in Utility at the Harrisburg Kennel Club show, this time a huge indoor show.
Midge was the only qualifier out of 10 in Utility A so she also took first place.
The judge was Jeffrey Showman.
This was her third Utility leg - I couldn't be prouder.

Pam (breeder)

This brag will also benefit Best Friends

A busy two weeks and major success

Just one week after two qualifying runs in Beginner Standard at a DOCNA Trial, Midge returned to the extremely tough venue of Utility Obedience under less than ideal conditions (outside, wet ground and a bit breezy)
Despite getting off to a shaky start - Midge QUALIFIED at the Delaware Valley German Shepherd Dog Club show (all breed obedience and rally) under judge Arthur Cartwright
She had to work really hard through the articles and was obvioulsy nervous but got the job done and then started to relax and enjoy herself.
Kudos to Midge and Barbara - there are no words to express my pride in this team

This brag benefits Best Friends

Titling for fun - the best way to do it

At the DOCNA trial on January 17-18, 2009 Midge completed the requirements for her Competition-Intern Jumpers Award.

Continuing to have fun......

Midge joined sister Sophie at a DOCNA trial on December 14, 2008 and qualified in both her Jumper runs.

Having fun......

Midge did her 3rd DOCNA trial on July 12, 2008 in jumpers and earned her 3rd leg, 1st place, and thus her Competition-Beginner Jumpers Award.

Success in a very tough venue

Someone recently mentioned there are 64 ways to "blow" the Utility level in Obedience - that puts the following success in sweet perspective

On May 17, 2008 Midge happily worked her way to her first Utility leg with a score of 188 and first place (over a Golden Retriever).

Midge and Barb are now taking a well earned hiatus from the challenges of obedience to concentrate on other fun activities.

An agile body as well as an agile mind...........

Both Barb and Midge know how to enjoy a time out from the obedience ring.
Midge has earned two legs towards her DOCNA Beginners Jumpers title. The first leg came on December 29, 2007 with a qualifying run and 2nd place. and the second leg on March 30, 2008 with a first place.

Three and done...........

Wow! three out of five - that is quite a record for a young dog!
Midge completed her American CDX title at the Valley Forge KC with the judge Nancy Withers. As with her second leg, her happy attitude more than made up for any "crooked sit" deductions.

This brag benefits NoAh's Wish for their Katrina Relief Fund

Two down...........

Midge earned her second leg at the Lehigh Valley KC Show under Janet Lewis on a warm humid day in weather she typically wilts in!
Her happy performance under those circumstances is not only something that Barb is rightfully proud of but something we can all pay heed to - the ability to make the best of a difficult situation.

This brag benefits Best Friends for the Katrina Relief Fund

A leg to stand on......

....and proudly at that.
Midge turned in a very pretty-to-watch performance and earned the first leg on her Open title by qualifying in Open A at the Champlain Valley Kennel Club Show on July 16, 2005 under Canadian (could Midge have a fondness for her roots) judge - John Blenkey

This brag benefits Northern Greyhound Rescue and the Local SPCA

2004 BTCA National Specialty Brag

That is an understatement!!!
Midge made us all incredibly proud (and a few of us teary eyed) when she went High in Trial in Obedience under Canadian Judge - Mike Calhoun.
This means that Midge's name will be the first one on the newly offered Tyneside Trophy. A fitting tribute to a truly neat dog and the hard work and love that Barb has invested in her.

Three to be proud of!

Midge scored the first leg of her Companion Dog title at the Berks County Dog Training Club on May 16, 2004 (judge Marie Huffman) with a first place and a very respectable score of 194.
She followed this up at the Huntingdon valley KC on May 29, 2004, (Judge Betsy Horn Humer) with a third place and score of 190.
Her title came on June 12, 2004 at the Bryn Mawr KC (judge Marilou McCloskey) with a score of 192.5 and first place.
Congratulations to Midge and Barb - this brag will benefit the local SPCA

A Good Citizen

In Barb's words:
"Well Midge passed her CGC and TDI test today with flying colors. She was as steady as could be on all aspects of the test, including the one where they dropped ring bologna in front of her!!!!!!!!
She made a big hit with the people there too--they played "pass the puppy" with her and she was great about that too. Could she have received point for cuteness , she would have had extra credit!!
Now if I can only get her to heel off lead better, maybe we'll do ok at our dog shows in May! "