The Spiritdance Dog Tracking and Sheep Herding Blog ~ a Life's Journey ~ 2005-2012: Chinook!! Barefoot in January

This blog was a labour of love. Please visit the new blog http://blackthornworkingdogs.blogspot.com

My name is Donna Brinkworth. Four years ago I moved to Alberta from Northwestern Ontario. I recently completed the requirements to be a CKC tracking judge for TD and TDX and will now work on becoming an urban tracking judge, as it is one of my passions. I've also become involved in the sport of Schutzhund as a member of the Calgary Schutzhund Club, and my boy Caden is showing a lot of promise in this exciting sport. All I need is some land and sheep for the Border Collies to be completely happy in Alberta, and we are working on that! This blog honours tracking, herding and life with the dogs who are my teachers and who bring so much joy into my life. It started out as a training blog for my tracking students. You can check those archives, back in 2005. Over time I have used this blog to journal my own training, share information, and most recently discuss my personal journey since moving here.

All content and photos are copyright Donna Brinkworth (Smith), 2005 - 2012 unless otherwise noted. Please use the private comment function after each post to contact me with questions or comments.

To find the Spiritdance Tracking - Your Tracking Coach, my other blog, click the photo in the left menu bar.

This blog may have come to an end, but I hope you will still find good information in the posts from over many years. Thank you for visiting, and enjoy your journey!

27 January, 2011

Chinook!! Barefoot in January

Yup, this is how warm it was when I got home today! I still get excited when we get a Chinook (shin-ook). This is a spectacular weather phenomenon when warm Pacific air compresses over the Rocky Mountains and loses all of it's moisture, then roars down the lee side building up heat with it's movement. In some areas of Alberta it can cause tremendous winds - mostly in the south, around Lethbridge! Just ask my friends there who tell me the winds are very tough where tracking is concerned. We don't get them as often in Red Deer, so I still get very excited when the temps go fro below -20 C (0 F) up to nearly 20 C - that is a 40 degree jump! Check it out...

The last time I had barefeet was in Maui last October!

Snow is melting off the rooftop of my little church house...

My new metal roofs are doing their thing on the dog runs, and water is pouring out of the drain from the eaves... this is Caden's run. He clearly is impatient for me to let him out!

Jet and Ted's run has no snow on top - it gets a bit more sun all day. There's River lording it over everyone. She is in the house all day, while they are in runs. Her homecoming routine is to do a ball-dance while the others wait for me to set them free!

And the sun was just pouring into my church windows. What a big difference from a month ago when it was pitch black when I got hom from work!

My Dad built this hand rail last fall - the deck steps have no snow or ice. And Jet's igloo is nearly unburied! This is her little hideout - no one else fits in it. She goes in there with bones and balls. Jet = evil, lol

My neighbour took this of me - she asked to take some pics of me for her scrapbooking! So I handed her my camera to take one of me in front of my house. I am very lucky to have such nice neighbours!

And dare I say that's grass along the edge of the sidewalk! It is supposed to get cold again this weekend, but it sure is a nice break from winter.

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Tracking Clinics and Private Lessons

If you are interested in arranging a clinic, or meeting for a private lesson, please use the comment section beneath the posts to contact me. Your comments are hidden from public view and only available to me, so we can begin to communicate.

I have seven TD titles, four TDX titles and two UTD titles on three breeds, and have two UTDX ready dogs and dogs ready for other test levels. Recently I completed the requirements to be a CKC Tracking Judge too! Spiritdance students since 1995 have earned many titles in all venues - CKC, AKC and ASCA. I have also ventured into Schutzhund tracking with my youngest GSD Caden (but I am a beginner and learning new things in that venue!)

Tracking clinics focus on CKC - style tracking, and can cover getting started, understanding CKC tracking rules and regulations, Urban tracking, and how to train and become trial-ready, starting with TD but always aiming for that Tracking Champion title! With some positive coaching and motivation thrown in, I aim for the big picture, encouraging people to be life-long learners and enjoy the journey.

The Border Collies

Current dogs...

Blackthorn Ben, born July 21, 2011. Ben is the first pup I have bred myself, after 35 years in dogs. Jet's his mom, and Ted is his sire. He was the only pup Jet had - a singleton - and he is truly a miracle. I registered the kennel name Blackthorn with the CBCA, as a tribute to my GSD Thorn (below). For CKC tracking, Ben will be Spiritdance Big Ben.

Alta-Pete Jet TD UTD. Jet is a daughter of Scott Glen's Open dog Maid, and her sire was a dog named Risp, sired by Ken Arrendale's Mac. Jet is on her way to a Tracking Championship and is the first Border Collie to have a UTD. We sadly have little access to sheep nearby so tracking keeps her busy and happy for now. At a recent stockdog clinic she received some great compliments and showed that she remembers her work and has a ton of natural talent. Jet is a very strong - minded dog who loves nothing more than to have a job. She is affectionate in the house, but on the field she is all business and keeps me on my toes. (PS can you help me find some land? LOL)

Lakeview Ted STDs - a son of Scott Glen's Pleat. His mom Tess was a working cattle ranch dog, going back to Elvin Kopp's Jeff and Bliss. I got Ted as a started dog from Scott, and moved to Alberta a year after getting him. He is an extremely athletic, honest dog who turns inside out to please. Ted has been the dog to help me learn more about handling a stockdog and he is a very charming companion wherever we go. **Ted needs sheep!** At a recent stockdog clinic, Ted also received some very nice compliments for his work. If you have ideas about land or training opportunites near Red Deer, please drop me a line. I am getting desperate...

The German Shepherds

Current dogs...

Caden von der KleinenWiese - youngster in training - Caden is from Pennsylvania and comes from Orry von Antwerpa and Siggo von Antwerpa - a well-known Belgian SchH dogs on his sire's side, and "Nicky" or Alf von Fafnerhaus - a well-known 'old blood' German Shepherd from the late Schaefermeister Manfred Heynes' herding lines in Germany on his dam's side. Caden is currently on both CKC and SchH tracking, and he is a great companion - with a lot of talent in the sport of SchH (if only his green handler could keep up with him). I feel so safe with this boy. He is my protector and my running buddy.

Lindau's Uncharted Course UTD TDX HCT JHD (River) - River is my first urban tracking dog, and she has been a marvelous teacher. She fell short of earning her Tracking Championship in May 2010 by missing the last turn. It was heart breaking but she made me so proud! River has aged since moving here to Alberta where there have been so few opportunities for her to try for her TCH and it makes my heart sad as she has so much talent. She's going to be 12 and is going deaf, but still loves to track - so who knows? She is a long-coated GSD and as the Alpha of the household, she helps me keep peace in the ranks. She can be very quiet, then explode with excitement, making a big entrance with a toy and demanding attention. She is quirky and funny, and I enjoy my time with her - she is my best friend.

GONE ON AHEAD...

CH Lindau Spiritdance Blackthorn TD TT JHD St. John's Ambulance Therapy Dog (Thorn) d. Christmas Day, 2007 - Thorn was that one dog who will always own my heart; my soul dog and the kindest most gentle being I have ever had the privelege to know. Thorn was the only dog I have ever had who PICKED ME when he was a puppy. Loyal friend to the end, Thorn was like an angel helping me through some very difficult life experiences including losing my Mom and Grandma, my own Cancer and recovery and my marriage breakup prompting my big move west. He was a blessing in my life. Thorn was taken too soon and died from hemangiosarcoma, although the removal of his spleen gave us 10 treasured weeks together before he died on Christmas Day, 2007. You can read his tribute here.

** I just registered the kennel name Blackthorn with the Canadian Border Collie Association to call my pup Ben Blackthorn Ben, as a further tribute to my Thorn.

BIS CH Lindau's Risky Venture TDX HCT (Robin) d. 2005 - Robin was a beautiful, cheerful, athletic red sable with multiple owner/breeder handled group wins, #1 Herding Dog in Central Canada and a BIS as a Veteran under judge Virginia Lyne. She earned her TDX a few months later in 1998 under judge Ilene Newman. Most of all she loved to track. Every success we had together was 99% Robin and 1% Donna. She was hard not to notice in the showring, as she screamed to run, and floated effortlessly - moderately angled and beautifully built - she had the heart of a great racehorse and captivated many judges. I will never have another dog like her - she was truly a gift and my shadow for 14 years. Here is a page about my beautiful Robin.

Lindau's Knight Hawk CD TDX TT (Hawk) d. 2000 - Hawk was my first tracking dog, and the most intelligent and loyal dog to grace my life. Words really can't convey how wonderful and wise Hawk was - he was the perfect dog from beginning to end. He survived bloat and torsion surgery in 1991, earning his TD 8 weeks later with no practice in-between. Boy, did I cry! I was so proud and happy - and became hooked on tracking thanks to this dog. He earned his TDX in 1994 at the same trial that Kate the Collie was in for her TDX, under judge Dawn Sanderson. What a day! Feels like yesterday when I close my eyes and I often feel they are in the field with me when I am out tracking.

Lindau's Gemini Knight (Knight) d. 1987. Poor Knight died too young, but he introduced me to GSDs and was the first of many in my life. Night, night, Knight. You were our beautiful boy.

The Rough Collies

GONE ON AHEAD...

CH Tallywood Spiritdance Shaman TD HI STDs JHD (Shaman) . Sadly, Shaman died on April 30, 2009. I have written a tribute to him that can be seen here. He was a great dog with a great heart and I will miss him. We learned a lot together. He always made me proud and never let me down once. Shaman finished his CH quickly with his first win at 6 months over Specials. Next he earned his TD under judge Ilene Newman in 2000. He loved to herd more than anything, and was the #1 Rough Collie for CKC herding trials (arena) in 2007 from the intermediate level. It is thanks to Shaman that I developed a strong interest in herding. He was my teacher and my friend. Thank you Shaman, my little buddy.

CH Tallywood Banreigh Spiritdance Can/Am CD TDX HCT TT CGC (Katie) d. 2000 - Katie had multiple BOS in specialty shows and numerous group placements. She did well at everything we tried whether it was obedience, tracking or conformation. Kate earned her TD in 1993 at age 2, practically teaching herself to track. The next year she sailed through her TDX on her first try. She was an amazing tracking dog and was the dog who changed my mind about a lot of common ways to teach tracking - the watershed dog in my tracking career and a great teacher. She was my little Katie-bug, beautiful and clever.
--
CH Banreigh of Brackenbrae CDX HC TT (Jessie) d. 1991. Jessie was a sharp, beautiful dog who traveled and camped with me through my University years. She was a lady in every way. One of her favourite activities was chasing squirrels. She also used to help me give fun demos to children's groups way back when I taught obedience classes.
--
Suzy - the big black Collie- Karelian Bear dog cross, my smart, loyal friend, d. 1996. Suzy was saved from drowning by my sister and became my Mom's gardening companion. She was incredibly smart and well-mannered, and also very dominant and protective. We all loved Suzy, she was one of a kind. Suzy's best friend was my parent's Rough Collie Spenser - Brackenbrae Beloved Oro.
--
Beau Flambeau of Brackenbrae, Beau, who started it all in 1969. We got Beau when I was 9 and I was 21 when he died. What can I say about Beau. He was everything a child could ask for in a dog, and my loyal companion through many changes. He was an old-fashioned Collie right from the pages of Lassie or the Terhune books. I still miss him.

Having - a poem for the dogs that bless my life...

Take what you want, says God, And pay for it...
I've paid. I've paid in money, effort, comfort, time:
In broken flowers, in crumpled, mud-stained clothes,
In trampled carpets, sleepless nights, in rage;
And in that bitter moment at the end,
When on the table, circled in arms of love,
With gentle, grateful eyes, she glides at last
Into her endless sleep.

I've paid.
What have I taken
Worth all this price of ruined chairs, ripped books,
Chewed shoes and soon-forgotten crime on crime?
I've taken lives that centred all on me.
I've taken love, and walked as one bewitched,
Safe through life's snares, while I gave thought
To lustrous eyes, to brilliant coats, to forms
That spring and leap and run, enchanted beings;
Taking my spirit with them as they fly.

And when the reckoning's made on my last day
Of all my foolish work and lack of thrift,
Whether in debt or credit it will stay -
I'll not have bought, for no price buys a gift.

by Dora Wright from her book "HONORARY DOG"

A bit about Spiritdance and Donna Brinkworth

You can find out a lot about Spiritdance by scrolling through this sidebar and testing the links. Here's the basic info - I've been a tracker since 1990 and a tracking instructor since 1995. I am from Thunder Bay Ontario and was lucky to attend two Glen Johnson seminars - since that is his home town.

I just completed the requirements to be a CKC tracking judge for field, and will start on the urban requirements (you have to BE a TDX judge to apply to judge urban!). My youngest dog Caden is also showing a lot of promise in Schutzhund, and I am a member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Calgary.

Before moving to Red Deer, I lived on a hobby farm with sheep of my own. In the last few years two Border Collies named Jet and Ted have come into my life and introduced me to the world of stockdog trials. Because of them, I've somehow wound up here in Alberta - since they both come from Scott and Jenny Glen in New Dayton, AB. I started out in all-breed herding with my German Shepherds and Rough Collies. My Rough Collie Shaman was the #1 Rough Collie in CKC arena trials for 2007 from the Herding Intermediate Class. I'm now learning about stockdog trials with Border Collies!

I do a lot of freelance writing, and am often contacted to write pieces for various magazines. If you wish to contact me, please use the PRIVATE comment option below each post, to inquire about classes and seminars, and include your email if you would like a response. Your email will not be publicized on my blog if it is a private inquiry, I read each one first.

Thank you for visiting the Spiritdance Dog Blog. All original content is Copyright 2005-2010 by Donna Brinkworth. Permission is required to reproduce in any form.