2005

12.2005 :: Hamish has been named "Dog of the Week" on Dogster! How exciting! As of this time there are over 126,000 dogs registered on Dogster and to be picked "Dog of the Week" is such and honor, and an unexpected one at that. Honestly, we didn't even know what "Dog of the Week" was before this and we've gotten congratulatory messages — and Hamish got some interesting offers from lady doggies — from all over the world. And to top it all off, Hamish is the first Shiloh Shepherd to be named "Dog of the Week" on Dogster. See it on the Dogster Dog of the Week Blog!

11.2005 :: We just found out Gareth received his Rarities/NAKC International Championship at seven months of age, after our trip to the Cape Cod Classic in October. His Grandma Trish showed him to several 3-6 Month BIS Puppy Ribbons but Rarities does not count those points toward the Championship, points cannot be earned until a puppy reaches six months of age. Gareth earned his International Championship after only two show weekends, the Labor Day Classic and the Cape Cod Classic.

As far as we know Gareth is the first Shiloh Shepherd Smooth Coat to have a Rarities title, let alone at such a young age. We are very appreciative to Grandma Trish handling him to this title. We do not get to show often, and were very thrilled he was able to accomplish this.

10.2005 :: We just returned from a soggy weekend at the Cape Cod Classic in Sandwich Massachusetts. We're excited because James showed Hamish who is now Breed Champion Pointed this weekend after taking four Winners Dog and one Best of Winners. Gareth took one Winners Dog and Grandma Trish also took him to several Jr. Puppy wins including a BIS Jr. Puppy!

It was a fun weekend despite the torrential rain. The show was moved from the lawn to the parking lot, which made it convenient for people to stage out of their rooms. We took an extra day to do some site-seeing and the boys got to experience their first salt-water beach.

9.2005 :: Spent the weekend at the B&T Shiloh homestead where we were able to attend the Rarities Labor Day Showdown in NJ. It's rare that we get to shows but we try hard when it's around a holiday. It was great to see old friends again and it was a good weekend for Gareth who now gets to play with the big dogs as he's over six months old. Gareth was able to walk away with a Winners Dog and Reserve Winners Dog, getting him two majors. He also took four BOB and Group 1 Jr Puppy ribbons for the weekend.

07.2005 :: We had a minor set back in bringing Gareth home, Hamish decided he didn't want a little brother and we had a scary July 4th holiday weekend as he had a bowel obstruction. Everything worked out in the end and it also allowed Grandma Trish to take Gareth to one last Rarities Show in NJ before he came to live with us. They had a great weekend, with Gareth taking five BOB puppy, four Group 1, and a BIS Puppy! We are so very proud of him and his Grandma.

That being said, it's a joy to finally have him here at home, and the boys are getting along just wonderfully. They had a little discussion and since then we've had no problems and Hamish has taken Gareth under his wing showing him the ropes. Apparently Hamish has forgotten all about the little shark toothed puppy who liked to run around with tufts of Hamish hair in his mouth. It's wonderful to see them together, and my worries of bringing in another boy dog are at ease for now.

06.2005 :: We just heard from Grandma Trish that Great Grandma Christi took Gareth to a BIS Puppy [3-6 month] at the Rarities Neshimany Classic! Overall he took five Best of Breed, three Group 1's and the Best In Show Puppy! We didn't expect to have a show dog, and we won't be able to keep this up once he comes to us, but it's exciting for us and for Trish to have her progeny doing so well.

05.2005 :: We just returned home from the Memorial Day weekend show and it was fantastic. I can't believe the amount of Shilohs in one place, it just blew my mind. Since there were so many dogs there, and many dogs titled with other show organizations, the classes were just huge as it seemed like everyone had to move up through the ranks. Gareth had a great weekend taking three BOB puppy ribbons and a BIS Puppy [3-6 month class]. Hamish's class was huge and we were pleased with one second place finish in his class, Hamish doesn't much enjoy showing so we don't do it much. We mostly went to the show to show support for the breed and to be in the Progeny ring for Hamish and Gareth's father, Kota. And Kota took Male, Best Progeny in specialty in both the TSSR and NSBR Specialties with Kassie, Sophie, Hamish and Gareth in the ring behind him. Sophie came in from California with her mom and dad, Karen and Rich whom we had met at the TSSR Gathering the year before as well!

05.2005 :: Grandma Trish has been busy with Gareth, taking his to Rarities shows whenever she can. So far he showed at two shows at the Harrisburg Classic where he took BOB Puppy and Group 1 wins. Not bad for a little guy who has never shown and still wants to go potty in the ring! His next show adventure was another one day showing [two shows] with Rarities where he again took two BOB Puppy ribbons as well as a Group 1 and Group 2.

We will be going to the BIG NKC/ISSDC specialty in Pennsylvania over Memorial Day weekend soon.

04.2005 :: B&T Shilohs and Heather, James and Hamish are proud to present B&T Rising Star Gareth MacKota . . . yep, you read it right, Hamish now has a little brother, who is actually his real half brother through their dad Kota. Gareth is from the 2nd Kota/Natasha litter born February 25th, 2005. His full older brothers include Echo and Titan from the first breeding born last May.

Myself, James [and Hamish] met Gareth this weekend at the beautiful new home of B&T Shilohs. Gareth is already proving to be quite a character (reminds me of his sister Kassie)and his new brother Hamish doesn't quite know what to make of it all yet, but we just fell in love with this boy.

He will be staying with the B&T crew, under foster care, until we are ready to bring him home.

03.2005 :: We got to go to Harrisburg this month to attend the Pawsabilities show where there was an NKC Shiloh Shepherd specialty put on by the Friends of Rumble. It was a big social event for the Shiloh Shepherd community, the first time many of us have met or seen each other in a long time.

Hamish got to see his sister Kassie and brother Ryder as well as many other related folks. It was a pleasure to be able to attend this event for us. Hamish took a second place in his class, again not bad for a dog who doesn't really enjoy being in the show ring.

The day after Pawsabilities in Harrisburg, we drove over to Philadelphia to attend the second day of a two day Rarities show. Great Grandma Christi took Hamish in the ring and it nearly brought tears to my eyes as Hamish just looked wonderful out there with her. It seems that Hamish will only show for her or for his dad, James.