News

We have had a sad few months with our two old girls saying their farewells. First it was Zana; the Matriarch of the house, she went into a severe diabetic episode and was given a last release from the trials of her condition.

Lately, our first attempt at importing, Gloria, had a sudden catastrophic episode and was given sleep to ease her pain.

The household seems empty without our two old ladies; Zana was 12 and Gloria a week short of 13. We still have Moz the Klein who is 16. After that, it is a large gap to 2 year old Flymo. But the boys and girl, get on well together.

and I admit to being a dire diarist!  The girls' pages will be updated and a new page heralding the new arrivals at Smiliesam, Chuck from the USA and Flicker from leafy Sussex. Chuck carries a whole new set of lines from the USA; US Ch Moonlighters Runnin' and Laffin' is a delightful boy who has fitted into the Smiliesam gang with ease. He is a consumate show boy and we look forward to having a joyful summer with him - coat willing. Flicker is Tiksi Flymee to Smiliesam, bred by Karen Howlett out of Smiliesam Santanina and sired by Flymo, Smiliesam Skirt Chaser, the fabulous boy from the Chase/Azi litter. Flicker is a demanding girl who takes no notice of the males in the household.

The main news this month was to be the continuing success of Striker in Slovakia, but he has been surpassed by his mom Azi, who we were pleased to host for her visit to the UK. Azi has had Two BEST VETERAN IN SHOW at major shows! She was always a great showgirl and still obviously enjoys her visits to the show ring. Go Girl!

I have had a great time with a visit to the USA where I judged for GMSF in Fond du Lac and also discovered the Dairy Queen! I had a wonderful time with friends and dogs alike.My winners were all of good type and most of them turned out to be related. I have judged every weekend since and fitted a breed assessment in as well. SKC was particularly exciting as my BOB Klein was made up on the day and went onto Utility Group 2. June promises to be just as busy!

Penny ventures into the Championship show ring this weekend as she awards her first Challenge Certificates. Good luck, Pen !

It has been another busy month with stewarding and judging appointments. Penny has been busy with her work but ventured forth to show Abbi to BOB at Eastwood Show.

Striker has won another BOB, this time with BIS at the Czech Club Ch show, where they had a very respectable entry for judge Renata Fossati. Very satisfying to have a win under such an eminent expert, especially from the Junior Classes. Congrats to Jana and the team at Yoshi and Us, who had a brilliant day all round. Not forgetting Azi who won another CAC.

We were thrilled to hear from Slovakia that Striker (Smiliesam Strike Home) won Best of Breed, Res BIS Junior and Res BIS overall at a Group Five (Nordic Breeds) Show! Well done Striker and Jana, who incidentally won most other things at that show as well! Or so it seems! :-)

Meanwhile back in the chilly UK we had our own thrills when Abbi took her first Reserve CC and her Stud Book number at the Northern Samoyed Society Ch Show. Of course, I was not there to see it; Penny does much better when I am not there!

We took advantage of an Optigen 20/20 clinic being organised by Val Tiller and had 6 tests done on four of our dogs before Azi went home. Azi and Sunni both tested 'normal' for RD/OSD and Xlinked PRA. This means they do not carry those genes. Flymo and Abbi like their mother both tested normal for RD/OSD. As their mother is a 'normal' for Xlinked PRA and it only passes down

 the female line, and their father, Chase, is clinically normal, the pups will be clear

 by parentage.

 It was a costly event for us, and with the 30% discount, we ended up paying £360 in total for testing. But we are committed to doing everything we can to produce healthy puppies and will take advantage of whatever scientific advances there are.

February was a busy month for me with three judging appointments and a seminar to attend. Penny and I had a lovely trip to Cornwall where we did three groups and BIS. We had a smashing reception there.

 March began with Crufts was a great show for us with everyone being placed and our great friends from Slovakia, Holland and Australia visiting. But we were very sad to see Azi 'repatriated'. She has been a great show girl to have in the team, and has produced a lovely litter for us. She goes back to Jana and Mario at Yoshi to be shown, to run in harness and to visit in canistherapy. Ironically, she qualified here as a PAT dog, but her paperwork took four months to arrive and finally got here on the day she left! She takes a piece of our hearts with her. Our thanks to Phil Shaw for handling her so well in her time here.

At the SBOL Open show, Sunni, piloted by Penny, went Best In Show. She is a clever and willing show girl; Sunni too ! :-) Our thanks to judge Roz Reynolds, one of the 'old timers' of the breed, despite her young years!

This year has started well for us, despite bombing out at Boston. Penny has been passed for CCs in Samoyeds and I have been passed for CCs in Japanese Shiba Inu.

At Burton Ring craft, Flymo had two lovely judges and won Puppy of the Year contest and was reserve Dog of the Year on points. He goes on to represent the club at the Southern Yorkshire Hound Super match, a prestigious event in this area.

I have a plethora of judging appointments and seminars to attend in the first half of the year and am keeping my fitness levels up to get through them all! I am especially looking forward to judging in areas that I have never visited before; Cornwall and Milwaukee spring to mind! Have a good year, everybody!

The British Samoyed Club Ch show was our last Championship show of the year. Despite the date having to be moved because of the terrible weather, it was a friendly show. Our team did well with Azi and Chase both winning Res CC in their breeds. The youngsters did OK with Flymo winning a class and Sunni 2nd in a strong Post Grad class. Azi was also Best Veteran and Chase won the Stud dog class, so we had a good day !

We ended the year with a flurry of stewarding and judging with Penny doing Shibas which we have always had a liking for. And me doing Border Collies which I have always had a soft spot for.

We have great plans afoot for 2011 and wish all our followers (however unwelcome they are) a good New Year