25 January 2014

Top Lodge Dogs Go To Crufts

25th January 2014 - a very special day for all the Top Lodge Team as they set off for Warwickshire at 6:00am for a long day's competition at the Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh for Rugby DTC's competition.

An important day because for the past 12 months, not only the Top Lodge Team of dogs and handlers, but all enthusiasts and fellow competitors had been working towards these semi finals for places to perform at the Heelwork To Music and Freestyle Finals Crufts March 2014. The Top Ten placed dogs in both the HTM and Freestyle Semi Finals then go on to compete at Crufts.  So how did Top Lodge Team do?

First to compete was Lesley with her youngster Dewy, not yet two years old.  They were in the Intermediate HTM Class and finished in a good 3rd place after performing a fast routine to "Rasputin"!!
Then followed the first of the semi finals, The Heelwork To Music Semi Final and Kath had been drawn early to compete second in the class. Amber who can be so serious, worked well performing to Ronan Hardiman's Celtic Kitten and they finished 8th in the class with a place in the Crufts HTM Final. Kath was very. very pleased.  Amber and Kath had got through to Crufts in 2013 but due Amber being ill the day before the competition, she had withdrawn from the competition.  And in 2012 Kath was judging so no competing that year either!

Next to compete was Karen with Fly.  Following a difficult year with health problems, Karen and Fly were delighted to make it to the Crufts semi finals.  The cherry on top of the cake was to actually qualify!  Karen and Fly would like to thank everyone who supported them through their difficult time and sent good luck wishes for the semis - those positive thoughts and good wishes really worked!
Lesley was next to perform with her beautiful, bouncy Beardie Hamish. Hamish did so well - he was enthusiastic throughout their routine which was to "I've Got The Music In Me" and the huge ring at the semis was a real experience for him.


Directly following Lesley and Hamish was Kath again, this time with her young dog Denby.  He had only competed at the Advanced level twice before this prestigious event!  The ring and atmosphere and a little bit of stress were there as more of a test for him to see how he would cope.  Well, cope he did!!!  He finished really well coming in at a remarkable 7th place.  Yet another Top Lodge dog into the Crufts HTM Final.

Photo courtesy of Janet McPherson 
The next class was the Freestyle Semi Final with only one Top Lodge dog to compete, however, light failure was then followed by an horrendous thunderstorm and the KC Building with its metal roof and sides almost shook with the force of the accompanying hailstones!! This was not good news for Kath as Spice can be very worried in such conditions.  Lesley lent her a Thundershirt and she seemed to be getting back to normal - but on entering the ring after leaving the Thundershirt behind - one of the loud speakers crackled and it was all too much for Spice who couldn't move. Kath withdrew her from competing within the first 10 seconds of the music.  A years work gone but it was more important to care for Spice.


It was getting very dark outside by the time Lesley took to the competition ring once again with young Dewy - this time competing in the Intermediate Freestyle competition performing to "The Night They Invented Champagne" and yes it was worth waiting for the class and the results as they gained a fabulous second place!!   Again it was the first time that Dewy had competed in such a venue and didn't they do well?

Next stop is Crufts - the running orders have been issued with Kath and Denby drawn 1st, Karen and Fly drawn 2nd and Kath and Amber drawn 7th.   It will be a busy time on Friday 7th March at 11:15 in the main Arena for Kath, Karen and Lesley supporting each other.  Thanks to everyone for their support and for their good wishes for Crufts 2014.

13 January 2014

Kes 3rd February 1998 to 13th January 2014

From Karen Sykes:
Kes

Kes was the first dog that I ever had from a pup; all my other dogs had been rescues.  I was pleased to be able to start from scratch to teach my new puppy all I knew.  Little did I know how little I knew!  Kes taught me more than any other dog I have ever known, before or since!  Thanks to Kes we moved through Obedience into Agility, Working Trials, Herding and Heelwork to Music.  We also learnt different methods of training, met lots of new people and forged some really strong friendships.  Kes has taken me to places that I could only previously dream of.

If truth be told, Kes was never an easy dog.  She could be moody, unpredictable and obstinate.  She inspired me to look beyond my boundaries for new things to do and different ways to train.  She was my crossover dog from compulsive training (which makes me shudder when I look back) to clicker training.  We transformed together from a disjointed couple to a real team working with mutual respect and a healthy dollop of humour.

Kes made many Crufts appearances and remained in the British Top Ten Freestyle dogs throughout her competitive life.  Allan and I have received some wonderful tributes to her since her death from people who knew her and from those who only ever saw her on video.  We have now come to realise how much joy she brought to so many people and also just how many people were inspired to take up Freestyle having watched Kes perform.  She was a true ambassador for the sport.

But more important than the competitions were the fun and games she brought to our home life; she leaves us with so many happy memories.  Whenever we had chance to go to the seaside our trip was always enhanced by Kes’ absolute joy from the sand between her pads and the waves up to her knees (never higher than her knees except by accident!)  Kes loved to paddle in streams, rivers and lakes but her absolute favourite was the sea.  Her trips to Anglesey were a real joy for her.

On Saturday 11th January we trained as usual in the morning; yes, Kes at almost 16 years of age she still insisted on coming to the training hall for a 10 or 15 minute session, sometimes running through her favourite routine ‘Me Ole Bamboo’ and performing her repertoire of tricks.  On the way home it appears that she had a stroke and in spite of our best efforts it became time to say goodbye 48 hours later.

I am so grateful that we had such a long and happy life together; that she was so fit right up until the very last part of her life and that we were able to show her our last act of love by giving her sleep before she lost her dignity.

Kes
A big personality who has left a big hole
3rd February 1998 to 13th January 2014
Those who knew her personally will agree… 
She was a hell of a bitch, in more ways than one!
 
Puppy Kes

 
A Handsome OAP

A Fine Public Performance Aged 14

 

A Dip In The Sea