Joe passed away on Saturday the 24th of May.
The sorrow and loss we feel is tremendous.
I find I am at a loss for words ....
|
Since there is only Open at Big Willow, and I am not in the Open yet and Joe has "been there done that," me and my Snacken Buddy went to find our own big adventure! No gophers were actually harmed in the making of these images!
|
Scio was a success, hot, hot weather. Norman won the 2nd round of the pro-novice with Blade and was 5th in the first round. I found the sheep scary at best, and my young dogs found them very exciting. Kate had a great run going, but felt the need to have an up close chat with one at the pen!! Gale was 4th and 7th.
In the 1st day of the open, Norman was 5th and 7th with Cub and Gwen. Gwen ran excellently, and we couldn't have been more pleased with her. The sheep she drew ran back to the set out two times before she left Norman's feet. She handled it beautifully holding them together through the course. It was one of those runs we will always remember.
Our favorite (not ours) dog of the trial was Elizabeth Baker's Rye. He is a beauty, very cool headed. We enjoyed his quiet power.
|
What a neat trial. If you haven't been there we suggest it. The setting itself is worth the trip, and the sheep make it even better. They split off roughly 300 to use for the trial from a flock that numbers somewhere around a qua-trillion (unofficially). You can see the big flock graze the next hill over. The shepherds stay in the area grazing the flock until the trial is finished, then they collect the trial sheep and move on. It is truly a sight that slows time. The trial is organized and professional. The same people set sheep for the entire trial, making it very even and fair for all. The Judge was Bud Boudreau. He did a great job and I was pleased to scribe for him and get to know him better.
Norman ran his 2 new dogs (Gwen and Hanna) for the first time. Gwen ran well, Hanna (the pirate) was a bit wild and pushy. She reminds us of our Lass - no quit, little and mighty, you just cant help but love her. Cub (last years nursery dog) made it in to the double lift. We were really pleased with him, as he is showing well.
Bill Orr's Boone won the trial. He was very impressive, steady and dependable. You know what they say - if you cant beat them at least breed to them!! So we did. We are hopefully expecting a litter of pups from Boone and our Tess. We always pick a favorite dog (that is not ours) at every trial, and at Big Willow it was Lavon Calzacorta's Tess. She is an outstanding bitch and a treat to watch.
|
The Sedro Woolley Trial was the 1st trial of the year for us. It was put on by Dirk & Sonya Vansant. Norman was the judge. It was a treat for me to be able to run a dog in such a picturesque setting. The trial was held on a dairy farm. It was a flat field with stunning views and longer than usual grass due to the rain. Dirk's course was a nice challenge. The running was tough because of the sound or lack of it and the long, long out run. I was lucky to get through it and qualify my nursery dog Kate both Saturday and Sunday for the finals. My young dog Gale also did a nice job, winning the pro-novice Saturday. It was a great trial and we look forward to it next year.
|
CV Joe's Lineage page is launched!
While I sat in the bleachers at Soldier Hollow 2 yrs ago I was amazed by the people that were watching Joe Run, who were saying they had a Joe Pup. It seems every where we went someone was telling us about their "Joe Pup." I thought it would be interesting to see on paper, so to speak, the impact one dog can make. Speaking of impact, I can tell you I have loved lots of dogs ... but I have never respected a dog so much in all my life!
So in honor of Joe (my snacking-buddy) who is now officially retired from trialing but is still working hard, helping Norman train our "Joe Pups," I have created the CV Joe Lineage page. It features some of Joe's offspring and will be updated as new images come in.
If you have a Joe Pup, be it a son, daughter, grandson, great granddaughter or great great great great great grandson, send me your pictures and information to vickieatkins@icehouse.net. Also keep us posted on any news you may have about your 'Joe Pups.' If it's good we will put it up on the fridge and if its really exciting we will post it right here on the news page. By the way, don't forget to check out my "Joe Pup" JOBE.
Vickie
|
 |
|
|
On January 5th, 2008 Norman married his photographer Vickie Atkins in Coeur d' Alene Idaho.
Norm and Vickie met in Alberta when Vickie purchased a puppy from him. The pup was the pick of the litter. Desperate to get his dog back and reduce his photography bills, he married her and the rest, as you would say, is history!
|
|
|
We would like to thank Jo and leo Woodbury for the opportunity to purchase Dooglynn Gwen. Gwen is the young bitch that Scott Glen owned and took to the world trial in Ireland. She is a double bred CV Joe. We think she will be a strong addition to our trailing team! |
Congratulations to Alasdair MacRae and Star,
2006 USBCHA National Finals Winners!
|
 |
The United States Finals were held in Klamath Falls, Oregon. 150 dogs competed, with 40 going on to the semi-finals. Both Joe and Lass made it to the semi-finals, with Joe's daughter Lass going on to the finals and placing 5th.
Norm went on to receive the Rookie of the Year award, as this was his first visit to the U.S. Finals. Click here for an artist's rendition of the Finals.
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
Robbie had a beautiful year, starting in Pro Novice and moving up to Open, he was able to hold his lead and finish strong to win the title of Pro-Novice Dog of the Year in Alberta.
|
 |
Congratulations to Jo Anne and Ian Zoerb with Gidge and Peg for winning the Open.
Lass had her finest open year. She stayed strong throughout the year, finishing 3rd by the narrow margin of 7.5 points.
|
 |
 |
Congratulations to Dale Montgomery and Tex (pictured above), the champions of the World Arena trial in Calgary. Tex is a grandson of Joe.
Congratulations also goes to Dave Claypool and Glen, Reserve Champions (pictured below). Glen is a son of Joe.
Cory Perry with Ben (pictured to the right), a son of Joe, made a very strong showing at Calgary, making it to the finals.
|
 |
 |
Robbie was the Open Champion on June 11 at the 2006 Paintearth Sheep Dog Trials. This was his 2nd Open trial.
|
 |
Congratulations to Dale Montgomery and Tex. They were the Open Over-All Champions at the Paintearth 2006 Sheep Dog trial.
|
 |
|
 |
On May 25 in Watford North Dakota USA Joe was the open trial champion!
With 60 dogs running, Joe scored a 94 for first place.
There were three days of open, and Norm was in the top 6 every day including the
first day with CV Lass.
|
 |
September 9, 10, and 11 of 2005, near Cranbrook, British Columbia -
The 2005 Canadian Border Collie Association National Championhips and Western Canadian Championhips were held.
Norm Close and CV Joe
2005 CBCA Champions!
For more information click here.
(Photo courtesy of Werner Reitboeck)
|
 |
On March 1st CV Joe and Norm won the 2006 Calgary Cattle Dog Trial.
For more information click here. |
 |
Randy Dye with Dale (son of Joe) won the Roughstock Arena Trial at the Calgary Stampede Grounds, April 8th.
Second place went to Dale Montgomery with Tex, a grandson of Joe.
Peter Gonnet and Moss, 2005 Reserve, CBCA Championship
Ian Zoerb with Doc, 2005 Nursery Champion, CBCA Championship
Kate Broadbent and Rob, 2005 Nursery Reserve, CBCA Championship.
|
|
