Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Gabe Does Good

Lynn showing Gabe at Silkenfest 2009

We are very excited to announce that we have a new homebred ISWS Champion to brag about! ISWS CH Gryffyn's Games Without Frontiers, aka "Gabe."

Gabe already had his ISWS qualifying major - two of them, actually. The first he won when we attended the regional BooFest specialty in California a few years ago, judged by Cyndi Dell of Morgandell Borzoi. Gabe won the Bred-By Exhibitor class then went on to win Winners Dog (also taking Best BBE in Specialty). Definitely worth the long, long drive to the west coast (in addition to getting to meet up with several good friends that either live in the area, or also made the drive)! His other major win was when Victor hauled dogs to the first southern regional specialties in GA in 2008 while I attended the Rocky Mountain Borzoi Club specialty in Longmont, CO. Gabe not only won Winners Dog and Best BBE, but went on to win Best in Specialty Show!!

This weekend we actually had Rarities/North American Kennel Club shows over in Azle, about an hour away. Several metroplex-area Silken owners made entries, including Vicki with Sylvi (from our H-band litter) and Enzo (from the L-band litter). At the first show Gabe finished his Rarities championship and sealed his ISWS championship as well.

Sylvi (Gryffyn's Aeyrie Sylvan Song) finished her Rarities championship as well!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

BooFest 2009

I wasn't fortunate to be able to attend BooFest in person this time around, but it looks as though there was still a touch of success for Gryffyn's Aeyrie - thanks to Tyler's progeny from his breeding to Cinder and Blondie, from Kandi's breeding to Dan. I was so excited when Joyce asked to use Tyler for a breeding, and to Duncan's sister too. Kandi's pups are also maturing soooo nicely that I am contemplating a repeat, although she has a finicky heat cycle. I am even more thrilled to hear news of their successes. Both specialties were judged by AKC judges as well - such great PR for the Silkens.

The first specialty show was judged by Diane Young McCormack, who chose Tyler's son Blaze (Talisman of Beaux-Arts) for Best in Specialty Show. Siblings Dresden (Talisman of Merovingian) and Ilsa (Talisman of Art Nouveau) were Winners Dog and an Award of Merit respectively. Kandi's daughter Blondie (WindNSatin Creme Brulee) was Winners Bitch/Best of Winners AND Best of Opposite (over specials) to her cousin. Dresden also took the Best Bred-By Exhibitor award. Mama Cinder was Best Brood Bitch.

The second show was judged by Betty Stites (who I have fond memories of her finishing Doodle's AKC championship). Ms. Stites also chose Blaze for SBIS honors! Ilsa and Dresden both received Awards of Merit and mother Cinder again Best Brood Bitch.

I so wish I could have come and visited and seen it all. Maybe next year!!