For anyone who is interested, here is what went on in 2008 with the Ashemburg dogs!   Jez:   Jez enjoyed another year of retirement.  She accompanied us on a few camping trips, but mostly enjoyed her days lounging on the leather sofa.  She got lots of chances to visit with some of her kids and grandkids throughout the year, and we all always enjoy those times!   Oakley:   Oakley and I ran into some training hurdles in herding in 2008.  After becoming a Mommy in January of 2008, Oakley sort of decided that she wasn't sure she wanted to chase the sheep anymore, and wondered if maybe they needed a Mom.  Oakley REALLY took to Motherhood (much to my surprise!).  I don't know if it is hormones or what, but I couldn't get her working to save my soul this year!  She was doing really well up until her first heat cycle after her litter and then that was it.  So she went onto hiatus and when she came into season in November '08 she was bred.  She is now fully happy and content....albeit not herding...and her babies are set to arrive the 3rd week of January, 2009.   Inka:   Inka whelped her first litter in January, 2008 (like her sister).  Her litter consisted of two girls - one which we are very saddened to say we lost at 11 days of age.  Her surviving puppy, Wager, is growing into a lovely bitch with an extremely promising future.  Inka earned her Herding Instinct Certificate in February, 2008.   Vader:   Vader had a BIG year!  In February '08 a girlfriend arrived for him.  Much to his absolute delight!  In April he became proud Papa to a brood of 12!!  2008 was the year we chose to show Vader as a Special in the CKC shows.  This was not an all out campaign, nor was it intended to be.  We simply wanted to have some fun showing off our special boy.  And boy, did we have fun!!  In extremely limited showing (only 5 weekends of shows) Vader gathered enough points to earn a spot in the Top Ten Rottweilers in Canada for 2008!  Huge heartfelt thanks to dear friend, Natasha Taphorn, who did a marvelous job with Vader in the ring and helped make this dream come true for us.  Vader is our first dog to earn Top Ten honours and we are so very proud of him!   Vader will forever be captured in a piece by renowned canine artist Pidney Davidson!  His head shot was chosen from 100's submitted to Pidney for consideration.  Vader is featured in the piece "From the Shadows" alongside breed great, Elvis!   In November of 2008 Vader earned his Canine Good Neighbour title and his Rally Novice title.  He earned his RN in one weekend!   Vader's kids also had a good year!  His daughter, Kalli, earned her Canadian Championship in 2008.  His son, Brogan, was VP4 Rated at a Sieger Show down in the US and earned his Canadian Championship.  Another son, Ruckus, earned 4 points towards his Championship with a Best of Breed win, his Temperament Test title and his Rally Novice title!  Daughter, Lexi, made her CKC show ring debut and picked up a couple Reserve Winners Bitch ribbons.   Uzza:   After taking the first part of 2008 off to heal, Uzza got busy!  Between June and October, 2008 she earned her Canine Good Neighbour title, her Temperament Test title, her Companion Dog (CD) title & her Rally Novice (RN) title!  2/3 legs of her CD were earned with placements.   Shiver:   2008 saw Shiver make her herding debut in Gimlet, AB in July.  She earned one leg of her Started Sheep title - one more to go!  She completed the requirements for her Started Trial Dog Duck title the same weekend.  Two weeks later she earned her Temperament Test title and a couple weeks after that she finished her Canadian Championship!!  A fantastic year for Shiver and her owner Carol Gardon & myself as her co-owner!   We anticipate another busy year for Shiver in 2009.   Jake:   Jake was shown sparingly during the year and picked up 6 points towards his Championship!  We are hopeful to finish this title early in 2009.  Jake is maturing into a gorgeous male with a stunning headpiece and substance.   Wager:   Baby Wager took the show rings by storm in the Fall of '08 and make short work of her Canadian Championship.  Wager earned all the points required (and some extra) in 8 days of shows, at 9 months of age, breeder/owner handled all the way!  She picked up multi Best Puppy in Breed wins and a Best of Breed win along the way!  She will be taking some time off to mature in 2009, but may make the odd appearance at Specialties during the year.  We will also begin work on the working side of things with this girl.   Vandal:   Baby Vandal made her ring debut in the Fall of '08.  She did a great job of figuring out what the show thing was all about, travelled like a pro and even picked up her first CKC Championship point and a Best Puppy in Breed!  She will be out in 2009 looking to finish her Championship.   Gia:   Gia earned her Temperament Test title in August, 2008!   Looking Forward to 2009   We have many plans for '09.  It should be a very busy, and hopefully successful year for the Ashemburg Family of dogs!  My list of goals for the coming year include:   Championships for Jake, Thor, Uzza, Ivy, Vandal & E Zee ASCA Started Sheep title for Shiver CKC HT title for Shiver CDX for Uzza by the end of '09 Rally Advanced titles for Uzza & Vader PCD for Vader and if that goes well we'll try for a CD - can he do it?? Showing Jez in the Veterans class at the 2009 RCC Nationals Healthy babies for Oakley Good news in the health clearance department for our Team ICE kids!   I reserve the right to shorten this list when I discover I'm insane!!