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Shiloh
Shepherd Times, APRIL 2006 |
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sire: GV abCh Bionic Black-Smoke of Zion ROM |
In 1995 having “found” the Shiloh shepherd, I waited for my first Shiloh, who was Allegra, who developed into a large smooth grey sable female. I then wanted a perfect match for her and was put in touch with Wendy Fullerton of Windsong. I was on the list for a male from the last Trinka/Shep litter who turned out to be our Atlas. Atlas was the largest male pup of 7 in that litter but with a very soft nature. He never really just walked but “floated” and often heard him referred to as a “dancing dog”. His name was bCH. Windsong Darkstar Atlas Gemini. He had a very soft nature and whenever something went wrong, he was the first dog to look at us and literally say "what did I do?". He adored little children and allowed them to run their toys all over his body. He would lay beside them. The other side of his nature was no tolerance for any strange dogs to come into his "space". I take full responsibility for not socializing him enough as I was foolish enough to think that Allegra was all he needed. We hired a special trainer (shepherd experienced) to work with him. After several sessions he came to me and said that Atlas was "unique" and possessed a quality that very few have. No matter how frightened he became, he would never back up but go forward. He wanted to train him for special kinds of work but I did not want that. From the moment he entered our lives as an 8 week old, my son Tony laid claim to him. Said he would wait until I finished showing and breeding him but that he expected to have him live with him when he moved out. We honored that agreement and Atlas helped raise our little grandaughter, who to this day grieves over him. I was the one who showed him in the ring and his movement was to die for. The breed founder once screamed out for "someone" to get pictures of him flying around her huge ring dragging me with him. He was so very devoted to our family and always had that special greeting for me when I visited him. A very special boy with a place in my heart. Atlas and Allegra produced a litter of nine pups, 4 plush and 5 smooth. I kept Star, a plush female, although not the tallest she was the most solid, perfect copy of her father. Star had two Best of Breeds at 6 months, won a Puppy sweepstakes in Niagara Falls with 11 pups entered and judged by the Breed Founder. Her Father also won Winner's Dog in the two shows he was entered in and also got Best of Winners. Another well-known breeder friend, when she saw us approaching said “I hope you have not entered him (Atlas) in all four shows. How about giving the rest of us a chance”, which was a fine compliment. Once Atlas got his championship, we then concentrated on Star who got her championship at 10 months. Star produced 3 litters of pups. From her first litter with Taz, we kept Apollo. After a family tragedy, we only started to show him at 10 months of age. He became a National Select that year and went on to hold the title of Grand Victor (GV) 5 times, #1 shiloh for two years, finishing #4 all breed dog in Rarities and #6 dog all breed in ARBA, all in the SAME year, 2003. For his GV title that year he beat 493 dogs, winning numerous Best in Shows and also becoming Rarities Supreme Grand Champion of Supreme Grand Champions for 2003 and 2004. Apollo is now fathering champions and carrying on the tradition of his “grandpa” Atlas. |
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sire: GV NS abiCh Freestates Orso of Windsong ROM |
My sister Judy and I went to visit with Mason Dixon Shilohs in the fall of 1995. There was a litter of 7 week old puppies there and of course, we had to go play with them. In this litter, there was a beautiful smooth male puppy who kept coming to me and trying to get in my lap. The other puppies were trying to get into the same spot, but this little smoothie would not stop until he was planted firmly and he then played 'King of the Hill' and retained his spot for the entire afternoon. Even though I had no thoughts of having a puppy, my heart could not bear to leave without him. And of course, I didn't.
Lakota was to be my companion and friend, but his breeder (and my sister) talked me into trying a show with him. Even though he was the only smooth coat and I was a total novice in the ring, the judges just loved him and he won the Best of Breed! I just couldn't believe it. My sister took us to the photographer on grounds for a picture, and we were hooked. For over 2 years, Lakota and I traveled with Judy, Carl, Lobo, Abi and Tawnee to almost all of the east coast shows and at every show, people would come to us and just loved to pet Lakota. Lakota was a bit aloof and protective, but always cordial. Lakota knew that my sister was 'weak' on one side, therefore he was extremely protective of her too. Lakota was my dream boy, representing the Shiloh smooth coats with loyalty and dignity. He is laying at my feet now, still as handsome as ever and still my 'boy' first and foremost. He has always made me feel special with his protection and love surrounding my every move. Lakota was and is, a true representative of the Shiloh Shepherd Breed. Debbie Getch, owned by Lakota and Keeno |
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Shelby was born on February 26, 2004 at Susi Ramstead’s Sierra Shiloh Shepherds in California. She is out of Sierra’s Mirage of Shenandoah “Mirage” by 4xNS abfCH Tantaras CJ Hammer Msn Dxn “Hammer”. She is a grey sable plush coat. I will be forever grateful that Susi had the fortitude and insight to make this breeding happen.
Shelby is one of those dogs that come into your life only once or twice if you are lucky. She makes me laugh, has made me cry, and challenges me daily, intelligent to a fault and equally as stubborn. She has an intense passion for life with a “lets go” attitude for whatever it is that I ask of her. She loves everyone she meets and quickly wins their hearts. Shelby’s show career took me by surprise and has made me very proud. As a puppy she won several Best in Shows including a couple Specialty Best in Shows, received her Junior Breed Championship at 7 months, Rarities International Champion at 8 months, 2004 Puppy of the Year with the TSSR, Breed Championship at 15 months, ARBA Championship at 19 months and a Rarities Grand Championship at 20 months. She finished 2005 as ARBA’s #5 Shiloh and Rarities #9 Shiloh. Shelby and I owe our gratitude to more than a couple people for handling in the ring. We could not have done it without their help and skill. As Shelby matures, we will occasionally bring her out to shows but most important is that she can enjoy life as a dog and as a beloved family member. Thank you Susi for placing Shelby in my care…you gave me so much more than a puppy. |
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sire: abCHPtd. Pinnacle's Maritime Miracle, CGC, OFA, ROM |
I am so happy to be able to share my story about Elke, my service
dog-in-training, with you! My spine was surgically fused from shoulders to
hips when I was 25 years old (I am 45) to correct a forward curvature. I
have two long metal rods, held onto the spinal column with big metal clips,
and mushed bone from my hip poured over top. I was told I had to have this
surgery or I would be dead at age 40 due to all my organs being squished.
They made some mistakes in the hospital, and so sometimes my back and chest
go into spasm that is excruciating, and feels like a heart attack - part of
one big metal clip (hold your index finger crooked and that is the size of
the clip) can rub on one of my ribs and this sets off an emotional and
physical reaction. Also, where they took bone out of my hip, they cut a
large nerve. It is supposed to be dead there (I could sit on a tack and
wouldn't know!), but every once in a while it becomes activated due to the
alignment of my hips - this pain is like when they are drilling a cavity and
touch the nerve - and this nerve is huge compared to one in your mouth) -
basically I feel like I've shot to the ceiling and have to stop dead and
shuffle off as best as I can. Because my neck is unfused and tilts
alarmingly forward, it has now started to cause me problems. Elke
(Mia/Denver 2004) was purchased from Jan and Louis Burke of Miracle Shiloh
Shepherds to be developed by me as a service dog, to replace my late, great
mixed breed collie/shepherd Shane. My new Magnus (Sampson/Kye 2006) from Kellisa Shilohs, as
well as hopefully being a future show and obedience dog, will also be my
service dog for taking my full weight, and for when Elke is pregnant or
nursing.
At just over 1.5 years old, Elke performed her first service work for me. In
January, 2006, I got tendonitis in my right arm from snow shoveling, and
that arm does not work very well. My neck and shoulder on my left side also
went into spasm. I couldn't turn or lift my head! |
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sire: Frequent Flyer of Liberty
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For 1 1/2 years, Reva was my perfect companion. We were inseparable. Then, in September 2002, Saber came to retire with us, after living 5 1/2 years in a kennel. She was unhousebroken and untrained. On her first day with us, she was very disoriented and standoffish toward Reva. From the first night , and for many nights, thereafter, Reva chose to sleep next to Saber's crate. She would come upstairs to wake me when Saber had to go out. Because of Reva, Saber only had three accidents in the house. Of course, they were my fault. After things settled down and we developed a daily routine, it was time for Saber to learn some basic obedience. I took both girls to the park. As Reva lay nearby, chewing on a stick, watching our every move, I was working Saber on leash on my left side. She wasn't catching on. Without any prompting from me, Reva joined us on Saber's left. I was very amused at Reva's behavior, following my every command. Suddenly, I noticed that when I gave a command, Reva would obey, Saber would watch what Reva was doing then mimic her every move!! In a very short time, with Reva's help, WE trained Saber! Reva is now helping Saber learn a one minute down/stay at a distance of 15 feet. It isn't always easy, but, Reva is a gentle teacher. Having been bred four times, Saber still loves those unneutered males. She would gladly follow them out of the park if it weren't for Reva grabbing her collar and herding her back to me. Apparently, Reva has made it her mission to school Saber on how to be a good girl. Reva is not only my perfect companion, she has become Saber's perfect companion. They are soul sisters. Reva is my soul sister, too. |
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| Five shilohs will share the spotlight each month and tell their stories. Do you know of a Shiloh you wish to see spotlighted in future newsletters? Please send your nomination along with a brief descripton for consideration to the newsletter design team. | ||
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