Shiloh Shepherd Times, JANUARY 2006
SHILOHS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

History | Golden Oldies | Shows | 9to5 | Companion | Jan 06 Newsletter

A PART OF OUR HISTORY


GV abCH Bionic Black Smoke of Zion, CGC, ROM 21980
Patti Schaefer, Shenandoah Shilohs

sire: Shiloh's Wolfin Sasquash
dam: Shiloh-Kari's Steel Saber
August 23, 1991 - June 10, 2000

The day I arrived to pick up Phantom, I walked the "kennels" to once again see the dogs. "Shep" GV abc Bionic Black Smoke of Zion. The majestic, Grand Victor, sire of over 20 litters, highest ROM, etc. was shoved away in one of the very back kennels. I had a hard time even finding him, his kennel was over grown with weeds all around it, he could barely see out, or me in. As I peered into his kennel he was hardly recognizable. That proud carriage was not there, it was replaced with a dog whose coat was covered in mud and feces. When I called him to me and looked into his eyes they looked back with a dead stare. I wanted to grab him and leave.

My heart broke for all the dogs, but this boy was very special to me. I wiped the tears from my eyes and decided right then and there I would find a way to get him out of there. The owner was not there that day so I called her the following morning and asked her what she would take for me to buy Shep. Her first response was, "what do you want him for", after all he had just turned six? Calmly I told her that I just loved him and wanted him. She shook her head and told me she had no idea why, that he didn't compare to Laz. Lucky for me she clearly showed she had no use for him and agreed to let me buy him without hesitation. At that time she could have asked just about anything, I just wanted to free Shep from that existence.

I went right back up and got him. The next day I met my friend, Judy at her house and we bathed him and bathed him to get the filth off. He had horrible diarrhea and was skin and bones so next, off to the Vet we went. He had every imaginable parasite that took months of repeated wormings to finally get him worm free. With good food and the worms gone he finally started gaining weight. I also knew some questioned his hips so I took him in and had him Penn Hip'd. He had great hips.

Shep was now a happy spoiled house dog. He held his head high again, his coat had a shine to it, he learned how to play with toys, he was one happy boy!

Unfortunately this was short lived. Seven months after I rescued Shep he became ill. It showed first in his front legs, then his rear. He had every imaginable blood test, was x-rayed from head to tow, had a myelogram, and I consulted with a number of specialists. No one could find anything wrong. The only thing that showed during all of the tests was a broken transverse process in the cervical spine. All the Vets said it was an old injury, had years of calcification and felt it had nothing to do with his symptoms. They felt it looked like an injury from having his neck slammed in a door (gate) or something years previous.

While my heart was breaking and I was spending a fortune trying to find out what was wrong with Shep, his breeder kept telling me she wanted to breed him. Needless to say I said no. Then it was "well at least get him collected", again I explained we had no idea what was wrong with him and I wouldn't risk hurting him further. I also told her that he already had over 20 litters and if this was something genetic I would not permit him to sire more. I was harrassed constantly about her wanting to breed him, and I remained firm that due to his health and the health of any future puppies I would not allow it.

There were many "discussions" but the end result was a lawsuit. The judge took the documents I had in hand and ruled that I had fulfilled 3 of the 4 pups owed. Thus, I owed one more puppy. Since I would not give her another puppy, judgment was for me to pay for the remaining pup. Some may think I lost this case, but not me. Shep was saved. As much as it broke my heart, many people convinced me that his breeder was very angry and Shep would not be safe at my home. I needed him safe and that is when Colleen Gott agreed to finish what I had started and let him live the remainder of his life in Texas with her family as a spoiled house dog. I will always be eternally grateful for all she did for Shep.

Shep continued to deteriorate, he was taken to Texas A&M, they, too, could not determine what was the cause of his condition either. They explained there are a number of unnamed neurological conditions and that is what they felt was his diagnosis. Shep soon died in his sleep and is now buried under his favorite tree.

As much as I still miss Shep, I take peace in the fact that he at least got to live his deserving last two years as the special dog he was. So many have been blessed with Shep's progeny, with the likes of Lobo, Orso, Mya, Atlas, Pitanna, Sharona, Warrior, Star, Sasq II, and many more. For me, I see Shep everyday in his grandson, Gazer. I feel his spirit is still with me, and I am blessed to have shared part of my life with Shep. One day I will see him again and will be able to wrap my arms around his neck and once again tell him how much I love him.


GOLDEN OLDIES


NS abf CH CJ's Tawnee of Lobo, ROM, TDI/CGC
Judy Vaneman, CJ's Shiloh Shepherds

sire: NS abcnr CH CJ's Lobo Amado De Windsong, ROM TDI/CGC
dam: Shilohs Matoaka Pocahantas
May 22, 1995 | black/cream plush

 

On May 22, 1995, CJ's Shiloh Shepherds' first litter was born. There were 2 males and 5 females and Poca was exhausted afterwards but still, a wonderful momma. The first little girl to come out was healthy and had very loud lungs. That was my Tawnee (and to this day her lungs are still very good).

In August of 1995, she went to her first show in New York and did well, then in September, 1995, Carl and I took her to Tobi, Maryland. It was a huge show combining AKC, UKC and rare breeds in the same ring. We took Best of Breed Puppy. When Best Puppy In Show was ready to start, we looked around in amazement at over 30 pups, ranging from 3 months to 12 months. Some of the top puppies in their breed were represented. Carl just shook his head and smiled. He and Tawnee strutted into the ring and before you knew it, the judge was on one knee screaming Shiloh Shepherd Puppy!

That was the start of a fun and winning show career. Most of the time, Tawnee's full sister Tiffany was at the show and the judges could barely tell them apart, but almost always picked one of them for Best of "whatever". Tawnee loved to go to the shows and always floated around the ring imitating her lovely momma, Poca.

Tawnee was bred twice in her motherhood career. First, in 1997 to the very handsome Zion's Diablo Cazador (Diablo) and again in 2000 to the equally as handsome Shenandoah's Magnum Mt Selah (Mac). Several of her pups from Diablo went onto a brilliant show career and all of her puppies have wonderful, loving homes.

Tawnee has always been very confident and loyal and to this day, is still absolutely lovely. She was my first baby, and always will be.
--Judy, CJ's Shilohs


OFF TO THE SHOWS


GV arnbCH Sir Harley of Shenandoah
Anita Pino, owner

sire: NS abCH Shenandoah's Phantom v Zion, CGC, ROM
dam: NS bCH Shenandoah's Spirit of Tazzy, CGC, ROM
b. Aug 17, 2002 | dk brown sable plush

A number of years ago a gentleman came into my shop with this huge gray dog named Mason. It was love at first sight. I found out that Mason was a Shiloh Shepherd from Shenandoah Shilohs and his sire and dam were Taz and Mya. I contacted Patti and told her what I wanted and a couple of years later she sent me Harley.

Harley has been more to me that anyone can imagine. Some people may feel he is "just a show dog" but this is not true. While he has blessed me in the show ring, he is first and foremost a beloved part of the family who shares my bed everynight.

As a puppy I handled Harley to his ARBA and Breed Championships myself. He did so well, and loved showing, he was a natural. I love this Breed and wanted Harley to be a great representative so I hired professional handler Daniel Rosa to help me campaign him.

His accomplishments in the show ring have been to say the least, impressive.
In 2004 he was ARBA's #3 over all Rare Breed with 6 Best in Show, 1 Reserve Best in Show, 15 Group 1 and 30 Best of Breed, as well as the title of Grand Victor.

2005 found Harley as ARBA's #1 overall Rare Breed dog. He finished 2005 with 36 Best in Show, 14 Reserve Best in Show, 58 Group 1, and 63 Best of Breed.

At the young age of three, he may have accomplished more in the Show Ring than any other Shiloh to date.

He is my best friend, and traveling partner. I would like to thank Patti for breeding and choosing this wonderful boy for me, Harley is everything I ever dreamed of and more.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the shows again this year.
-- Anita Pino, Harley's mom!

SHILOH 9-to-5


abCh Mt Airy’s Caius Atticus MDSSK
CGC, HCT
Nancy Dietz, Mt Airy Shepherds

sire: Beo of Shenandoah
dam: ibCH Dakota’s Nyssa MD Shiloh Star, ROM, TDI, SAR
b. Nov 9, 2002 | Black/Cream Plush

When I first saw him, Atticus aka Purple Collar Boy, was snoozing away in his crate. He wasn’t crazy about people. He seemed less outgoing than his littermates, even a little withdrawn. When I would coax him out, he pretty much tolerated me until he could curl back up in the safety of the crate Michelle Pelescak, his breeder, had provided for the puppies. I was convinced I would need to use lots of encouragement to draw a show and working personality out of him. When I first brought him home, he was overwhelmed by my two big girls, Kivi and Shy. Shy attached herself to him as a self-appointed mother surrogate. She licked him, cleaned his ears, nosed, shoved, and hovered over him. Somewhere in all that mothering, his natural curiosity and happiness blossomed, and he grew into a sweet, happy, outgoing boy. Although I provided a good deal of socialization, the other dogs brought the real playfulness out in him. Sometimes dogs are better dog trainers than people.

The first formal training we did was for shows. He learned to stack and stand, and to run around the ring without getting tangled in his leash. He seemed to want to learn. He learned some interesting tricks as well. By the time he was 5 months old, he had rendered our gate system useless. The other two dogs had never challenged the gate before. They were always content to stay peacefully in the kitchen. Not Atticus. He simply grabbed the gate with his big paw and opened it. I would have sworn he had opposable thumbs. He taught Shy his “trick” as well. Now our gate is useless. Thanks, Atticus.

Since he finished his championship and passed his health tests, (OFA hips, heart, thyroid, elbows, and CERF), we decided he would stay intact. We decided to check out his working capabilities.

Atticus first met sheep at Keepstone Farm when he was 2. He barked a lot, and ran after the sheep with real joy and abandon. Under Susan Rhoades instruction, he settled down considerably. He passed the first leg of his Herding Capability Test with my daughter while I was out of town. She had never had a lesson, but since I couldn’t make it, she agreed to give it a try. They passed with flying colors. This past May, we were working really hard preparing for the Junior Herding Test. We had graduated to the bigger field with more sheep. I was really excited. The sheep took off, Atticus took off after the sheep, and I took off after Atticus, fell on my face, and pulled my hamstring. We missed the opportunity for the JHT while I was healing. One thing after another, we did not get back to it yet.

Atticus is a wonderfully playful dog. He loves to tease; he loves to run and chase; he loves to please. We try to spend at least 15 minutes a day in play. I learn so much from him. He teaches me to listen and watch carefully. He teaches me to pay attention to what I say and do, because he notices everything. If I am consistent in my communication, he knows exactly what I am asking him to do, and he takes great joy in doing it. We will get back to our formal training on sheep, and obedience as well. But the real fun is in learning from one another. I am exceedingly grateful to be able to work and play with this beautiful boy.
--Nancy Dietz


THE JOY OF A COMPANION


Apache Scout of Ridgewood
Frank Rescigno

sire: Mason Dixon's Simple Man
dam: Yonavick's Chewbacca of Pimm
b. July 19, 2003 | golden sable plush

 

Scout is our second Shiloh. Our first is Storm, who will be 4 in March and is also a companion. As most Shiloh owners know you can't have just one. The reason this short article is about Scout is because he won the coin flip. But I still think my wife used a 2 headed coin for the flip. You see Scout is really her buddy. When I get out of bed in the morning Scout gets in and she pulls the covers over him and stays with her for a few minutes.

Scout is stunning to look at with his golden coloring and red highlights. But it is his temperament that stands out. He is one of the sweetest Shilohs you could meet. He was the smallest of his litter but right away you could tell he had a big heart. Scout was bred by Christi at P&C's Ridgewood, and me and my family will always be thankful to her for letting us have Scout and for her friendship. All of the Ridgewood Shilohs are just
awesome.

We took Scout home when he was 8 weeks old. It took about 3 weeks before Storm really accepted him, but now it is like they are joined at the hip. We socialized Scout right away. I brought to the local schools, he came with us to my son's little league games. It's funny when you are coaching and turn around and see 20 people standing in a circle watching a 12 week old pup sleeping. I think because of this early socialization, Scout is calm and friendly when out in public. He is gentle with small children and elderly people. I am sure that some of this comes from good breeding. At 29 months old, his health is good and his hips are OFA rated as good. I guess you could say he is the total package. Good looks, good temperament & good health. He was bought as a companion but was upgradeable to breeding. In my opinion he would have been a good stud. But I will leave
breeding to those that are more knowledgeable and dedicated. I could talk and write forever about my Shilohs but I will spare you that.

All I can say is that Scout is a wonderful family member (as is Storm). He is all I could ask for in a Shiloh. Being in law enforcement I am often asked if Scout could be trained to be a police dog and I always tell them no, "he is just too sweet a dog."
-- Frank Rescigno


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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