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Shiloh
Shepherd Times, SUMMER 2006 |
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sire: JNK Smoke 'n Black Bear
of Zion |
Cayla was my introduction to the Shiloh Shepherd, and what an introduction!! I had always had large shepherd type dogs, mostly rescued from various situations. However, as the years had gone by, I had developed an interest in raising parrots. My "animal family" had always coexisted together.... dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, because it was just an understanding that we all got along. I had decided that I really wanted to bring a puppy home, but needed to know that she would fit in with my "strange" menagerie. I researched and found the shiloh which seemed to have the perfect qualities that I was looking for. I then found Wendy, who brought Cayla into my life. Cayla was everything that I could have ever hoped for. She always was loving and gentle to every living creature, including her stuffed animals. When the cats needed a secure place to sleep, you could find them curled up in Cayla's embrace. When my baby birds would take their 1st flight, it was Cayla's soft "landing pad" that they would glide to. When I was sad, tired, or just frustrated, Cayla was always there for me to just hold on to and hug. She was my best friend throughout life's heartaches and joys. When my life turned in a new direction, and I left Pennsylvania and a teaching career, to become a full time bird breeder in Texas, Cayla faced the new adventure with me. She amazed everyone at the farm with her "undoglike" behaviors. They raise mini-bull terriers here. She was so gentle and caring with all critters on the farm. She was nicknamed - "the walking stuffed animal" and just "Fluffy" by my coworkers. My most memorable occasion when I came to the farm was the day that I heard a chicken "crying". Cayla had not come when I called her. I went out looking for her, and I came across the most amazing sight.... A chicken was sitting on a stoop, with Cayla licking her. The chicken was sure that she was dinner, but Cayla was only greeting a new friend. As I said, she was even gentle with her stuffed animal friends. I had given her a stuffed racoon on her 1st Christmas. She carried "Racoonie" around everywhere with her for 10 years. She never tore him. He came to Texas with us, where there were a number of times that she had to remember to put him safely away from mini-bull mouths. He went over the rainbow bridge with her in April. I anxiously await a little sister to Cayla. I know that Cay will look down and guide me in her training. Rest well my friend, and know that you were loved. I know that your spirit is here with me everyday. History spotlights the Shiloh Shepherds of our historic past. These wonderful Shilohs have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and remind us what our breeders are striving for. |
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sire: Zion's Desert Diablo
Cazador |
Sugar was my baby from the moment she was born. I always thought she was beautiful, even though another breeder looked at her one day when she was around 6 months old and queried "where do you think their stop disappears to?" I remember calling Ina and asking her to help me name Sugar. I wanted Sugar and Spite and a Spanish theme because of Sugar's dad Diablo. Ina put together Sugar's name for me and of course, I will always smile about that. Thank you Ina. We started showing Sugar as a puppy and at an ARBA show in Detroit, a DDB got away from his owner and attacked her. When she got away from him, she spotted her best buddy Suzy Graham across the show grounds, ran as fast as she could and tackled Suzy on the spot. Of course, even though her skirt was over her head, Suzy just hugged her and calmed her down till we got her and had a vet check her out. Sugar never seemed to be ruined over that, she was always my clown and always liked everyone, except DDBs. She took a break from shows and when she was 3 years old, we took her out and she finished her breed club championship with 3- five point majors in one weekend and went onto one last large show to finish her Rarities championship in one weekend with her Auntie Dawn. Sugar was not happy when she was 'with pups'. She was much like her mother Tawnee who felt that puppies should be brought into this world by anyone other than her. Sugar had one litter with Lobo in 2003 and gave me my sweet Jessie to hopefully go forward with. She gave Zora who has pushed her momma Tammy to the very end of her rope at time. There is our sweet Niki with Marilyn who is blazing the path for Shilohs in the READ program and Therapy Dog work. There is Kalee with her momma who has shown her intelligence in obedience. There is Buddy who has healed the broken hearts of his owners who lost their older dog. And there is Hawk, who was Cheri Schell and Renee Hafer's boy. Sugar's sister Tella (Miracle) had a much better outlook on motherhood. Right Jan? This year, for the first time, Sugar was honored with the award of Best Dam and Progeny. That said it all to me. She has done her job and has been and will be retired with me till she passes. Judy Vaneman |
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sire: Grand Victor NS abCH |
Kachina, Tantara’s Kachina Dancer Msn-Dxn, has been a wonderful addition to the Tantara family. Her outgoing, loyal temperament is complimented by her high intelligence. Her performance in the ring has been outstanding earning her first Reserve Best in Show at ARBA’s Cherry Blossom at the young age of 6 months and 3 days. From there she has earned multiple Best of Breeds, Group 1’s, Group placements, Reserve Best in Shows, Best in Shows, as well as the title of NSBR Grand Victrix for 2004. She is an absolute joy to show and feels quite at home in the ring. We couldn’t be more pleased with her overall movement, correctness of structure, fantastic personality and most of all her contribution to her place in our family. We’re now hoping that she will make a positive impact and contribution to the Shiloh breed as she begins to add puppies to the Shiloh world. Kachina’s NSBR GV came to me as a complete surprise as I never counted points while showing her and had no clue she was going to receive it. I thought Judy wanted me there to help hand out the awards to everyone else. It was a very pleasant surprise. Our family is grateful to Lisa Leilich (Mason Dixon Kennels) for allowing such a special girl to be a part of our family. |
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sire: NS brCH B&T's Ment
To Be Of Ridgewood, ROM, CGC, TDI,TT
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Beloved BT Tylor of Shenandoah “TYLOR” is a Registered Pet Therapy Dog. He’s a very special Shiloh Shepherd, but then I think that anyone owned by a Shiloh thinks their Shiloh is special. Pet therapy dogs help people in amazing ways. Tylor’s specialty is children. He loves them. To be honest, he loves everyone. But not all therapy dogs can be in a hospital setting with IV’s, hospital equipment, babies crying, etc. He’s amazing at it. At Cooper Hospital, where we visit the children’s hospital, Tylor is known as the gentle giant. It’s not the first time these words were applied to him. When he was 8-12 weeks old and in puppy kindergarten, he would play with the smallest puppy and be so gentle and sweet that everyone used that term even then. He would lay down and put his paws around the other puppies and give them sweet and gentle kisses. Tylor was supposed to be a show dog. While I knew he would excel at anything he did, that’s where my focus was. But life has a way of changing plans and Tylor, at one year of age, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. With his laid back personality, peaceful spirit and loving nature, I knew we had to give him a job he would love. He was meant to do something special so I decided to see how he did in pet therapy. When I worked at Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ, many years ago I started the pet therapy program with my mixed breed dog, Julie. I missed working with my dogs and doing pet therapy since I had to stop working after a back disability. I also thought that Tylor would be a great service dog for me as well as a therapy dog so we started working on both those quests. Tylor is a big boned boy and people are a bit shocked when they see him. However, very few people are actually afraid of him. He’s a great ambassador for our breed. There was some controversy about him being too big for the hospital but it was quickly drowned out by the huge amount of people who have fallen in love with Tylor. He has his own fan club at Cooper Hospital. I have to say that Tylor gets a swelled head every week at the hospital as people tell him how beautiful, how handsome and how large he is. Yep, you can tell he thinks he walks on water after each visit. But in our family, we think that too. There are so many stories to relate about each individual child in the hospital and how Tylor has helped them. But his help doesn’t stop with just the children in the hospital; it affects the staff, the parents, and everyone in the hallways. We frequently have 10 people surrounding he and I asking questions all at the same time. I’m overwhelmed someday but Ty takes it all in stride. The pet therapy program is such a success that it’s being extended to the “adult” patients in the hospital. It’s not just a matter of stopping in every childs room because the Child Life Director needs to have the permission of the patients’ doctor and the parents for a pet therapy dog to be allowed to visit a child. Tylor and I even go into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to
visit very ill children. Even if we only get them to touch Tylor’s
fur and get some respond, that’s a success. We see children
just out of surgery and when they see Tylor, they have a huge smile on
their faces. What gives me chills is to see a child one week in
he NICU and the next week he’s up and about in the children’s
wing…..remembering touching and feeling Tylor. The only time Tylor seemed upset is when a newborn was crying continuously. He was cocking his head and could not concentrate on showing off his tricks to the kids. He wanted to see the baby and make it feel better. He sat perfectly still but he kept looking at me and then looking to where the baby’s crib was. He loves to gently kiss the childrens’ hands and if they allow it, their faces. And no matter how many kids we see when visiting, Tylor is good at doing all his tricks for each child.. Taking Tylor to Cooper Hospital has an extra benefit. Cooper Hospital is in Camden, New Jersey. Many of the patients are from the surrounding area and both the parents and the kids are used to mean and nasty dogs. Having Tylor meet them and kiss them on their hands and face teaches both the parents and the kids that not all dogs are mean. Sometimes it’s a slow chipping away at fears and sometimes the kids help the parents overcome their fear of dogs because when they see their child petting a 110 lb. dog, they are embarrassed to be afraid. Tylor goes with me to restaurants, schools, and supermarkets. He’s never denied entrance and people are interested in how he helps me as a service dog as well as a therapy dog. He wears his service vest proudly. The feeling I get from watching Tylor “at work” is so wonderful and uplifting. I’m very lucky to have been blessed by three amazing Shilohs. It just doesn’t get any better then this!!! |
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sire: Shenandoah’s Wreaking
Havoc |
Spirit is a much loved family member, my friend and my constant companion. He
has a heart of gold and is completely devoted giving his love unconditionally. He
is aloof at times, yet extremely sensitive. There are many things
he really enjoys doing. At the top of the list is his Frisbee. He
will play Frisbee all day as long as he can stand in a puddle of water
to cool his paws or dunk his Frisbee in the water. His next favorite
thing is swimming in the pond with his Frisbee. He will often sneak
down to the pond for a swim and a chance to cool off on a hot summer
day. He has an amazing enthusiasm for everything fun in life.
He is my guardian and protector and makes sure he lets me know when we have an unexpected visitor to the farm. Spirit has a special way with toddlers and very young children even though he wasn’t raised near children. He has intimidated some of the biggest guys out there yet young children are drawn to him. He holds a spot in my heart that no other can take. Carol Cernak |
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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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