May Winds Down

 MAY WINDS DOWN 2008

Ellen's cell -- 517-202-6462

www.thornappleaussies.com

thornappleaussies@gmail.com


HUGE NEWS FROM ACROSS THE POND!!!!
CH THORNAPPLE AFTERSHOCK "Diablo" **** RESERVE BEST IN SHOW!
May 18th *** I thought you would like to Know that Bitta and Diablo came over to England
yesterday to show under me at Scottish Championship Show, where I was awarding CC's.
Bitta and Diablo got their 3rd CC making them an English Champion !!!! Not only did
he finish his English championship and go Best Of Breed but he thrilled me even more
 by Winning the Pastoral Group and then returning today to win Reserve Best In Show
overall !!! Making them # 1 Aussie in the UK at the moment !!!!!
Wahoo way to go Bitta and Diablo !
Congratulations to Ellen & Amy on breeding such an outstanding dog ...And by
taking this win you are currently Joint Top Aussie Breeders in the UK rankings !!!
Hugs, Jayne

Scottish Kennel Club Championship Show
Group Judge was Stuart Mallard
(Mr. Mallard awarded Lorenzo Best Of Breed at Crufts in 2002 and gave Bitta and Diablo group 2 at Crufts last year !)
BIS show judge was Steve Hall  *** total entries in show over SEVENTEEN THOUSAND DOGS!



CONGRATULATIONS, BITTA & DIABLO!!!!!!!!!! We are over the moon!
Thank you, Jayne Holligan, for awarding Diablo his last CC!
And, thank you Karen Wilson for calling us at our dog show to give us the good news of Diablo's Breed & Group
win yesterday, AND for a 2nd call today with news of his Reserve Best In Show! 

Oh Jayne, what a wonderful thrill for you to see Diablo, your CC winner go
Best in Pastoral Group under the Group Judge, then Reserve Best in Show
under the Show Specials Judge.
Bitta, congratulations for your awesome success in England with Diablo, he
would have to have been in top form to go so far, thanks to your preparation
and presentation of this outstanding male.
What wonderful news for you and Amy, Ellen, just the icing on the cake,
beautiful dog, top handler. We are so looking forward to seeing photos
of the event as it unfolded.
Congratulations to you all, Bitta, Diablo, Jayne, Ellen and Amy - WHAT A
TEAM!!!!!!!! and of course thank you 'little clunker' for getting Bitta and
Diablo safely to and from the show. Ellen, who needs a 'newbie' car, when
this little fellow does such a grand job? <BBGrin>
My heart is singing for you all.............Phyl in Brisbane Qld. DOWN UNDER.

WOOOOOWWW That is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats Bitta, Ellen and Amy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It must have been a pleasure to crown Mr Diablo as English Champion!!!!!! Congrats Jayne to such an honor!
Love, Anna-Lena

Congratulations to Bitta, Diablo, Ellen, and Amy!!!
Wow, wow, wow....
Hope to see win photos with Jayne, Bitta & Diablo.
And I will also say THANK YOU to Anna-Lena who put up a Jag & Jenny son (Gun Lake Thorns Pancake) to BIS on a
 unofficial show her in Finland. Erica who is this dogs owner send you a big Thank You too.
Marie Ekholm, Finland
Kennel Gun Lake
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kennel Gun Lake
www.gunlake.ax
gunlake@aland.net

Hi Ellen & Amy,
Congratulations on this wonderful win!!!!!!!!! it is so awesome! Jayne, I
can imagine it must have been a pleasure to give him his crowning CC!
If all goes well I have the pleasure of congratulating Bitta and finally
finally see Diablo and Jada this morning. They are stopping by our house on
their way home. Bitta is taking one of our puppies with her for a friend. Love, Bianca

Congratulations to EVERYONE involved with Diablo and his new titles.
Congrats to Bitta, Ellen and Amy...way to go. #1 all the way. Laura

THIS IS SO EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations Bitta - we are SO PROUD of you and Diablo - such a team!!!!!!!! I heard he is only the 3rd Aussie to receive
an English Championship - fantastic!!  Then to go win a Reserve Best In Show is just the icing on the cake. And...#1 Aussie -
wow, wow, wow!!! Super Congrats! Hope there are awesome win photos coming....we will be especially fond of the win with Jayne!!!
Jayne, what does "joint" top Aussie breeders mean?? Do they keep track of what, the top 10 breeders in each breed?
Very cool!!! Busting With Pride, Amy
Gooooooo....Thornapple!
Hi Amy, Yes the top ten breeders accumulate points for wins of dogs bred by them ..
Hugs, Jayne xx

That is so so so amazing!!!!! A Huge Congratulations to everyone involved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kath

Congratulations to Bitta, Diablo, Ellen, and Amy!!!
Jayne, I want to come over and go to a dog show in England ... preferabley in the Spring/Summer time:-) I've heard your shows are amazing.
Love, Mary

Congrats to Bitta and Diablo!!!!!!!!!
Diablo it is an amazing Aussie.........I love him.
I hope my baby Thornapple Unstoppable "Hummer" (a Red Merle Diablo grandson) will be so GORGEUS as Diablo
 when he matures. Congrats Congrats!!! Bitta must be so proud.....Ale

Gosh I LOVE Diablo!!! When I first discovered your website he was the one I ALWAYS staring at... I was so sad when he went away!( BUT he is
doing great things!!!  And Congrats on your fantastic weekend! :) Sounds like you guys have been cleaning house for the last month! - Audrey

WOW Diablo -- what a star.  We are so proud to be a member of the Thornapple gang.  Amazing what you have accomplished in the short years you
have been breeding the little buggers.  I love all the photos on the website of the dogs in the mud.  Seems like they are show dogs when you are
 around them, but they are real doggies too -- I wish I lived closer so I could help you take care of all of them. Jo

Super congrats to Bitta and Diablo. Wonderful accomplishments! And to the judge who awarded them!!!!
And to the Thornapple Breeders!!!!!Beijos Marcia   Wind spirit in Brazil

Greetings All, First Congratulations to all the WONDERFUL wins across the globe and also a Congratulations to The Matsons
on their FANTASTIC photos we get to share from all over the world. It is so nice of you to post them for all to see. I absolutely
 love pictures. Can not wait to see all the win photos from this past weekend. I miss Ellen and Amy's show schedule this year.
 Last year Rain was with them and it was soooooo exciting to converse with them about the wins and the losses. I almost
felt like I was there:)))))))) Happy Heeling, Betsy

Just catching up on emails! WOW!!! HUGE, HUGE CONGRATS to Bitta and Diablo....and of course, Ellen and Amy. Thornapples rock the
world!!! What an amazing win. Sister Sedona sends her love and hugs to Big Brother Diablo!!! :)
Bitta, you make us all proud to be a part of this Thornapple family! Candy

Just want to say a huge CONGRATULATIONS on Diablo & Bitta's fantastic win this weekend and your first (of many I'm sure) UK champion
and the first Red Merle CH in the UK. He looked lovely in the group. We stayed to cheer him on in the group but unfortunately couldn't stay for
BIS but was thrilled to hear he was Reserve BIS. I hope Bitta has warmed up now LOL it was freezing up there!!! Kirstie

 

Here are a few pics of the black lambs ,, the Herdwick ones..
 A few pics of how green we now look .. spring is finally here ,,, the lake is at the bottom of the field from the house
 ... and the dogs in the pic are Burst and Skippy !!! 
Little Miss Burst is fat with babies but as you can see very happy
and smiley ! Hugs, Jayne x  Ps will send some more lamby pics ,, need to send you my pet lamb pics too she's just so cute !.

    

    

    
Thank you for sharing, Jayne!
Jayne lives in the beautiful Lake District of England!

    

I thought you would like to see these ,,, Bubba (Ch Thornapple Diamond Rio) is still alive, he's very unsteady on his legs ... but his spirits
are still good and he eats like a horse still!
Hugs, jayne x  Bubba looks good for a senior citizen of 13 years young!  Thank you, Jayne!

GENESEE COUNTY KENNEL CLUB *** Saturday, May 17 *** Judge Mrs. Paula Hartinger


Thornapple Tougher Shade Of Red "Ringo" *** Best Of Winners *** handled by Stephanie Hentschel
Thank you for your assist on Saturday, Stephanie!!!!

GENESEE COUNTY KENNEL CLUB *** Sunday, May 18 *** Judge Mrs. Francine W. Schwartz
Thornapple Tougher Shade Of Red "Ringo *** Best Of Winners *** handled by Shayna Garrison
Thornapple Little Sure Shot "Annie" *** Reserve Winners Bitch *** handled by Amy Garrison


Thornapple Big Girls Don't Cry "Fergie"

MARION KENNEL CLUB *** Friday, May 16 *** Judge Mr. Robert R. Frost
Thornapple Big Girls Don't Cry "Fergie" *** Winners Bitch *** handled by Victoria Davidson

KOKOMO KENNEL CLUB *** Saturday, May 17 *** Judge Mr. George Murray
Taylor Grisman *** 1st Place Novice Intermediate Junior Handler *** Thornapple Hey There Delilah

KOKOMO KENNEL CLUB *** Sunday, May 18 *** Judge Mr. Houston Clark

Thornapple No More Mr Nice Guy "Alice" *** Winners Dog *** handled by Victoria Davidson

Taylor Grisman *** 1st Place Novice Intermediate Junior Handler *** Thornapple Hey There Delilah
Judge Mrs. Valerie Dombrowski *** CONGRATULATIONS Taylor on your 3rd FIRST PLACE win
moving you to OPEN Intermediate!  We are very proud of you and Delilah!
Watch for Taylor's Junior Handling page coming soon!



Artwork by the very talented Alix Hsu, of Shanghai, China!  Alix is high school student at the American School in Shanghai!
 Thank you, Alix!!!
    
Joanne & Jim Matson share their photos taken while visiting China.
Hi everyone, Every time I see the news and the devastation in China right now with the recent earthquake it just breaks my heart.
We have fond memories of our visit to China and visiting the Panda Center in Chengdu (the epicenter).
Attached are a few photos.  I wonder if these serene images will come again.  My heart goes out to the people of China. joanne

    
Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson
 
Yes, the pandas are fine.  There was no damage at all and the pandas did not realize anything was going on --
thank goodness. I sent a few photos - none of Singapore.  So glad that Alix is fine.  What a worry -- it's such a tragedy isn't it. 
We went on this trip April 2005 right when Jim retired. Daisy is still our little champion - the little bugger. Hope you are doing well.
 We miss the clan. love, jo


Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson

One more thing - we left the group one day and flew to Chengdu just to go see the pandas. 
 We had lunch and toured for about 1 hr and then left again, therefore I don't have many more photos.
  Plus it was raining quite hard and didn't want to get the camera wet.  It was just beautiful there.  It's so
sad to think about Chengdu and surrounding area and all the people lost.  What a pity.
 
How horrible with Myanmar as well.  The government is horrible for not allowing aid to reach the people.
It's right next to Thailand and we were so close. jo

NEWS OF CHINA TODAY ** May 19 ** FROM ALIX HSU!
Today at 2:28 pm, almost the entire China stopped what they were doing for a three minute moment of silence.
I was in PE class, actually, out on the field playing soccer, when the horns of the buses out on the streets, and the alarm of [I think]
the fire department, along with our school's fire alarm were simultaneously set off. The past few years have brought so many disasters,
 beginning with (most prominent in my mind) the Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. It is sometimes hard to empathize with those who've lost
their loved ones in these catastrophes, and I know many people, who will sigh at those news headings and say, "not again".  But if they were
the ones sending their child to school in the morning, and having to come back at the end of the day, or the week, to pick up a body, I think the
 situation would be viewed quite differently. It is just heart breaking and absolutely devastating coming to terms with the number of people who
have lost their homes, families, and friends. Here's to hoping more survivors of the hurricane will be discovered. 

I just saw the pictures of the pandas - their markings are stunning!  They look exactly like the cuddly teddy bears you see in souvenir shops.
The serenity portrayed in Jim & Joanne Matson's photo of the lake and swans is beautiful! I think three pandas are missing from the Wolong Nature
Reserve, and 32 of the reserve's panda houses were destroyed or severely damaged.  Pandas from the other nature reserves in the area seem to
all be safe so far. And to quote from the news, "...the staff may be able to search for the pandas when things become more calm, or the pandas may
return to the reserve on their own because it has served as their food source. But Braden also said that the pandas may be tense and fearful after the quake."

Phew, well, according to a more cheerful observation...congratulations on Diablo's win!  I bet you, Amy, and Bitta are thrilled about this huge achievement!
Alix

Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of the Chinese earthquake and the victims of the cyclone in Myanmar.
Joanne shares more photos from their 2005 trip below!
 

    
Beijing * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson

    
Beijing * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson

    
Beijing * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson


Beijing * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson

    
Guilin * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson

    
Guilin * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson

    
Guilin * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson

    
Hong Kong * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson

    
Hong Kong * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson

    
Hong Kong * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson


Hong Kong * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson

   
Thailand * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson

    
Thailand * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson

    
Thailand * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson


Thailand * Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson
THANK YOU Jim & Joanne for sharing your photos!
A photo share wouldn't be complete without photos of spring in Estes Park, Colorado!


It's a beautiful day out here in Colorado (May 19).  The park is gorgeous this time of year.  I wish you could see it.
We actually saw marmots on the trail down low.  Usually they are up high in the mountains in the rocks, but right by the trail was pretty awesome. jo

 
Photo Credit Jim & Joanne Matson

 GOOD NEWS FROM IWONA & SLASH IN POLAND!
This weekend we went to national show in Alytus Lithania, where Slash won his class!!
and then best junior in breed!!! He opened Lithanian Junior Champion :))
Then Sheina won BOB !!!!! and V place on BOG !! and Sheina and Slash V place in
couple competition (on 13 !! couples) :)))) Pictures were taken by friend of mine - as soon
as I will get them I will send them to you !! Iwona 
CONGRATULATIONS, IWONA!!!!


Good morning Ellen and Amy,
We wanted to send along a few photos of Thornapple Song of the Patriot, aka
Cash.  Jonathan is having a wonderful time spoiling him already.  He is
eating well, loves his toys and running and chasing in the yard.  Though I
do think his favorite activity is being snuggled.  :-)  We will be taking
him for his puppy check and micro chip this afternoon.  We will send lots of
pictures to keep you updated.  There are not words that can express how
grateful we are to have him as part of the family.  A mere thank you doesn't
seem enough.  Kim, for Kirk and Jonathan, too
    
Thornapple Song Of The Patriot "Cash" ** Happy in his new home! 
Cash is sired by Ch Thornapple Single Barrel.  His dam is Ch Thornapple Russian ToA Party.
Cash has big shoes to fill!  Jonathon thinks he can do it!
Kirk, Kim & Jonathon lost their dear sweet Thornapple Aussie, Bandit (pictured below),  this past March, at the age of 4, due to an almost unheard of condition in dogs, a
 brain tumor. Bandit was not only their very dear pet, Bandit was Kim's seizure detection dog.  How can this be???  How could  this very special dog with an important job
to do, be taken from them so young? We extended our hearts  to Kim and her family, offering our beautiful Cash to help ease their pain.  Kim & Kirk met us at the Kokomo Dog
Shows this past weekend, to pick up their new pride & joy!  Jonathon didn't think he could love another Aussie but Kim tells us it was love at first sight.  Kim also praised Cash --
only one potty accident in the house since he arrived home on Friday evening.  She says Bandit is watching over Cash & helping with his training! (Cash is Addie's litter brother.
Miss Addie ... are you paying attention here????  See how easy it is when you cooperate with your family!)
Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family Kim.  Your happiness and gratitude means the world to us!
We hope that Cash can be every bit the Aussie Bandy was!  Hugs, Amy & Ellen
    
Kim pictured with her beautiful Bandit.

MAY 20 Cash update!
We took Cash for his puppy check-up today.  Everyone immediately fell in love with him.  The receptionist even got up from her seat at the desk to come over and pick him up.
When the vet came in the room, the first thing he said was “What an incredibly handsome puppy, what breeder is he from”?  He said over and over again what an amazing
Aussie Cash is, both structurally and in personality.  He even loved the name.  He said it was a good, strong name for an amazing dog.  He had lots of fun checking Cash
over and Cash was the most agreeable patient.  He even napped on the table for a couple of minutes, it was the longest puppy check-up we have ever had.  Our vet did the
 normal puppy checks and then he had us encourage little Cash to walk around the room.  He commented on how wonderful Cash’s gait was and that he was right up on his toes.
  (It wasn’t what I expected for the normal puppy check-up, but the vet was clearly having fun and Cash was the model patient).  Everything checked as expected.  The doctor held
 him and snuggled him at the end of the visit and Cash offered gentle puppy kisses.  He was simply the best puppy.  He didn’t even fuss for the nasty microchip.  Of course he was
given liver treats during and after the procedure.  He liked the treats so well I purchased a case to use for puppy training.  I am certain Oliver, Barclay, Brite and Andy will like
them too.  They are only one calorie per treat, which is good for the collies.
Cash has mastered walking up the back stairs!  Little Brite, our sheltie taught him.  We were watching them, it was really funny.  We are still working on going down the stairs, but
he is catching on so quickly, it won’t be long. Going out to go potty or play requires walking down a lot of stairs in our older home.  I have been asking around for some suggestions
as to where to take him to puppy class.  The instructor we used for Bandit is no longer teaching.  I have some places to check out.  I also know there is a lady in town that has an
agility ring set up on her property. I am hoping to get in touch with her in the future.  I believe she offers some evening classes where doggies can go over and play.  I will wait
until he finishes his vaccines before we take him to any class. We want to be sure his immune system is strong. 

Well, baby Cash is fast asleep.  I am hoping he will sleep through the night tonight.  I guess he misses us.  His crate is in the living room next to Brite’s crate.  The other doggies
sleep in the bedroom with Kirk and I.  I am certain the young Brite and baby Cash will soon be snuggled in bed with Jonathan. 
J  Bandy slept with Jonathan every night. 
 (He took up most of the bed and would often steal the pillow, too).  Of course Jonathan didn’t mind one bit.
Again, congratulations on all your winds this past weekend, both here and abroad.  We are so happy for you.  You have every reason to be so proud.  Hugs to all, Kim, for the family

MAY 21 A COMPUTER UPDATE from Kim!
Hi Everyone. We will be w/o computer for a couple of days.  Little puppy Cash (new Aussie puppy and Brite’s new counterpart)
chewed the power adaptor this morning.  Don’t you just love new little puppies! 
J  He was so cute I couldn’t be upset.  I ordered a new one
 from Dell overnight.  (Overnight from Dell means several days).  I will check emails remotely but won’t be online much.  Love to all…
Kim
Now Cash .... Just because your sister, Addie, can chew computer wires, doesn't mean you have to follow family tradition!
Love, Granny T



AND CONGRATULATIONS, Marcy Hayes & Thornapple Mandrin Blush on Best In Match!
Mandy and  I went to an AKC sanctioned  match  at  the  polo fields (Western Reserve club). Mandy  was  awesome!
She loves showing outside, windy and all!  She won Best In Match! YIPEE! Marcy Hayes - Judge
Ann Yuhasz

    


PETRA SENDS GOOD NEWS FROM THE NETHERLANDS!
Hello, great news again this weekend! We were on show in Belgie (Wieze) and
SYDOR was 1st into the Youth class and with title HOPPRINS, and he wins from Easton CACIB
and (HOPKING) and so SYDOR was BOB and this with a Youth dog. The judge was Jean Lawless (IRL).

Send some pictures from it. Petra  CONGRATULATIONS, Petra & Bas! 
 

    
CH Thornapple Dixie Darling poses with her "kids" in Japan!  Ture & Ruffy are sired by CH Thornapple Single Barrel.
Hello! The puppies of Dixie were six months after life by today.
I took a photograph today because I washed Dixie and Ture and Ruffy.
On 25th, a show makes its debut Ture and Ruffy.  Thank you, Tomomi

    


Alejandra sends BEACH PHOTOS from CHILE!!!  It's a CHILLY FALL DAY in Chile!!!

   
Gaspar & Icon enjoy the sand, cool breeze and surf! Dreamy leaps for joy!


Ophelia goes eye to eye with a super star ... fish that is! We LOVE this photo Ale!!!!
It's just as CHILLY here in Michigan, Ale!  We have FROST WARNINGS tonight ... May 18th!
Will Summer ever come to Michigan????? 


I WILL chew these ... life according to Miss Addie!

AN UPDATE FROM MISS ADDIE!  (the Inches have a new keyboard for the computer!)

Hi Granny T, Happy May "Two-Four Weekend".  It is a Canadian Holiday weekend (Victoria Day).  I am now an official weekend Canadian dog.
  Training is going pretty well from my side, but Michael is pulling out the last little bit of hair that he has.  I am coming on command,
 but I refuse to go to the bathroom any place other than the nice grass.  I also still don't get what they mean by "off".  I think it means jump
up on any thing in sight. It must be a lack of communication on the their side.  I really don't listen to what they say any way.  I have had a few
releases in the house, but it is their fault since the were not picking up on my mental signals.  Shame on them.  The Invisible Fence Lady Lynn came
 over to visit with me.  She is really cool.  I listened to everything she had to say.  I did not jump on her, and I sat on command and I did everything
she said. Michael did the same.  He did say he was say he was taking notes.  I now know what the orange flags mean.  Jump back at the sound and
I like that.  It is an easy concept.  I will do well with it.  Lynn says that I am "very full of myself."  Whatever.  What does she expect from a
Thornapple puppy. We are the best.  She expects that I will be a total rebel at 16 weeks.  Heck, I feel like a rebel now.  I am glad to know I will
get worse, before I get better. Here are a couple of pics for you.  I am tired. Love, Addie
Thank you for your wonderful update, Miss Addie!  We are happy to hear you haven't given up on them Inches!!!!

I OWN THIS PLACE .... MY beautiful Canadian Lake!


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