August Ends

AUGUST ENDS · USASA HALL OF FAME KENNEL #10

HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND! · www.thornappleaussies.com

GOOD NEWS FROM Anna-Lena in Sweden!

I hope you are home safe & sound! We have been on a 3 day dog show here in Sweden. Boom was BEST OF BREED all 3 days!

He was Best In Group 2 on Friday, BIG 3 on Saturday & BIG 5 on Sunday. So that was GOOD! One of our Chauncey & Enya puppies (the bitch) became Best In Show 5 puppy! :-)))) The entry was about 45-50 puppies! Congratulations Anna-Lena & Niklas!

And the GOOD NEWS continues ..... !!!

I am proud to announce that Thornapple Mercury Hotshot "Jackson" is now an AKC Champion @ 12 months of age! He gathered his last needed point yesterday under Judge Sulie Greendale-Paveza by going Winners Dog/Best Of Winners. Jackson was handled by Paul & Kelley Catterson (www.alnairaussies.com/profession_handling) over the last few weekends. Thank you Paul & Kelley for doing a superb job with our boy! 14 points, which included 3 majors in 3 weekends! A HUGE thank you to Ellen Brandenburg & Amy Garrison & my good friend, Ami Romanelli of Mercury for entrusting us with Jackson. Your support over the last year has been above & beyond what we could have ever expected. Jackson is our first Champion at Navrock & we couldn't be more proud of our red dog!! Jackson's conformation record can be viewed here www.navrockaussies.com/jackson We are so happy to have Jackson home so quickly!!!! Although he was only a few hours away & gone less than a month, I missed my red dog like crazy!

Jax even beat his win photos home! How's that for fast?! Jackson will go on to show in ASCA & work on adding to his 4 pt major with Todd. Brandy Dirksen *** Navrock Australian Shepherds www.navrockaussies.com [email removed] CONGRATULATIONS Brandy & Todd! Thank you Kelley & Paul for the outstanding presentation!

Livonia Kennel Club *** August 30 *** Judge Ms. Gloria Kerr

Autumn Wind Thornapple Premium Blend "Gibbs" *** Reserve Winners Dog * owner handled by Bill Burns Autumn Wind Blue Moon "Ziva" *** Reserve Winners Bitch * owner handled by Carolyn Zernick Ziva is sired by Ch Thornapple Single Barrel. Her dam is Ch Thornapple Autumn Wind.

Thornapple Give Me Chills "Macy"

*** Winners Bitch * Best Of Winners * Best Of Breed * handled by Bill Burns *** Livonia Kennel Club *** August 31 *** Judge Mr. Frederick Dewsbury Autumn Wind Thornapple Custom Blend "Gibbs" *** Winners Dog * Best Opposite Sex * owner handled by Bill Burns Autumn Wind Blue Moon *** Reserve Winners Bitch * Best Of Breed Puppy * Puppy Herding Group 4 owner handled by Carolyn Zernick (puppy herding group Judge Mrs. Judy A. Doniere -- large puppy group!)

Marquette Kennel Club *** August 29 *** Judge Mr. Lester R. Mapes Thornapple Big Girls Don't Cry "Fergie" *** Winners Bitch * Best Of Winners * handled by Victoria Davidson CH Thornapple King Of Diamonds "Shamba" *** Best Of Breed *** Group 2 Judge Mrs. Charlotte Clem McGowan Marquette Kennel Club *** August 30 *** Shayna M. Garrison *** BEST JUNIOR HANDLER *** Judge Mr. Peter W. Bauer Marquette Kennel Club *** August 31 *** Judge Mrs. Charlotte Clem McGowan Thornapple Star Spangled Banner "Banner" *** Reserve Winners Dog * handled by Victoria Davidson Thornapple Big Girls Don't Cry *** Winners Bitch * Best Of Winners * handled by Victoria Davidson Thornapple Let Freedom Ring "Liberty" *** Reserve Winners Bitch * handled by Victoria Davidson CH Thornapple King Of Diamonds *** Best Of Breed * handled by Shayna Garrison Shayna M. Garrison *** BEST JUNIOR HANDLER *** Judge Mrs. Charlotte M. McGowan Thornapple Big Girls Don't Cry "Fergie" · It's Another Thornapple Adventure!

Wednesday, August 26th, found us sailing right along the I-75 in northern Michigan, looking forward to a 9pm arrival in Marquette, Michigan.

We were only an hour out from the Mackinaw Bridge when a trucker pulled alongside us to motion us to roll our window down. We knew exactly what he was going to holler! Please, NOT AGAIN! But yes ... once again --- SMOKE he yells!!! --- pointing to our rear tire!!! We pulled off at the next exit to find black smoke pouring from under our travel trailer. The smoke was so thick, this time we thought maybe our trailer was on fire. Vikki ran for the fire extinguisher while Kelly checked out the smoke. No ... no fire ... it's the tire/wheel! Tire #1 on the driver's side was spurting black grease and red hot to the touch. It could only be 1 thing ... the bearings!

Our tow truck guys arrived shortly after calling them. They removed the bad wheel/tire so we could drive the rig to a repair shop.

Evan & Vikki killed time at the repair shop located in the sleepy town of Waters, Michigan. Unable to obtain parts due to the holiday weekend, our repair shop owner did a temporary fix enabling us to drive to Gaylord where there are hotels and restaurants.

Gaylord Michigan is known as the Alpine Village. The architecture is Alpine. The downtown area contains many quaint shops.

We spent the night at the Best Western Hotel so the kids could swim. Friday morning it was off to Bob Evans for breakfast and miniature golf while awaiting Tom's arrival to rescue us.

From our parking lot, we watched everyone head north for an extended holiday weekend .... everyone but us! "Poor Tom" as Ellen's hubby is affectionately known, gathered new parts & tools in Lansing then drove 3 hours to Gaylord to repair our wheels and get us on the road again.

Tom (Bi-Pa) & Evan got right to work on our wheels!

They replaced all of the drums & bearings so each wheel is like new!

Grandpa shares a drink with Evan & Evan finds time to play doggie!

Thanks to Grandpa & Evan's hard work, we were on the road again about 7:30 pm Thursday evening.

We arrived at the Lakeview Arena in Marquette at 2am Friday morning. We crawled into our beds exhausted!

Shayna found time to "play doggie" too while waiting for the wheel repairs!

Shayna & Evan had a blast on the giant playground lakeside in downtown Marquette!

WWII Submarine & beautiful condos just across the street from the park in downtown Marquette.

Sunset on Lake Superior

A day at the Lake Superior beach with Evan!

Crossing the Mackinaw Bridge back to the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The Mackinaw Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the USA.

Fort Mackinac in Mackinaw City left ---- ghost ship on Lake Michigan far right! (just kidding --- a very overexposed photo taken of a ship from atop the bridge!)

Click BELOW for MORE MARQUETTE PHOTOS! · MARQUETTE PHOTOS #1

MARQUETTE PHOTOS #2

Introducing Illinois Top Junior Handler !!!!

Audrey Carter *** Thornapple Junior Handler!

Watch for Audrey's page coming soon!

I have been involved with Aussies for only about 3 years (I have been training dogs for almost 10 years, just different breeds), but I found the Thornapple website AS SOON as my love for the breed began. I was ALWAYS on the website! I knew all of the dogs & just couldn't wait until I got to see the "Thornapples" at a show! My friends even teased me & called me the "Thornapple stalker." I knew that I wanted to be involved with these really cool breeders & tightly knit "family." So, I finally got my courage up and contacted Ellen & Amy. What wonderful people! One thing led to another and I AM NOW PART OF THE FAMILY! How cool is that?! :) I took a very large scholarship a few weeks ago & the title of the Illinois Top Junior Handler. Along with the scholarship I got a really cool jacket & a BIG ribbon. This scholarship (along with another handling scholarship) paid for my first semester of college. Another prompted brag is that I showed my red tri Aussie "Troy" in 4-H last Wednesday. Troy took Grand Champion in Agility & Obedience. I also showed my Border Collie & Troy in brace team obedience. They took Grand Champion in that event as well. The most impressive achievement of the day was that Troy earned a PERFECT 200 in Novice Obedience! Of course, this score won him the award of High in Trial Obedience Dog! The judge said that he has NEVER given out a 200 in in 4-H & only 2 in AKC. I was so proud I about cried! So there ya have it! An introduction and a very happy almost aged out teen. Sadly, now that I have a junior's dog & have wonderful support, my Junior's career is about to come to a close. I age out on Monday. BUT I will still compete in Conformation, Obedience, Rally & MY FAVORITE, AGILITY! *** Audrey Carter * UACH I'm A Lucky Penny PD1 PJ2 PK1 PS2 TBAD TG1 CGC (Ruby, Mutt) * * Riot's Ty Dyed Tag Along NJP OA NAJ JJ-N RJ-N GJ-N (Ty, Border Collie) * * CH Revelaire Legendary Tale CD RN CL1-R CL1-S Cl1-F CL1-H (Troy, Aussie) *

Thornapple Unforgiveable "Britney" with her favorite person, Audrey!

Puppy Update from Sweden!

The puppies are 3 weeks old now. They have been outdoors for the first time & they enjoy it!

They have more coat & they look very nice --- all of them! Regards, Ann Loice Spinnrockens Kennel Thank you for sharing Boom's - Ch Thornapple Dr Thunder - babies photos Ann!

August 29th *** Puppy NEWS from Germany!

We are proud to announce that Reba & Chauncey (Thornapple Move Over) became proud parents of 6 beautiful puppies on Friday morning. Mom & babies are in good health & there were no complications at birth. All puppies are strong & healthy - no mismarked puppies - long & natural bob tails. We have 1 blue merle female, 2 black tri females, 3 blue merle males. Greetings from Germany --- Denise September 3rd *** Update on Chauncey Reba babies!

The puppies are doing good. Reba is a great Mommy & is taking very good care of her babies. The puppies are so beautiful!

I can't wait until I can see them growing up to great adults :-) I have sent photos for you.

Today I received the ASCA Award of Merit for the highest scoring Junior Handler 2007-2008 in Obedience Juniors 13-17 years region 7!

What a success! :-) I am so happy! Watch for my article in the Aussie Times at the end of this year or the beginning of next year!!!

I am so happy!!!!!

HUGE CONGRATS DENISE on your ASCA accomplishments!!!!!

Thank you for sharing puppy photos. The babies are beautiful!

Thornapple Smiles *** Kelly & Vikki check out a WWII Submarine in Marquette, Michigan!