A quick trip to Florida, a quick trip to Germany, a quick trip to England, a quick trip to California made Black Rock Kennel owner, Storey, feel like a jetsetter, but the conditions and accompanying dogs always seemed to add to the excitement and exhaustion. By the end of 2005 just staying at home was pretty enticing.
January marked another AKC/Eukanuba National Invitational Championship in Florida. Both Storey and Darkwind owner, Robyn Powley, had dogs entered. Vinny, (Ch. Darkwind's Johnny Be Good) whom Robyn and Storey co-own impressed judge Carmen Bataglia enough for a first award of merit certificate which also qualifies Vinny for the 2005 and 2006 Crufts Show in Birmingham, England. Meanwhile, Robyn with Rio, (Ch. Darkwind's Blame it on Rio) garnered the honor of best Bred By Exhibitor entry. Following the show Vinny moved to Virginia and into the hands of new co-owner Bonnie Goin. As January closed Storey packed up three dogs and son and moved toVilseck, Germany.
February, March, and April were quiet as the first German winter for the Black Rogs dogs brought a new routine of snow-play and indoor life. About the only break in life was a five-day trip to England over spring break which coincided conveniently with the dates for the Crufts Show. Storey and son went to England sans dogs to see the extravaganza. The Border Collie entries were predictably good. Sadly, the Aussie entries lacked consistent quality.
The approach of spring in May sent Storey and Mango (Ch. Darkwind's Tropicalfun at Blackrock) off to a German dog show sponsored by the German Dog Club for Brittish Herding Breeds in Neckar Saluum. Mango had been out of the ring for well over a year by then and was only six months post-partum from her first litter. Still, she was awarded a V-3 in the open class. Among the many compliments the judge cited in his evaluation was the all important to a girl's heart comment, "a pretty bitch, friendly and relaxed."
Meanwhile, in the US, Pacifico (Ch. Black Rock Victory at Sea HT) wrapped up a four month circuit with handler Jill Bell and friends by picking up his last point for his AKC Championship under judge Michelle Billings. He went home with Robyn to the Darkwind Kennels and then hit the road to California where, over the Memorial Day weekend, Storey flew in to judge the Border Collie Club of Greater Los Angeles specialty show. Pacifico packed up his worldly belongings and sporting a new collar, headed back east with Storey to live in Germany. Happily, Lufthansa Airlines made an exception to their "no-dogs in the cabin" rule and allowed Pacifico a more comfortable journey than he would have had in the baggage hold.
With Pacifico in Germany Jill Bell had an open Aussie spot in her show dog line up. Dame, (Ch. Blackrock Imperial Melee) volunteered to fill it and in quick time picked up her AKC Championship with majors and Best of Winners' galore to her credit. She was back home at Darkwind by August.
October was a whirlwind of visitors to Germany. Among the arrivals were two new pups meeting up with their new owner, Robyn Powley. First a sweet little Border bitch from England's Beesting kennels arrived in Munich. Beesting's Lily Savage arrived a bit put out with the treatment of airline travel but she adjusted quickly. Then, once Robyn arrived and at the end of a long weekend of car travel north, Lucky, a full-bodied Border boy also joined the pack. He hails from breeder Barbara Meyer's Skuddenhof kennels. Robyn packed the babies up and flew back to New Mexico having redefined the idea of a "weekend in Europe."
Per German tradition, the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2006, broke like a new day with the sky brilliantly reflecting the hundreds of fireworks launched around Vilseck. Fortunately all the dogs are well accustomed to the sounds of artillary fire and tanks blasting away in the distance at the military training ranges. We all fell asleep in the glow of the rocket's red glare.
