Spirit earns her first points in the Ring

A big congratulations to Spirit and a "Big Thanks!" to Phoebe for handling Spirit to her first points. I love how happy both of them look in this winning photo!


Deana

Spirit runs for Fun!

Spirit was not happy recently when I tried to explain to her that she was now about to become a "Show Dog".

She said ", What are you talking about, I don't want to hear about this "show dog" stuff.
I am only 3 years old!!! and I still LOVE to run!!! "

I promised her that we would call it "semi-retirement" and that if the situation arised, she would still be able to "get the bunny" from time to time! How can one deny her her favorite activity of all time!
Since we headed down to Calhoun, GA this past weekend to "QC" Amos at the GANG trial there, we let her run 2 of 4 days. She proved that she still wanted to run by going BOB on Friday! Congrats to Miss Spirit - this little red girl loves to run more than life itself!!!


This coming weekend will be hard for me, but I know it will be worth it in the end. She will be heading off to spend time with her new friends. Good Luck to Miss Spirit in her new endeavors, I know she will do great and I hope she will be back home in no time!

Thanks to Mike for the great photos.
Deana

Spirit looking pretty

I just love these photos of Spirit that Mike took this past weekend. So beautiful, some of my favorite photos of her. She is sporting her new "Good Luck" Dragon collar that she received from her Sister "Ruby". Thanks Sis! She loves it and it looks great on her.

Deana

Number 1 again for 2010!

It is official, Spirit is the Number 1 Whippet and Sighthound in AKC Lure Coursing again for 2010 - Congrats Miss Spirit! We are so proud of you as always!

This is the Top 20 as of December 31st, 2010 - I do think that there were a few trials still pending that are not included in this ........
Deana

		Report Date: 20101231
	THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

Sighthounds AKC TopDogs^sm Bowen System Starting January 1, 2010 and ending December 31, 2010
For Events Processed Through Thursday, December 30, 2010

Rank	Name	Breed	Sex	Points
1	NFC FC Cali N Tnts Spirit Of The Wild Of Nitro MC LCX4	Whip	B	659
2	GCH DC Diamond's Ariel Of Le Creme MC LCX9	RhoRidge	B	429
3	FC Windnsatin Endless Endeavor To Remix O' Tnt MC	Whip	B	313
4	FC Tnt's Black Ice MC	Whip	B	300
5	DC Ableaim Olympic Reign MC	Whip	D	244
6	FC Shine-Wgasa Vienna Creme SC	Whip	B	173
7	FC Tnt's Taking The Checkerd Flag MC LCX6	Whip	D	170
8	DC Hallam's Gysai Gabriel MC LCX	Pharaoh	D	169
9	FC Shine-Wgasa Almond Biscotti SC	Whip	D	166
10	CH Peppertree Barnwood Oracle SC	Whip	B	153
11	FC C'Lestial Wild & Wonderful Of Ryhka SC	Borz	D	146
12	DC Ableaim Keeper Of The Genes MC	Whip	D	144
12	DC Andauer Double Shot Espresso SC	Whip	B	144
14	FC Tnt's Lil Miss Right MC	Whip	B	142
15	GCH CH Ableaim Patent Pending SC	Whip	D	141
16	FC Tadita Written In The Stars SC	Whip	B	131
16	FC Elidas Summit Yellow Submarine SC	Whip	D	131
18	FC Zoiboyz Dillon Ex Libris SC	Borz	D	129
19	Windflight's Route Sixtysix SC	Whip	D	127
20	DC Hallam's Gysai Kali SC	Pharaoh	B	126
21	Tadita Born To Run SC	Whip	B	125
21	FC Shine Wgasa Chips Ahoy SC	Whip	D	125
23	FC Debmar Conserative Commentator SC	Whip	B	121
24	FC Deerpath Dreamy Drusy SC	Whip	D	119
25	FC Shine Wgasa Hydrox Ltd Edition SC	Whip	D	116
25	FC Shannon Down The Entertainer SC	Whip	D	116

Christmas 2010

Miss Spirit - looking SO pretty here, she is such a beautiful girl! Do you think she knows it???



Thanks to Mike for these beautiful photos of Spirit.....Looking prettier everyday.
Deana

Photos from the 2010 AKC NLCC

Here are some photos taken by Steve Surfman of Spirit, new NFC, during the weekend of the event! Congrats again Miss Spirit!

Win photo:Right after they announced the winner:Several photos throughout the weekend of Miss Spirit - always beautiful!Look at that position!!!Here is a photo of Spirit during the Best of Breed Finalist run - see 4 whippets all running together:Best of Event run-off #3 for Spirit - the final run with the last 4 breeds:

Spirit wins 2010 AKC NLCC

New AKC National Lure Coursing Champion!

This past weekend started out cold and windy! Not the kind of weather that Miss Spirit likes, that is for sure. The NLCC starts out as 2 individual AKC lure coursing trials. Spirit is a very consistent runner and did well, earning a 2nd place in the Specials stake both days, but ended up making it to the NLCC finals event by having the highest combined score (tied with another dog) from both days.

By the time we got to the Best In Event/finals, the weather had changed. The sun was out, the wind was gone and the temperatures had risen. Much better running weather for this red girl. The crowd enjoyed it as well and the hillside was covered with spectators, all excited for the upcoming event. The finals course was set up and the final runs began!

The whippet BOB run was beautiful, all 4 dogs ran their heart out and in the end it was given to Miss Spirit. I was thrilled and overwhelmed with joy that this special girl had won the honor of being the 2010 AKC Whippet Breed Finalist. However, Spirit said she was not done and insisted that she had more to give me.

The Best in Event consisted of 4 runs/10 dogs - Spirit was initially paired with the Greyhound (in the 3rd run) and started out having a gorgeous run that was stopped mid-course because the judges felt that the Greyhound was injured. Since she did not run the full course and it was a run of only 2 dogs, they asked her to run again as the 3rd dog in the 4th course. After the initial runs, the judges brought back 4 dogs - a ridgeback, a basenji, an ibizan hound and Spirit. I wish someone had video-taped this final run as it was truely a sight to see! These 4 incredibly talented dogs, all running together, were breathtaking and a sight I will not forget.

The overwhelming joy of hearing her name announced can not be expressed in words. Knowing the company that she was running with, I am truley honored that Spirit was awarded this prestegious title of National Field Champion for 2010! While this girl always runs with her heart, I know on this particular day she was running for me! She gave me her whole heart and made a dream come true! I hope that the "late" great Lyle and her "late" grandpa Moe would have been proud of her running!

I want to thank everyone who made this day happen. I want to thank her breeders for allowing this special girl to live with me. Spirit is a beautiful girl, an amazing athlete, and a loving companion. This talented girl has proven everything there is to prove about her on the coursing field. I can't ask anymore of this her. Thank you Miss Spirit!! From this point on, she is offically retired. I know you have other great accomplishments to achieve! I can't wait to see what your future holds for you next! I know that you will forever be running in your heart! Run on Spirit, Run on!

Deana

Happy 3rd Birthday!!!!!

Happy "3rd" Birthday to Spirit and all her siblings!
Spirit celebrated her 3rd Birthday doing her favorite thing, "what else"!!! Lure Coursing!
- Congrats to her 1st placement in the Field Champion Stake at the SHOT ASFA trial today in Williamsburg, VA.