I hope this Blog proves to be both fun and educational for anyone interested in Showing and/or Breeding Dogs. Spend some time with us and you will really understand the time and effort and emotions that goes into this hobby. Join me here for the good times and bad times, the joys and sorrows, the wins and losses. Welcome to life at Vista Dei!

It has been nearly a year since I updated our blog!  We are all still here and doing fine, just another year older.  This blog site seemed to lock out all the legitimate users, and just allow the spammers, who fill up the comment sections with their junk.  I am trying to clean up my blog, I had so many years invested in writing about my dogs and sharing pictures that I just can't allow all this spam to ruin it.  Maybe when I am in here, I will post some more stories and pictures.

Posted by: Vistadei at 22:50 | link |

We will get our pictures taken later today opening presents, but it is raining today and we soggy doggies this moming, but MORE important is 3 of our lovely ladies is in heat and ohhhh the boys are in LOVE and thinking trashy thoughts.   Any group pictures would involve pornographic acts and would be unable to be shown on the blog anyways, so we have ta have Christmas in "shifts" this year, wif some of us behind the baby gates for obvious reasons!

Miz Crystal also trying something new, instead of 10 Christmas stockings, we have a big grab bag full of gifts (Dusty sez - here let me grab that bag, I wanna open them ALL!)  We got lots of toys and goodies, Miz Crystal pulled out some of the most popular toys they sell at Wag-N-Train LLC and some NEW ones too, so we gets to test them.  We love being toy testers, fun to see if we can get the stuffin out fast or if we like the way a new toy sounds!  We will tell you more about what we got in a little bit, after we get done helpin' in the kitchen cookin' dinner.
Foot Note from Miz Crystal - I was digging through some pictures from the past, and thought I would share.

Here are the first dogs of Vista Dei - Actually, here is a picture of a dog that no one has ever seen before, the very very first sheltie at Vista Dei.

Precious was to be the foundation of Vista Dei - she was just the light of my life and the hope for my future.  She was tragically killed at 6 months old when she apparently chewed an electrical cord. Loosing her broke my heart.  She was a double grand-daughter of Ch. Sundowner Mr. Bojangles ROM and started this whole dream of showing and breeding.  Looking back  at her pictures now, she probably wouldn't have done well in the conformation ring, but as a beginner in shelties, I felt at the time she was the most beautiful dog I had ever seen, and her personality was second to none!  Fourteen years later, I still miss my little girl -





When Precious died, I started looking for another show dog, but couldn't stand the empty house.  I called around and found a man with working dog Border Collies, who happened to have one left over pup from a sheltie litter.  I knew that I wasn't getting a dog that could be shown, but I needed to have a dog that could be loved, so Dusty came into my life.  Then I found my show prospect Darby, and shortly after welcomed Canadian Champion "Diva" into our home too.  Together they posed for this picture in 1999.  Everyone has a big white beard in this shot!



Now look how we've grown!  This was a group shot from last year.  Actually, that is what I asked my kids for as part of my Christmas gift was to take the time and have patience and get a shot with all the dogs in one place at one time.  There were 3 of us with camera's at different angles when my 2 kids held the dogs and after dozens of shots we got this one, with everyone looking in about the same direction!  It was quite a project but is still one of my favorite pictures!



Looking forward to the adventures this Christmas brings!  Life is never dull and boring if you have the love of pets and family in your life!
Merry Christmas everyone - Miz Crystal

Posted by: Vistadei at 09:46 | link | comments (3)

Life certainly takes some unexpected turns, doesn't it?  I have been getting some nice Christmas update pictures to share with you all, some of Gabby, the flashy sable merle whom we haven't seen for a while, some of Regis and Kiwi and Hector. 

And as those updated pictures were coming in this week, Rose had emailed me to tell me that Cricket was signed up for a new adventure in therapy dog work now that they were in their winter home area of Texas.  Anyone following the blog remembers that Cricket had been working in a school for the deaf in Indiana and really bringing alot of joy and healing to the children there.

Rose had just told me about Crickets new "job" working at a children's home in Texas, when she followed right up with an email... "I was grooming her and there is a lump".  That has turned into finding a vet so far from home, them getting her into surgery within a day and now there is a little sheltie that has brought so much joy and healing into children's lives really needing some thoughts and prayers from the world out there. 

Cricket's mom (and dad too even though he stays behind the scenes) have hearts bigger than the whole of Texas, and could really use your support and prayers at this time.  Corky could probably use a prayer too.. to behave himself and be good, but that is beside the point here.

Rose sent a couple of pictures of Cricket after surgery, and I have included one of her doing her therapy dog work, which will have to be on hold now for a little while.. just wishing for the best outcome of this and holding her in my heart.

Posted by: Vistadei at 10:57 | link | comments (5)

Here are some pictures that Denise L shared of their vacation at the beach this summer.  Included are the brothers Hector, Troy and Ceasar.  I wish I was sitting aroun that pool with them or out on that beach right now!




Of course all the fun has to end sometime, and everyone comes home to the comfy couch..



And eventually back to WORK!!  So far Hector has more than 1/2 the points needed and (I think) 15 QQ towards his MACH.  Congratulations to Troy also on a PERFECT YEAR, every run he had was a Q.. wow.. way to go guys!

Posted by: Vistadei at 14:39 | link | comments (1)

Here is a picture of Rose and Cricket, taken some weeks ago at the Indiana School for the Deaf.  They have been doing some fantastic therapy dog work this fall with children who are deaf and have multiple disabilities.  Cricket has been helping them learn vocabulary (It helps that Rose knows sign language!) and helping the children as they learn to compare and contrast things, and generally interact with others.  Rose is planning to continue this therapy dog work with special needs children when they go south for the winter.  WAY TO GO GUYS!!  I am so happy to see Cricket giving back in such a special way, and of course that takes a VERY special owner too!

Posted by: Vistadei at 22:42 | link | comments (3)

You might have noticed in yesterday's blog there were only 10 shelties playing here at Vista Dei.  That is because Bella has found her new home.  She was here for 6 months learning to be a good girl, and then the perfect home came along and she decided she would like to take a shot at a new family.  They tried her out for a weekend.. then came THE CALL, but it was a good one, "Could she stay the rest of the week? Everything was going fine".  At the end of the week another call, it seems she is having a blast and fitting right in.  Now it has been over a month, and I think we are all slowly letting out our breath and relaxing.

Bella is still going to be known as Bella, and isn't changing her name. She would like you to see her with her new mom Jackie and the other picture is Jackie's partner Missy and Bella's new Brothers Lucas the Lab and Max the sheltie.  As you can see they all have LOTS of room to run and play, and I believe that everything is in place for Bella to have a successful life.  Not only is she well loved, but she is in a place with no traffic, no kids, lots of outside support with trainers that can help with any issues that come up and - So far so good.

So, I would like to welcome Jackie and Missy and Lucas and Max to the "Vista Dei Family" hope you all have a great time with Bella, and we look forward to updates and stories and maybe meeting at some agility trials someday! 

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:43 | link | comments (1)

Darby sez: Ya knows what the best thing is about living in the middle of a Pet Supply Business?
Darlin sez: YUP THE TOYS!! It is like livin' in the middle of Santa's workshop, every day new boxes of doggie toys.
Daisy sez: naaaa it da good stuff to eat.. der is elk antlers comin in boxes, and we doggies love to chew on em, and I ate a duck foot the other day.. yum yum!
Dusty sez: Tonight I HAD to have a new ball.. there was a box of new balls, and I needed one, I did, I DID!
Ricky: Yeah yeah, give him da ball.. what--eeeever.. I am gonna sleep over here on the chair, just don't throw it in this direction
Dusty: Give me the ball, here here, give me the ball, throw it again, give me the ball, I'll play with that, here give me the ball.
Dahl: Do you think I could have a turn with that.. heyyyyyyyy he just grabbed that ball right out of my mouth, I was playing with that.. heyyyyyyy!
Destiny: Ummm speaking of Santa's workshop, I think I saw 50 Paw Print Christmas stockings in that box over THERE.. and ummmmm there are only 10 of us!  Does that mean we is getting 40 new Bruders and Sistas?
Mysty: Gosh I hope not!  Miz Crystal has done some silly things before, but I think 40 new shelties is a little too much even for HER!
Dew-oh: Ohhh those are to sell on the Wag-N-TrainLLC website, not for more shelties gonna live here, NO NO.
Diana: Wew!  I was worried too! I think we is out of room, 10 dogs is nuff for right now, unless we has a new litter in the spring.
Dusty: Give me my ball, here here throw it again.. give me that ball.  Hey look every buddy.. I GOT A NEW BALL!

Posted by: Vistadei at 23:47 | link | comments (1)

Can ya hear me NOW?????  Back in Sept you all might have started noticing when you tried to visit this blog you were locked out.  It popped up a "password needed" window, and you couldn't get in to read it.  Yea ME TOO! 

It seems that was part of the change over that happened earlier this summer, when the old server was finally put to rest in Sept more unexpected changes happened.

Thankfully, I think we are all over that now and can go back to life with the sheltie and no blog frustrations!  There are soooo many updates I can't wait to share.  Some little sheltie is doing a ton of therapy dog work, another little sheltie has moved into a new home and we have a new family joining the Vista Dei group.  There are more agility titles and tons of other stuff to talk about.

Hopefully, this will all work right now! WELCOME BACK!

Posted by: Vistadei at 09:04 | link | comments (2)

Posted by: Vistadei at 07:56 | link | comments

Posted by: Vistadei at 12:10 | link | comments

I woke up this morning to the sound of Diana and Dew-oh singing to each other, and they ask me to give a shout out to their littermate Cricket and Shelby and tell them both happy birthday, too- Hard to believe those cute little puppies are SIX years old today!

Dew-oh is still getting around good, she was the one that had a spinal injury a few years back and was paralyzed for a while, but she walks and plays very well and has a good quality of life, so I am glad we spent the time and money with the treatments to get her walking.  She is my million dollar baby tho.. well not quite, but close!

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:35 | link | comments (1)

Posted by: Vistadei at 14:18 | link | comments (1)

Posted by: Vistadei at 22:38 | link | comments (2)

Posted by: Vistadei at 01:43 | link | comments

Looks like I can get in here to write again.. soooooo wow am I behind on the agility brags!  Hope everyone forgives me, and I know even THESE aren't completely up to date but here goes:

Regis is now needing only ONE MORE DOUBLE Q to achieve his MACH3!!!! Way to go Tim!!

Kiwi earned her MXJ title and her Open Fast Title and has several QQ towards her MACH now. Kiwi is also owned and handled by Tim and he is doing a fantastic job with both dogs.

Drifter is now completely out of Open and into Excellent all the way congratulations Dave! (mmm Miz Crystal wants another MACH, please, thank you)

Hector finished his Rally Advanced Title earlier this spring,  and I believe both his AX and AXJ excellent agility titles, he now has several QQ towards his MACH and MACH points as well, but I can't remember how many!  I just keep seeing Denise L walking by with another fist full of blue ribbons every agility trial....

Daisy made her AKC agility debut a couple weekends ago and wow did we suck! hahahhahhaha  ok, so everyone can't be perfect all the time!

Ok.. now if this blog is working again.. I am hoping that everyone starts giving me weekend updates again.

Posted by: Vistadei at 13:44 | link | comments (2)

Ok, officially I have NO idea what is going on with this blog.  The site was bought by a Spanish company, who told us everything would transfer intacted from Motime to their new addresses.  I haven't been able to get in here to add, edit, anything... the address they gave me (that I posted below) has never worked or been transfered to.

I hope that the years spent writing this blog are not erased,  there has been no updates or comments from the new company, but today when I tried Motime again it WORKED..  All I can say is if someday there becomes a new address for the blog I will have a link to it on my OWN website, which is http://www.VistaDeiShelties.com

It's not as much fun when things don't work.. sigh..

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:26 | link | comments (4)

Posted by: Vistadei at 13:22 | link | comments (1)

Posted by: Vistadei at 15:28 | link | comments (1)

Hello der, ma name is Bella-Snicker-Doodle!  I was born at Miz Crystal's house and then went to live wif momma Julie when I was a wee little girl. Then I gots "issues" and I came back ta live wif Miz Crystal.  My udder momma Julie reads this blog still, just ta see if I gots sumtin to say, and when she saw there wasn't no Birfday pictures of me, she shared this one frum when I was a little girl and went on vacation wif her to the outter banks.

I dunno know why I acts the way I do, but I kin act nice and normal at Miz Crystals, so that is where I be.  Momma Julie, I know you miss me but I been playin' wif Dahl just like I was last time ya saw me, and now we is laying together outside in the big pen, and I am happy and calm.  You kin come and visit me some day, I would like that..
Luv,
Bella-Snicker-Doodle

Posted by: Vistadei at 18:03 | link | comments (1)

Once again this year, Regis qualified for the AKC Sheltie nationals in agility and did GREAT!  Christy and Tim sent this report after the national event:

Regis had a great weekend at the AKC Agility Nationals in Charlotte, NC. On Friday was the state team competition. Regis placed 14th in his height (out of 150 dogs), and he ended up with the 5th fastest time (among all height classes) in the state of PA. The top 4 times are used for the state and went on to compete for the state in the final round.

Regis was clean all three rounds on Saturday/Sunday and ended up placing 31st (out of 200) among the 16" dogs. The top 13 advance to the finals.

I am looking forward to a great year with all the performance dogs from Vista Dei... spring is here, and I know everyone has cabin feaver and wants to get out of the house and get those dogs running in the agility events, as well as some are nearly ready for Obedience and Rally... hope every weekend we get great reports flooding in! Thanks for the updates!

Posted by: Vistadei at 15:23 | link | comments

L9's turned 1 year old in March, they include Corky, Bella, Nessie, Rusty, Shilo and Girl #1 who we have never heard back from after she went home.  Here are some pictures their family's shared -

Corky had a hard day playing and playing and has zonked out on the road again!
Looks like he wore Cricket out too!


Nessie went on a play date with a friend



This is Nessie (below), acting more lady like!



Bella (aka Snicker-doodles) looks pretty much like Nessie, above, but she had an unfortunate encounter with an enthusiastic groomer when I tried to place her in that new home last month, so she declined posing for a birthday shot.  I am grooming and bathing today, so if I can find some extra hair to glue onto her, she MIGHT let me take a pic!

Here is a picture of Rusty, he is grown quite a bit since I saw him last!  Looks alot like his 1/2 brother Drifter.


The L10 litter turned one year old this week - They are Bunny (who is thankfully still alive and well for her first birthday) Dahl, Breezy and Zoey.

I am eeehhhh hemmmmmm looking forward to some updated pictures from BUNNY......SF????

But here is Dahl's birthday pictures, he still lives here and is my "pick" that I am keeping from last years litters..


And another of Dahl


And this is Breezy from a few months ago


THANKS EVERYONE FOR SHARING PICTURES..
I LOVE SEEING HOW THE PUPS GREW UP!

Posted by: Vistadei at 14:42 | link | comments (2)

I ran across this today and thought I would share.. it seems pretty meaningful to me right at the moment.
 
HERE IN THIS HOUSE

Here in this house.. I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of
the other dogs "out there". I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake
my world will not have changed. I will never know hunger, or the fear of
not knowing if I'll eat. I will not shiver in the cold or grow weary from
the heat. I will feel the sun's heat and the rain's coolness and be allowed
to smell all that can reach my nose. My fur will shine and never be dirty
or matted.

Here in this house. There will be an effort to communicate with me on my
level. I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, I can enjoy the
warmth of the words. I will be given a name so that I may know who I am
among many. My name will be used in joy and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house. I will never be a substitute for anything I am not. I
will never be used to improve people's images of themselves. I will be loved
because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be. I will never
suffer for someone's anger, impatience or stupidity. I will be taught all
the things I need to know to be loved by all. If I do not learn my lessons
well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house. I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch. knowing
that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me. If I am ill, I
will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be cheered.
No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and known to be
of value. I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too
unruly, or not cute enough. My life is a responsibility, not an
afterthought. I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and
as fair as dogs.

Here in this house, I will belong. I will be home.

Author unknown

Posted by: Vistadei at 10:38 | link | comments (2)

Seems like I have a new dog here.... Bella, a year old pup from last years L9 litter was returned to me a couple weeks ago, and did very well here, learns quickly and was being very well behaved.  In her prior home she was exhibiting some very undesirable behaviors, but didn't act that way in my home, so this past weekend I place her in a new home.  Welllllll..... seems that Bella would perfer to live here, cause about as soon as she was in the new place she started acting out again and was quickly returned!   I decided that for at least the summer, this girl will be here in "rehab" and learning all sorts of new things.  I believe I am going to change her name so she associated her new training with a new way of life...  She seems to like to be called "Snickers", so I guess we will go with that.  The other option is "You Booger" but that doesn't seem to be as lady-like! What do you think? Yeah.. Snickers it is...

Posted by: Vistadei at 11:03 | link | comments (1)

I know I am working too hard when I come to post and have to say.. I THINK I finished 3 titles on my dogs this weekend, but I am too tired to get out the records to see for sure!  At any rate, we had a great weekend at a CPE trial, Denise and Hector (and brother Troy) were there too, cleaning up on the blue ribbons as usual!  I am sure Denise will email me with the titles and legs they earned.  Way to go guys!  Drifter and Dave had some nice runs also earning Blue Ribbons, and I handled Darby and Daisy on 6 runs, with 5 of them Qualifying, some first place Blues, a couple second places and a third.  I believe that finishes the first 2 agility titles on Daisy and another on Darby.

We set up our mini Wag-N-Train LLC Store at that trial.. we aren't a "booth" anymore, but a fully stocked little pet supply store!  Took us 3 hours to set up and a couple more to tear down, we have to get better at the set up time, but we had a blast, met alot of great people and seemed to have the items people were looking for!  Dave is introducing some new agility equipment of his own design, and we have do-it-yourself fittings and parts too.  I have to get them in the on-line store really soon.  We will be set up at the very large AKC conformation show at the David Lawrence Convention Center the weekend of March 28 and 29, so that will be a different focused crowd than agility runners.. I am having fun setting up some new items and display ideas for conformation/obedience/rally crowd!

Bella is back here at Vista Dei.. she was a pup from our L9 Litter (yeah Corky, she is your little sister!)  In 10 years this is the first adoption failure I have had in placing pups.  It makes me a little sad, but I am very greatful that her owners did come to me for help with the situation, and that she can come back here while she  look s for a new family.  She is a very happy, sweet, energetic little girl... she is working on her "Miz Manners" training while she is here.

I wish I could get a nap.. but I have to run to work at the Antique Store now... too many jobs, too little time!  I am behind on emails, I will catch up on them this week guys, haven't forgotten you all!

Posted by: Vistadei at 09:06 | link | comments (1)

We got some neat pictures of some of "our" pups enjoying the weather!  Here is Breezy.. a pup from our last L10 litter.  He is the brother of Dahl and Bunny.  His dad says he LOVES the snow and playing with the kids..




And here are some pictures of Cricket and Corky getting "blow dried" by the southern winds! Thanks for sharing Rose.. and hold onto your hat!

Posted by: Vistadei at 06:05 | link | comments (1)

I am very happy to hear that Regis got another title at the Dayton Dog Training Club show this past weekend. He received his Masters Excellent FAST title, making him MACH2 Vista Dei Luv Me Like a Rock MXF. He achieved his 50th QQ in December, making him halfway toward MACH3. Thanks for the updates Christy and Tim!  So proud of you guys!

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:06 | link | comments

Thanks Rose for the update pictures of Cricket and Corky!  Looks like Corky still has that same "devilish" look as he did when he was a baby!

Posted by: Vistadei at 09:50 | link | comments (1)

It sure has been a long time since a post on our blog!  Miz Crystal and Mr Davey have been busy with Wag-N-Train book keeping getting ready for TAXES.. it doesn't sound like TAXES is as much fun as AGILITY... we thinks they need to get a life and start playing more...

But today we gots alot of snow so Miz Crystal had to come out and play snowball chase wif us.. and take sum pictures.... NOW we have to come inside, it is grooming day, but here is how much snow we has to play in!



Darby, Mysty and Diana (wif a snowball... catch me if you can!)




Darby in the middle and our "Third Generation" Destiny, Dahl (Barking) and Darlin' showin' the boys her bum



Hey Ricki.. just cause I showed you ma bum doesn't mean ya gotta come SNIF it.. ya nose is cold!

Posted by: Vistadei at 11:35 | link | comments (2)

Posted by: Vistadei at 17:17 | link | comments (4)

Over the past year you all have read the "brags" from our various Vista Dei dogs... and for those of you not familiar with agility, some of the words didn't make much sense.  But here is one of those pictures that is worth a thousand words!

These have been 3 VERY good boys this year, left to right is Hector, Ceasar and Troy, all owned by Denise L and handled by her this first year of agility and these are the ribbons they have earned this year!  I think Santa is going to be extra good to these guys.. and I am SO PROUD of Denise...

Posted by: Vistadei at 12:12 | link | comments (3)