Whimsy 2010
January 2010 found us in the ring with Corbin (Whimsy’s Swiftsure Coruba Gold) for the first time and his first major. Corbin is owned by members Chadd & Misti Bowen. Corbin continued his winning ways – shown only 10 times throughout the year, he finished at the Puyallup shows this January. Along the way, he took two more majors and won the competitive 12-18 months class at the National in Tucson. At the same time we continued to show littermates Murphy (Whimsy’s Over The Moon) and Lovey (Whimsy’s Lovin’ Spoonful) to their Canadian championships – Lovey in January at Ladies and Murphy finished at the ‘show ‘n go’ in July after taking his stake at the trial. Both are within a major of their AKC bench championships – so we’re major shopping. These littermates also started their coursing careers and are having a great time chasing the bunny with points and placements, but not the elusive firsts. Lovey thrilled us by taking the breed at Lower Mainland Whippet Association Specialty the day before the National in BC in July.
Hannah Nichols shows her brother in the Juniors ring and has done well with him. Rico (Whimsy’s Play Me A Tune) seems to be the consummate show dog… many Best Junior wins and points, including a major at Portland this January. Hannah qualified for Westminster and the Eukanuba this past year. She also shows our Lovey in the classes at AKC shows.
Truman’s kids have done well in the ring. One son finished in Florida and the lovely Maeve (Alcyon Twinkle Toes) finished this past summer. Stanley (Alcyon That’s The Ticket) is working on his championship as well.
Jamaica’s children are tearing up the ring – Corbin (see above), Cruz (Whimsy’s Swiftsure Cruzan Gold) finished his Can. Ch. and took AKC points, including a major. Kai finished her Canadian Championship in one weekend! And has started racing CWA this summer and is already in the Top Ten Conformation dogs. In the states, Kai (Whimsy’s Swiftsure Kilo Kai) has both majors, a specialty breed win from the classes and is well on her way to finishing. In Canada she continues to compete and has several Group placements to add to her record.
Jamaica will be bred again this Spring to Chris and Chrissy’s Am.Can.Ch Whimsy’s New Way To Fly.
We introduced our youngest, from Beth Levine, Serendipity Malarkey at Whimsy, better known as Hokum to the household this past year. He walked into the ring at 6.5 mos. of age and came away with his first point! His buddy, Sienna (Whimsy’s Twelfth of Never) is also his partner in crime and it’s a full-time job keeping up with those two. Hopefully both will begin their running careers in 2011.
Bally and Tyler rest on their laurels. Tyler continues to be the world’s best ambassador for our breed. At 13, he is still sprightly as is his brother Toby (Am.Can.Ch.Whimsy’s Speedwell – BOW in ’99 at the AWC National) who still rules the household at Chris and Chrissy’s home.
We lost our matriarch Am.Can.Ch.Whimsy’s Chamonix this past Fall. She had graced our lives for 15.5 yrs. They broke the mold when she was born. She gave us great kids. Her first ‘husband’, Am.Can.Ch.Whimsy’s On A Wing ‘n A Prayer also crossed the Rainbow Bridge and I’m sure they are running together. Griffin, owned by Dave Troutt and family, was a great influence on many breeders’ pedigrees and will live on through his children and grandchildren.
His son Tyrone (Am Can. Ch. Whimsy’s Hannenkam) joined them this past summer, but Monika’s brother Am. Can. Ch. Whimsy’s Pipsissewa (Maurice) is still going strong. Both owned by Anne Jacobs.
So many dogs, so many friends – I delight in the joy our ‘puppies’ have brought to their families. That’s what makes it all worthwhile.
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-submitted by Mary Downing, whimsywhippets.com