January 1, 2000: Merak awarded his ABTC Versitility award
January 21, 2000: Mickey takes Winners Dog in Portland, OR for a 3 point Major!
February 5, 2000: Mickey takes Winners Dog at the Alberta Belgian Sheepdog
Booster in Calgary, Alberta for his last 3 points and his CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP!
March 21, 2000: HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY Mickey!
April 1, 2000: Merak sails through a "pseudo" certification test showing that
he still has what it takes at 8 years of age for Avalanche Rescue
(re-certification scheduled for winter 2000-2001).
April 1, 2000: Mickey proves that he too can find the guy under the snow,
setting himself up for a certification attempt for winter 2000-2001.
April 15, 2000: Mickey takes WD/BOW for 2 points in Moses Lake, WA
April 16, 2000: Mickey takes WD/BOW for another 2 points in Moses Lake, WA
April 29, 2000: Mickey takes WD/BOW for 2 points in Richland, WA
April 30, 2000: Mickey takes WD for 2 points in Yakima, WA
May 5-7, 2000: Merak and Mickey involved in a SAR tracking workshop taught by
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and get GLOWING recommendations and an invite
to continue training with them.
May 31, 2000: HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY Talis!
June1-6, 2000: Kim takes her first non-dog vacation in 5 years...of course she
went to a SAR conferance. Oh well. She had a blast on South Beach in Miami, FL
all the same!
June 9, 2000: HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY Eisdan!
June 25, 2000: Kim successfully passes her Evaluators workshop to be a national
SAR testing evaluator for the National Association of Search and Rescue
June 25, 2000: Mickey takes WD/BOW/BOB for 4 points in Missoula, MT
June 26, 2000: Mickey takes WD for 4 points in Missoula, MT which gives him his
last major and AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP!
July 9, 2000: First time on sheep and Merak passes both legs required through
the American Herding Breed Association test to earn both his HCT-s and his ABTC
HIC!
July 9, 2000: First time to see ducks and Eisdan passes both legs required
through the AHBA to earn both his HCT-d and his ABTC HIC!
July 9, 2000: First time to see sheep and Mick passes the first leg necessary
toward his HCT-s and earnes his ABTC HIC!
August 5-6, 2000: Mickey's first UKC shows where he earns Very Good and
Excellent - ratings both days and glowing reports regarding his temperament
from two very respected judges.
October 6, 2000: Mickey passes his AKC tracking certification test.
October 22, 2000: Merak tears through his track in Kelowna, British Columbia to
earn his CANADIAN TD!
October 29, 2000: Mickey passes his track in Spokane, WA earning his AMERICAN
TD!
November 17, 2000: The Big Mountain Belgian site is unveiled!
November 19, 2000: Micro Mickey's in the oven? Dunno, news about a hopefully
blessed event in 63 days...
December 8, 2000: HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY Merak!
January 21, 2001: HAPPY BIRTHDAY KLAAR "W" LITTER (Mickey x Fara)! Four boys,
three girls, all red.
February 10, 2001: Mickey's first offical search! Needless to say, he did GREAT!
March 16, 2001: Mick proved again that he is going to be a darn good SAR dog by
participating in his second official SAR mission.
March 17, 2001:
Mickey conquors yet another hard surface tracking problem setting himself up
for his Urban SAR certification for this Spring/Summer and causing his human to
start shopping for VST trials
March 21, 2001: HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY Mickey!
March 30, 2001: Crossing our fingers for another litter of Micro Mickey's!
April 20, 2001: Merak's first SAR exercise since his knee operation in December
2000. Rehab has been slow, but worth the frustration. The Big Bad Belgian Boy
is BACK!
May 4, 2001: Mickey aces his SAR cadaver pre-test. With some polishing hope to
have him certified for SAR cadaver search in July!
May 4, 2001: Merak screams through his cadaver refresher setting himself up for
his re-certification test in July!
May 14-21, 2001: Kim's second non-dog vacation in as many years...off to yet
another SAR conferance where she hopes to get her fill of Spanish SAR Belgians
and arrange for some international training opportunities. The tough part is
that she has to go to the Canary Islands to do this!
June 6, 2001: HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sandcastle n'Icon's "Greek Mythology" litter
(Mickey -x- Alex). Seven girls, one boy. All red.
June 28, 2001: Mickey's first attempt at rappelling. He did better than his
owner! Read all about it on the Articles and Musings page!
July 19, 2001: Merak recertifies in Human Remains Detection! Sails through his
SAR test in well under his allowed one hour in tough conditions.
August 3, 2001: Merak wins his Veterans class and takes second place in
Veterans obedience at the Belgian Sheepdog Club of Canada Regional Specialty!
August 2-5, 2001: Mickey's second experience with UKC showing where he picks up
two 'Excellent" ratings from two well-respected judges and even manages to get
a few points toward his UKC Championship!
August 17, 2001: The Big Mountain Crew is taken over by a She-Devil in disguise
by the name of Willy. Our first GIRL!
November 9-11, 2001: Merak re-certifies in Wilderness SAR!
November 9-11, 2001: Mickey obtains his limited operational Wilderness SAR
status!
January 18, 2002: Merak recertifies in Article Detection and Mickey passes his
Article Detection certification test giving him his first SAR
certification!
January 19, 2002: Merak screams through his Avalanche Rescue recertification
and Mickey passes his certification deeming him operational in Avalanche
Rescue!
January 21, 2002:
Happy 1st birthday Willy!
March 21, 2002: Happy 4th birday Mickey!
May 26, 2002: Mickey heads to the ABTC Specialty in Silverdale WA and gets in
on the first cut
May 31, 2002: To my soulmate and best friend...Happy 13th birthday Talis!
June 9, 2002:
Happy 7th birthday Eisdan!
July 7, 2002: On a whim we decided to enter a local show and Mick earns himself
a BOS ribbon in a nice Specials ring.
July 21, 2002: Mick passes his Flathead County SAR Human Remains Detection test!
August 2-3, 2002: Mick hits the conformation rings again and earns himself two
more BOS ribbons
August 4, 2002: Up against stiff competition, Mick not only earns his first BOB
ribbon but a GROUP 4!
August 5, 2002: No group ribbons today, but another nice BOB ribbon to
compliment his first.
September 29, 2002: Off to Northen Canada we go where Mick earns his CANADIAN
TD in fine form (and the only passing dog of the day)
November 9-10, 2002: Lots of training hours and many miles ran and Mick
fulfills both the Urban and Wilderness requirements to earn his SAR trailing
certification through Flathead County SAR. And with that, he now has his
Wilderness SAR I making him fully operational!
November 11, 2002: Big Mountain Belgians is please to welcome BRENNER to the
pack!
December 8, 2002: Happy 11th birthday Big Man (Merak)!
February 28, 2003: The Bren-Brat earns a BOS in his very first match (3-6 month
class).
March 02, 2003: Mickey earns another BOS in very good competition at the
Calgary Kennel Club show.
April 28, 2003: End of year Canadian statistics are out and Mickey ranks in the
Top 20 Belgian Shepherds (all varieties)! What's even more impressive is that
he was only shown 5 times in 2002 and all were owner handled!
May 25, 2003: At 8 months of age, Bren proves that beauty and brains exist in
the newest member of the Big Mountain crew by earning his CANADIAN TD!
June 01, 2003: Brenner wins Herding Group I at the Flathead Kennel Club A-OA
match against some very pretty competition
June 22, 2003: Bren attends his first SAR seminar and proves that Belgians can
be both beautiful AND brainy!
July 4-6, 2003: Bren attends his first Canadian conformation shows and wins
Best Puppy in Breed all three days!
July 11-13, 2003: Brenny attends his the Evelyn Kenny and Belgian Shepherd Dog
Club of Canada support shows and wins his class every time out and his first
conformation point!
August 22, 2003: Brenner attends the Cranbrook, BC show and wins yet another
Best Puppy in Breed!
December 08, 2003: Happy 12th Birthday Big Man (Merak)!!
January 17, 2004: Brenner sails through his avalanche certification test and is
deemed operational at 16 months of age!
January 21, 2004: Happy 3rd birthday Willy!
March 21, 2004: Happy 6th birthday Mickey!
May 10, 2004: Brenner passes his HIC at the ABTC National Specialty in Delavan
Wisconsin!
May 13, 2004: Brenner not only wins first place in Open Dogs, but Winners Dog
as well at the ABTC National for a 5-point major!! Not bad for his AKC debut!
May 15, 2004: Brenner is awarded the honor of BOW at the ABTC National
Specialty! Way to go Betsy Keating and the Brenster!
June 09, 2004: Happy 9th birthday Eisy!
June 21, 2004: Bren responds to his first "search" and proves that he most
definitely has what it takes to be a SAR dog
July 31-August 01, 2004: Bren wins his class each day at the Belgian Shepherd
Dog of Alberta UKC show earning his first UKC points under some very respected
Belgian breeder judges.
August 01, 2004: Mickey earns himself Reserve Best Male of Variety and Reserve
Best Male at the BSDA UKC show under judge Norman Deschuymere.
July 30 & 31, 2004: Brenner earns himself two Reserve Winner Dog ribbons at the
Alberta Kennel Club shows in Calgary, AB
August 01, 2004: Brenner takes home the WD/BOW ribbons for more Canadian Kennel
Club points!
September 11, 2004: Brenner passes his Canine Good Citizen test!
October 03, 2004: Brenner passes his SAR Disaster First Responder rubble
component with flying colors and LOTS of compliments!
November 07, 2004: Brenner earns the first leg of his UKC Weight Pullers title
by pulling 1,240 pounds in under 45 seconds!
December 08, 2004: Happy 13th birthday Merak!!
January 21, 2005: Happy 4th birthday Willy!
March 21, 2005: Happy 7th birthday Mickey!
April 8-10, 2005: Bren ears RWD throughout the weekend at the Renaissance Dog
Fanciers Shows in Chilliwack, British Columbia
April 9, 2005: Bren takes a class 2nd in the Canadian Bred class at the BSDCC
National
Specialty
April 30-May 01, 2005: Bren passes his night time and hasty trail components of
the FCSAR K9 SAR standards! Whoopee!!
May 13-May 14, 2005: Brenner finishes his UKC Weight Pulling title by pulling
1565 pounds (in 28 seconds and earning most weight pulled award) and 525 pounds
(in 4.9 seconds) for his final
two legs!
May 15, 2005: Brenner earns the first 15 points toward his UKC Weight Pulling
Championship by pulling 1485 (15+x his weight and taking most weight pulled in
the event in 14 seconds). Only 85 points more to go!
May 27-29, 2005: Brenner passes his requirements as set forth by Flathead
County Search and Rescue to be deemed operational in Area Search and
Article/Evidence search
June 09, 2005: Happy 10th birthday Eisy!
June 25, 2005: Brenner, motored around the ring by Penny Lewis, wins BOB and a
GROUP 1 in Lethbridge, Alberta for 5
points!
June 26, 2005: Bren takes BOB again and adds a GROUP 4 to his winning for his
final two points toward his Canadian Championship! Thanks Penny!!
July 8, 2005: Bren passes the swift-water component of his Water Search
certification
July 9, 2005: Bren passes his open water components of his Water Search
certification and is now deemed operational in Water Search!
July 10, 2005: Bren passes his land cadaver test and is now deemed operational
in Cadaver Search!!
July 30-31, 2005: Bren competes in the Alberta Belgian Shepherd Dog club and
receives Excellent ratings from breeder judges Skip Stanbridge and Janice
Clifford (UK)
August 1, 2005: Brenner wins BOB and a pull in the group ring at the Alberta
Kennel Club shows in Calgary, Alberta!
October 29, 2005: Brenner heads to Calgary and
achieves his Urban Search - Junkyard search
certification!
November
12-13, 2005: Bren heads south to compete in a
UKC weight pulling competition and pulls 1720
and 1760 pounds for Most Weight Pulled and
Highest Percentage pulled both days and earning
another 50 points towards his UKC U-WPCH
(65/100)!
January
20, 2006: Bren wins WD at the Rose City Classic
giving him another point towards his American
Championship (6/15; 1 mjr).
February
03, 2006: Bren pulls 1720 pounds, earning the
Most Weight Pulled, Highest Percentage pulled
and 25x his weight for another 25 points toward
his UKC U-WPCH (90/100)!
February
04, 2006: Bren pulls 1680 pounds finishing his
UKC U-WPCH and the first 15 points toward his U-WPCHX
(15/250)!
February
05, 2006: Bren pulls another 1680 and is once
again awarded Most Weight pulled and Highest
Percentage in addition to pulling over 25x his
weight for another 25 points toward his U-WPCHX
(40/250)!
April
22, 2006: Bren completes the final component of
his Disaster First Responder certification by
passing his building search operational test!
October
23rd, 2006: Oh my...we're WAAAYY behind here. In
summary, since last entry Bren has completed his
International Police Dog Certifications in Basic
and Advanced Cadaver, Basic Area Search
and Trailing, completed his Flathead County
Search Dogs certification in Human Remains
Detection (building search) and recertified in
his Disaster First Responder-Rubble component.
November
3-5, 2006: At the Courteous K9 Obedience Club
UKC weight pull trials, Brenner pulled 25x his
weight all three days (1680 pounds) for an
additional 45 points towards his UWPCHX
(85/250). On the 5th, after much goading,
decided to see if he could top his previous
personal best of 1720 pounds and without any
effort what-so-ever, managed to pull 1800 pounds
in just over 14 seconds. Amazing.
January
16, 2007: Welcome to the BasqueLaine - Big Mtn
Detectives litter. Five girls, two boys, all red,
very fat and healthy.
February
2, 2007: At the Courteous K9 Obedience Club UKC weight pull trials, Brenner pulled 25x his
weight and took Highest Weight pulled (beating
an All-Sport earning Pit Bull) plus a new
personal best of 1920 for another 20 points
toward his UPWCHX
(105/250).
February
3, 2007: Day 2 of the weigh pull we went for
broke and not only beat the same Pit Bull, but
went for broke pulling 35x his weight, taking
Highest Weight pulled and another 25 points
toward UPWCHX
(130/250). Pulling 2480 and this percentage is
rare for any breed and unheard of for herding
breeds. This boy never quits!
February
4, 2007: Day 3 of the weigh pull and opted to
see if we could do a repeat performance of day
2. The Pit Bull decided that he was tired of
being beat by a Belgian and took Most Weight
Pulled, but Bren successfully repeated his pull
of 2480 for 35x his weight and another 20 points
(150/250).
April
7-8, 2007: Welcome to the BasqueLaine-Blackcomb
Super Sleuths litter! Three boys, 4 girls, all
red.
May
11-13, 2007: Brenner had another stellar weekend
weight pulling, bullying 2480 down the chute all
three days and earning another 65 points toward
his UWPCHX (215/250). Also found out that he is
currently sitting at #5 in the UKC All Star
ratings for weight pull! Not to be outdone, Ms
Willy Wild-thing decided to see if she could
pull. Day 1 she managed 440#, day 2 showed her
getting the hang of it and down the chute she
went pulling 550# to earn her first UWP leg (and
5 All Star points). Day 3 she decided to show
the boys how it's done and motored 1040# for her
second UWP leg and another 10 All Star points.
To put sprinkles on the cupcake, she smiled her
way through her CGC test as well!
June
2-3, 2007: A HOT weekend in Yakima, WA results
in one RWD to a 3-pt major under breeder judge
Pat Weymouth and a WD for a 3-pt major under
breeder judge Elly McCarthy (point tally = 9/15
both majors!)
Oh
my...behind again in the brags department. Since
the above update Bren sailed through his
International Police Work Dog Association
Advanced Area test (end of June), his
International Police Work Dog Association Water
Search test (beginning of July), headed to
Spokane where he took a WD/BOW/BOS under
breeder-judge Skip Stanbridge for another 3-pt
major, then repeated the wins for another 2
points the following day (point tally = 14/15,
three majors!). THEN we came home where he
recertified to his Flathead County Search and
Rescue Swift water test (end of July). August
was pretty boring by comparison as we took the
month off to enjoy not doing much!
And to think we haven't even included the searches we've been on in this time!
Keep checking back as the Big Mountain crew never rests (they don't let me)!
