Archive News

 Tess And Boone Pup

2 females &  5 males arrived in July.  

All the pups have been sold.

Thank you to Nancy Obernier, Julie Carter,

Bridget Strang, Kathy Hoffer, & Paul Veurink.

Many thanks to Bill Orr and his Handsome Boone.

We are very excited about this cross, how excited  you ask..........we kept two! 

CV Joe (1997-2008) 

Joe Passed away on Saturday the 24th of May 

The sorrow and loss we feel is  termendous, I find I am at a loss for words......

Gopher Hunting 

Since there is only open at Big Willow, and I am not in the Open yet and Joe has "Been there done that", me and my Snacken Buddy went to find our own big adventure! 

No Gophers were actually harmed in the making of these images! 

Scio 

Scio was a succsess, hot, hot weather Norman won the second round of the pro-novice with Blade and was 5th in the first round. I found the sheep scary at best, and my young dogs found them very exciting. Kate had a great run going but felt the need to have an up close chat with one at the pen!! Gale was 4th and 7th.

In the 1st day of the open, Norman was 5th and 7th with Cub & Gwen. Gwen ran excellently, and we couldn't be more pleased with her. The sheep she drew ran back to the set out two times before she left Norm's Feet. She handled it beautifully holding them together through the course. It was one of those runs we will always remember. 

Our favorite (not ours) dog of the trial was Elizabeth Baker's Rye. He is a beauty, very cool headed. We enjoyed his quiet power.

Big Willow 

What a neat trial. If you haven't been there we suggest it. The setting itself is worth the trip, and the sheep make it even better. They split off roughly 300 to use for the trial from a flock that numbers somewhere around a qua-trillion (unofficially). You can see the big flock graze the next hill over. The shepherds stay in the area grazing the flock untill the trial is finished, then they collect the trial sheep and move on. It is truly a sight that slows time. The trial is organized and professional. The same people set sheep for the entire trial making it fair and even for all. The Judge was Bud Boudreau. He did a great job and I was pleased to scribe for him and get to know him better. 

Norman ran his 2 new dogs (Gwen and Hanna) for the first time. Gwen ran well, Hanna (the pirate was a bit wild and pushy. She reminds us of our Lass - no quit little and mighty, you just cant help but love her. Cub (last years nursery dog, made it into the double lift. We were really pleased with him, as he is showing well.

Bill Orr's Boone won the trial. He was very impressive, steady and dependable. You know what they say.. If you cant beat them at least breed to them!! So We did. We are hopefully expecting pups form Boone and Tess.  We always pick a favorite dog that is not ours at every trial and at Big Willow it was Lavon Calzacorta's Tess she is an outstanding bitch and a treat to watch. 

Sedro Woolley 

The Sedro Woolley Trial was the first trial of the year for us. It was put on by Dirk & Sonya Vansant. Norman was the judge. It was a treat to run in such a picturesque setting. The trial was held on a dairy farm, it was a long flat field with stunning views and longer than expected grass due to the rain. Dirk's course was a nice challenge. The running was tough because of the sound or lack of it, and the long long outrun. I was lucky to get through it and qualify my nursery dog Kate both Saturday and Sunday for the finals. My Young dog Gale also did a nice job winning the Pronovice Saturday. It was a great trial and we look forward to it next year. 

CV JOE

The linage page is launched 

While I sat in the bleachers at Soldier Hollow 2 yrs ago I was amazed by the people that were watching Joe run, who were saying they had a Joe Pup. It seems every where we went someone was telling us about their "Joe Pup" I thought it would be interesting to see on paper, so to speak, the impact one dog can make. Speaking of impact, I can tell you I have loved lots of dogs....but I have never respected a dog so much in all my life!

So in honor of  Joe (my Snacken-Buddy) who is now officially retired from trailing but is still working hard helping Norman train our "Joe Pups," I have created the cv joe linage page . It features some of  Joe's offspring  and will be updated as new images come in. 

If you have a Joe Pup, be it a son, daughter, grandson, great granddaughter or great great great grandson, send me your pictures and information to vickieatkins@icehouse.net. Also keep us posted on any news you may have about your "Joe Pups." if its good we will put it up on the fridge and if it is really exciting we will post it right here on the news page. By the way don't forget to check out my Joe Pup JOBE. 

On January 5th, 2008 Norman married his photographer Vickie Atkins in Coeur d' Alene. Norm and Vickie met in Alberta when Vickie purchased a puppy from him. The pup was pick of the litter. Desperate to get his dog back and reduce his photography bills, he married her and the rest. as you would say is history!

Congratulations to Alasddair MacRae and Star 2006 USBCHA National Finals Winners.

Lass places 5th at the USBCHA Nationals, Norman Wins Rookie of the Year!

The United States Finals were held in Klamath Falls, Oregon 150 dogs competed with 40 dogs going to the semi- finals.Both Joe and Lass made it to the semi-finals,with joe's daughter Lass going on to the finals and placing 5th. Norman went on to receive the Rookie of the Year Award, as it was his first visit to the US finals 

Robbie 2006 ADSA Pro-Novice Dog of the Year

Robbie had a beautiful year, starting in Pro-Novice and moving up to Open, he was able to hold his lead and finish strong to win the title of Pro-Novice Dog of the Year in Alberta. 

Lass finishes 3rd

Congratulations to the husband and wife team, Jo Anne and Ian Zoerb

with Gidge and Peg for winning the open.

Lass had her finest open year. She stayed strong throughout the year finishing 3rd  

Joe pups make a great showing at the 2006 Calgary Stampede

Congratulations to Dale Montgomery and Tex, the champions of the world Arena trial in Calgary. Tex is a grandson of Joe, Congratulations also goes to Dave Claypool and Glen, Reserve Champions Glen is a son of Joe. Corey Perry with Ben a son of Joe, made a strong showing at Calgary making it to the finals.

Robbie Wins the Open -2006 PaintEarth Trial 

Robbie wins the Open on June 11th 2006 this was his 2nd open trial

Congratulations to Dale Montgomary and Tex they were the overall Open Champions 

Lass Wins Over-All Open at the 2006 Hill Top Trial 

The Best of the Badlands! Cv Joe  

On May 25th in Watford North Dakota USA Joe was the Open Trial Champion 

With 60 dogs running. Joe scored a 94 for 1st place. There were three days of open and Norm was in the top 6th every day including the 1st day with CV Lass 

2005 Canadian Border Collie Champion: Norman Close & CV Joe 

September 9,10, & 11th, near Cranbrook, British  Colombia the 2005 Canadian Border Collies Association National Championships and Western Canadian Championships were held. 

Norm and CV Joe  Were the 

2005 Canadian Champions 

(photo courtesy of Werner Reitboeck)

CV Joe wins Calgary Cattle Trial 

On March 1st Cv Joe and Norm won the 2006 Calgary Cattle Dog Trial