Handhills Border Collie News

Now then, where were we?

Oh yes, we had arrived home, had a rest, and then headed out to several fabulous trials and clinics, including Sue Wessels's Dirt Blowing Trial, the Hilltop Trial, put on by Wendy Schmaltz, and Lee Lumb's Cold Stream Clinic & Trial, where Norman was a clinician.

And we went to the Calgary Stampede. We have had several nice successes: Lucy won the nursery at Cold Stream, and Jake placed in the Pro-Novice at the Dirt Blowing Trial & at Cold Stream. Hanna was 9th out of 80 in the 2nd round at the Stampede; Gale ran really well for her first year in open; Gwen brought a check home at the Hilltop Trial; and, if memory serves, at the Dirt Blowing Trial as well. We have also had our share of failures and near misses. Norman was seventeenth at the Stampede, missing the top fifteen by inches. But all in all, we are very pleased with our dogs.

Limited Edition Prints

So here is what's been keeping me really busy, I have released 6 new prints, along with an entire line of greeting cards. My work was accepted into a Gallery in Coeur d' Alene, and at The Club at Black Rock. I will have a booth at Soldier Hollow and Meeker, I have been in high gear preparing my art and I am thrilled to share it with you all. You can view it, and order it, at www.vickieclose.com but in the meantime, here is a sneak peek. This print is called "The Dirt Blowing Trial." It is of Lora Withnell's Nell. It is a limited edition 10x 20.

Lora asked if I would photograph her dog at the trial, turns out little Nell was quite the subject. This is one of several great shots of her.

Dogs for Sale

We have a couple of dogs going up on our sales page today so check them out at www.normclose.com then click on "sale dogs."

More news to come.......