Sheltie Strut - December

BREEDER: Maureen Lynch: Smithsfalls, Ontario : Website

BIO of Maureen Lynch

My life with shelties began 46 years ago with our family dog, "Kraker-jak", who became Ronas Hill Kraker-jak UD. At that time I was the 1st and youngest with the Bytown Dog Obedience Club here in Ottawa, to go from the Puppy Kindergarten class to obtaining a UD title.

It wasn't until 1988 that my work & environment changed such that I could bring a sheltie back into my life. It was at the Kars Dog Show in 1988 I saw a lovely Ch red sable boy being handled by Diane Biggar (Kendale) whom I fell in love with. She introduced me to his breeder, Kerry & Earl Proctor of Arhope, where I spent 4 hours being mentored in (to) shelties. I first wanted an obedience dog, a show dog would be interesting too. I still remember that day, Kerry taking Sheltie Pacesetter & International magazines & holding a ruler to pictures showing me where the front legs should fall in relationship to the dog's ears. I left with a pup that became Arhope Dunisla Call Me Sibeau CDX, and 10 months later acquired a tri boy, "Logan" who became (with Diane's guidance) Ch Ahrope Simply Sinful CDX.

It was through new sheltie friends and a stud service from "Logan" that I met my husband Michael. "Logan's" resultant get became Ch Watch Out For Black Ice, and from her, the 1st sheltie born to Shelamo was Ch Shelamo Instantly Classic, "Vision". She was sired by Am/Cdn/Jap/Int Ch Goldenhylite's The Phantom ROM, ROMC, a dog I had admired in Dogs In Canada & the CSSA Magazines for years.

And so began Shelamo …. A marriage to Michael (1996) and a move to the country allowed for much more freedom with dogs. On Jan 31, 2000 out of our Shelamo's Party Pack ROMC a 3 Ch litter was born, one which has become my best bud "Rocky", BPIS Am/Cdn Shelamo's Prospector and one of 2 females who just added 'more brains' to the end of her name, Ch Shelamo's Sure Fire CD, CGN, RE (2011 ranked #22 Sheltie In Rally Obedience @ 11.5 yrs of age).

We've been proud of how our dogs have done in the conformation, obedience (2 x 2 HIT of HITs competitors), agility & flyball venues. We've had several very proud moments since our kick start in 2000 – our "Rocky"@ 10 months of age finished his Cdn Ch going Grp 4th & BPIS on the day of the eve of the OKC's Show of Shows event; "Rocky" as a Purina Champion in 2001; our Ch Shelamo Burleigh Casino Rama GCN, CD finishing her Championship with BOW @ the CC&SSA Specialty under breeder judge Tom Coen, 4 Best Puppy In Show wins ~ MBPIS BPISS Ch Shelamo Flash Forward taking 2 & being #3 2011 Sheltie Puppy; winning an AOM with Ch Playland Dream Chaser @ the CSSA National, Ottawa 2006; a Reserve Best In Show with our Ch Shelamo Sugar Shack (4Ch's) in 2010; our 2011 ASSA 2nd class placement on Ch Shelamo Riding The Wind, and I think most memorable was in Feb 2010 when "Rocky" won Best Of Opposite, as a Veteran, at the CC&SSA winning the very 1st Ronas Hill Perpetual Trophy, donated by Heather Lovett in memory of her mother Helen. It was as if my life had gone full circle, back to Ronas Hill shelties.

For over 21 years now, I continue to share my love for dogs, particularly Shelties. I teach dog obedience usually twice a week, offer grooming services for shelties, board a limited number of dogs and as often as I can do community work with Brownies, primary classroom teachings and other local events to educate as many people as I can on all aspects of canine care & ownership. Without Mike by my side, the time and effort to accomplish all this just wouldn't have been possible. He is the other half that makes Shelamo work so well!

Many people wonder how a kennel name is chosen - I took "Shel" for shelties & the Latin word "amo" for I love - come follow Shelamo on a short journey into a life of loving shelties – Our Feature -