Working Australian Shepherd Club of Alberta

2007 Heart Award

made in honour of

CH Casselcreek Whiskey Girl RN CL STDsd HIC

 May 2004 - June 2007

I was asked to present a special award on behalf of someone who loved a certain little red dog more than any one could imagine. But as I look at the handlers present here, I know how much we all love these wonderful Aussies we're fortunate enough to share our lives with.

Today, we remember Casselcreek Whiskey Girl, and honor her brief life. In Theresa's words, "Whiskey had a TON of heart, she never quit, she never gave up on anything, and I would like to acknowledge, through what I've named "The Heart Award", the significance of the very special relationship between dog and handler. When you look into the eyes of your dog and believe without a doubt, they're giving you everything they've got ... that's HEART".

Throughout today's trials, our judges have been observing handlers and their dogs working together as a team, and this award is presented to the dog and their handler who, in the opinion of our esteemed judges, have displayed the most "heart" while achieving their goals.

The recipients of this award are....

South Ram Soggy Bottom Boy
“Keifer”
    
& his owner/trainer
Lynsday Hindbo

Congratulations to you both!!!

Here's a little bit about Keifer...

South Ram Soggy Bottom Boy or "Soggy" was born the day before Halloween in 2004. He came from my mom's Aussies Bud (South Ram Buddy Boy) and Micah (SRO Micahnicetomeetya). I traded my mom a 2 year old gelding for him during the winter of 2004. He got a name change to Keifer and it pretty much suited him... better than "Soggy" anyway, poor dog. Since I didn't have my own place back then I had a couple people tell me to get rid of him because I shouldn't have two dogs without a place for them, but I just thought I'll make it work and it has been totally worth it.

Keifer was Mom's skiing buddy as a puppy and has been mine and Cubby's (and now Craig's) ever since. He is a great dog and a great herding partner and doesn't get into too much trouble. He loves EVERYONE and loves to talk and sing to anyone who will oblige him. I think his motto is "I love me so you should love me too" - a true narcissist if I ever met one. I often think he would be a great dog to visit people in the hospital 'cause if he can't lift your spirits then no one can! He loves tug of war and we're working on the fetching thing, but it's more like "catch me if you can".

I trialed him at the WASCA Alberta Summer Classic on ducks and got his started title when he was nine months old. Then we went to Ron Gale for some training and lessons and got one leg on cattle and sheep at the trials the next year. We practiced as much as we could the following winter and spring and it paid off with 3 qualifying scores on sheep and 4 on cattle this past summer!  So he's definitely an all round open dog now! Keifer is great to train with because he works nice and slow, has a lot of natural balance and doesn't push the stock too hard.

Receiving the Heart Award was a great honor. It's a great tribute to Whiskey Girl and all the great dog partners in our lives that have passed. Thanks to Theresa, the ASCA judges and everyone else involved! ~ Lyndsay.