NEW CH!!!

Introducing...

NEW CHAMPION, GROUP PLACING, BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW

BISS CH VERTERRA GENESIS

"Genna"

To say we floated home is an understatement. Nearly a decade in the making, so many firsts for us this weekend at the dog show. First of all first and foremost, my very first homebred champion from my very first litter, my first real group placement, my first BOV at a specialty, and my first BOB/BISS, also first time clean sweeping the BOV all 6 shows in 4 days. Genna finished her AKC Championship with ALL MAJORS. She came into the weekend with one 3 point major, went BOV from the classes over specials at the first 4 shows for four 5 point majors (didn't make it early enough to move up Saturday morning) and was a move up the last two shows for a handful of points and CH defeats for her Grand.

Special thanks to the judges who pointed to her this weekend

Mrs. Danelle Brown,

Ms. Mary C Murphy-East (also G4)

Mrs. Meredith Hector (to finish),

Mr. David Kirkland,

Mr. Hector Hector (BOB/BISS),

Mrs. Carrie A. Chase

Mr. Gus Sinibaldi (OH G3)

***bonus content*** ***extended ramblings***

I don’t know if it’s possible to have one more special than this. this is years of studying, learning the hard way, working my way up the ranks, dealing with the trials and tribulations, the highs and the heartbreaks of this life and Dogs

We hadn’t been to a dog show since we moved to Arkansas two days after the national. With only a handful of shows under her belt, the three weeks leading up to the national, I really wasn’t sure what we were in for. I was a little nervous to be showing in a new area feeling like a new person all over again. Anyone who knows Genna’s story knows that going to an All Breed show is particularly stressful due to her being attacked at handling class just a week shy of six months of age. But we needed to get out there and I needed to figure out where shows were in my new area. With only 15 minutes left in my drive to the show site, I hit some metal in the road and blew my tire immediately and damaged the rim. I knew my weekend would only get better from there. upon my arrival, I was greeted by some of the friendliest people I have met in dogs and some familiar faces that it was great to reconnect with.

I always believed in Genna, even before she was born. I tried to tell myself I didn’t need to keep a puppy from that litter, but she just kept checking off all the boxes for me, and she continues to do this in spades as she matures beautifully . Something about the unicorn head on the back of her neck told me she was going to be extra special, and that was no lie. Genna has truly been the collie that I got into the breed for, she is incredibly smart, athletic, loyal, beautiful, balanced, and sound. She is my companion and my vision incarnate for what I hope to produce in my lines. This past weekend in six shows in four days, she showed me it wasn’t just me blindly admiring her. Genna went BOV all six shows. She went over specials from the classes for the first three shows to finish her championship under respected breeder judge Meredith Hector, garnering our first best of variety at a specialty, a first for me after nearly 10 years in Collies. As a move up the following day, Genna checked off even more off my breeder bucket list items, garnering our very first best of breed at a specialty show under respected breeder, Judge Hector Hector, and our very first real group placement under herding authority Mary Murphy East. Genna closed out this clean sweep with an owner handled group 3 and an abundance of wonderful compliments from so many people in the fancy. It was so much fun to watch her truly get the hang of showing this weekend and truly fulfill my vision for what I had hoped for in this breeding. This girl is special to me beyond measure and we are just getting started.

There are so many people I would like to thank getting me to this point and I am truly sorry if I miss anyone. First and foremost, I would like to thank my family and my incredible partner, Clinton for supporting my dreams in these endeavors. I would like to thank Crystal Stoner for trusting me with her beautiful tri bitch Marlow, and being a wonderful mentor. Natalie Contreras for allowing me to breed Marlow to Hudson, to Elizabeth, Lily, even though we are both relatively new we continue to challenge each other‘s quest for understanding of the breed, and for always being one of my biggest fans and supporters. I feel like I’ve had many mentors along the way and I’m so grateful to each of them for the role they’ve played in my understanding of the breed. Many thanks goes out to Theresa Ballantyne, Debbie Holland, Micki Elliot, Robin Reed, Johanna Lance, Martha Skilton, Hailey Stoner, Lisa Leady and last but definitely not least, my Smooth Crew, Katie Rendina and Drew Deaton.

And to the dogs who got me to this point, each so special in their own way contributing to the ups and downs, highs and lows of being in dogs. And to Genna the puppy I didn’t mean to keep, but she just kept checking all the boxes for me until I couldn’t NOT keep her. From then on, she has been my constant companion. My most athletic Collie, my most intuitive Collie, my cuddliest Collie, and overall the closest Collie I’ve had to the complete picture in my mind of what a Collie should be. I am blessed beyond measure with this incredible puppy from my first litter. She could’ve never won a single ribbon and still been the most important dog in my lifetime. But she has surpassed that and many other things in a matter of days. I am beyond excited to see where this journey takes us with her by my side.

It is truly in this endeavor of purebred dogs that we have the opportunity to be a part of something greater than ourselves that will last long after we are gone. Not only is the goal of a good breeder to leave behind a lasting legacy, but to provide the genetic framework for the health and vitality of the future of the breed.