Just Ducky Australian Shepherds

ASCA A-Ch. Bainbridges Bound to Please, ASCA/AKC CD, RN, CGC,TDI - "Kylie"

"The Early Years"

In early August, 2003 I drove all the way to Madison, WI and back in one day just to spend time with a litter of five week

 old puppies and to meet the breeder Paula McDermid of Bainbridge Australian Shepherds. I had done my research

on the breed, and thanks to Paula, had a photo history of the litter from their birth.  Here's my little girl with the other

two females in the litter of seven at a day old, then Kylie at one, two, and three weeks:

After spending the day with them crawling all over me and getting my fill of puppy breath, I picked out a couple

puppies, and on Paula's recommendation, chose a black tri bitch she'd named Lola. A few weeks later I made the

trip again to Madison, but this time to pick up my new bundle of black fuzzy fur I decided to name Kylie.

I hadn't had a puppy in ten years but was well prepared. I even requested some 'pup-ternity leave' from my employer,

where I worked half days for the first two weeks Kylie was home.

 Unfortunately during that time, my father was dying. I brought Kylie to the nursing home a number of times and

 was amazed that the rambunctious puppy who walked into the facility immediately calmed down when

 I placed her on Dad's hospital bed. I hope she brought him some joy in his final days. I know she

helped me cope with his death by letting me cuddle her and cry into her fur when things got really rough.

Kylie was quite a privileged puppy. I brought her everywhere to socialize her, she had frequent trips to local dog parks,

Puppy Kindergarten classes and a special spot under the desk at Bloomington Obedience Training Club where

 I volunteered a couple nights a week. She also got daily visits from a dog walker. She and Tripper still get mid-day

walks a number of times a week from Carol Martin of Tails of Two Cities Pet Sitting, who has become a good friend

 to me and both my kids.

When Kylie was still young, my breeder Paula suggested I try showing her in the conformation ring. I told her I wasn't

interested, but she continued to encourage me. I didn't know the first thing about showing a dog so I asked a very

accomplished junior handler, Kelli Kupfer to show her at six months.  Thanks Kelli!

 I decided to try showing her myself at 9 months. We were awful.  But I caught the bug and decided to keep trying. Kylie

took her first ASCA points in August 2004 under Breeder Judge Claire Gustafson at an Outback ASC Show.

Our first win shot:

When Kylie took Winners Bitch at the next day's show as well, a few people remarked what a nice bitch she was.

My little girl was growing up.  We attended only local ASCA shows for the next six months, then made two trips

to Wisconsin. It was thanks to the large entries at those Rock River Valley shows that Kylie picked up two of the

needed majors for her title.

After only seven weekends of showing, Kylie became an ASCA Altered Champion in November 2005.

At that show, someone made the mistake of telling me Kylie probably had enough points to be one of the

top 30 ASCA Conformation Merit dogs which meant an invitation to a special show at the ASCA Nationals

in September 2006.  It turned out after a number of big wins at more Rock River Valley shows, Kylie ended up

being the #4 ASCA Altered Conformation Merit dog in the country. I am so proud of my little girl. 

I just followed her around the ring at the end of a show lead -- she did all the work and impressed the judges.

This site maintained by Kathy Dukinfield  (E-mail:  KDuckster@msn.com)

Page last updated 04.13.07