Therapy Dogs Josie and Summer "Paws With Love to Share" ©

I'm so happy to share the news that this month Northrock's Black Seal CGN "Josie" and UCH UR01 Nuphar's Soak Up The Sun RN PCD CGN "Summer" passed their Interaction With Children evaluations with Therapeutic Paws of Canada . These two loving Barbets are now certified to participate in TPOC's various children's programs. Therapeutic Paws of Canada is a non-profit organization of volunteers providing animal resources for human needs (physical, mental, educational, motivational, socialization) through regular visits to hospitals, residences, schools, etc.  

Josie is ready to work and looking sharp in her TPOC uniform. 

Josie and the kids after passing her child certification with TPOC

Josie is from our Chmurnik x Sophie litter and owned and loved by Brian Ferri and JoAnne Clement. This special Barbet has also been accepted into the Victim Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) and will soon begin her work with them in addition to continuing her regular visits with a local senior's adult day program.  Well done Brian and Josie and thank you for your service to our communities.

Summer during one of her volunteer visits at a local college helping students de-stress during exam time.
photo credit: CCNM.

Summer and Stephanie along with other members of TPOC and
some of the children who were part of the evaluation.

Summer, bred by Anne Plomp and Miska Aksular travelled from the Netherlands to become a part of our family. She is a lovely dog and we are all so happy to be sharing our lives with her. Stephanie and Summer enjoy doing many different activities but therapy work is certainly a favourite for them both. 

Summer - Therapy Dog with Therapeutic Paws of Canada

UR01 UCH Nuphar's Soak Up The Sun PCD RN CGN

Earlier this year Summer became a therapy dog with the organization Therapeutic Paws of Canada.  "Therapeutic Paws of Canada is a non-profit organization of volunteers providing animal resources for human needs (physical, mental, educational, motivational, socialization) through regular visits to hospitals, residences, schools, etc."

I'm happy for the opportunity to volunteer in my community with such a wonderful organization.  Summer enjoys all of the attention she receives and we both leave our visits feeling good. 

A new title for Summer

Summer (URO1 UCH Nuphar's Soak Up The Sun PCD* RN CGN) and I had a great time this weekend at the Credit Valley Kennel and Obedience Club's CKC rally and obedience trials. I'm happy to say that in addition to qualifying in the two Rally Intermediate trials with a first and second in the class, Summer also earned her Pre-Novice obedience title and we can now add the letters PCD to her name.

*pending confirmation from CKC

New Titles Earned at Northrock

It has been a successful month at Northrock Barbets as a few of the Barbet girls brought home some new titles in Rally Obedience*.

UCH Nuphar's Soak Up The Sun RN CGN "Summer" with her rosettes from her first two CKC RN legs

Summer now has her CKC Rally Novice title earning the title in three straight trials with a 93, 98 and 96.

URO1 CH Northrock's Eau De Joy CGN "Ellie" and
URO1 UCD CH Neigenuveaux Fleur D'Northrock WC CGN "Sophie"

photo by A. Smith

In UKC Rally, Summer, Sophie and Ellie each earned the title of URO1.  We are really enjoying the sport of rally-obedience.  

A big thank you to Ellie's co-owner, Lise Pomeroy for putting the first two legs of Ellie's title on her.  All of the dogs worked well and earned some really nice scores.

Also many thanks to my friend and coach Alison Smith at Personal Paws Inc. for all of her training help and encouragement.  

*pending CKC and UKC Confirmation

Camping in Algonquin Provincial Park

I've just returned from a wonderful trip to Algonquin Provincial Park.  What a beautiful park!  Our family had a great time with friends, sharing lots of laughs and delicious food.   Summer came with us this year as she had never gone camping before and was a joy to have along.

Our campsite was on the water and a peaceful retreat from city life.

As part of the trip we enjoyed a day out on the lake swimming and canoeing in the sunshine.   

There were several campers who wanted to stop and meet Summer.  None of them had previously heard of the breed.  She was a super ambassador for the Barbet and enjoyed the attention.

The newest member of our Northrock family.

Summer - Nuphar’s Soak Up The Sun
Eddie Bo da Capo "Emil" x Nuphar’s All My Tomorrows "Dolce"
Born March 14, 2015

It’s high time I wrote a post about the newest addition to our Northrock family.  Summer joined our family earlier this year and quickly made herself right at home.  We have so much love and affection for this puppy.  

She truly is a ray of sunshine that has brightened our lives.  I’m very thankful to her breeder Anne Plomb (Nuphar's) for entrusting her to us and also to Miska, Arno, Sylver and Jade, the family who own Summer’s dam Dolce.  With Anne’s involvement, they have done a wonderful job raising the litter and giving Summer such a good start. 

Summer has been with us since the end of May when she flew all the way from the Netherlands to Canada.  Miska, Anne and I were on pins and needles waiting for her safe arrival and thankfully the trip was uneventful and our little puppy travelled very well.  

She was happy and friendly from the moment I first opened her crate and her delightful personality continues to win over everyone she meets. 

 Summer and I are currently working towards her Canine Good Neighbour title and I have started teaching her how to track.  She is so much fun to train and we are having a great time together.  I look forward to making lots of wonderful memories with this special puppy. 

For more photos of Summer check out her album on the Northrock Barbets - Facebook Page