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August 29-30, 2009

     Belle took First Prize in her class at the Danville IL Kennel Club show on both August 29 and August 30.

August 17, 2009

     We've had a baby! James Isaac Ayres (we're calling him Isaac) was born on August 8, 2009 at 4:01 p.m. He was 8lbs 13oz and 22.5" long. Isaac is our first child. Things were pretty hectic around home for awhile, with Isaac demanding all of our attention, but we've gotten into a pretty nice routine and things are starting to calm down again. Pictures will be posted soon.

August 1, 2009

     Belle's pedigree just got a little richer! On the cover of the latest Shorthair Journal, the publication of the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America, it's been reported that Ace (Am/Can CH Fieldfines Back In Action JH CGC ROM), Belle's grandsire on her sire's side, just won Best of Breed at the 2009 GSPCA National Specialty Show. Also, on the inside of the cover it is reported that Toby (Multi BIS NSC CH Minado's Parade Drum Major ROMXX HOF), the great-grandsire of Belle and Tux, was recently inducted into the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America Hall of Fame. What a great contribution these dogs have made to the breed, and to our shorthairs in particular!

July 5, 2009

     Belle is finally home! For good this time. Today we went up to the Koeberlein's place and picked her up. It's time for Justus to get out of our house, and it's hard keeping him out in the kennels and garage by himself when he's not used to that sort of thing. What better way to keep him company out there than to bring home his best buddy (outside Spice, of course). Both dogs have made the adjustment very well, and are romping and playing every day like they had never been separated. Belle has also calmed down quite a bit from the last time we had her around - what a difference a few months makes - and has fallen right in line with our pack order. Now if I can just get those kennels done, we can get Tux home and complete the move.

June 19, 2009

     We made a trip to Villa Grove today to test puppies in the Tag/Kobe litter at Wind River's Kennel. After some real fun with a transmission that went out, we finally made it up to the Kennels. This was one of the best testing litters I've seen in awhile, and we are delighted to announce that we've marked our third addition to our kennels. Wind River's JK Black Tie Affair, otherwise known as "Tux", was the only solid black male in the litter. He tested very well on desire, pointing and retrieving, and had a completely laid back attitude that we really like in a dog. Not to mention that he's conformationally outstanding. We'll be bringing Tux home as soon as we get some more finishing touches done on our indoor/outdoor kennels.

June 1, 2009

     The house is basically done and we've finally settled quite a bit in the new abode. We're constantly working on odds and ends, including cleaning up and finishing out the basement, finishing the inside of the garage and kennels, and working on the yard (my grandpa is helping a LOT with that). Hopefully we'll be a little more functional soon, with a pigeon coop and finished kennels, to get back into the training mode in my very expansive new bird fields. The CRP is calling.

May 9, 2009

     We are officially moved! After my buddy's wedding, Danyelle and I decided to just keep moving in to our new home in Flat Rock. We ended up spending our first night here on May 9, and have worked hard to get fully unpacked (it's a never-ending job). We've still got some odds and ends to finish up on the house, such as getting hot water, but those things will come quickly. For now, we're here, and that's enough.

May 5, 2009

     The website has been updated, with more recent news now on the main page. Also, a photo gallery for Justus was added to his page, and a photo gallery for Belle (pictures from 4/08) has been added to her page. From this point forward it is my intention to have galleries of pictures of a particular dog on that dog's page, with the photo gallery to be comprised of mainly miscellaneous and multiple-dog photos. I have also added our local weather in Flat Rock to the main page. I hope you enjoy the new, slightly altered format! Expect some major updates in the months to come as we move into our new home.

March 31, 2009

     This past weekend Belle ran her first hunt test at the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Indiana test in Waverly, IN. The weather didn't cooperate with us very much, and Belle is still such a young dog with not a great deal of bird exposure. She failed to find a bird the first day, which was my fault, and then failed to point a bird the second day (the bird's fault - it shouldn't have been running!) These things happen, though, and our solution is to let her be a puppy for awhile longer while training at the Koeberleins'.

     Also, our house is still coming along. Visit the photo gallery for updated pictures of the kennel progress in Phase 2. (5 pictures added)

March 26, 2009

     The ultrasound confirmed we're having a boy! Keep a lookout in the field in the years to come.

December 25, 2008

     We broke the news on Christmas Day - we're expecting our first child, due in August 2009!

August 28, 2008

     Construction on the new place is well underway. Take a look at our upgraded Photo Gallery page to keep tabs on how the new kennels are coming along.

March 10, 2008

     Tag's litter was whelped December 31, 2007 and produced our newest addition, "Belle". Belle is, in my biased opinion, the pick of the litter. When we tested the puppies, Belle showed that she is not only very structurally sound, but also that she has ample bird desire. We're still getting things going on building our new home, so Belle will stay with the Koeberleins for awhile still. We will bring her home on various weekends until we get the new place finished, and will then move her home with us. You can view her pedigree by clicking here.

January 1, 2008

     We will be bringing home a puppy from Wind River's Kennel soon! The new addition will come from either the Spice/Tigger breeding or the Tag/Isaac breeding. (Or both!) This is, of course, following our planned building of a new residence and facility in Flat Rock, Illinois at the Ayres Farm. The 40-acre farm, owned by my grandparents, offers acres of grassland pasture and CRP ground perfect for training and hunting pointing breed dogs.

September 16-17, 2006 SH

     Justus earned another two qualifying scores and finished his Senior Hunter title at the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Illinois Hunt Tests at Des Plaines Fish & Wildlife Area in Wilmington, Illinois. The weather was cooperative, as well as our bracemates, and it made for an easy weekend to showcase what we've been training for.

September 9-10, 2006

     The Brittany Club hunt test weekend didn't turn out so well for us. Day one we faced a long backcourse, 85 degree weather, and, ultimately, an 80 yard retrieve on a bird that wasn't actually hit. Day two the weather cooperated, but the birds didn't. Justus had three solid points, each nonproductive. Time got called before we could get a bird to flush. These things happen, though. I can't fault Justus -- it just doesn't go perfect every time. We have another shot at finishing Justus' SH title next weekend.

April 29-30, 2006

     The Greater Indianapolis Brittany Club Hunt Test filled to capacity and unfortunately we were on the wrong side of the bubble. So, Justus will have to wait until September to get a shot at completing his Senior Hunter title. See you this Fall!

March 25-26, 2006

     Justus earned two qualifying scores towards his Senior Hunter title at the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of Illinois Hunt Tests at Des Plaines Fish & Wildlife Area in Wilmington, Illinois.

February 25-26, 2006 JH

     Justus earned another two qualifying scores and finished his Junior Hunter title at the Vizsla Club of Illinois Hunt Tests at Des Plaines Fish & Wildlife Area in Wilmington, Illinois.

February 18-19, 2006

     Justus earned two qualifying scores towards his Junior Hunter title at the LaSalle Brittany Club Hunt Tests held at Des Plaines Fish & Wildlife Area in Wilmington, Illinois.

July 17, 2005

     Justus earned his Canine Good Citizen title on his first attempt of the test during the Vizsla Club of Illinois Double Bubble fun days at the Busch Farm in Winnebago, Illinois.