This year ATCA honored you with the AKC Good Sportsmanship award.

How did it feel to be the recipient of this award?

I was extremely honored to think members of ATCA think that much of me.

How do you feel your contributions add to the world of dog showing?

I would like to think I have taught people, who have then gone on to teach others, skills with regard to grooming, ring etiquette and handling.  I also hope my behavior has set an example and shown other people that you can compete together and still be friends.  We all have worked very hard on that in Northern California.

How long have you been showing dogs?

This year is my 40th year showing dogs.

Were you a Junior handler?

No, I was too busy winning Championship points with my Grandmother's Chows.

What was your first breed of dogs?

Chows.  I took over showing the dogs when my mother gave it up.

How did you get started with Australian Terriers?

I met Robbie Ryse at dog class.  She asked if I would work her puppies and so it began.

Do you have a favorite Aussie that was near and dear to your heart and why?

"Mister," Ch. Rybas Batteries Not Included, was my first major show dog.  He was such a funny guy and a joy to live with.  He was placed with my friend, Helene, and lived with her for 8 years until he passed away at 14 years old.  He always came home and was happy to see everyone.

What was your favorite Aussie to show and why?

"Marty" Ch. Rybas Call Me Irresponsible.  He always gave me 110% even if I had to work hard to get it.

How many Aussie litters have you breed? 

I think 9 or 10; I am not sure anymore.

What do you look for in the stud dog to make him worthy of your breeding program?

Structure is primary, with good movement.  Attitude can always be built.

What do you look for in the bitch to make her worthy of her breeding program?

The same as the boys; I am equal opportunity.

Having just returned from the Nationals, what shape do you consider the Aussie breed to be in?

On a whole this was one of the better Nationals.  The dogs were better groomed than at most shows.  I thought I saw improved fronts and rears on most dogs and just over all better Aussies.

Who were your mentors in the breed?

Hal and Alice Wilcox, Sue Bachman, Robbie Ryse and Judy May.

Who taught you to groom so beautifully or how did you learn?

Robbie Ryse did all the grooming when I started showing Sue Bachman's and Robbie's dogs.  When she was not available any longer to groom, it was trial by fire.  Trust me, it was not pretty the first 6 months.  I try to be open to any tips I can get.  Jane Tenor has been very helpful with tips and my dogs still have "hula" skirts no matter how I look at them.  Jane just shakes her head I am sure.

Before shows do many people come to you for grooming tips, advice or to actually groom their dogs?  Do you feel a sense of pride or accomplishment when they win?

For the dogs shown in Northern California, I regularly groom almost all of these dogs.   Before shows I do final touches on them.  It is very obvious when we are showing our dogs out of our area.  The local (Northern California) dogs go in and they are all groomed alike.  That is very satisfying.  I love it when a dog I have spent a season grooming finishes or beats me because I know they look their best.

How about when they beat you? 

We switch back and forth often. One weekend day one dog will go Best Of Breed and the next day a different dog will get it.  I usually call the person a bad name under my breath and we laugh.  It is never mean spirited.

Many people with pet Aussies find they cannot get their dogs hand stripped at a grooming shop.  Several have had their coats clipped and ruined.  Others do not mind the soft texture of a clipped coat.

What advice do you have for people with pets who would like to groom their own dogs at home?

Buy our grooming book. (see info below)

Where can they turn for how-to lessons?

Talk to your groomers.  If they hand strip they may be willing to teach you. Sometimes you can go to a dog show and find a local terrier person who can teach you the basics.  From there you will refine your technique.  There are also grooming books available and you can look for them on Amazon.com.

Sue Bachman, Teresa Schreeder and Darlene Evans have written a 46 page grooming technique booklet. The book covers grooming for the show ring as well as grooming your pet. It covers hand stripping, using a stripping knife, and grooming  with scissors or clippers.

This is a must have holiday item.

Can't think of a holiday gift for your favorite groomer? Do you need a gift for a fellow Aussie enthusiast? This is the perfect gift.

Photo Courtesy of Darlene Evans

It is only available on a CD. You can print out the booklet on your computer.

It is available now thru ATI.

The cost of this CD is $15 which includes $2.00 for shipping. All profits will go to Canine Health Foundation. Additional and nominal fees will apply for international shipping. We will bundle multiple discs for better shipping prices.

We have PayPal. To purchase this fabulous CD, click here.

Send us your name and mailing address. Please include your country and we will

let you know how much it will cost to ship to your country.

Photo Courtesy Of Cheryl Mechalke

Oscar  says, "Did someone say the apple treats are ready?"

Homemade Dog Treat Recipe
Apple Cinnamon Drops

1 large apple
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup of water
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup oatmeal
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/8 cup whole wheat flour

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 ° F (180 ° C).

Core, slice and mince the apple (use a food processor if you have one). In a large bowl, combine the minced apple bits, honey, water, cinnamon, and oatmeal. Gradually blend in the wheat flour, adding enough to form a stiff dough.

In a small bowl, add 1/8 cup wheat flour. Spoon the dough by rounded teaspoon onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches (5cm) apart. Using the bottom of a glass dipped in the wheat flour (to prevent sticking), flatten each spoonful of dough into a circle. Adjust the size of the drops based on how big a treat you like to feed your dog.

Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and flip each cookie to brown evenly on both sides. Reduce oven temperature to 325 ° F (180 °C). Return to oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Let cool overnight.

Makes about 3 dozen crunchy cookies, depending on how big you make them.

Copyright Bullwrinkle.com

http://www.bullwrinkle.com/Assets/Recipes/Apple%20Cinnamon%20Drops.htm

©2010  Claudia Coleman This painting may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of the artist.

How long have you owned an Australian Terrier?

I have had Aussies since 1970, so that makes forty years.

How did you become interested in them?

I saw a notice for puppies for sale at the local Laundromat in the tiny village of Pemaquid, Maine.  It had the cutest photo you ever saw of an Australian Terrier puppy.  After about two months I was able to get Hobie.  I traded a painting for him!

 At first, these puppies were too expensive for me.  About three months later, word was out that they needed to find a home for one puppy because two of the males were not getting along. I trotted down to see them and Hobart, Hobie as I called him, was the one in contention.  There were four puppies in the litter and the family owned the mother and father.  The bitch came from Nell Fox and they purchased the male as a puppy from a pet store in New York City.  It was kind of a rescue purchase.  Both parents were AKC registered. 

How long have you been showing and/or breeding?

Since 1990.

How did you meet Alexa Samarotto and decide to co-breed with her?

I got my second dog, named Hobie as well,from Alexa Samarotto and that is how we met.  My Hobie was Bobby's (CH. Samabel Silver Lining) littermate.  After I settled in the house I currently live in, I wanted another dog to keep him company and it ended up that Alexa was able to obtain Ch. Glendora's Rosalee whom she bred to Bobby.  She then sent her to me.  She had seven puppies and that was the first litter I whelped other than foxhounds at the hunt kennels.  It was a great litter and there were five champions among them.  We kept Boo Boo (Ch. Samabel's Steel Magnolia) and she is in this painting. She produced several champions.

How many litters have you bred? 

I have had nine litters here with me.  Several dogs from those litters were or are with Alexa in New York and they have gone on and had litters.

Have you imported or exported? 

I have not personally.

How has the Aussie changed since you started with them?

I have seen change, and some not for the good of the breed, in my opinion.

Overall, I believe champions from the past could go in the ring and win again as they did back thirty years ago.  The type has held well.  I think the grooming has changed a bit and that can affect the total impression of a dog.  Good structure produces good movement and that can't be covered up with grooming.  I see some heads getting too small but that is not the norm.  Once you lose a head shape you lose most of the defining quality of a breed.

How long have you been painting?

I have been painting professionally for forty- four years.

Can you tell us about your background?

I was born in North Carolina.  My mother was an artist.  I studied both biology and art in Europe.   I have always had a love for horses as well as dogs.  I am now living permanently back in North Carolina with my Aussies and my horse, Yo-Yo.  My art currently hangs in four different countries and is in both private and public collections.  I have been painting horses and hounds for over thirty years.  (Canine Chronicle featured an in depth article about Claudia's background and her work.)  To read the article, click here. 

What inspires you?

I never know until it hits me.  It might be the light and color, a great sporting moment or humor.  The Aussie painting I did for Morris and Essex just fell into place.   The setting in this painting is inspired from a location right up the fire lane from my house.

Do you do commissions?

Commissions are the largest part of my business and I really enjoy doing them and capturing the magic and essence of each individual animal.

How long did it take you to paint this picture?

I was given only three and a half weeks to paint it, let it dry and get it framed.  It was a bit of a push, but once I had it in my mind, the rest was technical.

Can you give our readers more information about the painting or contacting you?

The painting as shown at the Morris and Essex Show is $5000.00 with 30% of that going to their chosen canine charities.  The $5000 includes the frame but does not include shipping.  (It would be my pleasure to donate the 30% to ATI Canine Health Foundation Fund if sold through this article.) 

I do take credit cards through PayPal.

You can contact me by email if you are interested in this painting or a commission.

Email me at: claudia@am-portfolio.com

Also, you can view my website and work at: www.claudiacoleman.com

Besides painting and Australian Terriers do you have time for any other interests?

My other interests in life are riding to hounds and music.  I am in a bluegrass band where I play the banjo.  I also enjoy carpentry, architectural design and general farming.

ATI, founded in 2009, is a young organization bringing joy to many.

What do our members have to say about us?

BluAyers Angelina "Nellie" out of Avocation Lights of Moon and  Kisamba's Bluey Louis. Photo by Kurt Andersen.

ATI gives me an international family, pictures of Aussies that love life and the ability to network about our dogs. Minna Chatham, Kennel Chatham, Denmark

ATI gives a wider perspective into the breed and new information.

Kirsi Ola, kennel Melukylän, Finland

Photo Courtesy Of Henny van den Berg

ATI means to me international friendship, education and information about Aussies all over the world.  Anne-Lii Sild from Estonia

ATI means to me, Aussie friends all over the world. It gives me the ability to check on health issues for Aussies. I get to see wonderful pictures, compare Swedish Aussies to the world Aussies and maybe even some day meet my new friends in person. The newsletter brings me stories, pictures and facts that would be hard for me to find on my own. Jannica Lindblom, Kennel Scudabout, in Sweden 

Benayr R Walkabout Wally CD RE NAC CGC NTD  Photo by Ruthann McCaulley

ATI means to me: Information, Fun, International Friendships and Education.

John Hansen in Denmark

ATI is friendly, informative, provides diversified information and camaraderie. I love reading about Aussies, the shows, and health issues in other countries as well as the USA. Kim Floyd, USA

ATI to me, we have an Australian Terrier and I just wanted to have a look at other dogs and how they live and of course information and fun! 

Our dogs name is Pauli. We are from Germany. Eva Koch

Hello, I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina and I have an 8-month-old Australian Terrier who is competing in the puppy classes. His name is Manolo and was born in Colombia. He is the first to arrive in Argentina and I'm very happy. My name is Lucrecia Maria Vega. Greetings

(ATI shares the joy of new puppy ownership!)

I am delighted to be a part of ATI. The information contained in each newsletter would be more than enough to make it valuable, but the pictures and stories shared from all over the world about our gorgeous and courageous dogs absolutely makes my day! Thank you for this fantastic newsletter! Keep them coming!!

Bev Powell, Lynden, WA, USA

This is a photo taken when "Roope" was a young dog.  It was taken by his owners Jenni Wahteristo and Seija Ristola in the Finnish winter.  Hewas exported to Finland as a puppy and his full title is FI CH, LT CH, LVCH, BALTW-10, BALTW-08, BALTJW-07, Horrieglen Blue Legend (imp Australia).

The information from ATI is very much appreciated. I really enjoy the frequency of the newsletters also. Your photos are the BEST! The videos with the music are so enjoyable. ATI does a stand-up job. Please keep it up! Lisa Nance, USA

Australian Terrier International was a brilliant idea and from that has evolved a super Newsletter where Australian Terrier lovers from all over the world can exchange their experiences of this wonderful breed. Brenda Brown, Scotland

ATI to me means, information, international friendship, pictures, everything!

Grete Johansen, Kennel Chakrat, Norway

Photo taken by Minna Kaartinen  The love of her life, "Harold"

ATI for me is a chance of embracing a larger family where everyone loves everyone and I feel loved and cared. 

Jiji Goguadze from Georgia

It means to me International friendship and information.

Anne Norri Kuusamo, Finland

I especially look forward to the candid photos of the Aussies! Their expressions are endearing and always fun to see! Lisa Weaver, USA

* Please note:

This article was edited and not all comments and photos are in the book.

We never know how quickly our lives can change.  August 17, 2010 started as a usual day for me.  The alarm went off and I hit the snooze button.  While I was trying to wake up I heard the dogs barking frantically and weird crackling noises.  I thought, "What are they doing?"  I got up and looked out my bath room window only to see smoke pouring out of the kennel building.  The building was on fire!  Without thinking or stopping to grab shoes or eyeglasses, I raced outside and started opening dog runs to let the dogs get away from the fire.  I then grabbed them and put them in the side yard.  In the midst of all this, calling 911; somehow, I thought to grab the phone!  I then saw the flames start to leap to the house.  I ran and grabbed the garden hose only not to be able to turn it on in my panic.  Realizing the futility of this, and that I still had dogs inside my house, I raced back inside and out the front door, grabbing the car keys.  I then started grabbing dogs and putting them in my van which always has crates in it, as well as leaving some loose.  I then ran back into the house and started dragging out more crates.  I pulled the van as far away from the house as possible while still leaving room for the fire department.  Can you believe all this took place in less than 15 minutes?  The call to 911 was logged at 6:10 and the fire department arrived at 6:12.  

Photo Courtesy Of Janet Maas

After the fire department and EMTs left, I was left alone with this mess.  It was August in South Carolina and HOT.  The bugs were dive bombing me as I smelled of smoke and sweat and all I could do was sit in my van with the dogs and wait for my friends to arrive.  At one point, while I was sitting on the steps waiting with the front door open, who should walk out?  Suki, the cat, alive and safe!  Most of the day is a blur.  I remember making and receiving a lot of phone calls.

Photo Courtesy Of Janet Maas

My ordeal is almost over; they say the house will be finished in 2 or 3 days.  I am SO ready to get out of this RV as are the dogs!  I hope they like their new digs.  I am afraid to build another kennel building so I had the contractor put a door in a bedroom that was never used and it will be my new dog room.  In some ways the house will be better than before!  But this has been an incredibly stressful time and I don't know how I would have gotten through it without my friends. The worst days were immediately after the fire when there was no power or water on my property.  Living in the RV was a picnic by comparison.  It's a great RV for a weekend but two months is really kind of asking a lot of anyone.

Kennel before the fire.

I cannot tell you how wonderful my dog friends have been.  I have been amazed by their kindness and generosity.  With each letter or phone call I just kept saying over and over again, "I am overwhelmed that people care so much."  To those of you who sent cash when it was really needed or just your thoughts and prayers, I send a BIG thank you.  I also give a special thank you to Joanie who has made two trips to South Carolina and worked so hard to help me get this place back in order.  To Cat Angus, for the use of her shower and the meals she fed me, thank you.  To Bonnie Chambers, for taking care of two of my girls for 2 weeks, thank you.  To Lisa Weaver, who kept my puppy boy for almost 2 months, came out after the fire with water, dog bowls and people food, helped move dog runs and let me do laundry at her house, thank you.  To my friend and pet sitter Susie Elkin, for helping to move dog runs and getting me great dog houses at a discount through her grooming shop, thank you.  We were able to salvage the chain link dog runs; Susie, Lisa and Randy Knight literally moved them and set them up again by themselves.  If I have forgotten anyone, please accept my sincere apologies.

Janet Maas