Ericka

DC WTCH HTCH Intl.Ch. VCh Ericka Shurcan Shine ROM HXAs HSAc ATDcsd RTDc HRDIIIs HTADIIIs HTDIIId UD NA NAJ NAP NJP

June 8, 1994 - June 7, 2007

Every now and then, we are blessed with the arrival of a special dog with which we have an incredible, instantaneous bond.  Ericka was a ‘once in a lifetime’ dog.  She was the quintessential cattle dog – quiet, confident, proud, talented, and versatile, a benevolent leader, and above all, an unfailing loyal companion.

Not just another pretty face, Ericka was a dog to be reckoned with in the performance arenas.  Herding, Obedience, Agility…. she could do it all…and do it all well.

In 2005, at the age of eleven, Ericka earned her AKC Herding Championship and Dual Championship, making her only the fourth ACD bitch to ever do so and the first ACD in the eastern US.  She won the Over-10 Veterans Bitch class at the ACDCA National Specialty in October 2005, and the very next day won the Advanced Sheep class and went High In Trial at the National Specialty herding trial. In December of that year she earned her Working Trial Championship through the ASCA herding association, qualifying in 9 out of 10 runs in one weekend.   The following year she earned her Herding Trial Championship through the AHBA herding program.

During her herding trial career Ericka earned numerous High In Trial and Reserve High In Trial awards on all types of livestock and in all of the different herding venues.   Ericka’s work ethic and talent even allowed her to venture into the world of USBCHA open field trials where she competed and held her own in the Pro-Novice division.

That work ethic was evident in the obedience and agility arenas as well.  During her time competing at Utility level obedience she placed in the top three every time she qualified.  Her agility runs also typically earned her top ribbons and she very much enjoyed the excitement and challenge of the agility courses.

For thirteen years I was the recipient of Ericka’s unquestioning loyalty and love. For thirteen years she was at my side always ready for whatever was to come.   Thirteen years was not long enough.  Although she is no longer physically with me, she is in my heart – always.

Ericka lives on through her sons and their progeny:

Ch.WTCH HTCH Kylie's Solar Flare ROM HXAsd HSAc HRDIIIs HTADcsd ATDcsd RTDc CD CGC VQW (Flare)
                Ch. Kylie’s Once in a Red Moon, UD, HSAs (Luna)
                Ch. Kylie's Speaking In Tongues HXAs HSAc ATDs STDcd HRDIIIs (Jabber)
                Kylie’s Just Say The Word (Blitz)
                Kylie’s Say What You Will (Spliff)
                Kylie’s Sez Who (Hula)

Ch. Kylie's Smacka Doodle Shine HSAs HRDIs STDs CD VQW (Smack)
            Kylie’s Presumed Innocent, HT, RN, JHD (Ajax)
            Kylie’s Question Authority (Grit)
            Kylie’s Criminal Mischief (Mischief)
            Kylie’s Quid Pro Quo (Cobber)
            Kylie’s Probable Cause (Cooper)
            Kylie’s Moving Violation (Blue)

Kylie's FireHand Chaps HSAs HRDIs STDs AX AXJ CD CGC VQW  (Chaps)

Rest easy my precious, precious girl.

“We may not be together in the way we used to be, but we are still connected by a cord no eye can see.”
- Author Unknown