Sean
Artmeis Entente Cordiale ShCM
18th October 2000 - 7th May 2009
Artmeis Fly By Night X Ch/INT Ch. Artmeis Robins Rachel
A chance remark of my mother’s to Jo Amsel, resulted in the dog of a lifetime coming to live with me. Sean won 3 RCCs with Jo, and came to me at just over the age of 18 months. I initially got Sean to train as an agility dog, we did try this, but Sean was more interested in people outside the ring, not the ramp, jumps or weaves! At Crufts, we entered the YKC Anything But a Collie competition, but Sean wanted to be centre of attention for other reasons than completing the agility course!
So I entered the show ring with an IG. Sean initially had control over me, but after some handling advice from Jo, the following May, Sean and I won the RCC. Our show successes continued, Sean won his way through to Open Dog, qualified for the YKC Stakes Finals several times, won Bannerdown Stakes classes and many other memorable awards. But the cherry on top of the iced cake, came at Blackpool Championship Show 2008; from the veteran class, Sean was awarded the CC from Zena Thorn Andrews- a day I will never forget.
Sean has been my handling companion for the last 6 years, and despite showing in British weather conditions, including wind and rain, we have enjoyed many wins together. From Top Toy & Utility handler at Crufts in 2004, to two times a winner of the 6-11 Richmond Toy Semi Finals, followed by a 5th placing at the Pedigree Finals. We won many a handling class at Championship shows, including places at Richmond and Crufts in the 12-16 age group.
Outside the show ring, Sean sired one UK champion, one American Champion, CC winners, RCC winners and Green Star winners, and in 2004 he was Our Dogs Top Sire for the breed.
At home, Sean was a huge character (as he was at shows too) never liking to be ignored, and always wanting to play with the loudest sweaky toy in the house, especially when an important piece of school work was required to be completed.
Our time together was far too short, and his removal from mine and his loved ones’ lives, has been a huge shock, and he will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
Helen Rishworth