Mystic Grove Lord MacKenzie

(Ch. Tar-Ri Kylenes Country Pride x Acadia's Lady Samantha Rose)

MacKenzie literally plopped into the world, January 13, 2004, at 12:45 pm, just as Mommy Samantha was getting a drink of water!!!

Lady Samantha Rose, the dam of our first Sheltie litter was a lovely Wedding Present from my husband Steven.  She was and still is a smart young lady with a mouth that always has to have the last word!! She is the best foot massager EVER and she is MY biggest protector! No ONE gets near Mommy with Samantha Rose around ... UNLESS she allows it!

Unfortunately, at a young age she had a freak accident that happened when she tried to herd the Scotties, Katie and Sarah and miss-stepped in a small hole, breaking her left rear leg!  We immediately rushed her to the Emergency Room at the University of Pennsylvania Vet. Center in Philadelphia, Pa.  They operated and set her little leg in a series of casts over the next 4 months so that she would have use of her left rear leg.  We were relieved, but her future "show" career in the dumps. No Obedience, Conformation, agility or Rally for Samantha!  After a few years and some convincing by the Vets at Univ. of Penn. regarding a possible pregnancy for Samantha, we decided to proceed with one litter, hoping to produce a small litter of "future stars"!!

Samantha went through her pregnancy with the greatest of ease and on the afternoon of January 13, 2004, she gave birth to two live puppies.  MacKenzie weighed in at 12 oz. while his sister Charlotte Rose weighed in at 7 oz.!!  They were more than happy to nurse and Samantha was a FABULOUS first time Mommy.  In less than one week, Charlotte had caught up to Mac in size/weight, and it didn't take long for Charlotte to teach MacKenzie who was boss!

As they grew it became apparent that Mac would stay "in size" for Conformation, while his leggy sister, Charlotte would not, but that didn't matter to us ... we had our little family of three ... Mommy, Samantha, Mac and sister Charlotte!  Conformation and Performance areas would all be covered!!

While we were watching the two of the kids grow we noticed that Mac had the 'it" factor, I have heard it called, regarding showing in Conformation .... he had the "look at me" kind of presence and wouldn't stop showing, no matter who was at the end of the lead!  BUT he still needed to grow up the rest of the way, as we all know the different Sheltie looks of youth!!!

Charlotte has started her basic obedience training and is currently working in Rally-O too, since she is a gal on the go and has to know what is going on at all times!  She is soooo like her Mom ... she has to "announce" to the world when the school bus goes by, the trash truck, the UPS delivery person ... she is IN Charge of all bird and airplanes in the sky ... You never know when they might swoop in and get us ... is Charlotte's theory!!

Mackenzie's first few shows have been great for him, earning Firsts in his Class and helping us learn what he needs for future shows.  He is just 2.5 years old and is only getting better as he ages .... One can only imagine what he will do by the time he is 4!!

This past Spring, MacKenzie and I attended the ASSA National Show, which was held in Virginia Beach, VA, and we had a GREAT time! We met a ton of really cool shelties and really cool people who love them!  I am so Glad I am NOT a judge because in my eyes, ALL Shelties are Winners!!!

You will also notice the beautiful Beach pictures of MacKenzie that were taken by Vicki .... that's Vicki Bentley, Mac's Groomer, handler & photographer at the Nationals and I totally enjoyed watching all the "gussying" up that went with a show of that level! Plus her pictures of Mac are Gorgeous, don't you think ? www.photobyvicki.com

We are looking forward to seeing what kind of puppies that MacKenzie would produce in the future as he is in the process of finishing his testing for VonWilderbrans (sp), thyroid, CeRF (done already) and HIP Certifications.  We will let you know when there are any Mac Pups on the ground!