Champion Cheyenne’s Raining Silver NSD
“Mathilda”
August 3, 1995 – August 27, 2007
I have but one regret…. That I didn’t take enough pictures.
We lost our beloved Mattie the same week we saw her great grand get off to their new homes. And though her last months were mixed into the stress of a double move (caused by a real estate deal gone bad) and the crazy busyness of raising puppies, she was always right by my side where I needed her. Though 12 years is a good run for any dog, it certainly doesn’t seem like nearly enough time to try and make good on my end of the bargain, but I did my damndest. She was the foundation of Cheyenne Weimaraners, my guardian and friend, a comedian, a great comfort and sometimes my inspiration. She’s taught me the meaning of true friendship and shown me how resilient the spirit can be when you apply the right proportions of patience, love and faith. She fit in the palm of my hand when I welcomed her into the world 12 years ago, she’s changed my life in countless ways I’ve only begun to understand.
Sire: Saxman’s Silverlyning
Dam: Cheyenne Storm
DOB: 8/3/95
Height: 23.5 inches Weight: 58lbs
Health Clearances:
Hips: OFA Good Elbows: OFA Normal Eyes: CERF
Pedigree
Career Highlights:
Finished in 12 shows. Multiple Best of Breed Winner. Best Opposite Sex Albuquerque Weim Club Specialty Show from the Veteran’s Class. Multiple Veteran Group placements.
Mattie is the foundation of Cheyenne Weimaraners. Together we shared many firsts. She was our first show dog and the first of our home bred champions. She was our first obedience and agility dog and the first of our dogs that we discovered a passion for hunting. Mattie is that rare, special soul that takes a hold of your heart and refuses to give it back. She has taught me a lot about the resiliency of the spirit and the power of the heart. In 2002, Mattie turned 7, earning her the status of Veteran. This year she’ll turn TEN! So hard to believe! She has a truly timeless quality about her. She is the Number One BGD (Bad Gray Dog) in the house – “Mischief” is still her middle name. A couple years ago, she let herself and a playmate out for a walk, by opening the front door while at a babysitters. Damage done? 4 stiches and 2 heart attacks. While I could do with a bit less excitement, I don’t look forward to the day she slows down. She plays as hard as her 4 year old youngsters, yet there is no mistaking who is the boss in this house - it’s Momma!
Mattie turned 7 in August of 2002, making her eligible to compete in Veterans (for “old timers” 7 years and older). We brought her out of retirement to have some fun with her. Two appearances that fall earned her a Veteran Group 2 and a Sweepstakes Best of Opposite Sex win, as well as some nice trophies and rosettes for our collection.
Always a true moving dog with plenty of reach and drive, she still moves better than many dogs half her age!
May 2004 – Mattie, at the age of 8 years and 9 months, won Best of Opposite Sex at the Weimaraner Club of Albuquerque Specialty Show. She also won Best Veteran. The loot: Crystal bowl, crystal vase and 2 crystal votive holders.
The same weekend the Rio Grande Kennel Club also offered a Veteran’s Exhibition competition for dogs 7 years and older. Mattie won Best Veteran Weimaraner and won the Sporting Group. She then went on to compete for Best in Show, a first for both of us!
In 2002, she also earned her Novice Shooting Dog Rating with a stellar performance. She left no bush unsniffed and held all points until the bird was flushed. Not bad for a dog that has had no training for 4 years!
What’s in the future for Mattie? Besides her daily counter surfing and lounging? Tracking, Obedience, Junior Hunter – Just to name a few!
We’ve recently fallen in love with Mattie all over again. We’ve been so enamored by the beautiful offspring that she’s blessed us with that we kind of let her fade out of the spotlight. Then we realized that as the youngsters grew and matured, Mattie always seemed to be the same dog we always knew. I just can’t imagine my life with out this amazing, wonderful creature in it!
May 2005 Update:
May 13-15 We took Albuquerque by storm! Sparky started us off on the right foot by winning Best in Puppy Sweeps! Mattie followed her lead and for the 3 year in a row, she won Best Veteran Bitch! The Specialty show had Sparky and Pawnee going head to head for the points and I was forced to make a choice about who to stay on. Well, I decided that Sparky was young and had plenty of time, so I Pawnee and I showed our hearts out and won Winners Bitch and Best of Winners, Sparky won her 2nd Reserve. The following day, I devoted to showing Pawnee, and she went WB to bring her within 1 major of finishing her Championship. Sunday, I turned my attention to Sparky, and she continued our winning streak, going Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best Puppy. She earned her first point and won me an atomic alarm clock – a perfect prize for the girl with the explosive personality!
Like Granddaughter, like Grandmother. Greatness runs in the family. (Sparky on the left, Mattie on the right)
No one gets left out of the ribbons!
(Left to right – Sparky, Pawnee, Mattie.)
Some of the Maestro & Mattie "Stormy Weather Gang"
From left to right: Abbey, Mischief (Mattie's sister), Mattie, Hunter.
Does this look like a Bad Gray Dog line-up or what?!
LUNACY Pronunciation: loo-na-see 1 : any of various forms of insanity:
as a : intermittent insanity once believed to be related to phases of
the moon 2 : wild foolishness : extravagant folly 3 : a foolish act
4 : thinking that it's possible to get FIVE, 10 month old Smart Aleck
puppies to sit still for a picture
From Left to right: Smart Aleck pups at 10 months, Cheyenne's Miss
Smarty Pants - Cheyenne, Ch. Cheyenne's Raining Silver (Momma) - Mattie,
Ch. Cheyenne's Mr. Hollywood (back) - Woody, Christine Trujillo, Ch.
Cheyenne's Sweet Intoxication - Giddy, Cheyenne's Wise Guy - Stoli,
Cheyenne's Leap of Faith - Faith
Three generations of Cheyenne Weimaraners: Sparky 3.5 months, Giddy 4.5 years, Mattie 9.5 years.
Someday the bed will be reclaimed by the humans. . . yeah right.
The signs are unclear
I can't find the reason why You led me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I will go through the valley
If You want me to
Now I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise
You're not through with me yet
And if all of these trials can make me like You
I will go through the fire
If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
'Cause it leads me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
Only that I'll never go alone
When the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley
If You want me to
