Calling All Moonsetter Gordon Setters!!

We need current photos. The new website project made us realize just how OUT OF DATE the photos are on our site (of the litter "kids"). So, grab those new cameras you got for Christmas and start sending us an updated photo or two of your Moonsetter Gordons!!!

New look, New Website!

Moonsetter Gordon Setters is currently working on an all-new website. While good things always take time, we've put up a small "preview" here of a few new site elements. We'll be sure and let you know when it's up and running, but honestly, we're sure you'll notice :-)

Christmas is All About Family!

This is "Belle" otherwise known as

Moonsetter SureShot Gypsy

This is "Bella" and her pal, she is otherwise known as

Moonsetter Everlasting Style
Last, but not least, is "Doc" vigilantly watching rabbits with his buddy.
Moonsetter Derring-Do PhD

Christmastime is customarily the time when we hear from friends and family that we haven't heard from much during the year. It's always fun to get photos of those extended family members out there, and hear updates. This Christmas we got several photo cards of you and your Gordon Setters, and, a few email photos. These are a few of the email shots we received.

Mairead's Specialty Photo Has Arrived!

While not the best picture she's ever taken, the accolades of the win make it worth sharing. Mairead is enjoying retirement from the show ring, but we're working on adding an obedience and hunting title to her name. For now, she is Ch. Moonsetter Certifiably SureShot.

Two cute photos

Denham - Moonsetter Good to Go SureShot (2 years)

(SureShot Moonsetter Go the Distance x Ch. Moonsetter Certifiably SureShot)
Kierra - Moonsetter Irresistible Jump on the New Year
(Moonsetter Dolan Sureshot x Moonsetter Field of Her Own)

We recently received these photos of a couple Moonsetter kids... the first is Denham, owned by Bev Holoboff in Edmonton, the second is Kierra, owned by the the DiMicelli family in New York. We just love getting photos of your Moonsetter kids for our family album!

Nice picture of Mairead

Ch. Moonsetter Certifiably SureShot - got this photo from the photographer at the NMG Specialty. We thought it was really pretty.

Dreams Do Come True!

Awaiting her last time in the ring before retiring!
Yeah, I'm pretty, what about it?

Second in line, we were ready, even if nobody else was!

Believe it or not, this past weekend I drove to New Mexico for the NM Gordonites Specialty and Sandia Sporting Dog Association shows. With the goal in mind of finishing Mairead's championship (she needed one more major win), friend Sandy and her boy Charlie and I headed out last Wednesday morning. To our elation the Divine Miss M came away from Friday's specialty going Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, Best Bred-By Exhibitor for a FIVE POINT MAJOR and her championship in the bag!!! Just six months in the making, this achievement was very emotional for me. Our first Specialty points won (we've bred Specialty winners, but hadn't earned this honor owner-handled yet), miss Mairead is now officially Champion Moonsetter Certifiably SureShot. It doesn't get any better than this - and Mairead enjoyed prime rib and a baked potato for her efforts!!

Braun goes grouse hunting

Keith reported that he and buddy Braun had a grouse hunting outing this past weekend. It looks as though at least a couple of birds weren't able to get away. Nice going guys! Braun (Moonsetter In The Field) is the son of our Regan, and Tom & Ellen's D-Litter boy Rake.

Another Picture Perfect Moment from Alaska

Nobody can take a picture like Sue in Alaska. This beautiful shot of her girls Liberty (E Litter) and Ginny is so stunning, we just had to share. Maybe they were Coonhounds in another life?

Like Mother, Like Daughter

This weekend we attended the Mason City, Iowa dog shows (avoiding the two inches of snow at home, yay!) Our girl Mairead (Moonsetter Certifiably SureShot) took Winners/Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed on Saturday, and daughter Lil'E (G-Litter girl Moonsetter Sureshot Gravity) won the same honors on Sunday (WB/BOS). Three cheers for the mother and daughter team, and for Lil'E's first notch in her championship cap!

The Daily Puppy

"Connal"

Since our Facebook account is going on a week of being defunct, we decided to bring "The Daily Puppy" to the blog. If things ever get back up and running on Facebook, we'll discontinue it here, but for now... here it is!

Regan and her papa Stetson

Papa Stetson showing his "Mom" some love.
Regan isn't so sure she's in to Dad's "advances" !

Regan being completely indignant about being chained to a horse trailer!

We drove over to Solon Springs, Wisconsin this morning for a short visit with friends at the North Country Gordon Setter Club Field Trial. Regan's sire "Stetson" was entered, and she and papa were able to get reacquainted again.

The pictures are here!

Our photos from the Missouri Valley Gordon Setter Club Specialty arrived today - our girl Aisling (Ch. Moonsetter Balwyn SureShot) went Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed; and our daughter Olivia also piloted Aisling to Best Junior Showman. Photos (c) Melia Photography, 2009.

Still Smiling!

This past February, our boy Logan (SureShot Moonsetter Go the Distance) went up to Canada to live with Herb and Laurie Foster in Alberta. It wasn't easy saying goodbye, but we knew great things were in store for this special guy, and the Foster's haven't disappointed him. Finding life at their place a great way to chill, Laurie sent this picture of Logan "hanging out" in the garden (which we've heard he tends to like digging up!) It was great to hear Loggie is thriving, and Laurie reported that he's "put on some weight, and is growing more coat." Yay for Logan! It's nice to see, that even though we miss him very much, even in his new home... he's still smiling :-)

Moonsetter Girl Wins Specialty BOS

Olivia & Aisling in the ring

This past weekend we attended the Missouri Valley Gordon Setter Club Specialty down in Des Moines, Iowa. To our surprise and elation, our girl Aisling (Ch. Moonsetter Balwyn SureShot) won the honors of Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed!! We were so excited, albeit a bit stunned, when the judge gave her the nod. Congratulations to Ashie's owner, our daughter Olivia, on her girl's wonderful achievement :-)

A couple more wins for the girls!

Last weekend we attended the St. Croix Valley Kennel Club shows in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. It was nice to show close to home for a change!! Mairead (Moonsetter Certifiably SureShot) was able to pick up Winners Bitch both days for a couple more points towards her championship, and Olivia and Aisling (Ch. Moonsetter Balwyn SureShot) went Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed both days (beating Mom and Mairead again, which she loves!) Way to go girls!

One more wee brag ... Mairead's half-brother Rigel (Moonsetter Everso Sirius SureShot) was also showing on Sunday, and went Winners Dog/Best of Winners. Congratulations to owners Bruce & Mary Keiser for Rigel's first point!

Nice Wins for Mairead & Aisling!

(Photo courtesy of Shawn D. Photography (c) 2009)

We attended the Badgerland Gordon Setter Club supported entry shows in Marshfield, Wisconsin this past weekend. While a bit hot and muggy for our taste, as well as the dog's ... we were thrilled to come away with a couple nice wins, and lots of nice prizes! Our girl Mairead (Moonsetter Certifiably SureShot) went Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed (over our own bitch Special!) on Saturday for a 3 point major! (Pictured above) Nice compliments from the judge on what a beautiful girl she is, we were thrilled!

Olivia and Aisling (Ch. Moonsetter Balwyn SureShot) showed in the Breed ring together this weekend, taking some time away from Juniors. At Sunday's show, they came away with Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed, and we were so proud of them!!

Thanks to judges Joseph Gregory and Ann Yuhasz for recognizing our girls.

Miley comes to visit

Diane Chouinard visited today with her girl Miley from our most recent I-Litter (Rake x Regan). Miley received her first haircut, and was such a good girl. With hopes of showing her in Diane's dreams for the future, we took a look at her "stacked" up and on the move. We were both very happy to see she's looking pretty nice!! Miley is also known as Moonsetter Indeed A Dream Catcher, and we think that's very fitting.

Happy Birthday to the Moonsetter "H" Litter

(back when they were snuggle buddies!)

A few days late due to a busy summer schedule ... we'd like to wish a very happy birthday to the Moonsetter "Heaven & Hell" litter... born July 31, 2008. Woo's woo's to Aiden (Moonsetter SureShot Hell Yes) and sister Maggie (Moonsetter Heaven Forbid).

Olivia and Aisling at the Great Lakes Specialty

Photos used with permission from Hoof 'N Paw Prints Photography (c) 2009

Hooray for Olivia and Ashie!!!

Last Friday we attended the Great Lakes Gordon Setter Club Specialty show in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Our daughter Olivia was entered in Junior Showmanship with her "new" dog Aisling (Ch. Moonsetter Balwyn SureShot). To her extreme joy and our pride, Livi went BEST JUNIOR HANDLER !! They were a fabulous team, and Olivia spent a lot of time Friday morning getting her dog groomed and ready (following every Junior rule in the book, she grooms her own dog and Mom isn't allowed to touch a hair on her head!) Olivia is now eligible to compete in the "Open" level of competition, so has decided to try her skills in the Breed ring with Aisling as a Special too. Way to go girls... we are so proud of you both!!! (We hope to have a photo of her win in a couple days).

Nice weekend for Mairead... Fantastic weekend for Olivia!

This past weekend we attended the Duluth Kennel Club dog shows. Our girl Mairead (Moonsetter Certifiably SureShot) won a very nice Bred-By Class three of the four days, going Reserve Winners Bitch on Thursday and Saturday, and taking Winners Bitch/Best Bred-By Exhibitor on Friday, earning two more points towards her championship. Yay Mairead!

To make the weekend even more worthwhile, our daughter Olivia competed in Junior Showmanship all four days with her girl Aisling (Ch. Moonsetter Balwyn SureShot). This was Olivia's very first all-breed shows, and she and Ashie made quite a formidable team! She came away with two second place ribbons and two first place class wins to her credit!! Competition was tough, and we were so proud of Olivia and Aisling... who both looked like they'd been showing together for years.

Moonsetter Website is Back Up and Running!

Sorry for the inconvenience... we were away at a dog show and couldn't be home to get things back up and running with our domain registrar until this morning! It's all good now ! :)

And Now... Caden!

Dad getting the business from Caden!
Yeah, I'm cute.

Looks like this was the week to hear from the Moonsetter I-Litter kids, and today we got these pictures of Caden (who lives with the litter's sire Rake). It appears he keeps papa busy... when he's not looking quite adorable!

Would a Gordon with any other name be as handsome?

This is the lovely pick boy from the Moonsetter I-Litter, "Braun" (Moonsetter In the Field). Keith takes a bit of ribbing from us about the name he chose for his buddy, but we have to admit, it fits him pretty well. These pictures, taken over the 4th show a really beautiful young boy, who bears a striking resemblance to his grandpa Will here at Moonsetter.

Annie's got the gun...But Rori has the nose!

Various ages of Rori learning to work stylishly on birds were on the CD too. Mama Regan and papa Rake are both very proud of her!!

Annie and "The Roar"

A surprise CD arrived in today's mail with lots of great pictures of Rori in Michigan (one of our recent I-Litter puppies, aka Moonsetter Isn't She Royal). Rori makes her home with another Moonsetter girl named "Annie" (aka Moonsetter Annie Get Your Gun). While Rori has grown a bit since this was taken, we thought they looked adorable together :-)

In a "Field of Her Own'"

Regan was having fun over the Holiday weekend getting to work some birds in the field. She's a very serious girl on birds, and is always a pleasure to work with. Unfortunately, our photographic prowess isn't quite as polished as her natural ability, but hey, we tried!! Regan is also known as Moonsetter Field Of Her Own (DC/AFC Carolina's All Hat, No Cattle MH x Ch. Timberlane Going in Style JH, our Belle).

Greetings from Kierra

Looking so much like her mama !

I-Litter girl "Kierra" (aka Moonsetter Irresistible Jump on the New Year) now hails from New York State with her family the DiMicelli's. We received a few cute pictures from them, and wanted to share our favorite.

Olivia's Juniors Debut!

Our daughter Olivia made her Junior Showmanship debut at the North Country Specialty this past weekend too. A bit of a shaky start when her juniors dog (our old girl Belle) had an accident that dislocated her hip the day before the show - her daughter Aisling stepped in to fill mama's paws alongside Livi. We couldn't have been more proud of them, and as you can see, both Olivia and Aisling looked like seasoned pros! (Photos courtesy of Reimer Photo).

Mairead on the Move!

A couple of lovely photos of Mairead in the ring at the North Country Specialty. We received some amazing comments about this girl's movement over the course of the four days we showed, the very best coming from judge Edd Biven. We couldn't have been more pleased with his compliments of our very special and divine Miss M. (Photos courtesy of Reimer Photo).

News from Jenna Bear!

Jenna seems to be having lots of fun in the sun in her backyard pool! Now living with the Searfoss' in Pennsylvania, Jenna is the pick puppy from our I-Litter, otherwise known as Moonsetter Image is Everything. Thanks for sending the photos Betsy, keep 'em coming!

Nice week for Miss M !

We just returned from a long, hot four days of showing at the Summer Solstace Cluster - and the North Country Gordon Setter Club Specialty. Our girl Mairead (Moonsetter Certifiably Sreshot) came away with Winners Bitch/Best of Opposite Sex on Thursday, Reserve Winners Bitch on Friday, and Winners Bitch/Best of Opposite Sex today; adding more points towards her championship. Yesterday's Specialty found Mairead in the highly competitive Bred-By Exhibitor Class, where she placed second in a line-up of six lovely girls (we were moved up to first for a while, but didn't hang on to that spot in the end, when another lovely girl owned by Connie Rhoden took the class - nice going Connie!) Mairead is out of a boy we co-own named Philip, and our girl Delaney (C-Litter). Here's a couple lovely photos of Mairead taken when we got home today.

Nice pic of Aiden!

We just wanted to share a lovely photo of our boy Aiden (Moonsetter SureShot Hell Yes) taken last week. A special boy with a special personality. We're very proud of this boy, despite his antics! :) Aiden is out of our "heaven and hell" litter sired by Logan, SureShot Moonsetter Go the Distance, and our Aisling, Ch. Moonsetter Balwyn Sreshot.

New Favorite Photo!

We love getting pictures from Sue in Alaska of her Moonsetter girl Liberty - and today's installment was so touching for us, as it reminded us so much of her mama Delaney (Ch. Moonsetter Always in Style JH). Always a thoughtful puppy, Libby shows us that she takes everything seriously, including whatever caught her eye in the grass. Thanks for such a lovely photo Sue !!

It's a Dog's Life

Looking suspiciously like his aunt Libby up in Alaska!

Which way did it go??
A game of "catch me if you can" with mama Aisling!

We like to think of Aiden as our own form of comic relief. He embraces life with a devil-may-care attitude and typical Gordon Setter free spirit. "Big A" is such a joy to own and always puts a smile on our faces.