Céleste

Nova giving birth to her first litter in November 2005, I was simply hoping to keep the best girl, the only goal I had at the time, I was not even considering myself being a long-term breeder. So there she was, the yellow-collar girl who became Céleste. She was also the first-born girl from the 'David Bowie' litter. She was so beautiful, I watched her grow and was hoping she was the one I was going to keep. At eight weeks old, on the day we did the assessment of the litter, she came out first overall. I was simply so happy! The second was her brother Baxter), but that’s another story! She was exactly the type of dog I was looking for; the quiet temper and skills of her mother Nova, and the exuberant side of her father, Bowie. She was my 'action girl' and my most complete dog ever.

When she was a young puppy, she stood there by herself watching the Moon in the sky, trying to figure out what it was. She remained curious like this all her life!

In 2006, on the day after her first birthday, she obtained her Canadian Championship by being 'Best of Breed' against 3 adults and already champions. I always handled her, twice making the final cut in the 'Sporting Group'. She was my second home-bred Canadian Champion, right after her brother Baxter.

She obtained her CD and CDX with three consecutive trials and got her WC and JH very easily. Céleste was also a good tracking dog.

On September 12 2008, Céleste gave birth to eight puppies from her breeding with the beautiful Exel. This was the start of Knightcastle's second generation. Performance people, breeders, hunters and those who simply wanted a new friend came to me for that litter. It was the 'King Arthur' litter. I kept Holly from that litter.

On May 16 2010, Céleste, who was 3 weeks pregnant, completed her UD title ( OTCh ) in Peterborough under the same judge than her mother, Cheryl Bishop. She was my third UD dog but the first dog that I trained alone up to this level. She had two OTChX legs but I decided to retire her from competition because of leg injury.

On June 24 2010, Céleste gave birth to nine puppies from her breeding with superstar Roman. This was the 'Movie Stars' litter, her second one. Out of this litter came my sweet Grand Champion Forrest.

For her third and last litter, she was bred to Todd in winter 2012 and had eight puppies on March 26 2012. This was the first North-American breeding of two dogs from the famous 'Serilde' bloodlines in Italy. It was the 'Great Scientists' litter, perhaps my best litter ever. From that litter I kept the lime girl, Hopper. So far her kids and grand-kids earned more than 100 titles and awards, including 6 Champions dogs, one Grand Champion (Forrest) and multiple performance dogs. One of them, Raven, is a member of the FCRSA Hall of Fame.

She was a stylish female with a very beautiful head. Have to tell you a secret: she is my lifetime favorite one!

Couldn't wish for a better dog to start Knightcastle, she was simply perfect! Céleste was my first dog born in my hands to pass away in them, on the day of her mother's birthday; June 21 2016. She was not a leader in the house but she was always reminding me she was there, either by poking me in the back, by simpy sitting by my side hoping I'll pet her, by barking at me so we can do something together or simply lying on her back her paws crossed in front of her face!

I miss her so much ...