We woke up to a light cover of snow this morning, another indication that winter is approaching. All is well with our three Griffs – Xupe, Ooly and Pippin – whether indoors or out.

We were unintentionally offline for a while, but the absence has been corrected, thanks to the amazing tech wizard who originally set up the Norling Rise website. We lost a few blog posts in the process of getting back online, but we have been here all along, living life centered around our dogs.

Two big changes occurred since we last posted. We mourned the passing of Chev in December of 2022 and we added a new Griff to the pack in March of 2023.

Chev was simply the best – our first Griff. We will always ache, missing his presence. Chev’s semen is still available for AI and we hope he’ll “father” future puppies.

After a long search for a female, we traveled to eastern Ontario in March of 2023 to pick up “Pippin” (Pine Grove Point “Sunday Kind of Love”) from Hillary Chambers. She is a spunky delight.

Pippin, now a year and a half old (on the left) is living life large with Ooly and Xupe. She earned her International Championship earlier this year, receiving all V1’s. She also received a NAVHDA NA (natural ability) Prize III.

Stay tuned for updates from us. I aim to be better about posting life at Norling Rise. Happy Summer of 2024!

The seasons whiz by and I’ve neglected posting to this blog, but we’re here, living a good life with Chev, Xupe and Ooly, still mourning the passing of Finley a year and a half ago.

That’s Xupe on the left, Ooly in the middle and Chev on the right, leaving little space for us on the sofa (covered in polar fleece, of course.)

Biff did some pheasant hunting this fall and came back with a rooster often enough. If only the hens could be shot! The dogs do plenty of rabbit and deer tracking when they’re outside. We’ve got plenty of both regularly roaming along the driveway and out toward the marsh.

We’re always delighted when we receive photos and stories of Chev and Finley’s offspring. We hope that those of you with their pups (or the pups from their pups) are doing well as 2022 approaches.

Be well in the year ahead and let us know anytime how you are doing.

Happy New Year!

It was a quiet Norling Rise summer of 2021, with Chev, Xupe and Ooly. We’ve spent a lot of time outside, using a “kiddy” pool so the dogs can cool down when they need it.

Breeder Sheryl Diernfeld, of “Wirehaired Griffons of Colorado,” shared great news and a pic of Chev’s offspring, “Aspen,” winning at one of his recent dog shows.

Above that’s Chev stayin’ cool in the pool and his son, Aspen, winning it up at one of his shows.

P.S. We have no breedings on the near horizon, for those looking for a Griff.

It’s been an especially cold February, and the forecast for this weekend includes an overnight at -25 degrees, that’s 25 degrees below zero. The dogs have been out multiple times during the days, but only for a few minutes at a time. We’re all spending a lot of time on the sofa!

On this evening of Winter Solstice 2020, we send out holiday greetings from Norling Rise, incredibly grateful for all that is good.  Wishing all our Griff friends and family health, happiness and hope in the year ahead.

Aspen and Croix, Chev’s offspring from different litters, have had some good fun out in the field recently.

Aspen’s person wrote that they “hunted Iowa four days. Watching him get better and learn has been so much fun. He hunts hard every second in the field.”
Croix’s person wrote that their “group of four bought 20 birds at a local farm. Croix put up 23 and they ended up with 15. Cover was thick and calm winds, making it hard, but Croix (5 years old) was amazing.”

The world has turned upside down since last March when Covid-19 invaded our lives. My last post was on March 19th and I never imagined that the virus would persist for as long as it has. The good news is that our lives with Griffs go on.  I’ve said many times how happy I have been to have our dogs, for the wonderful companionship they provide. We’ve heard this from others as well. Thanks to all of you who share stories and photos.  We appreciate the ongoing connections.

Sasha, from Chev’s litter with Piper (Sheryl Dierenfeld’s “Wirehaired Griffons of Colorado”) lives near Stillwater, Minnesota and has grown from a darling pup to a gorgeous hunting dog.  Thanks to Sasha and some of her littermates’ accumulated “Natural Ability” test scores, Sheryl won a NAVHDA Breeders’ Award.

Here’s handsome Edgar (from our 2015 litter) looking pretty happy about his grouse. His people tells us that he’s an enthusiastic pheasant hunter, too.  Biff and I were amazed to see how much Edgar looks like his half-brother, our Xupe. They’re both Chev’s sons.

We have sad news to share.  Our dear Finley von Herrenhausen, mama to two Norling Rise litters, died last summer.  She was with us for just a week following discovery of a tumor and spleen surgery.  Finley was a sweetheart, a great hunter and a wonderful snuggler. Our hearts were broken and we still miss her.

Wishing the best to everyone reading these words.  Take comfort in and enjoy every day with your Griffs.

As the snow melts and the ground begins to dry out, I’ve been walking the backyard a few times a day while all four of our Griffs run and play. I’ve always thought of March as the ugliest and dreariest month of the year and it’s proving to be true again this year, particularly with COVID-19 looming.

Here are pics of Chev, Finley, Xupe and Ooly as they sniff the garden, chew sticks, monitor the migrating birds out in the marsh and look at me for promised treats.

Wishing you health and sanity as we all get through this unimaginable international health crisis.