Skyhoundz brings you…

ifaw (International Fund for Animal Welfare)...helping our brothers and sisters in the Ukraine. https://www.ifaw.org/action/ukraine-emergency-aid-update https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/311594197

Are you a procrastinator who can't make up your mind, can't stand fighting the holiday crowds, or just can't seem to find that perfect gift to give for the holiday? Do you need a gift for the company holiday party, gift exchange, or for a friend or loved one, but don't want to pay express shipping charges or get something they won't like? We're here to help. Give your spouse, child, special someone, or your favorite canine a Skyhoundz Gift Card! They are available for whatever amount you choose, but don't be an Ebenezer Scrooge. It's easy, it's fast, and they're sure to find something they love. And, best of all, you can wait until the very last minute to make your purchase, no crowds, no driving, no fuss, just an email notification away. Skyhoundz Gift Cards have no expiration date. Still, the sooner you use it, the happier your dog(s) will be! https://skyhoundz.com/product/skyhoundz-gift-card/

We were surprised and saddened to read the news on Facebook yesterday that long-time disc dog photographer Wayne Ramsay had passed away at the age of 72 on November 5, 2021. Unfortunately, we can now confirm that the news is true. Wayne became our World Championship Staff Photographer in 2011 and held that position through 2019 when he suffered a stroke followed by COVID 19, leading to medical issues from which he never recovered. We met Wayne through the MadDog Club in 2011 as we were looking for a World Championship photographer. He photographed many of their Qualifiers and came highly recommended. After looking at his photos, we inquired about his experience and asked whether he considered himself to be a professional photographer. What follows is his typical humble answer... "I don't consider myself a professional photographer, but I have sold some pictures through my website. I guess that makes me a professional, but I'll always consider myself a self-taught advanced amateur. I have never charged a fee to photograph an event (I do have a real job). I have settled on dogs and sports as my main interests. Other than disc dog events, I shoot high school baseball, football, basketball, soccer, and lacrosse. I shoot basketball for an online magazine for the University of Maryland. And my son plays baseball at Maryland and I shoot most of their games. I was credentialed for Maryland basketball, but all the other stuff was done "from the stands." I do it because I (and the parents) enjoy it." Everyone loved Wayne’s disc dog photos and appreciated the time and effort he took to get the perfect shot. Over the years, we learned to appreciate his unique sense of humor and enjoyed teasing him about his University of Tennessee football team. With literally tens of thousands of photos to choose from, it is impossible to select Wayne's "best" photos. However, as a representative sample, we have included one photo from each year he shot at the World Championship to this post (2011-2019). Here is a link to his website where you can view a much wider assortment of his photos including those taken at agility and dock diving events as well as photos from traditional "ball sports" like baseball and football, etc. https://www.wayneramsayphotography.com Wayne was loved and admired by many and we’re sure he has already set up his tripod and begun taking portraits of dogs as they cross over the rainbow bridge... Hugh "Wayne" Ramsay 10/2/49-11/5/21

We are all deeply saddened by news of the sudden passing of Jeffrey Brad Stanaway on Thursday, December 2, 2021, at the age of 55. Jeff, along with his Australian Shepherd Cory, were the 2003 Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Champions. They were one of only a handful of teams in the modern disc dog era to win an Open Division World Championship without including any vaults in their Freestyle rounds. Jeff’s competitive efforts always featured excellent disc management, variety, consistency, and strong D/A rounds. In 2006 Jeff and Cory joined Peter Bloeme, Frank Montgomery, and Jeff Perry in introducing canine disc sports to China with numerous performances in Shanghai. On that trip, we learned how much of a big kid he really was. Jeff not only delighted the audience with his performances but kept us laughing during the tour. Jeff was a genuine American "meat and potatoes" kind of guy...even in China! An example of his humor was at his annual Aussie Fest event, where he offered free "tail docking" for all Border Collies! Jeff also served as Chief Judge at the Skyhoundz World Championship for a number of years, and was an active member of the MadDogs (Mid-Atlantic Disc Dogs) Club, holding numerous disc dog competitions, and training his dogs for both disc and agility. In reflecting on this loss, Ray Lowman of the MadDogs Club said, "Jeff has been a dear friend to many of us MAD Doggers for a long time being one of the Clubs' Cofounders. He had a passion for his dogs, the sport we all love, his family, and life. He is the type of friend we all long to be." This past summer, Jeff took some time off to tour all of the Virginia State Parks with his 14-year old daughter Emily. They kayaked, biked, ran, walked, hiked, and camped together, making memories that, in time, will sustain Emily during difficult times. Though we have lost Jeff in this world, a number of people in dire need will benefit because Jeff, generously, was an organ donor. While it was way too soon for all of us, we’re betting that Jeff departed life in the way he would have chosen…just after petting his canine Harper at the conclusion of their agility round at a competition in his home state of Virginia. Please join us in sending positive thoughts and prayers to Jeff’s wife Angie, his daughter Emily, and the rest of the Stanaway family during this difficult time. We will add further details as they become available. We have added a video of Jeff and Cory from the 2003 World Championship on the Skyhoundz home page. Jeff Stanaway Memorial December 22, 2021, 4 pm Waterview Firehouse 4583 Water View Rd Water View, VA 23180

Skyhoundz Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale (Sunday, November 21, 2021-Friday, December 3, 2021) The sale has no limits on quantities or mixing/matching: K-10 Jawz disc misprints, Pup Jawz disc misprints, MaxQ Jawz disc misprints, and/or Z-Disc Jawz disc misprints and will save you a CRAZY 50% off our already discounted prices! Prices on Jawz discs have never been this low! The sale prices are as follows (and will be reflected in your shopping cart): K-10 Jawz disc misprints have been marked down from $14.97 to $7.49 https://skyhoundz.com/product/k-10-jawz-disc-misprint/ MaxQ Jawz disc misprints have been marked down from $14.97 to $7.49 https://skyhoundz.com/product/maxq-jawz-disc-misprint/ Pup Jawz disc misprints have been marked down from $13.46 to $6.73 https://skyhoundz.com/product/pup-jawz-disc-misprint/ Z-Disc Jawz disc misprints have been marked down from $14.97 to $7.49 https://skyhoundz.com/product/z-disc-jawz-disc-misprint/ Happy Holidays to you all!

Skyhoundz and the disc dog community lost a dear friend and supporter, Philip Grimes, Executive Director of Outdoor Chattanooga, on November 10, 2021. Philip had been battling cancer for some time. At Outdoor Chattanooga, Philip was responsible for promoting all things associated with the outdoors in Chattanooga, a city and an endeavor he deeply loved. Whether your thing was biking, boating, swimming, climbing, or even disc-catching canines, Philip made sure that exciting outdoor events were welcome in Chattanooga. Some of you may have met Philip on the sidelines at the Skyhoundz World Championship or perhaps at the Gathering of Champions Awards Banquet. Over the years we became good friends with Philip and his wife Jenn Acklen Grymes, and we were grateful to have spent some time with them just a few short weeks ago at the Skyhoundz World Championship, where Philip was able to watch most of the competition on Saturday. Jeff Perry and I met Philip in 2008 when we first traveled to Chattanooga hoping to secure Coolidge Park as the location of our World Championship. Philip couldn't have been kinder and more accommodating despite informing us that we couldn't stage our event in Coolidge because the city didn't yet permit dogs in the park. He proceeded to show us all the other available parks in the area, none of which were suitable for one reason or another. We were about to throw in the towel when Philip arranged a meeting with Frank Burke, owner of the Lookouts, Chattanooga's minor league baseball team. Jeff and I both thought there was zero chance of getting in that venue with its perfectly manicured grass, but with Philip leading the charge, Frank welcomed us at ATT Field for five years until Chattanooga elected a dog-friendly Mayor and, with the help of the Chattanooga Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and Philip's support, we received permission to use Coolidge Park on a trial basis. And, the rest is history! There comes a time where words can't adequately express our feelings about someone and, where Philip is concerned, this is certainly one of those. That said, it gives us comfort to imagine that Philip is twisting arms in Heaven in order to wrangle an immaculate venue for the disc dogs that pass through the gates before us. Until we meet Philip on that sweet green grass, he will remain in our hearts.

2021 Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championship-Coolidge Park/October 9-10, 2021 Some "glimpses" from staff photographer Alex Lee.