Monday, January 25, 2016

Four Days of Dog Shows

Happy Monday Everyone! This is Dora. She is 11 years young. Dora is Rosie's friend and house mate. The two of them are the house mouse crew at home. Dora is going to be at home when taking care of things while Rosie travels all over the place. Dora likes to travel but is much happier staying at home keeping Dean company.
So she will most likely get to do just that.

Anyway, we are back from a four day dog show circuit in Novi, Michigan. Novi is located just outside the city of Detroit. It took us under 6 hours of driving time to get there. The show site is the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. It is a huge venue for having events. There was not only the dog show but several other events taking place. So the place is HUGE! The dog show had many events related to the sport of dogs going on: conformation, obedience, agility, rally, dock dogs, herding, barn hunt, Canine Good Citizen, "My Dog Can Do That?" and many many vendors from dog supplies to bathtub revitalizing. You could even visit an Animal Communicator. So you can get an understanding of the enormity of the show. More than just grooming and prettiness going on this past four days. There was a nominal fee for the non-exhibitor to come into the show: $10 adult and $8 for children, but in this crazy winter we have been having - it was well worth the price of admission to see all that was offered. Of course, we paid an entry fee on each dog plus the reserve grooming fee so when you weigh out the cost, go as a spectator if you can. It is well worth the value.

Now we entered two littermates: Penny and Stewie. They are just under 9 months of age. So they were entered in the 6 months and under 9 months puppy classes. Stewie going into these shows had all ready been awarded his 3point and 4 point majors. Yea. So Stewie was hoping for more points towards his 15 points to become an AKC Champion. But even though we think Stewie is the bomb, well others may not. So he came to play rather than show and he received a Reserve Award one day and first in his class and a second the others. That is okay. He is growing up and was testing me all the way. He was defeated by very mature well groomed and behaved dogs. One of the dogs finished and the other received the majors he needs also. Both of these dogs were shown by Bob a friend from Illinois. He and his friend Melissa bred the dogs. The come from the Orlane bloodlines which is from Linda Kendal Smith, a good friend of ours. So Congrats to all of them for their major wins and new Champion.

Penny, Penny, Penny! What can we say about Penny? She was a little shaky on the first day, but she also received Reserve Winner like her brother Stewie, so that was okay. But..... she won on Friday 3 points by going Best of Winners and Best Puppy. She also received a Group 3 in the Non Sporting Puppy Group. Saturday at the Greater Detroit Specialty she was Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, Best Bred By Exhibitor and Best of Breed Owner Handler. Karen and I are so pleased that she has 7 points both majors, just like her bro Stewie. All before 9 months old. YEA!!!!

                                      
Karen showed her in the Non-Sporting Owner Handler Group, but received no placement. I think by that time, Penny and Karen both were tired. So we trudged back to the room to rest and have dinner.

Sunday we showed at 9 am. Early for us grooming folks at a show, but we got there on time. So we did not get anything on the kids, so home we came, tired but pleased with our weekend results. Driving home we helped a couple friends out and delivered a dog to a friend and then picked up a rescue for a friend. We still managed to get home before 10pm. Sweet!!! All are tired.

So for you non dog show people reading this, go to a dog show, watch all the events, ask questions when appropriate, buy your buddy a present and love them up when you get home. And then think about all the neet stuff you can participate in with your dog. Check out akc.org to see what events are coming to your area or how you can participate with your pet or even a retired show dog.

Well I hope if you are digging out from the snow out east you are staying safe in doing that. And if you are not digging out snow, then you must live in my area, partial sun and snow on the way. So have a great week.


Wednesday, January 6, 2016


Pawprints in the snow! Looks like a lhasa was following a rabbit. We have a group of rabbits that hang out here all winter. Along with the sparrows, chickadees and other winter birds. The birds knock the food down from the bird feeder and the rabbits come along and clean up what is hanging out on the ground. The lhasa get nosey sometimes and have to check out what is going on out there under the feeder. So you have the photo above with the little pawprints in the snow.

We have news today!! Good news! Got my new washer and dryer today. Yea!!! Will be doing a lot of washing today. Glad it came today really getting low on doggie beds and clothes. 

Rosie is getting anxious too. We are 2 months from the motorhome coming out of storage and getting her ready for the shows. Can't wait! I lay in bed at night organizing and re-organizing the motorhome in my head till I fall asleep. I am very anxious also and I hope that gas prices stay low. 

We also have a new litter of puppies. All little red babies. Two of each: boys and girls. I will fill you in on them later. So far they are eating and gaining weight. So they are only 6 days old. Will share photos as I get them. 

Well off to get something accomplished today. Be good and have a great day.