Wow, what a year

It's been so long since I've sat down and written a blog.

What a year it's been. . .Duckie was put up after the wonderful weekend in Ohio for a few months. PVBC's specialty brought him out again. Alas, his other mother and handler Kari was down in TX for the Samoyed national, so I had to hope I could do him justice. . Didn't expect much, he was barely 12 months old and yep,.he acted like a dork in sweeps, left me scratching my head as to why he hadn't done better, but by regular class time, he had his dancing shoes on.

Now, I had my knee wrapped tightly, I hadn't shown in oh, 15 months, and was making all sorts of prayers to whichever gods may be listening that I could do this. . .that boy did me proud, didn't step a food down wrong, won his competitive 12-18 month class. Took a deep breath outside the ring as we waited for Bred by and Open to go in, then back in for Winners dog. Boy can Duckie move out, and he moved away with the 5 point major with me at the end of the leash. Talk about exhilerating.

The bitches went in, my knee was feeling good, so crossed my fingers, time for Best of Breed, and darnit, I wanted Best of Winners.

Bonnie D. commented she had never seen me move a dog out so much, and boy did we, I refused to lose. Judge moved us and moved us, and the last go around, my knee gave out... when she pointed to us for BOW, I had tears of pain and joy on my face.  We did it!!!! To add to the joy, Kari went Best of Breed at the Samoyed national :) Not my dog, but she is part of this ride with Duckie!

Granted, the rest of the day was miserable as my knee gave me all sorts of whatsfor for doing this! But I was so pleased with my gawky boy!

A few more single point shows for him where he was a goofy gawky dork, but he ended the year with 8 points one major.

OTOH, Bounce finished the year as a brand spanking new champion! A wonderful xmas present! The only Borzoi to finish her ring title (12 points) and be #1 LGRA Borzoi in the same year! Also the first Borzoi Champion bitch to be #1.

Duckie and Jenny went to NY in January, my boy picking up two BOBs, two singles and playing in the groups, Jenny adding yet another point. We've played too much on the coursing/racing field, and it was high time for her to actually enter the ring at almost 5 and we were preparing her for April, where Kari packed the two up and headed to the 2014 BCOA Nationals in  NM with a van full of dogs, and I flew out, as I can't drive that far, and went to Las Vegas to visit family afterwards.

But just before we left, I entered Jenny in a rally show. .we'd been working, but I haven't done Rally since losing Gossip, I needed to prove I could do it again, without my best girl at my side. Also to prepare myself for the Nationals LOl Jenny was being a pill over her downs at that time, but we still walked away with a qualifying leg, if she'd done her down, we'd''ve tied for 3rd out of a huge class. She finished her SGRCIV that weekend! Only the third borzoi to do so!

Jenny was post season, so didn't have high hopes for her, but she tickled me pink with a 3rd out of a nice entry of Borzoi in LGRA, even better, Duckie tied with her :) He has never ran hand slipped, so was confused the first race, came in 2nd, but the next two he won with style. It was only his second race meet, so it pleased me immensely, and he came home with his first two LGRA points.

I had screwed up her coursing entry, so we took the next two days easy, then on to obedience/rally. . .sad to walk out of the OB ring and be told if she'd recalled, we'd've gone high in trial LOL but that's exactly what the judge told us. Oh well, it was a pleasure to do it, to prove I could do it. .alas in rally, Mom's ineptitude, caused us 20 points, but we did pick up our 2nd rally leg.

Duckie then went on to place in his nice Futurity class, as did his cousin Coal from the Dark litter.  But the highlight came regular class days. Duckie had to go in open as he was 18 months 5 days old, and even as the youngest dog in his rather decent sized class, he made it down to the last 6, which is more than I expected the judge to do with him, didnt' think he was curvy enough amongst other things, but the judge found something he liked. Jenny, OTOH, in one of the biggest classes of the week, AND IMHO, the most competitive class in bitches, despite being Ambred, pulled out a 2nd place.  Shocked me, and Kari turned to me and said we REALLY need to show this bitch.

I had a wonderful vacation with family I haven't seen in 6.5 yrs, wasn't long enough, but it was great. And then home and back to work. The week went fast and it was pack the car up and go to oval, where Duckie & Teela showed promising practices. I certed the two, or tried to: when her brother jumped over her to get to the inside, Teela decided to duck under the tape, so back to go with her, he on the other hand had a beautiful cert run. He nor his brother Traveler can compete with sisters Bounce & Shimmer for speed due to a 30-35 lb weight different, but they ran true and hard. Bounce won Sunday for 2 points, and finished her JOR. . fingers crossed she continues to run well to be my next ORC since Jenny nor Ziva seem to want to stay on the track :SIGH:

And then(yes, it was a very busy spring LOL) we headed to the show circuit in NJ where Kent Delaney gave Duckie his second major, a 4 pointer, leaving him one point to finish. The next day, he finished in style at BCDV's specialty, WD/BOW for another 4 pointer! I believe he's my youngest champion at 19 months, with quite limited showing.

We spent the rest of May, June & July running, with Duckie finishing his GRC quite quickly considering the entries in our area anymore, with a meet win over Shimmer & Jenny!  He also got his QC and his first SC leg, he has to learn to maneuver that 93 lb body around the field, but I as very happy with the boy. Teela also got her cert, and will start running this fall.

But to top it off, Bounce finished her FC to become my first personal DC, finishing in four trials, with 3 5 point wins, AND then the next day a 5 point BIF win!

Jenny then went to camp, and acted like a twit, heeling for Kari in the ring due to our Obedience training, despite herself she picked up a 3 point  major.

August brought cooler weathers and a desire to take a vacation again. Kari looked at the show schedule and we both decided let's go to WI!! Three breeder judges, including one that had specifically hunted me down at the Nationals last year to compliment me on 7 month old Duckie, and it was her last big judging assignment, so I wanted to show her what he had matured to!

Friday was way too early.Kari's Samoyed special was on at like 8:30, borzoi at 9, so it was a whirlwind day. Eli the Sammy won bred, then it as hurry up and groom the zoi, and head ring side. Glancing at the bitches, I turned to the owner of one particularly nice open bitch and told her breeder/owner "If I have to lose today, it better be your girl". She informed me she was pretty sure she was going o lose to Jenny. That alone made my day, as this is a breeder I have always respected in the breed. I was right, but Jenny did go RWB, so I was happy as I'd had no idea what to expect of this breeder judge. I hadn't shown to her in over a decade!

Kari handed me my girl and took Duckie in. At 22 months old, he was younger by a margin than every other special in the ring, so I didn't expect much, and when the judge pulled a rather nice specials bitch out and sent her to the front of the line, I was ok with it. All I'd hoped for for the weekend was an AOM at the specialty. The shock came when the judge came back to Kari and told her to go in front. OMG!! Yes, YES YES!! Duckie went BOB over a nice entry of specials for a 5 point major win! OMG!!

The day wasn't done. In a ring full of heavy hitters, Duckie put on his cleated dance shoes and moved out like a pro, to come away with a Group 3 under the first judge's husband!! Who the next day, in a special entry of 12 males, gave Duckie Select dog for his second 5 point major AFTER rewarding Jenny who was moving like a dream, her second major ALSO a 5 point major! WAHOOO!!!

Duckie ended the 2nd day with an AOM at the specialty. The lovely judge was so pleased to hear this was the puppy she'd fallen in love with at our Nationals, and thanked me for bringing him to her.  I got a lot of compliments on both my kids that weekend, and it made the long trip and resulting week long illness for both Kari & I worth it. We're both still recovering from what we're referring to as Wisconsin cheesehead, but three majors, 15 points, and an AOM made it all worth it ;)

Jenny now needs 5 singles to be my next DC, Duckie has 10 points and 2 majors towards his Grandchampion, couldn't ask for a much better weekend!

Ch Mielikki HiNote Secret Agent Man GRC at 22 months old, photo by Veni Harlan

the lgra/notra nationals

The LGRA/NOTRA nationals are over. . .

It was a very bittersweet nationals for me, and for two of my friends. . .T lost her promising basenji at the 2007 Nationals, he slipped his collar and was hit by a car :( Deb lost her Iggy last year, he got away from her and also was hit by a car. . .so lots of tears were shed for great friends gone too soon.

I took seven dogs with me. . .Ava flew out, which was a nightmare in and of itself. . .friend was supposed to ship her Saturday, didn't get there early enough saturday, so had to go back to my friend's that night, stay with her, get up, ship her out Sunday, which was a total nightmare. . .especially when i got lost in Newark. . .but Ava got to portland, is in her mama's hands, and promptly came into season LOL

Secret was along for the ride because she's stuck to me like rice, and some of Gossip's friends wanted to see her. . .other than forcing herself up front, between the captain chairs anyway she could, and when she couldn't, curling up on the nylon crate behind the chairs, she was a pretty good girl.

I had Focus for Bonnie, didn't expect anything really from her, she was in season end of july, so is just getting out of her slump, but since she was the only dog that was able to touch Gossip when she was 100%(and even then, it was only an occasional race she beat Gossip at), we entered her. Robin sent Ryder up for me to run, poor boy was out of shape due to the horridly hot summer they've had, John entered Wiard in Notra, we entered Reba in Notra, and I had my Ziva entered. DIdn't expect much from her, she is a baby still, the youngest by a year, but I was proud of her.

The weather was SOOO much better than last year's freezing rain, only thing i got this year vs a nasty cold last year, was wind chapped face/

Poor Ziva, she started the day in high point, but she tried her hardest, and came in 3rd behind much older and experienced dogs Bart(1) & Kyrie (2). She ran well for being the baby and still coming into her own, tieing for 5th and coming in 6th overall. Very pleased with her runs.

Ryder couldn't get his butt out of the box for 1st High Point and came in 4th, and that screwed him up for the rest of the day. . he placed 2nd behind the eventual BOS FTE winner Doro, and won his last race, to come in 5th(tied with Ziva)

Focus, as Gossip's pitch hitter, ran better than I'd hoped, and won all three races, to win the Nationals. . .I wish Gossip had been around, that was the only way the High Point races could've been better. . a huge ribbon and a trophy came home to Bonnie's delight.

What was extremely pleasing was 7 of the 8 top Borzoi went back to DC Silkenswift Blaze of CHaos(and more titles i cant' remember this am). . nice especially when I got wind of a nasty rumour that silkenswift dogs have horrid fronts and thus makes them slow LOL. .. 15 dogs running. . not bad at all. . .

Didn't get to enjoy the awards banquet due to having to go back to Newark, which was a shame, as I know it was a lot of fun.

We'll ignore the nightmare of getting Ava on the plane, and judge right onto NOTRA nationals. . .I had 5 of the 10 dogs entered. . think I may've lost my mind when I offered to run dogs for people LOL.

Reba ran her little heart off, but was in line to get the turtle after an OC, DNF happened, and then it happened, she couldn't get thru the dogs in front of her, and she went OC :( A disappointment for her little junior handler Georgia, who had(with adult help), dressed & muzzled her, she then walked her to the box with very little help, Mr John helped her box her, and with help she caught her, where she walked her back and undressed her lOL. . SHe proved that a 5 yr old could run Reba. . only one time was Reba not polite, otherwise she was the perfect, calm, sweet angel.

Ziva suddenly stopped fighting me at the box, stopped sitting in the box, now if she could only learn to stick to the turns(I know, give her time!) She finished 6th and picked up her first ORC points(0.5), I was more pleased with her progress in getting over the scare she got last month from a rough handler than anything.

Focus ran nicely, but started running out of steam. . .she ended up placing a respectable 4th, the 2nd high scoring non ORC, she's still not doing turns like she will in a few more meets.

Wizard, wizard shocked the crap out of many people by almost beating Bartlby, who is almost unbeatable, the last race. . he was ahead of Bart, and at the last moment slowed down enough Bart caught up with him and he tied. . Hopefully John'll listen to me and excercise that boy. . .he ended up placing 2nd due to that last race, finishing the day as the high scoring non titled oval racing boy.

I was very pleased with the kids. .. had a wonderful day, wish I'd video'd that last race it was so freaking amazing to watch as the siblings duked it out, first Valkyrie, than Bart, and then Wizard. .the top 4 dogs of the meet were all littermates: Bart, Wizard, Valkyrie, Focus

It wasn't as horrid as I feared it would be. . yes, I did miss my girl, but I had fun due to great friends. . .

The EAST COAST ROCKED THE NATS!!!!

the Vacation from hell

Nothing like a vacation that is tainted from the beginning.

Saturday morning, Kari showed up with her cargo van and 6 crates. We promptly loaded the van with the four dogs I had with me(Focus, Gossip, Gibbs & Wizard), with her boy AM & her puppy Brandy, made for a full load.

Bonnie'd been able to pick up this great Dane sized crate, and we could've easily fit 3 dogs into it (it's as big as the backseat of my neon, which I fit FOUR dogs into LOL) and Focus & her brother got that, the punky teenage boy Gibbbs got his own crate, and Gossip in her own as she was at the tail end of her season.

We finished packing the rest of the items I had, and headed off. .

As I stated, not far into our trip, I get a call that Panda isn't doing well, and that seriously sets the mood for the rest of the week. It is hell trying to make decisions for one of your 'kids' when you're not home to look in their eyes, to see if they're ready to let go, or if they still want to fight. I had to take the Vet's almost daily checkups(for which I am seriously thankful for, I know from previous experience, not all vets do this, she went above and beyond the call of duty, including sending me a heart rendering, hand written condolence note) and make decisions that way, and hope they weren't the wrong ones.

This depression was interspersed by silliness with Kari. I am so thankful she went with me, as I very well would've turned around and came home as soon as I received that call if I'd been alone. Quite a bit of the week was done on sleep depravation, as I couldn't sleep, tossed and turned. . .it was so bad, my bed buddy Gossip wouldn't sleep with me, probably from my tossing and turning, and she ALWAYS is in bed with me at hotels. In her opinion, the best part of traveling is bed rights.

Get up Sunday morning, Wizard starts the day off by trying to mount her. So she got pulled from LGRA, unlike others who'd be willing to run her, I refused to chance the issue of ruining someone else's dog. Wizard did us proud tho, by placing 3rd, he may've been able to beat Bartleby if he'd been in much better shape. Hopefully John'll listen and get this handsome boy in shape. .

The next day was AKC, and Kari took care of the dogs while I became "Field Nazi". . I got sick of how slow the trial was running, so started hollering for dogs to be to the field or to get ready, it made the day go much faster. To my shock, Wizard won his stake, and then went on to win BOB. I was/am still so tickled for his owner.

Gossip continued to frustrate me by telling me bluntly to stick it when we went in to do Rally, it was warm in that ballroom and she refuses to work in those conditions, and well, she's PMSing LOL . . .brat child. . .love her, but ooooh I so wanted to strangle her. Kari spent the time bathing the other 5 dogs, she found a self serve dog bathing place and was able to get them all done and ready for the rest of the weekend. She was not happy with the bathing situations we had at the hotel as it was cooler out the beginning of the week.

While we were in KY, Kari & I started an only in KY running joke, as in only in KY will you find a man exiting Walmart with a t-shirt that says "Redneck & goodlooking"(he wasn't the latter that's for sure), only in KY will you find someone double parking a camry LOl It kept us entertained and kept my mind off of back home. Tho the one that was funny but also a bit terrifying for someone who hates tornados was the sign "TOrnado Storm Shelter" in the local grocery store! EEEK!!

We hit Cracker barrel, found some of the neatest dog toys, a whoopie cushion skunk and a possum LOL We also laughed our butts off at some of the joke shirts/T's, we found (Tho I do know someone who could wear the cap that said "my IQ test came back negative!" LOL)

Wed was puppy sweeps, and Kyra's lil great granddaughter Brandy placed in her 6-9 month class as the youngest and smallest puppy in the ring. She's such a cute little bugger (Father is Carrot(TalynXBrightness) Mother is First (MirXFlyte)) who knows the world is there for her to explore. .

That evening was the Eye seminar, which was very educational. And just brought to light that if the people who have the microopthalmia bugaboo fever need to start stepping to the plate and providing proof of this disease. When CERF says only .1 of dogs examined have it, it's not going to be high on the list of disease research donation. They need to stop euthanising these puppies immediately, get them properly examined and thus recorded

Thursday was the dog classes. . .This was Wizard's first time in the ring, but tho he was unsure of what was expected of him, he handled it like a pro and placed 2nd out of three. I love this dog, his owner truly doesn't realise how hard it is to get a dog who can do all four running events and is as lovely as this boy is. It's goign to be hard letting John have him back, but I hope he'll listen to Kari & I on what this boy needs so he can be back out and running and in the ring this fall.

Gibbs was the comic relief, he has two brain cells, they were having a PARTAY with booze & weed, and the entire world was invited. Everything he'd learned in handling class, left his little empty skull as soon as we entered the ballroom. . he's lucky I love him. I got lots of compliments on him, and most especially his temperament. Not afraid of anything, everyone was his friend.

Then I got to watch the two Hawaiian boys compete against each other in a HUGE Ambred class. . .Maui was handled by Kari. He's a hairy furball, can't believe how much hair Kari wacked out of both of them to find a dog underneath LOL, Payton was shown by one of the Mistraka breeders and he looked GORGEOUS!!! Chris thought the same thing and gave him 4th in the huge Ambred class. I was very pleased. Maui didn't place, but considering it was the first time he'd probably been taken away from his mom's side, I was very pleased with him.

Friday was girls. . .by the time Brandy got back in the ring, she'd had enough and you could tell it. .she still looked good, but didn't have the sparkle she had had earlier that week. Focus's turn was next, and even tho she was very confused at what was wanted(also her first show LOL) and she placed in her HUGE class too.

Although he kept lookign at Gossip, she got nothing in the ring, but lots of compliments outside the ring. .. I was very happy with how she handled it, especially with the fact that storm hit in the middle of ring time, and she's been leary of storms since the one that fried the driveway alarm(and scared ME to death).

The weather stayed pretty mild most of the week, except for those storms on Friday and very warm only the last Saturday, so it made for a less stressful week in that manner. . .you just never know what weather's going to be like, and I was afraid it was going to be horrid and we'd have 6 dogs in the hotel room. Thankfully no tornado worries, tho watching the news, I'd be a bit worried about Kansas for next year

Will say, don't think I couldv'e made it thru the week without Kari. . .I had so much fun with her as my traveling buddy. It made dealing with this many dogs so much easier(I took 5 of them last year). Motel 6 made it very cost feasible. Nope, the 2nd hotel wasn't wonderful, but other than sleeping in it, we didnt' spent all too much time in it til Saturday for under half the cost of the host hotel. . .and boy did we make use of the laundry room(Focus got stress poops. . oh joy).

I have no desire to do any roadtrip for awhile. . I am so beat it's not funny

vacationitis

Boy do I hate weeks like this.

I have "Vacationitis" A rarely DX'd disease, it's related to the 'Senioritis' disease so many suffer during senior year in school. .

I don't care, when's my vacation start. .hurry up and get here.

Not that I don't have a ton to do.

Now that I think of it, I shouldn't've entered dogs this weekend in the specialties. I have so much to do before next weekend it's not funny. . .and on top of that, my allergies are kicking my butt. Unfortunately, it kicked Jenny's butt to, and I ended up pulling her for the day.

Stinks, as she was doing so well at class, but don't want her to feel off for her first show. And sounds like it's a miserable day, an hour behind. .. geez. .. glad I stayed home, hopefully Sunday'll be much better!

Tomorrow is a club meeting, which I have no desire to go to, i'm getting really frustrated with the lack of support for any performance event that I've gotten, including the QC event they wanted to put on. . Then Sunday it's Ziva's turn in the ring. . .

And Gossip shows all weekend. She is looking BEAUTIFUL

But I have less than 10 days before we leave for KY. .thank HEAVENS I don't have to do anything but be waiting with 4 dogs for Kari and her van and whatever I need to take with me. But still, a lot of crap to do, get the cats ready for a friend to watch over them, get Pandora ready for her trip to the spa, and pack. I got my blankets washed and packed, that's it lOL Oh, did start packing LOL

Am so looking forward to it, especially since I'll miss the next two. . oh well, more money for me :)

Misc Photos

Of various dogs I saw and liked at the Nationals. .those I know the name of, I've notated :) As I stated, I took 2500+ photos, and ahve weeded out a lot.

These were all from sweeps!

Teine bred and owned pup, believe sired by Kazan out of Laika

Unknown

I think this is Deb Butler's Merlin with Shannon Hall

Unknown, but looking at that head, I'd bet money it's a Virago kid :)

Nonsuch Borzoi's Borscana Pup

Sylvan Borzoi's Gander, bred by Kitty Sawyer.

Gander stacked, he's a handsome boy

A Greyhaven puppy boy

Rebecca Neale's cute as a button boy bred by Rlynn Shell,
Gryffyn's Aeyrie Revelation I believe.

His just as cute brother Hellraiser.

My Umbra with his Auntie Pat.

Deb Butler's Carina with Shannon Hall

A handsome Echovesna bred boy

His sister on the move.

A very very handsome Carmen(Eros daughter) son by Nitro a Mir Grandson.

NOt sure the breeding, but a very handsome puppy

A Phoenix puppy girl

Kristi Arnquist(Sp?)'s Virago boy.

Same puppy as stacked photo above.

A silly happy Barhat son bred by Jane Schrieber owned by Carol Enz.

What a weekend(Or I hate road trips LOL)

What a whirlwind 10 days

5/15 I picked up the Enterprise van. . I will say, this is not the most comfortable way to drive, but it was extremely convinient and when I do my next road trip, I'll be doing the same thing. Three Borzoi size crates fit in it, and I piled blankets behind the seat and two Borzoi slipped in there(tho Gossip stayed between the two seats most of the trip). I packed almost everything Friday night.

5/16 Put the boys(Grins, Wizard & Umbra) in their crates, finished packing the various stuff(cooler, suitcases, toiletries, etc), and then got the two girls (Gossip & Kani) in and headed out. Kani wasn't entered, but she's sooo darn submissive, I figured it would do her good to get the experience. She's looking so darn good I want to start showing her, just have to get her over being submissive. Left home about 10:30.

The ride was nice, sunny most of the way, t ho we did hit some torrential downpours in Western PA. . .I almost pulled over at a rest stop to work Gossip in the pouring rain, LOL. Got to the hotel about 8:15, walked the kids, and hit the sack.

Gossip says the best part about traveling is BED RIGHTS!! LOL. I don't have a bed big enough for her to snuggle at home, heck, it's barely big enough for 53 lbs of cats(and one of those cats is only 5 lbs) and me LOL. . .

Got up, walked the boys, and ran into two nice ladies with some nice youngens. Realised it was Deb Butler, who I've talked to for years on line, and her darling friend Karla Smith. Gossip REALLY wanted to play with I think it was Merlin LOL. . .She's 4.5 going on 4 months I swear. Packed up the kiddos and put the address of the field in the garmin and headed out. Gotta say, that Garmin has been the BEST Xmas present ever, I was not lost once this last week.

The field was gorgeous, lush green grass, rolling hills. .I knew Grins wasn't up to it. he's not had a lot of endurance since running his back off, but the weather was gorgeous, a bit on the cold side for me and my shorts & tank top at first(Thankyou Amy Sikula for lending me a jacket LOL), but perfect borzoi weather.

The entry was nice. .2 full stakes of Opens, 18 FCH, and 4 veterans. Poor wizard had his work cut out for him.

There were some amazing runs, and at the end, Grins' nephew Sagan had won his Open Stake A, Deb Butler's lovely girl Carina had one her Open Stake B, Wizard had tied three way for 2nd, and Grins had placed 2nd in Veterans behind a cousin. Wizard went on to win his runoff, giving him 70 points towards his LCM in 2 trials. . .boy John, you've got one special little goofy boy. Sagan won the runoff with Carina, and then went on to win the whole shebang in an AWESOME runoff. He's a nice boy, and one to watch out for. . .

Unfortunately Wizard's brother Bartleby had a huge brainfart and didn't place, but it was nice seeing him course.

I went back to the hotel, took a long hot bath, and Kani, Gossip & I crashed.

Up early Monday, headed to the host hotel. As we drove around the front, I heard the screaming of an albino peacock, and all I could think of was OMG, I hope that's not close to the racing LOL

There were two bad things, IMHO(Other than being a handslipped meet LOL) about where they decided the racing would be held.


1) you could not park near the track. Thankfully they allowed me to pull the van up to unload the xpen and set up the three dogs I was racing nearby. .with my asthma, I did not want to be traipsing back and forth.

2) The track could not be set up with adequate runout. . .from the finish line to a concrete path was only 50 yds. . .in fact, the entire 1st program high point race jumped the fence. Not Carol, Dawn or Tom's fault. If they'd known the problems caused by flooding, we may've been able to hold it on the same field as the coursing. . .

Anyway, helped Dawn Hall with the board, it was nice brushup before running PVBC's first meet this last weekend.

It was some nice racing. . .only one problem with the dogs, one problem with someone who thought they had to scream like freaking tarzan to get their dog to race. . .I caught, so didn't get to see the start, but Gossip's handler Carol told me she got boxed in by the three boys in the 1st race, but made up most of the difference to come in 2nd behind Bartleby. She beat Bart by a few lengths 2nd race, and then got a bad handslip the last race. Poor Carol kept apologizing and i kept telling her it's one of the reasons I hate handslipped meets, nor was I upset. .it happens in handslip meets.



Heck, we had one dog start the race backwards because he freaked out over being held by a stranger. She made up most of the difference, finishing right behind Bartleby. . . she placed 2nd to his 1st, and BOS to his BOB out of 26 racers, nothing to sneeze at, and we'll eventually be able to see them race on even turf, I'll make sure to handslip my own dog next time LOL Tho I screwed THAT up in February LOL. I love Jamie & Bart, so am happy for them. Gossip picked up 4 of the needed 6.5 poitns for her SGRCIII.

Unfortunately, the sudden stopping made her owie on that amputated toe. . that last knuckle IS coming off the 9th. . two different peopel who OFC asked me why I didn't take it all off the 1st time. . because I trusted my vet, never having had a toe injury.

I got LOTS of compliments on my speckled girl(and one snide "don't you know the saluki nationals arent' for a few months?")

Head back to a new hotel. . my cost at Motel 6 for all 5 days, was less than one night at the host hotel with 4 dogs would've cost me. .and even the smaller rooms (@140.00ish a night) weren't all that and a bag of chips for that price, my motel 6 room was nicer LOL. I collapsed on the bed, only waking up when the sunburnt back of my legs got chillled. Ordered Pizza for Gossip & I(yes, she's spoiled), walked the kiddos and collapsed.

Got up, checked to see how Owie Gossip was, headed out for Rally.


My good girl, who's been soooo good at Class, lost her brain LOL. . she became fixated belong belief with a toy in Paula Moore's bag, and this is a dog who had no interest in toys 15 months ago. . .She decided she was in agility, and leapt the chain fence to go check otu the toy. . .if they'd used the XXXX fencing all the way around she
may've done better, but we had fun. .and I hadn't truly expected anything of our first time in RA. We'll practice more this summer, and I will be using her squawker as distractions LOL and try again this fall. Saw some nice work, and got some good hints from June Mitchell(think that's right, Riju borzoi), as well as Amelia Finkelstein.

As we were waiting, answered some questions from a nice gentleman in a wheelchair and his girlfriend. Surprisingly, Kani had no problem with the wheelchair, and in fact, crawled in his lap and was happy as can be(see picture below lOL)


Caught up with Pat, helped her unpack, ran back to the hotel(only bad part about not staying on site), dressed for the futurity, and headed back.

The best part of the rental was being able to leave the dogs in it, opened the backdoors and put a tarp over it to keep the sun out, faced the rear into the nice breeze we had all week, and the dogs stayed comfortable. . .

Saw some nice puppies, including this adorable little Duri daughter that R Lynn had. . Sparky made you want to scoop her up and kiss her sweet face. Stayed most of the night, but when I misplaced the rental keys(after already misplacing my camera, I found both thank the heavens), called it a night and headed back after penciling Umbra in
for bathing the next day.

Got up and was at the showgrounds by 8:30. . i love the raised bathtubs, wish I'd had a way to get it home, I'd've bought raffle tickets for the one. . .they are wonderful, put Umbra in the crate to dry, and went to watch the sweeps.

I took 2500 photos of mostly sweeps. . my Nikon is WONDERFUL, got lots of good photos of various dogs sidegait. . .trying to edit it to put them up somewhere. A light touch, and it takes multiple photos in sequence. I'm still dealing with the learning curve, but did get some GOOD photos.

Saw a number of nice puppies, many of them go back to Virago, who definitely stamps his get with a beautiful head. All three of Rlynn's Duri pups I saw were scumptious, Anne Midgarden had some gorgeous pups too, I saw a number of puppies I could've stuffed in my van and took home. And the double Kyra descendent Tom Golcher had is just too darn cute.

Ran back to check on Umbra to find out he had an accident, he was refusing to eat, and had icky poohs. Raced him over to wash him again, used Carol Enz's blow dryer(thankyou carol) to blow him out, and Pat groomed him up. And then we went down to watch Veterans.


The sad thing about Veterans is, I remember many of them as youngens. Burni was in 12-18 with Races & Wings back in 02, I remember Gala in I think it was the 6-9 class the year I went to Detroit, and I remember Virago as a gawky teenager up at GNY. . .Almost all of the vets looked great for their age.

Except for one, who should've been home on the couch. . I know his owners are proud of him, but the poor boy couldn't get around the ring. . .if you want everyone to see him, put him in the companion parade. . .he'll now be remembered for the poor dog who couldn't make it around the ring vs the dog in his prime. .this is the 2nd time I've seen a veteran who shouldn't be in the ring be put in the ring, the last time was the Centennial . .everyone'll remember that dog as the limping veteran(who won despite the limp, makes me respect Gerda Kennedy, NOT, but then, she put up a number of lame dogs that day)
instead of the gorgeous dog I saw in his prime. . .there just comse a time when you have to realise your best buddy is old, and leave him on the couch. I felt sooooo very very bad for this old guy. When/if Umbra gets to that point, he will stay home and just be handsome for me.

Umbra showed beautiful for Aunti Pat, tho he did keep an eye on me, he didn't do anything, but look gorgeous, didn't expect Katie to like him. Just proud of my boy. . .he's gotten gray in the face, but moved nicely, and his coat is looking lovely. . .even if it was still slightly damp from the 2nd bath LOL. He'll be out in fall specialties
as long as he's raring to go. . .

Pat had to go out to the Steele's for grooming of her boy who went on to WD/BOW, which just blew her away :) So I had a nice, fun, quiet dinner with Tom Golcher, talking dogs and Germany, and how we miss a good german meal :)

I had to leave Thursday to head home, not enough vacation, and PVBC's event was this weekend. Stopped in Pittsburgh to visit Grandma Dorothy, my step dad's mom, haven't seen her in a few years, Pittsburgh was just not dooable from Syracuse, but found out that it's definitely dooable from Baltimore. She sent me home quickly tho, Thursday was the hottest day of the week and she was worried aobut the dogs. .they were fine, but for a dog hater LOL she was worried.

On the ride, I got a call that Sage's son Payton placed 2nd in his Ambred class! :)

Got home about 9, unloaded the dogs and the necessary items and did some paperwork for the meet, and crashed hard. Got up, went to work, thank heavens for short summer fridays, and went home to finish paperwork, turn in the van, and buy what items I needed for the meet.

Saturday nothing went right, took longer to finish packing the car, got stuck in a parking lot on 95 due to everyone going to the beach, and then realised that what I had ordered was NOT what I had gotten for the jackalure. .so we had to make due: we gutted Grins' giant dayglow caterpillar and stuffed the jackalure in that LOL SOme duck tape and we had a different kind of bunny LOL

LOL, the dogs seemed to like this more. Not sure what it was about the giant day glo orange caterpillar, but they all seemed to run harder for it LOL

Once the meet started, it ran well. We had 31 dogs on Saturday and 26 on Sunday, not a huge meet, but a nice size one for a holiday weekend where there's coursing in the area. And a nice beginning meet for me. . .Sunday went much smoother, and thank heavens I had Monday off to recooperate and do paperwork. AND catch up on my sleep LOL

So PVBC is now 'official'. . .we'll be holding another event later this year, and work on getting NOTRA approved next year hopefully. It's a lot of work, but was worth it :)

Payton also went on to win his Ambred class at the MBC I guess supported entry on Sunday :) nice 1st national for his owner :)

Gossip's now .5 from becoming the first SGRCIII bitch in borzoi history.

And I am BEAT LOL

Umbra, looking for Mom
Kani, happy as can be
Gossip
COME ON MOM!

Countdown to roadtrip

Saturday I'll be hitting the road to Frankenmuth MI for the BCOA Nationals, I can't wait.

Got my van rented, got Pandora's camp reserved, moved Gossip from Novice to Advance. . .it may be a mistake, but ya know, we won't know what we can do unless we try LOL. . I've already paid the entry, why waste it on a nonleg in NOvice?

Wizard'll be showing up later this week to go with us, will be Wiz, Grins, Gossip & Umbra. . Got the address in the Garmin, but not ready for a 10+ hr drive, not at all. Am looking forward to some dogs I'll be seeing. . .including Secrets intended. . .should be some damn nice coursing/racing, fun in the OB ring, and then hand the reins off to Pat for Sweeps LOL By then, i'll be exhausted lOL

So much to do before I leave, cuz I get home and have to run PVBC's 1st Lgra, getting a bit nervous, but it'll be all OK. . just sooooo much to do in the next two weeks for all of it lOL I'm really happy with the little piranhas overall. . .All but one shows good prey drive, and that one has a lovely pet home with a 5 yr old waiting for her. Since this little girl just wants to cuddle, it works out great :)

I'm sure when I get back, they'll have doubled in size lOL

Puppies have graduated to the small puppy yard, and are loving it. Spent quite a bit of time out there just watching them play. I now understand how a photographer can take so many damn pics and have so little turn out LOL

Timothy, getting the bunny
Tony and one of the black girls

Tony getting the bunny!

Little Abbie

Tony & one of the black girls

Not sure if this is Kate & Jenny, or one of them and Gibbs LOL

THe keener of the two black girls

Gibbs

Keener of the two black girls, haven't decided her name yet

Three girls & their bunny LOL

Rant: Nationals

Warning, another rant

GOOD FUCKING LORD!!

How dare we QUESTION, COMMENT, and or COMPLAIN about something the almight BCOA and their board do.

Give me a fucking break.

Next year's National's has RIDICULOUS hotel rates. $137.00 for up to three dogs, $187.00 for four dogs. When we comment that this is getting a bit too much for the normal Joe to spend ) ($1233.00 for 9 days or 1683.00 if you want to stay all week, yes, you can split with a friend, but have no more than 4 dogs!). And that's just the HOTEL, not food, travel, rental, whatever, we get this OMG, how dare we attitude. Nowhere were the comments directed at the people putting it on(I personally said it's not against them), it's against the cost of things

What's funny is, the cost of the Nationals has been a gripe for years now, but when someone came up with an idea (hold the show at a fairgrounds and everyone hotel where possible) there was so much animosity towards the idea.

These richer than the normal person can't seem to get it thru their head that the normal person, the backbone of the dog world, can not afford to toss away money like this, especially if they ahve family(I don't have a family, but even i have a problem choking down this price). If it continues, it is goign to become the elitist, only those with more money than brains or local folks who go. . well, that's one way to make the Nat'ls smaller so it won't take as long.

I really want to go, tho I don't expect to do anything under Bengston, I haven't been to an entire nationals since what, 2004. I hope to have Grins ready for the Triathalon, show my peanut(Kani), and enjoy myself, but with this type of attitude, why should we bother?

What gets even worse is when people say they're on a 'budget', but they still manage to do these things. Budget does not equate to showing all over the Southwest and paying for a handler to special your dog, nor does it equate to going coursing with 5 dogs(at even the cheapest rates up here that's $180.00 a weekend), that's not living on a budget. .get real people.

What's really stupid is, when some comment finding a hotel elsewhere for cheaper costs, we get told the club may be penalized if they don't 'sell' as many rooms.

Well, they can be penalized for me staying elsewhere, or they can be penalized for me staying home.

Let alone the fact that this place refuses to take phone reservations.

Phooey, if I go, I’m going to see about staying elsewhere for Friday-Monday morn, then the host hotel for the rest of the week, not going to bother staying for MBC, so wont’ have to stay Sunday. Depending on how many dogs we can have, and if we can get Nancy to come up, we can split the “Suite” for 2 or three people.

But GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ