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

weekened of dreams

After last month, I decided I needed to have fun, a weekend of laughter, joy, fun with friends, etc. . .with that in mind, I made vacation plans, verified them with Kari, a good friend and the handler I use, and waited impatiently for them to come about.

This last weekend we took off , our plans almost ruined by a bad reaction on my part to a bug bite. . .after a go ahead from my dr after an xray to rule out a broken foot, we hopped in her big white van and went to Ohio's Madison OH cluster with three Borzoi :)

My mini pony, err, 9 month old moose Borzoi puppy Duckie (Mielikki HiNote Secret Agent Man) was RWD at the hound specialty, RWD to a major, took his third point and was again RWD, with lots of compliments :) He's such a sweet petunia plucking, dandelion destroying, clover chewing puppy. He also placed in the rather large (10+) puppy group both days we showed(We called it quits due tot he heat Sunday), with a 2nd on Friday in a pretty big group & a 4th on Saturday :) He's now got 3 points and is being put up to mature and grow into the legs he suddenly grew LOL

My Bounce, (Silkenswift Bounce Into First Dawn SGRC) who's had an awesome last 9 months with winning the LGRA Nationals meet, as well as our breed nationals LGRA meet, placed 1st in FLight B ASFA trial at our nationals, and RWB at our supported entry, was WB at the hound specialty and then again on Friday, for 7 points(giving her three majors), and then RWB on Saturday, Sunday's judge didn't like her, but that's ok, we were happy to share the wealth and got the two majors that were available :)

Then our Special Briar, (CH Zharkov Teine briar SC) who was AOM at our Nationals this year with almost 100 specials, was BOB at the hound specialty and SD for 9 points and two of his majors :)

Yeah, we pretty much flew home :)

No, it didn't make up for the loss last month, but it's given me a lot of reasons to smile this week :)

Beautiful at Any speed

Almost 2 yrs ago, Bonnie gifted me with Bounce. This girl reminds me of her great grandmother Kyra, and is just an amazing little creature. . .whether at a gallop, or at a trot, she is IMHO breathtaking.

But this is one of the best show photos if not ever of my dogs. She went WB two out of three shows last month, RWB to a major the third. Not bad considering she hasn't shown since last May where she went Best Op in Sweeps at the MAHA hound specialty. First shows as an adult.Got fingers crossed she can get that second major out of the way next weekend!

Potomac Valley Borzoi Club Supported Entry

On to less depressing news

I made it thru our supported entry without a hitch in MY giddy up :) A new knee brace, new tennies, and my knee didn't hurt until the long a**ed trek back to BFE to get in my car. I was very very pleased.

Dei has become somewhat of a ham now that she's 'retired'. . .she strutted herself around that ring, being pointed out for Best Veteran in Sweeps as the oldest Borzoi entered by a few years(next oldest just turned 8!) The judge was very complimentary of the condition she was in, and how muscled she was, even for a 10.5 yr old Veteran! Dei thought the day was great, as if she nudgy'd someone they'd pay her attention LOL

Nacht tickled me pink by following in sister bella's footsteps and acting like a little pro(for me LOL). Kept at a nice trot even when someone behind us kicked the gate, kept her stack, didn't get bothered by having her bite checked, nada. . considering I haven't taken her to a handling class at all for fear of screwing up that knee, I was beyond tickled at how well she behaved, and she went on to win her class of three in Sweeps & in regular class.

Tomorrow is BCGNY, so here's hoping everything goes well there. . .it unfortunately has chances of rain. This show is either rainy or miserably hot. Bathed the girls last night, so tonite is primping them and packing the rental van. Friend's van is in the shop for a new tie rod(EEKS, glad we found that out before we left for the day!) Then up at o dark thirty and off for the day.

Then a nice weekend of doing nothing. . after getting charbroiled last week at my practice, I'm glad to just be able to relax, to charge my batteries for next week. . me, 5 Borzoi, possibly 1 RR, and the weather for the II looks LOVELY!!!

more fun in the mud

I don't remember coursing in such nasty weather as I've been doing lately. . .LOL. . weather in MD has been hit or miss, at least it's not gotten hot as fast as it did last year, still perfect weather for Zoi, even if it's miserable weather for us humans.

Saturday was horrid, with high winds, horridly cold rain. Borrowed the van which was like driving a sail boat with the way it handled the wind. Clouds were ripped across the angry grey sky, trees whipping around in the wind, thankfully not a lot of line problems. Put points on my friend's girl and Mr Wizard, and got a QC on a Mir granddaughter, and was never so happy as when we finally got on the road and started heading home. Lots of flooding, with a local dog show being cancelled due to it and the photos I saw of that were horrendous, show hall beyond flooded!

Parking was fun due to the field being soaked to the gills. . I left before a lot of people, so not sure if anyone got stuck LOL

Sunday started out with high winds and an overcast sky, but quickly changed to cleared skies and pretty nice weather.

Ziva proved she enjoyed the mud by putting on four spectacular runs. . not because I ran her for field, but becuase I handed her off to someone and in her thrashing, she managed to get loose while the 2nd course of FC's were running. Thankfully she was wearing the missing blanket(blue), and wasn't trailing her leash. As I walked off the field with her and Wizard, was told it was one of the best courses people had seen LOL. . Didn't make up for the fact I'd gone 11 years without a dog getting loose LOL After the BOB runoff, she was still raring to go, but I wasn't going to try her a 5th time LOL

After being attacked, she has taken to taking the bunny out to the judge where she feels safe to tear it apart. . I'm not sure if I'm happy about that or not LOL She doesn't run away when I go out to get her, she just doesn't want to be near the other dogs when she shreds her bunny ..turkey child. Many who knew her father told me they could tell she was sired by Grins LOL. Even after four runs, she was still raring to go, but I didn't tempt fate with having her run across the mudpits again. She did get a nice BOB win: 4 point major, with Wizard bringing home the 3 point major from the FC stake.

Unfortunately both my cert dogs came up with a 'hitch to their giddy up', but Charles offered his handsome Serrano who ran well with Miss Jenny, who now has her QC, taking a nose dive in a pool of water, and still getting up to tear across the field and kill her bunny

I sure did not enjoy putting those disgusting dogs in my car. . LOL.

the dogs were flatzois, jenny curled up in the front seat, head draped across my knee, Ziva in the backseat with her head draped over my arm .. not the most comfortable way to drive.

Looking at the next coursing event. . well, that's the II, am toying with the idea of going to some NOTRA, but also looking at AKC events, I have 4 Opens now, so strange to finally break that dry spell.

Unfortunately, Grins is probably retired from competition.. off and on neck problems just bouncing around the yard. . .he doesn't realise at 8.5, he should NOT stop on the top of his head. He'll get to cert dogs now and then and run at our practices, but he more than likely is never going to enter the coursing field again. . maybe NOTRA wont' be as hard on him .. we shall see.

This weekend is our supported entry. Ordered a new knee brace. First show that I've shown in since the knee went CRACK!!! last fall(9 months ago) hopefuly I'll be able to do this without collapsing. Brand new outfit(former outfit doesn't fit anymore!). Dei's in veterans, as I'm very proud of my 10.5 yr old, and Ms Nacht in 12-18, it hopefully will be fun!

The good and bad of puppy homes

I hate selling puppies to show homes.

This summer made me really hate it. This last litter seems to've brought the loons out of the woodwork, but the worse one was the last one.

She wanted me to guarantee the puppy would be showable. .I won't do that, I will state that the puppy at THAT POINT in time is show potential, and may remain that way IF the buyer will listen to me and give the puppy proper nutrition and excercise, both of which can ruin a puppy if done wrong, but I will not guarantee it. There are too many things that can happen. . .and boy can they go through some fugglies. . Gibbs went through it earlier this year and is coming back together, Bella is currently in the middle of some. . .people new to the breed don't understand that and flake out, or if they don't start winning first time in the ring, OMG, you sold me a dud. They have no patience for the puppy to grow up. . .This person has gone on to annoy a bunch of breeders. . glad I went with my gut and 'ran away!'

Yet, sometimes things happen, the lines connect just right, and you find a good one.

Day after I lost Gossip I got a call from Oregon. . .after dealing with the loons, it was so nice to get a nice, intelligent lady on the phone. I took pictures, I had Kari give her opinion, I gave her faults, and she was ok with eveyrthing. . she had fallen in love with Chrissy NKA Ava from her ad, and wanted her, and if she didn't turn out, that was fine, and whatever Ava wanted to do, Ava was goign to get a chance to do.

A home made in heaven.

This was the puppy I had such a problem getting shipped out last month. . but as soon as she got off the plane, she looked at Christine and said "I'm Home". .And Christine told me she was more than she had hoped for.

And every email or call I get from her mom is how much she loves her. . .

I don't think I'm going to regret this show home.

She went to her first show last week and was the only bitch, but the judge told her he was hard pressed not to give her the breed, but she was too young. . that's ok. . .she went in like she'd owned the place. And handled it with all sorts of finesse according to her mom, and then went on to a puppy Group IV, with that judge telling her that she would've been placed higher, but she was not as mature as they were. .that's ok, her mom is happy, and so am I :)

I'm looking forward to the show photo. . .this litter is much slower to mature than msot of the others I've had, is much more gawky at this age then the NCIS litter was. . .but the promise they've had will hopefully come to pass.

Now, sister Bella went to her first show away from Mom, and was a TWIT!!! She was always the perfect little lady for me, but she pushed every button poor Kari had and more LOL. She's came home to grow up, but will be taking roadtrips with Kari to get over the giant Snit she got into and learn to be the good little show dog.

Cousin Tony went to the greyhound track in Jacksonville for the first time. .. and ended up winning the last HP race. . considering he was running against Kyrie and Sammy who usually dominate the track down there, that's sayign something. He's learning to get his legs going in the right direction and once he stops fighting the box, he'll be good to go. THEY love him incredibly. . .he goes racing next month and then maybe see the coursing field this winter. :)

To round up the weekend, took three gals to get their eyes done. I'm happy to say Pickle Hill's Touchet at almost 12, Mielikki Prophet's Song GRC at almost 10, and Mielikki-Windhaven's Whispered Secret all (6)got clean bill of healths on their eyes. This gives Touchet the last test she needs for her CHIC, well she's had her eyes done before, but Bonnie misplaced the paperwork. . .

So other than Bella being a NITWIT, it was a nice weekend. . .got my 105 gallon tank setup, just need to get the sump acrylic redone, and I'll be setting that up :)

End of year, things are winding down. . thinking of starting Jenny or Ziva in OB this winter. .. maybe JOanie, my new co owned puppy with Bonnie. . .we'll see. . .next weekend is the last racing, then a weekend of coursing. . unfortunately Jenny hurt her shoulder so she's out for a few months. .. but Ziva will be out as will Nacht the end of month, so I can get her ready for her trip to Austria, her new mom is excited that she's so keen on the bunny

PVBC's specialty

I keep writing 'em, and keep forgetting to post them

I had a long, surprising weekend at the show weekend before last. . .

Saturday was PVBC's fall specialty. I didn't want to enter. This had been the show Gossip was going to be in coat for, we were going to go for that 2nd & 3rd leg of our RA, so many plans, down the drain, but Bonnie convince me, so I entered Bella (9-12 puppy) and Dei(almost 10 yr old veteran), I had nothing competitive for the other classes, so that was it. .

Bella's never been shown by anyone but me. . .but she behaved like a little trooper for a good friend, behaving herself pretty much, tho by WB after sweeps she'd had enough and was getting squirrly. But overall, I was very happy with how she showed, not being a twit, behaving like a good little girl.


Dei hasn't been shown in years, but she is looking so damn nice. . still races around the backyard like a bat out of hell, still jumping on top of 3 ft tall dog houses, still playing hard with her kids, nobody believes her age, in fact, they thought she was Gossip's sister at her retirement race back in September. No, she's not as fast as she was when she was younger, but she definitely ran better than some of the dogs at the LGRA nationals!

Her movement suffered after a neck injury when she was young, and she became lifty, nothing like she was as a really young bitch at the 2002 Nationals, that coupled with her dry mouth in the ring(her lips would stick to her teeth, and was painful when judges checked bite), caused me to retire her from the ring, but we had noticed recently that her movement had smoothed out. . unlike other older dogs, her movement had IMPROVED with age, and so I figured, what the heck, I wanted to support a good friend who was judging sweeps, so why not. .

Watching her in the ring, friends outside the ring couldn't believe her age, and she moved like a dream, taking Best Opposite in Sweeps to the male a few months younger who went on to win the entire shebang, so I don't mind losing to him(and his owner & breeder are just the greatest people!). She was having so much fun and the applause just made her shine more.

She went on to win her veterans class, but by BOB she quit. . it was a long day for a dog not used to showing. .but I was very pleased. . I brought home so much loot!

Unfortunately, each stride in the ring caused hair to start falling out LOL Or I'd be looking at fall specialties to enter her in. . hopefully she'll look this ncie come next spring for the nationals. .

The nice weekended ended with Ziva coming into season, evil little brindle brat.

There were tears cried that weekend, people I hadn't seen since Gossip died, but I'm still so thankful for all the friends and people she helped me meet

First show!

A puppy's first show can be tramatic, to either you, or the puppy!

Kyra was a dork her first show, she was happy, enjoying herself, the first judge we ever showed to did not have a sense of humour and snarked at me that I needed to train this puppy(she was 6 months and a few days old LOL). He's on my never again list LOL

Rinka was so bad, Pat ripped her leash out of my hand when I left the ring, only to hand her back and say she would NEVER show her ever. . as a peer said, you could see the Devil dancing in her eye. She was attacked at a show a few months alter by three weimeraners on 6 ft leash, and was never the same again ::SIGH::

Then there was Races, who behaved beautifully at his first show, the 2002 BCOA National Futurity, until the harpist at the corner of the down and back would pluck a cord, then he whirled to figure out where the noise came. LOL

His nephew Gibbs thought at his Debute that the world was there just to see HIM!!! He is sooo much like his father, what did I truly expect? He'll be a veteran before he sees the ring again LOL if a dog could gate with his eyeballs behind his shoulders, he did in the ring, to stare adoringly at his handler. . LOL

OTOH, we have Gossip, who walked into the show ring at just over 6 months, handled by a stranger, and behaved like she'd been doing it forever, same with her sister.

You truly have no idea how they'll behave, til you get them there, as how they behave in handling class doesn't always translate to the show ring.

So I entered this show with some trepidation despite Bella having behaved herself at her 1(LOL) handling class, fresh memories of Ziva & Gibbs being total idiots their first time in the ring vivid in my mind as I waited with Ms Bella, who was 6 months and 13 days old at her debute.

I don't usually enter babies in local shows, but this one had a puppy group, so I figured what the heck.

We arrived early. This show is a huge metal pole barn type setups, which can be rather scary to dogs, even adults, Eros HATES this show venue with a passion. Thankfully, we were very late in the day on the last day, so a lot of the dogs had cleared out, no barking corridors coming into the building. Also meant we didn't have to wait along all day for group, groups started at 2:45, we were in the breed ring at 3, so it was perfect. As it was, hounsd weren't in til 5, can you imagine how long the day would be if we'd been in at 8?

We walked around the building, allowing her to see the strange dogs, from the French Bulldog to the Great Danes, walked thru the vendor booths, where she made a lot of friends, including a nice vendor who gave her a bag of liver. We then headed back to the ring, which couldn't've been situated better, last ring in the row, down near the emptying grooming area. And we waited, yes, I tempted the gods on being there so early with her getting bored, but Bella laid down and went to sleep, not even bothered by Steed when he tried to be a hormonal dork with a baby.

I am so thankful we entered a small show, as well as were surrounded by wonderful Borzoi people. . there were four girls, each in their own class, so WB was a decent sized for a regular show around here, and nobody raced up on Bella's butt, nobody did anything to scare her, unlike a well known breeder who had ran stomping up on Ziva's butt at Trenton. They were all WONDERFUL!! And I was so thankful for it, and they were all very complimentary of my silly sweet puppy.

Then was the long wait for group, but Bella handled it well, fell asleep in my lap when I sat on the floor. Judges kept having conflicts with the regular group, but we finally got in, and it was almost as big of a group as the regular group, whippet, and saluki, and PVBC, beagles, basenji and more. .. we were behind a Foxhound and in front of the Saluki, and they were wonderful with her too. .

She was the youngest in the group by over 2 months, and looked it, but she took it all with style, handling like a dream. We didn't get a piece of the pie, but all I'd wanted for the day was for her to have fun, and to behave herself, and she did both. . .

All in all, it was a very successful day for my little blond bombshell. Lots of compliments, from a handler to my peers, so I was very pleased. . she promplty came home and beat up her sisters LOL

She'll be back out next month, I managed to hurt my knee on the concrete, so am goign to take it easy. But there's another puppy group coming up, and she will be there :)

Gossip & Grins=GOOOD Dogs!

April & May always get away from me. . and this year it's no exception.

PVBC's Supported entry was this weekend. . .and to support the Sweeps judge, I entered Grins & Gibbs. .Grins has never been shown outside of ONE fun match two years ago, Gibbs also has never been shown outside of one funmatch 6 months ago. . at which he behaved MUCH better than he did this weekend. Bounce bounce, tail way up in the air, looking over his shoulder at mom, grabbing my hand, you name it, he did it. . the good thing? At least he was HAPPY!!! LOL

He won his class, but neither one of the 12-15 month old boys were behaving LOL And lost Best in Sweeps to a much more polished 15-18 month puppy who's done a lot of showing

Then it was Grins time, and I was sure my silly boy would mimic his son,I always joke he's 7.5 going on 7 months. . but nope, Grins showed like he was a veteran show dog. Moved out smoothly, kept his stack, got a compliment on his wonderful teeth(We joke the clacking he does when he grins doesn't allow plaque to grow lOL) and a comment on how he's a hairball LOL. When he got the nod for Best Veteran, Vickie was shocked it was his first show LOL

Gossip got 4th out of 5 in regular class, but that's ok, I got a lot of compliments on how nice she is looking. And she made up for it Sunday by going WB for her 2nd point in two weekends out with kari. .. she was SOO happy to see her mommy, but not so happy to go back into the bitch in season run.

So all and all, a succesful weekend, made up for not being able to go racing this weekend. I DO have a lot of work to do with Gibbs to make him presentable for the Nationals LOL. . OTOH, I'm sure he won't be the only dorkie puppy, but I do wanna make sure Kari will speak to me again LOL

Got a down weekend next weekend, which'll include getting most of getting blankets ready and start packing for the nationals, yes, I start early LOL as well as spring cleaning(FUN!). May even take a hike, but i'm going to take it slow, cuz then it's going to be nonstop for a month before I have another free weekend, but I'm looking forward to the Nationals. . .:)

this N that

Well, Gossip finally came into season. Took the very well educated from experience advice of a greyhound peer and decided to keep her off the racing field til next month anyway, but the surgery screwed with her cycle and threw her off. Trying to figure out how to keep her in shape while she's in season ::SIGH:: LGRA Nationals are in 6 1/2 wks, frustrating little bitch LOL

Went to dinner at a friend's house last month and had a lot of fun working her Aussie. He was bouncing off of walls so I put him thru his paces, worked with teaching him stand and drop(down from a stand) vs down(down from a sit) and other rally commands. Her other company was amazed at how much more well behaved he was after i worked him for about 10 mins. He joined us for Rally class last weekend and I have faith he'll be ready for the ring next month. She's paying me to do this, and it's a lot of fun. Will definitely be a big difference when I take Dei with us next class, as she's nto as happy and upbeat as Ms Gossip. She does it to make me happy, Gossip does it cuz it's FUN!!!

Even better, our agility/OB place was bought by another woman and we now have agility equipment back WEHEEE!!!!!!! I am so tickled about that. Soon as Gossip's out of heat, we'll be back into the agility training :)

Poor Eros, he doesn't know what hit him.

After seeing what was finishing in the ring around here, took a long hard look at Mr Eros, who isn't my cup of tea personally, but others do like him. I asked a handler friend of mine to come look at him and had a breeder/friend who put a DC on his daughter, has shown BIS/SBIS Borzoi to look hard at him, and they both agree that it wouldn't be a waste of time to show him. He's in gorgeous coat, now that his face is grayed out, his head doesn't look so clunky, nice low set and carried tail.

So, I've been confusing this poor boy by bathing him once a week(he's a pig, loves to dig holes and dirty himself LOL) and brushing him out, completely, totally and utterly. Few weekends ago, he went to his first show and picked up his first point. He was confused, but was a good boy, by BOB he was a bit overwhelmed and mentally tired, but he was a good boy.

Soo, with my handler/friend help, I've entered him in two more shows and we're talking other shows. He didn't do anything at GNY, but he was a good boy and behaved himself. Was going to run him some more this fall, but have decided to hold off while he shows. LOL At least he's a happy, go lucky easily food bribed boy LOL And he's such an easy going boy too.

This is the first time i've used a handler, I hate it, but with working two jobs, it's hard to travel on Saturdays, especially with lack of good kennel help. So, off he goes, thankfully he doesn't go long, over the weekend if I don't do ring side drop off. She owns his nephew AM :)

P.S. Of course, we mention shows, and he starts blowing coat big time LOL

week in review

This has quite literally, been the month from hell. .

Work has been busier than hell. . which is a good thing, albeit exhausting. .I get home and have no energy. Doesn't help the weather turned cold, and fast, no fall at all, just bam, bundle up weather.

Then get home, work with Gossip. . and this week it's been repaint PVBC's specialty signs. Not sure how old they are, but they looked horrendous. . I took the 5 worst ones and have been repainting and touching them up. They look 100% better all ready, but still need some real work, but that means taking them apart and making it easier to do so. . right now they're glued, but if we can get someone with a small drill bit, we could just screw the borzoi & shield and lettering in, and when somethign breaks, it makes it easier to replace them. ESPECIALLY when you can't find the same font as the rest of the letters are. Also makes it easier to paint in closed quarters, hard to repaint the middle of the O or the B without getting the letter blue or purple or gold. . will suggest it to the club, it'll definitely make it easier to keep them spiffy looking. . .

So, been busy, got home last night, put another coat of paint on, painted the Zoi as well as final painting of the backgrounds, and bathed and groomed two dogs, finish painting, take it over to Bob's. And get everything ready for an early AM departure. Sweeps at 9. . .Regular classes at 9:30, and OB at 11 . . goign to be tonight. . and probably sick on Monday, it is raining, so glad I'm not driving lOl Hope Carol Spritzer doesn't mind polka dots, cuz she's going to get an eyefull of Gossip's in the rain, OTOH, can't hide anything on a wet or naked dog. And then even more fun of doing OB in the rain. .will probably ahve to rewash Umbra for Sunday, OH JOY!!! Poor back.

Had a successful practice Last Sunday, even if we were fraught with equipment failures. . Bonnie just had both motors rebuilt, yet her motor wouldn't work, and something in mine(I can't spell it lOL) wouldn't kick in. Borzoi bob and Kathy's SO managed to put the two working bits together, worked for a bit, then that bit broke. Bonnie ran out and got another one, and we managed to get everyone thru once before the switch broke. .YARGH. . didn't get to run all the zoi we wanted to, but everyone who paid got a run.

First got a REALLY nice run, and allowed me to catch her easily, so she will be coming out with me this fall. Tip got to run, and also looked nice. Then we ran Kathy's Luthian with Reba to give Kathy confidence that Luthian'll ignore a well behaved dog running with her. Wanted to run Dei & Gossip, but will have to wait til next time.

I have to decide which FTE's I'm taking (Bagheera, First, Tip, Carrot, or Focus) next weekend LOL. Borrowing Bonnie's van so Idiot, err Eros can go, and I can work on re-box breaking his hairy butt. If Carrot & Focus are like their brother, they'll box break EASY. . .Bagheera's a moose, so that should be interesting LOL Hoping his 'Grandma' Comes, told her she could help me break him LOL Vickie hasn't seen him since he was knee high to a grasshopper, now he's knee high to an elephant and built like a tank, with a goofy sweet temperament

And counting down the days til I'll be home for xmas, warm & sunny Vegas. .

The showring. . what is going on

I've been in the dog show thing since 94 (Showed bassets for someone I knew), in Borzoi 'officially' (IOW owning them, was helping with rescue before then) since this time in 95. And each year, I get more and more jaded

I've been to hundreds of shows by now, as a spectator and a participant. I have seen at least one dog (or bitch as the case may be), from every bloodline out there that I think was lovely, may not want it for whatever reason(health, temperament, breeder's a loon) in my own yard, but that I can admire, but I am aghast at what I'm seeing finished. In many cases it's not the quality of the dog who matters, it seems to be who's on the end of the leash. it's either that, or too many judges are absolutely totally CLUELESS at what is proper movement or what makes a good borzoi.

1) I can NOT count the number of times I have seen dogs who were lame or unsound be put up for points or for BOB. These are dogs with a noticable bob to their head in time to one foot coming down, an obvious indicator the dog is lame. Or dogs if you watch, you can see they have a funny short stride in the front, but lots of drive in the rear. (And to the tune of "wow, look at that sidegait", you want to turn around and ask if you are you looking at the same dog). These dogs still have the head bob, just not to the extreme a lame dog has. Can the eye on most humans not process the movement front and aft on a moving object and that's why these things aren't seen? Doubt me? Pick up the 2004 Nat's DVD, I counted at least three AOM who were lame, including a youngish Veteran who shouldn't've made it out of his class.

A borzoi should float, effortlessly. There should be IMHO, no interruption in that movement, nothing to jar you as you watch it move. It's poetry in motion, well in trotting motion, true poetry is a borzoi at full gallop. Why do judges keep putting up badly moving dogs?

2)Extreme Reach & drive , or IMHO, the illusion of Extreme Reach & drive.

Although not built along the lines of a dog, anyone who's studied what makes a good performance horse knows that the front has to be set under the horse. The same holds true for a good Borzoi. One of the problem we're seeing in the ring is fronts set forward, under the neck, and on the move, they give the illusion of lots of reach as they can move further forward due to being set too far forward. But the problem is, it's incorrect. Those dogs can't hold up on the field. But hey, it looks flashy and it gets reward in the ring. . why put up the best moving dog regardless of proper structure? IMHO, should be putting up the best moving of the better built dogs. . .look at who's properly built, and pick the best moving from there. .or else we're just going to end up like the crippled American show GSD.

Renelty i'm seeing the other extreme, dogs with fronts too far under them and stick straight in the rear, no bend of stifle, a rear so lacking in angles it makes you hurt. .ack. . .fronts should come down beneath the apex of the shoulder.

Just boggles my mind . .most of the instances I've seen I've not had a horse in the race to speak of LOl so you can not blame it on sour grapes. . .I was just a bystander going WTF?

I just don't understand

Gossip & breeding

Gossip's all bathed up, blown out, drip drying a bit before I finish the act. I absolutely positively HATE showing a bitch in season. . .haven't done it in years, after Kyra was an idiot and flagged the damn tent post and the judge. What a slut lOL But that's why my newest problem is so frustrating, never dealt with it.

She's still flagging, she's still letting him mount, I wonder if she's got a stricture and that's the issue I had with the last litter, so I'll be throwing her, Mr Stud Muffin and Gossip in the van, heading to the show, following Vanessa back to her Repro vet for an eval and an AI.

OH JOY!!! What we do for puppies. Will have to make sure to have Gossip eval'd before we breed her, JUST in case.

Humpday news

Well, Gossip proved they're not known as bitches without reason: she's in season, 10 days before her debute after the injury. Going to the specialty beginning of next month wth Umbra and her is goign to be SOO MUCH DAMN FUN!!!

NOT!!!!

Progress is being made between Mr Wizard & Ms Touchet, lots of flagging, flirting courting, hopefully tomorrow the "deed" will commence in seriousness.

Spent some time working on Umbra's teeth. Of all the things I wish he had NOT inherited from his father, bad peridontal health is one of them. . .Rinka and Kyra both had great teeth up until their deaths, Garrett had horrid teeth before he reached 4. . .ick ick ick.


Waiting to see how much Bonnie enjoyed her first judging assignment.

Gossip's first show as an adult is this weekend. Hopefully she'll be a good girl. . and hopefully I can show with my bum finger. No idea how I did it, but managed to really f*ck up my ring finger on my right hand, OWWWWWWWW