A Surreal, but Nice, Weekend

(First - name the movie that title was inspired by!)

Saturday was ummmmm, interesting.  We were brought back to earth by the dog show gods - after our big double major weekend two weeks ago, yesterday Sally was 4th in the Bred-by class.  4th out of 4.  Ouch. 

On the good side, the judge liked brother Tommy and Mama Scout  - Tommy got Reserve and Scout was BOB.

Sally and I were both a bit off yesterday - we got in very late to the hotel, and lazy me did not take a crate inside for her.  I think she had trouble settling down because of that.  Then we had an 8 o'clock ring time, the hairdryer in the hotel room wouldn't work, and at 6:30 in the morning it was already 85 and 110% humidity or as we call it, "air you can wear."   It was also Sally's first time at a big show - noisy and lots of people and dogs - and it didn't even hit me until late yesterday afternoon  that I had not even thought about how difficult that probably was for her.  Any or none of these could have contributed to it - but it just was not our day.

We all crashed early last night and today was a better day.  Sally and I walked around a good bit before we went in the ring I played "hooman pez dispenser" and gave her lots of treats.  We were both more relaxed and it showed in how she moved in the ring.  And I was pleased as punch when the judge gave her Winner's Bitch and a 5 point major.  That gets her to 14 points.

My puppy has springs.

Sally is one bouncy puppy. While we on the dogshow trip to Richmond, she figured out the shortest distance between the two beds was to take flight between them. And she did over and over and over again.

On the next dogshow trip to Southaven, she reprised her act many more times. But today she shocked the heck out of me. I have taught the dogs to "help me" - that's the command when they are getting in their crates in the Element. The put their front paws on the tailgate and I boost them up.

But today went I asked Sally to help, she looked like she was going to do the normal thing, but instead she sprang straight up and landed lightly on the tailgate. Neither Scout nor Spencer have ever thought about doing this. This pup never ceases to amaze me.

Home Again

Chattanooga traffic was a beast tonight. Major arteries shut down by two wrecks and road constuction. Side roads (i.e., paved goat trails) clogged by drivers who idled their gas away. The last 10 miles of our trip took over an hour.

But overall, it was a great weekend. Laura and I drove over to Southaven MS for a show. Heidi met us there Saturday morning. Lots of old and new friends were there, including Betty and Ted, owners of the Intrepid Tommy of the Ocho.

Sally had a big weekend, picking up two 4-point majors. Scout picked up a Group 2 and 9 more Gch points. Tommy and Betty had lovely showings - his points will come in due time. Up in Michigan, lovely littermate Ginger went to her first show and got a 3 pt major, making Kathy very proud as well.

I am so proud of all the Ocho. The show dogs have made awesome starts, and all eight are champions of the heart with their great families. I feel very lucky to have had such a fabulous first breeding experience.

Great day for Mockingbird!

Sally gets a 4 pt major in Mississippi, Ginger gets a 3 pt major in Michigan, and Scout gets a Group 2!!

Sent from my iPhone

It's not just a party wagon

It's my new pickup truck! Off to recycle.

Coming soon to a dog show near you . . .

(I'm thinking a photo opp with three brindle girls in the wagon in OH!)

Last weekend's Cardi Party

I was lounging on the porch and did not even pull out my camera, but here's a link to Elizabeth's post on the festivities - at Chronicles of Cardigan.