Show Report

This weekend saw Stoker and Ecko entered in the Vancouver Kennel Club show. I was very pleased with the girl's performance over the two days.

On Saturday, Stoker placed 4th in a competitive open bitch class while 10 month old Ecko won best Bred-by and went on to represent the breed in the "Bred-by" Group. My friend Janet's bitch Booty (you may remember that Booty vacationed with us earlier this summer when Janet broke her ankle) took Winner's Bitch for a 3 point major. Yay Booty! Stoker's cousin Rebel earned a major reserve from the Open Dog class and cousin Sailor took Best of Breed. Her owner Martha, breeder Mandy and I had lots of fun cheering for Jessie and Sailor in group. No group placements for either Sailor or Ecko.

On Sunday, Stoker showed very well, taking a 2nd in the Open bitch class. Despite some puppy shenanigans on Ecko's part (I don't think levitation is part of the down and back...), Ecko earned her fourth major reserve in her short career. Once again, no points for the little parti-girl but she sure does get a lot of attention!

In the performance ring, my friends Evan and Carley's Cocker Twister (that's Twister's photo to the right) earned Rally legs both days to finish his Rally Novice title. Carley and Evan came by the conformation ring both days and were super helpful in holding the girls when I needed extra hands at ringside. Ecko's brother Cooper's mom Julie earned a Rally leg on Saturday with Cooper's housemate Tsuzi and then took Sunday off to do things with her family. Stoker's Aunt Bella worked nicely in Open obedience both days, but didn't manage a "Q" either day.

Cooper

Cooper came for grooming yesterday and I stalked him in the back yard for a bit with the camera to try to get some good photos. I swear the dogs always seem to know when I am trying to take photos of them and do everything they can to thwart my efforts!

After a long day of grooming and playing with Ecko and visiting cousin Mimi, Cooper went to handling class to practice being a show dog. I bet he was REALLY tired when he got home.

Go DUCKS!

Chloe's "mom" Joan sent me this photo and e-mail about Chloe: Chloe is geared up for DUCK football season! Thought you might enjoy these!
She is such a great pup! We love her to death and thankfully she seems to think that we are acceptable humans!

Any of you Beaver fans out there are welcome to send photos of your pups sporting the Beaver's colors...

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

Supposedly this David Bowie song is a commentary on the compulsive nature of artistic reinvention, however it seemed an appropriate caption to head this blog entry too! I haven't posted in a long time because there have big changes afoot in my life.

Effective October 1, I am no longer a part-owner or employee at Pup-A-Razzi. The business was the center of my life for 8+ years and had a major impact on Jan as well. I had lots of good times there, met some amazing people over the years and learned an incredible amount about dogs, training, human psychology and other things. Being a part-owner and founder of Pup-A-Razzi was a life altering experience for me, but the stress of being a small business owner and the time restrictions the business imposed on my personal life just got to be too much.

I'm currently enjoying working part time at Charlton Kennels on Sauvie Island and offering in-home private dog training and PWD grooming on the days I don't work there. Lookout Dog Services is the name for my new low-key business endeavor. Hopefully these two activities will generate enough income to support the PWD pack in the style to which they've become accustomed.

My Mom and Dad came to visit in the end of September and we had a wonderful week with them. We don't get to see them nearly enough. Jan and Dad had fun golfing several times and we took a trip to the Evergreen Aviation Museum and took the dogs walking and swimming a few times while they were here. Mom and Dad are great with the dogs and even Stoker warmed up to them right away.

The photo to the right is my sister-in-law Kim with my Dad and Mom in Alaska.

Water Trials, Agility and House Painting

Last weekend was a busy one for dogs and humans alike.

While Jan played a golf tournament with his buddies, I travelled to Snohomish, WA for the weekend to attend the PNWPWDC's annual fall water trial. We've been going every year for as long as I can remember. Stoker went with me to keep me company, but none of the dogs were entered this year. Chili and Decker already have the most advanced water titles they can achieve, Stoker isn't ready for Courier yet and Jan hopes to trial with Ecko next summer. I worked as Chief Steward on Saturday and completed my final Provisional judging assignment on Sunday. Assuming I did an adequate job, I should receive notification from the PWDCA water trial committee that I am an approved judge. Imagine that!

Kilo's Grand-dog, Rebel qualified for his Junior Water Dog certificate on Sunday and photographer Nancy Gaffney took this awesome photo of him. Click HERE for Nancy's website to see more of her water trial photos.

Decker travelled with CJ and her dogs Journey and Seeker to an agility trial in Eugene. Decker and Seeker were entered four days in a row. Decker had a fantastic weekend, earning an Open Standard Q (to complete his title), an Excellent Standard Q (his first time out in Excellent) and an Open Jumpers Q. Every time he qualified he got either a 1st or 2nd class placement. Who knew that Deckie would turn into such a good agility dog! CJ has done a super job with him.

Ecko, Chili and their friend Tory (Jessie P's Golden) stayed home to mind the house with my friend Jessi M. Jessi takes fantastic care of the dogs and took them to work with her at Pup-A-Razzi on Saturday and to the river to swim on Sunday. Ecko showed off her swimming prowess - much improved since the beginning of the summer.

After we all returned home from our busy weekends, we tackled a major project - painting the house. We purchased supplies and chose a color (Lexington Blue), then spent some time taping windows etc. Jan rented a paint sprayer today and is busy spraying away as I type.

We finally got around to painting the dining room too. We've had the paint for months, but kept finding reasons to put the project off. It's still a work in progress (need the ladder to do the finish work along the high ceilings) but the room is now a warm "Cashew" color instead of it's previous chilly white.

The Journey

A link to this was posted on an e-mail list that I am on. It was presented by noted agility competitor and instructor Susan Garrett prior to a Championship Agility competition, but the sentiment applies to all our pets and the many valuable lessons we can learn from them.

Longview Kelso show

Rebel made a good showing this weekend, taking Winner's Dog and Best of Winners both Saturday and Sunday for two more points. Way to go Rebel!

Cooper took Reserve Winners Dog on his very first time in the ring on Saturday. I wasn't able to attend, but had several reports that he did a very nice job, gaiting smoothly and tolerating the judges exam fairly well. Cooper's housemate Tsuzi made her debut in the ring in Rally obedience on Saturday and she and Julie earned their first Rally leg. There was no Rally offered on Sunday, and unfortunately Julie and Cooper did not fare as well as Saturday. Whether it was the grumpy and impatient judge or the fact that the puppy ahead of him was nervous for his own exam, Cooper would not stand for the judges exam and was excused. He moved well again and his attitude was good, so this is nothing a little training and practice won't fix.

Ecko was happy in the ring and stayed reasonably white despite some rain showers, but didn't garner much attention from the judge. Stoker showed quite well and earned Reserve Winners Bitch.