You know how life gets in the way of our fun?  That’s how it’s been lately but I’ve found a few moments to work on this blog and get an update out the door.

First the big news about Trace, otherwise known as Qwaynt’s Mystery Man and the Dubuque show.  I have never enjoyed going to the Dubuque show because the weather is often iffy, the unloading and parking situation is often horrid, the grooming space nearly non-existent and the judging panels often not worth the entry money.  Jean and Diana and I had looked at the judges and there was just no way to pass up showing under noted judge Katie Gammill, so Jean, Diana and Mac all came up and stayed at the farm on Sat. night.  It was pretty cool, we had an early ring call and got there in good time, drove right up, unloaded, had a spot saved by Diana’s friends, set up, groomed and hit the ring after the funniest Chihuahua performance.  Trace was first in the ring and Katie Gammill and I had a good table side chat about the Chihuahua’s antics.  She is such a wonderful judge, so easy going and friendly.  She put Trace up as WD for a 4 point major!!  It was a hard decision for her between Trace and Mac’s Boogie, who she put up as RWD.  Boogie is a darling, my favorite kind of goofy boy and he and his sister’s were wonderful houseguests.   And then for breed, Diana’s wonderful young man Ditto went BOB!  You know, it's a trip to enter one day when no one knows you are coming to the show, end up with a major, waltz into the ring and take away the major with ease--it doesn't happen often, but when it does well ya gotta float along on that for a while--it's a terrific ego boost.  Especially when you know it irritated a few other exhibitors.  And ya'll know who you are. ;-)

I have to comment a bit on some of the antics outside of the ring that a.m.  It’s never fun to watch another dog in your breed get all snarky with other dogs as they pass by.  It leaves such a bad impression on spectators who will immediately get the idea that all dogs in the breed have aggressive attitudes.  Shame on the breeders and owners of such dogs – if your dog can’t behave themselves make sure they don’t get the opportunity to become a bad example of the breed.  Or better yet, retire them from the ring before they do damage not only to the breed reputation but to another dog.  I have zero tolerance for aggression in dogs no matter what the breed and it seems the AKC has finally adopted the attitude as well.

So now Trace needs 2 singles to finish his CH!!  I’m so proud of my shortstuff dude.  Now we can go onto some fun stuff, he’ll be ready to hit rally and obedience soon and we’ve just started agility.   I’m thinking about adding another activity to his repertoire as well.   And don’t count him out of the breed ring—there are a few wonderful judges he might have to show to as a special—judges that truly appreciate his stellar qualities, the way he uses himself, his appropriate structure and size, gorgeous headpiece and personality plus!

More later…you have to hear the story about the latest cow adventures as well as tails of the new Hairy Harold dog.