Thursday, April 9, 2015
So much to be thankful for. As the first quarter of 2015 drew to an end, Rod and I reflected on the local shows our pups attended and represented well.
In January, Misty won back to back Best of Breed wins at the Kachina Kennel Club shows in Arizona. It was a fun weekend staying with one of our Scottie owners and only worrying about one dog to show. Tavai Zaysoff and Louie (Bravo Striking Performance) won an Owner-Handler Group 2 at this show and we were very proud of this duo.
In February a few days after Chicory the Scottie welcomed four new little puppies into the world, Jack (La Chanson's Never Say Never) was awarded Best of Winners at the Silver Bay Kennel Club and won another point toward his championship. Thanks to our colleague Betty Jo Costantinidis who handled him, I could see how he moves in the ring and he reminds us very much of his father Garrison as a young dog. While his owners prepare for a wedding in their family this summer, Jack will be shown on a limited basis for a while, but we look forward to having him compete at the Southern California Bouvier des Flandres specialty in May.
In late February and early March, sisters Brenna and Lenore Mooney drove their boy dog Mal to Arizona to compete at the Fiesta Cluster. Nita and Misty also made the trip, as did Bomond the Scottie (Bomond Brave & Save At Bravo) and my mother flew in from Colorado to see her girls and long time friends that live in the area. Mal was awarded Winners Dog and Best of Winners the first day he was shown and he was awarded Winners Dog on the last day he was shown, so their drive home was pleasant knowing he had more points toward his championship. After limited showing and wondering if this youngster was ever going to mature, it was nice to have him recognized for his attributes, especially as he has gotten older. Nita was only shown two of the days and was having too much fun worrying about her sister's whereabouts. Misty picked up more points toward her Grand Championship.
Also in Scottsdale, at the Sun Country Terrier Club show, Bomond was Winners Dog, Best of Winners and Best of Breed for another point toward his championship and Louie (Bravo Striking Performance) was Reserve Winners Dog. Two days later, Tavai showed Louie and won Winners Dog, Best of Winners and Best of Breed for his very first point.
Visiting from New Mexico was Louie's brother Grant (CH Bravo Grand Performance) and his owners Jack and Cathy LeRoy. It was such a treat to have Grant hear my voice and come running to find me and slime me with kisses and tail wags. We do love our little scuttlebutt Scotties.
In March and after a year out of the ring, John and Diane Thomas were able to start attending dog shows again so their girl River was entered at the Del Sur Kennel Club. Not knowing how she might do, it was as if she had never left the ring. Both days she was awarded Winners Bitch and Best of Winners and it was a joy to have her enjoying her time competing. Thanks, again, to Betty Jo for helping me show Jack and River.
At the end of March and exactly one year from the day Miss Nita stunned us all and went Best Puppy in Show, she was awarded Winners Bitch for her fourth major and earned her championship. On the same day and exactly one year from winning his very first point, Mal was awarded Best of Winners to win his first major. The next day was just as wonderfully rewarding as our fawn girl Coco was awarded Winners Bitch for her second major and Mal was awarded Best of Winners and Best Opposite Sex over the male special winning his second major. Not bad for two days of showing - a new championship for one pup, a second major for another Garrison daughter, and both majors for another one of our pups made the drive home extremely rewarding.
The first weekend of April was also rewarding. The first day of the Apple Valley Kennel Club weekend, Mal was awarded Best of Winners for another point toward his championship and Misty was awarded Select Bitch over another bitch special which completed the final requirement for her Grand Championship.
As always, we are thankful for the owners of our dogs who love them on a daily basis and for those who have traveled for grooming and for competing. Rod and I love these pups for all they bring to the lives that share them and their show ring accomplishments are just the icing on the cake.
Looking forward to what the next few months may bring.