Blaniks At SWGSD

 Well what an adventure - I don't know where to start, how about at 4am when the alarm went off and house erupted. Kaiah, Sammi, Ross and Loki all screaming because they know why the alarm goes off so early, and Siska and Orin joining in because they can! Ziva pulled her blanket over her head and Zeus beat me up in the kitchen. 

The van was loaded and by 4.30am we were on the road. The sat nav as usual telling us to go right, why it thinks we should go via the M6 when it's 60 miles and 20 mins further I'll never know. Actually on route things got worse instead of better, firstly it wanted to go through Welshpool, then Machynlleth and then Newtown. All the time we continued to ignore it and the arrival time kept adding on minutes. As it told us to turn left for Newtown our arrival time was 9.28am - No Callan was in at 9.30am, but we turned right for Builth and it re calculated giving our arrival time as 8.43am - that made more sense! Goes to prove you do need an idea of where you're going don't you! 

It peed it down for Callan's class, but my god what a little professional he was. He looked liked he'd been doing it all his life. He looked super in stance and moved with attitude and drive. We were so pleased to see him get a third at his first breed Championship show, and even more pleased with so much positive feedback from the ringside. 

Orin was in junior, now let's start with the negative. I was hurt to hear that all someone who matters had to say was ... "yes I know it's him, but errr those eyes!"  I know that same someone had told me a long time ago that they would not show him because of his eyes, they would "get rid." I know that by that they mean sell him to a pet home, but we don't work like that, we show and we love what we have. Anyway I guess we had the last laugh, despite his eyes Orin was pulled out first, the judge moved the class round and then keeping the first two out for further assessment he asked the others to stand back. He moved them round, he re stood them, he moved them around again and then he moved the up and down together. He moved the second dog to the first position, moved them round, then he moved O back to the front and moved them again. OMG - Orin won, he won his second Junior dog class in a week and that with the same dog in second place both times. I guess these two will fight hard for the top spot in future. What a buzz, what a nerve wracking fight for a win, but my glamorous boy show so much strength and power in his movement, how could he be denied? 

After the males had finished, baby Siska was next in the ring ... what was important was that she showed well and enjoyed herself. I can safely say that she did ... and she won Minor Puppy bitch. Ok there was only two in the class .. but Mini me was brilliantly handled to first place by Sarah. 

During the lunch break I had the pleasure of catching up with an old friend, yeah another highlight of the day was seeing Jazz - Orin's sister who lives close by. She was so beautiful, beautiful enough to have been in the ring! Oh it was great to catch up with her family too.... Yvette you are doing a fantastic job with her and I'm glad you finally got to meet Jazz' canine family. 

Isla was in Junior Bitch, and both Ian and I chickened out of taking her in. There was far too much running for this fat 50 something year old - I think we'll put Darryl in training for handling. Isla managed a credible 4th in her class. I just can't get over her colour - wow she is amazing. 

Kaiah was in limit bitch, I warned Sarah beforehand that due to her hormonal state she was now carrying a little extra weight. Sarah felt it did affect her performance, but as ever I am honest, Kaiah was third and was placed where she should have been. She was never going to beat Wizzi or Etna, but was very capable of being in front of the others. I was really pleased, getting a third in limit in that company should never be frowned upon. 

Sammi stood alone in veteran bitch, she went well, bless her, in all her years she's never been shown in that fashion. Having really stuck to general championship shows things were very different for Kaiah and Sammi yesterday, but to be fair they coped well. Orin and Siska have had more training for this kind of show, and those weeks training in Llanrug have really put O on the right track. Best veteran in show went to the lovely Nanci who was shown in open bitch, she's always been a favourite of mine, and though you hope for that extra win, you don't mind being beaten honestly by a good one!!!!

There will be hundreds of photos on Facebook later - I can't wait to see them and share them... Wow what a day that was.

The Blanik bus arrived home just after 10pm and today the only one feeling the effects of the long day is me! "Siska - Leave the cat alone, Siska - Don't do that to your mother, Siska -Spit that out" ... etc etc!