The Crufts Adventure

I guess our Crufts adventure started on Thursday afternoon with a somewhat snowy drive to Swinton. I have to admit I was apprehensive about leaving Steve and equally apprehensive about how Orin and Siska would behave in someone's home. There were no worries, no concerns Steve was fine and the dogs behaviour was impeccable from the beginning to the end of the adventure.  The dogs have never stayed anywhere before and other than being a little unsettled with the heat in the house they did really well overnight. 

The M6, especially the toll was quite snowy with the fast lane being mostly out of use, but we got to the NEC without incident. The long walk from the car park to the halls was really not funny, especially with two dogs eager to get on their way. I found walking on the grass when possible was much safer. I've done that walk plenty of times in December and March to be prepared for any weather. 

Jackie's puppy Kai was in first, there were only two in the class but the other puppy had already done some winning. Kai gave a great performance and won the class, he later challenged the MPD winner and was BPD ... a great start. 

Callan was in PGD, there was an entry of 16 dogs, 14 of which were present. Callan was shortlisted and then placed 1st where he remained till the end of the class. Maybe one of the highlights of the day was seeing Bethan in tears as her precious boy won the class. 

Orin was in straight after Callan, 8 of the 9 entries were present in limit dog. After taking that jump into limit I was really pleased with how Orin looked and went. To be second in that class was an achievement in itself, but to be called in to challenge was just overwhelming - maybe one day, dreams may come true eh! 

To great interest from the public, Siska spent most of the day relaxing in her chair, she must have been the most photographed dog on the day. Anyway, she gave a very nice performance in the ring and held her own in a difficult class with a lot of older bitched, 14 of the 15 entries were present in her class too. I was thrilled with her place and there were some nice bitches behind her. Being on day 5 of her season made no difference whatsoever and other than a quick flirt with Sully, well no one seem to notice.  

I must admit by the end of the day I was desperate to get away, I just want to get some food and come home! Anyway thanks again to everyone who made it possible. Frank and Linda for giving us a bed for night, Ian for driving, Sarah for handling the gang and Linda, Bethan and Joyal for the photos and Ian for the super videos. (All the photos and videos are on Facebook) 

Crufts

Super day at Crufts and an adventure worth a post of it's own. Orin and Siska were both 2nd in their classes. There was 14 present in Siska PGB class and 8 present in Orin's class. The dog that won the CC was the winner of Orin's class and I was proud that he was called back in to challenge for the RCC. Callan also did fantastically well winning PGD, again 14 of the entry of 16 were present in the ring. 

I'm very proud!

We Have A Plan

If we can get out of here in daylight today, then we have invited ourselves to stay at Linda and Franks tonight, with the hope of making it down the M6 to the NEC tomorrow morning. Those travelling today have sent back reports that the road is clear, it's just getting out of here that will be fun. It's not so much that there is an accumulation of snow, it's just drifting with this fierce wind. 

So if all goes well, I won't be back on the blog till the weekend.

No Crufts?

Looking at the weather forecast is depressing, well it's making me realise that the chances of us getting to Crufts are low. I love snow, but when it could come anytime between Oct and May, why does it come when we want to get to a dog show? 

Not that many would notice, Orin has lost about half of his coat, but he still look well enough to show. Siska is in full coat and obviously still with the boys,  but there is some early flirting going on. 

We opted to get a delivery of logs, buying them by the bag was getting far too expensive. We've moved about half of them today .. but OMG what do we do with the rest now? No doubt Mr S will have a plan! 

This Is Vesco

Described in his first show in the UK as ... 

Quality medium size, Very typical, excellent head and expression. VG overline, forehand and hind angulation. Slightly steep croup. Straight front, good feet and pasterns. Sound coming and going, VG movement. Awarded rcc

Day 1 And Crufts

Well here we go, Siska has come in season this morning. Between her and her mother hormones have been raging recently. So the wheels will now be set in motion, I've informed Joe and checked back on the blog to the previous season for when we need to get a blood test taken. I'm opting for day 11 as the boys were showing interested in her that day last time, of course having them will help me make last minute changes to the plan should I need too. I will update my blog regularly up to the day of mating, but as usual I will not be posting anything on Facebook. Siska's diary will then be kept secret from all until after the scan day when good or bad news will be posted. 

It's Crufts on Friday, it'll only be day 5, so she's going, unless we are snowed in of course! Yesterday we travelled an hour to a limit show. Though there were no breed classes the judge was an experienced breed judge. Siska was 2nd to a PMD in her class and Kaiah won open. Kaiah was challenging for the group but it was given to a lovely Briard who also went BIS. The judge was very nice and said "almost" to Kaiah!!! 

I read a rather cynical post on a friends page this morning. She suggests that on the weekend before Crufts everyone is posting photos of their dogs in a bid to promote them for the big day. Obviously there is a lot of backlash from the post with the green eyed monster loving it. If I thought a photo of my dog had any chance of influencing the judge then surely I would chose a better photo than the one we used yesterday? Maybe I'll sit her on her chair by the ring for the morning at Crufts to see if the judge recognises her? How fecking funny!!! 

Siska Two Years On

It Takes A Photo

 I go on and on about never publishing a bad photo of our show dogs, believe me a bad photo is never forgotten, but sometimes it takes a good photo to show us exactly what we've got as well. A third and even better photo of Siska in stance came to light from the photoshoot on Sunday. I can't thank Bethan enough for these stunning photos - and of course Ian for standing her. I do apologise for removing you Ian, but I think she steals the show all on her own! 

In The Field

This Morning

This Afternoon

I turned the pressure washer on Orin for ripping up the field, he was quite a distance away so it was not going to hurt him, anyway it didn't help, he went on his back and rolled ... so he had a belly wash/shower instead. Wish I had videoed him. He's so funny.

Season?

Things are afoot here, Loki and Zeus have been having a good look in Siska's crate when it's empty, and today Orin has shown early interest in Siska. The games have been getting more and more OTT over the last week or so and Orin's interest today is an indication that she should soon be in season. Usually, the boys start taking some notice about 2 weeks before a season, looking back Loki checked out her pee on Saturday. All this points towards Siska coming in season soon and my estimated timing of mid-March could well be correct. It's a good thing I don't bite my nails!