the show scene

It's been a busy spring around here for lots of reasons. Too much snow leads to too much mud. Then too much rain, again too much mud. David's been traveling, alot, too much for me. Alec's been here and there and everywhere. Me-well, had to stay home a lot and man the fort, though I have had a few weekends out and about showing and the vacation to KY for the BIG dog show.

This last weekend at the show, we had the good, the bad, the ugly and the what in the world are they thinking?

The good: Meredith finished her first dog! Eddie, aka Blue Bear, aka Edweirdo, aka Knock It Off, is now a champion. That girl beamed and it was a pleasure to see her smile so big in the ring. Usually she's so serious, that you have to tell her to smile. They then got a 4th place in her open junior class. Good weekend. Can't forget Kim's awesome grilling. Good conversation, good dogs and a good dinner. Can't ask for more then that. Though Moose made himself too much at home at Kim and Kathy's. I can't take that dog anywhere anymore.

The what were they thinking?: That's what everyone said about Russ or should I say his other personality Rosario. Talk about a wound up puppy. This boy was all over the place and told everyone just how hyper he was and and and and......My arm hurt after the show from trying to hold him still and keep his focus for more then a split second. Told the judge he needed a ten mile hike this morning and didn't get it. She giggled at me. We discussed at length later on about Russ-good discussion and she'll be seeing us in a while to show to again.

The bad and the ugly: They go hand in hand this weekend. First the bad weather-cold, wet and just plan ugly. Dogs couldn't get in a run, came in after a quick do their duty, and looked slightly damp and frizzy. Good thing I had the dryer with me.

At each and every show, there is a wide gamut of people and dogs, all with varying purposes. Enjoyment is one, competition is another or stupidity too. Some days I fit into the last category and will openly admit it. Take Des Moines in February--stupid, stupid, stupid. Lots of dogs are out there showing as "specials". Those are dogs that already have their championships and are now competing for points based on the number of dogs they beat in BOB, Groups and Best In Show. The total number of dogs they beat will add up to give them a ranking. Along with these specials, are a unique group of people we call handlers. The other group are the owner-breeder-handlers or owner-handlers. Those people out there showing their own dogs. Let's talk professional handlers for a moment.

Granted everyone has to make a living. Some people do it with honesty, some people do it with integrity and then there are those low lives or just plain idiots without a clue. Handlers can fit all or just a few of those rolls. Most of us assume(I hate that word) that professional handlers, mean just that. Tell you what, there are a few then there are those that want the win at an cost. The problem is that many of our judges, knowing the big bucks that these handlers get paid for the win, will reward a less then stellar dog. The reason-so that those handlers will show their high paid mutts to them again, assuring that the judge will get continued good assignments. It's a sorry side to the world of dog shows. We call it face judging or a judge who looks at the north end of the lead. Every sport or profession has something similar.

Now let's back track to- what were they thinking- and combine that with the bad and ugly. Lot's of us will look at a less then stellar special and wonder what in the world the judge saw in that dog, knowing full well he wasn't rewarding the dog but the handler. So lots of so-so dogs representing our breeds are out there showing, and the admiring public gets a perception that isn't quite right. But then you have the other handlers, those that will take on any dog in the name of money. I do a little handling myself. I learned the trade from a great handler who is also an honest handler. He is very willing to tell an excited owner that his or her dog just isn't made for the ring or don't waste your money on showing or paying me. I like that. Honesty, hum. Anyway, I'm upfront with a client about their dog-qualities I like, don't like and why the dog might not do well. They make the decision on showing their dog. What I don't get is the handler without a clue. Comes along as an owner handler then decides, hum to make a little money on the side or pay for my weekends, I need to show some dogs for others. Great idea, but when you can't even admit how crappy your own dogs are, what kind of handler and representative for an owner do you make? When you say you handle dogs and everything has an excuse why it doesn't win-usually the judge, not their lack of handling skills, the poor quality of the dog they are showing or the inability to bring in the ring a well trained reasonably in shape and well groomed dog?

I watched this weekend as one person after another, labeling themselves a handler, walked in to the ring totally oblivious to the ugly, poorly groomed, untrained and uncivilized dog on their lead. Then promoting themselves to others as a professional. What has this sport come to? Ugh, I swear it's so painful to watch, but yet amusing. They think so much of themselves, you can see the gloat on their faces, the puffed up chest. Kind of look like a prairie chicken doing their mating dance.

And why do I do this show thing every chance I get? Maybe it is the competition, but I think it's more fun doing the people watching. Maybe I should change careers and go into sociology? Studying human nature is so fun ;)

Later gators....
C

there are days and then there are.....

really bad days. I swear if it wasn't the impending doom of more rain, it's that everything either falls apart, gets wrecked or eaten. Yesterday was one of those days.

Let's start with falling apart. Both big trucks need mufflers. Mine only needs the tail pipe reweleded but knowing how it works, they will tell me that I need a whole new exhaust when I go in. David managed to rip off his entire exhaust and crush the muffler in one of those glorious pot holes on our even more glorious gravel roads. Drove past the spot the other day and it looked like a lane for a mud run. I swear, there are now reasons for living in town-solid roads. Note I didn't say smooth-pot holes are pot holes. I just like to have the road not move underneath me. What else has fallen apart? Fence-nope, just Click getting bored and jumping back and forth over the 4 ft fence. Yes, back and forth-remember this is Click the wonder collie.

Wrecked-yes once again, Alec is without a car. Small collision last night pretty much totalled his little cavalier. Called Dad and said, time for a new one and of course then I got to hear about his near accident yesterday. He spent the better part of his day with a fellow driver who had a car cross the median and go under his trailer. Prayers for the family as the young man was killed in the accident. Those are always the scariest as you have no control. As for Alec, bummer that he's not got a vehicle right now, but hoping we can find him something in the next couple of weeks. No one was hurt, only minor damage on the other vehicle that he rear ended. We think the breaks gave on the little purple car.

Now for the dinner options. Would you like pepper on that DVD remote? Moose was doing so good loose during the day and unfortunately it didn't last. All buttons are accounted for on the remote, which of course was the one up on the top of the dresser-he left the universal remote alone that was in the bed-go figure. My question is, first how he managed to get that remote, second how does he manage to create so many small and even pieces out of it. Only Moose. Usually that's a Turner trick, which is why Turner is crated during the day. He's eaten two of them already and attempted a third. Besides the usual items eaten in the house during the week, mostly stuffed toys and crate mats, I'm keeping a very close eye on the cat and making sure she leaves the ducklings alone. Now that would be a complete disaster.

The sunnier side of things are that today's David's birthday, happy forty something Love! Tomorrow is the time honored tradition of mint julieps, big colorful hats and horse racing. Yes it's Derby Day!!! Everything stops in our house during the afternoon. Tape in the vcr to record what might be history in the making(I have ten years worth of history on tape). And wishing I could get David to make a bet on the race. Between Meredith and David, we haven't lost a race in about 6 or 7 years. David, for as long as I have known him, has always been able to pick the top three horses. Fun afternoon and some year, we will actually go and watch it in person.

Later gators....
C

I finally did it

Broke down yesterday as I was running errands. Broke down that is, and bought plants. Believe me, that is one of my big weaknesses. So after the kennel club meeting-thank you Scot for a short and sweet meeting, I unloaded just a few items at home. Columbine are one of my favorite things, so I have four new unusual varities for the front bed. Then two of David's favorites-delphinium- a nice dark blue and a new variety of Jacob's Ladder-this one is a pale pink with a hint of a very pale indigo. Can't wait to plant them this weekend.

I also day dream as I drive. About as dangerous as other's talking on their cell phones. I passed magnolias in full bloom along Mt Vernon Road. Wish we didn't have so much wind at our place and I would have one. But I did decide what to do in the daylily bed out front-besides add more daylillies, a nice speciman flowering tree. If I can find a Sargent Crab, that's what I really want, it will go there. Might do a redbud-Texas Pink variety or Forest Pansy. Then it's move the barn cupula, transplant the boxwood, find some quaking aspen for a corner and last but not least, the big purchase for plants this year is a nice caliper Bur Oak for an area near the barn.

Forgot about the flowering hedge for along the back yard fence-lilacs, ninebarks, dogwoods, a few viburnums, burning bush(I know it doesn't really flower but need fall color), maybe a buckthorn or two for some height.

Pots to plant-need pansies, David loves salvia and dusty miller, then it's geraniums, no petunias(allergic to those) and what ever else strikes my fancy-oh snapdragons are a must. Cleome, cosmos and such for the beds by the barn.

Did I mention we haven't gone up to Seed Savers yet??

Roses-none to replace this year but I am going to plant a couple hardy climbers by the gate to the back yard. Might even get a magnolia for that area ;0)

Oh goodness, have I gone over board yet? Planting parts of the garden this weekend too.


HELP!!!

Later gaters...
C

happy, happy, joy, joy

I'm trying to get all the dust out of my eyes this morning, still, even after a nice long shower last night and going to sleep with wet hair. My shoes feel like they have a sand dune in them, every now and then I get a taste of grit-where in the heck is it all coming from? Trying to put on my best smile but man, nothing worse then gunky eyes and sandy shoes to make you miserable for the day. As the title reads, I'm chanting happy, happy, joy, joy. Isn't it true the longer you say something, the more likely it is that you will believe it? So I am attempting to be happy this morning, but give me a moment-gotta empty my shoe again.................


Okay, back at ya. Now you must be asking, what the heck am I doing with all this dirt. Needless to say it's not helping the breathing issues-I know that the Dr is going to chew me out when I go in. We had finally gotten on a road to recovery with this battle. Flat tire, time to pause. But anyway, I digress here. It's the annual spring ritual-4-H obedience has started, once again!! I actually look forward to it. One thing Mom taught me was the value of volunteering. I've been volunteering for about 20 years in the 4-H program in various ways. Horse project, helping at county fair but for the last 9 years, it's been the dog program. Alec and Ellie got involved in 4-H and took our first two dogs-Hope and Addie to the fun match and well, cleaned up. Since they didn't take classes offered but trained at home as well as took classes with an other instructor, the program leader asked if I would help out. Of course I would and look where it's taken me.

I love working with kids. They are the foundation of our society and if we don't take the time to work with them and build them up, scares me to think of where we might be in 20 years-eek. So last night was the first full fledged night for dogs and kids. I have great friend in Tim Miller who is working the agility end of things. So I teach obedience while he works agility, then we flip kids and do it all over again. 4 levels of obedience, then showmanship, rally obedience, agility and who knows what else. Minimum of 3 hours each Tuesday-by the time I get all done it's around 4 hours. This winter , we also started a pet therapy program modeled after the Ohio Pet Pals program and hoping to have a group of kids and dogs pass their TDI's and start doing hospice visits later this fall.

Back to last night. We have our own building up at the fairgrounds now. It's great. We can set up and run a full agility course and still have room for an obedience class in the same building. Unfortunately, and this relates to the whole dust issue this morning, it was very dry in there. Every time a dog moved, it created a cloud of dust. I felt like Pig Pen when I got home last night. I think every person and every dog was coated in a fine layer of it. So the goal is to get a hold of Leonard and have him water it down this week. That in turn could be interesting as we might be working in mud ;0) Considering the lower infield and track at the fair grounds was under several feet of flood water last night, asking to water something might raise an eye brow or two.

There are at least 25 kids in prenovice obedience this year! WOW--many are brand new to the program, which is great. Unfortunately we also lost many kids to graduation last year and the novice class consists of 4. Poor Meredith has a dog in each class except Rally. She's always running here and there. Jasper in novice and agility. Click in prenovice and agility. Eddie in showmanship. Clairee in open. All in all, she's doing good with her dogs. Of course Clairee has been shown by every member of the family so she's got the hang of it, now just trying to get her new handler to figure out her buttons. Jasper is going to do double duty and work in 4-H on Tuesdays, then take a competition class on Thursdays-that one's a tough boy to crack. Still working on some issues with him and his dislike of big blue dogs. Click-now that's one who never stops amazing me. Regardless of the situation, she's ready to work, ready to go and I haven't touched that one at all-all Meredith and really tells me that kid's got a nack for training. Last but not least, Eddie. He gets the easy job of the night-stand and look pretty. Showmanship is going to be a tough class to judge this year. Don't envy that person's job. Some really good kids out there.

Moose got to come along. Is there ever any doubt that the boy would have to stay home while Mom goes out and has fun? One gal had to leave her dog at home so Moose played substitue last night and worked with a stranger. Makes one feel good that you can hand off one of your own dogs and they will help teach someone else the ropes. Granted I did get a few looks from across the ring of -hey Mom, what's happen'? But the other end of the leash person produces hot dogs and I'm just a memory. Loyalty, eh?

So happy, happy, joy, joy, if I can get past the dust, eye goobers, asmtha attacks and sand in my shoes, then it really will be a joy to go each Tuesday and teach. Or should I say learn-all of the kids are wonderful and I in turn learn from them each time we work together. Now that really does say something for the next generation!

Later gators....
C

passwords

This world is hopeless. I need a password to do everything and anything these days. Heck even logging on to post this blog, since I didn't take my cap lock off, I had to retype my password, again.

I have a password to login on my aol account, one to do the website, one for the student loan website, yahoo email, 4-H website and email, proplan club, lunch account for Meredith at school. I can name dozens more too. The ones I have for work change every 30 days so I have to come up with something easy for me to remember but not something someone else will figure out. What is this world coming too that we are so concerned about our privacy that we forget about honesty and trustworthiness?

I admitt, the other day I even managed to remember part of my locker combination....from high school gym, my freshman year. That was, never mind, just a long damn time ago. All those useless facts stored back in our brains or should I say, taking up space that could be put to better use such as solving world hunger or figuring out if a tree falls in the woods, no one is there to hear, does it still make a sound? Okay, not that much free brain space for me, but I might be able to remember where I put that missing health form for school next year. I mean I know I set it down here but it's now gone??

Is a password worth all the trouble of unlocking all our dirty little secrets? I have nothing to hide but in this day and age of people scheming to get the better of you for no reason other than nothing better to do with their lives, I guess I feel the need to password protect my life. Sad state of affairs, really. Wish people could find meaning in their lives that revolved around good and honest intentions, rather then trying to make their way in the world by scheming and plotting against others.

I have a list of my accounts and passwords. One here at work, one at home. And I know I have some wrong as I had to change them "for security reasons". Ugh, best get back to work. Cap Locks on so I can logon to yet another site and place an order. Now what did I use this week for the password....

Later gators.....
C

Where did spring go?

Okay, I'm all for this whole global warming thing going around, but honestly, we had almost 60 inches of snow this winter-2nd highest on record, now it's April 28th and it's supposed to be a low of 28 tonight? Get real. So I dug out an extra blanket, found my wool socks and snuggled down for a good "winter's" nap last night. This morning, even Moose had burrowed under the blanket and after his trip outside, right back under he went.

Spent the weekend running everywhere. First up at God only knows what time to go to Marshalltown. No points available for Edweirdo, but we went to hold breed points for Boo. Now this show site is one of those fickle ones. It's either warm and breezy, wet and breezy or just cold and breezy. Get the trend there? It was 35 degrees in the main building, for most of the day-brrrrrrrrr is in understatement. Thank goodness I didn't have to dress up, poor Meredith was cold all day long, that means it's really cold as she's always running a few degrees warmer then everyone else. I think the dog was even cold. So on we troup-of course Eddie was WD and BOW-no points. Meredith and the blue bear then went to Juniors and wow-a nice 2nd place behind a young man with his near perfect sheltie. Good show. Oh and forgot the Moose went in for obedience-prenovice really. Just to see where we are at and what we need to work on. 191, can't complain though the judge really wanted to give him the cute points for his long down. In typical Moose style, he spent 3 mins laying on his back with his feet in the air. So we are back to working on straight sits and some more focused heeling.

Next stop-airport to pick up David. Wouldn't you know it, not enough pilots in Dallas, so he's late. We decided to spend out time out at the Pet Expo and work the CRKA booth. Moose loves these types of events. Suck up time. Eddie got lots of ohh and ahhhs, he's a magnet with his cuteness. So a couple hours mingling with the crowds and off to get the hubby. Nice to have him home again, at least for a little while. Home ward bound to check on dogs, ducks and ducklings. After the lamp incident on Friday, I am a little worried that I will come home to a burnt out lamp and duck popsicles.

Sunday-for the first time in about 3 weeks-sleep in! Nope, dogs know as soon as David rolls over in the morning, they can work their magic to get a romp outside. Man was it cold, I rolled up in the covers, pulled them over my head and went back to sleep. Sleeping in turned out to be 7:30 and that's all I could get. Into the shower, Moose, Eddie and Turner spent a couple hours romping in the yard and my first look out the front window was horror. Supposed to go to the Pet Expo again Sunday to help out with the K9 Ambassador's program and work the CRKA booth. Eddie and Moose thought they had a day off so went and made mud pies. Then rolled in them. Granted I told Eddie the day before he could get dirty as his next show wasn't for two more weeks, but I didn't think he would feel the need to get that dirty. Sorry no pictures as I was trying to figure out how to work two bathes in to the already tight morning schedule. Anyone seen the Muddy Eddie shot? This time his face is even caked with mud. So I finally get dressed and hair dried, grab a Moose and wash. Don't know where they got all that damn grit but took two shampoos to get it all out. Eddie was worse. I even had him drying on the grooming table and found more dirt-so back in the tub for more scrubbing.

We made it to the Pet Expo, few errands on the way, cleaner dogs - still got a few spots that aren't spotless. Had Clairee along, as well as the two griffs. Moose and Eddie spent the day lounging in front of the table getting lots and lots of pets. Jasper hung out with Meredith and did agility and Ace, well the UBD-aka Ugly Black Dog, got lots of comments and made his little sissy noises, though stayed on his crate perch for the day-very well behaved, still ugly though. It's always fun to meet the crowds, talk dogs and just enjoy the company of other dog lovers. I lost Meredith to the petting zoo, again. She is begging for goats-not going to happen, but we did run into our herding instructor and have Moose signed up for classes in about 3 weeks as well as working on buying a few haired sheep for our place so we can work the dogs at home.

Back home, it just kept getting cooler. Ducklings are all huddled in piles under the lamp. There's another post-I think my ducklings are racist. Run around trying to get things done-dishes in the dishwasher, dinner made, dogs out and about, horses, ducks, oh my, it's Sunday night and I have to go back to work tomorrow. Another weekend shot. And thankfully I resisted the urge to by plants this weekend. They would have froze their little flower heads off tonight! I did check on a few things and my fern leaf peonies are up, so are the regular ones in the hedge area. Cup plant is really growing, and my lily of the valley are popping up - places I didn't think I planted them either? Ah spring has sort of sprung, mud is in the air, on the dogs, in my shoes......will the real spring come foreward----I could use some sun and warm breezes, any time now.

Later gators.....
C

Mooman

Yes I spoil my animals, to the point where you can smell them miles away. Always making new fluffier dog beds, trying a new dog food, new recipe for dog treats and then there's the horses. We have just a small group. Small in numbers, 6 to be exact, but size, ain't small at all. David lays claim to the elephants, ie, the clydesdales. 2 of them, mother and daughter. Fun animals and very unique personalities. Then there's the joint custody on the buckskin girls-again, a mother/daughter duo of buckskin paints. Mooch is what Dad nicknamed them, Witch is one of the words I use for the mother-she has a mind of her own. The daughter is a sweetie. Last but no least are the boys-Torey and Moo.

Torey is a 1000 lb golden retriever. I didn't believe in reincarnation until I met this horse. Constantly happy, always carrying around something in his mouth and into everything. Nice horse to ride but he druels on me one more time after getting a drink from the tank and he may have to go.

Last but not least at all is Mooman. He's my baby. Raised him from birth. Turned from a wild man with no manners to the perfect babysitter. Last year for instance, I watched Meredith attempt to get on him. What a production. He was wearing just his halter and lead rope. Eating grass and minding his own business. So she ties the end of the lead rope to his halter to make reins. Then brings over the plastic lawn chair and wedges it under his belly(he's not small at all, 16 hands of quarter horse racing lines). Climbs on the chair and still can't jump on him. Horse totally ignores what's going on under him. She steps back, hands on hips and surveys the surroundings for a better "ladder". Already tried pulling him over to the hayrack to get on and he wouldn't have any of it. Meredith spies the bucket. You guessed it. Stacks the bucket on top of the chair, then moves it back, wedging under Moo's belly. A balancing act of circus quality, she climbs on the chair, on to the arms of the chair, finally on top of the bucket. Perfect height and up she goes. Of course, his head is down, rope is almost at his ears and in the attempt to get the rope, she about falls over his head. But got it and a swift kick in the ribs, off they go to graze in the hay field.

Poor ol'Mooman. He's almost 30, had a few injuries that prevent him from being any more then a lawn ornament now. He gets the free run of the front yard at night, dogs for the most part ignore him. Alec hates me leaving him loose-those two butt heads about going back in the pasture. Something about having to push a 1000 lb horse through a gate just doesn't sit with Alec well. But Moo's always waiting at the gate, ready to come out. No halter, no lead, he's free to go where ever on the property but chooses to stay close to home. Ah to have another one like him.

Later gators.....
C