I must be in Wonderland?

I walked to lunch in my sweatshirt.

Gazette's billboard said 60 degrees.

The air, oh the air smelled of spring.

Muddy dog prints through out the kitchen and study floors.

And it's January 31st in Iowa.

NOW GO OUTSIDE AND ENJOY IT!

Later gators....
C

Cora

What do I adore about this dog? She walked in the house and within 3 mins, had Max the 85 lb GSD, sitting with his head in the corner. This little dog totally got in Max's head and it's been that way ever since. Now before you take pitty on Max, he does a good job of dishing it out on the rest of the dogs. But from the moment he entered the house 6 years ago as a rescue dog, the cardigans have had his number. Imagine 10 cardigan puppies(that would be the Jimmy Buffet litter) cornering him in the stair well, all barking and wagging their tails wanting to play. Max on the other had was waving the white flag of surrendor. He avoids trouble, but is the first to cause the crazy game of chase in the front yard. Good way to keep corgis in shape.

Anyway, Ms Cora has claimed my lap in the evenings, much to the dismay of Eddie. Though he tries to sit with her, she usually ends up pushing him off. Then there's the rough and tumble frapping with Pete, again Eddie tries to join in but gives up way too easily. Add in the cat who still hasn't figured out that Cora is nothing like the others when it comes to it's nightly walkabout. Cora really hasn't a clue what to due with the cat, but all else fails, chase and herd. Let's just say Daisy does not understand chase and herd, usually ending up with being stranded on the counter, waiting for someone to save her fat fuzzy butt.

Alec really enjoyed showing her those four short shows-can you tell?Later gators...
C

Proof

Shelley was dying with envy as everyone else had their photos from St Paul. Well today, here's the proof so no one down the road can ever doubt that Chip won or did something. Gosh the nerve of some people to doubt what a person says! Winner's Dog/Best of Winners for his first major. Thank you Judge Linda More!

And though posted before, just a comparison shot of Charlie-they look nothing alike, do they?
And yes, I have several cobalt jackets--Shelley loves it when I wear them, well and I do too. That color seems to be slightly lucky for me--I'm sending both to Liz as well as the lucky lead :)

And since I'm comparing, here's Max with one of his many wins. Granted none of these photos are the same age, but it's fun to see all three boys at once.

Later gators....
C

Up North, er and to the East

So Pam got high speed internet. Oh she's sooo lucky! Now I'm getting tons of photos of the Boys.

That would be Arlo, Dove and Frankie's red brother from the Jimmy Buffet litter. Leonard, Pete's big brother out of the Patriotic litter. And last but not least, Mr Ike, the cardigan rescue that I fostered and Pam and Brian adopted.

What a gorgeous group of dogs and guess what? Pam really wants to stir things up-she's requested an Eddie child now--specifically a blue girl to keep the boys in line. She has no idea what she's in for!

Later gators...
C

Dirty Dozen updates

So the Dirty Dozen aka the Space litter is 18 mos old.

Charlie and Chipper are now champions. Max needs singles to finish, then it's off to agility and obedience.

The rest of the gang has been in contact and all of them are doing great. I'll be posting photos of them as I get them. But for today, how about Jonia(aka Luna) and her blue best friend, Frankie.

Seems Dad's chair is the best place to snuggle after racing around in the snow.

Later gators....
C

Believe what you want.....

Seems I still saying I told ya so, a lot these days.

Why is it that people choose to lie? And other's are in such hurry to find something wrong that they believe the lie? Even when given the choice of verifying the facts, they choose not to and continue down the path of destruction.

I hate to see people hurt. I hate being hurt. I especially dislike being told that I was the cause of the hurt. And to add salt to the wound, when the truth is revealed, I'm hurt again.

Funny, though people seek apologies from others, they are the last ones to offer up their own.

Sigh, this world confuses me, but at least I'm not the one caught in the loop of never ending drama.

Later gators...
C

Awesome

So if you keep up with Shelley, you know what happened already. It was a great weekend-crappy weather, awesome friends and big wins for Summit and Foggy Bottom!

We had the usual low riders with us this weekend: Chip, Cora and Cara...

Okay I'm such an idiot, listen to this, the dogs we took this weekend were Connor, Chip, Charlie, Cora and Cara. It was a nightmare because we kept getting the pem Cara, mixed up with the cardigan Cora and the twin headed monster known as the brothers were, well, nuts. Connor was the only sane dog in the group.

Saturday Cora was RWB to Teddy's Swan. Chip was WD and went on to BOW for his 2nd major, now only needing 2 points to finish!!!!
Cara the pem was WB for one point.
AND..........Alec piloted Connor to a GROUP 2 under Judge David Bolus. Couldn't beat Elvis the OES, but he did manage to beat out 5 dogs that ranked in the top 5 in their respective breeds last year!!!
Along the way we helped show a few other breeds and had a blast being interviewed for KCCI during their morning show live broadcast.

Sunday-it was icy. ICY and more ICY. Typical Des Moines show weather.
Connor was BOV(he was the only one entered 'cause no one wants to play with him)
Cara the pem, WB again!
And we now have two new champions!
Chip, who was all about the fun in the ring, amused the judge quite a bit along the way, took WD and BOW for his 3rd major to finish.
Not to be out done, Ms Cora snagged her final major to finish with WB! Four shows, 2 RWB and 2 WB for the girl from the east coast. Wooo Hoo!

Then to top it off, in their debut weekend, Connor and the Ms are now showing in juniors. Nothing on Saturday-not a clue what the judge was looking for, but on Sunday they did a great job with a 4 place out of a big class. Few more kinks to work out but I see a great team in the making.

I do need to thank a few people. First off to Rebecca at Diamante Collies for entrusting us with Connor. Alec adores that dog and they make sure a great team.
Next to Shelley for taking our little chip off the old block, listening to me when I said let him grow up, his time will come. She made him the silly, totally goofy, and solid boy that he is. Oh and that darn pemmie--what a fun dog to have around!
JoAnn, man, you are the best! Thanks for allowing Eddie to come live with us and helping me out by saying-hey, call Karen.
And last but not least, to Karen Lyons for sending Cuco Cora over to the midwest. She's are wonderful addition to the house, keeping Charlie, Chip and Eddie in line!

Now all I need to do is keep ice on my strained wrist(yes I fell, twice, at home last night) and count the days till Dove starts whelping. We are out of dogs to show except for Connor and Cara the pem who will be hitting a few shows solo this spring. I think I have time to start working on a few performance titles?

Later gators...
C

Their famous!!!

And not for being serious about anything. Check it out....Chip and Connor made the KCCI morning news on Saturday at the Central Iowa Kennel Club show.

http://www.kcci.com/video/30272659/detail.html

More on the show later......
C

Mouse afoot

And yet another tail from the homestead while I was gone.

We do not have mice in our house. Period. Yes I have them in the garage, they sneak in when the door is open from the field. Yes I have a rampent one scurry through the barn.

Saturday night David laid in bed and suddenly heard tap dancing dogs in the bathroom. Frankie and Pete were attempting to catch a rogue rodent. Of course neither has the talent their grandfather or great grandmother had for this act and it was just creating noise.

David thought, which warm and quiet spot would it hide? Master bath closet. Sets trap. Closes door. 3 mins later-SNAP. No more mouse.

He went back to bed.

Later gators...
C

Pete's ahead

Oh, what a monster I created. Sorry to everyone that gets in her way!

Pete, it seems, figured out Thursday night that she was no going on the dog show world tour with us this weekend. The pouting started early.

I came home to a detail of the carniage:

One roll of TP-tube pulled out of the center, shredded. Remaining roll, unrolled and trailed through the bedroom and master bath several times.

Two pee spots.

One chair, both arms chewed on.

David is so not happy and has told me that either she gets put in a crate for the entire weekend when we are gone or she has to go with us. Luck has it---I'm not going to any dog shows for a long time!

Later gators...
C

Nah, didn't work?

First, please excuse what looks like someone strangling the dog, but you don't put Dove on her back willingly and this is the dog that manages to avoid every photo op, unless she's asleep. Add in that she is carrying a tiny bit of extra weight around the middle, which makes laying on her back hard. Lastly please note, Dove is a tubey, skinny girl in regular weight and I fear she's her mother's daughter-carries all the babies up in her ribcage till the very last day.

But I'm still not sure if the breeding took? Just joking! Let's just say Kim wanted to make sure that it took and I won't even mention how many times she breed her-eghads, I'm having flashbacks to the Dirty Dozen! We've still got like 3 weeks? Or is is 2? Again, Kim's fault, I have a huge due date window. Xrays the first week of February-we'll get a head count then.

Wish us luck! Headed to the snowy Des Moines shows this weekend with a herd in tow. I'm hoping that Alec remembers to pack adult beverages, we might need them!

Later gators....
C

People are so predictable

Alternate title: I told you so!

I’m a people watcher. It’s similar to judge watching at the dog shows. You pick up on trends, styles and preferences. Store that info for later. In the general people watching category, I’ve had the chance to discuss how predictable some people are. How they act, what they do and what their next step is. For some it’s like physics-for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. For many it’s cyclonic, yeah, like a Dyson. Heehee.

I’ve been using the term or wanting to use the term, I told you so, so much lately. There are people out there I’ve said it to and they admit(umhum, Ms P??) I should listen to you more, you were right all along. Then those that I just look at, shake my head and grin, knowing I told them what would happen and they are still shocked and deny the truth.

The most interesting ones are when I can walk by with the knowledge that even though I could have warned them, I chose not to. That type of person would never listen, so why bother. Clouded by their own loathsome attitudes, they think that I’m only going to say something to them to screw them over. Yeah right, that’s exactly what I do, all the time-not. So I get to sit back and watch them get screwed over, rant, rave, cuss and swear about how badly there were treated. But no, still not going to listen or see that it could all have been prevented.

What I do find sad though, is that in the cyclonic nature of some people, they never seem to get hurt, make it so that they come out on top, regardless of who else they hurt-people or animals. Supposedly in it for the love of the animal, but in the long run, really they are in it strictly for themselves. People who get in their way are trashed, hurt and ridiculed to no end.

Unfortunately the other aspect of that type of person comes with a price. The horrible crash and burns you see, you end up being the cleanup crew. Take in the misunderstood and maimed victims. Again, it ends up being all about them with not a real care in the world about who is hurt. You can't do much more then watch as they do it over and over again, predictable like I told you they would be.

And on a lighter note…. I’m getting the bumper upgraded on the truck! Expecting 6-8 inches of snow so it’s Prius Pushing time once again! My brother, the sheriff’s deputy, was ragging last winter about how every time he was out and about during a winter event, he always got stuck behind those damn cars. They cannot navigate the snow or ice worth a damn, slow traffic to a crawl and cause massive accidents because the people behind them get stuck or what not. Prius’ are not a winter weather vehicle in the Midwest! Side note: Okay, I love the economy they offer, but sometimes they just need to stay in the garage.

Anyhow, funny part is that, my brother's complaint rings very true. We started taking notes and yes, everytime we were running errands, traveling home, we had one pull out in front of us, or ended up behind one at a stoplight on a hill. This winter has been no different. New game isn’t slug bug, it’s the Prius Punch! I dread ending up behind one of them more then the crappy weather itself!

Well, buckle up, it's going to be bumpy ride for the next few days-people and weather wise!

Later gators…
C

Me, myself and I

Why I breed dogs?

For me. Not for someone to have a pet. For me. Not for a potential show pup to try and place and have shown. For me. Not to fill a void in the market. For me.

I breed because I love this breed. Everything about them makes me happy. The clownish personality. The big floppy ears on a puppy. Feet that still make you wonder if they will ever grow into them… at age 9. Intensity when working. Wanting to please their person yet the ability to think independently. The couch snuggler and pillow stealer. The ratter, the skunk cornerer, the eater of horrible things, the vaporizer of the tissue box and the muddy foot prints on the clean carpet.

I breed to create the perfect dog, according to our breeds’ standard. I’ll never actually have the perfect dog-structure, health, temperament, something is always wonky. But to attempt that with each decision I make, is to improve on the generation before and get closer to that goal.

I breed not to place a pup in someone else’s home, that just happens. I don't do it because I’m thinking that someone else will want one of my puppies to show or do performance with. I breed because I want my next generation to show or do performance with. I’m picky, out of 12 pups, there might be only one that I want. Doesn’t mean the rest couldn’t be shown or finish their championship or add something to someone else’s quest for the perfect dog. But I will always keep what I feel is the very best for my program, for me. If you want one of my pups, I know you’ll come calling sooner rather than later. I am much happier placing the rest of my pups in loving family homes where they are spoiled rotten and the center of their families lives.

I breed because I’m selfish. For me. Not for you. I never claim all my pups are show potential. For me only one or two may be and those are my show potentials. And sometimes what other's think is the perfect litter, has nothing that I consider show potential-for me. That doesn't mean it's a less then quality dog, just means I didn't get what I wanted out of that breeding and it's still a perfect companion for someone else.

I breed when I want to. Not because I have a waiting list of people who want one. Though if you are willing to wait till I do breed, you’ll be the first person I call when I’m in puppy breath heaven and am ready to share that with you.

I breed knowing that it’s a lifetime commitment. If you have one of my dogs, you know that I’m there for the whole ride. Call me at all hours, send me photos, hilarious stories to laugh at and we'll both cry when something horrible happens. My dogs are my four legged kids and when you take one home, we become family forever.

The low down being, I’m a selfish person. I’m more than happy to share with others, but when it comes to my dogs, my choices and my breeding, I put my dog and my decisions first. Don’t take my rights away and tell me how and when I can breed. And most certainly know, you don’t come first, my dog does.

Later gators....
C

ABC's and 123's

Report cards are in. And darn it, I have no poker face. Tried as hard as I could to stare the Ms down and scold her about her "bad" grades. Didn't work, because the Ms once again proved that she can buckle down and do it!

Yeah, the one bad grade is in Spanish, which is by far her least favorite subject. The grade, a B-, and only because she didn't opt for a test retake and had a couple late assignments.

She even managed a couple A+'s, the rest are mostly A's and a B in the dreaded Math!

Way to go MS!!!! Now waiting on the annual ITBS or what ever it is that they take in junior high--crossing fingers that for the 3rd year in a row she qualifies for summer college prep classes! The last two years, her scores in three areas are college level(that's when she was in 6th and 7th grade) while the remainder were mostly 3-4 grades ahead of the norm, avg 10th and 11th grade levels.

And you wonder why I can't keep her nose out of a book?

Later gators....
C

Fox in the hen house

She's back!!! Last winter we watched a lovely pair of red foxes cavort at the south end of our corn field. They tested the waters by coming closer and closer to the dog/poultry yards. Unfortunately, during our spring walk about in the pasture and fields, the found the body of the male, curled up under some bramble. We figure he had been hit by a car.

During the spring treks to the fair grounds, we were so happy to see Mom and two kits romping in the bean fields north of the house.

We think that either she or one of the youngsters has taken up residence in the barn just west of our pasture-same den site as used last year.

Yesterday I was informed that one of them came within about 20 yds of the dog yard, before the alarm sounded. Seems Mr and Mrs Road Runner were also having a walk about yesterday, touring the field, the garden and really pissing off Chip. So now we are going to have to be extra diligent with the feathered stock, to keep them from becoming the main course for the little red dog down the road. Luck has it that the horses tolerate none of this type of creature, so as long as we keep the south fence secure, dogs on the left, horses on the right and the Mediterranean's in the pen, crossing paws, nothing happens.

Later gators....
C

It's a tie

So the Pete saga continues. And luck has it, the weekend meant I could supervise the little bugger. Well, I didn't so much as supervise but sic'd the EBD dog on her. Lace has in no mood for her shenanigans.

I would guess that's one for me on Saturday and on Sunday, same thing, just let Lace deal with her. There were some constant arguments abouts who sits in what chair. Not really even a true argument, EBD basically looked at Pete and said, mine. Pete said, yes ma'am.

Talk this weekend revolved around the Ms turning 14--yes 14! Soon to go and get her driver's permit and then driver's ed so she can get a work permit and start working for Doc. Then I started panicking about how high my insurance rates will go-gulp. I'm not ready for this yet.

Then we discussed her plans for 4-H this year. Horses-check. Chickens-check. Ducks-check. Dogs-hum. I suggested Charlie needed to go through classes, Alec is now rolling on the floor laughing. "So which voice does he listen to on recalls?" Poor Charlie. Then we talked about Pete, she's doing agility and pre-novice this year. We also talked about EBD and well, I think she's ready for open? This after I had the flashlight on my lap, she walked over to me, said can I have that please? I gave it to her and she walked off with it, depositing it in her pile of toys in the dog bed. Eddie gets drug out for showmanship, which means that we can't pack his pj's away just yet.

This morning, the battle begins anew. I left with Pete getting the snot beat out of her by a preggers Dove. Frank grumbling at the end of the bed--you touched me. Then the look of-why are you leaving me with them?

Later gators....
C

Pete 2, Me big fat 0

She's got just one more chance today to prove she can be a bedroom dog during the day. Though I hear her crate calling her.

After arriving home yesterday, noting what was displaced, disboweled and beheaded in the toy department, I gave the pointy headed little twirp a pat on the head and said good Petey.

Heading to bed, I went to pull my pillow, no wait, Hubby's pillow from under the sheets and it fell out of the pillow sham.

Yes, she did. Tore the zipper out of the sham! Luck has it for me she didn't do anything to the pillow itself, a large squishy feather pillow. I know it was her, you can always see her - what me? nah, was Frank--look when you ask why she did it. Rolls her eyes, airplanes her ears and sinks back into her lazy boy with a what ever sigh.

This one, she's a challenge.

Later gators...
C

Pete 1, Me 0

Pete's been getting house dog treatment. Unfortunately, she's now been banned to the bedroom with Dove and Frank during the day, due to random acts of mischief. One of my moose suddenly appears sitting in the middle of the room. Magazine with pictures "cut" out of it. You get the drift.

See that? Of course the Tall Kid chose not to get actually evidence, but I was told that this is what my bedroom resembled last night when he got home. The term was "she vaporized a box of kleenex".

Way to go Pete.

Later gators....

C

He was right!

It snowed, but not nearly as much as Joe predicted. Or yet. What I can tell you after a record high of 53 yesterday, we are now in the teens, with single digit windchills. Snow in the protected areas is starting to be noticeable, otherwise, it's just blowing all over the place.

Dug out the snow boots, finally. Thought about where the shovel is and the livestock is all tucked in for the duration of the storm. Ducks are pissed as their pond is iced over, which means the Ms will get to do her ice stomp and break them a small spot tonight. Chickens, they have a heat lamp. Horses, huddled together, Mooman might get his blanket tonight. Dogs, so over it. Moose's paw was cold this morning but the collies were racing and body slamming each other and not wanting to come in.

Tonight will be a little bit of shoveling, just the drifts. I don't own a snow blower nor see the reasoning behind getting one out here. I invision rocks, sticks and dog toys thrown through windows or at vehicles. Nope, just as easy to shovel a path. Then again, isn't that why the Hubby bought his skid thing a few years ago? Has the handles in the basement. Just need to hook up a clydesdale and go to work.

Later gators...
C

She's nuts!

I'm quitting my job.

Going to be a weatherwoman. Only job I know where you can play with numbers, mess them up royally, and still keep your job plus make a nifty little paycheck!

So remember yesterday when Joe Winters said 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch?

Yesterday morning: we'll get less then an inch.

Last night at the 10 O'Clock news: 1-3 inches expected.

This morning on the AM news: 3-4 inches.

By the time my tushie hits the office chair at 8am: 6-8 inches?????

Mother Nature you are nuts!

Now....back down to the 3-4 inches or 5 that they figured from last night.

Current temp........45.

I'll let you know if I need to hook the corgis up to the dog sled to get into work tomorrow.

Later gators....
C

What that poor dog puts up with

It's kind of blurry but Shelley sent me this from the weekend. What that poor poor blue dog puts up with amazes me.

Yes that's the infamous Sock Monkey Hat and yes, he's wearing his purple pj's. He fell asleep on the grooming table for about an hour. Everyone kept stopping by to pet him and take photos.

Later gators...
C

Mother Earth, are you confused?

O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind? ~Percy Bysshe Shelley

We haven't even had winter yet!!! Per Joe Winters the weather dude this morning, should we get to January 15th with less then an inch of seasonal snow, it will be a historical record. To date, we've only had like a tenth of an inch or something like that. Forecast for tomorrow is that we could get 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of something tomorrow. Temps down in the 20's then back up to the 40's by the end of the weekend.

But today.....it's 55 degrees outside, the sun is shining and I'm wondering where my flip flops are!

Yes this is Iowa. Yes at this time last year I had already had two snow days at work. No, I'm not dreaming. Waiting for Mother Nature to drop the other shoe on us.

Later gators....
C

Bucket mama

My tall kid? He needs a good swat every now and then.
Group ring on Saturday, he's talking with another handler, Christopher and he motions for me to hand him over his spray bottle and cool towel for Connor. To which, I'm now called the Bucket B*tch, though he did then say that I was actually his mom, but helping out. I swear there are days.....
Guess I should rewind to the beginning of the weekend?
We headed up for our first show weekend of the year. The big St Paul/January Specialties. Typcially, snowy, icy, or something like that. This year, I'm sick with a cold. Oh well, nothing ever goes smoothly.
Load up four dogs, all the crap for 3 days, the Tall Kid and the Ms. Have to remember when packing to leave room for two extra dogs returning with us and their assorted crap. The rule of Tall Kid--I can never come home with more then I left with, exceptions dualy noted.
I think I will take a moment to introduce someone first.....

Woodrose Bring It On aka "Cora"


I have to give ample thanks for the chance to have this lovely little black and white girl from Karen Lyons for the next year or so. JoAnne too for suggesting I call Karen. And yes, you may have guessed, she's the new bride of Eddie. We are showing her - she just needs her majors, health testing and plan to breed her this spring. Much anticipation is already building for this and honestly, I have too many names for the waiting list.
So Friday is the North Star Herding Group specialty. Chipper Shredder aka another Dirty Dozen child, is entered. Originally I wasn't going to go and Alec was going to show Chip, but I totally blew off that he wasn't listed as a current owner of him and therefore could not show him in BBE. So rather then change things last minute, I opted to go and show him. I hate, really hate this age-hormonely challenged 17 mo old boys. UGH! He also decided he wanted to move, like really MOVE. To which I need to apologize to Mac-never did run into her again during the weekend. I had no idea he could gait like that and even with giving Mac tons of room, we caught up with her and almost ran into her. EEEK! I felt like such a heel. But beyond moving like a mad man and hormones, Chip did well-won his class and took RWD to Wanda B's beautiful Tiger.
Also a surprise for me was that Liz came over from WI to show another Dirty Dozen boy, Max. She got grooming space for us and we had a blast! Alec showed Max for her and it was again, a hard choice--Max did well and I think any given day would have swapped places with Chipper.
Cora for her first time out with Alec was awesome, RWB to Teddy's little b/w girl, who has more hair then Cora right now.
Collies ended with another BOV win for Connor, getting him within a few single points of his Silver GRCH!!!! He got pull in the group too.
Friday night-dinner with the girls then back to the motel for a restful(ha) nights sleep.
Saturday dawned with the constant decision, where to park! That's the one thing I hate about this show is parking. Once you get that figured out, the show is awesome. Oh and not being able to walk the dogs outside. But back to the show.
Saturday-early ring time juniors and collies. Oh and pems. Forgot about pems. Yes Shelley, I'm putting you on the spot. We also are showing Cara the pem for Shelley, which when pulled out of the crate on Friday, I went oh no. She's fat--like rolling in it. Seriously not pretty. She's now at Fat Camp and is not happy at all.
Collies--another good day with another BOV win for Connor and now just a few points towards that Silver!
We also got the chance to help show a new to AKC breed-Treeing Walker Coonhounds. Even more interesting was that this breeder, is the foundation of the breed with her grandparents being the original creators of this hound breed. We look forward to showing more for Tricia and Alec's excited to be on the ground floor as it takes off in AKC.
Cardigans rolled around and well, sorry, we didn't share much. After realizing Chipper wants to move, we gave Mac loads more room. Hormones were again flowing and this time the judge and I shared a good laugh as he really was more interested in the afghans in the next ring then me or the bait. The judge was awesome with giving him lots of time to settle once we talked about his "issue" aka girls, girls, girls. We won our class again! Alec went in with Max and won their class too! Then it was on to WD. We made it hard, very hard for the judge. Both boys wanted to play, which made Chip move with his head twisted backwards most of the time. So she took us around seperately, thank goodness. Chip went WD for his first major and Max was RWD. At pictures afterwards she mentioned she thought they were littermates and that it was a flip of the coin as to who won-she just wanted for one of them to make a little mistake.
Alec went in with Cora and easily won WB for her first major. We are all super happy about that win.
Finished out with BOW for Chipper and a chance to relax for the rest of the afternoon. Well that was until Groups and when I had to change my hat to be the Bucket B*tch.
Dinner with friends was great-Barb, Steve, Dawn and her son joined us. Great food, perfect conversation. We delivered eggs to everyone and also presented Dawn with Grace's new bailey chair. Can't say much more-great day, wonderful evening.
Sunday-easy day, right? No that's the packing day. Pem's in early, so was juniors. Then it's the 5 hour wait for collies. We didn't enter cardigans as the judge is predictable as in blue predictable. I could have been a millionaire if there were bets to take on the results of the day. Called every class. And yes we got Select in Collies-the blue dog won. Because it was blue.
Packing - we still managed 2 extra dogs to come home with us, their food and stuff, and had room to spare! Go figure???? Long trip home, nice to sleep in my own bed and sip a hot cup of tea with the hubby while watching Downton Abbey.
It was awesome to see everyone, catch up on what's what and who's who. I'll have a couple more posts on the oddities for the weekend. But now, it's time to relax and get ready for the next show in two weeks. Alec's got an easy shot for groups, no one else wanted to play in smooths for the weekend. Chipper and Cora are both entered, let's hope the major holds. And I swear that Cara the pem will look lean and mean by then. She's so not happy with the diet she's on--keeps looking at her bowl and wondering where the rest of her food is.
Then it's chaos-Alec's hitting shows every weekend in February, gearing up for the Collie Nationals in March/April. And crossing fingers that I'm stuck home whelping puppies :)


Later gators....
C