Kinda Neat

I received this from OFA yesterday when my Certificates for the PRA Clear/Normal results for Zoe, Ell and Daisy came back. It was kind of surprised but kind of honored at the same time. now to figure out where to put it!

I'm now just waiting for Zoe and Daisy's CHIC numbers to come. Ell's official hips are going to be done in a few weeks when I have the extra cash. Mitcham's will get done at the same time.

Ell's Champion photo

Well it was worth the wait! :)

Her daughter's photo came today also but I'm not putting that up. It does not do her justice!

How many times is too many?

I did Awards Records from the AKC for Zoe, Mitcham and Ell. They are my three Champions and I was curious how many times in fact they were Winners, Reserve, Best of Winners or BOB/BOS.

I also noticed the number of times they were in the ribbons. In Cardigans, there are usually small enough entries that everyone gets a ribbon. Sometimes not, but very rarely. I compared these records with my own and noticed that in all the days of showing only one did not get a ribbon one day (she was 5th out of 5).

So my question. how many times is too many? how many shows do you enter before you call it quits? I didn't think any of the wins were prolonged...even if I did finish Ell when she was three (but only showed her 3 days in the last 18 months).

Its very rare that you get a dog or bitch that finishes in three days with 5 point majors. It happens, but again....very rarely. Its not a slight at anyone's dog not being good enough, but the odds???

What is a reasonable amount of times? 25? 50? 100? I know some people only show to breeder judges. Or at specialities. The wins when they are won are very respectable. But how often can people do that?

Mitcham was shown 18 times before he earned his CH title. 16 days he was WD, 2 he was RWD. Of those 16 times he was BOW 7 times and BOS 5 times. His three times out as a special (a move up really) he was BOB all three days for majors towards his Grand Champion. He finished quickly, but only had competition in the Dog classes three times. His points were all cross over points. Its hard to finish a male dog in Briards because most people do not keep them.

So what's my point? I don't have one. Just curious as to the madness. I showed both Zoe and Ell 40 some times. Each of them was RWB 14 times and WB 8 or 9 times. I don't think that is awfully many considering I live in an area with not many majors.

As my dogs improve and I am in the breed longer should I/will I only show to breeder judges or at specialties? Will I only show to certain judges and only enter when they are within driving distance? Its thought provoking

I"d be curious to hear what you think about this subject.

A year ago today.......

Happy Birthday to the "Blessed" litter! Ava, Minnie, Pip and LB!

#1 and #2

We are dog people. Talking about poop and pee at the supper table after a day at the dog show is normal. Phone conversations can last hours and we can only talk about feces and urine. Its amazing how excited we get when we have a 'solid poop' or a 'good job' or something.

Adam and my family have been asking how Oliver is, and if I can see improvements. I really haven't been able to see any big strides until Saturday.

Saturday morning he did #1 while squatting like a girl (you know the 'ideal' way for a corgi to pee before he learns to lift his leg?). He hasn't' done this since he went down in the back. Usually #1 happened while he walked or tripped or dragged himself around the xpen outside. I was so giddy I went running in to the house to tell Adam. He was happy for me but he thinks I"m crazy. He's not a dog person yet. At least not like us crazies :)

Sunday afternoon he did #2. Yes he's done it all the time, but again, while walking or dragging himself around the yard. Sunday he actually crouched over like corgis do when they poop. The amount of praise that he did this in this manner was probably a bit overkill. Even Oliver seemed embarrassed and ran the other way to go play with Daisy and Brewer instead of coming to me to get pets.

These are huge feats for him. I can't believe that these 'little' moments are such huge steps now, when they were always taken for granted before.

He's such a goof!

Wednesday we go in for a check up with the chiro/acupuncture vet. We'll see how he's improving!

Its Official!

AKC No.:	DN20661602
Name:	CH Merrymoon Ebonwald I'M A Q T
Sex:	Female
Breed:	Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Variety:
Color:	Brindle & White

Conformation - Awards Processed Through 26-OCT-2010
	CH Number of Points 17 Number Major Wins 2 Number Major Judges 2 Total Number Judges 8

will it ever end?

I am burned out.

And now we only have less than 10 hours of daylight...many of which are too cold and frosted over to finish my clean ups. I need to get done SOON.

I skipped out of Sioux Falls on Saturday after Mitcham was clipped down. Apologies for those I didn't say goodbye to, but work DOES proceed any 'fun' I get to do.

In the week leading up to Sioux Falls I had to purchase a new truck. AND a new trailer. AND two new truck tires. The transmission and brakes and 45 little things on my truck deemed it time to look for a new truck. It had 182,000 miles on it and had a smaller engine than I wanted any more. I upgraded but its still not new. Bigger engine, the heavy half, four doors, etc. The trailer is now a tandem axle and 16 ft long (four feet longer than my last trailer) and 600 pounds LIGHTER! Needless to say I am/was a bit behind schedule and decided to go home a day early. Congrats to the winners on Sunday and sorry I had to miss it, but duty calls!

Mower broke down this week...two belts broke and guess what! NONE in the state of Minnesota to replace them! They had to be special ordered. *SIGH*

Lord help me......