That rascally Chase has landed in Atlanta. Susan and Cheryl reported that he simply looked at them from his shipping kennel, but when they said his name, he acknowledged that they must be friends. Cheryl has already been the object of a Chase kiss. Tomorrow he will be at the shows to say hi to all his old friends and to meet some new ones.
Okay, I’m Here!
Photos (and herding videos) will be posted as he gets settled in after the shows.
Scout Puts the Moves on Chase
Best seat in the House
Thanks to Carol for the Scout and Janet photos.
Miss you, funny boy!
Inca is alert this morning. She’s walking better (though in obvious pain). She had no problem demolishing her dinner last night or eating a meatball full of drugs this morning. She is at my friend Carolee’s Boarding Kennel/Grooming Salon today. She’s in the Salon ensconced in a big crate. They’ll take her out to the grass a few times today and give her water. Holmes is also at Carolee’s, but he’s in the regular Day Care section. It wasn’t doing him any good to be at home with Leidy in bloom. So, Chase and Leidy are continuing their courtship and I am at the office trying to make some money.
For those that inquired, yes, Chase will be signing autographs at the Atlanta Show. He’s flying in on Saturday. Susan and Cheryl will pick him up at 1:30, and Sunday he will be renewing friendships — look out Janet and Laura and Jeri and Heidi. Chase never forgets anyone that he has met. So even though the 2009 National was long ago and far away, if he sees Laura’s lap, he will head for it. I wish I’d had a camera when he launched himself into her lap in Topeka and flipped over for a belly rub. He then tried to leap high enough to kiss Janet’s chin. Even with his third birthday coming up in mid-October, he’s not moved past the silly stage to regal. Actually, I’m not sure he ever will. I am going to miss my funny boy, but know he will have a blast with the Bluefox family and will love learning to herd.
So — here’s where we are. My client found a 3 bedroom/2 bath home (about 1500 square feet) on just over an acre of land in Los Lunas. The acre is completely fenced. Unfortunately, the house has only a one car garage, but the master plan (all in my head, of course) includes turning the existing garage into a dog room and adding on a 2-1/2 car garage. The house-warming will be a “bring a tree and shovel” party because this was farmland, but it can be so very cool. . . . maybe some ducks for the dogs to herd, and an agility field. One of my longest-time friends suggested planting peach trees and have “Penni’s Peaches — U Pick ‘em”. The house is right around the corner from the site of the Valencia Valley shows.
My client also found a cash buyer for my townhouse. The buyer has kids that will be going to school at UNM and they decided it made more sense to purchase an investment property than to have the kids rent for four years. The townhouse across the street is occupied by a brother/sister who are attending UNM — so the plan is very logical.
I should know tomorrow whether this whole plot is really workable. Think good thoughts! I want me a tractor (John Deere, of course).
Other stuff:
Leidy is coming into season — Chase thinks she’s absolutely charming and she just wants to cavort.
Holmes will be going to the Topeka cluster with Wendy — but I’ve not found a ride back to Albuquerque for him (or to Amarillo where I could pick him up).
A criminal case on which I’ve been working since 2005 was dismissed today — talk about a happy client!
One of my clients was at the May shows and dropped by with these snapshots. Can you believe — he had to have them developed! He also has a computer in the box in his garage, but has never set it up. I beg to no avail.
AMENDED: There was one smiling profile in the 80+ shots I took this morning. Here’s how it looks in the ad. We ARE going to choose between these two because I must do something besides play with Photoshop Elements (like toenails and vacuuming)
We went out for another photo shoot this morning. A man was throwing a ball for his dog — back and forth — during the entire time Chase sat on his tree root. This dog has a rock solid “stay”! So, here’s what we got. There were no “smiling” photos because things were pretty serious with that dog running in front of Chase. Thanks for the suggestions — ’specially Emily and Mandy.
I’ve been working on this Chase ad and can’t decide which I like better — the one with the ruck-sack or without. Help me choose — I can’t pick. Janet sent me the exquisite photo of the Appalachian Trail to use as the background. Thank you, Janet.
Judge McDermott, Wendy Oelrich, and Holmes’ First Point Photo June 11th
From the AKC website this morning — showing Holmes’ first two points:
C-Myste The Game’s Afoot At Elyan – DN25971001
| Conformation – Awards Processed Through 12-JUN-2010 | |||||||||||||||||
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Here are some photos taken by Wendy’s husband Barry while we were in the ring.
Chase loves his Wendy
He also loves to go around the ring
From any camera angle
Here’s little Leidy — paying attention
Leidy and Holmes hold a discussion in the ring
There’s still more to say about the event
Go, Holmes!
Wendy sez, “Listen, Holmes, I want to talk to you”
From today’s mail — Wendy Oelrich, Judge Joe Tacker and our Chase-man on May 23rd. Chase’s constant smile drives the photographers wild — they want his mouth closed and it isn’t going to happen!
It was six hours because my Element’s gas tank does hold quite enough gas to get us all the way. I had to stop in Las Vegas (NM) to fill up.
Today I showed Chase in Obedience even though he’d earned his CD yesterday. I did it because the judge that gave him a Major Select in the Breed ring in Albuquerque on May 18th was the Obedience judge. I wanted him to see that Chase is not just another pretty face. Chase didn’t disappoint — he took 2nd place. He was also Best of Breed, Holmes was Winners Dog and Best of Winners (for his 2nd point), Leidy was Winners Bitch and Best of Opposite Sex (for her 8th point). Chase didn’t get any love in the Group today.
I learned something today that’s probably pretty important. I noticed that Chase was not extending when gaiting as he has in the past. So, he had massages both yesterday and today from Debbie (”Hoof and Woof”). She’s often set up at shows in our general area. Today, she watched Chase gait and determined that he is slipping on the slick concrete of the convention center floor. The rings are matted, but getting to and from the rings, to and from potty breaks, etc., the dog is walking on the slippery concrete. She thinks our dogs are more affected because they trot (those short legs, you know) rather than walk. She suggested using the spray “Sticky Feet” which keeps the paws from slipping. Chase was moving better after his second massage, but he needs to be iced — and kept off cement floors for a while.
I have photos and will try to get them up tomorrow evening.
It is cold and rainy — so very glad this is an indoor show. Despite the entire Cardigan judging panel being re-written, we had a splendid day. First (and most important in my book), even though I haven’t seen Chase in a month, he went into the Novice B ring with me, earned a 3rd place, and completed his CD. All I can say about him is that I couldn’t ask for a more willing companion. He also was Best of Breed, our Holmes-puppy earned his 1st point by going Best of Winners, Little Leidy-Lou was Winners Bitch and Best of Opposite Sex for another point. Chase didn’t do anything in the Group which didn’t start until 6:00 tonight. Dogs are fed and flopped around the hotel room, but I’m starved so will go grab a bite. We had Holmes photographed for his “first point”. When I receive it, you’d better believe you will see it here first!
Evangers sponsors these shows and as prizes we received a dozen cans of their “duck with sweet potatoes”, “beef and rice”, “smoked chicken”. They also gave me two bags of their jerky treat. Good job, dogs! This may be the way I feed at shows — so much easier than hauling a cooler and trying to thaw just enough food for each meal.
Inca is staying at Adrienne’s home and today I received a “text” message of her sprawled on Adrienne’s bed. I’m afraid she won’t want to come home.
Over and out!
I left the dogs in the room to drive through McDonald’s for a salad. Holmes was in one of the fabric crates — right here:
When I got back (15 minutes perhaps) the crate was here — see those sparkling corgi eyes through the mesh.
In Albuquerque today’s high was scheduled to be only 90 degrees — down from the 100 and 101 last weekend while I was in Seattle, and the 96-97 enjoyed(?) during the week. We were out of town by 9:00 with glorious weather the entire trip — well, almost. It started raining as I arrived at the Garden of the Gods La Quinta, it was hailing hard, big balls of ice when I arrived at the convention center, and then a tornado was sighted. Wow! What a welcome! Nonetheless, I handed off the lab I had transported and got my crates and grooming table to our space — a little damp, but not too bad.
So, we’re settled in.
This is how the chores were broken down. I am going to sleep. Chase is going to lounge on the bed, and Leidy plans to guard the door. You might ask about Holmes — he’s in the car. I’ve never had him in a motel before and hope to never do it again. He is ON GUARD. You see, there are people right outside our door and through the wall, and strange dogs. One of the things Holmes inherited from his mother is an exceptionally annoying alarm bark. So — he’s out in the car. He’s loose in the back and has a trachea on which to gnaw. You’ve no idea how guilty I feel. On the other hand, I don’t want the management ousting us at 2:00 AM.
Chase is with me instead of with Wendy so we could do some quick obedience work — it’s been a month and I really want Chase to get that third green ribbon this weekend. Our practice started with him watching me and forgetting to sit — a quick pop and the light bulb flashed. He remembers. So, cross fingers for tomorrow.
Wendy also brought me a bag of prizes — pottery from Durango, a big white rosette, the new pale blue/white select ribbons, the BOB ribbons. Some of the items are a bit fragile, but we will get them home safely and love displaying them.
Inca is at Adrienne’s; I had dinner with my son who is coaching the Air Force Academy’s volleyball team. All in all, we’ve had a pretty nice day.
I still have photos to edit — but this week my clients have demanded attention — imagine.
An overview of the baybeez: We got beautiful heads and expression, wonderful attitude. The color is really strong and most of the puppies are flashy. Toplines were good overall. Ears are coming up on their own. All the puppies exhibit excellent type. They are exuberant and inquisitive, but love to cuddle.
Paula and Eric have done a wonderful job preparing these little guys for future homes. I so wanted to scoop up a puppy and bring it home with me. Someday I’ll tell you which one . . .
We’re off to Colorado Springs early in the morning and I’ll report in on the adventures of Chase, Holmes, and Leidy. Hopefully we’ll get that third green ribbon for the Chase-man. The breed entry is very small, but we can still hope for a point each for Holmes and Leidy — and breed for Chase.
We will be spending Saturday night in Yakima at the Days Inn at 1504 N. 1st Street.
Not far from the motel is Franklin Park. The actual address is 410 South 19th. We will hold two puppy parties. On Saturday at 4:30 in the corner of the park near the intersection of South 19th and West Chestnut, and then on Sunday morning at 11:00 at the same place. Please alert anyone who might be interested in attending the party, taking photos, hanging out to look at cute babies . . . Rumor has it there will be a second litter (a little older) to evaluate and photograph as well.
This is long distance planning in the dark, but the woman at the Motel says Franklin park is not far and is nice. I hope that’s true 
I’m awfully excited about seeing the Chase/Magic puppies in person, and seeing all you blogging friends as well.
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