Well I headed to Lexington this past weekend with several of the dogs. Two were entered Saturday and three on Sunday. Camping out with super friends made it so much fun! I made sure to get an easy up before I headed down this time as I wasn't sure how much shade we'd have and I was SO glad I did! I had a great little set up for the weekend and the dogs enjoyed the shade, fan and their 8' x 8' temporary "back yard".
Let me back up a little bit. Years back when I first started showing dogs I used to go and camp with my mentors/breeders and always had a great time. It's nice being AT the site instead of rushing from and to a hotel every morning and evening. It gives me a chance to relax and also talk to others and pick brains. This weekend was like that - relaxing yet educational, the best of both worlds.
So ok anyway ... my young girl whippet AkaSha won the open class on Saturday and showed very well. No points but still it was good. Biggie Smalls, my 7 mth old Crested boy on the other hand was a little pistol in the ring! He wasn't happy about being on the table, and kept turning around on the move (he LOVES to do spinningspinning tricks). Needless to say he got 2nd out of 2. The other puppy dog who was in his class went on to get reserve and I REALLY liked that puppy so taking 2nd behind him wasn't "painful" at all. He was a lovely pup and very well behaved, a very deserved class win.
Back to our set up, all dogs got time to relax and then eat a good turn out and then my turn to eat. OH MY! We ate with friends and what a WONDERFUL meal! Fried chicken, potatoes and gravy, green beans, on and on. I was stuffed then out comes the desserts and yes I ate a little of each ;). More talks and visiting rounded out the night and then back to our set up and off to shower. A very short sleep unfortunately due to the "neighbor" who liked using flood lights at 445 in the morning topped with his dogs barking the whole time they were out ... every one of the dogs and never did he hush them. Niiiiice! I'm glad we didn't show til much later ;).
Up and at it at 8, dogs pottied and then off to the shower house to brush teeth and so forth. Got going on all the grooming (yes hairless cresteds take quite some time to get ready to show, one must shave their bodies unless they are a *true* hairless which mine are not, close but they have some body hair). Got Biggie ready then the two whippets (I had Spank and Akasha entered Sunday). I ended up having to have a friend show Biggie Smalls. He was a total boob in the ring unfortunately. I felt terrible for my handler friend but there wasn't anything I could do. Dogs will be dogs!
Spank did well, he won the bred by class but no win or reserve. I was still thrilled as that was only his 2nd AKC show. So then it was Kay's turn, she won the Open class again and this time went on to Winners for 2 pts. Back in for Best of Breed/Op/Winners and by golly she got Best of Winners to share a 4 point major! GO KayKay! :) I was THRILLED (obviously). After judging I did get a win photo taken (it will probably turn out terrible but I don't care) and the judge was very complimentary of my girl's movement, topline and even asked the breeding on her (she's 3rd generation for my line).
Back to exercise dogs and start the tear down, packing and finally a couple hours later we were on the road home. I think I floated most of the way ;).
Some weekends are just all around really nice!
