We had the rest of the afternoon to unwind and and take in the sights! Heading to Sugarfire Smoke House – another St. Louis MUST was the perfect way to fill bellies with food for a travel day and laugher with friends. With most people heading home today, there were a lot of good-byes and farewells. Suzanne headed out before Dolly and I so I hung out with Dolly and Han until we headed out to the airport. OMG Han is a riot! I taught him all about Snapchat! WATCH OUT WORLD!!!!!!!

Our flight home was easy-breezy. A stop at the Chili’s in the airport for a snack and a cocktail (or two) was what the Doctor ordered and for the flight itself, Issue and Tino were perfect angels. I can tell you Tino was about done when we landed in Orlando tough. I think we are all ready to be home and get some rest from an exciting weekend of fun and memories!

The dog show world has been rocked by this canine flu the numbers have been drastically low. Absent and canceled entries are leaving shows at one-third the normal  headcount. I worry about the clubs being able to financially rebound for these hits! Look at the photos my husband took of the show sight! It’s virtually empty!

The entires were at a record low for our club but that didn’t stop the excitement! For the first time we had an International entry (From Greece!) and he happened to win both varieties AND of course, breed! Very exciting to watch- both were very nice dogs! Major congrats to Apostolos & Georgios!

It started with Alexis entering the ring for her last time as a Junior at a TBCC Specialty. Three years ago, she started her Junior competition experience in the same room as the only entry but with every cub member rooting her on. This year she didn’t have competition in her class but it looks like the club will have a new Junior to root on – Brooke is an Open Junior and she showed her Chihuahua like a champ! The two went head to head competing for Best Junior and Alexis won! She and Harry were seamless – We were all so very proud of them both!

Going from the Junior competition right into the Long Coat variety completion, it was exciting to not only watch our friends  achieve major goals and wins but to witness Alexis be an intricate part of the day. I so love when a a club and its members support and root on those in the ring and those outside of the ring too! Alexis has proven herself to be quite the talented handler being asked all day long to handle dogs the ring. I don’t know who was more proud! The icing the cake was when she got to bring Patriot – Eddie’s father and Milly’s grandfather – in for the Best of Variety completion as the winning veteran of the specialty, This win was a final major needed to earn his Grand Champion title!!!

After the long coats were done, Georgie and I had our chance to enter the ring. As a class dog, he has always been the dog that kicks off the variety. Today he was the second and final smooth coat in the ring. He truly showed his butt off! Even with the most distracting floor in Orlando Dog Show history, he only stopped to try to search for scraps ONCE and his tail was up the entire time! I couldn’t have been more proud. When he won Winner’s Dog, the idea of him getting the cross-over was the furthest thing from my mind! Knowing he needed only four single points to get his Champion title – And the fact that I had entered him as a class dog for six more shows – I was beyond thrilled that we earned one of those four points. While in for the Best of Variety completion, I was honored to be a part of it in my club’s 60th Specialty. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined being in the ring for that, with my own breeding!

To then be awarded Best of Winners I was actually brought to tears – Along with my friends and fellows breeders/exhibitors who have supported me and my program – and I had to pause to the note that in addition to the acknowledgement for Georgie and I, but also the fact Georgie also earned his Champion Title… AT THE TBCC’s 60th SPECIALTY!!!! Oh My Goodness Words Can NOT Express How I Feel! Beyond honored and excited – We have our first home grown champion!

In the all-breed rings George didn’t place beyond his is 1st place in his puppy class. Today is his last time in the puppy class because he turns one year old tomorrow! Alexis and Oz didn’t place in the Juniors but she and Boomer got a Select in Pugs and a Group 4 in Owner Handler! That’s a huge accomplishment!

When we moved onto our Specialty we kicked things off with Alexis and Harry. For the first time in several years, we only had one Junior at our Specialty. All of their hard work and there was no chance for her to earn any wins but I can tell you that everyone cheered them on as they showcased their true partnership. Very sweet to watch! Especially when Harry JUMPED over the tape holding down mats. Too cute!

Following their performance, we had our Sweepstakes. Georgie was on fire! His “terrier like qualities” were apparent as he realized there was a dog behind him when he was in the ring. Our sweet, amazing boy got Best Opposite Sex to Best in sweeps and Best Opposite Sex to Best Puppy in Sweeps! The excitement doesn’t end there though…

After the Sweepstakes, the Specialty kicked into gear and that terrier display didn’t diminish  – He was ON in the ring for sure. Clearly the judge recognized it because he awarded Georgie with Reserve – Over dogs on Handlers! THAT’S HUGE!!! Big time huge! Big time exciting!!!

Georgie was a complete pistol in the ring! I don’t know if it was because Alexis was on the lead instead of me or if it was because we were outside (He hasn’t shown on grass since his very first show back in January) but he was not going to have no matter what. It’s all good – More practice for outdoor shows and funds go to the club so it’s still a win in my book!

The rescheduling of our match went without issue (We bumped it to June 5th) so onto a puppy socialization session following our monthly meeting made the drive out to Lakeland behind worth while.

Many of us brought pups to participate in the match and Pat Pitorre brought her sweet as ever, That A Baby (Yes that’s his name). Feasting on pizza and watching the kids – the potential future of our club – play with and socialize the puppies was our afternoon – Perfect!

The smooth coats went first and Kiss was an automatic 1st her class. It was when she went back in for Winner’s Bitch that I got to see what life is like with a dog that walks with it’s tail. Oh my  WORD! What a difference! We didn’t win but it was still very exciting for me! CJ walked in Best of Breed just fin but we didn’t place. It’s all good – It was a HUGE entry!!!

Tipsy and I have come quite far in her show training (and socialization) in the last nine months so the chance to enter her in the TBCC Specialty was really pretty awesome. Last year at this time she was being passed around to everyone possible as a 4 month old pup. Now look at her!!

She got a third place in the Specialty and he tail was plastered to her underside – just not up or out. It’s an improvement – I’ll take it! And we have two more days of the same. Yahoooooooo….

Our round two for the day was more of the same – No real placements but a lot of fun none the less! The girls had a blast, which to me is all that matters. In addition, we supported the club and Tipsy went again with nippy-nippy, only a slight growl that no one but me noticed. SUCCESS!

Long coats followed the Juniors, a nice change up from the norm. Tipsy and I had a lot of competition and for the first time she stayed focused on me on. That was a nice, unintended lesson. And like I said, she growled ever so slightly on the table but after already being so good earlier this was a long and exhausting day – I am sure is was an “I am Tired” growl.

Alexis and KC got a “gimme” 4th which just entering ring is a treat. She is Alexis’ Juniors Chihuahua and not so fine-tuned in show trained department. She begs to go to shows though – EVERY time! So for her to get the chance to slip on that lead is the bonus.

Next came the smooth coats and our dynamic duo did a great job with the ring  fear still very alive . They were first in the ring again – ARGH! Breanna was such a trooper and I commend her on her patience! They got a “gimme” 3rd but the fact that he made it around the ring without turning around completely is a win to me!

Both of the girls got to reenter the ring for Best of Breed, helping Michele with her entries. Having never handled the before, they both did such a wonderful job. I was honestly quite impressed with how awesome Alexis was with CJ. She ROCKED it, looking like a pro out there!!!

All in all is was an awesomely successful specialty with everyone having a fabulous time – Can’t wait for next year!

We also brought Ty, Milly and Sweetie for their first outside socialization adventure and they too did a fabulous job! held and passed around by many, they were real troopers and took in all of the fun like they had been to show events their entire lives!

So who participated in the actual event? Well I intended on entering Tipsy but to help increase the numbers for the club, I entered Smoochie at the last minute. She was brought along initially just for the socialization but into the ring she went. She walked initially but then slammed on the breaks when they approached the table. Last year she was the belle of the ball – this year not so much.  This poor girl has been through so much – Some things we may never know exactly – So to see her fear strangers in such a strong way, I now know we will not put her through such events ever again. Poor baby! And thank you Darius for your amazing patience and professionalism!

Tipsy on the other hand took her first show event on with more confidence than I imaged she could. She started off rough but ended with somewhat of  a walk around the ring and was PERECT on the table! Our working with her has paid off for sure! 15 minutes a day on the lead and she’s not a statue on the lead!!

I also got a bit of ring time, helping Sandy in the ring for the Open Bitches class. Wow! It’s been way too long since I have been in the ring. I actually had to stop and think about which hand I was holding the lead in. I did realize that I do miss the ring! Maybe I should “take the lead” on the training Tipsy and make her my project for the year!

Next came the amazing progress made by Breanna and her mom with Tipsy. She returned as a completely different girl!!!! Walking freely on the lead, no snarls or growls and loved the attention from everyone -strangers and family alike! They are miracle workers!

Our crew made up the welcoming committee on Saturday and all three were real troopers. KC, Tipsy and Beamer did a wonderful job representing the breed. Each showed their caring and sweet nature as well as the different varieties in our breed. KC was her easy going yet reluctant self while Beamer was a ham, showing off his belly rub begin’ ways to anyone willing to scratch his tummy.

The two full days spent manning the booth brought so many wonderful people into our lives- I wish to thank every person that stopped by to love on our breed because YOU are the reason we are there. Your love, your passion, your inquiries and your interest in the Chihuahua!

We were THRILLED to be awarded Second Place in the Toy Breed Group in the Meet The Breed Competition. OWZERS! Two years in a row we have placed so to say we are honored is any understatement.