Karen, Emma and Anna drove over to not only pick up Breezy but also play with the puppies and of course, take in lunch at Bahama Breeze! We had a blast – and have decided that we need to do this WAY more often!  Especially since the two seemed to just blend on their first trip around the cul-de-sac. I think they may have a really good shot at being a nice Junior team! Fingers Crossed!

In addition to photographing all the fabulous wins as well as the memory card full of candids, I have some Figgy news to share too!

Yesterday Debi, Hope and I discussed the upcoming Toy Dog Speciality in Kissimmee and how Hope needs a toy breed to show to help increase her Junior competitions. Of all of my dogs, I figured that Tino would be the easiest for someone else to show. I brought him along to see how he would behave for her – If he did well then she could show him at the shows. I have to say, I think we have a nice little pair for the specialty. I will show him in breed and in owner-handler and she will show him in Junior Showmanship next month. I think they are going to do great together!

Alexis and Margie look fabulous together but nothing like she and Boomer did. Unfortunately they’re getting passed over – as usual the kids with the bigger dogs are catching the judges’ eye. Alexis is handling like a champ. Couldn’t be more proud!

Alexis is staying at the show site with Renée this week and I am driving back and forth every day. We’re giving Margie a go in the Junior ring this week to see how they do together – It’s been two years for that dynamic duo! Of course Stella is here for show ring experience and socialization. Another week filled with $30 confirmation classes.

Stella did Estele always does. I saw slight improvement on her movement back to the judge and her was up for at least the first go around the ring. I will take it! Let’s just hope we see more changes as the week progresses.

Speaking of changes, lots of changes so far in the Junior ring. Its bitter sweet being the last Brooksville Circuit with Alexis as a junior. This is always two weeks with so look forward to! Not having Boomer was definitely felt. Margie was a nice change but it’s just not the same. Breezy doesn’t have the confidence for the junior ring, let alone the breed ring, so we will continue to give Margie ago. She kicked right back into gear which was amazing! She’s such an awesome girl!

Initially we were told that Alexis would be the only junior showing today. The other registered Junior had a ring conflict. She even pre-congratulated Alexis on winning Best Junior handler. A few moments before the rain time the Junior returned to say she was able to squeeze the entry in and did in fact show. She is a rather experienced and well known handler so for her to win instead of Alexis was rather predictable. I will say I was very proud of Alexis for handling the situation with such class and grace. This was her last official Specialty as a Junior. She was very proud to just be able to participate. Adding in all of the dog swapping and such, I would say she is the coolest chick I know!

The next cool thing that happened was Stella and her trip around the ring. Clearly all of my socialization prep work paid off because she was as comfortable as ever walking around that ring. Tail up, not an ounce of fear, and she stayed focused on me, and not what was going on around her. She did fabulous on the table, Even been in season, and let the judge go over her without issue. We do need to work on keeping her tail up when we are standing still. I had to keep her moving the entire time. Looking down and moving in circles got me a tad dizzy, But the results were well worth it.

Entered in the Open Bitch class, there were more than four entered and competing. To receive a fourth-place ribbon was beyond exciting! Seriously! Our former ball of nerves actually placed at our national club’s specialty! And I was not the only one that noticed her amazing improvements. Many friends and acquaintances approached to say how amazed they were that this was the same dog I showed in Ocala just one month ago. I am so unbelievably proud! 2017 is going to be an awesome year!

For her second and last show of the trip, Stella actually walked around the ring with her tail up on both go-rounds. She was much better on the table (yes, we do still have work to do on that) and she tolerated the cold way better than I thought. While I was in the ring with Stella, Alexis was a couple rings down for Juniors with Breezy.

Now she did not do so well in the cold temps, so much so that she appeared to be cramping up in the ring and didn’t necessarily want to even stand. Poor Breezy! After her ring time we warmed her up in the car –  A jacket for our sweet girl is on my to-do list!

Another ring conflict allowed Alexis to show Pryia in breed today and I am thinking the cold effected Alexis more so than Pryia. Her own gait was off – perhaps from trying got keep herself warm? No love but I think it was an accomplishment since Pryia is in season and didnt baulk once when being examined! Glass half full!

It’s been a very long and very good weekend! Waking early, going to bed late and working non-stop, I think Alexis needs to build her stamina – I think we both do! Alexis worked her butt off with Renee, proving she can work with me there, but not THERE. Huge accomplishment! Next show we will try with her staying at the hotel with Renee!

I am proud to announce that Stella walked around the ring actually had her tail up for the final go around. She balked to bit on the table but it did not growl nip or bite! That’s huge for us! beyond proud and can’t wait to see how we do tomorrow. Even it’s the same, it’s a win!

Her socialization continued when Terry offered to take her around with her around the show site. She was stiff like a statue for only a couple of minutes. Again, more progress! All in all I’m very happy with the training and experiences Stella has received here in Ocala.

Well Stella night we’re broadening our horizons, Alexis got to show Priya in breed and Breezy in Juniors. They both got dumped but Alexis loved the experience. Breezy still looks way too uncomfortable on the ring. Not quite sure how’s to increase your confidence but that is our new goal for 2017.

Our other news of the day? Rita brought Flirt (who has been renamed Cupie) with her for the weekend and we got to see her progress. She’s doing very well, all things considered. Found out late in the day that they were doing an Eye Clinic. It to get Stella’s eyes done. She passed with flying colors! Like there was ever a doubt?? We also got news on Linguine progress at the fast cat run. That little dude ran his heart out and is now the fastest Cavalier King Charles spaniel on record!

Was an early morning rain time we kicked off today with the Whippets, freezing cold and shaking. We are still learning a lot about this breed and it never occurred to me to pick up a jacket for her. The other whippets we’re kept warm with jackets and wraps. Renée taught us how to not only keep Breezy warm with body contact but to also use soft and slow rubbing of your hands down her back to calm her ring-side. Technique definitely calm her but I’m not too sure about keeping her warm. It looks like I’m going to have to find a custom jacket for our sweet girl. In the meantime we’ll do what we can with what we have.

We were able to get the registration papers for Breezy all set up so that she could show her in Juniors today, and for the rest of the weekend. She would have a much better chance competing with a larger dog. Of course Juniors was a conflict with Australian Shepherd so she picked juniors and Renée took Priya in. To top it off it was one of the last ring times of the day. Go figure!

Priya and Renée we’re seamless, so much so they took best-of-breed! No love in groups but they still looked wonderful! Alexis and Breezy did their thing in the junior ring. She was much more noticeable with a larger dogs but it was also very noticeable that Breezy was rather uncomfortable. This was her last day showings this weekend. I see some additional socialization at the show site in our future.

While the big dogs had their ring times today the little ones got to bond with their new show home – the new Best in Show Trolley! It was perfect! It kept them warm in the morning, cool in the afternoon and comfortable enough can nap the day away at a very loud and active show site. That’s a total win in my book!

Today ends the Regional Specialty – With the Sweepstakes and Long Coats exhibiting yesterday and today the Smooth Coats. This morning bright and early, the Juniors kicked off day two of the Specialty. Alexis showed Mikki for the first time and for being their debut they did AWESOME! Some world renowned completion was there!! Very proud to share that they earned a 2nd! They worked for it!

We ended the great day with a fantasy dinner with some fantastic friends! A delicious dinner at Texas Roadhouse was the perfect way to celebrate the year’s accomplishments. Lots of fun and laughter shared with some of the most amazing people ever!