Like a bull in a china shop, he barrels his way through the day in is unique style – Carrying a dog toy in his mouth! He takes them everywhere!!! Our backyard is now covered in them. He’s going to be a trip!

In addition to day two of working with Renée and Team Valor, Alexis got to show Japanese Chins for Mary Beth and will do so again tomorrow.  It is not as exciting has competing in Juniors but at least it’s something. She is grateful to just enter the ring plus she loves helping Mary Beth 😀

Exciting news of the day is today Boomer’s son – Boom Boom – is being delivered by Rayna’s friend Vanne. Today we have been so looking forward to since back in September. We still have to keep an eye on his testicles, we have one that keeps floating act up, so fingers crossed that he will get to stay! I will say that he is adorable as ever, a ball of energy and took to the lead within a few minutes. He even let me bathe him! That’s points in my book. Now I can’t wait for Alexis to come home and enjoyed him and all of his puppy wonder. Four more days until she is home.

We met up Friday night at our go-to-location – Ruby Tuesdays – for steak dinner. The steak leftovers are always used as bait for the weekend. The dogs LOVE it! Friday we moored out sweet Boomer over dinner and talked about the great accomplishments of the dynamic duo. We also discussed the fact that Margi will be coming to live  with us once she is retired. We even discussed the idea of Alexis showing her next year to try to earn her final major and get her titled. Well guess what? Today Rayna got that major ! And yesterday we discussed the possibility of a Boomer son coming to living with us. Many Pug plans in the works – EXCITING!!!!

Also with the fact he gave the biggest gift ever to Alexis. She was his EVERYTHING and he was her heart dog! He made her the Junior and handler that she is today. He taught her the skills and the patience to work with dogs. He alone helped her after almost a year of trying, to move from Novice to Open.  And as she struggles to earn her Eukanuba invitation, she has been loosing hope on that goal. Sunday he gave her the hope to go on and continue the fight. Between the tears we also smile at all he has given to this family. If I had only known this was going to be the last photo taken of our sweet Boomer! It will now be forever cherished.

Before we head out for dinner, Alexis and Boomer made their South Carolina debut in the Junior ring. I don’t know if it was because she had a competitor she never met before or if her odds for her next win was only 50% away, but she looked a bit nervous out there. They did great but they got 2nd. I think her lack of confidence was the determining factor. Needless to say, a pep talk was part of the dinnertime conversation.

Everything got very staggered so our “possible” ring conflict turned into a most definite one and then some. I helped with showing one of the Toy Fox Terriers and then had to run to the Chihuahua ring so I didn’t get to see Alexis show in Pugs either. I was able to hear Alexis be asked to handle a Toy Manchester Terrier but couldn’t witness her do it either. I heard how amazing awesome she did though. Like there was ever a doubt?

I did get to see her rock it in the Cavalier King Charles ring. Her and Tabby did awesome and Alexis can’t wait to get to work more with her.  I also got to witness her rock it even more in the Junior ring. Her and Boomer did their thing for sure and ended this awesomely fun weekend in an awesomely AWESOME way. They earned a 2nd!!!!

Then following Chihuahuas was the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. They had a very large entry, giving Alexis to spend time learning more about the bred. So much so that we joint the local breed club! She also got to help with Tabby, who did even better today!

Having a home base today allow us to spend time and get to know an amazing  Toy Manchester Terrier breeder named Tammy.  A true supporter of Juniors, she asked if Alexis could help her with socializing some of her younger ones. In between her rings times, Alexis took them around the building to get them accustom to the show’s sights and sounds.

Her final breed ring time was of course the Pugs with Boomer. Her competition had a ring conflict so she was alone this morning. We got the Owner-Hander points on the perfect day   – The day we plan on staying past Best in Show!

It’s also the same day that Juniors go in after Groups start. Not a first, but truly rare. And today she took Oz in for her Junior dog. Placement or not – they looked fabulous together. Tomorrow is another day!

Staying in the same ring, Alexis was able to help Tina with her young puppy, Tabby. For a first time in the ring, I have to say, Alexis was amazing!!!! She truly “handled” the dog! She expressed really liking the breed and wanting to learn about Cavalier Kind Charles Spaniels. We are so fortunate to have met Tina because she will help provide the opportunity!

Still in the same ring, we all pitched in to help Debbie with her crew of Toy Fox Terriers. She built a major for the girls so we each got to bring one in for Winners Bitch. From there,Alexis got to go back in, helping during Best of Breed. Debbie took the points, so that made it a worth it for sure.

Pugs can be the happy-go-luckiest dogs on the planet, that is until you try to clip their nails. That’s when they become a possessed canine! Boomer is the king of nail clipping inspired possession. Kristie and Emily joined in and together they were able to get his nails down a bit. They will need to try this weekly to get them down to where we really need them!